diff --git a/examples/todo/README.md b/examples/todo/README.md
index 72070fd0..bb0c9263 100644
--- a/examples/todo/README.md
+++ b/examples/todo/README.md
@@ -9,33 +9,20 @@ a result, you'll need to have `sqlite3` and its headers installed:
 
 ## Running
 
-**Before running, building, or testing this example, you'll need to ensure the
-following:**
+**Before running, building, or testing this example, you'll need to ensure that
+a SQLite database file with the proper schema is present.**
 
-  1. A SQLite database file with the proper schema is present.
+On a Unix machine or with bash installed, you can simply run the `boostrap.sh`
+script to create the database. The script installs the `diesel_cli` tools if
+they're not already installed and runs the migrations.
 
-     On a Unix machine or with bash installed, you can simply run the
-     `boostrap.sh` script to create the database. The script installs the
-     `diesel_cli` tools if they're not already installed and runs the
-     migrations. The script will output a `DATABASE_URL` variable.
+You can also install the Diesel CLI and run the migrations manually with the
+following commands:
 
-     You can also install the Diesel CLI and run the migrations manually with
-     the following commands:
+```sh
+# install Diesel CLI tools
+cargo install diesel_cli --no-default-features --features sqlite
 
-     ```
-     # install Diesel CLI tools
-     cargo install diesel_cli --no-default-features --features sqlite
-
-     # create db/db.sql
-     DATABASE_URL=db/db.sql diesel migration run
-     ```
-
-  2. A `DATABASE_URL` environment variable is set that points to the SQLite
-     database file.
-
-     Use the `DATABASE_URL` variable emitted from the `bootstrap.sh` script, or
-     enter it manually, as follows:
-
-     * `DATABASE_URL=db/db.sql cargo build`
-     * `DATABASE_URL=db/db.sql cargo test`
-     * `DATABASE_URL=db/db.sql cargo run`
+# create db/db.sql
+diesel migration run --database-url="db/db.sql"
+```
diff --git a/examples/todo/db/seed.sql b/examples/todo/db/seed.sql
deleted file mode 100644
index 23f72530..00000000
--- a/examples/todo/db/seed.sql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-CREATE TABLE tasks (
-    id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
-    description VARCHAR NOT NULL,
-    completed BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT 0
-);
-
-INSERT INTO tasks (description) VALUES ("demo task");
diff --git a/examples/todo/src/db.rs b/examples/todo/src/db.rs
index 5362075a..58bb2c37 100644
--- a/examples/todo/src/db.rs
+++ b/examples/todo/src/db.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use rocket::{Request, State, Outcome};
 
 pub type SqlitePool = Pool<ConnectionManager<SqliteConnection>>;
 
-pub const DATABASE_URL: &'static str = env!("DATABASE_URL");
+pub const DATABASE_URL: &'static str = concat!(env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"), "/db/db.sql");
 
 pub fn init_pool() -> SqlitePool {
     let manager = ConnectionManager::<SqliteConnection>::new(DATABASE_URL);