diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1ce8a1f..0a65bd1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -46,12 +46,9 @@ This sample plugin showcases the **Open edX Hooks Extension Framework**, which a
 ### Option 1: Development with Tutor (Recommended)
 
 ```bash
-# Backend Plugin Setup
-tutor mounts add lms:$PWD/backend:/openedx/sample-plugin-backend
-tutor dev launch
-tutor dev exec lms pip install -e ../sample-plugin-backend
-tutor dev exec lms python manage.py lms migrate
-tutor dev restart lms
+# Backend plugin setup
+tutor mounts add "$PWD/backend"
+tutor dev launch  # Rebuilds image, runs migrations, reboots containers.
 
 # Frontend Plugin Setup (for learner-dashboard MFE development)
 npm install $PWD/frontend
diff --git a/tutor/tutorsampleplugin/plugin.py b/tutor/tutorsampleplugin/plugin.py
index 3ed7689..0c6e7e4 100644
--- a/tutor/tutorsampleplugin/plugin.py
+++ b/tutor/tutorsampleplugin/plugin.py
@@ -21,10 +21,17 @@
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Backend: Install the Django app plugin into LMS and CMS images
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# If a directory named "backend" has been moutned with `tutor mount add`, then
+# this line will ensure that the directory gets mapped into the openedx[-dev]
+# image and into the container's virtualenv. When there is no such directory
+# mounted, this line has no effect (thus it's safe for it to exist in the
+# production version of the plugin).
+hooks.Filters.MOUNTED_DIRECTORIES.add_item(("openedx", "backend"))
+
 # The openedx-dockerfile-post-python-requirements patch runs after pip
 # installs the base Open edX requirements. Plugins installed here are
 # available in both LMS and CMS containers.
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 hooks.Filters.ENV_PATCHES.add_item((
     "openedx-dockerfile-post-python-requirements",