> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://coldbox.ortusbooks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://coldbox.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/configuration/coldbox.cfc/configuration-directives/conventions.md).

# Conventions

This element defines custom conventions for your application. By default, the framework has a default set of conventions that you need to adhere too. However, if you would like to implement your own conventions for a specific application, you can use this setting, otherwise do not declare it:

```javascript
//Conventions
conventions = {
    handlersLocation = "controllers",
    viewsLocation      = "views",
    layoutsLocation  = "views",
    modelsLocation      = "model",
    modulesLocation  = "modules",
    includesLocation = "includes",
    eventAction      = "index"
};
```

## Resulting Framework Settings

Behind the scenes, each key you override above (if any) is translated into one of the following framework settings, which is what the framework and its services actually read from at runtime. You can also read any of them directly via `getSetting( name )`:

| `conventions` key  | Framework Setting    | Default    |
| ------------------ | -------------------- | ---------- |
| `handlersLocation` | `handlersConvention` | `handlers` |
| `viewsLocation`    | `viewsConvention`    | `views`    |
| `layoutsLocation`  | `layoutsConvention`  | `layouts`  |
| `modelsLocation`   | `modelsConvention`   | `models`   |
| `modulesLocation`  | `modulesConvention`  | `modules`  |
| `includesLocation` | `includesConvention` | `includes` |
| `eventAction`      | `eventAction`        | `index`    |

{% hint style="info" %}
`configConvention` (default `config.Coldbox`, the dot-notation invocation path used to locate your `config/ColdBox.bx` (or `.cfc` for CFML)) is also a framework setting, but it is resolved before conventions are parsed and cannot be overridden via the `conventions` struct.
{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://coldbox.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/configuration/coldbox.cfc/configuration-directives/conventions.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.