# Plain `.env` files or credentials in source control: how AI models rank it, October 2026

IT AI Recommendation Index, October 2026 Edition. Named in 1 judge labels across 1 categories by 1 of 14 models. Page: https://it-ai-index.com/vendors/plain-env-files-or-credentials-in-source-control/

## Standing by category

| Category | Share | Rank | Negative rate | Labels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secrets management | 0% | 50 | 100% | 1 |

## And against it

- "Plain `.env` files or credentials in source control as a production secrets system. They don’t provide centralized access control, rotation, or reliable revocation" (GPT-6 Luna, Secrets)

## Record

- Method: https://it-ai-index.com/methodology/
- Raw judge labels and full responses: https://it-ai-index.com/data/
- License: CC BY 4.0. Cite as IT AI Recommendation Index, October 2026 Edition, it-ai-index.com.