# What does the WP_ENV variable do?

**URL:** https://discourse.roots.io/t/what-does-the-wp-env-variable-do/3306
**Category:** sage
**Created:** 2015-03-22T14:41:44Z
**Posts:** 5
**Showing post:** 3 of 5

## Post 3 by @lolkaela — 2015-03-25T03:59:59Z

I was initially confused about the setup difference between development/staging environments, I know you guys have a lot to document, especially with the new release, but some of us are new to this type of workflow and a bit more info on the steps could help.

I think I might not be alone in needing a little more help understanding how I should set up the different environments. For example, am I supposed to define the production URL in the manifest.json file as well? Also if I am only developing with Sage without Bedrock, is there a different way to compile everything for deployment?

I’ve been messing with the different prod/dev settings for days now trying to get my build to work and now I am realizing that most of the time it doesn’t even compile the assets.json file, is there a setting that could be causing this?

I really love the theme/framework, I can’t wait to get this all sorted out, even with the set backs I have had learning it, it is worth it!

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