Configuration

ANT is configured with environment variables. Copy .env.example to .env, set an API key, and then add only the host-specific options you need.

Required

Variable	Default	Description
ANT_API_KEY	required for external callers	Secret key for CLI, REST, and WebSocket access. Generate one with openssl rand -hex 32.

Server binding

Variable	Default	Description
ANT_PORT	6458	HTTP/WebSocket server port.
ANT_HOST	0.0.0.0	Server bind address.
ANT_SERVER_URL	derived from request	Public URL used in share links, CLI instructions, and prompt injection helpers.
PORT	falls back to ANT_PORT	Alternative port variable for platform hosts.
HOST	falls back to ANT_HOST	Alternative host variable for platform hosts.

Security and network access

Variable	Default	Description
ANT_TAILSCALE_ONLY	false	When true, restrict API requests to Tailscale addresses.
ANT_ALLOW_LOOPBACK	true	Allow loopback requests when Tailscale-only mode is enabled.
ANT_TLS_CERT	unset	Path to a TLS certificate for built-in HTTPS.
ANT_TLS_KEY	unset	Path to the TLS private key for built-in HTTPS.

Data and workspace paths

Variable	Default	Description
ANT_DATA_DIR	~/.ant-v3	Directory for ANT database and local operational state.
ANT_ROOT_DIR	unset	Optional root directory for project browsing and launch contexts.
ANT_OBSIDIAN_VAULT	auto-detected local default	Obsidian vault path for session exports, docs, and capture output.
ANT_QUICK_LAUNCH_FILE	~/.ant/quick-launch.json	Local quick-launch preset file for terminal command buttons.

Limits

Variable	Default	Description
ANT_MAX_ACTIVE_AGENTS	0	Advisory active-agent cap. 0 means unlimited.

Example .env

Security note

Never commit .env or API keys. Prefer Tailscale or another private network for personal deployments, and rotate ANT_API_KEY if it is exposed.