---

name: direnv
description: >-
Auto-load environment variables per directory with direnv. Use when a user asks to manage env vars per project, auto-switch configs between projects, or avoid manual .env loading.
license: Apache-2.0
compatibility: 'Linux, macOS, WSL'
metadata:
author: terminal-skills
version: 1.0.0
category: development
tags:
- direnv
- environment
- dotenv
- shell
- config

direnv

Overview

direnv automatically loads/unloads environment variables when you cd into a directory. No more source .env — enter the project folder and variables are set.

Instructions

Step 1: Install

brew install direnv
# Add to .bashrc or .zshrc:
eval "$(direnv hook bash)"

Step 2: Configure

# .envrc — Auto-loaded when entering directory
export DATABASE_URL="postgresql://localhost:5432/myapp"
export API_KEY="sk-dev-key-123"
export NODE_ENV="development"
dotenv .env
PATH_add bin
PATH_add node_modules/.bin

direnv allow    # required first time and after changes

Step 3: Per-Project Layouts

# .envrc — Use specific versions
use nvm 20
layout python3

Guidelines

• Always add .envrc to .gitignore — it contains secrets.
• Use .envrc.example (committed) as template.
• direnv unloads vars when you leave the directory — no env pollution.