diff --git a/.claude/settings.local.json b/.claude/settings.local.json
index 8bce4f3..bced40d 100644
--- a/.claude/settings.local.json
+++ b/.claude/settings.local.json
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 {
-  "outputStyle": "iseri",
   "permissions": {
     "allow": [
       "Bash(echo:*)"
     ]
-  }
+  },
+  "outputStyle": "iseri",
+  "prefersReducedMotion": false
 }
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4fa9cf3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+# Pi Dashboard
+
+Raspberry Pi system monitor running on a Waveshare ESP32-S3 RLCD 4.2" board. Connects to a Pi over WebSocket, parses JSON stats, and renders a live dashboard on a 400x300 1-bit monochrome reflective LCD using LVGL.
+
+## Hardware
+
+- **Board:** Waveshare ESP32-S3 RLCD 4.2"
+- **Display:** 400x300 reflective LCD (1-bit monochrome, no backlight needed)
+- **Sensors:** SHTC3 temp/humidity (I2C 0x70), PCF85063 RTC (I2C 0x51)
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+Pi (server)                    ESP32-S3 (client)
+stats_server.py  --WS/JSON-->  ws_client --> dashboard_ui (LVGL)
+                                            + local sensors (SHTC3)
+```
+
+The Pi runs a WebSocket server that pushes system stats (CPU, memory, disk, temperature, network, services) as JSON every 2 seconds. The ESP32 parses the JSON and updates LVGL widgets. A data staleness watchdog forces reconnection if the server goes silent.
+
+## Configuration
+
+Edit `components/esp_wifi_bsp/wifi_config.h`:
+
+```c
+#define WIFI_SSID       "your_ssid"
+#define WIFI_PASSWORD   "your_password"
+#define WS_SERVER_URI   "ws://192.168.x.x:8765"
+```
+
+## Build and Flash
+
+Requires ESP-IDF v5.5+.
+
+```bash
+idf.py build
+idf.py flash monitor
+```
+
+## Mock Server
+
+Test without a real Pi using the mock server:
+
+```bash
+pip install -r pi/requirements.txt
+python pi/mock_server.py
+```
+
+Sends randomized stats on `ws://0.0.0.0:8765` every 2 seconds.
diff --git a/components/ws_client/ws_client.c b/components/ws_client/ws_client.c
index 2532da6..0723293 100644
--- a/components/ws_client/ws_client.c
+++ b/components/ws_client/ws_client.c
@@ -5,15 +5,32 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <freertos/FreeRTOS.h>
 #include <freertos/semphr.h>
+#include <freertos/timers.h>
 
 static const char *TAG = "ws_client";
 
+#define WS_WATCHDOG_PERIOD_MS   5000
+#define WS_DATA_TIMEOUT_MS      10000
+
 static esp_websocket_client_handle_t s_client = NULL;
 static pi_stats_t s_stats = {};
 static SemaphoreHandle_t s_stats_mutex = NULL;
 static ws_state_t s_state = WS_STATE_DISCONNECTED;
 static ws_data_callback_t s_data_cb = NULL;
 static ws_state_callback_t s_state_cb = NULL;
+static TickType_t s_last_data_tick = 0;
+static TimerHandle_t s_watchdog_timer = NULL;
+
+static void watchdog_callback(TimerHandle_t timer)
+{
+    (void)timer;
+    if (s_state == WS_STATE_CONNECTED &&
+        (xTaskGetTickCount() - s_last_data_tick) > pdMS_TO_TICKS(WS_DATA_TIMEOUT_MS)) {
+        ESP_LOGW(TAG, "WS watchdog: no data for %ds, forcing reconnect",
+                 WS_DATA_TIMEOUT_MS / 1000);
+        esp_websocket_client_close(s_client, pdMS_TO_TICKS(2000));
+    }
+}
 
 static void set_state(ws_state_t state)
 {
@@ -83,6 +100,8 @@ static void parse_stats_json(const char *data, int len)
         s_stats.valid = true;
         xSemaphoreGive(s_stats_mutex);
 
+        s_last_data_tick = xTaskGetTickCount();
+
         if (s_data_cb) {
             s_data_cb(&s_stats);
         }
@@ -99,6 +118,7 @@ static void ws_event_handler(void *arg, esp_event_base_t event_base,
     switch (event_id) {
     case WEBSOCKET_EVENT_CONNECTED:
         ESP_LOGI(TAG, "WebSocket connected");
+        s_last_data_tick = xTaskGetTickCount();
         set_state(WS_STATE_CONNECTED);
         break;
     case WEBSOCKET_EVENT_DISCONNECTED:
@@ -132,6 +152,9 @@ void ws_client_init(const char *uri)
     s_client = esp_websocket_client_init(&config);
     esp_websocket_register_events(s_client, WEBSOCKET_EVENT_ANY, ws_event_handler, NULL);
 
+    s_watchdog_timer = xTimerCreate("ws_wd", pdMS_TO_TICKS(WS_WATCHDOG_PERIOD_MS),
+                                     pdTRUE, NULL, watchdog_callback);
+
     ESP_LOGI(TAG, "WS client initialized: %s", uri);
 }
 
@@ -140,12 +163,18 @@ void ws_client_start(void)
     if (s_client) {
         set_state(WS_STATE_CONNECTING);
         esp_websocket_client_start(s_client);
+        if (s_watchdog_timer) {
+            xTimerStart(s_watchdog_timer, 0);
+        }
     }
 }
 
 void ws_client_stop(void)
 {
     if (s_client) {
+        if (s_watchdog_timer) {
+            xTimerStop(s_watchdog_timer, 0);
+        }
         esp_websocket_client_stop(s_client);
         set_state(WS_STATE_DISCONNECTED);
     }