diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index aaa3a022..230c2a58 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -62,9 +62,7 @@ ### 3️⃣ Create docker-compose.yml
 
 Create a `docker-compose.yml` file in your project directory:
 
-```ini
-version: '3.8'
-
+```yaml
 services:
   booklore:
     image: ghcr.io/adityachandelgit/booklore-app:${BOOKLORE_IMAGE_TAG}
@@ -72,7 +70,8 @@ ### 3️⃣ Create docker-compose.yml
     env_file:
       - .env
     depends_on:
-      - mariadb
+      mariadb:
+        condition: service_healthy
     ports:
       - "6060:6060"
     volumes:
@@ -87,6 +86,11 @@ ### 3️⃣ Create docker-compose.yml
     volumes:
       - ${MARIADB_CONFIG_PATH}:/config
     restart: unless-stopped
+    healthcheck:
+      test: ["CMD", "mariadb-admin", "ping", "-h", "localhost"]
+      interval: 10s
+      timeout: 5s
+      retries: 5
 ```
 Note: You can find the latest BookLore image tag `BOOKLORE_IMAGE_TAG` (e.g. v.0.x.x) from the Releases section:
 📦 [Latest Image Tag – GitHub Releases](https://github.com/adityachandelgit/BookLore/releases)
diff --git a/example-docker/docker-compose.yml b/example-docker/docker-compose.yml
index 254e4191..5678ae7c 100644
--- a/example-docker/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/example-docker/docker-compose.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-version: '3.8'
 services:
   booklore:
     image: ghcr.io/adityachandelgit/booklore-app:${BOOKLORE_IMAGE_TAG}
@@ -6,7 +5,8 @@ services:
     env_file:
       - .env
     depends_on:
-      - mariadb
+      mariadb:
+        condition: service_healthy
     ports:
       - "6060:6060"
     volumes:
@@ -20,4 +20,9 @@ services:
       - .env
     volumes:
       - ${MARIADB_CONFIG_PATH}:/config
-    restart: unless-stopped
\ No newline at end of file
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    healthcheck:
+      test: ["CMD", "mariadb-admin", "ping", "-h", "localhost"]
+      interval: 10s
+      timeout: 5s
+      retries: 5
\ No newline at end of file