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Version: 8.9

How to use cluster variables

Learn how to use and access cluster variables, from simple to advanced patterns.

Use in BPMN​

Service task input mapping​

Map cluster variables to service task inputs. For example:

= camunda.vars.env.API_ENDPOINT

For the target variable:

apiUrl

Gateway conditions​

Use cluster variables in conditional sequence flows. For example:

orderAmount > camunda.vars.env.APPROVAL_THRESHOLD
camunda.vars.env.FEATURE_EXPRESS_SHIPPING = true

Script tasks​

Reference cluster variables in script expressions. For example:

var endpoint = camunda.vars.env.API_CONFIG.base_url;
var timeout = camunda.vars.env.API_CONFIG.timeout_ms;

Output mappings​

Use cluster variables in output parameter expressions. For example:

= {
  "endpoint": camunda.vars.env.SERVICE_URL,
  "timestamp": now(),
  "threshold": camunda.vars.env.PROCESSING_THRESHOLD
}

Call activities​

Pass cluster variables as input to called processes. For example:

= {
  "config": camunda.vars.env.SUBPROCESS_CONFIG,
  "flags": camunda.vars.env.FEATURE_FLAGS
}

Combining multiple variables​

Create expressions using multiple cluster variables. For example:

camunda.vars.env.API_BASE_URL + "/api/v" + camunda.vars.env.API_VERSION + "/resource"

Access using FEEL expressions​

You can reference cluster variables anywhere Camunda Modeler supports FEEL expressions. They are exposed through the following namespaces:

  • camunda.vars.cluster
  • camunda.vars.tenant
  • camunda.vars.env

These namespaces correspond to the available scope levels. See scope resolution for more details.

tip

Camunda recommends using the camunda.vars.env namespace for most use cases.

camunda.vars.cluster​

Provides direct access only to global-scope variables. Tenant-scope variables are not accessible through this namespace.

Use when:

  • You want to access only global variables.
  • You need to bypass tenant-level overrides.
  • You're debugging scope resolution.

For example:

camunda.vars.cluster.GLOBAL_DEFAULT_TIMEOUT

camunda.vars.tenant​

Provides direct access only to tenant-scope variables. Global-scope variables are not accessible through this namespace.

Use when:

  • You want to access only tenant variables.
  • You need to check tenant-specific values.
  • You're debugging scope resolution.

For example:

camunda.vars.tenant.TENANT_SPECIFIC_CONFIG

camunda.vars.env​

Provides a merged view of both global- and tenant-scope variables, applying automatic priority resolution. This is the recommended namespace for most cases.

Use when:

  • You want automatic scope resolution.
  • You need the most specific value available.
  • You're writing portable process definitions.

For example:

camunda.vars.env.API_ENDPOINT
camunda.vars.env.CONFIG.timeout

Simple key access​

Use dot notation after the namespace for simple key-value pairs. For example:

camunda.vars.env.API_URL
camunda.vars.env.MAX_RETRIES
camunda.vars.env.FEATURE_ENABLED
camunda.vars.env.TIMEOUT_SECONDS

Nested object access​

For cluster variables with nested object structures, use dot notation to access deeper levels. For example:

camunda.vars.env.DATABASE_CONFIG.host
camunda.vars.env.DATABASE_CONFIG.port
camunda.vars.env.DATABASE_CONFIG.credentials.username

camunda.vars.env.API_SETTINGS.retry.max_attempts
camunda.vars.env.API_SETTINGS.retry.backoff_ms
camunda.vars.env.API_SETTINGS.timeout.connection

Conditional access​

Provide fallback values when cluster variables might not exist. For example:

if camunda.vars.env.CUSTOM_TIMEOUT != null
  then camunda.vars.env.CUSTOM_TIMEOUT
  else 5000

Dynamic key access​

While dynamic key access is limited in FEEL, you can structure your variables to support configuration-driven behavior. For example:

camunda.vars.env.COUNTRY_CONFIGS[countryCode].tax_rate

Usage best practices​

Use meaningful names​

Choose clear, descriptive variable names that indicate purpose and scope. For example:

✓ camunda.vars.env.PAYMENT_API_ENDPOINT
✗ camunda.vars.env.URL1

Use nested objects to organize related values. For example:

✓ camunda.vars.env.PAYMENT_CONFIG.endpoint
✓ camunda.vars.env.PAYMENT_CONFIG.timeout
✓ camunda.vars.env.PAYMENT_CONFIG.retry_count

Follow naming conventions​

Establish and follow naming patterns across your organization. For example:

  • UPPER_SNAKE_CASE for top-level keys.
  • camelCase or snake_case for nested properties.

Document variable contracts​

Maintain documentation of expected cluster variables, their structures, and allowed overrides per process.