> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://p-bitm-2269ecee.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Initial configuration

> Configure P-BitM before starting the control plane and campaign workloads.

P-BitM separates operator configuration from generated runtime state.

## `config.yaml`

This is the human-managed source for deployment mode, paths, image build
definitions, DNS challenge settings, session limits, cleanup policy, and CLI
behavior.

The shipped template intentionally uses placeholders for certificate identity
and production DNS settings. Replace the certificate identity placeholders
before running `setup` when `ssl.auto_generate` is enabled. For production,
also set the ACME contact email, DNS provider, and required DNS credential
variable names. See the [configuration reference](/reference/configuration)
for the required values and secret-handling rules.

## `server/.env`

This generated and ignored file contains runtime paths, the initial
administrator bootstrap values, and application secrets. Manage it through:

```bash theme={"system"}
python3 p-bitm.py setup
```

Do not copy values from `.env.example` into production unchanged. Runtime
validation requires:

* an administrator password of at least 16 characters;
* an internal API key of at least 32 characters;
* a data-encryption key of at least 32 characters;
* values that do not contain known placeholder markers.

## Seed data

The supplied Compose configurations set `SEED_DATA=true`. Keep this default
unless the application behavior is intentionally changed and tested.

## Development mode

Set `app.environment: development` in `config.yaml` before running setup. The
CLI then selects `server/docker-compose-dev.yml`, which includes MailHog on
ports `1025` and `8025`.

## Detailed references

* [Configuration reference](/reference/configuration)
* [Environment variables](/administration/environment-variables)
* [Networking and TLS](/administration/networking-and-tls)