diff --git a/HACKING b/HACKING
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4d20724
--- /dev/null
+++ b/HACKING
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+
+libssh2 source code style guide:
+
+ - 4 level indent
+ - spaces-only (no tabs)
+ - open braces on the if/for line:
+
+     if (banana) {
+         go_nuts();
+     }
+
+ - write both braces on the else line:
+
+     if (banana) {
+         go_nuts();
+     } else {
+         stay_calm();
+     }
+
+ - use braces even for single-statement blocks
+ 
+ - keep source lines shorter than 80 columns
+
+------------
+
+ Older libssh2 code that still hasn't quite transitioned to the above
+ mentioned style, used a different style:
+
+ - indented with tabs (only)
+
+ - no line length limits
+
diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index a0a98a3..0f92e69 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ NETWAREFILES =  nw/keepscreen.c \
  nw/nwlibc.c \
  nw/test/Makefile.netware
 
-EXTRA_DIST = win32 buildconf $(NETWAREFILES) get_ver.awk
+EXTRA_DIST = win32 buildconf $(NETWAREFILES) get_ver.awk HACKING
 
 ACLOCAL_AMFLAGS = -I m4