diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b90f660e..742a1e9b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ A 3d-printable housing can be found here:
   - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5028229 (Power Meter)
   - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4571627 (ESP32-Cam housing only)
 
+## Build it yourself
+See [Build Instructions](code/README.md)
+
 ## Donate
 If you would like to support the developer with a cup of coffee you can do that via [Paypal](https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=8TRSVYNYKDSWL).
 
diff --git a/code/README.md b/code/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ef7cfae4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+# Build
+
+## Preparations
+```
+git clone https://github.com/jomjol/AI-on-the-edge-device.git
+cd AI-on-the-edge-device
+git checkout rolling
+git submodule update --init
+```
+
+
+## Build and Flash within terminal
+### Compile
+```
+cd code
+platformio run --environment esp32cam
+```
+
+### Upload
+```
+pio run --target upload
+```
+
+If it doesnt find the device:
+1. make sure it is in bootloader mode
+1. set the UART device correctly: In `platformio.ini`, set `upload_port` correctly, eg. `upload_port = /dev/ttyUSB0`
+
+### Monitor UART Log
+```
+pio device monitor
+```
+
+## Build and Flash with Visual Code IDE
+
+- Download and install VS Code
+  - https://code.visualstudio.com/Download
+- Install the VS Code platform io plugin
+  - <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jomjol/ai-on-the-edge-device/master/images/platformio_plugin.jpg" width="200" align="middle">
+  - Check for error messages, maybe you need to manually add some python libraries
+    - e.g. in my Ubuntu a python3-env was missing: `sudo apt-get install python3-venv`
+- git clone this project
+  - in Linux: 
+
+    ```
+    git clone https://github.com/jomjol/AI-on-the-edge-device.git
+    cd AI-on-the-edge-device
+    git checkout rolling
+    git submodule update --init
+    ```
+
+- in VS code, open the `AI-on-the-edge-device/code` 
+	- from terminal: `cd AI-on-the-edge-device/code && code .`
+- open a pio terminal (click on the terminal sign in the bottom menu bar)
+- make sure you are in the `code` directory
+- To build, type  `platformio run --environment esp32cam`
+  - or use the graphical interface:
+    <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jomjol/ai-on-the-edge-device/master/images/platformio_build.jpg" width="200" align="middle">
+  - the build artifacts are stored in  `code/.pio/build/esp32cam/`
+- Connect the device and type `pio device monitor`. There you will see your device and can copy the name to the next instruction
+- Add `upload_port = you_device_port` to the `platformio.ini` file
+- make sure an sd card with the contents of the `sd_card` folder is inserted and you have changed the wifi details
+- `pio run --target erase` to erase the flash
+- `pio run --target upload` this will upload the `bootloader.bin, partitions.bin,firmware.bin` from the `code/.pio/build/esp32cam/` folder. 
+- `pio device monitor` to observe the logs via uart