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Edit Config Files (Config Edit)

Config Edit is a web-based editor for raw Asterisk and UnifiedBX config files in /etc/asterisk/. Use to add custom dialplan, override modules' generated configs, or audit live config without SSH.

Production system

Config Edit modifies live files. Mistakes break dialing, calls, or the whole PBX. ALWAYS:

  • Take a backup before editing.
  • Edit only the _custom.conf files unless you know exactly what you're doing.
  • Test in a non-production system first if possible.

Files You Can Safely Edit

The *_custom.conf files are designed for user customization — UnifiedBX won't overwrite them on Apply Config:

  • extensions_custom.conf — custom dialplan contexts.
  • extensions_override_freepbx.conf — override generated dialplan (advanced).
  • pjsip_custom.conf / pjsip_custom_post.conf — custom PJSIP config.
  • sip_custom.conf — custom chan_sip (legacy).
  • asterisk_custom.conf — Asterisk core overrides.
  • logger_custom.conf — custom logger config.

Files DO NOT EDIT directly

These are auto-generated; your changes will be lost on Apply Config:

  • extensions_additional.conf
  • pjsip.endpoint.conf
  • sip_additional.conf
  • Any file that doesn't have _custom in the name.

For overriding generated content, edit the corresponding _custom_post.conf.

Steps

  1. Go to System Admin → Config Edit.
  2. Pick a file from the dropdown or file tree.
  3. Make changes in the editor.
  4. Click Save.
  5. Click Apply Config (so Asterisk reloads).

Example: Add a custom dialplan context

Edit extensions_custom.conf:

[my-custom-context]
exten => s,1,NoOp(Custom logic running)
 same => n,Playback(custom/special-greeting)
 same => n,Goto(from-internal,1001,1)
 same => n,Hangup()

Save → Apply Config.

To use this context, create a Custom Destination pointing at my-custom-context,s,1.

Verify

Test from CLI:

asterisk -rx "dialplan show my-custom-context"
# Should show your context loaded.

asterisk -rx "dialplan reload"
# Force reload if Apply Config didn't pick it up.

Common Issues

  • Apply Config fails: "syntax error." Unbalanced brackets, missing , in dialplan. Find the line in /var/log/asterisk/freepbx.log. Fix and retry.
  • Edit saved but no effect. You edited an auto-generated file (the change got wiped on Apply Config). Move your change to _custom.conf.
  • Editor refuses to save. File permissions wrong. SSH in and chown asterisk:asterisk <file>.
  • Asterisk crashes after edit. Severe syntax error. Restore from backup or revert manually: 
    cp /etc/asterisk/<file>.bak /etc/asterisk/<file>
fwconsole reload