diff --git a/config/example.jsonnet b/config/example.jsonnet
index 6d84230..7c2acc2 100644
--- a/config/example.jsonnet
+++ b/config/example.jsonnet
@@ -38,6 +38,11 @@ local banFor(time) = {
     },
   },
 
+  // where the state (database) must be read
+  // defaults to . which means reaction's working directory.
+  // The systemd service starts reaction in /var/lib/reaction.
+  state_directory: '.',
+
   // if set to a positive number → max number of concurrent actions
   // if set to a negative number → no limit
   // if not specified or set to 0 → defaults to the number of CPUs on the system
diff --git a/config/example.yml b/config/example.yml
index 759f597..a9e585e 100644
--- a/config/example.yml
+++ b/config/example.yml
@@ -15,6 +15,11 @@ definitions:
 # ip46tables is a minimal C program (only POSIX dependencies) present as a subdirectory.
 # it permits to handle both ipv4/iptables and ipv6/ip6tables commands
 
+# where the state (database) must be read
+# defaults to . which means reaction's working directory.
+# The systemd service starts reaction in /var/lib/reaction.
+state_directory: .
+
 # if set to a positive number → max number of concurrent actions
 # if set to a negative number → no limit
 # if not specified or set to 0 → defaults to the number of CPUs on the system