diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b8d15a6b1515b5c22681d4d37da0b709ac8175f2..69331e6a72f11fa8e284d68b91a910bcd0727113 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -22,20 +22,15 @@ You will also need:
 * python3.7+
 * pip
 
-## Bootstrap
+## Bootstra
 
-First we build all docker containers, and load the initial configuration. This may take a while:
+The bootstrap procedure is needed only once. First we build all docker containers, and load the initial configuration. This may take a while:
 
 ```
 cd docker-compose
 make bootstrap
 ```
 
-Once per reboot, the host kernel needs to be configured. This is already included in `make bootstrap`:
-```
-make start elk-configure-host
-```
-
 If you lack access to LOFAR station hardware, configure the devices to use their simulators instead:
 
 ```
@@ -44,8 +39,6 @@ for sim in ../CDB/*-sim-config.json; do
 done
 ```
 
-## Start up
-
 Now we can start all containers, and make sure everything is up:
 
 ```
@@ -53,9 +46,17 @@ make start
 make status
 ```
 
-If not, you can inspect why with `docker logs <container>`.
+If not, you can inspect why with `docker logs <container>`. The containers will automatically be restarted on reboot or failure. Stop them explicitly to bring them down (`make stop <container>`).
+
+## Start up
+
+The start-up procedure is needed both after bootstrapping and after a system reboot. Once per reboot, the host kernel needs to be configured:
+
+```
+make start elk-configure-host
+```
 
-The software devices start in an OFF state. To boot the devices, go to Jupyter (port 8888), start a new notebook, and run:
+The software devices start in an OFF state, after bootstrap or reboot. To boot the devices, go to Jupyter (port 8888), start a new notebook, and run:
 
 ```
 # start boot device