diff --git a/scripts/badges.py b/scripts/badges.py
index fc6d3278f..3900a56bc 100755
--- a/scripts/badges.py
+++ b/scripts/badges.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import os
 import sys
 
 import requests
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
 
 
 def get_total_downloads(api_key, package_name="aider-chat"):
@@ -28,18 +29,21 @@ def get_total_downloads(api_key, package_name="aider-chat"):
 
 
 def main():
+    # Load environment variables from .env file
+    load_dotenv()
+    
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
         description="Get total downloads for a Python package from pepy.tech"
     )
     parser.add_argument(
-        "--api-key", help="pepy.tech API key (or set PEPY_API_KEY environment variable)"
+        "--api-key", help="pepy.tech API key (can also be set via PEPY_API_KEY in .env file or environment variable)"
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--package", default="aider-chat", help="Package name (default: aider-chat)"
     )
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
-    # Get API key from args or environment variable
+    # Get API key from args or environment variable (which may be loaded from .env)
     api_key = args.api_key or os.environ.get("PEPY_API_KEY")
     if not api_key:
         print(