diff --git a/README b/README
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..deabdf0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+These files are required to flash the Mendel Linux OS to an attached device
+using fastboot:
+
+1. On your host computer, install the `fastboot` tool.
+2. Using either the serial console or the `fastboot` tool, put the device into
+   fastboot mode (`sudo reboot-bootloader`).
+3. Connect to the device using a USB cable, attached to the device's USB data
+   "OTG" port.
+4. Run the `flash.sh` script in this directory.
+
+For detailed instructions, visit coral.ai/docs/setup.
+
+If your board fails to boot, `enable_lk_fastboot.sh` can be used to get your
+device into fastboot mode. Please see https://coral.ai/docs/dev-board-mini/reflash/
+for more details.
diff --git a/dist.mk b/dist.mk
index 208a7f1..f27a4e5 100644
--- a/dist.mk
+++ b/dist.mk
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
 	$(PRODUCT_OUT)/partition-table_8G.img \
 	$(PRODUCT_OUT)/rootfs_arm64.img \
 	$(PRODUCT_OUT)/u-boot-env.bin \
+	$(ROOTDIR)/board/README \
 	$(ROOTDIR)/board/enable_lk_fastboot.sh \
 	$(ROOTDIR)/board/flash.sh \
 	$(ROOTDIR)/board/flashtools \