wslenv

wslenv is a small helper script intended to populate and print environment variables that are useful when running inside WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) - especially when those variables are missing.

It detects WSL, prepares distro info, configures interop, and merges the Windows PATH. Optionally, it prepares WSLg-related GUI variables.

At the end, it prints shell-ready export commands for any variables it had to set.

Why you need it

There are situations where you end up inside a WSL distribution without the expected interop variables - for example, when you log into it via SSH.

Install

If you want it only as a program available in your PATH, use pipx:

pipx install wslenv

If you want to have development version:

$ git clone https://github.com/pyhedgehog/wslenv.git
$ cd wslenv
$ pipx install -e .

Usage

Typical usage is to evaluate wslenv output in your shell or in your script (i.e. in ~/.profile:

eval "$(wslenv)"

If you want to skip WSLg variables:

eval "$(wslenv --no-gui)"

What it sets

Core WSL variables

• WSL_INTEROP - detects the nearest parent WSL interop relay
• WSL_DISTRO_NAME - uses wslpath -w /
• WSLENV - gets Windows WSLENV or sets it to empty
• PATH - merges Windows PATH entries into the Linux PATH (avoids duplicates)

Optional WSLg variables (GUI apps)

When GUI support is detected and --no-gui / --no-wslg is not used:

• WAYLAND_DISPLAY
• PULSE_SERVER
• XDG_RUNTIME_DIR
• DISPLAY
• WSL2_GUI_APPS_ENABLED

Notes

The script relies on WSL interop utilities:

• wslpath
• wslinfo
• cmd.exe /c set

TODO

• Import from Windows variables mentioned in inherited or imported WSLENV.
• Make OS packages (at least for Alpine).
• Make minimal version - i.e. without python dependencies (shell or compilable - C/Ninja/Rust/...).