diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 099dfd2..9d7bc4d 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,16 +1,18 @@
 PROJECT = osiris
-PROJECT_DESCRIPTION = Foundation of the log-based streaming subsystem for RabbitMQ
-PROJECT_VERSION = 1.8.1
+# PROJECT_DESCRIPTION = Foundation of the log-based streaming subsystem for RabbitMQ
+# PROJECT_VERSION = 1.8.1
 
-define PROJECT_ENV
-[
-	{data_dir, "/tmp/osiris"},
-	{port_range, {6000, 6500}},
-	{max_segment_size_chunks, 256000},
-	{replication_transport, tcp},
-	{replica_forced_gc_default_interval, 4999}
-]
-endef
+# define PROJECT_ENV
+# [
+# 	{data_dir, "/tmp/osiris"},
+# 	{port_range, {6000, 6500}},
+# 	{max_segment_size_chunks, 256000},
+# 	{replication_transport, tcp},
+# 	{replica_forced_gc_default_interval, 4999}
+# ]
+# endef
+#
+# This project uses an app.src file
 
 LOCAL_DEPS = sasl crypto
 dep_gen_batch_server = hex 0.8.8
diff --git a/src/osiris.app.src b/src/osiris.app.src
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..10c7807
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/osiris.app.src
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+{application,osiris,
+    [{description,"Foundation of the log-based streaming subsystem for RabbitMQ"},
+    {vsn,"1.8.1"},
+    {licenses,["Apache-2.0","MPL-2.0"]},
+    {links,[{"github","https://github.com/rabbitmq/osiris"}]},
+    {modules,[]},
+    {registered,[ra_sup]},
+    {applications,[kernel,stdlib,sasl,crypto,gen_batch_server,
+        seshat]},
+    {mod,{osiris_app,[]}},
+    {env,[{data_dir, "/tmp/osiris"}]}]}.
diff --git a/src/osiris_replica.erl b/src/osiris_replica.erl
index 188e536..90017d4 100644
--- a/src/osiris_replica.erl
+++ b/src/osiris_replica.erl
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 
 -include("osiris.hrl").
 
+-define(DEFAULT_PORT_RANGE, {6000, 6500}).
+
 %% osiris replica, starts TCP listener ("server side" of the link),
 %% spawns remote reader, TCP listener replicates and
 %% confirms latest offset back to primary
@@ -163,7 +165,8 @@ handle_continue(#{name := Name0,
         {badrpc, Reason} ->
             {stop, {badrpc, Reason}, undefined};
         {ok, {LeaderRange, LeaderEpochOffs}} ->
-            {ok, {Min, Max}} = application:get_env(port_range),
+            {Min, Max} = application:get_env(osiris, port_range,
+                                             ?DEFAULT_PORT_RANGE),
             Transport = application:get_env(osiris, replication_transport, tcp),
             Self = self(),
             CntName = {?MODULE, ExtRef},