Configuration variables
Nightscout Pro exposes site configuration through Site Settings and its configuration controls. Cloud-source settings belong in PRO CONNECT. Changing a variable can affect access, data ingestion, alerts or calculations; do not enable features merely because they appear in a list.
Common settings
- API_SECRET: a case-sensitive administrative credential, at least 12 characters. Updating it also requires updating apps that use it.
- DISPLAY_UNITS: display preference for
mg/dLormmol/L. It does not change the units required by every other variable. - ENABLE: a space-separated list of plugins. Enable only features needed for your documented setup; plugins can add processing and actions, not just visual elements.
- AUTHDEFAULTROLES: default access. In Pro use Make My Nightscout Site Private to manage public/private viewing.
- CUSTOM_TITLE and THEME: site presentation.
Glucose thresholds
Nightscout’s environment variables BGHIGH, BGTARGETTOP, BGTARGETBOTTOM and BGLOW use mg/dL, even when display units are mmol/L. Do not enter mmol/L numbers directly into these fields. Follow the current Nightscout variable reference and your agreed alert plan; these display/alarm thresholds are not a replacement for an APS treatment profile.
Make a controlled change
- Record the old value privately.
- Change only the intended setting using the portal and save.
- Wait for the site update to finish, reopen the relevant screen and verify the result.
- If it fails, report the setting name and error without publishing secret values. Do not repeatedly resave unrelated variables.
For Loop push settings, use the dedicated remote-command guide. For a cloud source, follow its source-specific guide rather than adding a legacy bridge alongside Pro Connect.
Nightscout configuration reference.
Plugin reference
These names are selected examples from Nightscout’s plugin system; availability and behavior depend on your hosted version. Keep the existing required plugins when editing the space-separated ENABLE list.
| Plugin | Purpose and boundary |
|---|---|
careportal | Record treatment events; logging is not proof of a remote command. |
iob, cob | Display calculated insulin/carbohydrate information where required records and profile are available. |
basal, bolus, pump | Show available pump/treatment information; cannot supply absent source records. |
cage, sage, iage | Age indicators depend on recorded change events. |
loop, openaps | Display compatible uploader status; do not enable or change insulin delivery themselves. |
food, boluscalc, bwp | Food/calculation features need suitable data/settings and an understood workflow; do not enable them as a connectivity repair. |
bridge | Legacy Dexcom cloud ingestion; do not add alongside an existing Pro Connect/APS glucose stream without a deliberate source plan. |
DISABLE lists supported default features to hide; preserve an existing value unless you intend that display change. ALARM_TYPES selects the documented simple/predictive alarm behavior, which can differ from source-device alarms. Use alert guidance to verify the actual receiving app/device.
For a setting not covered here, consult the exact variable in the upstream reference before saving. Unknown defaults, version changes and therapy-related parameters should be reviewed rather than guessed.