Configuration

OpenRive is configured with environment variables, validated with zod at startup — a bad value stops the app with a message instead of failing later. Set them in your shell, in a .env file (copy .env.example), or in docker-compose.yml.

Storage

Variable	Default	Description
DATABASE_URL	–	PostgreSQL connection URL. Without it, an embedded PostgreSQL (PGlite) runs inside the data folder. OPENRIVE_DATABASE_URL also works.
OPENRIVE_DATA_DIR	./data	Folder for the embedded database and CLI imports/exports. A relative path is resolved against the workspace root.
OPENRIVE_DB_SSL	false	true forces TLS (also enabled by ?sslmode=require in the URL). Certificates are not verified, which suits managed databases with private CAs.
OPENRIVE_DB_POOL	10	Maximum database connections (server mode)
OPENRIVE_DB_WAIT_SECONDS	60	How long to wait for a PostgreSQL server that is still starting before giving up

Access

Variable	Default	Description
OPENRIVE_AUTH	auto	auto requires a sign-in when DATABASE_URL is set, on always requires one, off never does. See Accounts and sign-in.
OPENRIVE_SESSION_DAYS	30	How long a sign-in lasts
OPENRIVE_ACCESS_TOKEN	–	When set, every request needs HTTP Basic auth with this password (any user name). /api/health stays open. Can be combined with accounts.

Server

Variable	Default	Description
PORT	3000	HTTP port (bun run start, openrive serve, Docker)
HOSTNAME	localhost (0.0.0.0 in Docker)	Interface to listen on
NEXT_OUTPUT	–	standalone at build time produces the self-contained server used by Docker and the desktop app

Docker Compose

Variable	Default	Description
OPENRIVE_PORT	3000	Host port published by compose
POSTGRES_USER / POSTGRES_PASSWORD / POSTGRES_DB	openrive	Credentials of the bundled PostgreSQL. Change the password.

CLI, MCP and the desktop app

Variable	Default	Description
OPENRIVE_USER	first admin	Owner (user id or name) for files created by the CLI and MCP tools
OPENRIVE_URL	http://localhost:3000	Base URL used in the editor links these tools print

The CLI also accepts --data <dir> and --db <url> on any command.

Legacy names

Earlier builds used RIVE_EDITOR_DATA_DIR, RIVE_EDITOR_ACCESS_TOKEN and RIVE_EDITOR_USER. They still work as fallbacks.

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