Environment variables

What it is

Environment files provide deployment-specific settings.

When to use it

Store secrets outside committed code.

Syntax

APP_ENV=local
APP_DEBUG=false
DB_CONNECTION=sqlite

Example

// .env.example contains names, not real secrets.
// .env is ignored by Git.
// config/services.php
"payments" => ["key" => env("PAYMENTS_KEY")],

Common mistakes

Never commit .env or expose keys in logs; application encryption needs a generated APP_KEY.

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