TinyConfig

The simplest way to manage configuration in .NET. One unified interface for INI, JSON, XML, and Windows Registry.

Install

PM> Install-Package TinyConfig

Or via .NET CLI:

dotnet add package TinyConfig

Quick Start

// Pick any backend — the API is the same
var config = TinyConfig.FromFile("settings.ini");   // INI
var config = TinyConfig.FromJson("settings.json");  // JSON
var config = TinyConfig.FromXml("settings.xml");    // XML
var config = TinyConfig.FromRegistry(@"SOFTWARE\MyApp"); // Registry

API

All providers implement ITinyConfig:

// Read a value (returns default if not found)
string host = config.Get("Server", "Host", "localhost");

// Read with automatic type conversion
int port = config.Get<int>("Server", "Port", 8080);
bool debug = config.Get<bool>("App", "Debug", false);

// Auto-save: writes the default value if the key doesn't exist
string theme = config.Get("UI", "Theme", "dark", autoSave: true);

// Write a value
config.Set("Server", "Host", "192.168.0.1");

// Check if a key exists
bool exists = config.Exists("Server", "Host");

Providers

INI

var config = TinyConfig.FromFile("settings.ini");
config.Set("Server", "Host", "localhost");

[Server]
Host=localhost

JSON

var config = TinyConfig.FromJson("settings.json");
config.Set("Database", "Port", 5432);

{
  "Database": {
    "Port": "5432"
  }
}

XML

var config = TinyConfig.FromXml("settings.xml");
config.Set("Logging", "Level", "Info");

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<Config>
  <Logging>
    <Level>Info</Level>
  </Logging>
</Config>

Windows Registry

// Default: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
var config = TinyConfig.FromRegistry(@"SOFTWARE\MyApp");

// Use a different root hive
var config = TinyConfig.FromRegistry(@"SOFTWARE\MyApp", RegistryRoot.LocalMachine);

Available RegistryRoot values: CurrentUser (default), LocalMachine, ClassesRoot, Users, CurrentConfig

Type Conversion

Get<T> converts string values using TypeDescriptor. Supports int, bool, double, float, DateTime, enum, TimeSpan, and any type with a registered TypeConverter.

var timeout = config.Get<TimeSpan>("App", "Timeout", TimeSpan.FromSeconds(30));
var mode = config.Get<MyEnum>("App", "Mode", MyEnum.Default);

If conversion fails, the default value is returned safely.

Section Mapping

The first parameter (section) maps to different concepts depending on the provider:

Provider	Section maps to
INI	[Section] header
JSON	Top-level object
XML	Child element of <Config>
Registry	Sub-key under root path

Target Framework

.NET Standard 2.0 — compatible with .NET Framework 4.6.1+, .NET Core 2.0+, and .NET 5 through 10+.

License

MIT