chore: update the README file

Author: osm-Jatin

README.md

@@ -1 +1,156 @@
-# dotnet-foundation-v2
+# DotnetFoundation
+
+> A powerful, scalable boilerplate for building robust **.NET 8** server applications.
+
+DotnetFoundation provides a production-ready foundation with clean architecture, authentication, logging, API documentation, and health monitoring — all pre-configured to help you build enterprise-grade backend services faster.
+
+---
+
+## Features
+
+- **.NET 8** based modern architecture
+- **JWT Authentication** with secure token handling
+- **Entity Framework Core** integration
+- **Swagger/OpenAPI** for API documentation
+- **Serilog**-based structured **Logging**
+- **Health Checks** and Health Checks UI
+- **AutoMapper** for object mapping
+- **Secure Password Hashing** (BCrypt)
+- **MySQL** (Pomelo) database support
+- **Soft Deletion**, **Global Exception Handling**, and **Pagination** utilities
+- Clean, extendable **Repository Pattern**
+
+---
+
+## Technologies & Packages
+
+- **ASP.NET Core 8**
+- **Entity Framework Core (EF Core 8)** with **Pomelo.EntityFrameworkCore.MySql**
+- **JWT Authentication** (`Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication.JwtBearer`)
+- **Swagger & OpenAPI** (`Swashbuckle.AspNetCore`)
+- **Serilog Logging** (Console, File, Filters)
+- **AutoMapper**
+- **BCrypt.Net** (for password hashing)
+- **Configuration Management** (`appsettings.json` with environment-specific overrides)
+- **Health Checks** (with UI monitoring)
+
+---
+
+## Getting Started
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+- [.NET 8 SDK](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/8.0) installed
+- [MySQL Server](https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/) running (or compatible MariaDB server)
+
+### Installation Steps
+
+1. **Clone the Repository**
+
+```bash
+ git clone https://github.com/OsmosysSoftware/dotnet-foundation-v2.git
+ cd dotnet-foundation-v2
+```
+
+2. **Navigate to the API Project**
+
+```bash
+ cd src/Api
+```
+
+3. **Restore Dependencies**
+
+```bash
+ dotnet restore
+```
+
+4. **Apply Database Migrations**
+
+```bash
+ dotnet ef database update --context DatabaseContext
+```
+
+5. **Run the Project**
+
+```bash
+ dotnet run
+```
+
+The API will be available at: `https://localhost:5000` (Swagger UI will be available at `/swagger`).
+
+---
+
+## Project Structure
+
+```bash
+src/
+├── Api/          # ASP.NET Core Web API
+├── Core/         # Domain Models, DTOs, Interfaces, Exceptions
+```
+
+- **Api**
+  - Configures authentication, logging, exception handling, Swagger, and dependency injection.
+- **Core**
+  - Contains Entities, Repository Interfaces, DTOs, Enums, and Custom Exceptions.
+
+
+---
+
+## Configuration
+
+The project relies on **appsettings.json** for hierarchical configuration settings (override values per-environment with `appsettings.json` files).
+> Make sure to configure your **database** and **JWT settings** before running.
+
+
+---
+
+## API Documentation
+
+Once you run the project, visit:
+
+- Swagger UI: `https://localhost:5000/swagger`
+
+You can **test all APIs directly** from Swagger.
+
+
+---
+
+## Logging
+
+The project uses **Serilog** for structured logging:
+
+- Logs are written to console and also to a **file** (`Logs/log-.txt`)
+- Logs include enriched information for easier debugging.
+
+
+---
+
+## Health Checks
+
+Health checks are integrated with:
+
+- Database Connectivity Check
+- Health Check UI available at: `https://localhost:5000/health`
+
+
+---
+
+## Contributing
+
+Contributions, issues, and feature requests are welcome!
+
+1. Fork the repository
+2. Create your feature branch (`git checkout -b feature/yourFeature`)
+3. Commit your changes (`git commit -m 'Add some feature'`)
+4. Push to the branch (`git push origin feature/yourFeature`)
+5. Open a Pull Request
+
+
+---
+
+## License
+
+This project is licensed under the **MIT License**.
+
+
+---