[Solved] You wrote this in cypress.config.js:export default defineConfig({ env: { apiKey: process.env.API_KEY } })But Cypress.env('apiKey') is undefined during tests. What is the likely cause? | Cypress

Cypress - Test Organization and Patterns

You wrote this in cypress.config.js:

export default defineConfig({
  env: {
    apiKey: process.env.API_KEY
  }
})

But Cypress.env('apiKey') is undefined during tests. What is the likely cause?

ACypress.env cannot access process.env variables

BYou must use double quotes around process.env.API_KEY

CThe environment variable API_KEY is not set in the OS before running Cypress

DapiKey must be defined inside the test file, not config

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Check environment variable availability
process.env.API_KEY reads OS environment variables; if not set, it returns undefined.
Step 2: Confirm Cypress.env behavior
Cypress.env('apiKey') reflects the value set in config.env.apiKey, so if process.env.API_KEY is undefined, Cypress.env('apiKey') is undefined.
Final Answer:
The environment variable API_KEY is not set in the OS before running Cypress -> Option C
Quick Check:
Unset OS env var = Cypress.env undefined [OK]

Quick Trick: Set OS env vars before running Cypress to use in config [OK]

Common Mistakes:

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