diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 80ab11f..a3410b8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -29,6 +29,66 @@ This is a translation of the [old HPC Workflows lesson][workflows] using
 You are cordially invited to contribute! Please check the list of
 [issues][issues] if you're unsure where to start.
 
+### Building Locally
+
+If you edit the lesson, it is important to verify that the changes are rendered
+properly in the online version. The best way to do this is to build the lesson
+locally. You will need an R environment to do this: as described in the
+[`{sandpaper}` docs][sandpaper], the environment can be either your terminal or
+RStudio.
+
+#### Setup
+
+The `environment.yml` file describes a [Conda][conda] virtual environment that
+includes [R][r-project], [Snakemake][snakemake], [amdahl][amdahl],
+[pandoc][pandoc], and [termplotlib][termplotlib]: the tools you'll need to
+develop and run this lesson, as well as some depencencies. To prepare the
+environment, install [Miniconda][miniconda] following the official
+instructions. Then open a shell application and create a new environment:
+
+``` shell
+you@yours:~$ cd path/to/local/hpc-workflows
+you@yours:hpc-workflows$ conda env create -f environment.yaml
+```
+
+> _N.B.:_ the environment will be named "workflows" by default.
+> If you prefer another name, add `-n «alternate_name»` to the command.
+
+#### {sandpaper}
+
+[{sandpaper}][sandpaper] is the engine behind The Carpentries Workbench lesson
+layout and static website generator. It is an R package, and has not yet been
+installed. Paraphrasing the installation instructions, start R or
+[radian][radian], then install:
+
+``` shell
+you@yours:hpc-workflows$ R --no-restore --no-save
+```
+
+``` R
+install.packages(c("sandpaper", "varnish", "pegboard", "tinkr"),
+ repos = c("https://carpentries.r-universe.dev/", getOption("repos")))
+```
+
+Now you can render the site! From your R session,
+
+``` R
+library("sandpaper")
+sandpaper::serve()
+```
+
+This should output something like the following:
+
+``` plain
+Output created: hpc-workflows/site/docs/index.html
+To stop the server, run servr::daemon_stop(1) or restart your R session
+Serving the directory hpc-workflows/site/docs at http://127.0.0.1:4321
+```
+
+Click on the link to <http://127.0.0.1:4321> or copy and paste it in your
+browser. You should see any changes you've made to the lesson on the
+corresponding page(s). If it looks right, you're set to proceed!
+
 <!-- HPC Carpentry links -->
 
 [amdahl]: https://github.com/hpc-carpentry/amdahl
@@ -40,9 +100,16 @@ You are cordially invited to contribute! Please check the list of
 [workbench]: https://carpentries.github.io/sandpaper-docs/
 
 <!-- world-wide web links -->
+[conda]: https://docs.conda.io/en/latest/
+[miniconda]: https://docs.conda.io/projects/miniconda/en/latest/
 [nersc-parsl]: https://docs.nersc.gov/jobs/workflow/parsl/
 [nersc-snake]: https://docs.nersc.gov/jobs/workflow/snakemake/
+[pandoc]: https://pandoc.org
 [parsl]: http://parsl-project.org
+[r-project]: https://www.r-project.org
+[radian]: https://github.com/randy3k/radian
 [rmd]: https://rmarkdown.rstudio.com
+[sandpaper]: https://carpentries.github.io/sandpaper-docs/
 [snakemake]: https://snakemake.readthedocs.io/en/stable/
+[termplotlib]: https://github.com/nschloe/termplotlib
 [workflows-community]: https://workflows.community
diff --git a/environment.yml b/environment.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9083388
--- /dev/null
+++ b/environment.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# Conda environment for the HPC Carpentry Workflows lesson
+# 
+---
+name: workflows
+channels:
+  - conda-forge      # provides most software
+  - bioconda         # provides Snakemake
+dependencies:
+  - git              # version control system
+  - libxslt          # {sandpaper} build dependency
+  - matplotlib       # powerful Python plotting library
+  - mpi4py           # distributed-memory parallel library for Python
+  - numpy            # numerical algorithms for Python
+  - pandoc           # document converter
+  - perl             # pandoc/tinytex dependency
+  - pip              # Python package manager
+  - python=3         # Snakemake runs Python code natively
+  - r-base           # basic R installation
+  - r-essentials     # essential R packages
+  - radian           # more colorful R REPL
+  - snakemake        # workflow manager
+  - pip:             # list of PyPI packages (not in Conda)
+    - amdahl         # HPC Carpentry gray-box parallel program
+    - termplotlib    # ASCII art plots