add README
diff --git a/pkg/dev_compiler/README.md b/pkg/dev_compiler/README.md
index 5f48a9a..27ceb07 100644
--- a/pkg/dev_compiler/README.md
+++ b/pkg/dev_compiler/README.md
@@ -1,2 +1,9 @@
dart-dev-compiler
=================
+
+This is an experimental Dart->JS compiler designed to create idiomatic,
+readable JS output. We're investigating this because we want to enable
+easy debugging of Dart applications on all supported browsers.
+
+The initial target for this work is Chrome, which is why there's an ES6
+backend. Longer term, we plan to target all browsers that Dart supports.
