Configuration

Arctic uses JSON/JSONC config files. Project config overrides global config.

Where config lives

Global:

~/.config/arctic/arctic.json
~/.config/arctic/arctic.jsonc

Project:

<project-root>/.arctic/arctic.json
<project-root>/.arctic/arctic.jsonc

Optional environment overrides:

export ARCTIC_CONFIG="/path/to/config.json"
export ARCTIC_CONFIG_CONTENT='{"model":"openai/gpt-4o"}'

Backup config

Export all Arctic configuration files as a ZIP archive for backup or migration:

TUI: Use command palette or slash command:

/config-export

You'll be prompted for a save location. Supports:

• Absolute paths: /path/to/backup.zip
• Relative paths: ./backups/config.zip
• Home directory: ~/arctic-backup.zip

What's included:

• Global config from ~/.config/arctic/
• Project config from .arctic/ directories
• Agents, commands, modes, and plugins
• Package dependencies (package.json, bun.lock)
• README with restore instructions

What's excluded:

• Auth tokens (for security)
• Session data
• Snapshots

Minimal example

{
  "model": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5",
  "theme": "dark",
  "enabled_providers": ["anthropic", "openai"],
  "permission": {
    "edit": "ask",
    "bash": {
      "*": "ask",
      "git *": "allow"
    }
  }
}

Common options

• model: default model (provider/model)
• small_model: lightweight model for titles/aux tasks
• theme: TUI theme
• enabled_providers / disabled_providers
• agent: inline agent definitions
• command: inline command templates
• tools / permission: tool availability + approvals
• mcp: MCP server configuration
• snapshot: enable/disable snapshots
• keybinds: custom keybindings

For provider config examples, see Providers. For permissions, see Permissions.