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Settings File ​

Novadesk stores persistent configuration in a single JSON file called settings.json. This guide explains where the file lives, its structure, and how to edit it safely.

Table of Contents ​

Location ​

The location depends on the runtime mode:

  • Standard mode: %APPDATA%\Novadesk\settings.json
  • Portable mode: next to Novadesk.exe in the same folder

TIP

You can retrieve the exact path at runtime via app.getSettingsFilePath().

Creation And First Run ​

On first launch, Novadesk creates settings.json with minimal defaults. If the file is missing or empty, Novadesk treats the run as first-launch, initializes defaults, and saves the file after settings change.

Global Settings ​

Global keys live at the root of the JSON object. Current built-in keys:

enableDebugging # boolean
Default: false
Sets log level to Debug when true, Info when false.
disableLogging # boolean
Default: false
When true, disables all logging outputs.
saveLogToFile # boolean
Default: false
When true, writes logs.log alongside the settings file.
useHardwareAcceleration # boolean
Default: true
Toggles Direct2D hardware acceleration. Requires restart to fully apply.

Example ​

json
{
  enableDebugging: false,
  disableLogging: false,
  saveLogToFile: true,
  useHardwareAcceleration: true,
  widgets: {}
}

Widget Entries ​

Widgets are stored under the widgets object keyed by widget ID. Each entry saves placement and behavior:

x, y # number
Screen position in pixels.
windowopacity # number
Opacity from 0-255.
zpos # string
One of normal, ondesktop, ontop, onbottom, ontopmost.
draggable # boolean
Determines if the widget is draggable.
clickthrough # boolean
Determines if mouse clicks pass through the widget.
keeponscreen # boolean
Determines if the widget should be kept within screen boundaries.
snapedges # boolean
Determines if the widget snaps to screen edges.

Example widget block:

json
widgets: {
  clock: {
    x: 120,
    y: 80,
    windowopacity: 255,
    zpos: ontop,
    draggable: true,
    clickthrough: false,
    keeponscreen: true,
    snapedges: true
  }
}

How Novadesk Applies Settings ​

  • Settings are loaded on startup. If parsing fails, Novadesk resets to defaults and rewrites the file when changes occur.
  • Logging settings are applied immediately (console and optional file logging).
  • Hardware acceleration changes are stored but require an application restart.

Editing Safely ​

  1. Close Novadesk or ensure it won?t overwrite changes while you edit.
  2. Keep valid JSON (no trailing commas). If Novadesk cannot parse the file, it falls back to defaults.
  3. Prefer modifying values via scripts using the app module (e.g., app.saveLogToFile(true)) to avoid syntax mistakes.
  • app.getSettingsFilePath() ? returns the absolute path to settings.json.
  • app.isFirstRun() ? true when settings are missing or empty on launch.
  • app.enableDebugging(bool) ? toggles debug log level.
  • app.disableLogging(bool) ? silences or resumes logging.
  • app.saveLogToFile(bool) ? enables file logging.
  • app.useHardwareAcceleration(bool) ? stores hardware acceleration preference.