.env File
A hidden file that stores your app's secrets.
What is .env File?
The .env file holds sensitive information like API keys and passwords. It lives in your project but is never uploaded to GitHub. If someone gets your .env file, they can access all your connected services — keep it private.
Most projects use .env.local for local development. The .gitignore file automatically prevents it from being committed to Git.
In Vibe Coding
In Cursor projects, create a file called .env.local in your project root. Lovable handles environment variables through its settings panel. Never commit your .env file to GitHub — it should be in your .gitignore.
Example
For example: You sign up for Stripe and get two keys. You create a .env.local file in Cursor and paste them in: STRIPE_SECRET_KEY=sk_test_... Now your app can process payments.