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Update environment variables by merging new values with existing ones. This preserves existing variables while adding or updating specific ones.

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Overview

Updating environment variables is ideal for:
  • Adding new variables without removing existing ones
  • Updating specific variables while preserving others
  • Incrementally building environment configuration
  • Modifying configuration without full replacement
update() merges new variables with existing ones. Existing variables not specified in the update are preserved. This is safer than set_all() which replaces everything.

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Update Single Variable

Update a single environment variable:
  • Python
  • JavaScript
from hopx_ai import Sandbox

sandbox = Sandbox.create(template="code-interpreter")

# Set initial variables
sandbox.env.set_all({
    "API_KEY": "sk-123",
    "DEBUG": "true"
})

# Update a single variable
sandbox.env.update({"DEBUG": "false"})

# Verify update
env = sandbox.env.get_all()
print(f"API_KEY: {env.get('API_KEY')}")  # Still "sk-123"
print(f"DEBUG: {env.get('DEBUG')}")      # Now "false"

sandbox.kill()

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Update Multiple Variables

Update multiple variables at once:
  • Python
  • JavaScript
from hopx_ai import Sandbox

sandbox = Sandbox.create(template="code-interpreter")

# Set initial configuration
sandbox.env.set_all({
    "API_KEY": "sk-123",
    "DATABASE_URL": "postgres://localhost/db"
})

# Update multiple variables
sandbox.env.update({
    "NODE_ENV": "production",
    "DEBUG": "false",
    "LOG_LEVEL": "info"
})

# Verify all variables
env = sandbox.env.get_all()
print("All environment variables:")
for key in ["API_KEY", "DATABASE_URL", "NODE_ENV", "DEBUG", "LOG_LEVEL"]:
    print(f"  {key}: {env.get(key, 'not set')}")

sandbox.kill()

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Incremental Configuration

Build environment configuration incrementally:
  • Python
  • JavaScript
from hopx_ai import Sandbox

sandbox = Sandbox.create(template="code-interpreter")

# Step 1: Set base configuration
sandbox.env.set_all({
    "NODE_ENV": "production"
})

# Step 2: Add API configuration
sandbox.env.update({
    "API_KEY": "sk-prod-xyz",
    "API_URL": "https://api.example.com"
})

# Step 3: Add database configuration
sandbox.env.update({
    "DATABASE_URL": "postgres://localhost/prod",
    "DB_POOL_SIZE": "10"
})

# Step 4: Add logging configuration
sandbox.env.update({
    "LOG_LEVEL": "info",
    "LOG_FORMAT": "json"
})

# Verify final configuration
env = sandbox.env.get_all()
print(f"Final configuration: {len(env)} variables")
for key in sorted(env.keys()):
    if key not in ['PATH', 'HOME', 'USER', 'SHELL']:  # Skip system vars
        print(f"  {key}: {env[key]}")

sandbox.kill()

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Override Existing Variables

Update existing variables with new values:
  • Python
  • JavaScript
from hopx_ai import Sandbox

sandbox = Sandbox.create(template="code-interpreter")

# Set initial values
sandbox.env.set_all({
    "API_KEY": "sk-dev-123",
    "DEBUG": "true",
    "LOG_LEVEL": "debug"
})

# Override with production values
sandbox.env.update({
    "API_KEY": "sk-prod-xyz",
    "DEBUG": "false",
    "LOG_LEVEL": "info"
})

# Verify overrides
env = sandbox.env.get_all()
print(f"API_KEY: {env.get('API_KEY')}")      # "sk-prod-xyz"
print(f"DEBUG: {env.get('DEBUG')}")            # "false"
print(f"LOG_LEVEL: {env.get('LOG_LEVEL')}")   # "info"

sandbox.kill()

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Complete Example

Here’s a complete example showing incremental environment setup:
  • Python
  • JavaScript
from hopx_ai import Sandbox

sandbox = Sandbox.create(template="code-interpreter")

# Start with base configuration
print("🔧 Setting up environment incrementally...\n")

# Step 1: Base environment
sandbox.env.set_all({"NODE_ENV": "production"})
print("✅ Step 1: Base environment set")

# Step 2: API configuration
sandbox.env.update({
    "API_KEY": "sk-prod-xyz",
    "API_URL": "https://api.example.com",
    "API_TIMEOUT": "30"
})
print("✅ Step 2: API configuration added")

# Step 3: Database configuration
sandbox.env.update({
    "DATABASE_URL": "postgres://localhost/prod",
    "DB_POOL_SIZE": "10",
    "DB_TIMEOUT": "5"
})
print("✅ Step 3: Database configuration added")

# Step 4: Feature flags
sandbox.env.update({
    "FEATURE_NEW_UI": "true",
    "FEATURE_ANALYTICS": "true",
    "FEATURE_BETA": "false"
})
print("✅ Step 4: Feature flags added")

# Step 5: Update existing variable
sandbox.env.update({"NODE_ENV": "staging"})
print("✅ Step 5: NODE_ENV updated to staging")

# Final verification
env = sandbox.env.get_all()
custom_vars = {k: v for k, v in env.items() 
               if k not in ['PATH', 'HOME', 'USER', 'SHELL', 'PWD']}

print(f"\n📋 Final environment ({len(custom_vars)} custom variables):")
for key, value in sorted(custom_vars.items()):
    if any(sensitive in key.upper() for sensitive in ['KEY', 'SECRET', 'PASSWORD']):
        print(f"  {key}=***MASKED***")
    else:
        print(f"  {key}={value}")

sandbox.kill()

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Best Practices

1

1. Use update() Instead of set_all()

Prefer update() over set_all() to preserve existing variables unless you want to replace everything.
2

2. Build Incrementally

Build environment configuration incrementally by updating variables in logical groups.
3

3. Override When Needed

Use update() to override existing variables with new values without affecting others.
4

4. Group Related Variables

Update related variables together (e.g., all API config, all database config) for better organization.
5

5. Verify After Updates

Always verify variables are updated correctly using get_all() after updates.

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Next Steps