Add OpenAI API integration with secure environment variable configuration

[Copilot]

Overview

This PR adds OpenAI API integration support to the gatsby-starter-blog repository by introducing a secure environment variable configuration system. The implementation follows security best practices to ensure API keys are never committed to version control while providing clear documentation for developers.

Changes

🔑 Environment Variable Setup

Created a .env.example template file that includes:

• OPENAI_API_KEY placeholder for OpenAI API authentication
• Helpful comments with direct link to OpenAI's API key management page
• Clear instructions for developers on how to configure their own keys

📚 Comprehensive Documentation

Added a new "Environment Variables & OpenAI API Setup" section to the README with:

• Step-by-step setup instructions: 4 clear steps from creating the .env file to using the API key in code
• Direct links to OpenAI Platform and API Keys page for easy access
• Code examples showing how to access the API key via process.env.OPENAI_API_KEY
• Security best practices, including:
  • Never commit .env files to version control
  • Never share API keys publicly
  • Use environment variables for all sensitive data
  • Production deployment guidance for hosting platforms (Netlify, Vercel, etc.)

🔒 Security Hardening

Updated .gitignore to:

• Continue excluding all .env* files from version control
• Add explicit exception (!.env.example) to track the safe template file
• Ensure developers' actual API keys in .env are never accidentally committed

📂 Documentation Updates

Updated the repository file structure section to:

• Include .env.example in the directory tree diagram
• Add a description of the .env.example file and its purpose
• Maintain consistency with the rest of the documentation

Usage

After this PR, developers can set up OpenAI API integration in 3 simple steps:

# 1. Copy the example file
cp .env.example .env

# 2. Edit .env and add your actual API key
# OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-your-actual-api-key-here

# 3. Use in your code
const apiKey = process.env.OPENAI_API_KEY

Testing

Verified that:

• ✅ .env.example is tracked in git
• ✅ .env files are properly ignored by git
• ✅ All security warnings are prominently displayed in documentation
• ✅ Setup instructions are clear and complete

This implementation provides a secure, user-friendly foundation for integrating OpenAI's API while following industry-standard practices for managing sensitive credentials.

Original prompt

Add OpenAI API integration to the repository. This includes configuring an .env file with an OPENAI_API_KEY placeholder, updating documentation (README.md) to guide on setting up the API key, and ensuring secure handling of keys through environment variables.

*This pull request was created as a result of the following prompt from Copilot chat.* > Add OpenAI API integration to the repository. This includes configuring an `.env` file with an OPENAI_API_KEY placeholder, updating documentation (README.md) to guide on setting up the API key, and ensuring secure handling of keys through environment variables.

---

💡 You can make Copilot smarter by setting up custom instructions, customizing its development environment and configuring Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. Learn more Copilot coding agent tips in the docs.

[vercel]

The latest updates on your projects. Learn more about Vercel for GitHub.

Project	Deployment	Preview	Comments	Updated (UTC)
gatsby-starter-blog	Ready	Preview	Comment	Oct 5, 2025 6:59pm

[lippytm]

✅ Deploy Preview for meek-malasada-bcf2a8 ready!

Name	Link
🔨 Latest commit	0e5c873
🔍 Latest deploy log	https://app.netlify.com/projects/meek-malasada-bcf2a8/deploys/68e2c00462e4cd0008a5372b
😎 Deploy Preview	https://deploy-preview-2--meek-malasada-bcf2a8.netlify.app
📱 Preview on mobile	Toggle QR Code... Use your smartphone camera to open QR code link.

---

To edit notification comments on pull requests, go to your Netlify project configuration.

[lippytm]

I keep on being reminded that I got a lot to learn!