---
title: "Discussion on \"What is .env file in Node.js?\" | Hashnode"
description: "Discussion on \"What is .env file in Node.js?\". Environment Variables for beginners."
url: "https://hashnode.com/posts/what-is-env-file-in-nodejs/64cb0da93f957ec7a471aa35"
---

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# [What is .env file in Node.js?](https://joannaterm.hashnode.dev/what-is-env-file-in-nodejs?utm_source=hashnode&utm_medium=feed)

Environment Variables for beginners.

Aug 3, 2023 · 3 min read · joannaterm.hashnode.dev  
Read the article

-   [#environment-variables](https://hashnode.com/tag/environment-variables)
-   [#env](https://hashnode.com/tag/env)
-   [#nodejs](https://hashnode.com/tag/nodejs)
-   [#backend](https://hashnode.com/tag/backend)

## Written by

[Joanna](https://hashnode.com/@joannaterm)

@joannaterm

  
[View profile](https://hashnode.com/@joannaterm)

Front End Development | Full Stack Development | MERN

There's too much tech vocabulary out there! I write articles to explain topics that I found confusing, and I try to explain them in a friendlier language.

## Responses 4

Markdown supported · ⌘↵ to post

[Mohammad Khalid](https://hashnode.com/@khalid191)

[Aug 10, 2023](https://hashnode.com/posts/what-is-env-file-in-nodejs/64cb0da93f957ec7a471aa35/comment/64d4bb25c8248b2334a701f6)

its very understable

[Joanna](https://hashnode.com/@joannaterm)

[Aug 10, 2023](https://hashnode.com/posts/what-is-env-file-in-nodejs/64cb0da93f957ec7a471aa35/comment/64d4bb25c8248b2334a701f6#reply-64d53d27f207cb2b50323897)

Thank you Mohammad!

[Chris Winter](https://hashnode.com/@wintech)

[Aug 3, 2023](https://hashnode.com/posts/what-is-env-file-in-nodejs/64cb0da93f957ec7a471aa35/comment/64cc0c1f8c8620c68655423a)

Great job on your first article Joanna! Clear and helpful!

[Joanna](https://hashnode.com/@joannaterm)

[Aug 3, 2023](https://hashnode.com/posts/what-is-env-file-in-nodejs/64cb0da93f957ec7a471aa35/comment/64cc0c1f8c8620c68655423a#reply-64cc3eba8c8620c686554525)

Thank you Chris! I appreciate you reading the article!

[J K](https://hashnode.com/@ferret)

[Aug 3, 2023](https://hashnode.com/posts/what-is-env-file-in-nodejs/64cb0da93f957ec7a471aa35/comment/64cba4de168be6c0a17e612d)

well done! very helpful!

[Joanna](https://hashnode.com/@joannaterm)

[Aug 3, 2023](https://hashnode.com/posts/what-is-env-file-in-nodejs/64cb0da93f957ec7a471aa35/comment/64cba4de168be6c0a17e612d#reply-64cba843da0e17c07106ba75)

Thank you JK! I appreciate your support

[Jon Collins](https://hashnode.com/@NinjaD3v)

[Aug 3, 2023](https://hashnode.com/posts/what-is-env-file-in-nodejs/64cb0da93f957ec7a471aa35/comment/64cba4a6168be6c0a17e611d)

Great write up Joanna! The .env can often be mysterious when starting out and I’m glad you mention that it needs to be included in the gitignore! A lot of us at some point have pushed a env file full of db creds into GitHub 😂. Well done, and I look forward to more articles!!

[Joanna](https://hashnode.com/@joannaterm)

[Aug 3, 2023](https://hashnode.com/posts/what-is-env-file-in-nodejs/64cb0da93f957ec7a471aa35/comment/64cba4a6168be6c0a17e611d#reply-64cba88d168be6c0a17e6193)

Haha I am so glad you found it helpful Jonathan! Thank you so much for your support!