diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5d4e7bf..2470177 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ Here are some of the common commands you may want to try right off the bat (asid
 export MAKESHIFT_HOST=localhost
 export MAKESHIFT_PATH=/test
 export MAKESHIFT_ROOT=./test
+export MAKESHIFT_LOG_FILE=logs/makeshift.log
+export MAKESHIFT_LOG_LEVEL=debug
 ```
 
 Start the server. The `--init` flag with create the default files and directory to get started at the `--root` path.
diff --git a/cmd/root.go b/cmd/root.go
index f9ac4bc..caa383c 100644
--- a/cmd/root.go
+++ b/cmd/root.go
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ var rootCmd = cobra.Command{
 	Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		// try and set flags using env vars
 		setenv(cmd, "log-file", "MAKESHIFT_LOG_FILE")
+		setenv(cmd, "log-level", "MAKESHIFT_LOG_LEVEL")
 		if len(args) == 0 {
 			err := cmd.Help()
 			if err != nil {