# Recoll user manual
Configuration overview

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### The main configuration file, recoll.conf

`recoll.conf` is the main configuration file. It defines things like what to index (top directories and things to ignore), and the default character set to use for document types which do not specify it internally.

The default configuration will index your home directory. If this is not appropriate, start recoll to create a blank configuration, click Cancel, and edit the configuration file before restarting the command. This will start the initial indexing, which may take some time.

Most of the following parameters can be changed from the Index Configuration menu in the recoll interface. Some can only be set by editing the configuration file.

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