Command referenceconda config
conda config command (Linux & Windows / Conda)
What it does
View and change Conda configuration such as channels, channel priority, and auto-activate settings. When people look up conda config channels, they usually want safe flags, copyable examples, and how this Conda subcommand fits Anaconda or Miniconda workflows on Linux, Windows, and macOS. Syntax, options, and practical examples are below.
View and change Conda configuration such as channels, channel priority, and auto-activate settings.
Syntax
conda config [--show | --add | --set | --remove | --get] ...
Common options
| Flag / option | Meaning |
|---|---|
| --show | Show the merged configuration. |
| --show-sources | Show which files contribute each setting. |
| --add channels NAME | Append a channel to the channel list. |
| --set KEY VALUE | Set a configuration key. |
| --remove channels NAME | Remove a channel. |
| --env | Operate on the active environment's config when supported. |
Practical examples
Show config
conda config --show
Prints effective Conda settings including channels.
Add conda-forge
conda config --add channels conda-forge
Adds conda-forge to your channel list.
Strict priority
conda config --set channel_priority strict
Prefer higher-priority channels during solves.
Disable base auto-activate
conda config --set auto_activate_base false
Stops opening every shell inside the base environment.
Inspect sources
conda config --show-sources
Helps debug conflicting .condarc files.
Common mistakes
- Adding the same channel many times until priority becomes confusing.
- Editing `.condarc` by hand with invalid YAML and wondering why Conda ignores it.
Related commands
- conda searchSearch configured channels for available package versions before installing.
- conda installInstall packages into the active or named Conda environment from configured channels.
- conda infoShow Conda installation details, active environment, channels, and platform metadata.
- conda initConfigure shell startup files so `conda activate` works in bash, zsh, PowerShell, cmd.exe, and others.
- conda createCreate a new isolated Conda environment with an optional Python version and starter packages.
- conda activateActivate a named or path-based Conda environment in the current shell session.
- conda listList packages installed in the active or named Conda environment.
- conda env listList all Conda environments and mark the currently active one.
FAQ
What does conda config do in Conda?
View and change Conda configuration such as channels, channel priority, and auto-activate settings.
Does conda config work on Windows and Linux?
Yes. Conda runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS; shell activation differs slightly after `conda init`, but the CLI flags are the same.
What is a practical conda config example?
Try `conda config --show` — Prints effective Conda settings including channels.
Is mamba the same as conda config?
Mamba is a faster drop-in solver for many Conda workflows. Prefer `mamba` only when it is installed; otherwise use the Conda commands on this page.
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