diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,38 +1,154 @@
-# sv
+# ChefBible
 
-Everything you need to build a Svelte project, powered by [`sv`](https://github.com/sveltejs/cli).
+## Overview
+**ChefBible** is a self-hosted, mobile-friendly recipe and menu management tool designed for **real-world kitchen use**.  
+It is optimized for **speed**, **simplicity**, and **offline-friendly workflows** so cooks can find, read, and add recipes in **under 10 seconds**.
 
-## Creating a project
+The app is built with:
+- **SvelteKit** for UI and server logic
+- **TailwindCSS** for responsive, kitchen-friendly design
+- **Prisma** as the ORM
+- **PostgreSQL** as the database
 
-If you're seeing this, you've probably already done this step. Congrats!
+This repo is intentionally structured to make onboarding **both humans and LLMs** easy, so all core context is documented here.
 
-```sh
-# create a new project in the current directory
-npx sv create
+---
 
-# create a new project in my-app
-npx sv create my-app
-```
+## Purpose
+ChefBible aims to replace clunky recipe binders, scattered Google Docs, and slow web apps with something **built for the kitchen**.  
+It focuses on:
+1. Storing and organizing recipes
+2. Tracking ingredients and allergens
+3. Building menus from recipes
+4. Displaying everything in a **fast, easy-to-read format** on tablets or phones
 
-## Developing
+**MVP Rule:**  
+If a feature isn’t needed for a cook to find, read, or add a recipe in **<10 seconds**, it is not part of Phase 1–2.
 
-Once you've created a project and installed dependencies with `npm install` (or `pnpm install` or `yarn`), start a development server:
+---
 
-```sh
+## Core Features
+
+### Recipes
+- Name, description, instructions, optional photo
+- Linked ingredients (with quantity/unit/prep notes)
+- Automatic allergen mapping from ingredients
+- “Kitchen Mode” for step-by-step cooking view
+
+### Ingredients
+- Unique name
+- Linked allergens
+- Linked to recipes via `RecipeIngredient`
+
+### Allergens
+- Name + optional description
+- Linked to ingredients
+
+### Menus
+- Name + optional season
+- Contains recipes in sortable order
+
+---
+
+## Data Model Summary
+
+```plaintext
+Recipe --(RecipeIngredient)--> Ingredient --(IngredientAllergens)--> Allergen
+Menu --(MenuRecipe)--> Recipe
+Tables:
+Recipe: Core recipe info
+
+Ingredient: Basic ingredient info + allergens
+
+Allergen: Common allergen definitions
+
+Menu: Collection of recipes
+
+RecipeIngredient: Join table with quantity/unit/prep
+
+MenuRecipe: Join table with position
+
+UI Patterns
+List + Detail
+Recipes, ingredients, and menus use a consistent split layout: search/filter on one side, detail view on the other.
+
+Form with Inline Add
+Add missing ingredients without leaving the recipe form.
+
+Tag/Chip Display
+Allergens and prep notes shown as color-coded chips.
+
+Kitchen Mode
+Large font, high contrast, step-by-step cooking instructions.
+
+Menu Builder
+Drag-and-drop ordering of recipes in a menu.
+
+Global Search
+Accessible from anywhere with / key shortcut.
+
+Development Phases
+Phase 1 — Core Foundation
+Local dev setup with repeatable builds
+
+Postgres + Prisma migration & seed
+
+Direct Prisma usage in +page.server.ts actions
+
+Phase 2 — Minimum Usable UI
+CRUD for recipes, ingredients, menus
+
+Recipe form with ingredient selector + allergen auto-mapping
+
+Phase 3 — Internal Dogfooding
+Fast search
+
+Menu builder
+
+Mobile-first adjustments
+
+Phase 4 — Stability & Shareability
+JSON export/import for recipes
+
+Refined allergen mapping
+
+Search & filtering enhancements
+
+Local Development
+Prerequisites
+Node.js 20+
+
+PostgreSQL 16+ (local or Docker)
+
+npm
+
+Setup
+bash
+Copy
+Edit
+git clone <repo-url>
+cd chefbible
+
+npm install
+
+# Start Postgres (example using Docker)
+docker compose up -d
+
+# Run migrations & seed
+npx prisma migrate dev --name init
+npx prisma db seed
+
+# Start dev server
 npm run dev
+Notes for LLMs
+Framework: SvelteKit with Node adapter
 
-# or start the server and open the app in a new browser tab
-npm run dev -- --open
-```
+DB Layer: Prisma (/src/lib/server/db/*.ts contains reusable queries)
 
-## Building
+Routing: Use +page.server.ts and form actions for now; no dedicated API routes until external consumers are needed
 
-To create a production version of your app:
+UI: TailwindCSS utility-first design, mobile-first sizing
 
-```sh
-npm run build
-```
+Performance Requirement: All page loads & actions <500ms on LAN
 
-You can preview the production build with `npm run preview`.
-
-> To deploy your app, you may need to install an [adapter](https://svelte.dev/docs/kit/adapters) for your target environment.
+Design Priority: Minimal clicks, fast search, allergen visibility
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