Categorical Configuration Language

CCL is a minimal configuration language that uses simple key-value pairs to create surprisingly powerful and composable configurations

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Why CCL?

Simple human-readable syntax

CCL is easy to read and write. The syntax is delightfully ", {, and } free! You can use indentation to organize hierarchical data, but you don’t have to.

Comments and multiline values

Unlike JSON, CCL supports comments and multiline values. Configuration files should be human-friendly.

Composable and extensible

The CCL core focuses on string-only key-value pairs with a progressive API. Build custom features on this simple foundation.

Mathematical foundation

Based on Category Theory principles, CCL provides predictable composition and merging behavior.

Quick Example

/= CCL supports comments and multiline values
notes =
  CCL is designed to be simple and composable, with a minimal core and optional features built on top.
  The CCL Test Suite provides hundreds of tests for validating implementations.

site =
  /= Indentation creates hierarchy
  id = abcdef0123456789
  name = My Site

  /= Keys and values are all strings and escaping and quoting are not needed.
  /= You'll get a string value exactly as you wrote it.
  name = Someone's Website About Something
  version = 1.0.0

/= Keys can contain special characters, including spaces and emojis
allowed origins =
  = https://example.com
  = https://www.example.com

debug_mode = ☠️