To get the most out of .env.local , follow these best practices:
The most important characteristic of .env.local is that it should be checked into version control (like Git). It is meant to stay on your computer and your computer alone. Why Use .env.local Instead of Just .env? .env.local
| Feature | Description | | :--- | :--- | | | Highest. Overrides .env , .env.development , .env.production , etc. | | Version Control | Explicitly excluded (must be in .gitignore ). | | Typical Use Cases | Local API keys, different local backend URLs, feature flags, overridden ports. | | Environment | Local development only. Should not exist in build containers or production. | To get the most out of
The primary purpose of .env.local files is to allow developers to override or add environment variables locally on their development machine without committing these changes to the version control system. This is particularly useful for: | Feature | Description | | :--- | :--- | | | Highest