diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 31346df..f2a929e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -7,12 +7,18 @@
 1. `npm install`
 2.  create `.env` file, copy values from `.example.env`
 
-#### To run the server in local environment:
+## Start options (pick one):
 
-##### * with containerized database:
+### Option 1:
+#### To run the server with a containerized database:
 1. `npm run docker:dev:db` (runs database in docker container)
+2. `npm run migrate:latest && npm run seed` (run only once, next time you start the server - skip this step)
+3. `npm run dev`
+#### To run the tests under the fully containerized environment:
+1. `npm run docker:test`
 
-##### * with a system instance:
+### Option 2:
+#### To run the server with a system DB instance:
 1. Download and install the official Postgres **v.12** package for your OS - https://www.postgresql.org/download/
 2. Using a DB observer tool (PGAdmin, Dbeaver, etc.) create a database
 3. Update the `.env` with the relevant values:
@@ -20,15 +26,9 @@
    * `DATABASE_NAME` (name of a newly created database)
    * `DATABASE_USER` (default username during installation is `postgres`)
    * `DATABASE_ACCESS_KEY` (password to the `postgres` user, which was also set during installation)
-
-##### apply the migrations
-1. `npm run migrate:latest && npm run seed` (run only once, next time you start the server - skip this step)
-
-##### start the server
-1. `npm run dev`
-
-#### To run the tests under the fully containerized environment:
-1. `npm run docker:test`
+4. apply the migrations: `npm run migrate:latest && npm run seed` (run only once, next time you start the server - skip this step)
+5. run the test and verify that the DB instance can be reached and everything passes: `npm run test`
+6. run the server: `npm run dev`
 
 ### Troubleshooting:
 * __Issue__: running the `npm run docker:test` command fails with: