> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.heylua.ai/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Environment Variables Command > Manage environment variables for sandbox and production ## Overview The `lua env` command provides an interactive interface for managing environment variables in both sandbox (development) and production environments. ```bash theme={null} lua env # Interactive: choose environment lua env sandbox # Direct: manage .env file lua env staging # Direct: alias for sandbox lua env production # Direct: manage production API vars ``` Direct environment access lets you skip the selection prompt for faster workflows! Full non-interactive mode with `-k`, `-v`, `--list`, and `--delete` flags for scripting and CI/CD. ### Non-Interactive Mode ```bash theme={null} # List variables lua env sandbox --list lua env production --list # Set a variable lua env sandbox -k DATABASE_URL -v "postgres://localhost/db" lua env production -k API_KEY -v "sk_live_xxx" # Delete a variable lua env production -k OLD_KEY --delete ``` | Option | Description | | ------------------- | ------------------------------ | | `--list` | List all environment variables | | `-k, --key ` | Variable name | | `-v, --value ` | Variable value | | `-d, --delete` | Delete the specified variable | Manage `.env` file locally Manage variables on server via API Add, update, delete, and view variables Values masked in list view ## Usage Modes **Default behavior - prompts for environment** ```bash theme={null} $ lua env ? Select environment: › 🔧 Sandbox (.env file) 🚀 Production (API) ``` Best for: When you're not sure which environment **Skip prompt and go straight to sandbox** ```bash theme={null} $ lua env sandbox # No prompt - opens .env file management immediately ``` Best for: Quick local configuration during development **Skip prompt and go straight to production** ```bash theme={null} $ lua env production # No prompt - opens production API management immediately ``` Best for: Fast production updates, automation ## Quick Start ```bash theme={null} lua env sandbox # Direct to sandbox # or lua env # Interactive ``` ``` ? Select environment: 🔧 Sandbox (.env file) 🚀 Production (API) ``` * ➕ Add new variable * ✏️ Update existing * 🗑️ Delete variable * 👁️ View full value ## Environment Selection **Local Development** Manages your `.env` file in the project directory. ``` ? Select environment: 🔧 Sandbox (.env file) ``` **Features:** * ✅ No authentication required * ✅ Instant changes * ✅ Local file management * ✅ Used by `lua test` and `lua chat` **File location:** `PROJECT_ROOT/.env` **Production Environment** Manages variables on the server via API. ``` ? Select environment: 🚀 Production (API) ✅ Authenticated ``` **Features:** * ✅ Secure server storage * ✅ Team collaboration * ✅ Audit logging * ✅ Used by deployed skills **Requires:** Valid API key (`lua auth configure`) ## Actions Available ### Add New Variable ```bash theme={null} ? What would you like to do? ➕ Add new variable ? Variable name: STRIPE_API_KEY ? Variable value: sk_test_abc123 🔄 Saving... ✅ Variable "STRIPE_API_KEY" added successfully ``` Must start with letter/underscore, contain only letters, numbers, underscores Any string value (can include spaces, special characters) ### Update Existing Variable ```bash theme={null} ? What would you like to do? ✏️ Update existing variable ? Select variable to update: STRIPE_API_KEY ? New value for STRIPE_API_KEY: sk_test_xyz789 🔄 Saving... ✅ Variable "STRIPE_API_KEY" updated successfully ``` ### Delete Variable ```bash theme={null} ? What would you like to do? 🗑️ Delete variable ? Select variable to delete: OLD_KEY ? Are you sure you want to delete "OLD_KEY"? Yes 🔄 Saving... ✅ Variable "OLD_KEY" deleted successfully ``` Deletion requires confirmation to prevent accidents. Default is "No". ### View Variable Value ```bash theme={null} ? What would you like to do? 👁️ View variable value ? Select variable to view: STRIPE_API_KEY ============================================================ Variable: STRIPE_API_KEY ============================================================ sk_test_abc123xyz789 ============================================================ Press Enter to continue... ``` Shows the full unmasked value for copying. ## Variable Display Variables are **masked for security** in the list view: ``` ============================================================ 📋 Environment Variables (Sandbox) ============================================================ 1. DATABASE_URL = post********************** 2. STRIPE_KEY = sk-t********************** 3. API_SECRET = abc1********************** ``` **Masking rules:** * Shows first 4 characters * Replaces rest with asterisks (max 20) * Values \< 4 chars show only asterisks ## Variable Naming Rules ```bash theme={null} DATABASE_URL ✅ API_KEY ✅ STRIPE_SECRET_KEY ✅ MAX_CONNECTIONS ✅ enable_feature ✅ _INTERNAL_CONFIG ✅ ``` ```bash theme={null} 123_NUMBER ❌ Starts with number MY-VARIABLE ❌ Contains hyphen MY VARIABLE ❌ Contains space MY.VARIABLE ❌ Contains dot ``` ## Use in Development Workflow ### Step 1: Configure Variables ```bash theme={null} # Set up sandbox environment variables lua env sandbox # Add: DATABASE_URL, API_KEY, STRIPE_SECRET, etc. # Set up production environment variables lua env production # Add production API keys and URLs ``` ### Step 2: Test Locally ```bash theme={null} # Variables are automatically loaded lua test # Or test in conversation lua chat ``` ### Step 3: Verify Production Config ```bash theme={null} # Check production variables before deploying lua env production ``` ### Step 4: Deploy ```bash theme={null} lua push lua deploy ``` ## Sandbox vs Production **Local Development** ```bash theme={null} lua env # → Choose Sandbox ``` **Add variables like:** ``` DATABASE_URL=postgresql://localhost:5432/dev STRIPE_KEY=sk_test_... DEBUG=true ``` **Used by:** * `lua test` * `lua chat` (sandbox mode) * Local development **Production Deployment** ```bash theme={null} lua env # → Choose Production ``` **Add variables like:** ``` DATABASE_URL=postgresql://prod-host:5432/prod STRIPE_KEY=sk_live_... DEBUG=false ``` **Used by:** * Deployed skills * `lua chat` (production mode) * Live user interactions ## Best Practices ```bash theme={null} # Sandbox - Test keys STRIPE_KEY=sk_test_abc123 DATABASE=dev_database # Production - Live keys STRIPE_KEY=sk_live_xyz789 DATABASE=prod_database ``` Add to `.gitignore`: ``` .env .env.local .env.*.local ``` Commit `.env.example` instead with placeholder values Create `.env.example`: ```bash theme={null} # Required API Keys STRIPE_KEY=sk_test_your_key_here DATABASE_URL=postgresql://localhost:5432/dbname # Optional DEBUG=true MAX_RETRIES=3 ``` Update sensitive keys every 90 days: * API keys * Database passwords * JWT secrets * Encryption keys ## Example Session ```bash theme={null} $ lua env sandbox # Or interactive: lua env → Choose Sandbox ============================================================ 📋 Environment Variables (Sandbox) ============================================================ ℹ️ No environment variables configured. ? What would you like to do? ➕ Add new variable ? Variable name: DATABASE_URL ? Variable value: postgresql://localhost:5432/myapp 🔄 Saving... ✅ Variable "DATABASE_URL" added successfully ============================================================ 📋 Environment Variables (Sandbox) ============================================================ 1. DATABASE_URL = post********************** ? What would you like to do? ➕ Add new variable ? Variable name: STRIPE_KEY ? Variable value: sk_test_abc123 🔄 Saving... ✅ Variable "STRIPE_KEY" added successfully ============================================================ 📋 Environment Variables (Sandbox) ============================================================ 1. DATABASE_URL = post********************** 2. STRIPE_KEY = sk-t********************** ? What would you like to do? ❌ Exit 👋 Goodbye! ``` ## Troubleshooting **Problem**: Tool can't find environment variable **Solution:** ```typescript theme={null} import { env } from 'lua-cli'; const apiKey = env('STRIPE_KEY'); if (!apiKey) { throw new Error('STRIPE_KEY not configured. Run: lua env'); } ``` **Error**: `EACCES: permission denied` **Solution:** ```bash theme={null} chmod 644 .env ``` **Problem**: Changes don't persist **Solutions:** 1. Verify API key: `lua auth key` 2. Check network connection 3. Try again **Error**: Validation error **Fix:** Use valid format: * Start with letter or underscore * Only letters, numbers, underscores * No hyphens, spaces, or special characters ## Related Commands Uses sandbox environment variables Uses sandbox or production based on mode Doesn't include env vars (stored separately) Uses production environment variables ## Next Steps Complete guide to configuration management Test tools with your environment variables