Variables

Variables

Variables let you use dynamic values throughout your .rext files. They are enclosed in double curly braces: {{variableName}}.

Syntax

GET {{baseUrl}}/users
Authorization: Bearer {{token}}

Variables can be used in:

• URLs — GET {{baseUrl}}/users
• Headers — Authorization: Bearer {{token}}
• Body — { "email": "{{email}}" }
• Query parameters — @query search = {{searchTerm}}

Variable Resolution Order

When Rext encounters a {{variableName}}, it resolves the value from these scopes, in order:

1. Session — Variables captured during the current session
2. Collection — Variables scoped to the current collection
3. Environment — Variables from the active environment file (rext.env.json)
4. Global — Variables available across all files and sessions

Note

The first match wins. If a variable exists in both session and environment scope, the session value is used.

Setting Variables

Variables can be set in two ways:

1. Environment Files

Define variables in rext.env.json:

{
  "Development": {
    "baseUrl": "http://localhost:3000",
    "apiKey": "dev-key-123"
  },
  "Production": {
    "baseUrl": "https://api.production.com",
    "apiKey": "prod-key-456"
  }
}

See Environment Files for details.

2. Variable Capture

Extract values from responses using @capture:

@name Login
POST {{baseUrl}}/auth/login

@capture token = body.access_token

See Variable Capture for details.

Next Steps

• Set up Environment Files
• Learn about Variable Capture