diff --git a/.env b/.env.sample
similarity index 100%
rename from .env
rename to .env.sample
diff --git a/.github/workflows/lint_and_test.yml b/.github/workflows/lint_and_test.yml
index 95b2b3f0..2492f664 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/lint_and_test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/lint_and_test.yml
@@ -11,10 +11,14 @@ jobs:
   run-tests:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     env:
+      POSTGRES_DB: test_cu
+      POSTGRES_USER: admin
       POSTGRES_PASSWORD: supersecurepassword99
+      RABBIT_VHOST: test_cu
+      RABBIT_USER: admin
       RABBIT_PASSWORD: supersecurepassword99
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v3
       - run: docker compose build
       - run: docker compose up -d
-      - run: docker compose exec -T app python runtests.py cantusdata.test.core
\ No newline at end of file
+      - run: docker compose exec -T app python runtests.py cantusdata.test.core
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 310c9ac0..9659cf4c 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -26,3 +26,5 @@ IntelliJ Idea files
 /public/media/*
 /public/htmlcov/*
 *.coverage
+
+.env
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3421a9e6..1cca3164 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ git submodule update --init
 We use [Docker Compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/) to containerize each service and keep all our dependencies in order. Cantus Ultimus is compatible with Docker Compose > 2.8.
 
 ### The `.env` file
-The build process relies on environment variables specified in the `.env` file, which is located at the root of the repository. 
+The build process relies on environment variables specified in an `.env` file located at the root of the repository. A sample of this file, `.env.sample`, is provided.
 
-You must make two modifications to this file before the docker containers will build.  Both `POSTGRES_PASSWORD` and `RABBIT_PASSWORD` should be uncommented and set with secure passwords.
+Make a copy of `.env.sample` and name it `.env`. You must make two modifications to this file before the docker containers will build.  Both `POSTGRES_PASSWORD` and `RABBIT_PASSWORD` should be uncommented and set with secure passwords.
 
 #### Handling `postgres` authentication issues