Configuration

Configuration

ARGUS reads argus.config.json (committed-safe defaults) plus .env (secrets).

Example template: argus.config.example.json

---

File split

File	Holds
argus.config.json	Models, tiers, budget limits, WARDEN policy, channel flags
.env	ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, OPENAI_API_KEY, ARGUS_HTTP_TOKEN, ARGUS_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN, ARGUS_WALLET_KEY, …

Never commit .env or a config file with real secrets.

---

Budget (token economy)

"budget": {
  "maxUsdPerTask": 0.5,
  "maxTokensPerTask": 200000,
  "maxSteps": 24,
  "maxToolCalls": 40
}

Exceeding any ceiling throws BudgetExceededError and stops the task — by design. See Token-Budget.

---

Models & tiers

"models": {
  "triage": { "provider": "local", "model": "llama3.2" },
  "core":   { "provider": "anthropic", "model": "claude-sonnet-4-20250514" },
  "heavy":  { "provider": "anthropic", "model": "claude-opus-4-20250514" }
}

Cheap triage on local or small models; escalate only when needed.

---

WARDEN policy (high level)

"warden": {
  "minReputation": 0.35,
  "allowUnknownServers": false,
  "pinToolDefs": true,
  "blockAtSeverity": "high"
}

Details: WARDEN

---

Channels

Enable in config + env vars:

Channel	Config / env
HTTP	channels.http.enabled, ARGUS_HTTP_TOKEN
Telegram	channels.telegram.enabled, ARGUS_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN, optional ARGUS_TELEGRAM_OWNER_ID
MCP server	channels.mcp.enabled — exposes argus_ask, argus_status

See Channels.

---

Crypto / economy

Variable	Effect
ARGUS_CRYPTO_ENABLED=1	Opt in to wallet, lottery, ACEX, paid invokes
ARGUS_WALLET_KEY	Constructs economy layer
Hub / mesh URLs	In config economy block

Default: crypto off. See Economy.

---

Doctor

argus doctor

Reports providers, WARDEN, channels, economy, Arena — use after every config change.

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Related

• Quick-Start · Install · argus/docs/