.env.sample _best_

When you download or clone a project that includes a .env.sample , follow these steps:

Some tools parse your code for process.env references and auto-generate a sample file. Not common but interesting. .env.sample

The most common mistake is accidentally copying a real API key into the sample file. Always double-check before you git commit . When you download or clone a project that includes a

List every environment variable your application reads. Use a comment block at the top explaining how to generate secrets. .env.sample