diff --git a/python/README.md b/python/README.md
index 5cd63f61..7504b97c 100644
--- a/python/README.md
+++ b/python/README.md
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 # Gilded Rose starting position in Python
 
+For exercise instructions see [top level README](../README.md)
+
+Suggestion: create a python virtual environment for this project. See the [documentation](https://docs.python.org/3/library/venv.html)
+
 ## Run the unit tests from the Command-Line
 
 ```
diff --git a/python/requirements.txt b/python/requirements.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..feb57930
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/requirements.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+pytest
+approvaltests
+pytest-approvaltests
+coverage