Original Clash, Meta, and mihomo
The original Clash established a YAML-based approach to defining proxies, proxy groups, and routing rules, and many GUI clients still use this configuration structure. After the original project stopped being publicly maintained, forks in the ecosystem continued to develop. Clash.Meta later continued development under the mihomo name, so references to Meta and mihomo in older guides are often historically connected. However, neither should be treated as equivalent to every app with Clash in its name. When reading an older guide, first determine whether it refers to a core, a GUI client, or a subscription format.
Clients typically embed or call a core, then add features such as profile downloads, system proxy settings, service management, and connection details. Changing the interface does not necessarily change protocol support, and replacing the core does not guarantee that the interface will expose its options. For most users, a reliable approach is to choose a client with clear maintenance information, then check which core it uses and where its features are configured. If you encounter an unfamiliar field, consult the documentation for that core instead of repeatedly changing indentation to make an old core accept new syntax.
Protocol support and configuration compatibility
Shadowsocks, VMess, Trojan, VLESS, Hysteria2, and TUIC use different connection parameters and transport methods; the protocol name alone does not predict real-world speed. Link quality, server configuration, packet loss, and device performance all affect results. UDP-based transports in particular require the network to allow the relevant traffic. A client recognizing the configuration fields does not guarantee that connection requirements are met. Choose a solution that supports the parameters provided by your service, then consider mobile network handoffs, battery use, and maintenance complexity.
Common node, proxy group, and rule fields in Clash YAML have remained fairly consistent, but older cores may not recognize newer protocols, DNS options, or rule data formats. A full configuration, a proxy provider, and a single-node link are different things. Converting a subscription may strip client-specific fields or break the relationship between rules and proxy group names. If import fails, use the logs to determine whether the issue is YAML parsing, unsupported fields, or a failed resource download. Passing syntax checks is only the first step in verifying a connection.
Maintenance history matters more than the name
To judge whether a project is suitable for long-term use, check its public source code, release notes, issue discussions, and whether its documentation stays current as features change. A client’s release schedule may not match updates to its embedded core, and rule databases are another independent resource. Updating the GUI, the core, and the subscription solves different problems; success with one does not mean everything else is up to date. The download page distinguishes currently maintained options from archived apps, which are best used for migration and reference with older configurations.
Before updating, keep a working copy of your configuration and overrides, and note the current proxy mode, DNS setup, and TUN status. After updating, reload the configuration and test commonly used apps, local services, and route selection. If something breaks, compare changes one at a time instead of resetting everything immediately. When reporting an issue publicly, include your operating system, client name, core, and redacted error details; this is usually more useful than simply saying that you cannot connect.
Verify connections and find documentation
A node latency test measures the connection to a specific test destination; it does not show that every website or app takes the same route. To verify that your setup is working, check the client’s connection records, matched rules, and actual route, then confirm whether the app reads system proxy settings or is routed through TUN. If only some apps have problems, check the entry point and the apps’ own proxy settings first. If only some domains fail, check DNS and rule matching to avoid unrelated changes.
If terms such as Fake-IP, proxy groups, rule providers, or UWP loopback are unfamiliar, start with the glossary, then follow a tutorial. The technical reference pages compare protocol design, core relationships, and subscription compatibility; consult them before switching clients or server setups. The sample windows on this site illustrate how settings relate to one another. They are not complete representations of every client on every system, and they do not replace checking real connections after installation.