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meshcore-bot/docs/configuration.md
Chris Barker 8966be89a6 Adds max_response_hops
Before this there was no way to prevent the bot to reply to random
channel noise from a temprorary strong link to another distant mesh.

This provides the ability for users in larger meshes to cap the bot
to reply to only messages sent likely from nearby repeaters. This works
well in conjunction with region scoping.

Default value is still 64, to not change behavior on existing installs,
but the example config.ini's all include a suggested start valu of 10.
2026-03-30 15:11:05 +01:00

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# Configuration
The bot is configured via `config.ini` in the project root (or the path given with `--config`). This page describes how configuration is organized and where to find command-specific options.
## config.ini structure
- **Sections** are named in square brackets, e.g. `[Bot]`, `[Connection]`, `[Path_Command]`.
- **Options** are `key = value` (or `key=value`). Comments start with `#` or `;`.
- **Paths** can be relative (to the directory containing the config file) or absolute. For Docker, use absolute paths under `/data/` (see [Docker deployment](docker.md)).
The main sections include:
| Section | Purpose |
|--------|---------|
| `[Bot]` | Bot name, database path, response toggles, command prefix |
| `[Connection]` | Serial, BLE, or TCP connection to the MeshCore device |
| `[Channels]` | Channels to monitor, DM behavior, optional channel keyword whitelist |
| `[Admin_ACL]` | Admin public keys and admin-only commands |
| `[Keywords]` | Keyword → response pairs |
| `[Weather]` | Units and settings shared by `wx` / `gwx` and Weather Service |
| `[Logging]` | Log file path and level |
## Channels section
`[Channels]` controls where the bot responds:
- **`monitor_channels`** Comma-separated channel names. The bot only responds to messages on these channels (and in DMs if enabled).
- **`respond_to_dms`** If `true`, the bot responds to direct messages; if `false`, it ignores DMs.
- **`channel_keywords`** Optional. When set (comma-separated command/keyword names), only those triggers are answered **in channels**; DMs always get all triggers. Use this to reduce channel traffic by making heavy triggers (e.g. `wx`, `satpass`, `joke`) DM-only. Leave empty or omit to allow all triggers in monitored channels. Per-command **`channels = `** (empty) in a commands section also forces that command to be DM-only; see `config.ini.example` for examples (e.g. `[Joke_Command]`).
- **`max_response_hops`** - Default: 64. The bot will ignore messages that have traveled more than this number of hops. Suggested to set at 10 or below, since in most meshes that is not an intentional message meant to trigger this particular bot.
## Command and feature sections
Many commands and features have their own section. Options there control whether the command is enabled and how it behaves.
### Enabling and disabling commands
- **`enabled`** Common option to turn a command or plugin on or off. Example:
```ini
[Aurora_Command]
enabled = true
```
- Commands without an `enabled` key are typically always available (subject to [Admin_ACL](https://github.com/agessaman/meshcore-bot/blob/main/README.md) for admin-only commands).
### Command-specific sections
Examples of sections that configure specific commands or features:
- **`[Path_Command]`** Path decoding and repeater selection. See [Path Command](path-command-config.md) for all options.
- **`[Prefix_Command]`** Prefix lookup, prefix best, range limits.
- **`[Weather]`** Used by the `wx` / `gwx` commands and the Weather Service plugin (see [Weather Service](weather-service.md)).
- **`[Airplanes_Command]`** Aircraft/ADS-B command (API URL, radius, limits).
- **`[Aurora_Command]`** Aurora command (default coordinates).
- **`[Alert_Command]`** Emergency alerts (agency IDs, etc.).
- **`[Sports_Command]`** Sports scores (teams, leagues).
- **`[Joke_Command]`**, **`[DadJoke_Command]`** Joke sources and options.
Full reference: see `config.ini.example` in the repository for every section and option, with inline comments.
## Data retention
Database tables (packet stream, stats, repeater data, mesh graph) are pruned automatically. Retention periods and defaults are described in **[Data retention](data-retention.md)**. The bots scheduler runs cleanup daily even when the standalone web viewer is not running.
## Path Command configuration
The Path command has many options (presets, proximity, graph validation, etc.). All are documented in:
**[Path Command](path-command-config.md)** Presets, geographic and graph settings, and tuning.
## Service plugin configuration
Service plugins (Discord Bridge, Packet Capture, Map Uploader, Weather Service) each have their own section and are documented under [Service Plugins](service-plugins.md).
## Config validation
Before starting the bot, you can validate section names and path writability. See [Config validation](config-validation.md) for how to run `validate_config.py` or `meshcore_bot.py --validate-config`, and what is checked (required sections, typos like `[WebViewer]` → `[Web_Viewer]`, and writable paths).
## Reloading configuration
Some configuration can be reloaded without restarting the bot using the **`reload`** command (admin only). Radio/connection settings are not changed by reload; restart the bot for those.
## Pausing channel responses (remote)
Admins can DM **`channelpause`** or **`channelresume`** (see `[Admin_ACL]` in `config.ini`) to stop or resume bot reactions on **public channels** only—greeter, keywords, and commands on channels are skipped; DMs still work. The setting is **in memory only** (back to responding on channels after restart). Scheduled channel posts from the scheduler are **not** blocked by this toggle.