diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c6aafda82..c2538f239 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ This will:
 
 - Start the webpack dev server for the client
 - Launch the game server with development settings
-- Open the game in your default browser
+- Open the game in your default browser (to disable this behavior, set `SKIP_BROWSER_OPEN=true` in your environment)
 
 ### Client Only
 
diff --git a/vite.config.ts b/vite.config.ts
index 92fdf1f01..357d68a53 100644
--- a/vite.config.ts
+++ b/vite.config.ts
@@ -97,6 +97,8 @@ export default defineConfig(({ mode }) => {
 
     server: {
       port: 9000,
+      // Automatically open the browser when the server starts
+      open: process.env.SKIP_BROWSER_OPEN !== "true",
       proxy: {
         "/socket": {
           target: "ws://localhost:3000",