diff --git a/nlsr.conf b/nlsr.conf
index 7c59dee..fecb57e 100644
--- a/nlsr.conf
+++ b/nlsr.conf
@@ -123,9 +123,10 @@
 {
   ; the ndnname is used to advertised name from the router. To advertise each name prefix
   ; configure one block of ndnname configuration command for every name prefix.
+  ; format: <name-prefix> <cost>
 
-  prefix /ndn/edu/memphis/cs/netlab           ; name in ndn URI format
-  prefix /ndn/edu/memphis/sports/basketball
+  /ndn/edu/memphis/cs/netlab 0
+  /ndn/edu/memphis/sports/basketball 0
 }
 
 security
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
diff --git a/tests/test-conf-file-processor.cpp b/tests/test-conf-file-processor.cpp
index c9acbd2..dc9564f 100644
--- a/tests/test-conf-file-processor.cpp
+++ b/tests/test-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.
  *
@@ -110,8 +110,8 @@
 const std::string SECTION_ADVERTISING =
   "advertising\n"
   "{\n"
-  "  prefix /ndn/edu/memphis/cs/netlab\n"
-  "  prefix /ndn/edu/memphis/sports/basketball\n"
+  "  /ndn/edu/memphis/cs/netlab 0\n"
+  "  /ndn/edu/memphis/sports/basketball 0\n"
   "}\n";
 
 // NEED TO TEST SECURITY SECTION SUCH AS LOADING CERTIFICATE
diff --git a/tests/update/test-save-delete-prefix.cpp b/tests/update/test-save-delete-prefix.cpp
index 5adec17..4f1d3a5 100644
--- a/tests/update/test-save-delete-prefix.cpp
+++ b/tests/update/test-save-delete-prefix.cpp
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
     // counter helps to check if multiple prefix of same name exists on conf file
     counter = 0;
     for (const auto& section : m_savePrefix.get_child("advertising")) {
-      auto b = section.second.get_value<std::string>();
+      auto b = section.first.data();
       if (b == prefixName) {
         counter++;
       }
diff --git a/tools/nlsrc.cpp b/tools/nlsrc.cpp
index 32a008c..c8bd76c 100644
--- a/tools/nlsrc.cpp
+++ b/tools/nlsrc.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.
  *
@@ -82,14 +82,14 @@
            display routing table status
        status
            display all NLSR status (lsdb & routingtable)
-       advertise <name>
-           advertise a name prefix through NLSR
-       advertise <name> save
-           advertise and save the name prefix to the conf file
+       advertise <name> [cost <cost>]
+           advertise a name prefix with optionally set cost through NLSR
+       advertise <name> [cost <cost>] save
+           advertise and save the name prefix and cost to the stateful conf file
        withdraw <name>
            remove a name prefix advertised through NLSR
        withdraw <name> delete
-           withdraw and delete the name prefix from the conf file
+           withdraw and delete the name prefix from the stateful conf file
 )EOT");
   boost::algorithm::replace_all_copy(std::ostream_iterator<char>(std::cout),
                                      help, "@NLSRC@", m_programName);
@@ -166,17 +166,39 @@
   if (subcommand.size() == 0) {
     return false;
   }
-
+  bool saveValue = false;
   if (subcommand[0] == "advertise") {
     switch (subcommand.size()) {
       case 2:
-        advertiseName(subcommand[1], false);
+        advertiseName(subcommand[1], false, 0);
         return true;
       case 3:
         if (subcommand[2] != "save") {
           return false;
         }
-        advertiseName(subcommand[1], true);
+        saveValue = true;
+        advertiseName(subcommand[1], saveValue, 0);
+        return true;
+      case 5:
+        if (subcommand[4] != "save") {
+          return false;
+        }
+        saveValue = true;
+        [[fallthrough]];
+      case 4:
+        if (subcommand[2] != "cost") {
+          return false;
+        }
+        uint64_t costValue = 0;
+        try {
+          costValue = std::stoi(subcommand[3]);
+        }
+        catch (const std::exception& e) {
+          std::cerr << "ERROR: Invalid cost given to advertise command" << std::endl;
+          m_exitCode = 1;
+          return false;
+        }
+        advertiseName(subcommand[1], saveValue, costValue);
         return true;
     }
     return false;
@@ -221,11 +243,11 @@
 }
 
 void
-Nlsrc::advertiseName(ndn::Name name, bool wantSave)
+Nlsrc::advertiseName(ndn::Name name, bool wantSave, uint64_t cost)
 {
   std::string info = (wantSave ? "(Save: " : "(Advertise: ") + name.toUri() + ")";
   ndn::Name::Component verb("advertise");
-  sendNamePrefixUpdate(name, verb, info, wantSave);
+  sendNamePrefixUpdate(name, verb, info, wantSave, cost);
 }
 
 void
@@ -240,7 +262,8 @@
 Nlsrc::sendNamePrefixUpdate(const ndn::Name& name,
                             const ndn::Name::Component& verb,
                             const std::string& info,
-                            bool flag)
+                            bool flag,
+                            uint64_t cost)
 {
   ndn::nfd::ControlParameters parameters;
   parameters.setName(name);
@@ -248,6 +271,10 @@
     parameters.setFlags(1);
   }
 
+  if (verb.toUri() == "advertise" and cost > 0) {
+    parameters.setCost(cost);
+  }
+
   auto paramWire = parameters.wireEncode();
   ndn::Name commandName = m_routerPrefix;
   commandName.append(NAME_UPDATE_SUFFIX);
diff --git a/tools/nlsrc.hpp b/tools/nlsrc.hpp
index a64c940..4337375 100644
--- a/tools/nlsrc.hpp
+++ b/tools/nlsrc.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /* -*- Mode:C++; c-file-style:"gnu"; indent-tabs-mode:nil; -*- */
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2014-2023,  The University of Memphis,
+ * Copyright (c) 2014-2025,  The University of Memphis,
  *                           Regents of the University of California,
  *                           Arizona Board of Regents.
  *
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
    *
    */
   void
-  advertiseName(ndn::Name name, bool wantSave);
+  advertiseName(ndn::Name name, bool wantSave, uint64_t cost = 0);
 
   /**
    * \brief Removes a name prefix from NLSR's Name LSA
@@ -102,7 +102,8 @@
   sendNamePrefixUpdate(const ndn::Name& name,
                        const ndn::Name::Component& verb,
                        const std::string& info,
-                       bool saveFlag);
+                       bool saveFlag,
+                       uint64_t cost = 0);
 
   void
   onControlResponse(const std::string& info, const ndn::Data& data);