diff --git a/plugins/auth-backend/README.md b/plugins/auth-backend/README.md
index f450332e8d..c2b0684c7e 100644
--- a/plugins/auth-backend/README.md
+++ b/plugins/auth-backend/README.md
@@ -7,6 +7,16 @@ This is the backend part of the auth plugin.
 It responds to auth requests from the frontend, and fulfills them by delegating
 to the appropriate provider in the backend.
 
+## Requirements
+
+Needs AUTH_GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID and AUTH_GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET set in the environment for the backend to startup
+
+## Local development
+
+export AUTH_GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID=<INSERT_CLIENT_ID_HERE>
+read -r AUTH_GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET=<INSERT_CLIENT_ID_HERE>
+run `yarn start` in packages/backend folder
+
 ## Links
 
 - (The Backstage homepage)[https://backstage.io]
diff --git a/plugins/sentry/README.md b/plugins/sentry/README.md
index 9004fd91c7..cce2228094 100644
--- a/plugins/sentry/README.md
+++ b/plugins/sentry/README.md
@@ -11,3 +11,7 @@ Your plugin has been added to the example app in this repository, meaning you'll
 You can also serve the plugin in isolation by running `yarn start` in the plugin directory.
 This method of serving the plugin provides quicker iteration speed and a faster startup and hot reloads.
 It is only meant for local development, and the setup for it can be found inside the [/dev](/dev) directory.
+
+Needs SENTRY_TOKEN set in the environment for the backend to startup
+
+export SENTRY_TOKEN=<INSERT_SENTRY_TOKEN_HERE>