> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.mernkit.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.mernkit.com/front-end/environmental-variables.md).

# Environmental Variables

In designing MERNKIT I wanted the platform to be as plug and play as possible. Therefore, the setup is almost entirely managed by setting environmental variables. For development, you will edit the .env file. For production you will edit the .env.production file. I will share documentation on how to setup MERNKIT on AWS at the end of the section. 

Your .env file will contain the following empty variables that must be filled out. I will put descriptions where your variable value should go. 

```
REACT_APP_BACKEND_URL=http://localhost:5000
REACT_APP_COOKIEDOMAIN=localhost
REACT_APP_STRIPE=STRIPE PUBLIC KEY
```