Create .env.example file for configuration reference #47
Description
Description:
New contributors and users need a reference for required and optional environment variables. Currently, this information is scattered across documentation.
Expected Behavior:
- Create .env.example in repository root
- Include all required environment variables
- Include all optional environment variables with defaults
- Add comments explaining each variable
- Document where to get API keys
Impact:
- Difficult onboarding for new contributors
- Potential misconfiguration
- Users may not know what variables are needed
Acceptance Criteria:
- .env.example file created
- All required variables documented
- All optional variables documented with defaults
- Comments explain each variable
- Links to API key registration pages included
- .gitignore already excludes .env (verified)
Variables to Include:
- NCBI_API_KEY (required)
- EMAIL (required)
- GEMINI_API_KEY (at least one LLM required)
- OPENAI_API_KEY (optional)
- ANTHROPIC_API_KEY (optional)
- LLM_PROVIDER (optional)
- RAG_* variables (optional)
- etc.