diff --git a/linux_voice_assistant/config.py b/linux_voice_assistant/config.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..56a698f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/linux_voice_assistant/config.py
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+"""Configuration models for the application."""
+
+import json
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Dict, List, Optional
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Configuration Dataclasses
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+@dataclass
+class AudioConfig:
+    """Settings for audio input and output."""
+    input_device: Optional[str] = None
+    input_block_size: int = 1024
+    output_device: Optional[str] = None
+
+@dataclass
+class WakeWordConfig:
+    """Settings for wake word detection."""
+    directories: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
+    model: str = "okay_nabu"
+    stop_model: str = "stop"
+    refractory_seconds: float = 2.0
+    oww_melspectrogram_model: str = "wakewords/openWakeWord/melspectrogram.tflite"
+    oww_embedding_model: str = "wakewords/openWakeWord/embedding_model.tflite"
+
+@dataclass
+class ESPHomeConfig:
+    """Settings for the ESPHome API server."""
+    host: str = "0.0.0.0"
+    port: int = 6053
+
+@dataclass
+class LedConfig:
+    """Settings for the LED strip."""
+    led_type: str = "dotstar"
+    interface: str = "spi"
+    clock_pin: int = 13
+    data_pin: int = 12
+    num_leds: int = 3  # Note: This will be overridden by 'preferences.json' if it exists
+
+@dataclass
+class MqttConfig:
+    """Settings for the MQTT client."""
+    enabled: bool = False
+    host: Optional[str] = None
+    port: int = 1883
+    username: Optional[str] = None
+    password: Optional[str] = None
+
+@dataclass
+class AppConfig:
+    """General application settings."""
+    name: str
+    wakeup_sound: str = "sounds/wake_word_triggered.flac"
+    timer_finished_sound: str = "sounds/timer_finished.flac"
+    preferences_file: str = "preferences.json"
+    debug: bool = False
+
+@dataclass
+class Config:
+    """Main configuration object."""
+    app: AppConfig
+    audio: AudioConfig = field(default_factory=AudioConfig)
+    wake_word: WakeWordConfig = field(default_factory=WakeWordConfig)
+    esphome: ESPHomeConfig = field(default_factory=ESPHomeConfig)
+    led: LedConfig = field(default_factory=LedConfig)
+    mqtt: MqttConfig = field(default_factory=MqttConfig)
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Helper Function
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def load_config_from_json(config_path: Path) -> Config:
+    """Loads configuration from a JSON file and populates dataclasses."""
+    
+    # --- Step 1: Load raw JSON data ---
+    try:
+        with open(config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            raw_data = json.load(f)
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        _LOGGER.critical(f"Configuration file not found at: {config_path}")
+        raise
+    except json.JSONDecodeError as e:
+        _LOGGER.critical(f"Error parsing configuration file: {e}")
+        raise
+
+    # --- Step 2: Create config objects from raw data ---
+    # This nested loading allows users to omit entire sections (like 'audio')
+    # and still get the defaults.
+    
+    # 'app' is the only required section
+    if "app" not in raw_data:
+        raise ValueError("Configuration file must contain an 'app' section with a 'name'.")
+    
+    app_config = AppConfig(**raw_data.get("app", {}))
+    audio_config = AudioConfig(**raw_data.get("audio", {}))
+    wake_word_config = WakeWordConfig(**raw_data.get("wake_word", {}))
+    esphome_config = ESPHomeConfig(**raw_data.get("esphome", {}))
+    led_config = LedConfig(**raw_data.get("led", {}))
+    mqtt_config = MqttConfig(**raw_data.get("mqtt", {}))
+    
+    # --- Step 3: Set MQTT 'enabled' flag ---
+    # If host is provided, automatically enable MQTT
+    if mqtt_config.host:
+        mqtt_config.enabled = True
+
+    # --- Step 4: Return the main Config object ---
+    return Config(
+        app=app_config,
+        audio=audio_config,
+        wake_word=wake_word_config,
+        esphome=esphome_config,
+        led=led_config,
+        mqtt=mqtt_config,
+    )
+
+# Logger is needed for the load function
+import logging
+_LOGGER = logging.getLogger(__name__)