> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://bruno-a6972042-mintlify-c74cb75a.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Environment Variables

Environment variables are variables that are scoped to an environment, such as local development or production. They are useful for storing variables that can be re-used across the collection that are different depending on the environment. An example would be the host url of the server you want to test.

## Creating an Environment Variable

1. Go to environments (top right) and press **No environment**.
2. If there are no environments, you will be prompted to create one.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/bruno-a6972042-mintlify-c74cb75a/gzBEQzDtiQXT21Y4/images/screenshots/variables/no-environment.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=gzBEQzDtiQXT21Y4&q=85&s=cf145a966bff6311755319342b456d05" alt="No-Environment" width="2472" height="966" data-path="images/screenshots/variables/no-environment.webp" />

3. Add your variable name, value, and an optional description for what the variable represents.
4. Save your changes.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/bruno-a6972042-mintlify-c74cb75a/gzBEQzDtiQXT21Y4/images/screenshots/v4/secret-variables/environment.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=gzBEQzDtiQXT21Y4&q=85&s=c04d8d4a3da76845d342214085ac4a3f" alt="No-Environment" width="2604" height="868" data-path="images/screenshots/v4/secret-variables/environment.webp" />

## Using an Environment Variable

Just like other variables you can use the `{{varName}}` syntax to use an environment variable in a request. On the top-right, you can see which environment you are currently using and select a different one.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/bruno-a6972042-mintlify-c74cb75a/gzBEQzDtiQXT21Y4/images/screenshots/variables/environment-variables.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=gzBEQzDtiQXT21Y4&q=85&s=878a2ee953d4ac5a41167664a4040941" alt="Environment Variables location" width="2472" height="966" data-path="images/screenshots/variables/environment-variables.webp" />

## Searching environment variables

When working with a large number of environment variables, you can use the search feature to quickly find specific variables.

1. Open your environment settings.
2. Click the search icon in the environment details panel.
3. Type your query to filter variables by name or value.

The search filters the variable list in real time. If you click on a variable row while searching, that row stays visible even if it no longer matches the query, so you can edit it without losing your place. The row unpins automatically after a short delay.

<Info>
  The search feature is also available for [global environment variables](/variables/global-environment-variables).
</Info>

## Using the ./environment directory

Environment variables are synced with the `/environments` directory inside your collection. You can also create and manage environments there.

Each environment is saved in a `<environment-name>.bru` file or a `.yml` file depending on the format in use.

**BRU format** (`local.bru`)

```bash theme={null}
vars {
  @description('''Base URL for the local server''')
  host: http://localhost:8787

  @description('''
    JWT token obtained after login.
    Expires in 24 hours.
  ''')
  token: abc123

  noDesc: plain-value
}
```

Use `@description` before a variable to document what it represents. Descriptions are optional, always go on the line immediately before the variable, and support multiline text using triple quotes (`'''`).

**YAML format** (`production.yml`)

```yaml theme={null}
name: Production
variables:
  - name: host
    value: https://api.example.com
    enabled: true
    secret: false
    description: Single-line description

  - name: token
    value: abc123
    enabled: true
    secret: false
    description: |-
      Multiline description.
      Supports multiple lines.
      Third line here.

  - name: apiKey
    value: ''
    enabled: true
    secret: true
    description: Secret API key stored encrypted

  - name: disabledVar
    value: old-value
    enabled: false
    secret: false
    description: This variable is disabled

  - name: ''
    value: ''
    enabled: true
    secret: false
    description: Orphaned description becomes an empty-name row
```

The `description` field is optional. Use the block scalar `|-` for multiline descriptions to preserve line breaks. A variable with an empty `name` and `value` is treated as an orphaned description row in the UI.

<Info>
  For information on importing and exporting environment variables, see the [Import/Export Environments](/import-export-data/import-export-environments) guide.
</Info>