documentation is inconsistent as to whether config file editing is supported

[slingamn]

https://docs.limnoria.net/use/configuration.html says, referring to config file editing, "NOTE: We don’t recommend this and you shouldn’t ever do this, you should do everything with the commands in the Config plugin."

However, https://docs.limnoria.net/use/security.html suggests disabling the Config plugin and editing the files instead as a hardening measure: "Finally, you can remove the owner user account entirely (or remove the owner capability) for that account [....] global configuration variables can only be modified by accessing the config files."

I would prefer to run in an ownerless configuration, but I had problems earlier editing the config files manually (it seemed like my changes were being undone, even though I was editing the files only while the bot was stopped?)

[progval]

It's not that inconsistent. I don't recommend editing the config file, but IF you really want to harden, you should edit it.

but I had problems earlier editing the config files manually

you need to @flush before editing, spend less than supybot.upkeepinterval editing (defaults to 1 hour), then @config reload after

even though I was editing the files only while the bot was stopped?

wat?!