diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5512fd19f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+# this dockerfile is inspired by
+# https://registry.hub.docker.com/u/tomdesinto/docker-travis-run/dockerfile/
+FROM ubuntu:precise
+
+# install dependencies
+RUN apt-get update
+RUN apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends build-essential ruby1.9.1 ruby1.9.1-dev rubygems git libhighline-ruby1.9.1 libssl-dev
+RUN update-alternatives --set ruby /usr/bin/ruby1.9.1
+RUN update-alternatives --set gem /usr/bin/gem1.9.1
+
+# install travis-cli
+RUN gem install travis bundler coder activesupport --no-rdoc --no-ri
+
+# install travis-build
+RUN git clone https://github.com/travis-ci/travis-build /opt/travis-build
+
+# install other dependencies
+RUN git clone https://github.com/meatballhat/gimme /opt/gimme && ln -s /opt/gimme/gimme /usr/bin/gimme
+
+# add and configure user
+ENV HOME /home/travis
+RUN useradd -m -d $HOME -s /bin/bash travis
+
+# run everything below as user travis
+USER travis
+WORKDIR $HOME
+
+RUN mkdir .travis
+RUN ln -s /opt/travis-build .travis/travis-build
+
+# RUN travis version
+
+# ENTRYPOINT ["travis", "run", "--skip-version-check", "--skip-completion-check"]
+# CMD ["-p"]
+