diff --git a/scripts/full-deploy.sh b/scripts/full-deploy.sh
index acb05dd..0c48a3b 100755
--- a/scripts/full-deploy.sh
+++ b/scripts/full-deploy.sh
@@ -83,6 +83,27 @@ preflight_checks() {
   fi
   print_success "Running from correct directory"
 
+  # Check if .env.production exists
+  if [ ! -f ".env.production" ]; then
+    print_error ".env.production not found. Please create it first."
+    exit 1
+  fi
+  print_success ".env.production found"
+
+  # Check if secrets directory exists
+  if [ ! -d "secrets" ]; then
+    print_error "secrets/ directory not found"
+    exit 1
+  fi
+  print_success "secrets/ directory found"
+
+  # Check if GCP credentials exist
+  if [ ! -f "secrets/gcp-credentials.json" ]; then
+    print_error "secrets/gcp-credentials.json not found"
+    exit 1
+  fi
+  print_success "GCP credentials found"
+
   # Check if Docker is running
   if ! docker info > /dev/null 2>&1; then
     print_error "Docker is not running"
@@ -129,6 +150,10 @@ verify_code_updated() {
 rebuild_containers() {
   print_header "Rebuilding Docker Containers"
 
+  # Load environment variables
+  print_info "Loading environment variables from .env.production..."
+  export $(cat .env.production | grep -v '^#' | xargs)
+
   print_info "Building images (this may take several minutes)..."
   docker compose $COMPOSE_FILES build --no-cache
   print_success "Docker images built"