Understanding .env.sample.php: a template for PHP projects

What is .env.sample.php?

What it is

A file named .env.sample.php is a template that lists the environment variables or configuration keys a PHP project expects. It is typically a PHP file that returns an array of key/value pairs or defines default values. The leading dot in the file name signals its role as a sample or hidden file in many development setups.

Typical contents

Common examples show placeholders for database credentials, API endpoints, and environment modes. The intent is to document what keys exist and what kind of values belong there, without storing real secrets.

Why use a sample environment file in PHP projects

Purpose

To communicate configuration expectations to developers and to provide a safe, version-controlled reference without exposing sensitive data.

What it documents

A clear list of required keys, recommended default values, and the expected data types.

How to use .env.sample.php in your workflow

Copying or renaming

Developers typically copy .env.sample.php to a real config file (for example, .env.php or config.php) and fill in actual values for their environment. The sample remains in version control to document structure.

Loading in PHP

Your bootstrap or config loader can include the file to obtain a config array, or merge it with environment variables.

$config = include __DIR__ . '/.env.php';

Example integration patterns

Access values with $config['DB_HOST'], etc.

$dbHost = $config['DB_HOST'];

Common patterns and example

Although there is some variation, many projects use a PHP array of keys and values. Here is a representative sample:

<?php
return [
  'APP_ENV' => 'development',
  'DB_HOST' => 'localhost',
  'DB_PORT' => 3306,
  'DB_DATABASE' => 'myapp',
  'DB_USER' => 'root',
  'DB_PASSWORD' => '',
];

Best practices and security considerations

Secrets management

Store actual credentials outside the codebase in environment variables, secret managers, or CI/CD vaults. The sample helps document what to provide.

Version control

Keep the sample in VCS to show structure, but ensure the real config file is ignored or kept out of the repository.

Documentation and conventions

Keep the file up to date with the app's configuration needs.

Alternatives to a PHP env sample

Using dotenv with a .env file

Many PHP projects load environment variables from a .env file using a library like vlucas/phpdotenv. A separate sample or template can document the expected keys, but the actual values live in the environment.

Other config formats

Some teams prefer YAML or JSON for configuration, especially when combining with container orchestration systems or configuration management tools.