diff --git a/docs/dev.rst b/docs/dev.rst
index d6d2851..9732df8 100644
--- a/docs/dev.rst
+++ b/docs/dev.rst
@@ -86,7 +86,10 @@ Finally, the platform can also be started back up with ``launch``. It will take
 Debugging with breakpoints
 --------------------------
 
-To debug a local edx-platform repository, add a `python breakpoint <https://docs.python.org/3/library/functions.html#breakpoint>`__ with ``breakpoint()`` anywhere in the code. Then, attach to the applicable service's container by running ``start`` (without ``-d``) followed by the service's name::
+To debug a local edx-platform repository, first, start development in detached mode (with ``-d``), add a `python breakpoint <https://docs.python.org/3/library/functions.html#breakpoint>`__ with ``breakpoint()`` anywhere in the code. Then, attach to the applicable service's container by running ``start`` (without ``-d``) followed by the service's name::
+
+  # Start in detached mode:
+  tutor dev start -d
 
   # Debugging LMS:
   tutor dev start lms