Software⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-05-31

How to Fix: BASH script to set environment variables not working

Environment variables not set in BASH script.

Quick Answer: The issue is that the export statements are only setting the variables for the current shell session, but not persisting them across subsequent shells. To fix this, use the `source` command to run the script again in the current shell, or add a shebang line at the end of the script and make it executable.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🛑 Root Causes of the Error
  2. 🚀 How to Resolve This Issue
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The issue you're facing is due to the way BASH handles environment variables. When you use `export` in a script, it only sets the variable for the duration of the shell session. Once the script finishes executing, the variable is lost.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The `export` command only sets the variable for the current shell session.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Method 1: Using `source` instead of `export'

  1. Step 1: Replace `export` with `source` in your script.

Method 2: Using `alias` or `function` to create a persistent variable

  1. Step 1: Instead of using `export`, define an alias or function that sets the variable.

💡 Conclusion

By following these methods, you can ensure that your environment variables are set persistently across multiple shell sessions.

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