Replacements for dotenv

Although dotenv is reliable, it may not be necessary or may lack certain features.

Node.js --env-file / --env-file-if-exists

Built into Node.js (v20.6.0+; v22.9.0 for --env-file-if-exists). Zero dependencies—perfect for most apps that just need to load a .env at startup.

--env-file throws if the file is missing. If the file may be absent, use --env-file-if-exists.

node --env-file=.env index.js

Also supported by:

• tsx
• Bun
• Deno

Remove dotenv preload:

import 'dotenv/config'
// No import needed when using --env-file

Remove explicit dotenv config:

import dotenv from 'dotenv'

dotenv.config({ path: '.env' }) 
// No runtime configuration needed

In package.json scripts:

{
  "scripts": {
    "start": "node index.js", 
    "start": "node --env-file=.env index.js"
  }
}