---
title: "ktm variables show"
description: "Fetch a single variable, rich-by-default with usage; --lite skips usage"
sidebarTitle: "show"
lastUpdated: "2026-09-23"
---

> **For AI agents:** the complete documentation index is at [llms.txt](/llms.txt). Append `.md` to any page URL for its markdown version.

{/* GENERATED FILE: do not edit by hand. Regenerate with: node scripts/generate.mjs */}

Fetch a single variable, rich-by-default with usage; --lite skips usage

## Usage

```bash
ktm variables show <id> [flags]
```

## Examples

```bash
ktm variables show 17
ktm variables show 17 --lite
ktm variables show 17 -o json | jq '.variable_values[] | {variant: .variant.name, value: .values}'
```

## Arguments

| Argument | Required |
| --- | --- |
| `id` | Yes |

## Flags

| Flag | Type | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `--lite` | boolean |  | Skip the usage fetch (faster; default rich) |
| `--variant` | string |  | Reserved — no effect today |

## Details

Returns the full Variable shape: id, name, type, scope, default_value, and
variable_values[] per variant.

CLI is rich-by-default (humans want full info): the response also includes the
list of tests referencing this variable. Pass --lite to skip the usage fetch.

The --variant flag is reserved for future per-variant projection and currently
has no effect.

## Related

- [`ktm variables`](/cli/commands/variables)

<Note>
  Global flags (`--output`, `--debug`, `--host`, …) apply to every command. See the [command reference overview](/cli/commands/overview).
</Note>

## What's next?

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="All commands" icon="terminal" href="/cli/commands/overview">
    Browse the full CLI reference.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Get started" icon="rocket" href="/cli/getting-started">
    Install the CLI and authenticate.
  </Card>
</Columns>