diff --git a/.env.dist b/.env.dist
index a9f315f..fe2f984 100644
--- a/.env.dist
+++ b/.env.dist
@@ -6,4 +6,5 @@ MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=
 #
 ## can be generated with `openssl rand -base64 32`
 MYSQL_PASSWORD=
-PASSWORD=${MYSQL_PASSWORD}
+# password should be the same as mysql_password
+PASSWORD=
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b76d9fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+# SimpleNotes, a simple markdown note taking website
+
+## Requirements
+
+- Docker
+- docker-compose
+
+## How to run
+
+- Copy the docker-compose.yml somewhere
+- In the same directory, copy the *.env.dist* file and rename it to *.env*
+- Edit the variables inside *.env* (see below)
+- Run it with `docker-compose up -d`
+
+## Configuration
+
+The app is configured with environments variables.
+If no match is found within the env, a default value is read from a properties file in /app/src/main/resources/application.properties.
+Don't use the default values for secrets ! Every value inside *.env.dist* should be changed.