diff --git a/datasette/app.py b/datasette/app.py
index 3bb6ce79..88d5ecc6 100644
--- a/datasette/app.py
+++ b/datasette/app.py
@@ -264,15 +264,15 @@ class Datasette:
             raise StartupError("config.json should be renamed to settings.json")
         if config_dir and (config_dir / "settings.json").exists() and not config:
             config = json.load((config_dir / "settings.json").open())
-        self._config = dict(DEFAULT_SETTINGS, **(config or {}))
+        self._settings = dict(DEFAULT_SETTINGS, **(config or {}))
         self.renderers = {}  # File extension -> (renderer, can_render) functions
         self.version_note = version_note
         self.executor = futures.ThreadPoolExecutor(
-            max_workers=self.config("num_sql_threads")
+            max_workers=self.setting("num_sql_threads")
         )
-        self.max_returned_rows = self.config("max_returned_rows")
-        self.sql_time_limit_ms = self.config("sql_time_limit_ms")
-        self.page_size = self.config("default_page_size")
+        self.max_returned_rows = self.setting("max_returned_rows")
+        self.sql_time_limit_ms = self.setting("sql_time_limit_ms")
+        self.page_size = self.setting("default_page_size")
         # Execute plugins in constructor, to ensure they are available
         # when the rest of `datasette inspect` executes
         if self.plugins_dir:
@@ -347,12 +347,12 @@ class Datasette:
     def remove_database(self, name):
         self.databases.pop(name)
 
-    def config(self, key):
-        return self._config.get(key, None)
+    def setting(self, key):
+        return self._settings.get(key, None)
 
     def config_dict(self):
         # Returns a fully resolved config dictionary, useful for templates
-        return {option.name: self.config(option.name) for option in SETTINGS}
+        return {option.name: self.setting(option.name) for option in SETTINGS}
 
     def metadata(self, key=None, database=None, table=None, fallback=True):
         """
@@ -454,8 +454,8 @@ class Datasette:
             conn.enable_load_extension(True)
             for extension in self.sqlite_extensions:
                 conn.execute(f"SELECT load_extension('{extension}')")
-        if self.config("cache_size_kb"):
-            conn.execute(f"PRAGMA cache_size=-{self.config('cache_size_kb')}")
+        if self.setting("cache_size_kb"):
+            conn.execute(f"PRAGMA cache_size=-{self.setting('cache_size_kb')}")
         # pylint: disable=no-member
         pm.hook.prepare_connection(conn=conn, database=database, datasette=self)
 
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ class Datasette:
 
     def absolute_url(self, request, path):
         url = urllib.parse.urljoin(request.url, path)
-        if url.startswith("http://") and self.config("force_https_urls"):
+        if url.startswith("http://") and self.setting("force_https_urls"):
             url = "https://" + url[len("http://") :]
         return url
 
@@ -781,12 +781,12 @@ class Datasette:
                 "extra_js_urls": await self._asset_urls(
                     "extra_js_urls", template, context, request, view_name
                 ),
-                "base_url": self.config("base_url"),
+                "base_url": self.setting("base_url"),
                 "csrftoken": request.scope["csrftoken"] if request else lambda: "",
             },
             **extra_template_vars,
         }
-        if request and request.args.get("_context") and self.config("template_debug"):
+        if request and request.args.get("_context") and self.setting("template_debug"):
             return "<pre>{}</pre>".format(
                 jinja2.escape(json.dumps(template_context, default=repr, indent=4))
             )
@@ -882,7 +882,7 @@ class Datasette:
             r"/-/plugins(?P<as_format>(\.json)?)$",
         )
         add_route(
-            JsonDataView.as_view(self, "settings.json", lambda: self._config),
+            JsonDataView.as_view(self, "settings.json", lambda: self._settings),
             r"/-/settings(?P<as_format>(\.json)?)$",
         )
         add_route(
@@ -1001,7 +1001,7 @@ class DatasetteRouter:
 
     async def route_path(self, scope, receive, send, path):
         # Strip off base_url if present before routing
-        base_url = self.ds.config("base_url")
+        base_url = self.ds.setting("base_url")
         if base_url != "/" and path.startswith(base_url):
             path = "/" + path[len(base_url) :]
         request = Request(scope, receive)
@@ -1016,7 +1016,7 @@ class DatasetteRouter:
         scope_modifications = {}
         # Apply force_https_urls, if set
         if (
-            self.ds.config("force_https_urls")
+            self.ds.setting("force_https_urls")
             and scope["type"] == "http"
             and scope.get("scheme") != "https"
         ):
diff --git a/datasette/facets.py b/datasette/facets.py
index a818a9e9..8ad5a423 100644
--- a/datasette/facets.py
+++ b/datasette/facets.py
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ class ColumnFacet(Facet):
     async def suggest(self):
         row_count = await self.get_row_count()
         columns = await self.get_columns(self.sql, self.params)
-        facet_size = self.ds.config("default_facet_size")
+        facet_size = self.ds.setting("default_facet_size")
         suggested_facets = []
         already_enabled = [c["config"]["simple"] for c in self.get_configs()]
         for column in columns:
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ class ColumnFacet(Facet):
                     suggested_facet_sql,
                     self.params,
                     truncate=False,
-                    custom_time_limit=self.ds.config("facet_suggest_time_limit_ms"),
+                    custom_time_limit=self.ds.setting("facet_suggest_time_limit_ms"),
                 )
                 num_distinct_values = len(distinct_values)
                 if (
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ class ColumnFacet(Facet):
 
         qs_pairs = self.get_querystring_pairs()
 
-        facet_size = self.ds.config("default_facet_size")
+        facet_size = self.ds.setting("default_facet_size")
         for source_and_config in self.get_configs():
             config = source_and_config["config"]
             source = source_and_config["source"]
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ class ColumnFacet(Facet):
                     facet_sql,
                     self.params,
                     truncate=False,
-                    custom_time_limit=self.ds.config("facet_time_limit_ms"),
+                    custom_time_limit=self.ds.setting("facet_time_limit_ms"),
                 )
                 facet_results_values = []
                 facet_results[column] = {
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ class ArrayFacet(Facet):
                     suggested_facet_sql,
                     self.params,
                     truncate=False,
-                    custom_time_limit=self.ds.config("facet_suggest_time_limit_ms"),
+                    custom_time_limit=self.ds.setting("facet_suggest_time_limit_ms"),
                     log_sql_errors=False,
                 )
                 types = tuple(r[0] for r in results.rows)
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ class ArrayFacet(Facet):
                             ),
                             self.params,
                             truncate=False,
-                            custom_time_limit=self.ds.config(
+                            custom_time_limit=self.ds.setting(
                                 "facet_suggest_time_limit_ms"
                             ),
                             log_sql_errors=False,
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ class ArrayFacet(Facet):
         facet_results = {}
         facets_timed_out = []
 
-        facet_size = self.ds.config("default_facet_size")
+        facet_size = self.ds.setting("default_facet_size")
         for source_and_config in self.get_configs():
             config = source_and_config["config"]
             source = source_and_config["source"]
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ class ArrayFacet(Facet):
                     facet_sql,
                     self.params,
                     truncate=False,
-                    custom_time_limit=self.ds.config("facet_time_limit_ms"),
+                    custom_time_limit=self.ds.setting("facet_time_limit_ms"),
                 )
                 facet_results_values = []
                 facet_results[column] = {
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ class DateFacet(Facet):
                     suggested_facet_sql,
                     self.params,
                     truncate=False,
-                    custom_time_limit=self.ds.config("facet_suggest_time_limit_ms"),
+                    custom_time_limit=self.ds.setting("facet_suggest_time_limit_ms"),
                     log_sql_errors=False,
                 )
                 values = tuple(r[0] for r in results.rows)
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ class DateFacet(Facet):
         facet_results = {}
         facets_timed_out = []
         args = dict(self.get_querystring_pairs())
-        facet_size = self.ds.config("default_facet_size")
+        facet_size = self.ds.setting("default_facet_size")
         for source_and_config in self.get_configs():
             config = source_and_config["config"]
             source = source_and_config["source"]
@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ class DateFacet(Facet):
                     facet_sql,
                     self.params,
                     truncate=False,
-                    custom_time_limit=self.ds.config("facet_time_limit_ms"),
+                    custom_time_limit=self.ds.setting("facet_time_limit_ms"),
                 )
                 facet_results_values = []
                 facet_results[column] = {
diff --git a/datasette/url_builder.py b/datasette/url_builder.py
index 697f60ae..3034b664 100644
--- a/datasette/url_builder.py
+++ b/datasette/url_builder.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ class Urls:
         if not isinstance(path, PrefixedUrlString):
             if path.startswith("/"):
                 path = path[1:]
-            path = self.ds.config("base_url") + path
+            path = self.ds.setting("base_url") + path
         if format is not None:
             path = path_with_format(path=path, format=format)
         return PrefixedUrlString(path)
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class Urls:
 
     def database(self, database, format=None):
         db = self.ds.databases[database]
-        if self.ds.config("hash_urls") and db.hash:
+        if self.ds.setting("hash_urls") and db.hash:
             path = self.path(f"{database}-{db.hash[:HASH_LENGTH]}", format=format)
         else:
             path = self.path(database, format=format)
diff --git a/datasette/views/base.py b/datasette/views/base.py
index b3a54bcc..bde8449f 100644
--- a/datasette/views/base.py
+++ b/datasette/views/base.py
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ class DataView(BaseView):
                 should_redirect += kwargs["as_db"]
 
             if (
-                (self.ds.config("hash_urls") or "_hash" in request.args)
+                (self.ds.setting("hash_urls") or "_hash" in request.args)
                 and
                 # Redirect only if database is immutable
                 not self.ds.databases[name].is_mutable
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ class DataView(BaseView):
         stream = request.args.get("_stream")
         if stream:
             # Some quick sanity checks
-            if not self.ds.config("allow_csv_stream"):
+            if not self.ds.setting("allow_csv_stream"):
                 raise BadRequest("CSV streaming is disabled")
             if request.args.get("_next"):
                 raise BadRequest("_next not allowed for CSV streaming")
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ class DataView(BaseView):
 
         async def stream_fn(r):
             nonlocal data
-            writer = csv.writer(LimitedWriter(r, self.ds.config("max_csv_mb")))
+            writer = csv.writer(LimitedWriter(r, self.ds.setting("max_csv_mb")))
             first = True
             next = None
             while first or (next and stream):
@@ -566,9 +566,9 @@ class DataView(BaseView):
         ttl = request.args.get("_ttl", None)
         if ttl is None or not ttl.isdigit():
             if correct_hash_provided:
-                ttl = self.ds.config("default_cache_ttl_hashed")
+                ttl = self.ds.setting("default_cache_ttl_hashed")
             else:
-                ttl = self.ds.config("default_cache_ttl")
+                ttl = self.ds.setting("default_cache_ttl")
 
         return self.set_response_headers(r, ttl)
 
diff --git a/datasette/views/database.py b/datasette/views/database.py
index d4ed8570..17c78150 100644
--- a/datasette/views/database.py
+++ b/datasette/views/database.py
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ class DatabaseView(DataView):
                 "show_hidden": request.args.get("_show_hidden"),
                 "editable": True,
                 "metadata": metadata,
-                "allow_download": self.ds.config("allow_download")
+                "allow_download": self.ds.setting("allow_download")
                 and not db.is_mutable
                 and database != ":memory:",
             },
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ class DatabaseDownload(DataView):
         db = self.ds.databases[database]
         if db.is_memory:
             raise DatasetteError("Cannot download :memory: database", status=404)
-        if not self.ds.config("allow_download") or db.is_mutable:
+        if not self.ds.setting("allow_download") or db.is_mutable:
             raise Forbidden("Database download is forbidden")
         if not db.path:
             raise DatasetteError("Cannot download database", status=404)
diff --git a/datasette/views/table.py b/datasette/views/table.py
index 09c2d740..a0de2a8e 100644
--- a/datasette/views/table.py
+++ b/datasette/views/table.py
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ class RowTableShared(DataView):
         }
 
         cell_rows = []
-        base_url = self.ds.config("base_url")
+        base_url = self.ds.setting("base_url")
         for row in rows:
             cells = []
             # Unless we are a view, the first column is a link - either to the rowid
@@ -654,7 +654,7 @@ class TableView(RowTableShared):
                 pass
 
         # facets support
-        if not self.ds.config("allow_facet") and any(
+        if not self.ds.setting("allow_facet") and any(
             arg.startswith("_facet") for arg in request.args
         ):
             raise BadRequest("_facet= is not allowed")
@@ -772,8 +772,8 @@ class TableView(RowTableShared):
         suggested_facets = []
 
         if (
-            self.ds.config("suggest_facets")
-            and self.ds.config("allow_facet")
+            self.ds.setting("suggest_facets")
+            and self.ds.setting("allow_facet")
             and not _next
         ):
             for facet in facet_instances:
@@ -801,7 +801,7 @@ class TableView(RowTableShared):
                 results.description,
                 rows,
                 link_column=not is_view,
-                truncate_cells=self.ds.config("truncate_cells_html"),
+                truncate_cells=self.ds.setting("truncate_cells_html"),
             )
             metadata = (
                 (self.ds.metadata("databases") or {})
diff --git a/docs/internals.rst b/docs/internals.rst
index cec1268f..78d4e5d2 100644
--- a/docs/internals.rst
+++ b/docs/internals.rst
@@ -350,7 +350,21 @@ Returns the absolute URL for the given path, including the protocol and host. Fo
     absolute_url = datasette.absolute_url(request, "/dbname/table.json")
     # Would return "http://localhost:8001/dbname/table.json"
 
-The current request object is used to determine the hostname and protocol that should be used for the returned URL. The :ref:`settings_force_https_urls` configuration setting is taken into account.
+The current request object is used to determine the hostname and protocol that should be used for the returned URL. The :ref:`setting_force_https_urls` configuration setting is taken into account.
+
+.setting(key)
+-------------
+
+``key`` - string
+    The name of the setting, e.g. ``base_url``.
+
+Returns the configured value for the specified :ref:`setting <settings>`. This can be a string, boolean or integer depending on the requested setting.
+
+For example:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    downloads_are_allowed = datasette.setting("allow_download")
 
 .. _internals_datasette_client:
 
diff --git a/tests/test_internals_datasette.py b/tests/test_internals_datasette.py
index 0be0b932..56bc2fb4 100644
--- a/tests/test_internals_datasette.py
+++ b/tests/test_internals_datasette.py
@@ -33,3 +33,15 @@ def test_sign_unsign(datasette, value, namespace):
     assert value == datasette.unsign(signed, *extra_args)
     with pytest.raises(BadSignature):
         datasette.unsign(signed[:-1] + ("!" if signed[-1] != "!" else ":"))
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "setting,expected",
+    (
+        ("base_url", "/"),
+        ("max_csv_mb", 100),
+        ("allow_csv_stream", True),
+    ),
+)
+def test_datasette_setting(datasette, setting, expected):
+    assert datasette.setting(setting) == expected
diff --git a/tests/test_internals_datasette_client.py b/tests/test_internals_datasette_client.py
index 0b1c5f0e..c538bef1 100644
--- a/tests/test_internals_datasette_client.py
+++ b/tests/test_internals_datasette_client.py
@@ -33,10 +33,10 @@ async def test_client_methods(datasette, method, path, expected_status):
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("prefix", [None, "/prefix/"])
 async def test_client_post(datasette, prefix):
-    original_base_url = datasette._config["base_url"]
+    original_base_url = datasette._settings["base_url"]
     try:
         if prefix is not None:
-            datasette._config["base_url"] = prefix
+            datasette._settings["base_url"] = prefix
         response = await datasette.client.post(
             "/-/messages",
             data={
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ async def test_client_post(datasette, prefix):
         assert response.status_code == 302
         assert "ds_messages" in response.cookies
     finally:
-        datasette._config["base_url"] = original_base_url
+        datasette._settings["base_url"] = original_base_url
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
@@ -56,12 +56,12 @@ async def test_client_post(datasette, prefix):
     "prefix,expected_path", [(None, "/asgi-scope"), ("/prefix/", "/prefix/asgi-scope")]
 )
 async def test_client_path(datasette, prefix, expected_path):
-    original_base_url = datasette._config["base_url"]
+    original_base_url = datasette._settings["base_url"]
     try:
         if prefix is not None:
-            datasette._config["base_url"] = prefix
+            datasette._settings["base_url"] = prefix
         response = await datasette.client.get("/asgi-scope")
         path = response.json()["path"]
         assert path == expected_path
     finally:
-        datasette._config["base_url"] = original_base_url
+        datasette._settings["base_url"] = original_base_url
diff --git a/tests/test_internals_urls.py b/tests/test_internals_urls.py
index 89290911..fd05c1b6 100644
--- a/tests/test_internals_urls.py
+++ b/tests/test_internals_urls.py
@@ -20,14 +20,14 @@ def ds():
     ],
 )
 def test_path(ds, base_url, path, expected):
-    ds._config["base_url"] = base_url
+    ds._settings["base_url"] = base_url
     actual = ds.urls.path(path)
     assert actual == expected
     assert isinstance(actual, PrefixedUrlString)
 
 
 def test_path_applied_twice_does_not_double_prefix(ds):
-    ds._config["base_url"] = "/prefix/"
+    ds._settings["base_url"] = "/prefix/"
     path = ds.urls.path("/")
     assert path == "/prefix/"
     path = ds.urls.path(path)
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def test_path_applied_twice_does_not_double_prefix(ds):
     ],
 )
 def test_instance(ds, base_url, expected):
-    ds._config["base_url"] = base_url
+    ds._settings["base_url"] = base_url
     actual = ds.urls.instance()
     assert actual == expected
     assert isinstance(actual, PrefixedUrlString)
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ def test_instance(ds, base_url, expected):
     ],
 )
 def test_static(ds, base_url, file, expected):
-    ds._config["base_url"] = base_url
+    ds._settings["base_url"] = base_url
     actual = ds.urls.static(file)
     assert actual == expected
     assert isinstance(actual, PrefixedUrlString)
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ def test_static(ds, base_url, file, expected):
     ],
 )
 def test_static_plugins(ds, base_url, plugin, file, expected):
-    ds._config["base_url"] = base_url
+    ds._settings["base_url"] = base_url
     actual = ds.urls.static_plugins(plugin, file)
     assert actual == expected
     assert isinstance(actual, PrefixedUrlString)
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def test_static_plugins(ds, base_url, plugin, file, expected):
     ],
 )
 def test_logout(ds, base_url, expected):
-    ds._config["base_url"] = base_url
+    ds._settings["base_url"] = base_url
     actual = ds.urls.logout()
     assert actual == expected
     assert isinstance(actual, PrefixedUrlString)
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ def test_logout(ds, base_url, expected):
     ],
 )
 def test_database(ds, base_url, format, expected):
-    ds._config["base_url"] = base_url
+    ds._settings["base_url"] = base_url
     actual = ds.urls.database(":memory:", format=format)
     assert actual == expected
     assert isinstance(actual, PrefixedUrlString)
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ def test_database(ds, base_url, format, expected):
     ],
 )
 def test_table_and_query(ds, base_url, name, format, expected):
-    ds._config["base_url"] = base_url
+    ds._settings["base_url"] = base_url
     actual1 = ds.urls.table(":memory:", name, format=format)
     assert actual1 == expected
     assert isinstance(actual1, PrefixedUrlString)
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ def test_table_and_query(ds, base_url, name, format, expected):
     ],
 )
 def test_row(ds, base_url, format, expected):
-    ds._config["base_url"] = base_url
+    ds._settings["base_url"] = base_url
     actual = ds.urls.row(":memory:", "facetable", "1", format=format)
     assert actual == expected
     assert isinstance(actual, PrefixedUrlString)
@@ -152,9 +152,9 @@ def test_row(ds, base_url, format, expected):
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("base_url", ["/", "/prefix/"])
 def test_database_hashed(app_client_with_hash, base_url):
     ds = app_client_with_hash.ds
-    original_base_url = ds._config["base_url"]
+    original_base_url = ds._settings["base_url"]
     try:
-        ds._config["base_url"] = base_url
+        ds._settings["base_url"] = base_url
         db_hash = ds.get_database("fixtures").hash
         assert len(db_hash) == 64
         expected = f"{base_url}fixtures-{db_hash[:7]}"
@@ -163,4 +163,4 @@ def test_database_hashed(app_client_with_hash, base_url):
         assert ds.urls.query("fixtures", "name") == expected + "/name"
     finally:
         # Reset this since fixture is shared with other tests
-        ds._config["base_url"] = original_base_url
+        ds._settings["base_url"] = original_base_url