⚙️ Laravel .env Configuration
Laravel uses a powerful environment-based configuration system powered by the .env file, allowing you to safely manage sensitive and environment-specific settings.
📄 What is the .env File?
The .env file is used to define environment variables. These are values that vary between local development, staging, and production environments.
Example entries:
APP_NAME=LaravelApp
APP_ENV=local
APP_KEY=base64:Xlxe2H8...
APP_DEBUG=true
APP_URL=http://localhost
.env file to version control (e.g., GitHub). It may contain secrets like database passwords and API keys.
🗄️ Database Configuration
Laravel uses the .env file to connect to your database. Here’s how a typical MySQL config looks:
DB_CONNECTION=mysql
DB_HOST=127.0.0.1
DB_PORT=3306
DB_DATABASE=laravel_db
DB_USERNAME=root
DB_PASSWORD=secret
Make sure your DB credentials match your local setup.
🔧 Other Common .env Variables
MAIL_MAILER=smtpMAIL_HOST=smtp.mailtrap.ioMAIL_PORT=2525
CACHE_DRIVER=fileQUEUE_CONNECTION=sync
LOG_CHANNEL=stackLOG_LEVEL=debug
APP_TIMEZONE=UTCAPP_LOCALE=en
💡 Artisan & Config Tips
- Run
php artisan config:cacheafter updating.envfor changes to take effect in production. - Use
env('KEY')carefully in config files only. Don’t use in controllers/services.
php artisan migrate.


