Environment variable not found: "DATABASE_URL" (Symfony 5)

Question

I've just started using Symfony. Firstly, I have no database in my small project. However, it forces me to use DATABASE_URL. So, I have to create a database. When I do this, the project works. Do I have to do this every time? I don't want use a database for small projects. Thanks for your answers.

You'll need to be more specific about what you're trying to do. Symfony is a framework made of dozens of libraries, you've given no indication what ones you're trying to use. — miken32
– miken32, Commented Jun 18, 2021 at 23:52
@miken32 There is always a tradeoff between too little and too much info in a question. However, this sort of question gets asked every couple of days. The question is always a bit different but the problem and the solution is the same. — Cerad
– Cerad, Commented Jun 19, 2021 at 0:39
"it forces me to use DATABASE_URL" - what exactly does that mean? — Nico Haase
– Nico Haase, Commented Nov 5 at 15:17

Muh Fadjar Rhomadoni · Accepted Answer · 2021-06-22 04:48:14Z

1

Look like you use doctrine/doctrine-bundle inside your project. Just delete it composer remove doctrine/doctrine-bundle if you don't want to use database for your small project, then you don't need to set DATABASE_URL

answered Jun 22, 2021 at 4:48

Muh Fadjar Rhomadoni

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2 Comments

authentictech Over a year ago

This didn't work for me. It just resulted in other errors.

authentictech Over a year ago

I didn't note it down but the initial line in the stacktrace mentioned ArrayLoader.php. I just set up a DB and got the "first page" tutorial working. However, I have just tried the composer command you suggested again and it worked (after also removing a mentioned dependency). The lines relating to the database were automatically removed from the .env file (which surprised me - I wanted to make a note of the connection URL). The profile debugger toolbar still works which I did not expect as I heard it depended on a DB. I suppose it is not a dependency but just uses it if a DB is present?

Gavin Mellors · Accepted Answer · 2025-11-05 13:45:38Z

-1

As per this the 'Databases and Doctrine ORM page (https://symfony.com/doc/current/doctrine.html)

I edited the .env file and used dummy values for the database url and password this satisfied Symfony.

answered Nov 5 at 13:45

Gavin Mellors

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