How to Use the Command 'doppler' (with examples)

Doppler is a powerful CLI tool known for its capacity to manage environment variables seamlessly across different environments. This tool eases the complexities surrounding the secure management of secrets, configurations, and environment variables that contemporary development environments demand. With Doppler, developers can effortlessly sync configurations and secrets across their applications, ensuring consistency and security through various environments.

Setup Doppler CLI in the current directory

Code:

doppler setup

Motivation:

Setting up the Doppler CLI in your current directory is an essential initial step to begin managing environments and secrets for your applications. This command establishes a fundamental configuration needed to utilize other Doppler functionalities effectively. Without this setup, many Doppler tools and commands would remain unusable within the project directory.

Explanation:

• doppler: Invokes the Doppler command-line interface.
• setup: Initiates the setup process, guiding users through connecting the CLI with their Doppler account and configuring it for the current project directory.

Example Output:

Welcome to Doppler!
This command will guide you in connecting this directory with a Doppler project and configuration.

? Select a project: my-project
? Select a config: development

Configuration saved. You're all set!

Setup Doppler project and config in current directory

Code:

doppler setup

Motivation:

This command is essentially a repeat of the initial setup but emphasizes its importance in linking a specific Doppler project and configuration to the current directory. Each directory can be connected to a particular project configuration, which centralizes management efforts and avoids potential misconfigurations.

Explanation:

• doppler: Calls the Doppler CLI.
• setup: Guides you through associating the current directory with a specific Doppler project and its configuration options.

Example Output:

? Select a project: new-project
? Select a config: production

Configuration successfully linked to new-project/production.

Run a command with secrets injected into the environment

Code:

doppler run --command <command>

Motivation:

Executing commands with secrets directly injected into the environment variables is crucial for operations dependent on sensitive data. A prime example is running tests or development servers that require API keys, database passwords, or other confidential credentials. This command allows you to run such commands without manually exporting secrets, mitigating the risk of inadvertent exposure.

Explanation:

• doppler: Initiates the Doppler CLI.
• run: The subcommand to execute another application with environment variables provided by Doppler.
• --command: Specifies the command following the flag that you desire to execute.
• <command>: Placeholder for whatever command you wish to run, such as npm start or python app.py.

Example Output:

Running "npm start" with Doppler secrets...
Secrets injected successfully.

View your project list

Code:

doppler projects

Motivation:

As a developer or organization handling multiple projects, knowing the projects configured in Doppler provides a holistic view and aids in context-switching. This command lists all available projects, making it effortless to verify configurations and ensure you’re operating within the appropriate context.

Explanation:

• doppler: Executes the Doppler command-line tool.
• projects: Lists all Doppler projects associated with your account.

Example Output:

Projects:
- my-project
- another-project
- secret-project

View your secrets for the current project

Code:

doppler secrets

Motivation:

Knowing what secrets are configured is vital for verification and troubleshooting. This command allows developers to view the list of environment variables and secrets currently set for the active project, enabling better understanding and management of configurations without the need to manually log into dashboards or decrypt files.

Explanation:

• doppler: Command execution begins.
• secrets: Retrieves and displays the secrets for the current Doppler project.

Example Output:

Secrets:
APP_ENV: production
DB_PASSWORD: *******
API_KEY: ******

Open Doppler dashboard in browser

Code:

doppler open

Motivation:

While the CLI provides robust functionalities for managing secrets, sometimes a graphical interface can offer insights and management options that are more intuitive. Opening the Doppler dashboard in your browser from the CLI allows seamless transition between command-line and GUI management, offering a more comprehensive view of your projects and configurations.

Explanation:

• doppler: Indicates the use of the Doppler CLI.
• open: Triggers the default web browser to navigate to the Doppler dashboard.

Example Output:

Opening Doppler dashboard for current project in your default web browser...

Conclusion:

In summary, the Doppler CLI is a powerful tool that simplifies managing environment variables and secrets across various environments, particularly useful in contemporary development and deployment workflows. From setup to operation, Doppler commands allow developers to maintain seamless integration and management of sensitive configurations swiftly and securely. By understanding and utilizing the command examples illustrated above, users can harness Doppler’s full capability, optimizing both productivity and security.