# Set environment variables

Store API keys, database settings and other configuration for a static site, PHP site or Node.js app, and apply them with the next deploy.

## Before you start

- A static site, PHP site or Node.js app in Nuvlo.
- Permission to manage sites. Members without it can't see or change variables.

## Step 1: Open the Environment tab

Open the site from [Sites](https://app.nuvlo.dev/dashboard/sites) and click the **Environment** tab. The card **Environment variables** lists the saved variables with their values hidden. Each time someone opens them, it is recorded in the account's activity log.

![The Environment variables card with the .env drop area and a table of variables with hidden values](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/shots/environment-variables--list.webp)

## Step 2: Add or import variables

Click **Add variable** and enter the key and the value. Keys may contain only letters, numbers and underscores and can't start with a number.

To import many at once, drop a `.env` file on the drop area at the top of the card, or click it to browse. Existing keys are updated and new ones are added.

Use the eye button to show a value, and the bin button to remove a variable. A removal takes effect when you save.

## Step 3: Save the variables

Click **Save variables**. The button briefly shows **Saved**.

## Step 4: Redeploy to apply them

Saved variables are used from the next deployment on. Click **Redeploy to apply**, which appears in place of the save button, to deploy right away.

## How each site type uses them

| Site type | How variables are used |
| --- | --- |
| **Node.js app** | Available while building and to the running app. Nuvlo sets `PORT` and `HOST` itself, so your own values for them are ignored. `NODE_ENV` is `production` unless you set it. With the private Redis cache on, `REDIS_URL`, `REDIS_HOST`, `REDIS_PORT` and `REDIS_PASSWORD` are set for you. |
| **Laravel** | Written to the site's `.env`. Nuvlo adds `APP_ENV=production`, `APP_DEBUG=false`, `APP_URL` and `LOG_CHANNEL=daily` unless you set them. Without `DB_CONNECTION` or `DB_DATABASE`, the site uses an SQLite database. Add your `APP_KEY`; the deploy log warns when it's missing. |
| **Symfony** | Written to `.env.local`, next to the `.env` defaults in your repository. Nuvlo adds `APP_ENV=prod` and `APP_DEBUG=0` unless you set them. |
| **Plain PHP** | A `.env` from your project is kept until you add variables in Nuvlo; from then on Nuvlo writes it. |
| **Static website** | Only available while the site builds, for example to Vite. They are not published with the site. |

## Limits

- Up to 300 variables per site.
- Up to 32,000 characters per value.
- For static and PHP sites, a value must fit on one line. Values with line breaks are left out of the site's `.env`.

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Source: https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/environment-variables