diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 36d8496..cc7d386 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,133 @@
-# Lightningbeam 2
+# Lightningbeam
 
-This README needs content. This is Lightningbeam rewritten with Tauri.
+An open-source vector animation tool built with Tauri. A spiritual successor to Macromedia Flash 8 / Adobe Animate.
 
-To test:
+[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-0.7.14--alpha-orange)](https://github.com/skykooler/Lightningbeam/releases)
 
-`pnpm tauri dev`
\ No newline at end of file
+## Overview
+
+Lightningbeam is a cross-platform vector animation application for creating keyframe-based animations and interactive content. Originally started in 2010 as an open-source alternative to Adobe Flash, the project has been rewritten using modern web technologies (JavaScript/Canvas) with a Tauri-based native desktop application wrapper.
+
+## Current Status
+
+**⚠️ Alpha Software**: Lightningbeam is in active development and not yet feature-complete. The codebase is currently undergoing significant refactoring, particularly the timeline system which is being migrated from frame-based to curve-based animation.
+
+Current branch `new_timeline` implements a major timeline redesign inspired by GarageBand, featuring hierarchical tracks and animation curve visualization.
+
+## Features
+
+Current functionality includes:
+
+- **Vector Drawing Tools**: Pen, brush, line, rectangle, ellipse, polygon tools
+- **Keyframe Animation**: Timeline-based animation with interpolation
+- **Shape Tweening**: Morph between different vector shapes
+- **Motion Tweening**: Smooth object movement with curve-based interpolation
+- **Layer System**: Multiple layers with visibility controls
+- **Hierarchical Objects**: Group objects and edit nested timelines
+- **Audio Support**: Import MP3 audio files
+- **Video Export**: Export animations as MP4 or WebM
+- **Transform Tools**: Move, rotate, and scale objects
+- **Color Tools**: Color picker, paint bucket with flood fill
+- **Undo/Redo**: Full history management
+- **Copy/Paste**: Duplicate objects and keyframes
+
+## Installation
+
+### Pre-built Releases
+
+Download the latest release for your platform from the [Releases page](https://github.com/skykooler/Lightningbeam/releases).
+
+Supported platforms:
+- Linux (AppImage, .deb, .rpm)
+- macOS
+- Windows
+- Web (limited functionality)
+
+### Building from Source
+
+**Prerequisites:**
+- [pnpm](https://pnpm.io/) package manager
+- [Rust](https://rustup.rs/) toolchain (installed automatically by Tauri)
+- Platform-specific dependencies for Tauri (see [Tauri Prerequisites](https://tauri.app/v1/guides/getting-started/prerequisites))
+
+**Build steps:**
+
+```bash
+# Clone the repository
+git clone https://github.com/skykooler/Lightningbeam.git
+cd Lightningbeam
+
+# Install dependencies
+pnpm install
+
+# Run in development mode
+pnpm tauri dev
+
+# Build for production
+pnpm tauri build
+```
+
+**Note for Linux users:** `pnpm tauri dev` works on any distribution, but `pnpm tauri build` currently only works on Ubuntu due to limitations in Tauri's AppImage generation. If you're on a non-Ubuntu distro, you can build in an Ubuntu container/VM or use the development mode instead.
+
+## Quick Start
+
+1. Launch Lightningbeam
+2. Create a new file (File → New)
+3. Select a drawing tool from the toolbar
+4. Draw shapes on the canvas
+5. Create keyframes on the timeline to animate objects
+6. Use motion or shape tweens to interpolate between keyframes
+7. Export your animation (File → Export → Video)
+
+## File Format
+
+Lightningbeam uses the `.beam` file extension. Files are stored in JSON format and contain all project data including vector shapes, keyframes, layers, and animation curves.
+
+**Note**: The file format specification is not yet documented and may change during development.
+
+## Known Limitations
+
+### Platform-Specific Issues
+
+- **Linux**: Pinch-to-zoom gestures zoom the entire window instead of individual canvases. This is a [known Tauri/GTK WebView limitation](https://github.com/tauri-apps/tauri/discussions/3843) with no current workaround.
+- **macOS**: Limited testing; some platform-specific bugs may exist.
+- **Windows**: Minimal testing; application has been confirmed to run but may have undiscovered issues.
+
+### Web Version Limitations
+
+The web version has several limitations compared to desktop:
+- Restricted file system access
+- Keyboard shortcut conflicts with browser
+- Higher audio latency
+- No native file association
+- Memory limitations with video export
+
+### General Limitations
+
+- The current timeline system is being replaced; legacy frame-based features may be unstable
+- Many features and optimizations are still in development
+- Performance benchmarking has not been completed
+- File format may change between versions
+
+## Contributing
+
+Contributions are currently limited while the codebase undergoes restructuring. Once the timeline refactor is complete and the code is better organized, the project will be more open to external contributions.
+
+If you encounter bugs or have feature requests, please open an issue on GitHub.
+
+## Credits
+
+Lightningbeam is built with:
+- [Tauri](https://tauri.app/) - Desktop application framework
+- [FFmpeg](https://ffmpeg.org/) - Video encoding/decoding
+- Various JavaScript libraries for drawing, compression, and utilities
+
+## License
+
+**License not yet determined.** The author is considering the MIT License for maximum simplicity and adoption. Contributors should await license clarification before submitting code.
+
+---
+
+**Repository**: https://github.com/skykooler/Lightningbeam
+**Version**: 0.7.14-alpha
+**Status**: Active Development