diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 9da0696..6bb0ea0 100755
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ ORIGIN=http://localhost:5173
 # Docker Compose (NPM → frontend nginx → backend): TRUST_PROXY=1
 # TRUST_PROXY=1
 
+# Local dev (./scripts/start-dev.sh): Prisma + backend API
+DATABASE_URL="postgresql://postgres:postgres@localhost:5432/daagbox?schema=public"
+
 # Docker Compose database (required for production deploy)
 # Generate: openssl rand -hex 24
 # Rotate on running server: ./scripts/rotate-postgres-password.sh (see docs/deployment/postgres-password.md)