diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index deabb23..dda2cb6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@ UI, as well as a post editor that handles markdown.
 
 To build:
 
-docker-compose build
+`docker-compose build`
 
-edit `.envrc` to include COUCHDB_USER and COUCHDB_PASSWORD
+edit `.envrc` to include `COUCHDB_USER` and `COUCHDB_PASSWORD`
 
 create `app/riotblog_local.cfg` and add these variables
-- SECRET_KEY (whatever you want)
-- ADMIN_PASSWORD (whatever you want)
-- COUCHDB_NAME (the name of the couchdb database)
-- COUCHDB_USER (usually admin)
-- COUCHDB_NAME (whatever you want)
+- `SECRET_KEY` (whatever you want)
+- `ADMIN_PASSWORD` (whatever you want)
+- `COUCHDB_NAME` (the name of the couchdb database)
+- `COUCHDB_USER` (usually admin)
+- `COUCHDB_NAME` (whatever you want)