Hekate_ipl.ini |work|

Without this file, Hekate will still load, but the user will be presented with a blank menu or default options, requiring manual configuration via the console’s touch screen to launch operating systems or tools.

The file is the main configuration file for Hekate, a popular custom bootloader for the Nintendo Switch. It acts as the configuration hub for controlling how the console boots. Placed inside the bootloader directory on the SD card ( /bootloader/hekate_ipl.ini ), this plain text file dictates boot settings, manages custom firmware (CFW) launches, handles stock system execution, and creates automated boot pipelines. Structure of the hekate_ipl.ini File hekate_ipl.ini

This section applies globally to the Hekate boot environment, dictating user interface behavior, hardware rules, and automated boot rules. Without this file, Hekate will still load, but

: The autoboot index value in [config] points to a profile that contains corrupted parameters or missing payload files. Placed inside the bootloader directory on the SD

For setups utilizing standalone payload utilities (such as Android configurations, Linux distributions, or direct-to-fusee configurations), the payload key takes precedence: