diff --git a/bot/README.md b/bot/README.md
index bf4c725..a254331 100644
--- a/bot/README.md
+++ b/bot/README.md
@@ -14,14 +14,22 @@ npm run start
 ```
 
 ### Environment
-Create a `.env` file in `bot/` with:
-
-```
-DISCORD_TOKEN=your_bot_token_here
-CLIENT_ID=your_bot_client_id_here
-GUILD_ID=your_test_server_id_here
+Copy `bot/.env.example` to `bot/.env` and fill in the values.
+
+```env
+DISCORD_TOKEN=your_discord_bot_token
+DISCORD_CLIENT_ID=your_discord_application_client_id
+GUILD_ID=your_optional_guild_id_for_guild_scoped_command_deploy
+API_URL=http://localhost:5000
+BOT_API_KEY=your_bot_api_key
 ```
 
+- `DISCORD_TOKEN` is required to log in the bot.
+- `DISCORD_CLIENT_ID` is used by `npm run deploy:commands`.
+- `GUILD_ID` is optional and can be used for instant guild-scoped command registration.
+- `API_URL` should point to your running backend.
+- `BOT_API_KEY` must match `BOT_API_KEY` on the backend server for authenticated bot API requests.
+
 ### Scripts
 - `npm run start`: start the bot
 - `npm run dev`: start with auto-reload (nodemon)