diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 44c9c918e89b065c01188cb6333e41de6a46e24d..3017800b5bb6759171ec1d06057d0ab21a244a84 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,6 +4,54 @@ This is a flask application that is served at `metobs.ssec.wisc.edu/api`.
 
 See https://metobs.ssec.wisc.edu/api for documentation.
 
+## Operational conda environment
+
+These instructions assume the operational "standard practice" that is current
+at the time of writing. This practice is to create a conda environment using
+the "root" user under `/opt/metobs/metobs_api`.
+
+1. Get and install the conda environment:
+
+   ```bash
+   cd /tmp
+   curl -O "https://gitlab.ssec.wisc.edu/metobs/MetObsAPI/-/raw/master/environment.yaml"
+   sudo /opt/miniconda3/condabin/conda env create --file environment.yaml --prefix /opt/metobs/metobs_api
+   ```
+
+2. Clone the git repository into the environment and other setup:
+
+   ```bash
+   cd /opt/metobs/metobs_api
+   sudo mkdir -p repos/git log lock
+   sudo chown metobs:metobsgrp log lock
+   sudo git clone "https://gitlab.ssec.wisc.edu/metobs/MetObsAPI.git" repos/git/MetObsAPI
+   ```
+
+3. Install the metobsapi python package:
+
+   ```bash
+   sudo /opt/metobs/metobs_api/bin/pip install -e repos/git/MetObsAPI/
+   ```
+
+4. Copy systemd files if necessary:
+
+   ```bash
+   sudo cp repos/git/MetObsAPI/etc/systemd/system/metobs_api* /etc/systemd/system/
+   ```
+
+5. Enable service:
+
+   ```bash
+   sudo systemctl enable metobs_api
+   sudo systemctl start metobs_api
+   ```
+
+6. Start service:
+
+   ```bash
+   sudo systemctl start metobs_api
+   ```
+
 ## Developer Installation
 
 Install the package in "development" mode:
diff --git a/environment.yaml b/environment.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..bda2f606bb99a0904865c1ea7706d18acc6208ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/environment.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+name: metobs_api
+channels:
+  - conda-forge
+dependencies:
+  - numpy
+  - pandas
+  - influxdb-client
+  - flask
+  - flask_json
+  - flask_cors
+  - gunicorn
+  - python=3.11