direnv is a convenience extension for manage shell. It allow user to load and unload environment variables depending on current directory.

Mac

I pick homebrew install: brew install direnv. Then add eval "$(direnv hook zsh)" to .zshrc file.

Linux

$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install direnv

Then add eval "$(direnv hook zsh)" to .zshrc file.

Quick test flow

$ cd ~/test_project
$ echo ${DUMMY}
$ echo export DUMMY=foo > .envrc
# relaunch terminal
$ echo ${DUMMY}
# it will remind us to trust direnv
$ direnv allow
$ echo ${DUMMY}
# should see foo output now

References

• https://direnv.net