.env.vault.local [best] Today

.env.vault.local file is a specialized configuration file used within the dotenv-vault

npx dotenvx run -- node app.js
# Automatically loads .env.vault, then overrides with .env.vault.local

The Problem with Two Files

Most teams fall into two bad habits:

However, scattering .env.keys files across developer machines can get messy. The convention of .env.vault.local often serves as a localized override or a secure holding pen for the keys required to unlock the vault on a specific machine. .env.vault.local