16 · Configuration

alix works out of the box; the config file is for when you want to change key bindings, point at a different decks directory, or tune the AI features. It lives at ~/.config/alix/config.toml — create it with alix config --init, and inspect the active key bindings with alix config.

Key bindings

Every action takes a list of keys (the first is shown in the footer). To grade flip cards with j/k/l:

[keys]
again = ["j"]
good = ["k"]
easy = ["l"]

Keys are a single character ("j"), a special name ("space", "enter", "tab", "esc", "backspace"), or either with a ctrl- prefix ("ctrl-s"). The rebindable actions are again, good, easy, reveal, hint, submit, skip, remove (default ctrl-x), continue, restart (default r), and quit. While you’re typing an answer (typing/fuzzy mode), plain-character bindings are ignored so they can’t shadow your input — use ctrl-/special keys for hint, skip, and quit there. Pass a different file with --config <path>.

alix browse has its own [browse] bindings, and the web server reads its default port from [serve]:

[browse]
next = ["l", "n", "space"]
prev = ["h", "p"]
remove = ["x"]
quit = ["q", "esc", "ctrl-c"]

[serve]
port = 7777

(Jump-to-first/last stays fixed at g/G, and the arrow keys always move.)

The AI sections

Each AI feature has its own section, all reusing the [ask] command and permission settings:

• [ask] — the tutor: command (how to invoke Claude), permission_mode, the tool allowlist, a model override, timeout_secs, and an effort.
• [generate] — alix deck: model, timeout_secs (300), max_cards (30), extra, a full prompt override, and review.
• [exam] — alix exam: model, timeout_secs (300), num_questions (5), pass_threshold (1.0), strictness (balanced), extra.
• [trace] — alix trace --build / --suggest: defaults model = "opus" and effort = "high" (the build is correctness-critical and amortized); also timeout_secs. --grade instead uses the [ask] tier.

Decks directory and storage

By default alix looks for decks in ~/decks; set decks_dir to change it. Progress is stored at ~/.local/share/alix/progress.json (a workspace keeps its own inside its folder; --store <path> overrides).

Card identity is an XxHash64 over the deck file name plus the card’s back lines — so your progress survives editing a front or adding notes, but renaming a deck file or changing a back line resets the affected cards. (That’s the “editing is safe” rule from chapter 3, stated precisely.)

alix reset <deck> clears progress so cards go “new” again — a whole deck, a single card (--card <id-or-front>), or the entire store (--all); it confirms first unless you pass -y.