diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f0b15270..c020fdd1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -32,6 +32,27 @@ a python virtual environment and also configures the pre-commit hooks for the pr
 source dev-setup.sh
 ```
 
+Alternatively, follow these manual steps:
+
+### 1. Virtual Environment (Optional)
+```sh
+python3 -m venv venv
+source venv/bin/activate
+```
+On Debian/Ubuntu, you may need: `sudo apt install python3-venv`
+
+### 2. Install from Source (Required)
+```sh
+python3 -m pip install --editable .[dev] --upgrade
+```
+This installs Node Scraper in editable mode with development dependencies. To verify: `node-scraper --help`
+
+### 3. Git Hooks (Optional)
+```sh
+pre-commit install
+```
+Sets up pre-commit hooks for code quality checks. On Debian/Ubuntu, you may need: `sudo apt install pre-commit`
+
 ## CLI Usage
 The Node Scraper CLI can be used to run Node Scraper plugins on a target system. The following CLI
 options are available:
diff --git a/dev-setup.sh b/dev-setup.sh
index 7cafc606..fff7804d 100755
--- a/dev-setup.sh
+++ b/dev-setup.sh
@@ -1,12 +1,17 @@
-# Create venv if not already present
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Create venv if not present
 if [ ! -d "venv" ]; then
-    python3 -m pip install venv
-    python3 -m venv venv
+    python3 -m venv venv || { echo "Failed to create venv. Try: sudo apt install python3-venv"; exit 1; }
 fi
 
 # Activate the desired venv
 source venv/bin/activate
 
+# Install package
 python3 -m pip install --editable .[dev] --upgrade
 
-pre-commit install
+# Install pre-commit hooks if available
+if command -v pre-commit &> /dev/null; then
+    pre-commit install
+fi