diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3d92df3..8bb1188 100755
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -20,12 +20,6 @@ Install docker desktop for your operating system.
 If you are using Apple silicon (M1, M2, M3 processor) make sure you have Rosetta
 enabled via Docker desktop settings.
 
-### Visual Studio Code
-
-Install VSCode so we can more easily navigate directories, and inspect files.
-
-- <https://code.visualstudio.com/>
-
 ### Mac Specific Prerequisites
 
 1. xcode tools.
@@ -96,7 +90,7 @@ chmod +x ./start-node.sh ./stop-nodes.sh ./scripts/*
 
 ### Start node
 
-We have a script that:
+We have a start script which:
 
 - pulls the latest testnet node configs
 - pulls the Cardano node docker image
@@ -144,7 +138,7 @@ wsl
 In your second terminal execute:
 
 ```bash
-./scripts/node-query-tip.sh
+./scripts/query/tip.sh
 ```
 
 For a fully synced node the terminal should return, with `syncProgress` of `100.00`.
@@ -185,7 +179,7 @@ This script will stop your Cardano node, remember to run this when you are done
 In your second terminal execute:
 
 ```bash
-./stop-docker.sh
+./stop-nodes.sh
 ```
 
 ## Doing Stuff
@@ -249,129 +243,27 @@ Make sure you have a node running for these.
 
 ## Using Multiple Nodes and External Nodes
 
-This toolkit supports connecting to multiple Cardano nodes simultaneously - both Docker containers and external nodes running outside of Docker. You can run scripts against different networks and nodes at the same time.
+This toolkit supports connecting to multiple Cardano nodes simultaneously - both Docker containers and external nodes running outside of Docker.
+You can run scripts against different networks and nodes at the same time.
 
 ### External Node Configuration
 
-External nodes use environment variables `CARDANO_NODE_SOCKET_PATH` and `CARDANO_NODE_NETWORK_ID`. You can configure these through the `start-node.sh` script, which will prompt you for the values and confirm them before use.
+External nodes use environment variables `CARDANO_NODE_SOCKET_PATH` and `CARDANO_NODE_NETWORK_ID`.
+You can check these through the `start-node.sh` script,
+which will prompt you for the values and confirm them before use.
 
 **Important:** Only one external node connection is supported at a time. For multiple external nodes, switch environment variables between script executions.
 
-#### Setting Up External Node
-
-Use the `start-node.sh` script to configure:
-
-```bash
-./start-node.sh
-# Select: "Configure connection to an external node via socket file"
-# Enter socket path and network ID
-# Confirm the values
-```
-
-Or set environment variables directly:
-
-```bash
-export CARDANO_NODE_SOCKET_PATH="/path/to/node.socket"
-export CARDANO_NODE_NETWORK_ID=1  # 1=preprod, 2=preview, 4=sanchonet
-
-# Run scripts
-./scripts/query/tip.sh
-```
-
-#### Network Magic Numbers
-
-- **preprod**: Network ID `1`
-- **preview**: Network ID `2`
-- **sanchonet**: Network ID `4`
-
 ### Multiple Docker Containers
 
 When multiple Docker containers are running, the toolkit will:
+
 - **Automatically select** the only container if only one is running
 - **Prompt you to choose** if multiple containers are running (interactive mode)
 - **Use the first container** if running non-interactively (no TTY)
 
-To avoid prompts, specify the container name:
-
-```bash
-CARDANO_CONTAINER_NAME="node-preprod-10.5.3-container" ./scripts/query/tip.sh
-```
-
-### Single Node Configuration (Backward Compatible)
-
-For backward compatibility, you can still use the old single-node format:
-
-```json
-{
-  "socket_path": "/path/to/your/node.socket",
-  "network": "preprod",
-  "network_id": 1,
-  "mode": "external"
-}
-```
-
 ### Requirements
 
 - **Local cardano-cli**: When using external node mode, you must have `cardano-cli` installed locally and available in your PATH
 - **Network restriction**: Mainnet connections via external sockets are **not allowed** for security reasons. Only testnet networks (preprod, preview, sanchonet) are supported
 - **Socket file**: The socket file must be accessible and the node must be running
-
-### Network Magic Numbers
-
-- **preprod**: Network ID `1`
-- **preview**: Network ID `2`
-- **sanchonet**: Network ID `4`
-- **mainnet**: Network ID `764824073` (blocked for external nodes, allowed in Docker mode)
-
-### Example: Running Scripts Against Multiple Networks
-
-```bash
-# Terminal 1: Query preprod via external node
-CARDANO_NODE_SOCKET_PATH="/path/to/preprod.socket" CARDANO_NODE_NETWORK_ID=1 ./scripts/query/tip.sh
-
-# Terminal 2: Query preview via external node (switch env vars)
-CARDANO_NODE_SOCKET_PATH="/path/to/preview.socket" CARDANO_NODE_NETWORK_ID=2 ./scripts/query/tip.sh
-
-# Terminal 3: Use Docker container for mainnet
-CARDANO_CONTAINER_NAME="node-mainnet-10.5.3-container" ./scripts/query/tip.sh
-```
-
-### Node Selection Priority
-
-The toolkit uses the following priority order:
-
-1. `CARDANO_NODE_SOCKET_PATH` + `CARDANO_NODE_NETWORK_ID` - External node (environment variables)
-2. `CARDANO_CONTAINER_NAME` - Direct container name specification (for Docker mode)
-3. Docker mode with container selection - Default fallback
-
-**Note:** External nodes require both `CARDANO_NODE_SOCKET_PATH` and `CARDANO_NODE_NETWORK_ID` to be set. Use the `start-node.sh` script to configure and confirm these values.
-
-### Version Check
-
-When using external node mode, the toolkit will automatically check and display your local `cardano-cli` version and which node is being used. If `cardano-cli` is not found in PATH, you'll receive a warning.
-
-## Common Error Messages
-
-### Docker desktop application not open
-
-```bash
-Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at unix:///Users/XXXX/.docker/run/docker.sock. Is the docker daemon running?
-```
-
-**Fix:** Open docker desktop
-
-### Mainnet connection blocked
-
-```bash
-Error: Mainnet connections are not allowed. Please use testnet networks (preprod, preview, sanchonet) only.
-```
-
-**Fix:** This error appears when attempting to connect to mainnet via external socket. Use Docker mode for mainnet, or switch to a testnet network.
-
-### cardano-cli not found
-
-```bash
-Warning: cardano-cli not found in PATH. External node mode requires cardano-cli to be installed locally.
-```
-
-**Fix:** Install `cardano-cli` locally and ensure it's in your PATH when using external node mode.
diff --git a/start-node.sh b/start-node.sh
index 3f1a269..69b9dcf 100755
--- a/start-node.sh
+++ b/start-node.sh
@@ -15,6 +15,29 @@ BLUE='\033[0;34m'
 CYAN='\033[0;36m'
 NC='\033[0m' # No color
 
+# Function to check if Docker is running
+check_docker_running() {
+  echo -e "${CYAN}Checking if Docker is running...${NC}"
+  
+  if ! command -v docker >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo -e "${RED}Error: Docker is not installed.${NC}"
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Please install Docker Desktop from: https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop${NC}"
+    exit 1
+  fi
+  
+  if ! docker info >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo -e "${RED}Error: Docker is installed but not running.${NC}"
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Please start Docker Desktop and try again.${NC}"
+    exit 1
+  fi
+  
+  echo -e "${GREEN}Docker is running.${NC}"
+  echo
+}
+
+# Check Docker before proceeding
+check_docker_running
+
 # ASCII Art Welcome Message
 echo -e "${CYAN}"
 echo "                                                                                                        "