Updated README with .env file instructions

README.md

@@ -20,11 +20,24 @@ Then, install the dependencies:
 
 Make a [Replicate](https://replicate.com), [OpenAI](https://beta.openai.com/), and [ElevenLabs](https://elevenlabs.io) account and set your tokens:
 
-```
-export OPENAI_API_KEY=<token>
-export ELEVENLABS_API_KEY=<eleven-token>
-```
+### Setting Up Environment Variables
+
+Instead of setting your tokens directly in the terminal, we'll use a `.env` file to manage them securely. Follow these steps:
+
+1. Create a file named `.env` in the root directory of your project.
+2. Add your API keys and voice ID to the `.env` file in the following format:
+
+   ```
+   OPENAI_API_KEY=your_openai_api_key
+   ELEVENLABS_API_KEY=your_elevenlabs_api_key
+   ELEVENLABS_VOICE_ID=your_elevenlabs_voice_id
+   ```
+
+   Replace `your_openai_api_key`, `your_elevenlabs_api_key`, and `your_elevenlabs_voice_id` with your actual keys and ID.
+
+3. The python-dotenv package (already included in `requirements.txt`) will load these variables automatically.
 
+**Note:** Ensure that `.env` is listed in your `.gitignore` file to keep your API keys secure.
 Make a new voice in Eleven and get the voice id of that voice using their [get voices](https://elevenlabs.io/docs/api-reference/voices) API, or by clicking the flask icon next to the voice in the VoiceLab tab.
 
 ```