diff --git a/READMEs/README.ci.md b/READMEs/README.ci.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ed5d55a6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/READMEs/README.ci.md
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+## Need for CI
+
+Generally if we're adding something that's supposed to work ongoing, the stuff
+should be exercised in CI (at least Travis).
+
+If there are few users for a particular feature, experience has shown that
+refactors or other upheaval can easily break it into a state of uselessness
+without anyone noticing until later.
+
+Therefore here's a description of how to add something to the CI tests... this
+is certainly a nonproductive PITA and I have never been thanked for the work
+involved.  But if the promise of the various features working is going to
+remain alive, it's necessary to include CI test where possible with new
+nontrivial code.
+
+## Integration points
+
+### cmake
+
+`.travis.yml` maps the various test activities to CMake options needed.
+
+### including dependent packages into travis
+
+See `./scripts/travis_install.sh`
+
+### performing prepared test actions
+
+See `./scripts/travis_control.sh`
+