diff --git a/.env-sample b/.env-sample
index a7686d87..68158abb 100644
--- a/.env-sample
+++ b/.env-sample
@@ -22,7 +22,9 @@ FIRE_API_KEY={firebase key}
 FIRE_DOMAIN={firebase domain}
 FIRE_PROJECT_ID={firebase project id}
 
-# If using mysql, enter your config here
+# If using mysql, You can use a database URL or enter multiple configuration variables. Comment out the variables you don't use by adding the `#` character to the beginning of the line.
+
+# DATABASE_URL={mysql://db_address}
 
 MYSQL_HOST={mysql host}
 MYSQL_DATABASE={mysql database name}
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 42223e93..e93a78f0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 This starter app includes all the files necessary to get started with a basic, hello world app. This app uses NextJS, BigDesign, Typescript, and React.
 
-## Running the app
+## Running the app in development
 
 To get the app running locally, follow these instructions:
 
@@ -82,3 +82,14 @@ npm run dev
 > If `ngrok` expires, update the callbacks in steps 4 and 7 with the new `ngrok_url`. You can learn more about [persisting ngrok tunnels longer (ngrok)](https://ngrok.com/docs/getting-started/#step-3-connect-your-agent-to-your-ngrok-account).
 
 11. Consult our developer documentation to [install and launch the app](https://developer.bigcommerce.com/api-docs/apps/quick-start#install-the-app).
+
+## Production builds
+
+In production, you must build and run optimized version of the code. Use the following commands to get started:
+
+> When you run the `start` script, specify a port number using the `-p` flag. Otherwise, the process will fail.
+
+```shell
+npm run build
+npm run start -p 3000
+```
diff --git a/lib/dbs/mysql.ts b/lib/dbs/mysql.ts
index 5991b0ce..568bd5ba 100644
--- a/lib/dbs/mysql.ts
+++ b/lib/dbs/mysql.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { createPool, PoolOptions } from 'mysql2';
+import mysql, { PoolOptions } from 'mysql2';
 import { promisify } from 'util';
 import { SessionProps, StoreData } from '../../types';
 
@@ -10,10 +10,10 @@ const MYSQL_CONFIG: PoolOptions = {
     ...(process.env.MYSQL_PORT && { port: Number(process.env.MYSQL_PORT) }),
 };
 
-// For use with Heroku ClearDB
+// For use with DB URLs
 // Other mysql: https://www.npmjs.com/package/mysql#pooling-connections
-const dbUrl = process.env.CLEARDB_DATABASE_URL;
-const pool = dbUrl ? createPool(dbUrl) : createPool(MYSQL_CONFIG);
+const dbUrl = process.env.DATABASE_URL;
+const pool = dbUrl ? mysql.createPool(dbUrl) : mysql.createPool(MYSQL_CONFIG);
 const query = promisify(pool.query.bind(pool));
 
 // Use setUser for storing global user data (persists between installs)
diff --git a/scripts/db.js b/scripts/db.js
index e69a6193..14eb753a 100644
--- a/scripts/db.js
+++ b/scripts/db.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const MYSQL_CONFIG = {
     ...(process.env.MYSQL_PORT && { port: process.env.MYSQL_PORT }),
 };
 
-const connection = mysql.createConnection(process.env.CLEARDB_DATABASE_URL ? process.env.CLEARDB_DATABASE_URL : MYSQL_CONFIG);
+const connection = mysql.createConnection(process.env.DATABASE_URL ? process.env.DATABASE_URL : MYSQL_CONFIG);
 const query = util.promisify(connection.query.bind(connection));
 
 const usersCreate = query('CREATE TABLE `users` (\n' +