Files and built-in tools
Slinky vs direnv
direnv loads a folder’s .envrc when you cd into it and unloads it when you leave. It’s fast and works in many shells, but it doesn’t encrypt anything: the .envrc is a plain-text script, unless it calls a secret manager.
Choose direnv if
- You set far more than secrets per folder: paths, tool versions, layouts.
- You use a shell Slinky’s hook doesn’t cover.
- Your values aren’t secret.
Choose Slinky if
- The values are real keys and you don’t want them in a file.
- You want to approve with Touch ID before your keys load.
- You want AI agents to see names only.
Side by side
| Slinky | direnv | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for API keys and tokens | Yes | No |
| A project’s .env, per environment | Yes | Partly: One .envrc per folder |
| Starts your app with its variables | Yes: slinky run | Partly: Loads when you cd |
| AI agents see names, not values | Yes | No: Any shell there gets them |
| Backup codes that cross themselves off | Yes | No |
| Where your secrets are kept | An encrypted file on your Mac | Plain text in .envrc |
| Works without an account | Yes | Yes |
| Share with your team | Yes: Encrypted files, no server | No |
| Opens with Touch ID | Yes | No |
| Open source | Yes: MIT | Yes: MIT |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Runs on | Mac, Apple silicon | Mac and Linux, many shells |
Yes Partly No As of October 2026, from direnv.net. Features and prices change.
Questions
Does Slinky load variables when I cd?
Yes, if you turn it on. slinky hook zsh (or bash or fish) adds shell code that loads a linked project’s variables when you cd into it and unloads them when you leave.
Can I keep direnv and get the values from Slinky?
Yes. In .envrc, use eval "$(slinky env --export)". Slinky asks before printing the export lines, and the .envrc itself holds no values.
Is Slinky free?
Yes. Slinky is free and open source under the MIT License, made by Testament Made, LLC. It runs on Apple silicon Macs with macOS 15 Sequoia or later.
More comparisons
Slinky vs .env files
Plain text in the project folder, or encrypted and out of it.
Slinky vs dotenvx
An encrypted .env you commit, or variables kept out of the repo.
Slinky vs Keychain Access
The Mac’s built-in keychain, or an app made for keys.
Slinky vs 1Password
A full password manager with developer tools, or a free Mac app just for keys.
Slinky vs Apple Passwords
Use Apple Passwords for sign-ins, and Slinky for keys and backup codes.
Slinky vs Bitwarden
An open-source password manager and a Secrets Manager for teams, or one Mac app.
All comparisons
Every tool side by side, in one table.