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GlossaryConceptUpdated May 2026

Environment Variable

noun · also: secret, sandbox, workflow

What is environment variable?

An environment variable is a configuration value (API key, URL, feature flag) set outside the workflow code — so the same code runs against different setups.

Definition

Full definition of environment variable

In automation: same workflow code, but the Slack channel ID is dev-channel in dev env and prod-channel in prod env. Tiny Command supports per-workspace and per-workflow environment variables. Best practice: never hardcode secrets or environment-specific values in workflow steps.

In practice

Environment Variable examples

Env var usage
Slack channel: {{env.SLACK_CHANNEL_ID}} — resolves to different IDs per environment.
Used by

Apps that exemplify environment variable

See environment variable in action across real integrations.

FAQ

Common questions about environment variable

Should env vars be secret?
Some yes (API keys, passwords) — Tiny Command encrypts these at rest. Some no (channel IDs, URLs) — visible to teammates who can view the workflow.
How do I rotate an env var?
Update in workspace settings; all workflows pick up the new value on next run. No redeploy needed.