diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0be54f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+# syndicate-sh
+
+This is an implementation of the Syndicate network protocol (based on
+[Preserves](https://preserves.gitlab.io/)) for Bash.
+
+**Q.** Is this a joke, or is this serious?  
+**A.** Yes.
+
+## Dependencies
+
+First, it depends on Bash-specific shell features.
+
+Second, you'll need the `preserves-tool` program, which `syndicate.sh`
+uses to slice and dice network packets. It's written in Rust, so you
+can get it with:
+
+    cargo install preserves-tools
+
+Third, you'll need a Syndicate network server ("broker"). The best
+option at present is the Rust-language server:
+
+    cargo install syndicate-server
+
+## Running the demo
+
+Start the server in one terminal, in the same directory as the
+`syndicate.sh` file:
+
+    syndicate-server -s ./sock
+
+Then, in one or more other terminals, run `syndicate.sh`:
+
+    ./syndicate.sh