# Get

Print a public environment variable.

### Syntax

```
$ vela env get <key> -t <target>
```

```
$ vela env get PUBLIC_CMS_URL -t production
$ vela env get WHATSAPP_MODE -t preview
$ vela env get POCKETBASE_SUPERUSER_EMAIL -t local
```

For a target, the value is resolved the way the running app sees it: a key the instance does not set itself may still reach it from the `all` or `preview` layer. For `-t all` or `-t preview`, it is that layer's own value.

A secret is never read back. Asking for one says that it is secret, and where it is set, and exits non-zero; [`vela env set`](/env/set) is how it changes. Locally, `.env` is your own file, so every key in it prints.