export

Overview

export marks shell variables for the environment so child processes inherit them. Without export, a variable is shell-local. Operators use it for PATH, EDITOR, proxy variables, language settings, and app config in a session. Permanent setup belongs in shell rc files or systemd units — not ad-hoc forever in one terminal.

Syntax

export [-fn] [name[=value] ...]
export -p

Common Options

Option	Description
name=value	Set and export in one step
-p	Print all exported variables (declare style)
-n	Remove export property (variable may remain)
-f	Export functions (bash; use sparingly)

Examples with Explanations

Set for children

export EDITOR=vim
export LANG=en_US.UTF-8
export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"

New processes from this shell see these values.

One-shot without permanent export

EDITOR=vim git commit
env NODE_ENV=production node app.js

Prefix assignment affects one command; export is for the rest of the session (or until changed).

Show exports

export -p | head
export -p | grep -E 'PATH|HOME|EDITOR'
env | sort
printenv PATH

Unexport / unset

export -n MYTEMP          # still set, not in environment
unset MYTEMP              # remove entirely

Common operator variables

export http_proxy=http://proxy.example:3128
export https_proxy=$http_proxy
export no_proxy=localhost,127.0.0.1,.example.com
export DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive   # apt in scripts (careful)

Persist for your user (pointer)

# add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.profile as appropriate — then open a new shell
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc

System services should use unit Environment= / EnvironmentFile=, not your interactive exports.

Notes

• Child shells inherit exports; already-running processes do not update retroactively.
• export is a builtin — see type export.
• Secrets in the environment are visible to other processes with same privileges (/proc/pid/environ) — prefer files with mode 600 or secret managers for sensitive material.
• Arrays and complex bash structures don’t export portably; stick to strings for environment.
• Typo’d PATH= without preserving old value can break the session (command not found).

Related Commands

• env — run with modified environment / print env
• printenv — print variables
• set — shell options and variables (broader)
• declare -x — bash equivalent flavor
• systemctl — service environment

Additional Resources

• help export
• man bash (PARAMETERS / ENVIRONMENT)