diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b6a75d6131b2ea7f5c878d42c164cc1d13dd7e91..3fbc74e666a09353997a6c844d3eece1c682591c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -67,9 +67,19 @@ Arkindex splits up image URLs in their image server and the image path. For exam
 LOCAL_IMAGESERVER_ID = 999
 ```
 
+Here is how to quickly create the ImageServer using the shell:
+
+```
+backend/arkindex$ ./manage.py shell
+>>> from arkindex.images.models import ImageServer
+>>> ImageServer.objects.create(id=1, display_name='local', url='https://ark.localhost/iiif')
+```
+
+Note that this local server will only work inside Docker.
+
 ## Usage
 
-### Makefile
+### Makefile
 
 At the root of the repository is a Makefile that provides commands for common operations:
 
@@ -107,7 +117,7 @@ Once your code appears to be working on a local server, a few checks have to be
   Use `./manage.py test module_name` to perform tests on a single module, if you wish to spend less time waiting for all tests to complete.
 * **Code linting:** Type `flake8` inside the `backend/arkindex` directory. Our Flake8 settings should allow 120 characters per line instead of PEP8's 80.
 
-## Debugging tools
+## Debugging tools
 
 Run `pip install ipython django-debug-toolbar django_extensions` to install all the available optional dev tools for the backend.