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+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,13 +1,70 @@
 # chessu
 
-> ❗ This project is currently undergoing a major refactor in the `dev` branch. (see [#4](https://github.com/nizewn/chessu/pull/4))
+> ❗ This project is still in the early stages of development and should be considered unstable. Expect bugs and weird behavior.
 
-Online 2-player chess. Live demo at [ches.su](https://ches.su)
+Yet another Chess web app. Live demo at [ches.su](https://ches.su).
 
-- React (Next.js)
-- Tailwind CSS + daisyUI
-- [react-chessboard](https://github.com/Clariity/react-chessboard)
-- [chess.js](https://github.com/jhlywa/chess.js)
-- Express.js
-- socket.io
-- PostgreSQL
+- play against other users in real-time
+- spectate and chat in ongoing games with other users
+- _optional_ user accounts for tracking stats and game history
+- mobile-friendly (wip)
+
+Built with Next.js 13, Tailwind CSS + daisyUI, [react-chessboard](https://github.com/Clariity/react-chessboard), [chess.js](https://github.com/jhlywa/chess.js), Express.js, socket.io and PostgreSQL.
+
+## Configuration
+
+This project is structured as a monorepo using npm workspaces, separated into three packages:
+
+- `client` - Next.js application for the front-end, deployed to [ches.su](https://ches.su).
+- `server` - Node/Express.js application for the back-end, deployed to [api.ches.su](https://api.ches.su).
+- `types` - Shared type definitions for the client and server.
+
+### Scripts
+
+```sh
+# install all dependencies, including eslint and prettier for development
+npm install
+
+# concurrently run frontend and backend development servers
+npm run dev # -w client/server to run only one
+
+
+# for separate production deployments
+npm install -w client
+npm install -w server
+
+npm run build -w client
+npm run build -w server
+
+npm start -w client
+npm start -w server
+```
+
+For separate deployments, you may exclude the `client` or `server` directory. However, you should include the `types` folder as it contains shared type definitions that are required by both packages.
+
+### Environment variables
+
+You may create a `.env` file in each package directory to set their environment variables.
+
+client:
+
+```env
+API_URL=http://localhost:3001 # replace with backend URL
+```
+
+server:
+
+```env
+CORS_ORIGIN=http://localhost:3000 # replace with frontend URL
+PORT=3001
+SESSION_SECRET=randomstring # replace for security
+
+# PostgreSQL connection info
+PGHOST=db.example.com
+PGUSER=exampleuser
+PGPASSWORD=examplepassword
+PGDATABASE=chessu
+
+# or use a connection string instead
+DATABASE_URL=postgres://...
+```