feat(config): migrate to YAML config and state.yaml

package-lock.json

@@ -11879,6 +11879,21 @@
       "dev": true,
       "license": "ISC"
     },
+    "node_modules/yaml": {
+      "version": "2.8.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/yaml/-/yaml-2.8.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-mplynKqc1C2hTVYxd0PU2xQAc22TI1vShAYGksCCfxbn/dFwnHTNi1bvYsBTkhdUNtGIf5xNOg938rrSSYvS9A==",
+      "license": "ISC",
+      "bin": {
+        "yaml": "bin.mjs"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">= 14.6"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/eemeli"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/yargs": {
       "version": "17.7.2",
       "dev": true,
@@ -11974,7 +11989,8 @@
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
         "@codenomad/ui": "file:../ui",
-        "@neuralnomads/codenomad": "file:../server"
+        "@neuralnomads/codenomad": "file:../server",
+        "yaml": "^2.4.2"
       },
       "devDependencies": {
         "7zip-bin": "^5.2.0",
@@ -12017,6 +12033,7 @@
         "node-forge": "^1.3.3",
         "pino": "^9.4.0",
         "undici": "^6.19.8",
+        "yaml": "^2.4.2",
         "yauzl": "^2.10.0",
         "zod": "^3.23.8"
       },

packages/electron-app/electron/main/process-manager.ts

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { EventEmitter } from "events"
 import { existsSync, readFileSync } from "fs"
 import os from "os"
 import path from "path"
+import { parse as parseYaml } from "yaml"
 import { buildUserShellCommand, getUserShellEnv, supportsUserShell } from "./user-shell"
 
 const nodeRequire = createRequire(import.meta.url)
@@ -39,6 +40,36 @@ interface CliEntryResolution {
 
 const DEFAULT_CONFIG_PATH = "~/.config/codenomad/config.json"
 
+function isYamlPath(filePath: string): boolean {
+  const lower = filePath.toLowerCase()
+  return lower.endsWith(".yaml") || lower.endsWith(".yml")
+}
+
+function isJsonPath(filePath: string): boolean {
+  return filePath.toLowerCase().endsWith(".json")
+}
+
+function resolveConfigPaths(raw?: string): { configYamlPath: string; legacyJsonPath: string } {
+  const target = raw && raw.trim().length > 0 ? raw.trim() : DEFAULT_CONFIG_PATH
+  const resolved = resolveConfigPath(target)
+
+  if (isYamlPath(resolved)) {
+    const baseDir = path.dirname(resolved)
+    return { configYamlPath: resolved, legacyJsonPath: path.join(baseDir, "config.json") }
+  }
+
+  if (isJsonPath(resolved)) {
+    const baseDir = path.dirname(resolved)
+    return { configYamlPath: path.join(baseDir, "config.yaml"), legacyJsonPath: resolved }
+  }
+
+  // Treat as directory.
+  return {
+    configYamlPath: path.join(resolved, "config.yaml"),
+    legacyJsonPath: path.join(resolved, "config.json"),
+  }
+}
+
 function resolveConfigPath(configPath?: string): string {
   const target = configPath && configPath.trim().length > 0 ? configPath : DEFAULT_CONFIG_PATH
   if (target.startsWith("~/")) {
@@ -53,10 +84,19 @@ function resolveHostForMode(mode: ListeningMode): string {
 
 function readListeningModeFromConfig(): ListeningMode {
   try {
-    const configPath = resolveConfigPath(process.env.CLI_CONFIG)
+    const { configYamlPath, legacyJsonPath } = resolveConfigPaths(process.env.CLI_CONFIG)
-    if (!existsSync(configPath)) return "local"
+
-    const content = readFileSync(configPath, "utf-8")
+    let parsed: any = null
-    const parsed = JSON.parse(content)
+    if (existsSync(configYamlPath)) {
+      const content = readFileSync(configYamlPath, "utf-8")
+      parsed = parseYaml(content)
+    } else if (existsSync(legacyJsonPath)) {
+      const content = readFileSync(legacyJsonPath, "utf-8")
+      parsed = JSON.parse(content)
+    } else {
+      return "local"
+    }
+
     const mode = parsed?.preferences?.listeningMode
     if (mode === "local" || mode === "all") {
       return mode

packages/electron-app/package.json

@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@neuralnomads/codenomad": "file:../server",
-    "@codenomad/ui": "file:../ui"
+    "@codenomad/ui": "file:../ui",
+    "yaml": "^2.4.2"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "7zip-bin": "^5.2.0",

packages/server/package.json

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
     "node-forge": "^1.3.3",
     "pino": "^9.4.0",
     "undici": "^6.19.8",
+    "yaml": "^2.4.2",
     "yauzl": "^2.10.0",
     "zod": "^3.23.8"
   },

packages/server/src/config/location.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+import os from "os"
+import path from "path"
+
+export interface ConfigLocation {
+  /** Resolved absolute base directory containing all persisted server data. */
+  baseDir: string
+  /** Canonical YAML config file path (may be custom when input points to a YAML file). */
+  configYamlPath: string
+  /** Canonical YAML state file path (always in baseDir). */
+  stateYamlPath: string
+  /** Legacy JSON config file path used for migration (always in baseDir, or explicit JSON input). */
+  legacyJsonPath: string
+  /** Directory for per-instance persisted data (chat history etc.). */
+  instancesDir: string
+}
+
+function resolvePath(inputPath: string): string {
+  if (inputPath.startsWith("~/")) {
+    return path.join(os.homedir(), inputPath.slice(2))
+  }
+  return path.resolve(inputPath)
+}
+
+function isYamlPath(filePath: string): boolean {
+  const lower = filePath.toLowerCase()
+  return lower.endsWith(".yaml") || lower.endsWith(".yml")
+}
+
+function isJsonPath(filePath: string): boolean {
+  return filePath.toLowerCase().endsWith(".json")
+}
+
+/**
+ * Resolve CodeNomad's config location into a stable base directory + derived file paths.
+ *
+ * Supported inputs:
+ * - Directory: "~/.config/codenomad"
+ * - YAML file: "~/.config/codenomad/config.yaml" (or any *.yml/*.yaml)
+ * - Legacy JSON file: "~/.config/codenomad/config.json"
+ */
+export function resolveConfigLocation(raw: string): ConfigLocation {
+  const trimmed = (raw ?? "").trim()
+  const fallback = "~/.config/codenomad/config.json"
+  const input = trimmed.length > 0 ? trimmed : fallback
+
+  const resolvedInput = resolvePath(input)
+
+  if (isYamlPath(resolvedInput)) {
+    const baseDir = path.dirname(resolvedInput)
+    return {
+      baseDir,
+      configYamlPath: resolvedInput,
+      stateYamlPath: path.join(baseDir, "state.yaml"),
+      legacyJsonPath: path.join(baseDir, "config.json"),
+      instancesDir: path.join(baseDir, "instances"),
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (isJsonPath(resolvedInput)) {
+    const baseDir = path.dirname(resolvedInput)
+    return {
+      baseDir,
+      configYamlPath: path.join(baseDir, "config.yaml"),
+      stateYamlPath: path.join(baseDir, "state.yaml"),
+      legacyJsonPath: resolvedInput,
+      instancesDir: path.join(baseDir, "instances"),
+    }
+  }
+
+  const baseDir = resolvedInput
+  return {
+    baseDir,
+    configYamlPath: path.join(baseDir, "config.yaml"),
+    stateYamlPath: path.join(baseDir, "state.yaml"),
+    legacyJsonPath: path.join(baseDir, "config.json"),
+    instancesDir: path.join(baseDir, "instances"),
+  }
+}

packages/server/src/config/schema.ts

@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ const ModelPreferenceSchema = z.object({
 const AgentModelSelectionSchema = z.record(z.string(), ModelPreferenceSchema)
 const AgentModelSelectionsSchema = z.record(z.string(), AgentModelSelectionSchema)
 
-const PreferencesSchema = z.object({
+const PreferencesSchema = z
+  .object({
   showThinkingBlocks: z.boolean().default(false),
   thinkingBlocksExpansion: z.enum(["expanded", "collapsed"]).default("expanded"),
   showTimelineTools: z.boolean().default(true),
@@ -31,7 +32,9 @@ const PreferencesSchema = z.object({
   osNotificationsAllowWhenVisible: z.boolean().default(false),
   notifyOnNeedsInput: z.boolean().default(true),
   notifyOnIdle: z.boolean().default(true),
-})
+  })
+  // Preserve unknown preference keys so newer configs survive older binaries.
+  .passthrough()
 
 const RecentFolderSchema = z.object({
   path: z.string(),
@@ -45,14 +48,35 @@ const OpenCodeBinarySchema = z.object({
   label: z.string().optional(),
 })
 
-const ConfigFileSchema = z.object({
+const ConfigFileSchema = z
-  preferences: PreferencesSchema.default({}),
+  .object({
-  recentFolders: z.array(RecentFolderSchema).default([]),
+    preferences: PreferencesSchema.default({}),
-  opencodeBinaries: z.array(OpenCodeBinarySchema).default([]),
+    recentFolders: z.array(RecentFolderSchema).default([]),
-  theme: z.enum(["light", "dark", "system"]).optional(),
+    opencodeBinaries: z.array(OpenCodeBinarySchema).default([]),
-})
+    theme: z.enum(["light", "dark", "system"]).optional(),
+  })
+  // Preserve unknown top-level keys so optional future features survive downgrades.
+  .passthrough()
+
+// On-disk config.yaml only stores stable configuration (not volatile state like recent folders).
+const ConfigYamlSchema = z
+  .object({
+    preferences: PreferencesSchema.default({}),
+    opencodeBinaries: z.array(OpenCodeBinarySchema).default([]),
+    theme: z.enum(["light", "dark", "system"]).optional(),
+  })
+  .passthrough()
+
+// On-disk state.yaml stores server-scoped mutable state (per-server, not per-client).
+const StateFileSchema = z
+  .object({
+    recentFolders: z.array(RecentFolderSchema).default([]),
+  })
+  .passthrough()
 
 const DEFAULT_CONFIG = ConfigFileSchema.parse({})
+const DEFAULT_CONFIG_YAML = ConfigYamlSchema.parse({})
+const DEFAULT_STATE = StateFileSchema.parse({})
 
 export {
   ModelPreferenceSchema,
@@ -62,7 +86,11 @@ export {
   RecentFolderSchema,
   OpenCodeBinarySchema,
   ConfigFileSchema,
+  ConfigYamlSchema,
+  StateFileSchema,
   DEFAULT_CONFIG,
+  DEFAULT_CONFIG_YAML,
+  DEFAULT_STATE,
 }
 
 export type ModelPreference = z.infer<typeof ModelPreferenceSchema>
@@ -72,3 +100,5 @@ export type Preferences = z.infer<typeof PreferencesSchema>
 export type RecentFolder = z.infer<typeof RecentFolderSchema>
 export type OpenCodeBinary = z.infer<typeof OpenCodeBinarySchema>
 export type ConfigFile = z.infer<typeof ConfigFileSchema>
+export type ConfigYamlFile = z.infer<typeof ConfigYamlSchema>
+export type StateFile = z.infer<typeof StateFileSchema>

packages/server/src/config/store.ts

@@ -1,15 +1,27 @@
 import fs from "fs"
 import path from "path"
+import { parse as parseYaml, stringify as stringifyYaml } from "yaml"
 import { EventBus } from "../events/bus"
 import { Logger } from "../logger"
-import { ConfigFile, ConfigFileSchema, DEFAULT_CONFIG } from "./schema"
+import {
+  ConfigFile,
+  ConfigFileSchema,
+  ConfigYamlSchema,
+  DEFAULT_CONFIG,
+  DEFAULT_CONFIG_YAML,
+  DEFAULT_STATE,
+  StateFile,
+  StateFileSchema,
+} from "./schema"
+import type { ConfigLocation } from "./location"
 
 export class ConfigStore {
   private cache: ConfigFile = DEFAULT_CONFIG
+  private state: StateFile = DEFAULT_STATE
   private loaded = false
 
   constructor(
-    private readonly configPath: string,
+    private readonly location: ConfigLocation,
     private readonly eventBus: EventBus | undefined,
     private readonly logger: Logger,
   ) {}
@@ -20,19 +32,37 @@ export class ConfigStore {
     }
 
     try {
-      const resolved = this.resolvePath(this.configPath)
+      const configYamlPath = this.location.configYamlPath
-      if (fs.existsSync(resolved)) {
+      const stateYamlPath = this.location.stateYamlPath
-        const content = fs.readFileSync(resolved, "utf-8")
+      const legacyJsonPath = this.location.legacyJsonPath
-        const parsed = JSON.parse(content)
+
-        this.cache = ConfigFileSchema.parse(parsed)
+      if (fs.existsSync(configYamlPath)) {
-        this.logger.debug({ resolved }, "Loaded existing config file")
+        const configDoc = this.readYamlFile(configYamlPath, DEFAULT_CONFIG_YAML, ConfigYamlSchema, "config")
+        const stateDoc = fs.existsSync(stateYamlPath)
+          ? this.readYamlFile(stateYamlPath, DEFAULT_STATE, StateFileSchema, "state")
+          : DEFAULT_STATE
+
+        this.state = stateDoc
+        this.cache = this.mergeDocs(configDoc, stateDoc)
+        this.logger.debug({ configYamlPath, stateYamlPath }, "Loaded existing YAML config/state")
+      } else if (fs.existsSync(legacyJsonPath)) {
+        const migrated = this.migrateFromLegacyJson(legacyJsonPath)
+        this.state = migrated.state
+        this.cache = migrated.config
       } else {
-        this.cache = DEFAULT_CONFIG
+        // Fresh install: write defaults.
-        this.logger.debug({ resolved }, "No config file found, using defaults")
+        this.state = DEFAULT_STATE
+        this.cache = this.mergeDocs(DEFAULT_CONFIG_YAML, DEFAULT_STATE)
+        this.persist()
+        this.logger.debug(
+          { configYamlPath, stateYamlPath },
+          "No config files found, created default YAML config/state",
+        )
       }
     } catch (error) {
-      this.logger.warn({ err: error }, "Failed to load config, using defaults")
+      this.logger.warn({ err: error }, "Failed to load config/state, using defaults")
-      this.cache = DEFAULT_CONFIG
+      this.state = DEFAULT_STATE
+      this.cache = this.mergeDocs(DEFAULT_CONFIG_YAML, DEFAULT_STATE)
     }
 
     this.loaded = true
@@ -48,9 +78,30 @@ export class ConfigStore {
     this.commit(validated)
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Apply a merge-patch update to the current config.
+   * - Missing keys are preserved.
+   * - Object values are merged recursively.
+   * - Explicit `null` deletes keys.
+   * - Arrays are replaced.
+   */
+  mergePatch(patch: unknown) {
+    if (!patch || typeof patch !== "object" || Array.isArray(patch)) {
+      throw new Error("Config patch must be a JSON object")
+    }
+    const current = this.get()
+    const next = applyMergePatch(current as any, patch as any)
+    const validated = ConfigFileSchema.parse(next)
+    this.commit(validated)
+  }
+
   private commit(next: ConfigFile) {
     this.cache = next
     this.loaded = true
+    this.state = {
+      ...this.state,
+      recentFolders: next.recentFolders,
+    }
     this.persist()
     const published = Boolean(this.eventBus)
     this.eventBus?.publish({ type: "config.appChanged", config: this.cache })
@@ -60,19 +111,134 @@ export class ConfigStore {
 
   private persist() {
     try {
-      const resolved = this.resolvePath(this.configPath)
+      const configYamlPath = this.location.configYamlPath
-      fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(resolved), { recursive: true })
+      const stateYamlPath = this.location.stateYamlPath
-      fs.writeFileSync(resolved, JSON.stringify(this.cache, null, 2), "utf-8")
+
-      this.logger.debug({ resolved }, "Persisted config file")
+      fs.mkdirSync(this.location.baseDir, { recursive: true })
+      fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(configYamlPath), { recursive: true })
+
+      const configYaml = stringifyYaml(stripRecentFolders(this.cache) as any)
+      const stateYaml = stringifyYaml(this.state as any)
+
+      fs.writeFileSync(configYamlPath, ensureTrailingNewline(configYaml), "utf-8")
+      fs.writeFileSync(stateYamlPath, ensureTrailingNewline(stateYaml), "utf-8")
+
+      this.logger.debug({ configYamlPath, stateYamlPath }, "Persisted YAML config/state")
     } catch (error) {
       this.logger.warn({ err: error }, "Failed to persist config")
     }
   }
 
-  private resolvePath(filePath: string) {
+  private mergeDocs(configDoc: unknown, stateDoc: StateFile): ConfigFile {
-    if (filePath.startsWith("~/")) {
+    const merged = {
-      return path.join(process.env.HOME ?? "", filePath.slice(2))
+      ...(configDoc as any),
+      // State wins for recent folders.
+      recentFolders: stateDoc.recentFolders ?? [],
     }
-    return path.resolve(filePath)
+
+    return ConfigFileSchema.parse(merged)
+  }
+
+  private readYamlFile<T>(
+    filePath: string,
+    fallback: T,
+    schema: { parse: (value: unknown) => T },
+    label: string,
+  ): T {
+    try {
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(filePath, "utf-8")
+      const parsed = parseYaml(content)
+      return schema.parse(parsed ?? {})
+    } catch (error) {
+      this.logger.warn({ err: error, filePath, label }, "Failed to read YAML file, using defaults")
+      return fallback
+    }
+  }
+
+  private migrateFromLegacyJson(legacyJsonPath: string): { config: ConfigFile; state: StateFile } {
+    const configYamlPath = this.location.configYamlPath
+    const stateYamlPath = this.location.stateYamlPath
+
+    const content = fs.readFileSync(legacyJsonPath, "utf-8")
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(content)
+    const legacy = ConfigFileSchema.parse(parsed)
+
+    const state: StateFile = StateFileSchema.parse({
+      ...DEFAULT_STATE,
+      recentFolders: legacy.recentFolders ?? [],
+    })
+
+    const merged = this.mergeDocs(stripRecentFolders(legacy), state)
+
+    // Persist YAML docs first, then move legacy aside.
+    try {
+      fs.mkdirSync(this.location.baseDir, { recursive: true })
+      fs.writeFileSync(configYamlPath, ensureTrailingNewline(stringifyYaml(stripRecentFolders(merged) as any)), "utf-8")
+      fs.writeFileSync(stateYamlPath, ensureTrailingNewline(stringifyYaml(state as any)), "utf-8")
+      this.logger.info({ legacyJsonPath, configYamlPath, stateYamlPath }, "Migrated config.json -> YAML")
+    } catch (error) {
+      this.logger.warn({ err: error }, "Failed to persist migrated YAML config/state")
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const bakPath = pickBackupPath(legacyJsonPath)
+      fs.renameSync(legacyJsonPath, bakPath)
+      this.logger.info({ legacyJsonPath, bakPath }, "Moved legacy config.json to backup")
+    } catch (error) {
+      this.logger.warn({ err: error, legacyJsonPath }, "Failed to rename legacy config.json to backup")
+    }
+
+    return { config: merged, state }
   }
 }
+
+function ensureTrailingNewline(content: string): string {
+  if (!content) return "\n"
+  return content.endsWith("\n") ? content : `${content}\n`
+}
+
+function stripRecentFolders(config: ConfigFile): Omit<ConfigFile, "recentFolders"> & Record<string, unknown> {
+  const clone: Record<string, unknown> = { ...(config as any) }
+  delete clone.recentFolders
+  return clone as any
+}
+
+function isPlainObject(value: unknown): value is Record<string, unknown> {
+  if (!value || typeof value !== "object") return false
+  if (Array.isArray(value)) return false
+  const proto = Object.getPrototypeOf(value)
+  return proto === Object.prototype || proto === null
+}
+
+function applyMergePatch(current: any, patch: any): any {
+  // RFC 7396-ish merge patch with explicit null deletes.
+  if (!isPlainObject(patch)) {
+    return patch
+  }
+
+  const base = isPlainObject(current) ? { ...current } : {}
+  for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(patch)) {
+    if (value === null) {
+      delete base[key]
+      continue
+    }
+
+    if (isPlainObject(value) && isPlainObject(base[key])) {
+      base[key] = applyMergePatch(base[key], value)
+      continue
+    }
+
+    // Arrays and scalars replace.
+    base[key] = value
+  }
+  return base
+}
+
+function pickBackupPath(legacyJsonPath: string): string {
+  const base = legacyJsonPath.endsWith(".json") ? legacyJsonPath.slice(0, -".json".length) : legacyJsonPath
+  const preferred = `${base}.json.bak`
+  if (!fs.existsSync(preferred)) {
+    return preferred
+  }
+  return `${base}.json.bak.${Date.now()}`
+}

packages/server/src/index.ts

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { createRequire } from "module"
 import { createHttpServer } from "./server/http-server"
 import { WorkspaceManager } from "./workspaces/manager"
 import { ConfigStore } from "./config/store"
+import { resolveConfigLocation } from "./config/location"
 import { BinaryRegistry } from "./config/binaries"
 import { FileSystemBrowser } from "./filesystem/browser"
 import { EventBus } from "./events/bus"
@@ -210,13 +211,6 @@ function resolveHost(input: string | undefined): string {
   return trimmed
 }
 
-function resolvePath(filePath: string) {
-  if (filePath.startsWith("~/")) {
-    return path.join(process.env.HOME ?? "", filePath.slice(2))
-  }
-  return path.resolve(filePath)
-}
-
 function programHasArg(argv: string[], flag: string): boolean {
   return argv.includes(flag)
 }
@@ -245,7 +239,8 @@ async function main() {
 
   const isLoopbackHost = (host: string) => host === "127.0.0.1" || host === "::1" || host.startsWith("127.")
 
-  const configDir = path.dirname(resolvePath(options.configPath))
+  const configLocation = resolveConfigLocation(options.configPath)
+  const configDir = configLocation.baseDir
 
   if ((options.tlsKeyPath && !options.tlsCertPath) || (!options.tlsKeyPath && options.tlsCertPath)) {
     throw new InvalidArgumentError("--tls-key and --tls-cert must be provided together")
@@ -266,7 +261,7 @@ async function main() {
 
   const authManager = new AuthManager(
     {
-      configPath: options.configPath,
+      configPath: configLocation.configYamlPath,
       username: options.authUsername,
       password: options.authPassword,
       generateToken: options.generateToken,
@@ -295,7 +290,16 @@ async function main() {
 
   const nodeExtraCaCertsPath = !options.http ? tlsResolution?.caCertPath : undefined
 
-  const configStore = new ConfigStore(options.configPath, eventBus, configLogger)
+  const configStore = new ConfigStore(configLocation, eventBus, configLogger)
+
+  // Eagerly load config at boot so migrations run immediately
+  // (instead of waiting for the first /api/config request).
+  try {
+    configStore.get()
+  } catch (error) {
+    configLogger.warn({ err: error }, "Failed to load config at boot; continuing with defaults")
+  }
+
   const binaryRegistry = new BinaryRegistry(configStore, eventBus, configLogger)
   const workspaceManager = new WorkspaceManager({
     rootDir: options.rootDir,
@@ -307,7 +311,7 @@ async function main() {
     nodeExtraCaCertsPath,
   })
   const fileSystemBrowser = new FileSystemBrowser({ rootDir: options.rootDir, unrestricted: options.unrestrictedRoot })
-  const instanceStore = new InstanceStore()
+  const instanceStore = new InstanceStore(configLocation.instancesDir)
   const instanceEventBridge = new InstanceEventBridge({
     workspaceManager,
     eventBus,

packages/server/src/server/routes/config.ts

@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ import { FastifyInstance } from "fastify"
 import { z } from "zod"
 import { ConfigStore } from "../../config/store"
 import { BinaryRegistry } from "../../config/binaries"
-import { ConfigFileSchema } from "../../config/schema"
 
 interface RouteDeps {
   configStore: ConfigStore
@@ -27,10 +26,25 @@ const BinaryValidateSchema = z.object({
 export function registerConfigRoutes(app: FastifyInstance, deps: RouteDeps) {
   app.get("/api/config/app", async () => deps.configStore.get())
 
-  app.put("/api/config/app", async (request) => {
+  app.put("/api/config/app", async (request, reply) => {
-    const body = ConfigFileSchema.parse(request.body ?? {})
+    // Backwards compatible: treat PUT as a merge-patch update.
-    deps.configStore.replace(body)
+    try {
-    return deps.configStore.get()
+      deps.configStore.mergePatch(request.body ?? {})
+      return deps.configStore.get()
+    } catch (error) {
+      reply.code(400)
+      return { error: error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Invalid config patch" }
+    }
+  })
+
+  app.patch("/api/config/app", async (request, reply) => {
+    try {
+      deps.configStore.mergePatch(request.body ?? {})
+      return deps.configStore.get()
+    } catch (error) {
+      reply.code(400)
+      return { error: error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Invalid config patch" }
+    }
   })
 
   app.get("/api/config/binaries", async () => {

packages/tauri-app/Cargo.lock

@@ -636,6 +636,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "regex",
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
+ "serde_yaml",
  "tauri",
  "tauri-build",
  "tauri-plugin-dialog",
@@ -3894,6 +3895,19 @@ dependencies = [
  "syn 2.0.110",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "serde_yaml"
+version = "0.9.34+deprecated"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "6a8b1a1a2ebf674015cc02edccce75287f1a0130d394307b36743c2f5d504b47"
+dependencies = [
+ "indexmap 2.12.1",
+ "itoa",
+ "ryu",
+ "serde",
+ "unsafe-libyaml",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "serialize-to-javascript"
 version = "0.1.2"
@@ -5015,6 +5029,12 @@ version = "1.12.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "f6ccf251212114b54433ec949fd6a7841275f9ada20dddd2f29e9ceea4501493"
 
+[[package]]
+name = "unsafe-libyaml"
+version = "0.2.11"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "673aac59facbab8a9007c7f6108d11f63b603f7cabff99fabf650fea5c32b861"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "url"
 version = "2.5.7"

packages/tauri-app/src-tauri/Cargo.toml

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ tauri-build = { version = "2.5.2", features = [] }
 tauri = { version = "2.5.2", features = [ "devtools"] }
 serde = { version = "1", features = ["derive"] }
 serde_json = "1"
+serde_yaml = "0.9"
 regex = "1"
 once_cell = "1"
 parking_lot = "0.12"

packages/tauri-app/src-tauri/src/cli_manager.rs

@@ -145,12 +145,33 @@ struct AppConfig {
     preferences: Option<PreferencesConfig>,
 }
 
-fn resolve_config_path() -> PathBuf {
+fn resolve_config_locations() -> (PathBuf, PathBuf) {
     let raw = env::var("CLI_CONFIG")
         .ok()
         .filter(|value| !value.trim().is_empty())
         .unwrap_or_else(|| DEFAULT_CONFIG_PATH.to_string());
-    expand_home(&raw)
+
+    let expanded = expand_home(&raw);
+    let lower = raw.trim().to_lowercase();
+
+    if lower.ends_with(".yaml") || lower.ends_with(".yml") {
+        let base = expanded
+            .parent()
+            .map(|p| p.to_path_buf())
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| expanded.clone());
+        return (expanded, base.join("config.json"));
+    }
+
+    if lower.ends_with(".json") {
+        let base = expanded
+            .parent()
+            .map(|p| p.to_path_buf())
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| expanded.clone());
+        return (base.join("config.yaml"), expanded);
+    }
+
+    // Treat as directory.
+    (expanded.join("config.yaml"), expanded.join("config.json"))
 }
 
 fn expand_home(path: &str) -> PathBuf {
@@ -163,8 +184,27 @@ fn expand_home(path: &str) -> PathBuf {
 }
 
 fn resolve_listening_mode() -> String {
-    let path = resolve_config_path();
+    let (yaml_path, json_path) = resolve_config_locations();
-    if let Ok(content) = fs::read_to_string(path) {
+
+    if let Ok(content) = fs::read_to_string(&yaml_path) {
+        if let Ok(config) = serde_yaml::from_str::<AppConfig>(&content) {
+            if let Some(mode) = config
+                .preferences
+                .as_ref()
+                .and_then(|prefs| prefs.listening_mode.as_ref())
+            {
+                if mode == "local" {
+                    return "local".to_string();
+                }
+                if mode == "all" {
+                    return "all".to_string();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Legacy fallback.
+    if let Ok(content) = fs::read_to_string(&json_path) {
         if let Ok(config) = serde_json::from_str::<AppConfig>(&content) {
             if let Some(mode) = config
                 .preferences
@@ -260,7 +300,14 @@ impl CliProcessManager {
         let ready_flag = self.ready.clone();
         let token_arc = self.bootstrap_token.clone();
         thread::spawn(move || {
-            if let Err(err) = Self::spawn_cli(app.clone(), status_arc.clone(), child_arc, ready_flag, token_arc, dev) {
+            if let Err(err) = Self::spawn_cli(
+                app.clone(),
+                status_arc.clone(),
+                child_arc,
+                ready_flag,
+                token_arc,
+                dev,
+            ) {
                 log_line(&format!("cli spawn failed: {err}"));
                 let mut locked = status_arc.lock();
                 locked.state = CliState::Error;
@@ -369,7 +416,9 @@ impl CliProcessManager {
 
         if !supports_user_shell() {
             if which::which(&resolution.node_binary).is_err() {
-                return Err(anyhow::anyhow!("Node binary not found. Make sure Node.js is installed."));
+                return Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
+                    "Node binary not found. Make sure Node.js is installed."
+                ));
             }
         }
 
@@ -420,7 +469,6 @@ impl CliProcessManager {
         let token_clone = bootstrap_token.clone();
 
         thread::spawn(move || {
-
             let stdout = child_clone
                 .lock()
                 .as_mut()
@@ -433,10 +481,24 @@ impl CliProcessManager {
                 .map(BufReader::new);
 
             if let Some(reader) = stdout {
-                Self::process_stream(reader, "stdout", &app_clone, &status_clone, &ready_clone, &token_clone);
+                Self::process_stream(
+                    reader,
+                    "stdout",
+                    &app_clone,
+                    &status_clone,
+                    &ready_clone,
+                    &token_clone,
+                );
             }
             if let Some(reader) = stderr {
-                Self::process_stream(reader, "stderr", &app_clone, &status_clone, &ready_clone, &token_clone);
+                Self::process_stream(
+                    reader,
+                    "stderr",
+                    &app_clone,
+                    &status_clone,
+                    &ready_clone,
+                    &token_clone,
+                );
             }
         });
 
@@ -509,8 +571,14 @@ impl CliProcessManager {
                 if locked.error.is_none() {
                     locked.error = err_msg.clone();
                 }
-                log_line(&format!("cli process exited before ready: {:?}", locked.error));
+                log_line(&format!(
-                let _ = app_clone.emit("cli:error", json!({"message": locked.error.clone().unwrap_or_default()}));
+                    "cli process exited before ready: {:?}",
+                    locked.error
+                ));
+                let _ = app_clone.emit(
+                    "cli:error",
+                    json!({"message": locked.error.clone().unwrap_or_default()}),
+                );
             } else {
                 locked.state = CliState::Stopped;
                 log_line("cli process stopped cleanly");
@@ -574,13 +642,25 @@ impl CliProcessManager {
                                 .and_then(|re| re.captures(line).and_then(|c| c.get(1)))
                                 .and_then(|m| m.as_str().parse::<u16>().ok())
                             {
-                                Self::mark_ready(app, status, ready, bootstrap_token, format!("http://localhost:{port}"));
+                                Self::mark_ready(
+                                    app,
+                                    status,
+                                    ready,
+                                    bootstrap_token,
+                                    format!("http://localhost:{port}"),
+                                );
                                 continue;
                             }
 
                             if let Ok(value) = serde_json::from_str::<serde_json::Value>(line) {
                                 if let Some(port) = value.get("port").and_then(|p| p.as_u64()) {
-                                    Self::mark_ready(app, status, ready, bootstrap_token, format!("http://localhost:{}", port));
+                                    Self::mark_ready(
+                                        app,
+                                        status,
+                                        ready,
+                                        bootstrap_token,
+                                        format!("http://localhost:{}", port),
+                                    );
                                     continue;
                                 }
                             }
@@ -719,7 +799,12 @@ impl CliEntry {
     }
 
     fn build_args(&self, dev: bool, host: &str) -> Vec<String> {
-        let mut args = vec!["serve".to_string(), "--host".to_string(), host.to_string(), "--generate-token".to_string()];
+        let mut args = vec![
+            "serve".to_string(),
+            "--host".to_string(),
+            host.to_string(),
+            "--generate-token".to_string(),
+        ];
 
         if dev {
             // Dev: plain HTTP + Vite dev server proxy.
@@ -761,9 +846,10 @@ fn resolve_tsx(_app: &AppHandle) -> Option<String> {
         std::env::current_dir()
             .ok()
             .map(|p| p.join("node_modules/tsx/dist/cli.js")),
-        std::env::current_exe()
+        std::env::current_exe().ok().and_then(|ex| {
-            .ok()
+            ex.parent()
-            .and_then(|ex| ex.parent().map(|p| p.join("../node_modules/tsx/dist/cli.js"))),
+                .map(|p| p.join("../node_modules/tsx/dist/cli.js"))
+        }),
     ];
 
     first_existing(candidates)
@@ -786,7 +872,8 @@ fn resolve_dist_entry(_app: &AppHandle) -> Option<String> {
     let base = workspace_root();
     let mut candidates: Vec<Option<PathBuf>> = vec![
         base.as_ref().map(|p| p.join("packages/server/dist/bin.js")),
-        base.as_ref().map(|p| p.join("packages/server/dist/index.js")),
+        base.as_ref()
+            .map(|p| p.join("packages/server/dist/index.js")),
         base.as_ref().map(|p| p.join("server/dist/bin.js")),
         base.as_ref().map(|p| p.join("server/dist/index.js")),
     ];
@@ -801,7 +888,9 @@ fn resolve_dist_entry(_app: &AppHandle) -> Option<String> {
             candidates.push(Some(resources.join("resources/server/dist/bin.js")));
             candidates.push(Some(resources.join("resources/server/dist/index.js")));
             candidates.push(Some(resources.join("resources/server/dist/server/bin.js")));
-            candidates.push(Some(resources.join("resources/server/dist/server/index.js")));
+            candidates.push(Some(
+                resources.join("resources/server/dist/server/index.js"),
+            ));
 
             let linux_resource_roots = [dir.join("../lib/CodeNomad"), dir.join("../lib/codenomad")];
             for root in linux_resource_roots {
@@ -820,8 +909,10 @@ fn resolve_dist_entry(_app: &AppHandle) -> Option<String> {
     first_existing(candidates)
 }
 
-fn build_shell_command_string(entry: &CliEntry, cli_args: &[String]) -> anyhow::Result<ShellCommand> {
+fn build_shell_command_string(
-
+    entry: &CliEntry,
+    cli_args: &[String],
+) -> anyhow::Result<ShellCommand> {
     let shell = default_shell();
     let mut quoted: Vec<String> = Vec::new();
     quoted.push(shell_escape(&entry.node_binary));
@@ -852,7 +943,7 @@ fn shell_escape(input: &str) -> String {
         "''".to_string()
     } else if !input
         .chars()
-        .any(|c| matches!(c, ' ' | '"' | '\'' | '$' | '`' | '!' ))
+        .any(|c| matches!(c, ' ' | '"' | '\'' | '$' | '`' | '!'))
     {
         input.to_string()
     } else {