The Definitive Clash Configuration Guide: A Complete Workflow from Subscription Import to Proxy Groups and Rule Management

1. Subscription Import and Basic Configuration

The core functionality of Clash relies on high-quality subscription links. First, obtain a subscription URL from your provider. In the Clash dashboard, navigate to "Subscriptions" -> "Add", enter the URL, and set an update interval (24 hours is recommended). After import, Clash will automatically fetch the node list.

1.1 Verifying Subscription Validity

After import, check if nodes are reachable. Select any node on the "Proxies" page and click "Test Latency". If all time out, the subscription may be invalid or network restrictions apply. Try switching subscriptions or using a proxy to update.

1.2 Configuration File Structure

Clash's configuration file (config.yaml) consists of five main sections: proxies (node list), proxy-groups (policy groups), rules (routing rules), dns (DNS settings), and general (general settings). Users can achieve advanced customization by editing the configuration file directly.

2. Proxy Group Configuration

Proxy groups are key to Clash's intelligent traffic distribution. Common types include:

• select: Manually choose a node, ideal for frequent switching.
• url-test: Automatically test node latency and select the best one, suitable for speed-oriented users.
• fallback: Try nodes in priority order, ideal for high availability.
• load-balance: Distribute traffic across multiple nodes, suitable for large downloads.

2.1 Configuration Example

proxy-groups:
  - name: "Proxy"
    type: select
    proxies:
      - HK-01
      - JP-02
      - US-03
  - name: "Auto"
    type: url-test
    url: "http://www.gstatic.com/generate_204"
    interval: 300
    proxies:
      - HK-01
      - JP-02

2.2 Nested Proxy Groups

Proxy groups can be nested. For example, create a "Fallback" group containing multiple "Auto" groups for multi-layer fault tolerance.

3. Rule Management

Rules determine which traffic goes through the proxy and which connects directly. Clash rules are matched in order; once a rule matches, subsequent rules are ignored.

3.1 Rule Syntax

Each rule consists of a type, matching content, and a policy. Common types:

• DOMAIN-SUFFIX: Match domain suffixes, e.g., DOMAIN-SUFFIX,google.com,Proxy.
• DOMAIN-KEYWORD: Match domain keywords, e.g., DOMAIN-KEYWORD,ad,REJECT.
• IP-CIDR: Match IP ranges, e.g., IP-CIDR,10.0.0.0/8,DIRECT.
• GEOIP: Match country IPs, e.g., GEOIP,CN,DIRECT.
• MATCH: Catch-all rule for unmatched traffic.

3.2 Rule Optimization Tips

• Place frequently used direct rules (e.g., domestic sites) early to reduce proxy latency.
• Use RULE-SET to reference external rule sets for easier maintenance.
• Avoid excessive rules that degrade performance; keep under 200 rules.

4. Common Issues and Troubleshooting

4.1 Unable to Connect

Check if "System Proxy" or "TUN Mode" is enabled. For TUN, ensure the virtual network card driver is installed.

4.2 Rules Not Working

Verify rule order and that policy group names match those in rules.

4.3 High Memory Usage

Reduce the number of proxy groups or lower the url-test interval.

5. Conclusion

By properly configuring subscriptions, proxy groups, and rules, Clash can achieve efficient and stable network proxying. Regularly update subscriptions and rule sets to maintain optimal performance.