# JSON Config Loader 1 Always Provide Defaults

> Sub-skill of json-config-loader: 1. Always Provide Defaults (+4).

- Skill: `vamseeachanta/json-config-loader-1-always-provide-defaults` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add vamseeachanta/json-config-loader-1-always-provide-defaults`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/vamseeachanta/json-config-loader-1-always-provide-defaults/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: vamseeachanta (https://skillmd.com/u/vamseeachanta)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/vamseeachanta/json-config-loader-1-always-provide-defaults

---


# 1. Always Provide Defaults (+4)

## 1. Always Provide Defaults

```bash
value=$(config_get "key" "default_value")
```


## 2. Validate Early

```bash
config_require "api_key" "database_url" || exit 1
```


## 3. Use Environment Overrides for Secrets

```bash
# Don't store secrets in files
API_KEY="${API_KEY:-$(config_get 'api_key')}"
```


## 4. Validate JSON with jq

```bash
if ! jq empty "$file" 2>/dev/null; then
    echo "Invalid JSON" >&2
    exit 1
fi
```


## 5. Handle Missing Files Gracefully

```bash
if [[ -f "$config_file" ]]; then
    load_config "$config_file"
else
    echo "Warning: Config not found, using defaults" >&2
fi
```