diff --git a/src/website/settings.py b/src/website/settings.py
index 118ff42..1409a4c 100644
--- a/src/website/settings.py
+++ b/src/website/settings.py
@@ -16,7 +16,13 @@
 # Build paths inside the project like this: os.path.join(BASE_DIR, ...)
 BASE_DIR = Path(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))))
 
-RES_DIR = Path(os.environ['RES_DIR'])
+try:
+    RES_DIR = Path(os.environ['RES_DIR'])
+    USE_DOCKER = True
+except KeyError:
+    RES_DIR = Path(Path(os.path.dirname(BASE_DIR)) / "res")
+    USE_DOCKER = False
+
 INPUT_DIR = RES_DIR / "input"
 XML_DIR = RES_DIR / "xml"
 # xml files are stored here:
@@ -26,7 +32,7 @@
 # publications xml files are stored here:
 PUBL_XML_DIR = RES_DIR / "publications"
 
-PUBL_STATIC_DIR = RES_DIR / "static" / "publications"
+PUBL_STATIC_DIR = RES_DIR / "all_static_files" / "publications"
 
 
 # Quick-start development settings - unsuitable for production
@@ -187,11 +193,14 @@
 
 STATICFILES_DIRS = [
     PUBL_STATIC_DIR,
-    RES_DIR / "static" / "webdesign_platform",
+    STATIC_ROOT / "webdesign_platform",
 ]
 
 # Exist DB Settings
-EXISTDB_SERVER_URL = "http://xmldb:8080/exist"
+if USE_DOCKER:
+    EXISTDB_SERVER_URL = "http://xmldb:8080/exist"
+else:
+    EXISTDB_SERVER_URL = "http://localhost:8080/exist"
 EXISTDB_SERVER_USER = 'admin'
 EXISTDB_SERVER_PASSWORD = ''
 # EXISTDB_ROOT_COLLECTION = '/db/xml_files/publications'