Settings Reference
Last updated: 2026-03-14
Accessing Settings
Open Alpaca's settings by clicking the Alpaca icon in your menu bar and selecting Settings, or by right-clicking the icon.
General
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Launch at Login | Start Alpaca automatically when you log in | On |
| Show in Menu Bar | Display Alpaca icon in the menu bar | On |
| Notifications | Show notifications for important events | On |
Filter Lists
Manage which filter lists Alpaca uses for content filtering. See Managing Filter Lists for details.
Exceptions
Manage websites that are excluded from filtering.
Adding Exceptions
- Click Add Exception
- Enter the domain name (e.g.,
example.com) - Click Add
Removing Exceptions
- Find the domain in the exceptions list
- Click the Remove button next to it
With Expert Mode enabled, you can also add exceptions directly from the live log — click any domain to block it or exclude it from filtering.
Advanced
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Updates | Check for filter list updates automatically | On |
Expert Mode
Alpaca includes an Expert Mode for users who want deeper visibility and control over their DNS filtering.
When enabled, Expert Mode adds two sections to the sidebar:
- Statistics — View detailed filtering statistics, including total requests, blocked requests, and category breakdowns.
- Log — A live log of recently approved and blocked domains. Click any domain to add it to your block or allow lists — useful for fine-tuning filtering beyond the built-in categories.
Expert Mode is ideal if you want to see exactly what Alpaca is filtering and make precise, on-the-fly adjustments to your filtering rules.