diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/config.py b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/config.py
index 73e985f5a4..e38c5669d9 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/config.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/config.py
@@ -124,9 +124,9 @@ def _read_and_sanitize_configuration() -> Dict[str, Any]:
 def _bootstrap_config_scopes() -> Sequence["spack.config.ConfigScope"]:
     tty.debug("[BOOTSTRAP CONFIG SCOPE] name=_builtin")
     config_scopes: MutableSequence["spack.config.ConfigScope"] = [
-        spack.config.InternalConfigScope("_builtin", spack.config.config_defaults)
+        spack.config.InternalConfigScope("_builtin", spack.config.CONFIG_DEFAULTS)
     ]
-    configuration_paths = (spack.config.configuration_defaults_path, ("bootstrap", _config_path()))
+    configuration_paths = (spack.config.CONFIGURATION_DEFAULTS_PATH, ("bootstrap", _config_path()))
     for name, path in configuration_paths:
         platform = spack.platforms.host().name
         platform_scope = spack.config.ConfigScope(
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/bootstrap.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/bootstrap.py
index 672d152565..71c3d3a045 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/bootstrap.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/bootstrap.py
@@ -69,11 +69,10 @@
 
 def _add_scope_option(parser):
     scopes = spack.config.scopes()
-    scopes_metavar = spack.config.scopes_metavar
     parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         help="configuration scope to read/modify",
     )
 
@@ -170,7 +169,7 @@ def _reset(args):
         if not ok_to_continue:
             raise RuntimeError("Aborting")
 
-    for scope in spack.config.config.file_scopes:
+    for scope in spack.config.CONFIG.file_scopes:
         # The default scope should stay untouched
         if scope.name == "defaults":
             continue
@@ -187,7 +186,7 @@ def _reset(args):
         if os.path.exists(bootstrap_yaml):
             shutil.move(bootstrap_yaml, backup_file)
 
-        spack.config.config.clear_caches()
+        spack.config.CONFIG.clear_caches()
 
 
 def _root(args):
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/buildcache.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/buildcache.py
index 74594ac3f1..cd89201f52 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/buildcache.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/buildcache.py
@@ -149,12 +149,11 @@ def setup_parser(subparser: argparse.ArgumentParser):
 
     # used to construct scope arguments below
     scopes = spack.config.scopes()
-    scopes_metavar = spack.config.scopes_metavar
 
     check.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_modify_scope(),
         help="configuration scope containing mirrors to check",
     )
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/compiler.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/compiler.py
index e16ab4d7f4..38695e239a 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/compiler.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/compiler.py
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     sp = subparser.add_subparsers(metavar="SUBCOMMAND", dest="compiler_command")
 
     scopes = spack.config.scopes()
-    scopes_metavar = spack.config.scopes_metavar
 
     # Find
     find_parser = sp.add_parser(
@@ -36,7 +35,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     find_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_modify_scope("compilers"),
         help="configuration scope to modify",
     )
@@ -50,7 +49,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     remove_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=None,
         help="configuration scope to modify",
     )
@@ -60,7 +59,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     list_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_list_scope(),
         help="configuration scope to read from",
     )
@@ -71,7 +70,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     info_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_list_scope(),
         help="configuration scope to read from",
     )
@@ -93,7 +92,7 @@ def compiler_find(args):
         n = len(new_compilers)
         s = "s" if n > 1 else ""
 
-        config = spack.config.config
+        config = spack.config.CONFIG
         filename = config.get_config_filename(args.scope, "compilers")
         tty.msg("Added %d new compiler%s to %s" % (n, s, filename))
         colify(reversed(sorted(c.spec.display_str for c in new_compilers)), indent=4)
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/compilers.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/compilers.py
index 81f222aff1..6d0ff43ea2 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/compilers.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/compilers.py
@@ -13,12 +13,11 @@
 
 def setup_parser(subparser):
     scopes = spack.config.scopes()
-    scopes_metavar = spack.config.scopes_metavar
 
     subparser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         help="configuration scope to read/modify",
     )
 
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/config.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/config.py
index 1d85876af7..c4446b475a 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/config.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/config.py
@@ -27,13 +27,12 @@
 
 def setup_parser(subparser):
     scopes = spack.config.scopes()
-    scopes_metavar = spack.config.scopes_metavar
 
     # User can only choose one
     subparser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         help="configuration scope to read/modify",
     )
 
@@ -45,7 +44,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
         help="configuration section to print\n\noptions: %(choices)s",
         nargs="?",
         metavar="section",
-        choices=spack.config.section_schemas,
+        choices=spack.config.SECTION_SCHEMAS,
     )
 
     blame_parser = sp.add_parser(
@@ -55,7 +54,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
         "section",
         help="configuration section to print\n\noptions: %(choices)s",
         metavar="section",
-        choices=spack.config.section_schemas,
+        choices=spack.config.SECTION_SCHEMAS,
     )
 
     edit_parser = sp.add_parser("edit", help="edit configuration file")
@@ -64,7 +63,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
         help="configuration section to edit\n\noptions: %(choices)s",
         metavar="section",
         nargs="?",
-        choices=spack.config.section_schemas,
+        choices=spack.config.SECTION_SCHEMAS,
     )
     edit_parser.add_argument(
         "--print-file", action="store_true", help="print the file name that would be edited"
@@ -146,10 +145,10 @@ def config_get(args):
     scope, section = _get_scope_and_section(args)
 
     if section is not None:
-        spack.config.config.print_section(section)
+        spack.config.CONFIG.print_section(section)
 
     elif scope and scope.startswith("env:"):
-        config_file = spack.config.config.get_config_filename(scope, section)
+        config_file = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config_filename(scope, section)
         if os.path.exists(config_file):
             with open(config_file) as f:
                 print(f.read())
@@ -162,7 +161,7 @@ def config_get(args):
 
 def config_blame(args):
     """Print out line-by-line blame of merged YAML."""
-    spack.config.config.print_section(args.section, blame=True)
+    spack.config.CONFIG.print_section(args.section, blame=True)
 
 
 def config_edit(args):
@@ -181,7 +180,7 @@ def config_edit(args):
         scope, section = _get_scope_and_section(args)
         if not scope and not section:
             tty.die("`spack config edit` requires a section argument or an active environment.")
-        config_file = spack.config.config.get_config_filename(scope, section)
+        config_file = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config_filename(scope, section)
 
     if args.print_file:
         print(config_file)
@@ -194,7 +193,7 @@ def config_list(args):
 
     Used primarily for shell tab completion scripts.
     """
-    print(" ".join(list(spack.config.section_schemas)))
+    print(" ".join(list(spack.config.SECTION_SCHEMAS)))
 
 
 def config_add(args):
@@ -251,19 +250,19 @@ def _can_update_config_file(scope: spack.config.ConfigScope, cfg_file):
 
 def config_update(args):
     # Read the configuration files
-    spack.config.config.get_config(args.section, scope=args.scope)
+    spack.config.CONFIG.get_config(args.section, scope=args.scope)
     updates: List[spack.config.ConfigScope] = list(
         filter(
             lambda s: not isinstance(
                 s, (spack.config.InternalConfigScope, spack.config.ImmutableConfigScope)
             ),
-            spack.config.config.format_updates[args.section],
+            spack.config.CONFIG.format_updates[args.section],
         )
     )
 
     cannot_overwrite, skip_system_scope = [], False
     for scope in updates:
-        cfg_file = spack.config.config.get_config_filename(scope.name, args.section)
+        cfg_file = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config_filename(scope.name, args.section)
         can_be_updated = _can_update_config_file(scope, cfg_file)
         if not can_be_updated:
             if scope.name == "system":
@@ -302,7 +301,7 @@ def config_update(args):
             " the latest schema format:\n\n"
         )
         for scope in updates:
-            cfg_file = spack.config.config.get_config_filename(scope.name, args.section)
+            cfg_file = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config_filename(scope.name, args.section)
             msg += "\t[scope={0}, file={1}]\n".format(scope.name, cfg_file)
         msg += (
             "\nIf the configuration files are updated, versions of Spack "
@@ -325,7 +324,7 @@ def config_update(args):
         # Make a backup copy and rewrite the file
         bkp_file = cfg_file + ".bkp"
         shutil.copy(cfg_file, bkp_file)
-        spack.config.config.update_config(args.section, data, scope=scope.name, force=True)
+        spack.config.CONFIG.update_config(args.section, data, scope=scope.name, force=True)
         tty.msg(f'File "{cfg_file}" update [backup={bkp_file}]')
 
 
@@ -337,13 +336,13 @@ def _can_revert_update(scope_dir, cfg_file, bkp_file):
 
 
 def config_revert(args):
-    scopes = [args.scope] if args.scope else [x.name for x in spack.config.config.file_scopes]
+    scopes = [args.scope] if args.scope else [x.name for x in spack.config.CONFIG.file_scopes]
 
     # Search for backup files in the configuration scopes
     Entry = collections.namedtuple("Entry", ["scope", "cfg", "bkp"])
     to_be_restored, cannot_overwrite = [], []
     for scope in scopes:
-        cfg_file = spack.config.config.get_config_filename(scope, args.section)
+        cfg_file = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config_filename(scope, args.section)
         bkp_file = cfg_file + ".bkp"
 
         # If the backup files doesn't exist move to the next scope
@@ -457,7 +456,7 @@ def config_prefer_upstream(args):
     existing = spack.config.get("packages", scope=scope)
     new = spack.config.merge_yaml(existing, pkgs)
     spack.config.set("packages", new, scope)
-    config_file = spack.config.config.get_config_filename(scope, section)
+    config_file = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config_filename(scope, section)
 
     tty.msg("Updated config at {0}".format(config_file))
 
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/external.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/external.py
index d27b5df327..895aae0c44 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/external.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/external.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 import spack
 import spack.cmd
 import spack.cmd.common.arguments
+import spack.config
 import spack.cray_manifest as cray_manifest
 import spack.detection
 import spack.error
@@ -27,7 +28,6 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     sp = subparser.add_subparsers(metavar="SUBCOMMAND", dest="external_command")
 
     scopes = spack.config.scopes()
-    scopes_metavar = spack.config.scopes_metavar
 
     find_parser = sp.add_parser("find", help="add external packages to packages.yaml")
     find_parser.add_argument(
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     find_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_modify_scope("packages"),
         help="configuration scope to modify",
     )
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ def external_find(args):
         detected_packages, scope=args.scope, buildable=not args.not_buildable
     )
     if new_entries:
-        path = spack.config.config.get_config_filename(args.scope, "packages")
+        path = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config_filename(args.scope, "packages")
         msg = "The following specs have been detected on this system and added to {0}"
         tty.msg(msg.format(path))
         spack.cmd.display_specs(new_entries)
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/mirror.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/mirror.py
index e8d631f10a..6edae785a0 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/mirror.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/mirror.py
@@ -90,7 +90,6 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
 
     # used to construct scope arguments below
     scopes = spack.config.scopes()
-    scopes_metavar = spack.config.scopes_metavar
 
     # Add
     add_parser = sp.add_parser("add", help=mirror_add.__doc__)
@@ -99,7 +98,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     add_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_modify_scope(),
         help="configuration scope to modify",
     )
@@ -119,7 +118,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     remove_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_modify_scope(),
         help="configuration scope to modify",
     )
@@ -138,7 +137,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     set_url_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_modify_scope(),
         help="configuration scope to modify",
     )
@@ -167,7 +166,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     set_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_modify_scope(),
         help="configuration scope to modify",
     )
@@ -178,7 +177,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     list_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_list_scope(),
         help="configuration scope to read from",
     )
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/repo.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/repo.py
index 5d81b6009d..7953f227e5 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/repo.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/repo.py
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 def setup_parser(subparser):
     sp = subparser.add_subparsers(metavar="SUBCOMMAND", dest="repo_command")
     scopes = spack.config.scopes()
-    scopes_metavar = spack.config.scopes_metavar
 
     # Create
     create_parser = sp.add_parser("create", help=repo_create.__doc__)
@@ -45,7 +44,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     list_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_list_scope(),
         help="configuration scope to read from",
     )
@@ -56,7 +55,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     add_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_modify_scope(),
         help="configuration scope to modify",
     )
@@ -69,7 +68,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     remove_parser.add_argument(
         "--scope",
         choices=scopes,
-        metavar=scopes_metavar,
+        metavar=spack.config.SCOPES_METAVAR,
         default=spack.config.default_modify_scope(),
         help="configuration scope to modify",
     )
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/compilers/__init__.py b/lib/spack/spack/compilers/__init__.py
index ce84a56a43..082577ac6c 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/compilers/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/compilers/__init__.py
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ def _init_compiler_config(*, scope):
 
 def compiler_config_files():
     config_files = list()
-    config = spack.config.config
+    config = spack.config.CONFIG
     for scope in config.file_scopes:
         name = scope.name
         compiler_config = config.get("compilers", scope=name)
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ def remove_compiler_from_config(compiler_spec, scope=None):
     """
     candidate_scopes = [scope]
     if scope is None:
-        candidate_scopes = spack.config.config.scopes.keys()
+        candidate_scopes = spack.config.CONFIG.scopes.keys()
 
     removal_happened = False
     for current_scope in candidate_scopes:
@@ -523,7 +523,7 @@ def compiler_for_spec(compiler_spec, arch_spec):
 
 @_auto_compiler_spec
 def get_compiler_duplicates(compiler_spec, arch_spec):
-    config = spack.config.config
+    config = spack.config.CONFIG
 
     scope_to_compilers = {}
     for scope in config.scopes:
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/concretize.py b/lib/spack/spack/concretize.py
index a5481f74b4..5a46d1f999 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/concretize.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/concretize.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 
 import spack.abi
 import spack.compilers
+import spack.config
 import spack.environment
 import spack.error
 import spack.platforms
@@ -37,7 +38,6 @@
 import spack.tengine
 import spack.util.path
 import spack.variant as vt
-from spack.config import config
 from spack.package_prefs import PackagePrefs, is_spec_buildable, spec_externals
 from spack.version import ClosedOpenRange, VersionList, ver
 
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ class Concretizer:
 
     def __init__(self, abstract_spec=None):
         if Concretizer.check_for_compiler_existence is None:
-            Concretizer.check_for_compiler_existence = not config.get(
+            Concretizer.check_for_compiler_existence = not spack.config.get(
                 "config:install_missing_compilers", False
             )
         self.abstract_spec = abstract_spec
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/config.py b/lib/spack/spack/config.py
index 5035e2c0ed..b3fb5648ac 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/config.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/config.py
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@
 import spack.platforms
 import spack.schema
 import spack.schema.bootstrap
+import spack.schema.cdash
+import spack.schema.ci
 import spack.schema.compilers
 import spack.schema.concretizer
 import spack.schema.config
@@ -64,7 +66,7 @@
 from spack.util.cpus import cpus_available
 
 #: Dict from section names -> schema for that section
-section_schemas = {
+SECTION_SCHEMAS = {
     "compilers": spack.schema.compilers.schema,
     "concretizer": spack.schema.concretizer.schema,
     "mirrors": spack.schema.mirrors.schema,
@@ -80,16 +82,16 @@
 
 # Same as above, but including keys for environments
 # this allows us to unify config reading between configs and environments
-all_schemas = copy.deepcopy(section_schemas)
-all_schemas.update({spack.schema.env.TOP_LEVEL_KEY: spack.schema.env.schema})
+_ALL_SCHEMAS = copy.deepcopy(SECTION_SCHEMAS)
+_ALL_SCHEMAS.update({spack.schema.env.TOP_LEVEL_KEY: spack.schema.env.schema})
 
 #: Path to the default configuration
-configuration_defaults_path = ("defaults", os.path.join(spack.paths.etc_path, "defaults"))
+CONFIGURATION_DEFAULTS_PATH = ("defaults", os.path.join(spack.paths.etc_path, "defaults"))
 
 #: Hard-coded default values for some key configuration options.
 #: This ensures that Spack will still work even if config.yaml in
 #: the defaults scope is removed.
-config_defaults = {
+CONFIG_DEFAULTS = {
     "config": {
         "debug": False,
         "connect_timeout": 10,
@@ -105,10 +107,10 @@
 
 #: metavar to use for commands that accept scopes
 #: this is shorter and more readable than listing all choices
-scopes_metavar = "{defaults,system,site,user}[/PLATFORM] or env:ENVIRONMENT"
+SCOPES_METAVAR = "{defaults,system,site,user}[/PLATFORM] or env:ENVIRONMENT"
 
 #: Base name for the (internal) overrides scope.
-overrides_base_name = "overrides-"
+_OVERRIDES_BASE_NAME = "overrides-"
 
 
 class ConfigScope:
@@ -134,7 +136,7 @@ def get_section_filename(self, section):
     def get_section(self, section):
         if section not in self.sections:
             path = self.get_section_filename(section)
-            schema = section_schemas[section]
+            schema = SECTION_SCHEMAS[section]
             data = read_config_file(path, schema)
             self.sections[section] = data
         return self.sections[section]
@@ -145,7 +147,7 @@ def _write_section(self, section):
 
         # We copy data here to avoid adding defaults at write time
         validate_data = copy.deepcopy(data)
-        validate(validate_data, section_schemas[section])
+        validate(validate_data, SECTION_SCHEMAS[section])
 
         try:
             mkdirp(self.path)
@@ -317,7 +319,7 @@ def __init__(self, name, data=None):
             data = InternalConfigScope._process_dict_keyname_overrides(data)
             for section in data:
                 dsec = data[section]
-                validate({section: dsec}, section_schemas[section])
+                validate({section: dsec}, SECTION_SCHEMAS[section])
                 self.sections[section] = _mark_internal(syaml.syaml_dict({section: dsec}), name)
 
     def get_section_filename(self, section):
@@ -333,7 +335,7 @@ def _write_section(self, section):
         """This only validates, as the data is already in memory."""
         data = self.get_section(section)
         if data is not None:
-            validate(data, section_schemas[section])
+            validate(data, SECTION_SCHEMAS[section])
         self.sections[section] = _mark_internal(data, self.name)
 
     def __repr__(self):
@@ -711,11 +713,11 @@ def override(path_or_scope, value=None):
     """
     if isinstance(path_or_scope, ConfigScope):
         overrides = path_or_scope
-        config.push_scope(path_or_scope)
+        CONFIG.push_scope(path_or_scope)
     else:
-        base_name = overrides_base_name
+        base_name = _OVERRIDES_BASE_NAME
         # Ensure the new override gets a unique scope name
-        current_overrides = [s.name for s in config.matching_scopes(r"^{0}".format(base_name))]
+        current_overrides = [s.name for s in CONFIG.matching_scopes(r"^{0}".format(base_name))]
         num_overrides = len(current_overrides)
         while True:
             scope_name = "{0}{1}".format(base_name, num_overrides)
@@ -725,19 +727,19 @@ def override(path_or_scope, value=None):
                 break
 
         overrides = InternalConfigScope(scope_name)
-        config.push_scope(overrides)
-        config.set(path_or_scope, value, scope=scope_name)
+        CONFIG.push_scope(overrides)
+        CONFIG.set(path_or_scope, value, scope=scope_name)
 
     try:
-        yield config
+        yield CONFIG
     finally:
-        scope = config.remove_scope(overrides.name)
+        scope = CONFIG.remove_scope(overrides.name)
         assert scope is overrides
 
 
 #: configuration scopes added on the command line
 #: set by ``spack.main.main()``.
-command_line_scopes: List[str] = []
+COMMAND_LINE_SCOPES: List[str] = []
 
 
 def _add_platform_scope(cfg, scope_type, name, path):
@@ -781,14 +783,14 @@ def create():
     cfg = Configuration()
 
     # first do the builtin, hardcoded defaults
-    builtin = InternalConfigScope("_builtin", config_defaults)
+    builtin = InternalConfigScope("_builtin", CONFIG_DEFAULTS)
     cfg.push_scope(builtin)
 
     # Builtin paths to configuration files in Spack
     configuration_paths = [
         # Default configuration scope is the lowest-level scope. These are
         # versioned with Spack and can be overridden by systems, sites or users
-        configuration_defaults_path
+        CONFIGURATION_DEFAULTS_PATH
     ]
 
     disable_local_config = "SPACK_DISABLE_LOCAL_CONFIG" in os.environ
@@ -815,7 +817,7 @@ def create():
         _add_platform_scope(cfg, ConfigScope, name, path)
 
     # add command-line scopes
-    _add_command_line_scopes(cfg, command_line_scopes)
+    _add_command_line_scopes(cfg, COMMAND_LINE_SCOPES)
 
     # we make a special scope for spack commands so that they can
     # override configuration options.
@@ -825,7 +827,7 @@ def create():
 
 
 #: This is the singleton configuration instance for Spack.
-config: Union[Configuration, llnl.util.lang.Singleton] = llnl.util.lang.Singleton(create)
+CONFIG: Union[Configuration, llnl.util.lang.Singleton] = llnl.util.lang.Singleton(create)
 
 
 def add_from_file(filename, scope=None):
@@ -838,7 +840,7 @@ def add_from_file(filename, scope=None):
     # update all sections from config dict
     # We have to iterate on keys to keep overrides from the file
     for section in data.keys():
-        if section in section_schemas.keys():
+        if section in SECTION_SCHEMAS.keys():
             # Special handling for compiler scope difference
             # Has to be handled after we choose a section
             if scope is None:
@@ -849,7 +851,7 @@ def add_from_file(filename, scope=None):
             new = merge_yaml(existing, value)
 
             # We cannot call config.set directly (set is a type)
-            config.set(section, new, scope)
+            CONFIG.set(section, new, scope)
 
 
 def add(fullpath, scope=None):
@@ -897,12 +899,12 @@ def add(fullpath, scope=None):
 
     # merge value into existing
     new = merge_yaml(existing, value)
-    config.set(path, new, scope)
+    CONFIG.set(path, new, scope)
 
 
 def get(path, default=None, scope=None):
     """Module-level wrapper for ``Configuration.get()``."""
-    return config.get(path, default, scope)
+    return CONFIG.get(path, default, scope)
 
 
 def set(path, value, scope=None):
@@ -910,26 +912,26 @@ def set(path, value, scope=None):
 
     Accepts the path syntax described in ``get()``.
     """
-    return config.set(path, value, scope)
+    return CONFIG.set(path, value, scope)
 
 
 def add_default_platform_scope(platform):
     plat_name = os.path.join("defaults", platform)
-    plat_path = os.path.join(configuration_defaults_path[1], platform)
-    config.push_scope(ConfigScope(plat_name, plat_path))
+    plat_path = os.path.join(CONFIGURATION_DEFAULTS_PATH[1], platform)
+    CONFIG.push_scope(ConfigScope(plat_name, plat_path))
 
 
 def scopes():
     """Convenience function to get list of configuration scopes."""
-    return config.scopes
+    return CONFIG.scopes
 
 
 def _validate_section_name(section):
     """Exit if the section is not a valid section."""
-    if section not in section_schemas:
+    if section not in SECTION_SCHEMAS:
         raise ConfigSectionError(
             "Invalid config section: '%s'. Options are: %s"
-            % (section, " ".join(section_schemas.keys()))
+            % (section, " ".join(SECTION_SCHEMAS.keys()))
         )
 
 
@@ -990,7 +992,7 @@ def read_config_file(filename, schema=None):
         if data:
             if not schema:
                 key = next(iter(data))
-                schema = all_schemas[key]
+                schema = _ALL_SCHEMAS[key]
             validate(data, schema)
         return data
 
@@ -1089,7 +1091,7 @@ def get_valid_type(path):
         test_data = {component: test_data}
 
     try:
-        validate(test_data, section_schemas[section])
+        validate(test_data, SECTION_SCHEMAS[section])
     except (ConfigFormatError, AttributeError) as e:
         jsonschema_error = e.validation_error
         if jsonschema_error.validator == "type":
@@ -1278,9 +1280,9 @@ def default_modify_scope(section="config"):
             If this is not 'compilers', a general (non-platform) scope is used.
     """
     if section == "compilers":
-        return spack.config.config.highest_precedence_scope().name
+        return CONFIG.highest_precedence_scope().name
     else:
-        return spack.config.config.highest_precedence_non_platform_scope().name
+        return CONFIG.highest_precedence_non_platform_scope().name
 
 
 def default_list_scope():
@@ -1337,18 +1339,18 @@ def use_configuration(*scopes_or_paths):
     Returns:
         Configuration object associated with the scopes passed as arguments
     """
-    global config
+    global CONFIG
 
     # Normalize input and construct a Configuration object
     configuration = _config_from(scopes_or_paths)
-    config.clear_caches(), configuration.clear_caches()
+    CONFIG.clear_caches(), configuration.clear_caches()
 
-    saved_config, config = config, configuration
+    saved_config, CONFIG = CONFIG, configuration
 
     try:
         yield configuration
     finally:
-        config = saved_config
+        CONFIG = saved_config
 
 
 @llnl.util.lang.memoized
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/environment/environment.py b/lib/spack/spack/environment/environment.py
index 95d00f15a2..176273c2a4 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/environment/environment.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/environment/environment.py
@@ -2448,13 +2448,13 @@ def make_repo_path(root):
 def prepare_config_scope(env):
     """Add env's scope to the global configuration search path."""
     for scope in env.config_scopes():
-        spack.config.config.push_scope(scope)
+        spack.config.CONFIG.push_scope(scope)
 
 
 def deactivate_config_scope(env):
     """Remove any scopes from env from the global config path."""
     for scope in env.config_scopes():
-        spack.config.config.remove_scope(scope.name)
+        spack.config.CONFIG.remove_scope(scope.name)
 
 
 def manifest_file(env_name_or_dir):
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/main.py b/lib/spack/spack/main.py
index c4df523798..1d2909b49b 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/main.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/main.py
@@ -602,10 +602,10 @@ def setup_main_options(args):
 
         key = syaml.syaml_str("repos")
         key.override = True
-        spack.config.config.scopes["command_line"].sections["repos"] = syaml.syaml_dict(
+        spack.config.CONFIG.scopes["command_line"].sections["repos"] = syaml.syaml_dict(
             [(key, [spack.paths.mock_packages_path])]
         )
-        spack.repo.PATH = spack.repo.create(spack.config.config)
+        spack.repo.PATH = spack.repo.create(spack.config.CONFIG)
 
     # If the user asked for it, don't check ssl certs.
     if args.insecure:
@@ -930,7 +930,7 @@ def _main(argv=None):
 
     # make spack.config aware of any command line configuration scopes
     if args.config_scopes:
-        spack.config.command_line_scopes = args.config_scopes
+        spack.config.COMMAND_LINE_SCOPES = args.config_scopes
 
     # ensure options on spack command come before everything
     setup_main_options(args)
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/modules/common.py b/lib/spack/spack/modules/common.py
index d2eedc7230..5667de65b9 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/modules/common.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/modules/common.py
@@ -833,7 +833,7 @@ def ensure_modules_are_enabled_or_warn():
         return
 
     # Check if we have custom TCL module sections
-    for scope in spack.config.config.file_scopes:
+    for scope in spack.config.CONFIG.file_scopes:
         # Skip default configuration
         if scope.name.startswith("default"):
             continue
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/platforms/__init__.py b/lib/spack/spack/platforms/__init__.py
index f83f5fb98e..1a41d26971 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/platforms/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/platforms/__init__.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ def use_platform(new_platform):
         host = _PickleableCallable(new_platform)
 
         # Clear configuration and compiler caches
-        spack.config.config.clear_caches()
+        spack.config.CONFIG.clear_caches()
         spack.compilers._cache_config_files = []
 
         yield new_platform
@@ -73,5 +73,5 @@ def use_platform(new_platform):
         host = original_host_fn
 
         # Clear configuration and compiler caches
-        spack.config.config.clear_caches()
+        spack.config.CONFIG.clear_caches()
         spack.compilers._cache_config_files = []
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/repo.py b/lib/spack/spack/repo.py
index f57a79aaea..9d49ee4f1d 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/repo.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/repo.py
@@ -1357,7 +1357,7 @@ def create_or_construct(path, namespace=None):
 
 def _path(configuration=None):
     """Get the singleton RepoPath instance for Spack."""
-    configuration = configuration or spack.config.config
+    configuration = configuration or spack.config.CONFIG
     return create(configuration=configuration)
 
 
@@ -1404,14 +1404,14 @@ def use_repositories(*paths_and_repos, **kwargs):
     paths = [getattr(x, "root", x) for x in paths_and_repos]
     scope_name = "use-repo-{}".format(uuid.uuid4())
     repos_key = "repos:" if override else "repos"
-    spack.config.config.push_scope(
+    spack.config.CONFIG.push_scope(
         spack.config.InternalConfigScope(name=scope_name, data={repos_key: paths})
     )
-    PATH, saved = create(configuration=spack.config.config), PATH
+    PATH, saved = create(configuration=spack.config.CONFIG), PATH
     try:
         yield PATH
     finally:
-        spack.config.config.remove_scope(scope_name=scope_name)
+        spack.config.CONFIG.remove_scope(scope_name=scope_name)
         PATH = saved
 
 
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/solver/asp.py b/lib/spack/spack/solver/asp.py
index 880e22d492..e449b944ce 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/solver/asp.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/solver/asp.py
@@ -1328,7 +1328,7 @@ def provider_requirements(self):
             "Internal Error: possible_virtuals is not populated. Please report to the spack"
             " maintainers"
         )
-        packages_yaml = spack.config.config.get("packages")
+        packages_yaml = spack.config.CONFIG.get("packages")
         assert self.possible_virtuals is not None, msg
         for virtual_str in sorted(self.possible_virtuals):
             requirements = packages_yaml.get(virtual_str, {}).get("require", [])
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/store.py b/lib/spack/spack/store.py
index a0ab11c4c1..709074dea3 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/store.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/store.py
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ def create(configuration: ConfigurationType) -> Store:
     Args:
         configuration: configuration to create a store.
     """
-    configuration = configuration or spack.config.config
+    configuration = configuration or spack.config.CONFIG
     config_dict = configuration.get("config")
     root, unpadded_root, projections = parse_install_tree(config_dict)
     hash_length = configuration.get("config:install_hash_length")
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ def create(configuration: ConfigurationType) -> Store:
 
 
 def _create_global() -> Store:
-    result = create(configuration=spack.config.config)
+    result = create(configuration=spack.config.CONFIG)
     return result
 
 
@@ -372,10 +372,10 @@ def use_store(
 
     # Swap the store with the one just constructed and return it
     ensure_singleton_created()
-    spack.config.config.push_scope(
+    spack.config.CONFIG.push_scope(
         spack.config.InternalConfigScope(name=scope_name, data={"config": {"install_tree": data}})
     )
-    temporary_store = create(configuration=spack.config.config)
+    temporary_store = create(configuration=spack.config.CONFIG)
     original_store, STORE = STORE, temporary_store
 
     try:
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ def use_store(
     finally:
         # Restore the original store
         STORE = original_store
-        spack.config.config.remove_scope(scope_name=scope_name)
+        spack.config.CONFIG.remove_scope(scope_name=scope_name)
 
 
 class MatchError(spack.error.SpackError):
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/subprocess_context.py b/lib/spack/spack/subprocess_context.py
index 90d6ccb30c..f0e004e472 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/subprocess_context.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/subprocess_context.py
@@ -94,14 +94,14 @@ class TestState:
 
     def __init__(self):
         if _SERIALIZE:
-            self.config = spack.config.config
+            self.config = spack.config.CONFIG
             self.platform = spack.platforms.host
             self.test_patches = store_patches()
             self.store = spack.store.STORE
 
     def restore(self):
         if _SERIALIZE:
-            spack.config.config = self.config
+            spack.config.CONFIG = self.config
             spack.repo.PATH = spack.repo.create(self.config)
             spack.platforms.host = self.platform
             spack.store.STORE = self.store
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/bindist.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/bindist.py
index b778651455..cd62f6080d 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/bindist.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/bindist.py
@@ -115,8 +115,8 @@ def default_config(tmpdir, config_directory, monkeypatch, install_mockery_mutabl
         ]
     )
 
-    spack.config.config, old_config = cfg, spack.config.config
-    spack.config.config.set("repos", [spack.paths.mock_packages_path])
+    spack.config.CONFIG, old_config = cfg, spack.config.CONFIG
+    spack.config.CONFIG.set("repos", [spack.paths.mock_packages_path])
     njobs = spack.config.get("config:build_jobs")
     if not njobs:
         spack.config.set("config:build_jobs", 4, scope="user")
@@ -138,9 +138,9 @@ def default_config(tmpdir, config_directory, monkeypatch, install_mockery_mutabl
     if not timeout:
         spack.config.set("config:connect_timeout", 10, scope="user")
 
-    yield spack.config.config
+    yield spack.config.CONFIG
 
-    spack.config.config = old_config
+    spack.config.CONFIG = old_config
     mutable_dir.remove()
 
 
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/bootstrap.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/bootstrap.py
index ec4764410e..dcc8bf6495 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/bootstrap.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/bootstrap.py
@@ -26,11 +26,11 @@ def test_store_is_restored_correctly_after_bootstrap(mutable_config, tmpdir):
     user_path = str(tmpdir.join("store"))
     with spack.store.use_store(user_path):
         assert spack.store.STORE.root == user_path
-        assert spack.config.config.get("config:install_tree:root") == user_path
+        assert spack.config.CONFIG.get("config:install_tree:root") == user_path
         with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
             assert spack.store.STORE.root == spack.bootstrap.config.store_path()
         assert spack.store.STORE.root == user_path
-        assert spack.config.config.get("config:install_tree:root") == user_path
+        assert spack.config.CONFIG.get("config:install_tree:root") == user_path
 
 
 @pytest.mark.regression("38963")
@@ -40,11 +40,11 @@ def test_store_padding_length_is_zero_during_bootstrapping(mutable_config, tmpdi
     """
     user_path = str(tmpdir.join("store"))
     with spack.store.use_store(user_path, extra_data={"padded_length": 512}):
-        assert spack.config.config.get("config:install_tree:padded_length") == 512
+        assert spack.config.CONFIG.get("config:install_tree:padded_length") == 512
         with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
             assert spack.store.STORE.root == spack.bootstrap.config.store_path()
-            assert spack.config.config.get("config:install_tree:padded_length") == 0
-        assert spack.config.config.get("config:install_tree:padded_length") == 512
+            assert spack.config.CONFIG.get("config:install_tree:padded_length") == 0
+        assert spack.config.CONFIG.get("config:install_tree:padded_length") == 512
 
 
 @pytest.mark.regression("38963")
@@ -54,15 +54,15 @@ def test_install_tree_customization_is_respected(mutable_config, tmp_path):
     """
     spack.store.reinitialize()
     store_dir = tmp_path / "store"
-    spack.config.config.set("config:install_tree:root", str(store_dir))
+    spack.config.CONFIG.set("config:install_tree:root", str(store_dir))
     with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
         assert spack.store.STORE.root == spack.bootstrap.config.store_path()
         assert (
-            spack.config.config.get("config:install_tree:root")
+            spack.config.CONFIG.get("config:install_tree:root")
             == spack.bootstrap.config.store_path()
         )
-        assert spack.config.config.get("config:install_tree:padded_length") == 0
-    assert spack.config.config.get("config:install_tree:root") == str(store_dir)
+        assert spack.config.CONFIG.get("config:install_tree:padded_length") == 0
+    assert spack.config.CONFIG.get("config:install_tree:root") == str(store_dir)
     assert spack.store.STORE.root == str(store_dir)
 
 
@@ -185,12 +185,12 @@ def test_bootstrap_custom_store_in_environment(mutable_config, tmpdir):
 
 def test_nested_use_of_context_manager(mutable_config):
     """Test nested use of the context manager"""
-    user_config = spack.config.config
+    user_config = spack.config.CONFIG
     with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-        assert spack.config.config != user_config
+        assert spack.config.CONFIG != user_config
         with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-            assert spack.config.config != user_config
-    assert spack.config.config == user_config
+            assert spack.config.CONFIG != user_config
+    assert spack.config.CONFIG == user_config
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("expected_missing", [False, True])
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/cmd/bootstrap.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/cmd/bootstrap.py
index ac86729a11..fed76b1a68 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/cmd/bootstrap.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/cmd/bootstrap.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def test_reset_in_file_scopes(mutable_config, scopes):
     bootstrap_yaml_files = []
     for s in scopes:
         _bootstrap("disable", "--scope={0}".format(s))
-        scope_path = spack.config.config.scopes[s].path
+        scope_path = spack.config.CONFIG.scopes[s].path
         bootstrap_yaml = os.path.join(scope_path, "bootstrap.yaml")
         assert os.path.exists(bootstrap_yaml)
         bootstrap_yaml_files.append(bootstrap_yaml)
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ def test_reset_in_environment(mutable_mock_env_path, mutable_config):
 def test_reset_in_file_scopes_overwrites_backup_files(mutable_config):
     # Create a bootstrap.yaml with some config
     _bootstrap("disable", "--scope=site")
-    scope_path = spack.config.config.scopes["site"].path
+    scope_path = spack.config.CONFIG.scopes["site"].path
     bootstrap_yaml = os.path.join(scope_path, "bootstrap.yaml")
     assert os.path.exists(bootstrap_yaml)
 
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/cmd/config.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/cmd/config.py
index 26203dbec8..4f3d5afe77 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/cmd/config.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/cmd/config.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 
 def _create_config(scope=None, data={}, section="packages"):
     scope = scope or spack.config.default_modify_scope()
-    cfg_file = spack.config.config.get_config_filename(scope, section)
+    cfg_file = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config_filename(scope, section)
     with open(cfg_file, "w") as f:
         syaml.dump(data, stream=f)
     return cfg_file
@@ -80,8 +80,8 @@ def test_config_edit(mutable_config, working_env):
     """Ensure `spack config edit` edits the right paths."""
 
     dms = spack.config.default_modify_scope("compilers")
-    dms_path = spack.config.config.scopes[dms].path
-    user_path = spack.config.config.scopes["user"].path
+    dms_path = spack.config.CONFIG.scopes[dms].path
+    user_path = spack.config.CONFIG.scopes["user"].path
 
     comp_path = os.path.join(dms_path, "compilers.yaml")
     repos_path = os.path.join(user_path, "repos.yaml")
@@ -544,7 +544,7 @@ def test_config_update_not_needed(mutable_config):
 def test_config_update_can_handle_comments(mutable_config):
     # Create an outdated config file with comments
     scope = spack.config.default_modify_scope()
-    cfg_file = spack.config.config.get_config_filename(scope, "config")
+    cfg_file = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config_filename(scope, "config")
     with open(cfg_file, mode="w") as f:
         f.write(
             """
@@ -574,7 +574,7 @@ def test_config_update_can_handle_comments(mutable_config):
 @pytest.mark.regression("18050")
 def test_config_update_works_for_empty_paths(mutable_config):
     scope = spack.config.default_modify_scope()
-    cfg_file = spack.config.config.get_config_filename(scope, "config")
+    cfg_file = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config_filename(scope, "config")
     with open(cfg_file, mode="w") as f:
         f.write(
             """
@@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ def test_config_prefer_upstream(
 
     output = config("prefer-upstream")
     scope = spack.config.default_modify_scope("packages")
-    cfg_file = spack.config.config.get_config_filename(scope, "packages")
+    cfg_file = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config_filename(scope, "packages")
     packages = syaml.load(open(cfg_file))["packages"]
 
     # Make sure only the non-default variants are set.
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/concretize_requirements.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/concretize_requirements.py
index ff0e354965..952ace56e3 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/concretize_requirements.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/concretize_requirements.py
@@ -937,7 +937,7 @@ def test_requires_directive(concretize_scope, mock_packages):
     modules: []
 """
     )
-    spack.config.config.clear_caches()
+    spack.config.CONFIG.clear_caches()
 
     # This package requires either clang or gcc
     s = Spec("requires_clang_or_gcc").concretized()
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/config.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/config.py
index c5deed971f..133ae2d6d1 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/config.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/config.py
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ def test_write_key_to_disk(mock_low_high_config, compiler_specs):
     spack.config.set("compilers", b_comps["compilers"], scope="high")
 
     # Clear caches so we're forced to read from disk.
-    spack.config.config.clear_caches()
+    spack.config.CONFIG.clear_caches()
 
     # Same check again, to ensure consistency.
     check_compiler_config(a_comps["compilers"], *compiler_specs.a)
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ def test_write_to_same_priority_file(mock_low_high_config, compiler_specs):
     spack.config.set("compilers", b_comps["compilers"], scope="low")
 
     # Clear caches so we're forced to read from disk.
-    spack.config.config.clear_caches()
+    spack.config.CONFIG.clear_caches()
 
     # Same check again, to ensure consistency.
     check_compiler_config(a_comps["compilers"], *compiler_specs.a)
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ def test_substitute_config_variables(mock_low_high_config, monkeypatch):
     spack.config.set(
         "modules:default", {"roots": {"lmod": os.path.join("foo", "bar", "baz")}}, scope="low"
     )
-    spack.config.config.clear_caches()
+    spack.config.CONFIG.clear_caches()
     path = spack.config.get("modules:default:roots:lmod")
     assert spack_path.canonicalize_path(path) == os.path.normpath(
         os.path.join(mock_low_high_config.scopes["low"].path, os.path.join("foo", "bar", "baz"))
@@ -854,18 +854,18 @@ def test_add_command_line_scopes(tmpdir, mutable_config):
 
 def test_nested_override():
     """Ensure proper scope naming of nested overrides."""
-    base_name = spack.config.overrides_base_name
+    base_name = spack.config._OVERRIDES_BASE_NAME
 
     def _check_scopes(num_expected, debug_values):
         scope_names = [
-            s.name for s in spack.config.config.scopes.values() if s.name.startswith(base_name)
+            s.name for s in spack.config.CONFIG.scopes.values() if s.name.startswith(base_name)
         ]
 
         for i in range(num_expected):
             name = "{0}{1}".format(base_name, i)
             assert name in scope_names
 
-            data = spack.config.config.get_config("config", name)
+            data = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config("config", name)
             assert data["debug"] == debug_values[i]
 
     # Check results from single and nested override
@@ -878,23 +878,23 @@ def _check_scopes(num_expected, debug_values):
 
 def test_alternate_override(monkeypatch):
     """Ensure proper scope naming of override when conflict present."""
-    base_name = spack.config.overrides_base_name
+    base_name = spack.config._OVERRIDES_BASE_NAME
 
     def _matching_scopes(regexpr):
         return [spack.config.InternalConfigScope("{0}1".format(base_name))]
 
     # Check that the alternate naming works
-    monkeypatch.setattr(spack.config.config, "matching_scopes", _matching_scopes)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(spack.config.CONFIG, "matching_scopes", _matching_scopes)
 
     with spack.config.override("config:debug", False):
         name = "{0}2".format(base_name)
 
         scope_names = [
-            s.name for s in spack.config.config.scopes.values() if s.name.startswith(base_name)
+            s.name for s in spack.config.CONFIG.scopes.values() if s.name.startswith(base_name)
         ]
         assert name in scope_names
 
-        data = spack.config.config.get_config("config", name)
+        data = spack.config.CONFIG.get_config("config", name)
         assert data["debug"] is False
 
 
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/conftest.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/conftest.py
index 651174f9fb..6f771c14d5 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/conftest.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/conftest.py
@@ -716,7 +716,7 @@ def configuration_dir(tmpdir_factory, linux_os):
 
 def _create_mock_configuration_scopes(configuration_dir):
     """Create the configuration scopes used in `config` and `mutable_config`."""
-    scopes = [spack.config.InternalConfigScope("_builtin", spack.config.config_defaults)]
+    scopes = [spack.config.InternalConfigScope("_builtin", spack.config.CONFIG_DEFAULTS)]
     scopes += [
         spack.config.ConfigScope(name, str(configuration_dir.join(name)))
         for name in ["site", "system", "user"]
@@ -1935,7 +1935,7 @@ def shell_as(shell):
 @pytest.fixture()
 def nullify_globals(request, monkeypatch):
     ensure_configuration_fixture_run_before(request)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(spack.config, "config", None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(spack.config, "CONFIG", None)
     monkeypatch.setattr(spack.caches, "misc_cache", None)
     monkeypatch.setattr(spack.repo, "PATH", None)
     monkeypatch.setattr(spack.store, "STORE", None)
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/install.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/install.py
index 34c87d66ef..467577cead 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/install.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/install.py
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ def install_upstream(tmpdir_factory, gen_mock_layout, install_mockery):
     mock_db_root = str(tmpdir_factory.mktemp("mock_db_root"))
     prepared_db = spack.database.Database(mock_db_root)
     upstream_layout = gen_mock_layout("/a/")
-    spack.config.config.push_scope(
+    spack.config.CONFIG.push_scope(
         spack.config.InternalConfigScope(
             name="install-upstream-fixture",
             data={"upstreams": {"mock1": {"install_tree": prepared_db.root}}},
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/modules/conftest.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/modules/conftest.py
index e6dfc024e2..210a88a65f 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/modules/conftest.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/modules/conftest.py
@@ -39,14 +39,6 @@ def _impl(spec_str, module_set_name="default", explicit=True):
     return _impl
 
 
-@pytest.fixture()
-def update_template_dirs(config, monkeypatch):
-    """Mocks the template directories for tests"""
-    dirs = spack.config.get_config("config")["template_dirs"]
-    dirs = [spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(x) for x in dirs]
-    monkeypatch.setattr(spack, "template_dirs", dirs)
-
-
 @pytest.fixture()
 def factory(request):
     """Function that, given a spec string, returns an instance of the writer