How Can I Change System Settings Without a Desktop Environment?

The method of configuration greatly depends on the applications you're using, so there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Generally, you'll be editing configuration files in your ~/.config directory. A good way to learn how to make these changes is to check out the wikis and manual pages for the tools you're using.

Don't worry about losing the desktop environment! You can have multiple DEs and WMs installed and choose which one to use at login. Although you’ll likely need to set up some configuration files in ~/.config, most window managers come with default settings, so you won’t be left with a blank screen.

You can definitely configure system settings through the TTY and the BASH command line. Just keep in mind that your distro loads its desktop environment components at boot, including the display server and window manager. You'll have to set up your own configs for the window manager you're opting for.

If you think about system-wide settings, most of them are stored in files under /etc. You can edit these files using a command-line text editor like Nano, which is quite easy to use. For example, your drive mount settings are in /etc/fstab. Just be careful, as a small mistake can lead to boot issues!