1 files changed, 67 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec35961
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+# hutch-notify
+
+Minimal backend for push notifications in Hutch.
+
+## Purpose
+
+- register APNs device tokens
+- store notification subscriptions
+- poll sr.ht for changes
+- send push notifications via APNs
+
+Designed to be:
+- simple
+- cheap to run
+- easy to reason about
+
+## Stack
+
+- Python (FastAPI)
+- SQLite (initially)
+- APNs (HTTP/2, token-based auth)
+
+## Status
+
+Early development.
+
+Current scope:
+- device registration
+- test push endpoint
+
+Planned:
+- build notifications
+- ticket notifications
+- inbox notifications (later)
+
+## Running locally
+
+```bash
+python3.12 -m venv .venv
+source .venv/bin/activate
+pip install -r requirements.txt  # or use pyproject
+
+uvicorn app.main:app --reload
+```
+
+## Environment
+
+Create an `.env` file:
+
+```bash
+API_KEY=change-me
+DATABASE_URL=sqlite+aiosqlite:///./hutch_notify.db
+
+APNS_KEY_ID=
+APNS_TEAM_ID=
+APNS_BUNDLE_ID=
+APNS_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH=
+
+SRHT_TOKEN=
+```
+
+## Notes
+
+- iOS app must register with APNs and send device token to this server
+- APNs key (`.p8`) must be kept secure
+- Notifications are event-driven, but initial version uses polling
+