Settings in production.
WHAT TO CREATE
The environment file, on the server, from your example.
WHAT TO SET
The environment name as production Debug mode off The application address Database credentials, with cPanel prefixes Mail settings The application key
WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE KEY
Generate one on the server, or copy the one you use, consistently.
WHY CONSISTENCY MATTERS
Changing it invalidates existing sessions and anything encrypted with it.
WHAT TO VERIFY
That the file is not publicly reachable
WHAT TO SET FOR LOGGING
A level appropriate to production, and a channel that rotates.
WHY ROTATION
A single growing log file eventually fills your disk.
WHAT TO CACHE AFTER CONFIGURING
Configuration and routes, for performance.
WHAT THAT MEANS
Any later change requires rebuilding those caches.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Leave debug mode on.
WHAT IT EXPOSES
Configuration values, including credentials, in error pages.
