diff --git a/.Dockerignore b/.Dockerignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..89a9194
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.Dockerignore
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+api-docs
+.github
+database
+programming_language_extensions.json
+AUTHORS
+CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
+prototype
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index a87c39f..59b670b 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -1,6 +1,18 @@
+# Use a slim Perl image to reduce layer size
 FROM perl:latest
-WORKDIR /srv/TheWeeklyChallenge
+
+# Create a working directory for the application
+WORKDIR /app
+
+# Copy the application code from the context
 COPY . .
-RUN cpanm --installdeps --notest --with-feature=accelerate .
+
+# Install dependencies using cpanm
+RUN cpanm --installdeps --notest --with-feature=accelerate
+RUN cpanm Dancer2 Plack --force
+
+# Expose the port where the application will listen
 EXPOSE 4000
-CMD plackup -p 4000 bin/app.psgi
+
+# Start the application using plackup
+CMD ["plackup", "-p", "4000", "bin/app.psgi"]
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index eca0126..ce4a8de 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -37,7 +37,27 @@ This project is a fun and welcoming space for developers of all skill levels to
     git clone https://github.com/ChallengeForge/TheWeeklyChallenge.git
 ```
 
-- ## Run the Development Server
+- ## Running the Development Server
+
+To ease development processes, we are using `Docker` to effortlessly build and run the backend code for this project. Follow these straightforward steps to start the development server:
+
+1. **Navigate to the root directory of the project**
+    ```bash
+    $ cd TheWeeklyChallenge
+    ```
+
+2. **Build the Docker image**
+    ```bash
+    $ docker build -t pwc .
+    ```
+
+3. **Run the Docker image on your local machine**
+    ```bash
+    $ docker run -t pwc
+    ```
+
+4. **All set**! The development server should now be accessible at [http://127.0.0.1:4000](http://127.0.0.1:4000).
+
 
 # Contribution