diff --git a/scripts/README.md b/scripts/README.md
index 1ed8b24..efac2fa 100644
--- a/scripts/README.md
+++ b/scripts/README.md
@@ -42,19 +42,19 @@ Called automatically by `build.py`. Looks for theme matching `navigator` in `con
 
 | Script | Purpose |
 |--------|---------|
-| `pi_setup.sh` | First-time Pi config (deps, permissions, UI systemd service) |
+| `pi_setup.sh` | First-time Pi config for UI (deps, permissions, systemd) |
+| `pi_setup_backend.sh` | First-time Pi config for backend (uv, gpsd, systemd) |
 | `smartserow-ui.service.sample` | UI systemd unit template |
 | `smartserow-backend.service.sample` | Backend systemd unit template |
 
 ```bash
-# On the Pi (UI)
+# On the Pi - UI setup
 chmod +x pi_setup.sh
 ./pi_setup.sh
 
-# Backend service (manual for now)
-sudo cp smartserow-backend.service.sample /etc/systemd/system/smartserow-backend.service
-sudo systemctl daemon-reload
-sudo systemctl enable smartserow-backend
+# On the Pi - Backend setup (independent)
+chmod +x pi_setup_backend.sh
+./pi_setup_backend.sh
 ```
 
 ## Configuration
diff --git a/scripts/pi_setup_backend.sh b/scripts/pi_setup_backend.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..33d6443
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/pi_setup_backend.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# One-time setup script for Smart Serow Backend on Raspberry Pi
+# Run this ON the Pi itself
+
+set -e
+
+echo "=== Smart Serow Backend Setup ==="
+
+PI_USER="${USER:-$(whoami)}"
+echo "Setting up for user: $PI_USER"
+
+BACKEND_DIR="/opt/smartserow-backend"
+SERVICE_FILE="/etc/systemd/system/smartserow-backend.service"
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+
+# Create backend directory
+echo "Creating backend directory: $BACKEND_DIR"
+sudo mkdir -p "$BACKEND_DIR"
+sudo chown -R "$PI_USER:$PI_USER" "$BACKEND_DIR"
+
+# Install uv if not present
+if ! command -v uv &> /dev/null; then
+    echo "Installing uv..."
+    curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh
+    echo "  → Restart your shell or run: source ~/.bashrc"
+else
+    echo "uv already installed: $(uv --version)"
+fi
+
+# Install gpsd
+echo "Installing gpsd..."
+sudo apt-get update
+sudo apt-get install -y gpsd gpsd-clients
+
+# Configure gpsd (user needs to edit DEVICES)
+GPSD_CONFIG="/etc/default/gpsd"
+echo ""
+echo "gpsd installed. Configure your GPS device:"
+echo "  sudo nano $GPSD_CONFIG"
+echo "  Set DEVICES=\"/dev/ttyUSB0\" (or your GPS serial port)"
+echo "  Set GPSD_OPTIONS=\"-n\""
+echo "  Then: sudo systemctl restart gpsd"
+echo ""
+
+# Install systemd service
+echo "Installing systemd service..."
+if [ -f "$SCRIPT_DIR/smartserow-backend.service" ]; then
+    sed -e "s/User=.*/User=$PI_USER/" \
+        -e "s/Group=.*/Group=$PI_USER/" \
+        -e "s|/home/pi|/home/$PI_USER|g" \
+        "$SCRIPT_DIR/smartserow-backend.service" | sudo tee "$SERVICE_FILE" > /dev/null
+    echo "  → Installed to $SERVICE_FILE"
+else
+    echo "WARNING: Service template not found at $SCRIPT_DIR/smartserow-backend.service"
+    echo "Copy it manually to $SERVICE_FILE"
+fi
+
+# Enable service (but don't start - no code deployed yet)
+echo "Enabling service..."
+sudo systemctl daemon-reload
+sudo systemctl enable smartserow-backend
+
+echo ""
+echo "=== Setup Complete ==="
+echo ""
+echo "Next steps:"
+echo "1. Configure gpsd: sudo nano /etc/default/gpsd"
+echo "2. Deploy backend: python3 scripts/deploy_backend.py (from dev machine)"
+echo "3. On Pi, install deps: cd $BACKEND_DIR && uv sync"
+echo "4. Start service: sudo systemctl start smartserow-backend"
+echo ""
+echo "Useful commands:"
+echo "  systemctl status smartserow-backend"
+echo "  journalctl -u smartserow-backend -f"
+echo "  curl http://localhost:5000/health"
+echo "  gpsmon  # test gpsd directly"
+echo ""