🔐 Secret Management - Quick Start

⚡ Quick Setup (5 minutes)

1. Install Dependencies

# For Python tools
pip install python-dotenv

2. Create Your .env File

# Copy the template
cp .env.example .env

# Edit with your values (if needed)
nano .env  # or use any text editor

3. Install Pre-commit Hook

Windows (PowerShell):

.\install-hooks.ps1

Linux/Mac:

chmod +x install-hooks.sh
./install-hooks.sh

4. Verify Setup

# Check that .env is ignored
git check-ignore .env
# Should output: .env

# Test Python config
cd Python
python config.py

📝 Current Status

✅ No API keys required - This project currently works 100% offline!

The secret management system is set up for future use when you add:

• Google Maps API
• Cloud sync services
• External API integrations

🔍 What’s Protected?

The pre-commit hook prevents committing:

• ❌ .env files
• ❌ secrets.properties
• ❌ API keys and tokens
• ❌ Database files (with confirmation)
• ❌ Credential files

📚 Documentation

• Full Guide: docs/security/SECRET_MANAGEMENT.md
• Template: .env.example
• Config Loader: Python/config.py

❓ FAQ

Q: Do I need a .env file right now? A: No! The project works without it. It’s there for future API integrations.

Q: What if I accidentally commit a secret? A: See the What to Do If You Accidentally Commit a Secret section in the full security documentation, or visit the Security Policy for more details.

Q: Can I skip the pre-commit hook? A: Yes, but not recommended. Use git commit --no-verify to bypass (use carefully!).

Last Updated: 2025-11-01