diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7e0c3f964e6..32f836397ad 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,166 +1,21 @@
-
-
- EDC Connector
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-### Built with
-
-One of the guiding principles in developing the connector is simplicity and keeping the core small and efficient with as
-little external dependencies as possible to avoid version conflicts. We do not want to force any third-party
-dependencies onto our users, so we aim to avoid any of the big frameworks. Of course, if you want to use them, you still
-can add them to your extensions (see: [TBW]). The connector is a plain Java application built with Gradle, but it can be
-embedded into any form of application deployment.
-
-### Documentation
-
-Developer documentation can be found under [docs/developer](docs/developer/README.md),
-where the main concepts and decisions are captured as [decision records](docs/developer/decision-records/README.md).
-
-Some more documentation can be found at [extensions](extensions/README.md), [launchers](launchers/README.md) and
-[the samples repository](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/Samples).
-
-For detailed information about the whole project, please take a look at
-our [GitHub pages](https://eclipse-edc.github.io/docs).
-
-## Getting Started
-
-### Onboarding and first steps
-
-If you are not yet familiar with the EDC nomenclature, we strongly advise reading the
-[documentation](https://eclipse-edc.github.io/docs/#/) and/or watching the
-[introductory videos](https://www.youtube.com/@eclipsedataspaceconnector9622/featured).
-
-#### Samples
-
-The [Samples repository](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/Samples) provides a set of examples for getting familiar with
-the EDC framework and learning how to set up and use a connector. The samples begin with the very basics (e.g. learning
-how to write an extension or use a configuration file) and then move on to more complex scenarios (e.g. performing
-different data transfers). More samples will be added in the future, so be sure to check back regularly.
-
-### Add Maven dependencies
-
-Official versions are available through [MavenCentral](https://search.maven.org/search?q=org.eclipse.edc)
-.
-Please add the following instructions in your `build.gradle[.kts]` file (if not already present):
-
-```kotlin
-repositories {
- mavenCentral()
- // ... other maven repos
-}
-```
-
-We **strongly** recommend to use official versions and only switch to snapshots if there is a clear need to do so, or
-you've been instructed to do so, e.g. to verify a bugfix.
-
-All artifacts are under the `org.eclipse.edc` group id, for example:
-
-```kotlin
-dependencies {
- implementation("org.eclipse.edc:spi:core-spi:<>")
- // any other dependencies
-}
-```
-
-#### Using `SNAPSHOT` versions
-
-In addition, EDC regularly publishes snapshot versions, which are available at Sonatype's snapshot
-repository. In
-order to add them to your build configuration, simply add this:
-
-```kotlin
-repositories {
- mavenCentral()
- maven {
- url = uri("https://oss.sonatype.org/content/repositories/snapshots/")
- }
- // any other repos
-}
-```
-
-Then you can add snapshot dependencies by simply using the `-SNAPSHOT` version suffix:
-
-```kotlin
-dependencies {
- implementation("org.eclipse.edc:spi:core-spi:0.10.0-SNAPSHOT")
- // any other dependencies
-}
-```
-
-You may check MavenCentral for a comprehensive list of all official versions.
+# EDC Connector
-Please be aware of the following pitfalls:
+[![documentation](https://img.shields.io/badge/documentation-8A2BE2?style=flat-square)](https://eclipse-edc.github.io)
+[![discord](https://img.shields.io/badge/discord-chat-brightgreen.svg?style=flat-square&logo=discord)](https://discord.gg/n4sD9qtjMQ)
+[![latest version](https://img.shields.io/maven-central/v/org.eclipse.edc/boot?logo=apache-maven&style=flat-square&label=latest%20version)](https://search.maven.org/artifact/org.eclipse.edc/boot)
+[![license](https://img.shields.io/github/license/eclipse-edc/Connector?style=flat-square&logo=apache)](https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
+
+[![build](https://img.shields.io/github/actions/workflow/status/eclipse-edc/Connector/verify.yaml?branch=main&logo=GitHub&style=flat-square&label=ci)](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/Connector/actions/workflows/verify.yaml?query=branch%3Amain)
+[![snapshot build](https://img.shields.io/github/actions/workflow/status/eclipse-edc/Connector/trigger_snapshot.yml?branch=main&logo=GitHub&style=flat-square&label=snapshot-build)](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/Connector/actions/workflows/trigger_snapshot.yml)
+[![nightly build](https://img.shields.io/github/actions/workflow/status/eclipse-edc/Release/nightly.yaml?branch=main&logo=GitHub&style=flat-square&label=nightly-build)](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/Release/actions/workflows/nightly.yaml)
-- snapshots are by definition unstable - every new snapshot replaces an old one
-- this may cause unrepeatable builds
-- snapshots are created irregularly, we do not have any fixed publish schedule
+---
-#### Using release versions
+## Documentation
-_We plan to have actual release versions starting some time mid 2022. Please check back soon._
-
-
-> For more information about versioning please refer to the [release documentation](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/.github/blob/main/docs/developer/releases.md)
-
-### Checkout and build from source
-
-The project requires JDK 11+. To get started:
-
-``` shell
-git clone git@github.com:eclipse-edc/Connector.git
-
-cd Connector
-
-./gradlew clean build
-```
-
-That will build the connector and run unit tests.
-
-### [Optional] Setup your IDE
-
-If you wish to configure your IDE/editor to automatically apply the EDC code style, please
-follow [this guide](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/.github/blob/main/contributing/styleguide.md).
-
-_Note: the style guide will be checked/enforced in GitHub Actions._
-
-### Generate the OpenApi specification
-
-Please refer to [this document](docs/developer/openapi.md).
+Base documentation can be found on the [documentation website](https://eclipse-edc.github.io). \
+Developer documentation can be found under [docs/developer](docs/developer/README.md), \
+where the main concepts and decisions are captured as [decision records](docs/developer/decision-records/README.md).
## Directory structure
@@ -199,21 +54,6 @@ example take a look at
Contains implementations for communication protocols a connector might use, such as DSP.
-## Releases
-
-GitHub releases are listed [here](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/Connector/releases).
-Please find more information about releases in our [release approach](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/docs/blob/main/developer/releases.md).
-
-### Roadmap
-
-See [here](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/.github/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#project-and-milestone-planning) for more information about project and
-milestone planning. Scheduled and ongoing milestones are listed
-[here](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/Connector/milestones).
-
-### Tags
-
-Available tags can be found [here](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/Connector/tags).
-
## Contributing
-See [how to contribute](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/.github/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+See [how to contribute](https://github.com/eclipse-edc/eclipse-edc.github.io/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).