diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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+++ b/README.md
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+
 # Next.js & GitHub Actions
 
 [![1-click-deploy](https://defang.io/deploy-with-defang.png)](https://portal.defang.dev/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fnew%3Ftemplate_name%3Dsample-nextjs-github-actions-template%26template_owner%3DDefangSamples)
 
 A basic Next.js app with a Dockerfile and docker-compose ready to deploy to AWS with [Defang](https://defang.io) with GitHub Actions configured for CI/CD.
 
-## Steps
+## Steps to Set Up
+
+1. **Install Defang**  
+   Run the following command to install Defang:
+   ```
+   brew install DefangLabs/defang/defang
+   ```
+
+2. **Authenticate with Defang**  
+   After installation, authenticate by running:
+   ```
+   defang login
+   ```
+
+   Follow the on-screen instructions and open the provided URL to complete authentication.
+
+3. **Optional: Authenticate with AWS**  
+   To authenticate with AWS, follow [this guide](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/cli-chap-configure.html).
+
+4. **Set Up Environment Variables**  
+   Copy the `.env.local.template` file and rename it to `.env.local`. Then fill the environment variables with the required values.
+
+5. **Set up Authentication**
+   To setup Convex authentication, follow the steps in [this tutorial](https://labs.convex.dev/auth/config/oauth)
+   From this, you would get the necessary variables to fill up what is needed as indicated in the .env template. 
 
-1. [Install Defang](https://docs.defang.io/docs/getting-started/installing)
-2. [Authenticate with Defang](https://docs.defang.io/docs/getting-started/authenticating)
-3. (optional) [Authenticate with AWS](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/cli-chap-configure.html)
-4. Run `defang compose up` in the root of this project
+5. **Navigate to the Web Directory**  
+    To ensure you're in the right project directory where the Next.js app is located, move to the `web` folder by running the command:
+    ```
+    cd web
+    ```
+    This step is important as it ensures you're in the correct location to install project dependencies in the next step.
 
----
 
-Title: Next.js & GitHub Actions
+6. **Install Dependencies**  
+   Install all required dependencies by running:
+   ```
+   npm install
+   ```
 
-Short Description: A basic Next.js app with a Dockerfile and docker-compose ready to deploy to AWS with Defang, with GitHub Actions configured for CI/CD.
+7. **Run the Application**  
+   Start the application by navigating to the project root and running:
+   ```
+   npm run dev
+   ```
 
-Tags: Next.js, React, Docker, GitHub Actions, Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript
+   If there are issues with missing configurations, ensure the `.env.local` file is set correctly and run `defang config` to manage sensitive configs.
 
-Languages: nodejs
+8. **Defang Docker Compose Up**  
+   Run the following command to start the Docker container:
+   ```
+   defang compose up
+   ```
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