Using $NOW Dynamic Variable in API

samhallam · July 8, 2025, 10:46pm

I am wondering what I am missing between the docs and my understanding. I am using the $NOW dynamic variable in an API call from my front end to Directus in comparison to a DateTime field, but it appears to not be comparing timezone to timezone. When I am setting the variable in the directus app it seems to “set to now” just fine compared to my current timezone (UTC+1) but when using the $NOW variable on the front end it appears to be comparing to (UTC+0)? It isnt clear if the $NOW dynamic variable is set to be now with timezone information or plain UTC now? Does anyone have any clarity on the matter?

Nik · July 9, 2025, 9:22am

Seems like $NOW is simply parsed as new Date() which would return a UTC timestamp.

github.com/directus/directus

packages/utils/shared/parse-filter.ts

7532b2b8f


      
          function parseDynamicVariable(value: any, accountability: BasicAccountability | null, context: ParseFilterContext) {
          	if (typeof value !== 'string') {
          		return value;
          	}
          
          	if (value.startsWith('$NOW')) {
          		if (value.includes('(') && value.includes(')')) {
          			const adjustment = value.match(REGEX_BETWEEN_PARENS)?.[1];
          			if (!adjustment) return new Date();
          			return adjustDate(new Date(), adjustment);
          		}
          
          		return new Date();
          	}

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Using $NOW Dynamic Variable in API

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