diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e64660
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# cmake for mxml
+#
+# template from https://dominikberner.ch/cmake-interface-lib/
+#
+
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.12)
+
+project("mxml"
+        VERSION 1
+        DESCRIPTION "XML encoder and decoder for use with MIDAS"
+        HOMEPAGE_URL "https://midas.triumf.ca")
+
+add_library(${PROJECT_NAME} INTERFACE)
+
+target_include_directories(${PROJECT_NAME} INTERFACE
+   $<BUILD_INTERFACE:${${PROJECT_NAME}_SOURCE_DIR}>
+   $<INSTALL_INTERFACE:${CMAKE_INSTALL_INCLUDEDIR}>)
+   
+#target_include_directories(${PROJECT_NAME} INTERFACE .)
+
+target_compile_features(${PROJECT_NAME} INTERFACE cxx_std_11)
+
+# end