Question 1

How do I use dotnet-env with ASP.NET Core Configuration?

Accepted Answer

Call .AddDotNetEnv() on your ConfigurationBuilder in Program.cs or Startup.cs. This loads variables from .env files and integrates them into the configuration system, mapping __ to : for hierarchical keys, as shown in the configuration provider example.

Question 2

Can dotnet-env be used in production environments?

Accepted Answer

The library discourages it, recommending actual environment variables for production due to security and dynamism concerns. It's designed for local development to simplify configuration management, as stated in the 'Note about Production'.

Question 3

dotnet-env vs Microsoft.Extensions.Configuration.EnvironmentVariables: which should I use?

Accepted Answer

Use dotnet-env if you need file-based loading from .env for local dev convenience, as it extends the built-in provider. For production, rely on the standard EnvironmentVariables provider with system-set vars, since dotnet-env is not recommended there.

Question 4

How to handle secrets securely with dotnet-env?

Accepted Answer

Store .env files with secrets in secure storage like password managers or encrypted buckets during development, and never commit them to source control. In production, use environment variables or dedicated secret management tools instead.

Question 5

Does dotnet-env support multiline strings in .env files?

Accepted Answer

Yes, quoted strings can span multiple lines, and escaped characters like 
 are handled, as demonstrated with examples like KEY="value
and more" in the .env file structure section.

Question 6

How to prevent dotnet-env from overwriting existing environment variables?

Accepted Answer

Use the NoClobber() fluent method or set clobberExistingVars to false in LoadOptions. This preserves pre-set variables, useful when system or prior env vars should take precedence.

dotnet-env

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