diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0f96047..b795b3b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -79,23 +79,35 @@ The key features of the Wownero Blockchain Explorer are:
 
 ## Compilation
 
-#### Wownero download and compilation
-
-First compile Wownero from source:
+### Dependencies
 
 ```bash
-git clone --recursive https://github.com/wownero/wownero.git
-cd wownero
-make -j$(nproc)
+sudo apt update
+sudo apt install git build-essential cmake libboost-all-dev miniupnpc \
+    libunbound-dev graphviz doxygen libunwind8-dev pkg-config libssl-dev \
+    libcurl4-openssl-dev libgtest-dev libreadline-dev libzmq3-dev \
+    libsodium-dev libhidapi-dev libhidapi-libusb0
 ```
 
-##### Compile and run the explorer
+### Wownero download and compilation
 
-Once Wownero compiles, the explorer can be downloaded and compiled
-as follows:
+The explorer links against Wownero libraries, so you need to compile Wownero from source first.
+**Note:** You don't need to *run* this compiled wownerod - the explorer reads the blockchain directly from the LMDB database. You can have a separate wownerod running (e.g. from a package). The compiled source is only needed for the libraries.
+
+```bash
+cd ~
+git clone --recursive https://github.com/wownero/wownero.git
+cd wownero
+
+# USE_SINGLE_BUILDDIR=1 is required! Creates build/release/ which cmake expects
+USE_SINGLE_BUILDDIR=1 make release -j$(nproc)
+```
+
+### Compile the explorer
+
+Once Wownero compiles, the explorer can be downloaded and compiled:
 
 ```bash
-# go to home folder if still in ~/wownero
 cd ~
 
 # download the source code 
@@ -107,11 +119,14 @@ cd onion-wownero-blockchain-explorer-themefork
 # make a build folder and enter it
 mkdir build && cd build
 
-# create the makefile
-cmake ..
+# create the makefile (point to your wownero source)
+cmake -DMONERO_DIR=~/wownero ..
 
 # compile
-make
+make -j$(nproc)
+
+# create symlink to templates (required for runtime)
+ln -s ../src/templates templates
 ```
 
 
@@ -145,8 +160,8 @@ This section covers running the explorer as a systemd service on a production se
 
 ### Prerequisites
 
-- Wownero daemon (`wownerod`) running and synced
-- Wownero compiled from source (for libraries)
+- Wownero daemon (`wownerod`) running and synced (the explorer reads the LMDB directly)
+- Wownero compiled from source (for libraries only - you don't run this binary)
 
 ### 1. Create a dedicated user (optional but recommended)
 
@@ -163,13 +178,20 @@ sudo useradd -r -m -s /bin/bash wowexplorer
 # Switch to the user
 sudo -u wowexplorer -i
 
+# First build Wownero (for libraries only)
+cd ~
+git clone --recursive https://github.com/wownero/wownero.git
+cd wownero
+USE_SINGLE_BUILDDIR=1 make release -j$(nproc)
+
 # Clone the explorer
+cd ~
 git clone https://codeberg.org/wownero/onion-wownero-blockchain-explorer-themefork.git
 cd onion-wownero-blockchain-explorer-themefork
 
 # Build
 mkdir build && cd build
-cmake -DMONERO_DIR=/path/to/wownero ..
+cmake -DMONERO_DIR=~/wownero ..
 make -j$(nproc)
 
 # Create templates symlink in build dir (required for runtime)
@@ -180,6 +202,8 @@ ln -s ../src/templates templates
 
 Create `/etc/systemd/system/wowexplorer.service`:
 
+**Note:** The explorer reads the blockchain directly from LMDB. The `--daemon-url` is only needed for mempool info and network stats - it connects to your running wownerod's RPC.
+
 ```ini
 [Unit]
 Description=Wownero Blockchain Explorer