# Environment

> Environment variables.

- Skill: `dhaupin/environment` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add dhaupin/environment`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/dhaupin/environment/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- License: MIT
- Author: dhaupin (https://skillmd.com/u/dhaupin)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/dhaupin/environment

---


# Environment

> Environment variables.

---

## When To Use

- Config secrets
- API keys
- Environment-specific settings

---

## What To Do

### 1. Files

| File | What |
|------|------|
| .env | Local (gitignore) |
| .env.local | Local override |
| .env.production | Production |

### 2. Syntax

```
API_KEY=secret123
DATABASE_URL=postgres://localhost
DEBUG=true
```

### 3. Load

```javascript
// Node
require('dotenv').config()
process.env.API_KEY

# Python
from dotenv import load_dotenv
load_dotenv()
os.environ['API_KEY']
```

### 4. Best Practice

- Never commit secrets
- Use different values per env
- Validate required vars

---

**Role**: Environment Manager  
**Input**: .env files  
**Output**: Config

> Secrets.