diff --git a/R-minimal/README.md b/R-minimal/README.md
index 704363d..fed2a86 100644
--- a/R-minimal/README.md
+++ b/R-minimal/README.md
@@ -1,2 +1,34 @@
 # {{ name }}
-A Renku project.
+
+This is a Renku project - basically a git repository with some
+bells and whistles. You'll find we have already created some
+useful things like `data` and `notebooks` directories and
+a `Dockerfile`.
+
+## Working with the project
+
+The simplest way to start your project is right from the Renku
+platform - just click on the `Environments` tab and start a new session.
+This will start an interactive environment right in your browser.
+
+To work with the project anywhere outside the Renku platform,
+click the `Settings` tab where you will find the
+git repo URLs - use `git` to clone the project on whichever machine you want.
+
+### Changing interactive environment dependencies
+
+Initially we install a very minimal set of packages to keep the images small.
+However, you can add python and conda packages in `requirements.txt` and
+`environment.yml` to your heart's content. If you need more fine-grained
+control over your environment, please see [the documentation](https://renku.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user/advanced_interfaces.html#dockerfile-modifications).
+
+## Project configuration
+
+Project options can be found in `.renku/renku.ini`. In this
+project there is currently only one option, which specifies
+the default type of environment to open, in this case `/rstudio`.
+
+## Moving forward
+
+Once you feel at home with your project, we recommend that you replace
+this README file with your own project documentation! Happy data wrangling!
diff --git a/python-minimal/README.md b/python-minimal/README.md
index 704363d..bdb625a 100644
--- a/python-minimal/README.md
+++ b/python-minimal/README.md
@@ -1,2 +1,36 @@
 # {{ name }}
-A Renku project.
+
+This is a Renku project - basically a git repository with some
+bells and whistles. You'll find we have already created some
+useful things like `data` and `notebooks` directories and
+a `Dockerfile`.
+
+## Working with the project
+
+The simplest way to start your project is right from the Renku
+platform - just click on the `Environments` tab and start a new session.
+This will start an interactive environment right in your browser.
+
+To work with the project anywhere outside the Renku platform,
+click the `Settings` tab where you will find the
+git repo URLs - use `git` to clone the project on whichever machine you want.
+
+### Changing interactive environment dependencies
+
+Initially we install a very minimal set of packages to keep the images small.
+However, you can add python and conda packages in `requirements.txt` and
+`environment.yml` to your heart's content. If you need more fine-grained
+control over your environment, please see [the documentation](https://renku.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user/advanced_interfaces.html#dockerfile-modifications).
+
+## Project configuration
+
+Project options can be found in `.renku/renku.ini`. In this
+project there is currently only one option, which specifies
+the default type of environment to open, in this case `/lab` for
+JupyterLab. You may also choose `/tree` to get to the "classic" Jupyter
+interface.
+
+## Moving forward
+
+Once you feel at home with your project, we recommend that you replace
+this README file with your own project documentation! Happy data wrangling!