Configuration¶

MRBS loads defaults from the application, then applies installation-specific overrides.

Configuration files¶

File	Purpose	Edit directly?
`config.inc.php`	Site-specific settings and secrets	Yes
`config.inc.php-sample`	Starting point for a new configuration	Copy it
`systemdefaults.inc.php`	Documented application defaults	No
`areadefaults.inc.php`	Defaults for newly created areas	No

To change a setting, copy the relevant assignment from a defaults file into config.inc.php, then change the copied value.

// Copied from systemdefaults.inc.php and overridden for this site.
$default_view = "week";

Do not expose configuration

config.inc.php contains database and possibly mail or identity-provider credentials. Restrict file access and never commit a production configuration.

Minimal configuration¶

A new installation normally requires:

$timezone = "Europe/Berlin";

$dbsys = "mysql";
$db_host = "localhost";
$db_database = "mrbs";
$db_login = "mrbs";
$db_password = "replace-this-password";
$db_tbl_prefix = "mrbs_";

System and area defaults¶

System defaults apply globally unless overridden. Area defaults initialize new area records.

For existing areas, use the administration interface. This is a common source of confusion: changing an area default does not rewrite existing database records.

Organize local overrides¶

Keep related overrides together:

/******************
 * Authentication
 ******************/
$auth["type"] = "db";
$auth["session"] = "php";

/********
 * Email
 ********/
$mail_settings['admin_backend'] = 'smtp';
$smtp_settings['host'] = 'mail.example.org';

Add a short reason for non-obvious settings. Avoid copying the whole defaults file because that makes future upgrades harder to review.

Apply changes safely¶

Back up config.inc.php.
Change one related group of settings.
Check PHP syntax:

php -l config.inc.php

Test as an administrator, normal user, and signed-out visitor.
Keep credentials out of logs, screenshots, and issue reports.

Use the configuration reference to find the right group of settings. For a complete setup and maintenance workflow, see config.inc.php in depth.