Configuration

VoLCA is configured through a TOML file, typically named volca.toml. Pass it to any command with --config volca.toml.

Server

[server]
port = 8080
password = "secret"     # optional — if set, all API requests require auth

Field	Default	Description
port	8080	HTTP port
password	—	If set, requires Authorization: Bearer <password> or --password flag

Databases

Each database is a [[databases]] entry. VoLCA supports EcoSpold 2, EcoSpold 1, SimaPro CSV, and ILCD formats.

[[databases]]
name = "ecoinvent"            # display name used in --db flag
format = "ecospold2"          # ecospold2 | ecospold1 | simapro | ilcd
path = "/data/ecoinvent-3.10" # directory with the data files
load = true                   # load at startup (false = available but not pre-loaded)

[[databases]]
name = "agribalyse"
format = "simapro"
path = "/data/agribalyse4.csv"
load = true
depends_on = ["ecoinvent"]    # cross-database linking (flows resolved against ecoinvent)

Field	Description
name	Unique name; used as --db NAME in CLI
format	ecospold2, ecospold1, simapro, ilcd
path	Directory or file path to the data
load	true = load at startup; false = available on demand
depends_on	List of database names for cross-database flow linking

Supported formats

Format	Extension / structure
EcoSpold 2	Directory of .spold files
EcoSpold 1	Directory of .spold files (older format)
SimaPro CSV	Single .csv file
ILCD	Directory with processes/ and flows/ subdirectories

Methods (LCIA)

Methods are uploaded separately via volca method upload or pre-configured here.

[[methods]]
name = "EF3.1"
path = "/data/EF3.1"   # directory with ILCD method XML files
load = true

Flow synonyms

Flow synonyms help VoLCA match biosphere flows across databases that use different naming conventions.

[[flow_synonyms]]
name = "default"
path = "/data/flow-synonyms.csv"
load = true

Compartment mappings

Maps compartment names to a canonical set for cross-database flow matching.

[[compartment_mappings]]
name = "default"
path = "/data/compartments.csv"
load = true

Unit definitions

Custom unit conversion tables.

[[units]]
name = "default"
path = "/data/units.csv"
load = true

Classification presets

Shortcut filters for activity search.

[[classification_presets]]
name = "food"
system = "ISIC rev.4 ecoinvent"
values = ["01", "02", "03", "10", "11"]

Complete example

[server]
port = 8080

[[databases]]
name = "ecoinvent"
format = "ecospold2"
path = "/data/ecoinvent-3.10-cutoff"
load = true

[[databases]]
name = "agribalyse"
format = "simapro"
path = "/data/agribalyse4.csv"
load = true
depends_on = ["ecoinvent"]

[[methods]]
name = "EF3.1"
path = "/data/EF3.1"
load = true

[[flow_synonyms]]
name = "default"
path = "/data/flow-synonyms.csv"
load = true