Environment File Auditor
Audit .env files for secrets and generate safe .env.example templates
Outcome
Audit an environment/config file, create a safe template, and decide which secrets need rotation before sharing code or support context.
Your progress
Mark each step as you complete it. This is saved only in this browser.
0 / 3 steps complete
Before you start
Visual frame
Review asset
Environment file auditor storyboard
Synthetic environment auditor frame only. It uses fake variables and avoids encouraging users to paste production env files into support.
Synthetic frame
Environment variables
Sort before deciding what to share.
Environment file audit frame
A config-safety workflow that separates live secrets, safe templates, and rotation actions.
Guided steps
Follow the task, then check the result.
Work from a safe copy
Do not paste live production config into public channels. Work from a local copy and use the auditor to identify secrets, URLs, keys, tokens, passwords, and internal hostnames.
Create or review the safe template
Replace live values with placeholders such as YOUR_API_KEY_HERE or REDACTED_DATABASE_URL. Keep variable names when safe so teammates can understand the config shape.
Branch questions
Was this config file committed, pasted, or attached somewhere unsafe?
Does the file you plan to share contain only placeholders and safe variable names?
Completion check
Support boundary
Support can use by default
- Variable name category and fake value shape.
- Issue type such as missed secret, false positive, template problem, or rotation question.
- No live .env file or secret value by default.
- Intent ID
- Article slug
- App route
- Browser and viewport
Requires your consent
- User-written description
- Email address
- Explicit attachment
- Redacted sample
- Support bundle previewed to the user
Not collected by default
- Raw original document text
- Full local file paths
- Pasted private content
- Unmasked screenshots
- Replay capture
Safe support summary
Copy a scrubbed handoff.
Redactorr KB support summary Article: /knowledge-base/env-auditor Selected issue: The auditor misses a value that looks like a secret. Playbook progress: 0/3 steps marked complete Safe context to include: - Variable name category and fake value shape. - Issue type such as missed secret, false positive, template problem, or rotation question. - No live .env file or secret value by default. - Intent ID - Article slug - App route - Browser and viewport Requires explicit consent: - User-written description - Email address - Explicit attachment - Redacted sample - Support bundle previewed to the user Do not include by default: - Raw original document text - Full local file paths - Pasted private content - Unmasked screenshots - Replay capture User note: - Describe the step and symptom without pasting raw document text, secrets, files, or restoration material.
Article details
Environment File Auditor: A Security Checkup for Your Config
Your .env file is a ticking time bomb. It contains every secret your app needs to run: database passwords, API keys, OAuth secrets, encryption keys. One accidental commit to GitHub, and it's game over.
The Environment File Auditor finds secrets hiding in your config files and helps you create safe templates.
What It Does
Scans for Secrets: Analyses your .env file and flags every credential, token, password, and key it finds.
Generates Safe Templates: Creates a .env.example file with all secrets removed but variable names preserved, so new team members know what to configure.
Security Scoring: Gives your .env file a security score based on:
- Number of secrets found
- Secret strength (entropy)
- Naming conventions (are variables clearly labelled?)
- Dangerous patterns (hardcoded IPs, production URLs in dev files)
Why This Matters
GitHub scanning: GitHub automatically scans commits for exposed secrets. If you accidentally commit a .env file with real credentials, you'll get an alert (and potential compromise).
Onboarding new developers: A .env.example file shows new team members what environment variables they need to set up without exposing real values.
Compliance requirements: Many security frameworks require proof that secrets are not hardcoded or checked into version control.
Real-World Use Cases
Before pushing to GitHub: Run an audit to make sure you're not about to commit secrets.
Creating .env.example: Generate a safe template automatically instead of manually redacting values.
Security audits: Get a report of all credentials in your config with strength ratings.
Rotating secrets: Identify which secrets are weak and need rotation.
What Gets Flagged
- Database URLs: Full connection strings with credentials
- API Keys: AWS, Stripe, SendGrid, etc.
- OAuth Secrets: Client secrets, tokens
- Encryption Keys: JWT secrets, signing keys
- Passwords: Any plaintext passwords
- Tokens: Session tokens, API tokens
- Email Credentials: SMTP passwords
- Third-Party Integrations: Twilio, Slack, etc.
Your Files Stay Private
Auditing happens through browser-local detection and redaction for .env files.
Still stuck?
Copy a safe article handoff.
Start support with the article, the issue, and safe context. Raw document text, files, restoration material, and unredacted screenshots stay out unless you explicitly choose otherwise.
- Article slug
- Selected issue
- Screen name
- Action name
Redactorr support case Source: Article playbook: env-auditor Route: /knowledge-base/env-auditor Selected issue: The auditor misses a value that looks like a secret. Safe context: - Variable name category and fake value shape. - Issue type such as missed secret, false positive, template problem, or rotation question. - No live .env file or secret value by default. - Article slug - Selected issue - Screen name or article section - Action name - Browser and viewport Only include with explicit consent: - User-written description - Email address - Explicit attachment - Redacted sample - Support bundle previewed to the user Do not include by default: - Raw original document text - Full local file paths - Pasted private content - Unmasked screenshots - Replay capture - Hidden diagnostic uploads User note: - Describe what you tried and what happened. Do not paste raw document text, secrets, files, restoration material, or unredacted screenshots.
Support case builder
One case format, wherever you start.
This is the same support case shape used by diagnostics and article handoffs.
- Variable name category and fake value shape.
- Issue type such as missed secret, false positive, template problem, or rotation question.
- No live .env file or secret value by default.
- Article slug
- Selected issue
- Screen name or article section
Private material belongs behind an explicit consent step, not in the initial case.
6 default exclusions