diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0be54f4..7d55d78 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,17 +10,31 @@ This is an implementation of the Syndicate network protocol (based on
 
 First, it depends on Bash-specific shell features.
 
-Second, you'll need the `preserves-tool` program, which `syndicate.sh`
-uses to slice and dice network packets. It's written in Rust, so you
-can get it with:
+Second, you'll need a Syndicate network server ("broker"). The best
+option at present is the Rust-language server. Unfortunately it relies
+on a few nightly-only features of Rust, so I use `rustup` to get a
+nightly toolchain, and then use that:
+
+    # compiling syndicate-server from source needs these things:
+    apt install libssl-dev pkg-config curl
+
+    # this is the command-line given by https://rustup.rs/:
+    curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh
+    # follow the instructions
+    # then log out and in again
+
+    # now you can get the nightly toolchain:
+    rustup toolchain install nightly
+
+    # and finally the server:
+    cargo +nightly install syndicate-server
+
+Third, you'll need the `preserves-tool` program, which `syndicate.sh`
+uses to slice and dice network packets. It's also written in Rust (but
+doesn't require nightly), so you can get it with:
 
     cargo install preserves-tools
 
-Third, you'll need a Syndicate network server ("broker"). The best
-option at present is the Rust-language server:
-
-    cargo install syndicate-server
-
 ## Running the demo
 
 Start the server in one terminal, in the same directory as the