First Run

On first launch, Nova creates a settings file if it doesn’t exist.

Config file path is:

• Windows: %APPDATA%\nova\settings.toml
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/nova/settings.toml
• Linux: ~/.config/nova/settings.toml

Editing Settings

Nova reads settings.toml on startup.

Important behavior:

• If the file is missing, Nova writes an embedded default config.
• If the file exists but fails to parse as TOML, Nova overwrites it with defaults.

If you’re experimenting, keep a backup of settings.toml.

Command Palette

Nova includes a command palette with actions like:

• Ask AI
• Explain Error
• New Tab
• Settings

See Keybindings for changing the palette shortcut.

AI Overlay

If enabled, AI uses your question plus terminal context from the last command output.

See AI for providers, privacy notes, and troubleshooting.