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Configuration

wtf has several things you can configure and customize. The point isn't to memorize commands - it's to know what's configurable so you can ask wtf to change it naturally.

What Can You Configure?

Here are the main things you can control in wtf:

Memories

What your preferences are. Things like "I use vim" or "I prefer npm over yarn".

Why it matters: wtf remembers these and uses them when suggesting commands.

How to use: 

$ wtf remember I use emacs for editing
$ wtf remember I prefer pytest over unittest
$ wtf forget about my editor preference
$ wtf show me what you remember

Stored in: ~/.config/wtf/memories.json

Learn more about Memories →

Allowed Commands

Which commands can run automatically without asking for permission.

Why it matters: Safe commands (like git status) run instantly. Dangerous ones (like rm -rf) require approval. You control which is which.

How to use: 

$ wtf always allow "npm install"
$ wtf never allow "rm -rf"
$ wtf show me what commands are allowed

Stored in: ~/.config/wtf/allowlist.json

Learn more about Allowlist →

Personality

How wtf talks to you - sarcastic, helpful, brief, verbose, etc.

Why it matters: Some people want dry wit. Some want encouragement. Some just want the command with no commentary.

How to use: 

$ wtf be more helpful and less sarcastic
$ wtf be really brief, just give me commands
$ wtf go back to your normal personality

Stored in: ~/.config/wtf/wtf.md (custom instructions file)

Learn more about Personality →

Hooks

Shell integration that captures commands better and can auto-run wtf after errors.

Why it matters: With hooks, wtf automatically runs when a command fails. No need to remember to type it.

How to use: 

$ wtf --setup-error-hook
$ wtf --setup-not-found-hook
$ wtf --remove-hooks

Stored in: Your shell config (~/.zshrc, ~/.bashrc, etc.)

Learn more about Hooks →

Keys

API keys for AI providers (Anthropic, OpenAI, Google).

Why it matters: You need at least one API key for wtf to work.

How to use: 

$ wtf --setup              # Run setup wizard to change provider/model
$ wtf --config             # Show current config location

Or manage via the llm library: 

$ llm keys set anthropic   # Set API key
$ llm models               # List available models

Stored in: ~/.config/wtf/config.json and ~/.config/io.datasette.llm/keys.json

Learn more about API Keys →

Setup

Initial configuration - provider, model, basic settings.

Why it matters: This is the first thing that runs and sets everything up.

How to use: 

$ wtf --setup              # Run setup wizard
$ wtf --reset              # Delete all config (requires confirmation)

Stored in: ~/.config/wtf/config.json

Learn more about Setup →

The Point

You don't need to memorize commands. Just know what's configurable:

  • Memories - Your preferences (wtf remember I use vim)
  • Allowed Commands - What runs automatically (wtf always allow git status)
  • Personality - How it talks (wtf be more encouraging)
  • Hooks - Shell integration (wtf --setup-error-hook)
  • Keys - Which AI to use (wtf --setup)
  • Setup - Initial configuration (wtf --setup, wtf --reset)

Most things can be changed naturally by just asking:

$ wtf "change my personality to be more encouraging"
$ wtf "show me what you remember about me"

System actions use CLI flags:

$ wtf --setup              # Setup wizard
$ wtf --config             # Show config location
$ wtf --setup-error-hook   # Install hooks

Configuration Files

All config lives in ~/.config/wtf/:

~/.config/wtf/
├── config.json          # Main config (provider, model, settings)
├── memories.json        # Your preferences
├── allowlist.json       # Auto-allowed commands
├── wtf.md               # Custom personality/instructions
└── history.jsonl        # Conversation history

Editing Directly

Want to edit config files manually? Go ahead:

$ vim ~/.config/wtf/config.json
$ vim ~/.config/wtf/wtf.md
$ code ~/.config/wtf/memories.json

wtf picks up changes automatically. No restart needed.

CLI Reference

For all CLI flags and options, see:

Next Steps