diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index eac4e8d1..cde8907a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -74,62 +74,7 @@ See the [contributing.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for a detailed guide on how to contri
 
 ## How to Build and Run the Site Locally
 
-Create a local python environment and install all the required dependencies using the following commands (either with conda or pip)
-
-### If Using Conda
-1. Create the Conda Environment
-```sh
-conda env create -f environment.yml
-```
-2. Activate the Conda Environment
-```sh
-conda activate DISCOVER-Cookbook
-```
-3. Finally, to build the Jupyter Book
-``` sh
-sphinx-build -b html DISCOVER/ DISCOVER/_build/html
-```
-
-### If Using pip
-1. Create a Virtual Environment (optional)
-```sh
-python -m venv .venv
-```
-2. Activate the virtual Environment (optional)
-- on Windows:
-```sh
-.venv\Scripts\activate
-```
-- on macOS/Linux:
-```sh
-source .venv/bin/activate
-```
-3. Install the required dependencies
-```sh
-pip install -r requirements.txt
-```
-4. Finally, to build the Jupyter Book
-``` sh
-sphinx-build -b html DISCOVER/ DISCOVER/_build/html
-```
-### View Locally  
-After building, you can view the book in one of the following ways:  
-
-#### **Option 1: Using a Local Server**  
-Run the following command to start a local server:  
-```sh
-python -m http.server 8000 --directory DISCOVER/_build/html/
-```
-Then, open [`http://localhost:8000`](http://localhost:8000) in your browser.  
-
-#### **Option 2: Opening the File Directly**  
-Alternatively, you can open the book directly by navigating to:  
-```
-DISCOVER/_build/html/index.html
-```
-and opening it in your browser.  
-
-> **Note:** Make sure you have built the book again before accessing it.
+For detailed, step-by-step instructions on setting up your local environment (using either Conda or pip) and building the book locally, please see [SETUP.md](SETUP.md).
 
 
 
diff --git a/SETUP.md b/SETUP.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8748b0ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/SETUP.md
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+# How to Build and Run the Site Locally
+
+This guide walks you through setting up a local development environment and building the DISCOVER Cookbook locally.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+Ensure you have Python installed on your system, along with either:
+- **Conda** (Miniconda / Anaconda), or
+- **pip** and `venv` (standard Python package installer)
+
+---
+
+## Setup Instructions
+
+Create a local Python environment and install all the required dependencies using either Conda or pip:
+
+### If Using Conda
+
+1. **Create the Conda Environment:**
+   ```sh
+   conda env create -f environment.yml
+   ```
+
+2. **Activate the Conda Environment:**
+   ```sh
+   conda activate DISCOVER-Cookbook
+   ```
+
+3. **Build the Jupyter Book:**
+   ```sh
+   sphinx-build -b html DISCOVER/ DISCOVER/_build/html
+   ```
+
+---
+
+### If Using pip
+
+1. **Create a Virtual Environment (optional):**
+   ```sh
+   python -m venv .venv
+   ```
+
+2. **Activate the Virtual Environment (optional):**
+   - **On Windows:**
+     ```sh
+     .venv\Scripts\activate
+     ```
+   - **On macOS/Linux:**
+     ```sh
+     source .venv/bin/activate
+     ```
+
+3. **Install the required dependencies:**
+   ```sh
+   pip install -r requirements.txt
+   ```
+
+4. **Build the Jupyter Book:**
+   ```sh
+   sphinx-build -b html DISCOVER/ DISCOVER/_build/html
+   ```
+
+---
+
+## View Locally
+
+After building, you can view the book in one of the following ways:
+
+### Option 1: Using a Local Server
+Run the following command to start a local web server:
+```sh
+python -m http.server 8000 --directory DISCOVER/_build/html/
+```
+Then, open [`http://localhost:8000`](http://localhost:8000) in your browser.
+
+### Option 2: Opening the File Directly
+Alternatively, you can open the generated book directly by navigating to:
+```
+DISCOVER/_build/html/index.html
+```
+and opening it in your web browser.
+
+> **Note:** Make sure you rebuild the book after making changes to see the latest updates.