# 3.6 Configure Equipment, Paths, and Integrations

## Capability summary

The Settings dialog is the only operator-facing surface for editing
`config.yaml`. It groups the editable surface into nine sections,
including paths (templates, plugins, local data root, NAS sync root),
equipment registry, LIMS endpoint, orchestrator toggle and staging
root, and notification preferences. On save, validation runs first --
paths must be resolvable, the DB connection string must parse,
equipment IDs must be unique and filesystem-safe -- and then the
config is written via `ruamel.yaml` to preserve comments and key
order. See section 02 §3.6 for the authoritative contract and section
09 of the design spec for the configuration-file schema.

## Walkthrough

1. **Open Settings.** From the toolbar, click the Settings button
   (`data-testid="toolbar-settings"`).
2. **Navigate sections.** The left rail lists each section
   (`data-testid="settings-nav-<section>"`). The body
   (`data-testid="settings-section-<section>"`) updates as the
   operator selects.
3. **Edit, then save.** The Save button
   (`data-testid="settings-save"`) runs validation; on success the
   dialog renders the saved-marker (`data-testid="settings-saved"`).
   The Discard button (`data-testid="settings-discard"`) abandons
   pending changes.

## Screenshots

```{image} ../_static/screenshots/06_settings/01_initial.png
:alt: Settings dialog with the Paths section active
:align: center
```

## Related material

- Design spec section 09 (Configuration File) -- the authoritative
  `config.yaml` schema.
- Design spec section 06 §6.2 (Plugin Registry) -- the plugin
  directory configured here.
- Design spec section 07 (Sync and Database Integration) -- the LIMS
  endpoint and NAS sync root configured here.