How to use direnv to create environment variables in ubuntu or MAC

February 10, 2018 · 5 mins read
Categories: python   | direnv   | environmentvariables   | productivity |

Handle environment variables like a pro

Introduction: Problem with Environment variables

Environment variables are very important for setting up important variables that you don’t want to share in code.

In my project, I have to set up some important variable that I require all over my project for the development. For example database names, email passwords, private keys and all other such things.

1. Introduction: Problem with Environment variables
2. Setting environment variables without direnv
3. Install direnv in Ubuntu or MAC
4. Adding startup script in bashrc/ zshrc
But the problem with the environment variables is that you need to set them again and again. Everytime you come back to your shell, you have to export them again.

First of all, Let’s discuss the way in which we can set environment variables without using direnv. The easiest way of creating these variables is as follows:

Setting environment variables without direnv

$ export DB_USER=root
$ export DB_PASSWORD=ranvir
And correspondingly you can call these variables in the python file as follows:

Python Logo 
import os
DB_USER = os.environ['DB_USER']
DB_PASSWORD = os.environ['DB_PASSWORD']
or in JavaScript.

process.env.DB_USER
process.env.DB_PASSWORD
This way you can save yourself from sending very important secrets into your repository like I did some time ago and had gone through a very long process for deleting that code from GitHub.

In the meantime someone used the password and logged into my email account. Read the post about how I was able to delete the password from GitHub code without deleting the repository.

This is good solution, Right? There is no doubt that once you start using it, you will fall in love with such technology.

But in few days you will want to get out of typing in all the environment variables again and again after a shutdown or shifting of the bash shell. The solution of this problem is direnv.

Install direnv in Ubuntu or MAC

Direnv is an open-source project used for proper setting of environment variables.

The idea behind this is that you set up all your variables in a single file called .envrc and the environment will be created as soon as you enter the directory in which .envrc file is present.

For installing direnv in ubuntu apply the following command:

$ sudo apt-get install direnv
or in MAC, use

brew install direnv

Adding startup script in bashrc/ zshrc

After this, you have to add the following line at the end of the ~/.bashrc file:

eval "$(direnv hook bash)"
Now if you are using zsh as I do, you will have to add the following to ~/.zshrc file.

eval "$(direnv hook zsh)"
What this line does is that, whenever you do anything on your shell, like opening new terminal window or moving to new directories. This will add a hook to load environment variables if .envrc is present.

Now go to a directory where you want to launch the environment variables.

As long as you stay in that directory the value of environment variables will not change.

Use the following commands to create a file

$ touch .envrc
Open the file in your favourite text editor and add the following content. I myself prefer Vim. Read more about Vim on following post.


export DB_NAME=abc                                                          
export DB_USER=root
Save and close the file. The following error will be reported when you close the file.

direnv: error .envrc is blocked. Run `direnv allow` to approve its content
Do as the error say. Apply the following command and start using the environment variables:

$ direnv allow
Applying the command will give the following result:

direnv: loading .envrc
direnv: export +DB_NAME
...
When you leave the directory the following result will be shown:

direnv: unloading
Direnv loading and unloading
As long as you stay somewhere inside the directory, environment variable will always be available.

This now starts working as the virtual environment. Read more about virtual environments on this post.


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