# server: — SearXNG Documentation (2025.6.29+60be0f453)

# `server:`

    server:
        base_url: http://example.org/location  # change this!
        port: 8888
        bind_address: "127.0.0.1"
        secret_key: "ultrasecretkey"           # change this!
        limiter: false
        public_instance: false
        image_proxy: false
        method: "POST"
        default_http_headers:
          X-Content-Type-Options : nosniff
          X-Download-Options : noopen
          X-Robots-Tag : noindex, nofollow
          Referrer-Policy : no-referrer

`base_url``$SEARXNG_BASE_URL`

  The base URL where SearXNG is deployed. Used to create correct inbound links.

`port` & `bind_address`: `$SEARXNG_PORT` & `$SEARXNG_BIND_ADDRESS`

  Port number and bind address of the SearXNG web application if you run it directly using `python searx/webapp.py`. Doesn’t apply to a SearXNG services running behind a proxy and using socket communications.

`secret_key``$SEARXNG_SECRET`

  Used for cryptography purpose.

`limiter``$SEARXNG_LIMITER`

  Rate limit the number of request on the instance, block some bots. The Limiter requires a redis: database.

`public_instance` : `$SEARXNG_PUBLIC_INSTANCE`

> Setting that allows to enable features specifically for public instances (not needed for local usage). By set to `true` the following features are activated:

> - `searx.botdetection.link_token` in the Limiter

`image_proxy``$SEARXNG_IMAGE_PROXY`

  Allow your instance of SearXNG of being able to proxy images. Uses memory space.

`method``$SEARXNG_METHOD`

  Whether to use `GET` or `POST` HTTP method when searching.

`default_http_headers` :

  Set additional HTTP headers, see #755