diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b10ad9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+.vscode
+venv
+__pycache__
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5a46b2c..926b95a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1 +1,11 @@
-# csci361-vms-backend
\ No newline at end of file
+#VMS Backend
+
+**goals to be met**:
+<ul>
+<li> Create and set up main database on a PostgreSQL server</li>
+<li> Set up basic GET requests for Users, Vehicles, Assignments </li>
+<li> Set up POST requests for Users, Vehicles, Assignments </li>
+<li> Add token/cookie(?) authentication </li>
+</ul>
+
+#Let's keep updating this readme.md file as we complete our tasks
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/__init__.py b/app/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/app/main.py b/app/main.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..43ab2db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/main.py
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+from fastapi import FastAPI
+
+app = FastAPI()
+
+
+@app.get("/")
+def root():
+    return {"message": "Hello World!"}
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9edf7d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+fastapi[all] 
\ No newline at end of file