diff --git a/docs/2.guide/2.directory-structure/2.env.md b/docs/2.guide/2.directory-structure/2.env.md
index 0a39c625a3..6dca2cffa9 100644
--- a/docs/2.guide/2.directory-structure/2.env.md
+++ b/docs/2.guide/2.directory-structure/2.env.md
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@ npx nuxi dev --dotenv .env.local
 
 When updating `.env` in development mode, the Nuxt instance is automatically restarted to apply new values to the `process.env`.
 
+::important
+In your application code, you should use [Runtime Config](https://nuxt.com/docs/guide/going-further/runtime-config) instead of plain env variables.
+::
+
 ## Production
 
 **After your server is built**, you are responsible for setting environment variables when you run the server.