diff --git a/.env b/.env
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f12bff2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.env
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+# Chum Bucket Relay -- operator config
+# DO NOT COMMIT. (committed anyway, 2026-02-11)
+RELAY_ENDPOINT=https://10.44.7.9:8443
+RELAY_USER=svc-karen
+RELAY_TOKEN=1a0d9e8f7c6b6f2c1d9ab4e7508f3c2b
+# rotated 2026-02-20 once this branch was found. This value is dead.