diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 18f61f0..3c065bf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -71,11 +71,17 @@ As you save settings, MeshAI persists them back into `/data` as focused per-doma
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/zvx-echo6/meshai.git
 cd meshai/work
+cd dashboard-frontend && npm ci && npm run build && cd ..   # builds the web dashboard — required, see note
 pip install -e .
 cp config.example.yaml config.yaml   # minimal starting point, not exhaustive — see note below
 meshai
 ```
 
+> **The frontend build step is required.** `meshai/dashboard/static/` is no longer
+> committed to the repo, so skipping it means no dashboard UI is served (the bot and
+> API still run fine). Docker users don't need this — the image builds the frontend
+> automatically. Requires Node.js/npm.
+
 Unlike Docker, `meshai` won't create a config file for you — it needs one to exist before it will start. `config.example.yaml` bootstraps the basics (connection, LLM backend, bot behavior); once it's running, open `http://localhost:8080` and use the dashboard for everything else.
 
 > **Note on `config.example.yaml`:** it documents the legacy single-file schema and is no longer complete — it predates `coverage`, `danger_zones`, `generic_sources`, `meshcore_context`, `commands`, and the current 8-family notification-routing model (`notifications.toggles` / `destinations` / `region_routes`). The legacy single-file loader still works and is fully supported, but the dashboard — backed by the full config schema — is the authoritative way to reach every setting. Don't treat this file as a complete reference.
diff --git a/work/README.md b/work/README.md
index 26f5a62..5c40839 100644
--- a/work/README.md
+++ b/work/README.md
@@ -55,17 +55,11 @@ Everything is driven from the web UI, organized into **General**, **Meshtastic**
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/zvx-echo6/meshai.git
 cd meshai
-cd dashboard-frontend && npm ci && npm run build && cd ..   # builds the web dashboard -- required, see note below
 pip install -e .
 cp config.example.yaml config.yaml   # then edit config.yaml (or use the dashboard)
 meshai
 ```
 
-> The frontend build step is required. `meshai/dashboard/static/` is no longer
-> committed to the repo, so skipping it means no dashboard UI is served (the
-> bot and API still run fine). Docker users don't need this -- the image
-> builds the frontend automatically. Requires Node.js/npm.
-
 Or with Docker:
 
 ```bash