diff --git a/backend/app/main.py b/backend/app/main.py
index 84f54d38b..ee7d88a70 100644
--- a/backend/app/main.py
+++ b/backend/app/main.py
@@ -261,6 +261,9 @@
 )
 api_router.include_router(status.router, prefix="/status", tags=["status"])
 api_router.include_router(keycloak.router, prefix="/auth", tags=["auth"])
+
+if not settings.API_V2_STR.startswith("/"):
+    settings.API_V2_STR = "/" + settings.API_V2_STR
 app.include_router(api_router, prefix=settings.API_V2_STR)
 
 
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 008b42fd6..7bbb02a55 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ services:
       frontend_url: http://localhost
 #      For deploy to subdirectory
       BASE_URL_ROUTE: ${BASE_URL_ROUTE:-}
-      API_V2_STR: "/${BASE_URL_ROUTE}/api/v2"
+      API_V2_STR: "${BASE_URL_ROUTE}/api/v2"
     depends_on:
       - mongo
       - minio-nginx
diff --git a/docs/docs/admins/deployatsubdirectory.md b/docs/docs/admins/deployatsubdirectory.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0dfec3901
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/docs/admins/deployatsubdirectory.md
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+# Deploying Application to Subdirectory "clowder"
+
+This guide will walk you through the steps to deploy your frontend and backend applications to the
+subdirectory `/clowder`, ensuring that both the frontend and backend are accessible under this path.
+
+## Step 1: Build the Frontend Image
+
+To deploy the frontend application under `/clowder`, build the Docker image with the appropriate build arguments:
+
+```bash
+docker build --no-cache -t clowder/clowder2-frontend:basename \
+    --build-arg BASE_URL_ROUTE=clowder \
+    --build-arg CLOWDER_REMOTE_HOSTNAME="http://localhost/clowder" \
+    .
+```
+
+- **`BASE_URL_ROUTE=clowder`**: Configures the frontend to operate under the `/clowder` subdirectory.
+- **`CLOWDER_REMOTE_HOSTNAME=clowder`**: Point to the backend service that frontend will request, which should match
+  the subdirectory "/clowder" as well.
+
+## Step 2: Modify `docker-compose.yml` to Use the Built Image
+
+In your `docker-compose.yml`, update the frontend service to use the newly built image:
+
+```yaml
+frontend:
+  image: "clowder/clowder2-frontend:basename"
+```
+
+This ensures that the correct image, configured for the `/clowder` subdirectory, is used when deploying.
+
+## Step 3: Set the `BASE_URL_ROUTE` Environment Variable
+
+Before running Docker Compose, make sure the `BASE_URL_ROUTE` environment variable is set to `clowder`. This ensures
+that both the frontend and backend services are configured to operate under the `/clowder` subdirectory.
+
+```bash
+export BASE_URL_ROUTE=clowder
+echo $BASE_URL_ROUTE
+```
+
+- This environment variable ensures that the backend is also aware that it needs to operate under the `/clowder`
+  subdirectory.
+
+## Step 4: Start the Services with Docker Compose
+
+Now, start your services using Docker Compose:
+
+```bash
+docker-compose up
+```
+
+- **Backend**: The backend service will be accessible at `http://localhost/clowder/api/v2`.
+- **Frontend**: The frontend service will be accessible at `http://localhost/clowder`.
+
+By following these steps, both your backend and frontend services will be correctly deployed under the `/clowder`
+subdirectory, making them accessible through the configured paths.