> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/SnowyMouse/chimera/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Halo Settings

> Configure Halo initialization, paths, ports, and core game settings

## Overview

The `[halo]` section configures how Halo is initialized, including file paths, network ports, and gameplay optimizations.

## Path Configuration

<ParamField path="path" type="string">
  Change where profiles are stored. Can be absolute or relative. Can be overridden with the `-path` command-line argument.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="download_map_path" type="string" default="<path>/chimera/maps">
  Change where downloaded maps are stored. Can be absolute or relative.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="map_path" type="string" default="maps">
  Change where to load maps from. Can be absolute or relative.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="exec" type="string">
  Path to an 8-bit text file containing commands to execute on startup.
</ParamField>

### Example: Custom Paths

```ini theme={null}
[halo]
;path=C:\Users\whatever\you\want\to\put\here
;download_map_path=C:\Users\whatever\you\want\to\put\here
;map_path=maps
;exec=C:\Users\path\to\init.txt
```

## Network Configuration

<ParamField path="server_port" type="number" default="2302">
  Server port for hosting games. Can be overridden with the `-port` command-line argument.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="client_port" type="number" default="2303">
  Client port for joining games. Can be overridden with the `-cport` command-line argument.
</ParamField>

<Tip>
  Set `client_port=0` to have the OS assign a client port automatically. This is **recommended** if you run multiple Halo instances on your PC.
</Tip>

### Example: Network Ports

```ini theme={null}
[halo]
;server_port=2302
client_port=0
```

## Game Behavior

<ParamField path="console" type="boolean" default="0">
  Enable the developer console. Can be overridden with the `-console` command-line argument.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="intro_videos" type="boolean" default="0">
  Enable intro videos. Normally disabled by default as it makes starting the game take longer. On demo version, this also enables the outro video.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="main_menu_music" type="boolean" default="1">
  Enable menu music. Set to `0` to disable.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="background_playback" type="boolean" default="0">
  Enable video rendering when Halo is not in focus (e.g., tabbed out).
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="april_fools" type="boolean" default="1">
  Enable April Fools features. Uncomment to disable.
</ParamField>

### Example: Game Behavior

```ini theme={null}
[halo]
console=1
;intro_videos=1
;main_menu_music=0
background_playback=1
;april_fools=0
```

## Optimal Defaults

<ParamField path="optimal_defaults" type="boolean" default="0">
  Use optimal defaults to make the game play more like a proper PC game. Enables the following:

  * `chimera_af true`
  * `chimera_aim_assist true`
  * `chimera_block_loading_screen true`
  * `chimera_block_mouse_acceleration true`
  * `chimera_diagonals 0.75`
  * `chimera_fov auto`
  * `chimera_fov_cinematic auto`
  * `chimera_fp_reverb true`
  * `chimera_throttle_fps 300`
  * `chimera_uncap_cinematic true`
  * `chimera_model_detail true`
  * `chimera_lock_fp_model_fov`
</ParamField>

<Info>
  Enabling `optimal_defaults` is recommended for the best PC gaming experience.
</Info>

### Example: Optimal Defaults

```ini theme={null}
[halo]
optimal_defaults=1
```

## Advanced Settings

<ParamField path="multiple_instances" type="boolean" default="0">
  Enable running multiple instances of Halo simultaneously.
</ParamField>

<Warning>
  Due to how Halo handles save files, enabling `multiple_instances` will cause the game to crash if you create checkpoints. Turn this off if you intend to play campaign!

  Each instance needs its own client port to join games. Setting `client_port=0` ensures this.
</Warning>

<ParamField path="hash" type="string" default="%">
  Use a custom hash for identification. Can be a string up to 32 characters OR `%` for a random hash.
</ParamField>

### Example: Multiple Instances

```ini theme={null}
[halo]
;multiple_instances=1
client_port=0
hash=%
```

## Complete Example

Here's a complete example configuration:

```ini theme={null}
[halo]
# Enable console
console=1

# Use optimal defaults for PC
optimal_defaults=1

# Allow background playback
background_playback=1

# Auto-assign client port
client_port=0

# Random hash
hash=%

# Custom paths (optional)
;path=C:\Games\Halo\Profiles
;download_map_path=C:\Games\Halo\Downloads
;exec=C:\Games\Halo\autoexec.txt
```