I'm considering adding a .env.example file to my repository. This file would contain the names of various environment variables with dummy values for guidance. My goal is to make it easier for others who clone the repo to set things up without hunting through multiple files for environment variable usage. Is this a good practice or not?
5 Answers
Including a .env.example is common across many projects. Just make sure not to put actual values in there, and if sensitive info is empty, there’s really no harm.
Definitely good practice! Including a set of dummy values helps the project run out of the box without any configuration tweaks. Also, consider using a setup script and updating the README for initial setup instructions.
It's pretty standard to include a .env.example. It doesn’t hurt and can save time compared to digging through a README just to configure the environment.
I think it's a great idea! For example, a fresh Laravel install comes with a .env.example file. Just make sure it lists the variable keys without actual values, so it's clear what needs to be filled in.
Best practice would be to include the file, but I usually leave the values blank for safety. Sometimes I add hints like 'your_github_token_goes_here' instead.
Exactly! That way, it's clear what each variable is for without exposing sensitive data.