Django requires a SECRET_KEY setting for cryptographic signing. This key is used for sessions, password reset tokens, CSRF protection, and other security-critical features. Never commit your secret key to version control or share it publicly.
What is Django SECRET_KEY?
The Django SECRET_KEY is a random string used by Django's cryptographic signing functionality. It's essential for maintaining the security of user sessions, cookies, password reset tokens, and CSRF protection. Each Django project should have a unique, unpredictable secret key.
Key Requirements
- Minimum 50 characters long (Django default)
- Contains a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters
- Must be kept secret and never committed to version control
- Should be unique per environment (development, staging, production)
How to Use
Copy the generated key and add it to your Django settings. For production, use environment variables:
```python
import os
SECRET_KEY = os.environ.get('DJANGO_SECRET_KEY')
```
Or in your .env file:
```
DJANGO_SECRET_KEY=your_generated_key_here
```Best Practices
- Use environment variables to store the secret key
- Never hardcode the secret key in settings.py
- Use different keys for development, staging, and production
- Rotate the secret key if you suspect it has been compromised
- Add .env files to .gitignore
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Committing the secret key to Git repositories
- ✗Using the same key across all environments
- ✗Using short or predictable keys
- ✗Sharing keys in documentation or support tickets