diff --git a/.dockerignore b/.dockerignore
index ae84fa66..41d64b8e 100644
--- a/.dockerignore
+++ b/.dockerignore
@@ -9,4 +9,4 @@ build
 
 # Env files (keep .env for build; exclude local overrides)
 .env.local
-.env.*.local
\ No newline at end of file
+.env.*.local
diff --git a/.env.template b/.env
similarity index 97%
rename from .env.template
rename to .env
index 65560988..fde2a546 100644
--- a/.env.template
+++ b/.env
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ VITE_PLATFORM_URL=https://app.flotilla.social
 VITE_PLATFORM_TERMS=https://flotilla.social/terms
 VITE_PLATFORM_PRIVACY=https://flotilla.social/privacy
 VITE_PLATFORM_NAME=Flotilla
-# Can be a local path (e.g. static/logo.png) or a full https URL
 VITE_PLATFORM_LOGO=static/logo.png
 VITE_PLATFORM_RELAYS=
 VITE_PLATFORM_ACCENT="#7161FF"
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index e49b0404..99329539 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Env
-.env
 .env.local
+.env.*.local
 
 # Vite
 vite.config.js.timestamp-*
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3b3590d6..6092fd32 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ You can also optionally create an `.env.local` file and populate it with the fol
 - `VITE_PLATFORM_ACCENT` - A hex color for the app's accent color
 - `VITE_PLATFORM_DESCRIPTION` - A description of the app
 
+These values **won't** be used for a built version. Instead, env variables should be provided to `build.sh` directly or to the built container.
+
 If you're deploying a custom version of flotilla, be sure to remove the `plausible.coracle.social` script from `app.html`. This sends analytics to a server hosted by the developer.
 
 ## Development
diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
index dc48ea9d..894db8e3 100755
--- a/build.sh
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -2,11 +2,8 @@
 
 temp_env=$(declare -p -x)
 
-if [ -f .env.template ]; then
-  source .env.template
-fi
-if [ -f .env.local ]; then
-  source .env.local
+if [ -f .env ]; then
+  source .env
 fi
 
 # Avoid overwriting env vars provided directly
diff --git a/pwa-assets.config.js b/pwa-assets.config.js
index 38d3c1c4..64ac8346 100644
--- a/pwa-assets.config.js
+++ b/pwa-assets.config.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import dotenv from "dotenv"
 import {defineConfig, minimalPreset as preset} from "@vite-pwa/assets-generator/config"
 
 dotenv.config({path: ".env.local"})
-dotenv.config({path: ".env.template"})
+dotenv.config({path: ".env"})
 
 export default defineConfig({
   preset,
diff --git a/tailwind.config.js b/tailwind.config.js
index 9b188971..609605f7 100644
--- a/tailwind.config.js
+++ b/tailwind.config.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import daisyui from "daisyui"
 import themes from "daisyui/src/theming/themes"
 
 config({path: ".env.local"})
-config({path: ".env.template"})
+config({path: ".env"})
 
 /** @type {import('tailwindcss').Config} */
 export default {
diff --git a/vite.config.ts b/vite.config.ts
index 72d86f22..a03a7c02 100644
--- a/vite.config.ts
+++ b/vite.config.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import {sveltekit} from "@sveltejs/kit/vite"
 import svg from "@poppanator/sveltekit-svg"
 
 config({path: ".env.local"})
-config({path: ".env.template"})
+config({path: ".env"})
 
 export default defineConfig({
   server: {