diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ceedd09..0ccc736 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -115,13 +115,52 @@ To manually specify a raster/set of rasters, use the interactive `bowser set-dat
 
 ## Developer Setup
 
+### Prerequisites
+
+Developement requires Node.js. I recommend using some kind of `npm` version manager, such as [`asdf`](https://asdf-vm.com/) or [`nvm`](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm).
+
+```bash
+asdf install nodejs latest
+asdf global nodejs latest
+```
+
+### Installation
+
 `npm` is used to manage javascript dependencies.
 
-`npm install` will install all dependencies.
+```bash
+npm install
+```
+
+### Development Workflow
+
+Change to the UI or styling are easier with hot reload, which requires two terminals:
+```bash
+# Terminal 1 - Start FastAPI backend
+npm run dev-backend
+
+# Terminal 2 - Start Vite frontend with hot reload
+npm run dev
+```
+
+The frontend will run on http://localhost:5173 with hot reload, proxying API calls to the backend on port 8000.
+
+To use a different backend port, set the `VITE_API_URL` environment variable:
+```bash
+VITE_API_URL=http://localhost:8001 npm run dev
+```
+
+### Production Build
 
 After making HTML or CSS changes, run `npm run build` to build the project.
 Currently the `dist/` HTML and CSS files are checked in to git for easier deployment for non-javascript users.
 
+Basic production workflow:
+```bash
+npm run build
+```
+This builds into the `dist/` directory, which is checked in to git for easier deployment for non-javascript users.
+
 ## License
 
 Copyright 2024, by the California Institute of Technology. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. United States Government Sponsorship acknowledged. Any commercial use must be negotiated with the Office of Technology Transfer at the California Institute of Technology.
diff --git a/vite.config.ts b/vite.config.ts
index 4b8c76e..3f06fba 100644
--- a/vite.config.ts
+++ b/vite.config.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,15 @@ export default defineConfig({
 	// plugins: [viteSingleFile()],
 	// https://stackoverflow.com/a/69746868/4174466
 	base: './',
+	server: {
+		proxy: {
+			// Proxy all API routes to backend
+			'^/(mode|datasets|colorbar|md|cog|point|chart_point)': {
+				target: process.env.VITE_API_URL || 'http://localhost:8000',
+				changeOrigin: true
+			}
+		}
+	},
 	build: {
 		outDir: 'src/bowser/dist/',
 		minify: false,