Add environment variables, MailPit, and composer clarifications to README

1 files changed, 22 insertions, 3 deletions

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2019f4e..5fff70c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -28,18 +28,37 @@ git clone <repo-url> && cd camagru
 
 # 2. Create your environment file
 cp .env.example .env
-# Edit .env with your own values
+# Edit .env with your own values (see "Environment variables" below)
 
-# 3. Install dev tools
+# 3. (Optional) Install dev tools — only needed for linting, not for running the app
 composer install
 
 # 4. Build and run
 docker-compose up --build
 
 # 5. Open in browser
-# http://localhost:8080
+# App:   http://localhost:8080
+# Email: http://localhost:8025  (MailPit — catches all outgoing emails)
 ```
 
+## Environment variables
+
+Copy `.env.example` to `.env` and fill in the values:
+
+| Variable | Purpose |
+|----------|---------|
+| `MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD` | MariaDB root password |
+| `MYSQL_DATABASE` | Database name (default: `camagru`) |
+| `MYSQL_USER` | Database user for the app |
+| `MYSQL_PASSWORD` | Database user password |
+| `APP_URL` | Base URL of the app (default: `http://localhost:8080`) — used in email links |
+| `APP_SECRET` | Random string used for generating verification/reset tokens |
+| `MAIL_FROM` | Sender address for outgoing emails |
+
+## Email in development
+
+All outgoing emails (verification, password reset, comment notifications) are caught by [MailPit](https://mailpit.axl.dev/) — nothing is actually sent. Open **http://localhost:8025** to view them.
+
 ## Host setup (Manjaro)
 
 `phpactor` (LSP) requires the `iconv` extension. Install and enable it: