diff --git a/h5pyd/__init__.py b/h5pyd/__init__.py
index 732a15a..28da064 100644
--- a/h5pyd/__init__.py
+++ b/h5pyd/__init__.py
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@
 from . import h5ds
 
 
-from .config import Config
+from .config import get_config
+
 __version__ = version.version
 
 
diff --git a/h5pyd/_hl/base.py b/h5pyd/_hl/base.py
index f581480..dd1a78e 100644
--- a/h5pyd/_hl/base.py
+++ b/h5pyd/_hl/base.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 
 import posixpath
 import os
+import sys
 import json
 import numpy as np
 import logging
@@ -28,6 +29,10 @@
 numpy_float_types = (np.float16, np.float32, np.float64)
 
 
+def eprint(*args, **kwargs):
+    print(*args, file=sys.stderr, **kwargs)
+
+
 class FakeLock():
     def __init__(self):
         pass
@@ -506,7 +511,7 @@ def readElement(buffer, offset, arr, index, dt):
             e = np.frombuffer(bytes(e_buffer), dtype=dt)
             arr[index] = e[0]
         except ValueError:
-            print(f"ERROR: ValueError setting {e_buffer} and dtype: {dt}")
+            eprint(f"ERROR: ValueError setting {e_buffer} and dtype: {dt}")
             raise
     else:
         # variable length element
@@ -533,7 +538,7 @@ def readElement(buffer, offset, arr, index, dt):
                 try:
                     e = np.frombuffer(bytes(e_buffer), dtype=vlen)
                 except ValueError:
-                    print("ValueError -- e_buffer:", e_buffer, "dtype:", vlen)
+                    eprint("ValueError -- e_buffer:", e_buffer, "dtype:", vlen)
                     raise
                 arr[index] = e
 
diff --git a/h5pyd/_hl/config.py b/h5pyd/_hl/config.py
deleted file mode 100755
index 40ac2e8..0000000
--- a/h5pyd/_hl/config.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,103 +0,0 @@
-##############################################################################
-# Copyright by The HDF Group.                                                #
-# All rights reserved.                                                       #
-#                                                                            #
-# This file is part of HSDS (HDF5 Scalable Data Service), Libraries and      #
-# Utilities.  The full HSDS copyright notice, including                      #
-# terms governing use, modification, and redistribution, is contained in     #
-# the file COPYING, which can be found at the root of the source code        #
-# distribution tree.  If you do not have access to this file, you may        #
-# request a copy from help@hdfgroup.org.                                     #
-##############################################################################
-import os
-import json
-import sys
-
-
-def eprint(*args, **kwargs):
-    print(*args, file=sys.stderr, **kwargs)
-
-
-class Config:
-    """
-    User Config state
-    """
-    def __init__(self, config_file=None, **kwargs):
-        self._cfg = {}
-        if config_file:
-            self._config_file = config_file
-        elif os.path.isfile(".hscfg"):
-            self._config_file = ".hscfg"
-        else:
-            self._config_file = os.path.expanduser("~/.hscfg")
-        # process config file if found
-        if os.path.isfile(self._config_file):
-            line_number = 0
-            with open(self._config_file) as f:
-                for line in f:
-                    line_number += 1
-                    s = line.strip()
-                    if not s:
-                        continue
-                    if s[0] == '#':
-                        # comment line
-                        continue
-                    index = line.find('=')
-                    if index <= 0:
-                        eprint(f"config file: {self._config_file} line: {line_number} is not valid")
-                        continue
-                    k = line[:index].strip()
-                    v = line[(index + 1):].strip()
-                    if v and v.upper() != "NONE":
-                        self._cfg[k] = v
-        # override any config values with environment variable if found
-        for k in self._cfg.keys():
-            if k.upper() in os.environ:
-                self._cfg[k] = os.environ[k.upper()]
-
-        # finally update any values that are passed in to the constructor
-        for k in kwargs.keys():
-            self._cfg[k] = kwargs[k]
-
-    def __getitem__(self, name):
-        """ Get a config item  """
-
-        # Load a variable from environment. It would have only been loaded in
-        # __init__ if it was also specified in the config file.
-        env_name = name.upper()
-        if name not in self._cfg and env_name in os.environ:
-            self._cfg[name] = os.environ[env_name]
-
-        return self._cfg[name]
-
-    def __setitem__(self, name, obj):
-        """ set config item """
-        self._cfg[name] = obj
-
-    def __delitem__(self, name):
-        """ Delete option. """
-        del self._cfg[name]
-
-    def __len__(self):
-        return len(self._cfg)
-
-    def __iter__(self):
-        """ Iterate over config names """
-        keys = self._cfg.keys()
-        for key in keys:
-            yield key
-
-    def __contains__(self, name):
-        return name in self._cfg or name.upper() in os.environ
-
-    def __repr__(self):
-        return json.dumps(self._cfg)
-
-    def keys(self):
-        return self._cfg.keys()
-
-    def get(self, name, default=None):
-        if name in self:
-            return self[name]
-        else:
-            return default
diff --git a/h5pyd/_hl/files.py b/h5pyd/_hl/files.py
index c623e86..c9d4be5 100644
--- a/h5pyd/_hl/files.py
+++ b/h5pyd/_hl/files.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 from .objectid import GroupID
 from .group import Group
 from .httpconn import HttpConn
-from .config import Config
+from .. import config
 
 VERBOSE_REFRESH_TIME = 1.0  # 1 second
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class H5Image(io.RawIOBase):
     def __init__(self, domain_path, h5path="h5image", chunks_per_page=1, logger=None):
         """ verify dataset can be accessed and set logger if supplied """
         self._cursor = 0
-        if domain_path.startswith("hdf5::/"):
+        if domain_path and domain_path.startswith("hdf5::/"):
             self._domain_path = domain_path
         else:
             self._domain_path = "hdf5:/" + domain_path
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ def __init__(
         logger=None,
         owner=None,
         linked_domain=None,
-        track_order=False,
+        track_order=None,
         retries=10,
         timeout=180,
         **kwds,
@@ -320,13 +320,13 @@ def __init__(
             Create new domain using the root of the linked domain
         track_order
             Whether to track dataset/group/attribute creation order within this file. Objects will be iterated
-            in ascending creation order if this is enabled, otherwise in ascending alphanumeric order.
+            in ascending creation order if this is True, if False in ascending alphanumeric order.
+            If None use global default get_config().track_order.
         retries
             Number of retry attempts to be used if a server request fails
         timeout
             Timeout value in seconds
         """
-
         groupid = None
         dn_ids = []
         # if we're passed a GroupId as domain, just initialize the file object
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ def __init__(
             if mode is None:
                 mode = "r"
 
-            cfg = Config()  # pulls in state from a .hscfg file (if found).
+            cfg = config.get_config()  # pulls in state from a .hscfg file (if found).
 
             # accept domain values in the form:
             #   http://server:port/home/user/myfile.h5
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ def __init__(
             #
             #  For http prefixed values, extract the endpont and use the rest as domain path
             for protocol in ("http://", "https://", "hdf5://", "http+unix://"):
-                if domain.startswith(protocol):
+                if domain and domain.startswith(protocol):
                     if protocol.startswith("http"):
                         domain = domain[len(protocol):]
                         # extract the endpoint
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ def __init__(
                     endpoint = cfg["hs_endpoint"]
 
             # remove the trailing slash on endpoint if it exists
-            if endpoint.endswith('/'):
+            if endpoint and endpoint.endswith('/'):
                 endpoint = endpoint.strip('/')
 
             if username is None:
@@ -433,12 +433,10 @@ def __init__(
             if bucket:
                 params["bucket"] = bucket
 
-            params["CreateOrder"] = "1" if track_order else "0"
-
             # need some special logic for the first request in local mode
             # to give the sockets time to initialize
 
-            if endpoint.startswith("local"):
+            if endpoint and endpoint.startswith("local"):
                 connect_backoff = [0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16]
             else:
                 connect_backoff = []
@@ -487,6 +485,10 @@ def __init__(
                     body["owner"] = owner
                 if linked_domain:
                     body["linked_domain"] = linked_domain
+                if track_order or cfg.track_order:
+                    create_props = {"CreateOrder": 1}
+                    group_body = {"creationProperties": create_props}
+                    body["group"] = group_body
                 rsp = http_conn.PUT(req, params=params, body=body)
                 if rsp.status_code != 201:
                     http_conn.close()
@@ -552,22 +554,20 @@ def __init__(
 
             groupid = GroupID(None, group_json, http_conn=http_conn)
         # end else
+
         self._name = "/"
         self._id = groupid
-        self._verboseInfo = None  # aditional state we'll get when requested
+        self._verboseInfo = None  # additional state we'll get when requested
         self._verboseUpdated = None  # when the verbose data was fetched
         self._lastScan = None  # when summary stats where last updated by server
         self._dn_ids = dn_ids
-        self._track_order = track_order
         self._swmr_mode = swmr
 
         Group.__init__(self, self._id, track_order=track_order)
 
     def _getVerboseInfo(self):
         now = time.time()
-        if (
-            self._verboseUpdated is None or now - self._verboseUpdated > VERBOSE_REFRESH_TIME
-        ):
+        if (self._verboseUpdated is None or now - self._verboseUpdated > VERBOSE_REFRESH_TIME):
             # resynch the verbose data
             req = "/?verbose=1"
             rsp_json = self.GET(req, use_cache=False, params={"CreateOrder": "1" if self._track_order else "0"})
diff --git a/h5pyd/_hl/folders.py b/h5pyd/_hl/folders.py
index ab37fcf..bfdfe67 100644
--- a/h5pyd/_hl/folders.py
+++ b/h5pyd/_hl/folders.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 import time
 import logging
 from .httpconn import HttpConn
-from .config import Config
+from .. import config
 
 
 class Folder:
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ def __init__(
         if mode is None:
             mode = "r"
 
-        cfg = Config()  # pulls in state from a .hscfg file (if found).
+        cfg = config.get_config()  # pulls in state from a .hscfg file (if found).
 
         if endpoint is None and "hs_endpoint" in cfg:
             endpoint = cfg["hs_endpoint"]
diff --git a/h5pyd/_hl/group.py b/h5pyd/_hl/group.py
index 2fb9dc0..21404db 100644
--- a/h5pyd/_hl/group.py
+++ b/h5pyd/_hl/group.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 from .table import Table
 from .datatype import Datatype
 from . import h5type
+from .. import config
 
 
 def isUUID(name):
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@ class Group(HLObject, MutableMappingHDF5):
     """ Represents an HDF5 group.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, bind, track_order=False, **kwargs):
+    def __init__(self, bind, track_order=None, **kwargs):
         # print "group init, bind:", bind
 
         """ Create a new Group object by binding to a low-level GroupID.
@@ -58,7 +59,20 @@ def __init__(self, bind, track_order=False, **kwargs):
         if not isinstance(bind, GroupID):
             raise ValueError(f"{bind} is not a GroupID")
         HLObject.__init__(self, bind, **kwargs)
-        self._track_order = track_order
+
+        if track_order is None:
+            # set order based on group creation props
+            gcpl = self.id.gcpl_json
+            if "CreateOrder" in gcpl:
+                createOrder = gcpl["CreateOrder"]
+                if not createOrder or createOrder == "0":
+                    self._track_order = False
+                else:
+                    self._track_order = True
+            else:
+                self._track_order = False
+        else:
+            self._track_order = track_order
         self._req_prefix = "/groups/" + self.id.uuid
         self._link_db = {}  # cache for links
 
@@ -182,9 +196,11 @@ def _get_objdb_links(self):
         group_json = objdb[self.id.id]
         return group_json["links"]
 
-    def _make_group(self, parent_id=None, parent_name=None, link=None):
+    def _make_group(self, parent_id=None, parent_name=None, link=None, track_order=None):
         """ helper function to make a group """
 
+        cfg = config.get_config()
+
         link_json = {}
         if parent_id:
             link_json["id"] = parent_id
@@ -195,12 +211,17 @@ def _make_group(self, parent_id=None, parent_name=None, link=None):
         body = {}
         if link_json:
             body["link"] = link_json
+        if track_order or cfg.track_order:
+            body["creationProperties"] = {"CreateOrder": 1}
+
         self.log.debug(f"create group with body: {body}")
         rsp = self.POST('/groups', body=body)
 
         group_json = rsp
         groupId = GroupID(self, group_json)
         sub_group = Group(groupId)
+        if track_order or cfg.track_order:
+            sub_group._track_order = True
         if parent_name:
             if parent_name[-1] == '/':
                 parent_name = parent_name + link
@@ -211,7 +232,7 @@ def _make_group(self, parent_id=None, parent_name=None, link=None):
 
         return sub_group
 
-    def create_group(self, h5path, track_order=False):
+    def create_group(self, h5path, track_order=None):
         """ Create and return a new subgroup.
 
         Name may be absolute or relative.  Fails if the target name already
@@ -223,8 +244,7 @@ def create_group(self, h5path, track_order=False):
 
         if h5path is None:
             # anonymous group
-            sub_group = self._make_group()
-            sub_group._track_order = track_order
+            sub_group = self._make_group(track_order=track_order)
             return sub_group
 
         if h5path[-1] == '/':
@@ -255,8 +275,12 @@ def create_group(self, h5path, track_order=False):
                 create_group = True
 
             if create_group:
-                sub_group = self._make_group(parent_id=parent_uuid, parent_name=parent_name, link=link)
-                sub_group._track_order = track_order
+                kwargs = {}
+                kwargs["parent_id"] = parent_uuid
+                kwargs["parent_name"] = parent_name
+                kwargs["link"] = link
+                kwargs["track_order"] = track_order
+                sub_group = self._make_group(**kwargs)
                 parent_uuid = sub_group.id.id
 
             else:
@@ -514,7 +538,7 @@ def require_group(self, name):
             raise TypeError(f"Incompatible object ({grp.__class__.__name__}) already exists")
         return grp
 
-    def getObjByUuid(self, uuid, collection_type=None, track_order=False):
+    def getObjByUuid(self, uuid, collection_type=None, track_order=None):
         """ Utility method to get an obj based on collection type and uuid """
         self.log.debug(f"getObjByUuid({uuid})")
         obj_json = None
@@ -549,7 +573,10 @@ def getObjByUuid(self, uuid, collection_type=None, track_order=False):
             # will need to get JSON from server
             req = f"/{collection_type}/{uuid}"
             # make server request
-            obj_json = self.GET(req, params={"CreateOrder": "1" if track_order else "0"})
+            params = {}
+            if track_order is not None:
+                params["CreateOrder"] = "1" if track_order else "0"
+            obj_json = self.GET(req, params=params)
 
         if collection_type == 'groups':
             tgt = Group(GroupID(self, obj_json), track_order=track_order)
@@ -568,12 +595,12 @@ def getObjByUuid(self, uuid, collection_type=None, track_order=False):
 
         return tgt
 
-    def __getitem__(self, name, track_order=False):
+    def __getitem__(self, name, track_order=None):
         """ Open an object in the file """
         # convert bytes to str for PY3
         if isinstance(name, bytes):
             name = name.decode('utf-8')
-        self.log.debug(f"group.__getitem__({name})")
+        self.log.debug(f"group.__getitem__({name}, track_order={track_order})")
 
         tgt = None
         if isinstance(name, h5type.Reference):
@@ -655,7 +682,7 @@ def _objectify_link_Json(self, link_json):
 
         return link_obj
 
-    def get(self, name, default=None, getclass=False, getlink=False, track_order=False, **kwds):
+    def get(self, name, default=None, getclass=False, getlink=False, track_order=None, **kwds):
         """ Retrieve an item or other information.
 
         "name" given only:
@@ -696,7 +723,7 @@ def get(self, name, default=None, getclass=False, getlink=False, track_order=Fal
         """
         if not (getclass or getlink):
             try:
-                return self.__getitem__(name, track_order)
+                return self.__getitem__(name, track_order=track_order)
             except KeyError:
                 return default
 
@@ -739,8 +766,8 @@ def get(self, name, default=None, getclass=False, getlink=False, track_order=Fal
                     params["pattern"] = pattern
                 if follow_links:
                     params["follow_links"] = 1
-                if track_order:
-                    params["CreateOrder"] = 1
+                if track_order is not None:
+                    params["CreateOrder"] = "1" if track_order else "0"
 
                 if name:
                     body = {}
@@ -848,7 +875,10 @@ def __setitem__(self, name, obj):
                 raise IOError("cannot create subgroup of softlink")
             parent_uuid = link_json["id"]
             req = "/groups/" + parent_uuid
-            group_json = self.GET(req, params={"CreateOrder": "1" if self._track_order else "0"})
+            params = {}
+            if self._track_order is not None:
+                params["CreateOrder"] = "1" if self._track_order else "0"
+            group_json = self.GET(req, params=params)
             tgt = Group(GroupID(self, group_json))
             tgt[basename] = obj
 
@@ -946,7 +976,10 @@ def __len__(self):
             return len(links_json)
 
         req = "/groups/" + self.id.uuid
-        rsp_json = self.GET(req, params={"CreateOrder": "1" if self._track_order else "0"})
+        params = {}
+        if self._track_order is not None:
+            params["CreateOrder"] = "1" if self._track_order else "0"
+        rsp_json = self.GET(req, params=params)
         return rsp_json['linkCount']
 
     def __iter__(self):
@@ -955,7 +988,10 @@ def __iter__(self):
 
         if links is None:
             req = "/groups/" + self.id.uuid + "/links"
-            rsp_json = self.GET(req, params={"CreateOrder": "1" if self._track_order else "0"})
+            params = {}
+            if self._track_order is not None:
+                params["CreateOrder"] = "1" if self._track_order else "0"
+            rsp_json = self.GET(req, params=params)
             links = rsp_json['links']
 
             # reset the link cache
@@ -1180,7 +1216,10 @@ def visititems(self, func):
                 else:
                     # request from server
                     req = "/groups/" + parent.id.uuid + "/links"
-                    rsp_json = self.GET(req, params={"CreateOrder": "1" if self._track_order else "0"})
+                    params = {}
+                    if self._track_order is not None:
+                        params["CreateOrder"] = "1" if self._track_order else "0"
+                    rsp_json = self.GET(req, params=params)
                     links = rsp_json['links']
                 for link in links:
                     obj = None
diff --git a/h5pyd/_hl/httpconn.py b/h5pyd/_hl/httpconn.py
index 84e21e0..8d55d6d 100644
--- a/h5pyd/_hl/httpconn.py
+++ b/h5pyd/_hl/httpconn.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 import logging
 
 from . import openid
-from .config import Config
+from .. import config
 from . import requests_lambda
 
 MAX_CACHE_ITEM_SIZE = 10000  # max size of an item to put in the cache
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ def getAzureApiKey():
     api_key = None
 
     # if Azure AD ids are set, pass them to HttpConn via api_key dict
-    cfg = Config()  # pulls in state from a .hscfg file (if found).
+    cfg = config.get_config()  # pulls in state from a .hscfg file (if found).
 
     ad_app_id = None  # Azure AD HSDS Server id
     if "HS_AD_APP_ID" in os.environ:
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ def getAzureApiKey():
 
 def getKeycloakApiKey():
     # check for keycloak next
-    cfg = Config()  # pulls in state from a .hscfg file (if found).
+    cfg = config.get_config()  # pulls in state from a .hscfg file (if found).
     api_key = None
     # check to see if we are configured for keycloak authentication
     if "HS_KEYCLOAK_URI" in os.environ:
@@ -293,7 +293,6 @@ def __init__(
         if isinstance(api_key, dict):
             # Maintain Azure-defualt backwards compatibility, but allow
             # both environment variable and kwarg override.
-            # provider = Config().get('hs_openid_provider', 'azure')
             provider = api_key.get("openid_provider", "azure")
             if provider == "azure":
                 self.log.debug("creating OpenIDHandler for Azure")
@@ -327,6 +326,7 @@ def __del__(self):
             self._s = None
 
     def getHeaders(self, username=None, password=None, headers=None):
+
         if headers is None:
             headers = {}
         elif "Authorization" in headers:
diff --git a/h5pyd/_hl/objectid.py b/h5pyd/_hl/objectid.py
index b16b6ca..173f6d5 100644
--- a/h5pyd/_hl/objectid.py
+++ b/h5pyd/_hl/objectid.py
@@ -168,6 +168,14 @@ def get_type(self):
         dtype = createDataType(type_json)
         return dtype
 
+    @property
+    def tcpl_json(self):
+        if 'creationProperties' in self._obj_json:
+            tcpl = self._obj_json['creationProperties']
+        else:
+            tcpl = {}
+        return tcpl
+
     def __init__(self, parent, item, **kwds):
         """Create a new TypeID.
         """
@@ -255,3 +263,11 @@ def __init__(self, parent, item, http_conn=None, **kwds):
 
         if self.collection_type != "groups":
             raise IOError(f"Unexpected collection_type: {self._collection_type}")
+
+    @property
+    def gcpl_json(self):
+        if 'creationProperties' in self._obj_json:
+            gcpl = self._obj_json['creationProperties']
+        else:
+            gcpl = {}
+        return gcpl
diff --git a/h5pyd/_hl/openid.py b/h5pyd/_hl/openid.py
index aae0a08..e0eb0f0 100644
--- a/h5pyd/_hl/openid.py
+++ b/h5pyd/_hl/openid.py
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ def eprint(*args, **kwargs):
     pass  # change this to the eprint below to see the import error
     # eprint("Unable to import google auth packages")
 
-from .config import Config
+
+from .. import config as hsconfig
 
 
 class OpenIDHandler(ABC):
@@ -136,7 +137,7 @@ def __init__(self, endpoint, config=None):
         """Store configuration."""
 
         # Configuration manager
-        hs_config = Config()
+        hs_config = hsconfig.get_config()
 
         # Config is a dictionary.
         if isinstance(config, dict):
@@ -256,7 +257,7 @@ def __init__(self, endpoint, config=None, scopes=None):
             raise ModuleNotFoundError(msg)
 
         # Configuration manager
-        hs_config = Config()
+        hs_config = hsconfig.get_config()
 
         if scopes is None:
             scopes = hs_config.get('hs_google_scopes', 'openid').split()
@@ -345,7 +346,7 @@ def __init__(self, endpoint, config=None, scopes=None, username=None, password=N
         """Store configuration."""
 
         # Configuration manager
-        hs_config = Config()
+        hs_config = hsconfig.get_config()
 
         if scopes is None:
             scopes = hs_config.get('hs_keycloak_scopes', 'openid').split()
diff --git a/h5pyd/_hl/serverinfo.py b/h5pyd/_hl/serverinfo.py
index ff9f602..10203cb 100644
--- a/h5pyd/_hl/serverinfo.py
+++ b/h5pyd/_hl/serverinfo.py
@@ -14,12 +14,12 @@
 
 import time
 from .httpconn import HttpConn
-from .config import Config
+from .. import config
 
 
 def getServerInfo(endpoint=None, username=None, password=None, api_key=None, **kwds):
 
-    cfg = Config()  # get credentials from .hscfg file (if found)
+    cfg = config.get_config()  # get credentials from .hscfg file (if found)
 
     if endpoint is None and "hs_endpoint" in cfg:
         endpoint = cfg["hs_endpoint"]
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def getServerInfo(endpoint=None, username=None, password=None, api_key=None, **k
 
     # need some special logic for the first request in local mode
     # to give the sockets time to initialize
-    if endpoint.startswith("local"):
+    if endpoint and endpoint.startswith("local"):
         connect_backoff = [0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16]
     else:
         connect_backoff = []
diff --git a/h5pyd/config.py b/h5pyd/config.py
index 504dfcb..57b6676 100755
--- a/h5pyd/config.py
+++ b/h5pyd/config.py
@@ -17,8 +17,11 @@ class Config:
     """
     User Config state
     """
+    _cfg = {}  # global state
+
     def __init__(self, config_file=None, **kwargs):
-        self._cfg = {}
+        if Config._cfg:
+            return  # already initialized
         if config_file:
             self._config_file = config_file
         elif os.path.isfile(".hscfg"):
@@ -39,51 +42,164 @@ def __init__(self, config_file=None, **kwargs):
                         continue
                     fields = s.split('=')
                     if len(fields) < 2:
-                        print("config file: {} line: {} is not valid".format(self._config_file, line_number))
+                        print(f"config file: {self._config_file} line: {line_number} is not valid")
                         continue
                     k = fields[0].strip()
                     v = fields[1].strip()
-                    self._cfg[k] = v
+                    if k == "complex_names":
+                        self.complex_names = v
+                    elif k == "bool_names":
+                        self.bool_names = v
+                    elif k == "track_order":
+                        self.track_order = v
+                    else:
+                        Config._cfg[k] = v
+
+        # add standard keys if not already picked up
+        for k in ("hs_endpoint", "hs_username", "hs_password", "hs_api_key"):
+            if k not in Config._cfg:
+                Config._cfg[k] = ""
+
         # override any config values with environment variable if found
-        for k in self._cfg.keys():
+        for k in Config._cfg.keys():
             if k.upper() in os.environ:
-                self._cfg[k] = os.environ[k.upper()]
+                Config._cfg[k] = os.environ[k.upper()]
 
-        # finally update any values that are passed in to the constructor
+        # update any values that are passed in to the constructor
         for k in kwargs.keys():
-            self._cfg[k] = kwargs[k]
+            Config._cfg[k] = kwargs[k]
+
+        # finally, set defaults for any expected keys that are not already set
+        for k in ("hs_endpoint", "hs_username", "hs_endpoint"):
+            if k not in Config._cfg:
+                Config._cfg[k] = None
+        if "bool_names" not in Config._cfg:
+            Config._cfg["bool_names"] = (b"FALSE", b"TRUE")
+        if "complex_names" not in Config._cfg:
+            Config._cfg["complex_names"] = ("r", "i")
+        if "track_order" not in Config._cfg:
+            Config._cfg["track_order"] = False
 
     def __getitem__(self, name):
         """ Get a config item  """
-        if name not in self._cfg:
+        if name not in Config._cfg:
             if name.upper() in os.environ:
-                self._cfg[name] = os.environ[name.upper()]
+                Config._cfg[name] = os.environ[name.upper()]
             else:
                 return None
-        return self._cfg[name]
+        return Config._cfg[name]
 
     def __setitem__(self, name, obj):
         """ set config item """
-        self._cfg[name] = obj
+        Config._cfg[name] = obj
 
     def __delitem__(self, name):
         """ Delete option. """
-        del self._cfg[name]
+        del Config._cfg[name]
 
     def __len__(self):
-        return len(self._cfg)
+        return len(Config._cfg)
 
     def __iter__(self):
         """ Iterate over config names """
-        keys = self._cfg.keys()
+        keys = Config._cfg.keys()
         for key in keys:
             yield key
 
     def __contains__(self, name):
-        return name in self._cfg
+        return name in Config._cfg
 
     def __repr__(self):
-        return json.dumps(self._cfg)
+        return json.dumps(Config._cfg)
 
     def keys(self):
-        return self._cfg.keys()
+        return Config._cfg.keys()
+
+    @property
+    def hs_endpoint(self):
+        return Config._cfg.get("hs_endpoint")
+
+    @property
+    def hs_username(self):
+        return Config._cfg.get("hs_username")
+
+    @property
+    def hs_password(self):
+        return Config._cfg.get("hs_password")
+
+    @property
+    def hs_api_key(self):
+        return Config._cfg.get("hs_api_key")
+
+    @property
+    def bool_names(self):
+        if "bool_names" in Config._cfg:
+            names = Config._cfg["bool_names"]
+        else:
+            names = (b"FALSE", b"TRUE")
+        return names
+
+    @bool_names.setter
+    def bool_names(self, value):
+        if isinstance(value, str):
+            names = value.split(())
+            if len(names) < 2:
+                raise ValueError("bool_names must have two items")
+            elif len(names) == 2:
+                pass
+            else:
+                names = names[:2]  # just use the first two items
+        elif len(value) != 2:
+            raise ValueError("expected two-element list for bool_names")
+        else:
+            names = value
+        Config._cfg["bool_names"] = tuple(names)
+
+    @property
+    def complex_names(self):
+        if "complex_names" in Config._cfg:
+            names = Config._cfg["complex_names"]
+        else:
+            names = ("r", "i")
+        return names
+
+    @complex_names.setter
+    def complex_names(self, value):
+        if isinstance(value, str):
+            names = value.split()
+            if len(names) < 2:
+                raise ValueError("complex_names must have two items")
+            elif len(names) == 2:
+                pass
+            else:
+                names = names[:2]  # just use the first two items
+        elif len(value) != 2:
+            raise ValueError("complex_names must have two values")
+        else:
+            names = value
+
+        Config._cfg["complex_names"] = tuple(names)
+
+    @property
+    def track_order(self):
+        if "track_order" in Config._cfg:
+            track = Config._cfg["track_order"]
+        else:
+            track = False
+        return track
+
+    @track_order.setter
+    def track_order(self, value):
+        if isinstance(value, str):
+            tokens = value.split()
+            if len(tokens) == 0:
+                track = False
+            else:
+                track = bool(tokens[0])  # strip any comments
+        else:
+            track = bool(value)
+        Config._cfg["track_order"] = track
+
+
+def get_config(config_file=None, **kwargs):
+    return Config(config_file=config_file, **kwargs)
diff --git a/h5pyd/version.py b/h5pyd/version.py
index f1051e9..db13f9e 100644
--- a/h5pyd/version.py
+++ b/h5pyd/version.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 import sys
 import numpy
 
-version = "0.19.0"
+version = "0.20.0"
 
 hdf5_version = "REST"
 
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@
     else ("",)
 )
 
-api_version_tuple = (0, 19, 0)
-api_version = "0.19.0"
+api_version_tuple = (0, 20, 0)
+api_version = "0.20.0"
 
 __doc__ = f"""\
 This is h5pyd **{version}**
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index fe230ab..28239dc 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ classifiers = [
     "Topic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules",
 ]
 requires-python = ">=3.8"
-version = "0.19.0"
+version = "0.20.0"
 
 dependencies = [
     "numpy >=2.0.0rc1; python_version>='3.9'",
diff --git a/test/hl/test_attribute.py b/test/hl/test_attribute.py
index 21d2290..408ed99 100644
--- a/test/hl/test_attribute.py
+++ b/test/hl/test_attribute.py
@@ -292,49 +292,68 @@ def test_delete_multiple(self):
 
 class TestTrackOrder(TestCase):
 
-    def fill_attrs(self, track_order):
-        attrs = self.f.create_group('test', track_order=track_order).attrs
-        for i in range(100):
-            attrs[str(i)] = i
-        return attrs
+    titles = ("one", "two", "three", "four", "five", "six", "seven", "eight", "nine", "ten")
+
+    def fill_attrs(self, obj):
+        count = len(self.titles)
+        attrs = obj.attrs
+        for i in range(count):
+            title = self.titles[i]
+            val = i + 1
+            attrs[title] = val
 
-    # https://forum.hdfgroup.org/t/bug-h5arename-fails-unexpectedly/4881
     def test_track_order(self):
         filename = self.getFileName("test_test_track_order_attribute")
         print(f"filename: {filename}")
-        self.f = h5py.File(filename, 'w')
-        attrs = self.fill_attrs(track_order=True)  # creation order
-        self.assertEqual(list(attrs),
-                         [str(i) for i in range(100)])
+        with h5py.File(filename, 'w') as f:
+            g1 = f.create_group('test', track_order=True)
+            self.fill_attrs(g1)
+            self.assertEqual(list(g1.attrs), list(self.titles))
+        # group should return track order
+        with h5py.File(filename) as f:
+            g1 = f['test']
+            self.assertEqual(list(g1.attrs), list(self.titles))
+
+    def test_track_order_cfg(self):
+        filename = self.getFileName("test_test_track_order_attribute")
+        print(f"filename: {filename}")
+        cfg = h5py.get_config()
+        with h5py.File(filename, 'w') as f:
+            cfg.track_order = True
+            g1 = f.create_group('test')
+            cfg.track_order = False  # reset
+
+            self.fill_attrs(g1)
+            self.assertEqual(list(g1.attrs), list(self.titles))
+
+        with h5py.File(filename) as f:
+            g1 = f['test']
+            self.assertEqual(list(g1.attrs), list(self.titles))
 
     def test_no_track_order(self):
         filename = self.getFileName("test_test_no_track_order_attribute")
         print(f"filename: {filename}")
-        self.f = h5py.File(filename, 'w')
-        attrs = self.fill_attrs(track_order=False)  # name alphanumeric
-        self.assertEqual(list(attrs),
-                         sorted([str(i) for i in range(100)]))
-
-    def fill_attrs2(self, track_order):
-        group = self.f.create_group('test', track_order=track_order)
-        for i in range(12):
-            group.attrs[str(i)] = i
-        return group
+        f = h5py.File(filename, 'w')
+        g1 = f.create_group('test')  # name alphanumeric
+        self.fill_attrs(g1)
+        self.assertEqual(list(g1.attrs), sorted(list(self.titles)))
 
     def test_track_order_overwrite_delete(self):
         filename = self.getFileName("test_test_track_order_overwrite_delete")
         print(f"filename: {filename}")
-        self.f = h5py.File(filename, 'w')
-        # issue h5py#1385
-        group = self.fill_attrs2(track_order=True)  # creation order
-        self.assertEqual(group.attrs["11"], 11)
+        f = h5py.File(filename, 'w')
+
+        g1 = f.create_group("g1", track_order=True)  # creation order
+        self.fill_attrs(g1)
+        title = 'three'
+        self.assertEqual(g1.attrs[title], 3)
         # overwrite attribute
-        group.attrs['11'] = 42.0
-        self.assertEqual(group.attrs["11"], 42.0)
+        g1.attrs[title] = 42.0
+        self.assertEqual(g1.attrs[title], 42.0)
         # delete attribute
-        self.assertIn('10', group.attrs)
-        del group.attrs['10']
-        self.assertNotIn('10', group.attrs)
+        self.assertIn(title, g1.attrs)
+        del g1.attrs[title]
+        self.assertNotIn(title, g1.attrs)
 
     def test_track_order_not_inherited(self):
         """
@@ -343,13 +362,11 @@ def test_track_order_not_inherited(self):
         """
         filename = self.getFileName("test_test_track_order_not_inherited")
         print(f"filename: {filename}")
-        self.f = h5py.File(filename, 'w', track_order=True)
-        group = self.f.create_group('test')
-
-        for i in range(12):
-            group.attrs[str(i)] = i
+        f = h5py.File(filename, 'w', track_order=True)
+        g1 = f.create_group('test')
+        self.fill_attrs(g1)
 
-        self.assertEqual(list(group.attrs), sorted([str(i) for i in range(12)]))
+        self.assertEqual(list(g1.attrs), sorted(list(self.titles)))
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/test/hl/test_config.py b/test/hl/test_config.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1112e70
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/hl/test_config.py
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+##############################################################################
+# Copyright by The HDF Group.                                                #
+# All rights reserved.                                                       #
+#                                                                            #
+# This file is part of H5Serv (HDF5 REST Server) Service, Libraries and      #
+# Utilities.  The full HDF5 REST Server copyright notice, including          #
+# terms governing use, modification, and redistribution, is contained in     #
+# the file COPYING, which can be found at the root of the source code        #
+# distribution tree.  If you do not have access to this file, you may        #
+# request a copy from help@hdfgroup.org.                                     #
+##############################################################################
+
+import numpy as np
+import logging
+import config
+
+
+if config.get("use_h5py"):
+    import h5py
+else:
+    import h5pyd as h5py
+
+from common import ut, TestCase
+
+
+class TestConfig(TestCase):
+
+    def test_config_h5py(self):
+        cfg = h5py.get_config()
+
+        self.assertEqual(cfg.bool_names, (b"FALSE", b"TRUE"))
+        self.assertEqual(cfg.complex_names, ("r", "i"))
+        self.assertEqual(cfg.track_order, False)
+
+        cfg.bool_names = ("nope", "yep")
+        cfg.complex_names = ("real", "imag")
+        cfg.track_order = True
+
+        cfg2 = h5py.get_config()
+        self.assertEqual(cfg2.bool_names, ("nope", "yep"))
+        self.assertEqual(cfg2.complex_names, ("real", "imag"))
+        self.assertEqual(cfg2.track_order, True)
+
+    def test_config_hs(self):
+        if config.get("use_h5py"):
+            return  # test with h5pyd only
+        cfg = h5py.get_config()
+        self.assertTrue(cfg.hs_endpoint.startswith("http"))
+        cfg["XYZ"] = 42
+        cfg2 = h5py.get_config()
+        self.assertEqual(cfg2["XYZ"], 42)
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    loglevel = logging.ERROR
+    logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', level=loglevel)
+    ut.main()
diff --git a/test/hl/test_file.py b/test/hl/test_file.py
index 34c6826..a8f6760 100644
--- a/test/hl/test_file.py
+++ b/test/hl/test_file.py
@@ -350,29 +350,65 @@ def test_close(self):
 
 
 class TestTrackOrder(TestCase):
+    titles = ("one", "two", "three", "four", "five", "six", "seven", "eight", "nine", "ten")
+
     def populate(self, f):
-        for i in range(100):
+        count = len(self.titles)
+        # create count datasets/groups
+        for i in range(count):
+            title = self.titles[i]
             # Mix group and dataset creation.
-            if i % 10 == 0:
-                f.create_group(str(i))
+            if i % 2 == 0:
+                f.create_group(title)
             else:
-                f[str(i)] = [i]
+                f[title] = [i]
+        # create count attributes
+        for i in range(count):
+            title = self.titles[i]
+            f.attrs[title] = i
 
     def test_track_order(self):
         filename = self.getFileName("test_track_order_file")
         print(f"filename: {filename}")
-        f = h5py.File(filename, 'w', track_order=True)  # creation order
-        self.populate(f)
-        self.assertEqual(list(f),
-                         [str(i) for i in range(100)])
+        # write file using creation order
+        with h5py.File(filename, 'w', track_order=True) as f:
+            self.populate(f)
+            self.assertEqual(list(f), list(self.titles))
+            self.assertEqual(list(f.attrs), list(self.titles))
+
+        with h5py.File(filename) as f:
+            # domain/file should have been saved with track_order state
+            self.assertEqual(list(f), list(self.titles))
+            self.assertEqual(list(f.attrs), list(self.titles))
+
+    def test_cfg_track_order(self):
+        filename = self.getFileName("test_cfg_track_order_file")
+        print(f"filename: {filename}")
+        # write file using creation order
+        cfg = h5py.get_config()
+        cfg.track_order = True
+        with h5py.File(filename, 'w') as f:
+            self.populate(f)
+            self.assertEqual(list(f), list(self.titles))
+            self.assertEqual(list(f.attrs), list(self.titles))
+        cfg.track_order = False  # reset
+
+        with h5py.File(filename) as f:
+            # domain/file should have been saved with track_order state
+            self.assertEqual(list(f), list(self.titles))
+            self.assertEqual(list(f.attrs), list(self.titles))
 
     def test_no_track_order(self):
         filename = self.getFileName("test_no_track_order_file")
         print(f"filename: {filename}")
-        f = h5py.File(filename, 'w', track_order=False)  # name alphanumeric
-        self.populate(f)
-        self.assertEqual(list(f),
-                         sorted([str(i) for i in range(100)]))
+
+        # create file using alphanumeric order
+        with h5py.File(filename, 'w', track_order=False) as f:
+            self.populate(f)
+            self.assertEqual(list(f), sorted(self.titles))
+
+        with h5py.File(filename) as f:  # name alphanumeric
+            self.assertEqual(list(f), sorted(self.titles))
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/test/hl/test_group.py b/test/hl/test_group.py
index b4db405..89d391d 100644
--- a/test/hl/test_group.py
+++ b/test/hl/test_group.py
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ def test_link_multi_removal(self):
         if config.get("use_h5py"):
             return
         filename = self.getFileName("test_link_multi_removal")
-        print(filename)
+        print(f"filename: {filename}")
 
         f = h5py.File(filename, 'w')
         g1 = f.create_group("g1")
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ def test_link_multi_create(self):
             return
 
         filename = self.getFileName("test_link_multi_create")
-        print(filename)
+        print(f"filename: {filename}")
 
         f = h5py.File(filename, 'w')
         g1 = f.create_group("g1")
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@ def test_link_get_multi(self):
             return
 
         filename = self.getFileName("test_link_get_multi")
-        print(filename)
+        print(f"filename: {filename}")
 
         f = h5py.File(filename, 'w')
         g1 = f.create_group("g1")
@@ -550,40 +550,87 @@ def test_link_get_multi(self):
 
 
 class TestTrackOrder(TestCase):
+    titles = ("one", "two", "three", "four", "five", "six", "seven", "eight", "nine", "ten")
 
     def populate(self, g):
-        for i in range(100):
+        count = len(self.titles)
+        for i in range(count):
             # Mix group and dataset creation.
-            if i % 10 == 0:
-                g.create_group(str(i))
+            if i % 2 == 0:
+                g.create_group(self.titles[i])
             else:
-                g[str(i)] = [i]
+                g[self.titles[i]] = [i]
 
     def populate_attrs(self, d):
-        for i in range(100):
-            d.attrs[str(i)] = i
+        count = len(self.titles)
+        for i in range(count):
+            d.attrs[self.titles[i]] = i
 
     def test_track_order(self):
         filename = self.getFileName("test_track_order_group")
         print(f"filename: {filename}")
-        self.f = h5py.File(filename, 'w')
-        g = self.f.create_group('order', track_order=True)  # creation order
-        self.populate(g)
-
-        ref = [str(i) for i in range(100)]
-        self.assertEqual(list(g), ref)
-        self.assertEqual(list(reversed(g)), list(reversed(ref)))
+        with h5py.File(filename, 'w') as f:
+            g = f.create_group('order', track_order=True)  # creation order
+            self.populate(g)
+
+            ref = self.titles
+            self.assertEqual(tuple(g), ref)
+            i = 0
+            for title in g:
+                self.assertEqual(title, self.titles[i])
+                i += 1
+
+        # re-opening the file should retain the track_order setting
+        with h5py.File(filename) as f:
+            g = f['order']
+            self.assertEqual(len(g), len(self.titles))
+            self.assertEqual(tuple(g), self.titles)
+            self.assertEqual(tuple(reversed(g)), tuple(reversed(self.titles)))
+            i = 0
+            for title in g:
+                self.assertEqual(title, self.titles[i])
+                i += 1
+
+    def test_track_order_cfg(self):
+        filename = self.getFileName("test_track_order_cfg_group")
+        print(f"filename: {filename}")
+        cfg = h5py.get_config()
+        with h5py.File(filename, 'w') as f:
+            cfg.track_order = True  # creation order
+            g = f.create_group('order')
+            cfg.track_order = False  # reset
+            self.populate(g)
+            self.assertEqual(tuple(g), self.titles)
+            i = 0
+            for title in g:
+                self.assertEqual(title, self.titles[i])
+                i += 1
+
+        # re-opening the file should retain the track_order setting
+        with h5py.File(filename) as f:
+            g = f['order']
+            self.assertEqual(len(g), len(self.titles))
+            self.assertEqual(tuple(g), self.titles)
+            i = 0
+            for title in g:
+                self.assertEqual(title, self.titles[i])
+                i += 1
 
     def test_no_track_order(self):
         filename = self.getFileName("test_no_track_order_group")
         print(f"filename: {filename}")
-        self.f = h5py.File(filename, 'w')
-        g = self.f.create_group('order', track_order=False)  # name alphanumeric
-        self.populate(g)
-
-        ref = sorted([str(i) for i in range(100)])
-        self.assertEqual(list(g), ref)
-        self.assertEqual(list(reversed(g)), list(reversed(ref)))
+        with h5py.File(filename, 'w') as f:
+            g = f.create_group('order', track_order=False)  # name alphanumeric
+            self.populate(g)
+            ref = sorted(self.titles)
+            self.assertEqual(list(g), ref)
+            self.assertEqual(list(reversed(g)), list(reversed(ref)))
+
+        with h5py.File(filename) as f:
+            g = f['order']  # name alphanumeric
+            ref = sorted(self.titles)
+            self.assertEqual(list(g), ref)
+            self.assertEqual(list(reversed(g)), list(reversed(ref)))
 
     def test_get_dataset_track_order(self):
 
@@ -593,28 +640,24 @@ def test_get_dataset_track_order(self):
 
         filename = self.getFileName("test_get_dataset_track_order")
         print(f"filename: {filename}")
-        self.f = h5py.File(filename, 'w')
-        g = self.f.create_group('order')
+        with h5py.File(filename, 'w') as f:
+            g = f.create_group('order')
 
-        dset = g.create_dataset('dset', (10,), dtype='i4')
-        dset2 = g.create_dataset('dset2', (10,), dtype='i4')
+            dset = g.create_dataset('dset', (10,), dtype='i4')
+            dset2 = g.create_dataset('dset2', (10,), dtype='i4')
 
-        self.populate_attrs(dset)
-        self.populate_attrs(dset2)
+            self.populate_attrs(dset)
+            self.populate_attrs(dset2)
 
-        self.f.close()
-        self.f = h5py.File(filename, 'r')
-        g = self.f['order']
+        with h5py.File(filename) as f:
+            g = f['order']
 
-        d = g.get('dset', track_order=True)
-        ref = [str(i) for i in range(100)]
-        self.assertEqual(list(d.attrs), ref)
-        self.assertEqual(list(reversed(d.attrs)), list(reversed(ref)))
+            d = g.get('dset', track_order=True)
+            self.assertEqual(list(d.attrs), list(self.titles))
 
-        d2 = g.get('dset2', track_order=False)
-        ref = sorted([str(i) for i in range(100)])
-        self.assertEqual(list(d2.attrs), ref)
-        self.assertEqual(list(reversed(d2.attrs)), list(reversed(ref)))
+            d2 = g.get('dset2', track_order=False)
+            ref = sorted(self.titles)
+            self.assertEqual(list(d2.attrs), ref)
 
     def test_get_group_track_order(self):
         # h5py does not support track_order on group.get()
@@ -622,29 +665,21 @@ def test_get_group_track_order(self):
             return
         filename = self.getFileName("test_get_group_track_order")
         print(f"filename: {filename}")
-        self.f = h5py.File(filename, 'w')
-        g = self.f.create_group('order')
-
-        # create subgroup and populate it with links
-        g.create_group('subgroup')
-        self.populate(g['subgroup'])
-
-        self.f.close()
-        self.f = h5py.File(filename, 'r')
-        g = self.f['order']
-
-        subg = g.get('subgroup', track_order=True)
-        ref = [str(i) for i in range(100)]
-        self.assertEqual(list(subg), ref)
-        self.assertEqual(list(reversed(subg)), list(reversed(ref)))
-
-        self.f.close()
-        self.f = h5py.File(filename, 'r')
-        g = self.f['order']
-        subg2 = g.get('subgroup', track_order=False)
-        ref = sorted([str(i) for i in range(100)])
-        self.assertEqual(list(subg2), ref)
-        self.assertEqual(list(reversed(subg2)), list(reversed(ref)))
+        with h5py.File(filename, 'w') as f:
+            g = f.create_group('order')
+            # create subgroup and populate it with links
+            g.create_group('subgroup')
+            self.populate(g['subgroup'])
+
+        with h5py.File(filename) as f:
+            g = f['order']
+            subg = g.get('subgroup', track_order=True)
+            self.assertEqual(tuple(subg), self.titles)
+
+        with h5py.File(filename) as f:
+            g = f['order']
+            subg2 = g.get('subgroup', track_order=False)
+            self.assertEqual(list(subg2), sorted(self.titles))
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/testall.py b/testall.py
index 10efbf1..860cafc 100755
--- a/testall.py
+++ b/testall.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 
 
 hl_tests = ('test_attribute',
+            'test_config',
             'test_committedtype',
             'test_complex_numbers',
             'test_dataset',