---
name: "envsubst"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "gettext"
version: "1.0-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/envsubst"
---

# envsubst(1)

substitutes environment variables in shell format strings

## NAME

envsubst - substitutes environment variables in shell format strings

## SYNOPSIS

**envsubst** \[*OPTION*\] \[*SHELL-FORMAT*\]

## DESCRIPTION

Substitutes the values of environment variables.

### Operation mode:

- **-v**, **--variables**

  output the variables occurring in SHELL-FORMAT

### Informative output:

- **-h**, **--help**

  display this help and exit

- **-V**, **--version**

  output version information and exit

In normal operation mode, standard input is copied to standard output, with references to environment variables of the form $VARIABLE or ${VARIABLE} being replaced with the corresponding values.  If a SHELL-FORMAT is given, only those environment variables that are referenced in SHELL-FORMAT are substituted; otherwise all environment variables references occurring in standard input are substituted.

When **--variables** is used, standard input is ignored, and the output consists of the environment variables that are referenced in SHELL-FORMAT, one per line.

## AUTHOR

Written by Bruno Haible.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs in the bug tracker at \<https://savannah.gnu.org/projects/gettext\> or by email to \<bug-gettext@gnu.org\>.

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2003-2026 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later \<https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html\>\
 This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

## SEE ALSO

The full documentation for **envsubst** is maintained as a Texinfo manual.  If the **info** and **envsubst** programs are properly installed at your site, the command

-

  **info envsubst**

should give you access to the complete manual.