diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c169e11a9..5d9ce784e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -231,6 +231,15 @@ The following environment variables configure Livebook:
 
 <!-- Environment variables -->
 
+When running Livebook Desktop, Livebook will invoke on boot a file named
+`~/.livebookdesktop.sh` on macOS or `%USERPROFILE%\.livebookdesktop.bat`
+on Windows. This file can set environment variables used by Livebook,
+such as [the `PATH` environment variable](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PATH_(variable)),
+or to configure the Erlang VM, for instance, by setting
+`ERL_AFLAGS="-proto_dist inet6_tcp"` if you need Livebook to run over IPv6.
+Be careful when modifying said files, Livebook may be unable to start if
+configured incorrectly.
+
 If running Livebook via the command line, run `livebook server --help` to see
 all CLI-specific options.
 
diff --git a/rel/app/env.bat.eex b/rel/app/env.bat.eex
index 74790c376..bda676869 100644
--- a/rel/app/env.bat.eex
+++ b/rel/app/env.bat.eex
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+if exist "!USERPROFILE!\.livebookdesktop.bat" (
+  call "!USERPROFILE!\.livebookdesktop.bat"
+)
+
 set RELEASE_NODE=livebook_app
 set RELEASE_MODE=interactive
 set MIX_ARCHIVES=!RELEASE_ROOT!\vendor\archives
diff --git a/rel/app/env.sh.eex b/rel/app/env.sh.eex
index 00027d49a..a98997dd5 100644
--- a/rel/app/env.sh.eex
+++ b/rel/app/env.sh.eex
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+if [ -f "$HOME/.livebookdesktop.sh" ]; then
+  . "$HOME/.livebookdesktop.sh"
+fi
+
 export RELEASE_NODE=livebook_app
 export RELEASE_MODE=interactive
 export MIX_ARCHIVES="${RELEASE_ROOT}/vendor/archives"