Settings and Configuration

Settings & Configuration

In-app settings (Database tab → Settings)

Applied immediately, saved on the machine running the server:

Setting	What it does
Journal folder	Where Elite Dangerous writes its journal. Leave blank to auto-detect (recommended); paste a path to override — it validates as you type ("✓ 60 journal files") and takes effect without a restart.
Exclude surface stations	Orbital stations only in routes/searches.
Exclude fleet carriers	Keep carriers out of route and market results.
Contribute market data (EDDN)	Publish markets you dock at back to the community feed. Anonymous.
Automatic updates	Check for releases and offer one-click updates (packaged exe only).
Neural voice	Human-sounding callouts synthesized on the server PC by Piper (one-time download). On by default once installed; the on/off switch is per device. The voice itself (default: Alba — Scottish female, five others available) is server-wide — every device hears the same one.

Per-device settings (saved in each browser)

These live in the browser/tablet you set them on, not on the server — each device can be tuned separately. All apply instantly; double-click a slider to reset it.

Setting	What it does
Voice volume (0–100%)	Callout loudness on this device — neural and browser voices alike. Speaks the new level when you release the slider.
CRT effects	Retro scanlines/flicker in the flight panel. Off by default.
Interface size (80–140%)	Zooms the whole app on this device — desktop and panel mode.
Status bar text (100–160%)	The panel-mode top strip: system, station, fuel, cargo, clock, commander.
Helper text (100–150%)	The small grey hints, sub-lines and empty-state explanations.

Journal auto-detection

The app resolves the journal folder in this order:

1. Settings → Journal folder (if set)
2. ED_JOURNAL_DIR environment variable (if set)
3. Auto-detect: the Windows Saved Games known folder (follows relocations) → the default path → Steam Proton prefixes on Linux

If the folder can't be found, a banner offers OPEN SETTINGS. If it simply doesn't exist yet (game never run), the app watches for it and bootstraps automatically the moment it appears.

Environment variables

For the rest — set before launching:

Env var	Meaning	Default
ET_PORT	HTTP port	8666
ET_DATA_DIR	Database folder	data/ next to the app
ED_JOURNAL_DIR	Journal folder override	auto-detected; the in-app setting wins
ED_BINDINGS_DIR	Key bindings folder override	auto-detected (Windows / Proton)
ED_PLOT_KEY	Autoplot hold-key override	UI_Select bind, then Enter
ET_EDDN_UPLOAD	Seed value for the EDDN toggle	1
ET_AUTO_UPDATE	Seed value for the auto-update toggle	1

Security note

The web server has no authentication — anyone on your network can see your in-game location and credits. Fine on a home LAN; do not port-forward it to the internet.