> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ona.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Environment variables reference

> Reference for environment variable behavior and availability in Ona environments.

Environment variable secrets are injected as standard environment variables when your environment starts. The secret name becomes the variable name.

## Behavior

| Aspect | Detail |
| - | - |
| **Injection timing** | At environment start |
| **Naming** | Secret name becomes the variable name |
| **Update propagation** | Changes are automatically propagated to running environments (within 2 minutes). Running processes won't see the new value until the environment is restarted or the Dev Container is rebuilt. |

## Access

```bash theme={null}
# Shell
echo $APP_ENV

# Node.js
process.env.APP_ENV

# Python
os.environ['APP_ENV']
```

## Security considerations

For sensitive credentials like passwords and private keys, [file secrets](https://ona.com/docs/ona/configuration/secrets/files.md) are more secure. Environment variables are suitable for API keys and non-sensitive configuration values.

## Related

* [Create environment variable secrets](https://ona.com/docs/ona/configuration/secrets/environment-variables.md) - step-by-step setup
* [File secrets](https://ona.com/docs/ona/configuration/secrets/files.md) - more secure alternative
* [User secrets](https://ona.com/docs/ona/configuration/secrets/user-secrets.md) - personal scope
* [Project secrets](https://ona.com/docs/ona/projects/project-secrets.md) - project scope
* [Organization secrets](https://ona.com/docs/ona/organizations/organization-secrets.md) - org-wide scope


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