How to permanently set an environment variable

Question

I am completely new to Ubuntu, and I would permanently set an environment variable. I have read here that I have to set ~/.profile, but I don't know how to apply it. In my case I would permanently set export PATH="/home/name/anaconda/bin:$PATH", how could I do?

@Zanna I think this is more useful (having used it myself): How do I set PATH variables for all users on a server?. At least because the environment answer is the most upvoted one there :) — Gallifreyan, Feb 26 '17 at 10:41
From ubuntu docs here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/EnvironmentVariables#System-wide_environment_variables — vpedrosa, Feb 26 '17 at 13:20
@vpedrosa: Since the folder to be added to PATH is in $HOME, it's unlikely that modifying PATH system wide applies here. — Gunnar Hjalmarsson, Feb 26 '17 at 14:32
I had similar issue with GOPATH environment variable. I had to put export GOPATH="$HOME/path/to/workspace/", and then log back to apply the edited file — MinhajulAnwar, Aug 19 '18 at 16:30

score 61 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 26 '17 at 13:10

61

Open a terminal window with Ctrl+Alt+T.
Open the file for editing with
```
gedit ~/.profile
```
Add the command to the bottom of the file.
Save and close gedit.
Log out and log in again.

answered Feb 26 '17 at 13:10

Gunnar Hjalmarsson

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Do I have to add the entire command export PATH="/home/name/anaconda/bin:$PATH at the bottom of the file? Or I have to add it at the existing PATH? – Simone Feb 26 '17 at 14:04
1

@Simone: You should add the entire command. That way you do add the folder to the existing PATH. (Don't forget the trailing ", btw.) – Gunnar Hjalmarsson Feb 26 '17 at 14:24
This does it only for that particular user though. – akki Jul 05 '17 at 11:37
@akki: What do you mean? – Gunnar Hjalmarsson Jul 05 '17 at 13:06
@GunnarHjalmarsson If I update the ~/.profile file for one particular user the variable doesn't get updated for other users. (Or are environment variables user-specific only? Are there system-wide/user-independent environment variables?) – akki Jul 07 '17 at 08:26
2

@akki: Ok, now I see. Yes, you can set them system wide if you like. – Gunnar Hjalmarsson Jul 07 '17 at 17:10
I followed this method, now stuck in an infinite login loop. Any suggestions? – Mobeen Aug 17 '17 at 21:11
@Mobeen: Apparently you made a mistake. I suggest that you file a new question where you describe the problem as detailed as you can. – Gunnar Hjalmarsson Aug 17 '17 at 21:55
I think user need logout then login to reapply the updated .profile – MinhajulAnwar Aug 19 '18 at 16:27
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You don't have to logout and login again. You can simply do source ~/.profile to apply the changes. – Sohaib Farooqi Sep 13 '18 at 10:26
2

@bro-grammer: Doing so would only apply them in the current terminal window. Already running processes would not be aware of the changes. – Gunnar Hjalmarsson Sep 13 '18 at 13:41
Is it correct that if you want to add the vars system wide you can use this profile file: sudo vi /etc/profile and add them there? – bersling May 25 '21 at 13:49

How to permanently set an environment variable

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