23 catalogued formats
Settings & Configuration
Configuration files are small but sensitive. A misplaced character, duplicate key, or wrong encoding can stop an application from starting. INI and CONF files are usually plain text, PLIST can be XML or binary, and Windows registry exports use their own structured syntax. Always keep a backup before editing.
Why this format suite matters
- A syntax error can break startup or silently change behavior.
- Encoding and escaping rules differ between formats.
- Secret keys and tokens should not be committed to version control.
Common formats in this suite
A sample of the catalog. Not every extension has a live converter.
| Format | Extension | MIME | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BABELRC | .babelrc | application/octet-stream | BABELRC settings file |
| DCONF | .dconf | application/octet-stream | DCONF settings file |
| DEFAULTS | .defaults | application/octet-stream | DEFAULTS settings file |
| DESKTOP | .desktop | application/octet-stream | DESKTOP settings file |
| DIRECTORY | .directory | application/octet-stream | DIRECTORY settings file |
| EDITORCONFIG | .editorconfig | application/octet-stream | EDITORCONFIG settings file |
| ENVRC | .envrc | application/octet-stream | ENVRC settings file |
| ESLINTRC | .eslintrc | application/octet-stream | ESLINTRC settings file |
| GCONF | .gconf | application/octet-stream | GCONF settings file |
| GITCONFIG | .gitconfig | application/octet-stream | GITCONFIG settings file |
| GNOME | .gnome | application/octet-stream | GNOME settings file |
| KDE | .kde | application/octet-stream | KDE settings file |
| NPMRC | .npmrc | application/octet-stream | NPMRC settings file |
| PBXPROJ | .pbxproj | application/octet-stream | PBXPROJ settings file |
| PREFS | .prefs | application/octet-stream | PREFS settings file |
| PRETTIERRC | .prettierrc | application/octet-stream | PRETTIERRC settings file |
| RC | .rc | application/octet-stream | RC settings file |
| SETTINGS | .settings | application/octet-stream | SETTINGS settings file |
| SLN | .sln | application/octet-stream | SLN settings file |
| THUMBS | .thumbs | application/octet-stream | THUMBS settings file |
| VCXPROJ | .vcxproj | application/octet-stream | VCXPROJ settings file |
| XCCONFIG | .xcconfig | application/octet-stream | XCCONFIG settings file |
| XCODEPROJ | .xcodeproj | application/octet-stream | XCODEPROJ settings file |
Common workflows
Application setup
Edit a copy, validate the syntax, and keep the previous configuration.
Environment management
Use environment variables or secret stores for credentials instead of plain text files.
Migration
Translate keys carefully and compare the old and new behavior.
Before you convert
Start with the application that must open the result. Edit a copy, validate the syntax, and keep the previous configuration. Keep the original file until the output has been opened and checked. A format name alone does not guarantee compatibility, especially for settings & configuration data that may include references, layers, or platform-specific metadata.
- Confirm the source file opens correctly in its original application.
- Identify the exact format and version the destination accepts.
- Keep the source until the converted file has been reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I convert a binary plist to XML?
- Yes, with a plist-aware tool. A generic text editor will not decode the binary structure.
- Why did my app stop reading the config?
- A syntax error, duplicate key, wrong encoding, or unsupported value type can prevent parsing.
- Are configuration files safe to share?
- Review them for passwords, API keys, hostnames, and personal data before sharing.
- Can this site convert settings files?
- Only where a supported converter exists. Treat configuration edits as code changes and keep backups.
- What should I check before converting a settings & configuration file?
- Confirm that the source opens in its original application, identify the format the destination requires, and keep an untouched copy. Test one representative file before processing a batch, especially when metadata, links, geometry, or layout matters.