From 66f3398455e50cdffd3d38d44ccefd50ee9a1838 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Justin Oros <JustinOros@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2026 11:30:51 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] Replace readme with full rewrite

---
 README.md | 41 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++--------------
 1 file changed, 27 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index eb25b0e..84204e8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
+# Character Select
+
 Choose your player appearance in Sons of the Forest and keep it across sessions.
 
 Sons of the Forest gives you a random appearance out of eight every time you join
 a server, and there is no way to choose. This mod lets you pick the one you want
-and puts it back on every spawn, so you stay the same character.
+and automatically reapplies it every time your player spawns, so you stay the
+same character.
 
 ## Multiplayer
 
@@ -11,12 +14,30 @@ Client side only. Nothing gets installed on a dedicated server.
 Your appearance replicates through normal game networking, so other players see
 your choice even if they do not have the mod installed.
 
-## Requirements
-
-[RedLoader](https://github.com/ToniMacaroni/RedLoader/releases/latest)
-
 ## Installation
 
+### Step 1: Install RedLoader
+
+[RedLoader](https://github.com/ToniMacaroni/RedLoader/releases/latest) is the mod
+loader for Sons of the Forest. The game cannot load any mod without it, including
+this one, so install it first. You only have to do this once.
+
+1. Download `RedLoader.zip` from the
+   [latest RedLoader release](https://github.com/ToniMacaroni/RedLoader/releases/latest)
+2. Extract it into your Sons of the Forest folder, the one containing
+   `SonsOfTheForest.exe`, usually
+   `C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Sons Of The Forest`
+3. You should now see `version.dll` and a `_Redloader` folder sitting next to
+   `SonsOfTheForest.exe`
+4. Launch the game once and wait until you reach the main menu. The first launch
+   takes a few minutes while RedLoader processes the game files
+5. Check that `MODS` appears on the main menu, then quit
+
+Ignore `RedManager.exe` if you see it. It is only a convenience installer and
+you do not need it.
+
+### Step 2: Install Character Select
+
 1. Download `CharacterSelect.zip` from the
    [latest release](https://github.com/JustinOros/sotf-character-select/releases/latest)
 2. Open the `Mods` folder inside your Sons of the Forest install, usually
@@ -33,9 +54,6 @@ Sons Of The Forest/
       manifest.json
 ```
 
-The `Mods` folder is created by RedLoader, so install RedLoader first if it is
-not there.
-
 ## Usage
 
 Once you are in the world, press F9 to cycle through the eight appearances. The
@@ -78,9 +96,4 @@ To produce a release zip:
 ## Credits
 
 Built against RedLoader by Toni Macaroni. The player race system was found by
-reading the source of ArmorMod by clairenheit.
-
-
-
-
-
+reading the source of ArmorMod by clairenheit.
\ No newline at end of file