---
name: "sysconf-loader"
section: "8"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/sysconf-loader"
---

# sysconf-loader(8)

configure boot loader directives

## NAME

**sysconf loader** – configure boot loader directives

## SYNOPSIS

**sysconf** **loader** \[**-AcDeFinNqvVx**\] \[**-j** *jail* \| **-R** *dir*\] \[**-f** *file*\] *name*\[\[+\|-\]=*value*\] *...*

**sysconf** **loader** \[**-ADeFnNqvV**\] \[**-f** *file*\] **-a**

**sysconf** **loader** \[**-AaDinNq**\] **-d** \[*name* *...*\]

**sysconf** **loader** \[**-E**\] **-l** \| **-L**

## DESCRIPTION

The **loader** target of [sysconf(8)](/sysconf/8.md) reads and modifies [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md) configuration. Shared assignment syntax and options are documented in [sysconf(8)](/sysconf/8.md); multi-file write policy in [sysconf-targets(8)](/sysconf-targets/8.md).

The file list is not hardcoded: just as the boot loader itself hardcodes only */boot/defaults/loader.conf*, **sysconf** names that defaults file and the *loader\_conf\_files*, *loader\_conf\_dirs*, and *local\_loader\_conf\_files* directives so that discovery matches the loader (see [bsdconf\_format(3)](/bsdconf_format/3.md) and [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md)). On a stock system this resolves to */boot/device.hints*, */boot/loader.conf*, */boot/loader.conf.d/\*.conf*, and */boot/loader.conf.local*, in that order; when the defaults file is missing, that stock list is assumed.

Values written for this target are always enclosed in quotes (quoted or unquoted input is accepted) with no whitespace around the equals sign, as demanded by the boot loader's reader.

The defaults file */boot/defaults/loader.conf* (or LOADER\_DEFAULTS) additionally supports **-d**, **-D**, and **-A** (see [sysconf-targets(8)](/sysconf-targets/8.md)). Space-separated list directives such as *kernels* use *name*+=*word* and *name*-=*word* as described in [sysconf(8)](/sysconf/8.md).

## ENVIRONMENT

- LOADER\_DEFAULTS

  Defaults file consulted in place of */boot/defaults/loader.conf* for file-list discovery and for **-d**, **-D**, and **-A**( in the vein of RC\_DEFAULTS in [sysrc(8)](/sysrc/8.md)). The value is used verbatim (not subject to **-R**).

## FILES

- */boot/defaults/loader.conf*

  Defaults and the authority on the file list.

- */boot/device.hints*

  First in the stock *loader\_conf\_files* list.

- */boot/loader.conf*

  Stock write target.

- */boot/loader.conf.d/*

  Drop-in directory.

- */boot/loader.conf.local*

  Site-local overrides, sourced last.

## EXAMPLES

```
sysconf loader zfs_load
```

```
sysconf loader zfs_load="YES"
```

```
sysconf loader -l
```

```
sysconf loader -d verbose_loading
```

```
sysconf loader -Ad
```

```
sysconf loader -D verbose_loading
```

```
sysconf loader -aD
```

```
sysconf loader -A
```

```
sysconf loader kernels+=kernel_test
```

```
sysconf loader kernels-=kernel_test
```

```
sysconf -a loader
```

```
sysconf loader -f /tmp/loader.conf.new zfs_load="YES"
```

## SEE ALSO

[bsdconf\_format(3)](/bsdconf_format/3.md), [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md), [sysconf(8)](/sysconf/8.md), [sysconf-targets(8)](/sysconf-targets/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **sysconf** utility first appeared in FreeBSD 16.0.

## AUTHORS

Devin Teske ⟨*dteske@FreeBSD.org*⟩ Faraz Vahedi ⟨*kfv@FreeBSD.org*⟩