cosmiconfig

cosmiconfig is a JavaScript library that helps applications load configuration values from various sources in a hierarchical manner. It searches for configuration files in a specified directory and its ancestors, allowing developers to centralize configuration and override settings at different levels.

The library supports multiple configuration file formats, including JSON, YAML, and JavaScript files. It also allows for inline configuration specified directly in the package.json file of a project. cosmiconfig defines a standard search strategy, looking for configuration files with predefined names such as `.config.js`, `.config.json`, or `.config.yaml`, as well as within a `config` property in the `package.json` file.

When an application uses cosmiconfig, it typically specifies a search path and a configuration name. The library then traverses up the directory tree from the specified path, looking for the configuration file. Once found, the configuration is loaded, parsed, and returned to the application. This hierarchical loading mechanism is particularly useful for projects that have multiple sub-packages or modules, where each might need its own specific settings while still inheriting from a common project-wide configuration.

cosmiconfig is designed to be flexible and extensible, allowing developers to define custom search strategies or add support for new configuration file formats. Its primary goal is to simplify the process of managing configuration in JavaScript projects, providing a consistent and predictable way to load settings.