# YAML configuration

![](https://static.scarf.sh/a.png?x-pxid=864c6f0e-8977-4838-8772-84416943548e)

## Before you get started

YAML has become essential in a cloud ecosystem. To minimize friction and provide a more intuitive experience for creating data pipelines, users are encouraged to transition to YAML.

Fluent Bit traditionally offered a `classic` configuration mode, a custom configuration format that's phasing out. While `classic` mode has served well for many years, it has several limitations. Its basic design only supports grouping sections with key-value pairs and lacks the ability to handle sub-sections or complex data structures like lists.

The YAML format enables features, such as processors, that aren't possible to configure in `classic` mode.

As of Fluent Bit v3.2, you can configure everything in YAML.

## List of available sections

Configuring Fluent Bit with YAML introduces the following root-level sections:

| Section Name        | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `service`           | Describes the global configuration for the Fluent Bit service. Optional. If not set, default values will apply. Only one `service` section can be defined.                                                                                   |
| `parsers`           | Lists parsers to be used by components like inputs, processors, filters, or output plugins. You can define multiple `parsers` sections, which can also be loaded from external files included in the main YAML configuration.                |
| `multiline_parsers` | Lists multiline parsers, functioning similarly to `parsers`. Multiple definitions can exist either in the root or in included files.                                                                                                         |
| `pipeline`          | Defines a pipeline composed of inputs, processors, filters, and output plugins. You can define multiple `pipeline` sections, but they won't operate independently. Instead, all components will be merged into a single pipeline internally. |
| `plugins`           | Specifies the path to external plugins (`.so` files) to be loaded by Fluent Bit at runtime.                                                                                                                                                  |
| `upstream_servers`  | Refers to a group of node endpoints that can be referenced by output plugins that support this feature.                                                                                                                                      |
| `env`               | Sets a list of environment variables for Fluent Bit. System environment variables are available, while the ones defined in the configuration apply only to Fluent Bit.                                                                       |

## Section documentation

To access detailed configuration guides for each section, use the following links:

* [Service Section documentation](https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/4.1/administration/configuring-fluent-bit/yaml/service-section)
  * Overview of global settings, configuration options, and examples.
* [Parsers Section documentation](https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/4.1/administration/configuring-fluent-bit/yaml/parsers-section)
  * Detailed guide on defining parsers and supported formats.
* [Multiline Parsers Section documentation](https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/4.1/administration/configuring-fluent-bit/yaml/multiline-parsers-section)
  * Explanation of multiline parsing configuration.
* [Pipeline Section documentation](https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/4.1/administration/configuring-fluent-bit/yaml/pipeline-section)
  * Details on setting up pipelines and using processors.
* [Plugins Section documentation](https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/4.1/administration/configuring-fluent-bit/yaml/plugins-section)
  * How to load external plugins.
* [Upstream Servers Section documentation](https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/4.1/administration/configuring-fluent-bit/yaml/upstream-servers-section)
  * Guide on setting up and using upstream nodes with supported plugins.
* [Environment Variables Section documentation](https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/4.1/administration/configuring-fluent-bit/yaml/environment-variables-section)
  * Information on setting environment variables and their scope within Fluent Bit.
* [Includes Section documentation](https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/4.1/administration/configuring-fluent-bit/yaml/includes-section)
  * Description on how to include external YAML files.