IFM Configuration Reference

Overview

IFM uses TOML for configuration. The config file is loaded from (in priority order):

--config / -c CLI flag
IFM_CONFIG environment variable
./config.toml (current directory)
~/.config/ifm/config.toml (Linux/macOS)
%APPDATA%\ifm\config.toml (Windows)

Complete Configuration Schema

toml

# Node identity and storage
[node]
name = "enzo"                    # Display name (optional)
storage = "./data"               # Data directory path
relay = true                     # Participate in the relay plane (serve + use relays)
connections = 128                # Max concurrent connections

# Network transports and discovery
[network]
bootstrap = true                 # Connect to bootstrap peers
lan = true                       # Enable local (mDNS/UDP) discovery
quic = true                      # Enable QUIC transport
webrtc = true                    # Enable WebRTC transport
tcp = false                      # Enable TCP fallback (explicit)

# QUIC-specific settings
[network.quic]
port = 0                         # Listen port (0 = random)
max_idle_timeout = 30000         # Max idle timeout (ms)
keep_alive_interval = 10000      # Keep-alive interval (ms)
congestion_controller = "bbr"    # Congestion control: bbr, cubic, newreno
max_concurrent_streams = 256     # Max bidirectional streams
max_uni_streams = 128            # Max unidirectional streams
datagram_enabled = true          # Enable unreliable datagrams

# WebRTC-specific settings
[network.webrtc]
stun_servers = [                 # STUN servers for NAT traversal
  "stun:stun.l.google.com:19302",
  "stun:stun.cloudflare.com:3478"
]
turn_servers = []                # TURN servers (optional)
# Example TURN:
# turn_servers = [
#   { urls = ["turn:turn.example.com:3478"], username = "user", credential = "pass" }
# ]
ice_gathering_policy = "all"     # all, relay, none
ice_candidate_pool_size = 10     # Pre-gather candidates

# TCP-specific settings
[network.tcp]
port = 0                         # Listen port (0 = random)
nodelay = true                   # TCP_NODELAY
keepalive = 30                   # Keepalive interval (seconds)

# DHT settings
[network.dht]
enabled = true                   # Enable Kademlia DHT
mode = "client"                  # client (default) or server
replication_factor = 20          # Store records on N closest peers
refresh_interval = 3600          # Refresh interval (seconds)
bootstrap_peers = [              # Bootstrap peer multiaddrs
  "/ip4/bootstrap.ifm.network/udp/4001/quic-v1/p2p/12D3KooWBootstrap1",
  "/ip4/bootstrap2.ifm.network/udp/4001/quic-v1/p2p/12D3KooWBootstrap2",
  "/ip4/bootstrap3.ifm.network/udp/4001/quic-v1/p2p/12D3KooWBootstrap3"
]

# Local discovery (mDNS/UDP broadcast)
[network.local]
enabled = true                   # Enable local discovery
mdns = true                      # Use mDNS (port 5353)
broadcast = true                 # Use UDP broadcast (port 4002)
mdns_interval = 30               # mDNS query interval (seconds)
broadcast_interval = 10          # Broadcast interval (seconds)
service_name = "_ifm._udp"       # mDNS service name

# GossipSub (mesh broadcast) settings
[gossip]
ttl = 16                         # Packet TTL (hops)
fanout = 6                       # Forward to N peers (mesh degree)
mesh_n = 6                       # Target mesh degree
mesh_n_low = 4                   # Min mesh degree (prune below)
mesh_n_high = 12                 # Max mesh degree (gossip above)
gossip_factor = 0.25             # Gossip to 25% of mesh
history_length = 5               # Message history for new peers
history_gossip = 3               # Gossip N history messages
duplicate_cache_size = 100000    # Dedup cache entries
validate_messages = true         # Validate before forwarding
max_message_size = 1048576       # Max message size (bytes)

# Audio/Voice settings
[audio]
enabled = true                   # Enable audio subsystem
sample_rate = 48000              # Sample rate (Hz)
channels = 1                     # Channels (1=mono, 2=stereo)
frame_ms = 20                    # Frame duration (ms)
input_device = "default"         # Input device (name or "default")
output_device = "default"        # Output device (name or "default")
input_volume = 1.0               # Input gain (0.0-2.0)
output_volume = 1.0              # Output gain (0.0-2.0)

# Opus encoder settings
[audio.opus]
bitrate = "auto"                 # Target bitrate: auto, 6000-510000
complexity = 10                  # Encoding complexity (0-10)
fec = true                       # Forward Error Correction
dtx = true                       # Discontinuous Transmission
packet_loss_percentage = 0       # Expected packet loss (0-100)

# Jitter buffer settings
[audio.jitter]
target_latency_ms = 60           # Target buffer latency (ms)
min_latency_ms = 40              # Minimum latency (ms)
max_latency_ms = 200             # Maximum latency (ms)
adaptive = true                  # Adapt to network conditions

# Audio processing (desktop)
[audio.processing]
noise_suppression = true         # Enable noise suppression (rnnoise)
echo_cancellation = false        # Enable echo cancellation
auto_gain_control = false        # Enable automatic gain control
high_pass_filter = true          # High-pass filter at 80Hz

# Security settings
[security]
require_signed_packets = true    # Reject unsigned packets (always true)
packet_expiry_ms = 300000        # Reject packets older than this (ms)
max_clock_skew_ms = 30000        # Max allowed clock skew (ms)
dedup_cache_size = 100000        # Packet ID dedup cache size
replay_window = 4294967296       # Sequence replay window (2^32)

# Frequency encryption defaults
[security.encryption]
default_algorithm = "chacha20poly1305"  # Only supported currently
key_rotation_interval = 0        # Key rotation (0 = disabled)

# Logging
[logging]
level = "info"                   # trace, debug, info, warn, error
format = "text"                  # text, json
file = "./logs/ifm.log"          # Log file path (empty = stdout only)
max_file_size = "10MB"           # Rotate at size
max_files = 5                    # Max rotated files
include_timestamp = true         # Include timestamps
include_level = true             # Include log level
include_target = true            # Include module target

# Plugin settings
[plugins]
auto_load = true                 # Auto-load plugins from plugins/ directory
plugins_dir = "./plugins"        # Plugin directory
allowed_plugins = []             # Empty = allow all, list = allowlist
blocked_plugins = []             # Blocklist
permissions = {                  # Default permissions for plugins
  broadcast = true,
  send_to = true,
  storage = true,
  rpc = true,
  identity = false,
  network = false,
  audio = false,
  video = false,
  filesystem = false
}

# Experimental features
[experimental]
webtransport = false             # WebTransport support (browser)
multipath = false                # Multipath QUIC
datagram_receive_buffer = 1024   # QUIC datagram receive buffer

Configuration Sections Detail

`[node]` — Node Identity & Storage

Key	Type	Default	Description
`name`	string	random	Display name for this node
`storage`	path	`./data`	Data directory (identity, cache, logs, plugins)
`relay`	bool	`true`	Participate in the relay plane (serve + use relays); relays are pool-wide, never bound to a frequency or station
`cache`	size	`256MB`	Packet cache size (KB/MB/GB)
`connections`	int	`128`	Max concurrent connections

Storage Layout:

{storage}/
├── identity.key          # Ed25519 private key (600 perms)
├── config.toml           # Active config (symlink or copy)
├── cache/                # Packet cache (dedup, store-forward)
├── logs/                 # Log files
├── plugins/              # Loaded plugins (WASM, native)
└── plugin_data/          # Plugin persistent storage

`[network]` — Transport & Discovery

Key	Type	Default	Description
`bootstrap`	bool	`true`	Connect to bootstrap peers
`lan`	bool	`true`	Enable local network discovery
`quic`	bool	`true`	Enable QUIC transport
`webrtc`	bool	`true`	Enable WebRTC transport
`tcp`	bool	`false`	Enable TCP fallback

Transport Priority: QUIC > WebRTC > TCP

`[network.quic]` — QUIC Settings

Key	Type	Default	Description
`port`	int	`0`	Listen port (0 = ephemeral)
`max_idle_timeout`	int	`30000`	Max idle (ms)
`keep_alive_interval`	int	`10000`	Keep-alive (ms)
`congestion_controller`	string	`"bbr"`	`bbr`, `cubic`, `newreno`
`max_concurrent_streams`	int	`256`	Bidirectional streams
`max_uni_streams`	int	`128`	Unidirectional streams
`datagram_enabled`	bool	`true`	Unreliable datagrams

`[network.webrtc]` — WebRTC Settings

Key	Type	Default	Description
`stun_servers`	array	Google/Cloudflare	STUN servers
`turn_servers`	array	`[]`	TURN servers (with auth)
`ice_gathering_policy`	string	`"all"`	`all`, `relay`, `none`
`ice_candidate_pool_size`	int	`10`	Pre-gather count

TURN Server Format:

toml

turn_servers = [
  { urls = ["turn:turn.example.com:3478?transport=udp"], username = "user", credential = "pass" },
  { urls = ["turns:turn.example.com:5349?transport=tcp"], username = "user", credential = "pass" }
]

`[network.dht]` — Kademlia DHT

Key	Type	Default	Description
`enabled`	bool	`true`	Enable DHT
`mode`	string	`"client"`	`client` or `server`
`replication_factor`	int	`20`	Record replication
`refresh_interval`	int	`3600`	Refresh (seconds)
`bootstrap_peers`	array	built-in	Bootstrap multiaddrs

Modes:

client — Only lookups, doesn't store records for others
server — Full DHT participation (uses more resources)

`[network.local]` — Local Discovery

Key	Type	Default	Description
`enabled`	bool	`true`	Enable local discovery
`mdns`	bool	`true`	mDNS (port 5353)
`broadcast`	bool	`true`	UDP broadcast (port 4002)
`mdns_interval`	int	`30`	Query interval (s)
`broadcast_interval`	int	`10`	Broadcast interval (s)
`service_name`	string	`"_ifm._udp"`	mDNS service type

`[gossip]` — GossipSub Mesh

Key	Type	Default	Description
`ttl`	int	`16`	Packet TTL (hops)
`fanout`	int	`6`	Forward to N peers
`mesh_n`	int	`6`	Target mesh degree
`mesh_n_low`	int	`4`	Min mesh degree
`mesh_n_high`	int	`12`	Max mesh degree
`gossip_factor`	float	`0.25`	Gossip percentage
`history_length`	int	`5`	History for new peers
`history_gossip`	int	`3`	Gossip history count
`duplicate_cache_size`	int	`100000`	Dedup cache entries
`validate_messages`	bool	`true`	Validate before forward
`max_message_size`	int	`1048576`	Max message (bytes)

Mesh Degree Guidelines:

Low bandwidth: mesh_n=4, fanout=4
Default: mesh_n=6, fanout=6
High bandwidth: mesh_n=8, fanout=8

`[audio]` — Audio Settings

Key	Type	Default	Description
`enabled`	bool	`true`	Enable audio
`sample_rate`	int	`48000`	Sample rate (Hz)
`channels`	int	`1`	1=mono, 2=stereo
`frame_ms`	int	`20`	Frame duration
`input_device`	string	`"default"`	Capture device
`output_device`	string	`"default"`	Playback device
`input_volume`	float	`1.0`	Input gain
`output_volume`	float	`1.0`	Output gain

`[audio.opus]` — Opus Encoder

Key	Type	Default	Description
`bitrate`	string/int	`"auto"`	Target bitrate or "auto"
`complexity`	int	`10`	Complexity 0-10
`fec`	bool	`true`	Forward Error Correction
`dtx`	bool	`true`	Discontinuous Transmission
`packet_loss_percentage`	int	`0`	Expected loss %

Bitrate Recommendations:

Use Case	Bitrate
Voice (auto)	24-48 kbps
Voice (high quality)	64-96 kbps
Music	128-256 kbps
Low bandwidth	8-16 kbps

`[audio.jitter]` — Jitter Buffer

Key	Type	Default	Description
`target_latency_ms`	int	`60`	Target latency
`min_latency_ms`	int	`40`	Minimum latency
`max_latency_ms`	int	`200`	Maximum latency
`adaptive`	bool	`true`	Auto-adjust

`[audio.processing]` — Audio Processing (Desktop)

Key	Type	Default	Description
`noise_suppression`	bool	`true`	RNNoise suppression
`echo_cancellation`	bool	`false`	AEC (needs loopback)
`auto_gain_control`	bool	`false`	AGC
`high_pass_filter`	bool	`true`	80Hz HPF

`[security]` — Security

Key	Type	Default	Description
`require_signed_packets`	bool	`true`	Always verify signatures
`packet_expiry_ms`	int	`300000`	Max packet age (5 min)
`max_clock_skew_ms`	int	`30000`	Max clock skew (30s)
`dedup_cache_size`	int	`100000`	Packet ID cache
`replay_window`	int	`2^32`	Sequence window

`[logging]` — Logging

Key	Type	Default	Description
`level`	string	`"info"`	trace/debug/info/warn/error
`format`	string	`"text"`	text/json
`file`	path	`"./logs/ifm.log"`	Log file
`max_file_size`	size	`"10MB"`	Rotation size
`max_files`	int	`5`	Rotated files
`include_timestamp`	bool	`true`	Timestamps
`include_level`	bool	`true`	Log level
`include_target`	bool	`true`	Module name

`[plugins]` — Plugin System

Key	Type	Default	Description
`auto_load`	bool	`true`	Auto-load from plugins/
`plugins_dir`	path	`"./plugins"`	Plugin directory
`allowed_plugins`	array	`[]`	Allowlist (empty=all)
`blocked_plugins`	array	`[]`	Blocklist
`permissions`	table	defaults	Default permissions

`[experimental]` — Experimental Features

Key	Type	Default	Description
`webtransport`	bool	`false`	WebTransport (browser)
`multipath`	bool	`false`	Multipath QUIC
`datagram_receive_buffer`	int	`1024`	QUIC datagram buffer

Environment Variable Overrides

Any config value can be overridden via environment variables:

bash

# Format: IFM_<SECTION>_<KEY> (uppercase, underscores)
export IFM_NODE_NAME="My Radio"
export IFM_NETWORK_QUIC_PORT=4001
export IFM_GOSSIP_FANOUT=8
export IFM_AUDIO_OPUS_BITRATE=64000
export IFM_LOGGING_LEVEL=debug

Mapping:

Config Path	Environment Variable
`node.name`	`IFM_NODE_NAME`
`network.quic.port`	`IFM_NETWORK_QUIC_PORT`
`gossip.fanout`	`IFM_GOSSIP_FANOUT`
`audio.opus.bitrate`	`IFM_AUDIO_OPUS_BITRATE`
`logging.level`	`IFM_LOGGING_LEVEL`
`node.storage`	`IFM_DATA_DIR` (special)
`node.identity`	`IFM_IDENTITY` (special)

Example Configurations

Minimal (Default-like)

toml

[node]
name = "my-node"

[network]
bootstrap = true
lan = true
quic = true

High-Performance Relay Node

toml

[node]
name = "relay.ifm.network"
relay = true
cache = "1GB"
connections = 1000

[network]
bootstrap = false
lan = false
quic = true
webrtc = false
tcp = true

[network.quic]
port = 4001
congestion_controller = "bbr"
max_concurrent_streams = 1024

[network.dht]
mode = "server"
replication_factor = 20

[gossip]
fanout = 12
mesh_n = 12
mesh_n_high = 24

[logging]
level = "warn"
file = "/var/log/ifm/relay.log"

Low-Bandwidth Mobile

toml

[node]
name = "mobile"
cache = "64MB"
connections = 32

[network]
bootstrap = true
lan = true
quic = true
webrtc = true

[network.quic]
congestion_controller = "bbr"

[gossip]
fanout = 4
mesh_n = 4
mesh_n_low = 3
mesh_n_high = 8

[audio.opus]
bitrate = 16000
complexity = 5

[audio.jitter]
target_latency_ms = 100
max_latency_ms = 500

[logging]
level = "error"

Development/Debug

toml

[node]
name = "dev-node"
storage = "./dev-data"

[network]
bootstrap = true
lan = true
quic = true
webrtc = true
tcp = true

[network.dht]
bootstrap_peers = [
  "/ip4/127.0.0.1/udp/4001/quic-v1/p2p/12D3KooWLocalBootstrap"
]

[gossip]
validate_messages = true

[logging]
level = "debug"
format = "text"
file = "./dev-logs/ifm.log"

[plugins]
auto_load = true
plugins_dir = "./dev-plugins"

Browser (WASM) — Limited Config

toml

# Only these settings apply in browser
[node]
name = "browser-user"
storage = "indexeddb"  # Special value for browser

[network]
bootstrap = true
lan = false
quic = false
webrtc = true
tcp = false

[network.webrtc]
stun_servers = ["stun:stun.l.google.com:19302"]

[audio]
input_device = "default"
output_device = "default"

[logging]
level = "warn"
format = "json"
file = ""  # Console only

Config Validation

bash

# Validate config file
ifm config validate

# Show effective config (with defaults)
ifm config show

# Show specific value
ifm config get network.quic.port

Validation Rules

All paths must be readable/writable
Port numbers: 0-65535 (0 = auto)
Cache sizes: positive, with KB/MB/GB suffix
Durations: positive integers (ms or seconds as noted)
Enum values must match allowed options
Bootstrap peers must be valid multiaddrs

Config File Locations

Platform	Default Location
Linux	`~/.config/ifm/config.toml`
macOS	`~/Library/Application Support/ifm/config.toml`
Windows	`%APPDATA%\ifm\config.toml`
Current Dir	`./config.toml` (highest priority)

Priority Order:

--config flag
IFM_CONFIG env var
Current directory config.toml
Platform default location
Built-in defaults

Hot Reload

Some settings support hot reload (no restart needed):

logging.level
gossip.fanout, gossip.mesh_n*
audio.opus.bitrate, audio.opus.complexity
audio.volume settings

Restart Required:

Network transports (network.quic, network.webrtc, network.tcp)
DHT mode
Identity/storage paths
Port bindings
Plugin permissions

IFM Configuration Reference ​

Overview ​

Complete Configuration Schema ​

Configuration Sections Detail ​

[node] — Node Identity & Storage ​

[network] — Transport & Discovery ​

[network.quic] — QUIC Settings ​

[network.webrtc] — WebRTC Settings ​

[network.dht] — Kademlia DHT ​

[network.local] — Local Discovery ​

[gossip] — GossipSub Mesh ​

[audio] — Audio Settings ​

[audio.opus] — Opus Encoder ​

[audio.jitter] — Jitter Buffer ​

[audio.processing] — Audio Processing (Desktop) ​

[security] — Security ​

[logging] — Logging ​

[plugins] — Plugin System ​

[experimental] — Experimental Features ​

Environment Variable Overrides ​

Example Configurations ​

Minimal (Default-like) ​

High-Performance Relay Node ​

Low-Bandwidth Mobile ​

Development/Debug ​

Browser (WASM) — Limited Config ​

Config Validation ​

Validation Rules ​

Config File Locations ​

Hot Reload ​

IFM Configuration Reference

Overview

Complete Configuration Schema

Configuration Sections Detail

`[node]` — Node Identity & Storage

`[network]` — Transport & Discovery

`[network.quic]` — QUIC Settings

`[network.webrtc]` — WebRTC Settings

`[network.dht]` — Kademlia DHT

`[network.local]` — Local Discovery

`[gossip]` — GossipSub Mesh

`[audio]` — Audio Settings

`[audio.opus]` — Opus Encoder

`[audio.jitter]` — Jitter Buffer

`[audio.processing]` — Audio Processing (Desktop)

`[security]` — Security

`[logging]` — Logging

`[plugins]` — Plugin System

`[experimental]` — Experimental Features

Environment Variable Overrides

Example Configurations

Minimal (Default-like)

High-Performance Relay Node

Low-Bandwidth Mobile

Development/Debug

Browser (WASM) — Limited Config

Config Validation

Validation Rules

Config File Locations

Hot Reload