diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c8df7c8..e910d22 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ uv sync
 uv run arcmapper
 ```
 
+This will run arcmapper in production mode. During development it is helpful to
+see debug information, to do so run arcmapper with the `-d` or `--debug` flag.
+
 ## Usage
 
 The browser should open with the ARCMapper interface
diff --git a/src/arcmapper/__init__.py b/src/arcmapper/__init__.py
index 2f77327..d5ca4f8 100644
--- a/src/arcmapper/__init__.py
+++ b/src/arcmapper/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import os
+import sys
 import time
 import socket
 import logging
@@ -60,6 +61,10 @@ def wait_for_server(
 
 
 def main():
+    if len(sys.argv) > 1 and sys.argv[1] in ["--debug", "-d"]:
+        print("Using debug mode...")
+        app.run_server(debug=True)
+        return
     if check_port(ARCMAPPER_HOST, ARCMAPPER_PORT):
         logging.info("Port is already in use. Opening browser.")
         webbrowser.open(f"http://{ARCMAPPER_HOST}:{ARCMAPPER_PORT}")