diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 97a5e7c..e725afc 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -5,21 +5,26 @@ endif
 export TEST_OS
 VM_IMAGE=$(CURDIR)/test/images/$(TEST_OS)
 
-all: node_modules/react-lite
+all: dist/index.js
+
+dist/index.js: node_modules/react-lite $(wildcard src/*) package.json webpack.config.js
 	NODE_ENV=$(NODE_ENV) npm run build
 
 clean:
 	rm -rf dist/
 	rm -rf _install
 
-install: all install-only
-
-install-only:
+install: dist/index.js
 	mkdir -p $(DESTDIR)/usr/share/cockpit/$(PACKAGE_NAME)
 	cp -r dist/* $(DESTDIR)/usr/share/cockpit/$(PACKAGE_NAME)
 	mkdir -p $(DESTDIR)/usr/share/metainfo/
 	cp org.cockpit-project.$(PACKAGE_NAME).metainfo.xml $(DESTDIR)/usr/share/metainfo/
 
+# this requires a built source tree and avoids having to install anything system-wide
+devel-install: dist/index.js
+	mkdir -p ~/.local/share/cockpit
+	ln -s `pwd`/dist ~/.local/share/cockpit/starter-kit
+
 # when building a distribution tarball, call webpack with a 'production' environment
 dist-gzip: NODE_ENV=production
 dist-gzip: clean all
@@ -70,4 +75,4 @@ test/common:
 node_modules/react-lite:
 	npm install
 
-.PHONY: all clean install install-only dist-gzip srpm rpm check
+.PHONY: all clean install devel-install dist-gzip srpm rpm check
diff --git a/cockpit-starter-kit.spec b/cockpit-starter-kit.spec
index a6200d8..41a9dc5 100644
--- a/cockpit-starter-kit.spec
+++ b/cockpit-starter-kit.spec
@@ -16,9 +16,10 @@ Cockpit Starter Kit Example Module
 %setup -n cockpit-starter-kit
 
 %build
+make
 
 %install
-make install-only DESTDIR=%{buildroot}
+make install DESTDIR=%{buildroot}
 find %{buildroot} -type f >> files.list
 sed -i "s|%{buildroot}||" *.list