diff --git a/.editorconfig b/.editorconfig
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..54dbc87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.editorconfig
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+root = true
+
+[*]
+charset = utf-8
+end_of_line = lf
+insert_final_newline = true
+trim_trailing_whitespace = true
+indent_style = space
+indent_size = 4
+
+[*.md]
+trim_trailing_whitespace = false
+
+[*.{yml,yaml,json,xml}]
+indent_size = 2
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..daf1a20
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+name: Fleckbot CI
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: ["**"]
+  pull_request:
+
+jobs:
+  build:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Set up Java 8
+        uses: actions/setup-java@v4
+        with:
+          distribution: temurin
+          java-version: '8'
+          cache: maven
+
+      - name: Verify Maven project compiles
+        run: mvn -B -ntp -DskipTests package
+
+      - name: Run unit tests (if present)
+        run: mvn -B -ntp test
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 188f1c4..7147b87 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
         <spark.version>2.2.3</spark.version>
         <nd4j.version>0.9.1</nd4j.version>
         <slf4j.version>1.7.21</slf4j.version>
+        <!-- Temporary compatibility override for Apple Silicon local builds -->
+        <javacpp.platform>macosx-x86_64</javacpp.platform>
     </properties>
     <dependencyManagement />
     <dependencies>
@@ -179,7 +181,7 @@
         </dependency>
         <dependency>
             <groupId>org.nd4j</groupId>
-            <artifactId>nd4j-native</artifactId>
+            <artifactId>nd4j-native-platform</artifactId>
             <version>${deeplearning4j.version}</version>
         </dependency>
         <dependency>
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index b848405..029e7b4 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -1,11 +1,67 @@
-Some setup information:
+# Fleckbot (TCC)
 
-Spring JPA Setup:
-You need to change the **application.properties** and configure the login, password and url of your database. 
-  
-Exchange:  
-You'll also need to customize exchange.xml to add your own api credentials.
+Legacy Java/Spring WAR application for trading strategy experiments and dashboards.
 
-Spring Security Credentials:
+## Current stack
+- Java 8
+- Maven (WAR packaging)
+- Spring MVC + Spring Security + Hibernate/JPA
+- JSP views
+- XML-based runtime config (`src/main/resources/xml/*.xml`)
 
-admin / ADMIN or user / USER.
+## Quick start (local)
+
+### 1) Prerequisites
+- JDK 8 (recommended for current codebase)
+- Maven 3.8+
+- PostgreSQL
+
+### 2) Configure application
+Update:
+- `src/main/resources/application.properties`
+  - DB URL
+  - DB username/password
+
+Update exchange credentials:
+- `src/main/resources/xml/exchange.xml`
+
+### 3) Build
+```bash
+mvn -q -DskipTests package
+```
+
+WAR output:
+- `target/fleckbot-1.0.war`
+
+### 4) Run options
+- Deploy WAR into Tomcat/Jetty, **or**
+- Use your existing app server workflow.
+
+## Default credentials (development only)
+- `admin / ADMIN`
+- `user / USER`
+
+> Change these for any non-local environment.
+
+## First modernization pass (already applied)
+- Added CI workflow for Maven build + test on push/PR
+- Added `.editorconfig` baseline for consistent formatting
+- Expanded setup documentation (this README)
+
+## Next modernization phases
+
+### Phase 2 (safe upgrades)
+- Dependency refresh for known vulnerable/old libs
+- Add Maven Enforcer + plugin version pinning
+- Replace legacy frontend libs (jQuery/bootstrap v3 static assets)
+
+### Phase 3 (structural)
+- Spring upgrade path (toward Boot)
+- Move XML configs to typed properties where feasible
+- Add integration tests and test fixtures
+
+## Notes
+This project is your TCC project. Modernization should prioritize:
+1) build stability,
+2) security updates,
+3) incremental refactors without breaking behavior.