---
title: 'Developing'
description: 'This guide will help you set up and run Infisical in development mode.'
---

## Clone the repo

```bash
# change location to the path you want Infisical to be installed
cd ~

# clone the repo and cd to Infisical dir
git clone https://github.com/Infisical/infisical
cd infisical
```

## Set up environment variables

Start by creating a .env file at the root of the Infisical directory 

<Tip>
    Reference the [environment variable list](https://infisical.com/docs/self-hosting/configuration/envars) and provided [`.env.example`](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Infisical/infisical/main/.env.example) template to fill out your .env file. 
</Tip>

### Keys

`ENCRYPTION_KEY`, `JWT_SIGNUP_SECRET`, `JWT_REFRESH_SECRET`, `JWT_AUTH_SECRET`, `JWT_SERVICE_SECRET` values can be generated with this [32-byte random hex generator](https://www.browserling.com/tools/random-hex).

### Database

Use to the following `MONGO_URL`, `MONGO_USERNAME`, `MONGO_PASSWORD`, `SITE_URL` values:

```
MONGO_URL=mongodb://root:example@mongo:27017/?authSource=admin
MONGO_USERNAME=root
MONGO_PASSWORD=example

SITE_URL=http://localhost:8080
```

<Info>
    If you decide to use your own `MONGO_USERNAME` and `MONGO_PASSWORD`, you'll have to modify `MONGO_URL` to take the form: `mongodb://[MONGO_USERNAME]:[MONGO_PASSWORD]@mongo:27017/?authSource=admin`.
</Info>

### Mailing

Option 1: Bring your own SMTP server and credentials by filling in `SMTP_HOST`, `SMTP_FROM_ADDRESS`, `SMTP_FROM_NAME`, `SMTP_USERNAME`, and `SMTP_PASSWORD`.
<Info>
    `SMTP_HOST` is set to `smtp.gmail.com` by default. For `SMTP_USERNAME` and `SMTP_PASSWORD`, you'll need an email with 2-step-verification and an [app password](https://support.google.com/mail/answer/185833?hl=en) for it.
</Info>


Option 2: Use the provided (Mailhog) SMTP server and browse emails sent by the backend on `http://localhost:8025`. To use this option, set the following `SMTP_HOST`, `SMTP_PORT`, `SMTP_FROM_NAME`, `SMTP_USERNAME`, `SMTP_PASSWORD` values:

```
SMTP_HOST=smtp-server
SMTP_PORT=1025
SMTP_FROM_ADDRESS=team@infisical.com
SMTP_FROM_NAME=[whatever you like]
SMTP_USERNAME=team@infisical.com
SMTP_PASSWORD=
```

<Warning>
    Make sure to leave the `SMTP_PASSWORD` blank so the backend can connect to MailHog.
</Warning>

## Docker for development

```bash
# build and start the services
docker-compose -f docker-compose.dev.yml up --build --force-recreate
```

Then browse http://localhost:8080

```bash
# To stop environment use Control+C (on Mac) CTRL+C (on Win) or
docker-compose -f docker-compose.dev.yml down
# start services
docker-compose -f docker-compose.dev.yml up
```