diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4d8b724..7d6e2e8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ Logs: one JSON object per line on stdout (`level,time,msg,service,version`, plus
 
 ## Using this template
 
-1. **Generate** a repo from this template in Forgejo (public). `${REPO_NAME}` is substituted into `package.json`, this README, `.env.example`, the CI workflow, and the first migration.
+1. **Generate** a repo from this template in Forgejo (public). The repo name is substituted into `package.json`, this README, `.env.example`, the CI workflow, and the first migration.
 2. **Set 3 Actions secrets** on the new repo: `REGISTRY_USER` (`nholtware`), `REGISTRY_TOKEN` (registry push token), `GITOPS_TOKEN` (ci-bot gitops token).
 3. **Add gitops entries**: render `templates/backend/` (see its README) into `manifests/<app>/` and add `apps/<app>.yaml` in `nholtware/gitops`.
 4. **Push** to `main`. Generating a repo emits no push event, so CI only starts on your first push.