DotEnv.Microsoft.Extensions.Configuration 1.0.0

Features

Unambitious .env file configuration provider. Integrates with Microsoft.Extensions.Configuration so .env values can be read like other config sources. Lightweight, minimal dependencies.

Why use it

If you’re building a .NET app and want to:

• manage configuration via .env files (common in many ecosystems)
• avoid hardcoding sensitive values or spanning environment setup differences
• support local development setups easily

...then .Env.NET helps you do that cleanly within the .NET configuration framework.

Basic Usage

Simple .env File Loading

Load a .env file from the application root with default settings (optional, reload on change):

var configuration = new ConfigurationBuilder()
    .AddDotEnvFile()
    .Build();

This will look for a .env file in the application's base directory with these defaults:

• File is optional (won't throw if missing)
• Automatically reloads when file changes

Load Specific .env File

Load a .env file from a specific path:

var configuration = new ConfigurationBuilder()
    .AddDotEnvFile("config/app.env")
    .Build();

Required .env File

Make the .env file required (throws exception if missing):

var configuration = new ConfigurationBuilder()
    .AddDotEnvFile(".env", optional: false)
    .Build();

Disable Reload on Change

Load .env file without automatic reloading:

var configuration = new ConfigurationBuilder()
    .AddDotEnvFile(".env", optional: true, reloadOnChange: false)
    .Build();

Complete Examples

ASP.NET Core Web Application

var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);

// Add .env file support
builder.Configuration.AddDotEnvFile();

// Add other configuration sources
builder.Configuration
    .AddJsonFile("appsettings.json", optional: false)
    .AddJsonFile($"appsettings.{builder.Environment.EnvironmentName}.json", optional: true)
    .AddEnvironmentVariables();

var app = builder.Build();

Console Application

using Microsoft.Extensions.Configuration;
using Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection;
using Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting;
using DotEnvConfigProvider;

var host = Host.CreateDefaultBuilder(args)
    .ConfigureAppConfiguration((context, config) =>
    {
        config.AddDotEnvFile(".env", optional: true, reloadOnChange: true);
    })
    .ConfigureServices((context, services) =>
    {
        // Register your services here
    })
    .Build();

Multiple Environment Files

var environment = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT") ?? "Development";

var configuration = new ConfigurationBuilder()
    .AddDotEnvFile(".env", optional: true)  // Base .env file
    .AddDotEnvFile($".env.{environment}", optional: true)  // Environment-specific
    .AddDotEnvFile(".env.local", optional: true)  // Local overrides
    .Build();