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Asked: 2024-09-26T00:32:55+05:30 In: ,

How can I set and export an environment variable in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) so that it remains accessible in subsequent terminal sessions?

I’ve been diving into the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) lately, and I’ve hit a bit of a snag with environment variables. You know how you can set an environment variable in your terminal session? That’s all fine and dandy until you close the terminal, and it’s like all that work just disappears into the ether. It’s super frustrating!

I want to figure out a way to set an environment variable in WSL so that it doesn’t just vanish after I exit the terminal. Ideally, I’d love for it to be persistent across all my sessions. The usual `export MY_VARIABLE=value` command works while the terminal is open, but as soon as I open a new one, it’s like starting from scratch again.

I’ve tried adding things to my `.bashrc` or `.bash_profile`, but sometimes those changes don’t seem to take effect. I mean, I definitely don’t want to have to set my variables every single time I open a new terminal session. If I’m working on a project, it gets annoying really fast since I’m always having to remember to set everything up each time.

I’ve seen some folks talk about `.profile` or even some other configuration files, but to be honest, I’m a bit lost on the specifics. Do I just add the export command there? Or do I need to follow a special format? And what if I want these variables to be available in all users’ contexts or just in my own?

Are there any best practices or common pitfalls to avoid? I’m hoping someone out there has a step-by-step solution or at least some insights on how to make this work seamlessly. It’d really boost my productivity if I could just set it once and forget it, you know? If anyone has nailed this down or has tips to share, please let me know!

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    2 Answers


    1. To create persistent environment variables in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), you can utilize the `.bashrc`, `.bash_profile`, or `.profile` files depending on your shell configuration. Generally, if you’re using Bash, the most common approach is to add your environment variable settings to the `.bashrc` file located in your home directory (`~/.bashrc`). Open this file in your preferred text editor, such as Vim or Nano, and append a line like `export MY_VARIABLE=value` to the end of the file. This way, every time you start a new terminal session, the settings in your `.bashrc` will be executed, and your variable will be available without any further action required. After editing the file, be sure to save the changes and execute `source ~/.bashrc` to apply them immediately in your current session.

      If your changes to `.bashrc` don’t seem to take effect, ensure you are indeed using Bash as your shell and that there are no overriding configurations in `.bash_profile` or the global `/etc/profile`. It’s also worth noting that for variables to apply to all users, you would typically modify `/etc/environment` or add a script in `/etc/profile.d/`, but these require administrative privileges. Be cautious about scope; if a variable is set in `.bashrc`, it’s only available in interactive shell sessions; for running scripts or non-interactive shells, a different method might be necessary. As a best practice, keep your environment variable names uppercase and separate words with underscores to maintain clarity and prevent conflicts with system variables.


    2. Setting environment variables in WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) can be a bit tricky, but once you get the hang of it, it feels great to have everything ready to go every time you open a terminal. Here’s a straightforward way to do it:

      1. First, you want to edit your .bashrc file. This file is read and executed whenever you start a new bash session. You can open it in your favorite text editor by running:

        nano ~/.bashrc

      2. Once you have .bashrc open, scroll to the bottom with your arrow keys, and add your export command there. It should look something like this:

        export MY_VARIABLE=value

      3. Save the changes. If you’re using nano, you can do this by pressing CTRL + X to exit, then press Y to confirm changes, and hit Enter.

      4. Now, you need to apply the changes you made. You can do this by running:

        source ~/.bashrc

      That’s it! Now when you open a new terminal in WSL, MY_VARIABLE should be set automatically. If you want this variable to be available for all users, you might want to consider editing the /etc/profile file, but keep in mind you’ll need administrative privileges for that.

      Here’s a couple of best practices and pitfalls to avoid:

      • Formatting is key! Make sure you don’t have any typos in your export command.
      • Use the right file: If you’re using other shells (like zsh), you’ll need to modify .zshrc instead.
      • Check for existing exports: Look through your .bashrc to see if your variable is defined more than once, as that could lead to confusion.

      Good luck, and happy coding!

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