Can’t use environment variables in React when using NX? Let’s Fix That!

Are you tired of struggling to use environment variables in your React application when working with NX? You’re not alone! Many developers have faced this frustrating issue, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll dive into the problem, explore the reasons behind it, and provide you with a step-by-step guide to solving it.

What’s the Problem?

When building a React application using NX, you might encounter an issue where environment variables are not accessible in your React code. This can be frustrating, especially when you need to configure your application based on different environments, such as development, staging, or production.

Why Does This Happen?

There are a few reasons why environment variables might not be working as expected in your React application with NX:

• NX uses a built-in webpack configuration that overrides the default behavior of environment variables.
• The React build process is optimized for performance, which can lead to environment variables being ignored.
• Some plugins or configurations might interfere with the environment variables.

Solving the Problem: Step-by-Step Guide

Don’t worry; we’ve got a solution for you! Follow these steps to access environment variables in your React application with NX:

Step 1: Update Your `next.config.js` File

In your `next.config.js` file, add the following code:

module.exports = {
  // ... other configurations ...
  env: {
    CUSTOM_VAR: process.env.CUSTOM_VAR,
  },
};

This code sets up a new `env` property in the `next.config.js` file, which allows you to access environment variables.

Step 2: Create a `.env` File

Create a new file named `.env` in the root directory of your project, and add your environment variables in the following format:

CUSTOM_VAR=hello_world
ANOTHER_VAR=-this-is-another-variable

This file contains your environment variables, which will be accessed by your React application.

Step 3: Update Your ` nx.json` File

In your `nx.json` file, add the following code:

{
  // ... other configurations ...
  "tasks": {
    "build": {
      "options": {
        "environmentVariables": true
      }
    }
  }
}

This code enables environment variables in the `nx.json` file, allowing your React application to access them.

Step 4: Access Environment Variables in Your React Code

Now, you can access your environment variables in your React code using the following syntax:

import { env } from 'next'

console.log(env.CUSTOM_VAR); // outputs "hello_world"
console.log(env.ANOTHER_VAR); // outputs "-this-is-another-variable"

That’s it! You should now be able to access your environment variables in your React application with NX.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips to help you work with environment variables in your React application with NX:

Tip 1: Use the `process.env` Object

Instead of using the `env` object from `next`, you can access environment variables using the `process.env` object:

console.log(process.env.CUSTOM_VAR); // outputs "hello_world"

Tip 2: Use Environment Variables in Your NX Plugins

If you’re using NX plugins, such as `@nrwl/web`, you can access environment variables in your plugin configurations:

module.exports = {
  // ... other configurations ...
  plugins: [
    {
      name: '@nrwl/web',
      options: {
        environmentVariables: {
          CUSTOM_VAR: process.env.CUSTOM_VAR,
        },
      },
    },
  ],
};

Tip 3: Use a Separate Environment File for Each Environment

Instead of having a single `.env` file for all environments, you can create separate files for each environment, such as `.env.development`, `.env.staging`, and `.env.production`:

// .env.development
CUSTOM_VAR=hello_world_dev

// .env.staging
CUSTOM_VAR=hello_world_stg

// .env.production
CUSTOM_VAR=hello_world_prod

This approach allows you to configure your environment variables separately for each environment.

Conclusion

Accessing environment variables in a React application with NX might seem challenging, but by following these steps and tips, you can overcome this hurdle. Remember to update your `next.config.js` file, create a `.env` file, update your `nx.json` file, and access environment variables in your React code. With these solutions, you’ll be able to use environment variables in your React application with NX like a pro!

FAQs

If you have any questions or concerns, check out our FAQs below:

Q:	What if I’m using a different version of NX?
A:	These steps should work for most versions of NX, but if you’re using an older version, you might need to adapt the solutions to your specific version.
Q:	Can I use environment variables in my server-side code?
A:	Yes, you can use environment variables in your server-side code by accessing them through the `process.env` object.
Q:	How do I deploy my application with environment variables?
A:	You can deploy your application with environment variables by using a deployment tool like Vercel or Netlify, which allows you to configure environment variables for your application.

We hope this article has helped you overcome the challenge of using environment variables in your React application with NX. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

Here are 5 Questions and Answers about “Can’t use environment variables in React when using NX”:

Frequently Asked Question

Got stuck with environment variables in React when using Nx? Worry not, we’ve got you covered. Check out these frequently asked questions to get your solution!