workflow/docs/v4/api-reference/workflow-runtime/set-world.mdx

Workflow SDK - Build durable, resilient, and observable workflows

---
title: setWorld
description: Override or reset the cached World instance used by the workflow runtime.
type: reference
summary: Use setWorld to inject a custom World instance or reset the cache after environment configuration changes.
prerequisites:
  - /docs/api-reference/workflow-runtime/get-world
related:
  - /docs/api-reference/workflow-runtime/create-world
---

Overrides the cached [World](/docs/api-reference/workflow-runtime/world) instance that [`getWorld()`](/docs/api-reference/workflow-runtime/get-world) returns. Use it to inject a World constructed with explicit configuration (rather than environment variables), or pass `undefined` to clear the cache so the next `getWorld()` call reinitializes from the current environment.

```typescript lineNumbers
import { setWorld, getWorld } from "workflow/runtime";
import type { World } from "@workflow/world";
declare const customWorld: World; // @setup

setWorld(customWorld); // [!code highlight]
const world = await getWorld(); // resolves customWorld
```

## API Signature

### Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Description |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| `world` | `World \| undefined` | The World instance to use, or `undefined` to reset the cache and reinitialize from environment variables on next access |

### Returns

This function does not return a value.

## Example: Reset After Environment Changes

```typescript lineNumbers
import { setWorld, getWorld } from "workflow/runtime";

process.env.WORKFLOW_TARGET_WORLD = "@workflow/world-local";
setWorld(undefined); // clear the cached instance // [!code highlight]

const world = await getWorld(); // reinitialized with new configuration
```

## Related Functions

- [`getWorld()`](/docs/api-reference/workflow-runtime/get-world) - Resolve the cached World instance.
- [`createWorld()`](/docs/api-reference/workflow-runtime/create-world) - Construct a fresh World from environment configuration.