diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 607f7dd..23a901b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -11,6 +11,15 @@ This overcomes certain limitations in the Linux client and helps prepare the gam
 - Concatenate launch options to pass to Steam
 - Connect to mod-enabled LAN servers
 
+## Design philosophy
+
+DZGUI follows a specific set of guidelines, enumerated below:
+
+- Provide a free and open-source tool under GPL
+- Do not use undocumented, third-party servers to aggregate data; no central "DZGUI" server
+- All connections go to Steam and DayZ servers directly; the tool should function in perpetuity without intermediary endpoints
+- Target Linux desktop and Steam deck specifically; not a cross-platform tool
+
 ## Setup and usage
 
 Refer to the documentation for installation and setup instructions:
@@ -18,7 +27,6 @@ Refer to the documentation for installation and setup instructions:
 - [GitHub](https://aclist.github.io/dzgui/index.html)
 - [Mirror (Codeberg)](https://aclist.codeberg.page)
 
-
 ![A screenshot of DZGUI](/images/example.png)
 
 ## Attribution