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Configuration Files Overview

FreeDi uses multiple configuration files to control your printer. This guide shows you what each file does and how to apply changes.

Tip

Configuration files are read at service startup. After editing, restart the appropriate service for changes to take effect.

New to Klipper? Please read the previous page "Configuration Basics for Beginners" first.

Quick References

File name What It Controls Restart Method
freedi.cfg Display behavior & presets Power icon → Restart FreeDi
printer.cfg Hardware settings Save & Restart (Klipper)
macros.cfg Automation sequences Save & Restart (Klipper)
moonraker.conf Web interface backend Power icon → Restart Moonraker
crowsnest.conf Camera settings Power icon → Restart Crowsnest

FreeDi-Specific: freedi.cfg

freedi.cfg:

  • What it controls:
    • Basic setup parameters for display functionality
    • Display settings / preferences like:
      • Case light settings and behaviour
      • Quick-toggle temperature defaults
      • Movement and extrusion step presets
      • Home screen preset button names and macros
      • etc.
  • When to edit: Initial display setup, adjusting temperature presets, or personalizing UI shortcuts and workflow.
  • Restart: Power icon → Restart FreeDi (Note: A Klipper restart is not required for these changes)
  • Location: /home/mks/printer_data/config/freedi.cfg

Key difference: Requires FreeDi service restart, NOT Klipper restart.

Info

  • Restarting FreeDi doesn't interrupt running prints – it only reloads the display.

How to Apply freedi.cfg Changes

Via Mainsail:

  1. Edit and save freedi.cfg
  2. Click Power icon (top-right)
  3. Find FreeDi under Service Control
  4. Click restart icon

Via SSH: 

sudo systemctl restart FreeDi.service

Standard Klipper Files

printer.cfg – Hardware Configuration

printer.cfg:

  • What it controls: Stepper motors, sensors (endstops, thermistors, probes), heating elements, bed size, speed/acceleration limits, pin assignments.
  • When to edit: Adding hardware, adjusting motion settings, fine-tuning your setup.
  • Restart: Save & Restart (Klipper)
  • Location: /home/mks/printer_data/config/printer.cfg

Backup Files & Navigation

You may see multiple files with a date and time suffix:

image

  • What they are: These are automatic backups created by Klipper whenever the configuration is overwritten via a SAVE_CONFIG command (e.g., after PID tuning or Bed Leveling).
  • Usage: Only the file named exactly printer.cfg is used by your printer. You can safely delete the timestamped versions if they are no longer needed.
  • Navigation: If you don't see your printer.cfg in the list, it may have been pushed to the next page. Use the arrow buttons at the bottom right to navigate through your files:

image

macros.cfg – Automation Sequences

macros.cfg:

  • What it controls: Print start/end sequences, filament changes, calibration routines, custom commands.
  • When to edit: Customizing print routines, adding automation.
  • Restart: Save & Restart (Klipper)
  • Location: /home/mks/printer_data/config/macros.cfg
  • Why separate? FreeDi splits hardware (printer.cfg) from automation (macros.cfg) for easier updates. Klipper reads both as one file.

moonraker.conf – Web Interface Backend

moonraker.conf:

  • What it controls: Mainsail/Fluidd backend, update manager, API access, power controls.
  • When to edit: Rarely needed – pre-configured. Edit when adding power devices or remote access.
  • Restart: Power icon → Restart Moonraker
  • Location: /home/mks/printer_data/config/moonraker.cfg
  • Reference: FreeDi moonraker.conf

crowsnest.conf – Camera Settings

crowsnest.conf:

  • What it controls: Camera configuration for print monitoring.
  • When to edit: Installing or adjusting a camera.
  • Restart: Power icon → Restart Crowsnest
  • Location: /home/mks/printer_data/config/crowsnest.cfg
  • References: FreeDi crowsnest.conf
  • See also: Webcam Setup

Model-Specific Configurations

FreeDi maintains optimized configurations in the "config_section" folder on Github:

Generic files and templates are also available in the repository:

  • Generic files: freedi.cfg, moonraker.conf, crowsnest.conf

  • Templates: Reference for custom configs

File Locations & Access

Location in the system: /home/mks/printer_data/config/

Location in Mainsail:

Access via SSH: 

cd ~/printer_data/config