.env.dist.local ((top)) • Legit

# Local environment variables for development and testing
: It allows for overrides that apply only to a specific machine while still following the structure of the distribution file. Version Control Safety : Like other files, it is typically added to .gitignore
Common contents and structure
Gitignore the Result: Ensure that .env.local is in your .gitignore, but .env.dist.local is committed to the repository. Example Scenario .env.dist.local
Scenario B: The Over-Committed .env
Some developers (regrettably) commit their actual .env file to Git. Now, production credentials leak, local paths clash, and every pull request creates a nightmare of merge conflicts. # Local environment variables for development and testing
DB_CONNECTION=mysql
DB_HOST=localhost
DB_PORT=3306
DB_DATABASE=my_local_db
DB_USERNAME=my_local_username
DB_PASSWORD=my_local_password

In your PHP code, you can load the environment variables using a library like vlucas/phpdotenv: In your PHP code, you can load the
Conclusion

.env.dist.local is a useful developer-facing artifact: a safe, discoverable contract of the runtime configuration your application needs. Treated as documentation and paired with validation and secure secret management, it dramatically improves onboarding while reducing the risk of accidental credential exposure.