How to Configure Magento 2 Environment Variables for Deployment?

• What are Magento 2 Environment Variables?

• Why are Magento 2 Environment Variables Essential for Developers?

• Types of Magento Environment Variables

• How to Configure Magento 2 Environment Variables

• Best Practices for Managing Magento 2 Environment Variables

• Troubleshooting Common Issues with Magento 2 Environment Variables

• FAQs

• Summary

What are Magento 2 Environment Variables?

Magento 2 Environment Variables control settings in cloud-based Commerce environments. They help you override default configurations without modifying core files.

The ece-tools package sets values in env.php using:

• Magento Cloud variables
• Cloud Console settings
• Magento.env.yaml file

This customization ensures your environment matches your business needs. If no value is defined, Magento relies on default settings or MAGENTO_CLOUD_RELATIONSHIPS. It lets the system run smoothly without needing manual updates.

Variables in .magento.env.yaml file let you customize your Cloud environment further. By setting these values, you can override existing settings easily. If a default value isn’t set, the system sticks to Magento's built-in configurations.

When a value is set, ece-tools apply it immediately. It gives you more control over the environment without altering code. This approach keeps management simple, allowing fast adjustments while protecting core Magento settings.

Why are Magento 2 Environment Variables Essential for Developers?

Reason	Explanation
Flexible Configuration Management	Environment variables let developers change settings without altering core files. It keeps the setup stable and reduces update risks. They make configuration easy to manage and replicate. Developers can adjust settings across environments.
Simplified Deployment Process	Environment variables streamline deployment. Pre-set configurations reduce manual steps and errors. It saves time and boosts deployment confidence. Developers know the environment settings are correct, making the process smoother.
Easier Environment Customization	Magento 2 variables support unique setups for staging, production, and development. Developers can customize each environment as needed. This control over settings helps with testing and troubleshooting.
Enhanced Security	Environment variables protect sensitive data, like API keys and credentials. They keep this information out of the code, improving security. Updating sensitive data is easier since there’s no need to modify the code itself.
Faster Troubleshooting	Environment variables simplify troubleshooting by allowing quick adjustments. Developers can change configurations easily to isolate problems. It minimizes Magento downtime and speeds up issue resolution in live environments.
Reduced Code Complexity	Using environment variables reduces hard-coded values, making the codebase simpler. It improves maintenance and reduces errors. Clean code is more accessible for teams to understand. It will speed up collaboration and troubleshooting.
Easier Configuration for Teams	Teams can manage settings across environments with shared variables. It ensures everyone uses the same configuration parameters, promoting consistency. It also simplifies documentation and improves teamwork.
Improved Scalability	Environment variables support Magento scalability by keeping configurations separate from code. As projects grow, settings can adapt without code changes. This approach keeps Magento 2 applications stable and flexible as they expand.
Quick Testing and Experimentation	Environment variables allow quick testing of different settings. Developers can experiment without changing the core code. It helps test features in a controlled setup, encouraging innovation and faster learning.

Types of Magento Environment Variables

Type of Environment Variable	Role
ADMIN	Overrides project-specific ADMIN variables. Set these variables using the Cloud Console or Adobe Commerce CLI.
MAGENTO_CLOUD	Manages settings specific to cloud infrastructure. These variables customize the environment based on infrastructure needs.
Variables in .magento.env.yaml file	The .magento.env.yaml file supports different stages: - Global: Affects build, deploy, and post-deploy stages for consistent configuration. - Build: Controls actions during the build stage. - Deploy: Manages actions during deployment. - Post-deploy: Sets actions after deployment is complete.

How to Configure Magento 2 Environment Variables

Step 1: Create the .magento.env.yaml File

To start, create a .magento.env.yaml file for managing environment variables. Use the CLI command to generate it:

php ./vendor/bin/ece-tools cloud:config:create `<configuration-json>`

This command creates a configuration file. There, you can define build, deploy, and post-deploy variables.

Step 2: Define Configuration Sections

Inside .magento.env.yaml, there are two main sections:

• Stage: Controls actions for the build, deploy, and post-deploy phases. You can set custom values for each phase.

• Log: Configures notifications for actions. It supports notifications via Slack and email.

Step 3: Set Stage Variables

In the Stage section, define the variables for each phase:

• Global: Applies settings to all phases.

• Build: Controls actions in the build phase only.

• Deploy: Sets actions for the deployment phase.

• Post-deploy: Controls actions after deployment completes.

Step 4: Configure Notifications in the Log Section

Use the Log section to set up notifications. You can:

• Send alerts to Slack bots.

• Configure emails for selected recipients.

• Define log handlers to send logs to a remote server.

Step 5: Add Variables with PHP Commands

To add specific variables, use CLI commands with a JSON array. For example, to set SCD_THREADS for build and CLEAN_STATIC_FILES for deploy, run:

php vendor/bin/ece-tools cloud:config:create '{"stage":{"build":{"SCD_THREADS":5}, "deploy":{"CLEAN_STATIC_FILES":false}}}'

This command creates the .magento.env.yaml file with the specified settings.

Step 6: Update Variables as Needed

To update existing variables, use the cloud:config

command. This command modifies values in your configuration file. For instance:

php vendor/bin/ece-tools cloud:config:update '{"stage":{"build":{"SCD_THREADS":3, "SCD_COMPRESSION_TIMEOUT":1000}}}'

It updates the SCD_THREADS and adds SCD_COMPRESSION_TIMEOUT to the build phase.

Step 7: Validate the Configuration File

Before deploying, validate your configuration file to check for errors. Use this command:

php ./vendor/bin/ece-tools cloud:config:validate

If there are issues, you’ll receive a list of suggested corrections.

Step 8: Use PHP Constants if Needed

For flexible configurations, add PHP constants in the .magento.env.yaml file. It avoids hard-coding values. For example:

stage:

deploy:

`DATABASE_CONFIGURATION:`

  `connection:`

    `default:`

      `driver_options:`

        `!php/const:\PDO::MYSQL_ATTR_LOCAL_INFILE : 1`

Step 9: Handle Configuration Errors

If errors occur, review the error message to identify invalid values or incorrect stages. Correct items as suggested, then commit to pushing your changes.

Best Practices for Managing Magento 2 Environment Variables

1. Use the .magento.env.yaml File for Centralized Management

• Centralize variables in .magento.env.yaml for easy access.

• Manage build, deploy, and post-deploy settings in one file.

• Simplify updates across environments by using this structure.

• Ensure consistent configurations in staging, production, and testing.

• Reduce errors by keeping all configurations in one place.

2. Organize Variables by Deployment Phase

• Separate variables for build, deploy, and post-deploy phases.

• Set Global variables for all phases unless overrides are needed.

• Avoid duplicate variables across phases; use overrides.

• Fine-tune each phase without affecting others.

• Keep clear separation for easier troubleshooting.

3. Validate Configuration Before Deployment

• Validate .magento.env.yaml before pushing to production.

• Find errors and inconsistencies early with CLI validation.

• See incorrect data types or invalid values right away.

• Fix issues to avoid deployment interruptions.

• Reduce deployment failures with regular validation.

4. Use PHP Constants for Flexible Configurations

• Define Magento PHP constants instead of hard-coding values.

• Reuse constants across different environments.

• Update values easily without changing the main code.

• Secure sensitive data with environment-based storage.

• Reference constants directly to avoid unnecessary code changes.

5. Configure Notifications in the Log Section

• Use the log section to set alerts and notifications.

• Send Slack notifications to keep teams informed.

• Set up email alerts for quick team updates.

• Use log handlers to track details on a remote server.

• Monitor deployments and react quickly to issues.

6. Keep Sensitive Data Out of Code

• Store API keys and credentials in environment variables.

• Avoid hard-coding sensitive information in files.

• Use .magento.env.yaml to manage secure data.

• Protect your codebase by keeping sensitive info separate.

• Update sensitive data without changing core code.

7. Use the Cloud Console for ADMIN Variables

• Manage ADMIN variables directly from the Cloud Console.

• Make real-time updates without file edits.

• Adjust project-specific settings quickly.

• Separate admin controls from other settings.

• Access a user-friendly interface for ADMIN management.

8. Organize Variables for Team Collaboration

• Share environment variables across all environments.

• Use clear names for easy team understanding.

• Avoid complex names to reduce confusion.

• Document variable purposes for clarity.

• Keep naming consistent for smoother collaboration.

9. Document Configuration Changes Thoroughly

• Record configuration updates for tracking.

• Document reasons behind variable updates.

• Use version control to track history.

• Add comments in .magento.env.yaml to explain variables.

• Clear documentation makes troubleshooting easier.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Magento 2 Environment Variables

Issue	Solution
Incorrect Data Types	Validate the .magento.env.yaml file with the CLI validation command. Review error messages to find incorrect data types. Correct types based on Magento’s requirements. Run validation again to confirm.
Environment Variable Not Recognized	Double-check the variable name and spelling. Make sure it’s correctly defined in .magento.env.yaml or the Cloud Console. Restart services if necessary to apply changes.
Variables Not Overriding Defaults	Confirm that the variable is correctly set in the proper deployment stage (global, build, deploy, or post-deploy). Make sure no other settings override it. Reapply and validate to check changes.
Deployment Errors Due to Missing Variables	Use CLI validation to catch missing required variables. Review the .magento.env.yaml file for any missed entries. Add necessary variables and re-run deployment. Validate to prevent further errors.
Errors in Log Configuration	Check the log section in .magento.env.yaml for syntax or formatting errors. Ensure correct settings for Slack, email, and log handlers. Validate configurations to confirm accuracy.
Permissions Errors with ADMIN Variables	Ensure Magento ADMIN variables are correctly set from the Cloud Console. Verify user permissions for changing these settings. Adjust permissions or consult admin if needed.
Unintended Variable Inheritance	Review the hierarchical structure of variables in .magento.env.yaml. Override unwanted inherited variables by defining specific settings in each environment stage. Validate changes for accuracy.
Static Content Deployment Issues	Move SCD_ variables* to the correct stage, typically build for Configuration Management. Adjust the .magento.env.yaml file and redeploy. Confirm that changes resolve the issue.
Syntax Errors in .magento.env.yaml	Run CLI validation to find syntax issues. Correct any errors in formatting, such as colons or indentation. Test configurations by revalidating before pushing updates.

FAQs

1. What are Magento 2 Environment Variables?

Magento 2 Environment Variables let you override configuration settings without changing core files. These variables help you control website options in Magento Commerce Cloud. They adjust settings for different store views and environments. You can find more details in the developer documentation.

2. How can I use environment variables to override configuration settings?

Define environment variables in the .magento.env.yaml file or Cloud Console. These variables override default configuration values across scopes, like a website or store view. Use them to tailor configuration options for specific needs in each environment.

3. Where can I find sample configurations for environment variables?

Check GitHub and developer documentation for sample configuration files. Magento provides examples to show how to set paths and configuration values. They help you understand the correct structure to manage Magento Commerce Cloud variables.

4. What is the path for storing Magento configuration files?

In Magento Commerce Cloud, the configuration file path is typically app/etc/env.php. The .magento.env.yaml file holds environment variables used across the build, deploy, and post-deploy phases. Store your variables here to ensure easy access and management.

5. Can I set configuration options for a specific website or store view?

Yes, environment variables can target specific scopes, like a website or store view. Define these in .magento.env.yaml or through the Cloud Console. This approach allows you to customize configuration settings without touching core code.

6. How do I validate my environment variables in Magento?

Use the CLI command php ./vendor/bin/ece-tools cloud:config:validate to verify environment variables. It with dedicated Magento hosting checks configuration settings. It also checks data types to ensure everything is correct. Fix any errors before pushing updates to your website.

7. What should I do if an environment variable isn’t working?

First, check if the URL path, scope, and configuration value are correct. Then, confirm it’s correctly defined in .magento.env.yaml or Cloud Console. Review developer documentation for troubleshooting tips if the issue persists.

Summary

Magento 2 environment variables help you manage configurations smoothly. They support customization, security, and scalability. Key benefits are:

• Flexible Configurations: Adjust settings without core file changes.

• Simplified Deployment: Speed up the deployment process.

• Improved Security: Protect sensitive data outside the code.

• Scalability: Adapt settings as your store grows.

• Easy Troubleshooting: Quickly modify configurations to resolve issues.

Consider managed Magento hosting solutions for accurate configuration of environment variables.