diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 63dc29fef..89c8ded57 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -123,4 +123,5 @@ dmypy.json
 # End of https://www.gitignore.io/api/django
 
 # Editor settings
-.vscode 
+.vscode
+.idea/
diff --git a/DEVELOPMENT.md b/DEVELOPMENT.md
index b2695a990..607016213 100644
--- a/DEVELOPMENT.md
+++ b/DEVELOPMENT.md
@@ -3,19 +3,12 @@
 ## Develop with Docker (recommended quickstart)
 This is the simplest configuration for developers to start with.
 
-### Initial Setup
-1. Run `docker-compose run --rm django ./manage.py migrate`
-2. Run `docker-compose run --rm django ./manage.py createcachetable`
-3. Run `docker-compose run --rm django ./manage.py createsuperuser`
-   and follow the prompts to create your own user.
-   Set your username to your email to ensure parity with how GitHub logins work.
-4. Run `docker-compose run --rm django ./manage.py create_dev_dandiset --owner your.email@email.com`
-   to create a dummy dandiset to start working with.
+## Instructions for local development with front-end hot reloading
 
-### Run Application
-1. Run `docker-compose up`
-2. Access the site, starting at http://localhost:8000/admin/
-3. When finished, use `Ctrl+C`
+1. Ensure you have installed Docker on your local machine
+2. Run `./admin_dev_startup.sh <fun-image-name-you-can-pick> <your-email>`.  When prompted, enter an username and password in the command prompt. (If you run into local errors with the script, you may need to run `chmod +x admin_dev_startup.sh` first)
+3. If not routed to `localhost:8000` upon clicking `LOG IN WITH GITHUB` (If routed appropriately, just log in), navigate to `localhost:8000/admin`, and log in with the username and password you used in Step #2.  Under the `User` section, select the username and change the `Status` from `Incomplete` to `Approved`.
+4. Return to `localhost:8085` and if not logged in yet, select `LOG IN WITH GITHUB`.
 
 ### Application Maintenance
 Occasionally, new package dependencies or schema changes will necessitate
diff --git a/admin_dev_startup.sh b/admin_dev_startup.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..d37a644e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/admin_dev_startup.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# This script can be used to launch both the frontend and backend with ease locally
+# Happy developing!
+
+if [ $# -lt 2 ]; then
+  echo "Usage: $0 <image_name> <your.email@email.com>"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+image_name=$1
+email=$2
+
+cd web/
+
+# Build Docker image (include the path to the Dockerfile's context)
+docker build -t $image_name -f Dockerfile.dev .
+
+# Run the Docker container for frontend in background
+docker run -d -v "$(pwd):/usr/src/app" -v /usr/src/app/node_modules -p 8085:8085 -e CHOKIDAR_USEPOLLING=true $image_name
+
+cd ..
+
+# Run Docker Compose commands for backend
+docker compose run --rm django ./manage.py migrate
+docker compose run --rm django ./manage.py createcachetable
+docker compose run --rm django ./manage.py createsuperuser
+docker compose run --rm django ./manage.py create_dev_dandiset --owner $email
+
+# Bring backend application to life!
+docker compose up
diff --git a/dandiapi/api/management/commands/create_dev_dandiset.py b/dandiapi/api/management/commands/create_dev_dandiset.py
index a07bfdc40..057783520 100644
--- a/dandiapi/api/management/commands/create_dev_dandiset.py
+++ b/dandiapi/api/management/commands/create_dev_dandiset.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import hashlib
 from uuid import uuid4
 
 from django.conf import settings
@@ -15,8 +16,14 @@
 @click.command()
 @click.option('--name', default='Development Dandiset')
 @click.option('--owner', 'email', required=True, help='The email address of the owner')
-def create_dev_dandiset(*, name: str, email: str):
-    owner = User.objects.get(email=email)
+@click.option('--first_name', default='Randi The Admin')
+@click.option('--last_name', default='Dandi')
+def create_dev_dandiset(name: str, email: str, first_name: str, last_name: str):
+    owner, is_created = User.objects.get_or_create(email=email)
+    if not is_created:
+        owner.first_name = first_name
+        owner.last_name = last_name
+        owner.save()
 
     version_metadata = {
         'description': 'An informative description',
@@ -26,16 +33,19 @@ def create_dev_dandiset(*, name: str, email: str):
         user=owner, embargo=False, version_name=name, version_metadata=version_metadata
     )
 
-    uploaded_file = SimpleUploadedFile(name='foo/bar.txt', content=b'A' * 20)
+    file_size = 20
+    file_content = b'A' * file_size
+    uploaded_file = SimpleUploadedFile(name='foo/bar.txt', content=file_content)
     etag = '76d36e98f312e98ff908c8c82c8dd623-0'
+
     try:
         asset_blob = AssetBlob.objects.get(etag=etag)
     except AssetBlob.DoesNotExist:
+        # Since the SimpleUploadedFile is non-zarr asset, validation fails
+        # without a sha2_256 initially provided.
+        sha256_hash = hashlib.sha256(file_content).hexdigest()
         asset_blob = AssetBlob(
-            blob_id=uuid4(),
-            blob=uploaded_file,
-            etag=etag,
-            size=20,
+            blob_id=uuid4(), blob=uploaded_file, etag=etag, size=file_size, sha256=sha256_hash
         )
         asset_blob.save()
     asset_metadata = {
diff --git a/web/Dockerfile.dev b/web/Dockerfile.dev
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..058e4b6b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/Dockerfile.dev
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+FROM node:20
+
+# Set the working directory
+WORKDIR /usr/src/app
+
+# Copy package.json and install dependencies
+COPY package.json yarn.lock ./
+RUN yarn install --production=false
+
+# Copy the rest of your application's code
+COPY . .
+
+# Expose the port the app runs on
+EXPOSE 8085
+
+# Start the application
+CMD ["yarn", "run", "dev"]
+
diff --git a/web/package.json b/web/package.json
index 9cf57db61..42e6356e4 100644
--- a/web/package.json
+++ b/web/package.json
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "name": "dandi-archive",
   "version": "0.0.0",
   "scripts": {
-    "dev": "vite",
+    "dev": "vite --host 0.0.0.0",
     "build": "vite build",
     "preview": "vite preview --port 4173",
     "type-check": "vue-tsc --noEmit",