configstore

What is configstore?

The configstore npm package is used for easily loading and persisting config without having to think about where and how. It's ideal for storing user settings, application configurations, and other data that needs to be saved between sessions.

What are configstore's main functionalities?

Creating and managing a config store

This code demonstrates how to create a new config store associated with a specific package and set default values. It also shows how to retrieve a value from the store.

const Configstore = require('configstore');
const packageJson = require('./package.json');
const conf = new Configstore(packageJson.name, {foo: 'bar'});
console.log(conf.get('foo'));
//=> 'bar'

Setting and getting data

This code shows how to set and get data in the config store. It also demonstrates the use of dot-notation to work with nested properties.

conf.set('awesome', true);
console.log(conf.get('awesome'));
//=> true

// Using dot-notation for nested properties
conf.set('bar.baz', true);
console.log(conf.get('bar'));
//=> { baz: true }

Deleting data

This code snippet illustrates how to delete a key-value pair from the config store.

conf.delete('awesome');
console.log(conf.get('awesome'));
//=> undefined

Accessing the entire store

This code example shows how to access the entire config store, which returns an object containing all the key-value pairs.

console.log(conf.all);
//=> { foo: 'bar', bar: { baz: true } }

Checking if a key exists

This code demonstrates how to check if a particular key exists in the config store.

console.log(conf.has('foo'));
//=> true

Other packages similar to configstore

rc

The 'rc' package is similar to configstore in that it handles configuration for Node.js applications. It reads from a variety of sources including command-line arguments, environment variables, and configuration files. Unlike configstore, 'rc' does not provide an API for setting or deleting configuration values programmatically.

dotenv

The 'dotenv' package is used to load environment variables from a .env file into process.env. It is similar to configstore in that it helps manage application configuration. However, 'dotenv' is focused on environment variables and does not provide a direct API for setting, getting, or persisting data.

nconf

The 'nconf' package is a hierarchical node.js configuration with files, environment variables, command-line arguments, and atomic object merging. It provides a rich API for managing configuration data, similar to configstore, but with a focus on a hierarchical structure and multiple configuration sources.

README

configstore

Easily load and persist config without having to think about where and how

The config is stored in a JSON file located in $XDG_CONFIG_HOME or ~/.config.
Example: ~/.config/configstore/some-id.json

If you need this for Electron, check out electron-store instead.
And check out conf for a more modern version of configstore.

Install

npm install configstore

Usage

import fs from 'node:fs';
import Configstore from 'configstore';

const packageJson = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync('./package.json', 'utf8'));

// Create a Configstore instance.
const config = new Configstore(packageJson.name, {foo: 'bar'});

console.log(config.get('foo'));
//=> 'bar'

config.set('awesome', true);
console.log(config.get('awesome'));
//=> true

// Use dot-notation to access nested properties.
config.set('bar.baz', true);
console.log(config.get('bar'));
//=> {baz: true}

config.delete('awesome');
console.log(config.get('awesome'));
//=> undefined

API

Configstore(packageName, defaults?, options?)

Returns a new instance.

packageName

Type: string

Name of your package.

defaults

Type: object

Default config.

options

Type: object

globalConfigPath

Type: boolean
Default: false

Store the config at $CONFIG/package-name/config.json instead of the default $CONFIG/configstore/package-name.json. This is not recommended as you might end up conflicting with other tools, rendering the "without having to think" idea moot.

configPath

Type: string
Default: Automatic

Please don't use this option unless absolutely necessary and you know what you're doing.

Set the path of the config file. Overrides the packageName and globalConfigPath options.

Instance

You can use dot-notation in a key to access nested properties.

.set(key, value)

Set an item.

.set(object)

Set multiple items at once.

.get(key)

Get an item.

.has(key)

Check if an item exists.

.delete(key)

Delete an item.

.clear()

Delete all items.

.size

Get the item count.

.path

Get the path to the config file. Can be used to show the user where the config file is located or even better open it for them.

.all

Get all the config as an object or replace the current config with an object:

config.all = {
	hello: 'world'
};