DOC Make the README community-focused and easier to explore

README.md

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 <p align="center"><img src="./doc/roakey.png" width="150"></p>
 
-# Python Risk Identification Tool for generative AI (PyRIT)
+# PyRIT: AI red teaming for models and applications
 
-The Python Risk Identification Tool for generative AI (PyRIT) is an open source
-framework built to empower security professionals and engineers to proactively
-identify risks in generative AI systems.
+[![Code contributors](https://img.shields.io/github/contributors/microsoft/PyRIT?label=code%20contributors)](https://github.com/microsoft/PyRIT/graphs/contributors)
+[![PRs merged](https://img.shields.io/github/issues-search?query=repo%3Amicrosoft%2FPyRIT%20is%3Apr%20is%3Amerged&label=PRs%20merged)](https://github.com/microsoft/PyRIT/pulls?q=is%3Apr+is%3Amerged)
+[![Issues closed](https://img.shields.io/github/issues-closed/microsoft/PyRIT?label=issues%20closed)](https://github.com/microsoft/PyRIT/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aclosed)
 
-- Check out our [website](https://microsoft.github.io/PyRIT/) for more information
-  about how to use, install, or contribute to PyRIT.
-- Review our [security policy](https://github.com/microsoft/PyRIT/security/policy)
-  to report vulnerabilities privately through the Microsoft Security Response Center.
-- Visit our [Discord server](https://discord.gg/9fMpq3tc8u) to chat with the team and community.
+PyRIT (Python Risk Identification Tool for generative AI) is an open-source toolkit
+for finding security and safety weaknesses in generative AI systems through automated
+scans, adaptive multi-turn attacks, and human-led testing.
 
-## Trademarks and Citations
+Built by the Microsoft AI Red Team and an open-source community of contributors,
+PyRIT brings a command-line scanner, a graphical interface, and an extensible
+Python framework together in one toolkit.
+
+You do not need to be a Microsoft employee or an experienced red teamer to get involved.
+Join our [Discord community](https://discord.gg/9fMpq3tc8u) to ask questions, exchange
+techniques, share what you are building, and connect with maintainers and other users.
+
+Contributions include code, documentation, examples, bug reports, testing, and feedback
+from real-world use. Read the
+[contributor guide](https://microsoft.github.io/PyRIT/latest/contributing/readme/) and
+explore [issues labeled "help wanted"](https://github.com/microsoft/PyRIT/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%22help+wanted%22).
+
+**[Get started](https://microsoft.github.io/PyRIT/) |
+[Join Discord](https://discord.gg/9fMpq3tc8u) |
+[Read the whitepaper](https://commandline.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PyRIT_Whitepaper_2026.pdf)**
+
+## Explore PyRIT
+
+- **[Scanner](https://microsoft.github.io/PyRIT/latest/scanner/scanner/):**
+  Run repeatable assessments from the command line.
+- **[CoPyRIT GUI](https://microsoft.github.io/PyRIT/latest/gui/gui/):**
+  Explore AI systems interactively and review results in your browser.
+- **[Python framework](https://microsoft.github.io/PyRIT/latest/code/framework/):**
+  Compose and extend components to build custom red teaming workflows.
+
+Visit our [website](https://microsoft.github.io/PyRIT/) for installation, configuration,
+demos, and documentation. Use the version picker to match the docs to your installation;
+the guides above follow the latest development version.
+
+## Models and systems
+
+Connect to **OpenAI, Anthropic, Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Foundry, Azure Machine Learning,
+Google Gemini, Google Vertex AI, AWS Bedrock, Hugging Face, Ollama, Groq, OpenRouter,
+Cohere, and GitHub Copilot**.
+
+Use OpenAI-compatible APIs or built-in targets, or install the optional
+[LiteLLM adapter](https://github.com/microsoft/PyRIT/blob/main/pyrit/prompt_target/litellm_chat_target.py)
+for additional provider integrations. See the
+[provider configuration guide](https://microsoft.github.io/PyRIT/latest/getting-started/populating-secrets/)
+and [LiteLLM provider directory](https://docs.litellm.ai/docs/providers) for setup and more providers.
+Available features depend on the target and model.
+
+Test complete applications and other endpoints through
+[HTTP](https://microsoft.github.io/PyRIT/latest/code/targets/http-target/),
+[WebSockets](https://microsoft.github.io/PyRIT/latest/code/targets/websocket-target/),
+[browser automation with Playwright](https://microsoft.github.io/PyRIT/latest/code/targets/playwright-target/),
+or [custom targets](https://microsoft.github.io/PyRIT/latest/code/targets/custom-targets/).
+
+## Research and citation
+
+Read [PyRIT: Democratizing AI Red Teaming Through Open-Source Tooling](https://commandline.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PyRIT_Whitepaper_2026.pdf)
+for the design principles and real-world experience behind the toolkit.
+If you use PyRIT in your research, please cite the paper using
+[`CITATION.cff`](./CITATION.cff).
+
+## Security
+
+To report vulnerabilities in PyRIT privately through the Microsoft Security Response
+Center, follow our [security policy](https://github.com/microsoft/PyRIT/security/policy).
+
+## Trademarks
 
 This project may contain trademarks or logos for projects, products, or services.
 Authorized use of Microsoft trademarks or logos is subject to and must follow
@@ -21,7 +80,3 @@ Use of Microsoft trademarks or logos in modified versions of this project must
 not cause confusion or imply Microsoft sponsorship.
 Any use of third-party trademarks or logos are subject to those third-party's
 policies.
-
-If you use PyRIT in your research, please cite our paper,
-[PyRIT: Democratizing AI Red Teaming Through Open-Source Tooling](https://commandline.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PyRIT_Whitepaper_2026.pdf),
-using the citation in the [`CITATION.cff`](./CITATION.cff) file in the root of this repository.