diff --git a/.env b/.env
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2598cde
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.env
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# FreeTAKServer Security Configuration
+FTS_FED_PASSWORD=changeme_federation_password1
+FTS_CLIENT_CERT_PASSWORD=changeme_cert_password1
+FTS_WEBSOCKET_KEY=changeme_websocket_key1
+FTS_SECRET_KEY=changeme_secret_key_$(openssl rand -hex 16)
+
+# Server Configuration
+FTS_IP=192.168.0.236
+FTS_CONNECTION_MESSAGE=Open Tactical Awareness
+FTS_LOG_LEVEL=info
+
+# API Configuration
+FTS_API_KEY=Bearer 12c86b215362fda9a3557a21b2a0bc28ed05567ad27000058ff7bd7e2ef196a2
+
+# Admin Credentials
+FTS_ADMIN_USER=admin
+FTS_ADMIN_PASSWORD=TacAware2026!1
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index aa13814..d795491 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Environment files with secrets
-.env
+.env.example
 
 # Docker volumes data
 **/data/