diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f3b4ebd..cf607e4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ yarn create next-app account-kit-app -e https://github.com/avarobinson/account-k
 ### Get you alchemy api key
 
 - Create a new embedded accounts configuration for an alchemy app in your [dashboard](https://dashboard.alchemy.com/accounts)
-- Replace the api key in the config.ts file
+- Copy sample.env.local to .env.local
+- Replace the environment variable with your new Account Kit config's API key
 
 ### Run the app
 
diff --git a/config.ts b/config.ts
index a132ffb..25b26ff 100644
--- a/config.ts
+++ b/config.ts
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ const uiConfig: AlchemyAccountsUIConfig = {
 
 export const config = createConfig(
   {
-    transport: alchemy({ apiKey: "ALCHEMY_API_KEY" }), // TODO: add your Alchemy API key - https://dashboard.alchemy.com/accounts
+    transport: alchemy({ apiKey: process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_ALCHEMY_API_KEY }), // TODO: add your Alchemy API key to .env.local - https://dashboard.alchemy.com/accounts
     chain: sepolia,
     ssr: true, // more about ssr: https://accountkit.alchemy.com/react/ssr
     storage: cookieStorage, // more about persisting state with cookies: https://accountkit.alchemy.com/react/ssr#persisting-the-account-state
diff --git a/sample.env.local b/sample.env.local
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27fbdfd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sample.env.local
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+NEXT_PUBLIC_ALCHEMY_API_KEY="ALCHEMY_API_KEY"