The config file

pack takes a long command line. Put the options in a TOML file instead and pass --config:

# everything from the file
.\target\release\installer_builder.exe pack --config .\pack.toml

# file as a base, override one value on the CLI
.\target\release\installer_builder.exe pack --config .\pack.toml --to-version 1.1

Keys are flat and snake_case, matching the CLI long names. Unknown keys are rejected, which catches typos. Booleans are true or false.

Merge rules

CLI arguments override the file. Anything absent from both uses the built-in default, or fails with a message naming the missing key if it is required.

Scalars and paths. The CLI value wins; otherwise the file value; otherwise the default.
The assoc list. A CLI --assoc list replaces the file's list entirely when given. It does not merge.
Booleans (force_reinstall, purge_unknown_files, skip_license, skip_path, upgrade_minimal_ui, show_uninstall_complete, reuse_stub). Either source can turn them on.
Tables ([[shortcut]], [[registry]], [[plugin]], [[feature]]) and feature_mode are config-file only. There are no CLI equivalents.

Via CLI or file: product, product_id, publisher, to_version, input, out, and exactly one of priv_key / priv_key_literal. In toolchain mode, one of pub_key / pub_key_literal is also required. An invalid product_id fails the build; see Full installers.

Key reference

Identity and content

Key	Type	Description
`product`	string	Display name.
`product_id`	string	Registry-safe id, stable across versions.
`publisher`	string	Vendor name.
`hintway_tenant_id`	string	Optional Hintway tenant UUID. Enables the Hintway build in toolchain mode; see Install analytics.
`to_version`	string	Version being packaged.
`input`	path	Directory of files to install.
`exe`	string	Main executable, relative to `input`.
`out`	path	Output installer path.

Signing and stub

Key	Type	Description
`priv_key`	path	Ed25519 private key file.
`priv_key_literal`	string	Private key as 64 hex chars. Mutually exclusive with `priv_key`.
`pub_key`	path	Public key file, compiled into the stub. Ignored in toolchain-free mode.
`pub_key_literal`	string	Public key as 64 hex chars. Mutually exclusive with `pub_key`.
`installer_stub`	path	Prebuilt `installer.exe`. Switches to toolchain-free mode; requires `uninstaller`.
`uninstaller`	path	Prebuilt `uninstall.exe`, paired with `installer_stub`.
`reuse_stub`	bool	Skip rebuilding the stub and uninstaller when they already exist (toolchain mode).

Patch mode

Key	Type	Description
`from_version`	string	Previous version. Required together with `from_dir`.
`from_dir`	path	Previous version's files, for delta generation.

Wizard and install behavior

Key	Type	Default	Description
`license`	path	built-in placeholder	UTF-8 EULA text shown on the License page.
`banner`	path	flat gray header	PNG painted across the wizard header. See Branding.
`assoc`	array	`[]`	File associations, entries of the form `".ext:Description"`.
`default_install_dir`	string	`%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\<product>`	Install path the UI proposes. `%VAR%` env tokens are expanded.
`skip_license`	bool	`false`	Hide the License page.
`skip_path`	bool	`false`	Hide the Choose-location page.
`install_dir_restriction`	string	`enforce`	Whether a fresh interactive install may target a non-empty folder: `enforce`, `default_dir_only`, or `bypass`. See Wizard pages and install location.
`launch_option`	string	`checked`	The "launch now" checkbox on the final page: `checked`, `unchecked`, or `hidden`.
`upgrade_minimal_ui`	bool	`false`	Upgrades use the compact minimal UI; a first install still gets the wizard.
`show_uninstall_complete`	bool	`false`	Show a confirmation message box at the end of an interactive uninstall.
`min_installer_version`	string	`1.0.0`	Minimum installer stub version allowed to run this payload.
`purge_unknown_files`	bool	`false`	On a full install over an existing copy, remove files not in this build. Ignored for patches.
`force_reinstall`	bool	`false`	Dev: rewrite all files, remove orphans, skip the from-version check.
`feature_mode`	string	`sticky`	How an upgrade seeds the active feature set: `sticky` or `override`. See Feature packs.

Tables

Declared as arrays of tables. Standard TOML ordering applies: put all flat keys above them, then the table blocks at the end of the file.

Table	Purpose
`[[shortcut]]`	Shortcuts to create. See Shortcuts.
`[[registry]]`	Free-form registry entries. See Registry keys.
`[[plugin]]`	Native DLL plugins. See Plugins.
`[[feature]]`	Feature packs mapping path globs to a feature id. See Feature packs.

Complete example

# pack.toml
product    = "My App"
product_id = "myapp"
publisher  = "My Company"
hintway_tenant_id = "your-tenant-id" # optional
to_version = "1.0"
input      = "build/myapp-1.0"
exe        = "myapp.exe"
out        = "dist/setup-myapp-1.0.exe"

priv_key = "keys/priv.key"
pub_key  = "keys/pub.key"

license = "legal/EULA-myapp-en.txt"
banner  = "branding/header-1400x144.png"
assoc   = [".myx:MyApp Document", ".myz:MyApp Archive"]

default_install_dir = "%LOCALAPPDATA%\\Programs\\MyApp"
launch_option       = "checked"

# Patch mode: uncomment to build a patch instead of a full installer.
# from_version = "0.9"
# from_dir     = "build/myapp-0.9"

# Toolchain-free mode: point at prebuilt binaries instead of cargo builds.
# pub_key above is then ignored; the stub carries its own baked-in key.
# installer_stub = "kit/installer.exe"
# uninstaller    = "kit/uninstall.exe"

[[shortcut]]
dir    = "%DESKTOP%"
name   = "%PRODUCT%"
target = "%EXE%"

[[shortcut]]
dir    = "%START_MENU%"
name   = "%PRODUCT%"
target = "%EXE%"

[[registry]]
hive  = "HKCU"
key   = "%APP_KEY%"
name  = "InstallDir"
type  = "sz"
value = "%INSTALL_DIR%"

Installway