diff --git a/examples/aof7/docker-compose.yml b/examples/aof7/docker-compose.yml
index e4b871a2..9f8692fc 100644
--- a/examples/aof7/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/aof7/docker-compose.yml
@@ -4,7 +4,10 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: true
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # from .env
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_PAGE_URL: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/modpacks/all-of-fabric-7
 #      CF_FILENAME_MATCHER: 1.2.2
diff --git a/examples/atm10/docker-compose.yml b/examples/atm10/docker-compose.yml
index 5cf1201e..3cd35409 100644
--- a/examples/atm10/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/atm10/docker-compose.yml
@@ -8,7 +8,10 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: true
       MOD_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/ and set in .env file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_SLUG: all-the-mods-10
       # Optional: select a specific version/file
diff --git a/examples/atm8/docker-compose.yml b/examples/atm8/docker-compose.yml
index 016dbcbb..df556c78 100644
--- a/examples/atm8/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/atm8/docker-compose.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,10 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: "true"
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/ and set in .env file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_PAGE_URL: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/modpacks/all-the-mods-8
 #      CF_FILENAME_MATCHER: "1.1.0"
diff --git a/examples/atm9/docker-compose.yml b/examples/atm9/docker-compose.yml
index 1119a144..1b183747 100644
--- a/examples/atm9/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/atm9/docker-compose.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,10 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: "true"
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/ and set in .env file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_PAGE_URL: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/modpacks/all-the-mods-9
       # Optional: select a specific version/file
diff --git a/examples/auto-cf/modpack-manifest/docker-compose.yml b/examples/auto-cf/modpack-manifest/docker-compose.yml
index 459583b6..0f7d621e 100644
--- a/examples/auto-cf/modpack-manifest/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/auto-cf/modpack-manifest/docker-compose.yml
@@ -4,7 +4,10 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: true
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/ and set in .env file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_MODPACK_MANIFEST: /manifests/manifest.json
       CF_SLUG: "custom"
diff --git a/examples/auto-cf/using-excludes/docker-compose.yml b/examples/auto-cf/using-excludes/docker-compose.yml
index 1159bc78..e9a5e8da 100644
--- a/examples/auto-cf/using-excludes/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/auto-cf/using-excludes/docker-compose.yml
@@ -6,40 +6,12 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: "true"
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/ and set in .env file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_PAGE_URL: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/modpacks/minecraft-eternal/files/4102634
-      CF_EXCLUDE_MODS: |
-        cherished-worlds
-        controlling
-        ctm
-        custom-main-menu
-        ding
-        minecraft-rich-presence
-        enchantment-descriptions
-        just-enough-harvestcraft
-        just-enough-resources-jer
-        menumobs
-        more-overlays
-        mouse-tweaks
-        oldjavawarning
-        overloaded-armor-bar
-        reauth
-        thaumic-jei
-        tips
-        armor-toughness-bar
-        waila-harvestability
-        ambientsounds
-        biomeinfo
-        block-drops-jei-addon
-        loot-capacitor-tooltips
-        no-recipe-book
-        packmodemenu
-        resource-reloader
-
-#        blockdrops
-
-      CF_FORCE_SYNCHRONIZE: "true"
       MEMORY: 4G
     volumes:
       - mc-data:/data
diff --git a/examples/bettermc/docker-compose.yml b/examples/bettermc/docker-compose.yml
index df9ea61c..5813cda6 100644
--- a/examples/bettermc/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/bettermc/docker-compose.yml
@@ -4,7 +4,10 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: true
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # Set CF_API_KEY=... in a .env file next to this compose file and don't source control that file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_SLUG: better-mc-fabric-bmc1
 #      CF_FILENAME_MATCHER: v18.5
diff --git a/examples/craftoria/docker-compose.yml b/examples/craftoria/docker-compose.yml
index 7dfca0af..0d2582ff 100644
--- a/examples/craftoria/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/craftoria/docker-compose.yml
@@ -9,10 +9,14 @@ services:
       EULA: true
       ALLOW_FLIGHT: true
       MOD_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/ and set in .env file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_SLUG: craftoria
       MEMORY: 8G
+      # TODO: replace with slugs and see if already excluded by cf-exclude-include.json
       CF_EXCLUDE_MODS: |
         737481
         363363
diff --git a/examples/curseforge-files/docker-compose.yml b/examples/curseforge-files/docker-compose.yml
index d2b4d014..752b8635 100644
--- a/examples/curseforge-files/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/curseforge-files/docker-compose.yml
@@ -4,7 +4,10 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: true
       TYPE: FORGE
-      # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/ and set in .env file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       VERSION: 1.19.2
       CURSEFORGE_FILES: |
diff --git a/examples/docker-compose-rconcmd.yml b/examples/docker-compose-rconcmd.yml
index 977d87e8..747a13b7 100644
--- a/examples/docker-compose-rconcmd.yml
+++ b/examples/docker-compose-rconcmd.yml
@@ -12,7 +12,10 @@ services:
       CURSEFORGE_FILES: |
         fabric-api
         chunky-pregenerator
-      # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/ and set in .env file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       # YAML Heredoc, be sure to use '|-' this will remove the first newline and final new line.
       # This is versus '|' that will leaving with two empty strings at top and bottom.
diff --git a/examples/ftb-evolution/compose.yaml b/examples/ftb-evolution/compose.yaml
index a3ef3eb8..b5e3cd99 100644
--- a/examples/ftb-evolution/compose.yaml
+++ b/examples/ftb-evolution/compose.yaml
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: "TRUE"
       TYPE: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_PAGE_URL: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/modpacks/ftb-evolution
       # This modpack includes an override client-side only mod that will prevent the server from starting.
diff --git a/examples/ketting/docker-compose.yml b/examples/ketting/docker-compose.yml
index 1a139a01..9094d0ad 100644
--- a/examples/ketting/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/ketting/docker-compose.yml
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@ services:
       EULA: true
       TYPE: KETTING
       VERSION: 1.20.1
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: "${CF_API_KEY}"
       CURSEFORGE_FILES: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/aquaculture
     ports:
diff --git a/examples/one-block-modded/docker-compose.yml b/examples/one-block-modded/docker-compose.yml
index 90a41338..a0323c58 100644
--- a/examples/one-block-modded/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/one-block-modded/docker-compose.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,10 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: "true"
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # CF_API_KEY=... must be set in .env file or as environment variable
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_SLUG: one-block-modded
       # Modpack client zip must be manually downloaded from
diff --git a/examples/pixelmon/docker-compose.yml b/examples/pixelmon/docker-compose.yml
index f55119ba..59bad2a3 100644
--- a/examples/pixelmon/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/pixelmon/docker-compose.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,11 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: "true"
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      CF_API_KEY: # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
+      CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_SLUG: the-pixelmon-modpack
       CF_FILENAME_MATCHER: "9.1.2"
       MEMORY: 4G
diff --git a/examples/prominence2/docker-compose.yml b/examples/prominence2/docker-compose.yml
index db210128..029e811a 100644
--- a/examples/prominence2/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/prominence2/docker-compose.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,10 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: "true"
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/ and set in .env file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_PAGE_URL: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/modpacks/prominence-2-rpg
       CF_FILENAME_MATCHER: "2.8.7"
diff --git a/examples/rad2/compose.yaml b/examples/rad2/compose.yaml
index 59e6114d..186c0021 100644
--- a/examples/rad2/compose.yaml
+++ b/examples/rad2/compose.yaml
@@ -7,20 +7,20 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: "true"
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/ and set in .env file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_PAGE_URL: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/modpacks/roguelike-adventures-and-dungeons-2
       # Optional: select a specific version/file
       #CF_FILENAME_MATCHER: "0.2.34"
       CF_EXCLUDE_MODS: |
-        controlling
         creative-core
         default-options
         itemphysic-lite
         konkrete
         oauth
-        sound-filters
-        toast-control
       CF_FORCE_SYNCHRONIZE: "true"
       MEMORY: 4G
     volumes:
diff --git a/examples/rlcraft/docker-compose.yml b/examples/rlcraft/docker-compose.yml
index 7aa7be5f..5a813c4f 100644
--- a/examples/rlcraft/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/rlcraft/docker-compose.yml
@@ -4,7 +4,10 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: true
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # Set CF_API_KEY=... in a .env file next to this compose file and don't source control that file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_SLUG: rlcraft
       CF_FILENAME_MATCHER: 2.9.3
diff --git a/examples/skyfactory5/compose.yml b/examples/skyfactory5/compose.yml
index 42e00941..c31764bc 100644
--- a/examples/skyfactory5/compose.yml
+++ b/examples/skyfactory5/compose.yml
@@ -8,7 +8,10 @@ services:
 #      CF_PAGE_URL: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/modpacks/skyfactory-5/files/6044634
       CF_SLUG: skyfactory-5
       CF_FILENAME_MATCHER: 5.0.2
-      # Loads from .env file
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       MEMORY: 4G
     ports:
diff --git a/examples/valhesia5/docker-compose.yml b/examples/valhesia5/docker-compose.yml
index a52022b2..88f909a8 100644
--- a/examples/valhesia5/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/valhesia5/docker-compose.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,11 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: "true"
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      CF_API_KEY: # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
+      CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_FORCE_SYNCHRONIZE: "true"
       CF_PAGE_URL: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/modpacks/valhelsia-5/files/4429560
       MEMORY: 4G
diff --git a/examples/vault-hunters-1-18-2/docker-compose.yml b/examples/vault-hunters-1-18-2/docker-compose.yml
index 2abc1460..e013530f 100644
--- a/examples/vault-hunters-1-18-2/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/vault-hunters-1-18-2/docker-compose.yml
@@ -6,13 +6,14 @@ services:
     environment:
       EULA: "true"
       MODPACK_PLATFORM: AUTO_CURSEFORGE
-      # allocate from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # Allocate API key from https://console.curseforge.com/
+      # and set in .env file making sure to double up dollar signs, such as
+      # CF_API_KEY=$$2a$$10$$....
+      # Refer to https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/types-and-platforms/mod-platforms/auto-curseforge/#api-key
       CF_API_KEY: ${CF_API_KEY}
       CF_SLUG: vault-hunters-1-18-2
       MOTD: "§4----- §2 Vault Hunters: 1.18.2 §4 -----§r\\n     §4------ §e vaulthunters.gg  §4------"
       MEMORY: 6G # 4G for base server + 2G per player
-      CF_EXCLUDE_MODS: |
-        reauth
       ALLOW_FLIGHT: true
       ENABLE_COMMAND_BLOCK: true
       DIFFICULTY: hard