diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c4e7a4e..cef0ae8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-About
-============
+# About
 
 Receive monitoring data from a [squeow](https://repo.esiliati.org/cesco/squeow) AM transmitter.
 
@@ -10,8 +9,7 @@ webserver
 webserver.py is such a webserver. It provides an authenticated API for receiving values (most likely by
 read.py) and an unauthenticated API to get values.
 
-Howto
-------------
+# Howto
 
 ### Dependencies
 
@@ -29,8 +27,7 @@ apt install python3-fastapi python3-serial python3-requests
 uvicorn webserver:app
 ```
 
-Serial protocol
---------------------
+# Serial protocol
 
 ### Goals
 
@@ -84,8 +81,8 @@ Whatever follows is the actual message
 This makes it possible for debug messages to be sent.
 
 
-Monitoring
---------------
+# Monitoring
+
 
 None of the software provided will include monitoring functionalities. However, it will be easy to integrate
 with an existing monitoring service:
@@ -121,3 +118,31 @@ enough:
       static_configs:
         - targets: ['localhost:8000']
 
+# Development
+
+## Simulate a serial port
+
+you might want to avoid developing with the squeow microcontroller actually connected to your computer, and
+just simulate it.
+
+if you want to do so, run:
+
+```
+socat -d -d pty,raw,echo=0 pty,raw,echo=0
+```
+
+Now, read the output; the first two lines would be sth like
+
+
+```
+2013/11/01 13:47:27 socat[2506] N PTY is /dev/pts/2
+2013/11/01 13:47:27 socat[2506] N PTY is /dev/pts/3
+```
+
+This means that your `read.py` must use `--device /dev/pts/2`.
+
+To simulate the reception of a message from the microcontroller, do this
+
+```
+echo -e '\x01DMP freq=1234567 temp1=78 temp2=50 alm_temp=0 ros=4095 alm_ros=1' > /dev/pts/3
+```