.env.sample -

# .env (DO NOT COMMIT THIS) DATABASE_URL=postgresql://user:MySuperSecretPass123@localhost:5432/app API_KEY=sk_live_9876543210 DEBUG=False

: It tells other developers (including your future self) exactly which keys they need to provide to get the app working. .env.sample

# simple sed sed 's/=.*/=/' .env > .env.sample .env.sample

The .env.sample helps users create that file. .env.sample

Because .env files contain secrets, they are (or should be) included in your .gitignore file so they are never uploaded to a public repository.