Create README.md
Getting started readme.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d279c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+## Getting Started with XOS and CORD
+
+For a general introduction to XOS and how it is used in CORD, see
+http://guide.xosproject.org. The "Developer Guide" at that URL is
+especially helpful, although it is sync'ed with the previous
+release (currently Burwell), which likely lags what's in master.
+Additional design notes, presentations, and other collateral are
+also available at http://xosproject.org.
+
+The quickest way to get started is to look at the collection of
+"stock" configurations in *xos/configurations*. The *cord*
+configuration in that directory corresponds to our current
+CORD development environment, and the README you'll find there
+will help you get started.