diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7947116..a545f68 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -24,6 +24,13 @@ pip install -r requirements.txt
 
 to get the dependencies.
 
+### Manage the database
+
+Explicitely set the environment (```dev``` ,```prod``` and ```test```) 
+```
+export FLASK_CONFIG=dev
+```
+
 Next, initialize the database
 
 ```
@@ -32,6 +39,9 @@ python manage.py seed_db
 
 Type "Y" to accept the message (which is just there to prevent you accidentally deleting things -- it's just a local SQLite database)
 
+
+### Run the app
+
 Finally run the app with
 
 ```
@@ -40,7 +50,12 @@ python wsgi.py
 
 Navigate to the posted URL in your terminal to be greeted with Swagger, where you can test out the API.
 
+### Run the app for local development
 
+The following command is a shorthand for running the development server
+```
+python dev.py
+```
 
 
 ## Running tests
diff --git a/manage.py b/manage.py
index e3cb6d1..17b8003 100644
--- a/manage.py
+++ b/manage.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from app import create_app, db
 from commands.seed_command import SeedCommand
 
-env = os.getenv("FLASK_ENV") or "test"
+env = os.getenv("FLASK_CONFIG") or "test"
 print(f"Active environment: * {env} *")
 app = create_app(env)
 
diff --git a/wsgi.py b/wsgi.py
index 63fc433..2a4134c 100644
--- a/wsgi.py
+++ b/wsgi.py
@@ -2,6 +2,6 @@
 
 from app import create_app
 
-app = create_app(os.getenv("FLASK_ENV") or "test")
+app = create_app(os.getenv("FLASK_CONFIG") or "test")
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     app.run(debug=True)