*

README.md

@@ -1,5 +1,42 @@
 # Kestrel
 
-**Kestrel** is an implementation of the
-[Uxn](https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/uxn.html) virtual machine and
-[Varvara](https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/varvara.html) ecosystem in OCaml.
+**Kestrel** is:
+
+- an implementation of the [Uxn](https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/uxn.html) virtual
+  machine as a library in OCaml
+- an implementation of the [Varvara](https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/varvara.html) 
+  ecosystem using said library, supporting the devices needed for command-line programs.
+
+## Building
+
+**Kestrel** requires OCaml 5.3 or upper, as it uses the newly introduced
+effects syntax.
+
+There are no requirements aside from the OCaml standard library, so it can be
+built simply using `dune`.
+
+```shell-session
+$ dune build
+```
+
+It then can be run using `dune exec -- kestrel`.
+
+```shell-session
+$ dune exec -- kestrel file.rom
+```
+
+The `uxnmin` program, which is similar to upstream's in functionality, can be
+built without `dune`:
+
+```shell-session
+$ ocamlopt exe/uxnmin.ml -o uxnmin
+```
+
+## Bootstrapping
+
+Since **Kestrel** supports the needed Varvara devices for running the Drifblim
+assembler, it can be used to bootstrap the ecosystem.  Bundled in the repository
+are copies of the Drifloon hex dump, the source code for Drifblim, and `dzoe`'s
+`xh.rom`.
+
+A bootstrap script is provided that builds the assembler and some test ROMs.