Docker Compose natively supports multiple .env files via the --env-file flag or the env_file directive.
(or .env-dev ): Used for shared development servers where team members integrate code.
On Linux/macOS servers, set chmod 600 .env-production so only the application user can read the file. Docker Compose natively supports multiple
Your .env-local , .env-production , and any files containing real passwords or private keys be added to your .gitignore file. # .gitignore .env .env-local .env-production .env-staging Use code with caution. Use .env-example for Documentation
Do not put spaces around the = assignment operator. Remember: environment configuration is not a one‑time task
Remember: environment configuration is not a one‑time task. Revisit your .env- strategy as your application grows, and always prioritize security over convenience. With the patterns outlined in this guide, you’re well on your way to mastering environment variables like a seasoned DevOps engineer.
Then add .env , .env.* , and .env.*.local to your .gitignore . Then add .env
The .env file is an essential tool for managing environment-specific configuration in modern software development. Its simplicity promotes the twelve-factor principle of separating config from code. However, it must be handled with strict discipline: For production systems, environment variables should be injected directly by the deployment platform or retrieved from a dedicated secrets manager.