nano’s system config file is located at /etc/.nanorc. You can override these settings with a user specific config file at ~/.nanorc.

Consult man nanorc for a complete list of options.

The following is my ~/.nanorc file with annotations. I have included one without annotation at the end of this file.

# Non-default settings
set atblanks        # wrap line at blanks.
set cutfromcursor   # CTRL+K cuts from cursor position to end of line.
set nohelp          # Disable the help information (CTRL+G to view the help screen).
set softwrap        # Enable softwrap of lines.
set suspend         # Enables CTRL+Z to suspend nano.
set tabsize 4       # Sets tab-to-spaces size to 4.
set tabstospaces    # Converts TAB key press to spaces.
include "/usr/share/nano/*.nanorc" # Enables the syntax highlighting.
set speller "aspell -x -c"         # Sets what spelling utility to use.
set constantshow    # Displays useful information e.g. line number and position in the bottom bar.
set linenumbers     # Lines are numbered.
set casesensitive   # Case insensitive search.
set historylog      # Save the last 100 history searches for later use.
set positionlog     # Saves the cursor position between editing sessions.
set zap             # Allows you to highlight text (CTRL+SHIFT+ARROW) and delete it with backspace.
set autoindent      # A new line will have the same number of leading spaces as the previous one.
set indicator       # Displays a scroll bar on the right that shows the position and size of the current view port.
set minibar         # Displays file name and other information in the bottom bar. Removes top bar.

# Enable and set a working backup directory
set backup                              # Creates backups of your current file.
set backupdir "~/.cache/nano/backups/"  # The location of the backups.

# Shortcut key bindings
bind ^C copy main       # CTRC+C - Copy
bind ^V paste all       # CTRL+V - Past
bind ^F whereis all     # CTRL+F - Find
bind ^S savefile main   # CTRL+S - Save 

The same nanorc file without annotation

set atblanks
set cutfromcursor
set nohelp
set softwrap
set suspend
set tabsize 4
set tabstospaces
include "/usr/share/nano/*.nanorc"
set speller "aspell -x -c"
set constantshow
set linenumbers
set casesensitive
set historylog
set positionlog
set zap
set autoindent
set indicator
set minibar

set backup
set backupdir "~/.cache/nano/backups/"

bind ^C copy main       # CTRC+C - Copy
bind ^V paste all       # CTRL+V - Past
bind ^F whereis all     # CTRL+F - Find
bind ^S savefile main   # CTRL+S - Save