Dev
Mock .env File Generator
Every project needs an .env.example file — a template that shows contributors which environment variables the application expects, with placeholder values safe to commit. Writing one by hand means revisiting it every time a new key is added, and it is easy to accidentally include a real secret. This tool generates a realistic example file with plausible keys and random values, ready to commit as-is. The output includes 11 common variables covering node environment, port, database URL, Redis URL, API key, JWT secret, session secret, SMTP configuration, and log level. Secrets like JWT_SECRET and SESSION_SECRET are random hex strings of appropriate length. The API key uses the sk_test_ prefix to signal test status. The port is randomised between 3000 and 8999. Paste it directly into .env.example and commit it. The values point to nothing — the database URL, SMTP host, and API key are all fictional — making it safe to share publicly. Your team fills in their own real values locally and keeps those out of version control.
How to use
- Choose your options above
- Click Generate
- Copy your result
Detailed instructions
- Click Generate to produce a mock .env file.
- Copy it into an .env.example or doc.
- Replace the values with real ones locally.
- Keep real secrets out of version control.
Use Cases
- •Creating an .env.example for a repo
- •Documenting required configuration
- •Seeding a local development setup
- •Testing how an app loads config
- •Demoing environment variables safely
Tips
- →Commit only an example, never real secrets.
- →Replace every placeholder in your own env.
- →Use it to document required config.
- →Add .env to your .gitignore.
FAQ
is it safe to share this file
Yes — every secret in it is randomly generated and connects to nothing, so there is no real credential to leak. That is exactly what makes it suitable for documentation, tutorials, and an .env.example committed to a repo.
what variables does the generated file include
The output includes NODE_ENV, PORT, DATABASE_URL (postgres), REDIS_URL, API_KEY, JWT_SECRET, SESSION_SECRET, SMTP_HOST, SMTP_USER, SMTP_PASS, and LOG_LEVEL. These 11 keys cover a typical web application's configuration surface.
why not commit a real .env file
A real .env holds live secrets — database passwords, API keys, signing secrets — that grant access to your systems. Committing it exposes those secrets in your history forever. Commit only an example file with fake values, and keep the real one out of version control.
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