diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 325b2059cd..ead1bd993e 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -72,7 +72,6 @@ __pycache__
 /compile
 /test-driver
 /missing
-/INSTALL
 /ABOUT-NLS
 /config.rpath
 /coverage
diff --git a/INSTALL b/INSTALL
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2eac4a6af4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/INSTALL
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+** COMPILING and INSTALLING **
+------------------------------
+
+Meson is the build system used for this project. For more information please
+see:
+
+    http://mesonbuild.com
+
+----
+
+Normal compilation in /usr/local:
+
+    meson . build
+    ninja -C build
+    sudo ninja -C build install
+
+For meson build generic options:
+
+    meson --help
+
+For a list of project specific options supported:
+
+    cat meson_options.txt
+
+To set 1 or more project specific options:
+
+    meson --prefix=/path/to -Doption=value [-Dother=value2] [...] . build
+
+To display current configuration:
+
+    meson configure build
+
+The above will only work after at least the following is done:
+
+    meson . build
+
+** QUICK AND DIRTY HELP **
+--------------------------
+
+How clean out the build and config and start fresh:
+
+    rm -rf build
+
+How to make a dist tarball and check its build:
+(must do it from git tree clone and commit all changes to git first)
+
+    ninja -C build dist
+
+How to change prefix:
+
+    meson --prefix=/path/to/prefix . build
+
+How to install in a specific destination directory for packaging:
+
+    DESTDIR=/path/to/destdir ninja -C build install
+
+How to build with verbose output (full commands run):
+
+    ninja -C build -v