# Environment Variables


# Environment Variables

Tailpipe supports environment variables to allow you to change its default behavior.  These are optional settings - You are not required to set any environment variables.

Note that plugins may also support environment variables, but these are plugin-specific - refer to your plugin's documentation on the [Tailpipe Hub](https://hub.tailpipe.io/) for details.

## Tailpipe Environment Variables


| Command | Default | Description
|-|-|-
| [TAILPIPE_INSTALL_DIR](/docs/reference/env-vars/tailpipe_install_dir)| `~/.tailpipe` | The directory in which the Tailpipe database, plugins, and supporting files can be found.
| [TAILPIPE_LOG_LEVEL](/docs/reference/env-vars/tailpipe_log)  | `warn` | Set the logging output level.
| [TAILPIPE_UPDATE_CHECK](/docs/reference/env-vars/tailpipe_update_check)| `true` | Enable/disable automatic update checking.
| [TAILPIPE_WORKSPACE](/docs/reference/env-vars/tailpipe_workspace)  | `default` | Set the Tailpipe workspace.
| [TAILPIPE_MEMORY_MAX_MB](/docs/reference/env-vars/tailpipe_memory_max_mb) | `0` (unlimited) | Caps CLI memory usage and determines worker count.
| [TAILPIPE_PLUGIN_MEMORY_MAX_MB](/docs/reference/env-vars/tailpipe_plugin_memory_max_mb) | `0` (unlimited) |  Sets soft memory cap per plugin.
| [TAILPIPE_TEMP_DIR_MAX_MB](/docs/reference/env-vars/tailpipe_temp_dir_max_mb) | `0` (unlimited) | Limits JSONL temp file size on disk.