.env.dist.local ((top)) Jun 2026

Frameworks often support a .env.local file that overrides .env . But if .env.local is also in .gitignore , how do you distribute a baseline configuration that includes both required variables and local defaults?

Automate with a post-install-cmd script in composer.json or a prebuild hook in npm. .env.dist.local

Example .gitlab-ci.yml :

# Other settings SMTP_HOST=localhost SMTP_PORT=25 SMTP_USERNAME= SMTP_PASSWORD= Frameworks often support a

In your PHP code, you can load the environment variables using a library like vlucas/phpdotenv : .env.dist.local

In conclusion, .env.dist.local is a useful file name that serves as a template for environment-specific configuration files. By following best practices and using it as a starting point, you can manage your application's configuration more efficiently and securely.