How to Use Different Configurations in Klipper Without Copying Files

If you use Klipper and want to manage multiple configurations easily, you can use the KCONFIG_CONFIG environment variable. This allows you to compile the project with a selected configuration file without copying it to .config. In this article, I’ll walk you through how to do this and also show an alternative method using file copying.

Creating a Configuration

A configuration file for later use can be obtained in two ways: by creating a new configuration or by copying an existing one from the default .config file.

Option 1: Creating a New Configuration and Saving it to a File

  1. Launch the menu configuration tool, specifying the target configuration file:
    make KCONFIG_CONFIG=config-name menuconfig
  2. Configure the settings as needed and save them. The configuration will be saved in the config-name file, leaving the default .config file untouched.

Option 2: Copying an Existing Configuration

  1. Launch the menu configuration tool:
    make menuconfig
  2. Configure the settings as needed and save them to the default .config file.
  3. Copy the .config file to a new file:
    cp .config config-name

Using a Saved Configuration

To compile the project with a specific configuration, simply point to its file using the KCONFIG_CONFIG variable:

make KCONFIG_CONFIG=config-name

If you want to edit the configuration before compiling, you can reopen the menu configuration tool with that configuration:

make KCONFIG_CONFIG=config-name menuconfig

Summary

This approach saves time and avoids errors caused by overwriting files. Managing configurations becomes much simpler, and the build process is more organized. Whether you create a new configuration or use an existing one, using KCONFIG_CONFIG gives you flexibility and control over your project.