🛠️ Raspberry Pi – raspi-config Tool Explained (2025 Beginner Guide)

🧲 Introduction – What Is raspi-config?

raspi-config is the official configuration tool for Raspberry Pi OS. It provides a simple text-based interface that allows users to customize system settings like Wi-Fi, SSH, display, localization, performance, and more—without editing system files manually.

🎯 In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to launch and use raspi-config
• All available configuration options explained
• Practical use cases (enable SSH, change hostname, expand filesystem)
• Best practices for beginners and advanced users

🚀 How to Launch raspi-config

Open your Raspberry Pi terminal and run:

sudo raspi-config

You’ll see a menu-based interface with numbered sections. Use arrow keys to navigate, Enter to select, and Esc to exit.

📚 raspi-config Main Menu Options

Here’s a complete breakdown of what each option does:

✅ Each option modifies core OS settings safely—ideal for both beginners and power users.

🔐 Enable SSH for Headless Access

To remotely control your Pi:

sudo raspi-config
→ Interface Options
→ SSH
→ Enable

Then connect from another machine using:

ssh pi@<ip-address>

✅ Essential for headless Raspberry Pi projects.

📡 Connect to Wi-Fi via raspi-config

sudo raspi-config
→ System Options
→ Wireless LAN

Enter your SSID and password, and your Pi will auto-connect on boot.

💻 Set Hostname & Auto-Login

To change your Pi’s name on the network:

sudo raspi-config
→ System Options
→ Hostname

To auto-login into desktop or CLI:

→ System Options
→ Boot / Auto Login

Choose:

• Desktop GUI with auto-login
• CLI with or without login prompt

🧠 Enable GPIO Interfaces (SPI, I2C, Serial, Camera)

For hardware and sensor projects:

sudo raspi-config
→ Interface Options
→ Choose SPI / I2C / Serial / Camera
→ Enable

🔌 Useful for robotics, displays, and GPIO-based controls.

🧪 Expand Filesystem

Make full use of your SD card:

sudo raspi-config
→ Advanced Options
→ Expand Filesystem

✅ Run this after first boot to avoid space limitations.

🌍 Set Locale, Keyboard, and Timezone

Localization options for your region:

sudo raspi-config
→ Localisation Options

Set:

• Language (e.g., en_US.UTF-8)
• Keyboard (e.g., US, UK)
• Timezone (Asia/Kolkata, UTC, etc.)
• Wi-Fi country (e.g., IN, US)

💡 Overclock (Optional – Use with Caution)

If you’re using active cooling, you can push your Pi’s performance:

sudo raspi-config
→ Performance Options
→ Overclock

Options depend on the Pi model. ⚠️ Use responsibly and monitor temperatures.

🔄 Update raspi-config

To get the latest features:

sudo raspi-config
→ Update

OR

sudo apt update
sudo apt install raspi-config

📌 Summary – Recap & Next Steps

raspi-config is the Swiss Army knife of Raspberry Pi configuration. It saves time, prevents mistakes, and helps you optimize your system with just a few keystrokes.

🔍 Key takeaways:

• Launch with sudo raspi-config from terminal
• Configure SSH, Wi-Fi, hostname, GPIO, locale, and more
• Essential for headless setups and performance tuning
• Safe and user-friendly alternative to editing config files manually

⚙️ Real-world relevance: From setting up servers to robotics and remote access, raspi-config is used in almost every Raspberry Pi project.

❓ FAQs – Raspberry Pi raspi-config Tool

❓ Can I use raspi-config on Raspberry Pi OS Lite?

✅ Yes! It’s fully functional even on headless setups—no desktop required.

❓ How do I reset raspi-config settings?

✅ Simply rerun the tool:

sudo raspi-config

You can reconfigure any setting again.

❓ Is raspi-config only for Raspberry Pi OS?

✅ Yes, it’s optimized for Raspberry Pi OS. It may not work on other distros like Ubuntu or Arch Linux for ARM.

❓ How do I enable SPI or I2C from the command line?

✅ Use:

sudo raspi-config → Interface Options

Or manually edit /boot/config.txt.

❓ Does raspi-config require sudo?

✅ Yes. It changes system files, so administrative privileges are required.