diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e215bc4..15897d3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,36 +1,85 @@
-This is a [Next.js](https://nextjs.org) project bootstrapped with [`create-next-app`](https://nextjs.org/docs/app/api-reference/cli/create-next-app).
+# StageAI
 
-## Getting Started
+WebApp for stage law attorneys (Bühnenrecht). Built with Next.js, PostgreSQL, Meilisearch, and AI-powered contract analysis.
 
-First, run the development server:
+## Prerequisites
+
+- Docker & Docker Compose
+- Node.js 20+ (for local development)
+- Git
+
+## Quick Start (Docker)
 
 ```bash
-npm run dev
-# or
-yarn dev
-# or
-pnpm dev
-# or
-bun dev
+# Clone the repo
+git clone https://mgit.msbls.de/Remmer/StageAI.git
+cd StageAI
+
+# Set up environment
+cp .env.example .env
+# Edit .env with your API keys and secrets
+
+# Start all services
+docker compose up -d
+
+# Run database migrations
+docker compose exec app npx drizzle-kit push
 ```
 
-Open [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000) with your browser to see the result.
+The app will be available at http://localhost:3000.
 
-You can start editing the page by modifying `app/page.tsx`. The page auto-updates as you edit the file.
+## Environment Variables
 
-This project uses [`next/font`](https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/optimizing/fonts) to automatically optimize and load [Geist](https://vercel.com/font), a new font family for Vercel.
+| Variable | Description | Required |
+|---|---|---|
+| `DATABASE_URL` | PostgreSQL connection string | Yes |
+| `NEXTAUTH_URL` | App URL for authentication | Yes |
+| `NEXTAUTH_SECRET` | Random secret for session encryption | Yes |
+| `AI_PROVIDER` | `anthropic` or `openai` | Yes |
+| `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` | Anthropic API key | If using Anthropic |
+| `OPENAI_API_KEY` | OpenAI API key | If using OpenAI |
+| `MEILISEARCH_URL` | Meilisearch URL | Yes |
+| `MEILISEARCH_API_KEY` | Meilisearch master key | Yes |
 
-## Learn More
+## Local Development
 
-To learn more about Next.js, take a look at the following resources:
+```bash
+npm install
+npm run dev
+```
 
-- [Next.js Documentation](https://nextjs.org/docs) - learn about Next.js features and API.
-- [Learn Next.js](https://nextjs.org/learn) - an interactive Next.js tutorial.
+## Database Migrations
 
-You can check out [the Next.js GitHub repository](https://github.com/vercel/next.js) - your feedback and contributions are welcome!
+Migrations are in the `drizzle/` directory, managed by Drizzle Kit.
 
-## Deploy on Vercel
+```bash
+# Generate a new migration after schema changes
+npx drizzle-kit generate
 
-The easiest way to deploy your Next.js app is to use the [Vercel Platform](https://vercel.com/new?utm_medium=default-template&filter=next.js&utm_source=create-next-app&utm_campaign=create-next-app-readme) from the creators of Next.js.
+# Apply migrations
+npx drizzle-kit push
+```
 
-Check out our [Next.js deployment documentation](https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/deploying) for more details.
+## Deployment (VPS)
+
+A deployment script is included for the production VPS:
+
+```bash
+# On the VPS (remmer@100.81.230.53):
+cd /home/remmer/StageAI
+./deploy.sh
+```
+
+This pulls the latest code from Gitea and rebuilds the app container. PostgreSQL and Meilisearch containers are kept running.
+
+## Services
+
+| Service | Port | Description |
+|---|---|---|
+| App (Next.js) | 3000 | Main application |
+| PostgreSQL | 5432 | Database |
+| Meilisearch | 7700 | Full-text search engine |
+
+## Repository
+
+Source code: https://mgit.msbls.de/Remmer/StageAI
diff --git a/deploy.sh b/deploy.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..f6f3c92
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# StageAI Deployment Script
+# Pulls latest code from Gitea and redeploys via Docker Compose
+#
+# Usage (on VPS):
+#   ./deploy.sh              # Pull & redeploy
+#   ./deploy.sh --build-only # Pull & rebuild without restarting
+
+APP_DIR="/home/remmer/StageAI"
+PROJECT_NAME="stageai"
+REPO_URL="https://mgit.msbls.de/Remmer/StageAI.git"
+BRANCH="master"
+
+BUILD_ONLY=false
+if [[ "${1:-}" == "--build-only" ]]; then
+  BUILD_ONLY=true
+fi
+
+echo "=== StageAI Deployment ==="
+echo "Directory: $APP_DIR"
+echo "Branch:    $BRANCH"
+echo ""
+
+# Navigate to app directory
+if [[ ! -d "$APP_DIR" ]]; then
+  echo "App directory not found. Cloning repo..."
+  git clone "$REPO_URL" "$APP_DIR"
+fi
+
+cd "$APP_DIR"
+
+# Pull latest changes
+echo "Pulling latest changes..."
+git fetch origin "$BRANCH"
+git reset --hard "origin/$BRANCH"
+echo "Updated to: $(git log --oneline -1)"
+
+# Rebuild containers
+echo ""
+echo "Rebuilding containers..."
+docker compose -p "$PROJECT_NAME" build --no-cache app
+
+if [[ "$BUILD_ONLY" == true ]]; then
+  echo ""
+  echo "Build complete (--build-only mode, skipping restart)."
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+# Restart app container (keep postgres and meilisearch running)
+echo ""
+echo "Restarting app container..."
+docker compose -p "$PROJECT_NAME" up -d app
+
+echo ""
+echo "Waiting for app to start..."
+sleep 5
+
+# Health check
+if curl -sf http://localhost:3000 > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+  echo "App is running at http://localhost:3000"
+else
+  echo "Warning: App may not be ready yet. Check logs with:"
+  echo "  docker compose -p $PROJECT_NAME logs -f app"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "=== Deployment complete ==="
+echo ""
+echo "Useful commands:"
+echo "  docker compose -p $PROJECT_NAME logs -f app     # View app logs"
+echo "  docker compose -p $PROJECT_NAME ps              # Container status"
+echo "  docker compose -p $PROJECT_NAME restart app     # Restart app only"