Here is a visual comparison of how these two files look in a typical project directory:
A .env.sample (or .env.example ) file is a template used in software development to define the a project requires without including sensitive data like real passwords or API keys. It serves as a blueprint for developers to set up their own local configuration. 1. Purpose and Usage
Add comments explaining what each variable does and where to obtain its value. .env.sample
Team members might mistakenly create a .env file with dummy secrets, commit it to Git, and leak actual production secrets.
You can use Git hooks to block commits if a developer adds a variable to .env but forgets to document it in .env.sample . Here is a visual comparison of how these
# ========================================== # Application Configuration # ========================================== PORT=3000 NODE_ENV=development APP_URL=http://localhost:3000 # ========================================== # Database Settings # ========================================== DB_HOST=localhost DB_PORT=5432 DB_USER=postgres DB_PASSWORD=your_secure_local_password DB_NAME=my_app_dev # ========================================== # Authentication & Security # ========================================== # Generate a secure random string for JWT_SECRET JWT_SECRET=your_jwt_secret_minimum_32_chars JWT_EXPIRATION=8h # ========================================== # Third-Party Integrations # ========================================== # Obtain these credentials from your Stripe Dashboard STRIPE_PUBLIC_KEY=pk_test_placeholder STRIPE_SECRET_KEY=sk_test_placeholder # SendGrid Email Configuration SENDGRID_API_KEY=SG.placeholder_key FROM_EMAIL=noreply@example.com Use code with caution. Step-by-Step Workflow for Teams
I can generate a customized tailored to your tech stack. Share public link Purpose and Usage Add comments explaining what each
The .env.sample file is a small addition to any project that delivers outsized benefits in security, documentation, and developer experience. It transforms a potentially painful setup process into a smooth, predictable workflow.
Here is a blog post prepared for a developer audience on why and how to use .env.sample .
That is where .env.sample (sometimes called .env.example ) comes in. It is a template file that you commit to your repository. It lists all the keys your application requires, but it leaves the actual values blank or filled with dummy data. The anatomy of a sample file A good .env.sample file should look something like this: