Configuring Environment Variables
Last updated October 22, 2024
Configuring Environment Variables in Spacelift
In today's DevOps world, managing environment variables securely, efficiently, and effectively is crucial. Spacelift provides a seamless way to configure environment variables for your projects. This article will guide you through the process of setting up and managing these variables, ensuring your infrastructure operates smoothly and securely.
Why Use Environment Variables?
Environment variables allow you to customize how applications behave by managing data without hardcoding it into your source code. This approach enhances security and flexibility, making it easier to manage different configurations across development, testing, and production environments.
Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring Environment Variables
Follow these steps to configure environment variables in Spacelift:
- 1. Log in to your Spacelift account.
- 2. Navigate to the project for which you want to set environment variables.
- 3. Go to the 'Settings' tab in the project dashboard.
- 4. Click on the 'Environment Variables' section.
- 5. Click on the 'Add New Variable' button to create a new environment variable.
- 6. Enter a name for the environment variable. Make sure it clearly describes its purpose, as this will aid in maintaining your project.
- 7. Enter the value for the environment variable. This could include sensitive information such as API keys, database credentials, or other configuration settings.
- 8. If you want to keep the variable secure and hidden in logs, check the option for 'Sensitive Variable'. This ensures sensitive information is not exposed.
- 9. Click 'Save Changes' to store your environment variable.
Using Environment Variables in Your Code
Once you’ve configured your environment variables in Spacelift, you can access them in your code. For example, if you’re using Terraform, you can refer to the variable name as follows:
Best Practices for Managing Environment Variables
To ensure effective management of your environment variables, consider the following best practices:
- 1. Use descriptive names for your environment variables for easy identification.
- 2. Regularly review and clean up unused environment variables.
- 3. Store sensitive information as sensitive variables in Spacelift.
- 4. Document the purpose and usage of each environment variable.
Conclusion
Configuring environment variables in Spacelift is an essential step towards effective project management. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your application is secure, adaptable, and efficient.