## O.1. `recovery.conf` file merged into `postgresql.conf`

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 PostgreSQL 11 and below used a configuration file named `recovery.conf` []() to manage replicas and standbys. Support for this file was removed in PostgreSQL 12. See [the release notes for PostgreSQL 12](release-prior.html) for details on this change.

 On PostgreSQL 12 and above, [archive recovery, streaming replication, and PITR](continuous-archiving.html) are configured using [normal server configuration parameters](runtime-config-replication.html#RUNTIME-CONFIG-REPLICATION-STANDBY). These are set in `postgresql.conf` or via [ALTER SYSTEM](sql-altersystem.html) like any other parameter.

 The server will not start if a `recovery.conf` exists.

 The `trigger_file` []() setting has been renamed to [promote\_trigger\_file](runtime-config-replication.html#GUC-PROMOTE-TRIGGER-FILE).

 The `standby_mode` []() setting has been removed. A `standby.signal` file in the data directory is used instead. See [Standby Server Operation](warm-standby.html#STANDBY-SERVER-OPERATION) for details.

