diff --git a/app/options.go b/app/options.go
index 1db4f62..fa7521c 100644
--- a/app/options.go
+++ b/app/options.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ func SetPlasmaOptionsFromConfig(conf config.PlasmaConfig) func(*PlasmaMVPChain)
 	var blockFinality uint64
 
 	if conf.IsOperator {
-		d, err := hex.DecodeString(conf.EthOperatorPrivateKey)
+		d, err := hex.DecodeString(conf.OperatorPrivateKey)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			errMsg := fmt.Sprintf("Could not parse private key: %v", err)
diff --git a/cmd/plasmacli/config/cobra.go b/cmd/plasmacli/config/cobra.go
index 519adaf..0e373a1 100644
--- a/cmd/plasmacli/config/cobra.go
+++ b/cmd/plasmacli/config/cobra.go
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@ import (
 )
 
 func AddPersistentTMFlags(cmd *cobra.Command) {
-	cmd.PersistentFlags().String(client.FlagNode, "tcp://localhost:26657", "<host>:<port> to tendermint rpc interface for this chain")
+	cmd.PersistentFlags().String(client.FlagNode, "", "<host>:<port> to tendermint rpc interface for this chain")
 	cmd.PersistentFlags().Bool(client.FlagTrustNode, false, "Trust connected full node (don't verify proofs for responses)")
 	cmd.PersistentFlags().String(client.FlagChainID, "", "id of the chain. Required if --trust-node=false")
+	viper.BindPFlag(client.FlagNode, cmd.PersistentFlags().Lookup(client.FlagNode))
 	viper.BindPFlag(client.FlagTrustNode, cmd.PersistentFlags().Lookup(client.FlagTrustNode))
 	viper.BindPFlag(client.FlagChainID, cmd.PersistentFlags().Lookup(client.FlagChainID))
-	viper.BindPFlag(client.FlagNode, cmd.PersistentFlags().Lookup(client.FlagNode))
 }
diff --git a/cmd/plasmacli/config/config.go b/cmd/plasmacli/config/config.go
index dac8484..b985e4f 100644
--- a/cmd/plasmacli/config/config.go
+++ b/cmd/plasmacli/config/config.go
@@ -7,62 +7,101 @@ import (
 	cmn "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/libs/common"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
 	"text/template"
 )
 
 const defaultConfigTemplate = `# This is a TOML config file.
 # For more information, see https://github.com/toml-lang/toml
 
-##### ethereum config options #####
+##### ethereum configuration #####
+
 # Ethereum plasma contract address
-ethereum_plasma_contract_address = "{{ .EthPlasmaContractAddr }}"
+ethereum_contract_address = "{{ .EthPlasmaContractAddr }}"
 
 # Node URL for eth client
 ethereum_nodeurl = "{{ .EthNodeURL }}"
 
-# Number of Ethereum blocks until a transaction is considered final
-ethereum_finality = "{{ .EthBlockFinality }}"`
+
+##### plasamd configuration #####
+
+# Node URL for plasmad
+node = "{{ .PlasmadNodeURL }}"
+
+# Trust the connected plasmad node (don't verify proofs for responses)
+trust_node = {{ .PlasmadTrustNode }}
+
+# Chain identifier. Must be set if trust-node == false
+chain_id = "{{ .PlasmadChainID }}"`
 
 // Must match the above defaultConfigTemplate
-type PlasmaConfig struct {
-	EthPlasmaContractAddr string `mapstructure:"ethereum_plasma_contract_address"`
+type Config struct {
+	// Ethereum config
+	EthPlasmaContractAddr string `mapstructure:"ethereum_contract_address"`
 	EthNodeURL            string `mapstructure:"ethereum_nodeurl"`
-	EthBlockFinality      string `mapstructure:"ethereum_finality"`
+
+	// Plasmad config
+	PlasmadNodeURL   string `mapstructure:"node"`
+	PlasmadTrustNode bool   `mapstructure:"trust_node"`
+	PlasmadChainID   string `mapstructure:"chain_id"`
 }
 
 var configTemplate *template.Template
 
 func init() {
 	var err error
-	tmpl := template.New("plasmaConfigFileTemplate")
+	tmpl := template.New("configFileTemplate")
 	if configTemplate, err = tmpl.Parse(defaultConfigTemplate); err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
 }
 
-func DefaultPlasmaConfig() PlasmaConfig {
-	return PlasmaConfig{"", "http://localhost:8545", "0"}
+func DefaultConfig() Config {
+	return Config{
+		EthPlasmaContractAddr: "",
+		EthNodeURL:            "http://localhost:8545",
+		PlasmadNodeURL:        "tcp://localhost:26657",
+		PlasmadTrustNode:      false,
+		PlasmadChainID:        "",
+	}
+}
+
+// RegisterViper will match client flags with config and register env
+func RegisterViperAndEnv() {
+	viper.SetEnvPrefix("PCLI")
+	viper.SetEnvKeyReplacer(strings.NewReplacer("-", "_"))
+	viper.AutomaticEnv()
+
+	// The configuration files use underscores while the Cosmos SDK uses
+	// hypens. These aliases align `Viper.Get(..)` for both
+	// the SDK and the configuration file
+	viper.RegisterAlias("trust_node", "trust-node")
+	viper.RegisterAlias("chain_id", "chain-id")
 }
 
 // parses the plasma.toml file and unmarshals it into a Config struct
-func ParsePlasmaConfigFromViper() (PlasmaConfig, error) {
-	config := DefaultPlasmaConfig()
+func ParseConfigFromViper() (Config, error) {
+	config := Config{}
 	err := viper.Unmarshal(&config)
 	return config, err
 }
 
 // WriteConfigFile renders config using the template and writes it to configFilePath.
-func WritePlasmaConfigFile(configFilePath string, config PlasmaConfig) {
+func WriteConfigFile(configFilePath string, config Config) error {
 	var buffer bytes.Buffer
 
 	if err := configTemplate.Execute(&buffer, &config); err != nil {
-		panic(err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("template: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if err := cmn.EnsureDir(filepath.Dir(configFilePath), os.ModePerm); err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("ERROR: failed to create directory: %s, recieved error: { %s }", filepath.Dir(configFilePath), err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("ensuredir: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	// 0666 allows for read and write for any user
-	cmn.MustWriteFile(configFilePath, buffer.Bytes(), 0666)
+	if err := cmn.WriteFile(configFilePath, buffer.Bytes(), 0666); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("writefile: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
 }
diff --git a/cmd/plasmacli/config/connection.go b/cmd/plasmacli/config/connection.go
index db7ecf4..eb24c83 100644
--- a/cmd/plasmacli/config/connection.go
+++ b/cmd/plasmacli/config/connection.go
@@ -2,13 +2,10 @@ package config
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"github.com/FourthState/plasma-mvp-sidechain/cmd/plasmacli/store"
+	"github.com/FourthState/plasma-mvp-sidechain/cmd/plasmacli/flags"
 	"github.com/FourthState/plasma-mvp-sidechain/eth"
 	ethcmn "github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
 	"github.com/spf13/viper"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"strconv"
 )
 
 var plasmaContract *eth.Plasma
@@ -28,42 +25,27 @@ func GetContractConn() (*eth.Plasma, error) {
 }
 
 func setupContractConn() (*eth.Plasma, error) {
-	// Parse plasma.toml before every call to the eth command
-	// Update ethereum client connection if params have changed
-	plasmaConfigFilePath := filepath.Join(viper.GetString(store.DirFlag), "plasma.toml")
-
-	if _, err := os.Stat(plasmaConfigFilePath); os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		plasmaConfig := DefaultPlasmaConfig()
-		WritePlasmaConfigFile(plasmaConfigFilePath, plasmaConfig)
-	}
-
-	viper.SetConfigName("plasma")
-	if err := viper.MergeInConfig(); err != nil {
+	conf, err := ParseConfigFromViper()
+	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	conf, err := ParsePlasmaConfigFromViper()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+	dir := viper.GetString(flags.Home)
+	if dir[len(dir)-1] != '/' {
+		dir = dir + "/"
 	}
 
-	// Check to see if the eth connection params have changed
-	dir := viper.GetString(store.DirFlag)
 	if conf.EthNodeURL == "" {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("please specify a node url for eth connection in %s/plasma.toml", dir)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("please specify a node url for eth connection in %sconfig.toml", dir)
 	} else if conf.EthPlasmaContractAddr == "" || !ethcmn.IsHexAddress(conf.EthPlasmaContractAddr) {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("please specic a valid contract address in %s/plasma.toml", dir)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("please specify a valid contract address in %sconfig.toml", dir)
 	}
 
 	ethClient, err := eth.InitEthConn(conf.EthNodeURL)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	blockFinality, err := strconv.ParseUint(conf.EthBlockFinality, 10, 64)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	plasma, err := eth.InitPlasma(ethcmn.HexToAddress(conf.EthPlasmaContractAddr), ethClient, blockFinality)
+	plasma, err := eth.InitPlasma(ethcmn.HexToAddress(conf.EthPlasmaContractAddr), ethClient, 0)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/plasmacli/flags/flags.go b/cmd/plasmacli/flags/flags.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1077fd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/plasmacli/flags/flags.go
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+package flags
+
+import (
+	tmcli "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/libs/cli"
+)
+
+const (
+	Home = tmcli.HomeFlag
+)
diff --git a/cmd/plasmacli/store/keystore.go b/cmd/plasmacli/store/keystore.go
index 25f749a..f59815b 100644
--- a/cmd/plasmacli/store/keystore.go
+++ b/cmd/plasmacli/store/keystore.go
@@ -7,11 +7,9 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/accounts"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/accounts/keystore"
 	ethcmn "github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
-	"github.com/spf13/viper"
 	"github.com/syndtr/goleveldb/leveldb"
 	"github.com/syndtr/goleveldb/leveldb/iterator"
 	"io/ioutil"
-	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 )
 
@@ -23,16 +21,19 @@ const (
 
 	PassphrasePrompt = "Enter passphrase:"
 
-	accountDir = "data/accounts.ldb"
-	keysDir    = "keys"
-
-	DirFlag = "directory"
+	accountsDir = "data/accounts.ldb"
+	keysDir     = "keys"
 )
 
-var ks *keystore.KeyStore
+var (
+	home string
+	ks   *keystore.KeyStore
+)
 
 // initialize a keystore in the specified directory
-func InitKeystore() {
+func InitKeystore(homeDir string) {
+	home = homeDir
+
 	dir := getDir(keysDir)
 	if ks == nil {
 		ks = keystore.NewKeyStore(dir, keystore.StandardScryptN, keystore.StandardScryptP)
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ func InitKeystore() {
 // Return iterator over accounts
 // returns db so db.close can be called
 func AccountIterator() (iterator.Iterator, *leveldb.DB) {
-	dir := getDir(accountDir)
+	dir := getDir(accountsDir)
 	db, err := leveldb.OpenFile(dir, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Printf("leveldb: %s", err)
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ func AccountIterator() (iterator.Iterator, *leveldb.DB) {
 // Add a new account to the keystore
 // Add account name and address to leveldb
 func AddAccount(name string) (ethcmn.Address, error) {
-	dir := getDir(accountDir)
+	dir := getDir(accountsDir)
 	db, err := leveldb.OpenFile(dir, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return ethcmn.Address{}, fmt.Errorf("leveldb: %s", err)
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@ func AddAccount(name string) (ethcmn.Address, error) {
 
 // Retrieve the address of an account
 func GetAccount(name string) (ethcmn.Address, error) {
-	dir := getDir(accountDir)
+	dir := getDir(accountsDir)
 	db, err := leveldb.OpenFile(dir, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return ethcmn.Address{}, fmt.Errorf("leveldb: %s", err)
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ func GetAccount(name string) (ethcmn.Address, error) {
 // Remove an account from the local keystore
 // and the leveldb
 func DeleteAccount(name string) error {
-	dir := getDir(accountDir)
+	dir := getDir(accountsDir)
 	db, err := leveldb.OpenFile(dir, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("leveldb: %s", err)
@@ -140,7 +141,7 @@ func DeleteAccount(name string) error {
 
 // Update either the name of an account or the passphrase for an account
 func UpdateAccount(name string, updatedName string) (msg string, err error) {
-	dir := getDir(accountDir)
+	dir := getDir(accountsDir)
 	db, err := leveldb.OpenFile(dir, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return msg, fmt.Errorf("leveldb: %s", err)
@@ -188,7 +189,7 @@ func UpdateAccount(name string, updatedName string) (msg string, err error) {
 
 // Import a private key with an account name
 func ImportECDSA(name string, pk *ecdsa.PrivateKey) (ethcmn.Address, error) {
-	dir := getDir(accountDir)
+	dir := getDir(accountsDir)
 	db, err := leveldb.OpenFile(dir, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return ethcmn.Address{}, fmt.Errorf("leveldb: %s", err)
@@ -240,7 +241,7 @@ func SignHashWithPassphrase(signer string, hash []byte) ([]byte, error) {
 }
 
 func GetKey(name string) (*ecdsa.PrivateKey, error) {
-	dir := getDir(accountDir)
+	dir := getDir(accountsDir)
 	db, err := leveldb.OpenFile(dir, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("leveldb: %s", err)
@@ -284,9 +285,5 @@ func GetKey(name string) (*ecdsa.PrivateKey, error) {
 // Return the directory specified by the --directory flag
 // with the passed in string appended to the end
 func getDir(location string) string {
-	dir := viper.GetString(DirFlag)
-	if dir[len(dir)-1] != '/' {
-		dir = filepath.Join(dir, "/")
-	}
-	return os.ExpandEnv(filepath.Join(dir, location))
+	return filepath.Join(home, location)
 }
diff --git a/cmd/plasmacli/store/keystore_test.go b/cmd/plasmacli/store/keystore_test.go
index 79320e2..ea0dd82 100644
--- a/cmd/plasmacli/store/keystore_test.go
+++ b/cmd/plasmacli/store/keystore_test.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import (
 func TestAccounts(t *testing.T) {
 	// setup testing env
 	os.Mkdir("testing", os.ModePerm)
-	viper.Set(DirFlag, os.ExpandEnv("./testing"))
+	InitKeystore("./testing")
 
 	// cleanup
 	defer func() {
@@ -23,8 +23,6 @@ func TestAccounts(t *testing.T) {
 		os.RemoveAll("testing")
 	}()
 
-	InitKeystore()
-
 	cases := []string{
 		"mykey",
 		"another-key",
diff --git a/cmd/plasmacli/store/sigs_test.go b/cmd/plasmacli/store/sigs_test.go
index 8c6193d..7c23fb1 100644
--- a/cmd/plasmacli/store/sigs_test.go
+++ b/cmd/plasmacli/store/sigs_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package store
 
 import (
+	"github.com/FourthState/plasma-mvp-sidechain/cmd/plasmacli/flags"
 	"github.com/FourthState/plasma-mvp-sidechain/plasma"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/crypto"
 	"github.com/spf13/viper"
@@ -13,7 +14,7 @@ import (
 func TestSavSig(t *testing.T) {
 	// setup testing env
 	os.Mkdir("testing", os.ModePerm)
-	viper.Set(DirFlag, os.ExpandEnv("./testing"))
+	viper.Set(flags.Home, "./testing")
 
 	// cleanup
 	defer func() {
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ func TestSavSig(t *testing.T) {
 func TestBadSigs(t *testing.T) {
 	// setup testing env
 	os.Mkdir("testing", os.ModePerm)
-	viper.Set(DirFlag, os.ExpandEnv("./testing"))
+	viper.Set(flags.Home, "./testing")
 
 	// cleanup
 	defer func() {
@@ -89,7 +90,7 @@ func TestBadSigs(t *testing.T) {
 func TestMultiConfirmSig(t *testing.T) {
 	// setup testing env
 	os.Mkdir("testing", os.ModePerm)
-	viper.Set(DirFlag, os.ExpandEnv("./testing"))
+	viper.Set(flags.Home, "./testing")
 
 	// cleanup
 	defer func() {
diff --git a/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/eth/query/root.go b/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/eth/query/root.go
index 05bcfb6..f82a90b 100644
--- a/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/eth/query/root.go
+++ b/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/eth/query/root.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func QueryCmd() *cobra.Command {
 var queryCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "query",
 	Short: "Query for rootchain related information",
-	PersistentPreRunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+	PreRunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		plasma, err := config.GetContractConn()
 		plasmaContract = plasma
 		return err
diff --git a/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/eth/root.go b/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/eth/root.go
index baacd73..f52e6c0 100644
--- a/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/eth/root.go
+++ b/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/eth/root.go
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ var ethCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Short: "Interact with the plasma smart contract",
 	Long: `Configurations for interacting with the rootchain contract can be specified in <dirpath>/plasma.toml.
 An eth node instance needs to be running for this command to work.`,
-	PersistentPreRunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+	PreRunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		plasma, err := config.GetContractConn()
 		plasmaContract = plasma
 		return err
diff --git a/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/keys/root.go b/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/keys/root.go
index 47919e1..ba05828 100644
--- a/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/keys/root.go
+++ b/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/keys/root.go
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package keys
 
 import (
-	"github.com/FourthState/plasma-mvp-sidechain/cmd/plasmacli/store"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
@@ -11,15 +10,7 @@ const (
 	fileF = "file"
 )
 
-var keysCmd = &cobra.Command{
-	Use:   "keys",
-	Short: "Manage local private keys",
-	Long:  `Keys allows you to manage your local keystore.`,
-}
-
 func KeysCmd() *cobra.Command {
-	store.InitKeystore()
-
 	keysCmd.AddCommand(
 		AddCmd(),
 		DeleteCmd(),
@@ -30,3 +21,9 @@ func KeysCmd() *cobra.Command {
 
 	return keysCmd
 }
+
+var keysCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "keys",
+	Short: "Manage local private keys",
+	Long:  `Keys allows you to manage your local keystore.`,
+}
diff --git a/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/root.go b/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/root.go
index e9a56d3..4cbe50f 100644
--- a/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/root.go
+++ b/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/root.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package subcmd
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"github.com/FourthState/plasma-mvp-sidechain/cmd/plasmacli/config"
+	"github.com/FourthState/plasma-mvp-sidechain/cmd/plasmacli/flags"
 	"github.com/FourthState/plasma-mvp-sidechain/cmd/plasmacli/store"
 	"github.com/FourthState/plasma-mvp-sidechain/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/eth"
 	"github.com/FourthState/plasma-mvp-sidechain/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/keys"
@@ -15,36 +16,17 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 )
 
-// default directory
-var homeDir string = os.ExpandEnv("$HOME/.plasmacli/")
-
-// Flags
-const ()
-
-func init() {
-	// initConfig to be ran when Execute is called
-	cobra.OnInitialize(initConfig)
-}
-
-// initConfig reads in config file and ENV variables if set
-func initConfig() {
-	viper.AutomaticEnv()
-}
+// default home directory
+var homeDir = os.ExpandEnv("$HOME/.plasmacli/")
 
 func RootCmd() *cobra.Command {
 	cobra.EnableCommandSorting = false
-	rootCmd.PersistentFlags().StringP(store.DirFlag, "d", homeDir, "directory for plasmacli")
+	rootCmd.PersistentFlags().String(flags.Home, homeDir, "home directory for plasmacli")
 	if err := viper.BindPFlags(rootCmd.PersistentFlags()); err != nil {
 		fmt.Println(err)
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
-	viper.AddConfigPath(homeDir)
-	plasmaDir := filepath.Join(homeDir, "plasma.toml")
-	if _, err := os.Stat(plasmaDir); os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		config.WritePlasmaConfigFile(plasmaDir, config.DefaultPlasmaConfig())
-	}
-
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(
 		tx.TxCmd(),
 		eth.EthCmd(),
@@ -67,4 +49,27 @@ var rootCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:           "plasmacli",
 	Short:         "Plasma Client",
 	SilenceErrors: true,
+	PersistentPreRunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		config.RegisterViperAndEnv()
+		homeDir := viper.GetString(flags.Home)
+
+		store.InitKeystore(homeDir)
+
+		configFilepath := filepath.Join(homeDir, "config.toml")
+		if _, err := os.Stat(configFilepath); os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			if err := config.WriteConfigFile(configFilepath, config.DefaultConfig()); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		} else if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		viper.AddConfigPath(homeDir)
+		viper.SetConfigName("config")
+		if err := viper.MergeInConfig(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		return nil
+	},
 }
diff --git a/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/tx/root.go b/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/tx/root.go
index 802571f..24d2374 100644
--- a/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/tx/root.go
+++ b/cmd/plasmacli/subcmd/tx/root.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ func TxCmd() *cobra.Command {
 		SpendCmd(),
 		SignCmd(),
 	)
+
 	return txCmd
 }
 
diff --git a/cmd/plasmad/config/config.go b/cmd/plasmad/config/config.go
index 025c9ee..d0f7f8d 100644
--- a/cmd/plasmad/config/config.go
+++ b/cmd/plasmad/config/config.go
@@ -10,34 +10,38 @@ import (
 const defaultConfigTemplate = `# This is a TOML config file.
 # For more information, see https://github.com/toml-lang/toml
 
-##### ethereum config options #####
-# Boolean specifying if this node is the operator of the plasma contract
-is_operator = "{{ .IsOperator }}"
-
-# Hex encoded private key
-# Used to sign eth transactions interacting with the contract
-ethereum_operator_privatekey = "{{ .EthOperatorPrivateKey }}"
+##### ethereum configuration #####
 
 # Ethereum plasma contract address
 ethereum_plasma_contract_address = "{{ .EthPlasmaContractAddr }}"
 
-# Plasma block commitment rate. i.e 1m30s, 1m, 1h, etc.
-plasma_block_commitment_rate = "{{ .PlasmaCommitmentRate }}"
-
 # Node URL for eth client
 ethereum_nodeurl = "{{ .EthNodeURL }}"
 
 # Number of Ethereum blocks until a submitted block header is considered final
-ethereum_finality = "{{ .EthBlockFinality }}"`
+ethereum_finality = "{{ .EthBlockFinality }}"
+
+##### plasma configuration #####
+
+# Plasma block commitment rate. i.e 1m30s, 1m, 1h, etc.
+block_commitment_rate = "{{ .PlasmaCommitmentRate }}"
+
+# Boolean specifying if this node is the operator of the plasma contract
+is_operator = "{{ .IsOperator }}"
+
+# Hex encoded private key
+# Used to sign eth transactions interacting with the contract
+operator_privatekey = "{{ .OperatorPrivateKey }}"`
 
 // Must match the above defaultConfigTemplate
 type PlasmaConfig struct {
-	IsOperator            bool   `mapstructure:"is_operator"`
-	EthOperatorPrivateKey string `mapstructure:"ethereum_operator_privatekey"`
 	EthPlasmaContractAddr string `mapstructure:"ethereum_plasma_contract_address"`
-	PlasmaCommitmentRate  string `mapstructure:"plasma_block_commitment_rate"`
 	EthNodeURL            string `mapstructure:"ethereum_nodeurl"`
 	EthBlockFinality      string `mapstructure:"ethereum_finality"`
+
+	IsOperator           bool   `mapstructure:"is_operator"`
+	OperatorPrivateKey   string `mapstructure:"operator_privatekey"`
+	PlasmaCommitmentRate string `mapstructure:"block_commitment_rate"`
 }
 
 var configTemplate *template.Template
@@ -51,7 +55,15 @@ func init() {
 }
 
 func DefaultPlasmaConfig() PlasmaConfig {
-	return PlasmaConfig{false, "", "", "30s", "http://localhost:8545", "16"}
+	return PlasmaConfig{
+		EthPlasmaContractAddr: "",
+		EthNodeURL:            "http://localhost:8545",
+		EthBlockFinality:      "16",
+
+		IsOperator:           false,
+		OperatorPrivateKey:   "",
+		PlasmaCommitmentRate: "1m",
+	}
 }
 
 // TestPlasmaConfig writes the plasma.toml file used for testing
@@ -59,12 +71,13 @@ func DefaultPlasmaConfig() PlasmaConfig {
 // Contract address and private key generated deterministically using the "plasma" moniker with ganache
 func TestPlasmaConfig() PlasmaConfig {
 	return PlasmaConfig{
-		IsOperator:            true,
-		EthOperatorPrivateKey: "9cd69f009ac86203e54ec50e3686de95ff6126d3b30a19f926a0fe9323c17181",
 		EthPlasmaContractAddr: "31E491FC70cDb231774c61B7F46d94699dacE664",
-		PlasmaCommitmentRate:  "1m",
 		EthNodeURL:            "http://localhost:8545",
 		EthBlockFinality:      "0",
+
+		IsOperator:           true,
+		OperatorPrivateKey:   "9cd69f009ac86203e54ec50e3686de95ff6126d3b30a19f926a0fe9323c17181",
+		PlasmaCommitmentRate: "1m",
 	}
 }