diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c87af05..73642a3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -100,6 +100,17 @@ Sensible fallback locations are used for the folders which are not set.
 
 ### XDG user directories
 
+XDG user directories environment variables are usually **not** set on most
+operating systems. However, if they are present in the environment, they take
+precedence. Appropriate fallback locations are used for the environment
+variables which are not set.
+
+- On Unix-like operating systems (except macOS and Plan 9), the package reads the [user-dirs.dirs](https://man.archlinux.org/man/user-dirs.dirs.5.en) config file, if present.
+- On Windows, the package uses the appropriate [Known Folders](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/shell/knownfolderid).
+
+Lastly, default locations are used for any user directories which are not set,
+as shown in the following tables.
+
 <details open>
     <summary><strong>Unix-like operating systems</strong></summary>
     <br/>
@@ -156,7 +167,7 @@ Sensible fallback locations are used for the folders which are not set.
 | :-----------------------------------------------------------: | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: |
 | <kbd><b>Home</b></kbd>                                        | <kbd>Profile</kbd>                                                                       | <kbd>%USERPROFILE%</kbd>                                                                                                                |
 | <kbd><b>Applications</b></kbd>                                | <kbd>Programs</kbd><br/><kbd>CommonPrograms</kbd>                                        | <kbd>%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start&nbsp;Menu\Programs</kbd><br/><kbd>%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start&nbsp;Menu\Programs</kbd> |
-| <kbd><b>Fonts</b></kbd>                                       | <kbd>Fonts</kbd><br/><kbd>-</kbd>                                                        | <kbd>%SystemRoot%\Fonts</kbd><br/><kbd>%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Fonts</kbd>                                                     |
+| <kbd><b>Fonts</b></kbd>                                       | <kbd>Fonts</kbd>                                                                         | <kbd>%SystemRoot%\Fonts</kbd><br/><kbd>%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Fonts</kbd>                                                     |
 
 </details>
 
diff --git a/internal/pathutil/pathutil.go b/internal/pathutil/pathutil.go
index d3bc124..554eda6 100644
--- a/internal/pathutil/pathutil.go
+++ b/internal/pathutil/pathutil.go
@@ -8,18 +8,17 @@ import (
 )
 
 // Unique eliminates the duplicate paths from the provided slice and returns
-// the result. The items in the output slice are in the order in which they
-// occur in the input slice. If a `home` location is provided, the paths are
-// expanded using the `ExpandHome` function.
-func Unique(paths []string, home string) []string {
+// the result. The paths are expanded using the `ExpandHome` function and only
+// absolute paths are kept. The items in the output slice are in the order in
+// which they occur in the input slice.
+func Unique(paths []string) []string {
 	var (
 		uniq     []string
 		registry = map[string]struct{}{}
 	)
 
 	for _, p := range paths {
-		p = ExpandHome(p, home)
-		if p != "" && filepath.IsAbs(p) {
+		if p = ExpandHome(p); p != "" && filepath.IsAbs(p) {
 			if _, ok := registry[p]; ok {
 				continue
 			}
@@ -32,6 +31,18 @@ func Unique(paths []string, home string) []string {
 	return uniq
 }
 
+// First returns the first absolute path from the provided slice.
+// The paths in the input slice are expanded using the `ExpandHome` function.
+func First(paths []string) string {
+	for _, p := range paths {
+		if p = ExpandHome(p); p != "" && filepath.IsAbs(p) {
+			return p
+		}
+	}
+
+	return ""
+}
+
 // Create returns a suitable location relative to which the file with the
 // specified `name` can be written. The first path from the provided `paths`
 // slice which is successfully created (or already exists) is used as a base
@@ -78,3 +89,29 @@ func Search(name string, paths []string) (string, error) {
 	return "", fmt.Errorf("could not locate `%s` in any of the following paths: %s",
 		filepath.Base(name), strings.Join(searchedPaths, ", "))
 }
+
+// EnvPath returns the value of the environment variable with the specified
+// `name` if it is an absolute path, or the first absolute fallback path.
+// All paths are expanded using the `ExpandHome` function.
+func EnvPath(name string, fallbackPaths ...string) string {
+	dir := ExpandHome(os.Getenv(name))
+	if dir != "" && filepath.IsAbs(dir) {
+		return dir
+	}
+
+	return First(fallbackPaths)
+}
+
+// EnvPathList reads the value of the environment variable with the specified
+// `name` and attempts to extract a list of absolute paths from it. If there
+// are none, a list of absolute fallback paths is returned instead. Duplicate
+// paths are removed from the returned slice. All paths are expanded using the
+// `ExpandHome` function.
+func EnvPathList(name string, fallbackPaths ...string) []string {
+	dirs := Unique(filepath.SplitList(os.Getenv(name)))
+	if len(dirs) != 0 {
+		return dirs
+	}
+
+	return Unique(fallbackPaths)
+}
diff --git a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_plan9.go b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_plan9.go
index 389a0b6..a6e378a 100644
--- a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_plan9.go
+++ b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_plan9.go
@@ -8,15 +8,24 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 )
 
+// UserHomeDir returns the home directory of the current user.
+func UserHomeDir() string {
+	if home := os.Getenv("home"); home != "" {
+		return home
+	}
+
+	return "/"
+}
+
 // Exists returns true if the specified path exists.
 func Exists(path string) bool {
 	_, err := os.Stat(path)
 	return err == nil || errors.Is(err, fs.ErrExist)
 }
 
-// ExpandHome substitutes `~` and `$home` at the start of the specified
-// `path` using the provided `home` location.
-func ExpandHome(path, home string) string {
+// ExpandHome substitutes `~` and `$home` at the start of the specified `path`.
+func ExpandHome(path string) string {
+	home := UserHomeDir()
 	if path == "" || home == "" {
 		return path
 	}
diff --git a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_plan9_test.go b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_plan9_test.go
index 8c09794..67e48c3 100644
--- a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_plan9_test.go
+++ b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_plan9_test.go
@@ -3,49 +3,73 @@
 package pathutil_test
 
 import (
+	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
 
-	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/pathutil"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/pathutil"
 )
 
+func TestUserHomeDir(t *testing.T) {
+	home := os.Getenv("home")
+	defer os.Setenv("home", home)
+
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.UserHomeDir())
+
+	os.Unsetenv("home")
+	require.Equal(t, "/", pathutil.UserHomeDir())
+}
+
 func TestExpandHome(t *testing.T) {
-	home := "/home/test"
-
-	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome("~", home))
-	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome("$home", home))
-	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "appname"), pathutil.ExpandHome("~/appname", home))
-	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "appname"), pathutil.ExpandHome("$home/appname", home))
-
-	require.Equal(t, "", pathutil.ExpandHome("", home))
-	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome(home, ""))
-	require.Equal(t, "", pathutil.ExpandHome("", ""))
-
-	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome(home, home))
-	require.Equal(t, "/", pathutil.ExpandHome("~", "/"))
-	require.Equal(t, "/", pathutil.ExpandHome("$home", "/"))
-	require.Equal(t, "/usr/bin", pathutil.ExpandHome("~/bin", "/usr"))
-	require.Equal(t, "/usr/bin", pathutil.ExpandHome("$home/bin", "/usr"))
+	home := pathutil.UserHomeDir()
+
+	require.Equal(t, "", pathutil.ExpandHome(""))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome(home))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome("~"))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome("$home"))
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "appname"), pathutil.ExpandHome("~/appname"))
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "appname"), pathutil.ExpandHome("$home/appname"))
 }
 
 func TestUnique(t *testing.T) {
+	home := pathutil.UserHomeDir()
+
 	input := []string{
 		"",
-		"/home",
-		"/home/test",
+		home,
+		filepath.Join(home, "foo"),
 		"a",
-		"~/appname",
-		"$home/appname",
+		"~/foo",
+		"$home/foo",
 		"a",
-		"/home",
+		"~",
+		"$home",
 	}
 
 	expected := []string{
-		"/home",
-		"/home/test",
-		"/home/test/appname",
+		home,
+		filepath.Join(home, "foo"),
 	}
 
-	require.EqualValues(t, expected, pathutil.Unique(input, "/home/test"))
+	require.EqualValues(t, expected, pathutil.Unique(input))
+}
+
+func TestFirst(t *testing.T) {
+	home := pathutil.UserHomeDir()
+
+	require.Equal(t, "", pathutil.First([]string{}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{home}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"$home"}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"~"}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{home, ""}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"", home}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"$home", ""}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"", "$home"}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"~", ""}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"", "~"}))
+	require.Equal(t, "/home/test/foo", pathutil.First([]string{"/home/test/foo", "/home/test/bar"}))
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "foo"), pathutil.First([]string{"$home/foo", "$home/bar"}))
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "foo"), pathutil.First([]string{"~/foo", "~/bar"}))
 }
diff --git a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_test.go b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_test.go
index af03625..9c2ab21 100644
--- a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_test.go
+++ b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_test.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package pathutil_test
 import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
@@ -107,3 +108,36 @@ func TestSearch(t *testing.T) {
 
 	require.NoError(t, os.RemoveAll(filepath.Dir(expected)))
 }
+
+func TestEnvPath(t *testing.T) {
+	home := pathutil.UserHomeDir()
+	val := filepath.Join(home, "test")
+
+	os.Setenv("PATHUTIL_TEST_VAR", val)
+	defer os.Unsetenv("PATHUTIL_TEST_VAR")
+
+	require.Equal(t, val, pathutil.EnvPath("PATHUTIL_TEST_VAR"))
+
+	os.Setenv("PATHUTIL_TEST_VAR", "")
+	require.Equal(t, val, pathutil.EnvPath("PATHUTIL_TEST_VAR", val))
+	require.Equal(t, val, pathutil.EnvPath("", val))
+}
+
+func TestEnvPathList(t *testing.T) {
+	home := pathutil.UserHomeDir()
+	pathList := []string{
+		filepath.Join(home, "test1"),
+		filepath.Join(home, "test2"),
+		filepath.Join(home, "test3"),
+	}
+	val := strings.Join(pathList, string(os.PathListSeparator))
+
+	os.Setenv("PATHUTIL_TEST_VAR", val)
+	defer os.Unsetenv("PATHUTIL_TEST_VAR")
+
+	require.Equal(t, val, strings.Join(pathutil.EnvPathList("PATHUTIL_TEST_VAR"), string(os.PathListSeparator)))
+
+	os.Setenv("PATHUTIL_TEST_VAR", "")
+	require.Equal(t, val, strings.Join(pathutil.EnvPathList("PATHUTIL_TEST_VAR", pathList...), string(os.PathListSeparator)))
+	require.Equal(t, val, strings.Join(pathutil.EnvPathList("", pathList...), string(os.PathListSeparator)))
+}
diff --git a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_unix.go b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_unix.go
index be5b802..3114a8c 100644
--- a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_unix.go
+++ b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_unix.go
@@ -10,15 +10,24 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 )
 
+// UserHomeDir returns the home directory of the current user.
+func UserHomeDir() string {
+	if home := os.Getenv("HOME"); home != "" {
+		return home
+	}
+
+	return "/"
+}
+
 // Exists returns true if the specified path exists.
 func Exists(path string) bool {
 	_, err := os.Stat(path)
 	return err == nil || errors.Is(err, fs.ErrExist)
 }
 
-// ExpandHome substitutes `~` and `$HOME` at the start of the specified
-// `path` using the provided `home` location.
-func ExpandHome(path, home string) string {
+// ExpandHome substitutes `~` and `$HOME` at the start of the specified `path`.
+func ExpandHome(path string) string {
+	home := UserHomeDir()
 	if path == "" || home == "" {
 		return path
 	}
diff --git a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_unix_test.go b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_unix_test.go
index fd1d0c2..49a323f 100644
--- a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_unix_test.go
+++ b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_unix_test.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 package pathutil_test
 
 import (
+	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -11,42 +12,64 @@ import (
 	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/pathutil"
 )
 
+func TestUserHomeDir(t *testing.T) {
+	home := os.Getenv("HOME")
+	defer os.Setenv("HOME", home)
+
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.UserHomeDir())
+
+	os.Unsetenv("HOME")
+	require.Equal(t, "/", pathutil.UserHomeDir())
+}
+
 func TestExpandHome(t *testing.T) {
-	home := "/home/test"
-
-	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome("~", home))
-	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome("$HOME", home))
-	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "appname"), pathutil.ExpandHome("~/appname", home))
-	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "appname"), pathutil.ExpandHome("$HOME/appname", home))
-
-	require.Equal(t, "", pathutil.ExpandHome("", home))
-	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome(home, ""))
-	require.Equal(t, "", pathutil.ExpandHome("", ""))
-
-	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome(home, home))
-	require.Equal(t, "/", pathutil.ExpandHome("~", "/"))
-	require.Equal(t, "/", pathutil.ExpandHome("$HOME", "/"))
-	require.Equal(t, "/usr/bin", pathutil.ExpandHome("~/bin", "/usr"))
-	require.Equal(t, "/usr/bin", pathutil.ExpandHome("$HOME/bin", "/usr"))
+	home := pathutil.UserHomeDir()
+
+	require.Equal(t, "", pathutil.ExpandHome(""))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome(home))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome("~"))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome("$HOME"))
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "appname"), pathutil.ExpandHome("~/appname"))
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "appname"), pathutil.ExpandHome("$HOME/appname"))
 }
 
 func TestUnique(t *testing.T) {
+	home := pathutil.UserHomeDir()
+
 	input := []string{
 		"",
-		"/home",
-		"/home/test",
+		home,
+		filepath.Join(home, "foo"),
 		"a",
-		"~/appname",
-		"$HOME/appname",
+		"~/foo",
+		"$HOME/foo",
 		"a",
-		"/home",
+		"~",
+		"$HOME",
 	}
 
 	expected := []string{
-		"/home",
-		"/home/test",
-		"/home/test/appname",
+		home,
+		filepath.Join(home, "foo"),
 	}
 
-	require.EqualValues(t, expected, pathutil.Unique(input, "/home/test"))
+	require.EqualValues(t, expected, pathutil.Unique(input))
+}
+
+func TestFirst(t *testing.T) {
+	home := pathutil.UserHomeDir()
+
+	require.Equal(t, "", pathutil.First([]string{}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{home}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"$HOME"}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"~"}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{home, ""}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"", home}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"$HOME", ""}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"", "$HOME"}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"~", ""}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"", "~"}))
+	require.Equal(t, "/home/test/foo", pathutil.First([]string{"/home/test/foo", "/home/test/bar"}))
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "foo"), pathutil.First([]string{"$HOME/foo", "$HOME/bar"}))
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "foo"), pathutil.First([]string{"~/foo", "~/bar"}))
 }
diff --git a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_windows.go b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_windows.go
index c29a223..5b18155 100644
--- a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_windows.go
+++ b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_windows.go
@@ -10,6 +10,11 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/sys/windows"
 )
 
+// UserHomeDir returns the home directory of the current user.
+func UserHomeDir() string {
+	return KnownFolder(windows.FOLDERID_Profile, []string{"USERPROFILE"}, nil)
+}
+
 // Exists returns true if the specified path exists.
 func Exists(path string) bool {
 	fi, err := os.Lstat(path)
@@ -20,9 +25,9 @@ func Exists(path string) bool {
 	return err == nil || errors.Is(err, fs.ErrExist)
 }
 
-// ExpandHome substitutes `%USERPROFILE%` at the start of the specified
-// `path` using the provided `home` location.
-func ExpandHome(path, home string) string {
+// ExpandHome substitutes `%USERPROFILE%` at the start of the specified `path`.
+func ExpandHome(path string) string {
+	home := UserHomeDir()
 	if path == "" || home == "" {
 		return path
 	}
diff --git a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_windows_test.go b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_windows_test.go
index 08a8f65..aa628ea 100644
--- a/internal/pathutil/pathutil_windows_test.go
+++ b/internal/pathutil/pathutil_windows_test.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 package pathutil_test
 
 import (
+	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -11,6 +12,15 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/sys/windows"
 )
 
+func TestUserHomeDir(t *testing.T) {
+	home := pathutil.KnownFolder(windows.FOLDERID_Profile, nil, nil)
+	if home == "" {
+		home = os.Getenv("USERPROFILE")
+	}
+
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.UserHomeDir())
+}
+
 func TestKnownFolder(t *testing.T) {
 	expected := `C:\ProgramData`
 	require.Equal(t, expected, pathutil.KnownFolder(windows.FOLDERID_ProgramData, nil, nil))
@@ -20,35 +30,46 @@ func TestKnownFolder(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestExpandHome(t *testing.T) {
-	home := `C:\Users\test`
-
-	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome(`%USERPROFILE%`, home))
-	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "appname"), pathutil.ExpandHome(`%USERPROFILE%\appname`, home))
+	home := pathutil.UserHomeDir()
 
-	require.Equal(t, "", pathutil.ExpandHome("", home))
-	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome(home, ""))
-	require.Equal(t, "", pathutil.ExpandHome("", ""))
-
-	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome(home, home))
+	require.Equal(t, "", pathutil.ExpandHome(""))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome(home))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.ExpandHome(`%USERPROFILE%`))
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "appname"), pathutil.ExpandHome(`%USERPROFILE%\appname`))
 }
 
 func TestUnique(t *testing.T) {
+	home := pathutil.UserHomeDir()
+
 	input := []string{
 		"",
-		`C:\Users`,
-		`C:\Users\test`,
+		home,
+		filepath.Join(home, "foo"),
 		"a",
-		`C:\Users\test\appname`,
-		`%USERPROFILE%/appname`,
+		`%USERPROFILE%/foo`,
+		`%USERPROFILE%\foo`,
 		"a",
-		`C:\Users`,
 	}
 
 	expected := []string{
-		`C:\Users`,
-		`C:\Users\test`,
-		`C:\Users\test\appname`,
+		home,
+		filepath.Join(home, "foo"),
 	}
 
-	require.EqualValues(t, expected, pathutil.Unique(input, `C:\Users\test`))
+	require.EqualValues(t, expected, pathutil.Unique(input))
+}
+
+func TestFirst(t *testing.T) {
+	home := pathutil.UserHomeDir()
+
+	require.Equal(t, "", pathutil.First([]string{}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{home}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"%USERPROFILE%"}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{home, ""}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"", home}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"%USERPROFILE%", ""}))
+	require.Equal(t, home, pathutil.First([]string{"", "%USERPROFILE%"}))
+	require.Equal(t, `C:\Users\foo`, pathutil.First([]string{`C:\Users\foo`, `C:\Users\bar`}))
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "foo"), pathutil.First([]string{`%USERPROFILE%/foo`, `%USERPROFILE%/bar`}))
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "foo"), pathutil.First([]string{`%USERPROFILE%/foo`, `%USERPROFILE%/bar`}))
 }
diff --git a/internal/userdirs/config_unix.go b/internal/userdirs/config_unix.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6b03b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/userdirs/config_unix.go
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+//go:build aix || dragonfly || freebsd || (js && wasm) || nacl || linux || netbsd || openbsd || solaris
+
+package userdirs
+
+import (
+	"bufio"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/pathutil"
+)
+
+// ParseConfigFile parses the user directories config file at the specified
+// location. The returned map contains pairs consisting of the user directory
+// names and their paths. An empty map is returned if an error is encountered.
+func ParseConfigFile(name string) map[string]string {
+	f, err := os.Open(name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return map[string]string{}
+	}
+	defer f.Close()
+
+	return ParseConfig(f)
+}
+
+// ParseConfig parses the user directories config file contained in the provided
+// reader. The returned map contains pairs consisting of the user directory
+// names and their paths. An empty map is returned if an error is encountered.
+func ParseConfig(r io.Reader) map[string]string {
+	dirs := map[string]string{}
+
+	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(r)
+	for scanner.Scan() {
+		line := strings.TrimSpace(scanner.Text())
+		if len(line) == 0 || line[0] == '#' {
+			continue
+		}
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(line, "XDG_") {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		parts := strings.Split(line, "=")
+		if len(parts) < 2 {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Parse key.
+		key := strings.TrimSpace(parts[0])
+		switch key {
+		case EnvDesktopDir,
+			EnvDownloadDir,
+			EnvDocumentsDir,
+			EnvMusicDir,
+			EnvPicturesDir,
+			EnvVideosDir,
+			EnvTemplatesDir,
+			EnvPublicShareDir:
+		default:
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Parse value.
+		runes := []rune(strings.TrimSpace(parts[1]))
+
+		lenRunes := len(runes)
+		if lenRunes <= 2 || runes[0] != '"' {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		for i := 1; i < lenRunes; i++ {
+			if runes[i] == '"' {
+				dirs[key] = pathutil.ExpandHome(string(runes[1:i]))
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if err := scanner.Err(); err != nil {
+		return dirs
+	}
+
+	return dirs
+}
diff --git a/internal/userdirs/config_unix_test.go b/internal/userdirs/config_unix_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f76421
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/userdirs/config_unix_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+//go:build aix || dragonfly || freebsd || (js && wasm) || nacl || linux || netbsd || openbsd || solaris
+
+package userdirs_test
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/pathutil"
+	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/userdirs"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestParseConfigFile(t *testing.T) {
+	// Test parsed values.
+	f, err := os.CreateTemp("", "test_parse_config_file")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	var tmpFileRemoved bool
+	defer func() {
+		if !tmpFileRemoved {
+			os.Remove(f.Name())
+		}
+	}()
+
+	_, err = f.Write([]byte(`XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR="/home/test/Downloads"`))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	err = f.Close()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	dirs := userdirs.ParseConfigFile(f.Name())
+	require.NotNil(t, dirs)
+	require.Equal(t, "/home/test/Downloads", dirs["XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR"])
+
+	// Test non-existent file.
+	err = os.Remove(f.Name())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	tmpFileRemoved = true
+
+	dirs = userdirs.ParseConfigFile(f.Name())
+	require.NotNil(t, dirs)
+}
+
+func TestParseConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	// Test parsed values.
+	home := pathutil.UserHomeDir()
+
+	dirs := userdirs.ParseConfig(strings.NewReader(`
+		# This file is written by xdg-user-dirs-update
+		# If you want to change or add directories, just edit the line you're
+		# interested in. All local changes will be retained on the next run.
+		# Format is XDG_xxx_DIR="$HOME/yyy", where yyy is a shell-escaped
+		# homedir-relative path, or XDG_xxx_DIR="/yyy", where /yyy is an
+		# absolute path. No other format is supported.
+		#
+		XDG_DESKTOP_DIR="$HOME/Desktop"
+		XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR="$HOME/Downloads"
+		XDG_TEMPLATES_DIR="/home/test/Templates"
+		XDG_PUBLICSHARE_DIR="~/Public"
+		XDG_DOCUMENTS_DIR="$HOME/Documents"
+		XDG_MUSIC_DIR="$HOME/Music" # Music user directory
+		# XDG_PICTURES_DIR="$HOME/Pictures"
+		XDG_VIDEOS_DIR=""
+
+		NON_XDG_DIR="ignore"
+		XDG_INVALID_DIR="ignore"
+		XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR
+	`))
+
+	require.NotNil(t, dirs)
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "Desktop"), dirs["XDG_DESKTOP_DIR"])
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "Downloads"), dirs["XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR"])
+	require.Equal(t, "/home/test/Templates", dirs["XDG_TEMPLATES_DIR"])
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "Public"), dirs["XDG_PUBLICSHARE_DIR"])
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "Documents"), dirs["XDG_DOCUMENTS_DIR"])
+	require.Equal(t, filepath.Join(home, "Music"), dirs["XDG_MUSIC_DIR"])
+	require.Equal(t, "", dirs["XDG_PICTURES_DIR"])
+	require.Equal(t, "", dirs["XDG_VIDEOS_DIR"])
+
+	// Test reader error.
+	f, err := os.CreateTemp("", "test_parse_config")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer os.Remove(f.Name())
+
+	err = f.Close()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	dirs = userdirs.ParseConfig(f)
+	require.NotNil(t, dirs)
+}
diff --git a/user_dirs.go b/internal/userdirs/userdirs.go
similarity index 62%
rename from user_dirs.go
rename to internal/userdirs/userdirs.go
index 7208874..b3c30cf 100644
--- a/user_dirs.go
+++ b/internal/userdirs/userdirs.go
@@ -1,19 +1,19 @@
-package xdg
+package userdirs
 
 // XDG user directories environment variables.
 const (
-	envDesktopDir     = "XDG_DESKTOP_DIR"
-	envDownloadDir    = "XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR"
-	envDocumentsDir   = "XDG_DOCUMENTS_DIR"
-	envMusicDir       = "XDG_MUSIC_DIR"
-	envPicturesDir    = "XDG_PICTURES_DIR"
-	envVideosDir      = "XDG_VIDEOS_DIR"
-	envTemplatesDir   = "XDG_TEMPLATES_DIR"
-	envPublicShareDir = "XDG_PUBLICSHARE_DIR"
+	EnvDesktopDir     = "XDG_DESKTOP_DIR"
+	EnvDownloadDir    = "XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR"
+	EnvDocumentsDir   = "XDG_DOCUMENTS_DIR"
+	EnvMusicDir       = "XDG_MUSIC_DIR"
+	EnvPicturesDir    = "XDG_PICTURES_DIR"
+	EnvVideosDir      = "XDG_VIDEOS_DIR"
+	EnvTemplatesDir   = "XDG_TEMPLATES_DIR"
+	EnvPublicShareDir = "XDG_PUBLICSHARE_DIR"
 )
 
-// UserDirectories defines the locations of well known user directories.
-type UserDirectories struct {
+// Directories defines the locations of well known user directories.
+type Directories struct {
 	// Desktop defines the location of the user's desktop directory.
 	Desktop string
 
diff --git a/paths_darwin.go b/paths_darwin.go
index bfe9ad9..ccf903b 100644
--- a/paths_darwin.go
+++ b/paths_darwin.go
@@ -1,17 +1,11 @@
 package xdg
 
 import (
-	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
-)
-
-func homeDir() string {
-	if home := os.Getenv("HOME"); home != "" {
-		return home
-	}
 
-	return "/"
-}
+	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/pathutil"
+	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/userdirs"
+)
 
 func initDirs(home string) {
 	initBaseDirs(home)
@@ -23,17 +17,17 @@ func initBaseDirs(home string) {
 	rootAppSupport := "/Library/Application Support"
 
 	// Initialize standard directories.
-	baseDirs.dataHome = xdgPath(envDataHome, homeAppSupport)
-	baseDirs.data = xdgPaths(envDataDirs, rootAppSupport)
-	baseDirs.configHome = xdgPath(envConfigHome, homeAppSupport)
-	baseDirs.config = xdgPaths(envConfigDirs,
+	baseDirs.dataHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envDataHome, homeAppSupport)
+	baseDirs.data = pathutil.EnvPathList(envDataDirs, rootAppSupport)
+	baseDirs.configHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envConfigHome, homeAppSupport)
+	baseDirs.config = pathutil.EnvPathList(envConfigDirs,
 		filepath.Join(home, "Library", "Preferences"),
 		rootAppSupport,
 		"/Library/Preferences",
 	)
-	baseDirs.stateHome = xdgPath(envStateHome, homeAppSupport)
-	baseDirs.cacheHome = xdgPath(envCacheHome, filepath.Join(home, "Library", "Caches"))
-	baseDirs.runtime = xdgPath(envRuntimeDir, homeAppSupport)
+	baseDirs.stateHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envStateHome, homeAppSupport)
+	baseDirs.cacheHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envCacheHome, filepath.Join(home, "Library", "Caches"))
+	baseDirs.runtime = pathutil.EnvPath(envRuntimeDir, homeAppSupport)
 
 	// Initialize non-standard directories.
 	baseDirs.applications = []string{
@@ -49,12 +43,12 @@ func initBaseDirs(home string) {
 }
 
 func initUserDirs(home string) {
-	UserDirs.Desktop = xdgPath(envDesktopDir, filepath.Join(home, "Desktop"))
-	UserDirs.Download = xdgPath(envDownloadDir, filepath.Join(home, "Downloads"))
-	UserDirs.Documents = xdgPath(envDocumentsDir, filepath.Join(home, "Documents"))
-	UserDirs.Music = xdgPath(envMusicDir, filepath.Join(home, "Music"))
-	UserDirs.Pictures = xdgPath(envPicturesDir, filepath.Join(home, "Pictures"))
-	UserDirs.Videos = xdgPath(envVideosDir, filepath.Join(home, "Movies"))
-	UserDirs.Templates = xdgPath(envTemplatesDir, filepath.Join(home, "Templates"))
-	UserDirs.PublicShare = xdgPath(envPublicShareDir, filepath.Join(home, "Public"))
+	UserDirs.Desktop = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvDesktopDir, filepath.Join(home, "Desktop"))
+	UserDirs.Download = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvDownloadDir, filepath.Join(home, "Downloads"))
+	UserDirs.Documents = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvDocumentsDir, filepath.Join(home, "Documents"))
+	UserDirs.Music = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvMusicDir, filepath.Join(home, "Music"))
+	UserDirs.Pictures = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvPicturesDir, filepath.Join(home, "Pictures"))
+	UserDirs.Videos = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvVideosDir, filepath.Join(home, "Movies"))
+	UserDirs.Templates = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvTemplatesDir, filepath.Join(home, "Templates"))
+	UserDirs.PublicShare = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvPublicShareDir, filepath.Join(home, "Public"))
 }
diff --git a/paths_plan9.go b/paths_plan9.go
index 2882f68..0cab83c 100644
--- a/paths_plan9.go
+++ b/paths_plan9.go
@@ -1,17 +1,11 @@
 package xdg
 
 import (
-	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
-)
-
-func homeDir() string {
-	if home := os.Getenv("home"); home != "" {
-		return home
-	}
 
-	return "/"
-}
+	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/pathutil"
+	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/userdirs"
+)
 
 func initDirs(home string) {
 	initBaseDirs(home)
@@ -23,13 +17,13 @@ func initBaseDirs(home string) {
 	rootLibDir := "/lib"
 
 	// Initialize standard directories.
-	baseDirs.dataHome = xdgPath(envDataHome, homeLibDir)
-	baseDirs.data = xdgPaths(envDataDirs, rootLibDir)
-	baseDirs.configHome = xdgPath(envConfigHome, homeLibDir)
-	baseDirs.config = xdgPaths(envConfigDirs, rootLibDir)
-	baseDirs.stateHome = xdgPath(envStateHome, filepath.Join(homeLibDir, "state"))
-	baseDirs.cacheHome = xdgPath(envCacheHome, filepath.Join(homeLibDir, "cache"))
-	baseDirs.runtime = xdgPath(envRuntimeDir, "/tmp")
+	baseDirs.dataHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envDataHome, homeLibDir)
+	baseDirs.data = pathutil.EnvPathList(envDataDirs, rootLibDir)
+	baseDirs.configHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envConfigHome, homeLibDir)
+	baseDirs.config = pathutil.EnvPathList(envConfigDirs, rootLibDir)
+	baseDirs.stateHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envStateHome, filepath.Join(homeLibDir, "state"))
+	baseDirs.cacheHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envCacheHome, filepath.Join(homeLibDir, "cache"))
+	baseDirs.runtime = pathutil.EnvPath(envRuntimeDir, "/tmp")
 
 	// Initialize non-standard directories.
 	baseDirs.applications = []string{
@@ -44,12 +38,12 @@ func initBaseDirs(home string) {
 }
 
 func initUserDirs(home string) {
-	UserDirs.Desktop = xdgPath(envDesktopDir, filepath.Join(home, "desktop"))
-	UserDirs.Download = xdgPath(envDownloadDir, filepath.Join(home, "downloads"))
-	UserDirs.Documents = xdgPath(envDocumentsDir, filepath.Join(home, "documents"))
-	UserDirs.Music = xdgPath(envMusicDir, filepath.Join(home, "music"))
-	UserDirs.Pictures = xdgPath(envPicturesDir, filepath.Join(home, "pictures"))
-	UserDirs.Videos = xdgPath(envVideosDir, filepath.Join(home, "videos"))
-	UserDirs.Templates = xdgPath(envTemplatesDir, filepath.Join(home, "templates"))
-	UserDirs.PublicShare = xdgPath(envPublicShareDir, filepath.Join(home, "public"))
+	UserDirs.Desktop = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvDesktopDir, filepath.Join(home, "desktop"))
+	UserDirs.Download = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvDownloadDir, filepath.Join(home, "downloads"))
+	UserDirs.Documents = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvDocumentsDir, filepath.Join(home, "documents"))
+	UserDirs.Music = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvMusicDir, filepath.Join(home, "music"))
+	UserDirs.Pictures = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvPicturesDir, filepath.Join(home, "pictures"))
+	UserDirs.Videos = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvVideosDir, filepath.Join(home, "videos"))
+	UserDirs.Templates = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvTemplatesDir, filepath.Join(home, "templates"))
+	UserDirs.PublicShare = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvPublicShareDir, filepath.Join(home, "public"))
 }
diff --git a/paths_unix.go b/paths_unix.go
index 8af2705..a87a601 100644
--- a/paths_unix.go
+++ b/paths_unix.go
@@ -8,30 +8,23 @@ import (
 	"strconv"
 
 	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/pathutil"
+	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/userdirs"
 )
 
-func homeDir() string {
-	if home := os.Getenv("HOME"); home != "" {
-		return home
-	}
-
-	return "/"
-}
-
 func initDirs(home string) {
 	initBaseDirs(home)
-	initUserDirs(home)
+	initUserDirs(home, baseDirs.configHome)
 }
 
 func initBaseDirs(home string) {
 	// Initialize standard directories.
-	baseDirs.dataHome = xdgPath(envDataHome, filepath.Join(home, ".local", "share"))
-	baseDirs.data = xdgPaths(envDataDirs, "/usr/local/share", "/usr/share")
-	baseDirs.configHome = xdgPath(envConfigHome, filepath.Join(home, ".config"))
-	baseDirs.config = xdgPaths(envConfigDirs, "/etc/xdg")
-	baseDirs.stateHome = xdgPath(envStateHome, filepath.Join(home, ".local", "state"))
-	baseDirs.cacheHome = xdgPath(envCacheHome, filepath.Join(home, ".cache"))
-	baseDirs.runtime = xdgPath(envRuntimeDir, filepath.Join("/run/user", strconv.Itoa(os.Getuid())))
+	baseDirs.dataHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envDataHome, filepath.Join(home, ".local", "share"))
+	baseDirs.data = pathutil.EnvPathList(envDataDirs, "/usr/local/share", "/usr/share")
+	baseDirs.configHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envConfigHome, filepath.Join(home, ".config"))
+	baseDirs.config = pathutil.EnvPathList(envConfigDirs, "/etc/xdg")
+	baseDirs.stateHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envStateHome, filepath.Join(home, ".local", "state"))
+	baseDirs.cacheHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envCacheHome, filepath.Join(home, ".cache"))
+	baseDirs.runtime = pathutil.EnvPath(envRuntimeDir, filepath.Join("/run/user", strconv.Itoa(os.Getuid())))
 
 	// Initialize non-standard directories.
 	appDirs := []string{
@@ -54,17 +47,19 @@ func initBaseDirs(home string) {
 		fontDirs = append(fontDirs, filepath.Join(dir, "fonts"))
 	}
 
-	baseDirs.applications = pathutil.Unique(appDirs, Home)
-	baseDirs.fonts = pathutil.Unique(fontDirs, Home)
+	baseDirs.applications = pathutil.Unique(appDirs)
+	baseDirs.fonts = pathutil.Unique(fontDirs)
 }
 
-func initUserDirs(home string) {
-	UserDirs.Desktop = xdgPath(envDesktopDir, filepath.Join(home, "Desktop"))
-	UserDirs.Download = xdgPath(envDownloadDir, filepath.Join(home, "Downloads"))
-	UserDirs.Documents = xdgPath(envDocumentsDir, filepath.Join(home, "Documents"))
-	UserDirs.Music = xdgPath(envMusicDir, filepath.Join(home, "Music"))
-	UserDirs.Pictures = xdgPath(envPicturesDir, filepath.Join(home, "Pictures"))
-	UserDirs.Videos = xdgPath(envVideosDir, filepath.Join(home, "Videos"))
-	UserDirs.Templates = xdgPath(envTemplatesDir, filepath.Join(home, "Templates"))
-	UserDirs.PublicShare = xdgPath(envPublicShareDir, filepath.Join(home, "Public"))
+func initUserDirs(home, configHome string) {
+	userDirsMap := userdirs.ParseConfigFile(filepath.Join(configHome, "user-dirs.dirs"))
+
+	UserDirs.Desktop = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvDesktopDir, userDirsMap[userdirs.EnvDesktopDir], filepath.Join(home, "Desktop"))
+	UserDirs.Download = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvDownloadDir, userDirsMap[userdirs.EnvDownloadDir], filepath.Join(home, "Downloads"))
+	UserDirs.Documents = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvDocumentsDir, userDirsMap[userdirs.EnvDocumentsDir], filepath.Join(home, "Documents"))
+	UserDirs.Music = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvMusicDir, userDirsMap[userdirs.EnvMusicDir], filepath.Join(home, "Music"))
+	UserDirs.Pictures = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvPicturesDir, userDirsMap[userdirs.EnvPicturesDir], filepath.Join(home, "Pictures"))
+	UserDirs.Videos = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvVideosDir, userDirsMap[userdirs.EnvVideosDir], filepath.Join(home, "Videos"))
+	UserDirs.Templates = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvTemplatesDir, userDirsMap[userdirs.EnvTemplatesDir], filepath.Join(home, "Templates"))
+	UserDirs.PublicShare = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvPublicShareDir, userDirsMap[userdirs.EnvPublicShareDir], filepath.Join(home, "Public"))
 }
diff --git a/paths_windows.go b/paths_windows.go
index 722d3e7..eaac2d3 100644
--- a/paths_windows.go
+++ b/paths_windows.go
@@ -4,17 +4,10 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 
 	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/pathutil"
+	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/userdirs"
 	"golang.org/x/sys/windows"
 )
 
-func homeDir() string {
-	return pathutil.KnownFolder(
-		windows.FOLDERID_Profile,
-		[]string{"USERPROFILE"},
-		nil,
-	)
-}
-
 func initDirs(home string) {
 	kf := initKnownFolders(home)
 	initBaseDirs(home, kf)
@@ -23,13 +16,13 @@ func initDirs(home string) {
 
 func initBaseDirs(home string, kf *knownFolders) {
 	// Initialize standard directories.
-	baseDirs.dataHome = xdgPath(envDataHome, kf.localAppData)
-	baseDirs.data = xdgPaths(envDataDirs, kf.roamingAppData, kf.programData)
-	baseDirs.configHome = xdgPath(envConfigHome, kf.localAppData)
-	baseDirs.config = xdgPaths(envConfigDirs, kf.programData, kf.roamingAppData)
-	baseDirs.stateHome = xdgPath(envStateHome, kf.localAppData)
-	baseDirs.cacheHome = xdgPath(envCacheHome, filepath.Join(kf.localAppData, "cache"))
-	baseDirs.runtime = xdgPath(envRuntimeDir, kf.localAppData)
+	baseDirs.dataHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envDataHome, kf.localAppData)
+	baseDirs.data = pathutil.EnvPathList(envDataDirs, kf.roamingAppData, kf.programData)
+	baseDirs.configHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envConfigHome, kf.localAppData)
+	baseDirs.config = pathutil.EnvPathList(envConfigDirs, kf.programData, kf.roamingAppData)
+	baseDirs.stateHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envStateHome, kf.localAppData)
+	baseDirs.cacheHome = pathutil.EnvPath(envCacheHome, filepath.Join(kf.localAppData, "cache"))
+	baseDirs.runtime = pathutil.EnvPath(envRuntimeDir, kf.localAppData)
 
 	// Initialize non-standard directories.
 	baseDirs.applications = []string{
@@ -43,14 +36,14 @@ func initBaseDirs(home string, kf *knownFolders) {
 }
 
 func initUserDirs(home string, kf *knownFolders) {
-	UserDirs.Desktop = xdgPath(envDesktopDir, kf.desktop)
-	UserDirs.Download = xdgPath(envDownloadDir, kf.downloads)
-	UserDirs.Documents = xdgPath(envDocumentsDir, kf.documents)
-	UserDirs.Music = xdgPath(envMusicDir, kf.music)
-	UserDirs.Pictures = xdgPath(envPicturesDir, kf.pictures)
-	UserDirs.Videos = xdgPath(envVideosDir, kf.videos)
-	UserDirs.Templates = xdgPath(envTemplatesDir, kf.templates)
-	UserDirs.PublicShare = xdgPath(envPublicShareDir, kf.public)
+	UserDirs.Desktop = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvDesktopDir, kf.desktop)
+	UserDirs.Download = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvDownloadDir, kf.downloads)
+	UserDirs.Documents = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvDocumentsDir, kf.documents)
+	UserDirs.Music = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvMusicDir, kf.music)
+	UserDirs.Pictures = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvPicturesDir, kf.pictures)
+	UserDirs.Videos = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvVideosDir, kf.videos)
+	UserDirs.Templates = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvTemplatesDir, kf.templates)
+	UserDirs.PublicShare = pathutil.EnvPath(userdirs.EnvPublicShareDir, kf.public)
 }
 
 type knownFolders struct {
diff --git a/xdg.go b/xdg.go
index 24683bc..32574ce 100644
--- a/xdg.go
+++ b/xdg.go
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 package xdg
 
 import (
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-
 	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/pathutil"
+	"github.com/adrg/xdg/internal/userdirs"
 )
 
+// UserDirectories defines the locations of well known user directories.
+type UserDirectories = userdirs.Directories
+
 var (
 	// Home contains the path of the user's home directory.
 	Home string
@@ -88,7 +89,7 @@ func init() {
 // in the environment.
 func Reload() {
 	// Initialize home directory.
-	Home = homeDir()
+	Home = pathutil.UserHomeDir()
 
 	// Initialize base and user directories.
 	initDirs(Home)
@@ -198,21 +199,3 @@ func SearchCacheFile(relPath string) (string, error) {
 func SearchRuntimeFile(relPath string) (string, error) {
 	return baseDirs.searchRuntimeFile(relPath)
 }
-
-func xdgPath(name, defaultPath string) string {
-	dir := pathutil.ExpandHome(os.Getenv(name), Home)
-	if dir != "" && filepath.IsAbs(dir) {
-		return dir
-	}
-
-	return defaultPath
-}
-
-func xdgPaths(name string, defaultPaths ...string) []string {
-	dirs := pathutil.Unique(filepath.SplitList(os.Getenv(name)), Home)
-	if len(dirs) != 0 {
-		return dirs
-	}
-
-	return pathutil.Unique(defaultPaths, Home)
-}
diff --git a/xdg_test.go b/xdg_test.go
index b29044e..72e1910 100644
--- a/xdg_test.go
+++ b/xdg_test.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package xdg_test
 import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
@@ -18,6 +19,21 @@ type envSample struct {
 }
 
 func testDirs(t *testing.T, samples ...*envSample) {
+	// Reset environment after test execution.
+	environ := os.Environ()
+	defer func() {
+		os.Clearenv()
+		for _, env := range environ {
+			parts := strings.SplitN(env, "=", 2)
+			if len(parts) != 2 {
+				continue
+			}
+			os.Setenv(parts[0], parts[1])
+		}
+
+		xdg.Reload()
+	}()
+
 	// Test home directory.
 	require.NotEmpty(t, xdg.Home)
 	t.Logf("Home: %s", xdg.Home)