diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2ca1b28..5d0686b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -60,6 +60,64 @@ OLLAMA_API_URL=http://localhost:11434/api/generate
 
 ---
 
+## 🛠️ Getting Started
+
+### ✅ Prerequisites
+
+- Docker & Docker Compose installed
+- Ports `8000` (API) and `11434` (Ollama) available
+- At least 8GB RAM recommended
+
+---
+
+## 📦 Installation & Setup
+
+### 1. Clone the Repository
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/yourusername/timecraft-backend.git
+cd timecraft-backend/backend
+```
+
+### 2. Create .env File
+
+Update environment variables:
+
+```bash
+cp .env
+```
+
+Or manually create .env with the following content:
+
+```bash
+FRONTEND_URL=http://localhost:3000
+LLM_PROVIDER=OLLAMA
+OLLAMA_MODEL_NAME=qwen:4b
+OLLAMA_API_URL=http://localhost:11434/api/generate
+```
+
+### 3. Start Services with Docker
+
+```bash
+docker-compose up -d --build
+```
+
+This will:
+
+- Build and run the FastAPI backend
+
+- Launch Ollama and ensure the LLM is ready
+
+### 4. Pull the Required Model (One-Time)
+
+```bash
+docker exec ollama ollama pull qwen:4b
+```
+
+Once the model is pulled, it will persist in the Ollama volume.
+
+---
+
 ## 📅 Weekly Task Schedule Visualization (Sample Week: July 14–20, 2025)
 
 | Time         | Mon (14)                         | Tue (15)                         | Wed (16)                         | Thu (17)                         | Fri (18)                         | Sat (19)                         | Sun (20)                         |