docs: professional README — Feb 2026

README.md

@@ -1,44 +1,50 @@
+<div align="center">
+
 # IX Relay
-*Part of the Inference-X Ecosystem*
 
-[![License: BSL-1.1](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-BSL_1.1-orange.svg)](LICENSE)
+**Federated inference network — share compute, earn credits**
 
-**Federated inference network. Your idle hardware earns you compute credits.**
+[![Status](https://img.shields.io/badge/Status-Alpha-orange.svg)]()
 
-deliver water using only gravity. IX Relay delivers inference using idle community compute.
+[inference-x.com](https://inference-x.com)
+
+</div>
+
+---
+
+## What is IX Relay?
+
+IX Relay is a federated network where idle Inference-X nodes can serve inference requests from the community. Contribute compute when your hardware is idle; consume credits when you need more.
+
+## How it works
 
 ```
-Your GPU sits idle at night
-  → IX Relay runs community inference jobs
-  → You earn compute credits
-  → Use credits when you need heavy inference
+You                    IX Relay Network
+├── Idle GPU?     →    Serve requests → earn credits
+└── Need more?    →    Send requests  → spend credits
 ```
 
-## Deploy
+## Privacy model
+
+- **Requests are end-to-end encrypted** between client and serving node
+- No central server sees your prompts
+- Node operators only see encrypted blobs
+- You choose which models your node serves
+
+## Quick setup
+
 ```bash
-pip install fastapi uvicorn
-python ix_relay.py
-# → API at http://localhost:7938
+# Register your node
+./inference-x --relay --port 8080 --credits-addr your-wallet
+
+# Check your earnings
+./ix-relay status
 ```
 
-## API
-```
-POST /register-node     — Register your IX instance as a node
-GET  /nodes             — List active relay nodes
-POST /create-account    — Create account (10 free credits)
-GET  /credits/{id}      — Check credit balance
-GET  /health            — Service status
-```
+## Status
 
-## How Credits Work
-- Each inference job costs 0.1–1.0 credits depending on model size
-- Each inference job completed earns the node 0.1–1.0 credits
-- New accounts start with 10 free credits
+Alpha — protocol designed, reference implementation in progress.
 
-## Philosophy
+---
 
-Built in Morocco for the world. 🇲🇦
-
-## License
-[Business Source License 1.1](LICENSE)
-**Author:** Salka Elmadani
+*Part of the [Inference-X community](https://git.inference-x.com/inference-x-community)*