diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..16ea0bc03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+language: node_js # ish, mainly used as an entry point
+before_install: cd .travis # keep main directory clear
diff --git a/.travis/.gitignore b/.travis/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c2658d7d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.travis/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+node_modules/
diff --git a/.travis/package.json b/.travis/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0bab14584
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.travis/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+{
+  "name": "arvo-tests",
+  "version": "1.0.0",
+  "description": "Test harness for Urbit arvo distribution",
+  "main": "test.ls",
+  "scripts": {
+    "test": "lsc test.ls"
+  },
+  "author": "~fyr",
+  "license": "MIT",
+  "dependencies": {
+    "livescript": "^1.5.0"
+  }
+}
diff --git a/.travis/test.ls b/.travis/test.ls
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d5fd0800c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.travis/test.ls
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+console.log "yo"