# 1535 Env Configuration Fb963df8

> Configuring Local Deep Research with Environment Variables

- Skill: `tools-only/1535-env-configuration-fb963df8` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/1535-env-configuration-fb963df8`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/1535-env-configuration-fb963df8/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Research & Search
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/1535-env-configuration-fb963df8

---

# Configuring Local Deep Research with Environment Variables

> **Note:** For most users, the **Web UI Settings** is the recommended way to configure Local Deep Research. Environment variables are primarily useful for Docker deployments, CI/CD pipelines, and server configurations where the web UI is not accessible during startup.

You can override any configuration setting in Local Deep Research using environment variables. This is useful for:

- Setting up multiple environments (development, production)
- Changing settings without modifying configuration files
- Providing sensitive information like API keys securely
- Setting server ports for Docker or cloud deployments

## Environment Variable Format

Local Deep Research uses Dynaconf to manage configuration. The format for environment variables is:

```
LDR_SECTION__SETTING=value
```

Note the **double underscore** (`__`) between the section and setting name.

## Using .env Files in the Config Directory

The easiest way to configure settings is to create a `.env` file in your config directory:

**Config Directory Locations:**
- Windows: `%USERPROFILE%\Documents\LearningCircuit\local-deep-research\config\.env`
- Linux/Mac: `~/.config/local_deep_research/config/.env`

Simply create a text file named `.env` in this directory and add your settings:

```
# Example .env file contents
LDR_WEB__PORT=8080
LDR_SEARCH__TOOL=wikipedia
LDR_GENERAL__ENABLE_FACT_CHECKING=true

# API keys (see important note below)
OPENAI_API_KEY=your-key-here
LDR_OPENAI_API_KEY=your-key-here
```

This file is automatically loaded when Local Deep Research starts, and any settings specified here will override those in the main configuration files.

## Important Note About API Keys

**Known Bug**: Currently, API keys must be set **both with and without** the `LDR_` prefix for search engines to work properly:

```bash
# You need BOTH of these for each API key
export OPENAI_API_KEY=your-key-here
export LDR_OPENAI_API_KEY=your-key-here
```

This applies to all search-related API keys including:
- `OPENAI_API_KEY`
- `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`
- `SERP_API_KEY`
- `BRAVE_API_KEY`
- `GOOGLE_PSE_API_KEY`
- `GOOGLE_PSE_ENGINE_ID`
- `GUARDIAN_API_KEY`

This issue will be fixed in a future update.

## Examples

| Config in settings.toml | Environment Variable | Example |
|-------------------------|----------------------|---------|
| `[web]` port = 5000 | `LDR_WEB__PORT` | `LDR_WEB__PORT=8080` |
| `[search]` tool = "auto" | `LDR_SEARCH__TOOL` | `LDR_SEARCH__TOOL=wikipedia` |
| `[general]` enable_fact_checking = false | `LDR_GENERAL__ENABLE_FACT_CHECKING` | `LDR_GENERAL__ENABLE_FACT_CHECKING=true` |

## API Keys

API keys are best set using environment variables for security (remember the current requirement for both prefixed and non-prefixed versions):

```bash
# Set both versions for each API key
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your-api-key-here
LDR_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your-api-key-here

OPENAI_API_KEY=your-openai-key-here
LDR_OPENAI_API_KEY=your-openai-key-here

SERP_API_KEY=your-api-key-here
LDR_SERP_API_KEY=your-api-key-here
```

## LLM Provider Configuration

### OpenRouter

[OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai/) provides access to 100+ models through an OpenAI-compatible API. To use OpenRouter:

1. Get an API key from [openrouter.ai](https://openrouter.ai/)
2. Configure using one of these methods:

**Method 1: Via Web UI (Recommended)**
- Navigate to Settings → LLM Provider
- Select "Custom OpenAI Endpoint"
- Set Endpoint URL to: `https://openrouter.ai/api/v1`
- Enter your OpenRouter API key
- Select your desired model

**Method 2: Via Environment Variables**

```bash
# Required environment variables for OpenRouter
export LDR_LLM_PROVIDER=openai_endpoint
export LDR_LLM_OPENAI_ENDPOINT_URL=https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
export LDR_LLM_OPENAI_ENDPOINT_API_KEY="<your-api-key>"
export LDR_LLM_MODEL=anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet  # or any OpenRouter model
```

**Method 3: Docker Compose**

Add to your `docker-compose.yml` environment section:

```yaml
services:
  local-deep-research:
    environment:
      - LDR_LLM_PROVIDER=openai_endpoint
      - LDR_LLM_OPENAI_ENDPOINT_URL=https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
      - LDR_LLM_OPENAI_ENDPOINT_API_KEY=<your-api-key>
      - LDR_LLM_MODEL=anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet
```

**Available Models**: Browse models at [openrouter.ai/models](https://openrouter.ai/models)

**Note**: OpenRouter uses the OpenAI-compatible API, so you select "Custom OpenAI Endpoint" as the provider and change the endpoint URL to OpenRouter's API.

### Other OpenAI-Compatible Providers

The same configuration pattern works for any OpenAI-compatible API service:

```bash
# Generic pattern for OpenAI-compatible APIs
export LDR_LLM_PROVIDER=openai_endpoint
export LDR_LLM_OPENAI_ENDPOINT_URL=https://your-provider.com/v1
export LDR_LLM_OPENAI_ENDPOINT_API_KEY="<your-api-key>"
export LDR_LLM_MODEL="<your-model-name>"
```

## Docker Usage

For Docker deployments, you can pass environment variables when starting containers:

```bash
docker run -p 8080:8080 \
  -e LDR_WEB__PORT=8080 \
  -e LDR_SEARCH__TOOL=wikipedia \
  -e OPENAI_API_KEY=your-key-here \
  -e LDR_OPENAI_API_KEY=your-key-here \
  local-deep-research
```

## Common Operations

### Changing the Web Port

```bash
export LDR_WEB__PORT=8080  # Linux/Mac
set LDR_WEB__PORT=8080     # Windows
```

### Setting API Keys (with current dual requirement)

```bash
# Linux/Mac
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your-key-here
export LDR_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your-key-here

# Windows
set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your-key-here
set LDR_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your-key-here
```

### Changing Search Engine

```bash
export LDR_SEARCH__TOOL=wikipedia  # Linux/Mac
set LDR_SEARCH__TOOL=wikipedia     # Windows
```

### Data Directory Location

By default, Local Deep Research stores all data (database, research outputs, cache, logs) in platform-specific user directories. You can override this location using the `LDR_DATA_DIR` environment variable:

```bash
# Linux/Mac
export LDR_DATA_DIR=/path/to/your/data/directory

# Windows
set LDR_DATA_DIR=C:\path\to\your\data\directory
```

All application data will be organized under this directory:
- `$LDR_DATA_DIR/ldr.db` - Application database
- `$LDR_DATA_DIR/research_outputs/` - Research reports
- `$LDR_DATA_DIR/cache/` - Cached data
- `$LDR_DATA_DIR/logs/` - Application logs