FlakeEnv
FlakeEnv automatically loads environment variables from flake.nix and .envrc into your VS Code workspace, so integrated terminals, tasks, debuggers, and language servers see the same tools your shell sees.
Features
- Loads
flake.nix with nix print-dev-env . --json.
- Loads
.envrc with direnv export json, layered on top of the Nix environment.
- Injects variables through VS Code's
EnvironmentVariableCollection.
- Updates
process.env in the extension host so already-running extensions can pick up the environment sooner.
- Provides a React dashboard for inspecting, filtering, copying, masking, and reloading variables.
- Restarts known language servers after a successful load so tools like
rust-analyzer can find the new PATH.
How It Works
- If
flake.nix exists, FlakeEnv runs nix print-dev-env . --json and reads exported variables.
- If
.envrc exists, FlakeEnv runs direnv export json using the Nix environment as a base.
- VS Code and shell internals are filtered out.
- The remaining variables are injected into VS Code and shown in the dashboard.
Reloads are safe to run repeatedly: FlakeEnv restores its previous process.env changes and clears its VS Code environment collection before calculating the next environment snapshot.
Requirements
- Nix with flakes enabled if you use
flake.nix.
- direnv if you use
.envrc.
The extension also searches common Nix and direnv install paths, which helps when VS Code is launched from Finder and does not inherit your shell PATH.
Commands
| Command |
Description |
FlakeEnv: Reload Environment |
Re-run Nix and direnv detection, then refresh injected variables. |
FlakeEnv: Open Dashboard |
Open the React dashboard. |
Dashboard
Open the dashboard from the command palette or by clicking the FlakeEnv status bar item.
The dashboard includes:
- Summary cards for total, Nix, direnv, skipped, and coverage counts.
- Tabs for all variables, Nix variables, direnv variables, and skipped variables.
- Search by variable name or value.
- Sorting by name, source, or value length.
- Path-like filtering, dense mode, and value masking.
- Expand/collapse controls and copy actions for values, exports, or the visible filtered set.
- A reload button with immediate loading feedback.
Keyboard shortcuts inside the dashboard:
| Shortcut |
Action |
/ |
Focus search. |
Cmd/Ctrl+R |
Reload environment. |
Cmd/Ctrl+K |
Clear search. |
Status Bar
The status bar item opens the dashboard and reflects the current load state:
| Status |
Meaning |
$(sync~spin) FlakeEnv |
Loading or reloading environment variables. |
$(check) FlakeEnv: N vars |
Loaded N injected variables. |
$(warning) FlakeEnv |
Loading failed. Check the FlakeEnv output channel. |
Filtering Rules
FlakeEnv blocks variables that are usually unsafe or noisy to inject into VS Code, including:
- Shell and user identity variables such as
HOME, USER, SHELL, and PWD.
- VS Code and Electron internals such as
VSCODE_* and ELECTRON_RUN_AS_NODE.
- Nix build internals such as
__*, NIX_BUILD_*, and IN_NIX_SHELL.
Skipped variables are still visible in the dashboard with their skip reason.
License
MIT
| |
