diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 55a4b5d5da..97311b1f4d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ The Backstage platform consists of a number of different components:
 
 - **app** - Main web application that users interact with. It's built up by a number of different _Plugins_. This repo contains an example implementation of an app (located in `packages/example-app`) and you can easily get started with your own app by [creating one](docs/create-an-app.md).
 - [**plugins**](https://github.com/spotify/backstage/tree/master/plugins) - Each plugin is treated as a self-contained web app and can include almost any type of content. Plugins all use a common set of platform API's and reusable UI components. Plugins can fetch data either from the _backend_ or through any RESTful API exposed through the _proxy_.
-- **backend** \* - GraphQL aggregation service that holds the model of your software ecosystem, including organisational information and what team owns what software. The backend also has a Plugin model for extending its graph.
+- [**backend**](https://github.com/spotify/backstage/tree/master/packages/backend) - GraphQL aggregation service that holds the model of your software ecosystem, including organisational information and what team owns what software. The backend also has a Plugin model for extending its graph.
 - **proxy** \* - Terminates HTTPS and exposes any RESTful API to Plugins.
 - **identity** \* - A backend service that holds your organisation's metadata.
 
diff --git a/packages/backend/README.md b/packages/backend/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1246be60bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/backend/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# example-backend
+
+This package is an EXAMPLE of a Backstage backend.
+
+The main purpose of this package is to provide a test bed for Backstage plugins
+that have a backend part. Feel free to experiment locally or within your fork
+by adding dependencies and routes to this backend, to try things out.
+
+Our goal is to eventually amend the create-app flow of the CLI, such that a
+production ready version of a backend skeleton is made alongside the frontend
+app. Until then, feel free to experiment here!
+
+## Development
+
+To run the backend in watch mode, use `yarn start`.
+
+## Documentation
+
+- [Backstage Readme](https://github.com/spotify/backstage/blob/master/README.md)
+- [Backstage Documentation](https://github.com/spotify/backstage/blob/master/docs/README.md)
diff --git a/packages/backend/src/index.ts b/packages/backend/src/index.ts
index 17c606c037..307bd04be7 100644
--- a/packages/backend/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/backend/src/index.ts
@@ -14,12 +14,20 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
+/*
+ * Hi!
+ *
+ * Note that this is an EXAMPLE Backstage backend. Please check the README.
+ *
+ * Happy hacking!
+ */
+
 import express from 'express';
 import cors from 'cors';
 import helmet from 'helmet';
 import { testRouter } from './test';
 
-const PORT = 7000;
+const PORT = parseInt(process.env.PORT ?? '', 10) || 7000;
 const app = express();
 
 app.use(helmet());