diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc93b26
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+![ESPTimeCast](assets/logo.svg)
+
+**ESPTimeCast** is a WiFi-connected LED matrix clock and weather station based on ESP8266 and MAX7219.  
+It displays the current time, day of the week (with custom symbols), and local weather fetched from OpenWeatherMap.  
+Setup and configuration are fully managed via a built-in web interface.  
+
+![clock - weather](assets/demo.gif) 
+
+---
+
+## ✨ Features
+
+- **LED Matrix Display (8x32)** powered by MAX7219, with custom font support
+- **Simple Web Interface** for all configuration (WiFi, weather, time zone, display durations, and more)
+- **Automatic NTP Sync** with robust status feedback and retries
+- **Day of Week Display** with custom icons/symbols
+- **Weather Fetching** from OpenWeatherMap (every 5 minutes, with error handling)
+- **Temperature Unit Selector** (`C`, `F`, or `K`)
+- **Fallback AP Mode** for easy first-time setup or WiFi recovery, with `/ap_status` endpoint
+- **Timezone Selection** from IANA names (DST integrated on backend)
+- **Persistent Config** stored in LittleFS, with backup/restore system
+- **Status Animations** for WiFi conection, AP mode, time syncing.
+
+---
+
+## 🪛 Wiring
+
+**Wemos D1 Mini (ESP8266) → MAX7219**
+
+| Wemos D1 Mini | MAX7219 |
+|:-------------:|:-------:|
+| GND           | GND     |
+| D6            | CLK     |
+| D7            | CS      |
+| D8            | DIN     |
+| 3V3           | VCC     |
+
+---
+
+## 🌐 Web UI & Configuration
+
+The built-in web interface provides full configuration for:
+
+- **WiFi settings** (SSID & Password)
+- **Weather settings** (OpenWeatherMap API key, City, Country, Units)
+- **Time zone** (will auto-populate if TZ is found)
+- **Display durations** for clock and weather (milliseconds)
+- **Backup & Restore** config options
+
+### First-time Setup / AP Mode
+
+1. Power on the device. If WiFi fails, it auto-starts in AP mode:
+   - **SSID:** `ESPTimeCast`
+   - **Password:** `12345678`
+   - Open `http://192.168.4.1` in your browser.
+2. Set your WiFi and all other options.
+3. Click **Save Setting** – the device saves config, reboots, and connects.
+
+### UI Example:
+<img src="assets/webui2.png" alt="Web Interface" width="30%" />
+
+---
+
+## ⚙️ Configuration Notes
+
+- **OpenWeatherMap API Key:** [Get yours here](https://openweathermap.org/api)
+- **City Name:** e.g. `Tokyo`, `London`, etc.
+- **Country Code:** 2-letter code (e.g., `JP`, `GB`)
+- **Time Zone:** Select from IANA zones (e.g., `America/New_York`, handles DST automatically)
+- **Units:** `metric` (°C), `imperial` (°F), or `standard` (K)
+
+---
+
+## 🔧 Installation
+
+1. **Clone this repo**
+2. **Flash the ESP8266** using Arduino IDE or PlatformIO
+3. **Upload `/data` folder** with LittleFS uploader (see below)
+
+### Board Setup
+
+- Install ESP8266 board package:  
+  `http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json`
+- Select **Wemos D1 Mini** (or your ESP8266 variant) in Tools → Board
+
+### Dependencies
+
+Install these libraries (Library Manager / PlatformIO):
+
+- `ArduinoJson` by Benoit Blanchon
+- `MD_Parola / MD_MAX72xx` all dependencies by majicDesigns
+- `ESPAsyncTCP` by ESP32Async
+- `ESPAsyncWebServer` by ESP32Async
+
+### LittleFS Upload
+
+Install the [LittleFS Uploader](https://randomnerdtutorials.com/arduino-ide-2-install-esp8266-littlefs/).
+
+**To upload `/data`:**
+
+1. Open Command Palette:
+   - Windows: `Ctrl+Shift+P`
+   - macOS: `Cmd+Shift+P`
+2. Run: `Upload LittleFS to ESP8266`
+
+**Important:** Serial Monitor **must be closed** before uploading!
+
+---
+
+## 📺 Display Behavior
+
+**ESPTimeCast** automatically switches between two display modes: Clock and Weather.  
+What you see on the LED matrix depends on whether the device has successfully fetched the current time (via NTP) and weather (via OpenWeatherMap).  
+The following table summarizes what will appear on the display in each scenario:
+
+| Display Mode | 🕒 NTP Time | 🌦️ Weather Data | 📺 Display Output                              |
+|:------------:|:----------:|:--------------:|:--------------------------------------------|
+| **Clock**    | ✅ Yes      | —              | 🗓️ Day Icon + ⏰ Time (e.g. `@ 14:53`)           |
+| **Clock**    | ❌ No       | —              |  `no ntp` (NTP sync failed)               |
+| **Weather**  | —          | ✅ Yes         | 🌡️ Temperature (e.g. `23ºC`)                |
+| **Weather**  | ✅ Yes      | ❌ No          | 🗓️ Day Icon + ⏰ Time (e.g. `@ 14:53`)           |
+| **Weather**  | ❌ No       | ❌ No          |  `no temp` (no weather or time data)       |
+
+### **How it works:**
+
+- The display automatically alternates between **Clock** and **Weather** modes (the duration for each is configurable).
+- In **Clock** mode, if NTP time is available, you’ll see the current time plus a unique day-of-week icon. If NTP is not available, you'll see `no ntp`.
+- In **Weather** mode, if weather is available, you’ll see the temperature (like `23ºC`). If weather is not available but time is, it falls back to showing the clock. If neither is available, you’ll see `no temp`.
+- All status/error messages (`no ntp`, `no temp`) are shown exactly as written.
+
+**Legend:**
+- 🗓️ **Day Icon**: Custom symbol for day of week (`@`, `=`, etc.)
+- ⏰ **Time**: Current time (HH:MM)
+- 🌡️ **Temperature**: Weather from OpenWeatherMap
+- ✅ **Yes**: Data available
+- ❌ **No**: Data not available
+- — : Value does not affect this mode
+
+
+---
+
+## 🤝 Contributing
+
+Pull requests are welcome! For major changes, please open an issue first to discuss.
+
+---
+
+## ☕ Support this project
+
+If you like this project, you can [buy me a coffee](https://paypal.me/officialuphoto)!
+