diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 87339eb1..41f6c407 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -57,7 +57,10 @@ npm install -g pxt
 ```
 npm install
 ```
-8. Link pxt-microbit back to base pxt repo (add `sudo` for Mac/Linux shells).
+8. Link pxt-microbit back to base pxt repo (add `sudo` for Mac/Linux shells). 
+This step is only required if you intend to make changes to pxt and/or 
+pxt-common-packages repos. If all you want is serve a local Makecode, you can skip
+this step.
 ```
 npm link ../pxt
 npm link ../pxt-common-packages