diff --git a/makefiles/consts.mk b/makefiles/consts.mk
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c34d119
--- /dev/null
+++ b/makefiles/consts.mk
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+# -*- makefile -*-
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright 2022 Open Networking Foundation
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+# http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+null         :=#
+space        :=$(null) $(null)
+dot          :=.
+HIDE         ?=@
+
+# use bash for pusdh/popd and quick failures.
+# virtual env(s) activate has undefined vars so no -u
+#   ^---+ verify this is still true
+export SHELL := bash -e -o pipefail
+
+# [EOF]