Add repository front door

README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+# AGE engine reimplementation
+
+Open reimplementation of Eushully's AGE engine with first-class modding. The first target is
+*Himegari Dungeon Meister* (SYS4, 2009); the runtime is Godot 4.7 .NET plus a platform-neutral C# VM.
+
+This repository contains only authored engine, tooling, native-boundary, test, and documentation files.
+It does not contain the original game. Supply a legally obtained AGE installation separately; never copy
+original game data into this repository.
+
+## Start here
+
+Prerequisites for the current Windows development workflow are Python 3.11, the .NET 8 SDK, Godot 4.7
+.NET, and a Himegari install containing `SYS4INI.BIN`. Pass paths explicitly or configure
+`AGE_GODOT_CONSOLE` and `AGE_GAME_ROOT`.
+
+```powershell
+# Verify and display the resolved development environment without launching.
+.\run-godot.ps1 -Doctor -GodotConsole <godot-console.exe> -GameRoot <Himegari-install>
+
+# Run source-only/core validation. The default validation level is the complete workspace/runtime suite.
+py -3.11 -X utf8 tools\validate.py --level core
+
+# Build and launch the natural SYSTEM4 → title → game route.
+.\run-godot.ps1 -GodotConsole <godot-console.exe> -GameRoot <Himegari-install>
+```
+
+`workspace` and `full` validation additionally require the extracted script corpus and disposable derived
+inputs described by the tools reference. `runtime` and `full` require Godot plus a valid game root. A
+selected requirement that is unavailable is an error, not a silent skip.
+
+## Canonical references
+
+- [Architecture and roadmap](docs/remake-architecture-and-roadmap.md) — direction, phases, and the current
+  codebase-consolidation effort.
+- [Project structure](docs/PROJECT-STRUCTURE.md) — source/original/derived ownership and directory layout.
+- [Tools reference](docs/tools-reference.md) — exact commands, prerequisites, inputs, and outputs.
+- [Phase B framework](docs/phase-b-framework.md) — boot, menu, session, and gameplay execution order.
+- [Engine reverse engineering](docs/engine-re.md) — native AGE findings and provenance.
+
+Follow the repository's canonical-document map when recording new knowledge: extend the existing owner and
+cross-link it instead of duplicating facts here.
+
+## Generated data
+
+`build/` is disposable and ignored. Generated references identify their canonical source in their header;
+edit that source and run its owning generator rather than patching generated output. The original game
+install and extracted archives remain sibling directories outside this Git repository.