.env values cached in terminal env across reload/quit; only "Clear Workspace Cache" flushes them (regression of #25805?)

[kaifcoder]

Type: Bug

Behaviour

Editing or removing variables in the workspace .env file does not propagate to integrated terminals. The previously-loaded values
persist in process.env of every newly-spawned terminal until the workspace's cached env is explicitly cleared via Python:
Clear Workspace Cache and Reload Window.

This looks like a regression of (or follow-up to) #25805, which was closed but which I'm still reproducing on
ms-python.python@2026.4.0. Note: my repro covers changed values, not only removed ones — both stick.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Workspace with .env:
   DATABASE_URL=postgresql://old-host:5432/db

2. Open the integrated terminal:
   $ echo $DATABASE_URL
   postgresql://old-host:5432/db

3. Edit .env →
   DATABASE_URL=postgresql://new-host:5433/db
   Save the file.

4. Close all terminals. Cmd+Q to fully quit VS Code. Reopen the workspace.

5. New terminal still reports the old value:
   $ echo $DATABASE_URL
   postgresql://old-host:5432/db

6. Run > Python: Clear Workspace Cache and Reload Window. New terminal now reports the new value.

The cached env survives:

• Closing/reopening terminals
• Developer: Reload Window
• Full Cmd+Q and relaunch
• Machine reboot.

Expected behavior

A new terminal should pick up the current contents of .env — at minimum on workspace reopen, ideally on file save (with a
debounce / "relaunch terminal?" prompt as #25805 originally suggested).

Workaround

Setting workspace "python.envFile": "" disables the loader. Fine for projects where .env is consumed by Node/dotenv at runtime,
but not viable for actual Python projects.

Environment

• VS Code: 1.121.0 (commit f6cfa2ea2403534de03f069bdf160d06451ed282, arm64)
• ms-python.python: 2026.4.0
• ms-python.vscode-pylance: 2026.2.1
• ms-python.vscode-python-envs: 1.30.0
• ms-python.debugpy: 2026.6.0
• macOS Darwin 25.5.0 (arm64), zsh
• Project: Next.js / Node (.env consumed by dotenv at runtime)

Related

• Removed env vars from .env file don't leave the environment #25805 (closed) — same root cause for removed variables; this report shows it also affects changed variables and persists
  across full quit/relaunch.

Diagnostic data

Output for Python in the Output panel (View→Output, change the drop-down the upper-right of the Output panel to Python)

XXX

Extension version: 2026.4.0
VS Code version: Code 1.121.0 (f6cfa2ea2403534de03f069bdf160d06451ed282, 2026-05-19T11:51:53+02:00)
OS version: Darwin arm64 25.5.0
Modes:

• Python version (& distribution if applicable, e.g. Anaconda): 3.14.3
• Type of virtual environment used (e.g. conda, venv, virtualenv, etc.): Global
• Value of the python.languageServer setting: Default

User Settings

envFile: "<placeholder>"

languageServer: "Pylance"

terminal
• activateEnvironment: false

Installed Extensions

Extension Name	Extension Id	Version
app-studio-remote-access	SAP	4.1.0
app-studio-toolkit	SAP	2.8.0
bun-vscode	ove	0.0.32
claude-code	Ant	2.1.145
claude-dev	sao	3.84.0
cmake-tools	ms-	1.23.52
code-runner	for	0.12.2
code-snippet-tool	SAP	2.0.4
colab	goo	0.8.1
copilot-chat	Git	0.49.0
cpp-devtools	ms-	0.5.13
cpptools	ms-	1.32.2
cpptools-extension-pack	ms-	1.5.1
cpptools-themes	ms-	2.0.0
dart-code	Dar	3.134.0
debugpy	ms-	2026.6.0
docker	doc	0.18.0
EditorConfig	Edi	0.18.2
errorlens	use	3.28.0
es7-react-js-snippets	dsz	4.4.3
esbuild-problem-matchers	con	0.0.3
explorer	vit	1.50.4
fabric8-analytics	red	0.10.2
flutter	Dar	3.134.0
gitlens	eam	17.12.2
go	gol	0.52.2
hana-database-explorer	SAP	1.37.0
Handlebars	and	0.4.1
java	red	1.54.0
js-debug	ms-	1.117.0
js-debug-companion	ms-	1.1.3
jsts-chat-features	Typ	0.0.2
jupyter	ms-	2025.9.1
jupyter-keymap	ms-	1.1.2
jupyter-renderers	ms-	1.3.0
LiveServer	rit	5.7.10
makefile-tools	ms-	0.12.17
markdown-mermaid	bie	1.32.1
material-icon-theme	PKi	5.35.0
migrate-java-to-azure	vsc	1.19.2
mta-resource-generator	MTA	0.0.1
ng-template	Ang	21.2.4
npm-intellisense	chr	1.4.5
opencode	sst	0.0.13
oracle-java	Ora	25.1.0
pdf	tom	1.2.2
prettier-vscode	esb	12.4.0
prettify-json	moh	0.0.3
pretty-ts-errors	Yoa	0.8.7
prisma	Pri	31.11.0
python	ms-	2026.4.0
quicktype	qui	23.0.170
rainbow-csv	mec	3.24.1
remote-containers	ms-	0.459.0
remote-explorer	ms-	0.5.0
remote-server	ms-	1.5.3
remote-ssh	ms-	0.123.0
remote-ssh-edit	ms-	0.87.0
remote-wsl	ms-	0.104.3
rest-client	hum	0.25.1
sap-guided-answers-extension	SAP	1.32.20
sap-hana-driver-for-sqltools	SAP	0.2.1
sap-ux-annotation-modeler-extension	SAP	1.24.0
sap-ux-application-modeler-extension	SAP	1.24.0
sap-ux-fiori-tools-extension-pack	SAP	1.24.0
sap-ux-help-extension	SAP	1.24.0
sap-ux-sap-systems-ext	SAP	0.5.2
sap-ux-service-modeler-extension	SAP	1.24.0
service-catalog	SAP	1.4.0
sonarlint-vscode	Son	5.2.3
sqlite-viewer	qwt	25.12.2
sqltools	mtx	0.28.5
test-adapter-converter	ms-	0.2.1
uuid-generator	net	0.0.5
volar	Vue	3.3.1
vs-code-prettier-eslint	rve	6.0.0
vscode-cds	SAP	9.9.0
vscode-containers	ms-	2.4.4
vscode-coverage-gutters	rya	2.14.0
vscode-docker	ms-	2.0.0
vscode-edge-devtools	ms-	2.1.10
vscode-edit-csv	jan	0.11.9
vscode-eslint	dba	3.0.24
vscode-gardener-tools	gar	0.13.0
vscode-github-actions	git	0.31.5
vscode-gradle	vsc	3.17.3
vscode-java-debug	vsc	0.59.0
vscode-java-dependency	vsc	0.27.4
vscode-java-pack	vsc	0.31.0
vscode-java-test	vsc	0.45.0
vscode-java-upgrade	vsc	2.1.2
vscode-js-profile-table	ms-	1.0.10
vscode-jupyter-cell-tags	ms-	0.1.9
vscode-jupyter-slideshow	ms-	0.1.6
vscode-kubernetes-tools	ms-	1.3.29
vscode-lombok	vsc	1.1.1
vscode-maven	vsc	0.45.3
vscode-mdx	uni	1.8.17
vscode-pgsql	ms-	1.22.1
vscode-pull-request-github	Git	0.146.0
vscode-pylance	ms-	2026.2.1
vscode-python-envs	ms-	1.30.0
vscode-qunit-snippets	sha	0.2.0
vscode-remote-extensionpack	ms-	0.26.0
vscode-sqlite3-editor	yy0	1.0.212
vscode-tailwindcss	bra	0.14.29
vscode-thunder-client	ran	2.40.12
vscode-wing-cds-editor-vsc	SAP	25.10.8
vscode-xml	red	0.29.2
vscode-yaml	red	1.23.0
workspace-default-settings	dan	0.0.7
xml-toolkit	SAP	1.2.1
yeoman-ui	SAP	1.23.0

System Info

Item	Value
CPUs	Apple M3 Pro (12 x 2400)
GPU Status	2d_canvas: enabled GPU0: VENDOR= 0x106b [Google Inc. (Apple)], DEVICE=0x0000 [ANGLE (Apple, ANGLE Metal Renderer: Apple M3 Pro, Version 26.5 (Build 25F71))], DRIVER_VENDOR=Apple, DRIVER_VERSION=26.5 ACTIVE Machine model name: Mac Machine model version: 15.7 direct_rendering_display_compositor: disabled_off_ok gpu_compositing: enabled multiple_raster_threads: enabled_on opengl: enabled_on rasterization: enabled raw_draw: disabled_off_ok skia_graphite: enabled_on trees_in_viz: disabled_off video_decode: enabled video_encode: enabled webgl: enabled webgl2: enabled webgpu: enabled webnn: disabled_off
Load (avg)	4, 4, 4
Memory (System)	18.00GB (0.09GB free)
Process Argv
Screen Reader	no
VM	0%