diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e04b60984..e30a8d547 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -6,30 +6,97 @@
 
 [![Join Chat](https://img.shields.io/badge/gitter-join%20chat%20%E2%86%92-brightgreen.svg)](https://gitter.im/ParsePlatform/Chat)
 
-
 A library that gives you access to the powerful Parse cloud platform from your Android app.
-For more information about Parse and its features, see [the website][parseplatform.org] and [getting started][guide].
-
-## Download
-Add the dependency in Gradle:
-
-```groovy
-dependencies {
-  compile 'com.parse:parse-android:1.15.8'
-}
-```
-
-Snapshots of the development version are available in [jFrog's `snapshots` repository][snap].
+For more information about Parse and its features, see [the website][parseplatform.org], [blog][blog] and [getting started][guide].
+
+## Getting Started
+### Installation
+- **Option 1:** Gradle
+
+  Add dependency to the application level `build.gradle` file.
+
+  ```groovy
+  dependencies {
+    compile 'com.parse:parse-android:1.15.8'
+  }
+  ```
+
+  Snapshots of the development version are available in [jFrog's `snapshots` repository][snap].
+
+- **Option 2:** Compiling for yourself into AAR file
+
+  If you want to manually compile the SDK, begin by cloning the repository locally or retrieving the source code for a particular [release][releases]. Open the project in Android Studio and run the following commands in the Terminal of Android Studio:
+  
+  ```
+  ./gradlew clean jarRelease
+  ```
+  Output file can be found in `Parse/build/outputs/` with extension .aar
+  
+  You can link to your project to your AAR file as you please.
+    
+ ### Setup
+- **Option 1:** Setup in the Manifest
+
+  You may define `com.parse.SERVER_URL` and `com.parse.APPLICATION_ID` meta-data in your `AndroidManifest.xml`:
+
+  ```
+  <application ...>
+    <meta-data
+      android:name="com.parse.SERVER_URL"
+      android:value="@string/parse_server_url" />
+    <meta-data
+      android:name="com.parse.APPLICATION_ID"
+      android:value="@string/parse_app_id" />
+    ...
+  </application>
+  ```
+  
+  Initialize Parse in a custom class that extends `Application`:
+  ```
+  import com.parse.Parse;
+  import android.app.Application;
+
+  public class App extends Application {
+    @Override
+    public void onCreate() {
+      super.onCreate();
+      Parse.initialize(this);
+    }
+  }
+  ```
+  
+- **Option 2:** Setup in the Application
+  
+  Initialize Parse in a custom class that extends `Application`:
+  ```
+  import com.parse.Parse;
+  import android.app.Application;
+
+  public class App extends Application {
+    @Override
+    public void onCreate() {
+      super.onCreate();
+      Parse.initialize(new Parse.Configuration.Builder(this)
+        .applicationId("YOUR_APP_ID")
+        .server("http://localhost:1337/parse/")
+        .build()
+      );
+    }
+  }
+  ```
+  
+ For either option, the custom `Application` class must be registered in `AndroidManifest.xml`:
+ ```
+ <application
+   android:name=".App"
+   ...>
+   ...
+ </application>
+ ```
 
 ## Usage
 Everything can done through the supplied gradle wrapper:
 
-### Compile a JAR
-```
-./gradlew clean jarRelease
-```
-Outputs can be found in `Parse/build/libs/`
-
 ### Run the Tests
 ```
 ./gradlew clean testDebug
@@ -43,7 +110,7 @@ Results can be found in `Parse/build/reports/`
 Results can be found in `Parse/build/reports/`
 
 ## How Do I Contribute?
-We want to make contributing to this project as easy and transparent as possible. Please refer to the [Contribution Guidelines](CONTRIBUTING.md).
+We want to make contributing to this project as easy and transparent as possible. Please refer to the [Contribution Guidelines][contributing].
 
 ## Other Parse Projects
 
@@ -65,6 +132,7 @@ We want to make contributing to this project as easy and transparent as possible
 As of April 5, 2017, Parse, LLC has transferred this code to the parse-community organization, and will no longer be contributing to or distributing this code.
 
  [parseplatform.org]: http://parseplatform.org/
+ [blog]: http://blog.parse.com/
  [guide]: http://docs.parseplatform.org/android/guide/
 
  [latest]: https://search.maven.org/remote_content?g=com.parse&a=parse-android&v=LATEST
@@ -84,3 +152,6 @@ As of April 5, 2017, Parse, LLC has transferred this code to the parse-community
 
  [license-svg]: https://img.shields.io/badge/license-BSD-lightgrey.svg
  [license-link]: https://github.com/parse-community/Parse-SDK-Android/blob/master/LICENSE
+
+ [releases]: https://github.com/parse-community/Parse-SDK-Android/releases
+ [contributing]: CONTRIBUTING.md