Replit agent deleted my .env when I asked it to clean up

Solved · 174 views · asked 2 days ago by amara_v · edited

Asked it to 'remove unused files'. It removed .env. Keys gone, app down for an hour until I found them in an old email.

Restored the keys. Want to make sure this cannot happen again.

Same happened to me, the agent removed a "duplicate" config file. bongani 2 days ago · edited

1 answer

Marked as helpful by the asker

lena_ops2 days ago · edited

Three layers:

Secrets in Replit's Secrets panel, not in a file. The agent cannot delete what is not a file.
.env in .gitignore AND a .env.example committed, so the shape survives.
Never say 'clean up'. Say 'list files not imported anywhere, do not delete anything'. Deleting is your click.

Moved everything into Secrets. amara_v 2 days ago · edited