diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3b33a72..3cae063 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -131,6 +131,11 @@ make help            # Показать все команды
 
 Можно переопределить путь через `-localdb` или переменную окружения `QFS_DB_PATH`.
 
+### Локальный config.yaml
+
+По умолчанию `qfs` ищет `config.yaml` в той же user-state папке, где лежит `qfs.db` (а не рядом с бинарником).
+Можно переопределить путь через `-config` или `QFS_CONFIG_PATH`.
+
 ## Docker
 
 ```bash
@@ -258,6 +263,7 @@ CGO_ENABLED=0 go build -ldflags="-s -w" -o bin/qfs ./cmd/qfs
 | `QF_SERVER_PORT` | Порт сервера | 8080 |
 | `QFS_DB_PATH` | Полный путь к локальной SQLite БД | OS-specific user state dir |
 | `QFS_STATE_DIR` | Каталог state (если `QFS_DB_PATH` не задан) | OS-specific user state dir |
+| `QFS_CONFIG_PATH` | Полный путь к `config.yaml` | OS-specific user state dir |
 
 ## Интеграция с существующей БД
 
diff --git a/RELEASE_v0.2.6.md b/RELEASE_v0.2.6.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 8779b2c..0000000
--- a/RELEASE_v0.2.6.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,60 +0,0 @@
-## Release v0.2.6 - Build & Release Improvements
-
-Minor release focused on developer experience and release automation.
-
-### Changes
-
-**Build System**
-- 🎯 Renamed binary from `quoteforge` to `qfs` (shorter, easier to type)
-- 🏷️ Added `-version` flag to display build version
-- 📦 Added Makefile with build targets for all platforms
-- 🚀 Added automated release script for multi-platform binaries
-
-**New Commands**
-```bash
-make build-release   # Optimized build with version info
-make build-all       # Build for Linux + macOS (Intel/ARM)
-make release         # Create release packages with checksums
-./bin/qfs -version   # Show version
-```
-
-**Release Artifacts**
-- Linux AMD64
-- macOS Intel (AMD64)
-- macOS Apple Silicon (ARM64)
-- Windows AMD64
-- SHA256 checksums
-
-### Installation
-
-Download the appropriate binary for your platform:
-```bash
-# Linux
-wget https://git.mchus.pro/mchus/QuoteForge/releases/download/v0.2.6/qfs-v0.2.6-linux-amd64.tar.gz
-tar -xzf qfs-v0.2.6-linux-amd64.tar.gz
-chmod +x qfs-linux-amd64
-./qfs-linux-amd64
-
-# macOS Intel
-curl -L -O https://git.mchus.pro/mchus/QuoteForge/releases/download/v0.2.6/qfs-v0.2.6-darwin-amd64.tar.gz
-tar -xzf qfs-v0.2.6-darwin-amd64.tar.gz
-chmod +x qfs-darwin-amd64
-./qfs-darwin-amd64
-
-# macOS Apple Silicon
-curl -L -O https://git.mchus.pro/mchus/QuoteForge/releases/download/v0.2.6/qfs-v0.2.6-darwin-arm64.tar.gz
-tar -xzf qfs-v0.2.6-darwin-arm64.tar.gz
-chmod +x qfs-darwin-arm64
-./qfs-darwin-arm64
-
-# Windows
-curl -L -O https://git.mchus.pro/mchus/QuoteForge/releases/download/v0.2.6/qfs-v0.2.6-windows-amd64.zip
-unzip qfs-v0.2.6-windows-amd64.zip
-qfs-windows-amd64.exe
-```
-
-### Breaking Changes
-None - fully backward compatible with v0.2.5
-
-### Full Changelog
-https://git.mchus.pro/mchus/QuoteForge/compare/v0.2.5...v0.2.6
diff --git a/RELEASE_v0.2.7.md b/RELEASE_v0.2.7.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 98f31e8..0000000
--- a/RELEASE_v0.2.7.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,57 +0,0 @@
-## Release v0.2.7 - Windows Support & Localhost Binding
-
-Bug fix release improving Windows compatibility and default network binding.
-
-### Changes
-
-**Windows Support**
-- ✅ Fixed template loading errors on Windows
-- ✅ All file paths now use `filepath.Join` for cross-platform compatibility
-- ✅ Binary now works correctly on Windows without path errors
-
-**Localhost Binding**
-- ✅ Server now binds to `127.0.0.1` by default (instead of `0.0.0.0`)
-- ✅ Browser always opens to `http://127.0.0.1:8080`
-- ✅ Setup mode properly opens browser automatically
-- ✅ More secure default - only accessible from local machine
-
-> **Note:** To bind to all network interfaces (for network access), set `host: "0.0.0.0"` in config.yaml
-
-### Installation
-
-Download the appropriate binary for your platform:
-
-```bash
-# Linux
-wget https://git.mchus.pro/mchus/QuoteForge/releases/download/v0.2.7/qfs-v0.2.7-linux-amd64.tar.gz
-tar -xzf qfs-v0.2.7-linux-amd64.tar.gz
-chmod +x qfs-linux-amd64
-./qfs-linux-amd64
-
-# macOS Intel
-curl -L -O https://git.mchus.pro/mchus/QuoteForge/releases/download/v0.2.7/qfs-v0.2.7-darwin-amd64.tar.gz
-tar -xzf qfs-v0.2.7-darwin-amd64.tar.gz
-chmod +x qfs-darwin-amd64
-./qfs-darwin-amd64
-
-# macOS Apple Silicon
-curl -L -O https://git.mchus.pro/mchus/QuoteForge/releases/download/v0.2.7/qfs-v0.2.7-darwin-arm64.tar.gz
-tar -xzf qfs-v0.2.7-darwin-arm64.tar.gz
-chmod +x qfs-darwin-arm64
-./qfs-darwin-arm64
-
-# Windows
-# Download and extract: https://git.mchus.pro/mchus/QuoteForge/releases/download/v0.2.7/qfs-v0.2.7-windows-amd64.zip
-# Run: qfs-windows-amd64.exe
-```
-
-### Breaking Changes
-None - fully backward compatible with v0.2.6
-
-### Upgrade Notes
-- If you use config.yaml with `host: "0.0.0.0"`, the app will respect that setting
-- Default behavior now binds only to localhost for security
-- Windows users no longer need workarounds for path errors
-
-### Full Changelog
-https://git.mchus.pro/mchus/QuoteForge/compare/v0.2.6...v0.2.7
diff --git a/cmd/qfs/main.go b/cmd/qfs/main.go
index 90b6622..c1f7d3f 100644
--- a/cmd/qfs/main.go
+++ b/cmd/qfs/main.go
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ import (
 var Version = "dev"
 
 func main() {
-	configPath := flag.String("config", "config.yaml", "path to config file (optional, for server settings)")
+	configPath := flag.String("config", "", "path to config file (default: user state dir or QFS_CONFIG_PATH)")
 	localDBPath := flag.String("localdb", "", "path to local SQLite database (default: user state dir or QFS_DB_PATH)")
 	migrate := flag.Bool("migrate", false, "run database migrations")
 	version := flag.Bool("version", false, "show version information")
@@ -56,12 +56,28 @@ func main() {
 	exePath, _ := os.Executable()
 	slog.Info("starting qfs", "version", Version, "executable", exePath)
 
+	resolvedConfigPath, err := appstate.ResolveConfigPath(*configPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Error("failed to resolve config path", "error", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
 	resolvedLocalDBPath, err := appstate.ResolveDBPath(*localDBPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		slog.Error("failed to resolve local database path", "error", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
+	// Migrate legacy project-local config path to the user state directory when using defaults.
+	if *configPath == "" && os.Getenv("QFS_CONFIG_PATH") == "" {
+		migratedFrom, migrateErr := appstate.MigrateLegacyFile(resolvedConfigPath, []string{"config.yaml"})
+		if migrateErr != nil {
+			slog.Warn("failed to migrate legacy config file", "error", migrateErr)
+		} else if migratedFrom != "" {
+			slog.Info("migrated legacy config file", "from", migratedFrom, "to", resolvedConfigPath)
+		}
+	}
+
 	// Migrate legacy project-local DB path to the user state directory when using defaults.
 	if *localDBPath == "" && os.Getenv("QFS_DB_PATH") == "" {
 		legacyPaths := []string{
@@ -91,18 +107,19 @@ func main() {
 	}
 
 	// Load config for server settings (optional)
-	cfg, err := config.Load(*configPath)
+	cfg, err := config.Load(resolvedConfigPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		if errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
 			// Use defaults if config file doesn't exist
-			slog.Info("config file not found, using defaults", "path", *configPath)
+			slog.Info("config file not found, using defaults", "path", resolvedConfigPath)
 			cfg = &config.Config{}
 		} else {
-			slog.Error("failed to load config", "path", *configPath, "error", err)
+			slog.Error("failed to load config", "path", resolvedConfigPath, "error", err)
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
 	}
 	setConfigDefaults(cfg)
+	slog.Info("resolved runtime files", "config_path", resolvedConfigPath, "localdb_path", resolvedLocalDBPath)
 
 	setupLogger(cfg.Logging)
 
diff --git a/internal/appstate/path.go b/internal/appstate/path.go
index a7102e6..2468ee9 100644
--- a/internal/appstate/path.go
+++ b/internal/appstate/path.go
@@ -11,8 +11,10 @@ import (
 const (
 	appDirName  = "QuoteForge"
 	defaultDB   = "qfs.db"
+	defaultCfg  = "config.yaml"
 	envDBPath   = "QFS_DB_PATH"
 	envStateDir = "QFS_STATE_DIR"
+	envCfgPath  = "QFS_CONFIG_PATH"
 )
 
 // ResolveDBPath returns the local SQLite path using priority:
@@ -34,6 +36,25 @@ func ResolveDBPath(explicitPath string) (string, error) {
 	return filepath.Join(dir, defaultDB), nil
 }
 
+// ResolveConfigPath returns the config path using priority:
+// explicit CLI path > QFS_CONFIG_PATH > OS-specific user state directory.
+func ResolveConfigPath(explicitPath string) (string, error) {
+	if explicitPath != "" {
+		return filepath.Clean(explicitPath), nil
+	}
+
+	if fromEnv := os.Getenv(envCfgPath); fromEnv != "" {
+		return filepath.Clean(fromEnv), nil
+	}
+
+	dir, err := defaultStateDir()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	return filepath.Join(dir, defaultCfg), nil
+}
+
 // MigrateLegacyDB copies an existing legacy DB (and optional SQLite sidecars)
 // to targetPath if targetPath does not already exist.
 // Returns source path if migration happened.
@@ -73,6 +94,38 @@ func MigrateLegacyDB(targetPath string, legacyPaths []string) (string, error) {
 	return "", nil
 }
 
+// MigrateLegacyFile copies an existing legacy file to targetPath
+// if targetPath does not already exist.
+func MigrateLegacyFile(targetPath string, legacyPaths []string) (string, error) {
+	if targetPath == "" {
+		return "", nil
+	}
+
+	if exists(targetPath) {
+		return "", nil
+	}
+
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(targetPath), 0755); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("creating target directory: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	for _, src := range legacyPaths {
+		if src == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		src = filepath.Clean(src)
+		if src == targetPath || !exists(src) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err := copyFile(src, targetPath); err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("migrating legacy file from %s: %w", src, err)
+		}
+		return src, nil
+	}
+
+	return "", nil
+}
+
 func defaultStateDir() (string, error) {
 	if override := os.Getenv(envStateDir); override != "" {
 		return filepath.Clean(override), nil