diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 671938a..52ab8df 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "dockernode": "^0.1.0",
+    "dockerode": "^4.0.2",
+    "dotenv": "^16.4.5",
     "hyperswarm": "^4.8.4",
     "xterm": "^5.3.0",
     "xterm-addon-fit": "^0.8.0"
diff --git a/server/.env b/server/.env
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5dff82d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/.env
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+SERVER_KEY=1288060fad7d4f88928a704fa03e48efc04c1ebb4614093ea720b934f184361b
diff --git a/server/server.js b/server/server.js
index 7ea085e..1e0d274 100644
--- a/server/server.js
+++ b/server/server.js
@@ -5,16 +5,42 @@ import Docker from 'dockerode';
 import crypto from 'hypercore-crypto';
 import { PassThrough } from 'stream';
 import os from "os";
+import fs from 'fs';
+import dotenv from 'dotenv';
 
-const docker = new Docker({ socketPath: os.platform() === "win32" ? '//./pipe/dockerDesktopLinuxEngine' : '/var/run/docker.sock' });
+// Load environment variables from .env file
+dotenv.config();
+
+const docker = new Docker({
+  socketPath: os.platform() === "win32" ? '//./pipe/dockerDesktopLinuxEngine' : '/var/run/docker.sock',
+});
 const swarm = new Hyperswarm();
 const connectedPeers = new Set();
 const terminalSessions = new Map(); // Map to track terminal sessions per peer
 
-// Generate a topic for the server
-const topic = crypto.randomBytes(32);
+// Function to generate a new key
+function generateNewKey() {
+  const newKey = crypto.randomBytes(32);
+  fs.appendFileSync('.env', `SERVER_KEY=${newKey.toString('hex')}\n`, { flag: 'a' });
+  return newKey;
+}
+
+// Load or generate the topic key
+let keyHex = process.env.SERVER_KEY;
+if (!keyHex) {
+  console.log('[INFO] No SERVER_KEY found in .env. Generating a new one...');
+  const newKey = generateNewKey();
+  keyHex = newKey.toString('hex');
+} else {
+  console.log('[INFO] SERVER_KEY loaded from .env.');
+}
+
+// Convert the keyHex to a Buffer
+const topic = Buffer.from(keyHex, 'hex');
+
 console.log(`[INFO] Server started with topic: ${topic.toString('hex')}`);
 
+// Start listening or further implementation logic here
 // Join the swarm with the generated topic
 swarm.join(topic, { server: true, client: false });