diff --git a/.beads/issues.jsonl b/.beads/issues.jsonl
index d9618ec..b579253 100644
--- a/.beads/issues.jsonl
+++ b/.beads/issues.jsonl
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 {"id":"bb-18e.10","title":"Add downstream-impact risk tinting","description":"Add subtle risk tinting based on downstream impact count to highlight high-blast-radius tasks.","acceptance_criteria":"- Higher downstream impact gets stronger but subtle visual signal.\n- Does not overpower status/selection color language.\n- Works with existing legend semantics.","notes":"Use restrained styling; no heavy borders.","status":"open","priority":2,"issue_type":"task","owner":"jordanlive121@gmail.com","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:21.812041-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive","updated_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:21.812041-08:00","labels":["graph","signal","ux"],"dependencies":[{"issue_id":"bb-18e.10","depends_on_id":"bb-18e","type":"parent-child","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:21.8153577-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"},{"issue_id":"bb-18e.10","depends_on_id":"bb-18e.4","type":"blocks","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:43.4643033-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"}]}
 {"id":"bb-18e.11","title":"AI dependency explanation scaffold (deferred)","description":"Prepare integration scaffold for later AI explanation in dependency view (why blocked / next steps), without shipping model calls yet.","acceptance_criteria":"- Data contract for AI explanation input is defined.\n- UI placeholder state exists but feature-flagged/off by default.\n- No network/model dependency in this bead.","notes":"Deferred feature: implement only scaffolding and interfaces.","status":"closed","priority":3,"issue_type":"task","owner":"jordanlive121@gmail.com","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:22.4738465-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive","updated_at":"2026-02-12T23:35:59.2331675-08:00","closed_at":"2026-02-12T23:35:59.2331675-08:00","labels":["ai","backlog","graph"],"dependencies":[{"issue_id":"bb-18e.11","depends_on_id":"bb-18e","type":"parent-child","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:22.4799753-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"},{"issue_id":"bb-18e.11","depends_on_id":"bb-18e.9","type":"blocks","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:44.0206618-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"},{"issue_id":"bb-18e.11","depends_on_id":"bb-18e.1","type":"blocks","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:44.590355-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"}]}
 {"id":"bb-18e.2","title":"Add plain-English edge labels + contrast upgrade","description":"Improve edge readability by labeling relationships in plain language (blocks/parent/related) and increasing contrast for fast scan.\nScope: graph viewport only; no mutation behavior changes.","acceptance_criteria":"- Edge labels are visible and readable at default zoom.\n- Labels map correctly to relation type.\n- Contrast remains accessible on dark background.","notes":"Verification: typecheck + graph responsive guard + visual screenshot at 390/768/1440.","status":"open","priority":1,"issue_type":"task","owner":"jordanlive121@gmail.com","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:16.9461643-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive","updated_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:16.9461643-08:00","labels":["graph","readability","ux"],"dependencies":[{"issue_id":"bb-18e.2","depends_on_id":"bb-18e","type":"parent-child","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:16.9493723-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"}]}
-{"id":"bb-18e.3","title":"Add directional context hints for dependency reading","description":"Add concise orientation hints explaining graph reading order (left prerequisites, right downstream impact).\nPlace hints near graph legend and keep copy plain.","acceptance_criteria":"- Direction hint appears in graph UI.\n- Hint remains visible and non-intrusive on mobile and desktop.","notes":"Use plain language only; no jargon-heavy copy.","status":"in_progress","priority":2,"issue_type":"task","owner":"jordanlive121@gmail.com","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:17.525886-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive","updated_at":"2026-02-12T22:05:05.0265309-08:00","labels":["graph","orientation","ux"],"dependencies":[{"issue_id":"bb-18e.3","depends_on_id":"bb-18e","type":"parent-child","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:17.5284994-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"}]}
+{"id":"bb-18e.3","title":"Add directional context hints for dependency reading","description":"Add concise orientation hints explaining graph reading order (left prerequisites, right downstream impact).\nPlace hints near graph legend and keep copy plain.","acceptance_criteria":"- Direction hint appears in graph UI.\n- Hint remains visible and non-intrusive on mobile and desktop.","notes":"Added plain-language directional hint in Graph legend: 'Read left to right: Left = blockers, middle = selected task, Right = work this task unblocks.' Also added guard contract assertions in tests/guards/graph-responsive-contract.test.mjs to prevent regressions.","status":"closed","priority":2,"issue_type":"task","owner":"jordanlive121@gmail.com","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:17.525886-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive","updated_at":"2026-02-12T23:47:50.0333842-08:00","closed_at":"2026-02-12T23:47:50.0333842-08:00","close_reason":"Directional context hint shipped with guard coverage; visibility and wording verified on responsive graph layout.","labels":["graph","orientation","ux"],"dependencies":[{"issue_id":"bb-18e.3","depends_on_id":"bb-18e","type":"parent-child","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:17.5284994-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"}]}
 {"id":"bb-18e.4","title":"Add edge-type toggles to reduce graph noise","description":"Add controls to show/hide edge categories (blocks,parent,related) so users can simplify complex views.","acceptance_criteria":"- Users can toggle edge categories independently.\n- Default preserves current behavior.\n- Toggle state updates graph without runtime errors.","notes":"Include test coverage for toggle behavior.","status":"open","priority":1,"issue_type":"task","owner":"jordanlive121@gmail.com","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:18.1326942-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive","updated_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:18.1326942-08:00","labels":["controls","graph","ux"],"dependencies":[{"issue_id":"bb-18e.4","depends_on_id":"bb-18e","type":"parent-child","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:18.1347832-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"},{"issue_id":"bb-18e.4","depends_on_id":"bb-18e.2","type":"blocks","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:39.3944582-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"}]}
 {"id":"bb-18e.5","title":"Add external-blockers-only filter","description":"Add a filter that shows only blockers outside selected epic/task context to focus on cross-epic constraints.","acceptance_criteria":"- Filter clearly isolates external blockers.\n- Selected/focus node remains visible.\n- UX works on mobile and desktop.","notes":"Must degrade gracefully if no external blockers exist.","status":"open","priority":2,"issue_type":"task","owner":"jordanlive121@gmail.com","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:18.7705681-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive","updated_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:18.7705681-08:00","labels":["dependencies","filters","graph"],"dependencies":[{"issue_id":"bb-18e.5","depends_on_id":"bb-18e","type":"parent-child","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:18.7726627-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"},{"issue_id":"bb-18e.5","depends_on_id":"bb-18e.4","type":"blocks","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:41.1088626-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"}]}
 {"id":"bb-18e.6","title":"Keep selected node centered during focus navigation","description":"Refine viewport behavior so selected node remains centered/predictable when user selects tasks or changes depth.","acceptance_criteria":"- Selection keeps focus node in stable viewport position.\n- No clipping/bleed regressions.\n- Fit behavior remains bounded.","notes":"Add tests for focus/viewport contract where feasible.","status":"open","priority":1,"issue_type":"task","owner":"jordanlive121@gmail.com","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:19.3791473-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive","updated_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:19.3791473-08:00","labels":["graph","interaction","ux"],"dependencies":[{"issue_id":"bb-18e.6","depends_on_id":"bb-18e","type":"parent-child","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:19.3807243-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"},{"issue_id":"bb-18e.6","depends_on_id":"bb-18e.2","type":"blocks","created_at":"2026-02-12T20:21:39.9439739-08:00","created_by":"zenchantlive"}]}
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d75207a..e0f9cc1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,23 +1,50 @@
 # BeadBoard
 
-Windows-native Beads dashboard built with Next.js 15, React 19, and TypeScript.
+**The Windows-native Control Center for Beads.**
 
-## Core Rules
-- Read source of truth from `.beads/issues.jsonl`.
-- Perform all writes through `bd.exe`.
-- Never write directly to `.beads/issues.jsonl`.
-- Use Windows-safe path normalization for all project path operations.
+BeadBoard is a high-performance local dashboard for managing your software development tasks. Built on the Beads protocol, it provides a unified, visualization-rich interface over your distributed project landscape.
 
-## Stack
-- Next.js 15 (App Router)
-- React 19
-- TypeScript (strict)
+## 🚀 Why BeadBoard?
+Most task managers are siloes. BeadBoard is a lens over your source code.
+- **Source of Truth**: Reads directly from `.beads/issues.jsonl` in your repo. No database sync skew.
+- **Windows Optimized**: Built from the ground up to handle Windows paths, drive letters, and filesystem performance.
+- **Zero Latency**: Optimistic UI updates make interactions feel instant.
 
-## Local Development
-- `npm install`
-- `npm run dev`
-- `npm run typecheck`
-- `npm run test`
+## ✨ Core Features
 
-## Scope
-BeadBoard provides Kanban, dependency graph, timeline, and agent-session views over one or more registered Windows project roots.
+### 1. Multi-Project Registry & Scanner
+Stop context switching between repos.
+- **Project Registry**: Persist your favorite project roots for one-click access.
+- **Auto-Discovery**: Built-in filesystem scanner finds Bead-enabled projects across your drives.
+- **Aggregate Mode**: View tasks from *all* registered projects in a single unified board.
+
+### 2. Interactive Kanban Dashboard (`/`)
+Manage your flow state.
+- **Live Updates**: Boards refresh automatically when the underlying JSONL files change (e.g., via CLI).
+- **Progressive Disclosure**: Task details, metadata, and relations are tucked away until you need them.
+- **Smart Filtering**: Filter by priority, assignee, status, or full-text search across thousands of beads.
+
+### 3. Dependency Graph Explorer (`/graph`)
+Understand the "Why" and "What's Next".
+- **Epic-Centric Layout**: Automatically groups tasks by Epic for logical clustering.
+- **True DAG Visualization**: Uses Dagre layout engine to enforce a strict Left-to-Right dependency flow.
+  - *Left*: Incoming Blockers
+  - *Center*: Focus Task
+  - *Right*: Unlocks / Downstream
+- **Focus Mode**: Minimizable dependency strip and deep-linking support for sharing exact views.
+- **Smart Metadata**: See bead counts, priorities, and status health at a glance.
+
+## 🛠️ Stack
+- **Framework**: Next.js 15 (App Router)
+- **UI Engine**: React 19 + Framer Motion
+- **Styling**: Tailwind CSS + Custom Design System
+- **Type Safety**: Strict TypeScript
+
+## ⚡ Quick Start
+1. **Install**: `npm install`
+2. **Run**: `npm run dev`
+3. **Explore**: Open `http://localhost:3000`
+
+## 🤝 Contribution
+- **Typecheck**: `npm run typecheck`
+- **Test**: `npm run test`