[BUG]: [CmdLine@2] - Env vars are not passed to the script built by the task

[marcopelegrini]

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Task name

CmdLine

Task version

2.250.1

Issue Description

According to the CmdLine@2 task definition it's possible to define env variables, but they don't make it into the script the task creates before executing it.

• Is this by design?
• What's the use for the env mapping if they are not passed to the script?

  - task: CmdLine@2
    inputs:
      script: 'printenv; node index.js'
    env:
      TEST_VAR: 'test value'

I've tried everything and the only alternatives seem to be defining definition variables (scope creep), or inline them (looks like a hack)

variables:
  THIS_WORKS: 'test value'

  - task: CmdLine@2
    inputs:
      script: 'printenv; THIS_ALSO_WORKS='test value' node index.js'
    env:
      THIS_DOESNT_WORK: 'test value'

Environment type (Please select at least one enviroment where you face this issue)

• Self-Hosted
• Microsoft Hosted
• VMSS Pool
• Container

Azure DevOps Server type

dev.azure.com (formerly visualstudio.com)

Azure DevOps Server Version (if applicable)

No response

Operation system

azurelinux 3.0

Relevant log output

2025-04-15T22:09:00.5918020Z Generating script.
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5922168Z ##[debug]which 'bash'
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5926517Z ##[debug]found: '/usr/bin/bash'
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5926893Z Script contents:
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5927084Z printenv; node index.js
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5928387Z ##[debug]Agent.Version=4.253.0
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5928757Z ##[debug]agent.tempDirectory=/__w/_temp
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5929079Z ##[debug]check path : /__w/_temp
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5930961Z ========================== Starting Command Output ===========================
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5932345Z ##[debug]which '/usr/bin/bash'
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5933241Z ##[debug]found: '/usr/bin/bash'
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5934115Z ##[debug]/usr/bin/bash arg: /__w/_temp/e354e633-8a48-4786-9727-756c51b878e0.sh
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5937643Z ##[debug]exec tool: /usr/bin/bash
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5937995Z ##[debug]arguments:
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5938342Z ##[debug]   /__w/_temp/e354e633-8a48-4786-9727-756c51b878e0.sh
2025-04-15T22:09:00.5940351Z [command]/usr/bin/bash /__w/_temp/e354e633-8a48-4786-9727-756c51b878e0.sh

>> printenv runs
VARS ARE PRINTED HERE BUT THE ENV DEFINED IN THE TASK ARE NOT AMONGS THE PRINTED ONES

>> node index.js runs
IT DOESN'T FIND THE ENV VARS

Full task logs with system.debug enabled

See above

Repro steps

See description