diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+DISCORD_TOKEN=
+NODE_ENV=development
+SALT= # random text
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diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 85360f4..fd0f37a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,3 +1,25 @@
 # prox2-discord
 
-some readme here aaaaaaadsfasdfasdfsf
\ No newline at end of file
+[try it out!](https://discord.com/oauth2/authorize?client_id=1418290558052601968&permissions=120259086336&integration_type=0&scope=bot)
+
+prox2-discord is a discord bot built with [bun](https://bun.sh/), [prisma](https://www.prisma.io/), and [sern](https://sern.dev/).  
+its main purpose is to anonymize users in a discord server who want to say... rather controversial things.
+
+it is heavily inspired by hack club's prox2.
+
+## Features
+- multi-server support
+- setup ease of use
+- modern tech stack
+- upvote/downvote system
+- encrypted everything
+- uhh it works i guess
+
+## Development
+
+- clone this
+- `bun i`
+- copy `.env.example` to `.env` and fill in the values
+- `bun prisma migrate dev`
+- `bun run dev`
+- invite the bot to a test server i guess
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