🔐 Environment Variables (.env)

🏠 Documentation Hub > Configuration > Environment Variables

Reverb uses environment variables defined in a .env file at the root of the project to securely load Discord credentials and database connection options.

All static bot settings (such as the default prefix, developer IDs, and audio streaming nodes) are configured in config.reverb.js.

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1. Complete Variable Reference

Variable	Required	Default	Description
CLIENT_ID	Yes	None	The Discord Application (Client) ID from the Developer Portal.
CLIENT_SECRET	Cond.	None	The Discord OAuth2 Client Secret (used for the upcoming web dashboard).
CLIENT_TOKEN	Yes	None	The Discord Bot Token generated in the Developer Portal.
DATABASE_PROVIDER	No	sqlite	Database engine selection: sqlite, mongodb, postgres, mysql, or pglite.
MONGO_URI	Cond.	mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017/reverb	Connection string for MongoDB (used when DATABASE_PROVIDER="mongodb").
POSTGRES_URL	Cond.	postgres://postgres:postgres@localhost:5432/reverb	Connection URL for PostgreSQL (used when DATABASE_PROVIDER="postgres").
MYSQL_URL	Cond.	None	Connection URL for MySQL (used when DATABASE_PROVIDER="mysql").
SQLITE_PATH	No	./data/reverb.db	File path where the local SQLite database file is stored.
PGLITE_DATA_DIR	No	./data/reverb-pgdata	Data directory for the local PGLite embedded database.
DATABASE_URL	No	None	Optional unified connection URL; auto-detected if DATABASE_PROVIDER is not specified.
MAIN_COLOR	No	#FF66C4	Optional brand accent hex color override for embeds and UI containers.

Where are Audio Nodes and Bot Prefix Configured?

Audio streaming nodes (NodeLink and Lavalink) and the default command prefix are configured in config.reverb.js under music.nodes and bot.prefix, keeping connection clustering and player options cleanly organized.

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2. .env.example Template

Reverb includes a ready-to-use template in .env.example:

CLIENT_ID=
CLIENT_SECRET=
CLIENT_TOKEN=

# Database selection: mongodb | postgres | mysql | sqlite | pglite
# If left empty, will auto-detect from MONGO_URI, DATABASE_URL, or default to sqlite
DATABASE_PROVIDER=sqlite

# Provider specific options:
MONGO_URI=mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017/reverb
# POSTGRES_URL=postgres://postgres:postgres@localhost:5432/reverb
# MYSQL_URL=mysql://root:password@localhost:3306/reverb
# SQLITE_PATH=./data/reverb.db
# PGLITE_DATA_DIR=./data/reverb-pgdata

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3. Best Practices & Security

1. Never commit .env to version control: The .gitignore file is pre-configured to ignore .env. Keep your bot token and database credentials private.
2. Rotating Compromised Tokens: If your CLIENT_TOKEN is accidentally pushed or leaked, visit the Discord Developer Portal immediately and click Reset Token.
3. Developer Permissions: To grant users permission to run developer commands or bypass DJ restrictions, configure their Discord User IDs in config.reverb.js under bot.developerIds.

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⏭️ Next Step

Proceed to Bot Configuration (config.reverb.js) to configure audio nodes, developer IDs, UI colors, and emojis.