Because .env.local.production is (if you follow standard patterns like *.local ), it avoids accidental exposure. However:
: Specifies that these variables should only be loaded when the application is running in production mode (typically when NODE_ENV=production ).
The dotenv-flow package is a popular extension of dotenv that provides a clear, working example of this multiple-environment paradigm. It loads variables based on the current NODE_ENV value.
: Default production settings shared across the entire team (committed to git).
Since .env.local.production isn't in your repo, other developers (or your future self) won't know which variables are required. Maintain a .env.example file that lists the keys (but not the values) needed for the app to run. Example Scenario: Next.js
In next.config.js :
It is notoriously difficult to know which env file is active. Here is how to check.
If you are not using a serverless platform (which handles environment variables via a web UI dashboard) and are instead deploying directly to a Virtual Private Server (VPS) via Docker or PM2, you can place a .env.local.production file directly on that production server. It acts as the final, un-committed source of truth for that specific server's secrets. Code Example: How It Works in Practice
When running npm run build && npm start (production mode), the app will use API_URL from .env.production.local .
, the application looks for production variables. If you need to point your local machine to a live production database or a specific production API key—without committing those credentials to the repository— .env.local.production
to your repository. Even if you intend them only as defaults, committing a secret to version control exposes it to everyone with access to the codebase.
.env.local.production File
Because .env.local.production is (if you follow standard patterns like *.local ), it avoids accidental exposure. However:
: Specifies that these variables should only be loaded when the application is running in production mode (typically when NODE_ENV=production ).
The dotenv-flow package is a popular extension of dotenv that provides a clear, working example of this multiple-environment paradigm. It loads variables based on the current NODE_ENV value. .env.local.production
: Default production settings shared across the entire team (committed to git).
Since .env.local.production isn't in your repo, other developers (or your future self) won't know which variables are required. Maintain a .env.example file that lists the keys (but not the values) needed for the app to run. Example Scenario: Next.js Because
In next.config.js :
It is notoriously difficult to know which env file is active. Here is how to check. It loads variables based on the current NODE_ENV value
If you are not using a serverless platform (which handles environment variables via a web UI dashboard) and are instead deploying directly to a Virtual Private Server (VPS) via Docker or PM2, you can place a .env.local.production file directly on that production server. It acts as the final, un-committed source of truth for that specific server's secrets. Code Example: How It Works in Practice
When running npm run build && npm start (production mode), the app will use API_URL from .env.production.local .
, the application looks for production variables. If you need to point your local machine to a live production database or a specific production API key—without committing those credentials to the repository— .env.local.production
to your repository. Even if you intend them only as defaults, committing a secret to version control exposes it to everyone with access to the codebase.
