diff --git a/app.conf.sample b/app.conf.sample
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..513a954
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app.conf.sample
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+[cookies]
+cookie_secret='somesecretkey'
+cookie_max_age=1800 #seconds
+cookie_name='accounts'
+
+[app]
+app_name='SocialNerds Accounts'
+static_files="/home/david/Git/accounts/static"
+
+[miab]
+miab_admin='someadmin@socialnerds.org'
+miab_passwd='xxxxx'
+miab_url='https://excelsior.socialnerds.org/admin'
+
diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index 84b883a..5cc328f 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -5,18 +5,6 @@ from bottle import route, run, template, error, get, \
                    static_file
 
 
-# config
-
-# load config from configfile instead of defining it here
-cookie_secret='.0)>ZCqL Fvi3m$;c VY-$&^65 r3Yg,$vC +U?1#zy] 2[]rUsru .yd4-GiE *i#i4Wr['
-cookie_max_age=1800 #seconds
-cookie_name='accounts'
-app_name='SocialNerds Accounts'
-static_files="/home/david/Git/accounts/static"
-miab_admin='someadmin@socialnerds.org'
-miab_passwd='xxxxx'
-miab_url='https://excelsior.socialnerds.org/admin'
-
 
 # functions