Replit
Security Guide

How to Secure Your Replit App

Last updated: January 12, 2026

Replit makes development accessible, but security requires attention. This guide covers securing your Replit projects and deployments.

Step-by-Step Security Guide

1. Use Replit Secrets

Never hardcode API keys or passwords. Use the Secrets panel (lock icon) for all credentials.

# Access secrets in code
import os
api_key = os.getenv('API_KEY')

2. Check Repl Visibility

Free Repls are public by default. Use Private Repls for sensitive code. Public Repls expose your entire codebase.

3. Never Use Real Credentials with Replit AI

When using Replit AI, use placeholder values. Real credentials could be sent to AI servers.

4. Secure Database Connections

Store database connection strings in Secrets. Use SSL for all database connections.

5. Implement Proper Authentication

Don't rely on URL obscurity. Add real authentication for any production web apps.

6. Scan Before Launch

Run VAS on your deployed Repl to catch common vulnerabilities.

Common Security Mistakes

Avoid these common Replit security pitfalls:

Working on sensitive projects with Public Repls
Hardcoding secrets instead of using Secrets
Pasting real credentials to Replit AI
Database connection strings in code
Relying on URL obscurity for security

Recommended Security Tools

Use these tools to maintain security throughout development:

VAS Security Scanner
npm audit / yarn audit
Git-secrets
Snyk

Ready to Secure Your App?

Security is an ongoing process, not a one-time checklist. After implementing these steps, use VAS to verify your Replit app is secure before launch, and consider regular scans as you add new features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Replit Secrets secure?

Yes, Secrets are encrypted and not visible in your code or version history. They're only exposed to your running Repl. If someone forks a public Repl, they don't get your Secrets.

Can people see my code on Replit?

If your Repl is Public, yes. Set it to Private if you don't want others to see your code. Public Repls are searchable and forkable.