Configuration Guide

Configuration Overview

The HostingCo system uses environment variables and configuration files for flexible setup across different environments.

Configuration Hierarchy

1. Environment Variables: Runtime configuration
2. Configuration Files: Static configuration
3. Database Settings: Dynamic configuration stored in database
4. Default Values: Fallback configuration in code

🌍 Environment Variables

Root Environment (.env)

# Application Environment
NODE_ENV=development                    # development, staging, production
LOG_LEVEL=info                         # error, warn, info, debug

# Database Configuration
DATABASE_URL=postgresql://hostingco:password@localhost:5432/hostingco
DB_HOST=localhost
DB_PORT=5432
DB_NAME=hostingco
DB_USER=hostingco
DB_PASSWORD=password
DB_SSL=false                           # true for production

Server Configuration

# Server Settings
PORT=3003
HOST=localhost
CORS_ORIGIN=http://localhost:3000

# Security Configuration
JWT_SECRET=your-super-secret-jwt-key
JWT_EXPIRES_IN=24h
BCRYPT_ROUNDS=12

Redis Configuration

# Redis Settings
REDIS_URL=redis://localhost:6379
REDIS_HOST=localhost
REDIS_PORT=6379
REDIS_PASSWORD=
REDIS_DB=0

📁 Configuration Files

Application Config

// config/app.json
{
  "name": "HostingCo",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "Hosting Management System",
  "author": "HostingCo Team",
  "license": "MIT",
  "features": {
    "userManagement": true,
    "billing": true,
    "support": true,
    "monitoring": true
  }
}

Database Config

// config/database.json
{
  "client": "postgresql",
  "connection": {
    "host": "${DB_HOST}",
    "port": "${DB_PORT}",
    "database": "${DB_NAME}",
    "user": "${DB_USER}",
    "password": "${DB_PASSWORD}",
    "ssl": "${DB_SSL}"
  },
  "pool": {
    "min": 2,
    "max": 10,
    "acquireTimeoutMillis": 30000,
    "idleTimeoutMillis": 30000
  },
  "migrations": {
    "directory": "./migrations",
    "tableName": "knex_migrations"
  }
}

Environment-Specific Configuration

Development Environment

Features: Debug mode, hot reload, detailed logging
Database: Local development database
Security: Relaxed CORS, self-signed certificates

Production Environment

Features: Optimized performance, minimal logging
Database: Production database with SSL
Security: Strict CORS, valid certificates, rate limiting

Staging Environment

Features: Production-like setup with testing features
Database: Separate staging database
Security: Production security settings

Configuration Management

Loading Configuration

// Load configuration based on environment
const config = require('./config');

// Access configuration values
const dbConfig = config.database;
const serverConfig = config.server;

// Environment-specific overrides
if (process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production') {
  config.server.timeout = 30000;
}

Validation

# Validate configuration
npm run config:validate

# Check required environment variables
npm run config:check-env

# Test database connection
npm run config:test-db

Important: Always validate configuration before starting the application in production.

Best Practices

Security

Never commit secrets to version control
Use environment-specific configuration files
Encrypt sensitive configuration values
Regularly rotate secrets and passwords

Performance

Use connection pooling for database
Configure appropriate timeouts
Enable caching where appropriate
Monitor configuration changes

Maintenance

# Backup configuration
npm run config:backup

# Update configuration templates
npm run config:update-templates

# Generate configuration documentation
npm run config:docs