diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0017d52
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+# DOTTIES
+This is my personal dotfiles repository.  Welcome!
+
+## Installing
+### GNU/Linux and MinGW64/Msys2/Clang64
+Install my dot files with:
+```
+$ make install
+```
+
+### BSD and Mac
+Make sure you have the GNU Coreutils (for `ginstall`) and GNU Make (`gmake`)
+installed from your ports tree.  On MacPorts these are provided with the
+`coreutils` and `gmake` ports, respectively.
+
+Once you've GNU-ified your system, you can install my dotties with:
+```
+$ gmake install
+```