diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1e67d0a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+# GNU social: The Unofficial Manuals
+
+This is an effort to produce high quality HTML documentation for GNU social in English.
+
+To build the documentation simply run `php render.php`. The output HTML will be in the `rendered/` subfolder.
+
+Rendered versions are available online:
+
+- User Guide -
+- Admin Guide -
+
+## Editing
+
+- Add or edit HTML in `html/user/` or `html/admin`
+- Add or edit images, etc., in `resources/user/` or `resources/admin`
+- Ensure the page listing is up-to-date in `configs/user.config.php` and `configs/admin.config.php`
+- Run `php render.php` and check it worked
+- Submit a pull request so everybody gets smarter
+
+Various template substitutions are available. These are the most important ones.
+
+ {HEADING:SECTION:section:My Heading} -- becomes an