remove config.ini, replace disclaimer with sentinel file

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -4,6 +4,21 @@ All notable changes to NotAlterra are documented in this file.
 
 ---
 
+## [v0.3.2] — 2026-06-02
+
+### Removed
+- **`config.ini` eliminated entirely** — no save path, disclaimer flag, or
+  scan timestamp is written to disk anymore. The save folder is session-only,
+  entered via **Set save folder**. The disclaimer acceptance is tracked via a
+  0-byte sentinel file (`NotAlterra_LICENSE_ACCEPTED`) alongside the binary.
+  - `src/config.rs` reduced to sentinel utilities and `exe_dir()`
+  - `AppConfig`, `load_config()`, `save_config()` removed
+  - Integration tests for config round-trips removed (replaced by sentinel test)
+
+### Changed
+- `get_ini_path()` now derives the Config/Windows path from the save folder
+  at runtime — no cached `ini_path` in memory or on disk.
+
 ## [v0.3.1] — 2026-06-02
 
 ### Added

Cargo.lock

@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "notalterra"
-version = "0.3.1"
+version = "0.3.2"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "chrono",

Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "notalterra"
-version = "0.3.1"
+version = "0.3.2"
 edition = "2021"
 authors = ["NotAlterra"]
 license = "MIT"

GOVERNANCE.md

@@ -85,9 +85,6 @@ Planned changes for upcoming releases, ordered by priority.
 | Target | Item |
 |--------|------|
 | v0.4.0 | Extract `validate_custom_path` and `derive_ini_path` from `discovery.rs`, then remove the module |
-| v0.4.0 | Replace `disclaimer_accepted` with 0-byte sentinel file |
-| v0.4.0 | Drop `save_scan` from `config.ini` |
-| v0.4.0 | Remove `config.ini` entirely — re-request path each session |
 
 Items may shift between releases depending on feedback and urgency.
 

KNOWN_ISSUES.md

@@ -1,24 +1,10 @@
 # Known Issues
 
-## config.ini persists the save path
-
-`config.ini` caches the save-folder path on disk next to the binary. Paths are
-sanitized in transaction logs, but the raw path remains in the config file for
-re-use across sessions.
-
-The recommended workflow now uses **Set save folder** from the main menu to
-enter paths manually. Delete `config.ini` to clear the cached path — the app
-will prompt you to set a new one on next launch.
-
-**Planned**: Remove `config.ini` entirely in a future release. The path would
-be re-requested from the user on each session. v0.4.0 target.
-
 ## Discovery module is deprecated
 
 Auto-scan for save folders (`discovery.rs`) is deprecated in favor of the
-**Set save folder** menu option. The `Locate save files` item shows a
-deprecation notice once per session. Scanning user profiles and system
-directories is a privacy concern and this module is scheduled for removal.
+**Set save folder** menu option. The module remains for `validate_custom_path`
+and `derive_ini_path` utilities.
 
-**Planned**: Remove `discovery.rs` entirely in v0.4.0. Users will enter their
-save path manually via `Set save folder`.
+**Planned**: Extract the two utility functions into `config.rs`, then remove
+`discovery.rs` entirely in v0.4.0.

README.md

@@ -114,30 +114,22 @@ path manually (paste is supported). The menu is keyboard-driven:
     ...
 ```
 
-Use **Set save folder** from the menu to enter your save path. The path is
-persisted in `config.ini` for re-use across sessions. Delete the config file
-or use the menu option again to change it.
+Use **Set save folder** from the menu to enter your save path (paste is
+supported). The path exists only in memory for the current session —
+re-enter it the next time you run the tool.
 
 Backups are stored in `NotAlterra_Backups\` alongside the binary.
 
 
-## config.ini
+## Session Persistence
 
-Created automatically next to the binary:
+No configuration file is written to disk. The save folder path exists only
+in memory for the current session — set it each time via **Set save folder**
+from the main menu (paste is supported).
 
-```ini
-[alterra]
-save_path = C:\Users\...\Subnautica2\Saved\SaveGames
-save_scan = 2026-05-31 18:00:00
-disclaimer_accepted = true
-ini_path = C:\Users\...\Subnautica2\Saved\Config\Windows
-```
-
-Delete `config.ini` to clear the cached path — you will be prompted to set
-a new one on next launch.
-
-Only the disclaimer flag and save-folder paths are stored — no backup
-state or file metadata is persisted.
+The disclaimer acceptance is tracked via a 0-byte sentinel file
+(`NotAlterra_LICENSE_ACCEPTED`) alongside the binary. Delete this file to
+re-prompt the disclaimer on next launch.
 
 
 ## Platform Support

_release.md

@@ -4,6 +4,13 @@ Cross-platform terminal application.  No admin permissions or network access req
 Pre-compiled binaries — no installation, no dependencies.  Just download,
 extract, and run.
 
+### v0.3.2
+
+• `config.ini` removed entirely — no paths written to disk
+• Save folder is session-only, entered via `Set save folder`
+• Disclaimer tracked via 0-byte sentinel file (`NotAlterra_LICENSE_ACCEPTED`)
+• Sentinel and path utilities live in reduced `config.rs`
+
 ### v0.3.1
 
 • Patrolling whale added to Set save folder input dialog

src/config.rs

@@ -1,138 +1,34 @@
-//! config.ini read/write.
+//! Minimal path utilities — no persistent config.
 //!
-//! The file sits next to the binary and stores cached paths plus the
-//! disclaimer-acceptance flag.  Format is a flat `[alterra]` section:
-//!
-//! ```ini
-//! [alterra]
-//! save_path = C:\Users\...\Subnautica2\Saved\SaveGames
-//! save_scan = 2026-05-26 19:45:22
-//! disclaimer_accepted = true
-//! ini_path = C:\Users\...\Subnautica2\Saved\Config\Windows
-//! ```
+//! Save folder and Config/Windows paths are now session-only, entered
+//! via the `Set save folder` menu. The disclaimer acceptance is tracked
+//! via a 0-byte sentinel file (`NotAlterra_LICENSE_ACCEPTED`) next to the
+//! binary instead of a config file.
 
-use anyhow::{Context, Result};
-use std::fs;
-use std::io::{BufRead, BufReader, Write};
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 
-/// In-memory representation of the config.ini keys.
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Default)]
-pub struct AppConfig {
-    /// Last-known save folder (SaveGames)
-    pub save_path: Option<String>,
-    /// Last-known Config\Windows folder
-    pub ini_path: Option<String>,
-    /// Timestamp of last successful scan
-    pub save_scan: Option<String>,
-    /// Whether disclaimer was accepted
-    pub disclaimer_accepted: bool,
+/// Path to the disclaimer sentinel file alongside the binary.
+pub fn sentinel_path() -> PathBuf {
+    exe_dir().join("NotAlterra_LICENSE_ACCEPTED")
 }
 
-/// Path to config.ini alongside the binary.
-pub fn ini_path() -> PathBuf {
-    let exe_dir = std::env::current_exe()
-        .ok()
-        .and_then(|p| p.parent().map(Path::to_path_buf))
-        .unwrap_or_else(|| PathBuf::from("."));
-    exe_dir.join("config.ini")
+/// Return `true` if the disclaimer sentinel exists.
+pub fn disclaimer_accepted() -> bool {
+    sentinel_path().exists()
 }
 
-/// Read and parse config.ini.
-pub fn load_config(path: &Path) -> Result<AppConfig> {
-    let mut cfg = AppConfig::default();
-
-    if !path.exists() {
-        return Ok(cfg);
-    }
-
-    let f = fs::File::open(path)
-        .with_context(|| format!("cannot open {}", path.display()))?;
-    let reader = BufReader::new(f);
-
-    for line in reader.lines() {
-        let line = line?;
-        let trimmed = line.trim();
-
-        if trimmed.is_empty() || trimmed.starts_with('[') {
-            continue;
-        }
-
-        if let Some(val) = trimmed.strip_prefix("save_path").and_then(strip_eq) {
-            cfg.save_path = Some(val.to_string());
-        } else if let Some(val) = trimmed.strip_prefix("ini_path").and_then(strip_eq) {
-            cfg.ini_path = Some(val.to_string());
-        } else if let Some(val) = trimmed.strip_prefix("save_scan").and_then(strip_eq) {
-            cfg.save_scan = Some(val.to_string());
-        } else if let Some(val) = trimmed.strip_prefix("disclaimer_accepted").and_then(strip_eq) {
-            cfg.disclaimer_accepted = val.trim() == "true";
-        }
-    }
-
-    Ok(cfg)
-}
-
-/// Strip `=` and surrounding whitespace.  Returns `Some(value)`.
-fn strip_eq(s: &str) -> Option<&str> {
-    Some(s.trim().strip_prefix('=')?.trim())
-}
-
-/// Write config back to disk, preserving non-managed keys.
-pub fn save_config(path: &Path, cfg: &AppConfig) -> Result<()> {
-    // Preserve unknown keys by reading the old file first.
-    let preserved = preserved_keys(path).unwrap_or_default();
-
-    if let Some(parent) = path.parent() {
-        fs::create_dir_all(parent).ok();
-    }
-
-    let mut f = fs::File::create(path)
-        .with_context(|| format!("cannot write {}", path.display()))?;
-
-    writeln!(f, "[alterra]")?;
-
-    if let Some(ref lp) = cfg.save_path {
-        writeln!(f, "save_path = {lp}")?;
-    }
-    if let Some(ref cp) = cfg.ini_path {
-        writeln!(f, "ini_path = {cp}")?;
-    }
-    if let Some(ref ls) = cfg.save_scan {
-        writeln!(f, "save_scan = {ls}")?;
-    }
-    writeln!(
-        f,
-        "disclaimer_accepted = {}",
-        cfg.disclaimer_accepted
-    )?;
-
-    // Append any extra keys we didn't touch
-    for (k, v) in &preserved {
-        writeln!(f, "{k} = {v}")?;
-    }
-
+/// Create the disclaimer sentinel (0-byte file).
+pub fn accept_disclaimer() -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    std::fs::write(sentinel_path(), [])?;
     Ok(())
 }
 
-/// Collect key/value pairs from the old config that this tool doesn't own.
-fn preserved_keys(path: &Path) -> Result<Vec<(String, String)>> {
-    let known = &["save_path", "ini_path", "save_scan", "disclaimer_accepted"];
-    let mut out = Vec::new();
-
-    let f = fs::File::open(path)?;
-    for line in BufReader::new(f).lines() {
-        let line = line?;
-        let trimmed = line.trim();
-        if trimmed.is_empty() || trimmed.starts_with('[') {
-            continue;
-        }
-        if let Some(eq) = trimmed.find('=') {
-            let key = trimmed[..eq].trim();
-            if !known.contains(&key) {
-                let val = trimmed[eq + 1..].trim();
-                out.push((key.to_string(), val.to_string()));
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    Ok(out)
+/// Return the directory containing the running executable.
+pub fn exe_dir() -> PathBuf {
+    std::env::current_exe()
+        .ok()
+        .and_then(|p| p.parent().map(Path::to_path_buf))
+        .unwrap_or_else(|| PathBuf::from("."))
 }
+
+

src/main.rs

@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ mod tui;
 
 use anyhow::Result;
 use chrono::TimeZone;
-use config::AppConfig;
 use crossterm::{
     event::{self, DisableBracketedPaste, DisableMouseCapture, EnableBracketedPaste, EnableMouseCapture, Event, KeyCode, KeyEventKind},
     execute,
@@ -71,8 +70,6 @@ fn main() -> Result<()> {
 // ── app state ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 struct App {
-    config: AppConfig,
-    ini_path: PathBuf,
     log_path: PathBuf,
     save_folder: Option<PathBuf>,
     tui_state: tui::AppState,
@@ -80,24 +77,11 @@ struct App {
 
 impl App {
     fn new() -> Result<Self> {
-        let ini_path = crate::config::ini_path();
-        let config = crate::config::load_config(&ini_path)?;
         let log_path = guard::log_path();
-
-        let save_folder = config.save_path.as_deref().map(PathBuf::from);
-
-        let mut tui_state = tui::AppState { version: VERSION.to_string(), ..Default::default() };
-
-        tui_state.save_path = save_folder.as_ref().map(|p| p.display().to_string());
-
-        // Refresh stats for the dashboard
-        refresh_stats(&mut tui_state, save_folder.as_deref());
-
+        let tui_state = tui::AppState { version: VERSION.to_string(), ..Default::default() };
         Ok(Self {
-            config,
-            ini_path,
             log_path,
-            save_folder,
+            save_folder: None,
             tui_state,
         })
     }
@@ -161,7 +145,7 @@ fn run_app<B: Backend>(terminal: &mut Terminal<B>) -> Result<()> {
     )?;
 
     // Disclaimer flow
-    if !app.config.disclaimer_accepted {
+    if !crate::config::disclaimer_accepted() {
         match run_disclaimer(terminal, &mut app)? {
             Some(true) => {}  // accepted
             _ => return Ok(()), // declined or cancelled on first launch → exit
@@ -242,14 +226,11 @@ fn run_disclaimer<B: Backend>(terminal: &mut Terminal<B>, app: &mut App) -> Resu
                 KeyCode::Left | KeyCode::Right | KeyCode::Up | KeyCode::Down => selected_yes = !selected_yes,
                 KeyCode::Char('y') | KeyCode::Char('Y') => {
                     guard::log_action("LICENSE", "accepted", "OK", &app.log_path)?;
-                    app.config.disclaimer_accepted = true;
-                    crate::config::save_config(&app.ini_path, &app.config)?;
+                    crate::config::accept_disclaimer()?;
                     return Ok(Some(true));
                 }
                 KeyCode::Char('n') | KeyCode::Char('N') => {
                     guard::log_action("LICENSE", "declined", "OK", &app.log_path)?;
-                    app.config.disclaimer_accepted = false;
-                    crate::config::save_config(&app.ini_path, &app.config)?;
                     return Ok(Some(false));
                 }
                 KeyCode::Esc => {
@@ -259,8 +240,9 @@ fn run_disclaimer<B: Backend>(terminal: &mut Terminal<B>, app: &mut App) -> Resu
                     let accepted = selected_yes;
                     let detail = if accepted { "accepted" } else { "declined" };
                     guard::log_action("LICENSE", detail, "OK", &app.log_path)?;
-                    app.config.disclaimer_accepted = accepted;
-                    crate::config::save_config(&app.ini_path, &app.config)?;
+                    if accepted {
+                        crate::config::accept_disclaimer()?;
+                    }
                     return Ok(Some(accepted));
                 }
                 _ => {}
@@ -300,8 +282,6 @@ fn action_set_save_folder<B: Backend>(terminal: &mut Terminal<B>, app: &mut App)
                                 let candidate = discovery::validate_custom_path(&sanitized);
                                 if let Some(path) = candidate {
                                     app.save_folder = Some(path.clone());
-                                    app.config.save_path = Some(path.display().to_string());
-                                    crate::config::save_config(&app.ini_path, &app.config)?;
                                     refresh_stats(&mut app.tui_state, app.save_folder.as_deref());
                                     let msg = format!("Save folder set to {}", path.display());
                                     app.set_status(&msg, tui::StatusStyle::Success);
@@ -992,23 +972,13 @@ fn ensure_save_folder<B: Backend>(_terminal: &mut Terminal<B>, app: &mut App) ->
     )
 }
 
-/// Derive the Config\Windows path from the save folder or cached config.
+/// Derive the Config\Windows path from the save folder.
 fn get_ini_path<B: Backend>(_terminal: &mut Terminal<B>, app: &mut App) -> Result<PathBuf> {
-    // Try cached config path
-    if let Some(ref cp) = app.config.ini_path {
-        let p = PathBuf::from(cp);
-        if p.exists() {
-            return Ok(p);
-        }
-    }
-
-    // Derive from save folder
     if let Some(ref sf) = app.save_folder {
         if let Some(cp) = discovery::derive_ini_path(sf) {
             return Ok(cp);
         }
     }
-
     anyhow::bail!(
         "Cannot determine Config/Windows path. Set your save folder first via 'Set save folder'."
     )