# Runtime environment variables

Paradime Bolt allows you to use environment variables in your scheduled commands, injecting them dynamically at runtime. This feature helps you manage configurations and sensitive information securely in your dbt™ projects.

### How it works

When you include environment variable placeholders (e.g., `$ENV_VAR`) in your [schedule command](/app-help/documentation/bolt/creating-schedules/command-settings.md), Bolt automatically replaces them with their current values during execution.

#### Usage Example

```bash
# Correct usage with proper spacing
dbt run --select $ENV_VAR
```

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### Proper Spacing Required

Environment variables must be properly spaced in your commands:

* ✅ `dbt run --select $ENV_VAR` (correct)
* ❌ `dbt run --select$ENV_VAR` (incorrect) {% endhint %}
  {% endhint %}

### Setting Up Variables

To use runtime variables:

1. From any page in Paradime, Click **Settings**
2. Navigate to **Workspaces > Environment Variables**
3. In the Bolt Schedules section, click **Add New**

{% hint style="info" %}
Need additional help? See our docs on [Bolt Schedules Environment Variables](/app-help/documentation/settings/environment-variables/bolt-schedule-env-variables.md).
{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.paradime.io/app-help/documentation/bolt/special-environment-variables/runtime-environment-variables.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.