diff --git a/docs/CLIENT_PORTAL.md b/docs/CLIENT_PORTAL.md
index b74a94d..0fc2e88 100644
--- a/docs/CLIENT_PORTAL.md
+++ b/docs/CLIENT_PORTAL.md
@@ -132,6 +132,32 @@ live data, all from cache.
   magic-link (passwordless email) and/or accounts, proper sessions, password
   reset, and likely auth for the *internal* app too. Reverse-proxy + TLS posture.
 
+## Going to prod (M1)
+
+1. **Run the migration on the prod DB** — `migrate_add_client_portal.py` adds
+   `projects.client_id` (the new tables auto-create via `create_all`). Skipping it
+   500s anything that touches `Project.client_id`. This is the silent killer.
+   ```bash
+   docker compose exec web-app python3 backend/migrate_add_client_portal.py
+   ```
+2. **Set a real `SECRET_KEY`** in the prod env (compose). The portal signs session
+   cookies with it; the insecure dev default (it logs a warning at boot) is
+   forgeable. Non-negotiable for an internet-facing portal.
+3. **SLMM_BASE_URL** — prod base compose already points at `:8100` (correct; the
+   `:9100` mismatch is a dev-only override quirk). For full live data (L1/L10 +
+   chart backfill) prod SLMM must be on the `dev` build with its migrations
+   (`migrate_add_ln_percentiles`, `migrate_add_monitor_enabled`) and **keepalive on**
+   for the client's units — otherwise the portal degrades gracefully (cards show
+   `--`, chart empty), it just isn't fully populated.
+4. **Seed real clients** with the CLI (`backend/portal_admin.py`): `create-client`
+   → `link-project` (a real sound project with an active SLM assignment) →
+   `mint-link` → send the client the printed URL (shown once).
+5. **Exposure** — portal routes are auth-gated, but port 8001 still serves the
+   whole *internal* app with no auth. Before real clients are on it, the portal
+   should sit behind the reverse proxy with only `/portal/*` exposed (or the app
+   restricted). This is the point where the parked reverse-proxy/TLS work becomes
+   load-bearing.
+
 ## Security notes
 
 - Portal is auth-gated from day one (even the interim gate) — never wide-open like