Add instructions on running the program to README

README.md

@@ -1,5 +1,39 @@
 # Secure Notes Vault API
 
+## Running the program
+
+This project requires Java 21 and Maven. The API starts on `http://localhost:8080`.
+
+For the fastest local setup, run the app with the in-memory H2 database:
+
+```bash
+make dev
+```
+
+To run the test suite:
+
+```bash
+make test
+```
+
+To run the API and PostgreSQL with Docker Compose:
+
+```bash
+JWT_SECRET=dev-secret-change-me-do-not-use-in-production make docker-up
+```
+
+Stop the Docker Compose stack with:
+
+```bash
+make docker-down
+```
+
+You can also run the Spring Boot app directly:
+
+```bash
+JWT_SECRET=dev-secret-change-me-do-not-use-in-production mvn spring-boot:run
+```
+
 ## Design decisions
 - Java programming language since Bluestaq is a Java shop
 - Maven for building