diff --git a/src/conf-file-processor.cpp b/src/conf-file-processor.cpp
index 29f22cf..40751b3 100644
--- a/src/conf-file-processor.cpp
+++ b/src/conf-file-processor.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /* -*- Mode:C++; c-file-style:"gnu"; indent-tabs-mode:nil; -*- */
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2014-2024,  The University of Memphis,
+ * Copyright (c) 2014-2025,  The University of Memphis,
  *                           Regents of the University of California,
  *                           Arizona Board of Regents.
  *
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 
 #include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
 #include <boost/property_tree/info_parser.hpp>
+#include <boost/property_tree/exceptions.hpp>
 
 #include <filesystem>
 #include <fstream>
@@ -501,8 +502,8 @@
           m_confParam.getAdjacencyList().insert(adj);
         }
         else {
-          std::cerr << " Wrong command format ! [name /nbr/name/ \n face-uri /uri\n]";
-          std::cerr << " or bad URI format" << std::endl;
+          std::cerr << "No neighbor name found or bad URI format! Expected:\n"
+                    << " name [neighbor router name]\n face-uri [face uri]\n link-cost [link cost] OPTIONAL" << std::endl;
         }
       }
       catch (const std::exception& ex) {
@@ -605,23 +606,27 @@
 ConfFileProcessor::processConfSectionAdvertising(const ConfigSection& section)
 {
   for (const auto& tn : section) {
-   if (tn.first == "prefix") {
      try {
-       ndn::Name namePrefix(tn.second.data());
+       ndn::Name namePrefix(tn.first.data());
        if (!namePrefix.empty()) {
-         m_confParam.getNamePrefixList().insert(namePrefix);
+         m_confParam.getNamePrefixList().insert(namePrefix, "", tn.second.get_value<uint64_t>());
        }
        else {
-         std::cerr << " Wrong command format ! [prefix /name/prefix] or bad URI" << std::endl;
+         std::cerr << " Wrong format or bad URI!\nExpected [name in ndn URI format] [cost],"
+                   << " got prefix: " << tn.first.data() << " cost:" << tn.second.data() << std::endl;
          return false;
        }
      }
+     catch (const boost::property_tree::ptree_bad_data& ex) {
+       //Catches errors from get_value above
+       std::cerr << "Invalid cost format; only integers are allowed" << std::endl;
+       return false;
+     }
      catch (const std::exception& ex) {
        std::cerr << ex.what() << std::endl;
        return false;
      }
     }
-  }
   return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/update/command-processor.cpp b/src/update/command-processor.cpp
index f260bd6..95290d5 100644
--- a/src/update/command-processor.cpp
+++ b/src/update/command-processor.cpp
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
     m_lsdb.buildAndInstallOwnNameLsa();
     if (castParams.hasFlags() && castParams.getFlags() == PREFIX_FLAG) {
       NLSR_LOG_INFO("Saving name to the configuration file ");
-      auto [afterAdvertiseReturn, afterAdvertiseMessage] = afterAdvertise(castParams.getName());
+      auto [afterAdvertiseReturn, afterAdvertiseMessage] = afterAdvertise(castParams.getName(), castParamCost);
       if (afterAdvertiseReturn) {
         return done(ndn::nfd::ControlResponse(205, afterAdvertiseMessage).setBody(responseParams.wireEncode()));
       }
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
     if (castParams.hasFlags() && castParams.getFlags() == PREFIX_FLAG) {
       // Save an already advertised prefix
       NLSR_LOG_INFO("Saving an already advertised name: " << castParams.getName());
-      auto [afterAdvertiseReturn, afterAdvertiseMessage] = afterAdvertise(castParams.getName());
+      auto [afterAdvertiseReturn, afterAdvertiseMessage] = afterAdvertise(castParams.getName(), castParamCost);
       if (afterAdvertiseReturn) {
         return done(ndn::nfd::ControlResponse(205, afterAdvertiseMessage).setBody(responseParams.wireEncode()));
       }
diff --git a/src/update/command-processor.hpp b/src/update/command-processor.hpp
index 1d25ec0..0973839 100644
--- a/src/update/command-processor.hpp
+++ b/src/update/command-processor.hpp
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
    *  \return tuple {bool indicating success/failure, message string}.
    */
   virtual std::tuple<bool, std::string>
-  afterAdvertise(const ndn::Name& prefix)
+  afterAdvertise(const ndn::Name& prefix, uint64_t cost)
   {
     return {true, "OK"};
   }
diff --git a/src/update/prefix-update-commands.cpp b/src/update/prefix-update-commands.cpp
index da43fe7..0e2c3d6 100644
--- a/src/update/prefix-update-commands.cpp
+++ b/src/update/prefix-update-commands.cpp
@@ -26,10 +26,12 @@
 const AdvertisePrefixCommand::RequestFormat AdvertisePrefixCommand::s_requestFormat =
     RequestFormat()
     .required(ndn::nfd::CONTROL_PARAMETER_NAME)
+    .optional(ndn::nfd::CONTROL_PARAMETER_COST)
     .optional(ndn::nfd::CONTROL_PARAMETER_FLAGS);
 const AdvertisePrefixCommand::ResponseFormat AdvertisePrefixCommand::s_responseFormat =
     ResponseFormat()
     .required(ndn::nfd::CONTROL_PARAMETER_NAME)
+    .optional(ndn::nfd::CONTROL_PARAMETER_COST)
     .optional(ndn::nfd::CONTROL_PARAMETER_FLAGS);
 
 const WithdrawPrefixCommand::RequestFormat WithdrawPrefixCommand::s_requestFormat =
diff --git a/src/update/prefix-update-processor.cpp b/src/update/prefix-update-processor.cpp
index 2f403fb..2bec0ae 100644
--- a/src/update/prefix-update-processor.cpp
+++ b/src/update/prefix-update-processor.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include "prefix-update-processor.hpp"
 #include "logger.hpp"
 #include "prefix-update-commands.hpp"
+#include "utility/boost-info-editor.hpp"
 
 #include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
 #include <fstream>
@@ -115,33 +116,25 @@
 }
 
 std::tuple<bool, std::string>
-PrefixUpdateProcessor::addOrDeletePrefix(const ndn::Name& prefix, bool addPrefix)
+PrefixUpdateProcessor::addOrDeletePrefix(const ndn::Name& prefix, uint64_t cost, bool addPrefix)
 {
-  std::string value = " prefix " + prefix.toUri();
-  std::string fileString;
-  std::string line;
-  std::string trimedLine;
+  std::string section = "advertising." + prefix.toUri();
+  std::string value = "    " + prefix.toUri() + " " + std::to_string(cost);
   std::fstream input(m_confFileNameDynamic, input.in);
   if (!input.good() || !input.is_open()) {
     NLSR_LOG_ERROR("Failed to open configuration file for parsing");
     return {false, "Failed to open configuration file for parsing"};
   }
-
+  input.close();
   if (addPrefix) {
     //check if prefix already exist in the nlsr configuration file
     if (checkForPrefixInFile(value)) {
       NLSR_LOG_ERROR("Prefix already exists in the configuration file");
       return {false, "Prefix already exists in the configuration file"};
     }
-    while (!input.eof()) {
-      getline(input, line);
-      if (!line.empty()) {
-        fileString.append(line + "\n");
-        if (line == "advertising") {
-          getline(input, line);
-          fileString.append(line + "\n" + value + "\n");
-        }
-      }
+    if (!util::boost_info_editor::put(m_confFileNameDynamic, section, std::to_string(cost))) {
+      NLSR_LOG_ERROR("Unable to save changes to configuration file");
+      return {false, "Unable to save changes to configuration file"};
     }
   }
   else {
@@ -149,35 +142,25 @@
       NLSR_LOG_ERROR("Prefix doesn't exists in the configuration file");
       return {false, "Prefix doesn't exists in the configuration file"};
     }
-    boost::trim(value);
-    while (!input.eof()) {
-      getline(input, line);
-      if (!line.empty()) {
-        std::string trimLine = line;
-        boost::trim(trimLine);
-        if (trimLine != value) {
-          fileString.append(line + "\n");
-        }
-      }
+    if (!util::boost_info_editor::remove(m_confFileNameDynamic, section)) {
+      NLSR_LOG_ERROR("Unable to save changes to configuration file");
+      return {false, "Unable to save changes to configuration file"};
     }
   }
-  input.close();
-  std::ofstream output(m_confFileNameDynamic);
-  output << fileString;
-  output.close();
+
   return {true, "OK"};
 }
 
 std::tuple<bool, std::string>
-PrefixUpdateProcessor::afterAdvertise(const ndn::Name& prefix)
+PrefixUpdateProcessor::afterAdvertise(const ndn::Name& prefix, uint64_t cost)
 {
-  return addOrDeletePrefix(prefix, true);
+  return addOrDeletePrefix(prefix, cost, true);
 }
 
 std::tuple<bool, std::string>
 PrefixUpdateProcessor::afterWithdraw(const ndn::Name& prefix)
 {
-  return addOrDeletePrefix(prefix, false);
+  return addOrDeletePrefix(prefix, 0, false);
 }
 
 } // namespace nlsr::update
diff --git a/src/update/prefix-update-processor.hpp b/src/update/prefix-update-processor.hpp
index bc05937..1d937b1 100644
--- a/src/update/prefix-update-processor.hpp
+++ b/src/update/prefix-update-processor.hpp
@@ -58,13 +58,13 @@
    * configuration file
    */
   std::tuple<bool, std::string>
-  addOrDeletePrefix(const ndn::Name& prefix, bool addPrefix);
+  addOrDeletePrefix(const ndn::Name& prefix, uint64_t cost, bool addPrefix);
 
   /*! \brief Save an advertised prefix to the nlsr configuration file.
    *  \return tuple {bool indicating success/failure, message string}.
    */
   std::tuple<bool, std::string>
-  afterAdvertise(const ndn::Name& prefix) override;
+  afterAdvertise(const ndn::Name& prefix, uint64_t cost) override;
 
   /*! \brief Remove an advertised prefix from the nlsr configuration file.
    *  \return tuple {bool indicating success/failure, message string}.
diff --git a/src/utility/boost-info-editor.cpp b/src/utility/boost-info-editor.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd6893a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/utility/boost-info-editor.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+/* -*- Mode:C++; c-file-style:"gnu"; indent-tabs-mode:nil; -*- */
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2014-2025,  The University of Memphis,
+ *                           Regents of the University of California,
+ *                           Arizona Board of Regents.
+ *
+ * This file is part of NLSR (Named-data Link State Routing).
+ * See AUTHORS.md for complete list of NLSR authors and contributors.
+ *
+ * NLSR is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms
+ * of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation,
+ * either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * NLSR is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY;
+ * without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
+ * PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
+ * NLSR, e.g., in COPYING.md file.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#include "boost-info-editor.hpp"
+#include "logger.hpp"
+
+#include <boost/property_tree/info_parser.hpp>
+
+namespace nlsr::util::boost_info_editor {
+
+// Incorporates Apache 2.0 licensed code by Yanbiao Li under a compatible license
+boost::property_tree::ptree
+load(const std::string& fileName)
+{
+  boost::property_tree::ptree info;
+  std::ifstream input(fileName);
+
+  // Thrown errors are received at calling function
+  boost::property_tree::info_parser::read_info(input, info);
+
+  input.close();
+  return info;
+}
+
+bool
+save(const std::string& fileName, boost::property_tree::ptree& info)
+{
+  std::ofstream output(fileName);
+  try {
+    write_info(output, info);
+  } catch (const boost::property_tree::info_parser::info_parser_error& error) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  output.close();
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool
+put(const std::string& fileName, const std::string& section, const std::string& value)
+{
+  boost::property_tree::ptree info;
+  try {
+    info = load(fileName);
+  }
+  catch (const boost::property_tree::info_parser::info_parser_error& error) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  info.put(section.c_str(), value.c_str());
+  return save(fileName, info);
+}
+
+bool
+remove(const std::string& fileName, const std::string& section)
+{
+  boost::property_tree::ptree info;
+  try {
+    info = load(fileName);
+  }
+  catch (const boost::property_tree::info_parser::info_parser_error& error) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  std::size_t pos = section.find_last_of(".");
+  if (pos == std::string::npos) {
+    info.erase(section.c_str());
+  }
+  else {
+    boost::optional<boost::property_tree::ptree&> child =
+      info.get_child_optional(section.substr(0, pos));
+    if (child) {
+      child->erase(section.substr(pos + 1));
+    }
+  }
+  return save(fileName, info);
+}
+} // namespace nlsr::util::boost_info_editor
diff --git a/src/utility/boost-info-editor.hpp b/src/utility/boost-info-editor.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4ba0e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/utility/boost-info-editor.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+/* -*- Mode:C++; c-file-style:"gnu"; indent-tabs-mode:nil; -*- */
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2014-2025,  The University of Memphis,
+ *                           Regents of the University of California,
+ *                           Arizona Board of Regents.
+ *
+ * This file is part of NLSR (Named-data Link State Routing).
+ * See AUTHORS.md for complete list of NLSR authors and contributors.
+ *
+ * NLSR is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms
+ * of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation,
+ * either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * NLSR is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY;
+ * without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
+ * PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
+ * NLSR, e.g., in COPYING.md file.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#ifndef NLSR_BOOST_INFO_EDITOR_HPP
+#define NLSR_BOOST_INFO_EDITOR_HPP
+
+#include <string>
+
+namespace nlsr::util::boost_info_editor {
+
+/*! Insert a specified combination of configuration field name and value into a specific file path
+  Returns false if any errors occur on I/O, otherwise true.
+  \param fileName Path to conf file as string
+  \param section Section name to add/modify in conf file; expects [section].[subsection]... formatting
+  \param value The value to insert into the sheet as a string. Typechecking should be done in caller.
+*/
+bool put(const std::string& fileName, const std::string& section, const std::string& value);
+
+/*! Remove a specified key and its value from a configuration file at a specific path
+  Returns false if any errors occur on I/O, otherwise true.
+  \param fileName Path to conf file as string
+  \param section Section name to add/modify in conf file; expects [section].[subsection]... formatting
+*/
+bool remove(const std::string& fileName, const std::string& section);
+} // namespace nlsr::util::boost_info_editor
+
+#endif // NLSR_BOOST_INFO_EDITOR_HPP