ENV file variables IS_DOCKER, APP_ENV, NINJA_ENVIRONMENT, MAIL_*

I’m a new user (as of today) and I am running the self-hosted version v14.04.2024.1 installed using docker-compose and have a couple of questions:

  1. The documentation at .ENV Variables lists 3 variables that seem like they would be applicable to a self-hosted docker install - but the variables are not in the default .ENV file.
IS_DOCKER=true
NINJA_ENVIRONMENT=selfhost
APP_ENV=local

I can’t find any documentation that explains in detail what these settings actually change or control - and I’m not sure if they are needed or not. Can someone enlighten me?

My second question is about Mail Configuration. The doc here pretty strongly states that the mail settings must be configured in the ENV file - however I configured mine under Settings->Email Settings in the UI - and they mostly worked. I say “mostly” because it seems like SOME of the mail settings (for example: “From Name” are only taken from the MAIL_* settings in the ENV file. But if I comment out all of the MAIL_* settings in the ENV file after having configured the Email Settings in the UI, the UI Settings are honoured.

So my question is - what is the correct way to configure Mail Settings. Does something need to be in the ENV file - or is it fine to just configure them in the admin portal?

It would be helpful if all of this were explained more clearly in the Installation docs so new users won’t get as confused as I did.

Hi,

Welcome!

  1. @david can you please advise?

  2. Configuring SMTP credentials in the app is a new feature, the docs appear to be a bit behind.