.env.development.local Fixed -

In Next.js, you must prefix variables with NEXT_PUBLIC_ to expose them to the browser (e.g., NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL ). 4. Important: Gitignore

Unlike standard .env files, this specific file is intended to be (Git). This makes it the perfect place to store: Personal API keys (e.g., OpenAI or AWS credentials). Local database passwords. Feature flags you want to toggle only on your machine. Machine-specific paths or ports. The Order of Operations: How Overrides Work .env.development.local

Keys that shouldn't be shared with teammates (e.g., your personal STRIPE_SECRET_KEY Local Overrides: In Next

# .gitignore .env*.local