---
sidebar_position: 20
title: Environment Variables
sidebar_label: Environment Variables
---

Goose supports various environment variables that allow you to customize its behavior. This guide provides a comprehensive list of available environment variables grouped by their functionality.

## Model Configuration

These variables control the [language models](/docs/getting-started/providers) and their behavior.
### Basic Provider Configuration

These are the minimum required variables to get started with Goose.

| Variable | Purpose | Values | Default |
|----------|---------|---------|---------|
| `GOOSE_PROVIDER` | Specifies the LLM provider to use | [See available providers](/docs/getting-started/providers#available-providers) | None (must be [configured](/docs/getting-started/providers#configure-provider)) |
| `GOOSE_MODEL` | Specifies which model to use from the provider | Model name (e.g., "gpt-4", "claude-3.5-sonnet") | None (must be configured) |
| `GOOSE_TEMPERATURE` | Sets the [temperature](https://medium.com/@kelseyywang/a-comprehensive-guide-to-llm-temperature-%EF%B8%8F-363a40bbc91f) for model responses | Float between 0.0 and 1.0 | Model-specific default |

**Examples**

```bash
# Basic model configuration
export GOOSE_PROVIDER="anthropic"
export GOOSE_MODEL="claude-3.5-sonnet"
export GOOSE_TEMPERATURE=0.7
```
### Advanced Provider Configuration

These variables are needed when using custom endpoints, enterprise deployments, or specific provider implementations.

| Variable | Purpose | Values | Default |
|----------|---------|---------|---------|
| `GOOSE_PROVIDER__TYPE` | The specific type/implementation of the provider | [See available providers](/docs/getting-started/providers#available-providers) | Derived from GOOSE_PROVIDER |
| `GOOSE_PROVIDER__HOST` | Custom API endpoint for the provider | URL (e.g., "https://api.openai.com") | Provider-specific default |
| `GOOSE_PROVIDER__API_KEY` | Authentication key for the provider | API key string | None |

**Examples**

```bash
# Advanced provider configuration
export GOOSE_PROVIDER__TYPE="anthropic"
export GOOSE_PROVIDER__HOST="https://api.anthropic.com"
export GOOSE_PROVIDER__API_KEY="your-api-key-here"
```
## Planning Mode Configuration

These variables control Goose's [planning functionality](/docs/guides/creating-plans).

| Variable | Purpose | Values | Default |
|----------|---------|---------|---------|
| `GOOSE_PLANNER_PROVIDER` | Specifies which provider to use for planning mode | [See available providers](/docs/getting-started/providers#available-providers) | Falls back to GOOSE_PROVIDER |
| `GOOSE_PLANNER_MODEL` | Specifies which model to use for planning mode | Model name (e.g., "gpt-4", "claude-3.5-sonnet")| Falls back to GOOSE_MODEL |

**Examples**

```bash
# Planning mode with different model
export GOOSE_PLANNER_PROVIDER="openai"
export GOOSE_PLANNER_MODEL="gpt-4"
```

## Tool Configuration

These variables control how Goose handles [tool permissions](/docs/guides/tool-permissions) and their execution.

| Variable | Purpose | Values | Default |
|----------|---------|---------|---------|
| `GOOSE_MODE` | Controls how Goose handles tool execution | "auto", "approve", "chat", "smart_approve" | "smart_approve" |
| `GOOSE_TOOLSHIM` | Enables/disables tool call interpretation | "1", "true" (case insensitive) to enable | false |
| `GOOSE_TOOLSHIM_OLLAMA_MODEL` | Specifies the model for [tool call interpretation](/docs/guides/experimental-features/#ollama-tool-shim) | Model name (e.g. llama3.2, qwen2.5) | System default |
| `GOOSE_CLI_MIN_PRIORITY` | Controls verbosity of [tool output](/docs/guides/adjust-tool-output) | Float between 0.0 and 1.0 | 0.0 |

**Examples**

```bash
# Enable tool interpretation
export GOOSE_TOOLSHIM=true
export GOOSE_TOOLSHIM_OLLAMA_MODEL=llama3.2
export GOOSE_MODE="auto"
export GOOSE_CLI_MIN_PRIORITY=0.2  # Show only medium and high importance output
```
## Security Configuration

These variables control security related features.

| Variable | Purpose | Values | Default |
|----------|---------|---------|---------|
| `GOOSE_ALLOWLIST` | Controls which extensions can be loaded | URL for [allowed extensions](/docs/guides/allowlist) list | Unset |
| `GOOSE_DISABLE_KEYRING` | Disables the system keyring for secret storage | Set to any value (e.g., "1", "true", "yes") to disable. The actual value doesn't matter, only whether the variable is set. | Unset (keyring enabled) |

:::tip
When the keyring is disabled, secrets are stored here:

* macOS/Linux: `~/.config/goose/secrets.yaml`
* Windows: `%APPDATA%\Block\goose\config\secrets.yaml`
:::


## Langfuse Integration

These variables configure the [Langfuse integration for observability](/docs/tutorials/langfuse).

| Variable | Purpose | Values | Default |
|----------|---------|---------|---------|
| `LANGFUSE_PUBLIC_KEY` | Public key for Langfuse integration | String | None |
| `LANGFUSE_SECRET_KEY` | Secret key for Langfuse integration | String | None |
| `LANGFUSE_URL` | Custom URL for Langfuse service | URL String | Default Langfuse URL |
| `LANGFUSE_INIT_PROJECT_PUBLIC_KEY` | Alternative public key for Langfuse | String | None |
| `LANGFUSE_INIT_PROJECT_SECRET_KEY` | Alternative secret key for Langfuse | String | None |


## Notes

- Environment variables take precedence over configuration files.
- For security-sensitive variables (like API keys), consider using the system keyring instead of environment variables.
- Some variables may require restarting Goose to take effect.
- When using the planning mode, if planner-specific variables are not set, Goose will fall back to the main model configuration.