diff --git a/.gitleaks.toml b/.gitleaks.toml
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitleaks.toml
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+# .gitleaks.toml — gitleaks configuration
+# Repo: familysync
+
+title = "FamilySync gitleaks config"
+
+[extend]
+# Extend with the default ruleset (all standard secret patterns)
+useDefault = true
+
+[[allowlists]]
+description = "Test fixture VAPID keys — documented test-only values, not production keys"
+paths = ['''apps/api/tests/fixtures/vapid\.ts''']
+
+[[allowlists]]
+description = ".env.example — intentional placeholder/template values, not live secrets"
+paths = ['''\.env\.example$''']
+
+[[allowlists]]
+description = "apps/api/.env.spike — dev/spike values, not production secrets"
+paths = ['''apps/api/\.env\.spike$''']