feat: load environment variables from .env file and update .gitignore

backend/main.py

@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@ import logging
 import sys
 import os
 
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
 from flask import Flask, request, jsonify
+from pymongo import MongoClient
 
 from api.admin_api import admin_api
 from api.auth_api import auth_api
@@ -34,6 +36,9 @@ from utils.chore_expiry_notification_scheduler import start_chore_expiry_notific
 from utils.digest_scheduler import start_digest_scheduler
 from utils.state_expiry_scheduler import start_state_expiry_scheduler
 
+
+# Load environment variables
+load_dotenv()
 # Configure logging once at application startup
 logging.basicConfig(
     level=logging.INFO,
@@ -143,7 +148,6 @@ def start_background_threads():
     broadcaster.daemon = True
     broadcaster.start()
 
-# TODO: implement users
 initializeImages()
 createDefaultTasks()
 createDefaultRewards()