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.env.python.local -

What is .env.python.local?

.env.python.local is a environment-specific configuration file used primarily in Python projects (often with Django, Flask, or other frameworks using python-dotenv or django-environ). It stores environment variables for a local development environment, overriding settings in generic .env files.

1. Switching Between SQLite and Postgres Locally

.env (committed):

DATABASE_URL=sqlite:///local.db
DEBUG=False
API_BASE_URL=https://api.example.com

.env.python.local (gitignored):

# Override only for performance testing
DATABASE_URL=postgresql://user:pass@localhost:5432/perf_test
DEBUG=True

2. Never commit real secrets

Even test credentials should be rotated if accidentally leaked. .env.python.local

Load .env.python.local first (precedence)

load_dotenv('.env.python.local', override=True) What is

File Structure & Syntax

# .env.python.local – Example for a Django project

Precedence & Override Behavior


When multiple .env files exist, the last loaded file with override=True wins. .env.python.local


Typical load order in many projects:


    

  1. .env – default/shared config
    2. 

  2. .env.python – Python-specific defaults
    3. 

  3. .env.python.local – Your local overrides (highest priority)
    4.