diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,3 +1,18 @@
 # builder
 
-docker base image
\ No newline at end of file
+docker base image for building golang
+
+TBD: javascript/node support (in progress)
+
+TBD: python3 support
+
+TBD: ruby support
+
+# goals
+
+* try to put as much stuff as possible in this base image to minimize
+  network usage of child image builds
+
+# license
+
+WTFPL