docs: enhance README with comprehensive documentation and contribution guidelines

README.md

@@ -1,70 +1,120 @@
-# Hyperplonk library
-A linear-time FFT-free SNARK proof system (https://eprint.iacr.org/2022/1355.pdf).
+# Hyperplonk Library
+
+[![Rust](https://github.com/hyperplonk/hyperplonk/workflows/Rust/badge.svg)](https://github.com/hyperplonk/hyperplonk/actions)
+[![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-Apache%202.0-blue.svg)](LICENSE)
+
+Hyperplonk is an efficient implementation of a linear-time FFT-free SNARK proof system, based on the [research paper](https://eprint.iacr.org/2022/1355.pdf). The system offers improved performance and scalability compared to traditional approaches.
+
+## Key Features
+
+- Linear time complexity
+- No FFT requirements
+- Enhanced scalability
+- Optimized performance
 
 ## Disclaimer
 
 **DISCLAIMER:** This software is provided "as is" and its security has not been externally audited. Use at your own risk.
 
-## Development environment setup
+## Getting Started
 
-### Install RUST
+### System Requirements
 
-We recommend using nix for installing the correct version of rust and
-additional libraries:
+- Rust (latest stable version)
+- Nix package manager
+- Git
+
+### Installing Rust
+
+We recommend using nix for installing the correct version of Rust and additional libraries:
 
 ```bash
 > curl -L https://nixos.org/nix/install | sh
 ```
 
-### Compiling the project for the first time
+### Building the Project
+
+1. Clone the repository:
+```bash
+> git clone https://github.com/your-username/hyperplonk.git
+> cd hyperplonk
+```
 
+2. Build the project:
 ```bash
 > nix-shell
 > cargo build
 ```
 
-### Direnv
+### Development Tools
 
 We recommend the following tools:
 
-- [nix](https://nixos.org/download.html)
-- [direnv](https://direnv.net/docs/installation.html)
+- [nix](https://nixos.org/download.html) - for dependency management
+- [direnv](https://direnv.net/docs/installation.html) - for environment management
 
-Run `direnv allow` at the repo root. You should see dependencies (including Rust) being installed (the first time might take a while). 
-Upon modification on `flake.nix`, run `direnv reload` to reflect new dependencies or environment setups.
+After installing direnv, run:
+```bash
+> direnv allow
+```
 
-### Tests
+## Development
 
-```
+### Running Tests
+
+```bash
 > cargo test --release --all
 ```
 
-### Generate and read the documentation
+### Documentation
 
-#### Standard
-
-```
+Generate and view documentation:
+```bash
 > cargo doc --open
 ```
 
-### Code formatting
+### Code Formatting
+
+```bash
+> cargo fmt
+```
 
-To format your code run
+### Updating Dependencies
 
+To update all dependencies:
+```bash
+> nix flake update
 ```
-> cargo fmt
+
+To update a specific dependency:
+```bash
+> nix flake update github:oxalica/rust-overlay
+```
+
+### Benchmarks
+
+To run benchmarks, use the script:
+```bash
+> ./scripts/run_benchmarks.sh
 ```
 
-### Updating non-cargo dependencies
+Results can be compared with Tables 5 and 6 in the [original paper](https://eprint.iacr.org/2022/1355.pdf).
 
-Run `nix flake update` if you would like to pin other version edit `flake.nix`
-beforehand. Commit the lock file when happy.
+## Contributing
 
-To update only a single input specify it as an argument, for example
+1. Fork the repository
+2. Create your feature branch (`git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature`)
+3. Commit your changes (`git commit -m 'Add amazing feature'`)
+4. Push to your fork (`git push origin feature/amazing-feature`)
+5. Open a Pull Request
 
-    nix flake update github:oxalica/rust-overlay
+### Contribution Guidelines
 
-### Benchmarks
+- Follow the existing code style
+- Add tests for new functionality
+- Update documentation as needed
+- Ensure all tests pass
+
+## License
 
-To obtain benchmarks, run the script file `scripts/run_benchmarks.sh`. 
-We refer to Table 5 and Table 6 in https://eprint.iacr.org/2022/1355.pdf for an example benchmark.
+This project is licensed under the Apache License 2.0 - see the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details.