diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b8c1dbb..72b22b3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ See [memoet.gitbook.io](https://memoet.gitbook.io/docs).
 
 ## Developer guide
 
+### Standard way of setting up your development environment
+
 1. Install `asdf`
 
 Follow instructions [here](https://asdf-vm.com/).
@@ -28,6 +30,7 @@ asdf install
 4. Install project dependencies
 
 ```sh
+mix setup
 mix deps.get
 (cd assets && npm i)
 ```
@@ -39,6 +42,14 @@ mix ecto.setup
 mix phx.server
 ```
 
+### Nix-shell way of setting up your development environment
+
+This way of setup works only wwhen you have Nix configured for your OS, or are using NixOS
+
+```sh
+NIX_ENFORCE_PURITY=0 nix-shell
+```
+
 Now you can visit [`localhost:4000`](http://localhost:4000) from your browser.
 
 ## Deployment
diff --git a/assets/package-lock.json b/assets/package-lock.json
index 96bfa25..70b0fbe 100644
--- a/assets/package-lock.json
+++ b/assets/package-lock.json
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
-      "name": "assets",
       "license": "AGPL-3.0-only",
       "dependencies": {
         "@fontsource/nunito-sans": "^4.5.1",
diff --git a/shell.nix b/shell.nix
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea9c51f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/shell.nix
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+{ pkgs ? import <nixpkgs> {
+    config = {
+        # oops, 16 is now EOL
+        permittedInsecurePackages = [ "nodejs-16.20.2" ];
+    };
+} }:
+
+let
+    rust = pkgs.rustc;
+    cargo = pkgs.cargo;
+    erlang = pkgs.erlang_24;
+    elixir = pkgs.elixir_1_13;
+    nodejs = pkgs.nodejs_16;
+in
+pkgs.mkShell {
+    buildInputs = [ elixir nodejs rust cargo pkgs.erlang pkgs.postgresql ];
+
+    shellHook = ''
+    # spin up the Postgresql container
+    docker run --name postgres -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=postgres -p 5432:5432 -d postgres:13
+
+    # create the .env file
+    echo "export DATABASE_URL=postgres://postgres:postgres@postgres/postgres" > .env
+    echo "export SECRET_KEY_BASE=$(openssl rand -hex 48)" >> .env
+    echo "export URL_HOST=localhost" >> .env
+    echo "export URL_SCHEMA=http" >> .env
+    echo "export URL_PORT=4000" >> .env
+
+    mix setup
+    mix deps.get
+    mix ecto.setup
+    mix phx.server
+    '';
+}