Managing configuration across different environments is a cornerstone of modern web development. While standard .env files are common, the specifically named plays a critical role in local workflows, particularly within ecosystems like Next.js and Create React App . What is .env.development.local ?
: It is strictly for local use and should never be committed to version control (Git). .env.development.local
: It is designed to override default settings found in .env or .env.development . .env.development.local
: Variables here only load when the application is running in "development" mode (e.g., via npm run dev or npm start ). The Hierarchy of .env Files .env.development.local