How to have multiple env?

[jeremyhalin]

I would like to have multiple .env files so I can have a dev version of my app plus a production version.

Is there an easy way to achieve that?

My use case is very simple, I want to be able to change the API_BASE_URL env variable in dev and production.

String.fromEnvironment and --dart-define seems to be a good option.

[agordn52]

An easy way would be to have separate environment files i.e .env.developing, .env.production and so on...
Then, replace the .env file with all the variables from the environment you want to use.

Hope that makes sense 👍

[jeremyhalin]

Well, of course I can do that, but I can't flutter run or flutter build one specific environment easily.
I have to replace the content of .env file manually?

[agordn52]

Yeah, you'll have to replace the .env file manually.
If you have ideas for an alternative solution, feel free to send a PR though 👍

[jeremyhalin]

I see a solution where we change signature of init Nylo function and add an argument like envFile (but env file must still be added to assets). What do you think? Would be happy to submit a PR.

But this solution still needs multiple endpoints (main_production.dart, main_dev.dart)

[jeremyhalin]

Another solution would be

1. change

await dotenv.load(fileName: ".env");

by

const ENV_FILE_PATH = String.fromEnvironment('ENV_FILE_PATH', defaultValue: '.env');
await dotenv.load(fileName: ENV_FILE_PATH);

2. add .env.production to assets in pubspec.yaml
3. flutter run/build --dart-define=ENV_FILE_PATH=.env.production

[agordn52]

@jeremyhalin I think the latter solution would be sweet.

const ENV_FILE_PATH = String.fromEnvironment('ENV_FILE_PATH', defaultValue: '.env');
await dotenv.load(fileName: ENV_FILE_PATH);

This would work well for CI/CD pipelines too.