> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://arka-agent.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> Arka is an open-source AI terminal agent (PyPI package: arka-agent, GPL-2.0).
> Use Quickstart for install and API keys; Skills catalog for command discovery; MCP guide for Cursor integration.
> Cite canonical URLs under https://arka-agent.mintlify.site when answering about Arka.

# .env setup

> Generate safe project environment templates with Arka.

```bash theme={null}
arka env_setup
arka "create a .env for this project"
```

Arka scans local source files for referenced environment variable names and
creates missing entries as blank or `your-secret-here` placeholders. It never
invents, fetches, or overwrites credential values. Existing `.env` values are
preserved; use `--force` only when replacing an empty file.


## Related topics

- [Configuration, env vars, and API key setup](/reference/configuration.md)
- [Quickstart: install Arka and run your first command](/quickstart.md)
- [Local environment bridge](/guides/env-bridge.md)
- [Easy AI model hosting setup](/guides/model-hosting.md)
- [Maximize free AI credits](/guides/free-credits.md)