> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.guild.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Environment variables

> Configure Guild agent runtime behavior with environment variables.

Environment variables let you configure the Guild agent runtime without changing code. Set them in your deployment environment or pass them when running agents locally.

## Agent runtime

| Variable                     | Type   | Default | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| ---------------------------- | ------ | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `GUILD_MAX_BUDGET_REFRESHES` | Number | `10`    | Sets the maximum number of consecutive step budget refreshes allowed before stopping the agent (each refresh is 1,000 steps). Serves as a circuit breaker for synchronous infinite loops without yielding. |