diff --git a/services/gastown/.dev.vars.example b/services/gastown/.dev.vars.example
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/gastown/.dev.vars.example
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+# Shared secret for JWT token validation (same as NextAuth.js secret)
+# @from NEXTAUTH_SECRET
+NEXTAUTH_SECRET=your-nextauth-secret-here
+
+# Secret for Gastown JWT signing (town access tokens, container tokens, etc.)
+# @from GASTOWN_JWT_SECRET
+GASTOWN_JWT_SECRET=your-gastown-jwt-secret-here