# Environment Variables Reference

> Complete reference for all environment variables in nself-chat

Source file: `/Users/admin/Sites/nself-chat/.env.example`

---

## Table of Contents

1. [Quick Start](#quick-start)
2. [Environment](#environment)
3. [Backend Services](#backend-services)
4. [Platform Template](#platform-template)
5. [White-Label Branding](#white-label-branding)
6. [Theme Configuration](#theme-configuration)
7. [Feature Flags - Core Messaging](#feature-flags---core-messaging)
8. [Feature Flags - Rich Content](#feature-flags---rich-content)
9. [Feature Flags - Advanced](#feature-flags---advanced)
10. [Feature Flags - Integrations](#feature-flags---integrations)
11. [Feature Flags - Moderation](#feature-flags---moderation)
12. [UI Configuration](#ui-configuration)
13. [Limits](#limits)
14. [Authentication Providers](#authentication-providers)
15. [Authentication Settings](#authentication-settings)
16. [Notifications](#notifications)
17. [SEO & Social](#seo--social)
18. [Legal](#legal)
19. [nself CLI Integration](#nself-cli-integration)
20. [Server-Side Only](#server-side-only)
21. [Development Only](#development-only)

---

## Quick Start

```bash
# Copy example to local config
cp .env.example .env.local

# Edit with your values
nano .env.local

# Start development
pnpm dev
```

---

## Environment

### Core Environment Settings

| Variable                   | Type    | Default                 | Description                                                |
| -------------------------- | ------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_ENV`          | string  | `development`           | Environment mode: `development`, `staging`, `production`   |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_USE_DEV_AUTH` | boolean | `true`                  | Enable development authentication (test users, auto-login) |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL`      | string  | `http://localhost:3000` | Base URL for the application                               |

```bash
# Example
NEXT_PUBLIC_ENV=development
NEXT_PUBLIC_USE_DEV_AUTH=true
NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL=http://localhost:3000
```

---

## Backend Services

### Nhost / Backend URLs

| Variable                      | Type   | Default                                   | Description                  |
| ----------------------------- | ------ | ----------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_NHOST_SUBDOMAIN` | string | `localhost`                               | Nhost project subdomain      |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_NHOST_REGION`    | string | `local`                                   | Nhost region                 |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_GRAPHQL_URL`     | string | `http://api.localhost/v1/graphql`         | GraphQL endpoint (Hasura)    |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_WS_URL`          | string | `ws://api.localhost/v1/graphql`           | WebSocket endpoint           |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_URL`        | string | `http://auth.localhost/v1/auth`           | Authentication service       |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_STORAGE_URL`     | string | `http://storage.localhost/v1/storage`     | File storage (MinIO)         |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FUNCTIONS_URL`   | string | `http://functions.localhost/v1/functions` | Serverless functions         |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_SOCKET_URL`      | string | `ws://realtime.localhost`                 | Socket.io server             |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_SEARCH_URL`      | string | `http://search.localhost`                 | Search service (MeiliSearch) |

```bash
# Local development (via nself CLI)
NEXT_PUBLIC_NHOST_SUBDOMAIN=localhost
NEXT_PUBLIC_NHOST_REGION=local
NEXT_PUBLIC_GRAPHQL_URL=http://api.localhost/v1/graphql
NEXT_PUBLIC_WS_URL=ws://api.localhost/v1/graphql
NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_URL=http://auth.localhost/v1/auth
NEXT_PUBLIC_STORAGE_URL=http://storage.localhost/v1/storage
NEXT_PUBLIC_FUNCTIONS_URL=http://functions.localhost/v1/functions
NEXT_PUBLIC_SOCKET_URL=ws://realtime.localhost
NEXT_PUBLIC_SEARCH_URL=http://search.localhost
```

---

## Platform Template

| Variable                        | Type   | Default   | Description                                                        |
| ------------------------------- | ------ | --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_PLATFORM_TEMPLATE` | string | `default` | UI template: `default`, `slack`, `discord`, `telegram`, `whatsapp` |

```bash
# Use Discord-style UI
NEXT_PUBLIC_PLATFORM_TEMPLATE=discord
```

---

## White-Label Branding

| Variable                    | Type   | Default                     | Description           |
| --------------------------- | ------ | --------------------------- | --------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_NAME`      | string | `nchat`                     | Application name      |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_TAGLINE`   | string | `Modern Team Communication` | Application tagline   |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_LOGO`      | string | `/logo.svg`                 | Logo image URL        |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_FAVICON`   | string | `/favicon.ico`              | Favicon URL           |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_COMPANY_NAME`  | string | `nself`                     | Company name (footer) |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_COMPANY_URL`   | string | `https://nself.org`         | Company website       |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPPORT_EMAIL` | string | `support@nself.org`         | Support email         |

```bash
# Custom branding
NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_NAME=MyChat
NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_TAGLINE=Team Communication Made Easy
NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_LOGO=/custom-logo.svg
NEXT_PUBLIC_COMPANY_NAME=My Company
```

---

## Theme Configuration

### Color Mode

| Variable                 | Type   | Default | Description                                   |
| ------------------------ | ------ | ------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_MODE` | string | `dark`  | Default color mode: `light`, `dark`, `system` |

### Colors

| Variable                       | Type | Default     | Description           |
| ------------------------------ | ---- | ----------- | --------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_PRIMARY`    | hex  | `#00D4FF`   | Primary brand color   |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_SECONDARY`  | hex  | `#6366F1`   | Secondary color       |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_ACCENT`     | hex  | `#10B981`   | Accent color          |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_BACKGROUND` | hex  | (commented) | Background override   |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_SURFACE`    | hex  | (commented) | Surface override      |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_TEXT`       | hex  | (commented) | Text color override   |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_MUTED`      | hex  | (commented) | Muted text override   |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_BORDER`     | hex  | (commented) | Border color override |

### UI Settings

| Variable                   | Type   | Default | Description                                                              |
| -------------------------- | ------ | ------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_RADIUS` | string | `md`    | Border radius: `none`, `sm`, `md`, `lg`, `xl`, `full`                    |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_FONT`   | string | `inter` | Font family: `inter`, `system`, `sf-pro`, `segoe`, `roboto`, `open-sans` |

```bash
# Custom theme
NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_MODE=dark
NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_PRIMARY=#6366F1
NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_SECONDARY=#8B5CF6
NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_ACCENT=#22C55E
NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_RADIUS=lg
NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_FONT=inter
```

---

## Feature Flags - Core Messaging

| Variable                               | Type    | Default | Description                    |
| -------------------------------------- | ------- | ------- | ------------------------------ |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_PUBLIC_CHANNELS`  | boolean | `true`  | Public channels                |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_PRIVATE_CHANNELS` | boolean | `true`  | Private (invite-only) channels |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_DIRECT_MESSAGES`  | boolean | `true`  | 1-on-1 direct messages         |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_GROUP_DMS`        | boolean | `true`  | Group DMs (2-8 people)         |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_THREADS`          | boolean | `true`  | Threaded replies               |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_REACTIONS`        | boolean | `true`  | Message reactions (emoji)      |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_MENTIONS`         | boolean | `true`  | User @mentions                 |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_CHANNEL_MENTIONS` | boolean | `true`  | Channel #mentions              |

```bash
# Disable threads and reactions
NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_THREADS=false
NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_REACTIONS=false
```

---

## Feature Flags - Rich Content

| Variable                             | Type    | Default | Description             |
| ------------------------------------ | ------- | ------- | ----------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_FILE_UPLOADS`   | boolean | `true`  | File uploads            |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_VOICE_MESSAGES` | boolean | `false` | Voice recordings        |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_VIDEO_CALLS`    | boolean | `false` | Video calling (WebRTC)  |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_SCREEN_SHARE`   | boolean | `false` | Screen sharing          |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_CODE_BLOCKS`    | boolean | `true`  | Syntax-highlighted code |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_MARKDOWN`       | boolean | `true`  | Markdown formatting     |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_LINK_PREVIEWS`  | boolean | `true`  | URL unfurling           |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_CUSTOM_EMOJIS`  | boolean | `true`  | Custom workspace emojis |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_GIF_PICKER`     | boolean | `true`  | GIF picker integration  |

```bash
# Enable voice messages
NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_VOICE_MESSAGES=true
```

---

## Feature Flags - Advanced

| Variable                                 | Type    | Default | Description                |
| ---------------------------------------- | ------- | ------- | -------------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_MESSAGE_SEARCH`     | boolean | `true`  | Message search             |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_USER_PRESENCE`      | boolean | `true`  | Online/away/offline status |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_TYPING_INDICATORS`  | boolean | `true`  | "User is typing..."        |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_READ_RECEIPTS`      | boolean | `true`  | Read state tracking        |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_MESSAGE_SCHEDULING` | boolean | `false` | Schedule messages          |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_MESSAGE_PINS`       | boolean | `true`  | Pin important messages     |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_BOOKMARKS`          | boolean | `true`  | Save messages              |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_CHANNEL_CATEGORIES` | boolean | `true`  | Organize channels          |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_GUEST_ACCESS`       | boolean | `false` | External guest users       |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_INVITES`            | boolean | `true`  | User invitations           |

---

## Feature Flags - Integrations

| Variable                                 | Type    | Default | Description          |
| ---------------------------------------- | ------- | ------- | -------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_SLACK_INTEGRATION`  | boolean | `false` | Slack import/sync    |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_GITHUB_INTEGRATION` | boolean | `false` | GitHub notifications |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_JIRA_INTEGRATION`   | boolean | `false` | Jira integration     |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_GOOGLE_DRIVE`       | boolean | `false` | Google Drive sharing |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_WEBHOOKS`           | boolean | `true`  | Incoming webhooks    |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_BOTS`               | boolean | `true`  | Bot accounts         |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_SLASH_COMMANDS`     | boolean | `true`  | Slash commands       |

---

## Feature Flags - Moderation

| Variable                                | Type    | Default | Description             |
| --------------------------------------- | ------- | ------- | ----------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_AUTO_MODERATION`   | boolean | `false` | Auto content moderation |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_PROFANITY_FILTER`  | boolean | `false` | Profanity filtering     |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_SPAM_DETECTION`    | boolean | `false` | Spam detection          |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_MESSAGE_REPORTING` | boolean | `true`  | User content reporting  |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_AUDIT_LOGS`        | boolean | `true`  | Admin audit logs        |

---

## UI Configuration

### Sidebar

| Variable                            | Type   | Default    | Description                    |
| ----------------------------------- | ------ | ---------- | ------------------------------ |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_SIDEBAR_POSITION`      | string | `left`     | Position: `left`, `right`      |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_SIDEBAR_DEFAULT_STATE` | string | `expanded` | State: `expanded`, `collapsed` |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_SIDEBAR_WIDTH`         | number | `260`      | Width in pixels (200-400)      |

### Messages

| Variable                       | Type    | Default       | Description                                   |
| ------------------------------ | ------- | ------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MESSAGE_DENSITY`  | string  | `comfortable` | Density: `compact`, `comfortable`, `spacious` |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MESSAGE_GROUPING` | boolean | `true`        | Group consecutive messages                    |

### Avatars

| Variable                         | Type    | Default  | Description                          |
| -------------------------------- | ------- | -------- | ------------------------------------ |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AVATAR_STYLE`       | string  | `circle` | Style: `circle`, `rounded`, `square` |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AVATAR_SIZE`        | string  | `md`     | Size: `sm`, `md`, `lg`               |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_SHOW_PRESENCE_DOTS` | boolean | `true`   | Presence dots on avatars             |

### Display

| Variable                         | Type    | Default       | Description                            |
| -------------------------------- | ------- | ------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_SHOW_CHANNEL_ICONS` | boolean | `true`        | Channel icons                          |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_SHOW_MEMBER_COUNT`  | boolean | `true`        | Member count in header                 |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT`   | string  | `relative`    | Format: `relative`, `absolute`, `both` |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_DATE_FORMAT`        | string  | `MMM d, yyyy` | Date format (date-fns)                 |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_TIME_FORMAT`        | string  | `h:mm a`      | Time format (date-fns)                 |

```bash
# Compact Discord-like UI
NEXT_PUBLIC_MESSAGE_DENSITY=compact
NEXT_PUBLIC_SIDEBAR_WIDTH=240
NEXT_PUBLIC_AVATAR_SIZE=sm
```

---

## Limits

| Variable                                  | Type   | Default     | Description                   |
| ----------------------------------------- | ------ | ----------- | ----------------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH`          | number | `4000`      | Max message characters        |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MAX_FILE_SIZE`               | number | `104857600` | Max file size (bytes) - 100MB |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MAX_ATTACHMENTS_PER_MESSAGE` | number | `10`        | Max attachments per message   |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MESSAGE_EDIT_WINDOW`         | number | `300000`    | Edit window (ms) - 5 minutes  |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MAX_CHANNELS_PER_USER`       | number | `500`       | Max channels per user         |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MAX_DMS_PER_USER`            | number | `1000`      | Max DM conversations          |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MAX_GROUP_DM_MEMBERS`        | number | `8`         | Max group DM members          |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MAX_PINS_PER_CHANNEL`        | number | `50`        | Max pins per channel          |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MAX_BOOKMARKS_PER_USER`      | number | `100`       | Max bookmarks per user        |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MESSAGE_PAGE_SIZE`           | number | `50`        | Messages per page             |

```bash
# Increase limits for enterprise
NEXT_PUBLIC_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH=8000
NEXT_PUBLIC_MAX_FILE_SIZE=524288000  # 500MB
NEXT_PUBLIC_MAX_ATTACHMENTS_PER_MESSAGE=20
```

---

## Authentication Providers

### Basic Authentication

| Variable                          | Type    | Default | Description              |
| --------------------------------- | ------- | ------- | ------------------------ |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_EMAIL_PASSWORD` | boolean | `true`  | Email/password auth      |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_MAGIC_LINKS`    | boolean | `false` | Passwordless email links |

### Social OAuth

| Variable                     | Type    | Default | Server Secrets                                   |
| ---------------------------- | ------- | ------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_GOOGLE`    | boolean | `false` | `GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID`, `GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET`       |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_GITHUB`    | boolean | `false` | `GITHUB_CLIENT_ID`, `GITHUB_CLIENT_SECRET`       |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_DISCORD`   | boolean | `false` | `DISCORD_CLIENT_ID`, `DISCORD_CLIENT_SECRET`     |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_SLACK`     | boolean | `false` | `SLACK_CLIENT_ID`, `SLACK_CLIENT_SECRET`         |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_MICROSOFT` | boolean | `false` | `MICROSOFT_CLIENT_ID`, `MICROSOFT_CLIENT_SECRET` |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_APPLE`     | boolean | `false` | `APPLE_CLIENT_ID`, `APPLE_CLIENT_SECRET`         |

### Enterprise Authentication

| Variable                | Type    | Default | Server Secrets                                 |
| ----------------------- | ------- | ------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_IDME` | boolean | `false` | `IDME_CLIENT_ID`, `IDME_CLIENT_SECRET`         |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_SAML` | boolean | `false` | `SAML_ENTRY_POINT`, `SAML_ISSUER`, `SAML_CERT` |

```bash
# Enable Google and GitHub OAuth
NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_GOOGLE=true
NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_GITHUB=true
# Server-side secrets (not prefixed with NEXT_PUBLIC_)
GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID=your-google-client-id
GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET=your-google-client-secret
GITHUB_CLIENT_ID=your-github-client-id
GITHUB_CLIENT_SECRET=your-github-client-secret
```

---

## Authentication Settings

| Variable                                      | Type    | Default                 | Description                     |
| --------------------------------------------- | ------- | ----------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_ACCESS_MODE`                | string  | `allow-all`             | Access mode (see below)         |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_REQUIRE_EMAIL_VERIFICATION` | boolean | `false`                 | Require email verification      |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_ALLOWED_DOMAINS`            | string  | (empty)                 | Comma-separated domains         |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_REQUIRE_APPROVAL`           | boolean | `false`                 | Require admin approval          |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_DEFAULT_ROLE`               | string  | `member`                | Default role: `member`, `guest` |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_DEFAULT_CHANNELS`           | string  | `general,announcements` | Default channels to join        |

### Access Modes

| Mode                | Description                 |
| ------------------- | --------------------------- |
| `allow-all`         | Open registration           |
| `verified-only`     | Email verification required |
| `domain-restricted` | Specific email domains only |
| `admin-only`        | Manual approval required    |

```bash
# Corporate setup with domain restriction
NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_ACCESS_MODE=domain-restricted
NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_ALLOWED_DOMAINS=company.com,subsidiary.com
NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_REQUIRE_EMAIL_VERIFICATION=true
```

---

## Notifications

| Variable                            | Type    | Default | Description               |
| ----------------------------------- | ------- | ------- | ------------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_NOTIFICATIONS_DESKTOP` | boolean | `true`  | Desktop notifications     |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_NOTIFICATIONS_SOUND`   | boolean | `true`  | Sound notifications       |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_NOTIFICATIONS_EMAIL`   | boolean | `false` | Email notifications       |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_NOTIFICATIONS_PUSH`    | boolean | `false` | Mobile push notifications |

---

## SEO & Social

| Variable                       | Type   | Default                              | Description         |
| ------------------------------ | ------ | ------------------------------------ | ------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_META_TITLE`       | string | (app name)                           | Meta title          |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_META_DESCRIPTION` | string | `Modern team communication platform` | Meta description    |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_OG_IMAGE`         | string | (empty)                              | Open Graph image    |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_TWITTER_HANDLE`   | string | (empty)                              | Twitter handle      |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_GA_ID`            | string | (empty)                              | Google Analytics ID |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_PLAUSIBLE_DOMAIN` | string | (empty)                              | Plausible domain    |

```bash
# SEO configuration
NEXT_PUBLIC_META_DESCRIPTION=Team communication for modern teams
NEXT_PUBLIC_OG_IMAGE=/og-image.png
NEXT_PUBLIC_TWITTER_HANDLE=mychatapp
NEXT_PUBLIC_GA_ID=G-XXXXXXXXXX
```

---

## Legal

| Variable                        | Type   | Default    | Description          |
| ------------------------------- | ------ | ---------- | -------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_PRIVACY_URL`       | string | `/privacy` | Privacy policy URL   |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_TERMS_URL`         | string | `/terms`   | Terms of service URL |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_COOKIE_POLICY_URL` | string | (empty)    | Cookie policy URL    |

---

## nself CLI Integration

| Variable                | Type   | Default | Description       |
| ----------------------- | ------ | ------- | ----------------- |
| `NSELF_CLI_VERSION`     | string | `0.4.8` | nself CLI version |
| `NSELF_PLUGINS_ENABLED` | string | (empty) | Enabled plugins   |

---

## Server-Side Only

**Important:** These variables must NOT be prefixed with `NEXT_PUBLIC_` as they contain secrets.

### Database & Services

| Variable              | Description                  |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| `HASURA_ADMIN_SECRET` | Hasura admin secret          |
| `JWT_SECRET`          | JWT signing secret           |
| `DATABASE_URL`        | PostgreSQL connection string |
| `REDIS_URL`           | Redis connection string      |

### External Services

| Variable           | Description           |
| ------------------ | --------------------- |
| `SENTRY_DSN`       | Sentry error tracking |
| `SENDGRID_API_KEY` | SendGrid email API    |

### AWS/S3 (alternative to MinIO)

| Variable                | Description    |
| ----------------------- | -------------- |
| `AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID`     | AWS access key |
| `AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY` | AWS secret key |
| `AWS_S3_BUCKET`         | S3 bucket name |
| `AWS_S3_REGION`         | S3 region      |

```bash
# Server-side secrets
HASURA_ADMIN_SECRET=your-admin-secret
JWT_SECRET=your-jwt-secret
DATABASE_URL=postgres://user:pass@localhost:5432/nchat
REDIS_URL=redis://localhost:6379
SENTRY_DSN=https://xxx@sentry.io/xxx
```

---

## Development Only

| Variable                      | Type    | Default | Description          |
| ----------------------------- | ------- | ------- | -------------------- |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_ENABLE_DEVTOOLS` | boolean | `true`  | React Query devtools |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_DEBUG`           | boolean | `false` | Debug logging        |
| `NEXT_PUBLIC_MOCK_API`        | boolean | `false` | Mock API responses   |

```bash
# Enable all dev features
NEXT_PUBLIC_ENABLE_DEVTOOLS=true
NEXT_PUBLIC_DEBUG=true
```

---

## Complete Example (.env.local)

```bash
# =============================================
# nself-chat Local Development Configuration
# =============================================

# Environment
NEXT_PUBLIC_ENV=development
NEXT_PUBLIC_USE_DEV_AUTH=true
NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL=http://localhost:3000

# Backend Services (via nself CLI)
NEXT_PUBLIC_NHOST_SUBDOMAIN=localhost
NEXT_PUBLIC_NHOST_REGION=local
NEXT_PUBLIC_GRAPHQL_URL=http://api.localhost/v1/graphql
NEXT_PUBLIC_WS_URL=ws://api.localhost/v1/graphql
NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_URL=http://auth.localhost/v1/auth
NEXT_PUBLIC_STORAGE_URL=http://storage.localhost/v1/storage

# Branding
NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_NAME=nchat
NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_TAGLINE=Modern Team Communication

# Theme
NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_MODE=dark
NEXT_PUBLIC_THEME_PRIMARY=#00D4FF

# Core Features
NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_PUBLIC_CHANNELS=true
NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_PRIVATE_CHANNELS=true
NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_DIRECT_MESSAGES=true
NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_THREADS=true
NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_REACTIONS=true
NEXT_PUBLIC_FEATURE_FILE_UPLOADS=true

# Authentication
NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_EMAIL_PASSWORD=true
NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_ACCESS_MODE=allow-all

# Development
NEXT_PUBLIC_ENABLE_DEVTOOLS=true
```

---

_This document covers all environment variables available in nself-chat. See `.env.example` for the complete template._