diff --git a/README.adoc b/README.adoc
index 4ccd2d0b..3cf36b46 100644
--- a/README.adoc
+++ b/README.adoc
@@ -13,6 +13,11 @@ The `appTest` task tests the application running on the JVM.The `nativeAppTest`
 
 Please read and follow the link:CONTRIBUTING.adoc[contributing guide].
 
+== Initial Setup
+
+The smoke tests resolve dependencies from https://repo.spring.vmware.com which requires authentication.
+Use the `REPO_SPRING_VMWARE_COM_USERNAME` and `REPO_SPRING_VMWARE_COM_PASSWORD` environment variables to provide the necessary credentials.
+
 == How to
 
 === Run all of a project's smoke tests