diff --git a/backend/settings/dev.py b/backend/settings/dev.py
index a8ffd0c6..425dce7f 100644
--- a/backend/settings/dev.py
+++ b/backend/settings/dev.py
@@ -36,7 +36,9 @@
     'django.contrib.contenttypes',
     'django.contrib.sessions',
     'django.contrib.messages',
-    'whitenoise.runserver_nostatic',  # < Per Whitenoise, to disable built in
+    # disable Django’s static file handling and allow WhiteNoise to take over
+    # http://whitenoise.evans.io/en/stable/django.html#using-whitenoise-in-development
+    'whitenoise.runserver_nostatic',
     'django.contrib.staticfiles',
     'rest_framework',
     'backend.api',
@@ -44,6 +46,8 @@
 
 MIDDLEWARE = [
     'django.middleware.security.SecurityMiddleware',
+    # WhiteNoise middleware should be placed directly after the Django SecurityMiddleware
+    # http://whitenoise.evans.io/en/stable/django.html#enable-whitenoise
     'whitenoise.middleware.WhiteNoiseMiddleware',
     'django.contrib.sessions.middleware.SessionMiddleware',
     'django.middleware.common.CommonMiddleware',
@@ -58,7 +62,7 @@
 TEMPLATES = [
     {
         'BACKEND': 'django.template.backends.django.DjangoTemplates',
-        # Add dist to
+        # use templates generated by vue (must match vue.config.js's outputDir)
         'DIRS': ['dist'],
         'APP_DIRS': True,
         'OPTIONS': {
@@ -121,23 +125,12 @@
 # When Vue Builds, path will be `/static/css/...` so we will have Django Serve
 # In Production, it's recommended use an alternative approach such as:
 # http://whitenoise.evans.io/en/stable/django.html?highlight=django
-
-MIDDLEWARE_CLASSES = (
-    'whitenoise.middleware.WhiteNoiseMiddleware',
-)
-
 STATIC_URL = '/static/'
 # Place static in the same location as webpack build files
+# STATIC_ROOT must match vue.config.js's outputDir + assetsDir
+# http://whitenoise.evans.io/en/stable/django.html#make-sure-staticfiles-is-configured-correctly
 STATIC_ROOT = os.path.join(BASE_DIR, 'dist', 'static')
 STATICFILES_DIRS = []
 
-
-##########
-# STATIC #
-##########
-
+# http://whitenoise.evans.io/en/stable/django.html?highlight=django#add-compression-and-caching-support
 STATICFILES_STORAGE = 'whitenoise.storage.CompressedManifestStaticFilesStorage'
-
-# Insert Whitenoise Middleware at top but below Security Middleware
-# MIDDLEWARE.insert(1, 'whitenoise.middleware.WhiteNoiseMiddleware',)
-# http://whitenoise.evans.io/en/stable/django.html#make-sure-staticfiles-is-configured-correctly