diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
deleted file mode 100644
index 6f71255..0000000
--- a/.env.example
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,41 +0,0 @@
-# XMTP CLI Configuration
-# Copy this file to .env and fill in your values
-
-# =============================================================================
-# XMTP Client Configuration
-# =============================================================================
-
-# Your wallet private key (with 0x prefix)
-# If not provided, a random key will be generated each time
-# XMTP_CLIENT_WALLET_KEY=0x...
-
-# Database encryption key (32-byte hex string)
-# If not provided, a random key will be generated each time
-# XMTP_CLIENT_DB_ENCRYPTION_KEY=...
-
-# =============================================================================
-# XMTP Network Configuration
-# =============================================================================
-
-# XMTP environment (dev or production)
-# Default: production
-XMTP_ENV=production
-
-# =============================================================================
-# Auto-Connect Configuration (Optional)
-# =============================================================================
-
-# If you want to auto-connect to a specific wallet on startup
-# Provide the target wallet's private key here
-# The CLI will derive the address and connect automatically
-# XMTP_WALLET_KEY=0x...
-
-# =============================================================================
-# Notes
-# =============================================================================
-
-# - Keys are optional - the CLI will auto-generate them if not provided
-# - For persistent identity, save your generated keys to this file
-# - Use 'dev' environment for testing, 'production' for real usage
-# - Keep your private keys secure and never commit them to git
-# - The .gitignore file already excludes .env for safety
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 123e0f2..a241630 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,5 +1,35 @@
-# Node Inbox / CLI
+# Node inbox
 
 The coolest terminal-based chat interface for XMTP protocol! Built with React + Ink for a beautiful TUI experience.
 
 ![XMTP CLI](screenshot.png)
+
+## Getting started
+
+### Requirements
+
+- Node.js v20 or higher
+- Yarn v4 or higher
+
+### Environment variables
+
+To run your XMTP agent, you must create a `.env` file with the following variables:
+
+```bash
+XMTP_CLIENT_WALLET_KEY= # the private key of the wallet
+XMTP_CLIENT_DB_ENCRYPTION_KEY= # encryption key for the local database
+XMTP_ENV=dev # local, dev, production
+```
+
+### Run the agent
+
+```bash
+# git clone repo
+git clone https://github.com/ephemeraHQ/node-inbox.git
+# go to the folder
+cd node-inbox
+# install packages
+yarn
+# run the agent
+yarn dev
+```