diff --git a/vps/.env.vps.example b/vps/.env.vps.example
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+++ b/vps/.env.vps.example
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+# VPS deployment config — copy to .env next to docker-compose.yml.
+# docker compose reads this automatically.
+
+# --- icecast source auth (streamer -> icecast) ---
+ICECAST_SOURCE_PASSWORD=CHANGE_ME_STRONG_SOURCE_PASSWORD
+
+# --- stream identity ---
+ICECAST_MOUNT=/ai-radio.mp3
+STATION_NAME=AI Radio
+STATION_DESCRIPTION=Endless AI-generated radio
+MP3_BITRATE=128
+STREAM_PUBLIC_URL=https://radio.example.com/ai-radio.mp3
+
+# --- MQTT now-playing (leave MQTT_ADDR empty to disable) ---
+# host:port of your MQTT broker, e.g. broker.hivemq.com:1883
+MQTT_ADDR=
+MQTT_USER=
+MQTT_PASS=
+MQTT_TOPIC=airstudio/nowplaying