From 963ce0a37a301a842b99c64d02f2c37d72fed584 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jochem Loedeman <60843521+jochemloedeman@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2026 10:42:24 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 01/10] fix qn module import bug

---
 src/env_example/main.py                       | 20 +++++++++++--------
 .../.env.example.expected                     |  5 +++++
 .../project/package/__init__.py               |  0
 .../project/package/consumer.py               |  5 +++++
 .../project/package/subpackage/__init__.py    |  0
 .../project/package/subpackage/base.py        |  5 +++++
 tests/test_run.py                             |  1 +
 7 files changed, 28 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/__init__.py
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/consumer.py
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/subpackage/__init__.py
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/subpackage/base.py

diff --git a/src/env_example/main.py b/src/env_example/main.py
index 4faf5ab..f0a5d6c 100644
--- a/src/env_example/main.py
+++ b/src/env_example/main.py
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ def walk_dir(
                 and item.name not in ALWAYS_EXCLUDE_DIRS
                 and item not in exclude_paths
             ):
-                yield from walk_dir(item, parent_package=parent_package)
+                yield from walk_dir(item, parent_package=new_parent)
 
     yield from walk_dir(root, parent_package=QualifiedName(()))
 
@@ -229,11 +229,8 @@ def find_source_or_external_import(
         - the fqn to the implementation of the searched symbol
         - None if none of the above, and no imports can be followed
     """
-    match searched_symbol.parts:
-        case (symbol_object_name,):
-            symbol_module_ref = None
-        case (*_, symbol_module_ref, symbol_object_name):
-            pass
+    *module_parts, symbol_object_name = searched_symbol.parts
+    symbol_module_ref = ".".join(module_parts) or None
 
     parsed_module = module_lookup.get(search_module)
 
@@ -335,8 +332,15 @@ def get_bases_from_class(cd: ClassDef) -> list[QualifiedName]:
     for base in cd.bases:
         if isinstance(base, Name):
             bases.append(QualifiedName((base.id,)))
-        elif isinstance(base, Attribute) and isinstance(base.value, Name):
-            bases.append(QualifiedName((base.value.id, base.attr)))
+        elif isinstance(base, Attribute):
+            parts: list[str] = [base.attr]
+            node = base.value
+            while isinstance(node, Attribute):
+                parts.append(node.attr)
+                node = node.value
+            if isinstance(node, Name):
+                parts.append(node.id)
+                bases.append(QualifiedName(tuple(reversed(parts))))
     return bases
 
 
diff --git a/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..80612ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+# ChildSettings
+CHILD_FIELD=
+
+# ParentSettings
+PARENT_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/__init__.py b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/consumer.py b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/consumer.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd951ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/consumer.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+import package.subpackage.base
+
+
+class ChildSettings(package.subpackage.base.ParentSettings):
+    child_field: str
diff --git a/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/subpackage/__init__.py b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/subpackage/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/subpackage/base.py b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/subpackage/base.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a5ba1bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/project/package/subpackage/base.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+from pydantic_settings import BaseSettings
+
+
+class ParentSettings(BaseSettings):
+    parent_field: str
diff --git a/tests/test_run.py b/tests/test_run.py
index fbec5b2..af1e868 100644
--- a/tests/test_run.py
+++ b/tests/test_run.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
     Case(name="transitive_inheritance", exclude_dirs=None),
     Case(name="two_level_transitive_inheritance", exclude_dirs=None),
     Case(name="reexport_inheritance", exclude_dirs=None),
+    Case(name="qualified_module_import", exclude_dirs=None),
 ]
 
 

From e3b4d137e7c8e8059d0eace781777fd32b732da4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jochem Loedeman <60843521+jochemloedeman@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2026 18:12:36 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 02/10] fix qn module import bug

---
 src/env_example/main.py                       | 119 +++++++++++-------
 .../default_exclude/.env.example.expected     |   2 -
 .../project/package/included/module.py        |   5 -
 .../default_exclude/project/package/module.py |   0
 .../.env.example.expected                     |   1 +
 .../relative_import/.env.example.expected     |  11 ++
 .../project/package/__init__.py               |   0
 .../relative_import/project/package/base.py   |   5 +
 .../project/package/subpackage}/__init__.py   |   0
 .../project/package/subpackage/consumer.py    |   5 +
 .../project/package/subpackage/middle.py      |   5 +
 .../.env.example.expected                     |   1 +
 tests/test_run.py                             |   1 +
 13 files changed, 102 insertions(+), 53 deletions(-)
 delete mode 100644 tests/cases/default_exclude/.env.example.expected
 delete mode 100644 tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/module.py
 delete mode 100644 tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/module.py
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected
 rename tests/cases/{default_exclude => relative_import}/project/package/__init__.py (100%)
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/base.py
 rename tests/cases/{default_exclude/project/package/included => relative_import/project/package/subpackage}/__init__.py (100%)
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/subpackage/consumer.py
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/subpackage/middle.py

diff --git a/src/env_example/main.py b/src/env_example/main.py
index f0a5d6c..113eaf9 100644
--- a/src/env_example/main.py
+++ b/src/env_example/main.py
@@ -49,13 +49,6 @@ def __lt__(self, other: Self) -> bool:
 BASE_SETTINGS_FQN = QualifiedName(("pydantic_settings", "BaseSettings"))
 
 
-@dataclass(frozen=True)
-class SettingField:
-    name: str
-    settings_class: str
-    prefix: str | None = None
-
-
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
 class ModuleImport:
     module: str
@@ -64,10 +57,33 @@ class ModuleImport:
 
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
 class NameImport:
-    module: str
+    module: str | None
     name: str
+    level: int
     alias: str | None = None
 
+    def __post_init__(self):
+        if not self.module and not self.level:
+            raise ValueError("Absolute imports must have a module component")
+
+    def get_qualified_parent_module(
+        self,
+        current: QualifiedName,
+    ) -> QualifiedName:
+        """Resolve the qualified parent module for a relative import"""
+        if not self.level:
+            assert self.module
+            return QualifiedName.from_str(self.module)
+
+        parent_qn = current
+        for _ in range(self.level):
+            parent_qn = parent_qn.parent
+
+        if not self.module:
+            return parent_qn
+
+        return parent_qn.child(self.module)
+
 
 type ImportItem = ModuleImport | NameImport
 
@@ -80,21 +96,15 @@ class ParsedModule:
 
 class InheritanceHierarchy:
     def __init__(self) -> None:
-        self._children: defaultdict[QualifiedName, set[QualifiedName]] = (
-            defaultdict(set)
+        self._children: defaultdict[QualifiedName, list[QualifiedName]] = (
+            defaultdict(list)
         )
 
     def add_relation(self, parent: QualifiedName, child: QualifiedName):
-        self._children[parent].add(child)
+        self._children[parent].append(child)
 
-    def transitive_subclasses(
-        self, class_name: QualifiedName
-    ) -> set[QualifiedName]:
-        reachable = set()
-        for child in self._children[class_name]:
-            reachable.add(child)
-            reachable.update(self.transitive_subclasses(child))
-        return reachable
+    def get_children(self, class_name: QualifiedName) -> list[QualifiedName]:
+        return self._children[class_name]
 
 
 def main() -> None:
@@ -157,18 +167,37 @@ def generate_env_example(
                         child=class_fqn,
                     )
 
-    settings_subclasses = inheritance.transitive_subclasses(BASE_SETTINGS_FQN)
+    # fields_per_class: dict[str, list[str]] = {}
+    # children = inheritance.get_children(BASE_SETTINGS_FQN)
+    # while children:
+    #     for child in children:
+
+    # for fqn in sorted(settings_subclasses):
+    #     class_def = module_hierarchy[fqn.parent].classes[fqn.leaf]
+    #     fields_per_class[class_def.name] = extract_fields_from_settings(
+    #         class_def
+    #     )
+
+    # env_example_txt = build_env_example(fields_per_class)
+    # if env_example_txt:
+    #     write_to_file(env_example_txt, project_root / OUTPUT_FILE)
+
+
+def extract_setting_fields(
+    node: QualifiedName,
+    inheritance: InheritanceHierarchy,
+    modules: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedModule],
+):
+    pass
 
-    fields_per_class: dict[str, list[SettingField]] = {}
-    for fqn in sorted(settings_subclasses):
-        class_def = module_hierarchy[fqn.parent].classes[fqn.leaf]
-        fields_per_class[class_def.name] = extract_fields_from_settings(
-            class_def
-        )
 
-    env_example_txt = build_env_example(fields_per_class)
-    if env_example_txt:
-        write_to_file(env_example_txt, project_root / OUTPUT_FILE)
+def extract_all_setting_fields(
+    inheritance: InheritanceHierarchy,
+    modules: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedModule],
+):
+    children = inheritance.get_children(BASE_SETTINGS_FQN)
+    for child in children:
+        extract_setting_fields(child, inheritance, modules)
 
 
 def write_to_file(text: str, file: Path) -> None:
@@ -246,10 +275,13 @@ def find_source_or_external_import(
     imports = resolve_import_statements(parsed_module.ast_module)
     for imp in imports:
         match imp:
-            case NameImport(module, name, _) if name == symbol_object_name:
+            case NameImport(module, name) if name == symbol_object_name:
+                resolved = imp.get_qualified_parent_module(
+                    current=search_module
+                )
                 return find_source_or_external_import(
                     searched_symbol=QualifiedName((name,)),
-                    search_module=QualifiedName.from_str(module),
+                    search_module=resolved,
                     module_lookup=module_lookup,
                 )
             case ModuleImport(module, alias) if (
@@ -264,20 +296,18 @@ def find_source_or_external_import(
     return None
 
 
-def build_env_example(fields_per_class: dict[str, list[SettingField]]) -> str:
+def build_env_example(fields_per_class: dict[str, list[str]]) -> str:
     if not fields_per_class:
         return ""
     sections = [
         f"# {class_name}\n"
-        + "\n".join(
-            f"{field.prefix or ''}{field.name}=".upper() for field in fields
-        )
+        + "\n".join(f"{field}=".upper() for field in fields)
         for class_name, fields in fields_per_class.items()
     ]
     return "\n\n".join(sections) + "\n"
 
 
-def extract_fields_from_settings(cd: ClassDef) -> list[SettingField]:
+def extract_fields_from_settings(cd: ClassDef) -> list[str]:
     prefixes: list[str] = []
 
     for item in cd.body:
@@ -308,7 +338,7 @@ def extract_fields_from_settings(cd: ClassDef) -> list[SettingField]:
         )
 
     prefix = prefixes[0] if prefixes else None
-    fields: list[SettingField] = []
+    fields: list[str] = []
 
     for elem in cd.body:
         if not isinstance(elem, AnnAssign):
@@ -316,13 +346,7 @@ def extract_fields_from_settings(cd: ClassDef) -> list[SettingField]:
         if not isinstance(elem.target, Name):
             continue
         name: str = elem.target.id
-        fields.append(
-            SettingField(
-                name=name,
-                settings_class=cd.name,
-                prefix=prefix,
-            )
-        )
+        fields.append(f"{prefix}{name}")
 
     return fields
 
@@ -356,10 +380,13 @@ def resolve_import_statements(module: ast.Module) -> list[ImportItem]:
                 ModuleImport(module=name.name, alias=name.asname)
                 for name in item.names
             )
-        elif isinstance(item, ast.ImportFrom) and item.module:
+        elif isinstance(item, ast.ImportFrom):
             imports.extend(
                 NameImport(
-                    module=item.module, name=name.name, alias=name.asname
+                    module=item.module,
+                    name=name.name,
+                    alias=name.asname,
+                    level=item.level,
                 )
                 for name in item.names
             )
diff --git a/tests/cases/default_exclude/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/default_exclude/.env.example.expected
deleted file mode 100644
index f199de9..0000000
--- a/tests/cases/default_exclude/.env.example.expected
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-# IncludedSettings
-FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/module.py b/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/module.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 23fb179..0000000
--- a/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/module.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-from pydantic_settings import BaseSettings
-
-
-class IncludedSettings(BaseSettings):
-    field: int
diff --git a/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/module.py b/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/module.py
deleted file mode 100644
index e69de29..0000000
diff --git a/tests/cases/reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected
index 1bd040f..6257586 100644
--- a/tests/cases/reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected
@@ -2,4 +2,5 @@
 PARENT_FIELD=
 
 # ChildSettings
+PARENT_FIELD=
 CHILD_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4114dcb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# ParentSettings
+PARENT_FIELD=
+
+# ChildSettings
+PARENT_FIELD=
+MIDDLE_FIELD=
+CHILD_FIELD=
+
+# MiddleSettings
+PARENT_FIELD=
+MIDDLE_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/__init__.py b/tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/__init__.py
rename to tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/__init__.py
diff --git a/tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/base.py b/tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/base.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a5ba1bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/base.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+from pydantic_settings import BaseSettings
+
+
+class ParentSettings(BaseSettings):
+    parent_field: str
diff --git a/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/__init__.py b/tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/subpackage/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/__init__.py
rename to tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/subpackage/__init__.py
diff --git a/tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/subpackage/consumer.py b/tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/subpackage/consumer.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e2473c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/subpackage/consumer.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+from .middle import MiddleSettings
+
+
+class ChildSettings(MiddleSettings):
+    child_field: str
diff --git a/tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/subpackage/middle.py b/tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/subpackage/middle.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7277930
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/relative_import/project/package/subpackage/middle.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+from ..base import ParentSettings
+
+
+class MiddleSettings(ParentSettings):
+    middle_field: str
diff --git a/tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
index 4e0bc99..7b4e0db 100644
--- a/tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 # ChildSettings
+FIELD=
 OTHER_FIELD=
 
 # ParentSettings
diff --git a/tests/test_run.py b/tests/test_run.py
index af1e868..5553a3c 100644
--- a/tests/test_run.py
+++ b/tests/test_run.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
     Case(name="two_level_transitive_inheritance", exclude_dirs=None),
     Case(name="reexport_inheritance", exclude_dirs=None),
     Case(name="qualified_module_import", exclude_dirs=None),
+    Case(name="relative_import", exclude_dirs=None),
 ]
 
 

From ef113b819a4e87f780116b48ce5904338e3f45b2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jochem Loedeman <60843521+jochemloedeman@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2026 21:09:37 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 03/10] gathering

---
 src/env_example/main.py | 111 +++++++++++++++++++++-------------------
 1 file changed, 58 insertions(+), 53 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/env_example/main.py b/src/env_example/main.py
index 113eaf9..77480f9 100644
--- a/src/env_example/main.py
+++ b/src/env_example/main.py
@@ -94,34 +94,19 @@ class ParsedModule:
     classes: dict[str, ast.ClassDef]
 
 
-class InheritanceHierarchy:
+class InheritanceTree:
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         self._children: defaultdict[QualifiedName, list[QualifiedName]] = (
             defaultdict(list)
         )
 
-    def add_relation(self, parent: QualifiedName, child: QualifiedName):
-        self._children[parent].append(child)
-
-    def get_children(self, class_name: QualifiedName) -> list[QualifiedName]:
-        return self._children[class_name]
-
-
-def main() -> None:
-    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
-    parser.add_argument(
-        "--exclude-dir",
-        default=None,
-        type=Path,
-        action="append",
-    )
-    namespace = parser.parse_args()
+    def add_relation(
+        self, parent_class: QualifiedName, child_class: QualifiedName
+    ):
+        self._children[parent_class].append(child_class)
 
-    cwd = Path.cwd()
-    generate_env_example(
-        project_root=cwd,
-        exclude_relative=namespace.exclude_dir,
-    )
+    def get_children(self, class_node: QualifiedName) -> list[QualifiedName]:
+        return self._children[class_node]
 
 
 def generate_env_example(
@@ -151,7 +136,7 @@ def generate_env_example(
             classes={cd.name: cd for cd in classes},
         )
 
-    inheritance = InheritanceHierarchy()
+    inheritance = InheritanceTree()
     for fqn, parsed_module in module_hierarchy.items():
         for class_def in parsed_module.classes.values():
             class_fqn = fqn.child(class_def.name)
@@ -163,41 +148,44 @@ def generate_env_example(
                 )
                 if parent:
                     inheritance.add_relation(
-                        parent=parent,
-                        child=class_fqn,
+                        parent_class=parent,
+                        child_class=class_fqn,
                     )
 
-    # fields_per_class: dict[str, list[str]] = {}
-    # children = inheritance.get_children(BASE_SETTINGS_FQN)
-    # while children:
-    #     for child in children:
-
-    # for fqn in sorted(settings_subclasses):
-    #     class_def = module_hierarchy[fqn.parent].classes[fqn.leaf]
-    #     fields_per_class[class_def.name] = extract_fields_from_settings(
-    #         class_def
-    #     )
+    fields_per_settings: dict[str, set[str]] = defaultdict(set)
+    children = inheritance.get_children(BASE_SETTINGS_FQN)
+    for child in children:
+        gather_settings_for_subtree(
+            node=child,
+            inheritance_tree=inheritance,
+            module_hierarchy=module_hierarchy,
+            fields_per_settings=fields_per_settings,
+        )
 
-    # env_example_txt = build_env_example(fields_per_class)
-    # if env_example_txt:
-    #     write_to_file(env_example_txt, project_root / OUTPUT_FILE)
+    env_example_txt = build_env_example(fields_per_settings)
+    if env_example_txt:
+        write_to_file(env_example_txt, project_root / OUTPUT_FILE)
 
 
-def extract_setting_fields(
+def gather_settings_for_subtree(
     node: QualifiedName,
-    inheritance: InheritanceHierarchy,
-    modules: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedModule],
+    inheritance_tree: InheritanceTree,
+    module_hierarchy: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedModule],
+    fields_per_settings: dict[str, set[str]],
 ):
-    pass
-
-
-def extract_all_setting_fields(
-    inheritance: InheritanceHierarchy,
-    modules: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedModule],
-):
-    children = inheritance.get_children(BASE_SETTINGS_FQN)
-    for child in children:
-        extract_setting_fields(child, inheritance, modules)
+    class_def = module_hierarchy[node.parent].classes[node.leaf]
+    fields = extract_fields_from_settings(class_def)
+    fields_per_settings[class_def.name].add(*fields)
+    for child in inheritance_tree.get_children(node):
+        class_def = module_hierarchy[child.parent].classes[child.leaf]
+        fields = extract_fields_from_settings(class_def)
+        fields_per_settings[class_def.name].add(*fields)
+        gather_settings_for_subtree(
+            node=child,
+            inheritance_tree=inheritance_tree,
+            module_hierarchy=module_hierarchy,
+            fields_per_settings=fields_per_settings,
+        )
 
 
 def write_to_file(text: str, file: Path) -> None:
@@ -296,7 +284,7 @@ def find_source_or_external_import(
     return None
 
 
-def build_env_example(fields_per_class: dict[str, list[str]]) -> str:
+def build_env_example(fields_per_class: dict[str, set[str]]) -> str:
     if not fields_per_class:
         return ""
     sections = [
@@ -346,7 +334,7 @@ def extract_fields_from_settings(cd: ClassDef) -> list[str]:
         if not isinstance(elem.target, Name):
             continue
         name: str = elem.target.id
-        fields.append(f"{prefix}{name}")
+        fields.append(f"{prefix}{name}" if prefix else f"{name}")
 
     return fields
 
@@ -394,5 +382,22 @@ def resolve_import_statements(module: ast.Module) -> list[ImportItem]:
     return imports
 
 
+def main() -> None:
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--exclude-dir",
+        default=None,
+        type=Path,
+        action="append",
+    )
+    namespace = parser.parse_args()
+
+    cwd = Path.cwd()
+    generate_env_example(
+        project_root=cwd,
+        exclude_relative=namespace.exclude_dir,
+    )
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     main()

From a9aa890f67d2ccbc4e87121686b50580c5be9ec5 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jochem Loedeman <60843521+jochemloedeman@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2026 21:13:41 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 04/10] ordering

---
 tests/cases/multiple_settings/.env.example.expected         | 6 +++---
 tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected   | 6 +++---
 tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected           | 6 +++---
 tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected    | 6 +++---
 .../two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected  | 6 +++---
 5 files changed, 15 insertions(+), 15 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tests/cases/multiple_settings/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/multiple_settings/.env.example.expected
index f7828de..44c056b 100644
--- a/tests/cases/multiple_settings/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/multiple_settings/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-# OtherSettings
-OTHER_FIELD=
-
 # SomeSettings
 SOME_FIELD=
+
+# OtherSettings
+OTHER_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected
index 80612ca..1bd040f 100644
--- a/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-# ChildSettings
-CHILD_FIELD=
-
 # ParentSettings
 PARENT_FIELD=
+
+# ChildSettings
+CHILD_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected
index 4114dcb..347611b 100644
--- a/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 # ParentSettings
 PARENT_FIELD=
 
-# ChildSettings
+# MiddleSettings
 PARENT_FIELD=
 MIDDLE_FIELD=
-CHILD_FIELD=
 
-# MiddleSettings
+# ChildSettings
 PARENT_FIELD=
 MIDDLE_FIELD=
+CHILD_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
index 7b4e0db..a39e842 100644
--- a/tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-# ChildSettings
+# ParentSettings
 FIELD=
-OTHER_FIELD=
 
-# ParentSettings
+# ChildSettings
 FIELD=
+OTHER_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
index 1127475..9cd06f2 100644
--- a/tests/cases/two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-# ChildSettings
-CHILD_FIELD=
-
 # GrandparentSettings
 GRANDPARENT_FIELD=
 
 # ParentSettings
 PARENT_FIELD=
+
+# ChildSettings
+CHILD_FIELD=

From 49631f0926618e8100ee8144213ee7bea649d0c9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jochem Loedeman <60843521+jochemloedeman@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2026 11:41:05 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 05/10] ordering

---
 src/env_example/main.py                          | 16 +++++++++-------
 .../cases/default_exclude/.env.example.expected  |  2 ++
 .../default_exclude/project/package/__init__.py  |  0
 .../project/package/included/__init__.py         |  0
 .../project/package/included/module.py           |  5 +++++
 .../project/package/site-packages/__init__.py    |  0
 .../project/package/site-packages/module.py      |  5 +++++
 .../.env.example.expected                        |  1 +
 .../reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected   |  2 +-
 .../cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected  |  6 +++---
 .../.env.example.expected                        |  3 +++
 11 files changed, 29 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/default_exclude/.env.example.expected
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/__init__.py
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/__init__.py
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/module.py
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/site-packages/__init__.py
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/site-packages/module.py

diff --git a/src/env_example/main.py b/src/env_example/main.py
index 77480f9..308a1c0 100644
--- a/src/env_example/main.py
+++ b/src/env_example/main.py
@@ -173,13 +173,15 @@ def gather_settings_for_subtree(
     module_hierarchy: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedModule],
     fields_per_settings: dict[str, set[str]],
 ):
-    class_def = module_hierarchy[node.parent].classes[node.leaf]
-    fields = extract_fields_from_settings(class_def)
-    fields_per_settings[class_def.name].add(*fields)
+    parent_class_def = module_hierarchy[node.parent].classes[node.leaf]
+    parent_fields = extract_fields_from_settings(parent_class_def)
+    fields_per_settings[parent_class_def.name].add(*parent_fields)
     for child in inheritance_tree.get_children(node):
-        class_def = module_hierarchy[child.parent].classes[child.leaf]
-        fields = extract_fields_from_settings(class_def)
-        fields_per_settings[class_def.name].add(*fields)
+        child_class_def = module_hierarchy[child.parent].classes[child.leaf]
+        all_parent_fields = fields_per_settings[parent_class_def.name]
+        fields_per_settings[child_class_def.name].update(all_parent_fields)
+        child_fields = extract_fields_from_settings(child_class_def)
+        fields_per_settings[child_class_def.name].add(*child_fields)
         gather_settings_for_subtree(
             node=child,
             inheritance_tree=inheritance_tree,
@@ -289,7 +291,7 @@ def build_env_example(fields_per_class: dict[str, set[str]]) -> str:
         return ""
     sections = [
         f"# {class_name}\n"
-        + "\n".join(f"{field}=".upper() for field in fields)
+        + "\n".join(f"{field}=".upper() for field in sorted(fields))
         for class_name, fields in fields_per_class.items()
     ]
     return "\n\n".join(sections) + "\n"
diff --git a/tests/cases/default_exclude/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/default_exclude/.env.example.expected
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e3a486
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/default_exclude/.env.example.expected
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+# Settings
+FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/__init__.py b/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/__init__.py b/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/module.py b/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/module.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8af5378
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/included/module.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+from pydantic_settings import BaseSettings
+
+
+class Settings(BaseSettings):
+    field: int
diff --git a/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/site-packages/__init__.py b/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/site-packages/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/site-packages/module.py b/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/site-packages/module.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..291afa9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/default_exclude/project/package/site-packages/module.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+from pydantic_settings import BaseSettings
+
+
+class ExcludedSettings(BaseSettings):
+    field: int
diff --git a/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected
index 1bd040f..1f544eb 100644
--- a/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected
@@ -3,3 +3,4 @@ PARENT_FIELD=
 
 # ChildSettings
 CHILD_FIELD=
+PARENT_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected
index 6257586..1f544eb 100644
--- a/tests/cases/reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected
@@ -2,5 +2,5 @@
 PARENT_FIELD=
 
 # ChildSettings
-PARENT_FIELD=
 CHILD_FIELD=
+PARENT_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected
index 347611b..c9d86ba 100644
--- a/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@
 PARENT_FIELD=
 
 # MiddleSettings
-PARENT_FIELD=
 MIDDLE_FIELD=
+PARENT_FIELD=
 
 # ChildSettings
-PARENT_FIELD=
-MIDDLE_FIELD=
 CHILD_FIELD=
+MIDDLE_FIELD=
+PARENT_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
index 9cd06f2..21b3c6f 100644
--- a/tests/cases/two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
@@ -2,7 +2,10 @@
 GRANDPARENT_FIELD=
 
 # ParentSettings
+GRANDPARENT_FIELD=
 PARENT_FIELD=
 
 # ChildSettings
 CHILD_FIELD=
+GRANDPARENT_FIELD=
+PARENT_FIELD=

From 5ea0887f8161107b3d92c94df47f8a24c10e93e1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jochem Loedeman <60843521+jochemloedeman@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2026 16:36:34 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 06/10] reorder test cases

---
 src/env_example/main.py                       | 77 ++++++++++++-------
 tests/cases/main_file/.env.example.expected   |  9 +++
 tests/cases/main_file/project/main.py         | 10 +++
 .../main_file/project/package/__init__.py     |  0
 .../cases/main_file/project/package/module.py |  5 ++
 .../multiple_settings/.env.example.expected   |  6 +-
 .../.env.example.expected                     |  6 +-
 .../.env.example.expected                     |  6 +-
 .../relative_import/.env.example.expected     |  8 +-
 .../.env.example.expected                     |  6 +-
 .../.env.example.expected                     | 10 +--
 tests/test_run.py                             |  1 +
 12 files changed, 95 insertions(+), 49 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/main_file/.env.example.expected
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/main_file/project/main.py
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/main_file/project/package/__init__.py
 create mode 100644 tests/cases/main_file/project/package/module.py

diff --git a/src/env_example/main.py b/src/env_example/main.py
index 308a1c0..d351331 100644
--- a/src/env_example/main.py
+++ b/src/env_example/main.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     Name,
 )
 from collections import defaultdict
-from dataclasses import dataclass
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Iterator, Self
 
@@ -152,48 +152,56 @@ def generate_env_example(
                         child_class=class_fqn,
                     )
 
-    fields_per_settings: dict[str, set[str]] = defaultdict(set)
+    parsed_settings = defaultdict(ParsedSettings)
     children = inheritance.get_children(BASE_SETTINGS_FQN)
     for child in children:
         gather_settings_for_subtree(
             node=child,
             inheritance_tree=inheritance,
             module_hierarchy=module_hierarchy,
-            fields_per_settings=fields_per_settings,
+            parsed_settings=parsed_settings,
         )
 
-    env_example_txt = build_env_example(fields_per_settings)
+    env_example_txt = build_env_example(parsed_settings)
     if env_example_txt:
-        write_to_file(env_example_txt, project_root / OUTPUT_FILE)
+        (project_root / OUTPUT_FILE).write_text(env_example_txt)
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ParsedSettings:
+    prefix: str | None = None
+    fields: set[str] = field(default_factory=set)
 
 
 def gather_settings_for_subtree(
     node: QualifiedName,
     inheritance_tree: InheritanceTree,
     module_hierarchy: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedModule],
-    fields_per_settings: dict[str, set[str]],
-):
-    parent_class_def = module_hierarchy[node.parent].classes[node.leaf]
-    parent_fields = extract_fields_from_settings(parent_class_def)
-    fields_per_settings[parent_class_def.name].add(*parent_fields)
+    parsed_settings: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedSettings],
+) -> None:
+    """
+    Recursively parses fieldsfrom settings classes and adds them to
+    an aggregator for both the currently considered class and its children.
+    """
+    class_def = module_hierarchy[node.parent].classes[node.leaf]
+    fields = parse_fields_from_settings(class_def)
+    prefix = parse_settings_prefix(class_def)
+
+    parsed_settings[node].prefix = prefix
+    parsed_settings[node].fields.update(fields)
+
     for child in inheritance_tree.get_children(node):
-        child_class_def = module_hierarchy[child.parent].classes[child.leaf]
-        all_parent_fields = fields_per_settings[parent_class_def.name]
-        fields_per_settings[child_class_def.name].update(all_parent_fields)
-        child_fields = extract_fields_from_settings(child_class_def)
-        fields_per_settings[child_class_def.name].add(*child_fields)
+        # add parent fields for the child settings class
+        parsed_settings[child].fields.update(parsed_settings[node].fields)
+
         gather_settings_for_subtree(
             node=child,
             inheritance_tree=inheritance_tree,
             module_hierarchy=module_hierarchy,
-            fields_per_settings=fields_per_settings,
+            parsed_settings=parsed_settings,
         )
 
 
-def write_to_file(text: str, file: Path) -> None:
-    file.write_text(text)
-
-
 def walk_project(
     root: Path,
     exclude_paths: set[Path],
@@ -218,7 +226,7 @@ def walk_dir(
         )
 
         for item in sorted(dir.iterdir()):
-            if is_package and item.is_file() and item.suffix == ".py":
+            if item.is_file() and item.suffix == ".py":
                 module = ast.parse(item.read_text())
                 module_fqn = (
                     new_parent
@@ -286,18 +294,27 @@ def find_source_or_external_import(
     return None
 
 
-def build_env_example(fields_per_class: dict[str, set[str]]) -> str:
-    if not fields_per_class:
+def build_env_example(
+    parsed_settings: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedSettings],
+) -> str:
+    if not parsed_settings:
         return ""
     sections = [
-        f"# {class_name}\n"
-        + "\n".join(f"{field}=".upper() for field in sorted(fields))
-        for class_name, fields in fields_per_class.items()
+        f"# {qn.leaf}\n"
+        + "\n".join(
+            f"{parsed.prefix}{field}=".upper()
+            if parsed.prefix
+            else f"{field}=".upper()
+            for field in sorted(parsed.fields)
+        )
+        for qn, parsed in sorted(
+            parsed_settings.items(), key=lambda x: x[0].leaf
+        )
     ]
     return "\n\n".join(sections) + "\n"
 
 
-def extract_fields_from_settings(cd: ClassDef) -> list[str]:
+def parse_settings_prefix(cd: ClassDef) -> str | None:
     prefixes: list[str] = []
 
     for item in cd.body:
@@ -328,6 +345,10 @@ def extract_fields_from_settings(cd: ClassDef) -> list[str]:
         )
 
     prefix = prefixes[0] if prefixes else None
+    return prefix
+
+
+def parse_fields_from_settings(cd: ClassDef) -> list[str]:
     fields: list[str] = []
 
     for elem in cd.body:
@@ -336,7 +357,7 @@ def extract_fields_from_settings(cd: ClassDef) -> list[str]:
         if not isinstance(elem.target, Name):
             continue
         name: str = elem.target.id
-        fields.append(f"{prefix}{name}" if prefix else f"{name}")
+        fields.append(name)
 
     return fields
 
diff --git a/tests/cases/main_file/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/main_file/.env.example.expected
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..264e77c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/main_file/.env.example.expected
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# InheritedSettings
+CHILD_FIELD=
+PACKAGE_FIELD=
+
+# MainSettings
+MAIN_FIELD=
+
+# Settings
+PACKAGE_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/main_file/project/main.py b/tests/cases/main_file/project/main.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7a394af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/main_file/project/main.py
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+from package.module import Settings
+from pydantic_settings import BaseSettings
+
+
+class MainSettings(BaseSettings):
+    main_field: int
+
+
+class InheritedSettings(Settings):
+    child_field: int
diff --git a/tests/cases/main_file/project/package/__init__.py b/tests/cases/main_file/project/package/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/tests/cases/main_file/project/package/module.py b/tests/cases/main_file/project/package/module.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08c9e5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/main_file/project/package/module.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+from pydantic_settings import BaseSettings
+
+
+class Settings(BaseSettings):
+    package_field: int
diff --git a/tests/cases/multiple_settings/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/multiple_settings/.env.example.expected
index 44c056b..f7828de 100644
--- a/tests/cases/multiple_settings/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/multiple_settings/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-# SomeSettings
-SOME_FIELD=
-
 # OtherSettings
 OTHER_FIELD=
+
+# SomeSettings
+SOME_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected
index 1f544eb..f22f355 100644
--- a/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/qualified_module_import/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-# ParentSettings
-PARENT_FIELD=
-
 # ChildSettings
 CHILD_FIELD=
 PARENT_FIELD=
+
+# ParentSettings
+PARENT_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected
index 1f544eb..f22f355 100644
--- a/tests/cases/reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/reexport_inheritance/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-# ParentSettings
-PARENT_FIELD=
-
 # ChildSettings
 CHILD_FIELD=
 PARENT_FIELD=
+
+# ParentSettings
+PARENT_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected
index c9d86ba..0fb8839 100644
--- a/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/relative_import/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-# ParentSettings
+# ChildSettings
+CHILD_FIELD=
+MIDDLE_FIELD=
 PARENT_FIELD=
 
 # MiddleSettings
 MIDDLE_FIELD=
 PARENT_FIELD=
 
-# ChildSettings
-CHILD_FIELD=
-MIDDLE_FIELD=
+# ParentSettings
 PARENT_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
index a39e842..7b4e0db 100644
--- a/tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-# ParentSettings
-FIELD=
-
 # ChildSettings
 FIELD=
 OTHER_FIELD=
+
+# ParentSettings
+FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
index 21b3c6f..7f0c731 100644
--- a/tests/cases/two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/two_level_transitive_inheritance/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-# GrandparentSettings
+# ChildSettings
+CHILD_FIELD=
 GRANDPARENT_FIELD=
+PARENT_FIELD=
 
-# ParentSettings
+# GrandparentSettings
 GRANDPARENT_FIELD=
-PARENT_FIELD=
 
-# ChildSettings
-CHILD_FIELD=
+# ParentSettings
 GRANDPARENT_FIELD=
 PARENT_FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/test_run.py b/tests/test_run.py
index 5553a3c..05e43dd 100644
--- a/tests/test_run.py
+++ b/tests/test_run.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
     Case(name="reexport_inheritance", exclude_dirs=None),
     Case(name="qualified_module_import", exclude_dirs=None),
     Case(name="relative_import", exclude_dirs=None),
+    Case(name="main_file", exclude_dirs=None),
 ]
 
 

From 166825295d89de2e3c05d18ba7e48bda67affb15 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jochem Loedeman <60843521+jochemloedeman@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2026 16:51:33 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 07/10] comments

---
 src/env_example/main.py | 11 ++++-------
 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/env_example/main.py b/src/env_example/main.py
index d351331..4f8000d 100644
--- a/src/env_example/main.py
+++ b/src/env_example/main.py
@@ -116,10 +116,9 @@ def generate_env_example(
     """
     Orchestrator function
     1. Parse the modules and map the package structure of the project
-    2. Build the inheritance hierarchy
-    3. Calculate all transitive subclasses of BaseSettings
-    4. Extract fields for all settings classes
-    5. Write them to an .env.example file
+    2. Build the inheritance tree
+    3. Parse settings for the subclasses of BaseSettings
+    4. Write them to an .env.example file
     """
     exclude_absolute: set[Path] = (
         {p.resolve() for p in exclude_relative} if exclude_relative else set()
@@ -302,9 +301,7 @@ def build_env_example(
     sections = [
         f"# {qn.leaf}\n"
         + "\n".join(
-            f"{parsed.prefix}{field}=".upper()
-            if parsed.prefix
-            else f"{field}=".upper()
+            f"{parsed.prefix or ''}{field}=".upper()
             for field in sorted(parsed.fields)
         )
         for qn, parsed in sorted(

From 1db80c474b8ef195aae3c4bd206a028c1c1211b6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jochem Loedeman <60843521+jochemloedeman@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2026 16:55:22 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 08/10] renames

---
 src/env_example/main.py | 116 ++++++++++++++++++++--------------------
 1 file changed, 58 insertions(+), 58 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/env_example/main.py b/src/env_example/main.py
index 4f8000d..2c12665 100644
--- a/src/env_example/main.py
+++ b/src/env_example/main.py
@@ -109,12 +109,35 @@ def get_children(self, class_node: QualifiedName) -> list[QualifiedName]:
         return self._children[class_node]
 
 
+@dataclass
+class ParsedSettings:
+    prefix: str | None = None
+    fields: set[str] = field(default_factory=set)
+
+
+def main() -> None:
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--exclude-dir",
+        default=None,
+        type=Path,
+        action="append",
+    )
+    namespace = parser.parse_args()
+
+    cwd = Path.cwd()
+    generate_env_example(
+        project_root=cwd,
+        exclude_relative=namespace.exclude_dir,
+    )
+
+
 def generate_env_example(
     project_root: Path,
     exclude_relative: list[Path] | None,
 ) -> None:
     """
-    Orchestrator function
+    Orchestrator function.
     1. Parse the modules and map the package structure of the project
     2. Build the inheritance tree
     3. Parse settings for the subclasses of BaseSettings
@@ -124,26 +147,26 @@ def generate_env_example(
         {p.resolve() for p in exclude_relative} if exclude_relative else set()
     )
 
-    module_hierarchy: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedModule] = {}
+    module_lookup: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedModule] = {}
     for fqn, ast_module in walk_project(
         root=project_root,
         exclude_paths=exclude_absolute,
     ):
         classes = filter_module_by_type(ast_module, ast.ClassDef)
-        module_hierarchy[fqn] = ParsedModule(
+        module_lookup[fqn] = ParsedModule(
             ast_module=ast_module,
             classes={cd.name: cd for cd in classes},
         )
 
     inheritance = InheritanceTree()
-    for fqn, parsed_module in module_hierarchy.items():
+    for fqn, parsed_module in module_lookup.items():
         for class_def in parsed_module.classes.values():
             class_fqn = fqn.child(class_def.name)
             for base in get_bases_from_class(class_def):
                 parent = find_source_or_external_import(
                     searched_symbol=base,
                     search_module=fqn,
-                    module_lookup=module_hierarchy,
+                    module_lookup=module_lookup,
                 )
                 if parent:
                     inheritance.add_relation(
@@ -157,7 +180,7 @@ def generate_env_example(
         gather_settings_for_subtree(
             node=child,
             inheritance_tree=inheritance,
-            module_hierarchy=module_hierarchy,
+            module_lookup=module_lookup,
             parsed_settings=parsed_settings,
         )
 
@@ -166,41 +189,6 @@ def generate_env_example(
         (project_root / OUTPUT_FILE).write_text(env_example_txt)
 
 
-@dataclass
-class ParsedSettings:
-    prefix: str | None = None
-    fields: set[str] = field(default_factory=set)
-
-
-def gather_settings_for_subtree(
-    node: QualifiedName,
-    inheritance_tree: InheritanceTree,
-    module_hierarchy: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedModule],
-    parsed_settings: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedSettings],
-) -> None:
-    """
-    Recursively parses fieldsfrom settings classes and adds them to
-    an aggregator for both the currently considered class and its children.
-    """
-    class_def = module_hierarchy[node.parent].classes[node.leaf]
-    fields = parse_fields_from_settings(class_def)
-    prefix = parse_settings_prefix(class_def)
-
-    parsed_settings[node].prefix = prefix
-    parsed_settings[node].fields.update(fields)
-
-    for child in inheritance_tree.get_children(node):
-        # add parent fields for the child settings class
-        parsed_settings[child].fields.update(parsed_settings[node].fields)
-
-        gather_settings_for_subtree(
-            node=child,
-            inheritance_tree=inheritance_tree,
-            module_hierarchy=module_hierarchy,
-            parsed_settings=parsed_settings,
-        )
-
-
 def walk_project(
     root: Path,
     exclude_paths: set[Path],
@@ -244,6 +232,35 @@ def walk_dir(
     yield from walk_dir(root, parent_package=QualifiedName(()))
 
 
+def gather_settings_for_subtree(
+    node: QualifiedName,
+    inheritance_tree: InheritanceTree,
+    module_lookup: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedModule],
+    parsed_settings: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedSettings],
+) -> None:
+    """
+    Recursively parses fieldsfrom settings classes and adds them to
+    an aggregator for both the currently considered class and its children.
+    """
+    class_def = module_lookup[node.parent].classes[node.leaf]
+    fields = parse_fields_from_settings(class_def)
+    prefix = parse_settings_prefix(class_def)
+
+    parsed_settings[node].prefix = prefix
+    parsed_settings[node].fields.update(fields)
+
+    for child in inheritance_tree.get_children(node):
+        # add parent fields for the child settings class
+        parsed_settings[child].fields.update(parsed_settings[node].fields)
+
+        gather_settings_for_subtree(
+            node=child,
+            inheritance_tree=inheritance_tree,
+            module_lookup=module_lookup,
+            parsed_settings=parsed_settings,
+        )
+
+
 def find_source_or_external_import(
     searched_symbol: QualifiedName,
     search_module: QualifiedName,
@@ -402,22 +419,5 @@ def resolve_import_statements(module: ast.Module) -> list[ImportItem]:
     return imports
 
 
-def main() -> None:
-    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
-    parser.add_argument(
-        "--exclude-dir",
-        default=None,
-        type=Path,
-        action="append",
-    )
-    namespace = parser.parse_args()
-
-    cwd = Path.cwd()
-    generate_env_example(
-        project_root=cwd,
-        exclude_relative=namespace.exclude_dir,
-    )
-
-
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     main()

From bfbcfb8de8de73e7671b54c05aa4205d94a9e233 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jochem Loedeman <60843521+jochemloedeman@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2026 17:33:19 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 09/10] dict model config

---
 README.md                                     | 35 ++++++++++++
 src/env_example/main.py                       | 55 +++++++++++++------
 .../project/package/module.py                 |  2 +-
 tests/cases/prefix/.env.example.expected      |  3 +
 tests/cases/prefix/project/package/module.py  |  5 ++
 5 files changed, 83 insertions(+), 17 deletions(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5d28fda..e03a32f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -24,3 +24,38 @@ uvx env-example
 # Exclude specific directories relative to the project root
 uvx env-example --exclude-dir other/scripts
 ```
+
+# Example
+```python
+from pydantic import BaseSettings
+
+
+class AppSettings(BaseSettings):
+    model_config = {
+        "env_prefix": "APP__"
+    }
+    debug: bool
+    log_level: str
+
+class DatabaseSettings(BaseSettings):
+    model_config = {
+        "env_prefix": "DB__"
+    }
+    host: str
+    port: int
+    username: str
+    password: str
+```
+
+env-example will generate the following `.env.example` file:
+```shell
+# AppSettings
+APP__DEBUG=
+APP__LOG_LEVEL=
+
+# DatabaseSettings
+DB__HOST=
+DB__PORT=
+DB__USERNAME=
+DB__PASSWORD=
+```
diff --git a/src/env_example/main.py b/src/env_example/main.py
index 2c12665..f4cab13 100644
--- a/src/env_example/main.py
+++ b/src/env_example/main.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
     Call,
     ClassDef,
     Constant,
+    Dict,
     Name,
 )
 from collections import defaultdict
@@ -329,33 +330,55 @@ def build_env_example(
 
 
 def parse_settings_prefix(cd: ClassDef) -> str | None:
+    """
+    Parses the model_config configuration to find the configured
+    prefix. model_config can be given as a SettingConfigDict and
+    as a plain dict. we cover both cases.
+    """
     prefixes: list[str] = []
 
     for item in cd.body:
-        if not isinstance(item, (Assign, AnnAssign)):
+        if isinstance(item, AnnAssign):
+            target = item.target
+            value = item.value
+        elif isinstance(item, Assign) and len(item.targets) == 1:
+            target = item.targets[0]
+            value = item.value
+        else:
             continue
 
-        value = item.value
-        if not isinstance(value, Call):
+        if not (isinstance(target, Name) and target.id == "model_config"):
             continue
 
-        if not (
-            isinstance(value.func, Name)
-            and value.func.id == SETTINGS_CONFIG_CLASS
-        ):
-            continue
-
-        for kw in value.keywords:
-            if (
-                kw.arg == ENV_PREFIX_ARG
-                and isinstance(kw.value, Constant)
-                and isinstance(kw.value.value, str)
+        if isinstance(value, Call):
+            # SettingsConfigDict case
+            if not (
+                isinstance(value.func, Name)
+                and value.func.id == SETTINGS_CONFIG_CLASS
             ):
-                prefixes.append(kw.value.value)
+                continue
+            for kw in value.keywords:
+                if (
+                    kw.arg == ENV_PREFIX_ARG
+                    and isinstance(kw.value, Constant)
+                    and isinstance(kw.value.value, str)
+                ):
+                    prefixes.append(kw.value.value)
+
+        elif isinstance(value, Dict):
+            # plain dict case
+            for key, val in zip(value.keys, value.values):
+                if (
+                    isinstance(key, Constant)
+                    and key.value == ENV_PREFIX_ARG
+                    and isinstance(val, Constant)
+                    and isinstance(val.value, str)
+                ):
+                    prefixes.append(val.value)
 
     if len(prefixes) > 1:
         raise ValueError(
-            f"Multiple prefixes found for class {cd.name}: {(prefixes,)}"
+            f"Multiple prefixes found for class {cd.name}: {prefixes}"
         )
 
     prefix = prefixes[0] if prefixes else None
diff --git a/tests/cases/multiple_prefixes/project/package/module.py b/tests/cases/multiple_prefixes/project/package/module.py
index ad2933e..c0fb58d 100644
--- a/tests/cases/multiple_prefixes/project/package/module.py
+++ b/tests/cases/multiple_prefixes/project/package/module.py
@@ -3,5 +3,5 @@
 
 class Settings(BaseSettings):
     model_config = SettingsConfigDict(env_prefix="first_prefix_")
-    other_config = SettingsConfigDict(env_prefix="second_prefix_")
+    model_config = SettingsConfigDict(env_prefix="second_prefix_")
     field: int
diff --git a/tests/cases/prefix/.env.example.expected b/tests/cases/prefix/.env.example.expected
index acaf632..1b20255 100644
--- a/tests/cases/prefix/.env.example.expected
+++ b/tests/cases/prefix/.env.example.expected
@@ -1,2 +1,5 @@
+# DictSettings
+DICT_PREFIX__OTHER_FIELD=
+
 # Settings
 MY_PREFIX__FIELD=
diff --git a/tests/cases/prefix/project/package/module.py b/tests/cases/prefix/project/package/module.py
index f7b7f5d..b957a4f 100644
--- a/tests/cases/prefix/project/package/module.py
+++ b/tests/cases/prefix/project/package/module.py
@@ -4,3 +4,8 @@
 class Settings(BaseSettings):
     model_config = SettingsConfigDict(env_prefix="my_prefix__")
     field: int
+
+
+class DictSettings(BaseSettings):
+    model_config = {"env_prefix": "dict_prefix__"}
+    other_field: str

From e5b995b1c21c86f4e1656e3c230b26f981f66f6e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jochem Loedeman <60843521+jochemloedeman@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2026 18:12:45 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 10/10] remove inheritance

---
 src/env_example/main.py | 38 +++++++++++---------------------------
 1 file changed, 11 insertions(+), 27 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/env_example/main.py b/src/env_example/main.py
index f4cab13..d95e706 100644
--- a/src/env_example/main.py
+++ b/src/env_example/main.py
@@ -95,21 +95,6 @@ class ParsedModule:
     classes: dict[str, ast.ClassDef]
 
 
-class InheritanceTree:
-    def __init__(self) -> None:
-        self._children: defaultdict[QualifiedName, list[QualifiedName]] = (
-            defaultdict(list)
-        )
-
-    def add_relation(
-        self, parent_class: QualifiedName, child_class: QualifiedName
-    ):
-        self._children[parent_class].append(child_class)
-
-    def get_children(self, class_node: QualifiedName) -> list[QualifiedName]:
-        return self._children[class_node]
-
-
 @dataclass
 class ParsedSettings:
     prefix: str | None = None
@@ -140,7 +125,7 @@ def generate_env_example(
     """
     Orchestrator function.
     1. Parse the modules and map the package structure of the project
-    2. Build the inheritance tree
+    2. Build a class inheritance lookup
     3. Parse settings for the subclasses of BaseSettings
     4. Write them to an .env.example file
     """
@@ -159,7 +144,9 @@ def generate_env_example(
             classes={cd.name: cd for cd in classes},
         )
 
-    inheritance = InheritanceTree()
+    child_lookup: defaultdict[QualifiedName, list[QualifiedName]] = (
+        defaultdict(list)
+    )
     for fqn, parsed_module in module_lookup.items():
         for class_def in parsed_module.classes.values():
             class_fqn = fqn.child(class_def.name)
@@ -170,17 +157,14 @@ def generate_env_example(
                     module_lookup=module_lookup,
                 )
                 if parent:
-                    inheritance.add_relation(
-                        parent_class=parent,
-                        child_class=class_fqn,
-                    )
+                    child_lookup[parent].append(class_fqn)
 
     parsed_settings = defaultdict(ParsedSettings)
-    children = inheritance.get_children(BASE_SETTINGS_FQN)
+    children = child_lookup[BASE_SETTINGS_FQN]
     for child in children:
         gather_settings_for_subtree(
             node=child,
-            inheritance_tree=inheritance,
+            child_lookup=child_lookup,
             module_lookup=module_lookup,
             parsed_settings=parsed_settings,
         )
@@ -235,9 +219,9 @@ def walk_dir(
 
 def gather_settings_for_subtree(
     node: QualifiedName,
-    inheritance_tree: InheritanceTree,
+    child_lookup: defaultdict[QualifiedName, list[QualifiedName]],
     module_lookup: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedModule],
-    parsed_settings: dict[QualifiedName, ParsedSettings],
+    parsed_settings: defaultdict[QualifiedName, ParsedSettings],
 ) -> None:
     """
     Recursively parses fieldsfrom settings classes and adds them to
@@ -250,13 +234,13 @@ def gather_settings_for_subtree(
     parsed_settings[node].prefix = prefix
     parsed_settings[node].fields.update(fields)
 
-    for child in inheritance_tree.get_children(node):
+    for child in child_lookup[node]:
         # add parent fields for the child settings class
         parsed_settings[child].fields.update(parsed_settings[node].fields)
 
         gather_settings_for_subtree(
             node=child,
-            inheritance_tree=inheritance_tree,
+            child_lookup=child_lookup,
             module_lookup=module_lookup,
             parsed_settings=parsed_settings,
         )