diff --git a/.envrc b/.envrc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3550a30f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.envrc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+use flake
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 772b0337..8a926395 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 /node_modules/
 
 # Nix
+/.direnv/
 /result*
 
 # Python
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 531b51da..93fa3d10 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -144,13 +144,17 @@ then install both packages for combined XCursor and Hyprcursor support:
 
 ## Building
 
-Enter the development shell and install the locked JavaScript dependencies:
+The repository includes an [`.envrc`](.envrc) that uses the Nix flake development
+shell. With [direnv](https://direnv.net/) installed and hooked into your shell,
+allow it once and install the locked JavaScript dependencies:
 
 ```bash
-nix develop
+direnv allow
 bun install --frozen-lockfile
 ```
 
+Without direnv, enter the same shell manually with `nix develop`.
+
 Render every palette and layout combination configured in `render.json`:
 
 ```bash