> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/d2phap/ImageGlass/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Settings Overview

> Understanding ImageGlass configuration system and settings file structure

## Configuration File Location

ImageGlass stores user settings in `igconfig.json`, a JSON-based configuration file.

### Default Locations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Windows User Profile">
    **Path:** `%APPDATA%\ImageGlass\Settings\igconfig.json`

    This is the primary location for user-specific settings.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Portable Installation">
    **Path:** `[ImageGlass Installation]\Settings\igconfig.json`

    When running in portable mode, settings are stored alongside the application.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Configuration File Structure

The configuration file follows this basic structure:

```json igconfig.json theme={null}
{
  "_Metadata": {
    "Description": "ImageGlass configuration file",
    "Version": 9.1
  },
  "AutoUpdate": "0",
  "EnableSlideshow": false,
  "ShowToolbar": true,
  "DarkTheme": "Kobe",
  "LightTheme": "Kobe-Light",
  // ... additional settings
}
```

### Metadata Section

<ParamField path="_Metadata.Description" type="string">
  Human-readable description of the configuration file
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="_Metadata.Version" type="number">
  Configuration file version (current: 9.1)
</ParamField>

## Configuration Categories

ImageGlass settings are organized into several categories:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="General" icon="gear" href="/configuration/appearance">
    Startup behavior, auto-update, multi-instance support
  </Card>

  <Card title="Image" icon="image">
    Loading orders, color management, format support
  </Card>

  <Card title="Viewer" icon="eye">
    Zoom modes, panning, navigation controls
  </Card>

  <Card title="Performance" icon="gauge" href="/configuration/performance">
    Image Booster cache, async loading, gallery cache
  </Card>

  <Card title="Appearance" icon="palette" href="/configuration/appearance">
    Themes, colors, toolbar customization
  </Card>

  <Card title="Advanced" icon="code" href="/configuration/advanced-configs">
    Power user settings, debugging, hidden options
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Settings Management

### Accessing Settings

You can access ImageGlass settings in multiple ways:

1. **Settings UI**: Open ImageGlass → Menu → Settings
2. **Direct File Editing**: Edit `igconfig.json` with any text editor
3. **Command Line**: Use `igcmd.exe` for configuration management

<Warning>
  **Always backup your configuration file before making manual edits.** Invalid JSON will cause ImageGlass to use default settings.
</Warning>

### Reset to Defaults

To reset all settings to defaults:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Close ImageGlass">
    Ensure all ImageGlass instances are closed
  </Step>

  <Step title="Delete Configuration File">
    Delete `igconfig.json` from your configuration directory
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart ImageGlass">
    Launch ImageGlass - it will create a new configuration file with defaults
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Configuration API Version

ImageGlass uses version `9` for configuration compatibility checking. Settings from older versions are automatically migrated when detected.

### Version History

* **Version 9.x**: Current configuration format (ImageGlass 9.x)
* **Version 8.x**: Legacy format (auto-migrated)
* **Version 7.x and earlier**: Legacy format (auto-migrated)

## Data Types

Configuration values use standard JSON data types:

<ParamField path="Boolean" type="boolean">
  `true` or `false` values for feature toggles

  **Example:** `"ShowToolbar": true`
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Number" type="number">
  Integer or floating-point numbers for dimensions, speeds, etc.

  **Example:** `"ThumbnailSize": 50`
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="String" type="string">
  Text values for paths, names, colors (hex format)

  **Example:** `"DarkTheme": "Kobe"`
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Array" type="array">
  Lists of values for zoom levels, formats, etc.

  **Example:** `"ZoomLevels": [10, 25, 50, 100, 200]`
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Object" type="object">
  Complex structures for toolbar buttons, hotkeys, tools

  **Example:** `"MenuHotkeys": { "MnuOpen": ["Ctrl+O"] }`
</ParamField>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Appearance Settings" icon="palette" href="/configuration/appearance">
    Customize themes and visual appearance
  </Card>

  <Card title="Performance Tuning" icon="gauge" href="/configuration/performance">
    Optimize cache and loading settings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Advanced Configs" icon="code" href="/configuration/advanced-configs">
    Explore power user options
  </Card>

  <Card title="Themes" icon="brush" href="/configuration/themes">
    Install and manage theme packs
  </Card>
</CardGroup>