diff --git a/.env.dist b/.env.dist
index 2eba61c..4f68ef9 100644
--- a/.env.dist
+++ b/.env.dist
@@ -21,11 +21,13 @@ APP_SECRET=9e287f1ad737386dde46d51e80487236
 ###> docker ###
 SERVER_NAME=localhost
 MYSQL_DATABASE=unfold_db
+MYSQL_VERSION=8.0
+MYSQL_CHARSET=utf8mb4
 MYSQL_USER=unfold_user
 MYSQL_PASSWORD=password
+# Root password is only used for the bundled database service, see compose.yaml
+# skip it, if you use your own
 MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=root_password
-MYSQL_VERSION=8.0
-MYSQL_CHARSET=utf8mb4
 ###< docker ###
 
 ###> doctrine/doctrine-bundle ###
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 852ee8e..eebfbfb 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -15,3 +15,5 @@ cd unfold
 
 Copy the example file `.env.dist` and replace placeholders with your actual configuration.
 
+If you have your own MySQL database, comment out the database service in `compose.yaml` and skip root password in `.env`. 
+There are additional comments to that effect in the files.
diff --git a/compose.yaml b/compose.yaml
index cc7b6fa..d384791 100644
--- a/compose.yaml
+++ b/compose.yaml
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ services:
 
 
 ###> doctrine/doctrine-bundle ###
+  # ---
+  # The database service below is optional. If you use your own database (container or external),
+  # you can comment out or remove this block. Make sure to update the DATABASE_URL in the php service accordingly.
+  # ---
   database:
     image: mysql:${MYSQL_VERSION:-8.0}
     environment: