diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5aa0acd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+# commentjson Makefile
+# ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+#
+# Shortcuts for various tasks.
+
+sdist:
+	python setup.py sdist
+
+bump-version:
+	# bump
+	# generate release notes
+	# commit
+
+release: bump-version sdist
+	# push
+	git push origin <branch>
+
+	# make a release on github
+	hub release create -f release-notes/release-notes.txt v0.8.4