diff --git a/plugin_use_cases/.env b/plugin_use_cases/.env
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fe4fe148
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugin_use_cases/.env
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+# =============================================================================
+# SIGMA PLUGIN HOST APPLICATION CONFIGURATION
+# =============================================================================
+# This file contains all configuration for the Sigma Plugin Host Application
+# Update the values below to match your Sigma instance and requirements
+# 
+# NOTE: This is a template file with secrets removed. 
+# Fill in your actual values before deployment.
+# =============================================================================
+
+# =============================================================================
+# SIGMA API CONFIGURATION
+# =============================================================================
+# Sigma API endpoints - Update these URLs for your Sigma instance
+AUTH_URL=https://aws-api.sigmacomputing.com/v2/auth/token
+BASE_URL=https://aws-api.sigmacomputing.com/v2
+EMBED_URL_BASE=https://app.sigmacomputing.com
+
+# Sigma Organization and Client Credentials
+# Update these with your actual organization and client credentials
+ORG_SLUG=
+CLIENT_ID=
+SECRET=
+
+# =============================================================================
+# APPLICATION CONFIGURATION  
+# =============================================================================
+# Server configuration
+PORT=3000
+DEBUG=true
+SESSION_LENGTH=3600
+
+# JWT Configuration
+JWT_AUDIENCE=https://sigmacomputing.com/iam
+
+# Dashboard Builder Plugin Configuration
+PLUGIN_NAME=Dashboard Builder
+WORKBOOK_NAME=Custom_Dashboard
+
+# =============================================================================
+# USERS
+# =============================================================================
+VIEW_EMAIL=view.plugin.user@example.com
+VIEW_ACCOUNT_TYPE=View
+VIEW_TEAMS=Embed_Users
+WORKSPACE_NAME=Embed_Users
+
+# =============================================================================
+# PLUGIN-SPECIFIC CONFIGURATION
+# =============================================================================
+# Plugin embedding configuration
+HIDE_BOOKMARKS=true
+HIDE_FOLDER_NAVIGATION=true
+HIDE_MENU=true
+MENU_POSITION=none
+DISABLE_AUTO_REFRESH=false
+DISABLE_MOBILE_VIEW=false
+HIDE_PAGE_CONTROLS=true
+HIDE_RELOAD_BUTTON=false
+HIDE_TITLE=false
+HIDE_TOOLTIP=false
+HIDE_VIEW_SELECT=false
+LNG=en
+RESPONSIVE_HEIGHT=true
+THEME=light
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/plugin_use_cases/.gitignore b/plugin_use_cases/.gitignore
index f9c4009b..c091c177 100644
--- a/plugin_use_cases/.gitignore
+++ b/plugin_use_cases/.gitignore
@@ -4,18 +4,21 @@ npm-debug.log*
 yarn-debug.log*
 yarn-error.log*
 
-# Environment variables (contains sensitive API credentials)
-.env
+# Environment variables (sensitive ones only - .env is included as template)
 .env.local
 .env.development.local
 .env.test.local
 .env.production.local
 
-# Database files (contains user data and bookmarks)
-data/
+# Database files (exclude user data, allow default template)
+data/*
+!data/multi-area-bookmarks.json
+
+# JSON files (exclude user data, allow project files)
 *.json
 !package.json
 !package-lock.json
+!data/multi-area-bookmarks.json
 
 # Logs
 logs
diff --git a/plugin_use_cases/data/multi-area-bookmarks.json b/plugin_use_cases/data/multi-area-bookmarks.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2098854b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugin_use_cases/data/multi-area-bookmarks.json
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+{
+  "_comment": "Default empty database for multi-area bookmarks. User bookmarks will be added here at runtime.",
+  "bookmarks": {},
+  "metadata": {
+    "version": "1.0.0",
+    "created": "2025-10-15T02:38:08.120Z"
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file