> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/pterodactyl/panel/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Environment Configuration

> Configure Pterodactyl Panel environment variables and .env settings

Pterodactyl Panel uses environment variables defined in the `.env` file for core configuration settings. This file is located in the root of your Panel installation.

## Initial Setup

During installation, copy the example environment file:

```bash theme={null}
cp .env.example .env
```

## Core Application Settings

### Application Environment

```bash .env theme={null}
APP_ENV=production
APP_DEBUG=false
```

<ParamField path="APP_ENV" type="string" default="production">
  Application environment. Use `production` for live deployments, `local` for development.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="APP_DEBUG" type="boolean" default="false">
  Enable debug mode. Shows detailed error messages with stack traces.

  <Warning>
    **Never enable in production!** Debug mode exposes sensitive application details.
  </Warning>
</ParamField>

### Application Identity

```bash .env theme={null}
APP_NAME="Pterodactyl Panel"
APP_URL=https://panel.example.com
APP_LOCALE=en
APP_TIMEZONE=UTC
```

<ParamField path="APP_NAME" type="string" default="Pterodactyl">
  Application name used in emails and UI elements.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="APP_URL" type="string" required>
  The full URL where your Panel is accessible. Used for generating URLs in emails and console commands.

  Example: `https://panel.example.com`
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="APP_LOCALE" type="string" default="en">
  Default language locale for the application.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="APP_TIMEZONE" type="string" default="UTC">
  Default timezone for the application. See [PHP timezones](https://www.php.net/manual/en/timezones.php).
</ParamField>

### Encryption Key

```bash .env theme={null}
APP_KEY=base64:YOUR_32_CHARACTER_KEY_HERE
```

<ParamField path="APP_KEY" type="string" required>
  Application encryption key. Generated during installation with `php artisan key:generate`.

  <Warning>
    **Critical Security Setting!** Changing this key will invalidate all encrypted data including session cookies.
  </Warning>
</ParamField>

### Theme Configuration

```bash .env theme={null}
APP_THEME=pterodactyl
```

<ParamField path="APP_THEME" type="string" default="pterodactyl">
  Active theme name. Custom themes should be placed in `resources/themes/`.
</ParamField>

## Security Settings

### HashIDs Configuration

HashIDs are used to obfuscate internal database IDs in public-facing URLs.

```bash .env theme={null}
HASHIDS_SALT=random_salt_value
HASHIDS_LENGTH=8
```

<ParamField path="HASHIDS_SALT" type="string" required>
  Random salt for HashID generation. Should be a long, random string.

  <Warning>
    Never change this value after installation as it will break all existing URLs.
  </Warning>
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="HASHIDS_LENGTH" type="integer" default="8">
  Minimum length of generated hash IDs.
</ParamField>

### Environment Restrictions

```bash .env theme={null}
APP_ENVIRONMENT_ONLY=true
```

<ParamField path="APP_ENVIRONMENT_ONLY" type="boolean" default="true">
  When enabled, only environment variables are used for configuration. Recommended for security.
</ParamField>

## Logging Configuration

```bash .env theme={null}
LOG_CHANNEL=daily
LOG_LEVEL=debug
LOG_DEPRECATIONS_CHANNEL=null
```

<ParamField path="LOG_CHANNEL" type="string" default="daily">
  Logging channel to use. Options:

  * `daily` - Separate log file per day
  * `single` - Single log file
  * `stack` - Multiple channels
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="LOG_LEVEL" type="string" default="debug">
  Minimum log level. Options: `debug`, `info`, `notice`, `warning`, `error`, `critical`, `alert`, `emergency`
</ParamField>

## Generating the Application Key

After creating your `.env` file, generate an encryption key:

```bash theme={null}
php artisan key:generate --force
```

The `--force` flag is required in production environments.

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Email Configuration" icon="envelope" href="/config/email">
    Configure SMTP and email settings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Database Setup" icon="database" href="/config/database">
    Configure MySQL/MariaDB connection
  </Card>

  <Card title="Cache & Queues" icon="bolt" href="/config/cache-queue">
    Set up Redis, caching, and queue workers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Security Settings" icon="shield" href="/config/security">
    Configure SSL, trusted proxies, and sessions
  </Card>
</CardGroup>