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The --config flag allows you to override Dolphin configuration settings directly from the command line without modifying configuration files.

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Syntax

--config=<System>.<Section>.<Key>=<Value>
or shorthand: 
-C <System>.<Section>.<Key>=<Value>

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Format

Configuration options follow a three-level hierarchy:
  1. System - The configuration system (e.g., Dolphin, Core, DSP, GFX)
  2. Section - The section within the system (e.g., General, Interface)
  3. Key - The specific setting name
  4. Value - The value to set

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Multiple Configuration Options

You can specify multiple --config flags: 
dolphin-emu \
  --config=Core.CPUCore=1 \
  --config=Core.Overclock=1.5 \
  --config=Core.Framelimit=0 \
  --exec=game.iso

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Common Configuration Options

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Core Settings

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CPU Core Type

# Interpreter (most compatible, slowest)
--config=Core.CPUCore=0

# JIT Recompiler (default, fastest)
--config=Core.CPUCore=1

# JITIL Recompiler
--config=Core.CPUCore=2

# Cached Interpreter
--config=Core.CPUCore=4

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CPU Emulation Speed

# Default speed
--config=Core.Overclock=1.0

# 150% speed
--config=Core.Overclock=1.5

# 50% speed (half speed)
--config=Core.Overclock=0.5

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Frame Limit

# No limit (run as fast as possible)
--config=Core.Framelimit=0

# Auto (match game's native framerate)
--config=Core.Framelimit=100

# 60 FPS limit
--config=Core.Framelimit=60

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Sync GPU

# Enable (more accurate, slower)
--config=Core.SyncGPU=True

# Disable (faster)
--config=Core.SyncGPU=False

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Idle Skipping

# Enable (better performance)
--config=Core.SyncOnSkipIdle=True

# Disable (more accurate timing)
--config=Core.SyncOnSkipIdle=False

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Dolphin General Settings

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ISO Paths

# Set game search paths
--config=Dolphin.General.ISOPath0=/games/gamecube
--config=Dolphin.General.ISOPath1=/games/wii

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Confirm on Stop

--config=Dolphin.Interface.ConfirmStop=True

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Show FPS

--config=Dolphin.General.ShowFPS=True

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Graphics Settings

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Enable Widescreen Hack

--config=GFX.Settings.wideScreenHack=True

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Internal Resolution

# Native resolution (1x)
--config=GFX.Settings.InternalResolution=1

# 2x resolution
--config=GFX.Settings.InternalResolution=2

# 4x resolution
--config=GFX.Settings.InternalResolution=4

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Aspect Ratio

# Auto
--config=GFX.Settings.AspectRatio=0

# Force 16:9
--config=GFX.Settings.AspectRatio=1

# Force 4:3
--config=GFX.Settings.AspectRatio=2

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VSync

--config=GFX.Settings.VSync=True

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Anti-Aliasing

# None
--config=GFX.Settings.MSAA=0

# 2x MSAA
--config=GFX.Settings.MSAA=2

# 4x MSAA
--config=GFX.Settings.MSAA=4

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DSP Settings

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Audio Backend

# Cubeb (recommended)
--config=DSP.Settings.Backend=Cubeb

# No audio output
--config=DSP.Settings.Backend=No audio output

# OpenAL
--config=DSP.Settings.Backend=OpenAL

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DSP Emulation Engine

Note: The audio emulation engine can also be set via --audio_emulation: 
# HLE (High Level Emulation - faster)
--audio_emulation=HLE

# LLE (Low Level Emulation - more accurate)
--audio_emulation=LLE

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Finding Configuration Keys

Configuration files are located in the user directory:
  • Windows: %USERPROFILE%/Documents/Dolphin Emulator/Config/
  • Linux: ~/.local/share/dolphin-emu/Config/ or ~/.dolphin-emu/Config/
  • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Dolphin/Config/

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Main Configuration Files

  • Dolphin.ini - General Dolphin settings
  • GFX.ini - Graphics settings
  • DSP.ini - Audio settings
  • GameSettings.ini - Per-game settings
Examine these files to find available keys and their current values.

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Example Configurations

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Performance Testing

Maximum speed, no rendering: 
dolphin-emu \
  --batch \
  --exec=game.iso \
  --video_backend=Null \
  --config=Core.CPUCore=1 \
  --config=Core.Framelimit=0 \
  --config=Core.SyncOnSkipIdle=True \
  --config=DSP.Settings.Backend="No audio output"

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Accuracy Testing

Most accurate settings: 
dolphin-emu \
  --exec=game.iso \
  --audio_emulation=LLE \
  --config=Core.CPUCore=0 \
  --config=Core.SyncGPU=True \
  --config=Core.SyncOnSkipIdle=False

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High Quality Rendering

dolphin-emu \
  --exec=game.iso \
  --video_backend=Vulkan \
  --config=GFX.Settings.InternalResolution=8 \
  --config=GFX.Settings.MSAA=8 \
  --config=GFX.Settings.wideScreenHack=True \
  --config=GFX.Settings.AspectRatio=1

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Speedrun Practice

dolphin-emu \
  --exec=game.iso \
  --config=Dolphin.General.ShowFPS=True \
  --config=Core.Overclock=1.0 \
  --config=Dolphin.Interface.ConfirmStop=False

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TAS Recording

Deterministic settings for tool-assisted speedruns: 
dolphin-emu \
  --exec=game.iso \
  --config=Core.CPUCore=0 \
  --config=Core.SyncGPU=True \
  --config=Core.GPUDeterminismMode=fake-completion \
  --audio_emulation=LLE

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Value Types

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Boolean Values

--config=Setting=True
--config=Setting=False

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Numeric Values

# Integer
--config=Setting=4

# Float
--config=Setting=1.5

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String Values

# Simple string
--config=Setting=value

# String with spaces (use quotes)
--config=Setting="value with spaces"

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Persistence

Command-line configuration options:
  • Override the current configuration
  • Do not permanently modify configuration files
  • Only apply for the current session
To make changes permanent, modify the configuration files directly or change settings through the GUI.

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Precedence

Configuration sources in order of priority (highest to lowest):
  1. Command-line --config flags
  2. Game-specific settings (GameSettings.ini)
  3. User configuration files (Dolphin.ini, GFX.ini, etc.)
  4. Default values

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Debugging Configuration

View effective configuration: 
# Enable logger to see loaded configuration
dolphin-emu \
  --logger \
  --config=Core.CPUCore=1 \
  --exec=game.iso
Configuration loading is logged at startup, allowing you to verify which settings are active.

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See Also