diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c5661f1..4b32649 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ Gradientfall is an in-development 3D action-adventure that turns machine-learnin
 
 ![Gradientfall portfolio preview](docs/assets/social-preview.png)
 
+**Explore:** [documentation map](docs/README.md) · [current roadmap](docs/ROADMAP.md) · [worldbook](docs/WORLDBOOK.md) · [runtime architecture](docs/ARCHITECTURE.md) · [run locally](#run-locally)
+
 ## Visual proof from the current slice
 
 | Datasedge Meadows | Gradient Peaks |
@@ -28,9 +30,12 @@ These are in-engine progress captures, not target renders. They document the cur
 - Third-person movement and camera controls in a generated 3D landscape.
 - Melee/ranged combat foundations, enemy spawning, health, damage shards, and combat HUD.
 - Bit companion behavior and landmark reactions.
+- Bootstrap town with 13 approved villagers, lit buildings, and proximity dialogue.
+- The Perceptron Vault's playable 2-3-1 neural-network dungeon and Gatekeeper encounter.
+- A 700-bloom Iris field whose specimen measurements feed an in-game classifier compendium.
 - Dynamic sky, celestial layers, clouds, water, terrain, grass, vegetation, particles, and painterly shaders.
 - Schema-validated JSON pipeline for quests, NPCs, items, monsters, quizzes, lore, and points of interest.
-- 70 approved content entries plus 15 staged inbox entries in the preserved active-work snapshot.
+- 111 approved content entries across all seven content types; the staging inbox currently validates empty.
 
 This repository does **not** claim that the ten-region, 40–80 hour design is complete. The vision is documented in [the GDD](docs/GDD.md); the shipped scope and next gates live in [the roadmap](docs/ROADMAP.md) and [devlog](docs/DEVLOG.md).
 
diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6ce67e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+# Gradientfall documentation map
+
+Gradientfall's documentation separates the playable truth, the long-range
+vision, the world canon, and the development record. Start with the path that
+matches your question.
+
+| If you want to... | Read |
+| --- | --- |
+| Understand the game and its design pillars | [`GDD.md`](GDD.md) |
+| See what is implemented, next, or still gated | [`ROADMAP.md`](ROADMAP.md) |
+| Follow the newest engineering and visual decisions | [`DEVLOG.md`](DEVLOG.md) |
+| Learn the regions, characters, creatures, and ML metaphors | [`WORLDBOOK.md`](WORLDBOOK.md) |
+| Navigate the continent and regional relationships | [`WORLD_ATLAS.md`](WORLD_ATLAS.md) |
+| Understand runtime boundaries and system wiring | [`ARCHITECTURE.md`](ARCHITECTURE.md) |
+| Add or validate authored JSON content | [`CONTENT_PIPELINE.md`](CONTENT_PIPELINE.md) |
+| Understand the autonomous-work quality bar | [`AUTONOMY.md`](AUTONOMY.md) |
+
+## Evidence and art direction
+
+- [`progress/`](progress/) contains in-engine evidence tied to completed
+  milestones, including Kern studies, Datasedge Meadows, Bootstrap, and time-of-day
+  captures.
+- [`concept-art/`](concept-art/) contains clearly labeled mood studies for
+  future regions. These images guide tone; they are not presented as current
+  gameplay or locked canon.
+- [`assets/`](assets/) contains repository presentation artwork such as the
+  social preview.
+
+## Content production
+
+- [`briefs/`](briefs/) holds self-contained authoring briefs.
+- Runtime-ready records live under [`../content/approved/`](../content/approved/).
+- New records enter through [`../content/inbox/`](../content/inbox/) and must
+  pass `python tools/validate_content.py --inbox` before promotion.
+- Schemas under [`../content/schemas/`](../content/schemas/) are the structural
+  contract for all seven content types.
+
+## Current verification
+
+The repository's `verify` workflow and local validator check content structure,
+Python tooling, and Godot script parsing. Visible milestones also require
+human inspection of rendered evidence; a clean headless boot is necessary but
+does not substitute for that visual gate.
+
+[Return to the project README](../README.md)