diff --git a/slides_template/Makefile b/slides_template/Makefile
index 880c604..13364cf 100644
--- a/slides_template/Makefile
+++ b/slides_template/Makefile
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ vc:
 
 clean: 
 	latexmk -C *.tex
-	rubber -d --clean *.tex
 	rm -f *.tmp
 	rm -f vc
 	rm -f notes.config
diff --git a/slides_template/README b/slides_template/README
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c71a36d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/slides_template/README
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+================================
+=== Mako's Beamer Templates ====
+================================
+
+Copyright (c) 2013-2026 Benjamin Mako Hill <mako@atdot.cc> / <makohill@uw.edu>
+
+This repository contains a Beamer presentation template I use for my
+own presentations. Others in the CDSC lab also use it for lab
+presentations. It is released under the GNU GPL version 3 or later.
+
+The latest version can be found on GitLab at:
+https://gitlab.com/makoshark/beamer-mako
+
+You can clone the repository with:
+
+  git clone https://gitlab.com/makoshark/beamer-mako.git
+
+Bug reports, comments, questions, and patches can be directed to:
+
+  Benjamin Mako Hill <makohill@uw.edu> [work]
+  Benjamin Mako Hill <mako@atdot.cc> [personal]
+
+Patches can be submitted as merge requests via GitLab, or by cloning
+the repository and sending patches by email:
+
+  git format-patch origin/master
+  git send-email *.patch
+
+================================
+=== Dependencies ===============
+================================
+
+On Debian or Ubuntu, install the following packages:
+
+  * latexmk
+  * texlive-xetex
+  * texlive-latex-recommended
+  * texlive-latex-extra
+
+  apt install latexmk texlive-xetex texlive-latex-recommended \
+  texlive-latex-extra
+
+On other systems, installing a full TeX Live distribution should provide
+everything needed.
+
+The template uses the Metropolis Beamer theme, bundled in the template/
+directory along with the OpenSans and RobotoMono fonts it requires.
+
+================================
+=== Scripts ====================
+================================
+
+new_beamer_presentation
+-----------------------
+Creates a new presentation directory from the template. Takes a
+destination directory as its argument:
+
+  new_beamer_presentation <directory>
+
+Example:
+
+  new_beamer_presentation my-talk
+
+This creates my-talk/ populated with the template files, with the main
+source file renamed to my-talk.tex. Fonts are symlinked from the source
+repository rather than copied, so the repository must remain in place.