> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.blnkfinance.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> Learn how Blnk configuration works with blnk.json and environment variables.

This is the documentation for Blnk's configuration file. This file defines how your instance runs, including database and Redis connections, transaction processing, security, notifications, observability, and backups.

You can set it up using a `blnk.json` file or environment variables that use the `BLNK_` prefix.

***

## Configuration structure

Blnk's configuration is grouped into the following sections. Click through to learn more about each section and its configuration options.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Server & security" icon="shield-check" href="/advanced/configuration/server-security">
    Configure server runtime, secure mode, tokenization, and rate limits.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Data stores" icon="database" href="/advanced/configuration/data-stores">
    Set up PostgreSQL, Redis, and Typesense connections.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Transactions & queues" icon="repeat" href="/advanced/configuration/transactions">
    Configure transaction processing, queues, coalescing, and hot-lane routing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reconciliations" icon="scale" href="/advanced/configuration/reconciliations">
    Configure reconciliation strategy, progress updates, and retries.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Notifications" icon="bell" href="/advanced/configuration/notifications">
    Configure Slack webhooks and outgoing HTTP webhooks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Observability" icon="activity" href="/advanced/configuration/observability">
    OpenTelemetry traces, HTTP metrics, and optional product heartbeat telemetry.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Backups" icon="hard-drive" href="/advanced/configuration/backup">
    Configure backup paths and S3 storage.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reference" icon="book-open" href="/advanced/configuration/reference">
    Review required fields, default values, and available options.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Minimum required settings

To start Blnk, you only need to set your PostgreSQL and Redis connection URLs. Most of the other configuration settings have [sensible defaults](/advanced/configuration/reference) that you can leave as-is until you need to change them.

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash blnk.env theme={"system"}
  # Database configuration
  BLNK_DATA_SOURCE_DNS="postgres://postgres:password@postgres:5432/blnk?sslmode=disable"

  # Redis configuration
  BLNK_REDIS_DNS="redis:6379"
  ```

  ```json blnk.json theme={"system"}
  {
    "data_source": {
      "dns": "postgres://postgres:password@postgres:5432/blnk?sslmode=disable"
    },
    "redis": {
      "dns": "redis:6379"
    }
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

***

## Need help?

We are very happy to help you make the most of Blnk, regardless of whether it is your first time or you are switching from another tool.

To ask questions or discuss issues, please [contact us](mailto:support@blnkfinance.com) or [join our Discord community](https://discord.gg/7WNv94zPpx).

***

<Tip>
  **Tip:** Connect to Blnk Cloud to see your Core data.

  You can view your transactions, manage identities, create custom reports, invite other team members to collaborate, and perform operations on your Core — all in one dashboard.

  [Check out Blnk Cloud →](https://www.blnkfinance.com/products/cloud)
</Tip>