diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 4fc66b6..54a5c2c 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # copy this file into the root directory as .env
 # replacing the API keys
 
+# Example:
+# REACT_APP_FIREBASE_API_KEY=AbCd1234
 REACT_APP_FIREBASE_API_KEY=
 REACT_APP_GCAL_API_KEY=
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 95d31ff..1e8a993 100755
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,9 +1,43 @@
 # USC Website
 
+First time contributing to a project? Check out our [contributing guide](CONTRIBUTING.md)!
+
 ## Development instructions
 
-1. Install node and yarn
-2. Clone the repo and run `yarn`
-3. Copy the `env.example` file into `.env` at the root directory,
-Including in the appropriate API keys.
-4. run `yarn start` to start developing.
+If you see code blocks as below, you are supposed to copy them line by line, and run it in a
+terminal. To fire up a terminal,<kbd> Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Alt</kbd> +<kbd> T</kbd> usually does the job.
+
+1. Install NodeJS and Yarn, as per the [contributing guide](CONTRIBUTING.md).
+1. Check that you have NodeJS 10 and Yarn running. You can use
+
+```bash
+node --version
+yarn --version
+```
+
+1. Clone the repo by and run `yarn`.
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/usdevs/usc-website.git
+cd usc-website
+yarn # installs all dependencies
+```
+
+1. Create a Firestore database for your own use, using this
+   [guide](https://firebase.google.com/docs/firestore/quickstart).
+   You can use test mode and choose a location of your liking, preferably
+   as close as possible to Singapore.
+1. Find your Firestore API key using this
+   [guide](https://support.google.com/firebase/answer/7015592),
+   following the instructions for Web App.
+1. Copy the `.env.example` file into `.env` at the root directory,
+
+```bash
+cp .env.example .env
+```
+
+Including in the appropriate API keys by using your favourite editor.
+
+1. Run `yarn start` to start developing! You can now view the USC-Website that is run on your laptop
+   locally at `localhost:8000`. Note that any changes to the UI and data will NOT affect the real USC Website
+   so hack away!