diff --git a/.appveyor.yml b/.appveyor.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f5698f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.appveyor.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+version: '{build}'
+
+image: Visual Studio 2015
+
+cache:
+  - NimBinaries
+
+matrix:
+  # We always want 32 and 64-bit compilation
+  fast_finish: false
+
+platform:
+  - x86
+  - x64
+
+# when multiple CI builds are queued, the tested commit needs to be in the last X commits cloned with "--depth X"
+clone_depth: 10
+
+install:
+  # use the newest versions documented here: https://www.appveyor.com/docs/windows-images-software/#mingw-msys-cygwin
+  - IF "%PLATFORM%" == "x86" SET PATH=C:\mingw-w64\i686-6.3.0-posix-dwarf-rt_v5-rev1\mingw32\bin;%PATH%
+  - IF "%PLATFORM%" == "x64" SET PATH=C:\mingw-w64\x86_64-8.1.0-posix-seh-rt_v6-rev0\mingw64\bin;%PATH%
+
+  # build nim from our own branch - this to avoid the day-to-day churn and
+  # regressions of the fast-paced Nim development while maintaining the
+  # flexibility to apply patches
+  - curl -O -L -s -S https://raw.githubusercontent.com/status-im/nimbus/devel/build_nim.sh
+  - env MAKE="mingw32-make -j2" ARCH_OVERRIDE=%PLATFORM% bash build_nim.sh Nim csources dist/nimble NimBinaries
+  - SET PATH=%CD%\Nim\bin;%PATH%
+
+build_script:
+  - cd C:\projects\%APPVEYOR_PROJECT_SLUG%
+  - nimble install -y
+
+test_script:
+  - nimble test
+
+deploy: off
diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6f38e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+language: c
+
+# https://docs.travis-ci.com/user/caching/
+cache:
+  directories:
+    - NimBinaries
+
+git:
+  # when multiple CI builds are queued, the tested commit needs to be in the last X commits cloned with "--depth X"
+  depth: 10
+
+os:
+  - linux
+  - osx
+
+install:
+  # build nim from our own branch - this to avoid the day-to-day churn and
+  # regressions of the fast-paced Nim development while maintaining the
+  # flexibility to apply patches
+  - curl -O -L -s -S https://raw.githubusercontent.com/status-im/nimbus/devel/build_nim.sh
+  - env MAKE="make -j2" bash build_nim.sh Nim csources dist/nimble NimBinaries
+  - export PATH=$PWD/Nim/bin:$PATH
+
+script:
+  - nimble install -y
+  - nimble test
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..26d7e49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+# stew - status e-something w-something
+
+`stew` is collection of utilities, std library extensions and budding libraries
+that are frequently used at Status, but are too small to deserve their own
+git repository.
+
+We use `stew` as a staging ground for code that has yet to be battle-tested.
+
+Some of these libraries may eventually be proposed for inclusion in Nim or
+broken out into separate repositories.
+
+## Layout
+
+`stew` modules are made to be fairly independent of each other, but generally
+follow the following layout - if you've used C++'s `boost`, you'll feel right at
+home:
+
+```
+# Single-module libraries
+stew/small.nim # small libraries that fits in one module
+
+# Multi-module libraries
+stew/libname.nim # Main import file
+stew/libname/stuff.nim # Detail import file
+
+# Nim standard library shims that contain forwards-compatibility code to manage
+# support for multiple nim versions - code in here typically has been taken
+# from nim `devel` branch and `name` will reexport the corresponding std lib
+# module
+# stew/shims/macros.nim - module that reexports `macros.nim` adding code from newer nim versions
+
+# Tests are in the tests folder (duh!)
+# To execute, run either `all_tests.nim` or specific `test_xxx.nim` files:
+nim c -r tests/all_tests
+```
+
+## Compatibility
+
+One of the goals of `stew` is to provide backwards and forwards compatibility
+for different Nim versions, such that code using `stew` works well with multiple
+versions of Nim. If `stew` is not working with the Nim version you're using, we
+welcome patches.
+
+## Notable libraries
+
+Libraries are documented either in-module or on a separate README in their
+respective folders
+
+- `bitops2` - an updated version of `bitops.nim`, filling in gaps in original code\
+- `shims` - backports of nim `devel` code to the stable version that Status is using
+
+## Using stew in your project
+
+We do not recommend using this library as a normal `nimble` dependency - there
+are no versioned releases and we will not maintain API/ABI stability. Instead,
+make sure you pin your dependency to a specific git hash (for example using a
+submodule) or copy the file to your project instead.
+
+:warning: No API/ABI stability - pick a commit and stick with it :warning:
+
+## Contributing to stew
+
+We welcome contributions to stew - in particular:
+* if you feel that some part of `stew` should be part of Nim, we welcome your help in taking it through the Nim PR process.
+* if you're using `stew` with a particular Nim version, we welcome compatibility patches gated with `when NimMajor .. and NimMinor ..`
+
+## License
+
+Licensed and distributed under either of
+
+* MIT license: [LICENSE-MIT](LICENSE-MIT) or http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+
+or
+
+* Apache License, Version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHEv2](LICENSE-APACHEv2) or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
+
+at your option. These files may not be copied, modified, or distributed except according to those terms.
diff --git a/stew.nimble b/stew.nimble
index a8947ed..22ccd25 100644
--- a/stew.nimble
+++ b/stew.nimble
@@ -8,3 +8,8 @@ license       = "Apache License 2.0"
 skipDirs      = @["tests"]
 
 requires "nim >= 0.19.0"
+
+task test, "Run all tests":
+  exec "nim c -r --threads:off tests/all_tests"
+  exec "nim c -r --threads:on tests/all_tests"
+
diff --git a/tests/all_tests.nim b/tests/all_tests.nim
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3bfbb6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/all_tests.nim
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+# stew
+# Copyright 2018 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Licensed under either of
+#
+#  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
+#  * MIT license ([LICENSE-MIT](LICENSE-MIT) or http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
+#
+# at your option. This file may not be copied, modified, or distributed except according to those terms.