Environment variables

is page describes the environment variables that are supported in the config/variables.env file for Toolkit deployments.

The config/variables.env file consists of variable definitions in the form NAME=value, lines beginning with # are treated as comments.

It is necessary that you re-create the Docker containers after changing anything in overleaf.rc or variables.env by running bin/up.

All versions

These environment variables are compatible with Server CE and Server Pro you with an easy migration path between these two on-premise versions. They can also be used with both Toolkit and Docker Compose deployments.

Previously these variables were called SHARELATEX_

Name
Description

OVERLEAF_SITE_URL

Where your instance of Overleaf is publicly available. This is used in public links, and when connecting over websockets, so must be configured correctly!

OVERLEAF_ADMIN_EMAIL

The email address where users can reach the person who runs the site.

OVERLEAF_APP_NAME

The name to display when talking about the running application. Defaults to 'Overleaf (Community Edition)'.

OVERLEAF_MONGO_URL and MONGO_URL

The URL of the Mongo database to use.

OVERLEAF_REDIS_HOST and REDIS_HOST

OVERLEAF_REDIS_PORT and REDIS_PORT

OVERLEAF_REDIS_PASS and REDIS_PASSWORD

OVERLEAF_REDIS_TLS

If set to true, allows for the connection to a Redis instance requiring TLS.

Note: mTLS is currently not supported.

OVERLEAF_NAV_TITLE

Set the tab title of the application

OVERLEAF_SESSION_SECRET

A random string which is used to secure tokens, if load balancing this needs to be set to the same toke across boxes. If only 1 instance is being run it does not need to be set by the user.

OVERLEAF_COOKIE_SESSION_LENGTH

This environment variable allows you to override the default session cookie expiration time of 5 days. The override value provided should be specified in milliseconds. For example, to make the session last for 1 hour, set COOKIE_SESSION_LENGTH=3600000. (Added in Server Pro 4.2)

OVERLEAF_BEHIND_PROXY

Set to true if running behind a proxy like nginx/apache allowing it to correctly detect the forwarded IP address

OVERLEAF_SECURE_COOKIE

Set this to something non-zero to use a secure cookie. Only use this if your Overleaf instance is running behind a reverse proxy with SSL configured.

OVERLEAF_RESTRICT_INVITES_TO_EXISTING_ACCOUNTS

If set to true, will restrict project invites to email addresses which correspond with existing user accounts.

OVERLEAF_ALLOW_PUBLIC_ACCESS

If set to true, will allow non-authenticated users to view the site. The default is false, which means non-authenticated users will be unconditionally redirected to the login page when they try to view any part of the site. Note, setting this option does not disable authentication or security in any way. This option is necessary if your users intend to make their projects public and have non-authenticated users view those projects.

OVERLEAF_ALLOW_ANONYMOUS_READ_AND_WRITE_SHARING

If set to true, will allow anonymous users to view and edit projects shared via the new

EMAIL_CONFIRMATION_DISABLED

When set to true the banner requesting email confirmation won't be displayed.

ADDITIONAL_TEXT_EXTENSIONS

an array of strings to configure additional extensions for editable files

OVERLEAF_STATUS_PAGE_URL

Custom status page URL (Added in Server Pro 3.4.0), e.g. status.example.com

OVERLEAF_FPH_INITIALIZE_NEW_PROJECTS

set to 'false' to prevent new projects from being initialised with Full Project History (Added in Server Pro 3.5.0)

OVERLEAF_FPH_DISPLAY_NEW_PROJECTS

set to 'false' to prevent new projects from displaying Full Project History instead of the legacy history (Added inServer Pro 3.5.0)

ENABLE_CRON_RESOURCE_DELETION

Set this environment variable to true to enable the automatic clean-up of deleted projects and users after 90 days.

COMPILE_SIZE_LIMIT

Controls the maximum request body size in bytes. This is the sum of all doc file sizes within the project (main.tex, references.bib (if not linked) etc), that needs to be sent in the initial compile request to the CLSI service.

COMPILE_TIMEOUT

MAX_RECONNECT_GRACEFULLY_INTERVAL_MS

A configurable delay between editor graceful reconnection, data flushing, and container shutdown to mitigate the risk of data loss.

It is possible to enforce password restrictions on users when using the Overleaf login system (local accounts), not an SSO option such as LDAP. For SSO accounts, password policies will be enforced by your identity provider or directory service, additionally allowing support for multi-factor authentication.

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