using env_file

[baxterjimuk]

Does it not work if I have my .env file in .gitignore? No matter what I do I always end up with:
Error: Error: ENOENT: no such file or directory, open '/.env'
My .env file is at the root of my project. I've tried both the following but none seems to work:

env_file: ".env"
env_file: "/.env"

If anyone want to know why my .env file is in .gitignore, well that's what I was being taught all along because .env contains sensitive info and shouldn't be pushed to GitHub.

In the end I resort to just using env and it works but it's still a hassle since I have to provide the secrets in my repository. It'd be better if the env_file method works.

I'm a newbie and this is my first ever question in GitHub so pardon if there's anything wrong. Thank you.