---
title: 'Configuration'
---

# Backend Config Reference

The backend can be configured in 3 different ways:

- Make a `config.json` file in the working directory of the application (root of repository)
- Make a `.env` file in the working directory of the application (root of repository)
- Add environment variables to your system (or container)

These different config options are all mutually inclusive, so you can use multiple at the same time if you want to.

<Warning>
With any of these configurations, you have to have atleast three variables set for the server to function:
[`postgres.connection`](#postgres-connection-⚠), [`crypto.sessionSecret`](#crypto-session-secret-⚠) and [`meta.name`](#meta-name-⚠)
</Warning>

### Method 1 - `config.json`

This method uses nesting, so the key `server.basePath` with the value of `"/backend"` will result in a file that looks like this:

```json
{
  "server": {
    "basePath": "/backend"
  }
}
```

### Method 2 - `.env`

The environment variable names use double underscores as separators and `MWB_` as the prefix. So the key `server.basePath` will result in the .env file like this:

```sh
MWB_SERVER__BASE_PATH=/backend
```

### Method 3 - Environment

This method is identical to the `.env` method listed above, but you add the variables to the environment instead of writing it in a file.

# Reference

## Server

All configurations related to the HTTP server.

### `server.port`

- Type: `number`
- Default: `8080`

Port number that the HTTP server listens on.

### `server.cors`

- Type: `string`
- Default: `""`
- Example: `"https://movie-web.app https://testing.movie-web.app"`

Space separated list of allowed origins.

### `server.allowAnySite`

- Type: `boolean`
- Default: `false`

If set to true, it allows any origin to access the site. This overwrites the [`server.cors`](#server-cors) setting.

### `server.trustProxy`

- Type: `boolean`
- Default: `false`

Controls whether the server should trust reverse proxy headers. This is used to identify users for ratelimiting.

### `server.trustCloudflare`

- Type: `boolean`
- Default: `false`

Controls whether the server should trust Cloudflare IP headers. This is used to identify users for ratelimiting.

### `server.basePath`

- Type: `string`
- Default: `"/"`

Prefix for which path is being listened on. Useful if you're hosting on `example.com/backend` for example.

<Note>
If this is set, you shouldn't apply URL rewriting before proxying.
</Note>

## Logging

All configurations related to how the HTTP server will log. This is not related to the [metrics](./introduction.mdx#metrics) endpoint.

### `logging.format`

- Type: `string` | `"pretty"` | `"json"`
- Default: `"pretty"`

Logging format to use, should be either `pretty` or `json`, most users should probably use the default.

## Postgres

All configurations related to how postgres functions.

### `postgres.connection` ⚠

- Type: `string`
- Example: `"postgresql://localhost:5432"`

Connection URL for postgres instance, should contain the database in the URL.

<Caution>
**Required. The backend will not start if this is not configured.**
</Caution>

### `postgres.migrateOnBoot`

- Type: `boolean`
- Default: `false`

Run all [migrations](./introduction.mdx#migrations) that haven't ran yet on boot.

<Warning>
If you have multiple replicas running, this can cause a lot of issues. We recommend only using this if you run only one replica.
</Warning>

### `postgres.debugLogging`

- Type: `boolean`
- Default: `false`

Log all postgres queries in the console. Useful for debugging issues with the database.

<Warning>
This outputs sensitive, **DO NOT** run it in production.
</Warning>

### `postgres.ssl`

- Type: `boolean`
- Default: `false`

Enable SSL for postgres connections. Useful if you're using a hosted postgres database.

## Cryptography

All configurations related to cryptography.

### `crypto.sessionSecret` ⚠

- Type: `string`

The secret used to sign sessions. **Must be at least 32 characters long.**

<Caution>
**Required. The backend will not start if this is not configured.**
</Caution>

## Meta

These options configure how the server will display itself to the frontend.

### `meta.name` ⚠

- Type: `string`
- Example: `"Unofficial movie-web"`

The name of the backend instance, this will be displayed to users who try to create an account.

<Caution>
**Required. The backend will not start if this is not configured.**
</Caution>

### `meta.description`

- Type: `string`
- Default: `""`
- Example: `"This is not an official instance of movie-web"`

The description of the backend instance, this will be displayed to users who try to create an account.

## Captcha

All configurations related to adding captcha functionality. Captchas' help to protect your server from bot attacks.

### `captcha.enabled`

- Type: `boolean`
- Default: `false`

Enables [Recaptcha](https://www.google.com/recaptcha/about/) support for user registration and login. [You can follow this guide to create a Recaptcha key](https://cloud.google.com/recaptcha-enterprise/docs/create-key-website#create-key).

<Warning>
If this is enabled, all other captcha related settings are required.
</Warning>

### `captcha.secret`

- Type: `string`
- Default: `""`
- Example: `"sjgaJ@3djasFVx"`

[Google Recaptcha](https://www.google.com/recaptcha/about/) secret key.

### `captcha.clientKey`

- Type: `string`
- Default: `""`
- Example: `"2jf853z5bc63bvDb2323FAda"`

[Google Recaptcha](https://www.google.com/recaptcha/about/) site key.

## Ratelimits

All configuration options related to adding ratelimiting functionality. Helps to protect against bot attacks or spammy users.

<Note>
Make sure your IP headers are properly forwarded if you're using a reverse proxy. Also see [`server.trustProxy`](#server-trust-proxy).
</Note>

### `ratelimits.enabled`

- Type: `boolean`
- Default: `false`

Enables ratelimiting some more expensive endpoints.

<Warning>
If this is enabled, all other ratelimit related settings are required.
</Warning>

### `ratelimits.redisUrl`

- Type: `string`
- Default: `""`
- Example: `"redis://localhost:6379"`

Redis connection URL for storing ratelimit data. You can use a plain redis instance for this, no modules are required.