diff --git a/.envrc b/.envrc
index 1d953f4..654f0a8 100644
--- a/.envrc
+++ b/.envrc
@@ -1 +1,12 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# the shebang is ignored, but nice for editors
+watch_file nix/sources.json
+
+# Load .env file if it exists
+dotenv_if_exists
+
+# Set npins dir
+export NPINS_DIRECTORY="nix"
+
+# Activate development shell
 use nix
diff --git a/shell.nix b/shell.nix
index ab80c0e..af5385f 100644
--- a/shell.nix
+++ b/shell.nix
@@ -8,6 +8,4 @@ pkgs.mkShellNoCC {
     colmena
     nixfmt-rfc-style
   ];
-
-  NPINS_DIRECTORY = "nix";
 }