diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5053d19
--- /dev/null
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+AC_INIT([begin], [0.1], [mik@elnord.in],
+             [begin], [https://github.com/mickenordin/begin])
+AC_PREREQ([2.59])
+AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([1.10 -Wall no-define])
+AC_CONFIG_HEADERS([config.h])
+AC_PROG_CXX
+AC_CONFIG_FILES([Makefile])
+AC_OUTPUT
+AC_LANG_PUSH([C++])
+AC_CHECK_HEADERS([boost/xpressive/xpressive.hpp], [],
+    [AC_MSG_ERROR(You need the Boost Xpressive library.)])
+AC_LANG_POP([C++])