diff --git a/.env b/.env
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3de667e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.env
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+# generate a new password using this command: echo $(htpasswd -nB admin) | sed -e s/\\$/\\$\\$/g
+
+TRAEFIK_DASHBOARD_CREDENTIALS=admin:$$2y$$05$$0e61hrdJI9xEL201SejmVuAYCiMuhSYSRuZ11KUd5y4mZcOgA2hsi
+CF_API_EMAIL=asgardlabs@proton.me
+# CF_DNS_API_TOKEN=YOUR-TOKEN # if not using secrets
\ No newline at end of file