YAML Configuration

Configure para-files in your personal_file_tree.yaml using a config: section.

Basic Example

Add to the top of your YAML file:

config:
  para_root: "~/Documents/PARA"
  mlx:
    model_name: "mlx-community/nomic-embed-text-v1.5"
    score_threshold: 0.75

routes:
  - name: factures-utilities
    # ... rest of your routes

Full YAML Config Example 

config:
  para_root: "~/Documents/PARA"
  content_preview_chars: 2000
  reference_tree_path: "config/personal_file_tree.yaml"

  mlx:
    model_name: "mlx-community/nomic-embed-text-v1.5"
    score_threshold: 0.75

  llm:
    enabled: false
    # model: "ollama/qwen2.5:1.5b"
    # api_base: "http://localhost:11434"
    # confidence_threshold: 0.6

routes:
  - name: factures-utilities
    path: "4_Archives/factures/{year}/_Utilities"
    utterances:
      - "electricity bill"
      - "water usage"

  # ... more routes

Configuration Sections

Core Settings 

config:
  para_root: "~/Documents/PARA"
  reference_tree_path: "config/personal_file_tree.yaml"
  content_preview_chars: 2000

MLX Embedding Model 

config:
  mlx:
    model_name: "mlx-community/nomic-embed-text-v1.5"
    score_threshold: 0.75

Adjust score_threshold:

  • Lower (0.65) = more matches, more false positives
  • Higher (0.85) = fewer matches, more misses
  • Default (0.75) = balanced

LLM Fallback (Optional) 

config:
  llm:
    enabled: false
    # Uncomment to enable:
    # model: "ollama/qwen2.5:1.5b"
    # api_base: "http://localhost:11434"
    # confidence_threshold: 0.6

Configuration Priority

Settings are loaded in order (first found wins):

  1. Environment variables (PARA_FILES_*) - Highest priority
  2. .env file in current directory
  3. config: section in YAML file
  4. Default values - Lowest priority

Example: If you have both .env and YAML config, .env wins.

Path Syntax

Use ~ for home directory:

config:
  para_root: "~/Documents/PARA"
  reference_tree_path: "~/config/tree.yaml"

Or absolute paths:

config:
  para_root: "/Users/you/Documents/PARA"

Verify Configuration 

# Check what's actually being used
uv run para-files config --show

# See which file is providing config
uv run para-files config --path

When to Use YAML Config

Good for:

  • Keeping all PARA settings in one file
  • Sharing config via version control
  • Complex setups with multiple settings

Alternative: Use .env file if you prefer separate config file.

YAML Syntax Rules

  • Use quotes for paths: para_root: "~/Documents/PARA"
  • Use proper indentation (2 spaces)
  • No trailing colons in values
  • Lists with - for arrays