diff --git a/LICENSE b/LICENSE
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..420567f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+MIT License
+
+Copyright (c) 2026 DataLoom contributors
+
+Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
+of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
+in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
+to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
+copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
+furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
+
+The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+
+THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
+FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
+AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
+LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
+OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
+SOFTWARE.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 59f4095..630349a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ Offline desktop application for reviewing and merging Bitwarden exports.
 
 ## Status
 
-Initial project scaffold and design documentation. Implementation has not started.
+Working Windows 11 portable release available from the private/public Gitea release page, with synthetic tests and review workflow validated.
 
 ## Goals
 
@@ -46,4 +46,8 @@ Python and PySide6/Qt for a desktop application. The initial implementation will
 
 ## Development
 
-The detailed design is in [`docs/design.md`](docs/design.md). See [`docs/roadmap.md`](docs/roadmap.md) for the planned milestones.
+The quick-start guide is in [`docs/how-to.md`](docs/how-to.md). The detailed design is in [`docs/design.md`](docs/design.md). See [`docs/roadmap.md`](docs/roadmap.md) for the planned milestones.
+
+## License
+
+DataLoom is released under the [MIT License](LICENSE).
diff --git a/docs/how-to.md b/docs/how-to.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6aea15a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/how-to.md
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+# DataLoom quick how-to
+
+DataLoom reviews and merges unencrypted Bitwarden exports locally on Windows 11.
+
+## Before you begin
+
+1. Export your vault from Bitwarden as JSON or CSV.
+2. Keep the original exports unchanged and work from copies.
+3. Use the same format for every file in a batch. JSON is recommended because it preserves more Bitwarden data than CSV.
+4. Never place real exports, merged vaults, or audit logs in this repository.
+
+## Review and merge
+
+1. Start `DataLoom.exe`.
+2. Accept the sensitive-data warning.
+3. Leave **Enable full secret logging** unchecked unless you deliberately want passwords, TOTP values, notes, and other secrets written to the audit log.
+4. Select two or more Bitwarden JSON or CSV exports.
+5. Review the **Import Summary** tab.
+6. Use **Merged Entries** to see records that will be included.
+7. Use **Duplicate Review** to inspect flagged groups:
+   - Exact duplicates are removed automatically.
+   - Likely or possible duplicates are shown side by side.
+   - The newest record is recommended when reliable revision dates exist.
+   - Choose a record to keep, or choose **Keep both records**.
+8. Click **Export merged vault…** and save the output. JSON input produces JSON output; CSV input produces CSV output.
+9. Verify the generated export before importing it into Bitwarden.
+
+## Output and audit files
+
+DataLoom displays the exact locations of the merged export and `dataloom-audit.log`. It does not automatically delete either file. Protect or securely delete them when no longer needed.
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+- Mixed JSON/CSV batches are rejected; select files of one format only.
+- Encrypted exports are rejected; export an unencrypted copy for this offline tool.
+- CSV may not represent every Bitwarden feature. Read the CSV loss warnings and use JSON when complete preservation matters.
+- If the application does not open, download the current Windows release and confirm that Windows Defender or another security tool has not blocked it.