From 9d748d997aa04bd1d1a6355dfa672102a54ec302 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Israel Abebe <vernu1997@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2025 07:29:11 +0300
Subject: [PATCH] Update README.md

---
 README.md | 98 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++----
 1 file changed, 92 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ed23f98..cf34772 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,14 +1,28 @@
 # TextBee - Android SMS Gateway
 
-A simple SMS gateway that allows users to send SMS messages from a web interface or
-from their application via a REST API. It utilizes android phones as SMS gateways.
+TextBee is an open-source SMS gateway that enables users to send and receive SMS messages via a web dashboard or a REST API. Perfect for businesses, developers, and hobbyists who need a reliable and cost-effective way to automate SMS messaging.
 
 - **Technology stack**: React, Next.js, Node.js, NestJs, MongoDB, Android, Java
 - **Link**: [https://textbee.dev](https://textbee.dev/)
 
 ![](https://ik.imagekit.io/vernu/textbee/texbee-landing-light.png?updatedAt=1687076964687)
 
-## Usage
+
+## Features
+
+- Send & receive SMS messages via API & dashboard
+- Use your own Android phone as an SMS gateway
+- REST API for easy integration with apps & services
+- Send Bulk SMS with CSV file
+- Multi-device support for higher SMS throughput
+- Secure API authentication with API keys
+- Webhook support
+- Self-hosting support for full control over your data
+
+
+
+
+## Getting Started
 
 1. Go to [textbee.dev](https://textbee.dev) and register or login with your account
 2. Install the app on your android phone from [dl.textbee.dev](https://dl.textbee.dev)
@@ -71,6 +85,79 @@ curl -X GET "https://api.textbee.dev/api/v1/gateway/devices/YOUR_DEVICE_ID/get-r
   -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY"
 ```
 
+## Self-Hosting
+
+### Setting Up Database
+
+1. **Install MongoDB on Your Server**: Follow the official MongoDB installation guide for your operating system.
+2. **Using MongoDB Atlas**: Alternatively, you can create a free database on MongoDB Atlas. Sign up at [MongoDB Atlas](https://www.mongodb.com/cloud/atlas) and follow the instructions to set up your database.
+
+### Firebase Setup
+
+1. Create a Firebase project.
+2. Enable Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) in your Firebase project.
+3. Obtain the Firebase credentials for backend use and the Android app.
+
+### Building the Android App
+
+1. Clone the repository and navigate to the Android project directory.
+2. Update the `google-services.json` file with your Firebase project configuration.
+3. Update every occurrence of `textbee.dev` with your own domain in the project.
+4. Build the app using Android Studio or the command line:
+   ```bash
+   ./gradlew assembleRelease
+   ```
+
+### Building the Web
+
+1. Navigate to the `web` directory.
+2. Copy the `.env.example` file to `.env`:
+   ```bash
+   cp .env.example .env
+   ```
+3. Update the `.env` file with your own credentials.
+4. Install dependencies:
+   ```bash
+   pnpm install
+   ```
+5. Build the web application:
+   ```bash
+   pnpm build
+   ```
+
+### Building the API
+
+1. Navigate to the `api` directory.
+2. Copy the `.env.example` file to `.env`:
+   ```bash
+   cp .env.example .env
+   ```
+3. Update the `.env` file with your own credentials.
+4. Install dependencies:
+   ```bash
+   pnpm install
+   ```
+5. Build the API:
+   ```bash
+   pnpm build
+   ```
+
+### Hosting on a VPS
+
+1. Install `pnpm`, `pm2`, and `Caddy` on your VPS.
+2. Use `pm2` to manage your Node.js processes:
+   ```bash
+   pm2 start dist/main.js --name textbee-api
+   ```
+3. Configure `Caddy` to serve your web application and API. Example Caddyfile:
+   ```
+   textbee.dev {
+       reverse_proxy /api/* localhost:3000
+       reverse_proxy /* localhost:3001
+   }
+   ```
+4. Ensure your domain points to your VPS and Caddy is configured properly.
+
 ## Contributing
 
 Contributions are welcome!
@@ -84,8 +171,7 @@ Contributions are welcome!
 
 Please feel free to [create an issue](https://github.com/vernu/textbee/issues/new) in the repository for any bug reports or feature requests. Make sure to provide a detailed description of the issue or feature you are requesting and properly label whether it is a bug or a feature request.
 
-Please note that if you discover any vulnerability or security issue, we kindly request that you refrain from creating a public issue. Instead, send an email detailing the vulnerability to textbee.dev@gmail.com.
-
+Please note that if you discover any vulnerability or security issue, we kindly request that you refrain from creating a public issue. Instead, send an email detailing the vulnerability to contact@textbee.dev.
 
 ## For support, feedback, and questions
-Feel free to reach out to us at textbee.dev@gmail.com or [Join our Discord server](https://discord.gg/d7vyfBpWbQ)
+Feel free to reach out to us at contact@textbee.dev or [Join our Discord server](https://discord.gg/d7vyfBpWbQ)