docs/en/latest/architecture-design/apisix.md

---
title: APISIX
---

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## Plugin Loading Process

![flow-load-plugin](../../../assets/images/flow-load-plugin.png)

## Plugin Hierarchy Structure

![flow-plugin-internal](../../../assets/images/flow-plugin-internal.png)

## Configure APISIX

There are two methods to configure APISIX: directly change `conf/config.yaml`, or add file path argument using `-c` or `--config` flag when start APISIX like `apisix start -c <path string>`

For example, set the default listening port of APISIX to 8000, and keep other configurations as default. The configuration in `config.yaml` should be like this:

```yaml
apisix:
  node_listen: 8000 # APISIX listening port
```

Set the default listening port of APISIX to 8000, set the `etcd` address to `http://foo:2379`,
and keep other configurations as default. The configuration in `config.yaml` should be like this:

```yaml
apisix:
  node_listen: 8000 # APISIX listening port

etcd:
  host: "http://foo:2379" # etcd address
```

Other default configurations can be found in the `conf/config-default.yaml` file, which is bound to the APISIX source code. **Never** manually modify the `conf/config-default.yaml` file. If you need to customize any configuration, you should update the `config.yaml` file.

**Note** `APISIX` will generate `conf/nginx.conf` file automatically, so please _DO NOT EDIT_ `conf/nginx.conf` file too.