diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/rapids/rapids_tool.py b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/rapids/rapids_tool.py
index 5f8d5cf1a..ee4338ccd 100644
--- a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/rapids/rapids_tool.py
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/rapids/rapids_tool.py
@@ -38,9 +38,11 @@
 from spark_rapids_pytools.rapids.rapids_job import RapidsJobPropContainer
 from spark_rapids_pytools.rapids.tool_ctxt import ToolContext
 from spark_rapids_tools import CspEnv
-from spark_rapids_tools.enums import HashAlgorithm
+from spark_rapids_tools.configuration.common import RuntimeDependency
+from spark_rapids_tools.configuration.tools_config import ToolsConfig
+from spark_rapids_tools.enums import DependencyType
 from spark_rapids_tools.storagelib import LocalPath, CspFs
-from spark_rapids_tools.storagelib.tools.fs_utils import untar_file, FileHashAlgorithm
+from spark_rapids_tools.storagelib.tools.fs_utils import untar_file
 from spark_rapids_tools.utils import Utilities
 from spark_rapids_tools.utils.net_utils import DownloadTask
 
@@ -70,6 +72,13 @@ class RapidsTool(object):
     logger: Logger = field(default=None, init=False)
     spinner: ToolsSpinner = field(default=None, init=False)
 
+    def get_tools_config_obj(self) -> Optional['ToolsConfig']:
+        """
+        Get the tools configuration object if provided in the CLI arguments.
+        :return: An object containing all the tools configuration or None if not provided.
+        """
+        return self.wrapper_options.get('toolsConfig')
+
     def pretty_name(self):
         return self.name.capitalize()
 
@@ -136,7 +145,7 @@ def _check_environment(self) -> None:
 
     def _process_output_args(self):
         self.logger.debug('Processing Output Arguments')
-        # make sure that output_folder is being absolute
+        # make sure output_folder is absolute
         if self.output_folder is None:
             self.output_folder = Utils.get_rapids_tools_env('OUTPUT_DIRECTORY', os.getcwd())
         try:
@@ -393,7 +402,8 @@ def _calculate_spark_settings(self, worker_info: NodeHWInfo) -> dict:
         return res
 
     @classmethod
-    def get_rapids_tools_dependencies(cls, deploy_mode: str, json_props: AbstractPropertiesContainer) -> Optional[list]:
+    def get_rapids_tools_dependencies(cls, deploy_mode: str,
+                                      json_props: AbstractPropertiesContainer) -> Optional[list]:
         """
         Get the tools dependencies from the platform configuration.
         """
@@ -403,7 +413,9 @@ def get_rapids_tools_dependencies(cls, deploy_mode: str, json_props: AbstractPro
         depend_arr = json_props.get_value_silent('dependencies', 'deployMode', deploy_mode, active_buildver)
         if depend_arr is None:
             raise ValueError(f'Invalid SPARK dependency version [{active_buildver}]')
-        return depend_arr
+        # convert the json array to a list of RuntimeDependency objects
+        runtime_dep_arr = [RuntimeDependency(**dep) for dep in depend_arr]
+        return runtime_dep_arr
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -532,47 +544,46 @@ def exception_handler(future):
             if exception:
                 self.logger.error('Error while downloading dependency: %s', exception)
 
-        def cache_single_dependency(dep: dict) -> str:
+        def cache_single_dependency(dep: RuntimeDependency) -> str:
             """
             Downloads the specified URL and saves it to disk
             """
-            self.logger.info('Checking dependency %s', dep['name'])
+            self.logger.info('Checking dependency %s', dep.name)
             dest_folder = self.ctxt.get_cache_folder()
             verify_opts = {}
-            dep_verification = dep.get('verification')
-            if dep_verification is not None:
-                if 'size' in dep_verification:
-                    verify_opts['size'] = dep_verification['size']
-                hash_lib_alg = dep_verification.get('hashLib')
-                if hash_lib_alg:
-                    verify_opts['file_hash'] = FileHashAlgorithm(HashAlgorithm(hash_lib_alg['type']),
-                                                                 hash_lib_alg['value'])
-            download_task = DownloadTask(src_url=dep['uri'],     # pylint: disable=no-value-for-parameter)
+            if dep.verification is not None:
+                verify_opts = dict(dep.verification)
+            download_task = DownloadTask(src_url=dep.uri,     # pylint: disable=no-value-for-parameter)
                                          dest_folder=dest_folder,
                                          verification=verify_opts)
             download_result = download_task.run_task()
             self.logger.info('Completed downloading of dependency [%s] => %s',
-                             dep['name'],
+                             dep.name,
                              f'{download_result.pretty_print()}')
             if not download_result.success:
-                msg = f'Failed to download dependency {dep["name"]}, reason: {download_result.download_error}'
+                msg = f'Failed to download dependency {dep.name}, reason: {download_result.download_error}'
                 raise RuntimeError(f'Could not download all dependencies. Aborting Executions.\n\t{msg}')
             destination_path = self.ctxt.get_local_work_dir()
             destination_cspath = LocalPath(destination_path)
-            if dep['type'] == 'archive':
+            # set the default dependency type to jar
+            defined_dep_type = DependencyType.get_default()
+            if dep.dependency_type:
+                defined_dep_type = dep.dependency_type.dep_type
+            if defined_dep_type == DependencyType.ARCHIVE:
                 uncompressed_cspath = untar_file(download_result.resource, destination_cspath)
                 dep_item = uncompressed_cspath.no_scheme
-                relative_path = dep.get('relativePath')
-                if relative_path is not None:
-                    dep_item = f'{dep_item}/{relative_path}'
-            else:
+                if dep.dependency_type.relative_path is not None:
+                    dep_item = f'{dep_item}/{dep.dependency_type.relative_path}'
+            elif defined_dep_type == DependencyType.JAR:
                 # copy the jar into dependency folder
                 CspFs.copy_resources(download_result.resource, destination_cspath)
                 final_dep_csp = destination_cspath.create_sub_path(download_result.resource.base_name())
                 dep_item = final_dep_csp.no_scheme
+            else:
+                raise ValueError(f'Invalid dependency type [{defined_dep_type}]')
             return dep_item
 
-        def cache_all_dependencies(dep_arr: List[dict]):
+        def cache_all_dependencies(dep_arr: List[RuntimeDependency]) -> List[str]:
             """
             Create a thread pool and download specified urls
             """
@@ -593,8 +604,19 @@ def cache_all_dependencies(dep_arr: List[dict]):
                     raise ex
             return results
 
-        deploy_mode = DeployMode.tostring(self.ctxt.get_deploy_mode())
-        depend_arr = self.get_rapids_tools_dependencies(deploy_mode, self.ctxt.platform.configs)
+        def populate_dependency_list() -> List[RuntimeDependency]:
+            # check if the dependencies is defined in a config file
+            config_obj = self.get_tools_config_obj()
+            if config_obj is not None:
+                if config_obj.runtime.dependencies:
+                    return config_obj.runtime.dependencies
+                self.logger.info('The ToolsConfig did not specify the dependencies. '
+                                 'Falling back to the default dependencies.')
+            # load dependency list from the platform configuration
+            deploy_mode = DeployMode.tostring(self.ctxt.get_deploy_mode())
+            return self.get_rapids_tools_dependencies(deploy_mode, self.ctxt.platform.configs)
+
+        depend_arr = populate_dependency_list()
         if depend_arr:
             dep_list = cache_all_dependencies(depend_arr)
             if any(dep_item is None for dep_item in dep_list):
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/databricks_aws-configs.json b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/databricks_aws-configs.json
index 7d64dfb44..d0cde1298 100644
--- a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/databricks_aws-configs.json
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/databricks_aws-configs.json
@@ -8,21 +8,23 @@
               "name": "Apache Spark",
               "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.5.0/spark-3.5.0-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
               "verification": {
-                "hashLib": {
-                  "type": "sha512",
+                "fileHash": {
+                  "algorithm": "sha512",
                   "value": "8883c67e0a138069e597f3e7d4edbbd5c3a565d50b28644aad02856a1ec1da7cb92b8f80454ca427118f69459ea326eaa073cf7b1a860c3b796f4b07c2101319"
                 },
                 "size": 400395283
               },
-              "type": "archive",
-              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+              "dependencyType": {
+                "depType": "archive",
+                "relativePath": "jars/*"
+              }
             },
             {
               "name": "Hadoop AWS",
               "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/org/apache/hadoop/hadoop-aws/3.3.4/hadoop-aws-3.3.4.jar",
               "verification": {
-                "hashLib": {
-                  "type": "sha1",
+                "fileHash": {
+                  "algorithm": "sha1",
                   "value": "a65839fbf1869f81a1632e09f415e586922e4f80"
                 },
                 "size": 962685
@@ -33,8 +35,8 @@
               "name": "AWS Java SDK Bundled",
               "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/com/amazonaws/aws-java-sdk-bundle/1.12.262/aws-java-sdk-bundle-1.12.262.jar",
               "verification": {
-                "hashLib": {
-                  "type": "sha1",
+                "fileHash": {
+                  "algorithm": "sha1",
                   "value": "02deec3a0ad83d13d032b1812421b23d7a961eea"
                 },
                 "size": 280645251
@@ -47,38 +49,38 @@
               "name": "Apache Spark",
               "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.3.3/spark-3.3.3-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
               "verification": {
-                "hashLib": {
-                  "type": "sha512",
+                "fileHash": {
+                  "algorithm": "sha512",
                   "value": "ebf79c7861f3120d5ed9465fdd8d5302a734ff30713a0454b714bbded7ab9f218b3108dc46a5de4cc2102c86e7be53908f84d2c7a19e59bc75880766eeefeef9"
                 },
                 "size": 299426263
               },
-              "type": "archive",
-              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+              "dependencyType": {
+                "depType": "archive",
+                "relativePath": "jars/*"
+              }
             },
             {
               "name": "Hadoop AWS",
               "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/org/apache/hadoop/hadoop-aws/3.3.4/hadoop-aws-3.3.4.jar",
               "verification": {
-                "hashLib": {
-                  "type": "sha1",
+                "fileHash": {
+                  "algorithm": "sha1",
                   "value": "a65839fbf1869f81a1632e09f415e586922e4f80"
                 },
                 "size": 962685
-              },
-              "type": "jar"
+              }
             },
             {
               "name": "AWS Java SDK Bundled",
               "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/com/amazonaws/aws-java-sdk-bundle/1.12.262/aws-java-sdk-bundle-1.12.262.jar",
               "verification": {
-                "hashLib": {
-                  "type": "sha1",
+                "fileHash": {
+                  "algorithm": "sha1",
                   "value": "02deec3a0ad83d13d032b1812421b23d7a961eea"
                 },
                 "size": 280645251
-              },
-              "type": "jar"
+              }
             }
           ]
         }
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/databricks_azure-configs.json b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/databricks_azure-configs.json
index 0e41fb1ae..4716a60d7 100644
--- a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/databricks_azure-configs.json
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/databricks_azure-configs.json
@@ -8,26 +8,27 @@
               "name": "Apache Spark",
               "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.5.0/spark-3.5.0-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
               "verification": {
-                "hashLib": {
-                  "type": "sha512",
+                "fileHash": {
+                  "algorithm": "sha512",
                   "value": "8883c67e0a138069e597f3e7d4edbbd5c3a565d50b28644aad02856a1ec1da7cb92b8f80454ca427118f69459ea326eaa073cf7b1a860c3b796f4b07c2101319"
                 },
                 "size": 400395283
               },
-              "type": "archive",
-              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+              "dependencyType": {
+                "depType": "archive",
+                "relativePath": "jars/*"
+              }
             },
             {
               "name": "Hadoop Azure",
               "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/org/apache/hadoop/hadoop-azure/3.3.4/hadoop-azure-3.3.4.jar",
               "verification": {
-                "hashLib": {
-                  "type": "sha1",
+                "fileHash": {
+                  "algorithm": "sha1",
                   "value": "a23f621bca9b2100554150f6b0b521f94b8b419e"
                 },
                 "size": 574116
-              },
-              "type": "jar"
+              }
             }
           ],
           "333": [
@@ -35,26 +36,27 @@
               "name": "Apache Spark",
               "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.3.3/spark-3.3.3-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
               "verification": {
-                "hashLib": {
-                  "type": "sha512",
+                "fileHash": {
+                  "algorithm": "sha512",
                   "value": "ebf79c7861f3120d5ed9465fdd8d5302a734ff30713a0454b714bbded7ab9f218b3108dc46a5de4cc2102c86e7be53908f84d2c7a19e59bc75880766eeefeef9"
                 },
                 "size": 299426263
               },
-              "type": "archive",
-              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+              "dependencyType": {
+                "depType": "archive",
+                "relativePath": "jars/*"
+              }
             },
             {
               "name": "Hadoop Azure",
               "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/org/apache/hadoop/hadoop-azure/3.3.4/hadoop-azure-3.3.4.jar",
               "verification": {
-                "hashLib": {
-                  "type": "sha1",
+                "fileHash": {
+                  "algorithm": "sha1",
                   "value": "a23f621bca9b2100554150f6b0b521f94b8b419e"
                 },
                 "size": 574116
-              },
-              "type": "jar"
+              }
             }
           ]
         }
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/dataproc-configs.json b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/dataproc-configs.json
index 1f99e7bac..87034191b 100644
--- a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/dataproc-configs.json
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/dataproc-configs.json
@@ -8,26 +8,27 @@
             "name": "Apache Spark",
             "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.5.0/spark-3.5.0-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha512",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha512",
                 "value": "8883c67e0a138069e597f3e7d4edbbd5c3a565d50b28644aad02856a1ec1da7cb92b8f80454ca427118f69459ea326eaa073cf7b1a860c3b796f4b07c2101319"
               },
               "size": 400395283
             },
-            "type": "archive",
-            "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            "dependencyType": {
+              "depType": "archive",
+              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            }
           },
           {
             "name": "GCS Connector Hadoop3",
             "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/com/google/cloud/bigdataoss/gcs-connector/hadoop3-2.2.19/gcs-connector-hadoop3-2.2.19-shaded.jar",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha1",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha1",
                 "value": "3bea6d5e62663a2a5c03d8ca44dff4921aeb3170"
               },
               "size": 39359477
-            },
-            "type": "jar"
+            }
           }
         ],
         "333": [
@@ -35,26 +36,27 @@
             "name": "Apache Spark",
             "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.3.3/spark-3.3.3-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha512",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha512",
                 "value": "ebf79c7861f3120d5ed9465fdd8d5302a734ff30713a0454b714bbded7ab9f218b3108dc46a5de4cc2102c86e7be53908f84d2c7a19e59bc75880766eeefeef9"
               },
               "size": 299426263
             },
-            "type": "archive",
-            "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            "dependencyType": {
+              "depType": "archive",
+              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            }
           },
           {
             "name": "GCS Connector Hadoop3",
             "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/com/google/cloud/bigdataoss/gcs-connector/hadoop3-2.2.17/gcs-connector-hadoop3-2.2.17-shaded.jar",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha1",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha1",
                 "value": "06438f562692ff8fae5e8555eba2b9f95cb74f66"
               },
               "size": 38413466
-            },
-            "type": "jar"
+            }
           }
         ]
       }
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/dataproc_gke-configs.json b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/dataproc_gke-configs.json
index 861b127d7..2fd4f2344 100644
--- a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/dataproc_gke-configs.json
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/dataproc_gke-configs.json
@@ -8,26 +8,27 @@
             "name": "Apache Spark",
             "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.5.0/spark-3.5.0-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha512",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha512",
                 "value": "8883c67e0a138069e597f3e7d4edbbd5c3a565d50b28644aad02856a1ec1da7cb92b8f80454ca427118f69459ea326eaa073cf7b1a860c3b796f4b07c2101319"
               },
               "size": 400395283
             },
-            "type": "archive",
-            "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            "dependencyType": {
+              "depType": "archive",
+              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            }
           },
           {
             "name": "GCS Connector Hadoop3",
             "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/com/google/cloud/bigdataoss/gcs-connector/hadoop3-2.2.19/gcs-connector-hadoop3-2.2.19-shaded.jar",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha1",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha1",
                 "value": "3bea6d5e62663a2a5c03d8ca44dff4921aeb3170"
               },
               "size": 39359477
-            },
-            "type": "jar"
+            }
           }
         ],
         "333": [
@@ -35,26 +36,27 @@
             "name": "Apache Spark",
             "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.3.3/spark-3.3.3-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha512",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha512",
                 "value": "ebf79c7861f3120d5ed9465fdd8d5302a734ff30713a0454b714bbded7ab9f218b3108dc46a5de4cc2102c86e7be53908f84d2c7a19e59bc75880766eeefeef9"
               },
               "size": 299426263
             },
-            "type": "archive",
-            "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            "dependencyType": {
+              "depType": "archive",
+              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            }
           },
           {
             "name": "GCS Connector Hadoop3",
             "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/com/google/cloud/bigdataoss/gcs-connector/hadoop3-2.2.17/gcs-connector-hadoop3-2.2.17-shaded.jar",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha1",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha1",
                 "value": "06438f562692ff8fae5e8555eba2b9f95cb74f66"
               },
               "size": 38413466
-            },
-            "type": "jar"
+            }
           }
         ]
       }
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/dev/prepackage_mgr.py b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/dev/prepackage_mgr.py
index 1920c134b..1a196cc93 100644
--- a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/dev/prepackage_mgr.py
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/dev/prepackage_mgr.py
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 """
 
 import os
-import shutil
 import tarfile
 from typing import Optional
 
@@ -27,7 +26,8 @@
 from spark_rapids_pytools.common.prop_manager import JSONPropertiesContainer
 from spark_rapids_pytools.common.sys_storage import FSUtil
 from spark_rapids_pytools.rapids.rapids_tool import RapidsTool
-from spark_rapids_tools import CspEnv
+from spark_rapids_tools import CspEnv, CspPath
+from spark_rapids_tools.configuration.common import RuntimeDependency
 from spark_rapids_tools.utils import Utilities
 from spark_rapids_tools.utils.net_utils import DownloadManager, DownloadTask
 
@@ -100,16 +100,18 @@ def _fetch_resources(self) -> dict:
 
         # Add RAPIDS JAR as dependency
         if self.tools_jar:
-            # copy from existing file. replace snapshot
-            jar_file_name = FSUtil.get_resource_name(self.tools_jar)
-            FSUtil.make_dirs(self.dest_dir)
-            dest_file = FSUtil.build_path(self.dest_dir, jar_file_name)
-            shutil.copy2(self.tools_jar, dest_file)
+            # copy from existing file.
+            tools_jar_cspath = CspPath(self.tools_jar)
+            tools_jar_url = str(tools_jar_cspath)
+            jar_file_name = tools_jar_cspath.base_name()
+            print(f'Using the provided tools_jar {tools_jar_url}')
         else:
-            # get the latest tools_jar from mvn
-            rapids_url = self._get_spark_rapids_jar_url()
-            rapids_name = FSUtil.get_resource_name(rapids_url)
-            resource_uris[rapids_url] = {'name': rapids_name, 'pbar_enabled': False}
+            tools_jar_url = self._get_spark_rapids_jar_url()
+            jar_file_name = FSUtil.get_resource_name(tools_jar_url)
+        resource_uris[tools_jar_url] = {
+            'depItem': RuntimeDependency(name=jar_file_name, uri=tools_jar_url),
+            'prettyName': jar_file_name
+        }
 
         for platform in self._supported_platforms:  # pylint: disable=no-member
             config_file = FSUtil.build_full_path(self.resource_dir,
@@ -117,17 +119,19 @@ def _fetch_resources(self) -> dict:
             platform_conf = JSONPropertiesContainer(config_file)
             dependency_list = RapidsTool.get_rapids_tools_dependencies('LOCAL', platform_conf)
             for dependency in dependency_list:
-                uri = dependency.get('uri')
-                name = FSUtil.get_resource_name(uri)
-                if uri:
-                    resource_uris[uri] = {'name': name, 'pbar_enabled': False}
-                    resource_uris[uri + '.asc'] = {'name': name + '.asc', 'pbar_enabled': False}
+                if dependency.uri:
+                    uri_str = str(dependency.uri)
+                    pretty_name = FSUtil.get_resource_name(uri_str)
+                    resource_uris[uri_str] = {
+                        'depItem': dependency,
+                        'prettyName': pretty_name
+                    }
         return resource_uris
 
     def _download_resources(self, resource_uris: dict):
         download_tasks = []
         for res_uri, res_info in resource_uris.items():
-            resource_name = res_info.get('name')
+            resource_name = res_info.get('prettyName')
             print(f'Creating download task: {resource_name}')
             # All the downloadTasks enforces download
             download_tasks.append(DownloadTask(src_url=res_uri,     # pylint: disable=no-value-for-parameter)
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/emr-configs.json b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/emr-configs.json
index 5b6a34bd2..52b5097c2 100644
--- a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/emr-configs.json
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/emr-configs.json
@@ -8,38 +8,38 @@
             "name": "Apache Spark",
             "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.5.0/spark-3.5.0-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha512",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha512",
                 "value": "8883c67e0a138069e597f3e7d4edbbd5c3a565d50b28644aad02856a1ec1da7cb92b8f80454ca427118f69459ea326eaa073cf7b1a860c3b796f4b07c2101319"
               },
               "size": 400395283
             },
-            "type": "archive",
-            "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            "dependencyType": {
+              "depType": "archive",
+              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            }
           },
           {
             "name": "Hadoop AWS",
             "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/org/apache/hadoop/hadoop-aws/3.3.4/hadoop-aws-3.3.4.jar",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha1",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha1",
                 "value": "a65839fbf1869f81a1632e09f415e586922e4f80"
               },
               "size": 962685
-            },
-            "type": "jar"
+            }
           },
           {
             "name": "AWS Java SDK Bundled",
             "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/com/amazonaws/aws-java-sdk-bundle/1.12.262/aws-java-sdk-bundle-1.12.262.jar",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha1",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha1",
                 "value": "02deec3a0ad83d13d032b1812421b23d7a961eea"
               },
               "size": 280645251
-            },
-            "type": "jar"
+            }
           }
         ],
         "333": [
@@ -47,38 +47,38 @@
             "name": "Apache Spark",
             "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.3.3/spark-3.3.3-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha512",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha512",
                 "value": "ebf79c7861f3120d5ed9465fdd8d5302a734ff30713a0454b714bbded7ab9f218b3108dc46a5de4cc2102c86e7be53908f84d2c7a19e59bc75880766eeefeef9"
               },
               "size": 299426263
             },
-            "type": "archive",
-            "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            "dependencyType": {
+              "depType": "archive",
+              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            }
           },
           {
             "name": "Hadoop AWS",
             "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/org/apache/hadoop/hadoop-aws/3.3.4/hadoop-aws-3.3.4.jar",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha1",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha1",
                 "value": "a65839fbf1869f81a1632e09f415e586922e4f80"
               },
               "size": 962685
-            },
-            "type": "jar"
+            }
           },
           {
             "name": "AWS Java SDK Bundled",
             "uri": "https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/com/amazonaws/aws-java-sdk-bundle/1.12.262/aws-java-sdk-bundle-1.12.262.jar",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha1",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha1",
                 "value": "02deec3a0ad83d13d032b1812421b23d7a961eea"
               },
               "size": 280645251
-            },
-            "type": "jar"
+            }
           }
         ]
       }
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/onprem-configs.json b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/onprem-configs.json
index f7e9af218..fe8f07d09 100644
--- a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/onprem-configs.json
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_pytools/resources/onprem-configs.json
@@ -8,14 +8,16 @@
             "name": "Apache Spark",
             "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.5.0/spark-3.5.0-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha512",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha512",
                 "value": "8883c67e0a138069e597f3e7d4edbbd5c3a565d50b28644aad02856a1ec1da7cb92b8f80454ca427118f69459ea326eaa073cf7b1a860c3b796f4b07c2101319"
               },
               "size": 400395283
             },
-            "type": "archive",
-            "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            "dependencyType": {
+              "depType": "archive",
+              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            }
           }
         ],
         "342": [
@@ -23,14 +25,16 @@
             "name": "Apache Spark",
             "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.4.2/spark-3.4.2-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha512",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha512",
                 "value": "c9470a557c96fe899dd1c9ea8d0dda3310eaf0155b2bb972f70a6d97fee8cdaf838b425c30df3d5856b2c31fc2be933537c111db72d0427eabb76c6abd92c1f1"
               },
               "size": 388664780
             },
-            "type": "archive",
-            "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            "dependencyType": {
+              "depType": "archive",
+              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            }
           }
         ],
         "333": [
@@ -38,14 +42,16 @@
             "name": "Apache Spark",
             "uri": "https://archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.3.3/spark-3.3.3-bin-hadoop3.tgz",
             "verification": {
-              "hashLib": {
-                "type": "sha512",
+              "fileHash": {
+                "algorithm": "sha512",
                 "value": "ebf79c7861f3120d5ed9465fdd8d5302a734ff30713a0454b714bbded7ab9f218b3108dc46a5de4cc2102c86e7be53908f84d2c7a19e59bc75880766eeefeef9"
               },
               "size": 299426263
             },
-            "type": "archive",
-            "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            "dependencyType": {
+              "depType": "archive",
+              "relativePath": "jars/*"
+            }
           }
         ]
       }
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/cmdli/argprocessor.py b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/cmdli/argprocessor.py
index 0ab8219e6..978f683c1 100644
--- a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/cmdli/argprocessor.py
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/cmdli/argprocessor.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 from spark_rapids_pytools.common.utilities import ToolLogging, Utils
 from spark_rapids_tools.cloud import ClientCluster
 from spark_rapids_tools.utils import AbstractPropContainer, is_http_file
+from ..configuration.tools_config import ToolsConfig
 from ..enums import QualFilterApp, CspEnv, QualEstimationModel
 from ..storagelib.csppath import CspPath
 from ..tools.autotuner import AutoTunerPropMgr
@@ -349,6 +350,7 @@ class ToolUserArgModel(AbsToolUserArgModel):
     eventlogs: Optional[str] = None
     jvm_heap_size: Optional[int] = None
     jvm_threads: Optional[int] = None
+    tools_config_path: Optional[str] = None
 
     def is_concurrent_submission(self) -> bool:
         return False
@@ -370,6 +372,26 @@ def process_jvm_args(self) -> None:
         self.p_args['toolArgs']['jobResources'] = adjusted_resources
         self.p_args['toolArgs']['log4jPath'] = Utils.resource_path('dev/log4j.properties')
 
+    def load_tools_config(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Load the tools config file if it is provided. It creates a ToolsConfig object and sets it
+        in the toolArgs without processing the actual dependencies.
+        :return: None
+        """
+        self.p_args['toolArgs']['toolsConfig'] = None
+        if self.tools_config_path is not None:
+            # the CLI provides a tools config file
+            try:
+                self.p_args['toolArgs']['toolsConfig'] = ToolsConfig.load_from_file(self.tools_config_path)
+            except ValidationError as ve:
+                # If required, we can dump the expected specification by appending
+                # 'ToolsConfig.get_schema()' to the error message
+                raise PydanticCustomError(
+                    'invalid_config',
+                    f'Tools config file path {self.tools_config_path} could not be loaded. '
+                    'It is expected to be a valid configuration YAML file.'
+                    f'\n  Error:{ve}\n') from ve
+
     def init_extra_arg_cases(self) -> list:
         if self.eventlogs is None:
             return [ArgValueCase.UNDEFINED]
@@ -481,11 +503,14 @@ def build_tools_args(self) -> dict:
         runtime_platform = self.get_or_set_platform()
         # process JVM arguments
         self.process_jvm_args()
+        # process the tools config file
+        self.load_tools_config()
 
         # finally generate the final values
         wrapped_args = {
             'runtimePlatform': runtime_platform,
             'outputFolder': self.output_folder,
+            'toolsConfig': self.p_args['toolArgs']['toolsConfig'],
             'platformOpts': {
                 'credentialFile': None,
                 'deployMode': DeployMode.LOCAL
@@ -601,10 +626,12 @@ def build_tools_args(self) -> dict:
 
         # process JVM arguments
         self.process_jvm_args()
-
+        # process the tools config file
+        self.load_tools_config()
         # finally generate the final values
         wrapped_args = {
             'runtimePlatform': runtime_platform,
+            'toolsConfig': self.p_args['toolArgs']['toolsConfig'],
             'outputFolder': self.output_folder,
             'platformOpts': {
                 'credentialFile': None,
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/cmdli/tools_cli.py b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/cmdli/tools_cli.py
index 9c6d6c214..0d46e5025 100644
--- a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/cmdli/tools_cli.py
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/cmdli/tools_cli.py
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ def qualification(self,
                       jvm_heap_size: int = None,
                       jvm_threads: int = None,
                       verbose: bool = None,
+                      tools_config_file: str = None,
                       **rapids_options) -> None:
         """The Qualification cmd provides estimated speedups by migrating Apache Spark applications
         to GPU accelerated clusters.
@@ -79,6 +80,9 @@ def qualification(self,
         :param jvm_threads: Number of threads to use for parallel processing on the eventlogs batch.
                 Default is calculated as a function of the total number of cores and the heap size on the host.
         :param verbose: True or False to enable verbosity of the script.
+        :param tools_config_file: Path to a configuration file that contains the tools' options.
+               For sample configuration files, please visit
+               https://github.com/NVIDIA/spark-rapids-tools/tree/main/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/valid
         :param rapids_options: A list of valid Qualification tool options.
                 Note that the wrapper ignores ["output-directory", "platform"] flags, and it does not support
                 multiple "spark-property" arguments.
@@ -112,7 +116,8 @@ def qualification(self,
                                                          jvm_heap_size=jvm_heap_size,
                                                          jvm_threads=jvm_threads,
                                                          filter_apps=filter_apps,
-                                                         estimation_model_args=estimation_model_args)
+                                                         estimation_model_args=estimation_model_args,
+                                                         tools_config_path=tools_config_file)
         if qual_args:
             tool_obj = QualificationAsLocal(platform_type=qual_args['runtimePlatform'],
                                             output_folder=qual_args['outputFolder'],
@@ -131,6 +136,7 @@ def profiling(self,
                   jvm_heap_size: int = None,
                   jvm_threads: int = None,
                   verbose: bool = None,
+                  tools_config_file: str = None,
                   **rapids_options):
         """The Profiling cmd provides information which can be used for debugging and profiling
         Apache Spark applications running on GPU accelerated clusters.
@@ -158,6 +164,9 @@ def profiling(self,
         :param jvm_threads: Number of thread to use for parallel processing on the eventlogs batch.
                 Default is calculated as a function of the total number of cores and the heap size on the host.
         :param verbose: True or False to enable verbosity of the script.
+        :param tools_config_file: Path to a configuration file that contains the tools' options.
+               For sample configuration files, please visit
+               https://github.com/NVIDIA/spark-rapids-tools/tree/main/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/valid
         :param rapids_options: A list of valid Profiling tool options.
                 Note that the wrapper ignores ["output-directory", "worker-info"] flags, and it does not support
                 multiple "spark-property" arguments.
@@ -182,7 +191,8 @@ def profiling(self,
                                                          jvm_heap_size=jvm_heap_size,
                                                          jvm_threads=jvm_threads,
                                                          output_folder=output_folder,
-                                                         tools_jar=tools_jar)
+                                                         tools_jar=tools_jar,
+                                                         tools_config_path=tools_config_file)
         if prof_args:
             rapids_options.update(prof_args['rapidOptions'])
             tool_obj = ProfilingAsLocal(platform_type=prof_args['runtimePlatform'],
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/configuration/__init__.py b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/configuration/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..de974a8e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/configuration/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2024, NVIDIA CORPORATION.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""init file of the tools configurations module"""
+
+from .common import RuntimeDependencyType, DependencyVerification, RuntimeDependency
+
+__all__ = [
+    'RuntimeDependency',
+    'RuntimeDependencyType',
+    'DependencyVerification'
+]
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/configuration/common.py b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/configuration/common.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..439904cae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/configuration/common.py
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2024, NVIDIA CORPORATION.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Common types and definitions used by the configurations. This module is used by other
+modules as well."""
+
+from typing import Union
+from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, AnyUrl, FilePath, AliasChoices
+
+from spark_rapids_tools.enums import DependencyType
+from spark_rapids_tools.storagelib.tools.fs_utils import FileHashAlgorithm
+
+
+class RuntimeDependencyType(BaseModel):
+    """Defines the type of runtime dependency required by the tools' java cmd."""
+
+    dep_type: DependencyType = Field(
+        description='The type of the dependency.',
+        validation_alias=AliasChoices('dep_type', 'depType'))
+    relative_path: str = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description='Specifies the relative path from within the archive file which will be added to the java cmd. '
+                    'Requires field dep_type to be set to (archive).',
+        validation_alias=AliasChoices('relative_path', 'relativePath'),
+        examples=['jars/*'])
+
+
+class DependencyVerification(BaseModel):
+    """The verification information of a runtime dependency required by the tools' java cmd."""
+    size: int = Field(
+        default=0,
+        description='The size of the dependency file.',
+        examples=[3265393])
+    file_hash: FileHashAlgorithm = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description='The hash function to verify the file.',
+        validation_alias=AliasChoices('file_hash', 'fileHash'),
+        examples=[
+            {
+                'algorithm': 'md5',
+                'value': 'bc9bf7fedde0e700b974426fbd8d869c'
+            }])
+
+
+class RuntimeDependency(BaseModel):
+    """Holds information about a runtime dependency required by the tools' java cmd."""
+    name: str = Field(
+        description='The name of the dependency.',
+        examples=['Spark-3.5.0', 'AWS Java SDK'])
+    uri: Union[AnyUrl, FilePath] = Field(
+        description='The location of the dependency file. It can be a URL to a remote web/storage or a file path.',
+        examples=['file:///path/to/file.tgz',
+                  'https://mvn-url/24.08.1/rapids-4-spark-tools_2.12-24.08.1.jar',
+                  'gs://bucket-name/path/to/file.jar'])
+    dependency_type: RuntimeDependencyType = Field(
+        default_factory=lambda: RuntimeDependencyType(dep_type=DependencyType.get_default()),
+        description='Specifies the dependency type to determine how the item is processed. '
+                    'For example, jar files are appended to the java classpath while archive files '
+                    'such as spark are extracted first before adding subdirectory _/jars/* to the classpath.',
+        validation_alias=AliasChoices('dependency_type', 'dependencyType'))
+    verification: DependencyVerification = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description='Optional specification to verify the dependency file.')
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/configuration/runtime_conf.py b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/configuration/runtime_conf.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..40ab68cf7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/configuration/runtime_conf.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2024, NVIDIA CORPORATION.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""The runtime configurations of the tools as defined by the user."""
+
+from typing import List
+
+from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
+
+from spark_rapids_tools.configuration.common import RuntimeDependency
+
+
+class ToolsRuntimeConfig(BaseModel):
+    """The runtime configurations of the tools as defined by the user."""
+    dependencies: List[RuntimeDependency] = Field(
+        description='The list of runtime dependencies required by the tools java cmd. '
+                    'Set this list to specify Spark binaries along with any other required jar '
+                    'files (i.e., hadoop jars, gcp connectors,..etc.). '
+                    'When specified, the default predefined dependencies will be ignored.')
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/configuration/tools_config.py b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/configuration/tools_config.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b330cfc28
--- /dev/null
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/configuration/tools_config.py
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2024, NVIDIA CORPORATION.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Container for the custom tools configurations. This is the parts of the configuration that can
+be passed as an input to the CLI"""
+
+import json
+from typing import Union, Optional
+
+from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, ValidationError
+
+from spark_rapids_tools import CspPathT
+from spark_rapids_tools.configuration.runtime_conf import ToolsRuntimeConfig
+from spark_rapids_tools.utils import AbstractPropContainer
+
+
+class ToolsConfig(BaseModel):
+    """Main container for the user's defined tools configuration"""
+    api_version: float = Field(
+        description='The version of the API that the tools are using. '
+                    'This is used to test the compatibility of the '
+                    'configuration file against the current tools release.',
+        examples=['1.0'],
+        le=1.0,  # minimum version compatible with the current tools implementation
+        ge=1.0)
+    runtime: ToolsRuntimeConfig = Field(
+        description='Configuration related to the runtime environment of the tools.')
+
+    @classmethod
+    def load_from_file(cls, file_path: Union[str, CspPathT]) -> Optional['ToolsConfig']:
+        """Load the tools configuration from a file"""
+        try:
+            prop_container = AbstractPropContainer.load_from_file(file_path)
+            return cls(**prop_container.props)
+        except ValidationError as e:
+            # Do nothing. This is kept as a place holder if we want to log the error inside the
+            # class first
+            raise e
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_schema(cls) -> str:
+        """Returns a JSON schema of the tools' configuration. This is useful for generating an API
+        documentation of the model."""
+        return json.dumps(cls.model_json_schema(), indent=2)
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/enums.py b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/enums.py
index 61dca23a6..46db8aad1 100644
--- a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/enums.py
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/enums.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ def _missing_(cls, value):
         return None
 
     def get_hash_func(self) -> Callable:
-        """Maps the hash function to the appropriate hashing algorithm"""
+        """Maps the hash function to the appropriate hashing algorithm."""
         hash_functions = {
             self.MD5: hashlib.md5,
             self.SHA1: hashlib.sha1,
@@ -101,6 +101,18 @@ def get_hash_func(self) -> Callable:
         }
         return hash_functions[self]
 
+
+class DependencyType(EnumeratedType):
+    """Represents the dependency type for the tools' java cmd."""
+    JAR = 'jar'
+    ARCHIVE = 'archive'
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_default(cls) -> 'DependencyType':
+        """Returns the default dependency type."""
+        return cls.JAR
+
+
 ###########
 # CSP Enums
 ###########
diff --git a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/storagelib/tools/fs_utils.py b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/storagelib/tools/fs_utils.py
index 58dc56ebc..f51bbec8d 100644
--- a/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/storagelib/tools/fs_utils.py
+++ b/user_tools/src/spark_rapids_tools/storagelib/tools/fs_utils.py
@@ -67,19 +67,21 @@ def raise_invalid_file(file_path: CspPath, msg: str, error_type: str = 'invalid_
 @dataclass
 class FileHashAlgorithm:
     """
-    Represents a file hash algorithm and its value. Used for verification against an
-    existing file.
-    ```py
-    try:
-        file_algo = FileHashAlgorithm(algorithm=HashAlgorithm.SHA256, value='...')
-        file_algo.verify_file(CspPath('file://path/to/file'))
-    except ValidationError as e:
-        print(e)
-    ```
+    Represents a file hash algorithm and its value. Used for verification against an existing file.
     """
     algorithm: HashAlgorithm
     value: str
 
+    """
+    Example usage for the class:
+    ```py
+        try:
+            file_algo = FileHashAlgorithm(algorithm=HashAlgorithm.SHA256, value='...')
+            file_algo.verify_file(CspPath('file://path/to/file'))
+        except ValidationError as e:
+            print(e)
+    ```
+    """
     def verify_file(self, file_path: CspPath) -> bool:
         cb = self.algorithm.get_hash_func()
         with file_path.open_input_stream() as stream:
diff --git a/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/conftest.py b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/conftest.py
index 145355f24..de3f2da12 100644
--- a/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/conftest.py
+++ b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/conftest.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright (c) 2023, NVIDIA CORPORATION.
+# Copyright (c) 2023-2024, NVIDIA CORPORATION.
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 # you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -47,6 +47,26 @@ def gen_cpu_cluster_props():
 csps = ['dataproc', 'dataproc_gke', 'emr', 'databricks_aws', 'databricks_azure']
 all_csps = csps + ['onprem']
 autotuner_prop_path = 'worker_info.yaml'
+# valid tools config files
+valid_tools_conf_files = ['tools_config_00.yaml']
+# invalid tools config files
+invalid_tools_conf_files = [
+    # test older API_version
+    #  Error:1 validation error for ToolsConfig
+    #  api_version
+    #    Input should be greater than or equal to 1 [type=greater_than_equal, input_value='0.9', input_type=str]
+    'tools_config_inv_00.yaml',
+    # test empty runtime configs
+    #  Error:1 validation error for ToolsConfig
+    #  runtime.dependencies
+    #   Input should be a valid list [type=list_type, input_value=None, input_type=NoneType]
+    'tools_config_inv_01.yaml',
+    # test local dependency file does not exist
+    #  Error:1 validation error for ToolsConfig
+    #  runtime.dependencies
+    #   Input should be a valid list [type=list_type, input_value=None, input_type=NoneType]
+    'tools_config_inv_02.yaml'
+]
 
 
 class SparkRapidsToolsUT:  # pylint: disable=too-few-public-methods
diff --git a/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/invalid/tools_config_inv_00.yaml b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/invalid/tools_config_inv_00.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..aa566a71f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/invalid/tools_config_inv_00.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# This yaml file is a configuration file for a tool that uses Spark 3.5.0 as dependency
+# invalid: API version is smaller than accepted API version
+api_version: '0.9'
+runtime:
+  dependencies:
+    - name: my-spark350
+      uri: https:///archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.5.0/spark-3.5.0-bin-hadoop3.tgz
+      dependency_type:
+        dep_type: archive
+        # for tgz files, it is required to give the subfolder where the jars are located
+        relative_path: jars/*
diff --git a/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/invalid/tools_config_inv_01.yaml b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/invalid/tools_config_inv_01.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a723f2e66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/invalid/tools_config_inv_01.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+# This yaml file is a configuration file
+# invalid: empty file
+#  Error:1 validation error for ToolsConfig
+#  runtime.dependencies
+#   Input should be a valid list [type=list_type, input_value=None, input_type=NoneType]
+api_version: '1.0'
+runtime:
+  dependencies:
diff --git a/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/invalid/tools_config_inv_02.yaml b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/invalid/tools_config_inv_02.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..210b4419a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/invalid/tools_config_inv_02.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# This yaml file is a configuration file for a tool that uses Spark 3.5.0 as dependency
+# invalid: Local file can be verified during the initialization and it should fail because no such
+# file exists.
+#   Error:2 validation errors for ToolsConfig
+# runtime.dependencies.0.uri.url
+#  Input should be a valid URL, relative URL without a base [type=url_parsing, input_value='/home/user/workdir...k-3.5.0-bin-hadoop3.tgz', input_type=str]
+#    For further information visit https://errors.pydantic.dev/2.9/v/url_parsing
+# runtime.dependencies.0.uri.function-after[validate_file(), lax-or-strict[lax=union[json-or-python[json=function-after[path_validator(), str],python=is-instance[Path]],function-after[path_validator(), str]],strict=json-or-python[json=function-after[path_validator(), str],python=is-instance[Path]]]]
+#  Path does not point to a file [type=path_not_file, input_value='/home/archive.apache.org...k-3.5.0-bin-hadoop3.tgz', input_type=str]
+api_version: '1.0'
+runtime:
+  dependencies:
+    - name: my-spark350
+      uri:  /home/user/workdir/spark-3.5.0-bin-hadoop3.tgz
+      dependency_type:
+        dep_type: archive
+        relative_path: jars/*
diff --git a/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/sample-config-specification.json b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/sample-config-specification.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9dbef10ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/sample-config-specification.json
@@ -0,0 +1,182 @@
+{
+  "$defs": {
+    "DependencyType": {
+      "description": "Represents the dependency type for the tools' java cmd.",
+      "enum": [
+        "jar",
+        "archive"
+      ],
+      "title": "DependencyType",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "DependencyVerification": {
+      "description": "The verification information of a runtime dependency required by the tools' java cmd.",
+      "properties": {
+        "size": {
+          "default": 0,
+          "description": "The size of the dependency file.",
+          "examples": [
+            3265393
+          ],
+          "title": "Size",
+          "type": "integer"
+        },
+        "file_hash": {
+          "$ref": "#/$defs/FileHashAlgorithm",
+          "default": null,
+          "description": "The hash function to verify the file.",
+          "examples": [
+            {
+              "algorithm": "md5",
+              "value": "bc9bf7fedde0e700b974426fbd8d869c"
+            }
+          ]
+        }
+      },
+      "title": "DependencyVerification",
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "FileHashAlgorithm": {
+      "description": "Represents a file hash algorithm and its value. Used for verification against an existing file.",
+      "properties": {
+        "algorithm": {
+          "$ref": "#/$defs/HashAlgorithm"
+        },
+        "value": {
+          "title": "Value",
+          "type": "string"
+        }
+      },
+      "required": [
+        "algorithm",
+        "value"
+      ],
+      "title": "FileHashAlgorithm",
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "HashAlgorithm": {
+      "description": "Represents the supported hashing algorithms",
+      "enum": [
+        "md5",
+        "sha1",
+        "sha256",
+        "sha512"
+      ],
+      "title": "HashAlgorithm",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "RuntimeDependency": {
+      "description": "Holds information about a runtime dependency required by the tools' java cmd.",
+      "properties": {
+        "name": {
+          "description": "The name of the dependency.",
+          "examples": [
+            "Spark-3.5.0",
+            "AWS Java SDK"
+          ],
+          "title": "Name",
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        "uri": {
+          "anyOf": [
+            {
+              "format": "uri",
+              "minLength": 1,
+              "type": "string"
+            },
+            {
+              "format": "file-path",
+              "type": "string"
+            }
+          ],
+          "description": "The location of the dependency file. It can be a URL to a remote web/storage or a file path.",
+          "examples": [
+            "file:///path/to/file.tgz",
+            "https://mvn-url/24.08.1/rapids-4-spark-tools_2.12-24.08.1.jar",
+            "gs://bucket-name/path/to/file.jar"
+          ],
+          "title": "Uri"
+        },
+        "dependency_type": {
+          "$ref": "#/$defs/RuntimeDependencyType",
+          "description": "Specifies the dependency type to determine how the item is processed. For example, jar files are appended to the java classpath while archive files such as spark are extracted first before adding subdirectory _/jars/* to the classpath."
+        },
+        "verification": {
+          "$ref": "#/$defs/DependencyVerification",
+          "default": null,
+          "description": "Optional specification to verify the dependency file."
+        }
+      },
+      "required": [
+        "name",
+        "uri"
+      ],
+      "title": "RuntimeDependency",
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "RuntimeDependencyType": {
+      "description": "Defines the type of runtime dependency required by the tools' java cmd.",
+      "properties": {
+        "dep_type": {
+          "$ref": "#/$defs/DependencyType",
+          "description": "The type of the dependency."
+        },
+        "relative_path": {
+          "default": null,
+          "description": "Specifies the relative path from within the archive file which will be added to the java cmd. Requires field dep_type to be set to (archive).",
+          "examples": [
+            "jars/*"
+          ],
+          "title": "Relative Path",
+          "type": "string"
+        }
+      },
+      "required": [
+        "dep_type"
+      ],
+      "title": "RuntimeDependencyType",
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "ToolsRuntimeConfig": {
+      "description": "The runtime configurations of the tools as defined by the user.",
+      "properties": {
+        "dependencies": {
+          "description": "The list of runtime dependencies required by the tools java cmd. Set this list to specify Spark binaries along with any other required jar files (i.e., hadoop jars, gcp connectors,..etc.). When specified, the default predefined dependencies will be ignored.",
+          "items": {
+            "$ref": "#/$defs/RuntimeDependency"
+          },
+          "title": "Dependencies",
+          "type": "array"
+        }
+      },
+      "required": [
+        "dependencies"
+      ],
+      "title": "ToolsRuntimeConfig",
+      "type": "object"
+    }
+  },
+  "description": "Main container for the user's defined tools configuration",
+  "properties": {
+    "api_version": {
+      "description": "The version of the API that the tools are using. This is used to test the compatibility of the configuration file against the current tools release.",
+      "examples": [
+        "1.0"
+      ],
+      "maximum": 1.0,
+      "minimum": 1.0,
+      "title": "Api Version",
+      "type": "number"
+    },
+    "runtime": {
+      "$ref": "#/$defs/ToolsRuntimeConfig",
+      "description": "Configuration related to the runtime environment of the tools."
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "api_version",
+    "runtime"
+  ],
+  "title": "ToolsConfig",
+  "type": "object"
+}
diff --git a/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/valid/tools_config_00.yaml b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/valid/tools_config_00.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f7dccf951
--- /dev/null
+++ b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/resources/tools_config/valid/tools_config_00.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# This yaml file is a configuration file for a tool that uses Spark 3.5.0 as dependency
+# Minimal file content.
+api_version: '1.0'
+runtime:
+  dependencies:
+    - name: my-spark350
+      uri: https:///archive.apache.org/dist/spark/spark-3.5.0/spark-3.5.0-bin-hadoop3.tgz
+      dependency_type:
+        dep_type: archive
+        # for tgz files, it is required to give the subfolder where the jars are located
+        relative_path: jars/*
diff --git a/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/test_tool_argprocessor.py b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/test_tool_argprocessor.py
index b899038b7..300751242 100644
--- a/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/test_tool_argprocessor.py
+++ b/user_tools/tests/spark_rapids_tools_ut/test_tool_argprocessor.py
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@
 from spark_rapids_tools import CspEnv
 from spark_rapids_tools.cmdli.argprocessor import AbsToolUserArgModel, ArgValueCase
 from spark_rapids_tools.enums import QualFilterApp
-from .conftest import SparkRapidsToolsUT, autotuner_prop_path, all_cpu_cluster_props, all_csps
+from .conftest import SparkRapidsToolsUT, autotuner_prop_path, all_cpu_cluster_props, all_csps, \
+    valid_tools_conf_files, invalid_tools_conf_files
 
 
 @dataclasses.dataclass
@@ -77,22 +78,24 @@ def validate_args_w_savings_disabled(tool_name: str, t_args: dict):
 
     @staticmethod
     def create_tool_args_should_pass(tool_name: str, platform=None, cluster=None,
-                                     eventlogs=None, tools_jar=None):
+                                     eventlogs=None, tools_jar=None, tools_config_path=None):
         return AbsToolUserArgModel.create_tool_args(tool_name,
                                                     platform=platform,
                                                     cluster=cluster,
                                                     eventlogs=eventlogs,
-                                                    tools_jar=tools_jar)
+                                                    tools_jar=tools_jar,
+                                                    tools_config_path=tools_config_path)
 
     @staticmethod
     def create_tool_args_should_fail(tool_name: str, platform=None, cluster=None,
-                                     eventlogs=None, tools_jar=None):
+                                     eventlogs=None, tools_jar=None, tools_config_path=None):
         with pytest.raises(SystemExit) as pytest_wrapped_e:
             AbsToolUserArgModel.create_tool_args(tool_name,
                                                  platform=platform,
                                                  cluster=cluster,
                                                  eventlogs=eventlogs,
-                                                 tools_jar=tools_jar)
+                                                 tools_jar=tools_jar,
+                                                 tools_config_path=tools_config_path)
         assert pytest_wrapped_e.type == SystemExit
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -321,6 +324,31 @@ def test_profiler_with_driverlog(self, get_ut_data_dir, prop_path):
         assert not prof_args['requiresEventlogs']
         assert prof_args['rapidOptions']['driverlog'] == f'{get_ut_data_dir}/{prop_path}'
 
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize('tool_name', ['profiling', 'qualification'])
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize('csp', all_csps)
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize('tools_conf_fname', valid_tools_conf_files)
+    def test_tools_configs(self, get_ut_data_dir, tool_name, csp, tools_conf_fname):
+        tools_conf_path = f'{get_ut_data_dir}/tools_config/valid/{tools_conf_fname}'
+        # should pass: tools config file is provided
+        tool_args = self.create_tool_args_should_pass(tool_name,
+                                                      platform=csp,
+                                                      eventlogs=f'{get_ut_data_dir}/eventlogs',
+                                                      tools_config_path=tools_conf_path)
+        assert tool_args['toolsConfig'] is not None
+
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize('tool_name', ['profiling', 'qualification'])
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize('csp', all_csps)
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize('tools_conf_fname', invalid_tools_conf_files)
+    def test_invalid_tools_configs(self, get_ut_data_dir, tool_name, csp, tools_conf_fname):
+        tools_conf_path = f'{get_ut_data_dir}/tools_config/invalid/{tools_conf_fname}'
+        # should pass: tools config file is provided
+        with pytest.raises(SystemExit) as pytest_wrapped_e:
+            AbsToolUserArgModel.create_tool_args(tool_name,
+                                                 platform=csp,
+                                                 eventlogs=f'{get_ut_data_dir}/eventlogs',
+                                                 tools_config_path=tools_conf_path)
+            assert pytest_wrapped_e.type == SystemExit
+
     def test_arg_cases_coverage(self):
         """
         This test ensures that above tests have covered all possible states of the `platform`, `cluster`,