diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cd93b2e..8f82e10 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -14,9 +14,13 @@ if you want the development group included run this first:
 
 `bundle config set --local with 'development'
 
+then create a .env.rb file in the root directory that contains the following ENV attributes:
+APP_SESSION_SECRET
+DB_NAME
+
 after the dependencies are installed, you have to create the db
 
-`sequel -m db/migrations sqlite://db/url_shortener.db`
+`sequel -m db/migrations sqlite://db/{DB_NAME}`
 
 to start the application with Falcon: