---
name: "gh-variable-set"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "github-cli"
version: "2.102.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/gh-variable-set"
---

# gh-variable-set(1)

Create or update variables

## NAME

gh-variable-set - Create or update variables

## SYNOPSIS

**gh variable set \<variable-name\> \[flags\]**

## DESCRIPTION

Set a value for a variable on one of the following levels: - repository (default): available to GitHub Actions runs or Dependabot in a repository - environment: available to GitHub Actions runs for a deployment environment in a repository - organization: available to GitHub Actions runs or Dependabot within an organization

Organization variable can optionally be restricted to only be available to specific repositories.

## OPTIONS

- **-b**, **--body** **\<string\>**

  The value for the variable (reads from standard input if not specified)

- **-e**, **--env** **\<environment\>**

  Set deployment environment variable

- **-f**, **--env-file** **\<file\>**

  Load variable names and values from a dotenv-formatted file

- **-o**, **--org** **\<organization\>**

  Set organization variable

- **-r**, **--repos** **\<repositories\>**

  List of repositories that can access an organization variable

- **-v**, **--visibility** **\<string\> (default "private")**

  Set visibility for an organization variable: {all\|private\|selected}

## OPTIONS INHERITED FROM PARENT COMMANDS

- **-R**, **--repo** **\<\[HOST/\]OWNER/REPO\>**

  Select another repository using the \[HOST/\]OWNER/REPO format

## EXIT CODES

0: Successful execution

1: Error

2: Command canceled

4: Authentication required

NOTE: Specific commands may have additional exit codes. Refer to the command's help for more information.

## EXAMPLE

```
# Add variable value for the current repository in an interactive prompt
$ gh variable set MYVARIABLE
# Read variable value from an environment variable
$ gh variable set MYVARIABLE --body "$ENV_VALUE"
# Read variable value from a file
$ gh variable set MYVARIABLE < myfile.txt
# Set variable for a deployment environment in the current repository
$ gh variable set MYVARIABLE --env myenvironment
# Set organization-level variable visible to both public and private repositories
$ gh variable set MYVARIABLE --org myOrg --visibility all
# Set organization-level variable visible to specific repositories
$ gh variable set MYVARIABLE --org myOrg --repos repo1,repo2,repo3
# Set multiple variables imported from the ".env" file
$ gh variable set -f .env
```

## SEE ALSO

**[gh-variable(1)](/gh-variable/1.md)**