simplyenv v1.0
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Open Source · Free & MIT Licensed

Directory Environments,
Simplified for Developers.

A lightweight, visual directory environment manager. Automatically switch environment variables as you cd through projects, inspect and edit secrets in a sleek graphical UI, and install shell hooks with a single click.

$ terminal
curl -fsSL https://simplyenv.codesbysagar.com/install.sh | bash
Quick Start Guide Star on GitHub
simplyenv Dashboard — UI & Terminal in Sync
simplyenv UI Dashboard Mockup
~9MB
Standalone Go Binary
0
External Dependencies
1-Click
Shell Hook Integration
100%
Free & MIT Licensed
COMPARISON

simplyenv & direnv: Side-by-Side

Both tools automatically switch environment variables when you cd, but they are designed for different workflows. direnv is a battle-tested shell-scripting power tool, while simplyenv is a visual, GUI-first environment manager. Here is an honest, objective look at where each tool excels.

When to Choose direnv

Power Shell Scripting
  • ✓ Executable Shell Scripts: You need dynamic bash subshells, conditional logic, or token fetching inside .envrc.
  • ✓ Nix & Flakes Integration: You rely on use nix or use flake for fully reproducible developer environments.
  • ✓ Language Environment Layouts: You use built-in stdlib helpers like layout python (venv), layout node, and PATH_add.
  • ✓ Terminal-Only Workflows: You prefer editing raw dotfiles in your editor and do not need a visual graphical dashboard.
Best for advanced DevOps engineers and teams needing programmatic, scriptable shell environments.
simplyenv

When to Choose simplyenv

Visual & Zero-Friction
  • ✓ Modern Graphical Dashboard: You want an interactive web & desktop UI (simplyenv ui) to inspect, edit, and search variables.
  • ✓ One-Click Secret Masking: Protect sensitive API keys and tokens on-screen while streaming, presenting, or pair programming.
  • ✓ Multi-Format Bulk Export: Convert between .env, JSON, Docker ENV, and Shell exports with a single click.
  • ✓ Central Project Catalog: Browse and organize environment variables across multiple repositories without navigating into each.
  • ✓ 1-Command Automated Hook: Zero-syntax shell hook installation for Bash, Zsh, Fish, and PowerShell.
Best for application developers who want visual secret control and zero dotfile headaches.
CAPABILITY / FEATURE
logo simplyenv Visual
direnv
Automatic Shell Directory Switching ✓ Built-in (Diff engine & restoration) ✓ Built-in (Standard hooks)
Configuration Format Declarative KEY=VALUE (.simplyenv) Executable Bash Script (.envrc)
Graphical UI Dashboard ✓ Yes (simplyenv ui) — CLI only (No GUI)
Secret Masking & Revealing ✓ Yes (1-click toggle) — Plaintext terminal view
Dynamic Shell Scripting & Subshells — Static key-values (Declarative) ✓ Full bash scripting & subshells
Nix & Language Layouts (venv, PATH_add) — Focused on environment variables ✓ First-class (use nix, layout)
Multi-Format Bulk Import & Export ✓ .env, JSON, Shell, Docker — Requires external scripts
Central Multi-Project Catalog ✓ Yes (~/.config/simplyenv) — Must cd into folders
Cryptographic Trust Verification ✓ simplyenv allow (SHA-256) ✓ direnv allow (Content hash)
Single Standalone Binary ✓ 100% Pure Go (~9MB with UI) ✓ 100% Pure Go
Automatic Shell Directory Switching
simplyenv simplyenv
✓ Built-in (Diff engine)
direnv
✓ Built-in (Standard hooks)
Configuration Format
simplyenv simplyenv
Declarative KEY=VALUE
direnv
Executable Bash Script
Graphical UI Dashboard
simplyenv simplyenv
✓ Yes (simplyenv ui)
direnv
— CLI only
Secret Masking & Revealing
simplyenv simplyenv
✓ Live 1-click toggle
direnv
— Plaintext terminal view
Dynamic Shell Scripting & Subshells
simplyenv simplyenv
— Static key-values
direnv
✓ Full bash scripting
Nix & Language Layouts (venv, PATH_add)
simplyenv simplyenv
— Env vars only
direnv
✓ use nix, layout
Multi-Format Bulk Import & Export
simplyenv simplyenv
✓ .env, JSON, Shell, Docker
direnv
— External scripts
Central Multi-Project Catalog
simplyenv simplyenv
✓ Yes (~/.config)
direnv
— Must cd into folders
Cryptographic Trust Verification
simplyenv simplyenv
✓ simplyenv allow
direnv
✓ direnv allow
Single Standalone Binary
simplyenv simplyenv
✓ 100% Pure Go (~9MB)
direnv
✓ Go binary
CORE FEATURES

Built for Modern Developer Workflows

Everything you need to manage local configurations, keep team secrets secure, and streamline shell automation.

Visual GUI

Modern Minimalist UI

Inspect, filter, add, and edit variables with a clean matte dashboard. Comes with both Light Mode and Dark Mode out of the box.

Shell Automation

1-Click Shell Hook Setup

No more digging through ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc. Run simplyenv install-hook or click one button in the UI to configure your shell.

Privacy Guard

Secret Masking & Security

Sensitive tokens, API keys, and credentials are masked by default to protect you during screen shares, paired programming, and live streams.

Flexibility

Multi-Format Bulk Import/Export

Drag and drop .env or JSON files. Export variables directly into Dockerfile ENV, POSIX Shell export, or JSON formats.

Catalog

Central Directory Catalog

Manage all your local project directories from a unified sidebar. View active environments without navigating to them in your terminal.

Pure Go

Full-Featured CLI

Prefer the keyboard? Manage everything from terminal with simplyenv set, simplyenv list, simplyenv import, and simplyenv export.

GETTING STARTED

Quick Start & Documentation

Get up and running with simplyenv in less than two minutes.

1

Install simplyenv

Choose any ONE of the 3 installation methods:
Option A macOS & Linux • Auto-detects architecture

Downloads the latest release and installs simplyenv directly to your PATH:

$ bash
curl -fsSL https://simplyenv.codesbysagar.com/install.sh | bash
2

Configure Shell Integration

Run the 1-command installer to automatically configure your shell:

$ shell
simplyenv install-hook

Supports Bash, Zsh, Fish, and PowerShell without manual edits.

3

Launch the Visual Dashboard

Start the embedded GUI directly from any project directory:

$ terminal
simplyenv ui

Automatically opens your browser at http://127.0.0.1:8085.

4

CLI Commands Cheatsheet

simplyenv set KEY=VAL Add or update a variable
simplyenv list Display directory variables in terminal
simplyenv unset KEY Delete an environment variable
simplyenv import <file> Bulk import from .env or JSON
simplyenv export --format json Export to JSON, Docker, or Shell
COMMUNITY & ECOSYSTEM

Have Questions, Ideas, or Found a Bug?

simplyenv is actively maintained and 100% open-source. Report issues, request new features, or contribute directly on GitHub.

Report an Issue GitHub Repository