diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12651e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+Open-PDKs (open_pdks)
+-----------------------------------------
+
+Summary:
+
+Automatic setup of PDKs for open-source tools from foundry sources.
+
+Builds out and populates a new set of directories and subdirectories in
+the efabless format, with the efabless name for the PDK at the top,
+followed by categories "libs.ref" (IP) and "libs.tech" (EDA tool setup),
+each with subcategories corresponding to layout, abstract views,
+netlists, etc. for the IP;  and magic, netgen, qflow, etc., for the
+EDA tool setup.
+
+The populated PDK directories can contain either copies of files from
+the foundry sources, links to the foundry sources, or links back to
+another PDK.
+
+Generates magic layout views for all vendor IP for which either a GDS
+view or a LEF view exists.  Annotates the views as needed to handle
+ports, bounding boxes, etc.
+
+-----------------------------------------
+
+This distribution contains sources for building out the SkyWater s8
+130nm process.  Sources for the foundry process data must be obtained
+separately.  Read the README file in subdirectory s8/ for instructions
+on obtaining and building the SkyWater s8 PDK.
+
+-----------------------------------------
+
+Instructions:
+
+There is a top-level Makefile but generally it is recommended to cd
+to the directory for the target foundry process and follow the instructions
+in the README file there.
+