diff --git a/src/Mod/AddonManager/AddonManagerTest/app/test_freecad_interface.py b/src/Mod/AddonManager/AddonManagerTest/app/test_freecad_interface.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3630314d41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Mod/AddonManager/AddonManagerTest/app/test_freecad_interface.py
@@ -0,0 +1,306 @@
+# ***************************************************************************
+# *                                                                         *
+# *   Copyright (c) 2023 FreeCAD Project Association                        *
+# *                                                                         *
+# *   This file is part of FreeCAD.                                         *
+# *                                                                         *
+# *   FreeCAD is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it    *
+# *   under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as           *
+# *   published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 2.1 of the  *
+# *   License, or (at your option) any later version.                       *
+# *                                                                         *
+# *   FreeCAD is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but        *
+# *   WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of            *
+# *   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU      *
+# *   Lesser General Public License for more details.                       *
+# *                                                                         *
+# *   You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public      *
+# *   License along with FreeCAD. If not, see                               *
+# *   <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.                                      *
+# *                                                                         *
+# ***************************************************************************
+
+"""Tests for the Addon Manager's FreeCAD interface classes."""
+
+import json
+import os
+import sys
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
+
+# pylint: disable=protected-access,import-outside-toplevel
+
+
+class TestConsole(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Tests for the Console"""
+
+    def setUp(self) -> None:
+        self.saved_freecad = None
+        if "FreeCAD" in sys.modules:
+            self.saved_freecad = sys.modules["FreeCAD"]
+            sys.modules.pop("FreeCAD")
+        if "addonmanager_freecad_interface" in sys.modules:
+            sys.modules.pop("addonmanager_freecad_interface")
+        sys.path.append("../../")
+
+    def tearDown(self) -> None:
+        if "FreeCAD" in sys.modules:
+            sys.modules.pop("FreeCAD")
+        if self.saved_freecad is not None:
+            sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = self.saved_freecad
+
+    def test_log_with_freecad(self):
+        """Ensure that if FreeCAD exists, the appropriate function is called"""
+        sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = unittest.mock.MagicMock()
+        import addonmanager_freecad_interface as fc
+
+        fc.Console.PrintLog("Test output")
+        self.assertTrue(isinstance(fc.Console, unittest.mock.MagicMock))
+        self.assertTrue(fc.Console.PrintLog.called)
+
+    def test_log_no_freecad(self):
+        """Test that if the FreeCAD import fails, the logger is set up correctly, and
+        implements PrintLog"""
+        sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = None
+        with patch(
+            "addonmanager_freecad_interface.logging", new=MagicMock()
+        ) as mock_logging:
+            import addonmanager_freecad_interface as fc
+
+            fc.Console.PrintLog("Test output")
+            self.assertTrue(isinstance(fc.Console, fc.ConsoleReplacement))
+            self.assertTrue(mock_logging.log.called)
+
+    def test_message_no_freecad(self):
+        """Test that if the FreeCAD import fails the logger implements PrintMessage"""
+        sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = None
+        with patch(
+            "addonmanager_freecad_interface.logging", new=MagicMock()
+        ) as mock_logging:
+            import addonmanager_freecad_interface as fc
+
+            fc.Console.PrintMessage("Test output")
+            self.assertTrue(mock_logging.info.called)
+
+    def test_warning_no_freecad(self):
+        """Test that if the FreeCAD import fails the logger implements PrintWarning"""
+        sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = None
+        with patch(
+            "addonmanager_freecad_interface.logging", new=MagicMock()
+        ) as mock_logging:
+            import addonmanager_freecad_interface as fc
+
+            fc.Console.PrintWarning("Test output")
+            self.assertTrue(mock_logging.warning.called)
+
+    def test_error_no_freecad(self):
+        """Test that if the FreeCAD import fails the logger implements PrintError"""
+        sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = None
+        with patch(
+            "addonmanager_freecad_interface.logging", new=MagicMock()
+        ) as mock_logging:
+            import addonmanager_freecad_interface as fc
+
+            fc.Console.PrintError("Test output")
+            self.assertTrue(mock_logging.error.called)
+
+
+class TestParameters(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Tests for the Parameters"""
+
+    def setUp(self) -> None:
+        self.saved_freecad = None
+        if "FreeCAD" in sys.modules:
+            self.saved_freecad = sys.modules["FreeCAD"]
+            sys.modules.pop("FreeCAD")
+        if "addonmanager_freecad_interface" in sys.modules:
+            sys.modules.pop("addonmanager_freecad_interface")
+        sys.path.append("../../")
+
+    def tearDown(self) -> None:
+        if "FreeCAD" in sys.modules:
+            sys.modules.pop("FreeCAD")
+        if self.saved_freecad is not None:
+            sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = self.saved_freecad
+
+    def test_param_get_with_freecad(self):
+        """Ensure that if FreeCAD exists, the built-in FreeCAD function is called"""
+        sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = unittest.mock.MagicMock()
+        import addonmanager_freecad_interface as fc
+
+        prefs = fc.ParamGet("some/fake/path")
+        self.assertTrue(isinstance(prefs, unittest.mock.MagicMock))
+
+    def test_param_get_no_freecad(self):
+        """Test that if the FreeCAD import fails, param_get returns a ParametersReplacement"""
+        sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = None
+        import addonmanager_freecad_interface as fc
+
+        prefs = fc.ParamGet("some/fake/path")
+        self.assertTrue(isinstance(prefs, fc.ParametersReplacement))
+
+    def test_replacement_getters_and_setters(self):
+        """Test that ParameterReplacement's getters, setters, and deleters work"""
+        sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = None
+        import addonmanager_freecad_interface as fc
+
+        prf = fc.ParamGet("some/fake/path")
+        gs_types = [
+            ("Bool", prf.GetBool, prf.SetBool, prf.RemBool, True, False),
+            ("Int", prf.GetInt, prf.SetInt, prf.RemInt, 42, 0),
+            ("Float", prf.GetFloat, prf.SetFloat, prf.RemFloat, 1.2, 3.4),
+            ("String", prf.GetString, prf.SetString, prf.RemString, "test", "other"),
+        ]
+        for gs_type in gs_types:
+            with self.subTest(msg=f"Testing {gs_type[0]}", gs_type=gs_type):
+                getter = gs_type[1]
+                setter = gs_type[2]
+                deleter = gs_type[3]
+                value_1 = gs_type[4]
+                value_2 = gs_type[5]
+                self.assertEqual(getter("test", value_1), value_1)
+                self.assertEqual(getter("test", value_2), value_2)
+                self.assertNotIn("test", prf.parameters)
+                setter("test", value_1)
+                self.assertIn("test", prf.parameters)
+                self.assertEqual(getter("test", value_2), value_1)
+                deleter("test")
+                self.assertNotIn("test", prf.parameters)
+
+
+class TestDataPaths(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Tests for the data paths"""
+
+    def setUp(self) -> None:
+        self.saved_freecad = None
+        if "FreeCAD" in sys.modules:
+            self.saved_freecad = sys.modules["FreeCAD"]
+            sys.modules.pop("FreeCAD")
+        if "addonmanager_freecad_interface" in sys.modules:
+            sys.modules.pop("addonmanager_freecad_interface")
+        sys.path.append("../../")
+
+    def tearDown(self) -> None:
+        if "FreeCAD" in sys.modules:
+            sys.modules.pop("FreeCAD")
+        if self.saved_freecad is not None:
+            sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = self.saved_freecad
+
+    def test_init_with_freecad(self):
+        """Ensure that if FreeCAD exists, the appropriate functions are called"""
+        sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = unittest.mock.MagicMock()
+        import addonmanager_freecad_interface as fc
+
+        data_paths = fc.DataPaths()
+        self.assertTrue(sys.modules["FreeCAD"].getUserAppDataDir.called)
+        self.assertTrue(sys.modules["FreeCAD"].getUserMacroDir.called)
+        self.assertTrue(sys.modules["FreeCAD"].getUserCachePath.called)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(data_paths.mod_dir)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(data_paths.cache_dir)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(data_paths.macro_dir)
+
+    def test_init_without_freecad(self):
+        """Ensure that if FreeCAD does not exist, the appropriate functions are called"""
+        sys.modules["FreeCAD"] = None
+        import addonmanager_freecad_interface as fc
+
+        data_paths = fc.DataPaths()
+        self.assertIsNotNone(data_paths.mod_dir)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(data_paths.cache_dir)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(data_paths.macro_dir)
+        self.assertNotEqual(data_paths.mod_dir, data_paths.cache_dir)
+        self.assertNotEqual(data_paths.mod_dir, data_paths.macro_dir)
+        self.assertNotEqual(data_paths.cache_dir, data_paths.macro_dir)
+
+
+class TestPreferences(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Tests for the preferences wrapper"""
+
+    def setUp(self) -> None:
+        sys.path.append("../../")
+        import addonmanager_freecad_interface as fc
+
+        self.fc = fc
+
+    def tearDown(self) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def test_load_preferences_defaults(self):
+        """Preferences are loaded from a given file"""
+        defaults = self.given_defaults()
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as temp_dir:
+            json_file = os.path.join(temp_dir, "defaults.json")
+            with open(json_file, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+                f.write(json.dumps(defaults))
+            self.fc.Preferences._load_preferences_defaults(json_file)
+            self.assertDictEqual(defaults, self.fc.Preferences.preferences_defaults)
+
+    def test_in_memory_defaults(self):
+        """Preferences are loaded from memory"""
+        defaults = self.given_defaults()
+        prefs = self.fc.Preferences(defaults)
+        self.assertDictEqual(defaults, prefs.preferences_defaults)
+
+    def test_get_good(self):
+        """Get returns results when matching an existing preference"""
+        defaults = self.given_defaults()
+        prefs = self.fc.Preferences(defaults)
+        self.assertEqual(prefs.get("TestBool"), defaults["TestBool"])
+        self.assertEqual(prefs.get("TestInt"), defaults["TestInt"])
+        self.assertEqual(prefs.get("TestFloat"), defaults["TestFloat"])
+        self.assertEqual(prefs.get("TestString"), defaults["TestString"])
+
+    def test_get_nonexistent(self):
+        """Get raises an exception when asked for a non-existent preference"""
+        defaults = self.given_defaults()
+        prefs = self.fc.Preferences(defaults)
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
+            prefs.get("No_such_thing")
+
+    def test_get_bad_type(self):
+        """Get raises an exception when getting an unsupported type"""
+        defaults = self.given_defaults()
+        defaults["TestArray"] = ["This", "Is", "Legal", "JSON"]
+        prefs = self.fc.Preferences(defaults)
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
+            prefs.get("TestArray")
+
+    def test_set_good(self):
+        """Set works when matching an existing preference"""
+        defaults = self.given_defaults()
+        prefs = self.fc.Preferences(defaults)
+        prefs.set("TestBool", False)
+        self.assertEqual(prefs.get("TestBool"), False)
+        prefs.set("TestInt", 4321)
+        self.assertEqual(prefs.get("TestInt"), 4321)
+        prefs.set("TestFloat", 3.14159)
+        self.assertEqual(prefs.get("TestFloat"), 3.14159)
+        prefs.set("TestString", "Forty two")
+        self.assertEqual(prefs.get("TestString"), "Forty two")
+
+    def test_set_nonexistent(self):
+        """Set raises an exception when asked for a non-existent preference"""
+        defaults = self.given_defaults()
+        prefs = self.fc.Preferences(defaults)
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
+            prefs.get("No_such_thing")
+
+    def test_set_bad_type(self):
+        """Set raises an exception when setting an unsupported type"""
+        defaults = self.given_defaults()
+        defaults["TestArray"] = ["This", "Is", "Legal", "JSON"]
+        prefs = self.fc.Preferences(defaults)
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
+            prefs.get("TestArray")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def given_defaults():
+        """Get a dictionary of fake defaults for testing"""
+        defaults = {
+            "TestBool": True,
+            "TestInt": 42,
+            "TestFloat": 1.2,
+            "TestString": "Test",
+        }
+        return defaults
diff --git a/src/Mod/AddonManager/CMakeLists.txt b/src/Mod/AddonManager/CMakeLists.txt
index dad3d3d455..d4c2b856e1 100644
--- a/src/Mod/AddonManager/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/Mod/AddonManager/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ SET(AddonManager_SRCS
     addonmanager_devmode_predictor.py
     addonmanager_devmode_validators.py
     addonmanager_firstrun.py
+    addonmanager_freecad_interface.py
     addonmanager_git.py
     addonmanager_installer.py
     addonmanager_installer_gui.py
@@ -83,6 +84,7 @@ SET(AddonManagerTestsApp_SRCS
     AddonManagerTest/app/mocks.py
     AddonManagerTest/app/test_addon.py
     AddonManagerTest/app/test_dependency_installer.py
+    AddonManagerTest/app/test_freecad_interface.py
     AddonManagerTest/app/test_git.py
     AddonManagerTest/app/test_installer.py
     AddonManagerTest/app/test_macro.py
diff --git a/src/Mod/AddonManager/TestAddonManagerApp.py b/src/Mod/AddonManager/TestAddonManagerApp.py
index 49595584f5..cd460b15e4 100644
--- a/src/Mod/AddonManager/TestAddonManagerApp.py
+++ b/src/Mod/AddonManager/TestAddonManagerApp.py
@@ -44,14 +44,37 @@ from AddonManagerTest.app.test_uninstaller import (
     TestAddonUninstaller as AddonManagerTestAddonUninstaller,
     TestMacroUninstaller as AddonManagerTestMacroUninstaller,
 )
+from AddonManagerTest.app.test_freecad_interface import (
+    TestConsole as AddonManagerTestConsole,
+    TestParameters as AddonManagerTestParameters,
+    TestDataPaths as AddonManagerTestDataPaths,
+)
 
-# dummy usage to get flake8 and lgtm quiet
-False if AddonManagerTestUtilities.__name__ else True
-False if AddonManagerTestAddon.__name__ else True
-False if AddonManagerTestMacro.__name__ else True
-False if AddonManagerTestGit.__name__ else True
-False if AddonManagerTestAddonInstaller.__name__ else True
-False if AddonManagerTestMacroInstaller.__name__ else True
-False if AddonManagerTestDependencyInstaller.__name__ else True
-False if AddonManagerTestAddonUninstaller.__name__ else True
-False if AddonManagerTestMacroUninstaller.__name__ else True
+
+class TestListTerminator:
+    pass
+
+
+# Basic usage mostly to get static analyzers to stop complaining about unused imports
+try:
+    import FreeCAD
+except ImportError:
+    FreeCAD = None
+loaded_gui_tests = [
+    AddonManagerTestUtilities,
+    AddonManagerTestAddon,
+    AddonManagerTestMacro,
+    AddonManagerTestGit,
+    AddonManagerTestAddonInstaller,
+    AddonManagerTestMacroInstaller,
+    AddonManagerTestDependencyInstaller,
+    AddonManagerTestAddonUninstaller,
+    AddonManagerTestMacroUninstaller,
+    AddonManagerTestConsole,
+    AddonManagerTestParameters,
+    AddonManagerTestDataPaths,
+    TestListTerminator  # Needed to prevent the last test from running twice
+]
+if FreeCAD:
+    for test in loaded_gui_tests:
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintLog(f"Loaded tests from {test.__name__}\n")
diff --git a/src/Mod/AddonManager/addonmanager_freecad_interface.py b/src/Mod/AddonManager/addonmanager_freecad_interface.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f0624078bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Mod/AddonManager/addonmanager_freecad_interface.py
@@ -0,0 +1,262 @@
+# ***************************************************************************
+# *                                                                         *
+# *   Copyright (c) 2023 FreeCAD Project Association                        *
+# *                                                                         *
+# *   This file is part of FreeCAD.                                         *
+# *                                                                         *
+# *   FreeCAD is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it    *
+# *   under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as           *
+# *   published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 2.1 of the  *
+# *   License, or (at your option) any later version.                       *
+# *                                                                         *
+# *   FreeCAD is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but        *
+# *   WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of            *
+# *   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU      *
+# *   Lesser General Public License for more details.                       *
+# *                                                                         *
+# *   You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public      *
+# *   License along with FreeCAD. If not, see                               *
+# *   <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.                                      *
+# *                                                                         *
+# ***************************************************************************
+
+"""Classes to encapsulate the Addon Manager's interaction with FreeCAD, and to provide
+replacements when the Addon Manager is not run from within FreeCAD (e.g. during unit
+testing).
+
+Usage:
+from addonmanager_freecad_interface import Console, DataPaths, Preferences
+"""
+
+import json
+import logging
+import os
+import tempfile
+
+# pylint: disable=too-few-public-methods
+
+try:
+    import FreeCAD
+
+    Console = FreeCAD.Console
+    ParamGet = FreeCAD.ParamGet
+    getUserAppDataDir = FreeCAD.getUserAppDataDir
+    getUserMacroDir = FreeCAD.getUserMacroDir
+    getUserCachePath = FreeCAD.getUserCachePath
+    translate = FreeCAD.Qt.translate
+
+except ImportError:
+    FreeCAD = None
+    getUserAppDataDir = None
+    getUserCachePath = None
+    getUserMacroDir = None
+
+    def translate(_context: str, string: str, _desc: str = "") -> str:
+        return string
+
+    class ConsoleReplacement:
+        """If FreeCAD's Console is not available, create a replacement by redirecting FreeCAD
+        log calls to Python's built-in logging facility."""
+
+        @staticmethod
+        def PrintLog(arg: str) -> None:
+            logging.log(logging.DEBUG, arg)
+
+        @staticmethod
+        def PrintMessage(arg: str) -> None:
+            logging.info(arg)
+
+        @staticmethod
+        def PrintWarning(arg: str) -> None:
+            logging.warning(arg)
+
+        @staticmethod
+        def PrintError(arg: str) -> None:
+            logging.error(arg)
+
+    Console = ConsoleReplacement()
+
+    class ParametersReplacement:
+        """Proxy for FreeCAD's Parameters when not running within FreeCAD. NOT
+        serialized, only exists for the duration of the program's execution. Only
+        provides the functions used by the Addon Manager, this class is not intended
+        to be a complete replacement for FreeCAD's preferences system."""
+
+        parameters = {}
+
+        def GetBool(self, name: str, default: bool) -> bool:
+            return self._Get(name, default)
+
+        def GetInt(self, name: str, default: int) -> int:
+            return self._Get(name, default)
+
+        def GetFloat(self, name: str, default: float) -> float:
+            return self._Get(name, default)
+
+        def GetString(self, name: str, default: str) -> str:
+            return self._Get(name, default)
+
+        def _Get(self, name, default):
+            return self.parameters[name] if name in self.parameters else default
+
+        def SetBool(self, name: str, value: bool) -> None:
+            self.parameters[name] = value
+
+        def SetInt(self, name: str, value: int) -> None:
+            self.parameters[name] = value
+
+        def SetFloat(self, name: str, value: float) -> None:
+            self.parameters[name] = value
+
+        def SetString(self, name: str, value: str) -> None:
+            self.parameters[name] = value
+
+        def RemBool(self, name: str) -> None:
+            self.parameters.pop(name)
+
+        def RemInt(self, name: str) -> None:
+            self.parameters.pop(name)
+
+        def RemFloat(self, name: str) -> None:
+            self.parameters.pop(name)
+
+        def RemString(self, name: str) -> None:
+            self.parameters.pop(name)
+
+    def ParamGet(_: str):
+        return ParametersReplacement()
+
+
+class DataPaths:
+    """Provide access to various data storage paths. If not running within FreeCAD,
+    all paths are temp directories. If not run within FreeCAD, all directories are
+    deleted when the last reference to this class is deleted."""
+
+    mod_dir = None
+    macro_dir = None
+    cache_dir = None
+
+    reference_count = 0
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        if FreeCAD:
+            if self.mod_dir is None:
+                self.mod_dir = os.path.join(getUserAppDataDir(), "Mod")
+            if self.cache_dir is None:
+                self.cache_dir = getUserCachePath()
+            if self.macro_dir is None:
+                self.macro_dir = getUserMacroDir(True)
+        else:
+            self.reference_count += 1
+            if self.mod_dir is None:
+                self.mod_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp()
+            if self.cache_dir is None:
+                self.cache_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp()
+            if self.macro_dir is None:
+                self.macro_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp()
+
+    def __del__(self):
+        self.reference_count -= 1
+        if not FreeCAD and self.reference_count <= 0:
+            os.rmdir(self.mod_dir)
+            os.rmdir(self.cache_dir)
+            os.rmdir(self.macro_dir)
+            self.mod_dir = None
+            self.cache_dir = None
+            self.macro_dir = None
+
+
+class Preferences:
+    """Wrap access to all user preferences. If run within FreeCAD, user preferences are
+    persistent, otherwise they only exist per-run. All preferences are controlled by a
+    central JSON file defining their defaults."""
+
+    preferences_defaults = {}
+
+    def __init__(self, defaults_data=None):
+        """Set up the preferences, initializing the class statics if necessary. If
+        defaults_data is provided it is used as the preferences defaults. If it is not
+        provided, then the defaults are read in from the standard defaults file,
+        addonmanager_preferences_defaults.json, located in the same directory as this
+        Python file."""
+        if not self.preferences_defaults:
+            if defaults_data:
+                self.preferences_defaults = defaults_data
+            else:
+                self._load_preferences_defaults()
+        self.prefs = ParamGet("User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Addons")
+
+    def get(self, name: str):
+        """Get the preference value for the given key"""
+        if name not in self.preferences_defaults:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                f"Unrecognized preference {name} -- did you add "
+                + "it to addonmanager_preferences_defaults.json?"
+            )
+        if isinstance(self.preferences_defaults[name], bool):
+            return self.prefs.GetBool(name, self.preferences_defaults[name])
+        if isinstance(self.preferences_defaults[name], int):
+            return self.prefs.GetInt(name, self.preferences_defaults[name])
+        if isinstance(self.preferences_defaults[name], float):
+            return self.prefs.GetFloat(name, self.preferences_defaults[name])
+        if isinstance(self.preferences_defaults[name], str):
+            return self.prefs.GetString(name, self.preferences_defaults[name])
+        # We don't directly support any other types from the JSON file (e.g. arrays)
+        type_name = type(self.preferences_defaults[name])
+        raise RuntimeError(f"Unrecognized type for {name}: {type_name}")
+
+    def set(self, name: str, value):
+        """Set the preference value for the given key. Must exist (e.g. must be in the
+        addonmanager_preferences_defaults.json file)."""
+        if name not in self.preferences_defaults:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                f"Unrecognized preference {name} -- did you add "
+                + "it to addonmanager_preferences_defaults.json?"
+            )
+        if isinstance(self.preferences_defaults[name], bool):
+            self.prefs.SetBool(name, value)
+        elif isinstance(self.preferences_defaults[name], int):
+            self.prefs.SetInt(name, value)
+        elif isinstance(self.preferences_defaults[name], float):
+            self.prefs.SetFloat(name, value)
+        elif isinstance(self.preferences_defaults[name], str):
+            self.prefs.SetString(name, value)
+        else:
+            # We don't directly support any other types from the JSON file (e.g. arrays)
+            type_name = type(self.preferences_defaults[name])
+            raise RuntimeError(f"Unrecognized type for {name}: {type_name}")
+
+    def rem(self, name: str):
+        """Remove the preference. Must have an entry in the
+        addonmanager_preferences_defaults.json file."""
+        if name not in self.preferences_defaults:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                f"Unrecognized preference {name} -- did you add "
+                + "it to addonmanager_preferences_defaults.json?"
+            )
+        if isinstance(self.preferences_defaults[name], bool):
+            return self.prefs.RemBool(name)
+        if isinstance(self.preferences_defaults[name], int):
+            return self.prefs.RemInt(name)
+        if isinstance(self.preferences_defaults[name], float):
+            return self.prefs.RemFloat(name)
+        if isinstance(self.preferences_defaults[name], str):
+            return self.prefs.RemString(name)
+        # We don't directly support any other types from the JSON file (e.g. arrays)
+        type_name = type(self.preferences_defaults[name])
+        raise RuntimeError(f"Unrecognized type for {name}: {type_name}")
+
+    @classmethod
+    def _load_preferences_defaults(cls, filename=None):
+        """Loads the preferences defaults JSON file from either a specified file, or
+        from the standard addonmanager_preferences_defaults.json file."""
+
+        if filename is None:
+            json_file = os.path.join(
+                os.path.dirname(__file__), "addonmanager_preferences_defaults.json"
+            )
+        else:
+            json_file = filename
+        with open(json_file, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            file_contents = f.read()
+        cls.preferences_defaults = json.loads(file_contents)
diff --git a/src/Mod/AddonManager/addonmanager_preferences_defaults.json b/src/Mod/AddonManager/addonmanager_preferences_defaults.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4258178ebe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Mod/AddonManager/addonmanager_preferences_defaults.json
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+{
+  "AddonFlagsURL": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD-addons/master/addonflags.json",
+  "AddonsRemoteCacheURL": "https://addons.freecad.org/metadata.zip",
+  "AddonsUpdateStatsURL": "https://addons.freecad.org/addon_update_stats.json",
+  "AutoCheck": false,
+  "BlockedMacros": "BOLTS,WorkFeatures,how to install,documentation,PartsLibrary,FCGear",
+  "CustomRepoHash": "",
+  "CustomRepositories": "",
+  "CustomToolbarName": "Auto-Created Macro Toolbar",
+  "DaysBetweenUpdates": -1,
+  "DownloadMacros": false,
+  "GitExecutable": "Not set",
+  "HideNewerFreeCADRequired": true,
+  "HideObsolete": true,
+  "HidePy2": true,
+  "KnownPythonVersions": "[]",
+  "LastCacheUpdate": "never",
+  "MacroCacheUpdateFrequency": 7,
+  "MacroGitURL": "https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD-Macros",
+  "MacroUpdateStatsURL": "https://addons.freecad.org/macro_update_stats.json",
+  "MacroWikiURL": "https://wiki.freecad.org/Macros_recipes",
+  "NoProxyCheck": "",
+  "PackageTypeSelection": 1,
+  "PrimaryAddonsSubmoduleURL": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD-addons/master/.gitmodules",
+  "ProxyUrl": "",
+  "PythonExecutableForPip": "Not set",
+  "RemoteIconCacheURL": "https://addons.freecad.org/icon_cache.zip",
+  "SelectedAddon": "",
+  "ShowBranchSwitcher": false,
+  "StatusSelection": 0,
+  "SystemProxyCheck": "",
+  "UpdateFrequencyComboEntry": 0,
+  "UserProxyCheck": "",
+  "ViewStyle": 1,
+  "WindowHeight": 600,
+  "WindowWidth": 800,
+  "alwaysAskForToolbar": true,
+  "devModeLastSelectedLicense": "LGPLv2.1",
+  "developerMode": false,
+  "disableGit": false,
+  "dontShowAddMacroButtonDialog": false,
+  "readWarning2022": false
+}
\ No newline at end of file