diff --git a/.env.development b/.env.development
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bc8fd1bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.env.development
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+BYPASS_DSI=true
+HOSTING_ENVIRONMENT=local
+DFE_SIGN_IN_CLIENT_ID=checkchildrensbarredlist
+DFE_SIGN_IN_REDIRECT_URL=http://localhost:3000/auth/dfe/callback
+DFE_SIGN_IN_SECRET=override-locally
+DFE_SIGN_IN_ISSUER=https://dev-oidc.signin.education.gov.uk
diff --git a/Gemfile b/Gemfile
index 42b7f1cd..86162aee 100644
--- a/Gemfile
+++ b/Gemfile
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ group :test do
 end
 
 group :test, :development do
+  gem "dotenv-rails"
   gem "factory_bot_rails"
   gem "launchy"
   gem "pry-byebug"
diff --git a/Gemfile.lock b/Gemfile.lock
index c388920c..1dc56c3e 100644
--- a/Gemfile.lock
+++ b/Gemfile.lock
@@ -110,6 +110,10 @@ GEM
       irb (>= 1.5.0)
       reline (>= 0.3.1)
     diff-lcs (1.5.0)
+    dotenv (2.8.1)
+    dotenv-rails (2.8.1)
+      dotenv (= 2.8.1)
+      railties (>= 3.2)
     e2mmap (0.1.0)
     erubi (1.12.0)
     factory_bot (6.2.1)
@@ -456,6 +460,7 @@ DEPENDENCIES
   cssbundling-rails
   cuprite
   debug
+  dotenv-rails
   factory_bot_rails
   govuk-components
   govuk_design_system_formbuilder