DB_HOST=127.0.0.1 DB_USER=myuser_dev DB_PASSWORD=mypassword_dev
: The absolute King. If a value is here, it overrides everything.
In advanced setups, .env.dist reflects what the production or staging environments require to boot up. However, local development often requires an entirely different set of variables—such as local Docker port mappings, debugging flags, or mock API switches. Keeping these local-only variable templates in .env.dist.local keeps your primary .env.dist file clean and focused strictly on production-grade requirements. 2. Streamlining Team Onboarding
docker compose --env-file .env.local up -d .env.dist.local
** : Contains a template for local machine overrides.
Your .env.dist.local file might look like this:
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Even though it is a "local" file, never put actual passwords or API keys in a "dist" or template file. Use placeholders like YOUR_API_KEY_HERE .
Do you currently manage (e.g., staging, QA, production)?
Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, .env.dist.local is definitely worth adding to your toolkit. So why not give it a try and see how it can streamline your environment variable management today? DB_HOST=127
DB_HOST=localhost DB_USER=myuser DB_PASSWORD=mypassword
Here are the primary use cases for this file: