Or did you mean I can couple a short "mini config" with the package and redirect clearml to use this local one (instead of the one at ~/clearml.conf)?

Actually yes, you can set a "fixed" config point to it with ENV variable, then setup per user just the access/secret .
wdyt?
(I was also pointing to the fact you do not have to use clearml-init you can create a simple partial config template and let user just fill in the missing "key"/"secret")