diff --git a/docker-run.sh b/docker-run.sh
index e7926cd..4496d15 100755
--- a/docker-run.sh
+++ b/docker-run.sh
@@ -23,6 +23,6 @@ echo "\nPostgres is available: continuing with database setup..."
 mix ecto.create
 mix ecto.migrate
 
-# Start the phoenix web server
+# Start the phoenix web server (interactive)
 echo "\n Launching Phoenix web server..."
-mix phx.server
+iex -S mix phx.server
diff --git a/mix.exs b/mix.exs
index b048306..577a9aa 100644
--- a/mix.exs
+++ b/mix.exs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ defmodule Pinchflat.MixProject do
     [
       app: :pinchflat,
       version: "0.1.0",
-      elixir: "~> 1.14",
+      elixir: "~> 1.16",
       elixirc_paths: elixirc_paths(Mix.env()),
       start_permanent: Mix.env() == :prod,
       aliases: aliases(),