diff --git a/packages/backend/src/constants.ts b/packages/backend/src/constants.ts
index 7803a7b1..ea3b4610 100644
--- a/packages/backend/src/constants.ts
+++ b/packages/backend/src/constants.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
-export const DEFAULT_CONFIG_FILE_PATH = 'environments/local.toml';
+import process from 'process';
+
+export const DEFAULT_CONFIG_FILE_PATH = process.env.SNOWBALL_BACKEND_CONFIG_FILE_PATH || 'environments/local.toml';
 
 export const DEFAULT_GQL_PATH = '/graphql';
 
 // Note: temporary hardcoded user, later to be derived from auth token
-export const USER_ID = '59f4355d-9549-4aac-9b54-eeefceeabef0';
+export const USER_ID = process.env.SNOWBALL_BACKEND_USER_ID || '60f4355d-9549-4aac-9b54-eeefceeabef0';
 
-export const PROJECT_DOMAIN = 'snowball.xyz';
+export const PROJECT_DOMAIN = process.env.SNOWBALL_BACKEND_PROJECT_DOMAIN || 'snowball.xyz';