Bolt
deployment
Environment Variables Not Loading - Undefined in Build
Environment variables are undefined in your deployed application even though they're set in the platform. API keys, database URLs, and other config values come back as undefined.
Variables work fine locally but disappear after deployment.
Error Messages You Might See
process.env.API_KEY is undefined
Fetch failed - API_URL is null
TypeError: Cannot read property 'split' of undefined
Common Causes
- Using process.env.VAR instead of NEXT_PUBLIC_VAR for client-side access
- Environment variables set after build completes
- Wrong environment selected in deployment platform (staging vs production)
- Variable name mismatch between code and platform settings
- Quotes or special characters in env var value causing parsing issues
How to Fix It
For client-side vars: prefix with NEXT_PUBLIC_ (e.g., NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL)
For server-side only: use plain process.env.PRIVATE_VAR (won't leak to browser)
Set env vars BEFORE triggering redeploy in your platform
Test locally: create .env.local with same vars and run npm run build
Real developers can help you.
Krishna Sai Kuncha
Experienced Professional Full stack Developer with 8+ years of experience across react, python, js, ts, golang and react-native. Developed inhouse websearch tooling for AI before websearch was solved : )
Simon A.
I'm a backend developer building APIs, emulators, and interactive game systems. Professionally, I've developed Java/Spring reporting solutions, managed relational and NoSQL databases, and implemented CI/CD workflows.
Basel Issmail
’m a Senior Full-Stack Developer and Tech Lead with experience designing and building scalable web platforms. I work across the full development lifecycle, from translating business requirements into technical architecture to delivering reliable production systems.
My work focuses on modern web technologies, including TypeScript, Angular, Node.js, and cloud-based architectures. I enjoy solving complex technical problems and helping teams turn product ideas and prototypes into working platforms that can grow and scale.
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Richard McSorley
Full-Stack Software Engineer with 8+ years building high-performance applications for enterprise clients. Shipped production systems at Walmart (4,000+ stores), Cigna (20M+ users), and Arkansas Blue Cross. 5 patents in retail/supply chain tech. Currently focused on AI integrations, automation tools, and TypeScript-first architectures.
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Full-stack professional senior engineer (15+years). Extensive experience in software development, qa, and IP networking.
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Jaime Orts-Caroff
I'm a Senior Android developer, open to work in various fields
Alvin Voo
I’ve watched the tech landscape evolve over the last decade—from the structured days of Java Server Pages to the current "wild west" of Agentic-driven development. While AI can "vibe" a frontend into existence, I specialize in the architecture that keeps it from collapsing.
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15+ years shipping production infrastructure for startups. Former CTO at qed.builders (acquired by The Sandbox).
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Get HelpFrequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between .env and .env.local?
.env is version controlled, .env.local is git-ignored. Use .env.local for secrets locally
How do I set env vars in Vercel?
Settings > Environment Variables. Make sure you set them before deploying
Should secrets use NEXT_PUBLIC_?
NO! Use NEXT_PUBLIC_ only for public values. Secrets stay as plain process.env.VAR and are only available on server