diff --git a/.dockerignore b/.dockerignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e98d44a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.dockerignore
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+cmake-build-*/
+docker/
+docs/
+scripts/
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/jf-live-writer/README.md b/jf-live-writer/README.md
index 3a92a90..27286b8 100644
--- a/jf-live-writer/README.md
+++ b/jf-live-writer/README.md
@@ -3,6 +3,16 @@
 The jf-live-writer is packaged as a Docker container for development and 
 testing.
 
+# Using the docker container
+The easiest way to build and test the jf-live-writer is to use the 
+provided docker container. You need to start it from the project **root**:
+
+```bash
+docker build -f jf-live-writer/debug.Dockerfile -t jf-live-writer .
+```
+(Running this command from the project root is mandatory as the entire project 
+folder needs to be part of the build context.)
+
 ## Building
 In order to build this executable you need to specify the cmake variable
 ```
diff --git a/jf-live-writer/debug.Dockerfile b/jf-live-writer/debug.Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a8c53f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/jf-live-writer/debug.Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+FROM paulscherrerinstitute/sf-daq_phdf5:1.0.0
+
+COPY . /sf_daq_buffer/
+
+RUN mkdir /sf_daq_buffer/build && \
+    cd /sf_daq_buffer/build && \
+    cmake3 -DBUILD_JF_LIVE_WRITER=ON .. && \
+    make jf-live-writer
+
+WORKDIR /sf_daq_buffer/build