Your .gitignore files have been updated to protect the following sensitive information:

• .env (all variants)
• .env.local, .env.development, .env.production
• .env.staging, .env.test

• config/keys.js, config/secrets.js
• config/credentials.json
• secrets/, keys/, .secrets, .credentials
• api-keys.json, service-account.json
• firebase-adminsdk-*.json

• database.json, db-config.json
• mongodb.conf, redis.conf
• Connection strings and database URLs

• *.pem, *.key, *.crt, *.cert
• *.p12, *.pfx
• ssl/, certs/ directories

• tokens/, .tokens
• auth-tokens.json, jwt-secret.txt

• .aws/, aws-config.json
• .gcloud/, gcloud-service-account.json
• .azure/, azure-credentials.json

• stripe-keys.json, .stripe/
• paypal-config.json, .paypal/

• sendgrid-api-key.txt
• twilio-config.json
• firebase-config.json
• google-api-credentials.json

Root Directory:

• ✅ .env - Protected by .gitignore
• ✅ .env.production - Protected by .gitignore
• ✅ .env.example - Safe to commit (template only)

Next.js Directory:

• ✅ .env.local - Protected by .gitignore
• ✅ .env.example - Safe to commit (template only)

• Updated root .gitignore with comprehensive security patterns
• Updated Next.js .gitignore with security patterns
• Protected all environment variable files
• Protected API keys and credentials
• Protected database connection strings
• Protected SSL certificates and private keys
• Protected authentication tokens
• Protected cloud provider credentials
• Protected payment provider keys
• Protected third-party service keys

1. Verify Git Status

   git status

   Make sure no sensitive files are staged for commit.

2. Remove Sensitive Files from Git History (if already committed)

   git filter-branch --force --index-filter \
   'git rm --cached --ignore-unmatch .env' \
   --prune-empty --tag-name-filter cat -- --all

3. Use Environment Variables for All Secrets

   • Database URLs
   • API keys (Stripe, SendGrid, etc.)
   • JWT secrets
   • OAuth client secrets

4. Example .env Structure

   # Database
   MONGODB_URI=mongodb://localhost:27017/lastmile
   REDIS_URL=redis://localhost:6379
   
   # Authentication
   JWT_SECRET=your-super-secret-jwt-key
   JWT_EXPIRES_IN=7d
   
   # API Keys
   STRIPE_SECRET_KEY=sk_test_...
   STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY=pk_test_...
   SENDGRID_API_KEY=SG....
   
   # App Configuration
   NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL=http://localhost:3000
   NODE_ENV=development

5. Secure Production Deployment

   • Use environment variables in your hosting platform
   • Never hardcode secrets in your code
   • Use secrets management services (AWS Secrets Manager, etc.)

If you accidentally committed sensitive data:

1. Immediately rotate all exposed credentials
2. Remove from git history using the command above
3. Force push to remote (⚠️ This rewrites history)

   git push origin --force --all

4. Update all team members about the security incident

If you need help with security configuration, refer to:

• Next.js Environment Variables
• Git Security Best Practices
• Your hosting platform's secrets management documentation

Remember: Security is everyone's responsibility. Always double-check before committing!