diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yaml b/.github/workflows/build-test.yaml
similarity index 77%
rename from .github/workflows/ci.yaml
rename to .github/workflows/build-test.yaml
index 882c2c9..d84282c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-test.yaml
@@ -22,10 +22,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install dependencies
         run: pnpm install
       - name: Set up config files
-        run: |
-          cp src/config/api-example.js src/config/api.js
-          cp src/config/database-example.js src/config/database.js
-          cp src/config/domain-example.js src/config/domain.js
+        run: cp config/config.example.toml config/config.toml
       - name: Build
         run: pnpm build
         continue-on-error: true
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 763f664..683b41a 100755
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -2,10 +2,8 @@
 
 # gathio custom
 
+config/config.toml
 dist
-src/config/api.js
-src/config/database.js
-src/config/domain.js
 public/events/*
 !public/events/.gitkeep
 
diff --git a/config/config.example.toml b/config/config.example.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ffbeb7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/config.example.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+[general]
+# Your domain goes here. If there is a port it should be 'domain.com:port', but
+# otherwise just 'domain.com'.
+domain = "localhost:3000"
+port = "3000"
+email = "contact@example.com"
+site_name = "gathio"
+is_federated = true
+# If left blank, this defaults to
+# https://yourdomain.com/images/gathio-email-logo.gif. Set a full URL here to
+# change it to your own logo (or just change the file itself).
+email_logo_url = ""
+# Show a Ko-Fi box to donate money to Raphael (Gathio's creator) on the front
+# page.
+show_kofi = false
+# Which mail service to use to send emails to hosts and attendees. Options are
+# 'nodemailer' or 'sendgrid'. Configure settings for this mail
+# service below.
+mail_service = "nodemailer"
+
+[database]
+# Set up for a locally running MongoDB connection. Change this to
+# 'mongodb://mongo:27017/gathio' for a Dockerised connection.
+mongodb_url = "mongodb://localhost:27017/gathio"
+
+[nodemailer]
+smtp_server = ""
+smtp_port = ""
+smtp_username = ""
+smtp_password = ""
+
+[sendgrid]
+api_key = ""
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index db85892..90047c3 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
   "version": "1.3.0",
   "description": "",
   "main": "index.js",
+  "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "build": "tsc",
     "start": "node dist/start.js",
@@ -19,7 +20,6 @@
     "@sendgrid/mail": "^6.5.5",
     "body-parser": "^1.20.2",
     "cors": "^2.8.5",
-    "dotenv": "^6.2.0",
     "express": "^4.18.2",
     "express-fileupload": "^1.4.0",
     "express-handlebars": "^6.0.7",
@@ -38,7 +38,8 @@
     "nodemailer": "^6.9.2",
     "randomstring": "^1.2.3",
     "request": "^2.88.2",
-    "sanitize-html": "^2.10.0"
+    "sanitize-html": "^2.10.0",
+    "toml": "^3.0.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "eslint": "^8.40.0",
diff --git a/pnpm-lock.yaml b/pnpm-lock.yaml
index 33b638a..e310e2f 100644
--- a/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -10,9 +10,6 @@ dependencies:
   cors:
     specifier: ^2.8.5
     version: 2.8.5
-  dotenv:
-    specifier: ^6.2.0
-    version: 6.2.0
   express:
     specifier: ^4.18.2
     version: 4.18.2
@@ -70,6 +67,9 @@ dependencies:
   sanitize-html:
     specifier: ^2.10.0
     version: 2.10.0
+  toml:
+    specifier: ^3.0.0
+    version: 3.0.0
 
 devDependencies:
   eslint:
@@ -1108,11 +1108,6 @@ packages:
       domhandler: 5.0.3
     dev: false
 
-  /dotenv@6.2.0:
-    resolution: {integrity: sha512-HygQCKUBSFl8wKQZBSemMywRWcEDNidvNbjGVyZu3nbZ8qq9ubiPoGLMdRDpfSrpkkm9BXYFkpKxxFX38o/76w==}
-    engines: {node: '>=6'}
-    dev: false
-
   /ecc-jsbn@0.1.2:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-eh9O+hwRHNbG4BLTjEl3nw044CkGm5X6LoaCf7LPp7UU8Qrt47JYNi6nPX8xjW97TKGKm1ouctg0QSpZe9qrnw==}
     dependencies:
@@ -2739,6 +2734,10 @@ packages:
       ieee754: 1.2.1
     dev: false
 
+  /toml@3.0.0:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-y/mWCZinnvxjTKYhJ+pYxwD0mRLVvOtdS2Awbgxln6iEnt4rk0yBxeSBHkGJcPucRiG0e55mwWp+g/05rsrd6w==}
+    dev: false
+
   /touch@3.1.0:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-WBx8Uy5TLtOSRtIq+M03/sKDrXCLHxwDcquSP2c43Le03/9serjQBIztjRz6FkJez9D/hleyAXTBGLwwZUw9lA==}
     hasBin: true
diff --git a/src/activitypub.js b/src/activitypub.js
index c8fc682..555f44d 100644
--- a/src/activitypub.js
+++ b/src/activitypub.js
@@ -1,24 +1,24 @@
-const domain = require("./config/domain.js").domain;
-const contactEmail = require("./config/domain.js").email;
-const siteName = require("./config/domain.js").sitename;
-const isFederated = require("./config/domain.js").isFederated;
-const request = require("request");
-const addToLog = require("./helpers.js").addToLog;
-const crypto = require("crypto");
+import request from "request";
+import { addToLog } from "./helpers.js";
+import crypto from "crypto";
+import { customAlphabet } from "nanoid";
+import moment from "moment-timezone";
+import sanitizeHtml from "sanitize-html";
+import { getConfig } from "./lib/config.js";
+const config = getConfig();
+const domain = config.general.domain;
+const siteName = config.general.site_name;
+const isFederated = config.general.is_federated;
+import Event from "./models/Event.js";
+
 // This alphabet (used to generate all event, group, etc. IDs) is missing '-'
 // because ActivityPub doesn't like it in IDs
-const { customAlphabet } = require("nanoid");
 const nanoid = customAlphabet(
   "0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz_",
   21
 );
-var moment = require("moment-timezone");
-const mongoose = require("mongoose");
-const Event = mongoose.model("Event");
-const EventGroup = mongoose.model("EventGroup");
-var sanitizeHtml = require("sanitize-html");
 
-function createActivityPubActor(
+export function createActivityPubActor(
   eventID,
   domain,
   pubkey,
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ function createActivityPubActor(
   return JSON.stringify(actor);
 }
 
-function createActivityPubEvent(
+export function createActivityPubEvent(
   name,
   startUTC,
   endUTC,
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ function createActivityPubEvent(
   return JSON.stringify(eventObject);
 }
 
-function createFeaturedPost(
+export function createFeaturedPost(
   eventID,
   name,
   startUTC,
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ function createFeaturedPost(
   return featured;
 }
 
-function updateActivityPubEvent(
+export function updateActivityPubEvent(
   oldEvent,
   name,
   startUTC,
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ function updateActivityPubEvent(
   return JSON.stringify(eventObject);
 }
 
-function updateActivityPubActor(
+export function updateActivityPubActor(
   actor,
   description,
   name,
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ function updateActivityPubActor(
   return JSON.stringify(actor);
 }
 
-function signAndSend(message, eventID, targetDomain, inbox, callback) {
+export function signAndSend(message, eventID, targetDomain, inbox, callback) {
   if (!isFederated) return;
   let inboxFragment = inbox.replace("https://" + targetDomain, "");
   // get the private key
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ function signAndSend(message, eventID, targetDomain, inbox, callback) {
 // this function sends something to the timeline of every follower in the followers array
 // it's also an unlisted public message, meaning non-followers can see the message if they look at
 // the profile but it doesn't spam federated timelines
-function broadcastCreateMessage(apObject, followers, eventID) {
+export function broadcastCreateMessage(apObject, followers, eventID) {
   if (!isFederated) return;
   let guidCreate = crypto.randomBytes(16).toString("hex");
   Event.findOne(
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ function broadcastCreateMessage(apObject, followers, eventID) {
 }
 
 // sends an Announce for the apObject
-function broadcastAnnounceMessage(apObject, followers, eventID) {
+export function broadcastAnnounceMessage(apObject, followers, eventID) {
   if (!isFederated) return;
   let guidUpdate = crypto.randomBytes(16).toString("hex");
   Event.findOne(
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ function broadcastAnnounceMessage(apObject, followers, eventID) {
 }
 
 // sends an Update for the apObject
-function broadcastUpdateMessage(apObject, followers, eventID) {
+export function broadcastUpdateMessage(apObject, followers, eventID) {
   if (!isFederated) return;
   let guidUpdate = crypto.randomBytes(16).toString("hex");
   // iterate over followers
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ function broadcastUpdateMessage(apObject, followers, eventID) {
   );
 }
 
-function broadcastDeleteMessage(apObject, followers, eventID, callback) {
+export function broadcastDeleteMessage(apObject, followers, eventID, callback) {
   callback = callback || function () {};
   if (!isFederated) {
     callback([]);
@@ -521,7 +521,7 @@ function broadcastDeleteMessage(apObject, followers, eventID, callback) {
 }
 
 // this sends a message "to:" an individual fediverse user
-function sendDirectMessage(apObject, actorId, eventID, callback) {
+export function sendDirectMessage(apObject, actorId, eventID, callback) {
   if (!isFederated) return;
   callback = callback || function () {};
   const guidCreate = crypto.randomBytes(16).toString("hex");
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ function sendDirectMessage(apObject, actorId, eventID, callback) {
   );
 }
 
-function sendAcceptMessage(thebody, eventID, targetDomain, callback) {
+export function sendAcceptMessage(thebody, eventID, targetDomain, callback) {
   if (!isFederated) return;
   callback = callback || function () {};
   const guid = crypto.randomBytes(16).toString("hex");
@@ -1185,7 +1185,7 @@ function _handleCreateNoteComment(req, res) {
   } // end public message
 }
 
-function processInbox(req, res) {
+export function processInbox(req, res) {
   if (!isFederated) return res.sendStatus(404);
   try {
     // if a Follow activity hits the inbox
@@ -1251,7 +1251,7 @@ function processInbox(req, res) {
   }
 }
 
-function createWebfinger(eventID, domain) {
+export function createWebfinger(eventID, domain) {
   return {
     subject: `acct:${eventID}@${domain}`,
 
@@ -1264,20 +1264,3 @@ function createWebfinger(eventID, domain) {
     ],
   };
 }
-
-module.exports = {
-  processInbox,
-  sendAcceptMessage,
-  sendDirectMessage,
-  broadcastAnnounceMessage,
-  broadcastUpdateMessage,
-  broadcastDeleteMessage,
-  broadcastCreateMessage,
-  signAndSend,
-  createActivityPubActor,
-  updateActivityPubActor,
-  createActivityPubEvent,
-  updateActivityPubEvent,
-  createFeaturedPost,
-  createWebfinger,
-};
diff --git a/src/app.js b/src/app.js
index 4a2137e..9feb239 100755
--- a/src/app.js
+++ b/src/app.js
@@ -1,10 +1,7 @@
-const express = require("express");
-const path = require("path");
-const session = require("express-session");
-const cors = require("cors");
-const routes = require("./routes");
-const hbs = require("express-handlebars");
-const bodyParser = require("body-parser");
+import express from "express";
+import routes from "./routes.js";
+import hbs from "express-handlebars";
+import bodyParser from "body-parser";
 
 const app = express();
 
@@ -50,4 +47,4 @@ app.use(bodyParser.json({ type: "application/activity+json" })); // support json
 app.use(bodyParser.urlencoded({ extended: true }));
 app.use("/", routes);
 
-module.exports = app;
+export default app;
diff --git a/src/config/api-example.js b/src/config/api-example.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 493b9d6..0000000
--- a/src/config/api-example.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,8 +0,0 @@
-// Which of these fields are used depends on the 'mailService' config entry in config/domain.js
-module.exports = {
-  sendgrid: "", // If using SendGrid, the Sendgrid API key goes here
-  smtpServer: "", // If using Nodemailer, your SMTP server hostname goes here
-  smtpPort: "", // If using Nodemailer, your SMTP server port goes here
-  smtpUsername: "", // If using Nodemailer, your SMTP server username goes here
-  smtpPassword: "", // If using Nodemailer, your SMTP password goes here
-};
diff --git a/src/config/database-docker.js b/src/config/database-docker.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 96c987d..0000000
--- a/src/config/database-docker.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-module.exports = {
-  url: "mongodb://mongo:27017/gathio", // For dockerised MongoDB connection
-};
diff --git a/src/config/database-example.js b/src/config/database-example.js
deleted file mode 100644
index ca7bdcc..0000000
--- a/src/config/database-example.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-module.exports = {
-  url: "mongodb://localhost:27017/gathio", // For local MongoDB connection
-};
diff --git a/src/config/domain-example.js b/src/config/domain-example.js
deleted file mode 100644
index abac094..0000000
--- a/src/config/domain-example.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-module.exports = {
-  // Your domain goes here. If there is a port it should be 'domain:port', but otherwise just 'domain'
-  domain: "localhost:3000",
-  port: "3000",
-  email: "contact@example.com",
-  mailService: "nodemailer", // Which mail service to use to send emails to attendees. Options are 'nodemailer' or 'sendgrid'. Configure settings for the mail service in config/api.js.z
-  sitename: "gathio",
-  isFederated: true,
-  // If left blank, this defaults to https://yourdomain.com/images/gathio-email-logo.gif. Set a full URL here to change it to your own logo (or just change the file itself)
-  logo_url: "",
-  // Show a Ko-Fi box to donate money to Raphael Kabo (Gathio's creator) on the front page
-  showKofi: false,
-};
diff --git a/src/config/gathio.service b/src/config/gathio.service
deleted file mode 100644
index 447d44f..0000000
--- a/src/config/gathio.service
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-[Unit]
-Description=GathIO
-After=network.target
-
-[Service]
-Type=simple
-User=gathio
-WorkingDirectory=/srv/gathio
-ExecStart=/usr/bin/npm start
-Restart=on-failure
-
-[Install]
-WantedBy=multi-user.target
diff --git a/src/helpers.js b/src/helpers.js
index 9b7559f..305187f 100644
--- a/src/helpers.js
+++ b/src/helpers.js
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
-const domain = require("./config/domain.js").domain;
-const siteName = require("./config/domain.js").sitename;
-
-const mongoose = require("mongoose");
-const Log = mongoose.model("Log");
-var moment = require("moment-timezone");
-const icalGenerator = require("ical-generator");
+import moment from "moment-timezone";
+import icalGenerator from "ical-generator";
+import Log from "./models/Log.js";
+import { getConfig } from "./lib/config.js";
+const config = getConfig();
+const domain = config.general.domain;
+const siteName = config.general.site_name;
 
 // LOGGING
 
-function addToLog(process, status, message) {
+export function addToLog(process, status, message) {
   let logEntry = new Log({
     status: status,
     process: process,
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ function addToLog(process, status, message) {
   });
 }
 
-function exportIcal(events, calendarName) {
+export function exportIcal(events, calendarName) {
   // Create a new icalGenerator... generator
   const cal = icalGenerator({
     name: calendarName || siteName,
@@ -52,8 +52,3 @@ function exportIcal(events, calendarName) {
   const string = cal.toString();
   return string;
 }
-
-module.exports = {
-  addToLog,
-  exportIcal,
-};
diff --git a/src/lib/config.ts b/src/lib/config.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d235145
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/config.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+import fs from "fs";
+import toml from "toml";
+
+interface GathioConfig {
+  general: {
+    domain: string;
+    port: string;
+    email: string;
+    site_name: string;
+    is_federated: boolean;
+    email_logo_url: string;
+    show_kofi: boolean;
+    mail_service: "nodemailer" | "sendgrid";
+  };
+  database: {
+    mongodb_url: string;
+  };
+  nodemailer?: {
+    smtp_server: string;
+    smtp_port: string;
+    smtp_username: string;
+    smtp_password: string;
+  };
+  sendgrid?: {
+    api_key: string;
+  };
+}
+
+export const publicConfig = () => {
+  const config = getConfig();
+  return {
+    domain: config.general.domain,
+    siteName: config.general.site_name,
+    isFederated: config.general.is_federated,
+    emailLogoUrl: config.general.email_logo_url,
+    showKofi: config.general.show_kofi,
+  };
+};
+
+// Attempt to load our global config. Will stop the app if the config file
+// cannot be read (there's no point trying to continue!)
+export const getConfig = (): GathioConfig => {
+  try {
+    const config = toml.parse(
+      fs.readFileSync("./config/config.toml", "utf-8")
+    ) as GathioConfig;
+    return config;
+  } catch {
+    console.error(
+      "\x1b[31mConfiguration file not found! Have you renamed './config/config-example.toml' to './config/config.toml'?"
+    );
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+};
+
+export default getConfig;
diff --git a/src/models/Event.js b/src/models/Event.js
index 234084a..63a03ae 100755
--- a/src/models/Event.js
+++ b/src/models/Event.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-const mongoose = require("mongoose");
+import mongoose from "mongoose";
 
 const Attendees = new mongoose.Schema({
   name: {
@@ -256,4 +256,4 @@ const EventSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
   activityPubMessages: [ActivityPubMessages],
 });
 
-module.exports = mongoose.model("Event", EventSchema);
+export default mongoose.model("Event", EventSchema);
diff --git a/src/models/EventGroup.js b/src/models/EventGroup.js
index 1a4ac64..f19e374 100755
--- a/src/models/EventGroup.js
+++ b/src/models/EventGroup.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-const mongoose = require("mongoose");
+import mongoose from "mongoose";
 
 const Subscriber = new mongoose.Schema({
   email: {
@@ -54,4 +54,4 @@ const EventGroupSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
   subscribers: [Subscriber],
 });
 
-module.exports = mongoose.model("EventGroup", EventGroupSchema);
+export default mongoose.model("EventGroup", EventGroupSchema);
diff --git a/src/models/Log.js b/src/models/Log.js
index b048a45..f165900 100755
--- a/src/models/Log.js
+++ b/src/models/Log.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-const mongoose = require("mongoose");
+import mongoose from "mongoose";
 
 const LogSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
   status: {
@@ -23,4 +23,4 @@ const LogSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
   },
 });
 
-module.exports = mongoose.model("Log", LogSchema);
+export default mongoose.model("Log", LogSchema);
diff --git a/src/routes.js b/src/routes.js
index 8c7f630..55436c9 100755
--- a/src/routes.js
+++ b/src/routes.js
@@ -1,49 +1,56 @@
-const fs = require("fs");
-
-const express = require("express");
-
-const mongoose = require("mongoose");
+import fs from "fs";
+import express from "express";
+import { customAlphabet } from "nanoid";
+import randomstring from "randomstring";
+import { getConfig } from "./lib/config.js";
+import { addToLog, exportIcal } from "./helpers.js";
+import moment from "moment-timezone";
+import { marked } from "marked";
+import generateRSAKeypair from "generate-rsa-keypair";
+import crypto from "crypto";
+import request from "request";
+import niceware from "niceware";
+import ical from "ical";
+import sgMail from "@sendgrid/mail";
+import nodemailer from "nodemailer";
+import fileUpload from "express-fileupload";
+import Jimp from "jimp";
+import schedule from "node-schedule";
+import {
+  createActivityPubActor,
+  createActivityPubEvent,
+  createFeaturedPost,
+  createWebfinger,
+  updateActivityPubActor,
+  updateActivityPubEvent,
+  broadcastCreateMessage,
+  broadcastUpdateMessage,
+  broadcastDeleteMessage,
+  sendDirectMessage,
+  processInbox,
+} from "./activitypub.js";
+import Event from "./models/Event.js";
+import EventGroup from "./models/EventGroup.js";
+import path from "path";
+
+const config = getConfig();
+const domain = config.general.domain;
+const contactEmail = config.general.email;
+const siteName = config.general.site_name;
+const mailService = config.general.mail_service;
+const siteLogo = config.general.email_logo_url;
+const isFederated = config.general.is_federated || true;
+const showKofi = config.general.show_kofi;
 
 // This alphabet (used to generate all event, group, etc. IDs) is missing '-'
 // because ActivityPub doesn't like it in IDs
-const { customAlphabet } = require("nanoid");
 const nanoid = customAlphabet(
   "0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz_",
   21
 );
 
-const randomstring = require("randomstring");
-
-const { body, validationResult } = require("express-validator");
-
 const router = express.Router();
 
-const Event = mongoose.model("Event");
-const EventGroup = mongoose.model("EventGroup");
-const addToLog = require("./helpers.js").addToLog;
-
-var moment = require("moment-timezone");
-
-const marked = require("marked");
-
-const generateRSAKeypair = require("generate-rsa-keypair");
-const crypto = require("crypto");
-const request = require("request");
-const niceware = require("niceware");
-
-const domain = require("./config/domain.js").domain;
-const contactEmail = require("./config/domain.js").email;
-const mailService = require("./config/domain.js").mailService;
-const siteName = require("./config/domain.js").sitename;
-const siteLogo = require("./config/domain.js").logo_url;
-let isFederated = require("./config/domain.js").isFederated;
-let showKofi = require("./config/domain.js").showKofi;
-// if the federation config isn't set, things are federated by default
-if (isFederated === undefined) {
-  isFederated = true;
-}
-const ap = require("./activitypub.js");
-
 // Extra marked renderer (used to render plaintext event description for page metadata)
 // Adapted from https://dustinpfister.github.io/2017/11/19/nodejs-marked/
 // ? to ? helper
@@ -85,31 +92,23 @@ function render_plain() {
   return render;
 }
 
-const ical = require("ical");
-const { exportIcal } = require("./helpers.js");
-
-const sgMail = require("@sendgrid/mail");
-const nodemailer = require("nodemailer");
-
-const apiCredentials = require("./config/api.js");
-
 let sendEmails = false;
 let nodemailerTransporter;
-if (mailService) {
-  switch (mailService) {
+if (config.general.mail_service) {
+  switch (config.general.mail_service) {
     case "sendgrid":
-      sgMail.setApiKey(apiCredentials.sendgrid);
+      sgMail.setApiKey(config.sendgrid?.api_key);
       console.log("Sendgrid is ready to send emails.");
       sendEmails = true;
       break;
     case "nodemailer":
       nodemailerTransporter = nodemailer.createTransport({
-        host: apiCredentials.smtpServer,
-        port: apiCredentials.smtpPort,
+        host: config.nodemailer?.smtp_server,
+        port: config.nodemailer?.smtp_port,
         secure: false, // true for 465, false for other ports
         auth: {
-          user: apiCredentials.smtpUsername, // generated ethereal user
-          pass: apiCredentials.smtpPassword, // generated ethereal password
+          user: config.nodemailer?.smtp_username,
+          pass: config.nodemailer?.smtp_password,
         },
       });
       nodemailerTransporter.verify((error, success) => {
@@ -128,12 +127,9 @@ if (mailService) {
   }
 }
 
-const fileUpload = require("express-fileupload");
-var Jimp = require("jimp");
 router.use(fileUpload());
 
 // SCHEDULED DELETION
-const schedule = require("node-schedule");
 schedule.scheduleJob("59 23 * * *", function (fireDate) {
   const too_old = moment.tz("Etc/UTC").subtract(7, "days").toDate();
   console.log(
@@ -166,24 +162,27 @@ schedule.scheduleJob("59 23 * * *", function (fireDate) {
         };
 
         if (event.image) {
-          fs.unlink(global.appRoot + "/public/events/" + event.image, (err) => {
-            if (err) {
+          fs.unlink(
+            path.join(process.cwd(), "/public/events/" + event.image),
+            (err) => {
+              if (err) {
+                addToLog(
+                  "deleteOldEvents",
+                  "error",
+                  "Attempt to delete event image for old event " +
+                    event.id +
+                    " failed with error: " +
+                    err
+                );
+              }
+              // Image removed
               addToLog(
                 "deleteOldEvents",
                 "error",
-                "Attempt to delete event image for old event " +
-                  event.id +
-                  " failed with error: " +
-                  err
+                "Image deleted for old event " + event.id
               );
             }
-            // Image removed
-            addToLog(
-              "deleteOldEvents",
-              "error",
-              "Image deleted for old event " + event.id
-            );
-          });
+          );
         }
         // Check if event has ActivityPub fields
         if (event.activityPubActor && event.activityPubEvent) {
@@ -192,12 +191,12 @@ schedule.scheduleJob("59 23 * * *", function (fireDate) {
           const jsonUpdateObject = JSON.parse(event.activityPubActor);
           const jsonEventObject = JSON.parse(event.activityPubEvent);
           // first broadcast AP messages, THEN delete from DB
-          ap.broadcastDeleteMessage(
+          broadcastDeleteMessage(
             jsonUpdateObject,
             event.followers,
             event.id,
             function (statuses) {
-              ap.broadcastDeleteMessage(
+              broadcastDeleteMessage(
                 jsonEventObject,
                 event.followers,
                 event.id,
@@ -274,7 +273,7 @@ router.get("/:eventID/featured", (req, res) => {
     "@context": "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
     id: `https://${domain}/${eventID}/featured`,
     type: "OrderedCollection",
-    orderedItems: [ap.createFeaturedPost(eventID)],
+    orderedItems: [createFeaturedPost(eventID)],
   };
   if (
     req.headers.accept &&
@@ -367,11 +366,11 @@ router.get("/.well-known/webfinger", (req, res) => {
           ) {
             res
               .header("Content-Type", "application/activity+json")
-              .send(ap.createWebfinger(eventID, domain));
+              .send(createWebfinger(eventID, domain));
           } else {
             res
               .header("Content-Type", "application/json")
-              .send(ap.createWebfinger(eventID, domain));
+              .send(createWebfinger(eventID, domain));
           }
         }
       })
@@ -938,7 +937,7 @@ router.post("/newevent", async (req, res) => {
     usersCanComment: req.body.interactionCheckbox ? true : false,
     maxAttendees: req.body.maxAttendees,
     firstLoad: true,
-    activityPubActor: ap.createActivityPubActor(
+    activityPubActor: createActivityPubActor(
       eventID,
       domain,
       pair.public,
@@ -950,7 +949,7 @@ router.post("/newevent", async (req, res) => {
       endUTC,
       req.body.timezone
     ),
-    activityPubEvent: ap.createActivityPubEvent(
+    activityPubEvent: createActivityPubEvent(
       req.body.eventName,
       startUTC,
       endUTC,
@@ -962,7 +961,7 @@ router.post("/newevent", async (req, res) => {
       {
         id: `https://${domain}/${eventID}/m/featuredPost`,
         content: JSON.stringify(
-          ap.createFeaturedPost(
+          createFeaturedPost(
             eventID,
             req.body.eventName,
             startUTC,
@@ -1376,7 +1375,7 @@ router.post("/editevent/:eventID/:editToken", (req, res) => {
             : null,
           eventGroup: isPartOfEventGroup ? eventGroup._id : null,
           activityPubActor: event.activityPubActor
-            ? ap.updateActivityPubActor(
+            ? updateActivityPubActor(
                 JSON.parse(event.activityPubActor),
                 req.body.eventDescription,
                 req.body.eventName,
@@ -1388,7 +1387,7 @@ router.post("/editevent/:eventID/:editToken", (req, res) => {
               )
             : null,
           activityPubEvent: event.activityPubEvent
-            ? ap.updateActivityPubEvent(
+            ? updateActivityPubEvent(
                 JSON.parse(event.activityPubEvent),
                 req.body.eventName,
                 req.body.startUTC,
@@ -1463,17 +1462,17 @@ router.post("/editevent/:eventID/:editToken", (req, res) => {
                   cc: "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public",
                   content: `${diffText} See here: <a href="https://${domain}/${req.params.eventID}">https://${domain}/${req.params.eventID}</a>`,
                 };
-                ap.broadcastCreateMessage(jsonObject, event.followers, eventID);
+                broadcastCreateMessage(jsonObject, event.followers, eventID);
                 // also broadcast an Update profile message to all followers so that at least Mastodon servers will update the local profile information
                 const jsonUpdateObject = JSON.parse(event.activityPubActor);
-                ap.broadcastUpdateMessage(
+                broadcastUpdateMessage(
                   jsonUpdateObject,
                   event.followers,
                   eventID
                 );
                 // also broadcast an Update/Event for any calendar apps that are consuming our Events
                 const jsonEventObject = JSON.parse(event.activityPubEvent);
-                ap.broadcastUpdateMessage(
+                broadcastUpdateMessage(
                   jsonEventObject,
                   event.followers,
                   eventID
@@ -1495,7 +1494,7 @@ router.post("/editevent/:eventID/:editToken", (req, res) => {
                     ],
                   };
                   // send direct message to user
-                  ap.sendDirectMessage(jsonObject, attendee.id, eventID);
+                  sendDirectMessage(jsonObject, attendee.id, eventID);
                 }
               }
             });
@@ -1709,31 +1708,10 @@ router.post("/deleteimage/:eventID/:editToken", (req, res) => {
             "This event doesn't have a linked image. What are you even doing"
           );
       }
-      fs.unlink(global.appRoot + "/public/events/" + eventImage, (err) => {
-        if (err) {
-          res.status(500).send(err);
-          addToLog(
-            "deleteEventImage",
-            "error",
-            "Attempt to delete event image for event " +
-              req.params.eventID +
-              " failed with error: " +
-              err
-          );
-        }
-        // Image removed
-        addToLog(
-          "deleteEventImage",
-          "success",
-          "Image for event " + req.params.eventID + " deleted"
-        );
-        event.image = "";
-        event
-          .save()
-          .then((response) => {
-            res.status(200).send("Success");
-          })
-          .catch((err) => {
+      fs.unlink(
+        path.join(process.cwd(), "/public/events/" + eventImage),
+        (err) => {
+          if (err) {
             res.status(500).send(err);
             addToLog(
               "deleteEventImage",
@@ -1743,8 +1721,32 @@ router.post("/deleteimage/:eventID/:editToken", (req, res) => {
                 " failed with error: " +
                 err
             );
-          });
-      });
+          }
+          // Image removed
+          addToLog(
+            "deleteEventImage",
+            "success",
+            "Image for event " + req.params.eventID + " deleted"
+          );
+          event.image = "";
+          event
+            .save()
+            .then((response) => {
+              res.status(200).send("Success");
+            })
+            .catch((err) => {
+              res.status(500).send(err);
+              addToLog(
+                "deleteEventImage",
+                "error",
+                "Attempt to delete event image for event " +
+                  req.params.eventID +
+                  " failed with error: " +
+                  err
+              );
+            });
+        }
+      );
     }
   });
 });
@@ -1768,7 +1770,7 @@ router.post("/deleteevent/:eventID/:editToken", (req, res) => {
         const guidUpdateObject = crypto.randomBytes(16).toString("hex");
         const jsonUpdateObject = JSON.parse(event.activityPubActor);
         // first broadcast AP messages, THEN delete from DB
-        ap.broadcastDeleteMessage(
+        broadcastDeleteMessage(
           jsonUpdateObject,
           event.followers,
           req.params.eventID,
@@ -1790,7 +1792,7 @@ router.post("/deleteevent/:eventID/:editToken", (req, res) => {
                 // Delete image
                 if (eventImage) {
                   fs.unlink(
-                    global.appRoot + "/public/events/" + eventImage,
+                    path.join(process.cwd(), "/public/events/" + eventImage),
                     (err) => {
                       if (err) {
                         res.send(err);
@@ -1943,7 +1945,7 @@ router.post("/deleteeventgroup/:eventGroupID/:editToken", (req, res) => {
             // Delete image
             if (eventGroupImage) {
               fs.unlink(
-                global.appRoot + "/public/events/" + eventGroupImage,
+                path.join(process.cwd(), "/public/events/" + eventGroupImage),
                 (err) => {
                   if (err) {
                     res.send(err);
@@ -2569,7 +2571,7 @@ router.post("/post/comment/:eventID", (req, res) => {
             cc: "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public",
             content: `<p>${req.body.commentAuthor} commented: ${req.body.commentContent}.</p><p><a href="https://${domain}/${req.params.eventID}/">See the full conversation here.</a></p>`,
           };
-          ap.broadcastCreateMessage(
+          broadcastCreateMessage(
             jsonObject,
             event.followers,
             req.params.eventID
@@ -2681,7 +2683,7 @@ router.post("/post/reply/:eventID/:commentID", (req, res) => {
             cc: "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public",
             content: `<p>${req.body.replyAuthor} commented: ${req.body.replyContent}</p><p><a href="https://${domain}/${req.params.eventID}/">See the full conversation here.</a></p>`,
           };
-          ap.broadcastCreateMessage(
+          broadcastCreateMessage(
             jsonObject,
             event.followers,
             req.params.eventID
@@ -2877,7 +2879,7 @@ router.post("/activitypub/inbox", (req, res) => {
         const result = verifier.verify(publicKeyBuf, signatureBuf);
         if (result) {
           // actually process the ActivityPub message now that it's been verified
-          ap.processInbox(req, res);
+          processInbox(req, res);
         } else {
           return res.status(401).send("Signature could not be verified.");
         }
@@ -2896,4 +2898,4 @@ router.use(function (req, res, next) {
 
 addToLog("startup", "success", "Started up successfully");
 
-module.exports = router;
+export default router;
diff --git a/src/start.js b/src/start.js
index a6ecfbf..ca17862 100755
--- a/src/start.js
+++ b/src/start.js
@@ -1,13 +1,10 @@
-require("dotenv").config();
+import mongoose from "mongoose";
+import { getConfig } from "./lib/config.js";
+import app from "./app.js";
 
-const path = require("path");
+const config = getConfig();
 
-const mongoose = require("mongoose");
-
-const databaseCredentials = require("./config/database.js");
-const port = require("./config/domain.js").port;
-
-mongoose.connect(databaseCredentials.url, {
+mongoose.connect(config.database.mongodb_url, {
   useNewUrlParser: true,
   useUnifiedTopology: true,
 });
@@ -21,15 +18,7 @@ mongoose.connection
     console.log("Connection error: ${err.message}");
   });
 
-require("./models/Event");
-require("./models/Log");
-require("./models/EventGroup");
-
-const app = require("./app.js");
-
-global.appRoot = path.resolve(__dirname);
-
-const server = app.listen(port, () => {
+const server = app.listen(config.general.port, () => {
   console.log(
     `Welcome to gathio! The app is now running on http://localhost:${
       server.address().port