# Create OpenStack client environment scripts

The previous sections used a combination of environment variables and command options to interact with the Identity service via the `openstack` client. To increase efficiency of client operations, OpenStack supports simple client environment scripts also known as OpenRC files. These scripts typically contain common options for all clients, but also support unique options. For more information, see the OpenStack End User Guide.

## Creating the scripts

Create client environment scripts for the `admin` and `demo` projects and users. Future portions of this guide reference these scripts to load appropriate credentials for client operations.

Note

The paths of the client environment scripts are unrestricted. For convenience, you can place the scripts in any location, however ensure that they are accessible and located in a secure place appropriate for your deployment, as they do contain sensitive credentials.

1. Create and edit the `admin-openrc` file and add the following content:

   Note

   The OpenStack client also supports using a `clouds.yaml` file. For more information, see the os-client-config.

       export OS_PROJECT_DOMAIN_NAME=Default
       export OS_USER_DOMAIN_NAME=Default
       export OS_PROJECT_NAME=admin
       export OS_USERNAME=admin
       export OS_PASSWORD=ADMIN_PASS
       export OS_AUTH_URL=http://controller:5000/v3
       export OS_IDENTITY_API_VERSION=3
       export OS_IMAGE_API_VERSION=2

   Replace `ADMIN_PASS` with the password you chose for the `admin` user in the Identity service.

2. Create and edit the `demo-openrc` file and add the following content:

       export OS_PROJECT_DOMAIN_NAME=Default
       export OS_USER_DOMAIN_NAME=Default
       export OS_PROJECT_NAME=myproject
       export OS_USERNAME=myuser
       export OS_PASSWORD=DEMO_PASS
       export OS_AUTH_URL=http://controller:5000/v3
       export OS_IDENTITY_API_VERSION=3
       export OS_IMAGE_API_VERSION=2

   Replace `DEMO_PASS` with the password you chose for the `demo` user in the Identity service.

## Using the scripts

To run clients as a specific project and user, you can simply load the associated client environment script prior to running them. For example:

1. Load the `admin-openrc` file to populate environment variables with the location of the Identity service and the `admin` project and user credentials:

       $ . admin-openrc

2. Request an authentication token:

       $ openstack token issue

       +------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
       | Field      | Value                                                           |
       +------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
       | expires    | 2016-02-12T20:44:35.659723Z                                     |
       | id         | gAAAAABWvjYj-Zjfg8WXFaQnUd1DMYTBVrKw4h3fIagi5NoEmh21U72SrRv2trl |
       |            | JWFYhLi2_uPR31Igf6A8mH2Rw9kv_bxNo1jbLNPLGzW_u5FC7InFqx0yYtTwa1e |
       |            | eq2b0f6-18KZyQhs7F3teAta143kJEWuNEYET-y7u29y0be1_64KYkM7E       |
       | project_id | 343d245e850143a096806dfaefa9afdc                                |
       | user_id    | ac3377633149401296f6c0d92d79dc16                                |
       +------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

this page last updated: 2026-04-01 20:09:17

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