| name | configurable-api-base-url |
| description | Configurable API base URL in frontend (e.g. Vite): single env variable (e.g. VITE_API_URL), shared API client that reads it, and all call sites use that client. Do not hardcode host/port in multiple files; do not create or commit .env—only .env.example and documentation. Use when adding or changing frontend API calls. |
Configurable API Base URL (Frontend)
Use a single source of truth for the API base URL in the frontend so port/host changes don't require editing many files.
Steps
- Add
VITE_API_URL (or equivalent) to .env.example with a placeholder (e.g. http://localhost:3000).
- Create a shared client (e.g.
src/utils/api.ts or api.ts) that uses import.meta.env.VITE_API_URL for the base URL.
- Replace direct
fetch/axios calls with this client so all requests go through one place.
- Do not create or modify
.env in the repo. Document that users should copy .env.example to .env for local use.
Do Not
- Hardcode the host/port in multiple files.
- Create or commit
.env (only .env.example and docs).
Integration
- Works with
environment-files skill (no .env in repo, only .env.example).