CREATE_ENV_FILE.md

How to Create .env File - Step by Step

What is a .env file?

A .env file is a text file that stores environment variables (like passwords, API keys, database URLs). It's loaded automatically by VS Code and many applications.

Where is the "project root"?

The project root is: /Users/arun.parmar/go/src/adk-python

This is where you see:

• src/ directory
• config.ini file
• pyproject.toml file
• .venv/ directory (if you have a virtual environment)

How to Create .env File

Method 1: Using Terminal (Recommended)

1. Open terminal

2. Navigate to project root:

   cd /Users/arun.parmar/go/src/adk-python

3. Create the file:

   touch .env

4. Open it in VS Code:

   code .env

5. Add your environment variables:

   # Database URL (optional - config.ini already has it)
   # DATABASE_URL=postgresql://username:password@hostname:5432/database
   
   # Redbus ADG Configuration
   ADURL=your_ad_url_here
   ADU=your_ad_user_here
   ADP=your_ad_password_here
   REDBUS_ADG_MODEL=40
   
   # Google/Gemini API Keys (for Gemini models)
   GOOGLE_API_KEY=your_google_api_key_here
   GEMINI_API_KEY=your_gemini_api_key_here
   
   # PostgreSQL Schema (optional)
   DB_SCHEMA=your_schema_name

6. Save the file (Cmd+S / Ctrl+S)

Method 2: Using VS Code

1. In VS Code, right-click in the file explorer (left sidebar)
2. Select "New File"
3. Type .env as the filename
4. Press Enter
5. Add your environment variables
6. Save

Method 3: Using Command Line (One-liner)

cd /Users/arun.parmar/go/src/adk-python && cat > .env << 'EOF'
ADURL=your_ad_url_here
ADU=your_ad_user_here
ADP=your_ad_password_here
REDBUS_ADG_MODEL=40
EOF

File Format

The .env file format is simple:

VARIABLE_NAME=value
ANOTHER_VAR=another_value

Important rules:

• No spaces around the = sign
• No quotes needed (unless the value contains spaces)
• One variable per line
• Lines starting with # are comments

Example .env File

# This is a comment
# Database URL (optional - can also be set in config.ini)
DATABASE_URL=postgresql://username:password@hostname:5432/database

# Redbus ADG Configuration
ADURL=https://your-azure-gateway-url.com
ADU=your_username
ADP=your_password
REDBUS_ADG_MODEL=40

# Google/Gemini API Keys (for Gemini models)
GOOGLE_API_KEY=your_google_api_key_here
GEMINI_API_KEY=your_gemini_api_key_here

# PostgreSQL Schema (optional)
DB_SCHEMA=your_schema_name

Verify It Works

After creating .env:

1. Restart VS Code debugger (F5)
2. Check the logs - you should see environment variables are loaded
3. Or test in Python:

   import os
   print(os.getenv('ADURL'))

Security Note

⚠️ Never commit .env to git! It should already be in .gitignore. If not, add it:

echo ".env" >> .gitignore

Current Status

Since your config.ini already has the database URL, you don't need to set DATABASE_URL in .env unless you want to override it.

You only need .env if you need:

• ADURL, ADU, ADP (for RedbusADG model)
• Or want to override database URL from environment