diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 207e439..252cde1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -21,6 +21,17 @@ python -m venv .venv
 source .venv/bin/activate  # or "Scripts\activate" on Windows
 pip install -r requirements.txt
 ```
+Essentia is only needed if you plan to use the optional tempo engine
+(`engine="essentia"` in the playlist tools). Prebuilt wheels are not
+published for every platform, so Windows users in particular may need to
+install a specific wheel manually:
+
+```bash
+pip install "essentia==2.1b6.dev1034"
+```
+
+If you skip Essentia, the default `librosa`-based engine continues to work.
+
 
 The indexer will exit with an error if the real `mutagen` package is missing,
 so ensure all dependencies are installed before running.
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 14688da..2364eab 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ ffmpeg-python
 pyacoustid
 musicbrainzngs
 python-vlc
-essentia
 librosa
 scipy
 numpy
@@ -15,6 +14,10 @@ matplotlib
 Pillow
 requests
 typing_extensions
+# optional audio analysis engines
+# Essentia wheels are not available on all platforms (notably Windows).
+# Install manually if you want to use the Essentia tempo engine:
+# pip install "essentia==2.1b6.dev1034"
 # optional metadata helpers
 spotipy
 tidal-dl