diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9b03b92..14f5224 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,9 +10,22 @@
 The repository is still in an early state and lacks both unit tests and
 robust documentation.
 
+## Installation and Running
+
+The server requires Java 8. There is no pre-built jar currently, so the server must be built
+locally. Running `mvn package` will download the relevant dependencies, including the
+DataSketches Java library and the Jetty web server. Once built, a stand-alone server is launched
+by running
+```
+java -cp <path_to_jar> org.apache.datasketches.server.SketchServer <json_config_file>
+```
+where the most convenient option will likely be the jar-with-dependencies. The configuration
+file format is described below.
+
+
 ## Interaction
 
-Configuration and interaction with the server are done via JSON. We will
+Configuration and interaction with the server happen via JSON. We will
 demonstrate the main features of the server by creating a simple configuration
 and using that for some example requests and responses.
 
@@ -21,7 +34,7 @@
 of an error partway through an array the server will return an error, but the
 effects of any requests processed up to that point will be retained.
 
-JSON input may be passed in via either POST or GET.
+The server accepts JSON input presented via either POST or GET.
 
 
 ### Sketch Families
diff --git a/example/example_config.json b/example/example_config.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 2c0b24c..0000000
--- a/example/example_config.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,62 +0,0 @@
-{
-    "port": 8080,
-    "bookstoreSketches": [
-	{ "name": "cpc_int",
-	  "k": 12,
-	  "type": "int",
-	  "family": "cpc"
-	},
-	{ "name": "cpc_string",
-	  "k": 12,
-	  "type": "string",
-	  "family": "cpc"
-	}	
-    ],
-    "bookGenreDurationSet": {
-	"family": "hll",
-	"type": "double",
-	"k": 14,
-	"names": [
-	    "hll1",
-	    "hll2",
-	    "hll3",
-	    "hll4"
-	]
-    },
-    "set2": {
-	"k": 12,
-	"family": "theta",
-	"type": "float",
-	"names": [
-	    "theta0",
-	    "theta1",
-	    "theta2",
-	    "theta3",
-	    "theta4"
-	]
-    },
-    "sketches_B": [
-	{ "name": "kll",
-	  "k": "160",
-	  "family": "kll"
-	},
-	{ "name": "cpc",
-	  "k": "14",
-	  "type": "string",
-	  "family": "cpc"
-	},
-	{ "name": "fi",
-	  "k": "128",
-	  "family": "frequency"
-	},
-	{ "name": "rs",
-	  "k": "20",
-	  "family": "reservoir"
-	},
-	{ "name": "vo",
-	  "k": "20",
-	  "family": "varopt"
-	}	
-    ]
-}
-