diff --git a/index.rst b/index.rst
--- a/index.rst
+++ b/index.rst
@@ -34,6 +34,25 @@
    faq
 
 
+Quick Start
+-----------
+
+Here is a list of the basic step necessary to get set up and make a patch:
+
+1. get :ref:`a clone of CPython <setup>` with
+   ``hg clone http://hg.python.org/cpython``;
+2. On UNIX, run ``./configure --with-pydebug && make -j2`` to
+   :ref:`build Python <compiling>`.
+
+   On :ref:`Windows <windows-compiling>`, load in Visual Studio the project
+   files from the ``PCbuild`` directory, select :menuselection:`Debug` and
+   :menuselection:`Build -> Build Solution`;
+3. :doc:`run the tests <runtests>` with ``./python -m test -j2``
+   (``python.exe`` on Mac OS X and Windows);
+4. make the :doc:`patch <patch>`;
+5. submit it to the `issue tracker <http://bugs.python.org/>`_.
+
+
 Quick Links
 -----------
 
diff --git a/setup.rst b/setup.rst
--- a/setup.rst
+++ b/setup.rst
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@
 affected files as described below.)
 
 
+.. _compiling:
+
 Compiling (for debugging)
 -------------------------
 
@@ -148,6 +150,8 @@
 still build properly).
 
 
+.. _windows-compiling:
+
 Windows
 '''''''