diff --git a/crates/nu-cli/src/cli.rs b/crates/nu-cli/src/cli.rs
index c13dc2ab..322f65c5 100644
--- a/crates/nu-cli/src/cli.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-cli/src/cli.rs
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ pub fn cli(context: EvaluationContext, options: Options) -> Result<(), Box<dyn E
         let _ = configure_rustyline_editor(&mut rl, cfg);
         let helper = Some(nu_line_editor_helper(&context, cfg));
         rl.set_helper(helper);
-        nu_data::config::path::history_path(cfg)
+        nu_data::config::path::history_path_or_default(cfg)
     } else {
         nu_data::config::path::default_history_path()
     };
@@ -420,15 +420,8 @@ pub fn load_local_cfg_if_present(context: &EvaluationContext) {
 }
 
 fn load_cfg_as_global_cfg(context: &EvaluationContext, path: PathBuf) {
-    if let Err(err) = context.load_config(&ConfigPath::Global(path.clone())) {
+    if let Err(err) = context.load_config(&ConfigPath::Global(path)) {
         context.host.lock().print_err(err, &Text::from(""));
-    } else {
-        //TODO current commands assume to find path to global cfg file under config-path
-        //TODO use newly introduced nuconfig::file_path instead
-        context.scope.add_var(
-            "config-path",
-            UntaggedValue::filepath(path).into_untagged_value(),
-        );
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/clear.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/clear.rs
index 48fd98c3..86c5fe1f 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/clear.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/clear.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
-use nu_protocol::{Primitive, ReturnSuccess, Signature, UntaggedValue, Value};
+use nu_protocol::{ReturnSuccess, Signature, UntaggedValue};
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
 
@@ -32,23 +32,22 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 pub fn clear(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let name_span = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
+    let ctx = EvaluationContext::from_args(&args);
 
-    let path = match args.scope.get_var("config-path") {
-        Some(Value {
-            value: UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::FilePath(path)),
-            ..
-        }) => Some(path),
-        _ => nu_data::config::default_path().ok(),
+    let result = if let Some(global_cfg) = &mut args.configs.lock().global_config {
+        global_cfg.vars.clear();
+        global_cfg.write()?;
+        ctx.reload_config(global_cfg)?;
+        Ok(OutputStream::one(ReturnSuccess::value(
+            UntaggedValue::Row(global_cfg.vars.clone().into()).into_value(args.call_info.name_tag),
+        )))
+    } else {
+        Ok(vec![ReturnSuccess::value(UntaggedValue::Error(
+            crate::commands::config::err_no_global_cfg_present(),
+        ))]
+        .into_iter()
+        .to_output_stream())
     };
 
-    let mut result = nu_data::config::read(name_span, &path)?;
-
-    result.clear();
-
-    config::write(&result, &path)?;
-
-    Ok(OutputStream::one(ReturnSuccess::value(
-        UntaggedValue::Row(result.into()).into_value(args.call_info.name_tag),
-    )))
+    result
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/command.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/command.rs
index b573e933..50bdd49d 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/command.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/command.rs
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for Command {
             .to_output_stream())
         } else {
             Ok(vec![ReturnSuccess::value(UntaggedValue::Error(
-                ShellError::untagged_runtime_error("No global config found!"),
+                crate::commands::config::err_no_global_cfg_present(),
             ))]
             .into_iter()
             .to_output_stream())
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/get.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/get.rs
index 36f3cb9a..56e3405b 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/get.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/get.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,7 @@
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
-use nu_protocol::{
-    ColumnPath, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, Signature, SyntaxShape, UntaggedValue, Value,
-};
+use nu_protocol::{ColumnPath, ReturnSuccess, Signature, SyntaxShape, UntaggedValue, Value};
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
 
@@ -44,33 +42,27 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 
 pub fn get(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
     let name = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
-    let scope = args.scope.clone();
+    let ctx = EvaluationContext::from_args(&args);
+
     let (Arguments { column_path }, _) = args.process()?;
 
-    let path = match scope.get_var("config-path") {
-        Some(Value {
-            value: UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::FilePath(path)),
-            ..
-        }) => Some(path),
-        _ => nu_data::config::default_path().ok(),
+    let result = if let Some(global_cfg) = &ctx.configs.lock().global_config {
+        let result = UntaggedValue::row(global_cfg.vars.clone()).into_value(&name);
+        let value = crate::commands::get::get_column_path(&column_path, &result)?;
+        Ok(match value {
+            Value {
+                value: UntaggedValue::Table(list),
+                ..
+            } => list.into_iter().to_output_stream(),
+            x => OutputStream::one(ReturnSuccess::value(x)),
+        })
+    } else {
+        Ok(vec![ReturnSuccess::value(UntaggedValue::Error(
+            crate::commands::config::err_no_global_cfg_present(),
+        ))]
+        .into_iter()
+        .to_output_stream())
     };
 
-    let result = UntaggedValue::row(nu_data::config::read(&name, &path)?).into_value(&name);
-
-    let value = crate::commands::get::get_column_path(&column_path, &result)?;
-
-    Ok(match value {
-        Value {
-            value: UntaggedValue::Table(list),
-            ..
-        } => {
-            let list: Vec<_> = list
-                .iter()
-                .map(|x| ReturnSuccess::value(x.clone()))
-                .collect();
-
-            list.into_iter().to_output_stream()
-        }
-        x => OutputStream::one(ReturnSuccess::value(x)),
-    })
+    result
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/mod.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/mod.rs
index 8b5c5757..62f626cf 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/mod.rs
@@ -13,3 +13,9 @@ pub use path::SubCommand as ConfigPath;
 pub use remove::SubCommand as ConfigRemove;
 pub use set::SubCommand as ConfigSet;
 pub use set_into::SubCommand as ConfigSetInto;
+
+use nu_errors::ShellError;
+
+pub fn err_no_global_cfg_present() -> ShellError {
+    ShellError::untagged_runtime_error("No global config found!")
+}
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/path.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/path.rs
index 8ca46587..c9f6c5c7 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/path.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/path.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
-use nu_protocol::{Primitive, ReturnSuccess, Signature, UntaggedValue, Value};
+use nu_protocol::{Primitive, ReturnSuccess, Signature, UntaggedValue};
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
 
@@ -32,18 +32,15 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 pub fn path(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    Ok(OutputStream::one(ReturnSuccess::value(
-        match args.scope.get_var("config-path") {
-            Some(
-                path
-                @
-                Value {
-                    value: UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::FilePath(_)),
-                    ..
-                },
-            ) => path,
-            _ => UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::FilePath(nu_data::config::default_path()?))
-                .into_value(args.call_info.name_tag),
-        },
-    )))
+    if let Some(global_cfg) = &mut args.configs.lock().global_config {
+        Ok(OutputStream::one(ReturnSuccess::value(
+            UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::FilePath(global_cfg.file_path.clone())),
+        )))
+    } else {
+        Ok(vec![ReturnSuccess::value(UntaggedValue::Error(
+            crate::commands::config::err_no_global_cfg_present(),
+        ))]
+        .into_iter()
+        .to_output_stream())
+    }
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/remove.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/remove.rs
index da7b1d74..f28e20dd 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/remove.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/remove.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
-use nu_protocol::{Primitive, ReturnSuccess, Signature, SyntaxShape, UntaggedValue, Value};
+use nu_protocol::{ReturnSuccess, Signature, SyntaxShape, UntaggedValue};
 use nu_source::Tagged;
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -42,35 +42,35 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 pub fn remove(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let name_span = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
-    let scope = args.scope.clone();
+    let ctx = EvaluationContext::from_args(&args);
     let (Arguments { remove }, _) = args.process()?;
 
-    let path = match scope.get_var("config-path") {
-        Some(Value {
-            value: UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::FilePath(path)),
-            ..
-        }) => Some(path),
-        _ => nu_data::config::default_path().ok(),
-    };
-
-    let mut result = nu_data::config::read(name_span, &path)?;
-
     let key = remove.to_string();
 
-    if result.contains_key(&key) {
-        result.swap_remove(&key);
-        config::write(&result, &path)?;
-        Ok(vec![ReturnSuccess::value(
-            UntaggedValue::Row(result.into()).into_value(remove.tag()),
-        )]
+    let result = if let Some(global_cfg) = &mut ctx.configs.lock().global_config {
+        if global_cfg.vars.contains_key(&key) {
+            global_cfg.vars.swap_remove(&key);
+            global_cfg.write()?;
+            ctx.reload_config(global_cfg)?;
+            Ok(vec![ReturnSuccess::value(
+                UntaggedValue::row(global_cfg.vars.clone()).into_value(remove.tag()),
+            )]
+            .into_iter()
+            .to_output_stream())
+        } else {
+            Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                "Key does not exist in config",
+                "key",
+                remove.tag(),
+            ))
+        }
+    } else {
+        Ok(vec![ReturnSuccess::value(UntaggedValue::Error(
+            crate::commands::config::err_no_global_cfg_present(),
+        ))]
         .into_iter()
         .to_output_stream())
-    } else {
-        Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
-            "Key does not exist in config",
-            "key",
-            remove.tag(),
-        ))
-    }
+    };
+
+    result
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/set.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/set.rs
index d73cd3bf..e93faadf 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/set.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/set.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,7 @@
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
-use nu_protocol::{
-    ColumnPath, ConfigPath, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, Signature, SyntaxShape, UntaggedValue, Value,
-};
+use nu_protocol::{ColumnPath, ReturnSuccess, Signature, SyntaxShape, UntaggedValue, Value};
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
 
@@ -61,7 +59,6 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 pub fn set(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
     let name = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
     let ctx = EvaluationContext::from_args(&args);
-    let scope = args.scope.clone();
     let (
         Arguments {
             column_path,
@@ -70,38 +67,38 @@ pub fn set(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         _,
     ) = args.process()?;
 
-    let path = match scope.get_var("config-path") {
-        Some(Value {
-            value: UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::FilePath(path)),
-            ..
-        }) => Some(path),
-        _ => nu_data::config::default_path().ok(),
+    let result = if let Some(global_cfg) = &mut ctx.configs.lock().global_config {
+        let configuration = UntaggedValue::row(global_cfg.vars.clone()).into_value(&name);
+
+        if let UntaggedValue::Table(rows) = &value.value {
+            if rows.len() == 1 && rows[0].is_row() {
+                value = rows[0].clone();
+            }
+        }
+
+        match configuration.forgiving_insert_data_at_column_path(&column_path, value) {
+            Ok(Value {
+                value: UntaggedValue::Row(changes),
+                ..
+            }) => {
+                global_cfg.vars = changes.entries;
+                global_cfg.write()?;
+                ctx.reload_config(global_cfg)?;
+
+                Ok(OutputStream::one(ReturnSuccess::value(
+                    UntaggedValue::row(global_cfg.vars.clone()).into_value(name),
+                )))
+            }
+            Ok(_) => Ok(OutputStream::empty()),
+            Err(reason) => Err(reason),
+        }
+    } else {
+        Ok(vec![ReturnSuccess::value(UntaggedValue::Error(
+            crate::commands::config::err_no_global_cfg_present(),
+        ))]
+        .into_iter()
+        .to_output_stream())
     };
 
-    let raw_entries = nu_data::config::read(&name, &path)?;
-    let configuration = UntaggedValue::row(raw_entries).into_value(&name);
-
-    if let UntaggedValue::Table(rows) = &value.value {
-        if rows.len() == 1 && rows[0].is_row() {
-            value = rows[0].clone();
-        }
-    }
-
-    match configuration.forgiving_insert_data_at_column_path(&column_path, value) {
-        Ok(Value {
-            value: UntaggedValue::Row(changes),
-            ..
-        }) => {
-            config::write(&changes.entries, &path)?;
-            ctx.reload_config(&ConfigPath::Global(
-                path.expect("Global config path is always some"),
-            ))?;
-
-            Ok(OutputStream::one(ReturnSuccess::value(
-                UntaggedValue::Row(changes).into_value(name),
-            )))
-        }
-        Ok(_) => Ok(OutputStream::empty()),
-        Err(reason) => Err(reason),
-    }
+    result
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/set_into.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/set_into.rs
index e38242dc..51182d90 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/set_into.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/config/set_into.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,7 @@
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
-use nu_protocol::{
-    ConfigPath, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, Signature, SyntaxShape, UntaggedValue, Value,
-};
+use nu_protocol::{ReturnSuccess, Signature, SyntaxShape, UntaggedValue, Value};
 use nu_source::Tagged;
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -46,55 +44,43 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 pub fn set_into(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
     let name = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
     let ctx = EvaluationContext::from_args(&args);
-    let scope = args.scope.clone();
     let (Arguments { set_into: v }, input) = args.process()?;
 
-    let path = match scope.get_var("config-path") {
-        Some(Value {
-            value: UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::FilePath(path)),
-            ..
-        }) => Some(path),
-        _ => nu_data::config::default_path().ok(),
-    };
-
-    let mut result = nu_data::config::read(&name, &path)?;
-
     let rows: Vec<Value> = input.collect();
     let key = v.to_string();
 
-    Ok(if rows.is_empty() {
-        return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
-            "No values given for set_into",
-            "needs value(s) from pipeline",
-            v.tag(),
-        ));
-    } else if rows.len() == 1 {
-        // A single value
-        let value = &rows[0];
+    let result = if let Some(global_cfg) = &mut ctx.configs.lock().global_config {
+        if rows.is_empty() {
+            return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                "No values given for set_into",
+                "needs value(s) from pipeline",
+                v.tag(),
+            ));
+        } else if rows.len() == 1 {
+            // A single value
+            let value = &rows[0];
 
-        result.insert(key, value.clone());
+            global_cfg.vars.insert(key, value.clone());
+        } else {
+            // Take in the pipeline as a table
+            let value = UntaggedValue::Table(rows).into_value(name.clone());
 
-        config::write(&result, &path)?;
-        ctx.reload_config(&ConfigPath::Global(
-            path.expect("Global config path is always some"),
-        ))?;
+            global_cfg.vars.insert(key, value);
+        }
 
-        OutputStream::one(ReturnSuccess::value(
-            UntaggedValue::Row(result.into()).into_value(name),
-        ))
+        global_cfg.write()?;
+        ctx.reload_config(global_cfg)?;
+
+        Ok(OutputStream::one(ReturnSuccess::value(
+            UntaggedValue::row(global_cfg.vars.clone()).into_value(name),
+        )))
     } else {
-        // Take in the pipeline as a table
-        let value = UntaggedValue::Table(rows).into_value(name.clone());
+        Ok(vec![ReturnSuccess::value(UntaggedValue::Error(
+            crate::commands::config::err_no_global_cfg_present(),
+        ))]
+        .into_iter()
+        .to_output_stream())
+    };
 
-        result.insert(key, value);
-
-        config::write(&result, &path)?;
-        ctx.reload_config(&ConfigPath::Global(
-            path.expect("Global config path is always some"),
-        ))?;
-
-        OutputStream::one(ReturnSuccess::value(
-            UntaggedValue::Row(result.into()).into_value(name),
-        ))
-    })
+    result
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/history.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/history.rs
index 92b27ffd..0a7c83f7 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/history.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/history.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 use crate::prelude::*;
-use nu_data::config::{Conf, NuConfig};
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
 use nu_protocol::{ReturnSuccess, Signature, UntaggedValue};
@@ -32,11 +31,15 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for History {
 }
 
 fn history(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let config: Box<dyn Conf> = Box::new(NuConfig::new());
     let tag = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
+    let ctx = EvaluationContext::from_args(&args);
     let (Arguments { clear }, _) = args.process()?;
 
-    let path = nu_data::config::path::history_path(&config);
+    let path = if let Some(global_cfg) = &ctx.configs.lock().global_config {
+        nu_data::config::path::history_path_or_default(global_cfg)
+    } else {
+        nu_data::config::path::default_history_path()
+    };
 
     match clear {
         Some(_) => {
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/config.rs b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/config.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cd40e5c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/config.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+use nu_test_support::fs::AbsolutePath;
+use nu_test_support::fs::Stub::FileWithContent;
+use nu_test_support::playground::{says, Playground};
+
+use hamcrest2::assert_that;
+use hamcrest2::prelude::*;
+
+#[test]
+fn clearing_config_clears_config() {
+    Playground::setup("environment_syncing_test_1", |dirs, nu| {
+        let file = AbsolutePath::new(dirs.test().join("config.toml"));
+
+        nu.with_config(&file);
+        nu.with_files(vec![FileWithContent(
+            "config.toml",
+            r#"
+                skip_welcome_message = true
+            "#,
+        )]);
+
+        assert_that!(
+            nu.pipeline("config clear; config get skip_welcome_message"),
+            says().to_stdout("")
+        );
+        let config_contents = std::fs::read_to_string(file).expect("Could not read file");
+        assert!(config_contents.is_empty());
+    });
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn config_get_returns_value() {
+    Playground::setup("environment_syncing_test_1", |dirs, nu| {
+        let file = AbsolutePath::new(dirs.test().join("config.toml"));
+
+        nu.with_config(&file);
+        nu.with_files(vec![FileWithContent(
+            "config.toml",
+            r#"
+                skip_welcome_message = true
+            "#,
+        )]);
+
+        assert_that!(
+            //Clears config
+            nu.pipeline("config get skip_welcome_message"),
+            says().to_stdout("true")
+        );
+    });
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn config_set_sets_value() {
+    Playground::setup("environment_syncing_test_1", |dirs, nu| {
+        let file = AbsolutePath::new(dirs.test().join("config.toml"));
+
+        nu.with_config(&file);
+        nu.with_files(vec![FileWithContent(
+            "config.toml",
+            r#"
+                skip_welcome_message = true
+            "#,
+        )]);
+
+        assert_that!(
+            //Clears config
+            nu.pipeline("config set key value; config get key"),
+            says().to_stdout("value")
+        );
+        let config_contents = std::fs::read_to_string(file).expect("Could not read file");
+        assert!(config_contents.contains("key = \"value\""));
+    });
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn config_set_into_sets_value() {
+    Playground::setup("environment_syncing_test_1", |dirs, nu| {
+        let file = AbsolutePath::new(dirs.test().join("config.toml"));
+
+        nu.with_config(&file);
+        nu.with_files(vec![FileWithContent(
+            "config.toml",
+            r#"
+                skip_welcome_message = true
+            "#,
+        )]);
+
+        assert_that!(
+            //Clears config
+            nu.pipeline("echo value | config set_into key; config get key"),
+            says().to_stdout("value")
+        );
+        let config_contents = std::fs::read_to_string(file).expect("Could not read file");
+        assert!(config_contents.contains("key = \"value\""));
+    });
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn config_rm_removes_value() {
+    Playground::setup("environment_syncing_test_1", |dirs, nu| {
+        let file = AbsolutePath::new(dirs.test().join("config.toml"));
+
+        nu.with_config(&file);
+        nu.with_files(vec![FileWithContent(
+            "config.toml",
+            r#"
+                key = "value"
+                skip_welcome_message = true
+            "#,
+        )]);
+
+        assert_that!(
+            nu.pipeline("config remove key; config get key"),
+            says().to_stdout("")
+        );
+        let config_contents = std::fs::read_to_string(file).expect("Could not read file");
+        assert!(!config_contents.contains("key = \"value\""));
+    });
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn config_path_returns_correct_path() {
+    Playground::setup("environment_syncing_test_1", |dirs, nu| {
+        let file = AbsolutePath::new(dirs.test().join("config.toml"));
+
+        nu.with_config(&file);
+        nu.with_files(vec![FileWithContent(
+            "config.toml",
+            r#"
+                skip_welcome_message = true
+            "#,
+        )]);
+
+        assert_that!(
+            nu.pipeline("config path"),
+            says().to_stdout(&file.inner.to_string_lossy().to_string())
+        );
+    });
+}
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/mod.rs b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/mod.rs
index e7ca5f22..ebf4295c 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/mod.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ mod append;
 mod cal;
 mod cd;
 mod compact;
+mod config;
 mod cp;
 mod def;
 mod default;
diff --git a/crates/nu-data/src/config.rs b/crates/nu-data/src/config.rs
index 47358f46..b9f0b452 100644
--- a/crates/nu-data/src/config.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-data/src/config.rs
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use log::trace;
 use nu_errors::{CoerceInto, ShellError};
 use nu_protocol::{
-    ConfigPath, Dictionary, Primitive, ShellTypeName, TaggedDictBuilder, UnspannedPathMember,
-    UntaggedValue, Value,
+    Dictionary, Primitive, ShellTypeName, TaggedDictBuilder, UnspannedPathMember, UntaggedValue,
+    Value,
 };
 use nu_source::{SpannedItem, Tag, TaggedItem};
 use std::fs::{self, OpenOptions};
@@ -328,6 +328,6 @@ fn touch(path: &Path) -> io::Result<()> {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn cfg_path_to_scope_tag(cfg_path: &ConfigPath) -> String {
-    cfg_path.get_path().to_string_lossy().to_string()
+pub fn cfg_path_to_scope_tag(cfg_path: &Path) -> String {
+    cfg_path.to_string_lossy().to_string()
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-data/src/config/nuconfig.rs b/crates/nu-data/src/config/nuconfig.rs
index be08d679..74d20d91 100644
--- a/crates/nu-data/src/config/nuconfig.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-data/src/config/nuconfig.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ use nu_protocol::Value;
 use nu_source::Tag;
 use std::{fmt::Debug, path::PathBuf};
 
+use super::write;
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Default)]
 pub struct NuConfig {
     pub vars: IndexMap<String, Value>,
@@ -63,6 +65,11 @@ impl NuConfig {
         })
     }
 
+    /// Writes self.values under self.file_path
+    pub fn write(&self) -> Result<(), ShellError> {
+        write(&self.vars, &Some(self.file_path.clone()))
+    }
+
     pub fn new() -> NuConfig {
         let vars = if let Ok(variables) = read(Tag::unknown(), &None) {
             variables
diff --git a/crates/nu-data/src/config/path.rs b/crates/nu-data/src/config/path.rs
index a6f98268..3e0f951c 100644
--- a/crates/nu-data/src/config/path.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-data/src/config/path.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-use crate::config::Conf;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 
+use super::NuConfig;
+
 const DEFAULT_LOCATION: &str = "history.txt";
 
 pub fn default_history_path() -> PathBuf {
@@ -12,14 +13,18 @@ pub fn default_history_path() -> PathBuf {
         .unwrap_or_else(|_| PathBuf::from(DEFAULT_LOCATION))
 }
 
-pub fn history_path(config: &dyn Conf) -> PathBuf {
-    let default_history_path = default_history_path();
-
-    config.var("history-path").map_or(
-        default_history_path.clone(),
-        |custom_path| match custom_path.as_string() {
-            Ok(path) => PathBuf::from(path),
-            Err(_) => default_history_path,
-        },
-    )
+/// Get history path of config, if present
+pub fn history_path(config: &NuConfig) -> Option<PathBuf> {
+    config
+        .var("history-path")
+        .map(|custom_path| match custom_path.as_string() {
+            Ok(path) => Some(PathBuf::from(path)),
+            Err(_) => None,
+        })
+        .flatten()
+}
+
+/// Get history path in config or default
+pub fn history_path_or_default(config: &NuConfig) -> PathBuf {
+    history_path(config).unwrap_or_else(default_history_path)
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluate/evaluator.rs b/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluate/evaluator.rs
index d0a26eb7..6270d8ac 100644
--- a/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluate/evaluator.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluate/evaluator.rs
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ fn evaluate_literal(literal: &hir::Literal, span: Span) -> Value {
 
 fn evaluate_reference(name: &str, ctx: &EvaluationContext, tag: Tag) -> Result<Value, ShellError> {
     match name {
-        "$nu" => crate::evaluate::variables::nu(&ctx.scope, tag),
+        "$nu" => crate::evaluate::variables::nu(&ctx.scope, tag, ctx),
 
         "$scope" => crate::evaluate::variables::scope(&ctx.scope.get_aliases(), tag),
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluate/variables.rs b/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluate/variables.rs
index 31d8aa88..718eb04d 100644
--- a/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluate/variables.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluate/variables.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
-use crate::evaluate::scope::Scope;
+use crate::{evaluate::scope::Scope, EvaluationContext};
 use indexmap::IndexMap;
-use nu_data::config::path::history_path;
+use nu_data::config::path::{default_history_path, history_path};
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
-use nu_protocol::{Primitive, TaggedDictBuilder, UntaggedValue, Value};
+use nu_protocol::{TaggedDictBuilder, UntaggedValue, Value};
 use nu_source::{Spanned, Tag};
 
-pub fn nu(scope: &Scope, tag: impl Into<Tag>) -> Result<Value, ShellError> {
+pub fn nu(
+    scope: &Scope,
+    tag: impl Into<Tag>,
+    ctx: &EvaluationContext,
+) -> Result<Value, ShellError> {
     let env = &scope.get_env_vars();
     let tag = tag.into();
 
@@ -17,18 +21,33 @@ pub fn nu(scope: &Scope, tag: impl Into<Tag>) -> Result<Value, ShellError> {
             dict.insert_untagged(v.0, UntaggedValue::string(v.1));
         }
     }
+
     nu_dict.insert_value("env", dict.into_value());
 
-    let config_file = match scope.get_var("config-path") {
-        Some(Value {
-            value: UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::FilePath(path)),
-            ..
-        }) => Some(path),
-        _ => None,
-    };
+    nu_dict.insert_value(
+        "history-path",
+        UntaggedValue::filepath(default_history_path()).into_value(&tag),
+    );
 
-    let config = nu_data::config::read(&tag, &config_file)?;
-    nu_dict.insert_value("config", UntaggedValue::row(config).into_value(&tag));
+    if let Some(global_cfg) = &ctx.configs.lock().global_config {
+        nu_dict.insert_value(
+            "config",
+            UntaggedValue::row(global_cfg.vars.clone()).into_value(&tag),
+        );
+
+        nu_dict.insert_value(
+            "config-path",
+            UntaggedValue::filepath(global_cfg.file_path.clone()).into_value(&tag),
+        );
+
+        // overwrite hist-path if present
+        if let Some(hist_path) = history_path(global_cfg) {
+            nu_dict.insert_value(
+                "history-path",
+                UntaggedValue::filepath(hist_path).into_value(&tag),
+            );
+        }
+    }
 
     let mut table = vec![];
     for v in env.iter() {
@@ -50,17 +69,6 @@ pub fn nu(scope: &Scope, tag: impl Into<Tag>) -> Result<Value, ShellError> {
     let temp = std::env::temp_dir();
     nu_dict.insert_value("temp-dir", UntaggedValue::filepath(temp).into_value(&tag));
 
-    let config = if let Some(path) = config_file {
-        path
-    } else {
-        nu_data::config::default_path()?
-    };
-
-    nu_dict.insert_value(
-        "config-path",
-        UntaggedValue::filepath(config).into_value(&tag),
-    );
-
     #[cfg(feature = "rustyline-support")]
     {
         let keybinding_path = nu_data::keybinding::keybinding_path()?;
@@ -70,13 +78,6 @@ pub fn nu(scope: &Scope, tag: impl Into<Tag>) -> Result<Value, ShellError> {
         );
     }
 
-    let config: Box<dyn nu_data::config::Conf> = Box::new(nu_data::config::NuConfig::new());
-    let history = history_path(&config);
-    nu_dict.insert_value(
-        "history-path",
-        UntaggedValue::filepath(history).into_value(&tag),
-    );
-
     Ok(nu_dict.into_value())
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluation_context.rs b/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluation_context.rs
index bf33b897..7a72ccfc 100644
--- a/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluation_context.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluation_context.rs
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ impl EvaluationContext {
             })
             .transpose()?;
 
-        let tag = config::cfg_path_to_scope_tag(cfg_path);
+        let tag = config::cfg_path_to_scope_tag(cfg_path.get_path());
 
         self.scope.enter_scope_with_tag(tag);
         self.scope.add_env(cfg.env_map());
@@ -188,30 +188,8 @@ impl EvaluationContext {
     /// If an error occurs while reloading the config:
     ///     The config is not reloaded
     ///     The error is returned
-    pub fn reload_config(&self, cfg_path: &ConfigPath) -> Result<(), ShellError> {
-        trace!("Reloading cfg {:?}", cfg_path);
-
-        let mut configs = self.configs.lock();
-        let cfg = match cfg_path {
-            ConfigPath::Global(path) => {
-                configs.global_config.iter_mut().find(|cfg| &cfg.file_path == path).ok_or_else(||
-                        ShellError::labeled_error(
-                            &format!("Error reloading global config with path of {}. No such global config present.", path.display()),
-                            "Config path error",
-                            Span::unknown(),
-                        )
-                )?
-            }
-            ConfigPath::Local(path) => {
-                configs.local_configs.iter_mut().find(|cfg| &cfg.file_path == path).ok_or_else(||
-                        ShellError::labeled_error(
-                            &format!("Error reloading local config with path of {}. No such local config present.", path.display()),
-                            "Config path error",
-                            Span::unknown(),
-                        )
-                )?
-            }
-        };
+    pub fn reload_config(&self, cfg: &mut NuConfig) -> Result<(), ShellError> {
+        trace!("Reloading cfg {:?}", cfg.file_path);
 
         cfg.reload();
 
@@ -244,7 +222,7 @@ impl EvaluationContext {
             })
             .transpose()?;
 
-        let tag = config::cfg_path_to_scope_tag(cfg_path);
+        let tag = config::cfg_path_to_scope_tag(&cfg.file_path);
         let mut frame = ScopeFrame::with_tag(tag.clone());
 
         frame.env = cfg.env_map();
@@ -265,7 +243,7 @@ impl EvaluationContext {
     pub fn unload_config(&self, cfg_path: &ConfigPath) {
         trace!("UnLoading cfg {:?}", cfg_path);
 
-        let tag = config::cfg_path_to_scope_tag(cfg_path);
+        let tag = config::cfg_path_to_scope_tag(cfg_path.get_path());
 
         //Run exitscripts with scope frame and cfg still applied
         if let Some(scripts) = self.scope.get_exitscripts_of_frame_with_tag(&tag) {
diff --git a/crates/nu-test-support/src/fs.rs b/crates/nu-test-support/src/fs.rs
index 170f971d..bf7d87df 100644
--- a/crates/nu-test-support/src/fs.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-test-support/src/fs.rs
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ impl From<AbsoluteFile> for PathBuf {
 }
 
 pub struct AbsolutePath {
-    inner: PathBuf,
+    pub inner: PathBuf,
 }
 
 impl AbsolutePath {