From bf9499bac0b42cd71bca9209ba9cf6a117b2e410 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: MermaidMan <mermaidman@dragonfish-basilisk.ts.net>
Date: Fri, 22 May 2026 17:17:51 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] add documentation trio: README (casual), DETAILS (technical),
 LLMs (agent reference)

---
 DETAILS.md | 418 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 LLMs.md    | 272 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 README.md  | 262 ++++++++++++++++-----------------
 3 files changed, 821 insertions(+), 131 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 DETAILS.md
 create mode 100644 LLMs.md

diff --git a/DETAILS.md b/DETAILS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..422e28f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DETAILS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,418 @@
+# DETAILS.md — Technical Reference
+
+Companion to [README.md](README.md). This file contains the full technical details that would normally live in a professional README — architecture, API surface, configuration schema, build system, and development workflows. Intended for developers, contributors, and automated tooling.
+
+---
+
+## Overview
+
+`obm` is a Go CLI that generates Terraform-compatible `.env` files through an interactive walkthrough or a YAML config file. It validates API credentials against live endpoints before writing config, and wraps Terraform lifecycle commands (init, apply, destroy).
+
+- **Language:** Go 1.22
+- **Module:** `github.com/openboatmobile/obm`
+- **Dependencies:** `gopkg.in/yaml.v3` (sole external dependency)
+- **Binary:** Single statically-linked binary, zero runtime dependencies
+- **Current version:** See `VERSION` file (0.1.0 at time of writing)
+
+---
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+obm/
+├── cmd/obm/main.go                 # CLI entry point, subcommand routing
+├── internal/
+│   ├── config/
+│   │   ├── config.go               # Config struct, GetValue/SetValue
+│   │   ├── deployment.go           # DeploymentConfig, AdminUser(), MonthlyCostEstimate()
+│   │   ├── dotenv.go               # DotEnvFile parser (round-trip .env read)
+│   │   ├── dotenv_writer.go        # WriteDotEnv — grouped, commented .env output
+│   │   ├── schema.go              # VarDef schema (all TF_VAR_ variables), VarGroup enum
+│   │   ├── tfvars.go              # WriteTfVars — HCL-format tfvars output
+│   │   ├── yaml.go                # YAMLConfig struct, LoadYAMLConfig(), ToDeploymentConfig()
+│   │   ├── config_test.go
+│   │   └── yaml_test.go
+│   ├── deploy/
+│   │   └── deploy.go              # Walkthrough orchestrator (Run, RunFromFile, RunWithConfig)
+│   ├── destroy/
+│   │   ├── destroy.go             # Terraform destroy with state parsing, confirmation
+│   │   └── destroy_test.go
+│   ├── inference/
+│   │   ├── client.go              # HTTP client, ValidateAPIKey(), ValidationResult
+│   │   ├── inference.go           # Provider enum, ProviderConfig, FallbackChain, DefaultGLMConfig
+│   │   ├── client_test.go
+│   │   └── inference_test.go
+│   ├── prompt/
+│   │   ├── prompt.go              # Terminal I/O: Select, Confirm, Input, Password, color helpers
+│   │   └── prompt_test.go
+│   ├── provider/
+│   │   ├── provider.go            # Provider interface, BaseProvider, Registry, Register/Get
+│   │   ├── import.go              # Provider registration (blank import guidance)
+│   │   ├── hetzner/
+│   │   │   ├── hetzner.go         # HetznerProvider: API validation, SSH key listing
+│   │   │   └── hetzner_test.go
+│   │   └── provider_test.go
+│   ├── terraform/
+│   │   └── terraform.go           # Runner: Init, Plan, Apply, Destroy wrappers
+│   └── validation/
+│       ├── validation.go          # Check interface, Runner, CheckResult, Status enum
+│       └── validation_test.go
+├── scripts/
+│   ├── install.sh                 # curl | sh installer
+│   └── release.sh                 # Tag + push release automation
+├── .github/workflows/
+│   ├── ci.yml                     # Test + build on push/PR
+│   └── release.yml                # Cross-compile + GitHub Release on tag
+├── Makefile                        # Build, test, lint, cross-compile targets
+├── Dockerfile                      # Multi-stage: golang:1.22-alpine → alpine:3.20
+├── deploy.yaml.example            # Full YAML config reference
+├── CHANGELOG.md
+├── CONTRIBUTING.md
+└── VERSION                         # Single line, e.g. "0.1.0"
+```
+
+---
+
+## CLI Interface
+
+### Subcommands
+
+| Command | Flags | Description |
+|---------|-------|-------------|
+| `obm deploy` | `--config <path>` | Interactive walkthrough (default) or non-interactive from YAML |
+| `obm validate` | `--env-file <path>` | Load `.env`, check required vars, validate API keys |
+| `obm status` | — | Show deployment state (not yet implemented) |
+| `obm destroy` | — | Confirmation prompt → `terraform destroy` → state cleanup |
+| `obm version` | — | Print version with commit hash and build time |
+| `obm help` | — | Print usage |
+
+### Build-time variables
+
+Injected via `-ldflags` at build time:
+
+| Variable | Flag | Example |
+|----------|------|---------|
+| `main.version` | `-X main.version=0.1.0` | Semver from `VERSION` file |
+| `main.gitCommit` | `-X main.gitCommit=abc1234` | Short commit SHA |
+| `main.buildTime` | `-X main.buildTime=2026-05-22T15:30:00Z` | UTC ISO timestamp |
+
+---
+
+## Deploy Walkthrough Flow
+
+The `obm deploy` interactive flow runs 8 steps in sequence:
+
+1. **Framework** — Select Hermes or OpenClaw. Sets framework-specific defaults on `DeploymentConfig`.
+2. **Cloud Provider** — Hetzner or DigitalOcean.
+3. **Provider Token** — Enter API token. For Hetzner, validates against `/server_types` endpoint and lists SSH keys.
+4. **SSH Key** — Select from keys found on the provider, or enter manually.
+5. **Server Config** — Name, location/region, server type/droplet size.
+6. **Inference Provider** — ZAI, Venice, OpenRouter. Enter API key. Validates against `/models` endpoint.
+7. **Tailscale** — Optional VPN setup. Auth key and tailnet domain.
+8. **Discord** — Optional bot integration. Bot token, server ID, user IDs.
+
+Final step: summary display with cost estimate → confirm → write `.env` → optionally run `terraform init && terraform apply`.
+
+### Framework-specific defaults
+
+**Hermes:**
+- `DockerEnabled = true`
+- `VeniceBaseURL = "https://api.venice.ai/api/v1"`
+- `GatewayAllowAllUsers = true`
+- `DiscordAutoThread = true`
+
+**OpenClaw:**
+- `OpenClawVersion = "lts"`
+- `NodeVersion = "22"`
+- `EnableSwap = true`, `SwapSizeGB = 2`
+- `EnableFail2ban = true`, `EnableUnattendedUpgrades = true`
+
+---
+
+## Key Types
+
+### DeploymentConfig (`internal/config/deployment.go`)
+
+Central struct holding all walkthrough choices. 30+ fields covering framework, provider, server, inference, Tailscale, Discord, and gateway configuration.
+
+Key methods:
+- `AdminUser() string` — returns framework name ("hermes" or "openclaw")
+- `MonthlyCostEstimate() string` — returns price string based on server type/droplet size
+
+Package-level helper functions (not methods, because `DeploymentConfig` is in `config` but called from `deploy`):
+- `config.LocationOrRegion(cfg)` — Hetzner location or DO region
+- `config.ServerTypeOrDroplet(cfg)` — server type or droplet size
+- `config.SSHKeySummary(cfg)` — masked SSH key display
+
+### DotEnvFile (`internal/config/dotenv.go`)
+
+Round-trip parser for `.env` files:
+- `ParseDotEnv(path)` — parse `TF_VAR_`-prefixed env file
+- `env.GetVar(name)` — lookup with and without `TF_VAR_` prefix
+- `env.Values` — raw `map[string]string`
+
+### VarDef Schema (`internal/config/schema.go`)
+
+Complete schema of all Terraform variables with metadata:
+
+```go
+type VarDef struct {
+    Name        string    // TF variable name (e.g. "cloud_provider")
+    Type        ValueType // string, number, bool, list
+    Default     string
+    Required    bool
+    Sensitive   bool
+    Description string
+    Group       VarGroup  // Section for organized output
+    EnvComment  string    // Additional .env hint
+}
+```
+
+Variables are grouped: `PROVIDER`, `PROVIDER — Hetzner`, `PROVIDER — DigitalOcean`, `SERVER CONFIGURATION`, `SSH CONFIGURATION`, `API KEYS`, `MODEL CONFIGURATION`, `DISCORD`, `TAILSCALE`, `HERMES-SPECIFIC`, `OPENCLAW-SPECIFIC`, `SECURITY`, `PROJECT METADATA`.
+
+### InferenceClient (`internal/inference/client.go`)
+
+HTTP client for validating inference API keys:
+- `ValidateAPIKey(ctx, provider, apiKey)` — hits `/models` endpoint, checks for HTTP 200
+- Returns `ValidationResult{Valid, ErrorMessage, ModelCount, Latency}`
+- 30-second default timeout
+
+### Provider Interface (`internal/provider/provider.go`)
+
+```go
+type Provider interface {
+    Name() string
+    ProviderName() string
+    Validate(ctx context.Context) error
+    Checks(ctx context.Context) []validation.Check
+    TokenEnvKey() string
+    SetToken(token string)
+    GetToken() string
+}
+```
+
+Provider registry pattern: `Register(name, factory)` / `Get(name)`. Hetzner implementation at `internal/provider/hetzner/`.
+
+### Validation Framework (`internal/validation/validation.go`)
+
+Structured check system with `Runner`:
+
+```go
+type Check interface {
+    Name() string
+    Category() CheckCategory
+    Run(ctx context.Context) CheckResult
+}
+```
+
+Status values: `PASS`, `FAIL`, `WARN`, `SKIP`, `ERROR`.
+Categories: `Credentials`, `Connectivity`, `SSH Keys`, `Server Config`, `Quotas`, `Account`.
+
+---
+
+## Inference Providers
+
+Currently supported:
+
+| Provider | Enum | Base URL | Auth |
+|----------|------|----------|------|
+| Z.ai | `ProviderZAI` | `https://api.z.ai/api/coding/paas/v4` | `GLM_API_KEY` env |
+| Venice.ai | `ProviderVenice` | `https://api.venice.ai/api/v1` | `VENICE_API_KEY` env |
+| OpenRouter | `ProviderOpenRouter` | `https://openrouter.ai/api/v1` | `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` env |
+
+Fallback chains: ZAI → Venice → OpenRouter (for GLM models); Venice → OpenRouter.
+
+`DefaultGLMConfig()` sets `MaxTokens=16384` to prevent the over-compression bug where Venice defaults to 131K.
+
+---
+
+## .env Generation
+
+`WriteDotEnv()` in `internal/config/dotenv_writer.go` generates the `.env` file from a `Config`. Output format:
+
+- Header comment with usage instructions
+- Variables grouped by `VarGroup`, each with description comment
+- `TF_VAR_` prefix on all variable names
+- JSON arrays for SSH keys: `TF_VAR_ssh_key_names='["key-name"]'` (single-quoted shell string containing JSON)
+- Sensitive values get `YOUR_..._HERE` placeholders if empty
+- `WriteTfVars()` generates HCL-format `terraform.tfvars` as an alternative
+
+### Variable flow
+
+User input → `DeploymentConfig` → `.env` (TF_VAR_ prefixed) → `source .env` → Terraform reads env vars → `templatefile()` → cloud-init → server provisioning.
+
+---
+
+## YAML Config (Non-interactive Mode)
+
+`LoadYAMLConfig(path)` parses a YAML file into `YAMLConfig`, then `ToDeploymentConfig()` converts to `DeploymentConfig`. Schema:
+
+```yaml
+framework: hermes | openclaw
+provider:
+  name: hetzner | digitalocean
+  token: "..."
+  ssh:
+    names: [...]
+    fingerprints: [...]
+server:
+  name: "..."
+  location: "ash" | "fsn1" | "nbg1" | "hel1"
+  type: "cpx21" | ...
+inference:
+  provider: venice | openrouter | openai | anthropic | custom
+  api_key: "..."
+  primary_model: "..."
+tailscale:
+  enabled: true
+  auth_key: "..."
+  tailnet: "..."
+discord:
+  enabled: true
+  bot_token: "..."
+  server_id: "..."
+```
+
+Full example: [`deploy.yaml.example`](deploy.yaml.example).
+
+---
+
+## Build System
+
+### Makefile targets
+
+| Target | Description |
+|--------|-------------|
+| `make build` | Build binary for current platform |
+| `make test` | Run tests with race detection and coverage |
+| `make lint` | `go vet` + `gofmt` |
+| `make vet` | Run `go vet` |
+| `make fmt` | Format with `gofmt` |
+| `make clean` | Remove binary and coverage files |
+| `make cross-compile` | Build for linux-amd64, linux-arm64, darwin-arm64, windows-amd64, windows-arm64 |
+| `make version` | Print VERSION file contents |
+
+### Version injection
+
+```bash
+VERSION=$(cat VERSION)
+GIT_COMMIT=$(git rev-parse --short HEAD)
+BUILD_TIME=$(date -u +"%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ")
+LDFLAGS="-s -w -X main.version=$VERSION -X main.gitCommit=$GIT_COMMIT -X main.buildTime=$BUILD_TIME"
+go build $LDFLAGS -o obm ./cmd/obm
+```
+
+### Docker
+
+Multi-stage Dockerfile: `golang:1.22-alpine` (build) → `alpine:3.20` (runtime). Non-root user `obm:1000`. Entry point: `obm --help`.
+
+---
+
+## CI/CD
+
+### CI (`ci.yml`)
+
+Triggers on push/PR to main. Runs: `go vet` → `go test` → `gofmt` check → build. Build matrix: linux/darwin/windows × amd64/arm64 (excludes darwin/amd64).
+
+### Release (`release.yml`)
+
+Triggers on tag push (`v*`). Builds cross-compiled binaries, creates archives (.tar.gz for Unix, .zip for Windows), generates SHA256 checksums, creates GitHub Release with upload.
+
+### Release process
+
+```bash
+./scripts/release.sh v0.2.0
+# This: validates version → runs tests → updates VERSION → commits → tags → pushes tag
+```
+
+Pre-release versions (containing hyphen, e.g. `v1.0.0-beta.1`) are marked as pre-release on GitHub.
+
+---
+
+## Cost Estimation
+
+`DeploymentConfig.MonthlyCostEstimate()` maps server types to price strings.
+
+Hetzner prices (current):
+
+| Type | Price |
+|------|-------|
+| cx22 | €3.79/mo |
+| cx23 | €5.83/mo |
+| cpx21 | €4.49/mo |
+| cpx31 | €8.98/mo |
+| cpx41 | €17.96/mo |
+
+DigitalOcean prices:
+
+| Size | Price |
+|------|-------|
+| s-1vcpu-1gb | $6/mo |
+| s-1vcpu-2gb | $12/mo |
+| s-2vcpu-4gb | $24/mo |
+| s-4vcpu-8gb | $48/mo |
+| g-2vcpu-8gb | $63/mo |
+
+---
+
+## Terraform Integration
+
+`obm` generates the `.env` file that Terraform expects. The actual Terraform configs live in the separate [openboatmobile-ai](https://github.com/openboatmobile/openboatmobile-ai) repo.
+
+The `internal/terraform/terraform.go` wrapper provides:
+- `Runner.Init()` — `terraform init -input=false`
+- `Runner.Plan(destroy bool)` — `terraform plan` (with optional `-destroy` flag)
+- `Runner.Apply()` — `terraform apply -auto-approve`
+- `Runner.Destroy()` — `terraform destroy -auto-approve`
+
+All commands run in the `WorkDir` and capture combined output.
+
+### Variable flow to cloud-init
+
+User sets `TF_VAR_*` env vars → sourced from `.env` → Terraform reads them → injected into cloud-init templates via `templatefile()` → written to server during provisioning.
+
+### Cloud-init outputs
+
+**Hermes** (`userdata-hermes.tpl`):
+- `/home/<admin_user>/.hermes/.env` — API keys, Discord token, gateway token
+- `/home/<admin_user>/.hermes/config.yaml` — model config, Discord channels
+- `/home/<admin_user>/.hermes/SOUL.md` — agent personality template
+- `/home/<admin_user>/docker-compose.yml` — Docker mode only
+- `/etc/systemd/system/hermes.service` — systemd unit
+- `/usr/local/bin/hermes-health-check.sh` — diagnostic script
+
+**OpenClaw** (`userdata-openclaw.tpl`):
+- `/etc/openclaw.env` — secrets (0600, root-owned)
+- `/home/<admin_user>/.openclaw/openclaw.json` — full config
+- `/etc/systemd/system/openclaw-gateway.service`
+- `/usr/local/bin/openclaw-health-check.sh`
+
+---
+
+## Destroy Flow
+
+`obm destroy` reads `terraform.tfstate` to list resources, shows them, asks for confirmation, runs `terraform destroy`, then cleans up state files unless `--keep-state` is set.
+
+---
+
+## Testing
+
+```bash
+make test          # Full suite with race detection + coverage
+go test ./...      # Without make
+go test -v -race -coverprofile=coverage.out ./...
+```
+
+Test coverage includes: config parsing, dotenv round-tripping, YAML loading, inference client validation, Hetzner provider validation, destroy workflow, prompt helpers.
+
+---
+
+## Contributing
+
+See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for the full guide including development setup, PR checklist, and release process.
+
+Key points:
+- Go 1.22+ required
+- Run `make lint test` before pushing
+- Never push directly to `main`
+- Feature branches: `git checkout -b <task-name>`
diff --git a/LLMs.md b/LLMs.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..550f4b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LLMs.md
@@ -0,0 +1,272 @@
+# LLMs.md — Agent Reference for obm
+
+This file is written for AI agents (LLMs, coding assistants, autonomous agents) who need to understand the `obm` project and work with their human to deploy, configure, or develop it. If you're reading this, you're probably an agent trying to help someone. Here's what you need to know.
+
+---
+
+## What obm Is
+
+`obm` (OpenBoatMobile) is a Go CLI tool that deploys AI agents to cloud infrastructure. It generates Terraform-compatible `.env` files through an interactive walkthrough or a YAML config, validates API credentials against live endpoints, and wraps Terraform lifecycle commands.
+
+Think of it as: "Terraform for AI agents, with a friendly wizard instead of a 94-line `.env` template."
+
+---
+
+## Quick Orientation
+
+| Fact | Value |
+|------|-------|
+| Language | Go 1.22 |
+| Module path | `github.com/openboatmobile/obm` |
+| External deps | `gopkg.in/yaml.v3` only |
+| Binary type | Static, zero runtime deps |
+| Version file | `VERSION` (single line, e.g. `0.1.0`) |
+| Current version | 0.1.0 |
+| License | MIT |
+
+**Repos:**
+- `obm` (this repo) — the Go CLI
+- `openboatmobile-ai` — the Terraform configs that `obm` generates `.env` files for
+- `openboatmobile` (private) — live deployment with keys, do NOT touch
+
+---
+
+## Package Map
+
+Use this to find what you need:
+
+```
+cmd/obm/main.go           → Entry point, subcommand routing, build-time version vars
+internal/config/           → All configuration types and I/O:
+  config.go                → Config struct, GetValue/SetValue
+  deployment.go            → DeploymentConfig (30+ fields), cost estimation
+  schema.go                → VarDef schema (all Terraform variables), VarGroup enum
+  dotenv.go                → DotEnvFile round-trip parser
+  dotenv_writer.go         → WriteDotEnv — grouped .env output
+  tfvars.go                → WriteTfVars — HCL-format output
+  yaml.go                  → YAMLConfig, LoadYAMLConfig, ToDeploymentConfig
+internal/deploy/deploy.go  → Walkthrough orchestrator (Run, RunFromFile, RunWithConfig)
+internal/destroy/destroy.go → Terraform destroy with state parsing
+internal/inference/        → Inference provider validation:
+  client.go                → HTTP client, ValidateAPIKey, ValidationResult
+  inference.go             → Provider enum, ProviderConfig, FallbackChain
+internal/prompt/prompt.go  → Terminal I/O: Select, Confirm, Input, Password, colors
+internal/provider/         → Cloud provider abstraction:
+  provider.go              → Provider interface, BaseProvider, Registry
+  hetzner/hetzner.go       → Hetzner Cloud API: token validation, SSH key listing
+internal/terraform/terraform.go → Runner: Init, Plan, Apply, Destroy
+internal/validation/validation.go → Check interface, Runner, CheckResult, Status enum
+```
+
+---
+
+## CLI Commands Your Human Might Ask About
+
+| Command | What it does | When they'd use it |
+|---------|-------------|-------------------|
+| `obm deploy` | Interactive 8-step walkthrough | First-time setup or redeploy |
+| `obm deploy --config deploy.yaml` | Non-interactive from YAML | CI/CD, automation, repeat deploys |
+| `obm validate` | Check `.env` + validate API keys | "Did I configure this right?" |
+| `obm destroy` | Tear down infrastructure | "I'm done with this server" |
+| `obm version` | Print version with commit/build info | Debugging |
+
+---
+
+## Deploy Walkthrough Steps
+
+When your human runs `obm deploy`, they'll go through these in order:
+
+1. **Framework** — Hermes or OpenClaw
+2. **Cloud Provider** — Hetzner or DigitalOcean
+3. **Provider Token** — API key for their cloud provider (validated live)
+4. **SSH Key** — Select from provider or enter manually
+5. **Server Config** — Name, location/region, size
+6. **Inference Provider** — ZAI, Venice, or OpenRouter (API key validated live)
+7. **Tailscale** — Optional VPN (auth key + tailnet)
+8. **Discord** — Optional bot integration (token, server ID, user IDs)
+
+After all 8 steps: summary + cost estimate → confirm → `.env` written → optional `terraform init && apply`.
+
+---
+
+## What Your Human Needs Before Deploying
+
+Tell them to have these ready:
+
+1. **Cloud provider account** with API token (Hetzner: console.hetzner.cloud → Security → API Tokens; DO: cloud.digitalocean.com → API)
+2. **SSH public key** uploaded to their cloud provider
+3. **Inference provider API key** (Venice, OpenRouter, or ZAI)
+4. *(Optional)* Tailscale auth key
+5. *(Optional)* Discord bot token + server ID
+
+---
+
+## Framework Differences
+
+When your human asks "Hermes or OpenClaw?":
+
+**Hermes Agent** — if they want:
+- Discord chat, voice, web search, many integrations
+- Python-based, Docker or direct install
+- More configurable (gateway, allowed users, auto-threading)
+
+**OpenClaw** — if they want:
+- Simpler setup, fewer moving parts
+- Node.js-based
+- Built-in security (fail2ban, unattended upgrades, swap)
+
+---
+
+## Configuration Files
+
+### `.env` (Terraform input)
+
+All variables prefixed with `TF_VAR_`. Generated by `obm deploy` or `WriteDotEnv()`. This is the primary output of the tool. Groups: PROVIDER, SERVER, SSH, API KEYS, MODEL, DISCORD, TAILSCALE, HERMES-SPECIFIC, OPENCLAW-SPECIFIC, SECURITY, PROJECT.
+
+Special format for SSH keys: `TF_VAR_ssh_key_names='["key-name"]'` — single-quoted shell string containing JSON array.
+
+### `deploy.yaml` (Non-interactive input)
+
+Full schema in `deploy.yaml.example`. Key sections:
+
+```yaml
+framework: hermes
+provider:
+  name: hetzner
+  token: "..."
+  ssh:
+    names: ["my-key"]
+server:
+  name: "agent"
+  location: "ash"
+  type: "cpx21"
+inference:
+  provider: venice
+  api_key: "..."
+  primary_model: "zai-org-glm-5"
+tailscale:
+  enabled: true
+  auth_key: "..."
+discord:
+  enabled: false
+```
+
+---
+
+## Build Commands
+
+```bash
+make build           # Build for current platform
+make test            # Test with race detection + coverage
+make lint            # go vet + gofmt
+make cross-compile   # All platforms: linux-{amd64,arm64}, darwin-arm64, windows-{amd64,arm64}
+make clean           # Remove binary + coverage
+```
+
+From source without make:
+```bash
+go build -o obm ./cmd/obm
+go test ./...
+go vet ./...
+```
+
+Version injection at build time:
+```bash
+go build -ldflags "-s -w -X main.version=$(cat VERSION) -X main.gitCommit=$(git rev-parse --short HEAD) -X main.buildTime=$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)" -o obm ./cmd/obm
+```
+
+---
+
+## Common Tasks Your Human Might Ask For
+
+### "Help me deploy an agent"
+
+1. Make sure they have API keys ready (see "What Your Human Needs" above)
+2. Run `obm deploy`
+3. Walk them through the 8 steps if they have questions
+4. The cost estimate at the end is approximate — cloud providers may vary
+
+### "Check if my config is valid"
+
+```bash
+obm validate
+```
+
+This loads `.env`, checks required variables, and validates inference API keys against live endpoints.
+
+### "I want to tear down my server"
+
+```bash
+obm destroy
+```
+
+It asks for confirmation. It reads `terraform.tfstate` to show what will be destroyed.
+
+### "Set up CI/CD deployment"
+
+1. Create a `deploy.yaml` from `deploy.yaml.example`
+2. Store secrets in your CI secrets manager
+3. In pipeline: `obm deploy --config deploy.yaml`
+
+### "Add a new cloud provider"
+
+1. Create `internal/provider/<name>/<name>.go` implementing the `Provider` interface
+2. Register via `init()`: `provider.Register("<name>", func() provider.Provider { return New() })`
+3. Add provider-specific fields to `DeploymentConfig`
+4. Update `schema.go` with new `VarGroup` and `VarDef` entries
+5. Add step function in `deploy.go`
+
+### "Add a new inference provider"
+
+1. Add `Provider<Name>` constant to `internal/inference/inference.go`
+2. Add case to `Info()` method (name, env var, base URL)
+3. Add case to `UnmarshalText()` for YAML parsing
+4. Add case to `setAuthHeaders()` in `client.go` if auth differs from Bearer token
+5. Update `AllProviders()` return slice
+
+---
+
+## Known Limitations
+
+- `obm status` is stubbed — not yet functional
+- DigitalOcean provider validation not yet implemented (only Hetzner)
+- No resumable deploy — interrupted walkthrough = start over
+- No cost preview before the summary step
+- `openai` and `anthropic` inference providers listed in schema but not fully implemented in the inference client (only ZAI, Venice, OpenRouter have live validation)
+
+---
+
+## Relationship to Terraform Configs
+
+`obm` generates the `.env` file. The Terraform configs that consume it live in the `openboatmobile-ai` repo. The variable schema in `internal/config/schema.go` must stay in sync with the Terraform variable definitions in `openboatmobile-ai/variables-*.tf`.
+
+If you add a variable to the Terraform configs, you must also add a corresponding `VarDef` to `schema.go`.
+
+---
+
+## Testing Strategy
+
+- Unit tests in each package (`*_test.go`)
+- Hetzner provider tested with mock HTTP servers (`WithHTTPClient` + `WithBaseURL` options)
+- Inference client tested with mock `/models` endpoints
+- Run with: `make test` or `go test -v -race -coverprofile=coverage.out ./...`
+
+---
+
+## File Locations Summary
+
+| File | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| `VERSION` | Single-line semver string |
+| `Makefile` | Build, test, lint, cross-compile targets |
+| `Dockerfile` | Multi-stage build for containerized obm |
+| `deploy.yaml.example` | Full YAML config reference |
+| `scripts/install.sh` | `curl \| sh` installer |
+| `scripts/release.sh` | Tag + push release automation |
+| `.github/workflows/ci.yml` | Test + build on push/PR |
+| `.github/workflows/release.yml` | Cross-compile + GitHub Release on tag |
+| `CHANGELOG.md` | Version history |
+| `CONTRIBUTING.md` | Dev setup, PR checklist, release process |
+| `README.md` | User-facing overview (casual tone) |
+| `DETAILS.md` | Full technical reference |
+| `LLMs.md` | This file — agent-oriented reference |
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index fd77885..3c2a530 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,167 +1,167 @@
-# obm - OpenBoatMobile Infrastructure CLI
+# obm 🚢
 
-A CLI tool for deploying AI agents on cloud infrastructure with Terraform.
+**Deploy your own AI agent to the cloud in about five minutes.**
 
-## Installation
+No YAML file editing. No guessing if your API keys work. No 94-line config templates.
+Just answer a few questions and your agent is live.
 
-### Quick Install (Linux/macOS)
+---
+
+## What is this?
+
+`obm` is a command-line tool that walks you through setting up an AI agent on cloud infrastructure. It asks you things like "which cloud provider?" and "which AI model?" — then validates your answers on the spot, writes the config, and hands it off to Terraform to build everything.
+
+It supports two agent frameworks:
+
+- **Hermes Agent** (by Nous Research) — a Python-based agent with Discord chat, voice, web search, and a ton of integrations. Think of it as a personal AI assistant you can talk to.
+- **OpenClaw** — a Node.js-based agent with a simpler setup. Good if you want something lighter.
+
+Both run on either **Hetzner Cloud** (cheap, EU-based) or **DigitalOcean** (more regions).
+
+---
+
+## Quick start
+
+### Install
+
+**Mac or Linux (one command):**
 
 ```bash
 curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/openboatmobile/obm/main/scripts/install.sh | sh
 ```
 
-Install a specific version:
+**Or download a binary** from the [releases page](https://github.com/openboatmobile/obm/releases/latest) and put it somewhere on your PATH.
+
+**Or build from source** (requires Go 1.22+):
 
 ```bash
-curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/openboatmobile/obm/main/scripts/install.sh | sh -s -- v1.2.3
+git clone https://github.com/openboatmobile/obm.git
+cd obm
+make build
 ```
 
-### Manual Install
-
-Download the latest release for your platform from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/openboatmobile/obm/releases/latest):
-
-| Platform | Architecture | Download |
-|----------|-------------|----------|
-| Linux | x86_64 (amd64) | `obm-linux-amd64.tar.gz` |
-| Linux | ARM64 | `obm-linux-arm64.tar.gz` |
-| macOS | Apple Silicon (arm64) | `obm-darwin-arm64.tar.gz` |
-| Windows | x86_64 (amd64) | `obm-windows-amd64.zip` |
-| Windows | ARM64 | `obm-windows-arm64.zip` |
-
-**Linux/macOS:**
-```bash
-# Download and extract
-curl -sL https://github.com/openboatmobile/obm/releases/latest/download/obm-linux-amd64.tar.gz | tar xz
-# Or for ARM64:
-# curl -sL https://github.com/openboatmobile/obm/releases/latest/download/obm-linux-arm64.tar.gz | tar xz
-
-chmod +x obm
-sudo mv obm /usr/local/bin/
-```
-
-**Windows (PowerShell):**
-```powershell
-# Download and extract
-Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://github.com/openboatmobile/obm/releases/latest/download/obm-windows-amd64.zip -OutFile obm.zip
-Expand-Archive obm.zip
-# Add to PATH as needed
-```
-
-### From Source
+### Deploy your agent
 
 ```bash
-go build -o obm ./cmd/obm
+obm deploy
 ```
 
-## Usage
+That's it. You'll get an interactive walkthrough that looks like this:
 
-### Interactive Mode (Default)
+```
+🚢 OpenBoatmobile — Deploy your AI agent
 
-Run the interactive wizard to configure your deployment:
+Step 1: Agent Framework
+  [1] Hermes Agent (Nous Research) — Python-based, highly configurable
+  [2] OpenClaw — Node.js-based, simpler setup
 
-```bash
-./obm deploy
+Step 2: Cloud Provider
+  [1] Hetzner Cloud — from €4.49/mo (recommended, ~70% cheaper)
+  [2] DigitalOcean — from $6/mo (wider region availability)
+
+Step 3: Provider API Token
+  Get yours at: https://console.hetzner.cloud/ → Security → API Tokens
+  Token: ********
+  ✓ Token validated
+
+...
 ```
 
-The wizard will guide you through:
-1. Agent framework selection (Hermes or OpenClaw)
-2. Cloud provider (Hetzner or DigitalOcean)
-3. Server configuration
-4. Inference provider (Venice, OpenRouter, OpenAI, Anthropic, or Custom)
-5. Optional: Tailscale VPN, Discord integration
+At the end, you'll see a summary with cost estimate and get asked to confirm. Say yes, and `obm` writes your config and kicks off Terraform.
 
-### Non-Interactive Mode (CI/CD)
+### Other commands
 
-For automated deployments, use a YAML configuration file:
-
-```bash
-./obm deploy --config deploy.yaml
-```
-
-See `deploy.yaml.example` for a complete configuration reference.
-
-## Commands
-
-| Command | Description |
+| Command | What it does |
 |---------|-------------|
-| `deploy` | Deploy an AI agent (interactive or --config for CI/CD) |
-| `validate` | Check configuration and API credentials |
-| `status` | Show current infrastructure state |
-| `destroy` | Tear down provisioned infrastructure |
-| `version` | Print version |
-| `help` | Show help message |
+| `obm deploy` | Interactive walkthrough to set up a new agent |
+| `obm validate` | Checks your existing config and API keys |
+| `obm status` | Shows the state of your current deployment |
+| `obm destroy` | Tears down your infrastructure (asks first, don't worry) |
+| `obm version` | Prints the version |
 
-## Configuration File Format
+### Non-interactive mode (for automation)
 
-The YAML configuration file supports the following structure:
-
-```yaml
-# Required: Agent framework
-framework: hermes  # or openclaw
-
-# Required: Cloud provider
-provider:
-  name: hetzner  # or digitalocean
-  token: "your-api-token"
-  ssh:
-    names: ["my-ssh-key"]  # Hetzner
-    # fingerprints: ["aa:bb:cc:dd"]  # DigitalOcean
-
-# Server configuration
-server:
-  name: "my-agent"
-  location: "ash"  # Hetzner: ash, fsn1, nbg1, hel1
-  type: "cpx21"
-
-# Required: Inference provider
-inference:
-  provider: venice  # venice, openrouter, openai, anthropic, custom
-  api_key: "your-api-key"
-  primary_model: "zai-org-glm-5"
-
-# Optional: Tailscale VPN
-tailscale:
-  enabled: true
-  auth_key: "tskey-auth-..."
-  tailnet: "mytailnet"
-
-# Optional: Discord integration
-discord:
-  enabled: true
-  bot_token: ""
-  server_id: ""
-```
-
-## Example Workflows
-
-### Local Development
+If you're running this in CI/CD or just don't want the prompts:
 
 ```bash
-# Interactive setup
-./obm deploy
-
-# Validate your .env file
-./obm validate --env-file .env
+obm deploy --config deploy.yaml
 ```
 
-### CI/CD Pipeline
+See [`deploy.yaml.example`](deploy.yaml.example) for the full config file format.
 
-```bash
-# Create deploy.yaml from your secrets manager
-# Then run non-interactive deployment
-./obm deploy --config deploy.yaml
-```
+---
 
-### GitOps Setup
+## What you'll need
 
-1. Store `deploy.yaml` in your repository (use template with placeholders)
-2. Use a secrets manager for sensitive values
-3. In CI:
-   ```bash
-   envsubst < deploy.yaml.template > deploy.yaml
-   ./obm deploy --config deploy.yaml
-   ```
+Before running `obm deploy`, have these ready:
+
+1. **A cloud provider account** — [Hetzner Cloud](https://console.hetzner.cloud/) or [DigitalOcean](https://cloud.digitalocean.com/). Hetzner is cheaper; DigitalOcean has more data center locations.
+2. **An API token** from your cloud provider. You can generate one in their dashboard.
+3. **An AI model API key** — Venice AI, OpenRouter, OpenAI, or Anthropic. This is the "brain" your agent will use.
+4. **An SSH public key** uploaded to your cloud provider (so you can log into your server later).
+
+Optional but recommended:
+- **Tailscale** account for VPN access to your server
+- **Discord bot token** if you want your agent to chat on Discord
+
+---
+
+## How much does it cost?
+
+The server cost depends on your cloud provider and server size. `obm` shows you the estimated monthly cost before you commit.
+
+**Rough starting points:**
+
+| Provider | Smallest option | Good for |
+|----------|----------------|----------|
+| Hetzner | €4.49/mo (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM) | Most agents |
+| DigitalOcean | $6/mo (1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM) | Light use |
+
+The AI model API costs are separate and depend on your usage.
+
+---
+
+## What happens under the hood?
+
+`obm` generates a `.env` file that [Terraform](https://terraform.io) reads to provision your server, install the agent software, and configure everything. You don't need to know Terraform — `obm` handles it.
+
+The Terraform configs live in the [openboatmobile-ai](https://github.com/openboatmobile/openboatmobile-ai) repo. `obm` is the friendly CLI wrapper around them.
+
+---
+
+## Project status
+
+`obm` is actively developed and functional for the core deploy workflow. Here's what works and what's coming:
+
+**Working now:**
+- Interactive deploy walkthrough (8 steps)
+- API key validation for cloud providers and inference providers
+- SSH key listing from Hetzner
+- `.env` file generation
+- Config validation (`obm validate`)
+- Infrastructure teardown (`obm destroy`)
+- Non-interactive mode with YAML config
+- Cross-compiled binaries (Linux, macOS, Windows)
+- `curl | sh` installer
+
+**Coming soon:**
+- `obm status` — SSH health checks on your deployment
+- DigitalOcean provider validation
+- Cost estimation display
+- Resumable deploy (pick up where you left off)
+
+---
+
+## For developers
+
+Building, testing, and contributing — see [DETAILS.md](DETAILS.md) for the full technical reference and [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for the contribution guide.
+
+## For AI agents
+
+If you're an AI agent reading this to learn about the project, check out [LLMs.md](LLMs.md) — it's written specifically for you.
+
+---
 
 ## License
 
-MIT
\ No newline at end of file
+MIT