diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 69693dfc..270830e6 100644
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+++ b/README.md
@@ -74,6 +74,13 @@ so formatting is done before your changes are submitted.
 
 ## Getting started
 
+You need `scons` a C++ compiler to start.
+
+- On most OSes, once you've installed Python, run `pip install scons` to install scons.
+- You can install MinGW-64 using the setup instructions from [the VSCode C++ Getting Started page]([https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/cpp/config-mingw](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/cpp/config-mingw#_installing-the-mingww64-toolchain)).
+
+If you're on Windows, make sure you restart your shell/terminal/IDE after both installations.
+
 It's a bit similar to what it was for 3.x but also a bit different.
 This new approach is much more akin to how core Godot modules are structured.