---
title: "Create a New Environment Variable"
slug: "create-a-new-environment-variable"
updated: 2024-08-13T09:58:38Z
published: 2024-08-13T09:58:38Z
canonical: "docs.processmaker.com/create-a-new-environment-variable"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.processmaker.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a New Environment Variable

Create a new Environment Variable that can be re-used in any Process.

## Create a New Environment Variable

ProcessMaker Platform has default [Environment Variables](/v1/docs/environment-variables). Do not create your own Environment Variables for the following:

| ProcessMaker Platform Environment Variable | Description |
| --- | --- |
| HOST_URL | Domain for the ProcessMaker Platform instance. |
| API_HOST | ProcessMaker Platform instance API to which to make all our [RESTful API](https://staging-pm4.processmaker.net/api/documentation) calls. |
| API_TOKEN | Token a [Script](/v1/docs/scripts) uses to authenticate to the our API host. Note that this API token is only valid for the lifetime of the Script: after the Script runs and the Script Executor's Docker container from which that Script ran, its API token is no longer valid. |

Instead, use a [Script](/v1/docs/scripts) to get the value of these Environment Variables. See [Environment Variable Syntax, Usage, and Examples](/v1/docs/script-editor#processmaker-and-environment-variable-syntax-usage-sdk-and-examples).

**Permissions**

Your user account or group membership must have the following permissions to create a Environment Variable unless your user account has the **Make this user a Super Admin** setting selected:

- Environment Variables: Create Environment Variables
- Environment Variables: View Environment Variables

See the [Environment Variable](/v1/docs/permission-descriptions-for-users-and-groups#environment-variables) permissions or ask your Administrator for assistance.

Follow these steps to create a new Environment Variable:

1. [View your Environment Variables.](/v1/docs/environment-variables#view-all-scripts) The **Environment Variables** page displays.
2. Click the **+Environment Variable** button. The **Create Environment Variable** page displays.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/a1b6c4c3-04b9-41a0-8005-84c813d93803.png)
3. In the **Name** setting, enter the unique name for the Environment Variable. The Environment Variable name can only contain letters, numbers, and hyphens (`-`). This is a required setting.
4. In the **Description** setting, enter a description for the Environment Variable. This is a required setting.
5. Optionally, in the **Value** setting, enter the value for the Environment Variable. Entering a value is optional since Environment Variables are secure, abstract proxies for sensitive information you assign to contain a value that can be determined during an in-progress Request.
6. Click **Save**. The screen closes and the following message displays: **The environment variable was created.** The **Environment Variables** page displays with your new Environment Variable.