diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ce70d8b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# input-display
+simple fightstick input viewer
+
+currently supports only five buttons and only left and right stick directions, because i play fs and that's just the way it is i guess
+
+fightstick with no inputs:
+
+![fightstick with no inputs](https://i.imgur.com/TcLUlLw.png)
+
+all buttons held and stick left:
+
+![all buttons held and stick left](https://i.imgur.com/GkvcVxI.png)
+
+a configuration file for button remapping and image files for customization are provided. if they're missing at runtime, the program defaults to the default values and images