diff --git a/examples/rust/msm/run.sh b/examples/rust/msm/run.sh
index c775e603..795f8bd4 100755
--- a/examples/rust/msm/run.sh
+++ b/examples/rust/msm/run.sh
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@ show_help() {
   echo "Usage: $0 [-d DEVICE_TYPE] [-b BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR]"
   echo
   echo "Options:"
-  echo "  -d DEVICE_TYPE            Specify the device type (default: CPU)"
-  echo "  -b BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR    Specify the backend installation directory (default: empty)"
-  echo "  -h                        Show this help message"
+  echo "  -d DEVICE_TYPE                  Specify the device type (default: CPU)"
+  echo "  -b ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR   Specify the backend installation directory (default: empty)"
+  echo "  -h                              Show this help message"
   exit 0
 }
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ while getopts ":d:b:h" opt; do
       DEVICE_TYPE=$OPTARG
       ;;
     b )
-      BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR="$(realpath ${OPTARG})"
+      ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR="$(realpath ${OPTARG})"
       ;;
     h )
       show_help
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ done
 
 # Set default values if not provided
 : "${DEVICE_TYPE:=CPU}"
-: "${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR:=}"
+: "${ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR:=}"
 
 # Create necessary directories
 mkdir -p build/example
@@ -49,11 +49,13 @@ ICILE_DIR=$(realpath "../../../icicle_v3/")
 ICICLE_CUDA_SOURCE_DIR="${ICILE_DIR}/backend/cuda"
 
 # Build Icicle and the example app that links to it
-if [ "$DEVICE_TYPE" == "CUDA" ] && [ ! -d "${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}" ] && [ -d "${ICICLE_CUDA_SOURCE_DIR}" ]; then
+if [ "$DEVICE_TYPE" == "CUDA" ] && [ ! -d "${ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}" ] && [ -d "${ICICLE_CUDA_SOURCE_DIR}" ]; then
   echo "Building icicle with CUDA backend"
-  BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR="./target/release/deps/icicle/lib/backend"
-  cargo run --release --features=cuda -- --device-type "${DEVICE_TYPE}" --backend-install-dir "${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}"
+  cargo build --release --features=cuda
+  export ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR=$(realpath "./target/release/deps/icicle/lib/backend")
+  cargo run --release --features=cuda -- --device-type "${DEVICE_TYPE}"
 else
-  echo "Building icicle without CUDA backend, BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR=${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}"
-  cargo run --release -- --device-type "${DEVICE_TYPE}" --backend-install-dir "${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}"
+  echo "Building icicle without CUDA backend, BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR=${ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}"
+  export ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR="$ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR";
+  cargo run --release -- --device-type "${DEVICE_TYPE}"
 fi
diff --git a/examples/rust/msm/src/main.rs b/examples/rust/msm/src/main.rs
index 3152d1b0..4f40e670 100644
--- a/examples/rust/msm/src/main.rs
+++ b/examples/rust/msm/src/main.rs
@@ -25,23 +25,16 @@ struct Args {
     /// Device type (e.g., "CPU", "CUDA")
     #[arg(short, long, default_value = "CPU")]
     device_type: String,
-
-    /// Backend installation directory
-    #[arg(short, long, default_value = "")]
-    backend_install_dir: String,
 }
 
 // Load backend and set device
 fn try_load_and_set_backend_device(args: &Args) {
-    if !args
-        .backend_install_dir
-        .is_empty()
-    {
-        println!("Trying to load backend from {}", &args.backend_install_dir);
-        icicle_runtime::runtime::load_backend(&args.backend_install_dir).unwrap();
+    if args.device_type != "CPU" {
+        icicle_runtime::runtime::load_backend_from_env_or_default().unwrap();
     }
     println!("Setting device {}", args.device_type);
-    icicle_runtime::set_device(&icicle_runtime::Device::new(&args.device_type, 0)).unwrap();
+    let device = icicle_runtime::Device::new(&args.device_type, 0 /* =device_id*/);
+    icicle_runtime::set_device(&device).unwrap();
 }
 
 fn main() {
diff --git a/examples/rust/ntt/run.sh b/examples/rust/ntt/run.sh
index c775e603..795f8bd4 100755
--- a/examples/rust/ntt/run.sh
+++ b/examples/rust/ntt/run.sh
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@ show_help() {
   echo "Usage: $0 [-d DEVICE_TYPE] [-b BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR]"
   echo
   echo "Options:"
-  echo "  -d DEVICE_TYPE            Specify the device type (default: CPU)"
-  echo "  -b BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR    Specify the backend installation directory (default: empty)"
-  echo "  -h                        Show this help message"
+  echo "  -d DEVICE_TYPE                  Specify the device type (default: CPU)"
+  echo "  -b ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR   Specify the backend installation directory (default: empty)"
+  echo "  -h                              Show this help message"
   exit 0
 }
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ while getopts ":d:b:h" opt; do
       DEVICE_TYPE=$OPTARG
       ;;
     b )
-      BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR="$(realpath ${OPTARG})"
+      ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR="$(realpath ${OPTARG})"
       ;;
     h )
       show_help
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ done
 
 # Set default values if not provided
 : "${DEVICE_TYPE:=CPU}"
-: "${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR:=}"
+: "${ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR:=}"
 
 # Create necessary directories
 mkdir -p build/example
@@ -49,11 +49,13 @@ ICILE_DIR=$(realpath "../../../icicle_v3/")
 ICICLE_CUDA_SOURCE_DIR="${ICILE_DIR}/backend/cuda"
 
 # Build Icicle and the example app that links to it
-if [ "$DEVICE_TYPE" == "CUDA" ] && [ ! -d "${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}" ] && [ -d "${ICICLE_CUDA_SOURCE_DIR}" ]; then
+if [ "$DEVICE_TYPE" == "CUDA" ] && [ ! -d "${ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}" ] && [ -d "${ICICLE_CUDA_SOURCE_DIR}" ]; then
   echo "Building icicle with CUDA backend"
-  BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR="./target/release/deps/icicle/lib/backend"
-  cargo run --release --features=cuda -- --device-type "${DEVICE_TYPE}" --backend-install-dir "${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}"
+  cargo build --release --features=cuda
+  export ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR=$(realpath "./target/release/deps/icicle/lib/backend")
+  cargo run --release --features=cuda -- --device-type "${DEVICE_TYPE}"
 else
-  echo "Building icicle without CUDA backend, BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR=${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}"
-  cargo run --release -- --device-type "${DEVICE_TYPE}" --backend-install-dir "${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}"
+  echo "Building icicle without CUDA backend, BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR=${ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}"
+  export ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR="$ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR";
+  cargo run --release -- --device-type "${DEVICE_TYPE}"
 fi
diff --git a/examples/rust/ntt/src/main.rs b/examples/rust/ntt/src/main.rs
index 2c3e0769..ea6a303f 100644
--- a/examples/rust/ntt/src/main.rs
+++ b/examples/rust/ntt/src/main.rs
@@ -19,23 +19,16 @@ struct Args {
     /// Device type (e.g., "CPU", "CUDA")
     #[arg(short, long, default_value = "CPU")]
     device_type: String,
-
-    /// Backend installation directory
-    #[arg(short, long, default_value = "")]
-    backend_install_dir: String,
 }
 
 // Load backend and set device
 fn try_load_and_set_backend_device(args: &Args) {
-    if !args
-        .backend_install_dir
-        .is_empty()
-    {
-        println!("Trying to load backend from {}", &args.backend_install_dir);
-        icicle_runtime::runtime::load_backend(&args.backend_install_dir).unwrap();
+    if args.device_type != "CPU" {
+        icicle_runtime::runtime::load_backend_from_env_or_default().unwrap();
     }
     println!("Setting device {}", args.device_type);
-    icicle_runtime::set_device(&icicle_runtime::Device::new(&args.device_type, 0)).unwrap();
+    let device = icicle_runtime::Device::new(&args.device_type, 0 /* =device_id*/);
+    icicle_runtime::set_device(&device).unwrap();
 }
 
 fn main() {
diff --git a/examples/rust/polynomials/run.sh b/examples/rust/polynomials/run.sh
index c775e603..795f8bd4 100755
--- a/examples/rust/polynomials/run.sh
+++ b/examples/rust/polynomials/run.sh
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@ show_help() {
   echo "Usage: $0 [-d DEVICE_TYPE] [-b BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR]"
   echo
   echo "Options:"
-  echo "  -d DEVICE_TYPE            Specify the device type (default: CPU)"
-  echo "  -b BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR    Specify the backend installation directory (default: empty)"
-  echo "  -h                        Show this help message"
+  echo "  -d DEVICE_TYPE                  Specify the device type (default: CPU)"
+  echo "  -b ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR   Specify the backend installation directory (default: empty)"
+  echo "  -h                              Show this help message"
   exit 0
 }
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ while getopts ":d:b:h" opt; do
       DEVICE_TYPE=$OPTARG
       ;;
     b )
-      BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR="$(realpath ${OPTARG})"
+      ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR="$(realpath ${OPTARG})"
       ;;
     h )
       show_help
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ done
 
 # Set default values if not provided
 : "${DEVICE_TYPE:=CPU}"
-: "${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR:=}"
+: "${ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR:=}"
 
 # Create necessary directories
 mkdir -p build/example
@@ -49,11 +49,13 @@ ICILE_DIR=$(realpath "../../../icicle_v3/")
 ICICLE_CUDA_SOURCE_DIR="${ICILE_DIR}/backend/cuda"
 
 # Build Icicle and the example app that links to it
-if [ "$DEVICE_TYPE" == "CUDA" ] && [ ! -d "${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}" ] && [ -d "${ICICLE_CUDA_SOURCE_DIR}" ]; then
+if [ "$DEVICE_TYPE" == "CUDA" ] && [ ! -d "${ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}" ] && [ -d "${ICICLE_CUDA_SOURCE_DIR}" ]; then
   echo "Building icicle with CUDA backend"
-  BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR="./target/release/deps/icicle/lib/backend"
-  cargo run --release --features=cuda -- --device-type "${DEVICE_TYPE}" --backend-install-dir "${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}"
+  cargo build --release --features=cuda
+  export ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR=$(realpath "./target/release/deps/icicle/lib/backend")
+  cargo run --release --features=cuda -- --device-type "${DEVICE_TYPE}"
 else
-  echo "Building icicle without CUDA backend, BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR=${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}"
-  cargo run --release -- --device-type "${DEVICE_TYPE}" --backend-install-dir "${BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}"
+  echo "Building icicle without CUDA backend, BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR=${ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR}"
+  export ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR="$ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR";
+  cargo run --release -- --device-type "${DEVICE_TYPE}"
 fi
diff --git a/examples/rust/polynomials/src/main.rs b/examples/rust/polynomials/src/main.rs
index 125cfbea..377f4a7d 100644
--- a/examples/rust/polynomials/src/main.rs
+++ b/examples/rust/polynomials/src/main.rs
@@ -25,20 +25,12 @@ struct Args {
     /// Device type (e.g., "CPU", "CUDA")
     #[arg(short, long, default_value = "CPU")]
     device_type: String,
-
-    /// Backend installation directory
-    #[arg(short, long, default_value = "/opt/icicle/backend")]
-    backend_install_dir: String,
 }
 
 // Load backend and set device
 fn try_load_and_set_backend_device(args: &Args) {
-    if !args
-        .backend_install_dir
-        .is_empty()
-    {
-        println!("Trying to load backend from {}", &args.backend_install_dir);
-        icicle_runtime::runtime::load_backend(&args.backend_install_dir).unwrap();
+    if args.device_type != "CPU" {
+        icicle_runtime::runtime::load_backend_from_env_or_default().unwrap();
     }
     println!("Setting device {}", args.device_type);
     let device = icicle_runtime::Device::new(&args.device_type, 0 /* =device_id*/);
diff --git a/icicle_v3/include/icicle/errors.h b/icicle_v3/include/icicle/errors.h
index b91c666b..178801d1 100644
--- a/icicle_v3/include/icicle/errors.h
+++ b/icicle_v3/include/icicle/errors.h
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ namespace icicle {
     STREAM_DESTRUCTION_FAILED, ///< Stream destruction failed
     API_NOT_IMPLEMENTED,       ///< The API is not implemented for a device
     INVALID_ARGUMENT,          ///< Invalid argument passed
-    UNKNOWN_ERROR              ///< An unknown error occurred
+    BACKEND_LOAD_FAILED,       ///< Failed to load the backend
+    UNKNOWN_ERROR,             ///< An unknown error occurred
   };
 
   /**
@@ -59,6 +60,8 @@ namespace icicle {
       return "eIcicleError::API_NOT_IMPLEMENTED";
     case eIcicleError::INVALID_ARGUMENT:
       return "eIcicleError::INVALID_ARGUMENT";
+    case eIcicleError::BACKEND_LOAD_FAILED:
+      return "eIcicleError::BACKEND_LOAD_FAILED";
     case eIcicleError::UNKNOWN_ERROR:
     default:
       return "eIcicleError::UNKNOWN_ERROR";
diff --git a/icicle_v3/include/icicle/runtime.h b/icicle_v3/include/icicle/runtime.h
index 7712f8cb..4b6848a9 100644
--- a/icicle_v3/include/icicle/runtime.h
+++ b/icicle_v3/include/icicle/runtime.h
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 using namespace icicle;
 
 /**
- * @brief Search and load icicle backed to process
+ * @brief load icicle backed to process from install dir
  *
 
  * @param path Path of the backend library or directory where backend libraries are installed
@@ -16,6 +16,18 @@ using namespace icicle;
  */
 extern "C" eIcicleError icicle_load_backend(const char* path, bool is_recursive);
 
+/**
+ * @brief Attempts to load the backend from either the environment variable or the default install directory.
+ *
+ * This function first checks if the environment variable `ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR` is set and points to an existing
+ * directory. If so, it attempts to load the backend from that directory. If the environment variable is not set or the
+ * directory does not exist, it falls back to the default directory (`/opt/icicle/backend`). If neither option is
+ * successful, the function returns an error.
+ *
+ * @return eIcicleError The status of the backend loading operation, indicating success or failure.
+ */
+extern "C" eIcicleError icicle_load_backend_from_env_or_default();
+
 /**
  * @brief Set active device for thread
  *
diff --git a/icicle_v3/src/runtime.cpp b/icicle_v3/src/runtime.cpp
index b30ad505..4871c6b4 100644
--- a/icicle_v3/src/runtime.cpp
+++ b/icicle_v3/src/runtime.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include <dirent.h>
 #include <sys/stat.h>
 #include <string>
+#include <filesystem>
 
 #include "icicle/runtime.h"
 #include "icicle/device_api.h"
@@ -304,4 +305,32 @@ extern "C" eIcicleError icicle_load_backend(const char* path, bool is_recursive)
   }
 
   return eIcicleError::SUCCESS;
+}
+
+extern "C" eIcicleError icicle_load_backend_from_env_or_default()
+{
+  // First, check the environment variable
+  const char* env_dir = std::getenv("ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR");
+  if (env_dir && std::filesystem::exists(env_dir)) {
+    // Attempt to load the backend from the environment variable directory
+    eIcicleError result = icicle_load_backend(env_dir, true /*=recursive*/);
+    if (result == eIcicleError::SUCCESS) {
+      ICICLE_LOG_INFO << "ICICLE backend loaded from $ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR=" << env_dir;
+      return result;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // If not found or failed, fall back to the default directory
+  const std::string default_dir = "/opt/icicle/backend";
+  if (std::filesystem::exists(default_dir)) {
+    eIcicleError result = icicle_load_backend(default_dir.c_str(), true /*=recursive*/);
+    if (result == eIcicleError::SUCCESS) {
+      ICICLE_LOG_INFO << "ICICLE backend loaded from " << default_dir;
+      return result;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // If neither works, return a failure status
+  ICICLE_LOG_INFO << "Failed to load backend from any known directory.";
+  return eIcicleError::BACKEND_LOAD_FAILED;
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/icicle_v3/tests/test_curve_api.cpp b/icicle_v3/tests/test_curve_api.cpp
index 6ac9fd0a..ae761efa 100644
--- a/icicle_v3/tests/test_curve_api.cpp
+++ b/icicle_v3/tests/test_curve_api.cpp
@@ -35,8 +35,9 @@ public:
   static void SetUpTestSuite()
   {
 #ifdef BACKEND_BUILD_DIR
-    icicle_load_backend(BACKEND_BUILD_DIR, true);
+    setenv("ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR", BACKEND_BUILD_DIR, 0 /*=replace*/);
 #endif
+    icicle_load_backend_from_env_or_default();
 
     // check targets are loaded and choose main and reference targets
     auto regsitered_devices = get_registered_devices_list();
diff --git a/icicle_v3/tests/test_device_api.cpp b/icicle_v3/tests/test_device_api.cpp
index 1fa7ed65..68c5c000 100644
--- a/icicle_v3/tests/test_device_api.cpp
+++ b/icicle_v3/tests/test_device_api.cpp
@@ -23,8 +23,9 @@ public:
   static void SetUpTestSuite()
   {
 #ifdef BACKEND_BUILD_DIR
-    icicle_load_backend(BACKEND_BUILD_DIR, true);
+    setenv("ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR", BACKEND_BUILD_DIR, 0 /*=replace*/);
 #endif
+    icicle_load_backend_from_env_or_default();
     s_regsitered_devices = get_registered_devices_list();
     ASSERT_GT(s_regsitered_devices.size(), 0);
   }
diff --git a/icicle_v3/tests/test_field_api.cpp b/icicle_v3/tests/test_field_api.cpp
index e6c6d300..80427e58 100644
--- a/icicle_v3/tests/test_field_api.cpp
+++ b/icicle_v3/tests/test_field_api.cpp
@@ -38,8 +38,9 @@ public:
   static void SetUpTestSuite()
   {
 #ifdef BACKEND_BUILD_DIR
-    icicle_load_backend(BACKEND_BUILD_DIR, true);
+    setenv("ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR", BACKEND_BUILD_DIR, 0 /*=replace*/);
 #endif
+    icicle_load_backend_from_env_or_default();
 
     // check targets are loaded and choose main and reference targets
     auto regsitered_devices = get_registered_devices_list();
diff --git a/icicle_v3/tests/test_polynomial_api.cpp b/icicle_v3/tests/test_polynomial_api.cpp
index a800e04d..3f72f3dc 100644
--- a/icicle_v3/tests/test_polynomial_api.cpp
+++ b/icicle_v3/tests/test_polynomial_api.cpp
@@ -36,8 +36,9 @@ public:
   static void SetUpTestSuite()
   {
 #ifdef BACKEND_BUILD_DIR
-    icicle_load_backend(BACKEND_BUILD_DIR, true);
+    setenv("ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR", BACKEND_BUILD_DIR, 0 /*=replace*/);
 #endif
+    icicle_load_backend_from_env_or_default();
     s_registered_devices = get_registered_devices_list();
 
     // init NTT domain
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/build.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/build.rs
index 9dec9ce4..8651f652 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/build.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/build.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ fn main() {
 
     // default backends dir
     println!(
-        "cargo:rustc-env=DEFAULT_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/icicle/lib/backend",
+        "cargo:rustc-env=ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/icicle/lib/backend",
         deps_dir.display()
     );
 }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/curve.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/curve.rs
index 1c686618..8b0f2cbe 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/curve.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/curve.rs
@@ -19,9 +19,19 @@ pub trait Curve: Debug + PartialEq + Copy + Clone {
     #[doc(hidden)]
     fn generate_random_affine_points(size: usize) -> Vec<Affine<Self>>;
     #[doc(hidden)]
-    fn convert_affine_montgomery(points: *mut Affine<Self>, len: usize, is_into: bool, stream: &IcicleStream) -> eIcicleError;
+    fn convert_affine_montgomery(
+        points: *mut Affine<Self>,
+        len: usize,
+        is_into: bool,
+        stream: &IcicleStream,
+    ) -> eIcicleError;
     #[doc(hidden)]
-    fn convert_projective_montgomery(points: *mut Projective<Self>, len: usize, is_into: bool, stream: &IcicleStream) -> eIcicleError;
+    fn convert_projective_montgomery(
+        points: *mut Projective<Self>,
+        len: usize,
+        is_into: bool,
+        stream: &IcicleStream,
+    ) -> eIcicleError;
 }
 
 /// A [projective](https://hyperelliptic.org/EFD/g1p/auto-shortw-projective.html) elliptic curve point.
@@ -118,14 +128,14 @@ impl<C: Curve> From<Projective<C>> for Affine<C> {
 
 impl<C: Curve> MontgomeryConvertible for Affine<C> {
     fn to_mont(values: &mut DeviceSlice<Self>, stream: &IcicleStream) -> eIcicleError {
-        if !values.is_on_active_device(){
+        if !values.is_on_active_device() {
             panic!("values not allocated on an inactive device");
         }
         C::convert_affine_montgomery(unsafe { values.as_mut_ptr() }, values.len(), true, stream)
     }
 
     fn from_mont(values: &mut DeviceSlice<Self>, stream: &IcicleStream) -> eIcicleError {
-        if !values.is_on_active_device(){
+        if !values.is_on_active_device() {
             panic!("values not allocated on an inactive device");
         }
         C::convert_affine_montgomery(unsafe { values.as_mut_ptr() }, values.len(), false, stream)
@@ -134,14 +144,14 @@ impl<C: Curve> MontgomeryConvertible for Affine<C> {
 
 impl<C: Curve> MontgomeryConvertible for Projective<C> {
     fn to_mont(values: &mut DeviceSlice<Self>, stream: &IcicleStream) -> eIcicleError {
-        if !values.is_on_active_device(){
+        if !values.is_on_active_device() {
             panic!("values not allocated on an inactive device");
         }
         C::convert_projective_montgomery(unsafe { values.as_mut_ptr() }, values.len(), true, stream)
     }
 
     fn from_mont(values: &mut DeviceSlice<Self>, stream: &IcicleStream) -> eIcicleError {
-        if !values.is_on_active_device(){
+        if !values.is_on_active_device() {
             panic!("values not allocated on an inactive device");
         }
         C::convert_projective_montgomery(unsafe { values.as_mut_ptr() }, values.len(), false, stream)
@@ -238,15 +248,7 @@ macro_rules! impl_curve {
                 config.is_result_on_device = true;
                 config.is_async = false;
                 config.stream_handle = (&*stream).into();
-                unsafe {
-                    $curve_prefix_ident::_convert_affine_montgomery(
-                        points,
-                        len,
-                        is_into,
-                        &config,
-                        points
-                    )
-                }
+                unsafe { $curve_prefix_ident::_convert_affine_montgomery(points, len, is_into, &config, points) }
             }
 
             fn convert_projective_montgomery(
@@ -260,15 +262,7 @@ macro_rules! impl_curve {
                 config.is_result_on_device = true;
                 config.is_async = false;
                 config.stream_handle = (&*stream).into();
-                unsafe {
-                    $curve_prefix_ident::_convert_projective_montgomery(
-                        points,
-                        len,
-                        is_into,
-                        &config,
-                        points
-                    )
-                }
+                unsafe { $curve_prefix_ident::_convert_projective_montgomery(points, len, is_into, &config, points) }
             }
         }
     };
@@ -306,4 +300,4 @@ macro_rules! impl_curve_tests {
             }
         }
     };
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/field.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/field.rs
index dd10b35e..4bcec6fe 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/field.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/field.rs
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ macro_rules! impl_scalar_field {
         }
 
         impl MontgomeryConvertibleField<$field_name> for $field_cfg {
-            fn to_mont(values: &mut DeviceSlice<$field_name>, stream: &IcicleStream) -> eIcicleError {                
+            fn to_mont(values: &mut DeviceSlice<$field_name>, stream: &IcicleStream) -> eIcicleError {
                 // check device slice is on active device
                 if !values.is_on_active_device() {
                     panic!("input not allocated on an inactive device");
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/lib.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/lib.rs
index a7c318f6..dcb887be 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/lib.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/lib.rs
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ pub mod ecntt;
 pub mod field;
 pub mod msm;
 pub mod ntt;
-pub mod vec_ops;
 pub mod polynomials;
+pub mod vec_ops;
 
 #[doc(hidden)]
 pub mod test_utilities;
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/msm/mod.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/msm/mod.rs
index 86833ab6..77d0d8c7 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/msm/mod.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/msm/mod.rs
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ pub struct MSMConfig {
     pub bitsize: i32,
 
     batch_size: i32,
-    are_bases_shared: bool, /// MSMs in batch share the bases. If false, expecting #bases==#scalars
+    are_bases_shared: bool,
+    /// MSMs in batch share the bases. If false, expecting #bases==#scalars
     are_scalars_on_device: bool,
     pub are_scalars_montgomery_form: bool,
     are_bases_on_device: bool,
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ pub const IS_BIG_TRIANGLE: &str = "is_big_triangle";
 impl Default for MSMConfig {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
-            stream_handle: std::ptr::null_mut(),            
+            stream_handle: std::ptr::null_mut(),
             precompute_factor: 1,
             c: 0,
             bitsize: 0,
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/msm/tests.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/msm/tests.rs
index 136bce5b..3511d3d4 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/msm/tests.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/msm/tests.rs
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ where
     <C::ScalarField as FieldImpl>::Config: GenerateRandom<C::ScalarField>,
 {
     // let test_sizes = [1000, 1 << 16]; //TODO - uncomment this line after implementing fast msm
-    let test_sizes = [100]; 
+    let test_sizes = [100];
     // let batch_sizes = [1, 3, 1 << 4];
     let batch_sizes = [1, 3]; //TODO - uncomment this line after implementing fast msm
     let mut stream = IcicleStream::create().unwrap();
@@ -184,12 +184,12 @@ where
 {
     // let test_sizes = [1 << 10, 10000]; // TODO - uncomment this line after implementing fast msm
     let test_sizes = [1 << 10]; // TODO - remove this line after implementing fast msm
-    // let test_threshold = 1 << 11; // TODO - uncomment this line after implementing fast msm
-    // let batch_sizes = [1, 3, 1 << 4]; // TODO - uncomment this line after implementing fast msm
+                                // let test_threshold = 1 << 11; // TODO - uncomment this line after implementing fast msm
+                                // let batch_sizes = [1, 3, 1 << 4]; // TODO - uncomment this line after implementing fast msm
     let batch_sizes = [1, 3]; // TODO - remove this line after implementing fast msm
     let rng = &mut thread_rng();
     for test_size in test_sizes {
-        let test_threshold = test_size>>2; // TODO - remove this line after implementing fast msm
+        let test_threshold = test_size >> 2; // TODO - remove this line after implementing fast msm
         for batch_size in batch_sizes {
             let points = generate_random_affine_points_with_zeroes::<C>(test_size * batch_size, 100);
             let mut scalars = vec![C::ScalarField::zero(); test_size * batch_size];
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/ntt/tests.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/ntt/tests.rs
index 570a2526..a2f9ee6e 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/ntt/tests.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/ntt/tests.rs
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ where
         let coset_generators = [
             F::Config::generate_random(1)[0],
             get_root_of_unity::<F>(test_size as u64),
-            F::one(),            
+            F::one(),
         ];
         for coset_gen in coset_generators {
             let mut scalars = F::Config::generate_random(test_size);
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/polynomials/mod.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/polynomials/mod.rs
index 3f7a8603..f053e0e1 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/polynomials/mod.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/polynomials/mod.rs
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ macro_rules! impl_univariate_polynomial_api {
 
             pub fn coeffs_mut_slice(&mut self) -> &mut DeviceSlice<$field> {
                 unsafe {
-                    let mut len: u64 = 0;                    
+                    let mut len: u64 = 0;
                     let mut coeffs_mut = get_coeffs_ptr(self.handle, &mut len);
                     let s = slice::from_raw_parts_mut(coeffs_mut, len as usize);
                     DeviceSlice::from_mut_slice(s)
@@ -413,9 +413,12 @@ macro_rules! impl_polynomial_tests {
         $field:ident
     ) => {
         use super::*;
-        use icicle_core::ntt::{get_root_of_unity, initialize_domain, release_domain, NTTDomain, NTTInitDomainConfig, CUDA_NTT_FAST_TWIDDLES_MODE};
-        use icicle_core::vec_ops::{add_scalars, mul_scalars, sub_scalars, VecOps, VecOpsConfig};
+        use icicle_core::ntt::{
+            get_root_of_unity, initialize_domain, release_domain, NTTDomain, NTTInitDomainConfig,
+            CUDA_NTT_FAST_TWIDDLES_MODE,
+        };
         use icicle_core::test_utilities;
+        use icicle_core::vec_ops::{add_scalars, mul_scalars, sub_scalars, VecOps, VecOpsConfig};
         use icicle_runtime::memory::{DeviceVec, HostSlice};
         use std::sync::Once;
 
@@ -497,7 +500,7 @@ macro_rules! impl_polynomial_tests {
 
         fn randomize_poly(size: usize) -> Poly {
             let coeffs = randomize_coeffs::<$field>(size);
-            Poly::from_coeffs(HostSlice::from_slice(&coeffs), size)            
+            Poly::from_coeffs(HostSlice::from_slice(&coeffs), size)
         }
 
         static INIT: Once = Once::new();
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/test_utilities.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/test_utilities.rs
index ff595999..3e3c7291 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/test_utilities.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/test_utilities.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ pub static TEST_REF_DEVICE: Lazy<Mutex<Device>> = Lazy::new(|| Mutex::new(Device
 
 pub fn test_load_and_init_devices() {
     INIT.get_or_init(move || {
-        runtime::load_backend(env!("DEFAULT_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR")).unwrap();
+        runtime::load_backend_from_env_or_default().unwrap();
         let registered_devices = runtime::get_registered_devices().unwrap();
         assert!(registered_devices.len() >= 2);
         // select main and ref devices
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/vec_ops/mod.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/vec_ops/mod.rs
index c52df188..fb88cb7f 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/vec_ops/mod.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/vec_ops/mod.rs
@@ -88,13 +88,13 @@ fn check_vec_ops_args<'a, F>(
     }
 
     // check device slices are on active device
-    if a.is_on_device() && !a.is_on_active_device(){
+    if a.is_on_device() && !a.is_on_active_device() {
         panic!("input a is allocated on an inactive device");
     }
-    if b.is_on_device() && !b.is_on_active_device(){
+    if b.is_on_device() && !b.is_on_active_device() {
         panic!("input b is allocated on an inactive device");
     }
-    if result.is_on_device() && !result.is_on_active_device(){
+    if result.is_on_device() && !result.is_on_active_device() {
         panic!("output is allocated on an inactive device");
     }
 
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ macro_rules! impl_vec_ops_field {
     ) => {
         mod $field_prefix_ident {
 
-            use crate::vec_ops::{$field, HostOrDeviceSlice};            
+            use crate::vec_ops::{$field, HostOrDeviceSlice};
             use icicle_core::vec_ops::VecOpsConfig;
             use icicle_runtime::errors::eIcicleError;
 
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/vec_ops/tests.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/vec_ops/tests.rs
index 497b0deb..4d733385 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/vec_ops/tests.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-core/src/vec_ops/tests.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 #![allow(unused_imports)]
 use crate::test_utilities;
 use crate::traits::GenerateRandom;
-use crate::vec_ops::{add_scalars, mul_scalars, sub_scalars, bit_reverse, bit_reverse_inplace, transpose_matrix, FieldImpl, VecOps, VecOpsConfig};
+use crate::vec_ops::{
+    add_scalars, bit_reverse, bit_reverse_inplace, mul_scalars, sub_scalars, transpose_matrix, FieldImpl, VecOps,
+    VecOpsConfig,
+};
 use icicle_runtime::device::Device;
 use icicle_runtime::memory::{DeviceVec, HostSlice};
 use icicle_runtime::{runtime, stream::IcicleStream};
@@ -108,7 +111,7 @@ where
     <F as FieldImpl>::Config: VecOps<F> + GenerateRandom<F>,
 {
     test_utilities::test_set_main_device();
-    
+
     const LOG_SIZE: u32 = 20;
     const TEST_SIZE: usize = 1 << LOG_SIZE;
     let input_vec = F::Config::generate_random(TEST_SIZE);
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/build.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/build.rs
index 7f1bfeb7..6e378358 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/build.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/build.rs
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ fn main() {
 
     // default backends dir
     println!(
-        "cargo:rustc-env=DEFAULT_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
+        "cargo:rustc-env=ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
         icicle_install_dir.display()
     );
 }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/src/ecntt/mod.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/src/ecntt/mod.rs
index 33960a05..5fd84e76 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/src/ecntt/mod.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/src/ecntt/mod.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
     use crate::curve::{CurveCfg, ScalarField};
 
     use icicle_core::ecntt::tests::*;
-    use icicle_core::impl_ecntt_tests;    
+    use icicle_core::impl_ecntt_tests;
 
     impl_ecntt_tests!(ScalarField, CurveCfg);
 }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/src/lib.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/src/lib.rs
index 57a87671..b33cfe39 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/src/lib.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/src/lib.rs
@@ -2,5 +2,5 @@ pub mod curve;
 pub mod ecntt;
 pub mod msm;
 pub mod ntt;
+pub mod polynomials;
 pub mod vec_ops;
-pub mod polynomials;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/src/ntt/mod.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/src/ntt/mod.rs
index cbd6ea16..c0600d07 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/src/ntt/mod.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-377/src/ntt/mod.rs
@@ -16,6 +16,6 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
     use icicle_core::impl_ntt_tests;
     use icicle_core::ntt::tests::*;
     use serial_test::{parallel, serial};
-    
+
     impl_ntt_tests!(ScalarField);
 }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-381/build.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-381/build.rs
index 29af2b0a..a15cdec5 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-381/build.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-381/build.rs
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ fn main() {
 
     // default backends dir
     println!(
-        "cargo:rustc-env=DEFAULT_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
+        "cargo:rustc-env=ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
         icicle_install_dir.display()
     );
 }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-381/src/ecntt/mod.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-381/src/ecntt/mod.rs
index e2e9da3b..d1a79538 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-381/src/ecntt/mod.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-381/src/ecntt/mod.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
     use crate::curve::{CurveCfg, ScalarField};
 
     use icicle_core::ecntt::tests::*;
-    use icicle_core::impl_ecntt_tests;    
+    use icicle_core::impl_ecntt_tests;
 
     impl_ecntt_tests!(ScalarField, CurveCfg);
 }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-381/src/lib.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-381/src/lib.rs
index 7dbb6c46..b33cfe39 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-381/src/lib.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bls12-381/src/lib.rs
@@ -2,5 +2,5 @@ pub mod curve;
 pub mod ecntt;
 pub mod msm;
 pub mod ntt;
-pub mod vec_ops;
 pub mod polynomials;
+pub mod vec_ops;
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bn254/build.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bn254/build.rs
index 86687d9a..8d8dd0bd 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bn254/build.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bn254/build.rs
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ fn main() {
 
     // default backends dir
     println!(
-        "cargo:rustc-env=DEFAULT_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
+        "cargo:rustc-env=ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
         icicle_install_dir.display()
     );
 }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bn254/src/ecntt/mod.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bn254/src/ecntt/mod.rs
index 66151ea0..87b371b2 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bn254/src/ecntt/mod.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bn254/src/ecntt/mod.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
     use crate::curve::{CurveCfg, ScalarField};
 
     use icicle_core::ecntt::tests::*;
-    use icicle_core::impl_ecntt_tests;    
+    use icicle_core::impl_ecntt_tests;
 
     impl_ecntt_tests!(ScalarField, CurveCfg);
 }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bn254/src/lib.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bn254/src/lib.rs
index 7dbb6c46..b33cfe39 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bn254/src/lib.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-bn254/src/lib.rs
@@ -2,5 +2,5 @@ pub mod curve;
 pub mod ecntt;
 pub mod msm;
 pub mod ntt;
-pub mod vec_ops;
 pub mod polynomials;
+pub mod vec_ops;
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-grumpkin/build.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-grumpkin/build.rs
index f380fbfe..9ca659e4 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-grumpkin/build.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-curves/icicle-grumpkin/build.rs
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ fn main() {
 
     // default backends dir
     println!(
-        "cargo:rustc-env=DEFAULT_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
+        "cargo:rustc-env=ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
         icicle_install_dir.display()
     );
 }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-babybear/build.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-babybear/build.rs
index 6e3aba55..351b4de9 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-babybear/build.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-babybear/build.rs
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ fn main() {
 
     // default backends dir
     println!(
-        "cargo:rustc-env=DEFAULT_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
+        "cargo:rustc-env=ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
         icicle_install_dir.display()
     );
 }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-babybear/src/lib.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-babybear/src/lib.rs
index c1c2a189..a95ac089 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-babybear/src/lib.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-babybear/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 pub mod field;
 pub mod ntt;
-pub mod vec_ops;
 pub mod polynomials;
+pub mod vec_ops;
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-babybear/src/ntt/mod.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-babybear/src/ntt/mod.rs
index bc4342bd..b41bbd82 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-babybear/src/ntt/mod.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-babybear/src/ntt/mod.rs
@@ -23,12 +23,12 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
     impl_ntt_tests!(ScalarField);
 
     // Tests against risc0 and plonky3
-    use super::{ExtensionField};
+    use super::ExtensionField;
     use icicle_core::{
-        ntt::{initialize_domain, ntt_inplace, release_domain, NTTConfig, NTTInitDomainConfig, NTTDir},
-        traits::{FieldImpl, GenerateRandom}
+        ntt::{initialize_domain, ntt_inplace, release_domain, NTTConfig, NTTDir, NTTInitDomainConfig},
+        traits::{FieldImpl, GenerateRandom},
     };
-    use icicle_runtime::{memory::HostSlice};
+    use icicle_runtime::memory::HostSlice;
     use risc0_core::field::{
         baby_bear::{Elem, ExtElem},
         Elem as FieldElem, RootsOfUnity,
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-stark252/build.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-stark252/build.rs
index 346151c4..7fef554b 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-stark252/build.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-stark252/build.rs
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ fn main() {
 
     // default backends dir
     println!(
-        "cargo:rustc-env=DEFAULT_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
+        "cargo:rustc-env=ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
         icicle_install_dir.display()
     );
 }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-stark252/src/lib.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-stark252/src/lib.rs
index c1c2a189..a95ac089 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-stark252/src/lib.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-stark252/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 pub mod field;
 pub mod ntt;
-pub mod vec_ops;
 pub mod polynomials;
+pub mod vec_ops;
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-stark252/src/ntt/mod.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-stark252/src/ntt/mod.rs
index 46d0a3df..fe92b55e 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-stark252/src/ntt/mod.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-fields/icicle-stark252/src/ntt/mod.rs
@@ -15,9 +15,8 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
 
     impl_ntt_tests!(ScalarField);
 
-
     use icicle_core::{
-        ntt::{initialize_domain, ntt_inplace, release_domain, NTTConfig, NTTInitDomainConfig, NTTDir},
+        ntt::{initialize_domain, ntt_inplace, release_domain, NTTConfig, NTTDir, NTTInitDomainConfig},
         traits::{FieldImpl, GenerateRandom},
     };
     use icicle_runtime::memory::HostSlice;
@@ -39,9 +38,13 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
 
         release_domain::<ScalarField>().unwrap(); // release domain from previous tests, if exists
 
-        let log_sizes = [15, 20];        
+        let log_sizes = [15, 20];
         let lw_root_of_unity = Stark252PrimeField::get_primitive_root_of_unity(log_sizes[log_sizes.len() - 1]).unwrap();
-        initialize_domain(ScalarField::from_bytes_le(&lw_root_of_unity.to_bytes_le()), &NTTInitDomainConfig::default()).unwrap();
+        initialize_domain(
+            ScalarField::from_bytes_le(&lw_root_of_unity.to_bytes_le()),
+            &NTTInitDomainConfig::default(),
+        )
+        .unwrap();
         for log_size in log_sizes {
             let ntt_size = 1 << log_size;
 
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/build.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/build.rs
index 115093df..6c25a87d 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/build.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/build.rs
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ fn main() {
 
     // default backends dir
     println!(
-        "cargo:rustc-env=DEFAULT_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
+        "cargo:rustc-env=ICICLE_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR={}/lib/backend",
         icicle_install_dir.display()
     );
 }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/device.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/device.rs
index 01a59625..9248a805 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/device.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/device.rs
@@ -76,4 +76,3 @@ impl fmt::Debug for Device {
             .finish()
     }
 }
-
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/memory.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/memory.rs
index a5f699ab..a89139ae 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/memory.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/memory.rs
@@ -55,9 +55,11 @@ impl<T> HostOrDeviceSlice<T> for DeviceSlice<T> {
         true
     }
 
-
     fn is_on_active_device(&self) -> bool {
-        runtime::is_active_device_memory(self.0.as_ptr() as *const c_void)
+        runtime::is_active_device_memory(
+            self.0
+                .as_ptr() as *const c_void,
+        )
     }
 
     unsafe fn as_ptr(&self) -> *const T {
@@ -125,11 +127,11 @@ impl<T> DeviceSlice<T> {
             self.len() == val.len(),
             "In copy from host, destination and source slices have different lengths"
         );
-        
+
         if self.is_empty() {
             return Ok(());
         }
-        if !self.is_on_active_device(){
+        if !self.is_on_active_device() {
             panic!("not allocated on an inactive device");
         }
 
@@ -148,7 +150,7 @@ impl<T> DeviceSlice<T> {
         if self.is_empty() {
             return Ok(());
         }
-        if !self.is_on_active_device(){
+        if !self.is_on_active_device() {
             panic!("not allocated on an inactive device");
         }
 
@@ -166,7 +168,7 @@ impl<T> DeviceSlice<T> {
         if self.is_empty() {
             return Ok(());
         }
-        if !self.is_on_active_device(){
+        if !self.is_on_active_device() {
             panic!("not allocated on an inactive device");
         }
 
@@ -190,10 +192,10 @@ impl<T> DeviceSlice<T> {
         if self.is_empty() {
             return Ok(());
         }
-        if !self.is_on_active_device(){
+        if !self.is_on_active_device() {
             panic!("not allocated on an inactive device");
         }
-        
+
         let size = size_of::<T>() * self.len();
         unsafe {
             runtime::icicle_copy_to_host_async(
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/runtime.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/runtime.rs
index 2128261d..290f03e9 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/runtime.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/runtime.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ pub type IcicleStreamHandle = *mut c_void;
 
 extern "C" {
     fn icicle_load_backend(path: *const c_char, is_recursive: bool) -> eIcicleError;
+    fn icicle_load_backend_from_env_or_default() -> eIcicleError;
     fn icicle_set_device(device: &Device) -> eIcicleError;
     fn icicle_get_active_device(device: &mut Device) -> eIcicleError;
     fn icicle_is_host_memory(ptr: *const c_void) -> eIcicleError;
@@ -42,6 +43,10 @@ extern "C" {
     fn icicle_get_registered_devices(output: *mut c_char, output_size: usize) -> eIcicleError;
 }
 
+pub fn load_backend_from_env_or_default() -> Result<(), eIcicleError> {
+    unsafe { icicle_load_backend_from_env_or_default().wrap() }
+}
+
 pub fn load_backend(path: &str) -> Result<(), eIcicleError> {
     let c_path = CString::new(path).unwrap();
     unsafe { icicle_load_backend(c_path.as_ptr(), true).wrap() }
diff --git a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/tests.rs b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/tests.rs
index 7f30705b..737016cb 100644
--- a/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/tests.rs
+++ b/wrappers/rust_v3/icicle-runtime/src/tests.rs
@@ -33,8 +33,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     fn initialize() {
         INIT.call_once(|| {
-            // load backends to process
-            load_backend(&env!("DEFAULT_BACKEND_INSTALL_DIR")).unwrap();
+            load_backend_from_env_or_default();
             let _ = runtime::get_registered_devices().unwrap();
         });
     }