How to Export Environment Variables Permanently in Zsh

Environment variables set with export only persist in the current shell session. When you close your terminal or open a new window, those variables disappear. Here’s how to make them permanent across all future shell sessions.

Step 1: Choose the Right Configuration File

Zsh reads multiple configuration files at startup. For environment variables that should be available in all sessions, use ~/.zshrc:

# ~/.zshrc is sourced for interactive shells
# Perfect for environment variables and aliases

Step 2: Add the Export Command

Open ~/.zshrc in your preferred editor and add the export command:

# Using nano (terminal editor)
nano ~/.zshrc

# Or using VS Code
code ~/.zshrc

Add your environment variable:

# Example: Disable ripgrep's built-in search
export USE_BUILTIN_RIPGREP=0

# Other common examples
export PATH="$HOME/bin:$PATH"
export EDITOR="code"

Step 3: Apply Changes Immediately

Reload the configuration to apply changes without restarting:

source ~/.zshrc

Or simply close and reopen your terminal.

Verification

Verify the variable is set correctly:

# Check if the variable exists
echo $USE_BUILTIN_RIPGREP

# List all environment variables containing the name
env | grep USE_BUILTIN_RIPGREG

Output should show: 0

When to Use Different Files

~/.zshrc (Interactive Sessions)

• Best for: Most environment variables, aliases, functions
• Loaded: Every time you open a new terminal
• Example: export EDITOR="code"

~/.zprofile (Login Sessions)

• Best for: PATH modifications, system-wide settings
• Loaded: Only when you log in (first terminal launch)
• Example: export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH"

~/.zshenv (All Sessions)

• Best for: Variables needed by scripts and programs
• Loaded: For every Zsh session, even non-interactive
• Example: export JAVA_HOME="/usr/local/java"

Troubleshooting

Variable Not Set

# Check if file exists and is readable
ls -la ~/.zshrc

# Verify syntax in zshrc
zsh -n ~/.zshrc

Wrong File Being Used

# Check which configuration file was loaded
echo $0  # Shows current shell
echo $ZSH_VERSION  # Confirms Zsh is running

Need System-Wide Variables

For variables needed by all users, edit /etc/zshrc (requires sudo):

sudo nano /etc/zshrc

Important Notes

• Variables in ~/.zshrc persist across all interactive shell sessions
• Changes only affect new terminals - existing sessions need source ~/.zshrc
• Order matters: files are loaded in sequence .zshenv → .zprofile → .zshrc
• Use quotes around values with spaces: export PATH="/path with spaces:$PATH"

This approach ensures your environment variables are consistently available across all shell sessions on macOS with Zsh.