diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index ee1d415..06c6b92 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-version: '3.8'
-
 services:
   postgres:
     image: postgres:16-alpine
@@ -20,9 +18,27 @@ services:
     networks:
       - goplt-network
 
+  consul:
+    image: consul:latest
+    container_name: goplt-consul
+    command: consul agent -dev -client=0.0.0.0
+    ports:
+      - "8500:8500"
+    volumes:
+      - consul_data:/consul/data
+    healthcheck:
+      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "consul members"]
+      interval: 10s
+      timeout: 3s
+      retries: 5
+    networks:
+      - goplt-network
+
 volumes:
   postgres_data:
     driver: local
+  consul_data:
+    driver: local
 
 networks:
   goplt-network:
diff --git a/docs/content/stories/epic2/SUMMARY.md b/docs/content/stories/epic2/SUMMARY.md
index 89a7d52..b545232 100644
--- a/docs/content/stories/epic2/SUMMARY.md
+++ b/docs/content/stories/epic2/SUMMARY.md
@@ -141,9 +141,10 @@ auth:
 ## Prerequisites
 
 1. **PostgreSQL** running and accessible
-2. **Consul** running (for service discovery, optional but recommended)
+2. **Consul** running (for service discovery, required for service registry)
 3. **Go 1.24+** (or use `nix-shell` for development environment)
 4. **NixOS** (optional, for `shell.nix` development environment)
+5. **Docker and Docker Compose** (for running PostgreSQL and Consul)
 
 ## Building the Services
 
@@ -175,21 +176,35 @@ go build ./cmd/audit-service
 
 ## Running the Services
 
-### 1. Start PostgreSQL
+### 1. Start PostgreSQL and Consul
 ```bash
-# Using docker-compose (if available)
-docker-compose up -d postgres
+# Using docker-compose (recommended)
+docker-compose up -d postgres consul
 
-# Or start PostgreSQL manually
-# Ensure database 'goplt' exists with user 'goplt' and password 'goplt_password'
+# Verify containers are running
+docker-compose ps
+
+# Check logs
+docker-compose logs postgres
+docker-compose logs consul
 ```
 
-### 2. Start Consul (Optional)
-```bash
-# Using docker-compose
-docker-compose up -d consul
+The docker-compose.yml includes:
+- **PostgreSQL**: Available at `localhost:5432`
+  - Database: `goplt`
+  - User: `goplt`
+  - Password: `goplt_password`
+- **Consul**: Available at `localhost:8500`
+  - Running in dev mode
+  - Web UI: http://localhost:8500/ui (for viewing registered services)
+  - API: http://localhost:8500/v1
 
-# Or start Consul manually
+### Alternative: Manual Setup
+```bash
+# Start PostgreSQL manually
+# Ensure database 'goplt' exists with user 'goplt' and password 'goplt_password'
+
+# Start Consul manually
 consul agent -dev
 ```