diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index bbcc7bab..46ba0d12 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -65,6 +65,13 @@ to send changes for review. Please sign the
 [Contributor License Agreement](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFNiOFROLXJBbFBmMkQtb1hNMWhUUnc6MQ)
 when you send your first change for review.  
 
+## Setup
+
+This repo includes a `shell.nix` file for development.
+To get started, install nix, cd into the root of the repo, and run `shell.nix`.
+You'll be provided with a shell that includes everything needed for development.
+Note that this will take some time on the first invocation.
+
 ## License
 
 Copyright © 2015 The GoHBase Authors. All rights reserved. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache License 2.0 that can be found in the [COPYING](COPYING) file.
diff --git a/shell.nix b/shell.nix
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..21796f79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/shell.nix
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+{ pkgs ? import <nixpkgs> {} }:
+
+pkgs.mkShell {
+
+  packages = with pkgs; [
+    jdk8    
+    hbase_2_4
+    hadoop
+
+    go_1_23
+    protoc-gen-go
+    protobuf
+
+    procps
+  ];
+
+  shellHook = ''
+    export JAVA_HOME="${pkgs.jdk8}"
+    export HBASE_HOME="${pkgs.hbase}"
+    export HBASE_LOG_DIR=logs
+
+    # Debugging & Useful
+    alias hbase-shell="$HBASE_HOME/bin/hbase shell"
+    alias hbase-start="$HBASE_HOME/bin/start-hbase.sh"
+    alias hbase-stop="$HBASE_HOME/bin/start-hbase.sh"
+    alias ports="sudo lsof -i -P -n | grep LISTEN"
+  '';
+
+  exitHook = ''
+    $HBASE_HOME/bin/stop-hbase.sh
+  '';
+
+}