.env.dist.local Jun 2026

files store sensitive credentials (API keys, database passwords). To keep these secure, developers use a hierarchy of files: : The base defaults for the application. .env.local

Explicitly load the file in your bootstrap code (e.g., (new Dotenv())->loadEnv(__DIR__.'/.env.local'); ). .env.dist.local

This reduces cognitive load: "Just copy .env.dist.local to .env.local and everything works." files store sensitive credentials (API keys

: The final, private file that contains actual secrets (passwords, private keys). This file is never committed to version control. Why use .env.dist.local ? database passwords). To keep these secure