# \[FAQ\]: How io.Connect Desktop loads and applies configuration files

**URL:** <https://community.interop.io/t/faq-how-io-connect-desktop-loads-and-applies-configuration-files/265>\
**Category:** io.Connect Desktop\
**Tags:** FAQs, configuration, startup\
**Created:** [October 17, 2025, 1:17pm UTC](https://community.interop.io/t/faq-how-io-connect-desktop-loads-and-applies-configuration-files/265 "2025-10-17T13:17:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![toni.petrov](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/community.interop.io/toni.petrov/32/17_2.png) [@toni.petrov](https://community.interop.io/u/toni.petrov)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 1:17pm UTC](https://community.interop.io/t/faq-how-io-connect-desktop-loads-and-applies-configuration-files/265/1 "2025-10-17T13:17:38Z")

</div>

### Question

How and when does io.Connect Desktop process configuration files, such as _system.json_ or _application.json_? When are these settings loaded, and will changes take effect without restarting the platform?

### Answer

Configuration files such as `system.json`, `application.json`, and other related definitions are read and applied when the io.Connect Desktop platform starts. A [gilding](https://docs.interop.io/desktop/developers/configuration/system/index.html#gilding_configuration) executable file can fetch remote configurations and perform other initial operations right before that (configured in `gilding.json`).

When io.Connect starts up, it loads these configurations into memory, initializing services like the App Management, Layouts, and Window Management APIs. Any edits to these configuration files while the platform is running won’t be applied automatically. The platform needs to be restarted to reload and apply the updated settings.

Related: [io.Connect Desktop Documentation - Configuration \> System](https://docs.interop.io/desktop/developers/configuration/system/index.html)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![steven.paske](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/community.interop.io/steven.paske/32/144_2.png) [@steven.paske](https://community.interop.io/u/steven.paske)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://community.interop.io/t/faq-how-io-connect-desktop-loads-and-applies-configuration-files/265/2 "2025-10-21T13:30:18Z")

</div>

Is it worth mentioning the gilding process for pulling from remote configuration?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![toni.petrov](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/community.interop.io/toni.petrov/32/17_2.png) [@toni.petrov](https://community.interop.io/u/toni.petrov)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 2:23pm UTC](https://community.interop.io/t/faq-how-io-connect-desktop-loads-and-applies-configuration-files/265/3 "2025-10-21T14:23:00Z")

</div>

> [@steven.paske](#):
>
> Is it worth mentioning the gilding process for pulling from remote configuration?

Good call! `gilding.json` is processed first and needs restart to apply changes.