> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rpg-leveling.zuxaw.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Config After an Update

> What happens to your config when you update the mod, and what to do if something goes wrong.

# Config files after updating the mod

<Info>
  This page is part of **Troubleshooting**. Use it if a config file behaves oddly after you update the RPG Leveling mod.
</Info>

## What the mod does when you update

When you install a **new version** of the mod and start the server, the mod may need to **update** some of your config files so they match the new version. For example, a new option might be added, or an old one removed or renamed.

The mod does this automatically:

1. **Before changing anything**, it makes a **backup** of the config file (see below).
2. It **updates** the config (adds new fields, applies changes defined for that version).
3. It **saves** the updated file and continues loading.

You don’t have to do anything for this to work. Your custom values are kept where possible; only the structure and options the mod needs are changed.

## Where backups are saved

* When the mod updates a config file at startup, it saves a copy of the **previous** content (before the update) with the suffix **`.pre-migration`**.
* Example: if it updates `RPGLevelingConfig.json`, you’ll see **`RPGLevelingConfig.json.pre-migration`** in the same folder (`mods/Zuxaw_RPGLeveling/`). That file is your config **before** the update.

The game or the mod may also create **`.bak`** files when saving. Those are from normal saves, not necessarily from before the update. To be sure you’re restoring the version from **before the update**, use the **`.pre-migration`** file.

## If something goes wrong after an update

If after updating the mod you notice:

* Missing or wrong options in a config,
* Errors in the console about a config file,
* Or the mod not loading correctly,

you can **restore** the config from the backup the mod made **before** the update:

1. **Stop the server** (or disable the mod).
2. Open the mod folder: **`mods/Zuxaw_RPGLeveling/`**.
3. Find the **`.pre-migration`** file for the config that’s causing trouble (e.g. `RPGLevelingConfig.json.pre-migration`).
4. **Copy** that file and **rename** the copy to the normal config name (e.g. rename the copy to `RPGLevelingConfig.json`), **replacing** the current config file.
5. Start the server again. The mod will use your old config. You may need to re-apply the update later (e.g. after a fix) or adjust a few options by hand according to the changelog.

If there is **no** `.pre-migration` file, the mod didn’t run an update on that config this time (e.g. it was already up to date). In that case, use any `.bak` backup you have, or restore from your own backups.

## Reloading config without restart

After you **edit** a config file by hand, use **`/lvl reload`** (`rpgleveling.command.reload`) to apply changes without restarting the server. See [Commands](/commands#lvl-reload).

Restoring from a `.pre-migration` backup is best done with the server stopped, so the mod doesn’t overwrite the file again on the next save.