Type: Bug
Behaviour
Editing or removing variables in the workspace .env file does not propagate to integrated terminals. The previously-loaded values
persist in process.env of every newly-spawned terminal until the workspace's cached env is explicitly cleared via Python:
Clear Workspace Cache and Reload Window.
This looks like a regression of (or follow-up to) #25805, which was closed but which I'm still reproducing on
ms-python.python@2026.4.0. Note: my repro covers changed values, not only removed ones — both stick.
Steps to reproduce:
-
Workspace with .env:
DATABASE_URL=postgresql://old-host:5432/db
-
Open the integrated terminal:
$ echo $DATABASE_URL
postgresql://old-host:5432/db
-
Edit .env →
DATABASE_URL=postgresql://new-host:5433/db
Save the file.
-
Close all terminals. Cmd+Q to fully quit VS Code. Reopen the workspace.
-
New terminal still reports the old value:
$ echo $DATABASE_URL
postgresql://old-host:5432/db
-
Run > Python: Clear Workspace Cache and Reload Window. New terminal now reports the new value.
The cached env survives:
- Closing/reopening terminals
Developer: Reload Window- Full
Cmd+Q and relaunch
- Machine reboot.
Expected behavior
A new terminal should pick up the current contents of .env — at minimum on workspace reopen, ideally on file save (with a
debounce / "relaunch terminal?" prompt as #25805 originally suggested).
Workaround
Setting workspace "python.envFile": "" disables the loader. Fine for projects where .env is consumed by Node/dotenv at runtime,
but not viable for actual Python projects.
Environment
- VS Code: 1.121.0 (commit f6cfa2ea2403534de03f069bdf160d06451ed282, arm64)
ms-python.python: 2026.4.0ms-python.vscode-pylance: 2026.2.1ms-python.vscode-python-envs: 1.30.0ms-python.debugpy: 2026.6.0- macOS Darwin 25.5.0 (arm64), zsh
- Project: Next.js / Node (
.env consumed by dotenv at runtime)
Related
Diagnostic data
Output for Python in the Output panel (View→Output, change the drop-down the upper-right of the Output panel to Python)
Extension version: 2026.4.0
VS Code version: Code 1.121.0 (f6cfa2ea2403534de03f069bdf160d06451ed282, 2026-05-19T11:51:53+02:00)
OS version: Darwin arm64 25.5.0
Modes:
- Python version (& distribution if applicable, e.g. Anaconda): 3.14.3
- Type of virtual environment used (e.g. conda, venv, virtualenv, etc.): Global
- Value of the
python.languageServer setting: Default
User Settings
envFile: "<placeholder>"
languageServer: "Pylance"
terminal
• activateEnvironment: false
Installed Extensions
| Extension Name |
Extension Id |
Version |
| app-studio-remote-access |
SAP |
4.1.0 |
| app-studio-toolkit |
SAP |
2.8.0 |
| bun-vscode |
ove |
0.0.32 |
| claude-code |
Ant |
2.1.145 |
| claude-dev |
sao |
3.84.0 |
| cmake-tools |
ms- |
1.23.52 |
| code-runner |
for |
0.12.2 |
| code-snippet-tool |
SAP |
2.0.4 |
| colab |
goo |
0.8.1 |
| copilot-chat |
Git |
0.49.0 |
| cpp-devtools |
ms- |
0.5.13 |
| cpptools |
ms- |
1.32.2 |
| cpptools-extension-pack |
ms- |
1.5.1 |
| cpptools-themes |
ms- |
2.0.0 |
| dart-code |
Dar |
3.134.0 |
| debugpy |
ms- |
2026.6.0 |
| docker |
doc |
0.18.0 |
| EditorConfig |
Edi |
0.18.2 |
| errorlens |
use |
3.28.0 |
| es7-react-js-snippets |
dsz |
4.4.3 |
| esbuild-problem-matchers |
con |
0.0.3 |
| explorer |
vit |
1.50.4 |
| fabric8-analytics |
red |
0.10.2 |
| flutter |
Dar |
3.134.0 |
| gitlens |
eam |
17.12.2 |
| go |
gol |
0.52.2 |
| hana-database-explorer |
SAP |
1.37.0 |
| Handlebars |
and |
0.4.1 |
| java |
red |
1.54.0 |
| js-debug |
ms- |
1.117.0 |
| js-debug-companion |
ms- |
1.1.3 |
| jsts-chat-features |
Typ |
0.0.2 |
| jupyter |
ms- |
2025.9.1 |
| jupyter-keymap |
ms- |
1.1.2 |
| jupyter-renderers |
ms- |
1.3.0 |
| LiveServer |
rit |
5.7.10 |
| makefile-tools |
ms- |
0.12.17 |
| markdown-mermaid |
bie |
1.32.1 |
| material-icon-theme |
PKi |
5.35.0 |
| migrate-java-to-azure |
vsc |
1.19.2 |
| mta-resource-generator |
MTA |
0.0.1 |
| ng-template |
Ang |
21.2.4 |
| npm-intellisense |
chr |
1.4.5 |
| opencode |
sst |
0.0.13 |
| oracle-java |
Ora |
25.1.0 |
| pdf |
tom |
1.2.2 |
| prettier-vscode |
esb |
12.4.0 |
| prettify-json |
moh |
0.0.3 |
| pretty-ts-errors |
Yoa |
0.8.7 |
| prisma |
Pri |
31.11.0 |
| python |
ms- |
2026.4.0 |
| quicktype |
qui |
23.0.170 |
| rainbow-csv |
mec |
3.24.1 |
| remote-containers |
ms- |
0.459.0 |
| remote-explorer |
ms- |
0.5.0 |
| remote-server |
ms- |
1.5.3 |
| remote-ssh |
ms- |
0.123.0 |
| remote-ssh-edit |
ms- |
0.87.0 |
| remote-wsl |
ms- |
0.104.3 |
| rest-client |
hum |
0.25.1 |
| sap-guided-answers-extension |
SAP |
1.32.20 |
| sap-hana-driver-for-sqltools |
SAP |
0.2.1 |
| sap-ux-annotation-modeler-extension |
SAP |
1.24.0 |
| sap-ux-application-modeler-extension |
SAP |
1.24.0 |
| sap-ux-fiori-tools-extension-pack |
SAP |
1.24.0 |
| sap-ux-help-extension |
SAP |
1.24.0 |
| sap-ux-sap-systems-ext |
SAP |
0.5.2 |
| sap-ux-service-modeler-extension |
SAP |
1.24.0 |
| service-catalog |
SAP |
1.4.0 |
| sonarlint-vscode |
Son |
5.2.3 |
| sqlite-viewer |
qwt |
25.12.2 |
| sqltools |
mtx |
0.28.5 |
| test-adapter-converter |
ms- |
0.2.1 |
| uuid-generator |
net |
0.0.5 |
| volar |
Vue |
3.3.1 |
| vs-code-prettier-eslint |
rve |
6.0.0 |
| vscode-cds |
SAP |
9.9.0 |
| vscode-containers |
ms- |
2.4.4 |
| vscode-coverage-gutters |
rya |
2.14.0 |
| vscode-docker |
ms- |
2.0.0 |
| vscode-edge-devtools |
ms- |
2.1.10 |
| vscode-edit-csv |
jan |
0.11.9 |
| vscode-eslint |
dba |
3.0.24 |
| vscode-gardener-tools |
gar |
0.13.0 |
| vscode-github-actions |
git |
0.31.5 |
| vscode-gradle |
vsc |
3.17.3 |
| vscode-java-debug |
vsc |
0.59.0 |
| vscode-java-dependency |
vsc |
0.27.4 |
| vscode-java-pack |
vsc |
0.31.0 |
| vscode-java-test |
vsc |
0.45.0 |
| vscode-java-upgrade |
vsc |
2.1.2 |
| vscode-js-profile-table |
ms- |
1.0.10 |
| vscode-jupyter-cell-tags |
ms- |
0.1.9 |
| vscode-jupyter-slideshow |
ms- |
0.1.6 |
| vscode-kubernetes-tools |
ms- |
1.3.29 |
| vscode-lombok |
vsc |
1.1.1 |
| vscode-maven |
vsc |
0.45.3 |
| vscode-mdx |
uni |
1.8.17 |
| vscode-pgsql |
ms- |
1.22.1 |
| vscode-pull-request-github |
Git |
0.146.0 |
| vscode-pylance |
ms- |
2026.2.1 |
| vscode-python-envs |
ms- |
1.30.0 |
| vscode-qunit-snippets |
sha |
0.2.0 |
| vscode-remote-extensionpack |
ms- |
0.26.0 |
| vscode-sqlite3-editor |
yy0 |
1.0.212 |
| vscode-tailwindcss |
bra |
0.14.29 |
| vscode-thunder-client |
ran |
2.40.12 |
| vscode-wing-cds-editor-vsc |
SAP |
25.10.8 |
| vscode-xml |
red |
0.29.2 |
| vscode-yaml |
red |
1.23.0 |
| workspace-default-settings |
dan |
0.0.7 |
| xml-toolkit |
SAP |
1.2.1 |
| yeoman-ui |
SAP |
1.23.0 |
System Info
| Item |
Value |
| CPUs |
Apple M3 Pro (12 x 2400) |
| GPU Status |
2d_canvas: enabled
GPU0: VENDOR= 0x106b [Google Inc. (Apple)], DEVICE=0x0000 [ANGLE (Apple, ANGLE Metal Renderer: Apple M3 Pro, Version 26.5 (Build 25F71))], DRIVER_VENDOR=Apple, DRIVER_VERSION=26.5 ACTIVE
Machine model name: Mac
Machine model version: 15.7
direct_rendering_display_compositor: disabled_off_ok
gpu_compositing: enabled
multiple_raster_threads: enabled_on
opengl: enabled_on
rasterization: enabled
raw_draw: disabled_off_ok
skia_graphite: enabled_on
trees_in_viz: disabled_off
video_decode: enabled
video_encode: enabled
webgl: enabled
webgl2: enabled
webgpu: enabled
webnn: disabled_off |
| Load (avg) |
4, 4, 4 |
| Memory (System) |
18.00GB (0.09GB free) |
| Process Argv |
|
| Screen Reader |
no |
| VM |
0% |
Type: Bug
Behaviour
Editing or removing variables in the workspace
.envfile does not propagate to integrated terminals. The previously-loaded valuespersist in
process.envof every newly-spawned terminal until the workspace's cached env is explicitly cleared via Python:Clear Workspace Cache and Reload Window.
This looks like a regression of (or follow-up to) #25805, which was closed but which I'm still reproducing on
ms-python.python@2026.4.0. Note: my repro covers changed values, not only removed ones — both stick.Steps to reproduce:
Workspace with
.env:DATABASE_URL=postgresql://old-host:5432/db
Open the integrated terminal:
$ echo $DATABASE_URL
postgresql://old-host:5432/db
Edit
.env→DATABASE_URL=postgresql://new-host:5433/db
Save the file.
Close all terminals.
Cmd+Qto fully quit VS Code. Reopen the workspace.New terminal still reports the old value:
$ echo $DATABASE_URL
postgresql://old-host:5432/db
Run
> Python: Clear Workspace Cache and Reload Window. New terminal now reports the new value.The cached env survives:
Developer: Reload WindowCmd+Qand relaunchExpected behavior
A new terminal should pick up the current contents of
.env— at minimum on workspace reopen, ideally on file save (with adebounce / "relaunch terminal?" prompt as #25805 originally suggested).
Workaround
Setting workspace
"python.envFile": ""disables the loader. Fine for projects where.envis consumed by Node/dotenv at runtime,but not viable for actual Python projects.
Environment
ms-python.python: 2026.4.0ms-python.vscode-pylance: 2026.2.1ms-python.vscode-python-envs: 1.30.0ms-python.debugpy: 2026.6.0.envconsumed bydotenvat runtime)Related
across full quit/relaunch.
Diagnostic data
Output for
Pythonin theOutputpanel (View→Output, change the drop-down the upper-right of theOutputpanel toPython)Extension version: 2026.4.0
VS Code version: Code 1.121.0 (f6cfa2ea2403534de03f069bdf160d06451ed282, 2026-05-19T11:51:53+02:00)
OS version: Darwin arm64 25.5.0
Modes:
python.languageServersetting: DefaultUser Settings
Installed Extensions
System Info
GPU0: VENDOR= 0x106b [Google Inc. (Apple)], DEVICE=0x0000 [ANGLE (Apple, ANGLE Metal Renderer: Apple M3 Pro, Version 26.5 (Build 25F71))], DRIVER_VENDOR=Apple, DRIVER_VERSION=26.5 ACTIVE
Machine model name: Mac
Machine model version: 15.7
direct_rendering_display_compositor: disabled_off_ok
gpu_compositing: enabled
multiple_raster_threads: enabled_on
opengl: enabled_on
rasterization: enabled
raw_draw: disabled_off_ok
skia_graphite: enabled_on
trees_in_viz: disabled_off
video_decode: enabled
video_encode: enabled
webgl: enabled
webgl2: enabled
webgpu: enabled
webnn: disabled_off