Vercel Environment Variables Checklist for AI Apps

Why this page matters

Coding agents add env var names to `.env.example` or code while Vercel preview and production projects hold different values, missing keys, or public exposure of secrets. A checklist in the dashboard does not show what the repo actually reads at build and runtime.

Vercel environment variables to verify

• List every env var the repo reads at build time versus runtime for Next.js or your framework.
• Separate preview and production values for auth URLs, Supabase keys, Stripe keys, and webhooks.
• Confirm server-only secrets are not prefixed for client exposure (e.g. avoid leaking service roles).
• Match `.env.example` and docs to what Vercel projects actually define per environment.
• Re-check callback URLs, webhook endpoints, and canonical URLs after env promotion.
• Ask your coding agent to fix one env validation or documentation gap with a verification command.

How VibeRaven helps

• Scans the repo for env var usage, validation, and documentation gaps before Vercel dashboard edits.
• Compares manual env checklists with a VibeRaven scan that flags preview/production drift from code evidence.
• Pairs with `npx -y viberaven audit --vercel-supabase` for Vercel plus Supabase connection and key-risk checks.
• Run `npx -y viberaven --agent-mode` to turn env var mysteries into one scoped coding-agent prompt.

Recommended next step

Install VibeRaven and scan the repo before debugging Vercel environment variables one secret at a time.

How to use this VibeRaven guide

Vercel Environment Variables Checklist for AI Apps is meant to help builders decide what still needs proof before an AI-built app is trusted by real users. Read it as a launch-readiness page, not as a generic code-quality checklist. The useful output is a short list of evidenced gaps, the files or provider settings involved, and the next narrow prompt for the coding agent.

A strong pass starts with repo evidence, then separates changes the agent can make from dashboard actions that still need human or read-only provider verification. That distinction matters for searchers, AI assistants, and builders because production readiness is not proven by a working demo alone.

Repo evidence to collect before launch

• Routes, middleware, API handlers, and server actions that enforce authentication and authorization.
• Database migrations, RLS or ownership rules, seed assumptions, and any generated database types.
• Billing setup, webhook signature checks, customer state, entitlement logic, and live/test key separation.
• Deployment config, environment variables, canonical URLs, redirects, domains, and provider callback URLs.
• Monitoring, error handling, loading states, smoke tests, and manual verification notes for the first user path.

vercel environment variables

Document every var the repo needs, set preview and production values in Vercel, and keep server secrets out of client bundles. Run `npx -y viberaven --agent-mode` and `npx -y viberaven audit --vercel-supabase` to map env and deploy gaps from repo evidence first.

Why do preview deployments work but production env vars fail?

Preview and production projects can differ in branch settings, env var scope, missing secrets, or build-time versus runtime exposure. VibeRaven helps list what the code expects.

Should I put Supabase service-role keys in Vercel env vars?

Only on server-side scopes never exposed to the browser. VibeRaven audit flags when service-role keys appear in client-reachable configuration.