simple explanation how to save code that espruino run on start?

I'm also struggling with the save()/restore() stuff. I would like the following set-up:

• I have some "environment variables", such as wifi password, save()'ed in a couple fo global variables.
  
• I have a program in the IDE that I'd like to upload and run (using the 1-click button) and make use of these variables
  
• I need the IDE to issue a reset() because otherwise there are timers and other crap left from the previous iteration
  
  

I can't figure out how to make this work. When the IDE does a reset() the saved variables are not loaded. The environment is literally empty. I tried to use load() at the start of my file, but it causes a reset also, and seems to have a pile of side-effects on the parsing of the remainder of the file. Any ideas?