diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f7f054c..2e67905 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -38,7 +38,16 @@ first build the image using the dockerfile
 docker build -t govd-bot .
 ```
 
-then edit the .env file and match the DB properties with the MariaDB service environment variables in the docker-compose.yml file and run
+next, update the .env file to ensure the database properties match the environment variables defined for the MariaDB service in the docker-compose.yml file 
+(while the default environment variables defined for the MariaDB service are acceptable, it is recommended to change the `MYSQL_PASSWORD` property in the docker-compose.yaml file for enhanced security and ensure that you also modify the the `DB_PASSWORD` property in the .env file to reflect this change)
+
+the following line in the .env file MUST be set as shown below
+
+```env
+DB_HOST=db
+```
+
+finally run the compose to start all services
 
 ```bash
 docker compose up -d