diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 5270bcabfc..28e47f23d5 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ Before you fil an issue or a pull request, quickly read of the following tips on
 
 ## Table of Contents
 
+ - [Prerequisites](#prerequisites)
  - [Getting Started](#getting-started)
  - [Architecture](#architecture)
  - [GitHub Issues](#github-issues)
@@ -14,6 +15,17 @@ Before you fil an issue or a pull request, quickly read of the following tips on
  - [Testing](#testing)
  - [License](#license)
 
+### Prerequisites
+
+Most of the time, you'll have installed Kitematic before contibuting, but for the
+sake of completeness, you can also install [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) and then
+run from your Git clone.
+
+Running `npm start` will download and install [Docker machine](https://github.com/docker/machine),
+the [Boot2Docker iso](https://github.com/boot2docker/boot2docker),
+[Electron](http://electron.atom.io/), and [VirtualBox](https://www.virtualbox.org/)
+if needed.
+
 ### Getting Started
 
 - `npm install`