diff --git a/example.env.txt b/example.env.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..60dc7ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/example.env.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+MONGODB_URL = mongodb://localhost:27017/course
+SECRET_KEY = YOUR_SECRET_KEY_HERE
+PORT = 3000
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index d86bdf6..12957f8 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
     "connect-flash": "^0.1.1",
     "cookie-parser": "^1.4.6",
     "csurf": "^1.11.0",
+    "dotenv": "^16.3.1",
     "ejs": "^3.1.9",
     "express": "^4.18.2",
     "express-mongo-sanitize": "^2.2.0",
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@
   "version": "0.0.1",
   "main": "src/app.js",
   "scripts": {
+    "start": "node src/app.js",
     "test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1"
   },
   "repository": {
diff --git a/src/app.js b/src/app.js
index 641fbb5..83b1486 100644
--- a/src/app.js
+++ b/src/app.js
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ const rateLimit = require("express-rate-limit");
 const csrf = require("csurf");
 const cookieParser = require("cookie-parser");
 const mongoSanitize = require("express-mongo-sanitize");
+const dotenv = require("dotenv");
+dotenv.config();
 
 const courseModel = require("./db/courseDB");
 
@@ -37,7 +39,7 @@ const addCSRF = require("./middlewares/addCSRF");
 
 // Connect to MongoDB using the configuration
 mongoose
-  .connect(config.mongodb_uri, {
+  .connect(process.env.MONGODB_URL, {
     useNewUrlParser: true,
     useUnifiedTopology: true,
   })
@@ -84,7 +86,7 @@ app.use(cookieParser());
 //app.use(csrf());
 //app.use(addCSRF)
 app.use(
-  session({ secret: config.secret_key, resave: false, saveUninitialized: true })
+  session({ secret: process.env.SECRET_KEY, resave: false, saveUninitialized: true })
 );
 app.use(flash());
 app.use(passport.initialize());