diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f03e7a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+
+BUILDDIR = build
+TARGET_SRC = main
+
+build: mkdir main
+all: mkdir main run
+
+mkdir:	# create build directory
+	mkdir -p $(BUILDDIR)
+
+run:	# run binary
+	./$(BUILDDIR)/main
+
+main: lex.yy.c
+	cc $(BUILDDIR)/lex.yy.c -o $(BUILDDIR)/$(TARGET_SRC) -lfl
+
+# generate c file for lex
+lex.yy.c:
+	flex -o $(BUILDDIR)/lex.yy.c $(TARGET_SRC).l
+
+clean: # wipe the build directory
+	rm -f $(BUILDDIR)/*