diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2435254
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,223 @@
+# NFOGuard
+
+**Automated NFO file management for Radarr and Sonarr with intelligent date handling**
+
+NFOGuard automatically updates movie and TV show NFO files with proper release dates and metadata when triggered by Radarr/Sonarr webhooks. It preserves existing metadata while adding clean, accurate date information at the bottom of NFO files.
+
+## ✨ Features
+
+- 🎬 **Movie & TV Support** - Works with both Radarr and Sonarr
+- 📅 **Smart Date Handling** - Prioritizes digital, physical, and theatrical release dates
+- 🔄 **Webhook Integration** - Triggers automatically on import, upgrade, and rename
+- 🗄️ **Database Integration** - Direct PostgreSQL access for better performance
+- 📝 **NFO Preservation** - Maintains existing metadata, adds fields cleanly at bottom
+- 🔒 **Metadata Locking** - Prevents overwrites with lockdata tags
+- ⚡ **Batch Processing** - Efficient handling of multiple files
+- 🐳 **Docker Ready** - Easy deployment with Docker Compose
+
+## 🚀 Quick Start
+
+### 1. Download Configuration Files
+
+```bash
+wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/your-username/NFOguard/main/.env.template
+wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/your-username/NFOguard/main/.env.secrets.template
+wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/your-username/NFOguard/main/docker-compose.example.yml
+```
+
+### 2. Configure Environment
+
+```bash
+# Copy and edit main configuration
+cp .env.template .env
+nano .env
+
+# Copy and edit secrets (API keys, passwords)
+cp .env.secrets.template .env.secrets
+nano .env.secrets
+chmod 600 .env.secrets
+
+# Copy and edit Docker Compose
+cp docker-compose.example.yml docker-compose.yml
+nano docker-compose.yml
+```
+
+### 3. Deploy
+
+```bash
+# Create data directory
+mkdir -p ./data
+
+# Start NFOGuard
+docker-compose up -d
+
+# Check logs
+docker-compose logs -f nfoguard
+
+# Verify health
+curl http://localhost:8080/health
+```
+
+## ⚙️ Configuration
+
+### Environment Files
+
+| File | Purpose | Contains |
+|------|---------|----------|
+| `.env` | Main configuration | Paths, behavior settings, non-sensitive options |
+| `.env.secrets` | Sensitive data | API keys, passwords, database credentials |
+
+### Key Configuration Options
+
+**Media Paths** (Required):
+```bash
+# Container paths (what NFOGuard sees)
+MOVIE_PATHS=/media/Movies/movies,/media/Movies/movies6
+TV_PATHS=/media/TV/tv,/media/TV/tv6
+
+# *arr application paths (what your apps see)
+RADARR_ROOT_FOLDERS=/mnt/unionfs/Media/Movies/movies
+SONARR_ROOT_FOLDERS=/mnt/unionfs/Media/TV/tv
+```
+
+**Release Date Priority**:
+```bash
+RELEASE_DATE_PRIORITY=digital,physical,theatrical
+```
+
+**Debug Mode**:
+```bash
+DEBUG=false                    # Clean production logs
+SUPPRESS_TVDB_WARNINGS=true    # Hide non-critical API failures
+```
+
+## 🐳 Docker Images
+
+### Production (Stable)
+```yaml
+image: sbcrumb/nfoguard:latest
+```
+
+### Development (Latest Features)
+```yaml
+image: sbcrumb/nfoguard:dev
+```
+
+### Specific Version
+```yaml
+image: sbcrumb/nfoguard:v1.5.5
+```
+
+## 🔗 Webhook Setup
+
+Configure these webhook URLs in your applications:
+
+**Radarr**: `http://nfoguard:8080/webhook/radarr`  
+**Sonarr**: `http://nfoguard:8080/webhook/sonarr`
+
+**Triggers**: On Import, On Upgrade, On Rename
+
+## 📁 Volume Mapping
+
+Critical: Update `docker-compose.yml` with your actual paths:
+
+```yaml
+volumes:
+  - ./data:/app/data                           # NFOGuard data
+  - /your/movies/path:/media/Movies/movies:rw  # Movie library
+  - /your/tv/path:/media/TV/tv:rw              # TV library
+```
+
+### Common Examples
+
+**Unraid**:
+```yaml
+- /mnt/user/Media/Movies:/media/Movies/movies:rw
+- /mnt/user/Media/TV:/media/TV/tv:rw
+```
+
+**Synology**:
+```yaml
+- /volume1/Media/Movies:/media/Movies/movies:rw
+- /volume1/Media/TV:/media/TV/tv:rw
+```
+
+**Standard Linux**:
+```yaml
+- /home/user/media/movies:/media/Movies/movies:rw
+- /home/user/media/tv:/media/TV/tv:rw
+```
+
+## 🔧 Troubleshooting
+
+### Check Logs
+```bash
+docker-compose logs -f nfoguard
+```
+
+### Enable Debug Mode
+```bash
+# In .env file
+DEBUG=true
+PATH_DEBUG=true
+```
+
+### Health Check
+```bash
+curl http://localhost:8080/health
+```
+
+### Common Issues
+
+1. **Permission Errors**: Ensure NFOGuard can write to mounted directories
+2. **Path Mapping**: Verify container paths match `.env` configuration
+3. **Webhooks**: Check URLs and ensure port 8080 is accessible
+4. **Database**: Verify PostgreSQL credentials in `.env.secrets`
+
+## 📊 What NFOGuard Does
+
+### Before
+```xml
+<movie>
+  <title>Movie Title</title>
+  <year>2023</year>
+  <!-- Existing Radarr metadata -->
+</movie>
+```
+
+### After
+```xml
+<movie>
+  <title>Movie Title</title>
+  <year>2023</year>
+  <!-- Existing Radarr metadata preserved -->
+  
+  <!-- NFOGuard additions at bottom -->
+  <digital_release_date>2023-03-15</digital_release_date>
+  <lockdata>true</lockdata>
+  <!-- Manager: NFOGuard -->
+</movie>
+```
+
+## 📋 Requirements
+
+- Docker and Docker Compose
+- Radarr and/or Sonarr
+- Media files in accessible directories
+- Network connectivity between services
+
+## 🆘 Support
+
+- **Issues**: [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/your-username/NFOguard/issues)
+- **Documentation**: See `SETUP_GUIDE.md` for detailed instructions
+- **Docker Hub**: [`sbcrumb/nfoguard`](https://hub.docker.com/r/sbcrumb/nfoguard)
+
+## 📄 License
+
+This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details.
+
+Commercial licensing and enterprise features may be available separately. Contact us for more information.
+
+---
+
+**NFOGuard** - Keeping your media metadata clean and organized! 🎯