diff --git a/NOTES.txt b/NOTES.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cfe6c74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/NOTES.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+To get started:
+
+1. Replace `function-template-go` with your function in `go.mod`,
+   `package/crossplane.yaml`, and any Go imports. (You can also do this
+   automatically by running the `./init.sh <function-name>` script.)
+2. Update `input/v1beta1/` to reflect your desired input (and run `go generate`)
+3. Add your logic to `RunFunction` in `fn.go`
+4. Add tests for your logic in `fn_test.go`
+5. Update `README.md`, to be about your function!
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e4a6444..5b02205 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -11,8 +11,9 @@ To learn how to use this template:
 
 If you just want to jump in and get started:
 
-1. Replace `function-template-go` with your function's name in `go.mod`,
-   `package/crossplane.yaml`, and any Go imports
+1. Replace `function-template-go` with your function in `go.mod`,
+   `package/crossplane.yaml`, and any Go imports. (You can also do this
+   automatically by running the `./init.sh <function-name>` script.)
 1. Update `input/v1beta1/` to reflect your desired input (and run `go generate`)
 1. Add your logic to `RunFunction` in `fn.go`
 1. Add tests for your logic in `fn_test.go`
diff --git a/init.sh b/init.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..523fbb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/init.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# This script helps initialize a new function project by
+# replacing all instances of function-template-go with the
+# name of your function. The scripts accepts two arguments:
+# 1. The name of your function
+# 2. The path to your function directory
+
+set -e
+
+cd "$2" || return
+
+# Replace function-template-go with the name of your function
+# in go.mod
+perl -pi -e s,function-template-go,"$1",g go.mod
+# in fn.go
+perl -pi -e s,function-template-go,"$1",g fn.go
+# in examples
+perl -pi -e s,function-template-go,"$1",g example/*
+
+echo "Function $1 has been initialised successfully"