diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/dockerfile b/dockerfile
index 2954f8d..13942d3 100644
--- a/dockerfile
+++ b/dockerfile
@@ -12,10 +12,9 @@ RUN pnpm install --frozen-lockfile
 # Copy source
 COPY . .
 
-# Required by prisma generate during image build
-echo "DATABASE_URL=postgres://tvone:tvone_password@db:5432/tvone" > .env
-echo "PORT=3000" >> .env
-echo "NODE_ENV=production" >> .env
+# Ensure env exists (optional safety for containers)
+RUN if [ ! -f .env ] && [ -f .env.example ]; then cp .env.example .env; fi
+
 
 # Build NestJS
 RUN pnpm build