diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 98d8edb..97f8829 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -5,428 +5,118 @@ A secure steganography system for hiding encrypted messages in images using hybr
 [![Tests](https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/actions/workflows/test.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/actions/workflows/test.yml)
 [![Lint](https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/actions/workflows/lint.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/actions/workflows/lint.yml)
 ![Python](https://img.shields.io/badge/Python-3.10--3.12-blue)
-[![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-green.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
+[![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-green.svg)](LICENSE)
 ![Security](https://img.shields.io/badge/Security-AES--256--GCM-red)
-![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/Version-4.0.1-purple)
 
 ## Features
 
-- 🔐 **AES-256-GCM** authenticated encryption
-- 🧠 **Argon2id** memory-hard key derivation (256MB RAM requirement)
-- 🎲 **Pseudo-random pixel selection** defeats steganalysis
-- 🔑 **Multi-factor authentication**: PIN, RSA key, or both
-- 🖼️ **Reference photo** as "something you have"
-- 🌐 **Multiple interfaces**: CLI, Web UI, REST API
-- 📁 **File embedding** - Hide any file type (PDF, ZIP, documents)
-- 📱 **QR code support** - Encode/decode RSA keys via QR codes
-- 🆕 **DCT steganography** - JPEG-resilient embedding for social media
-- 🆕 **Large image support** - Process images up to 14MB+
+- **AES-256-GCM** authenticated encryption
+- **Argon2id** memory-hard key derivation (256MB RAM requirement)
+- **Pseudo-random pixel selection** defeats steganalysis
+- **Multi-factor authentication**: Reference photo + passphrase + PIN/RSA key
+- **Multiple interfaces**: CLI, Web UI, REST API
+- **File embedding**: Hide any file type (PDF, ZIP, documents)
+- **DCT steganography**: JPEG-resilient embedding for social media
+- **Channel keys**: Private group communication channels
 
-## What's New in v4.0.0
-
-| Feature | Description |
-|---------|-------------|
-| **Simplified Auth** | Removed date dependency - encode/decode anytime without tracking dates |
-| **Passphrase** | Renamed from "day phrase" to "passphrase" (no more daily rotation) |
-| **Python 3.12** | Requires Python 3.10-3.12 (jpegio incompatible with 3.13) |
-| **Large Image Fix** | JPEG normalization prevents crashes with quality=100 images |
-| **Subprocess Isolation** | WebUI runs encode/decode in subprocesses for stability |
-| **4-Word Default** | Default passphrase increased from 3 to 4 words |
-
-### Breaking Changes from v3.x
-
-- `day_phrase` parameter renamed to `passphrase` in all APIs
-- `date_str` parameter removed from encode/decode functions
-- Python 3.13 not supported (jpegio C extension incompatibility)
-
-### Embedding Mode Comparison
+## Embedding Modes
 
 | Mode | Capacity (1080p) | JPEG Resilient | Best For |
 |------|------------------|----------------|----------|
-| **DCT** (default) | ~150 KB | ✅ Yes | Social media, messaging apps |
-| **LSB** | ~750 KB | ❌ No | Email, file transfer |
+| **DCT** (default) | ~150 KB | Yes | Social media, messaging apps |
+| **LSB** | ~750 KB | No | Email, direct file transfer |
 
-## WebUI Preview
+## Web UI
 
-| Front Page | Encode | Decode | Generate |
-|:----------:|:------:|:------:|:--------:|
-| ![Screenshot](https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/blob/main/data/WebUI.webp) | ![Screenshot](https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/blob/main/data/WebUI_Encode.webp) | ![Screenshot](https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/blob/main/data/WebUI_Decode.webp) | ![Screenshot](https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/blob/main/data/WebUI_Generate.webp) |
+| Home | Encode | Decode | Generate |
+|:----:|:------:|:------:|:--------:|
+| ![Home](data/WebUI.webp) | ![Encode](data/WebUI_Encode.webp) | ![Decode](data/WebUI_Decode.webp) | ![Generate](data/WebUI_Generate.webp) |
 
 ## Quick Start
 
 ```bash
-# Install with all features (requires Python 3.10-3.12)
+# Install (Python 3.10-3.12)
 pip install -e ".[all]"
 
-# Generate credentials (memorize these!)
+# Generate credentials
 stegasoo generate --pin --words 4
 
-# Encode a message (DCT mode - default, best for social media)
+# Encode a message
 stegasoo encode \
-  --ref photo.jpg \
+  --ref my_photo.jpg \
   --carrier meme.jpg \
   --passphrase "apple forest thunder mountain" \
   --pin 123456 \
   --message "Secret message"
 
-# Encode with LSB mode (higher capacity, for email/file transfer)
-stegasoo encode \
-  --ref photo.jpg \
-  --carrier meme.png \
-  --passphrase "apple forest thunder mountain" \
-  --pin 123456 \
-  --message "Secret message" \
-  --mode lsb
-
-# Decode (auto-detects mode)
+# Decode
 stegasoo decode \
-  --ref photo.jpg \
-  --stego stego.png \
+  --ref my_photo.jpg \
+  --stego stego_image.png \
   --passphrase "apple forest thunder mountain" \
   --pin 123456
 ```
 
-For detailed installation instructions, see **[INSTALL.md](INSTALL.md)**.
+## Interfaces
 
----
+| Interface | Start Command | Documentation |
+|-----------|---------------|---------------|
+| **CLI** | `stegasoo --help` | [CLI.md](CLI.md) |
+| **Web UI** | `cd frontends/web && python app.py` | [WEB_UI.md](WEB_UI.md) |
+| **REST API** | `cd frontends/api && uvicorn main:app` | [API.md](API.md) |
 
 ## Security Model
 
-Stegasoo uses multiple authentication factors combined with strong cryptography:
-
 ```
-┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
-│                    AUTHENTICATION LAYERS                         │
-├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
-│                                                                 │
-│   Reference Photo ──┐                                           │
-│   (~80-256 bits)    │                                           │
-│                     ├──► Argon2id KDF ──► AES-256-GCM Key       │
-│   Passphrase ───────┤    (256MB RAM)                            │
-│   (~43-132 bits)    │                                           │
-│                     │                                           │
-│   Static PIN ───────┤                                           │
-│   (~20-30 bits)     │                                           │
-│                     │                                           │
-│   RSA Key ──────────┘                                           │
-│   (~128 bits)       (optional, adds another factor)             │
-│                                                                 │
-└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+Reference Photo ──┐
+(~80-256 bits)    │
+                  ├──► Argon2id KDF ──► AES-256-GCM Key
+Passphrase ───────┤    (256MB RAM)
+(~43-132 bits)    │
+                  │
+PIN ──────────────┤
+(~20-30 bits)     │
+                  │
+RSA Key ──────────┘
+(optional)
 ```
 
-### Entropy Summary
-
-| Component | Entropy | Purpose |
-|-----------|---------|---------|
-| Reference Photo | ~80-256 bits | Something you have |
-| Passphrase (3-12 words) | ~33-132 bits | Something you know |
-| PIN (6-9 digits) | ~20-30 bits | Something you know |
-| RSA Key (2048-4096 bit) | ~112-128 bits | Something you have (optional) |
-| **Combined** | **133-400+ bits** | **Beyond brute force** |
-
-### Attack Resistance
-
-| Attack | Protection |
-|--------|------------|
-| Brute force | 2^133+ combinations minimum |
-| Rainbow tables | Random 16-byte salt per message |
-| Steganalysis | Pseudo-random pixel/coefficient selection |
-| GPU cracking | Argon2id requires 256MB RAM per attempt |
-| Side-channel | Constant-time operations in cryptography library |
-| JPEG recompression | DCT mode embeds in frequency domain |
-
-### Security Configurations
-
 | Configuration | Entropy | Use Case |
 |--------------|---------|----------|
-| 3-word passphrase + 6-digit PIN | ~133 bits | Casual private messaging |
-| 4-word passphrase + 9-digit PIN | ~176 bits | Standard security (recommended) |
-| 4-word passphrase + RSA 2048 | ~241 bits | File-based authentication |
-| 6-word passphrase + PIN + RSA 4096 | ~304 bits | Maximum security |
-
----
-
-## Interfaces
-
-### Command-Line Interface (CLI)
-
-Full-featured CLI with piping support:
-
-```bash
-# Generate with RSA key
-stegasoo generate --rsa --rsa-bits 4096 -o mykey.pem -p "password"
-
-# Encode (DCT mode is now default)
-stegasoo encode -r ref.jpg -c carrier.jpg -p "passphrase words here" --pin 123456 -m "Message"
-
-# Encode with LSB mode for higher capacity
-stegasoo encode -r ref.jpg -c carrier.png -p "passphrase words here" --pin 123456 \
-  -m "Message" --mode lsb
-
-# Encode a file
-stegasoo encode -r ref.jpg -c carrier.png -p "passphrase words here" --pin 123456 -f secret.txt
-
-# Decode to stdout (quiet mode)
-stegasoo decode -r ref.jpg -s stego.png -p "passphrase words here" --pin 123456 -q
-
-# Compare LSB vs DCT capacity for an image
-stegasoo compare carrier.png
-
-# Check available modes
-stegasoo modes
-```
-
-📖 Full documentation: **[CLI.md](CLI.md)**
-
-### Web UI
-
-Browser-based interface with drag-and-drop uploads:
-
-```bash
-# Start the server
-cd frontends/web
-python app.py
-# Visit http://localhost:5000
-```
-
-Features:
-- Drag-and-drop image uploads with scan animations
-- Real-time entropy calculator
-- Native mobile sharing (Web Share API)
-- DCT mode default with compact mode selector
-- Subprocess isolation for stability
-- Large image support (14MB+ tested)
-- Streamlined form flow (v3.3.0)
-
-📖 Full documentation: **[WEB_UI.md](WEB_UI.md)**
-
-### REST API
-
-FastAPI-powered REST API with OpenAPI documentation:
-
-```bash
-# Start the server
-cd frontends/api
-uvicorn main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
-# Docs at http://localhost:8000/docs
-```
-
-Example API calls:
-
-```bash
-# Generate credentials
-curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/generate \
-  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-  -d '{"use_pin": true, "passphrase_words": 4}'
-
-# Encode (DCT mode is default)
-curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/encode/multipart \
-  -F "message=Secret" \
-  -F "passphrase=apple forest thunder mountain" \
-  -F "pin=123456" \
-  -F "reference_photo=@photo.jpg" \
-  -F "carrier=@meme.jpg" \
-  --output stego.jpg
-
-# Encode with LSB mode
-curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/encode/multipart \
-  -F "message=Secret" \
-  -F "passphrase=apple forest thunder mountain" \
-  -F "pin=123456" \
-  -F "embed_mode=lsb" \
-  -F "reference_photo=@photo.jpg" \
-  -F "carrier=@meme.png" \
-  --output stego.png
-
-# Decode (auto-detects mode)
-curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/decode/multipart \
-  -F "passphrase=apple forest thunder mountain" \
-  -F "pin=123456" \
-  -F "reference_photo=@photo.jpg" \
-  -F "stego_image=@stego.jpg"
-```
-
-📖 Full documentation: **[API.md](API.md)**
-
----
-
-## Project Structure
-
-```
-stegasoo/
-├── src/stegasoo/           # Core library
-│   ├── __init__.py         # Public API
-│   ├── constants.py        # Configuration
-│   ├── crypto.py           # Encryption/decryption
-│   ├── steganography.py    # LSB image embedding
-│   ├── dct_steganography.py # DCT embedding
-│   ├── keygen.py           # Credential generation
-│   ├── validation.py       # Input validation
-│   ├── models.py           # Data classes
-│   ├── exceptions.py       # Custom exceptions
-│   ├── qr_utils.py         # QR code utilities
-│   └── utils.py            # Utilities
-│
-├── frontends/
-│   ├── web/                # Flask web UI
-│   │   ├── app.py
-│   │   ├── subprocess_stego.py  # Subprocess isolation
-│   │   └── stego_worker.py      # Worker script
-│   ├── cli/                # Command-line interface
-│   └── api/                # FastAPI REST API
-│
-├── data/
-│   └── bip39-words.txt     # BIP-39 wordlist
-│
-├── pyproject.toml          # Package configuration
-├── requirements.txt        # Dependencies
-├── Dockerfile              # Multi-stage Docker build
-├── docker-compose.yml      # Container orchestration
-│
-├── README.md               # This file
-├── INSTALL.md              # Installation guide
-├── CLI.md                  # CLI documentation
-├── API.md                  # API documentation
-├── WEB_UI.md               # Web UI documentation
-├── SECURITY.md             # Security documentation
-└── UNDER_THE_HOOD.md       # Technical deep-dive
-```
-
----
+| 4-word passphrase + 6-digit PIN | ~153 bits | Standard security |
+| 4-word passphrase + PIN + RSA | ~280+ bits | Maximum security |
 
 ## Requirements
 
-| Requirement | Version | Notes |
-|-------------|---------|-------|
-| Python | 3.10-3.12 | **3.13 not supported** (jpegio incompatibility) |
-| RAM | 512 MB+ | 256MB for Argon2 operations |
-| Disk | ~100 MB | |
-
-### Key Dependencies
-
-| Package | Purpose |
-|---------|---------|
-| `cryptography` | AES-256-GCM encryption |
-| `Pillow` | Image processing |
-| `argon2-cffi` | Memory-hard key derivation |
-| `scipy` | DCT transforms |
-| `jpegio` | JPEG coefficient manipulation |
-| `numpy` | Array operations |
-
----
-
-## Configuration
-
-### Limits
-
-| Limit | Value |
-|-------|-------|
-| Max image size | Tested up to 14MB |
-| Max message size | 50 KB |
-| Max file upload | 5 MB |
-| PIN length | 6-9 digits |
-| Passphrase length | 3-12 words |
-| RSA key sizes | 2048, 3072, 4096 bits |
-
-### Environment Variables
-
-| Variable | Default | Description |
-|----------|---------|-------------|
-| `FLASK_ENV` | production | Flask environment |
-| `PYTHONPATH` | - | Include `src/` for development |
-
----
+| Requirement | Version |
+|-------------|---------|
+| Python | 3.10-3.12 |
+| RAM | 512 MB+ |
 
 ## Development
 
 ```bash
-# Install dev dependencies
 pip install -e ".[dev]"
-
-# Run tests
 pytest
-
-# Format code
-black src/ frontends/
-ruff check src/ frontends/
-
-# Type checking
-mypy src/
-
-# Check DCT support
-python -c "from stegasoo import has_dct_support; print(f'DCT: {has_dct_support()}')"
-python -c "from stegasoo.dct_steganography import has_jpegio_support; print(f'jpegio: {has_jpegio_support()}')"
+black src/ tests/ frontends/
+ruff check src/ tests/ frontends/
 ```
 
----
+## Documentation
 
-## Version History
-
-| Version | Changes |
-|---------|---------|
-| **4.0.1** | Lint cleanup, test fixes, Web UI improvements (channel key dropdown, LED indicators) |
-| **4.0.0** | Channel key support for deployment isolation, removed date dependency, renamed day_phrase→passphrase, Python 3.12 requirement, JPEG normalization fix, subprocess isolation, large image support |
-| **3.2.x** | DCT color mode, JPEG output fixes |
-| **3.0.x** | Added DCT steganography mode |
-| **2.2.x** | QR code support, file embedding |
-| **2.0.x** | Web UI, REST API, RSA keys |
-| **1.0.x** | Initial release, CLI only |
-
----
-
-## Upgrading from v3.x
-
-### Code Changes Required
-
-```python
-# Old (v3.x)
-result = encode(
-    message="secret",
-    day_phrase="apple forest thunder",
-    date_str="2024-01-15",
-    ...
-)
-
-# New (v4.0)
-result = encode(
-    message="secret",
-    passphrase="apple forest thunder mountain",
-    # No date_str needed!
-    ...
-)
-```
-
-### CLI Changes
-
-```bash
-# Old (v3.x)
-stegasoo encode --phrase "words" --date 2024-01-15 ...
-
-# New (v4.0)
-stegasoo encode --passphrase "words here more" ...
-# or short form
-stegasoo encode -p "words here more" ...
-```
-
----
+- [INSTALL.md](INSTALL.md) - Installation guide
+- [CLI.md](CLI.md) - Command-line reference
+- [API.md](API.md) - REST API documentation
+- [WEB_UI.md](WEB_UI.md) - Web interface guide
+- [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md) - Security model details
+- [UNDER_THE_HOOD.md](UNDER_THE_HOOD.md) - Technical deep-dive
+- [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md) - Version history
+- [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) - Contributor guide
 
 ## License
 
-MIT License - Use responsibly.
+MIT License - see [LICENSE](LICENSE). Use responsibly.
 
 ---
 
-## ⚠️ Disclaimer
-
-This tool is for educational and legitimate privacy purposes only. Users are responsible for complying with applicable laws in their jurisdiction.
-
----
-
-## See Also
-
-- **[INSTALL.md](INSTALL.md)** - Detailed installation instructions
-- **[CLI.md](CLI.md)** - Command-line interface reference
-- **[API.md](API.md)** - REST API documentation
-- **[WEB_UI.md](WEB_UI.md)** - Web interface guide
-- **[SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md)** - Security model and threat analysis
-- **[UNDER_THE_HOOD.md](UNDER_THE_HOOD.md)** - Technical implementation details
+*This tool is for educational and legitimate privacy purposes. Users are responsible for complying with applicable laws.*