# Client Settings Guide

This guide helps players find the most useful openQ4 settings without digging through every advanced option.

## Best Places to Start

If you are setting up openQ4 for the first time, these are the areas most players adjust first:

- **Display** for fullscreen mode, resolution, monitor selection, and image quality
- **Controls** for keyboard, mouse, controller, and bindings
- **Game Options** for gameplay comfort settings and a few audio-related tweaks

## Recommended First Checks

- Set your preferred fullscreen or borderless mode
- Run **Auto-Detect** for the Performance Preset if this is a new machine or you are near the [minimum requirements](getting-started.md#system-requirements)
- Adjust mouse sensitivity or controller dead zone
- Confirm your display target if you use multiple monitors
- Pick whether you want extra visual effects such as bloom or shadow mapping
- Lower or raise music volume to taste

## Which Guide Covers What?

- [Display Settings](display-settings.md) - resolution, fullscreen, windowed mode, multi-monitor, anti-aliasing, and aspect behavior
- [Input Settings](input-settings.md) - keybinds, mouse tuning, controller support, and config-file behavior
- [Gameplay Settings](gameplay-settings.md) - convenience toggles and a few gameplay/audio settings
- [Shadow Mapping](shadow-mapping.md) - optional advanced shadow-map tuning
- [DDS Texture Replacements](texture-replacements.md) - DXT/BC7 texture-pack layout and diagnostics
- [Steam Deck](steam-deck.md) - launcher and handheld-specific input notes

## In-Game Menus

Most player-facing options are available directly in the in-game menus:

- `Settings -> System`
- `Settings -> Controls`
- `Settings -> Game Options`

If you want deeper technical details or console-level configuration, see [TECHNICAL.md](../../TECHNICAL.md).
