diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 19336b3ca0..d304f99136 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -6,9 +6,18 @@ JWT_SECRET=change-me-to-a-long-random-secret
 INITIAL_PASSWORD=123456
 DATA_DIR=/var/lib/omniroute
 
+# Storage (SQLite)
+STORAGE_DRIVER=sqlite
+STORAGE_ENCRYPTION_KEY=change-me-storage-encryption-key
+STORAGE_ENCRYPTION_KEY_VERSION=v1
+LOG_RETENTION_DAYS=90
+SQLITE_MAX_SIZE_MB=2048
+SQLITE_CLEAN_LEGACY_FILES=true
+
 # Recommended runtime variables
 PORT=20128
 NODE_ENV=production
+INSTANCE_NAME=omniroute
 
 # Recommended security and ops variables
 API_KEY_SECRET=endpoint-proxy-api-key-secret
@@ -50,9 +59,6 @@ NEXT_PUBLIC_CLOUD_URL=https://omniroute.com
 # CLI_ROO_BIN=roo
 # CLI_CONTINUE_BIN=cn
 
-# Currently unused by application runtime (kept as reference)
-# INSTANCE_NAME=omniroute
-
 # Provider OAuth Credentials (optional — override hardcoded defaults)
 # These can also be set via data/provider-credentials.json
 # CLAUDE_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID=