pw-config

Inspect PipeWire configuration files and sections

TLDR

List all configuration files that will be used

$ pw-config

List configuration files for PipeWire PulseAudio server

$ pw-config -n pipewire-pulse.conf

List all configuration sections used by PipeWire PulseAudio

$ pw-config -n pipewire-pulse.conf list

List the context.properties fragments used by JACK clients

$ pw-config -n jack.conf list context.properties

List the merged context.properties used by JACK clients

$ pw-config -n jack.conf merge context.properties

List the merged context.modules and reformat

$ pw-config -n pipewire.conf -r merge context.modules

SYNOPSIS

pw-config [options] [command] [section]

pw-config displays configuration paths and sections used by PipeWire server and clients. It helps understand how PipeWire's split configuration files are combined, showing which files contribute to specific settings.
The tool can inspect different configuration contexts (pipewire.conf, pipewire-pulse.conf, jack.conf) and display both individual fragments and merged results.

PARAMETERS

-n, --name config

Specify configuration file name

-r, --recurse

Reformat/recurse into nested structures

list [section]

List configuration fragments

merge [section]

Show merged configuration

-h, --help

Display help message

CAVEATS

Configuration files are searched in multiple locations (/etc/pipewire, ~/.config/pipewire, etc.) and merged by priority. Understanding the merge order is important for troubleshooting configuration issues.

HISTORY

Part of PipeWire, the modern multimedia framework for Linux. Added to help administrators and users understand PipeWire's flexible configuration system.