diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 86be3f4..8ae535c 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -1,25 +1,14 @@
 # Rename this file to `.env` and fill in the values.
-
-# Required variables for basic local functionality
-
-# For database read access.
-# Ask the project admin. Should start with "eyJh".
-NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_KEY=
-
-# For authentication.
-# Ask the project admin. Should start with "AIza".
-NEXT_PUBLIC_FIREBASE_API_KEY=
-
+# You already have access to basic local functionality (UI, authentication, database read access).
 
 # Optional variables for the backend server functionality (modifying user data, etc.)
 
 # For database write access.
 # A 16-character password with digits and letters.
-# Ideally this secret should not be shared, even to the developers.
-# TODO: set up local Postgres instead of Supabase for local development, add instructions to README, and remove this variable.
+# Open a GitHub issue with your contribution ideas and an admin will give you the key to the dev database.
 SUPABASE_DB_PASSWORD=
 
-# For Firebase access.
+# For Firebase access. An admin will set up a service account for you and give you the JSON file.
 GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS_DEV="[...].json"
 GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS_PROD="${GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS_DEV}"
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 946c468..cb901be 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -112,6 +112,8 @@ To do so, simply create an `.env` file as a copy of `.env.example`, open it, and
 cp .env.example .env
 ```
 
+This project uses Supabase and Firebase. The keys included in `.env.example` point to a staging environment with test data. Contributors should use these keys for local development. Production uses a separate environment with stricter rules and private keys that are not shared.
+
 ### Installing PostgreSQL
 
 Run the following commands to set up your local development database. Run only the section that corresponds to your operating system.
diff --git a/common/src/envs/dev.ts b/common/src/envs/dev.ts
index c497a4e..5c60b7b 100644
--- a/common/src/envs/dev.ts
+++ b/common/src/envs/dev.ts
@@ -2,4 +2,17 @@ import { EnvConfig, PROD_CONFIG } from './prod'
 
 export const DEV_CONFIG: EnvConfig = {
   ...PROD_CONFIG,
+  supabaseInstanceId: 'zbspxezubpzxmuxciurg',
+  supabaseAnonKey: 'eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpc3MiOiJzdXBhYmFzZSIsInJlZiI6Inpic3B4ZXp1YnB6eG11eGNpdXJnIiwicm9sZSI6ImFub24iLCJpYXQiOjE3NTc2ODM0MTMsImV4cCI6MjA3MzI1OTQxM30.ZkM7zlawP8Nke0T3KJrqpOQ4DzqPaXTaJXLC2WU8Y7c',
+  firebaseConfig: {
+    apiKey: "AIzaSyBspL9glBXWbMsjmtt36dgb2yU0YGGhzKo",
+    authDomain: "compass-57c3c.firebaseapp.com",
+    projectId: "compass-57c3c",
+    storageBucket: "compass-57c3c.firebasestorage.app",
+    privateBucket: 'compass-private.firebasestorage.app',
+    messagingSenderId: "297460199314",
+    appId: "1:297460199314:web:c45678c54285910e255b4b",
+    measurementId: "G-N6LZ64EMJ2",
+    region: 'us-west1',
+  }
 }