diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3db45b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+Building BarrVerb
+=================
+
+1. clone the repository
+
+2. `git submodule update --init` to pull in Distrho Plugin Framework
+
+3. `make`
+