diff --git a/cli/config/init.README.md b/cli/config/init.README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c8496cd26
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cli/config/init.README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+This project was bootstrapped with [DHIS2 Application Platform](https://github.com/dhis2/app-platform).
+
+## Available Scripts
+
+In the project directory, you can run:
+
+### `yarn start`
+
+Runs the app in the development mode.<br />
+Open [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000) to view it in the browser.
+
+The page will reload if you make edits.<br />
+You will also see any lint errors in the console.
+
+### `yarn test`
+
+Launches the test runner and runs all available tests found in `/src`.<br />
+
+See the section about [running tests](https://platform.dhis2.nu/#/scripts/test) for more information.
+
+### `yarn build`
+
+Builds the app for production to the `build` folder.<br />
+It correctly bundles React in production mode and optimizes the build for the best performance.
+
+The build is minified and the filenames include the hashes.<br />
+A deployable `.zip` file can be found in `build/bundle`!
+
+See the section about [building](https://platform.dhis2.nu/#/scripts/build) for more information.
+
+## Learn More
+
+You can learn more about the platform in the [DHIS2 Application Platform Documentation](https://platform.dhis2.nu/).
+
+You can learn more about the runtime in the [DHIS2 Application Runtime Documentation](https://runtime.dhis2.nu/).
+
+To learn React, check out the [React documentation](https://reactjs.org/).
diff --git a/cli/src/commands/init.js b/cli/src/commands/init.js
index 28c48939b..84e67c4a1 100644
--- a/cli/src/commands/init.js
+++ b/cli/src/commands/init.js
@@ -205,6 +205,13 @@ const handler = async ({ force, name, cwd, lib }) => {
     const sections = parseGitignore(gitignoreFile)
     writeGitignore(gitignoreFile, sections)
 
+    if (fs.existsSync(paths.readme) && !force) {
+        reporter.warn('A README already exists, use --force to overwrite it')
+    } else {
+        reporter.info('Writing README...')
+        fs.copyFileSync(paths.readmeDefault, paths.readme)
+    }
+
     reporter.print('')
     reporter.info('SUCCESS!')
     const cdCmd = name != '.' ? `cd ${name} && ` : ''
diff --git a/cli/src/lib/paths.js b/cli/src/lib/paths.js
index 1b75461f5..e87ac9230 100644
--- a/cli/src/lib/paths.js
+++ b/cli/src/lib/paths.js
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ module.exports = (cwd = process.cwd()) => {
             '../../config/d2.config.lib.js'
         ),
         jestConfigDefaults: path.join(__dirname, '../../config/jest.config.js'),
+        readmeDefault: path.join(__dirname, '../../config/init.README.md'),
 
         shellSource,
         shellSourceEntrypoint: path.join(shellSource, 'src/App.js'),
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ module.exports = (cwd = process.cwd()) => {
         package: path.join(base, './package.json'),
         dotenv: path.join(base, './.env'),
         config: path.join(base, './d2.config.js'),
+        readme: path.join(base, './README.md'),
         src: path.join(base, './src'),
         public: path.join(base, './public'),
         jestConfig: path.join(base, 'jest.config.js'),