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FEAT 022

id: FEAT-022 title: Startup config directory override — -c flag for alternate preferences path status: Done priority: Minor category: feature labels: [startup, config, testing, portability, sysadmin] milestone: ~ created: 2026-04-10 source: main commit fc70cf9 (FEAT-028 virtualize and harden shared files list)

Summary

This feature is merged to main.

eMule-main now accepts -c <base-dir> early in startup and redirects the effective config, log, and related profile paths below that selected base directory before normal preference initialization runs.

Although the original backlog reference came from the experimental branch, the mainline implementation landed as part of the broader shared-files performance and startup-hardening line in commit fc70cf9.

Landed Mainline Shape

Primary files:

  • srchybrid/StartupConfigOverride.h
  • srchybrid/Emule.cpp
  • supporting startup/config consumers touched on the same line

Key behavior:

  • -c <path> is parsed before config initialization
  • the effective config directory becomes <base-dir>\config\
  • the effective log directory becomes <base-dir>\logs\
  • preferences.ini, known.met, sharedcache.dat, and sibling runtime files follow the override
  • long-path-safe path handling is preserved on the override path

Why This Matters

This was a real testing and stability enabler, not just a convenience switch:

  • deterministic isolated live profiles for build-tests
  • multi-instance or staging configs without touching the user's normal profile
  • portable-style runs from explicit base directories
  • deep long-path config-root stress coverage without polluting the default profile

Validation Already In Place

The live test harness now exercises this path directly under long config roots:

  • repos\emulebb-build-tests\scripts\config-stability-ui-e2e.py
  • repos\emulebb-build-tests\scripts\config-stability-ui-e2e.py

That suite launches real emule.exe instances with explicit -c, edits/saves settings, verifies preferences.ini persistence across relaunch, and stresses repeated close/save cycles under overlong config paths.

Relationship To Other Items

  • complements FEAT-010 / BUG-029 long-path work because test and portable profiles can now live under deep paths
  • complements CI-008, which now carries the long-config live UI stability regression