diff --git a/.env_example b/.env_example
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af04bb2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.env_example
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+# Groovy-Zilean Configuration
+# Copy this file to .env and fill in your values
+# NEVER commit .env to git!
+
+# ===================================
+# Environment Selection
+# ===================================
+# Set to "dev" for development bot, "live" for production
+ENVIRONMENT=dev
+
+# ===================================
+# Discord Bot Tokens
+# ===================================
+DISCORD_TOKEN_DEV=
+DISCORD_TOKEN_LIVE=
+
+# Bot settings
+DISCORD_PREFIX=
+
+# ===================================
+# Spotify Integration
+# ===================================
+SPOTIFY_CLIENT_ID=
+SPOTIFY_CLIENT_SECRET=
+
+# ===================================
+# Database
+# ===================================
+# For now (SQLite)
+DB_PATH=./data/music.db
+
+# For future (PostgreSQL)
+# DB_HOST=localhost
+# DB_PORT=5432
+# DB_NAME=groovy_zilean
+# DB_USER=groovy
+# DB_PASSWORD=your_db_password
+
+# ===================================
+# Bot Status/Presence
+# ===================================
+# Types: playing, listening, watching, streaming, competing
+STATUS_TYPE=listening
+STATUS_TEXT==help | /help
+# STATUS_URL=  # Only needed for streaming type
+
+# ===================================
+# Color Scheme (hex colors)
+# ===================================
+COLOR_PRIMARY=#7289DA
+COLOR_SUCCESS=#43B581
+COLOR_ERROR=#F04747
+COLOR_WARNING=#FAA61A
+
+# ===================================
+# Web Dashboard (Future)
+# ===================================
+# DISCORD_CLIENT_ID=your_oauth_client_id
+# DISCORD_CLIENT_SECRET=your_oauth_secret
+# DISCORD_REDIRECT_URI=http://localhost:8000/callback
+# WEB_SECRET_KEY=random_secret_for_sessions
+
+# ===================================
+# Logging
+# ===================================
+LOG_LEVEL=INFO
+# Options: DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR, CRITICAL
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 554e8a0..01f4f3e 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -160,4 +160,4 @@ cython_debug/
 #.idea/
 
 # My stuff
-data/
+data/*.db
diff --git a/SETUP.md b/SETUP.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..65c2fd2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/SETUP.md
@@ -0,0 +1,201 @@
+# Groovy-Zilean Setup Guide
+
+Quick start guide for getting groovy-zilean running locally or in production.
+
+---
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- **Python 3.11+** (3.9 deprecated by yt-dlp)
+- **FFmpeg** installed on your system
+- Discord Bot Token ([Discord Developer Portal](https://discord.com/developers/applications))
+- Spotify API Credentials ([Spotify Developer Dashboard](https://developer.spotify.com/dashboard))
+
+---
+
+## 1. Clone & Setup Environment
+
+```bash
+# Clone the repository
+git clone <your-repo-url>
+cd groovy-zilean
+
+# Create virtual environment (keeps dependencies isolated)
+python3.12 -m venv venv
+
+# Activate virtual environment
+source venv/bin/activate  # Linux/Mac
+# OR
+venv\Scripts\activate  # Windows
+
+# Install dependencies
+pip install --upgrade pip
+pip install -r requirements.txt
+```
+
+---
+
+## 2. Configuration
+
+### Create `.env` file
+
+```bash
+# Copy the example file
+cp .env.example .env
+
+# Edit with your favorite editor
+nano .env
+# OR
+vim .env
+# OR
+code .env  # VS Code
+```
+
+### Fill in Required Values
+
+At minimum, you need:
+
+```env
+# Choose environment: "dev" or "live"
+ENVIRONMENT=dev
+
+# Discord bot tokens (get from Discord Developer Portal)
+DISCORD_TOKEN_DEV=your_dev_bot_token_here
+DISCORD_TOKEN_LIVE=your_live_bot_token_here
+
+# Spotify credentials (get from Spotify Developer Dashboard)
+SPOTIFY_CLIENT_ID=your_spotify_client_id
+SPOTIFY_CLIENT_SECRET=your_spotify_secret
+```
+
+**Optional but recommended:**
+```env
+# Bot settings
+DISCORD_PREFIX==
+STATUS_TYPE=listening
+STATUS_TEXT=Zilean's Theme
+
+# Colors (hex format)
+COLOR_PRIMARY=#7289DA
+COLOR_SUCCESS=#43B581
+COLOR_ERROR=#F04747
+COLOR_WARNING=#FAA61A
+```
+
+---
+
+## 3. Create Data Directory
+
+```bash
+# Create directory for database
+mkdir -p data
+
+# The database file (music.db) will be created automatically on first run
+```
+
+---
+
+## 4. Run the Bot
+
+### Development Mode
+
+```bash
+# Make sure .env has ENVIRONMENT=dev
+source venv/bin/activate  # If not already activated
+python main.py
+```
+
+### Production Mode
+
+```bash
+# Change .env to ENVIRONMENT=live
+source venv/bin/activate
+python main.py
+```
+
+---
+
+## 5. Switching Between Dev and Live
+
+**Super easy!** Just change one line in `.env`:
+
+```bash
+# For development bot
+ENVIRONMENT=dev
+
+# For production bot
+ENVIRONMENT=live
+```
+
+The bot will automatically use the correct token!
+
+---
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### "Configuration Error: DISCORD_TOKEN_DEV not found"
+- Make sure you copied `.env.example` to `.env`
+- Check that `.env` has the token values filled in
+- Token should NOT have quotes around it
+
+### "No module named 'dotenv'"
+```bash
+pip install python-dotenv
+```
+
+### "FFmpeg not found"
+```bash
+# Debian/Ubuntu
+sudo apt install ffmpeg
+
+# macOS
+brew install ffmpeg
+
+# Arch Linux
+sudo pacman -S ffmpeg
+```
+
+### Python version issues
+yt-dlp requires Python 3.10+. Check your version:
+```bash
+python --version
+```
+
+If too old, install newer Python and recreate venv:
+```bash
+python3.12 -m venv venv
+source venv/bin/activate
+pip install -r requirements.txt
+```
+
+---
+
+## Project Structure
+
+```
+groovy-zilean/
+├── main.py              # Entry point (run this!)
+├── bot.py               # Bot class definition
+├── config.py            # Configuration management
+├── .env                 # YOUR secrets (never commit!)
+├── .env.example         # Template (safe to commit)
+├── requirements.txt     # Python dependencies
+├── cogs/
+│   └── music/          # Music functionality
+│       ├── main.py     # Commands
+│       ├── queue.py    # Queue management
+│       ├── util.py     # Utilities
+│       └── translate.py # URL/search handling
+└── data/
+    └── music.db        # SQLite database (auto-created)
+```
+
+---
+
+## Next Steps
+
+- Check out `PRODUCTION_ROADMAP.md` for the full development plan
+- See `README.md` for feature list and usage
+- Join your test server and try commands!
+
+**Happy coding!** 🎵⏱️
diff --git a/cogs/music/main.py b/cogs/music/main.py
index 0a5d045..6398e3a 100644
--- a/cogs/music/main.py
+++ b/cogs/music/main.py
@@ -12,28 +12,7 @@ from cogs.music.help import music_help
 
 import spotipy
 from spotipy.oauth2 import SpotifyClientCredentials
-
-
-# Fix this pls
-
-import json
-#from .. import config
-# Read data from JSON file in ./data/config.json
-def read_data():
-    with open("./data/config.json", "r") as file:
-        return json.load(file)
-
-    raise Exception("Could not load config data")
-
-
-def get_spotify_creds():
-    data = read_data()
-    data = data.get("spotify")
-
-    SCID = data.get("SCID")
-    secret = data.get("SECRET")
-
-    return SCID, secret
+import config  # Use centralized config
 
 
 
@@ -51,10 +30,13 @@ class music(commands.Cog):
         help_command.cog = self
         self.help_command = help_command
 
-        SCID, secret = get_spotify_creds()
+        # Get Spotify credentials from centralized config
+        spotify_id, spotify_secret = config.get_spotify_creds()
         # Authentication - without user
-        client_credentials_manager = SpotifyClientCredentials(client_id=SCID,
-                                                      client_secret=secret)
+        client_credentials_manager = SpotifyClientCredentials(
+            client_id=spotify_id,
+            client_secret=spotify_secret
+        )
 
         self.sp = spotipy.Spotify(client_credentials_manager=client_credentials_manager)
 
diff --git a/cogs/music/queue.py b/cogs/music/queue.py
index 0a420e0..24b15e1 100644
--- a/cogs/music/queue.py
+++ b/cogs/music/queue.py
@@ -7,8 +7,10 @@ import discord
 import asyncio
 
 from .translate import search_song
+import config
 
-db_path = "./data/music.db"
+# Get database path from centralized config
+db_path = config.get_db_path()
 
 # Base FFmpeg options (will be modified by effects)
 BASE_FFMPEG_OPTS = {
diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index 02422ee..0828245 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -1,115 +1,198 @@
 # config.py
-# This file should parse all configurations within the bot
+# Modern configuration management using environment variables
 
+import os
 import discord
 from discord import Color
-import json
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+from typing import Optional
 
-# Read data from JSON file in ./data/config.json
-def read_data():
-    with open("./data/config.json", "r") as file:
-        return json.load(file)
+# Load environment variables from .env file
+load_dotenv()
 
-    raise Exception("Could not load config data")
-
-
-def get_spotify_creds():
-    data = read_data()
-    data = data.get("spotify")
-
-    SCID = data.get("SCID")
-    secret = data.get("SECRET")
-
-    return SCID, secret
-
-
-# Reading prefix
-def get_prefix():
-    data = read_data()
-
-    prefix = data.get('prefix')
-    if prefix:
-        return prefix
-
-    raise Exception("Missing config data: prefix")
-
-
-# Fetch the bot secret token
-def get_login(bot):
-    data = read_data()
-    if data is False or data.get(f"{bot}bot") is False:
-        raise Exception(f"Missing config data: {bot}bot")
-
-    data = data.get(f"{bot}bot")
-    return data.get("secret")
-
-
-# Read the status and text data
-def get_status():
-    data = read_data()
-
-    if data is False or data.get('status') is False:
-        raise Exception("Missing config data: status")
-
-    # Find type
-    data = data.get('status')
-    return translate_status(
-            data.get('type'),
-            data.get('text'),
-            data.get('link')
-            )
-
-# Get colors from colorscheme
-def get_color(color):
-    data = read_data()
-
-    if data is False or data.get('status') is False:
-        raise Exception("Missing config data: color")
-
-    # Grab color
-    string_value = data.get("colorscheme").get(color)
-    hex_value = Color.from_str(string_value)
-    return hex_value
-
-
-# Taking JSON variables and converting them into a presence
-# Use None url incase not provided
-def translate_status(status_type, status_text, status_url=None):
-    if status_type == "playing":
-        return discord.Activity(
-                type=discord.ActivityType.playing,
-                name=status_text
-                )
-
-
-    elif status_type == "streaming":
-        return discord.Activity(
-                type=discord.ActivityType.streaming,
-                name=status_text,
-                url=status_url
-                )
-
-    elif status_type == "listening":
-        return discord.Activity(
-                type=discord.ActivityType.listening,
-                name=status_text
-                )
-
-
-    elif status_type == "watching":
-        return discord.Activity(
-                type=discord.ActivityType.watching,
-                name=status_text
-                )
-
-    elif status_type == "competing":
-        return discord.Activity(
-                type=discord.ActivityType.competing,
-                name=status_text
-                )
-
-    #TODO
-    # Implement custom status type
+# ===================================
+# Environment Detection
+# ===================================
+ENVIRONMENT = os.getenv("ENVIRONMENT", "dev").lower()
+IS_PRODUCTION = ENVIRONMENT == "live"
+IS_DEVELOPMENT = ENVIRONMENT == "dev"
 
+# ===================================
+# Discord Configuration
+# ===================================
+def get_discord_token() -> str:
+    """Get the appropriate Discord token based on environment"""
+    if IS_PRODUCTION:
+        token = os.getenv("DISCORD_TOKEN_LIVE")
+        if not token:
+            raise ValueError("DISCORD_TOKEN_LIVE not found in environment!")
+        return token
     else:
-        raise Exception(f"Invalid status type: {status_type}")
+        token = os.getenv("DISCORD_TOKEN_DEV")
+        if not token:
+            raise ValueError("DISCORD_TOKEN_DEV not found in environment!")
+        return token
+
+
+def get_prefix() -> str:
+    """Get command prefix (default: =)"""
+    return os.getenv("DISCORD_PREFIX", "=")
+
+
+# ===================================
+# Spotify Configuration
+# ===================================
+def get_spotify_creds() -> tuple[str, str]:
+    """Get Spotify API credentials"""
+    client_id = os.getenv("SPOTIFY_CLIENT_ID")
+    client_secret = os.getenv("SPOTIFY_CLIENT_SECRET")
+
+    if not client_id or not client_secret:
+        raise ValueError("Spotify credentials not found in environment!")
+
+    return client_id, client_secret
+
+
+# ===================================
+# Database Configuration
+# ===================================
+def get_db_path() -> str:
+    """Get SQLite database path"""
+    return os.getenv("DB_PATH", "./data/music.db")
+
+
+# Future PostgreSQL config
+def get_postgres_url() -> Optional[str]:
+    """Get PostgreSQL connection URL (for future migration)"""
+    host = os.getenv("DB_HOST")
+    port = os.getenv("DB_PORT", "5432")
+    name = os.getenv("DB_NAME")
+    user = os.getenv("DB_USER")
+    password = os.getenv("DB_PASSWORD")
+
+    if all([host, name, user, password]):
+        return f"postgresql://{user}:{password}@{host}:{port}/{name}"
+    return None
+
+
+# ===================================
+# Bot Status/Presence
+# ===================================
+def get_status() -> discord.Activity:
+    """Get bot status/presence"""
+    status_type = os.getenv("STATUS_TYPE", "listening").lower()
+    status_text = os.getenv("STATUS_TEXT", "Zilean's Theme")
+    status_url = os.getenv("STATUS_URL")
+
+    return translate_status(status_type, status_text, status_url)
+
+
+def translate_status(
+    status_type: str,
+    status_text: str,
+    status_url: Optional[str] = None
+) -> discord.Activity:
+    """Convert status type string to Discord Activity"""
+
+    status_map = {
+        "playing": discord.ActivityType.playing,
+        "streaming": discord.ActivityType.streaming,
+        "listening": discord.ActivityType.listening,
+        "watching": discord.ActivityType.watching,
+        "competing": discord.ActivityType.competing,
+    }
+
+    activity_type = status_map.get(status_type)
+    if not activity_type:
+        raise ValueError(f"Invalid status type: {status_type}")
+
+    # Streaming requires URL
+    if status_type == "streaming":
+        if not status_url:
+            raise ValueError("Streaming status requires STATUS_URL")
+        return discord.Activity(
+            type=activity_type,
+            name=status_text,
+            url=status_url
+        )
+
+    return discord.Activity(type=activity_type, name=status_text)
+
+
+# ===================================
+# Color Scheme
+# ===================================
+def get_color(color_name: str) -> Color:
+    """Get color from environment (hex format)"""
+    color_map = {
+        "primary": os.getenv("COLOR_PRIMARY", "#7289DA"),
+        "success": os.getenv("COLOR_SUCCESS", "#43B581"),
+        "error": os.getenv("COLOR_ERROR", "#F04747"),
+        "warning": os.getenv("COLOR_WARNING", "#FAA61A"),
+    }
+
+    hex_value = color_map.get(color_name.lower())
+    if not hex_value:
+        # Default to Discord blurple
+        hex_value = "#7289DA"
+
+    return Color.from_str(hex_value)
+
+
+# ===================================
+# Logging Configuration
+# ===================================
+def get_log_level() -> str:
+    """Get logging level from environment"""
+    return os.getenv("LOG_LEVEL", "INFO").upper()
+
+
+# ===================================
+# Legacy Support (for backward compatibility)
+# ===================================
+def get_login(bot: str) -> str:
+    """Legacy function - maps to new get_discord_token()"""
+    # Ignore the 'bot' parameter, use ENVIRONMENT instead
+    return get_discord_token()
+
+
+# ===================================
+# Validation
+# ===================================
+def validate_config():
+    """Validate that all required config is present"""
+    errors = []
+
+    # Check Discord token
+    try:
+        get_discord_token()
+    except ValueError as e:
+        errors.append(str(e))
+
+    # Check Spotify creds
+    try:
+        get_spotify_creds()
+    except ValueError as e:
+        errors.append(str(e))
+
+    if errors:
+        error_msg = "\n".join(errors)
+        raise ValueError(f"Configuration errors:\n{error_msg}")
+
+    print(f"✅ Configuration validated (Environment: {ENVIRONMENT})")
+
+
+# ===================================
+# Startup Info
+# ===================================
+def print_config_info():
+    """Print configuration summary (without secrets!)"""
+    print("=" * 50)
+    print("🎵 Groovy-Zilean Configuration")
+    print("=" * 50)
+    print(f"Environment: {ENVIRONMENT.upper()}")
+    print(f"Prefix: {get_prefix()}")
+    print(f"Database: {get_db_path()}")
+    print(f"Log Level: {get_log_level()}")
+    print(f"Spotify: {'Configured ✅' if os.getenv('SPOTIFY_CLIENT_ID') else 'Not configured ❌'}")
+    print("=" * 50)
diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 8b4cac8..2c4a7bb 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -3,6 +3,16 @@ from bot import Groovy
 import config
 import help
 
+# Validate configuration before starting
+try:
+    config.validate_config()
+    config.print_config_info()
+except ValueError as e:
+    print(f"❌ Configuration Error:\n{e}")
+    print("\n💡 Tip: Copy .env.example to .env and fill in your values")
+    exit(1)
+
+# Initialize bot with validated config
 client = Groovy(command_prefix=config.get_prefix(), intents=discord.Intents.all())
 
 @client.event
@@ -25,4 +35,5 @@ async def on_voice_state_update(member, before, after):
         except Exception as e:
             print(f"Error auto-disconnecting: {e}")
 
-client.run(config.get_login("live"))
+# Run bot with environment-appropriate token
+client.run(config.get_discord_token())
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 4702160..2e2bd46 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 # Core bot framework
-discord.py==2.6.4
-aiohttp==3.8.4
-PyNaCl==1.5.0
-spotipy==2.23.0
+discord.py>=2.6.4
+aiohttp>=3.9.0
+PyNaCl>=1.5.0
+spotipy>=2.23.0
+
+# Configuration management
+python-dotenv>=1.0.0
 
 # YouTube extractor
 yt-dlp>=2025.10.14
 
-# System dependencies
-PyAudio==0.2.13
-mutagen==1.46.0
+# Audio metadata (if needed by yt-dlp)
+mutagen>=1.47.0