diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 20ae152..f43e8ec 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -4,6 +4,6 @@ target/
 *.jar
 
 # Generated test outputs
-*.gif
-*.png
 test/e2e/output/
+test/e2e/*.gif
+test/e2e/*.png
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d5f43ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+# lazygitclj
+
+A lazygit-inspired TUI for Git written in Clojure, targeting Babashka for fast startup.
+
+![Files Panel](screenshots/files-panel.png)
+
+## Features
+
+- **Elm Architecture**: Clean Model-Update-View pattern for predictable state management
+- **Fast startup**: Runs on Babashka for sub-second launch times
+- **Familiar keybindings**: Vim-style navigation (j/k, h/l) matching lazygit
+- **Full Git workflow**: Stage, commit, branch, merge, stash, and more
+
+## Panels
+
+### Files Panel (2)
+View and manage staged/unstaged files with inline diffs.
+
+![Files Panel](screenshots/files-panel.png)
+
+### Branches Panel (3)
+Switch branches, create new branches, merge, and fast-forward.
+
+![Branches Panel](screenshots/branches-panel.png)
+
+### Commits Panel (4)
+Browse commit history, checkout commits, cherry-pick, and revert.
+
+![Commits Panel](screenshots/commits-panel.png)
+
+### Stash Panel (5)
+Manage stashes - apply, pop, drop, or create branches from stash.
+
+![Stash Panel](screenshots/stash-panel.png)
+
+### Help Menu (?)
+Press `?` to see all available keybindings.
+
+![Help Menu](screenshots/help-menu.png)
+
+## Installation
+
+Requires [Babashka](https://github.com/babashka/babashka).
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/yourusername/lazygitclj.git
+cd lazygitclj
+bb start
+```
+
+## Keybindings
+
+| Key | Action |
+|-----|--------|
+| `q` | Quit |
+| `?` | Help |
+| `r` | Refresh |
+| `h/l` | Previous/Next panel |
+| `j/k` | Move down/up |
+| `2-5` | Jump to panel |
+| `space` | Stage/unstage (Files), Checkout (Commits/Branches), Apply (Stash) |
+| `c` | Commit |
+| `p/P` | Pull/Push |
+| `z/Z` | Undo/Redo |
+
+## Development
+
+```bash
+bb start      # Run the TUI
+bb test       # Run unit tests
+bb test:e2e   # Run VHS tape tests
+```
+
+## License
+
+MIT
diff --git a/screenshots/branches-panel.png b/screenshots/branches-panel.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..068dd6a
Binary files /dev/null and b/screenshots/branches-panel.png differ
diff --git a/screenshots/commits-panel.png b/screenshots/commits-panel.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1f81306
Binary files /dev/null and b/screenshots/commits-panel.png differ
diff --git a/screenshots/files-panel.png b/screenshots/files-panel.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d17bfa
Binary files /dev/null and b/screenshots/files-panel.png differ
diff --git a/screenshots/help-menu.png b/screenshots/help-menu.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5d08230
Binary files /dev/null and b/screenshots/help-menu.png differ
diff --git a/screenshots/stash-panel.png b/screenshots/stash-panel.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ca982b9
Binary files /dev/null and b/screenshots/stash-panel.png differ