AdonisJS environment variables in production

No. ezhst deploy skips every .env* file. Use ezhst env set or ezhst env import.

.env files are never uploaded to EasyHost. Here is how to set variables for AdonisJS, and when each one takes effect.

Last updated November 9, 2026

How AdonisJS reads variables

Variables are validated in start/env.ts and read with env.get(). Add every new variable to that schema, or validation will not cover it.

npx ezhst env set APP_KEY=generate-with-node-ace-generate-key
npx ezhst env import .env
npx ezhst env list
npx ezhst redeploy

Variables apply on the next deploy or redeploy.

Variable	Value	Available
`NODE_ENV`	`production`	When the app runs, not during install or build
`PORT`	`3000`	Build and runtime
`HOST`	`0.0.0.0`	When the app runs
`HOSTNAME`	`0.0.0.0`	Build and runtime

Your own variables are available in both the build and the running app.

Variable is undefined because it was only in a .env file
A public variable is undefined in the browser because it changed after the build

See the AdonisJS hub for every AdonisJS guide, or free AdonisJS hosting for what is included.

No. ezhst deploy skips every .env* file. Use ezhst env set or ezhst env import.

Install the skill, choose Global or Local, then tell your agent to deploy. No credit card, no config files.

npx ezhst skill install