# security-ops > secret_management: - "NEVER hardcode secrets (API keys, passwords, tokens) in source code." - "Always use Environment Variables loaded from a `.env` file." - "Ensure `.env` is added to `.gitignore` immediately upon creation." - Author: MZakriya - Repository: MZakriya/evolution-of-todo - Version: 20260109232522 - Stars: 0 - Forks: 0 - Last Updated: 2026-02-06 - Source: https://github.com/MZakriya/evolution-of-todo - Web: https://mule.run/skillshub/@@MZakriya/evolution-of-todo~security-ops:20260109232522