Configuration File

You might say

Help me update the default model in the AI tool's config file to DeepSeek, and increase the timeout limit to 60 seconds.

A structured file containing runtime settings and environment parameters for software to parse upon startup or runtime.For example, an AI tool may read its model, endpoint, timeout, and permission settings from a config file, while project rules describe the stack and collaboration conventions for the current codebase. A config may reference secret variable names, but real secrets belong in environment variables or a secret manager and must not be tracked by git.

config.jsonconfig.toml

AI tool configuration file comparison

AI tool	Can edit config file	Configuration file location	Official docs
Codex	Supported	`~/.codex/config.tomlProject: <project directory>/.codex/config.toml`	Official docs
Claude Code	Supported	`~/.claude/settings.jsonProject: <project directory>/.claude/settings.json`	Official docs
Gemini CLI	Supported	`%USERPROFILE%\.gemini\settings.jsonProject: <project directory>\.gemini\settings.json`	Official docs
Qoder	Not supported	Configure models from the in-tool /model entry.	Official docs
Trae	Not supported	Configure models in the product under “Settings → Models”.	Official docs
WorkBuddy	Not supported	Configure models in the product under “Settings → Models”.	Official docs

What do a config file and project rules each control?

Config files store runtime settings (JSON / YAML / TOML): Stores provider, model, endpoint, port, or permission parameters. Common formats include JSON (strict key-value), YAML (supports comments), and TOML (clear sections).

Project rules specify collaboration requirements: Project rules describe the constraints and conventions the model must follow in the current codebase, such as stack, code style, and boundaries.

Restart usually required after changes: Most tools only read configs on startup. Modifying next.config.js, .env, or tailwind.config.ts usually requires restarting the dev server (Ctrl+C then npm run dev).

Quick checkChoose the best answer

What type of file should you check first when a model call fails?

The page style fileThe config fileThe project rules file

You can say this to an AI Agent

First identify which config file this tool actually loads, then check its model, endpoint, and timeout settings. Do not read or print real secrets; report the effective path and configuration layer.

Learn next

1Provider→2Project Rules→

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