diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9fe2b7643b1b3b..86d338a54e87c1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -150,13 +150,33 @@ Here is what you need to be able to run Cal.com.
    - Duplicate `.env.example` to `.env`
    - Use `openssl rand -base64 32` to generate a key and add it under `NEXTAUTH_SECRET` in the `.env` file.
    - Use `openssl rand -base64 24` to generate a key and add it under `CALENDSO_ENCRYPTION_KEY` in the `.env` file.
-     
+
+   The following variables must be reviewed before starting the app. Most have defaults that work for local development, but **must be changed for production deployments**:
+
+   | Variable | When to change | Example |
+   |---|---|---|
+   | `NEXTAUTH_SECRET` | Always — generate with `openssl rand -base64 32` | `abc123...` |
+   | `CALENDSO_ENCRYPTION_KEY` | Always — generate with `openssl rand -base64 24` | `xyz789...` |
+   | `DATABASE_URL` | When using a custom/remote database instead of the default local one | `postgresql://user:pass@host:5432/calcom` |
+   | `NEXT_PUBLIC_WEBAPP_URL` | **Required for any non-localhost deployment** — set to your public domain | `https://cal.yourdomain.com` |
+   | `NEXTAUTH_URL` | For production deployments; leave empty on Vercel (auto-detected) | `https://cal.yourdomain.com` |
+   | `EMAIL_FROM` | When you want outgoing emails to show a custom sender address | `Cal.com <noreply@yourdomain.com>` |
+
+   > **Note:** Failing to update `NEXT_PUBLIC_WEBAPP_URL` and `NEXTAUTH_URL` is the most common cause of redirect-to-localhost issues after deployment.
+
  > **Windows users:** Replace the `packages/prisma/.env` symlink with a real copy to avoid a Prisma error (`unexpected character / in variable name`):
  >
  > ```sh
  > # Git Bash / WSL
  > rm packages/prisma/.env && cp .env packages/prisma/.env
  > ```
+ >
+ > If you cloned without admin privileges and the symlink was not created, run:
+ >
+ > ```sh
+ > # PowerShell (run as Administrator)
+ > git clone -c core.symlinks=true https://github.com/calcom/cal.com.git
+ > ```
 
 5. Setup Node
    If your Node version does not meet the project's requirements as instructed by the docs, "nvm" (Node Version Manager) allows using Node at the version required by the project: