diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f91318a..b4f9a81 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,5 +1,31 @@
 Interface for the arduino temperature logger. It is meant to be run on a machine connected to the arduino.
 
-= Icons =
+# Installation #
+
+Requires Python 2.7+
+
+The packages listed below are the  dependencies for both the cli parser & the kivy-based UI.
+
+## Python Packages ##
+
+*The easiest way to get these is to use pip or a similar tool, eg. your distro's repo if the versions are recent enough*
+
+  * pyserial
+  * numpy
+  * kivy 1.9+ (see installation instructions for kivy)
+  * pygame / PIL
+  * matplotlib 1.4.3+
+
+## Detailed instructions on debian 8 (jessie, lxde install) ##
+
+  * sudo apt-get install python python-dev python-pip libgl1-mesa-dev
+  * sudo pip Cython==0.21.2 pyserial numpy matplotlib kivy==1.9
+
+### Command-line only ###
+
+ * sudo apt-get install python python-pip
+ * sudo pip install pyserial
+
+# Icons #
 
 The graphical interface uses icons from the Simplicio icon set by Neurovit: http://neurovit.deviantart.com/
diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index f78fc2f..7feb00e
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
 import io
 import kivy
 from kivy.app import App