diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index aa2019a6..469806b5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 [![Build Status](https://travis-ci.org/TRIQS/app4triqs.svg?branch=unstable)](https://travis-ci.org/TRIQS/app4triqs)
 
-# app4triqs
+# app4triqs - A skeleton for a TRIQS application
 
-A skeleton for a TRIQS application
-----------------------------------
+Initial Setup
+-------------
 
 **Caution**: The following instructions require the `util-linux` rename command.
 Please confirm that you have the right version by running `rename --version`.
@@ -39,8 +39,7 @@ You can now push to your github repository
 git push origin unstable
 ```
 
-Perl rename command
--------------------
+### Perl rename command ###
 
 If you are using the Perl-based rename command you will need to 
 
@@ -49,8 +48,7 @@ find . -type d | grep -v .git | xargs rename 's/app4triqs/${app_name}/'
 find . -type f | grep -v .git | xargs rename 's/app4triqs/${app_name}/'
 ```
 
-Github SSH interface
---------------------
+### Github SSH interface ###
 
 If you prefer to use the SSH interface to the remote repository,
 replace the http link accordingly
@@ -59,8 +57,7 @@ replace the http link accordingly
 https://github.com/myuser/mynewapp   -->   git@github.com:myuser/mynewapp
 ```
 
-Merging app4triqs skeleton updates
-----------------------------------
+### Merging app4triqs skeleton updates ###
 
 You can merge future changes to app4triqs into your project with the following commands
 
@@ -70,3 +67,30 @@ git merge app4triqs_remote -m "Merge latest app4triqs skeleton changes"
 ```
 
 If you should encounter any conflicts resolve them and `git commit`.
+
+Getting Started
+---------------
+
+After setting up your application as described above you should customize the following files and directories
+according to your needs (replace app4triqs in the following by the name of your application)
+
+* In the `c++/app4triqs` subdirectory adjust the example files `app4triqs.hpp` and `app4triqs.cpp` or add your own source files.
+* In the `test/c++` subdirectory adjust the example test `basic.cpp` or add your own tests.
+* In the `python/app4triqs` subdirectory add your Python source files.
+  Be sure to remove the `app4triqs_module_desc.py` file unless you want to generate a Python module from your C++ source code.
+* In the `test/c++` subdirectory adjust the example test `basic.cpp` or add your own tests.
+* The build and install process is identical to the one outline [here](https://triqs.github.io/app4triqs/unstable/install.html).
+
+### Optional ###
+----------------
+* If you want to wrap C++ classes and/or functions provided in the `c++/app4triqs/app4triqs.hpp` rerun the `c++2py` tool with
+```bash
+c++2py -r app4triqs_module_desc.py
+```
+* Add your email address to the bottom section of `Jenkinsfile` for Jenkins CI notification emails
+```
+End of build log:
+\${BUILD_LOG,maxLines=60}
+    """,
+    to: 'user@domain.org',
+```