How can I set an environment variable for n8n when running via npm on macOS?

It sounds like the issue is due to one (or both) of the following factors:

1. Incorrect Quote Characters:
   In your command
   ​
   export WORKFLOWS_DEFAULT_NAME=“Test”
   ​
   the quotes around Test aren’t the standard straight quotes ("). They’re “smart quotes” (curly quotes) that the shell doesn’t recognize. Make sure to use straight quotes, like:
   ​

   BASHCopied
   export WORKFLOWS_DEFAULT_NAME="Test"

2. Environment Variable Context:
   When you export an environment variable, it is only available to that shell session and any processes started from it. If you run export in one terminal and then launch n8n from another, the variable won’t be available. You can either:

   • Run the export and then immediately launch n8n in the same terminal session:

     BASHCopied
     export N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=false
     n8n

   • Or set the environment variable inline when starting n8n:

     BASHCopied
     N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=false n8n

Since your goal is to disable the secure cookie (N8N_SECURE_COOKIE) for local network access (e.g., from your iPad), use the above approach with N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=false instead of setting the WORKFLOWS_DEFAULT_NAME variable unless that’s also needed.

By ensuring you use proper quotes and start n8n from the same shell where the variable is set (or set it inline), the environment variable should be picked up as expected.

It seems like the variable isn’t being set because of the quote characters and possibly the session in which you’re running n8n. Here are a few tips:

1. Use Standard Quotes:
   In your export command you have “Test” (curly quotes) instead of "Test" (straight quotes). Try using:

   BASHCopied
   export WORKFLOWS_DEFAULT_NAME="Test"

2. Verify the Variable:
   After running the export command, you can check that it’s set in your session by running:

   BASHCopied
   echo $WORKFLOWS_DEFAULT_NAME

3. Environment Scope:
   Remember that the export command only affects the current shell session. Make sure you start n8n from the same terminal session. For example:

   BASHCopied
   export N8N_SECURE_COOKIE="false"
   n8n

   or set it inline when launching n8n:

   BASHCopied
   N8N_SECURE_COOKIE="false" n8n

4. Check n8n Version and Config:
   Since you mentioned n8n version 1.69.2 is being used locally, confirm that no other configuration (like a config file at ~/.n8n/config) is overriding the environment variable.

Following these steps should ensure your environment variables (and specifically disabling secure cookies for local network access) work as expected on your local setup.