diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ba4b217..9f53cc4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ flowchart LR
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/shankar0123/certctl.git
 cd certctl
-docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml up -d
+docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml up -d --build
 ```
 
 Wait ~30 seconds, then open **http://localhost:8443** in your browser.
diff --git a/docs/demo-advanced.md b/docs/demo-advanced.md
index 9db0d48..08ed73d 100644
--- a/docs/demo-advanced.md
+++ b/docs/demo-advanced.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ This demo goes beyond browsing pre-loaded data. You'll create a team, register a
 Make sure certctl is running:
 
 ```bash
-docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml up -d
+docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml up -d --build
 # Wait for healthy status
 docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml ps
 ```
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ echo ""
 echo -e "${YELLOW}Step 1: Checking server health...${NC}"
 HEALTH=$(curl -s $API/health | jq -r '.status')
 if [ "$HEALTH" != "healthy" ]; then
-  echo "Server is not healthy. Run: docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml up -d"
+  echo "Server is not healthy. Run: docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml up -d --build"
   exit 1
 fi
 echo -e "${GREEN}Server is healthy${NC}"
diff --git a/docs/demo-guide.md b/docs/demo-guide.md
index 90f3b9d..abbd5a4 100644
--- a/docs/demo-guide.md
+++ b/docs/demo-guide.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ New to certificates? Read the [Concepts Guide](concepts.md) first. Want a hands-
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/shankar0123/certctl.git
 cd certctl
-docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml up -d
+docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml up -d --build
 ```
 
 Wait ~30 seconds for PostgreSQL to initialize and the server to start, then open:
diff --git a/docs/quickstart.md b/docs/quickstart.md
index 91b011f..a26d448 100644
--- a/docs/quickstart.md
+++ b/docs/quickstart.md
@@ -20,9 +20,11 @@ On Linux, follow the official Docker install guide for your distribution.
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/shankar0123/certctl.git
 cd certctl
-docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml up -d
+docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml up -d --build
 ```
 
+The `--build` flag is important — it builds the server image including the React frontend. Without it, Docker may use a stale cached image that doesn't include the dashboard.
+
 Wait about 30 seconds for PostgreSQL to initialize and the server to boot. Check that everything is healthy:
 
 ```bash