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Configuration

Brat is configured through a TOML file and environment variables.

Configuration Files

Location Purpose
.brat/config.toml Repository-specific config
$BRAT_HOME/config.toml Global config (optional)

Repository config takes precedence over global config.

Quick Start

Create .brat/config.toml:

[engine]
default = "claude"

[daemon]
port = 3000
idle_timeout_secs = 900

[swarm]
max_polecats = 6

Validate your configuration:

brat config validate

Configuration Sections

  • Config File Reference

    Complete reference for all configuration options.

    Reference

  • Daemon Configuration

    Configure the HTTP API daemon (bratd).

    Daemon

Environment Variables

Override config file settings with environment variables:

Variable Description
BRAT_DAEMON_PORT Override daemon port
BRAT_DAEMON_IDLE_TIMEOUT Override idle timeout (seconds)
BRAT_NO_DAEMON Disable daemon auto-start
BRAT_HOME Global config directory

Validation

Brat validates configuration on startup:

  • Unknown keys are rejected
  • Invalid values show clear errors
  • Missing keys use defaults

Run validation manually:

brat config validate

Relationship to Grite

Config Location Purpose
Grite .git/grite/config.toml Actor defaults, substrate settings
Brat .brat/config.toml Engine, daemon, workflow settings

Key differences:

  • Brat config is typically gitignored
  • Grite config may be committed
  • Both are TOML format