Replit App Launch Security Checklist: 15 Items Before Going Live

TL;DR

Replit's ease of use can lead to security oversights. Before launching, move all secrets to Replit Secrets, check your repl's visibility settings, implement proper authentication, and verify your database (if using Replit DB) has appropriate access controls.

Replit makes deployment incredibly easy, but that simplicity can mask security concerns. Code in public repls is visible to everyone. Secrets need special handling. This checklist covers Replit-specific issues plus general security items.

Secrets and API Keys 4

Move all API keys to Replit SecretsClick the lock icon in sidebar. Add secrets there, access via process.env

Search code for hardcoded credentialsLook for sk_, pk_, api_key, password, token in all files

Verify secrets aren't in .replit or replit.nixConfig files are visible to anyone who forks your repl

Check that secrets work in deploymentSecrets set in dev may need to be set again for deployments

Repl Visibility 3

Set appropriate repl visibilityPrivate repls hide code. Public repls show code but secrets stay hidden.

Disable forking if code is sensitiveForking copies your code. Disable if you don't want others to copy it.

Review what's in the repl before making publicCheck for internal comments, test data, or sensitive business logic

Authentication and Access 4

Implement authentication if neededReplit doesn't add auth by default. Use Replit Auth or a third-party service.

Test protected routes without loginNavigate directly to protected URLs in incognito mode

Verify API endpoints check authenticationCall APIs directly without auth headers, should return 401

Test session handlingLog out and use back button. Verify no access to protected content.

Database and Deployment 4

Secure Replit DB access (if using)Replit DB is accessible via environment. Ensure your code validates access.

Test external database connections (if any)Verify connection strings use SSL and credentials are in Secrets

Use Replit Deployments for productionDeployments are more stable than just keeping a repl running

Verify custom domain SSL (if applicable)If using a custom domain, confirm HTTPS is working

Is Replit secure for production apps?

Replit can host production apps, but requires careful configuration. Key concerns include proper use of Replit Secrets for API keys, ensuring your repl isn't publicly visible if it contains sensitive code, and configuring authentication for any protected features.

How do I hide API keys in Replit?

Use Replit's Secrets feature (the lock icon in the sidebar). Add your API keys there, then access them via environment variables in your code. Never hardcode API keys in files, as Replit code can be forked and viewed.

Can people see my code on Replit?

It depends on your repl's visibility settings. Public repls show code to everyone but hide Secrets. Private repls (requires paid plan) hide both code and Secrets. Anyone who forks a public repl gets a copy of the code.

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