---
name: "radcli_ctx_read_config"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "radcli"
version: "2.0.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/radcli_ctx_read_config"
---

# radcli\_ctx\_read\_config(3)

Create a context by parsing a config file the main, recommended way to configure radcli.

## NAME

radcli\_ctx\_read\_config - Create a context by parsing a config file  the main, recommended way to configure radcli.

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <radcli/>

radcli_ctx * radcli_ctx_read_config(
    const char  *filename,
    unsigned     flags
);
```

## DESCRIPTION

Parses filename, validates every option, initialises the transport (including the TLS/DTLS handshake for TLS/DTLS transports), and loads the built-in RFC 2865/2866/2869 dictionary plus the file's own dictionary= option, if set  radcli\_ctx\_read\_dictionary() need not be called separately for the common case, unless RADCLI\_CTX\_NO\_BUILTIN\_DICT is set in flags. Uses the same file format and recognised options as radcli.h's rc\_read\_config(), so an existing radiusclient.conf written for the legacy API loads unchanged.

## PARAMETERS

- **filename**

  path to the configuration file.

- **flags**

  a bitwise OR of radcli\_ctx\_flags, or 0 for the common case.

## RETURN VALUE

the new context, or NULL on failure (missing/unreadable file, invalid option, an unknown flags bit, or transport initialisation failure).

## SEE ALSO

[*radcli\_ctx\_apply*(3)](/radcli_ctx_apply/3.md), [*radcli\_ctx\_free*(3)](/radcli_ctx_free/3.md), [*radcli\_ctx\_get\_opt\_int*(3)](/radcli_ctx_get_opt_int/3.md), [*radcli\_ctx\_get\_opt\_str*(3)](/radcli_ctx_get_opt_str/3.md), [*radcli\_ctx\_new*(3)](/radcli_ctx_new/3.md), [*radcli\_ctx\_read\_dictionary*(3)](/radcli_ctx_read_dictionary/3.md), [*radcli\_ctx\_read\_dictionary\_from\_buffer*(3)](/radcli_ctx_read_dictionary_from_buffer/3.md), [*radcli\_ctx\_set\_opt\_int*(3)](/radcli_ctx_set_opt_int/3.md), [*radcli\_ctx\_set\_opt\_str*(3)](/radcli_ctx_set_opt_str/3.md), [*radcli\_ctx\_set\_secret*(3)](/radcli_ctx_set_secret/3.md), [*radcli\_ctx\_set\_tls\_psk*(3)](/radcli_ctx_set_tls_psk/3.md)