diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -28,6 +28,26 @@ up the moment they land — see [setup.md](./setup.md).)
 You'll run two processes: the **agent** (the LLM backend) and the **bot** (the Slack
 connection) — and set three secrets.
 
+### The packages
+
+OpenTag is a thin layer on top of a handful of CopilotKit packages. The `pnpm install` in step 3 installs all of them for you — this is what each one does, so you know what you're running and which ones are optional.
+
+**Required** — every OpenTag install needs these four:
+
+| Package | Role |
+| --- | --- |
+| [`@copilotkit/bot`](https://github.com/CopilotKit/CopilotKit/tree/main/packages/bot) | The platform-agnostic bot engine — threading, tool calls, the human-in-the-loop gate. |
+| [`@copilotkit/runtime`](https://github.com/CopilotKit/CopilotKit/tree/main/packages/runtime) | The AG-UI agent backend that runs your LLM and tools. |
+| [`@copilotkit/bot-ui`](https://github.com/CopilotKit/CopilotKit/tree/main/packages/bot-ui) | Cross-platform JSX for rich messages (Block Kit on Slack, Components V2 on Discord, HTML on Telegram). |
+| [`@copilotkit/bot-slack`](https://github.com/CopilotKit/CopilotKit/tree/main/packages/bot-slack) | The Slack adapter — or swap it for the platform you're targeting (below). |
+
+**Optional** — add only what you use:
+
+| Package | When you need it |
+| --- | --- |
+| [`@copilotkit/bot-discord`](https://github.com/CopilotKit/CopilotKit/tree/main/packages/bot-discord) · [`-telegram`](https://github.com/CopilotKit/CopilotKit/tree/main/packages/bot-telegram) · [`-whatsapp`](https://github.com/CopilotKit/CopilotKit/tree/main/packages/bot-whatsapp) | Running on a platform other than Slack — one adapter per platform. |
+| [`@copilotkit/bot-store-redis`](https://github.com/CopilotKit/CopilotKit/tree/main/packages/bot-store-redis) | Durable thread persistence across restarts (defaults to in-memory without it). |
+
 **1. Create a Slack app.** At [api.slack.com/apps](https://api.slack.com/apps?new_app=1) →
 *From a manifest* → paste [`slack-app-manifest.yaml`](./slack-app-manifest.yaml). Install it,
 then grab the **Bot User OAuth Token** (`xoxb-…`) and an **App-Level Token** (`xapp-…`, with the