diff --git a/docs/sytest.md b/docs/sytest.md
index f910dd833..231d82f99 100644
--- a/docs/sytest.md
+++ b/docs/sytest.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ We recommend you run the tests locally by manually setting up sytest or using a
 sytest docker image. After running the tests, a script will print the tests you
 need to add to `testfile` for you.
 
-You should proceed after you see no build problems for dendrite by running:
+You should proceed after you see no build problems for dendrite after running:
 
 ```sh
 ./build.sh
@@ -21,8 +21,10 @@ You should proceed after you see no build problems for dendrite by running:
 
 ### Manually Setting up sytest
 
-Get a copy of sytest on the `develop` branch next to your dendrite
-directory, and run the setup script:
+Make sure you have Perl v5+ installed, and get sytest with:
+
+(Note that this guide assumes your `sytest` checkout is next to your
+`dendrite` checkout.)
 
 ```sh
 git clone -b develop https://github.com/matrix-org/sytest
@@ -38,9 +40,9 @@ sudo -u postgres psql -c "CREATE DATABASE sytest_template OWNER dendrite"
 mkdir -p "server-0"
 cat > "server-0/database.yaml" << EOF
 args:
-    user: $PGUSER
-    database: $PGUSER
-    host: $PGHOST
+    user: dendrite
+    database: dendrite
+    host: 127.0.0.1
 type: pg
 EOF
 ```
@@ -54,7 +56,7 @@ Run the tests:
 where `tee` lets you see the results while they're being piped to the file.
 
 Once the tests are complete, run the helper script to see if you need to add
-anything, and add them as needed:
+any newly passing test names to `testfile` in the project's root directory:
 
 ```sh
 ../dendrite/show-expected-fail-tests.sh results.tap
@@ -62,7 +64,7 @@ anything, and add them as needed:
 
 If the script prints nothing/exits with 0, then you're good to go.
 
-### Using a sytest Docker Image
+### Using a sytest Docker image
 
 Ensure you have the latest image for sytest, then run the tests: