Environment variables managed in a Next.js application.

In a Next.js application, environment variables can be managed to handle configuration settings, API keys, and other sensitive information. Proper management of environment variables is crucial for security and flexibility across different development and deployment environments. Here’s how you can handle environment variables in a Next.js application:

Create a .env.local File:

• In your project root, create a file named .env.local.
• This file should contain your local development environment variables.

NEXT_PUBLIC_API_KEY=your-api-key

NEXT_PUBLIC_BASE_URL=http://localhost:3000

Accessing Environment Variables:

• In your Next.js code, you can access environment variables using process.env.VARIABLE_NAME.

const apiKey = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_API_KEY;

const baseUrl = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_BASE_URL;

1. Environment Variables in Production:

• When deploying your Next.js application to production, configure environment variables on your hosting platform (e.g., Vercel, Netlify, AWS, or any other hosting service).
• Follow the hosting provider’s documentation to set environment variables for your production environment.

1. Securing Sensitive Information:

• Avoid committing your .env.local file to version control systems to prevent sensitive information leaks.
• Use a .env.example file with placeholders for variables and include it in version control to guide other developers on the expected variables.

Remember to review the security implications of your approach, especially when dealing with sensitive information. Always follow best practices for securing your application and handling secrets.