diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 21b8c40..05f16f0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -11,6 +11,11 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v2
+      - name: Create mocked .env.local with required variables
+        run: |
+          echo MONGODB_URI=mongodb://mongo                 > .env.local
+          echo MONGODB_DB=mongodb                          >> .env.local
+          echo ENCRYPTION_KEY=encryption_key               >> .env.local
       - uses: oven-sh/setup-bun@v1
         with:
           bun-version: 1
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d8ee919..6dd8851 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 ## Development
 
-Create a `.env.local` file based on the [`.env.example`](.env.example) file. You will need access to a SMTP server credentials and to set up an encryption key to spin this service. You can generate a key using the following command:
+Create a `.env.local` file based on the [`.env.example`](.env.example) file. You will need access to a SMTP server credentials, a MongoDB instance and to set up an encryption key to spin this service. You can generate a key using the following command:
 
 ```sh
 openssl rand -base64 32
@@ -30,6 +30,12 @@ Open [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000) with your browser to see the
 
 ## Deployment
 
-This project is deployed using [Vercel](https://vercel.com/). You can deploy your own instance using the button below:
+Before deploying this service, make sure you have access to a:
+- SMTP server
+- MongoDB instance
+
+Take a look at the `.env.example` file to see which environment variables you need to set up.
+
+This project is deployed using [Vercel](https://vercel.com/). You can deploy your own instance using the button below (feel free to deploy it anywhere else):
 
 [![Deploy with Vercel](https://vercel.com/button)](https://vercel.com/import/project?template=https://github.com/eutiveumsonho/hitl)