CRA uses .env and .env.local with the REACT_APP_ prefix for client-exposed variables. Support for environment-specific files like .env.development is available but less explicit.
One of the most critical files in a developer's local workflow for achieving this is the .env.local file. .env.local
While loading priority can vary slightly by framework, the standard hierarchy from lowest priority to highest priority is: CRA uses
The file is a specialized version of the standard .env file used in web development to store local overrides and sensitive secrets . Unlike a regular .env file, which might contain default configuration shared across a team, .env.local is designed to be machine-specific and is almost always ignored by version control. Key Characteristics of .env.local While loading priority can vary slightly by framework,
Create a new file named .env.local in the of your project. 2. Add Variables