diff --git a/docs/setup.md b/docs/setup.md
index ec60a3d3..ce948a0e 100644
--- a/docs/setup.md
+++ b/docs/setup.md
@@ -123,6 +123,40 @@ python -m pip install khoj-assistant
 
 ##### Local Server Start
 
+Before getting started, configure the following environment variables in your terminal for the first run
+
+<!-- tabs:start -->
+
+#### **MacOS**
+
+```shell
+export KHOJ_ADMIN_EMAIL=<your-email>
+export KHOJ_ADMIN_PASSWORD=<your-password>
+```
+
+#### **Windows**
+
+If you're using PowerShell:
+```shell
+$env:KHOJ_ADMIN_EMAIL="<your-email>"
+$env:KHOJ_ADMIN_PASSWORD="<your-password>"
+```
+
+If you're using a Unix shell:
+```shell
+export KHOJ_ADMIN_EMAIL="<your-email>"
+export KHOJ_ADMIN_PASSWORD="<your-password>"
+```
+
+#### **Linux**
+
+```shell
+export KHOJ_ADMIN_EMAIL=<your-email>
+export KHOJ_ADMIN_PASSWORD=<your-password>
+```
+
+<!-- tabs:end -->
+
 Run the following command from your terminal to start the Khoj backend and open Khoj in your browser.
 
 ```shell
diff --git a/src/khoj/app/settings.py b/src/khoj/app/settings.py
index 39af3d7a..2b86e5cc 100644
--- a/src/khoj/app/settings.py
+++ b/src/khoj/app/settings.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ BASE_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
 # See https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/4.2/howto/deployment/checklist/
 
 # SECURITY WARNING: keep the secret key used in production secret!
-SECRET_KEY = os.getenv("KHOJ_DJANGO_SECRET_KEY")
+SECRET_KEY = os.getenv("KHOJ_DJANGO_SECRET_KEY", "!secret")
 
 # SECURITY WARNING: don't run with debug turned on in production!
 DEBUG = os.getenv("KHOJ_DEBUG") == "True"