diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..17a7589b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+name: Release
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      version_type:
+        description: 'Type of version bump (major, minor, patch)'
+        required: true
+        default: 'patch'
+        type: choice
+        options:
+          - patch
+          - minor
+          - major
+
+jobs:
+  release:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    concurrency: release
+    permissions:
+      id-token: write
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+
+      - name: Python Semantic Release
+        id: release
+        uses: python-semantic-release/python-semantic-release@master
+        with:
+          github_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Publish to PyPI
+        uses: pypa/gh-action-pypi-publish@release/v1
+        if: steps.release.outputs.released == 'true'
+        with:
+          password: ${{ secrets.PYPI_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Publish to GitHub Release Assets
+        uses: python-semantic-release/publish-action@v9.8.9
+        if: steps.release.outputs.released == 'true'
+        with:
+          github_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          tag: ${{ steps.release.outputs.tag }}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/CITATION.cff b/CITATION.cff
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..39a89b12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CITATION.cff
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+cff-version: 1.0.3
+message: "If you use this project, please cite it as follows:"
+authors:
+  - family-names: "Hernandez"
+    given-names: "Paul"
+    affiliation: "Basic Machines"
+title: "Basic Memory"
+version: "0.0.1"
+date-released: "2025-02-03"
+url: "https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory"
diff --git a/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md b/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dc864747
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+# Code of Conduct
+
+## Purpose
+
+Maintain a respectful and professional environment where contributions can be made without harassment or
+negativity.
+
+## Standards
+
+Respectful communication and collaboration are expected. Offensive behavior, harassment, or personal attacks will not be
+tolerated.
+
+## Reporting Issues
+
+To report inappropriate behavior, contact [paul@basicmachines.co].
+
+## Consequences
+
+Violations of this code may lead to consequences, including being banned from contributing to the project.
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..00aa8d12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# Contributing to Basic Memory
+
+Thank you for considering contributing to Basic Memory! Your help is greatly appreciated to improve this project.
+
+## How to Contribute
+
+1. **Fork the Repo**: Fork the repository and clone your copy.
+1. **Create a Branch**: Create a new branch for your feature or fix.
+1. **Test Your Changes**: Ensure tests pass locally and include new tests when necessary to ensure 100& test coverage.
+1. **Format Your Code**: Run `make format` to ensure code is formatted appropriately.
+4. **Submit a PR**: Submit a pull request with a detailed description of your changes.
+
+Thank You!
+
+## Code of Conduct
+
+All contributors must follow the [Code of Conduct](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md).
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index af302a2d..0996fa32 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -28,6 +28,12 @@ clean:
 	find . -type f -name '*.pyc' -delete
 	find . -type d -name '__pycache__' -exec rm -r {} +
 
+format:
+	uv run ruff format .
+
+format: format-python
+#format: format-python format-prettier
+
 # run inspector tool
 run-dev:
 	uv run mcp dev src/basic_memory/mcp/main.py
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e69de29b..07fb9566 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+# Basic Memory
+
+> Local-first knowledge management combining Zettelkasten with knowledge graphs.
+
+Basic Memory helps you capture and explore information the way your brain naturally works - across multiple dimensions and perspectives. Built on open standards and powered by proven technology, it's ready for the future of human-AI collaboration.
+
+## Features
+
+- Local-first design - your files stay yours
+- Knowledge graph with natural relations
+- Markdown files with automatic parsing
+- Rich context building and search
+- Native AI integration via MCP protocol
+
+## Quick Start
+
+```bash
+pip install basic-memory
+```
+
+Initialize a new knowledge base:
+```bash
+basic-memory init my-knowledge
+cd my-knowledge
+basic-memory status
+```
+
+## Contributing
+
+Basic Memory is open source (AGPL-3.0) and welcomes contributions. See our [Contributing Guide](CONTRIBUTING.md) for details.
+
+## License
+
+AGPL-3.0 - See [LICENSE](LICENSE) for details.
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index f9715b42..a6c5df9c 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -1,10 +1,13 @@
 [project]
 name = "basic-memory"
-version = "0.1.0"
+version = "0.0.1"
 description = "Local-first knowledge management combining Zettelkasten with knowledge graphs"
 readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">=3.12.1"
 license = { text = "AGPL-3.0-or-later" }
+authors = [
+    { name = "Basic Machines", email = "hello@basic-machines.co" }
+]
 dependencies = [
     "sqlalchemy>=2.0.0",
     "pyyaml>=6.0.1",
@@ -35,6 +38,10 @@ dev = [
     "ruff>=0.1.6",
 ]
 
+[project.urls]
+Homepage = "https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory"
+Repository = "https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory"
+Documentation = "https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory#readme"
 
 [project.scripts]
 basic-memory = "basic_memory.cli.main:app"
@@ -44,16 +51,11 @@ requires = ["hatchling"]
 build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
 [tool.pytest.ini_options]
-pythonpath = [
-    "src",
-    "tests"
-]
+pythonpath = ["src", "tests"]
 addopts = "--cov=basic_memory --cov-report term-missing -ra -q"
 testpaths = ["tests"]
 asyncio_mode = "strict"
 asyncio_default_fixture_loop_scope = "function"
-# Add this line to ensure pytest-mock is loaded
-#required_plugins = ["pytest-asyncio", "pytest-cov", "pytest-mock"]
 
 [tool.ruff]
 line-length = 100
@@ -68,16 +70,25 @@ dev-dependencies = [
 basic-foundation = { path = "../basic-foundation", editable = true }
 
 [tool.pyright]
-include = [
-    "src/",
-]
-exclude = [
-    "**/__pycache__",
-]
-ignore = [
-    "test/",
-]
+include = ["src/"]
+exclude = ["**/__pycache__"]
+ignore = ["test/"]
 defineConstant = { DEBUG = true }
 reportMissingImports = "error"
 reportMissingTypeStubs = false
 pythonVersion = "3.12"
+
+
+[tool.semantic_release]
+version_variable = "src/basic_memory/__init__.py:__version__"
+version_toml = [
+    "pyproject.toml:project.version",
+]
+major_on_zero = false
+branch = "main"
+changelog_file = "CHANGELOG.md"
+build_command = "pip install uv && uv build"
+dist_path = "dist/"
+upload_to_pypi = true
+commit_message = "chore(release): {version} [skip ci]"
+
diff --git a/src/basic_memory/__init__.py b/src/basic_memory/__init__.py
index 88e26b80..fc78822c 100644
--- a/src/basic_memory/__init__.py
+++ b/src/basic_memory/__init__.py
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 """basic-memory - Local-first knowledge management combining Zettelkasten with knowledge graphs"""
 
-__version__ = "0.1.0"
\ No newline at end of file
+__version__ = "0.0.1"
\ No newline at end of file