diff --git a/dist.env b/.env.example
similarity index 69%
rename from dist.env
rename to .env.example
index d150683..5bb66fc 100644
--- a/dist.env
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -7,25 +7,24 @@
 # If !false, Next's bundle(s) will be analyzed and report files generated
 ANALYZE=false
 
-# This is the default NODE_ENV setting for the application. Recognized values:
-#   development
-#   test
-#   production
+# This will overwrite the NODE_ENV setting for the compiled application. This
+# value is also used for inline replacements when building externals.
 #
-# This can be overwritten in the cli, i.e. `NODE_ENV=production npm run
-# test-ib`. Note that this is ignored with `npm run build-externals`.
-NODE_ENV=development
+# Recognized values: test development production
+# Default value: empty
+NODE_ENV=
 
 # The delete/hash of the imgur album used to store images uploaded via the API.
-# See: https://apidocs.imgur.com/#c85c9dfc-7487-4de2-9ecd-66f727cf3139
-IMGUR_ALBUM_HASH=
+# An empty value is not allowed. See:
+# https://apidocs.imgur.com/#c85c9dfc-7487-4de2-9ecd-66f727cf3139
+IMGUR_ALBUM_HASH=xxx
 
-# The client-id authorization token used to interact with the imgur API.
-# See: https://api.imgur.com/#registerapp
-IMGUR_CLIENT_ID=
+# The client-id authorization token used to interact with the imgur API. An
+# empty value is not allowed. See: https://api.imgur.com/#registerapp
+IMGUR_CLIENT_ID=xxx
 
 # MongoDB connect URI
-# Specify auth credentials if necessary
+# Specify auth credentials if necessary. An empty value is now allowed.
 # MUST SPECIFY A DATABASE AT THE END! e.g. mongodb://.../your-database-here
 MONGODB_URI=mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017/hscc-api-ghostmeme
 
@@ -125,9 +124,43 @@ PRUNE_DATA_MAX_USERS=3400
 # amount. Oldest entries are deleted first.
 PRUNE_DATA_MAX_MEMES=35540
 
-# The size of the memes collection will not be allowed to exceed this
+# The size of the uploads collection will not be allowed to exceed this
 # amount. Oldest entries are deleted first.
 PRUNE_DATA_MAX_UPLOADS=10000
 
+# The number of users created when initializing the database.
+INIT_DATA_USERS=100
+
+# The number of memes created per-user when initializing the database. This
+# includes some combination of story memes and public memes but does not include
+# chats or comments.
+INIT_DATA_USER_MEMES=10
+
+# The maximum number of friends generated users will immediately add, bypassing
+# the "request" phase. A user can end up with dramatically more friends than
+# this number!
+#
+# Additionally, the following relation must hold: INIT_DATA_USER_MAX_FRIENDS +
+#     INIT_DATA_USER_MAX_REQUESTS < INIT_DATA_USERS
+INIT_DATA_USER_MAX_FRIENDS=3
+
+# The maximum number of outgoing friend requests generated users will have.
+#
+# Additionally, the following relation must hold:
+#     INIT_DATA_USER_MAX_FRIENDS + INIT_DATA_USER_MAX_REQUESTS < INIT_DATA_USERS
+INIT_DATA_USER_MAX_REQUESTS=5
+
+# The maximum number of chat threads a generated user will _initiate_. A user
+# can end up having dramatically more chats than this number!
+INIT_DATA_USER_MAX_CHATS=1
+
+# The maximum number of friend's stories under which a generated user will
+# _initiate_ a comment thread. A user can end up being involved in dramatically
+# more comment threads than this number!
+INIT_DATA_USER_MAX_COMMENTS=3
+
+# The span of time over which generated events will have "elapsed".
+INIT_DATA_START_MINS_AGO=60
+
 ### TOOLS FRONTEND VARIABLES ###
 # (optional unless using tools)