a better dotenv–from the creator of dotenv
.
- run anywhere (cross-platform)
- multi-environment
- encrypted envs
Install and use it in code just like dotenv
.
npm install @dotenvx/dotenvx --save
// index.js
require('@dotenvx/dotenvx').config()
console.log(`Hello ${process.env.HELLO}`)
or install globally - unlocks dotenv for any language, framework, or platform!
with github releases 🐙
curl -L -o dotenvx.tar.gz "https://github.com/dotenvx/dotenvx/releases/latest/download/dotenvx-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m).tar.gz"
tar -xzf dotenvx.tar.gz
./dotenvx help
or with windows 🪟
winget install dotenvx
dotenvx help
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env
$ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js
$ node index.js
Hello undefined # without dotenvx
$ dotenvx run -- node index.js
Hello World # with dotenvx
> :-D
More examples
-
TypeScript 📘
// package.json { "type": "module", "dependencies": { "chalk": "^5.3.0" } }
// index.ts import chalk from 'chalk' console.log(chalk.blue(`Hello ${process.env.HELLO}`))
$ npm install $ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx run -- npx tsx index.ts Hello World
-
Deno 🦕
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + Deno.env.get('HELLO'))" > index.ts $ deno run --allow-env index.ts Hello undefined $ dotenvx run -- deno run --allow-env index.ts Hello World
[!WARNING] Some of you are attempting to use the npm module directly with
deno run
. Don't, because deno currently has incomplete support for these encryption ciphers.$ deno run -A npm:@dotenvx/dotenvx encrypt Unknown cipher
Instead, use
dotenvx
as designed, by installing the cli as a binary - via curl, brew, etc. -
Bun 🥟
$ echo "HELLO=Test" > .env.test $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ bun index.js Hello undefined $ dotenvx run -f .env.test -- bun index.js Hello Test
-
Python 🐍
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo 'import os;print("Hello " + os.getenv("HELLO", ""))' > index.py $ dotenvx run -- python3 index.py Hello World
-
PHP 🐘
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo '<?php echo "Hello {$_SERVER["HELLO"]}\n";' > index.php $ dotenvx run -- php index.php Hello World
-
Ruby 💎
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo 'puts "Hello #{ENV["HELLO"]}"' > index.rb $ dotenvx run -- ruby index.rb Hello World
-
Go 🐹
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo 'package main; import ("fmt"; "os"); func main() { fmt.Printf("Hello %s\n", os.Getenv("HELLO")) }' > main.go $ dotenvx run -- go run main.go Hello World
-
Rust 🦀
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo 'fn main() {let hello = std::env::var("HELLO").unwrap_or("".to_string());println!("Hello {hello}");}' > src/main.rs $ dotenvx run -- cargo run Hello World
-
Java ☕️
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo 'public class Index { public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println("Hello " + System.getenv("HELLO")); } }' > index.java $ dotenvx run -- java index.java Hello World
-
Clojure 🌿
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo '(println "Hello" (System/getenv "HELLO"))' > index.clj $ dotenvx run -- clojure -M index.clj Hello World
-
Kotlin 📐
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo 'fun main() { val hello = System.getenv("HELLO") ?: ""; println("Hello $hello") }' > index.kt $ kotlinc index.kt -include-runtime -d index.jar $ dotenvx run -- java -jar index.jar Hello World
-
.NET 🔵
$ dotnet new console -n HelloWorld -o HelloWorld $ cd HelloWorld $ echo "HELLO=World" | Out-File -FilePath .env -Encoding utf8 $ echo 'Console.WriteLine($"Hello {Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("HELLO")}");' > Program.cs $ dotenvx run -- dotnet run Hello World
-
Bash 🖥️
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx run --quiet -- sh -c 'echo Hello $HELLO' Hello World
-
Fish 🐠
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx run --quiet -- sh -c 'echo Hello $HELLO' Hello World
-
Cron ⏰
# run every day at 8am 0 8 * * * dotenvx run -- /path/to/myscript.sh
-
Frameworks ▲
$ dotenvx run -- next dev $ dotenvx run -- npm start $ dotenvx run -- bin/rails s $ dotenvx run -- php artisan serve
see framework guides
-
Docker 🐳
$ docker run -it --rm -v $(pwd):/app dotenv/dotenvx run -- node index.js
Or in any image:
FROM node:latest RUN echo "HELLO=World" > .env && echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js RUN curl -fsS https://dotenvx.sh/install.sh | sh CMD ["dotenvx", "run", "--", "echo", "Hello $HELLO"]
see docker guide
-
CI/CDs 🐙
name: build on: [push] jobs: build: runs-on: ubuntu-latest steps: - uses: actions/checkout@v3 - uses: actions/setup-node@v3 with: node-version: 16 - run: curl -fsS https://dotenvx.sh/install.sh | sh - run: dotenvx run -- node build.js env: DOTENV_KEY: ${{ secrets.DOTENV_KEY }}
-
Platforms
# heroku heroku buildpacks:add https://github.com/dotenvx/heroku-buildpack-dotenvx # docker RUN curl -fsS https://dotenvx.sh/install.sh | sh # vercel npm install @dotenvx/dotenvx --save
see platform guides
-
Process Managers
// pm2 "scripts": { "start": "dotenvx run -- pm2-runtime start ecosystem.config.js --env production" },
-
npx
# alternatively use npx $ npx @dotenvx/dotenvx run -- node index.js $ npx @dotenvx/dotenvx run -- next dev $ npx @dotenvx/dotenvx run -- npm start
-
npm
$ npm install @dotenvx/dotenvx --save
{ "scripts": { "start": "./node_modules/.bin/dotenvx run -- node index.js" }, "dependencies": { "@dotenvx/dotenvx": "^0.5.0" } }
$ npm run start > start > ./node_modules/.bin/dotenvx run -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.production Hello World
-
asdf
# use dotenvx with asdf $ asdf plugin add dotenvx $ asdf install dotenvx latest
thank you @jgburet of Paris 🇫🇷
-
Git
# use as a git submodule $ git dotenvx run -- node index.js $ git dotenvx run -- next dev $ git dotenvx run -- npm start
-
Variable Expansion
Reference and expand variables already on your machine for use in your .env file.
# .env USERNAME="username" DATABASE_URL="postgres://${USERNAME}@localhost/my_database"
// index.js console.log('DATABASE_URL', process.env.DATABASE_URL)
$ dotenvx run --debug -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (2) from .env DATABASE_URL postgres://username@localhost/my_database
-
Command Substitution
Add the output of a command to one of your variables in your .env file.
# .env DATABASE_URL="postgres://$(whoami)@localhost/my_database"
// index.js console.log('DATABASE_URL', process.env.DATABASE_URL)
$ dotenvx run --debug -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env DATABASE_URL postgres://yourusername@localhost/my_database
Create a
.env.production
file and use-f
to load it. It's straightforward, yet flexible.
$ echo "HELLO=production" > .env.production
$ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js
$ dotenvx run -f .env.production -- node index.js
[[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.production
Hello production
> ^^
More examples
-
multiple `.env` files
$ echo "HELLO=local" > .env.local $ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx run -f .env.local -f .env -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.local,.env Hello local
-
`--overload` flag
$ echo "HELLO=local" > .env.local $ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx run -f .env.local -f .env --overload -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.local,.env Hello World
-
`--verbose` flag
$ echo "HELLO=production" > .env.production $ dotenvx run -f .env.production --verbose -- node index.js [dotenvx][verbose] injecting env from /path/to/.env.production [dotenvx][verbose] HELLO set [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.production Hello production
-
`--debug` flag
$ echo "HELLO=production" > .env.production $ dotenvx run -f .env.production --debug -- node index.js [dotenvx][debug] configuring options [dotenvx][debug] {"envFile":[".env.production"]} [dotenvx][verbose] injecting env from /path/to/.env.production [dotenvx][debug] reading env from /path/to/.env.production [dotenvx][debug] parsing env from /path/to/.env.production [dotenvx][debug] {"HELLO":"production"} [dotenvx][debug] writing env from /path/to/.env.production [dotenvx][verbose] HELLO set [dotenvx][debug] HELLO set to production [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.production Hello production
-
`--quiet` flag
Use
--quiet
to suppress all output (except errors).$ echo "HELLO=production" > .env.production $ dotenvx run -f .env.production --quiet -- node index.js Hello production
-
`--log-level` flag
Set
--log-level
to whatever you wish. For example, to suppress warnings (risky), set log level toerror
:$ echo "HELLO=production" > .env.production $ dotenvx run -f .env.production --log-level=error -- node index.js Hello production
Available log levels are
error, warn, info, verbose, debug, silly
-
`--convention` flag
Load envs using Next.js' convention. Set
--convention
tonextjs
:$ echo "HELLO=development local" > .env.development.local $ echo "HELLO=local" > .env.local $ echo "HELLO=development" > .env.development $ echo "HELLO=env" > .env $ dotenvx run --convention=nextjs -- node index.js Hello development local
(more conventions available upon request)
Add encryption to your
.env
files with a single command. Usedotenvx encrypt
.
$ dotenvx encrypt
✔ encrypted (.env)
A
DOTENV_PUBLIC_KEY
(encryption key) and aDOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY
(decryption key) are generated using the same public-key cryptography as Bitcoin.
More examples
-
`.env`
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx run -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (2) from .env Hello World
-
`.env.production`
$ echo "HELLO=Production" > .env.production $ dotenvx encrypt -f .env.production $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION="<.env.production private key>" dotenvx run -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (2) from .env.production Hello Production
Note the
DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION
ends with_PRODUCTION
. This instructsdotenvx run
to load the.env.production
file. -
`.env.ci`
$ echo "HELLO=Ci" > .env.ci $ dotenvx encrypt -f .env.ci $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_CI="<.env.ci private key>" dotenvx run -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (2) from .env.ci Hello Ci
Note the
DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_CI
ends with_CI
. This instructsdotenvx run
to load the.env.ci
file. See the pattern? -
combine multiple encrypted .env files
$ dotenvx set HELLO World -f .env $ dotenvx set HELLO Production -f .env.production $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY="<.env private key>" DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION="<.env.production private key>" dotenvx run -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (3) from .env, .env.production Hello World
Note the
DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY
instructsdotenvx run
to load the.env
file and theDOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION
instructs it to load the.env.production
file. See the pattern? -
combine multiple encrypted .env files for monorepo
$ mkdir app1 $ mkdir app2 $ dotenvx set HELLO app1 -f app1/.env.ci $ dotenvx set HELLO app2 -f app2/.env.ci $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_CI="<app1/privat ci key>,<app2/private ci key>" dotenvx run -f app1/.env.ci -f app2/.env.ci -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (2) from app1/.env.ci,app2/.env.ci Hello app1 $ DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_CI="<app1/privat ci key>,<app2/private ci key>" dotenvx run -f app1/.env.ci -f app2/.env.ci --overload -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (2) from app1/.env.ci,app2/.env.ci Hello app2
Note the
DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_CI
(and anyDOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY*
) can take multiple private keys by simply comma separating them. -
`--stdout`
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt --stdout $ dotenvx encrypt --stdout > .env.encrypted
-
other curves
secp256k1
is a well-known and battle tested curve, in use with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, but we are open to adding support for more curves.If your organization's compliance department requires NIST approved curves or other curves like
curve25519
, please reach out at [email protected].
Become a
dotenvx
power user.
-
`run` - Variable Expansion
Reference and expand variables already on your machine for use in your .env file.
# .env USERNAME="username" DATABASE_URL="postgres://${USERNAME}@localhost/my_database"
// index.js console.log('DATABASE_URL', process.env.DATABASE_URL)
$ dotenvx run --debug -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (2) from .env DATABASE_URL postgres://username@localhost/my_database
-
`run` - Command Substitution
Add the output of a command to one of your variables in your .env file.
# .env DATABASE_URL="postgres://$(whoami)@localhost/my_database"
// index.js console.log('DATABASE_URL', process.env.DATABASE_URL)
$ dotenvx run --debug -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env DATABASE_URL postgres://yourusername@localhost/my_database
-
`run` - Shell Expansion
Prevent your shell from expanding inline
$VARIABLES
before dotenvx has a chance to inject it. Use a subshell.$ dotenvx run --env="HELLO=World" -- sh -c 'echo Hello $HELLO' Hello World
-
`run` - multiple `-f` flags
Compose multiple
.env
files for environment variables loading, as you need.$ echo "HELLO=local" > .env.local $ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx run -f .env.local -f .env -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.local, .env Hello local
-
`run --env HELLO=String`
Set environment variables as a simple
KEY=value
string pair.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx run --env HELLO=String -f .env -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env, and --env flag Hello String
-
`run --overload`
Override existing env variables. These can be variables already on your machine or variables loaded as files consecutively. The last variable seen will 'win'.
$ echo "HELLO=local" > .env.local $ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx run -f .env.local -f .env --overload -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.local, .env Hello World
-
`DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY=key run`
Decrypt your encrypted
.env
by settingDOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY
beforedotenvx run
.$ touch .env $ dotenvx set HELLO encrypted $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js # check your .env.keys files for your privateKey $ DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY="122...0b8" dotenvx run -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (2) from .env Hello encrypted
-
`DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION=key run`
Decrypt your encrypted
.env.production
by settingDOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION
beforedotenvx run
. Alternatively, this can be already set on your server or cloud provider.$ touch .env.production $ dotenvx set HELLO "production encrypted" -f .env.production $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js # check .env.keys for your privateKey $ DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION="122...0b8" dotenvx run -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (2) from .env.production Hello production encrypted
Note the
DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION
ends with_PRODUCTION
. This instructs dotenvx run to load the.env.production
file. -
`DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_CI=key dotenvx run`
Decrypt your encrypted
.env.ci
by settingDOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_CI
beforedotenvx run
. Alternatively, this can be already set on your server or cloud provider.$ touch .env.ci $ dotenvx set HELLO "ci encrypted" -f .env.ci $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js # check .env.keys for your privateKey $ DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_CI="122...0b8" dotenvx run -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (2) from .env.ci Hello ci encrypted
Note the
DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_CI
ends with_CI
. This instructs dotenvx run to load the.env.ci
file. See the pattern? -
`DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY=key DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION=key run` - Combine Multiple
Decrypt your encrypted
.env
and.env.production
files by settingDOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY
andDOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION
beforedotenvx run
.$ touch .env $ touch .env.production $ dotenvx set HELLO encrypted $ dotenvx set HELLO "production encrypted" -f .env.production $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js # check .env.keys for your privateKeys $ DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY="122...0b8" DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION="122...0b8" dotenvx run -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (3) from .env, .env.production Hello encrypted $ DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION="122...0b8" DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY="122...0b8" dotenvx run -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (3) from .env.production, .env Hello production encrypted
Compose any encrypted files you want this way. As long as a
DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_${environment}
is set, the values from.env.${environment}
will be decrypted at runtime. -
`run --verbose`
Set log level to
verbose
. (log levels)$ echo "HELLO=production" > .env.production $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx run -f .env.production --verbose -- node index.js loading env from .env.production (/path/to/.env.production) HELLO set [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.production Hello production
-
`run --debug`
Set log level to
debug
. (log levels)$ echo "HELLO=production" > .env.production $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx run -f .env.production --debug -- node index.js process command [node index.js] options: {"env":[],"envFile":[".env.production"]} loading env from .env.production (/path/to/.env.production) {"HELLO":"production"} HELLO set HELLO set to production [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.production executing process command [node index.js] expanding process command to [/opt/homebrew/bin/node index.js] Hello production
-
`run --quiet`
Use
--quiet
to suppress all output (except errors). (log levels)$ echo "HELLO=production" > .env.production $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx run -f .env.production --quiet -- node index.js Hello production
-
`run --log-level`
Set
--log-level
to whatever you wish. For example, to suppress warnings (risky), set log level toerror
:$ echo "HELLO=production" > .env.production $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx run -f .env.production --log-level=error -- node index.js Hello production
Available log levels are
error, warn, info, verbose, debug, silly
(source) -
`run --strict`
Exit with code
1
if any errors are encountered - like a missing .env file or decryption failure.$ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx run -f .env.missing --strict -- node index.js [MISSING_ENV_FILE] missing .env.missing file (/path/to/.env.missing) [MISSING_ENV_FILE] ? add one with [echo "HELLO=World" > .env.missing]
This can be useful in
ci
scripts where you want to fail the ci if your.env
file could not be decrypted at runtime. -
`run --ignore`
Ignore errors like
MISSING_ENV_FILE
.$ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx run -f .env.missing --ignore=MISSING_ENV_FILE -- node index.js ...
-
`run --convention=nextjs`
Load envs using Next.js' convention. Set
--convention
tonextjs
:$ echo "HELLO=development local" > .env.development.local $ echo "HELLO=local" > .env.local $ echo "HELLO=development" > .env.development $ echo "HELLO=env" > .env $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx run --convention=nextjs -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.development.local, .env.local, .env.development, .env Hello development local
(more conventions available upon request)
-
`run -fk`
Specify path to
.env.keys
. This is useful with monorepos.$ mkdir -p apps/app1 $ touch apps/app1/.env $ dotenvx set HELLO world -fk .env.keys -f apps/app1/.env $ dotenvx run -fk .env.keys -f apps/app1/.env -- yourcommand
-
`get KEY`
Return a single environment variable's value.
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx get HELLO World
-
`get KEY -f`
Return a single environment variable's value from a specific
.env
file.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo "HELLO=production" > .env.production $ dotenvx get HELLO -f .env.production production
-
`get KEY -fk`
Specify path to
.env.keys
. This is useful with monorepos.$ mkdir -p apps/app1 $ touch apps/app1/.env $ dotenvx set HELLO world -fk .env.keys -f apps/app1/.env $ dotenvx get HELLO -fk .env.keys -f apps/app1/.env world
-
`get KEY --env`
Return a single environment variable's value from a
--env
string.$ dotenvx get HELLO --env HELLO=String -f .env.production String
-
`get KEY --overload`
Return a single environment variable's value where each found value is overloaded.
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo "HELLO=production" > .env.production $ dotenvx get HELLO -f .env.production --env HELLO=String -f .env --overload World
-
`get KEY --strict`
Exit with code
1
if any errors are encountered - like a missing key, missing .env file, or decryption failure.$ dotenvx get DOES_NOT_EXIST --strict [MISSING_KEY] missing DOES_NOT_EXIST key
-
`get KEY --convention=nextjs`
Return a single environment variable's value using Next.js' convention. Set
--convention
tonextjs
:$ echo "HELLO=development local" > .env.development.local $ echo "HELLO=local" > .env.local $ echo "HELLO=development" > .env.development $ echo "HELLO=env" > .env $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx get HELLO --convention=nextjs development local
-
`get` (json)
Return a json response of all key/value pairs in a
.env
file.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx get {"HELLO":"World"}
-
`get --format shell`
Return a shell formatted response of all key/value pairs in a
.env
file.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo "KEY=value" >> .env $ dotenvx get --format shell HELLO=World KEY=value
This can be useful when combined with
env
on the command line.$ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.KEY + ' ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ env $(dotenvx get --format=shell) node index.js Hello value World
or with
export
.$ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.KEY + ' ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ export $(dotenvx get --format=shell) $ node index.js Hello value World
-
`get --format eval`
Return an
eval
-ready shell formatted response of all key/value pairs in a.env
file.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo "KEY=value" >> .env $ dotenvx get --format eval HELLO="World" KEY="value"
Note that this exports newlines and quoted strings.
This can be useful for more complex .env values (spaces, escaped characters, quotes, etc) combined with
eval
on the command line.$ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.KEY + ' ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ eval $(dotenvx get --format=eval) node index.js Hello value World
Be careful with
eval
as it allows for arbitrary execution of commands. Preferdotenvx run --
but in some caseseval
is a sharp knife that is useful to have. -
`get --all`
Return preset machine envs as well.
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx get --all {"PWD":"/some/file/path","USER":"username","LIBRARY_PATH":"/usr/local/lib", ..., "HELLO":"World"}
-
`get --all --pretty-print`
Make the output more readable - pretty print it.
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx get --all --pretty-print { "PWD": "/some/filepath", "USER": "username", "LIBRARY_PATH": "/usr/local/lib", ..., "HELLO": "World" }
-
`set KEY value`
Set an encrypted key/value (on by default).
$ touch .env $ dotenvx set HELLO World set HELLO with encryption (.env)
-
`set KEY value -f`
Set an (encrypted) key/value for another
.env
file.$ touch .env.production $ dotenvx set HELLO production -f .env.production set HELLO with encryption (.env.production)
-
`set KEY value -fk`
Specify path to
.env.keys
. This is useful with monorepos.$ mkdir -p apps/app1 $ touch apps/app1/.env $ dotenvx set HELLO world -fk .env.keys -f apps/app1/.env set HELLO with encryption (.env)
Put it to use.
$ dotenvx get -fk .env.keys -f apps/app1/.env
Use it with a relative path.
$ cd apps/app1 $ dotenvx get -fk ../../.env.keys -f .env
-
`set KEY "value with spaces"`
Set a value containing spaces.
$ touch .env.ci $ dotenvx set HELLO "my ci" -f .env.ci set HELLO with encryption (.env.ci)
-
`set KEY -- "- + * ÷"`
If your value starts with a dash (
-
), then place two dashes instructing the cli that there are no more flag arguments.$ touch .env.ci $ dotenvx set HELLO -f .env.ci -- "- + * ÷" set HELLO with encryption (.env.ci)
-
`set KEY value --plain`
Set a plaintext key/value.
$ touch .env $ dotenvx set HELLO World --plain set HELLO (.env)
-
`encrypt`
Encrypt the contents of a
.env
file to an encrypted.env
file.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt ✔ encrypted (.env) ✔ key added to .env.keys (DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY) ⮕ next run [dotenvx ext gitignore --pattern .env.keys] to gitignore .env.keys ⮕ next run [DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY='122...0b8' dotenvx run -- yourcommand] to test decryption locally
-
`encrypt -f`
Encrypt the contents of a specified
.env
file to an encrypted.env
file.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo "HELLO=Production" > .env.production $ dotenvx encrypt -f .env.production ✔ encrypted (.env.production) ✔ key added to .env.keys (DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION) ⮕ next run [dotenvx ext gitignore --pattern .env.keys] to gitignore .env.keys ⮕ next run [DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY='bff...bc4' dotenvx run -- yourcommand] to test decryption locally
-
`encrypt -fk`
Specify path to
.env.keys
. This is useful with monorepos.$ mkdir -p apps/app1 $ echo "HELLO=World" > apps/app1/.env $ dotenvx encrypt -fk .env.keys -f apps/app1/.env ✔ encrypted (apps/app1/.env)
Put it to use.
$ dotenvx run -fk .env.keys -f apps/app1/.env
Use with a relative path.
$ cd apps/app1 $ dotenvx run -fk ../../.env.keys -f .env
-
`encrypt -k`
Specify the key(s) to encrypt by passing
--key
.$ echo "HELLO=World\nHELLO2=Universe" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt -k HELLO2 ✔ encrypted (.env)
Even specify a glob pattern.
$ echo "HELLO=World\nHOLA=Mundo" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt -k "HE*" ✔ encrypted (.env)
-
`encrypt -ek`
Specify the key(s) to NOT encrypt by passing
--exclude-key
.$ echo "HELLO=World\nHELLO2=Universe" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt -ek HELLO ✔ encrypted (.env)
Even specify a glob pattern.
$ echo "HELLO=World\nHOLA=Mundo" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt -ek "HO*" ✔ encrypted (.env)
-
`encrypt --stdout`
Encrypt the contents of a
.env
file and send to stdout.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt --stdout #/-------------------[DOTENV_PUBLIC_KEY]--------------------/ #/ public-key encryption for .env files / #/ [how it works](https://dotenvx.com/encryption) / #/----------------------------------------------------------/ DOTENV_PUBLIC_KEY="034af93e93708b994c10f236c96ef88e47291066946cce2e8d98c9e02c741ced45" # .env HELLO="encrypted:BDqDBibm4wsYqMpCjTQ6BsDHmMadg9K3dAt+Z9HPMfLEIRVz50hmLXPXRuDBXaJi/LwWYEVUNiq0HISrslzQPaoyS8Lotg3gFWJTsNCdOWnqpjF2xNUX2RQiP05kAbEXM6MWVjDr"
or send to a file:
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt --stdout > somefile.txt
-
`decrypt`
Decrypt the contents of an encrypted
.env
file to an unencrypted.env
file.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt ✔ encrypted (.env) $ dotenvx decrypt ✔ decrypted (.env)
-
`decrypt -f`
Decrypt the contents of a specified encrypted
.env
file to an unencrypted.env
file.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo "HELLO=Production" > .env.production $ dotenvx encrypt -f .env.production ✔ encrypted (.env.production) $ dotenvx decrypt -f .env.production ✔ decrypted (.env.production)
-
`decrypt -fk`
Specify path to
.env.keys
. This is useful with monorepos.$ mkdir -p apps/app1 $ echo "HELLO=World" > apps/app1/.env $ dotenvx encrypt -fk .env.keys -f apps/app1/.env ✔ encrypted (apps/app1/.env) $ dotenvx decrypt -fk .env.keys -f apps/app1/.env ✔ decrypted (apps/app1/.env)
-
`decrypt -k`
Decrypt the contents of a specified key inside an encrypted
.env
file.$ echo "HELLO=World\nHOLA=Mundo" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt ✔ encrypted (.env) $ dotenvx decrypt -k HELLO ✔ decrypted (.env)
Even specify a glob pattern.
$ echo "HELLO=World\nHOLA=Mundo" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt ✔ encrypted (.env) $ dotenvx decrypt -k "HE*" ✔ encrypted (.env)
-
`decrypt -ek`
Decrypt the contents inside an encrypted
.env
file except for an exluded key.$ echo "HELLO=World\nHOLA=Mundo" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt ✔ encrypted (.env) $ dotenvx decrypt -ek HOLA ✔ decrypted (.env)
Even specify a glob pattern.
$ echo "HELLO=World\nHOLA=Mundo" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt ✔ encrypted (.env) $ dotenvx decrypt -ek "HO*" ✔ encrypted (.env)
-
`decrypt --stdout`
Decrypt the contents of an encrypted
.env
file and send to stdout.$ dotenvx decrypt --stdout #/-------------------[DOTENV_PUBLIC_KEY]--------------------/ #/ public-key encryption for .env files / #/ [how it works](https://dotenvx.com/encryption) / #/----------------------------------------------------------/ DOTENV_PUBLIC_KEY="034af93e93708b994c10f236c96ef88e47291066946cce2e8d98c9e02c741ced45" # .env HELLO="World"
or send to a file:
$ dotenvx decrypt --stdout > somefile.txt
-
`keypair`
Print public/private keys for
.env
file.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt $ dotenvx keypair {"DOTENV_PUBLIC_KEY":"<publicKey>","DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY":"<privateKey>"}
-
`keypair -f`
Print public/private keys for
.env.production
file.$ echo "HELLO=Production" > .env.production $ dotenvx encrypt -f .env.production $ dotenvx keypair -f .env.production {"DOTENV_PUBLIC_KEY_PRODUCTION":"<publicKey>","DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY_PRODUCTION":"<privateKey>"}
-
`keypair -fk`
Specify path to
.env.keys
. This is useful for printing public/private keys for monorepos.$ mkdir -p apps/app1 $ echo "HELLO=World" > apps/app1/.env $ dotenvx encrypt -fk .env.keys -f apps/app1/.env $ dotenvx keypair -fk .env.keys -f apps/app1/.env {"DOTENV_PUBLIC_KEY":"<publicKey>","DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY":"<privateKey>"}
-
`keypair DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY`
Print specific keypair for
.env
file.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx encrypt $ dotenvx keypair DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY <privateKey>
-
`keypair --format shell`
Print a shell formatted reponse of public/private keys.
$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenx encrypt $ dotenvx keypair --format shell DOTENV_PUBLIC_KEY=<publicKey> DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY=<privateKey>
-
`ls`
Print all
.env
files in a tree structure.$ touch .env $ touch .env.production $ mkdir -p apps/backend $ touch apps/backend/.env $ dotenvx ls ├─ .env.production ├─ .env └─ apps └─ backend └─ .env
-
`ls directory`
Print all
.env
files inside a specified path to a directory.$ touch .env $ touch .env.production $ mkdir -p apps/backend $ touch apps/backend/.env $ dotenvx ls apps/backend └─ .env
-
`ls -f`
Glob
.env
filenames matching a wildcard.$ touch .env $ touch .env.production $ mkdir -p apps/backend $ touch apps/backend/.env $ touch apps/backend/.env.prod $ dotenvx ls -f **/.env.prod* ├─ .env.production └─ apps └─ backend └─ .env.prod
-
`ls -ef`
Glob
.env
filenames excluding a wildcard.$ touch .env $ touch .env.production $ mkdir -p apps/backend $ touch apps/backend/.env $ touch apps/backend/.env.prod $ dotenvx ls -ef '**/.env.prod*' ├─ .env └─ apps └─ backend └─ .env
-
`help`
Output help for
dotenvx
.$ dotenvx help Usage: dotenvx run -- yourcommand a better dotenv–from the creator of `dotenv` Options: -l, --log-level <level> set log level (default: "info") -q, --quiet sets log level to error -v, --verbose sets log level to verbose -d, --debug sets log level to debug -V, --version output the version number -h, --help display help for command Commands: run inject env at runtime [dotenvx run -- yourcommand] get [KEY] return a single environment variable set <KEY> <value> set a single environment variable encrypt convert .env file(s) to encrypted .env file(s) decrypt convert encrypted .env file(s) to plain .env file(s) keypair [KEY] print public/private keys for .env file(s) ls [directory] print all .env files in a tree structure Advanced: pro 🏆 pro ext 🔌 extensions
You can get more detailed help per command with
dotenvx help COMMAND
.$ dotenvx help run Usage: @dotenvx/dotenvx run [options] inject env at runtime [dotenvx run -- yourcommand] Options: -e, --env <strings...> environment variable(s) set as string (example: "HELLO=World") (default: []) -f, --env-file <paths...> path(s) to your env file(s) (default: []) -fv, --env-vault-file <paths...> path(s) to your .env.vault file(s) (default: []) -o, --overload override existing env variables --convention <name> load a .env convention (available conventions: ['nextjs']) -h, --help display help for command Examples: $ dotenvx run -- npm run dev $ dotenvx run -- flask --app index run $ dotenvx run -- php artisan serve $ dotenvx run -- bin/rails s Try it: $ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo "console.log('Hello ' + process.env.HELLO)" > index.js $ dotenvx run -- node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env Hello World
-
`--version`
Check current version of
dotenvx
.$ dotenvx --version X.X.X
-
`ext genexample`
In one command, generate a
.env.example
file from your current.env
file contents.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ dotenvx ext genexample ✔ updated .env.example (1)
# .env.example HELLO=""
-
`ext genexample -f`
Pass multiple
.env
files to generate your.env.example
file from the combination of their contents.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ echo "DB_HOST=example.com" > .env.production $ dotenvx ext genexample -f .env -f .env.production ✔ updated .env.example (2)
# .env.example HELLO="" DB_HOST=""
-
`ext genexample directory`
Generate a
.env.example
file inside the specified directory. Useful for monorepos.$ echo "HELLO=World" > .env $ mkdir -p apps/backend $ echo "HELLO=Backend" > apps/backend/.env $ dotenvx ext genexample apps/backend ✔ updated .env.example (1)
# apps/backend/.env.example HELLO=""
-
`ext gitignore`
Gitignore your
.env
files.$ dotenvx ext gitignore ✔ ignored .env* (.gitignore)
-
`ext gitignore --pattern`
Gitignore specific pattern(s) of
.env
files.$ dotenvx ext gitignore --pattern .env.keys ✔ ignored .env.keys (.gitignore)
-
`ext precommit`
Prevent
.env
files from being committed to code.$ dotenvx ext precommit [dotenvx][precommit] .env files (1) protected (encrypted or gitignored)
-
`ext precommit --install`
Install a shell script to
.git/hooks/pre-commit
to prevent accidentally committing any.env
files to source control.$ dotenvx ext precommit --install [dotenvx][precommit] dotenvx ext precommit installed [.git/hooks/pre-commit]
-
`ext prebuild`
Prevent
.env
files from being built into your docker containers.Add it to your
Dockerfile
.# Dockerfile RUN curl -fsS https://dotenvx.sh | sh ... RUN dotenvx ext prebuild CMD ["dotenvx", "run", "--", "node", "index.js"]
-
`ext scan`
Use gitleaks under the hood to scan for possible secrets in your code.
$ dotenvx ext scan ○ │╲ │ ○ ○ ░ ░ gitleaks 100 commits scanned. no leaks found
-
`config()`
Use directly in node.js code.
# .env HELLO="World"
// index.js require('@dotenvx/dotenvx').config() console.log(`Hello ${process.env.HELLO}`)
$ node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env Hello World
It defaults to looking for a
.env
file. -
`config(path: ['.env.local', '.env'])` - multiple files
Specify path(s) to multiple .env files.
# .env.local HELLO="Me"
# .env HELLO="World"
// index.js require('@dotenvx/dotenvx').config({path: ['.env.local', '.env']}) console.log(`Hello ${process.env.HELLO}`)
$ node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.local, .env Hello Me
-
`config(overload: true)` - overload
Use
overload
to overwrite the prior set value.# .env.local HELLO="Me"
# .env HELLO="World"
// index.js require('@dotenvx/dotenvx').config({path: ['.env.local', '.env'], overload: true}) console.log(`Hello ${process.env.HELLO}`)
$ node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.local, .env Hello World
-
`config(strict: true)` - strict
Use
strict
to throw if an error is encountered - like a missing .env file.# .env HELLO="World"
// index.js require('@dotenvx/dotenvx').config({path: ['.env.missing', '.env'], strict: true}) console.log(`Hello ${process.env.HELLO}`)
$ node index.js Error: [MISSING_ENV_FILE] missing .env.missing file (/path/to/.env.missing)
-
`config(ignore:)` - ignore
Use
ignore
to suppress specific errors likeMISSING_ENV_FILE
.# .env HELLO="World"
// index.js require('@dotenvx/dotenvx').config({path: ['.env.missing', '.env'], ignore: ['MISSING_ENV_FILE']}) console.log(`Hello ${process.env.HELLO}`)
$ node index.js [[email protected]] injecting env (1) from .env.local, .env Hello World
-
`config(envKeysFile:)` - envKeysFile
Use
envKeysFile
to customize the path to your.env.keys
file. This is useful with monorepos.# .env HELLO="World"
// index.js require('@dotenvx/dotenvx').config({envKeysFile: '../../.env.keys'})
-
`parse(src)`
Parse a
.env
string directly in node.js code.// index.js const dotenvx = require('@dotenvx/dotenvx') const src = 'HELLO=World' const parsed = dotenvx.parse(src) console.log(`Hello ${parsed.HELLO}`)
$ node index.js Hello World
-
`parse(src, {processEnv:})`
Sometimes, you want to run
parse
without it accessingprocess.env
. (You can pass a fake processEnv this way as well - sometimes useful.)// index.js const dotenvx = require('@dotenvx/dotenvx') const src = 'USER=Me' const parsed = dotenvx.parse(src, { processEnv: {} }) console.log(`Hello ${parsed.USER}`)
$ node index.js Hello Me
-
`parse(src, {privateKey:})`
Decrypt an encrypted
.env
string withprivateKey
.// index.js const dotenvx = require('@dotenvx/dotenvx') const src = 'HELLO="encrypted:BE9Y7LKANx77X1pv1HnEoil93fPa5c9rpL/1ps48uaRT9zM8VR6mHx9yM+HktKdsPGIZELuZ7rr2mn1gScsmWitppAgE/1lVprNYBCqiYeaTcKXjDUXU5LfsEsflnAsDhT/kWG1l"' const parsed = dotenvx.parse(src, { privateKey: 'a4547dcd9d3429615a3649bb79e87edb62ee6a74b007075e9141ae44f5fb412c' }) console.log(`Hello ${parsed.HELLO}`)
$ node index.js Hello World
-
`set(KEY, value)`
Programatically set an environment variable.
// index.js const dotenvx = require('@dotenvx/dotenvx') dotenvx.set('HELLO', 'World', { path: '.env' })
Go deeper into using
dotenvx
with detailed framework and platform guides.
- Digital Ocean
- Docker
- Fly.io
- GitHub Actions
- Heroku
- Netlify
- NPM
- Nx
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- more
You are using Node 20 or greater and it adds a differing implementation of --env-file
flag support. Rather than warn on a missing .env
file (like dotenv has historically done), it raises an error: node: .env: not found
.
This fix is easy. Replace --env-file
with -f
.
# from this:
./node_modules/.bin/dotenvx run --env-file .env -- yourcommand
# to this:
./node_modules/.bin/dotenvx run -f .env -- yourcommand
I've decided we should sunset it as a technological solution to this.
The .env.vault
file got us far, but it had limitations such as:
- Pull Requests - it was difficult to tell which key had been changed
- Security - there was no mechanism to give a teammate the ability to encrypt without also giving them the ability to decrypt. Sometimes you just want to let a contractor encrypt a new value, but you don't want them to know the rest of the secrets.
- Conceptual - it takes more mental energy to understand the
.env.vault
format. Encrypted values inside a.env
file is easier to quickly grasp. - Combining Multiple Files - there was simply no mechanism to do this well with the
.env.vault
file format.
That said, the .env.vault
tooling will still stick around for at least 1 year under dotenvx vault
parent command. I'm still using it in projects as are many thousands of other people.
Run $ dotenvx ext vault migrate
and follow the instructions.
You can fork this repo and create pull requests or if you have questions or feedback:
- github.com/dotenvx/dotenvx - bugs and discussions
- @dotenvx 𝕏 (DMs are open)