diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6e793c0ea2..56968ecaf9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -3,10 +3,144 @@ GodTools Android
 
 [![codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/CruGlobal/godtools-android/branch/develop/graph/badge.svg)](https://codecov.io/gh/CruGlobal/godtools-android)
 
-# Git LFS
+GodTools is a mobile discipleship app built by [Cru](https://www.cru.org/). This repository contains the Android client.
 
-We use [Git LFS](https://git-lfs.com/) for storing Paparazzi snapshots. You will need to setup [Git LFS](https://git-lfs.com/) on your local machine in order to store new paparazzi snapshots or validate existing paparazzi snapshots.
+## Requirements
 
-# Crowdin
+- **JDK 21** (Temurin) — version specified in `.tool-versions`
+- **Android SDK** — compile/target SDK 36, minimum SDK 24
+- **Git LFS** — required for Paparazzi snapshot files
 
-To enable Crowdin translation downloads/uploads, install the [Crowdin CLI tool](https://crowdin.github.io/crowdin-cli/)
+## Getting Started
+
+```bash
+# Clone the repo (Git LFS must be installed first)
+git clone https://github.com/CruGlobal/godtools-android.git
+```
+
+### Git LFS
+
+Paparazzi snapshot images are stored in [Git LFS](https://git-lfs.com/). Install it before cloning or working with snapshot tests:
+
+```bash
+brew install git-lfs   # macOS
+git lfs install
+```
+
+## Build & Development
+
+```bash
+# Build the app bundle
+./gradlew bundle
+
+# Run unit tests (all variants)
+./gradlew test
+
+# Run tests for a specific module
+./gradlew :library:model:test
+./gradlew :app:test
+
+# Verify Paparazzi snapshot tests (requires Git LFS)
+./gradlew verifyPaparazzi
+
+# Run ktlint (code style checks)
+./gradlew :build-logic:ktlintCheck ktlintCheck
+
+# Run Android lint
+./gradlew lint
+```
+
+> **Paparazzi Snapshots:** Do not record snapshots locally. Trigger the manual GitHub Actions workflow on your feature branch to generate and commit updated screenshots.
+
+## Project Structure
+
+```
+app/                  # Main application module
+build-logic/          # Gradle convention plugins
+feature/              # Google Play Dynamic Feature modules
+library/              # Core non-UI modules
+ui/                   # UI and tool-renderer modules
+```
+
+### `app/`
+Main application module — `GodToolsApplication` (Hilt entry point), `DashboardActivity`, Dagger modules in `dagger/`.
+
+### `library/`
+| Module | Purpose |
+|---|---|
+| `model` | Data models and JSON:API type definitions |
+| `db` | Room database, DAOs, and repositories |
+| `api` | Retrofit REST and Scarlet WebSocket clients |
+| `sync` | WorkManager-based data synchronization |
+| `base` | Core utilities, settings, file system abstraction |
+| `account` | User authentication |
+| `analytics` | Event tracking |
+| `download-manager` | Tool download management |
+| `initial-content` | Bundled initial content |
+| `user-data` | User preferences and state |
+
+### `ui/`
+| Module | Purpose |
+|---|---|
+| `base` | Shared Compose components and Material 3 theme |
+| `base-tool` | Base tool rendering infrastructure |
+| `tract-renderer` | Tract tool renderer |
+| `lesson-renderer` | Lesson tool renderer |
+| `article-renderer` | Article tool renderer |
+| `article-aem-renderer` | AEM article tool renderer |
+| `cyoa-renderer` | Choose Your Own Adventure renderer |
+| `tips-renderer` | Tips renderer |
+| `tutorial-renderer` | Tutorial renderer |
+| `shortcuts` | App shortcuts UI |
+| `qr-code` | QR code feature UI |
+
+### `feature/`
+Google Play Dynamic Feature modules: `bundledcontent` (bundled initial content delivered via Play).
+
+### `build-logic/`
+Gradle convention plugins: `godtools.application-conventions`, `godtools.library-conventions`, `godtools.dynamic-feature-conventions`.
+
+## Architecture & Key Frameworks
+
+| Concern | Technology |
+|---|---|
+| Dependency injection | Hilt (Dagger 2) |
+| UI | Jetpack Compose + Material Design 3 |
+| Navigation / UI state | [Slack Circuit](https://slackhq.github.io/circuit/) |
+| Networking | Retrofit (REST), Scarlet (WebSocket), OkHttp |
+| Database | Room |
+| Background work | WorkManager |
+| Image loading | Coil |
+| Dependency versions | `gradle/libs.versions.toml` version catalog |
+
+**Circuit pattern:** Presenter/UI pairs annotated with `@CircuitInject`. Presenters are `@Composable` functions that return state objects; actions flow through `UiState.eventSink`.
+
+## Build Variants
+
+- **Product flavors** (`env` dimension): `stage` (staging API), `production` (production API)
+- **Build types**: `debug`, `qa` (inherits debug), `release`
+- The `stage` flavor is only available for `debug` and `qa` builds
+
+## Code Style
+
+Style is enforced by [ktlint](https://pinterest.github.io/ktlint/) with the `android_studio` code style.
+
+- Max line length: 120
+- Indent: 4 spaces
+
+Always run ktlint before committing:
+
+```bash
+./gradlew :build-logic:ktlintCheck ktlintCheck
+```
+
+## Translations (Crowdin)
+
+Strings are managed via [Crowdin](https://crowdin.com/). To push/pull translations, install the [Crowdin CLI](https://crowdin.github.io/crowdin-cli/) and set the `CROWDIN_API_TOKEN` environment variable.
+
+## Contributing
+
+1. Branch from `develop` and open PRs against `develop` (the default branch).
+2. Add unit tests for any new functionality.
+3. Run ktlint and unit tests before opening a PR.
+4. For UI changes, trigger the Paparazzi snapshot workflow on your branch rather than recording locally.