envm

CLI to manage environment variables. This tool was created to simplify working with multiple .env files across different projects and environments (development, staging, and local).

Installation

To install the package, simply run:

pip install envm

Commands

save

Save the current environment file to the environments database. By default, it looks for a .env file in the current directory.

Options:

• --envfile: Specify a different environment file name (default: .env)
• --overwrite/--no-overwrite: Overwrite existing environment if it exists (default: false)

$ envm save users.dev
$ envm save users.dev --envfile .env.prod
$ envm save users.dev --overwrite

ls

List all your saved environment files. Shows a count of total environments at the end.

$ envm ls

use

Create an environment file in the current directory from a saved environment. By default, it creates a .env file.

Options:

• --envfile: Specify a different output file name (default: .env)
• --overwrite/--no-overwrite: Overwrite existing file if it exists (default: false)
• --direnv: Generate .envrc file for automatic environment loading with direnv

$ envm use users.dev
$ envm use users.dev --envfile .env.prod
$ envm use users.dev --overwrite
$ envm use users.dev --direnv  # Automatic environment loading

delete

Delete a saved environment file. Use --force to skip confirmation:

$ envm delete users.dev
$ envm delete users.dev --force

Enable Shell Completion

Enable autocompletion for your environment variable files

zsh

curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/emmanueloctavi0/envm/refs/heads/main/src/completion/envm_complete.zsh >> ~/.zshrc

bash

curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/emmanueloctavi0/envm/refs/heads/main/src/completion/envm_complete.bash >> ~/.bashrc

Automatic Environment Loading with direnv

For automatic loading/unloading of environment variables when entering/leaving directories, use the --direnv flag with the use command.

What is direnv?

direnv automatically loads environment variables based on the current directory. Variables are loaded when you enter a directory and unloaded when you leave it.

Quick Setup

# 1. Use envm with direnv integration
$ envm use users.dev --direnv

# If direnv is not installed, envm will show installation instructions
# If direnv is installed, it will:
# - Generate .envrc file
# - Ask if you want to run 'direnv allow' automatically

# 2. That's it! Environment variables now load automatically
$ cd /your/project     # Variables loaded automatically
$ echo $DATABASE_URL   # Variable is available
$ cd /another/project  # Variables unloaded automatically
$ echo $DATABASE_URL   # Variable no longer available

Manual direnv Setup

If you prefer to set up direnv manually:

• Install direnv:

  # Ubuntu/Debian
  sudo apt install direnv
  
  # macOS
  brew install direnv
  

• Add hook to your shell:

  # Bash: Add to ~/.bashrc
  eval "$(direnv hook bash)"
  
  # Zsh: Add to ~/.zshrc
  eval "$(direnv hook zsh)"
  
  # Fish: Add to ~/.config/fish/config.fish
  direnv hook fish | source
  

• Restart your terminal and use:

  $ envm use users.dev --direnv
  $ direnv allow  # If not done automatically
  

Benefits of direnv Integration

• ✅ Automatic: Variables load/unload when entering/leaving directories
• ✅ Isolated: Each project has its own environment scope
• ✅ Secure: Requires explicit permission per directory
• ✅ Standard: Uses industry-standard tooling
• ✅ Team-friendly: .envrc files can be shared with your team