diff --git a/.playwright-mcp/account-dashboard.png b/.playwright-mcp/account-dashboard.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48048e8
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diff --git a/.playwright-mcp/login-page.png b/.playwright-mcp/login-page.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f9053a
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diff --git a/.playwright-mcp/register-page.png b/.playwright-mcp/register-page.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c40393
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diff --git a/changelog.md b/changelog.md
index 496570c..51ce7b5 100644
--- a/changelog.md
+++ b/changelog.md
@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 2026-01-29 - 1.16.0 - feat(dev)
+add local development docs, update tswatch preset and add Playwright screenshots
+
+- readme.md: added a Local Development section with prerequisites, quick-start commands, environment variables, development routes, and default development credentials + security note
+- npmextra.json: changed @git.zone/tswatch preset from "website" to "service" and disabled the built-in server (removed port/serveDir/liveReload and set server.enabled false); removed triggerReload from website watcher
+- .playwright-mcp: added Playwright screenshots (login-page.png, register-page.png, account-dashboard.png) for visual tests / CI
+
 ## 2026-01-29 - 1.15.0 - feat(build)
 add tsbundle/tswatch configs, update build/watch scripts, bump dependencies, and add CLI documentation
 
diff --git a/npmextra.json b/npmextra.json
index edfed23..6bb4b1f 100644
--- a/npmextra.json
+++ b/npmextra.json
@@ -63,12 +63,9 @@
     ]
   },
   "@git.zone/tswatch": {
-    "preset": "website",
+    "preset": "service",
     "server": {
-      "enabled": true,
-      "port": 3000,
-      "serveDir": "./dist_serve/",
-      "liveReload": true
+      "enabled": false
     },
     "watchers": [
       {
@@ -85,8 +82,7 @@
         "name": "website",
         "from": "./ts_web/index.ts",
         "to": "./dist_serve/bundle.js",
-        "watchPatterns": ["./ts_web/**/*"],
-        "triggerReload": true
+        "watchPatterns": ["./ts_web/**/*"]
       }
     ]
   }
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index f1dabd8..b08e476 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -130,6 +130,68 @@ volumes:
 
 The server listens on port 2999 by default.
 
+## 🛠️ Local Development
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+- Node.js 20+
+- pnpm
+- MongoDB (local or remote)
+- SMTP server (for email verification in registration flow)
+
+### Getting Started
+
+```bash
+# Clone the repository
+git clone https://code.foss.global/idp.global/idp.global.git
+cd idp.global
+
+# Install dependencies
+pnpm install
+
+# Build the project
+pnpm build
+
+# Start development server with hot reload
+pnpm watch
+```
+
+The server runs on **http://localhost:2999** with:
+- 🔄 Auto-restart backend on changes (`ts/`)
+- 📦 Automatic frontend bundle rebuilding (`ts_web/`)
+
+### Environment Setup
+
+Create environment variables for the backend:
+
+```bash
+export MONGODB_URL=mongodb://localhost:27017/idp-dev
+export IDP_BASEURL=http://localhost:2999
+export INSTANCE_NAME=idp-dev
+```
+
+### Development Routes
+
+| Route | Description |
+|-------|-------------|
+| `/` | Welcome/landing page |
+| `/login` | Sign in form |
+| `/register` | New user registration |
+| `/account` | User dashboard (requires auth) |
+
+### 🔑 Default Development Credentials
+
+For local development with the test database, use:
+
+| Field | Value |
+|-------|-------|
+| **Email/Username** | `admin@idp.global` or `admin` |
+| **Password** | `admin` |
+
+This account has `isGlobalAdmin: true` for full platform access including the admin panel at `/account/admin`.
+
+> ⚠️ **Security Note**: These credentials are for local development only. Never use default credentials in production environments.
+
 ## 📦 Published Packages
 
 This monorepo publishes the following npm packages:
diff --git a/ts/00_commitinfo_data.ts b/ts/00_commitinfo_data.ts
index 299ba5a..28d9c8d 100644
--- a/ts/00_commitinfo_data.ts
+++ b/ts/00_commitinfo_data.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,6 @@
  */
 export const commitinfo = {
   name: '@idp.global/idp.global',
-  version: '1.15.0',
+  version: '1.16.0',
   description: 'An identity provider software managing user authentications, registrations, and sessions.'
 }
diff --git a/ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts b/ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts
index 299ba5a..28d9c8d 100644
--- a/ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts
+++ b/ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,6 @@
  */
 export const commitinfo = {
   name: '@idp.global/idp.global',
-  version: '1.15.0',
+  version: '1.16.0',
   description: 'An identity provider software managing user authentications, registrations, and sessions.'
 }