---
name: "env_parallel"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "parallel"
version: "20260922-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/env_parallel"
---

# env\_parallel(1)

export environment to GNU parallel

## NAME

env\_parallel - export environment to GNU parallel

## SYNOPSIS

**env\_parallel** \[--record-env\|--session\|--end-session\] \[options for GNU Parallel\]

## DESCRIPTION

**env\_parallel** is a shell function that exports the current environment to GNU **parallel**.

If the shell function is not loaded, a dummy script will be run instead that explains how to install the function.

**env\_parallel** is 100 ms slower at startup than pure GNU **parallel**, and takes up to 30% longer to start a job (typically 15 ms).

Due to the problem with environment space (see below) you are recommended only to transfer the environment that you need.

To help you do that, you can mark names that should not be transferred. This can be done with either **--session** or **--record-env**.

```
  # Record the "clean" environment (this only needs to be run once)
  env_parallel --record-env
  # Optionally edit ~/.parallel/ignored_vars (only needed once)
  # Define whatever you want to use
  myfunc() { myalias and functions $myvar work. $1.; }
  alias myalias='echo Aliases'
  myvar='and variables'
  # Use --env _ to only transfer the names not in the "empty" environment
  env_parallel --env _ -S localhost myfunc ::: Hooray
```

Or:

```
  # Do --record-env into $PARALLEL_IGNORED_NAMES
  env_parallel --session
  # Define whatever you want to use
  myfunc() { myalias and functions $myvar work. $1.; }
  alias myalias='echo Aliases'
  myvar='and variables'
  # env_parallel will not export names in $PARALLEL_IGNORED_NAMES
  env_parallel -S localhost myfunc ::: Hooray
  # Optionally
  env_parallel --end-session
```

In **csh** **--session** is not supported:

```
  # Record the "clean" environment - this only needs to be run once
  env_parallel --record-env
  # Optionally edit ~/.parallel/ignored_vars - only needed once
  # Define whatever you want to use
  alias myalias 'echo Aliases $myvar \!*.'
  set myvar='and variables'
  # Use --env _ to only transfer the names not in the "empty" environment
  env_parallel --env _ -S localhost myalias ::: work
```

### Environment space

By default **env\_parallel** will export all environment variables, arrays, aliases, functions and shell options (see details for the individual shells below).

But this only works if the size of the current environment is smaller than the maximal length of a command and smaller than half of the max if running remotely. E.g. The max size of Bash's command is 128 KB, so **env\_parallel** will fail if '**set \| wc -c**' is bigger than 128 KB. Technically the limit is in **execve**(1) which IPC::open3 uses.

Bash completion functions are well-known for taking up well over 128 KB of environment space and the primary reason for causing **env\_parallel** to fail.

Instead you can use **--env** to specify which variables, arrays, aliases and functions to export as this will only export those with the given name. Or follow the recommended usage in shown in DESCRIPTION.

## OPTIONS

Same as GNU **parallel** in addition to these:

- **--end-session**

  Undo last **--session**

- **--record-env**

  Record all names currently defined to be ignored every time running **env\_parallel** in the future.

- **--session**

  Ignore all names currently defined. Aliases, variables, arrays, and functions currently defined will not be transferred.

  But names defined *after* running **parallel --session** *will* be transferred.

  This is only valid in the running shell, and can be undone with **parallel --end-session**.

  You can run multiple **--session** inside each other:

  ```
    env_parallel --session
    var=not
    # var is transferred
    env_parallel -Slocalhost 'echo var is $var' ::: ignored
    env_parallel --session
    # var is not transferred
    env_parallel -Slocalhost 'echo var is $var' ::: ignored
    env_parallel --end-session
    # var is transferred again
    env_parallel -Slocalhost 'echo var is $var' ::: ignored
  ```

## SUPPORTED SHELLS

### Ash

*Installation*

Put this in `$HOME`/.profile:

```
  . env_parallel.ash
```

E.g. by doing:

```
  echo '. env_parallel.ash' >> $HOME/.profile
```

*Supported use*

**--env** is supported to export only the variable, or alias with the given name. Multiple **--env**s can be given.

**--session** is supported.

- aliases

  ```
    alias myecho='echo aliases'
    env_parallel myecho ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho -S server myecho ::: work
    alias multiline='echo multiline
      echo aliases'
    env_parallel multiline ::: work
    env_parallel -S server multiline ::: work
    env_parallel --env multiline multiline ::: work
    env_parallel --env multiline -S server multiline ::: work
  ```

- functions

  ```
    ash cannot list defined functions - thus is not supported.
  ```

- variables

  ```
    myvar=variables
    env_parallel echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
  ```

- arrays

  Arrays are not supported by Ash.

### Bash

*Installation*

Put this in `$HOME`/.bashrc:

```
  . env_parallel.bash
```

E.g. by doing:

```
  echo '. env_parallel.bash' >> $HOME/.bashrc
```

*Supported use*

**--env** is supported to export only the variable, alias, function, or array with the given name. Multiple **--env**s can be given.

**--session** is supported.

- aliases

  ```
    alias myecho='echo aliases'
    env_parallel myecho ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho -S server myecho ::: work
    alias multiline='echo multiline
      echo aliases'
    env_parallel 'multiline {};
      echo but only when followed by a newline' ::: work
    env_parallel -S server 'multiline {};
      echo but only when followed by a newline' ::: work
    env_parallel --env multiline 'multiline {};
      echo but only when followed by a newline' ::: work
    env_parallel --env multiline -S server 'multiline {};
      echo but only when followed by a newline' ::: work
  ```

- functions

  ```
    myfunc() { echo functions $*; }
    env_parallel myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel --env myfunc myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel --env myfunc -S server myfunc ::: work
  ```

- variables

  ```
    myvar=variables
    env_parallel echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
  ```

- arrays

  ```
    myarray=(arrays work, too)
    env_parallel -k echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 0 1 2
    env_parallel -k -S server echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 0 1 2
    env_parallel -k --env myarray echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 0 1 2
    env_parallel -k --env myarray -S server \
      echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 0 1 2
  ```

*BUGS*

Due to a bug in Bash, aliases containing newlines must be followed by a newline in the command. Some systems are not affected by this bug, but will print a warning anyway.

### csh

**env\_parallel** for **csh** breaks **$PARALLEL**, so do not use **$PARALLEL**.

*Installation*

Put this in `$HOME`/.cshrc:

```
  source `which env_parallel.csh`
```

E.g. by doing:

```
  echo 'source `which env_parallel.csh`' >> $HOME/.cshrc
```

*Supported use*

**--env** is supported to export only the variable, alias, or array with the given name. Multiple **--env**s can be given.

- aliases

  ```
    alias myecho 'echo aliases'
    env_parallel myecho ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho -S server myecho ::: work
  ```

- functions

  Not supported by **csh**.

- variables

  ```
    set myvar=variables
    env_parallel echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
  ```

- arrays with no special chars

  ```
    set myarray=(arrays work, too)
    env_parallel -k echo \$'{myarray[{}]}' ::: 1 2 3
    env_parallel -k -S server echo \$'{myarray[{}]}' ::: 1 2 3
    env_parallel -k --env myarray echo \$'{myarray[{}]}' ::: 1 2 3
    env_parallel -k --env myarray -S server \
      echo \$'{myarray[{}]}' ::: 1 2 3
  ```

### Dash

*Installation*

Put this in `$HOME`/.profile:

```
  . env_parallel.dash
```

E.g. by doing:

```
  echo '. env_parallel.dash' >> $HOME/.profile
```

*Supported use*

**--env** is supported to export only the variable, or alias with the given name. Multiple **--env**s can be given.

**--session** is supported.

- aliases

  ```
    alias myecho='echo aliases'
    env_parallel myecho ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho -S server myecho ::: work
    alias multiline='echo multiline
      echo aliases'
    env_parallel multiline ::: work
    env_parallel -S server multiline ::: work
    env_parallel --env multiline multiline ::: work
    env_parallel --env multiline -S server multiline ::: work
  ```

- functions

  ```
    dash cannot list defined functions - thus is not supported.
  ```

- variables

  ```
    myvar=variables
    env_parallel echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
  ```

- arrays

  ```
    dash does not support arrays.
  ```

### fish

*Installation*

Put this in `$HOME`/.config/fish/config.fish:

```
  source (which env_parallel.fish)
```

E.g. by doing:

```
  echo 'source (which env_parallel.fish)' \
    >> $HOME/.config/fish/config.fish
```

*Supported use*

**--env** is supported to export only the variable, alias, function, or array with the given name. Multiple **--env**s can be given.

**--session** is supported.

- aliases

  ```
    alias myecho 'echo aliases'
    env_parallel myecho ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho -S server myecho ::: work
  ```

- functions

  ```
    function myfunc
      echo functions $argv
    end
    env_parallel myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel --env myfunc myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel --env myfunc -S server myfunc ::: work
  ```

- variables

  ```
    set myvar variables
    env_parallel echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
  ```

- arrays

  Arrays normally work, but fail intermitently.

  ```
    set myarray arrays work, too
    env_parallel -k echo '$myarray[{}]' ::: 1 2 3
    env_parallel -k -S server echo '$myarray[{}]' ::: 1 2 3
    env_parallel -k --env myarray echo '$myarray[{}]' ::: 1 2 3
    env_parallel -k --env myarray -S server \
      echo '$myarray[{}]' ::: 1 2 3
  ```

### ksh

*Installation*

Put this in `$HOME`/.kshrc:

```
  source env_parallel.ksh
```

E.g. by doing:

```
  echo 'source env_parallel.ksh' >> $HOME/.kshrc
```

*Supported use*

**--env** is supported to export only the variable, alias, function, or array with the given name. Multiple **--env**s can be given.

**--session** is supported.

- aliases

  ```
    alias myecho='echo aliases'
    env_parallel myecho ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho -S server myecho ::: work
    alias multiline='echo multiline
      echo aliases'
    env_parallel multiline ::: work
    env_parallel -S server multiline ::: work
    env_parallel --env multiline multiline ::: work
    env_parallel --env multiline -S server multiline ::: work
  ```

- functions

  ```
    myfunc() { echo functions $*; }
    env_parallel myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel --env myfunc myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel --env myfunc -S server myfunc ::: work
  ```

- variables

  ```
    myvar=variables
    env_parallel echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
  ```

- arrays

  ```
    myarray=(arrays work, too)
    env_parallel -k echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 0 1 2
    env_parallel -k -S server echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 0 1 2
    env_parallel -k --env myarray echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 0 1 2
    env_parallel -k --env myarray -S server \
      echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 0 1 2
  ```

### mksh

*Installation*

Put this in `$HOME`/.mkshrc:

```
  source env_parallel.mksh
```

E.g. by doing:

```
  echo 'source env_parallel.mksh' >> $HOME/.mkshrc
```

*Supported use*

**--env** is supported to export only the variable, alias, function, or array with the given name. Multiple **--env**s can be given.

**--session** is supported.

- aliases

  ```
    alias myecho='echo aliases'
    env_parallel myecho ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho -S server myecho ::: work
    alias multiline='echo multiline
      echo aliases'
    env_parallel multiline ::: work
    env_parallel -S server multiline ::: work
    env_parallel --env multiline multiline ::: work
    env_parallel --env multiline -S server multiline ::: work
  ```

- functions

  ```
    myfunc() { echo functions $*; }
    env_parallel myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel --env myfunc myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel --env myfunc -S server myfunc ::: work
  ```

- variables

  ```
    myvar=variables
    env_parallel echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
  ```

- arrays

  ```
    myarray=(arrays work, too)
    env_parallel -k echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 0 1 2
    env_parallel -k -S server echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 0 1 2
    env_parallel -k --env myarray echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 0 1 2
    env_parallel -k --env myarray -S server \
      echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 0 1 2
  ```

### pdksh

*Installation*

Put this in `$HOME`/.profile:

```
  source env_parallel.pdksh
```

E.g. by doing:

```
  echo 'source env_parallel.pdksh' >> $HOME/.profile
```

*Supported use*

**--env** is supported to export only the variable, alias, function, or array with the given name. Multiple **--env**s can be given.

**--session** is supported.

- aliases

  ```
    alias myecho="echo aliases";
    env_parallel myecho ::: work;
    env_parallel -S server myecho ::: work;
    env_parallel --env myecho myecho ::: work;
    env_parallel --env myecho -S server myecho ::: work
  ```

- functions

  ```
    myfunc() { echo functions $*; };
    env_parallel myfunc ::: work;
    env_parallel -S server myfunc ::: work;
    env_parallel --env myfunc myfunc ::: work;
    env_parallel --env myfunc -S server myfunc ::: work
  ```

- variables

  ```
    myvar=variables;
    env_parallel echo "\$myvar" ::: work;
    env_parallel -S server echo "\$myvar" ::: work;
    env_parallel --env myvar echo "\$myvar" ::: work;
    env_parallel --env myvar -S server echo "\$myvar" ::: work
  ```

- arrays

  ```
    myarray=(arrays work, too);
    env_parallel -k echo "\${myarray[{}]}" ::: 0 1 2;
    env_parallel -k -S server echo "\${myarray[{}]}" ::: 0 1 2;
    env_parallel -k --env myarray echo "\${myarray[{}]}" ::: 0 1 2;
    env_parallel -k --env myarray -S server \
      echo "\${myarray[{}]}" ::: 0 1 2
  ```

### sh

*Installation*

Put this in `$HOME`/.profile:

```
  . env_parallel.sh
```

E.g. by doing:

```
  echo '. env_parallel.sh' >> $HOME/.profile
```

*Supported use*

**--env** is supported to export only the variable, or alias with the given name. Multiple **--env**s can be given.

**--session** is supported.

- aliases

  ```
    sh does not support aliases.
  ```

- functions

  ```
    myfunc() { echo functions $*; }
    env_parallel myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel --env myfunc myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel --env myfunc -S server myfunc ::: work
  ```

- variables

  ```
    myvar=variables
    env_parallel echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
  ```

- arrays

  ```
    sh does not support arrays.
  ```

### tcsh

**env\_parallel** for **tcsh** breaks **$PARALLEL**, so do not use **$PARALLEL**.

*Installation*

Put this in `$HOME`/.tcshrc:

```
  source `which env_parallel.tcsh`
```

E.g. by doing:

```
  echo 'source `which env_parallel.tcsh`' >> $HOME/.tcshrc
```

*Supported use*

**--env** is supported to export only the variable, alias, or array with the given name. Multiple **--env**s can be given.

- aliases

  ```
    alias myecho 'echo aliases'
    env_parallel myecho ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho -S server myecho ::: work
  ```

- functions

  Not supported by **tcsh**.

- variables

  ```
    set myvar=variables
    env_parallel echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
  ```

- arrays with no special chars

  ```
    set myarray=(arrays work, too)
    env_parallel -k echo \$'{myarray[{}]}' ::: 1 2 3
    env_parallel -k -S server echo \$'{myarray[{}]}' ::: 1 2 3
    env_parallel -k --env myarray echo \$'{myarray[{}]}' ::: 1 2 3
    env_parallel -k --env myarray -S server \
      echo \$'{myarray[{}]}' ::: 1 2 3
  ```

### Zsh

*Installation*

Put this in `$HOME`/.zshrc:

```
  . env_parallel.zsh
```

E.g. by doing:

```
  echo '. env_parallel.zsh' >> $HOME/.zshenv
```

*Supported use*

**--env** is supported to export only the variable, alias, function, or array with the given name. Multiple **--env**s can be given.

**--session** is supported.

- aliases

  ```
    alias myecho='echo aliases'
    env_parallel myecho ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho myecho ::: work
    env_parallel --env myecho -S server myecho ::: work
    alias multiline='echo multiline
      echo aliases'
    env_parallel multiline ::: work
    env_parallel -S server multiline ::: work
    env_parallel --env multiline multiline ::: work
    env_parallel --env multiline -S server multiline ::: work
  ```

- functions

  ```
    myfunc() { echo functions $*; }
    env_parallel myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel -S server myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel --env myfunc myfunc ::: work
    env_parallel --env myfunc -S server myfunc ::: work
  ```

- variables

  ```
    myvar=variables
    env_parallel echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar echo '$myvar' ::: work
    env_parallel --env myvar -S server echo '$myvar' ::: work
  ```

- arrays

  ```
    myarray=(arrays work, too)
    env_parallel -k echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 1 2 3
    env_parallel -k -S server echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 1 2 3
    env_parallel -k --env myarray echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 1 2 3
    env_parallel -k --env myarray -S server \
      echo '${myarray[{}]}' ::: 1 2 3
  ```

## EXIT STATUS

Same as GNU **parallel**.

## AUTHOR

When using GNU **env\_parallel** for a publication please cite:

O. Tange (2018): GNU Parallel 2018, March 2018, ISBN 9781387509881, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1146014.

This helps funding further development; and it won't cost you a cent. If you pay 10000 EUR you should feel free to use GNU Parallel without citing.

Copyright (C) 2007-10-18 Ole Tange, http://ole.tange.dk

Copyright (C) 2008-2010 Ole Tange, http://ole.tange.dk

Copyright (C) 2010-2026 Ole Tange, http://ole.tange.dk and Free Software Foundation, Inc.

## LICENSE

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or at your option any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program.  If not, see \<http://www.gnu.org/licenses/\>.

### Documentation license I

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this documentation under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, with no Front-Cover Texts, and with no Back-Cover Texts.  A copy of the license is included in the file LICENSES/GFDL-1.3-or-later.txt.

### Documentation license II

You are free:

- **to Share**

  to copy, distribute and transmit the work

- **to Remix**

  to adapt the work

Under the following conditions:

- **Attribution**

  You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).

- **Share Alike**

  If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under the same, similar or a compatible license.

With the understanding that:

- **Waiver**

  Any of the above conditions can be waived if you get permission from the copyright holder.

- **Public Domain**

  Where the work or any of its elements is in the public domain under applicable law, that status is in no way affected by the license.

- **Other Rights**

  In no way are any of the following rights affected by the license:

  - •

    Your fair dealing or fair use rights, or other applicable copyright exceptions and limitations;

  - •

    The author's moral rights;

  - •

    Rights other persons may have either in the work itself or in how the work is used, such as publicity or privacy rights.

- **Notice**

  For any reuse or distribution, you must make clear to others the license terms of this work.

A copy of the full license is included in the file as LICENCES/CC-BY-SA-4.0.txt

## DEPENDENCIES

**env\_parallel** uses GNU **parallel**.

## SEE ALSO

[**parallel**(1)](/parallel/1.md), [**ash**(1)](/ash/1.md), [**bash**(1)](/bash/1.md), [**csh**(1)](/csh/1.md), [**dash**(1)](/dash/1.md), [**fish**(1)](/fish/1.md), [**ksh**(1)](/ksh/1.md), [**pdksh**(1)](/pdksh/1.md) [**tcsh**(1)](/tcsh/1.md), [**zsh**(1)](/zsh/1.md).