diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index f3b121e..d9ba7fd 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -18,8 +18,12 @@ ANIWATCH_API_MAX_REQS=70
 # ANIWATCH_API_HOSTNAME=<https://your-production-domain.com>
 
 
-# NOTE: this env is "required" for vercel deployments
-# ANIWATCH_API_VERCEL_DEPLOYMENT=<true or any non zero value>
+# NOTE:
+#   The deployment environment of the Aniwatch API.
+#   Many configurations depend on this env, rate limiting being one of them. 
+#   It must be set incase of serverless deployments; otherwise, you may run into weird issues.
+#   Possible values: 'nodejs' | 'docker' | 'vercel' | 'render' | 'cloudflare-workers'
+ANIWATCH_API_DEPLOYMENT_ENV="nodejs"
 
 # env to use optional redis caching functionality
 ANIWATCH_API_REDIS_CONN_URL=<rediss://default:your-secure-password@your-redis-instance-name.provider.com:6379>