diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 8439d34c0..e0c738d8f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-name: ci
+name: CI
 on: pull_request
 
 jobs:
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2db31b399..3c6e4dd88 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <img src="./public/logo.png" width="200"  />
 
-[![Actions Status](https://github.com/lukevella/rallly/workflows/ci/badge.svg)](https://github.com/lukevella/rallly/actions)
+[![Actions Status](https://github.com/lukevella/rallly/workflows/CI/badge.svg)](https://github.com/lukevella/rallly/actions)
 
 Rallly is an open-source collaborative scheduling service – designed and developed by @lukevella
 
@@ -19,18 +19,17 @@ git clone https://github.com/lukevella/Rallly.git
 cd Rallly
 ```
 
-_optional_: Configure your SMTP server. Without this, Rallly won't be able to send out emails. You can set the following environment variables in a `.env` in the root of the project.
+_optional_: Configure your SMTP server. Without this, Rallly won't be able to send out emails. You can set the following environment variables in a `.env` in the root of the project
 
 ```
-# /.env
-# This will appear as the FROM email address
-SUPPORT_EMAIL=""
-# SMTP Server Details
-SMTP_HOST=""
-SMTP_PORT=""
-SMTP_SECURE="" # Enable TLS - "true" or "false" (default: "false")
-SMTP_USER=""
-SMTP_PWD=""
+# support email - used as FROM email by SMTP server
+SUPPORT_EMAIL=foo@yourdomain.com
+# SMTP server - required if you want to send emails
+SMTP_HOST=your-smtp-server
+SMTP_PORT=587
+SMTP_SECURE="false"
+SMTP_USER=your-smtp-user
+SMTP_PWD=your-smtp-password
 ```
 
 Build and run with `docker-compose`
@@ -53,23 +52,22 @@ cd Rallly
 Copy the sample `.env` file then open it and set the variables.
 
 ```bash
-cp rallly-conf.env .env
+cp sample.env .env
 ```
 
-You will need to supply a url to an empty postgres database.
+Fill in the required environment variables.
 
 ```
-# /.env
-# Postgres connection URL
-DATABASE_URL=""
-# This will appear as the FROM email address
-SUPPORT_EMAIL=""
-# SMTP Server Details
-SMTP_HOST=""
-SMTP_PORT=""
-SMTP_SECURE="" # Enable TLS - "true" or "false" (default: "false")
-SMTP_USER=""
-SMTP_PWD=""
+# postgres database - not needed if running with docker-compose
+DATABASE_URL=postgres://your-database/db
+# support email - used as FROM email by SMTP server
+SUPPORT_EMAIL=foo@yourdomain.com
+# SMTP server - required if you want to send emails
+SMTP_HOST=your-smtp-server
+SMTP_PORT=587
+SMTP_SECURE="false"
+SMTP_USER=your-smtp-user
+SMTP_PWD=your-smtp-password
 ```
 
 Install dependencies
diff --git a/sample.env b/sample.env
index 09e2388bc..2d1720ffb 100644
--- a/sample.env
+++ b/sample.env
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
-# postgres database - not needed if running with docker-compose 
-DATABASE_URL=replace-me
-# smtp server - required if you want to receive emails
-SMTP_HOST=replace-me
-SMTP_PORT=replace-me
-SMTP_SECURE=replace-me # TLS Enabled - "true" or "false" (default: "false")
-SMTP_USER=replace-me
-SMTP_PWD=replace-me
+# postgres database - not needed if running with docker-compose
+DATABASE_URL=postgres://your-database/db
+# support email - used as FROM email by SMTP server
+SUPPORT_EMAIL=foo@yourdomain.com
+# SMTP server - required if you want to send emails
+SMTP_HOST=your-smtp-server
+SMTP_PORT=587
+SMTP_SECURE="false"
+SMTP_USER=your-smtp-user
+SMTP_PWD=your-smtp-password