(a version-controlled template containing default or documented variables) and a developer's actual .env.local (private secrets and machine-specific configs). Machine-Specific Overrides
: Think of it as a local template . While .env.dist provides the defaults for the entire team , .env.dist.local allows you to provide defaults specifically for local environments without overriding the main project defaults or exposing your actual private .env.local secrets.
Here is everything you need to know about why this file exists and how to use it. The Environment File Hierarchy .env.dist.local
to your repository. Fill it with the keys required for local development but leave the sensitive values blank or use "dummy" data. # .env.dist.local DATABASE_URL= "mysql://root:root@127.0.0.1:3306/local_db" STRIPE_API_KEY= "insert_your_test_key_here" Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Step 2: Individual Setup
To see this in action, let's look at a practical setup for a web application using a database, an external email provider, and a local debugging suite. The Tracked Template: .env.dist.local Here is everything you need to know about
You might wonder why .env.dist and .env.local aren't enough. In large organizations or specific frameworks (like Symfony), .env.dist.local solves three distinct architectural problems. 1. Standardization of Local Infrastructure
Frameworks like Symfony utilize a highly structured loading order for environment files to allow granular overrides. The typical loading order looks like this (with later files overriding earlier ones): .env (Base defaults) .env.dist (Global distribution fallback) an external email provider
The .env.dist.local file is a
Each environment requires its own set of environment variables, which can lead to a proliferation of configuration files and a higher risk of errors.
The .env.dist.local file is a committed configuration file used to store that apply to the team, but deviate from the production-ready defaults found in the main .env file. To break down its anatomy: .env : It handles environment variables.