# Environment Variables

Environment variables allow you to configure your worker's runtime behavior without modifying code. This guide explains how to manage environment variables for your Hatchet workers.

## Overview

Environment variables in Hatchet Compute:

- Are securely stored and encrypted at rest
- Can be modified without rebuilding your container
- Support different values across environments
- Are injected into your worker containers at runtime

## Configuring Environment Variables

You can configure environment variables through:

1. The Hatchet UI during service creation/configuration
2. Infrastructure as Code using the Hatchet CLI
3. Service configuration files

### Using the UI

1. Navigate to your service's "Runtime configuration" section
2. Find the "Environment Variables" panel
3. Click "Add row" to create a new variable
4. Enter the key and value:
   - Key: The environment variable name (e.g., `DATABASE_URL`)
   - Value: The environment variable value (e.g., `postgresql://<password>@<host>:<port>/<database>`)
5. Click "Save" to apply the changes and trigger a redeployment of your service

## Best Practices

1. **Security**
   - Never commit sensitive values to version control
   - Use Hatchet's secrets management for sensitive data
   - Rotate sensitive values regularly

2. **Naming Conventions**
   - Use descriptive, meaningful names
   - Follow a consistent naming pattern
   - Document non-obvious variables

3. **Value Management**
   - Use appropriate data types
   - Validate values before deployment
   - Keep values consistent across related services

4. **Common Variables**
   ```
   # Examples of commonly used variables
   NODE_ENV=production
   LOG_LEVEL=info
   API_TIMEOUT=30000
   DATABASE_URL=postgresql://user:pass@host:5432/db
   ```

> **Info:** `HATCHET_CLIENT_TOKEN` is automatically set for your service and should not be
>   set in your environment variables.

## Accessing Variables in Code

Environment variables are mounted into your worker containers at runtime. You can access them in your code using standard methods for your language.

#### Python

```python
    import os

    database_url = os.getenv('DATABASE_URL')
    api_key = os.getenv('API_KEY')
```

#### JavaScript

```javascript
    const databaseUrl = process.env.DATABASE_URL;
    const apiKey = process.env.API_KEY;
```

#### Go

```go
    import "os"

    databaseUrl := os.Getenv("DATABASE_URL")
    apiKey := os.Getenv("API_KEY")
```

## Troubleshooting

1. **Variables Not Available**
   - Verify the variable is correctly set in your configuration
   - Check for typos in variable names
   - Ensure the service has been redeployed after changes

2. **Incorrect Values**
   - Check for proper escaping of special characters
   - Verify the value format is correct
   - Look for conflicting definitions

3. **Security Issues**
   - Review access permissions to sensitive variables
   - Ensure secrets are properly managed
   - Check for accidental exposure in logs

For additional help, join the [Hatchet Community](https://hatchet.run/discord) or reach out to us [here](https://cal.com/team/hatchet/talk-to-us).