diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f9ef6951..ec9a828e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -42,10 +42,10 @@ If you use Windows, you'll need to run ICE inside of [WSL](https://learn.microso
    pip install ought-ice
    ```
 
-1. Set required secrets in `~/.ought-ice/.env`. See [`.env.example`](https://github.com/oughtinc/ice/blob/main/.env.example) for the format.
-
 1. Run the Hello World recipe in [the Primer](https://primer.ought.org/) to see the trace rendered.
 
+1. Optionally, set secrets (like your OpenAI API key) in `~/.ought-ice/.env`. See [`.env.example`](https://github.com/oughtinc/ice/blob/main/.env.example) for the format. If these are not set, you'll be prompted for them when you run recipes that need them.
+
 ## Developing ICE
 
 1. If you want to make changes to ICE itself, clone the repository, then install it in editable mode: