Ecolog (эколог) - your environment guardian in Neovim. Named after the Russian word for "environmentalist", this plugin protects and manages your environment variables with the same care an ecologist shows for nature.
A Neovim plugin for seamless environment variable integration and management. Provides intelligent autocompletion, type checking, and value peeking for environment variables in your projects. All in one place.
- Installation
- Features
- Usage
- Environment File Priority
- Shell Variables Integration
- Integrations
- Language Support
- Custom Providers
- Shelter Mode
- Type System
- Tips
- Theme Integration
- Author Setup
- Contributing
- License
Using lazy.nvim:
{
'philosofonusus/ecolog.nvim',
dependencies = {
'hrsh7th/nvim-cmp', -- Optional: for autocompletion support (recommended)
},
-- Optional: you can add some keybindings
-- (I personally use lspsaga so check out lspsaga integration or lsp integration for a smoother experience without separate keybindings)
keys = {
{ '<leader>ge', '<cmd>EcologGoto<cr>', desc = 'Go to env file' },
{ '<leader>ep', '<cmd>EcologPeek<cr>', desc = 'Ecolog peek variable' },
{ '<leader>es', '<cmd>EcologSelect<cr>', desc = 'Switch env file' },
},
-- Lazy loading is done internally
lazy = false,
opts = {
integrations = {
-- WARNING: for both cmp integrations see readme section below
nvim_cmp = true, -- If you dont plan to use nvim_cmp set to false, enabled by default
-- If you are planning to use blink cmp uncomment this line
-- blink_cmp = true,
},
-- Enables shelter mode for sensitive values
shelter = {
configuration = {
partial_mode = false, -- false by default, disables partial mode, for more control check out shelter partial mode
mask_char = "*", -- Character used for masking
},
modules = {
cmp = true, -- Mask values in completion
peek = false, -- Mask values in peek view
files = false, -- Mask values in files
telescope = false -- Mask values in telescope
}
},
-- true by default, enables built-in types (database_url, url, etc.)
types = true,
path = vim.fn.getcwd(), -- Path to search for .env files
preferred_environment = "development", -- Optional: prioritize specific env files
},
}
Setup auto-completion with nvim-cmp
:
require('cmp').setup({
sources = {
{ name = 'ecolog' },
-- your other sources...
},
If you use blink.cmp
see Blink-cmp Integration guide
🔍 Environment Variable Peeking
- Quick peek at environment variable values and metadata
- Intelligent context detection
- Type-aware value display
- Preview inline comments directly in your code
🤖 Smart Autocompletion
- Integration with nvim-cmp
- Context-aware suggestions
- Type-safe completions
- Intelligent provider detection
🛡️ Shelter Mode Protection
- Mask sensitive values in completion menu
- Visual protection for .env file content
- Secure value peeking with masking
- Flexible per-feature control
- Real-time visual masking
🔄 Real-time Updates
- Automatic cache management
- Live environment file monitoring
- Instant mask updates
- File change detection
📁 Multi-Environment Support
- Multiple .env file handling
- Priority-based file loading
- Environment-specific configurations
- Smart file selection
💡 Intelligent Type System
- Automatic type inference
- Type validation and checking
- Smart type suggestions
- Custom type definitions
- Context-based type detection
Command | Description |
---|---|
:EcologPeek [variable_name] |
Peek at environment variable value and metadata |
:EcologPeek |
Peek at environment variable under cursor |
:EcologRefresh |
Refresh environment variable cache |
:EcologSelect |
Open a selection window to choose environment file |
:EcologGoto |
Open selected environment file in buffer |
:EcologGotoVar |
Go to specific variable definition in env file |
:EcologGotoVar [variable_name] |
Go to specific variable definition in env file with variable under cursor |
:EcologShelterToggle [command] [feature] |
Control shelter mode for masking sensitive values |
:EcologShelterLinePeek |
Temporarily reveal value on current line in env file |
:Telescope ecolog env |
Alternative way to open Telescope picker |
Files are loaded in the following priority order:
.env.{preferred_environment}
(if preferred_environment is set).env
- Other
.env.*
files (alphabetically)
Files are loaded in the following priority order:
.env.{preferred_environment}
(if preferred_environment is set).env
- Other
.env.*
files (alphabetically)
Ecolog can load environment variables directly from your shell environment. This is useful when you want to:
- Access system environment variables
- Work with variables set by your shell profile
- Handle dynamic environment variables
Enable shell variable loading with default settings:
require('ecolog').setup({
load_shell = true
})
For more control over shell variable handling:
require('ecolog').setup({
load_shell = {
enabled = true, -- Enable shell variable loading
override = false, -- When false, .env files take precedence over shell variables
-- Optional: filter specific shell variables
filter = function(key, value)
-- Example: only load specific variables
return key:match("^(PATH|HOME|USER)$") ~= nil
end,
-- Optional: transform shell variables before loading
transform = function(key, value)
-- Example: prefix shell variables for clarity
return "[shell] " .. value
end
}
})
Option | Type | Default | Description |
---|---|---|---|
enabled |
boolean | false |
Enable/disable shell variable loading |
override |
boolean | false |
When true, shell variables take precedence over .env files |
filter |
function|nil | nil |
Optional function to filter which shell variables to load |
transform |
function|nil | nil |
Optional function to transform shell variable values |
- Full integration with all Ecolog features (completion, peek, shelter mode)
- Shell variables are marked with "shell" as their source
- Configurable precedence between shell and .env file variables
- Optional filtering and transformation of shell variables
- Type detection and value transformation support
- Use
filter
to limit which shell variables are loaded to avoid cluttering - Consider using
transform
to clearly mark shell-sourced variables - Be mindful of the
override
setting when working with both shell and .env variables - Apply shelter mode settings to shell variables containing sensitive data
Add ecolog
to your nvim-cmp sources:
require('cmp').setup({
sources = {
{ name = 'ecolog' },
-- your other sources...
},
})
Nvim-cmp integration is enabled by default. To disable it:
require('ecolog').setup({
integrations = {
nvim_cmp = false,
},
})
PS: When blink_cmp is enabled, nvim_cmp is disabled by default.
Ecolog provides an integration with blink.cmp for environment variable completions. To enable it:
- Enable the integration in your Ecolog setup:
require('ecolog').setup({
integrations = {
blink_cmp = true,
},
})
- Configure Blink CMP to use the Ecolog source:
{
"saghen/blink.cmp",
opts = {
sources = {
completion = {
enabled_providers = { 'ecolog', 'lsp', 'path', 'snippets', 'buffer' },
},
providers = {
ecolog = { name = 'ecolog', module = 'ecolog.integrations.cmp.blink_cmp' },
},
},
},
}
⚠️ Warning: The LSP integration is currently experimental and may interfere with your existing LSP setup. Use with caution.
Ecolog provides optional LSP integration that enhances the hover and definition functionality for environment variables. When enabled, it will:
- Show environment variable values when hovering over them
- Jump to environment variable definitions using goto-definition
meaning you dont need any custom keymaps
To enable LSP integration, add this to your Neovim configuration:
require('ecolog').setup({
integrations = {
lsp = true,
}
})
PS: If you're using lspsaga, please see section LSP Saga Integration don't use lsp integration use one or the other.
- Hover Preview: When you hover (K) over an environment variable, it will show the value and metadata in a floating window
- Goto Definition: Using goto-definition (gd) on an environment variable will jump to its definition in the .env file
- The integration overrides the default LSP hover and definition handlers
- May conflict with other plugins that modify LSP hover behavior
- Performance impact on LSP operations (though optimized and should be unnoticable)
If you experience any issues, you can disable the LSP integration:
require('ecolog').setup({
integrations = {
lsp = false,
}
})
Please report such issues on our GitHub repository
Ecolog provides integration with lspsaga.nvim that enhances hover and goto-definition functionality for environment variables while preserving Saga's features for other code elements.
To enable LSP Saga integration, add this to your configuration:
require('ecolog').setup({
integrations = {
lspsaga = true,
}
})
PS: If you're using lspsaga then don't use lsp integration use one or the other.
The integration adds two commands that intelligently handle both environment variables and regular code:
-
EcologSagaHover:
- Shows environment variable value when hovering over env vars
- Falls back to Saga's hover for other code elements
- Automatically replaces existing Saga hover keymaps
-
EcologSagaGD (Goto Definition):
- Jumps to environment variable definition in .env file
- Uses Saga's goto definition for other code elements
- Automatically replaces existing Saga goto-definition keymaps
💡 Note: When enabled, the integration automatically detects and updates your existing Lspsaga keymaps to use Ecolog's enhanced functionality. No manual keymap configuration required!
{
'philosofonusus/ecolog.nvim',
dependencies = {
'nvimdev/lspsaga.nvim',
'hrsh7th/nvim-cmp',
},
opts = {
integrations = {
lspsaga = true,
}
},
}
💡 Note: The LSP Saga integration provides a smoother experience than the experimental LSP integration if you're already using Saga in your setup.
First, load the extension:
require('telescope').load_extension('ecolog')
Then configure it in your Telescope setup (optional):
require('telescope').setup({
extensions = {
ecolog = {
shelter = {
-- Whether to show masked values when copying to clipboard
mask_on_copy = false,
},
-- Default keybindings
mappings = {
-- Key to copy value to clipboard
copy_value = "<C-y>",
-- Key to copy name to clipboard
copy_name = "<C-n>",
-- Key to append value to buffer
append_value = "<C-a>",
-- Key to append name to buffer (defaults to <CR>)
append_name = "<CR>",
},
}
}
})
Language | Environment Access & Autocompletion trigger | Description |
---|---|---|
Javascript/TypeScript/React | import.meta.env['* process.env[*' import.meta.env["* process.env[*" |
Full support for Node.js, Vite environment variables |
JavaScript/Typescript/React | process.env.* import.meta.env.* |
Complete support for both types of annotations |
Deno | Deno.env.get("* Deno.env.get(' |
Deno runtime environment variable access |
Bun | Bun.env.* Bun.env["* Bun.env[' |
Bun runtime environment variable access |
Python | os.environ.get('* os.environ['* os.environ["* |
Native Python environment variable access |
Lua | os.getenv("* os.getenv('* |
Native Lua environment variable access |
Rust | std::env::var() env::var() |
Rust standard library environment access |
Language | Environment Access & Autocompletion trigger | Description |
---|---|---|
PHP | getenv() _ENV[] |
Support for both modern and legacy PHP env access |
Go | os.Getenv("* |
Go standard library environment access |
Language | Planned Support | Status |
---|---|---|
C# | Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable() |
Planned |
Shell | $VAR , ${VAR} |
Planned |
Ruby | ENV[] ENV.fetch() |
Planned |
Docker | ARG * ENV * ${* |
Planned |
💡 Want support for another language?
Feel free to contribute by adding a new provider! Or just check out the Custom Providers section.
You can add support for additional languages by registering custom providers. Each provider defines how environment variables are detected and extracted in specific file types.
require('ecolog').setup({
providers = {
{
-- Pattern to match environment variable access
pattern = "ENV%[['\"]%w['\"]%]",
-- Filetype(s) this provider supports (string or table)
filetype = "ruby",
-- Function to extract variable name from the line
extract_var = function(line, col)
local before_cursor = line:sub(1, col + 1)
return before_cursor:match("ENV%['\"['\"]%]$")
end,
-- Function to return completion trigger pattern
get_completion_trigger = function()
return "ENV['"
end
}
}
})
Shelter mode provides a secure way to work with sensitive environment variables by masking their values in different contexts. This feature helps prevent accidental exposure of sensitive data like API keys, passwords, tokens, and other credentials.
require('ecolog').setup({
shelter = {
configuration = {
-- Partial mode configuration:
-- false: completely mask values (default)
-- true: use default partial masking settings
-- table: customize partial masking
-- partial_mode = false,
-- or with custom settings:
partial_mode = {
show_start = 3, -- Show first 3 characters
show_end = 3, -- Show last 3 characters
min_mask = 3, -- Minimum masked characters
},
mask_char = "*", -- Character used for masking
},
modules = {
cmp = false, -- Mask values in completion
peek = false, -- Mask values in peek view
files = false, -- Mask values in files
telescope = false -- Mask values in telescope
}
},
path = vim.fn.getcwd(), -- Path to search for .env files
preferred_environment = "development", -- Optional: prioritize specific env files
})
Three modes of operation:
-
Full Masking (Default)
partial_mode = false -- Example: "my-secret-key" -> "************"
-
Default Partial Masking
partial_mode = true -- Example: "my-secret-key" -> "my-***-key"
-
Custom Partial Masking
partial_mode = { show_start = 4, -- Show more start characters show_end = 2, -- Show fewer end characters min_mask = 3, -- Minimum mask length } -- Example: "my-secret-key" -> "my-s***ey"
- Masks sensitive values in the completion menu
- Preserves variable names and types for context
- Integrates seamlessly with nvim-cmp
- Example completion item:
DB_PASSWORD Type: string Value: ********
- Masks values when using
:EcologPeek
- Shows metadata (type, source) while protecting the value
- Example peek window:
Name : DB_PASSWORD Type : string Source : .env.development Value : ******** Comment : Very important value
- Visually masks values in .env files
- Preserves the actual file content (masks are display-only)
- Updates automatically on file changes
- Maintains file structure and comments
- Only masks the value portion after
=
- Supports quoted and unquoted values
:EcologShelterToggle
provides flexible control over shelter mode:
-
Basic Usage:
:EcologShelterToggle " Toggle between all-off and initial settings
-
Global Control:
:EcologShelterToggle enable " Enable all shelter modes :EcologShelterToggle disable " Disable all shelter modes
-
Feature-Specific Control:
:EcologShelterToggle enable cmp " Enable shelter for completion only :EcologShelterToggle disable peek " Disable shelter for peek only :EcologShelterToggle enable files " Enable shelter for file display
-
Quick Value Reveal:
:EcologShelterLinePeek " Temporarily reveal value on current line
- Shows the actual value for the current line
- Value is hidden again when cursor moves away
- Only works when shelter mode is enabled for files
Original .env
file:
# Authentication
JWT_SECRET=my-super-secret-key
AUTH_TOKEN="bearer 1234567890"
# Database Configuration
DB_HOST=localhost
DB_USER=admin
DB_PASS=secure_password123
With full masking (partial_mode = false):
# Authentication
JWT_SECRET=********************
AUTH_TOKEN=******************
# Database Configuration
DB_HOST=*********
DB_USER=*****
DB_PASS=******************
With default settings (show_start=3, show_end=3, min_mask=3):
"mysecretkey" -> "mys***key" # Enough space for min_mask (3) characters
"secret" -> "******" # Not enough space for min_mask between shown parts
"api_key" -> "*******" # Would only have 1 char for masking, less than min_mask
"very_long_key" -> "ver*****key" # Plenty of space for masking
The min_mask setting ensures that sensitive values are properly protected by requiring a minimum number of masked characters between the visible parts. If this minimum cannot be met, the entire value is masked for security.
The plugin provides a Telescope extension for searching and managing environment variables.
Open the environment variables picker:
:Telescope ecolog env
- 🔍 Search through all environment variables
- 📋 Copy variable names or values to clipboard
- ⌨️ Insert variables into your code
- 🛡️ Integrated with shelter mode for sensitive data protection
- 📝 Shows variable metadata (type, source file)
Key | Action |
---|---|
<CR> |
Insert variable name |
<C-y> |
Copy value to clipboard |
<C-n> |
Copy name to clipboard |
<C-a> |
Append value to buffer |
All keymaps are customizable through the configuration.
Ecolog includes a flexible type system for environment variables with built-in and custom types.
Configure types through the types
option in setup:
require('ecolog').setup({
custom_types = {
semver = {
pattern = "^v?%d+%.%d+%.%d+%-?[%w]*$",
validate = function(value)
local major, minor, patch = value:match("^v?(%d+)%.(%d+)%.(%d+)")
return major and minor and patch
end,
},
aws_region = {
pattern = "^[a-z]{2}%-[a-z]+%-[0-9]$",
validate = function(value)
local valid_regions = {
["us-east-1"] = true,
["us-west-2"] = true,
-- ... etc
}
return valid_regions[value] == true
end
}
},
types = {
-- Built-in types
url = true, -- URLs (http/https)
localhost = true, -- Localhost URLs
ipv4 = true, -- IPv4 addresses
database_url = true, -- Database connection strings
number = true, -- Integers and decimals
boolean = true, -- true/false/yes/no/1/0
json = true, -- JSON objects and arrays
iso_date = true, -- ISO 8601 dates (YYYY-MM-DD)
iso_time = true, -- ISO 8601 times (HH:MM:SS)
hex_color = true, -- Hex color codes (#RGB or #RRGGBB)
}
})
You can also:
- Enable all built-in types:
types = true
- Disable all built-in types:
types = false
- Enable specific types and add custom ones:
require('ecolog').setup({
custom_types = {
jwt = {
pattern = "^[A-Za-z0-9%-_]+%.[A-Za-z0-9%-_]+%.[A-Za-z0-9%-_]+$",
validate = function(value)
local parts = vim.split(value, ".", { plain = true })
return #parts == 3
end
},
}
types = {
url = true,
number = true,
}
})
Each custom type requires:
pattern
(required): A Lua pattern string for initial matchingvalidate
(optional): A function for additional validationtransform
(optional): A function to transform the value
Example usage in .env files:
VERSION=v1.2.3 # Will be detected as semver type
REGION=us-east-1 # Will be detected as aws_region type
AUTH_TOKEN=eyJhbG.eyJzd.iOiJ # Will be detected as jwt type
-
Selective Protection: Enable shelter mode only for sensitive environments:
-- In your config if vim.fn.getcwd():match("production") then require('ecolog').setup({ shelter = { configuration = { partial_mode = { show_start = 3, -- Number of characters to show at start show_end = 3, -- Number of characters to show at end min_mask = 3, -- Minimum number of mask characters } mask_char = "*", -- Character used for masking }, modules = { cmp = true, -- Mask values in completion peek = true, -- Mask values in peek view files = true, -- Mask values in files telescope = false -- Mask values in telescope } }, path = vim.fn.getcwd(), -- Path to search for .env files preferred_environment = "development", -- Optional: prioritize specific env files }) end
-
Custom Masking: Use different characters for masking:
shelter = { configuration = { mask_char = "•" -- Use dots } } -- or shelter = { configuration = { mask_char = "█" -- Use blocks } }
-
Temporary Viewing: Use
:EcologShelterToggle disable
temporarily when you need to view values, then re-enable with:EcologShelterToggle enable
-
Security Best Practices:
- Enable shelter mode by default for production environments
- Use file shelter mode during screen sharing or pair programming
- Enable completion shelter mode to prevent accidental exposure in screenshots
The plugin seamlessly integrates with your current colorscheme:
Element | Color Source |
---|---|
Variable names | Identifier |
Types | Type |
Values | String |
Sources | Directory |
It's author's (philosofonusus
) personal setup for ecolog.nvim if you don't want to think much of a setup and reading docs:
return {
{
'philosofonusus/ecolog.nvim',
keys = {
{ '<leader>ge', '<cmd>EcologGoto<cr>', desc = 'Go to env file' },
{ '<leader>es', '<cmd>EcologSelect<cr>', desc = 'Switch env file' },
{ '<leader>eS', '<cmd>EcologShelterToggle<cr>', desc = 'Ecolog shelter toggle' },
},
dependencies = { 'nvim-telescope/telescope.nvim' },
lazy = false,
opts = {
preferred_environment = 'local',
types = true,
integrations = {
lspsaga = true, -- if you don't use lspsaga replace this line with lsp = true,
},
shelter = {
configuration = {
partial_mode = true,
mask_char = '*',
},
modules = {
files = true,
peek = false,
telescope = false,
cmp = true,
},
},
path = vim.fn.getcwd(),
},
},
}
Contributions are welcome! Feel free to:
- 🐛 Report bugs
- 💡 Suggest features
- 🔧 Submit pull requests
MIT License - See LICENSE for details.