diff --git a/cli/Makefile b/cli/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f01bec24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cli/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+all:
+	cd core && $(MAKE) all
+	go build
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/cli/README.md b/cli/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..61a0b44b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cli/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+# EigenPod CLI
+
+# Quickstart
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- Golang >= 1.21
+- `abigen` (`go install github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/cmd/abigen@latest`)
+- `jq` 
+- `solc` (`npm install -g solc`)
+
+- URL of an execution ETH node
+- URL of a beacon ETH node
+
+## Building from source
+
+>> `make`
+>> `./cli`
+
+# Proof Generation
+
+The CLI produces two kinds of proofs, each corresponding to a different action you can take with your eigenpod. The CLI takes an additional `--owner <privateKey>` argument; if supplied, the CLI will submit proofs and act onchain for you.
+
+Note that this is testnet software -- we aim to be addressing any bugs communicated with the team in a timely manner. We appreciate your understanding :) 
+
+## Credential Proofs
+
+- Credential proofs are a way of proving that a validator belongs to a given EigenPod. Later on (via a checkpointProof) you'll then prove
+the _balance_ of that Validator, to represent your full staked balance within EigenLayer. **The proofs that this CLI generates are the main glue that syncs state between the beacon chain and execution chain.**.
+
+To generate and submit a credential proof,
+
+`./cli --beaconNode $NODE_BEACON --podAddress $EIGENPOD_ADDRESS --execNode $NODE_ETH --owner $EIGENPOD_PK credentials`
+
+If this is your first time, the CLI will post a transaction onchain linking your validator and eigenpod.
+
+NOTE: If you've already linked your Validator to your EigenPod, you will see: `You have no inactive validators to verify. Everything up-to-date.`.
+
+Once this is done, running the status command should show an "active" validator:
+`./cli --beaconNode $NODE_BEACON --podAddress $EIGENPOD_ADDRESS --execNode $NODE_ETH --owner $EIGENPOD_PK status`
+
+
+## Checkpoint Proofs
+
+- Checkpoint proofs are a means of snapshotting your beacon state onto the execution chain via a Zero-Knowledge Proof. 
+- Once you've brought your balance "up to date" on the execution chain, you can trigger a withdrawal of staking rewards and principal 
+from your eigenpod.
+- Checkpoints are started via the `EigenPod.StartCheckpoint()` contract function. They conclude when all proofs are submitted via `EigenPod.VerifyCheckpointProofs(...)`.
+- Checkpoint proofs should be completed quickly after submission. The proofs must be generated via the becaon state that occurred at the 
+time your checkpoint started. 
+    - **If you wait too long to submit your checkpoint proof, you may need to use a full archival beacon node to 
+re-generate the proofs.** 
+    - You will not be able to start another checkpoint until the current checkpoint completes.
+
+Note that you can also use:
+    - `checkpoint --output <proof.json>` to write your proofs to a file, and 
+    - `checkpoint --proof <proof.json>` to read and submit proofs that were previously written to a file.
+
+Proofs are submitted to networks in batches by default. You can adjust the batch size with `--batch <batchSize>`. Our recommended batch sizes should provide optimal gas utilization.
+
+- Once a checkpoint is completed, verify with the status command:
+
+`./cli --beaconNode $NODE_BEACON --podAddress $EIGENPOD_ADDRESS --execNode $NODE_ETH --owner $EIGENPOD_PK status`
+
+Congrats! Your pod balance is up-to-date.
+
diff --git a/cli/core/Makefile b/cli/core/Makefile
index 18899225..adb52aee 100644
--- a/cli/core/Makefile
+++ b/cli/core/Makefile
@@ -2,9 +2,6 @@ TMP_DIR :=$(shell mktemp -d)
 
 all: codegen
 
-build: all
-	go build
-
 clone: 
 	@echo "Cloning eigenlayer-contracts..."
 	git clone -b feat/partial-withdrawal-batching --depth=1 git@github.com:Layr-Labs/eigenlayer-contracts.git $(TMP_DIR)