|verified|: .env.sample

In this example, the .env.sample file lists the required environment variables, their data types, and example values. New developers can use this file as a template to create their own .env file with the actual values.

const dbUrl = process.env.DATABASE_URL; if (!dbUrl) console.error('Missing DATABASE_URL in .env file'); process.exit(1); .env.sample

| Pitfall | Solution | |---------|----------| | .env.sample is outdated | CI test: diff .env.sample .env or use envalid | | Developer forgets to copy sample | Add postinstall script: cp -n .env.sample .env | | Real secrets accidentally in sample | Use pre-commit hook scanning for real keys | | Windows vs Unix path differences | Use relative paths or path.join() in code | | Multi-line values (e.g., private keys) | Use base64 or reference a file: # see secrets/ | In this example, the