Sudo News

[2013-09-11] Sudo version 1.8.8rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.8rc1.

[2013-09-03] Sudo version 1.8.8b3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.8b3.

[2013-08-26] Sudo version 1.8.8b2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.8b2.

[2013-08-16] Sudo version 1.8.8b1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.8b1.

[2013-06-13] Sudo version 1.8.7 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.7.

[2013-05-30] Sudo version 1.8.7rc4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.7rc4.

[2013-05-18] Sudo version 1.8.7rc3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.7rc3.

[2013-05-04] Sudo version 1.8.7rc2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.7rc2.

[2013-04-30] Sudo version 1.8.7rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.7rc1.

[2013-04-26] Sudo version 1.8.7b3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.7b3.

[2013-04-18] Sudo version 1.8.7b2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.7b2.

[2013-04-11] Sudo version 1.8.6p8 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6p8.

[2013-04-02] Sudo version 1.8.7b1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.7b1.

[2013-02-27] Sudo version 1.8.6p7 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6p7.
This version fixes two potential security issues related to the time stamp files used by sudo. The first issue may allow a user to bypass authentication if they are able to reset the system clock. The second issue may allow a user to bypass the tty_tickets constraints.

[2013-02-27] Sudo version 1.7.10p7 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10p7.
This version fixes a potential security issue that may allow a user to bypass authentication if they are able to reset the system clock.

[2013-02-11] Sudo version 1.7.10p6 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10p6.
This version fixes a potential security issue that may allow a user to bypass the tty_tickets constraints.

[2013-01-31] Sudo version 1.8.6p6 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6p6.

[2013-01-31] Sudo version 1.7.10p5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10p5.

[2013-01-24] Sudo version 1.8.6p5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6p5.

[2013-01-15] Sudo version 1.8.6p4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6p4.

[2013-01-15] Sudo version 1.7.10p4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10p4.

[2012-09-18] Sudo version 1.8.6p3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6p3.

[2012-09-18] Sudo version 1.7.10p3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10p3.

[2012-09-17] Sudo version 1.8.6p2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6p2.

[2012-09-17] Sudo version 1.7.10p2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10p2.

[2012-09-12] Sudo version 1.8.6p1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6p1.

[2012-09-12] Sudo version 1.7.10p1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10p1.

[2012-09-04] PDF versions of the sudo manuals are now available for download.

[2012-09-04] Sudo version 1.8.6 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6.

[2012-09-04] Sudo version 1.7.10 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10.

[2012-08-31] Sudo version 1.8.6rc3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6rc3.

[2012-08-28] Sudo version 1.8.6rc2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6rc2.

[2012-08-28] Sudo version 1.7.10rc5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10rc5.

[2012-08-24] Sudo version 1.8.6rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6rc1.

[2012-08-24] Sudo version 1.7.10rc4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10rc4.

[2012-08-13] Sudo version 1.8.5p3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5p3.

[2012-08-10] Sudo version 1.8.6b4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6b4.

[2012-07-19] Sudo version 1.8.6b3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6b3.

[2012-07-02] Sudo version 1.8.6b2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6b2.

[2012-07-02] Sudo version 1.7.10rc3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10rc3.

[2012-06-29] Sudo version 1.8.6b1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.6b1.

[2012-06-29] Sudo version 1.7.10rc2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10rc2.

[2012-06-12] Sudo version 1.7.10rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10rc1.

[2012-05-29] Sudo version 1.8.5p2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5p2.

[2012-05-24] Sudo version 1.7.10b1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.10b1.

[2012-05-17] Sudo version 1.8.5p1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5p1.

[2012-05-16] Sudo version 1.8.5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5.

[2012-05-16] Sudo version 1.8.4p5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4p5.
Sudo version 1.7.9p1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.9p1.
These releases fix a potential security issue that may allow a user who is authorized to run commands on hosts belonging to one IPv4 network to run commands on a different host.

[2012-05-10] Sudo version 1.8.5rc5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5rc5.

[2012-05-09] Sudo version 1.8.5rc4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5rc4.

[2012-04-24] Sudo version 1.8.5rc3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5rc3.

[2012-04-16] Sudo version 1.8.5rc2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5rc2.

[2012-04-13] Sudo version 1.8.5rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5rc1.

[2012-04-10] Sudo version 1.8.5b8 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5b8.

[2012-04-10] Sudo version 1.8.5b7 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5b7.

[2012-04-06] Sudo version 1.8.5b6 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5b6.

[2012-04-05] Sudo version 1.8.5b5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5b5.

[2012-03-30] Sudo version 1.8.5b4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5b4.

[2012-03-29] Sudo version 1.8.5b3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5b3.

[2012-03-16] Sudo version 1.8.5b2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5b2.

[2012-03-15] Sudo version 1.8.5b1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.5b1.

[2012-03-12] Sudo version 1.8.4p4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4p4.

[2012-03-12] Sudo version 1.8.4p3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4p3.

[2012-02-27] Sudo version 1.8.4p2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4p2.

[2012-02-21] Sudo version 1.8.4p1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4p1.

[2012-02-17] Sudo version 1.8.4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4.
Sudo version 1.7.9 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.9.

[2012-02-06] Sudo version 1.8.4rc2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4rc2.

[2012-01-30] Sudo version 1.8.3p2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.3p2. This release fixes a potential format string vulnerability when the -D (debugging) flag is used.

[2012-01-29] Sudo version 1.8.4rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4rc1.

[2012-01-29] Sudo version 1.7.9rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.9rc1.

[2012-01-27] Sudo version 1.7.8p2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.8p2.

[2012-01-17] Sudo version 1.8.4b5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4b5.

[2012-01-13] Sudo version 1.8.4b4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4b4.

[2012-01-12] Sudo version 1.7.9b1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.9b1.

[2012-01-12] Sudo version 1.8.4b3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4b3.

[2012-01-11] Sudo version 1.8.4b2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4b2.

[2012-01-06] Sudo version 1.8.4b1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.4b1.

[2011-12-15] Quest One Privilege Manager for Sudo is now available. This is the first third-party plugin for Sudo 1.8.1 and higher.

[2011-10-25] Sudo version 1.8.3p1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.3p1.
Sudo version 1.7.8p1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.8p1.

[2011-10-21] Sudo version 1.8.3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.3.
Sudo version 1.7.8 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.8.

[2011-10-10] Sudo version 1.8.3rc5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.3rc5.
Sudo version 1.7.8rc5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.8rc5.

[2011-10-04] Sudo version 1.8.3rc4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.3rc4.

[2011-10-02] Sudo version 1.8.3rc3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.3rc3.
Sudo version 1.7.8rc3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.8rc3.

[2011-09-22] Sudo version 1.8.3rc2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.3rc2.
Sudo version 1.7.8rc2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.8rc2.

[2011-09-16] Sudo version 1.8.3rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.3rc1.
Sudo version 1.7.8rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.8rc1.

[2011-08-17] Sudo version 1.8.2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2.
Sudo version 1.7.7 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.7.

[2011-08-14] Sudo version 1.7.7rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.7rc1.

[2011-08-12] Sudo version 1.8.2rc12 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2rc12.

[2011-08-11] Sudo version 1.8.2rc11 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2rc11.

[2011-08-10] Sudo version 1.8.2rc10 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2rc10.

[2011-08-05] Sudo version 1.8.2rc9 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2rc9.

[2011-07-27] Sudo version 1.8.2rc8 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2rc8.

[2011-07-22] Sudo version 1.8.2rc7 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2rc7.

[2011-07-03] Sudo version 1.8.2rc6 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2rc6.

[2011-06-29] Sudo version 1.8.2rc5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2rc5.

[2011-06-17] Sudo version 1.8.2rc4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2rc4.

[2011-06-17] Sudo version 1.8.2rc3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2rc3.

[2011-06-05] Sudo version 1.8.2rc2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2rc2.

[2011-05-22] Sudo version 1.8.2rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.2rc1.

[2011-05-16] Sudo version 1.8.1p2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.1p2.
Sudo version 1.7.6p2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.6p2.

[2011-04-15] Sudo version 1.8.1p1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.1p1.
Sudo version 1.7.6p1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.6p1.

[2011-04-09] Sudo version 1.8.1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.1.
Sudo version 1.7.6 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.6.

[2011-04-06] Sudo version 1.8.1rc3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.1rc3.
Sudo version 1.7.6rc3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.6rc3.

[2011-04-02] Sudo version 1.8.1rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.1rc1.
Sudo version 1.7.6rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.6rc1.

[2011-03-30] Sudo version 1.8.1b4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.1b4.
Sudo version 1.7.6b4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.6b4.

[2011-03-27] Sudo version 1.8.1b3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.1b3.
Sudo version 1.7.6b3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.6b3.

[2011-03-21] Sudo version 1.8.1b2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.1b2.
Sudo version 1.7.6b2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.6b2.

[2011-03-18] Sudo version 1.8.1b1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.1b1.
Sudo version 1.7.6b1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.6b1.

[2011-02-27] Sudo 1.8 presentation at SCALE 9x. The slides from the presentation are available. A video of the presentation is now available.

[2011-02-27] Sudo version 1.8.0 released. Major changes in sudo 1.8.0.
Sudo version 1.7.5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.5.

[2011-02-22] Sudo version 1.8.0rc1 released.
Sudo version 1.7.5rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.5rc1.

[2011-02-13] Sudo version 1.7.5b5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.5b5.

[2011-02-07] Sudo version 1.7.5b4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.5b4.

[2011-02-04] Sudo version 1.7.5b3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.5b3.
Sudo version 1.8.0b4 released.

[2011-01-21] Sudo version 1.7.5b2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.5b2.

[2011-01-19] Sudo version 1.7.4p6 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4p6.
This release fixes a bug in the I/O logging support that could cause visual artifacts in full-screen programs such as text editors.

[2011-01-12] Sudo version 1.7.4p5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4p5.
This release fixes a bug that would allow a user to run a command with their own user ID but with a different group without entering a password. The bug only affects sudoers entries that include a Runas_Group as part of the rule and affects user authentication only. Please see the security alert for more details if you are using that feature.

[2010-12-24] Today's xkcd features sudo in a Christmas comic.

[2010-11-03] Sudo version 1.7.5b1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.5b1.

[2010-09-07] Sudo version 1.7.4p4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4p4.
This release fixes a bug in how runas groups in the sudoers file are matched, which may have security implications if you are using that feature.

[2010-08-18] Sudo version 1.7.4p3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4p3.
This release fixes compilation problems on some platforms as well as a bug where duplicate HOME environment variables could be set when the env_reset setting is disabled and the always_set_home setting is enabled.

[2010-08-09] Sudo version 1.7.4p2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4p2.
This release fixes a bug where sudo could spin in a cpu loop waiting for the child process.

[2010-08-06] Sudo version 1.7.4p1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4p1.
This release fixes a bug introduced in sudo 1.7.3 that prevented the -k and -K options from functioning when the tty_tickets sudoers option was enabled.

[2010-07-30] Sudo version 1.7.4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4.
This is primarily a bugfix release. Beginning with this release, sudo binaries are available in package form.

[2010-07-29] Sudo version 1.7.4rc2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4rc2.

[2010-07-27] Sudo version 1.7.4rc1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4rc1.

[2010-07-26] Sudo version 1.7.4b5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4b5.

[2010-07-21] Sudo version 1.7.4b4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4b4.

[2010-07-20] Sudo version 1.7.4b3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4b3.

[2010-07-19] Sudo version 1.7.4b2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4b2.

[2010-07-17] Sudo version 1.7.4b1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.4b1.

[2010-06-29] Sudo version 1.7.3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.3.
One of the biggest changes in this release is support for logging a command's input and output as well as the ability to replay sessions.

[2010-06-29] Sudo version 1.7.2p8 released.
This release fixes a crash on AIX when LDAP support is enabled.

[2010-06-28] Sudo version 1.7.3rc1 released. This is a release candidate.

[2010-06-23] The Sudo web site has been given a facelift.

[2010-06-18] Sudo version 1.7.3b4 released.

[2010-06-14] Sudo version 1.7.3b3 released.

[2010-06-01] Sudo version 1.7.2p7 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.2p7.

[2010-06-01] Sudo version 1.6.9p23 released.

[2010-04-09] Sudo version 1.7.2p6 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.2p6.

[2010-04-09] Sudo version 1.6.9p22 released.

[2010-03-01] Sudo version 1.7.2p5 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.2p5.

[2010-02-23] Sudo version 1.6.9p21 released.

[2010-02-22] Sudo version 1.7.2p4 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.2p4.

[2010-02-13] Sudo version 1.7.2p3 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.2p3.

[2009-12-06] Sudo version 1.7.2p2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.2p2.

[2009-11-10] Microsoft was granted US patent 7,617,530 that some people incorrectly believed could be interpreted to cover Sudo on November 10, 2009.

[2009-07-28] Sudo version 1.7.2p1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.2p1.

[2009-07-11] Sudo version 1.7.2 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.2.

[2009-06-29] Sudo version 1.7.2rc1 released. This is a release candidate.

[2009-06-23] Sudo version 1.7.2b3 released.

[2009-06-21] Sudo version 1.7.2b2 released.

[2009-06-11] Sudo version 1.7.2b1 released.

[2009-04-11] Sudo version 1.7.1 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.1.

[2009-04-07] Sudo version 1.7.1rc1 released. This is a release candidate.

[2009-03-28] Sudo version 1.7.1b5 released.

[2009-03-19] Sudo version 1.7.1b4 released.

[2009-03-12] Sudo version 1.7.1b3 released.

[2009-03-07] Sudo version 1.7.1b2 released.

[2009-01-29] Sudo version 1.6.9p20 released.
This fixes a security flaw that could allow a user with sudo privileges to run commands as a different user than their access rule specifies.

[2008-12-19] Sudo version 1.7.0 released. Major changes in sudo 1.7.0.

[2008-12-14] Sudo version 1.7.0rc9 released. This is a release candidate.

[2008-12-03] Sudo version 1.7.0rc8 released. This is a release candidate.

[2008-12-03] Sudo version 1.6.9p19 released.

[2008-11-25] Sudo version 1.7.0rc7 released. This is a release candidate.

[2008-11-24] Sudo version 1.7.0rc6 released. This is a release candidate.

[2008-11-14] Sudo version 1.6.9p18 released. Happy Birthday to me!

[2008-11-11] Sudo version 1.7.0rc5 released. This is a release candidate.

[2008-11-10] Sudo version 1.7.0rc4 released. This is a release candidate.

[2008-11-04] Sudo version 1.7.0rc3 released. This is a release candidate.

[2008-06-26] Sudo version 1.6.9p17 released.

[2008-06-10] Sudo version 1.7.0rc2 released. This is a release candidate.

[2008-05-08] Sudo version 1.6.9p16 released.

[2008-05-08] Sudo version 1.7.0rc1 released. This is a release candidate.

[2008-03-27] Sudo version 1.6.9p15 released.

[2008-03-05] Sudo version 1.6.9p14 released.

[2008-02-20] Sudo version 1.6.9p13 released.
This is the first Sudo release to include support for implementing role-based access control (RBAC) via SELinux.

[2008-01-20] Sudo version 1.6.9p12 released.

[2008-01-05] Sudo version 1.6.9p11 released.

[2007-12-19] Sudo version 1.6.9p10 released.

[2007-12-03] Sudo version 1.6.9p9 released.

[2007-11-02] Sudo version 1.6.9p8 released.

[2007-10-25] Sudo version 1.6.9p7 released.

[2007-10-06] Sudo version 1.6.9p6 released.

[2007-09-05] Sudo version 1.6.9p5 released.

[2007-08-16] Sudo version 1.6.9p4 released.

[2007-08-02] Sudo version 1.6.9p3 released.

[2007-07-29] Sudo version 1.6.9p2 released.

[2007-07-26] Sudo version 1.6.9p1 released.

[2007-07-17] Sudo version 1.6.9 released.

[2005-11-08] Sudo version 1.6.8p12 released.

[2005-10-28] Sudo version 1.6.8p11 released.

[2005-10-27] Sudo version 1.6.8p10 released.
This fixes a security flaw that could allow a user with sudo privileges to run a bash script to run unauthorized commands.

[2005-06-29] Sudo version 1.6.8p9 released.
This fixes a security flaw that could allow a user with sudo privileges to run unauthorized commands.

[2005-03-31] Sudo version 1.6.8p8 released.

[2005-02-05] Sudo version 1.6.8p7 released.

[2005-01-01] Sudo version 1.6.8p6 released.

[2004-11-28] Sudo version 1.6.8p5 released.

[2004-11-17] Sudo version 1.6.8p4 released.

[2004-11-16] Sudo version 1.6.8p3 released.

[2004-11-11] Sudo version 1.6.8p2 released.
This fixes a security flaw with respect to running Bash scripts via Sudo.

[2004-09-15] Sudo version 1.6.8p1 released.
This fixes a security flaw in sudoedit that can expose the contents of normally unreadable files.

[2004-08-17] Sudo version 1.6.8 released.

[2004-08-10] Microsoft was granted US patent 6,775,781 that if interpreted very broadly might be interpreted to cover Sudo.

[2003-05-08] Sudo version 1.6.7p5 released.

[2003-04-16] Sudo version 1.6.7p4 released.

[2003-04-06] Sudo version 1.6.7p3 released.

[2003-04-03] Sudo version 1.6.7p2 released.

[2003-04-01] Sudo version 1.6.7p1 released.

[2003-03-31] Sudo version 1.6.7 released.

[2002-04-25] Sudo version 1.6.6 released.
This fixes a potential security hole (buffer overflow) present in sudo versions 1.5.7 - 1.6.5p2.

[2002-01-23] Sudo version 1.6.5p2 released.

[2002-01-18] Sudo version 1.6.5p1 released.

[2002-01-17] Sudo version 1.6.5 released.

[2002-01-16] Sudo version 1.6.4p2 released.

[2002-01-15] Sudo version 1.6.4p1 released.

[2002-01-14] Sudo version 1.6.4 released.

[2001-12-18] The Sudo mailing list archives are now searchable.

[2001-03-02] Sudo version 1.6.3p7 released.
This fixes the negating of path-type Defaults entries in a boolean context.

[2001-02-19] Sudo version 1.6.3p6 released.
This fixes a security problem (heap corruption). The bugs has been successfully exploited on Linux but requires intimate knowledge of how the system malloc() works. There is a paper on this.

[2000-08-13] Sudo version 1.6.3p5 released. This fixes the listpw and verifypw sudoers options.

[2000-08-04] Sudo version 1.6.3p4 released.
This fixes a bug in visudo.

[2000-05-14] Sudo version 1.6.3p3 released.
This adds a patch that was missing in version 1.6.3p2.

[2000-05-10] Sudo version 1.6.3p2 released.
This fixes three bugs present in version 1.6.3.

[2000-05-09] Sudo version 1.6.3p1 released.

[2000-04-09] The sudo mailing lists now use the MailMan mailing list manager.

[2000-03-26] Sudo version 1.6.3 released.

[2000-03-09] Sudo version 1.6.2p3 released.

[2000-02-26] Sudo version 1.6.2p2 released.

[2000-01-27] Sudo version 1.6.2p1 released.

[2000-01-24] Sudo version 1.6.2 released.
Version 1.6.2 is primarily a bugfix release.

[1999-12-10] Sudo version 1.6.1 released.
Version 1.6.1 is a bugfix release only and does not include any new features.

[1999-11-27] The sudo web site has a new layout.

[1999-11-17] Sudo version 1.6 released.
Version 1.6 features a more regular grammar and most features are now configurable at runtime.