heroku config:get --json distinguishes unset and empty config vars

Introduced 2026-02-10 · score 0.97

HOW TO USE IT

When checking whether an app config var is unset or set to an empty string, run `heroku config:get <KEY> --app <APP> --json`. The JSON output distinguishes unset (`null`) from empty string (`""`).

WHY THIS HELPS

When checking whether a Heroku app config var is unset or set to an empty string, request structured output.

BEFORE THIS CHANGE

Previously, `heroku config:get KEY` returned empty output for both unset and empty-string config vars, so they could not be distinguished.

REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS

• Version: v10.17.0
• KEY (required): Name of the config var key.
• --app=<value> (required): App to run the command against.
• --json: Output in JSON format; unset is `null` and an empty string is `""`.

FIRST-PARTY EVIDENCE

• https://github.com/heroku/cli/releases/tag/v10.17.0
• https://github.com/heroku/cli/pull/3464
• https://devcenter.heroku.com/articles/heroku-cli-commands

Check the installed version and the source before using it. Entry JSON

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