diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7510404
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# backup script
+
+these scripts are made to backup data to optical disks for cold data storage once or twice a year.
+the script will create a compressed and encrypted tar file that is split so it will fit on a Blueray disk or DVD
+
+## Dependancys
+make sure `openssl` is installed
+`tmux` is optional
+
+## backup
+- run `bash backup.sh` inside a `tmux` session so it can run in the background.
+- enter dircetories to backup flies like this: `folder-1/ folder2/ other-folders/`.
+- enter capacity for each optical disk. 
+- if you are using a 25 GB Blueray enter `24G` for wiggle room.
+- burn each tar file to it's own optical disk with both `backup.sh` and `restore.sh` scripts.
+
+## restore
+- copy each tar flie off each disk to a folder like `backup`.
+- run `bash restore.sh` to restore the data.
+- enter the dircetory where the tar files are located like `/home/user/backup` or `backup`.
+- move the restored data where you please.
\ No newline at end of file