diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8be47f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# Dergchat
+
+This is Dergchat, a small chat client for the XMPP protocol. It is written in Rust, based on `xmpp-rs` and Dioxus.
+
+## State of the project
+
+This project is extremely early-days. Do not use this for anything serious.
+
+## Building
+
+Currently, simply open the development shell defined in the flake.nix file; this should give you a shell
+with all the dependencies installed. Then, run `cargo build` to build the project, and `cargo run` to run it.
+
+Installation without Nix is not supported at this time, but you should be able to install the dependencies
+through `apt` or a similar package manager.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/flake.nix b/flake.nix
index b462389..eafa819 100644
--- a/flake.nix
+++ b/flake.nix
@@ -38,23 +38,11 @@
 
         packages = with pkgs; [
           rust-toolchain
-          rustfmt
           pkg-config
-          alsaLib
-          udev
-          xorg.libX11
-          xorg.libXcursor
-          xorg.libXi
-          xorg.libXrandr
-          vulkan-loader
-          libxkbcommon
-          wayland
-          fontconfig
           openssl
           glibc
           gtk3
           webkitgtk_4_1
-          dioxus-cli
         ];
 
         WEBKIT_DISABLE_COMPOSITING_MODE=1;