Environment variables

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Set environment variables

1. Click Edit Template and expand Environment Variables.
2. Click Add Environment Variable and enter the key-value pair.

1. Navigate to My Templates.
2. Create or edit a template and add variables in the Environment Variables section.

API_KEY={{ RUNPOD_SECRET_my_api_key }}
DATABASE_PASSWORD={{ RUNPOD_SECRET_db_password }}

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Update environment variables

1. Go to Pods and click the three dots next to your Pod.
2. Select Edit Pod and expand Environment Variables.
3. Add or update variables and click Save.

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Access environment variables

echo $VARIABLE_NAME     # View specific variable
env | grep RUNPOD       # List Runpod variables

import os

model_name = os.environ.get('MODEL_NAME', 'default-model')
api_key = os.environ['API_KEY']  # Raises error if not set

const modelName = process.env.MODEL_NAME || 'default-model';
const apiKey = process.env.API_KEY;

MODEL_NAME=${MODEL_NAME:-"default-model"}
echo "Using model: $MODEL_NAME"

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Runpod-provided variables

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Best practices

• Use secrets for sensitive data: Never hardcode API keys or passwords. Use Runpod secrets.
• Validate required variables: Check that critical variables are set before your application starts.
• Provide defaults: Use fallback values for non-critical configuration.
• Use descriptive names: Prefer DATABASE_PASSWORD over DB_PASS.
• Group related variables: Use consistent prefixes like DB_HOST, DB_PORT, DB_NAME.