Below is an example of what a .env.local file might look like. This example assumes you're working on a project that uses environment variables for API keys, database connections, or feature flags:
For configurations that differ between your local development environment and the production environment. For example, you might use a local database for development but a cloud-hosted database in production. .env.local
Understanding .env vs .env.local – A concise breakdown on LinkedIn comparing shared defaults vs. personal tweaks. Quick Comparison Table Shared in Git? Yes (usually) Base configuration and non-sensitive defaults. .env.example Below is an example of what a
: Use .env.local to override values defined in a more generic .env file or to add new variables specific to your local environment. Understanding
: Use .env only for non-sensitive settings (like a public API endpoint).
Modern frameworks follow a hierarchy. Generally, the order of priority looks like this: .env.local (Highest priority - overrides everything) .env.development / .env.production .env (Lowest priority - the defaults) How to Set Up .env.local Setting up the file is straightforward. Follow these steps:
Most modern tools have built-in support for .env.local without needing extra packages like dotenv . Loading Method Prefix Requirement NEXT_PUBLIC_ for client-side access Vite VITE_ prefix required Node.js Requires dotenv or --env-file Bun ⚠️ The "Stop Using .env" Argument