# Ad-Hoc Java System Properties

You've always been able to add ad-hoc Java system properties for a server in your `server.json` via `jvm.args` in the format of `-Dfoo=bar`.  There is also a top-level struct that is more readable which does the same thing:

```json
{
  "jvm" : {
    "properties" : {
       "foo" : "bar baz",
       "java.awt.headless" : "true"
    }
}
```

No additional quoting or escaping is needed for spaces or special characters when using this method.

Set these programmatically like so:

```bash
server set jvm.properties.java.awt.headless=true
```

Or set them globally for all servers in your config setting server defaults.

```bash
config set server.defaults.jvm.properties.java.awt.headless=true
```

Keys will be merged, giving precedence to the `server.json` values.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://commandbox.ortusbooks.com/embedded-server/configuring-your-server/ad-hoc-java-system-properties.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.