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diff --git a/doc/README.md b/doc/README.md index c2187ca3b3..de33c1b5b9 100644 --- a/doc/README.md +++ b/doc/README.md @@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ The Bitcoin repo's [root README](/README.md) contains relevant information on th ### Miscellaneous - [Assets Attribution](assets-attribution.md) +- [bitcoin.conf Configuration File](bitcoin-conf.md) - [Files](files.md) - [Fuzz-testing](fuzzing.md) - [Reduce Traffic](reduce-traffic.md) diff --git a/doc/bitcoin-conf.md b/doc/bitcoin-conf.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..88ecb8fe65 --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/bitcoin-conf.md @@ -0,0 +1,37 @@ +# `bitcoin.conf` Configuration File + +The configuration file is used by `bitcoind`, `bitcoin-qt` and `bitcoin-cli`. + +All command-line options (except for `-?`, `-help`, `-version` and `-conf`) may be specified in a configuration file, and all configuration file options (except for `includeconf`) may also be specified on the command line. Command-line options override values set in the configuration file and configuration file options override values set in the GUI. + +## Configuration File Format + +The configuration file is a plain text file and consists of `option=value` entries, one per line. Leading and trailing whitespaces are removed. + +In contrast to the command-line usage: +- an option must be specified without leading `-`; +- a value of the given option is mandatory; e.g., `testnet=1` (for chain selection options), `noconnect=1` (for negated options). + +### Blank lines + +Blank lines are allowed and ignored by the parser. + +### Comments + +A comment starts with a number sign (`#`) and extends to the end of the line. All comments are ignored by the parser. + +Comments may appear in two ways: +- on their own on an otherwise empty line (_preferable_); +- after an `option=value` entry. + +### Network specific options + +Network specific options can be: +- placed into sections with headers `[main]` (not `[mainnet]`), `[test]` (not `[testnet]`) or `[regtest]`; +- prefixed with a chain name; e.g., `regtest.maxmempool=100`. + +## Configuration File Path + +The configuration file is not automatically created; you can create it using your favorite text editor. By default, the configuration file name is `bitcoin.conf` and it is located in the Bitcoin data directory, but both the Bitcoin data directory and the configuration file path may be changed using the `-datadir` and `-conf` command-line options. + +The `includeconf=<file>` option in the `bitcoin.conf` file can be used to include additional configuration files. |