diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index dd3b5e3..faa109d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,2 +1,43 @@
-# alfred-ide
+# Alfred IDE
 
+Cloud-native AI development environment built on code-server, with custom Commander extension, multi-provider AI chat, voice assistant, and sovereign infrastructure.
+
+## Architecture
+
+- **Base**: code-server 4.102.2 (VS Code for the web)
+- **Extension**: Alfred Commander (3,551-line extension.js) — AI chat, stats, voice, walkthrough
+- **Auth**: Cookie-based gating via Apache + PHP, PIN/email login
+- **MCP**: 500+ tools via gocodeme-mcp service (port 3006)
+- **Branding**: Patched workbench.js + NLS message files
+
+## Components
+
+| Component | Location | Purpose |
+|-----------|----------|---------|
+| `start.sh` | Server start script | Launches code-server with config |
+| `config.yaml` | code-server config | Port 8443, auth:none (Apache handles auth) |
+| `branding-patches.sh` | Branding automation | Patches "code-server" → "Alfred IDE" |
+| Commander extension | `extensions/gositeme.alfred-commander-1.0.1/` | Full IDE UX |
+
+## Auth Flow
+
+1. User visits `gositeme.com/alfred-ide/`
+2. Apache checks for `alfred_ide_token` cookie
+3. Missing → redirect to `alfred-ide-auth.php`
+4. Login via PIN (Commander) or email/password
+5. Session created in DB, cookie set → proxy to code-server
+
+## Running
+
+```bash
+# PM2 managed
+pm2 start alfred-ide
+
+# Manual
+./start.sh
+# → http://127.0.0.1:8443
+```
+
+## License
+
+AGPL-3.0 — GoSiteMe Inc.
diff --git a/branding-patches.sh b/branding-patches.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e44b86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/branding-patches.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Alfred IDE Branding Patches
+# Applied to code-server workbench.js and NLS files
+# See user memory notes for full details
+
+WORKBENCH="/home/gositeme/.local/share/code-server/lib/vscode/out/vs/workbench/workbench.web.main.js"
+
+# Product name patches
+sed -i 's/nameShort:"code-server"/nameShort:"Alfred IDE"/g' "$WORKBENCH"
+sed -i 's/nameLong:"code-server"/nameLong:"Alfred IDE"/g' "$WORKBENCH"
+
+# Secure context warning
+sed -i 's/d(3228,null,"code-server")/d(3228,null,"Alfred IDE")/g' "$WORKBENCH"
+
+# Logout menu
+sed -i 's/d(3230,null,"code-server")/d(3230,null,"Alfred IDE")/g' "$WORKBENCH"
+
+# Update notification
+sed -i 's/\[code-server v/[Alfred IDE v/g' "$WORKBENCH"
+
+echo "Branding patches applied to $(basename $WORKBENCH)"
diff --git a/config.yaml b/config.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50ae120
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+bind-addr: 127.0.0.1:8443
+auth: none
+cert: false
+app-name: Alfred IDE
+welcome-text: Welcome, Commander
+disable-telemetry: true
+disable-update-check: true
diff --git a/start.sh b/start.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..ddec2b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/start.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Alfred IDE - Start Script
+# Launches code-server (rebranded as Alfred IDE)
+# CRITICAL: unset VSCODE_IPC_HOOK_CLI or code-server detects VS Code and exits silently
+
+unset VSCODE_IPC_HOOK_CLI
+
+# Prevent file watcher from consuming all CPU when inotify fills up
+export VSCODE_FILE_WATCHER_POLLING_INTERVAL=30000
+export CHOKIDAR_USEPOLLING=0
+
+PORT=8443
+HOST=127.0.0.1
+CODE_SERVER_BIN=/home/gositeme/.local/bin/code-server
+
+# If Alfred IDE is already bound on the expected port, do not spawn a duplicate.
+EXISTING_PID=$(ss -ltnp 2>/dev/null | awk -v addr="$HOST:$PORT" '$4 == addr { if (match($0, /pid=([0-9]+)/, m)) print m[1] }' | head -n 1)
+if [[ -n "$EXISTING_PID" ]] && ps -p "$EXISTING_PID" -o args= 2>/dev/null | grep -q 'code-server'; then
+  echo "Alfred IDE already running on ${HOST}:${PORT} (pid ${EXISTING_PID})"
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+exec nice -n 15 ionice -c 3 /home/gositeme/.local/bin/code-server \
+  --bind-addr ${HOST}:${PORT} \
+  --disable-telemetry \
+  --disable-update-check \
+  --user-data-dir /home/gositeme/.local/share/code-server \
+  /home/gositeme