--- /dev/null
+# libmatroska
+a C++ libary to parse and create Matroska files
+
+# Building and installing
+
+## Building a released version
+
+libmatroska is based on autoconf and automake. It requires a C++
+compiler as well as [libebml](https://github.com/Matroska-Org/libebml)
+and `pkg-config`. Being an autoconf-based project means that the
+normal build process consists of the usual three steps:
+
+1. Configuration: `./configure`
+2. Building: `make`
+3. Installation (run this as root): `make install`
+
+## Building from git
+
+If you're building from git you must have the GNU autotools
+(`autoconf`, `automake`, `libtoolize`) installed. Then run the
+following two commands:
+
+1. `libtoolize`
+2. `autoreconf -vi`
+
+Afterwards continue with the steps listed for building a released
+version.