# dotenv [](https://www.npmjs.com/package/dotenv) [](https://www.npmjs.com/package/dotenv)
Dotenv is a zero-dependency module that loads environment variables from a `.env` file into [`process.env`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest/api/process.html#process_process_env). Storing configuration in the environment separate from code is based on [The Twelve-Factor App](https://12factor.net/config) methodology.
[Watch the tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtkZR0NFd1g)
## Usage
Install it.
```sh
npm install dotenv --save
```
Create a `.env` file in the root of your project:
```ini
# .env
HELLO="Dotenv"
OPENAI_API_KEY="your-api-key-goes-here"
```
As early as possible in your application, import and configure dotenv:
```javascript
// index.js
require('dotenv').config()
// or import 'dotenv/config' // for esm
console.log(`Hello ${process.env.HELLO}`)
```
```sh
$ node index.js
◇ injected env (2) from .env
Hello Dotenv
```
That's it. `process.env` now has the keys and values you defined in your `.env` file.
## Agent Usage
Install this repo as an agent skill package:
```sh
npx skills add motdotla/dotenv
```
```sh
# ask Claude or Codex to do things like:
set up dotenv
upgrade dotenv to dotenvx
```
## Advanced
ES6
Import with [ES6](#how-do-i-use-dotenv-with-import):
```javascript
import 'dotenv/config'
```
ES6 import if you need to set config options:
```javascript
import dotenv from 'dotenv'
dotenv.config({ path: '/custom/path/to/.env' })
```
bun
```sh
bun add dotenv
```
yarn
```sh
yarn add dotenv
```
pnpm
```sh
pnpm add dotenv
```
Monorepos
For monorepos with a structure like `apps/backend/app.js`, put it the `.env` file in the root of the folder where your `app.js` process runs.
```ini
# app/backend/.env
S3_BUCKET="YOURS3BUCKET"
SECRET_KEY="YOURSECRETKEYGOESHERE"
```
Multiline Values
If you need multiline variables, for example private keys, those are now supported (`>= v15.0.0`) with line breaks:
```ini
PRIVATE_KEY="-----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY-----
...
Kh9NV...
...
-----END RSA PRIVATE KEY-----"
```
Alternatively, you can double quote