diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 401a1a7..e236b4d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # Wanijo
 
-> (Toki Pona)  
-> Wan: One, a, unite, make one  
-> Ijo: thing, something, object  
+> (Toki Pona)
+> Wan: One, a, unite, make one
+> Ijo: thing, something, object
 > Wanijo: Unite things
 
 ## How to develop
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ You'll need:
 - JDK >= 8
 - Leiningen >= 2.9
 
-### First time launch with fresh database
+### First time launch with fresh a database
 
 - start a neo4j database with `lein neo4j`
 - start a repl with `lein repl` or similar
@@ -28,6 +28,23 @@ You'll need:
 - run `wanijo.main/start-server-dev!`
   - the application is available on port `8080`
 
+### Launch as a standalone
+
+- build the uberjar via `lein uberjar`
+- start your neo4j database, preferably **not** via `lein neo4j`
+- start the jar file via `java -jar [jar-file]-standalone.jar`
+- if this is the first start with a fresh database, connect to the nREPL as described in the chapter "nREPL" and run the commands described in "First time launch with a fresh database"
+
+### nREPL
+
+When started via its `main` method, as is the uberjar case, an nREPL server is started with it. The default port is `7888`, but this can be configured via the `NREPL_PORT` environment variable.
+
+To connect via the command line, use the following command:
+
+```
+clj -Sdeps '{:deps {nrepl {:mvn/version "0.7.0"}}}' -m nrepl.cmdline --connect --host host --port port
+```
+
 ### "Architecture"
 
 > Structure your application as it seems to fit your needs. Then call it architecture and pat yourself on the shoulder. You've achieved something!
diff --git a/project.clj b/project.clj
index 6b6a62a..1abd4aa 100644
--- a/project.clj
+++ b/project.clj
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
   :dependencies [;;clojure core
                  [org.clojure/clojure "1.10.1"]
+                 [nrepl "0.7.0"]
 
                  ;; static site
                  [compojure "1.6.1"]
diff --git a/src/wanijo/main.clj b/src/wanijo/main.clj
index 494190c..7870e84 100644
--- a/src/wanijo/main.clj
+++ b/src/wanijo/main.clj
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 (ns wanijo.main
   (:require [ring.adapter.jetty :refer [run-jetty]]
-            [wanijo.handler :as wanijo-handler])
+            [wanijo.handler :as wanijo-handler]
+            [nrepl.server :as nrepl])
   (:gen-class))
 
 (defonce server (atom nil))
@@ -24,6 +25,13 @@
     (.stop @server)))
 
 (defn -main [& args]
-  (start-server! :port (Integer/valueOf (or (System/getenv "port")
-                                            "3080"))
-                 :join? false))
+  (let [nrepl-port (Integer/valueOf (or (System/getenv "NREPL_PORT")
+                                        "7888"))
+        web-port (Integer/valueOf (or (System/getenv "WEB_PORT")
+                                      "3080"))]
+    (println "starting nrepl on port " nrepl-port)
+    (nrepl/start-server :port nrepl-port)
+
+    (println "starting web server on port " web-port)
+    (start-server! :port web-port
+                   :join? false)))