Add docs.

README.md

@@ -143,6 +143,10 @@ $PROFILE` in which case it becomes `Element-$PROFILE`, or it is using one of
 the above created by a pre-1.7 install, in which case it will be `Riot` or
 `Riot-$PROFILE`.
 
+You may also specify a different path entirely for the `config.json` file by
+providing the `--config $YOUR_CONFIG_JSON_FILE` to the process, or via the
+`ELEMENT_DESKTOP_CONFIG_JSON` environment variable.
+
 # Translations
 
 To add a new translation, head to the [translating doc](https://github.com/vector-im/element-web/blob/develop/docs/translating.md).

src/electron-main.ts

@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@ if (argv["help"]) {
     console.log("  --profile-dir {path}: Path to where to store the profile.");
     console.log("  --profile {name}:     Name of alternate profile to use, allows for running multiple accounts.");
     console.log("  --devtools:           Install and use react-devtools and react-perf.");
+    console.log(
+        `  --config:             Path to the config.json file. May also be specified via the ELEMENT_DESKTOP_CONFIG_JSON environment variable.\n` +
+            `                         Otherwise use the default user location '${app.getPath("userData")}'`,
+    );
     console.log("  --no-update:          Disable automatic updating.");
     console.log("  --hidden:             Start the application hidden in the system tray.");
     console.log("  --help:               Displays this help message.");
@@ -51,6 +55,8 @@ if (argv["help"]) {
     app.exit();
 }
 
+const LocalConfigLocation = process.env.ELEMENT_DESKTOP_CONFIG_JSON ?? argv["config"];
+
 // Electron creates the user data directory (with just an empty 'Dictionaries' directory...)
 // as soon as the app path is set, so pick a random path in it that must exist if it's a
 // real user data directory.
@@ -147,7 +153,9 @@ async function loadConfig(): Promise<void> {
 
     try {
         // Load local config and use it to override values from the one baked with the build
-        const localConfig = loadJsonFile(app.getPath("userData"), "config.json");
+        const localConfig = LocalConfigLocation
+            ? loadJsonFile(LocalConfigLocation)
+            : loadJsonFile(app.getPath("userData"), "config.json");
 
         // If the local config has a homeserver defined, don't use the homeserver from the build
         // config. This is to avoid a problem where Riot thinks there are multiple homeservers