> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ezvals.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# File defaults

> Share settings across every eval in a file

When every eval in a file uses the same labels, target or evaluators, set them once at the top of the file instead of on each eval.

<CodeGroup>
  ```python Python theme={null}
  # evals/support.py
  from ezvals import eval, EvalContext

  ezvals_defaults = {
      "labels": ["production"],
      "target": run_support_agent,
      "metadata": {"team": "support"},
      "timeout": 30,
  }

  @eval(input="I want a refund")
  async def test_refund(ctx: EvalContext):
      assert "refund" in ctx.output.lower()

  @eval(input="Your product is broken", labels=["edge"])
  async def test_complaint(ctx: EvalContext):
      assert "sorry" in ctx.output.lower()
  ```

  ```ts TypeScript theme={null}
  // evals/support.eval.ts
  import assert from "node:assert";
  import { evaluate } from "ezvals";

  export const ezvalsDefaults = {
    labels: ["production"],
    target: runSupportAgent,
    metadata: { team: "support" },
    timeout: 30,
  };

  evaluate("test_refund", { input: "I want a refund" }, (ctx) => {
    assert(String(ctx.output).toLowerCase().includes("refund"));
  });

  evaluate("test_complaint", { input: "Your product is broken", labels: ["edge"] }, (ctx) => {
    assert(String(ctx.output).toLowerCase().includes("sorry"));
  });
  ```
</CodeGroup>

The defaults can include any eval option except `cases` and `input_loader`: `input`, `reference`, `dataset`, `labels`, `metadata`, `default_score_key` (`defaultScoreKey`), `timeout`, `trials`, `target` and `evaluators`. An unknown key is an error when the file loads.

## Precedence

From lowest to highest: the file name (for `dataset`), then file defaults, then the eval's own options, then each [case](/writing-evals/cases).

* An eval's own value **replaces** the default. For example, `test_complaint` above has only the label `edge`, not `production`.
* `metadata` is the exception: it **merges**, and the eval wins on a key clash.
* `evaluators` set on an eval replace the default evaluators. To keep both, list both: `evaluators=[default_check, specific_check]`.

<Tip>
  One file per area (`support.py`, `billing.py`, `search.eval.ts`) gives you a dataset per area for free, because `dataset` defaults to the file name.
</Tip>