Should I commit .env files to Git?

Never. Add .env to .gitignore. Commit a .env.example with placeholder values so teammates know which variables are needed.

What if I accidentally committed .env?

Immediately rotate all secrets in the file. Remove the file and add .env to .gitignore. The file remains in Git history, so treat all exposed credentials as compromised.

Can I use .env in production?

Yes, but cloud platforms (AWS, Heroku, Vercel) have built-in secrets management that is more secure. Use .env in development and platform-native config in production.

How do I share .env with my team?

Use a .env.example file in the repo. Share actual values through a secure channel (password manager, encrypted messaging). Never share secrets via email or Slack.

How to Create and Use .env Files (2026)

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