diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0bc9a90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+# Kratos (PHP Wake-on-LAN)
+
+A simple PHP web app to wake configured machines on your network.
+
+## Requirements
+
+- Linux server
+- PHP 7.4+ (PHP 8.x also works)
+- A web server (Apache or Nginx) or PHP built-in server for local use
+- `wakeonlan` command installed on the server
+- `ping` command available on the server
+
+Install dependencies on Debian/Ubuntu:
+
+```bash
+sudo apt update
+sudo apt install -y php php-cli wakeonlan iputils-ping
+```
+
+## Configuration
+
+1. Copy this project to your server.
+2. Edit `hosts.php` and set your own hosts:
+   - `mac_address`: device MAC address
+   - `ip_address`: device IP address
+   - `friendly_name`: name shown in the UI
+
+## Run locally (quick test)
+
+From the project directory:
+
+```bash
+php -S 0.0.0.0:8080
+```
+
+Then open:
+
+- `http://<server-ip>:8080/`
+
+## Deploy as a PHP application
+
+### Option 1: Apache
+
+1. Put this project in your web root (example: `/var/www/kratos`).
+2. Ensure Apache and PHP are installed.
+3. Create a vhost pointing `DocumentRoot` to the project folder.
+4. Enable the site and reload Apache.
+
+Example minimal Apache vhost:
+
+```apache
+<VirtualHost *:80>
+    ServerName kratos.local
+    DocumentRoot /var/www/kratos
+
+    <Directory /var/www/kratos>
+        AllowOverride All
+        Require all granted
+    </Directory>
+
+    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/kratos_error.log
+    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/kratos_access.log combined
+</VirtualHost>
+```
+
+Enable and reload:
+
+```bash
+sudo a2ensite kratos.conf
+sudo systemctl reload apache2
+```
+
+### Option 2: Nginx + PHP-FPM
+
+1. Put this project in `/var/www/kratos`.
+2. Install `nginx` and `php-fpm`.
+3. Create an Nginx server block and point it to the project root.
+4. Reload Nginx.
+
+Example minimal Nginx config:
+
+```nginx
+server {
+    listen 80;
+    server_name kratos.local;
+
+    root /var/www/kratos;
+    index index.php;
+
+    location / {
+        try_files $uri $uri/ /index.php?$query_string;
+    }
+
+    location ~ \.php$ {
+        include snippets/fastcgi-php.conf;
+        fastcgi_pass unix:/run/php/php-fpm.sock;
+    }
+}
+```
+
+## Notes
+
+- The web server user must be allowed to run `wakeonlan` and `ping`.
+- If status checks always fail, verify firewall rules and ICMP availability.
+- Keep this app on your trusted local network or behind authentication/VPN.