docs: rewrite README intro for SEO and LLM extraction

Author: mikemaccana

README.md

@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
-# Quicknode Solana Program Examples
+# Solana Program Examples
 
-> A fork of the [Solana Foundation program examples](https://github.com/solana-developers/program-examples) with current versions, more [programs](https://solana.com/docs/terminology#program), and additional frameworks.
+Working, tested, up-to-date examples of common Solana programs — maintained by [Quicknode](https://quicknode.com). Each example compiles and passes CI on the current Solana and Anchor toolchain.
 
 [![Anchor](../../actions/workflows/anchor.yml/badge.svg)](../../actions/workflows/anchor.yml) [![Quasar](../../actions/workflows/quasar.yml/badge.svg)](../../actions/workflows/quasar.yml) [![Pinocchio](../../actions/workflows/pinocchio.yml/badge.svg)](../../actions/workflows/pinocchio.yml) [![Native](../../actions/workflows/native.yml/badge.svg)](../../actions/workflows/native.yml) [![ASM](../../actions/workflows/solana-asm.yml/badge.svg)](../../actions/workflows/solana-asm.yml)
 
+**What you can build here:** escrow, AMM-based token swaps, order-book exchanges, token fundraisers, vault strategies, betting markets, NFTs, token extensions, compressed NFTs, and all the foundational Solana patterns (PDAs, CPIs, account management, rent).
+
 Each example is available in one or more of the following frameworks:
 
 - [⚓ Anchor](https://www.anchor-lang.com/) - the most popular framework for Solana development. Build with `anchor build`, test with `pnpm test` as defined in `Anchor.toml`.
@@ -15,8 +17,16 @@ Each example is available in one or more of the following frameworks:
 > [!NOTE]
 > You don't need to write your own program for basic tasks like creating [accounts](https://solana.com/docs/terminology#account), transferring SOL, or minting tokens. These are handled by existing programs like the System Program and Token Program.
 
+## Getting started
+
+You need [Rust](https://www.rust-lang.org/tools/install), [Solana CLI](https://docs.anza.xyz/cli/install), [Anchor](https://www.anchor-lang.com/docs/installation), and [pnpm](https://pnpm.io/installation) installed. Clone the repo, `cd` into any example directory, and run `pnpm test`.
+
+To deploy to mainnet or devnet you'll need an RPC endpoint. [Quicknode](https://quicknode.com) provides free and paid Solana endpoints — create one and set it as your cluster in `Anchor.toml` or with `solana config set --url <your-endpoint>`.
+
 ## Financial Software
 
+The programs below implement the core primitives of Solana DeFi: peer-to-peer trading (escrow), decentralized exchanges (AMM and order book), fundraising, yield-bearing vaults, and prediction markets. These are the building blocks used by protocols like Raydium, Orca, Openbook, and Kamino.
+
 ### Escrow
 
 **Start here - the best first finance program to learn on Solana.** A neutral account that holds funds until both sides deliver, like a real-estate escrow or a lawyer's trust account. The maker deposits token A and names how much token B they want; when a taker supplies token B, the program swaps both in a single all-or-nothing transaction. This swap is the core idea behind every onchain exchange.