diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fe7cf3c86c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# this is a simple Makefile meant for developers' convenience
+# - it only has the most common build commands we use
+# - for any other build command, please use `./build-coatjava.sh`
+
+# convert `make` arg `-j#` -> `mvn` arg `-T#`, if provided
+JOBS := $(patsubst -j%,%,$(filter -j%,$(MAKEFLAGS)))
+THREADS := $(if $(strip $(JOBS)),-T$(JOBS),)
+
+BUILD := ./build-coatjava.sh
+
+.PHONY: default all clean clara
+
+.DEFAULT_GOAL := default
+
+default:
+	$(BUILD) $(THREADS)
+
+clean:
+	$(BUILD) --clean $(THREADS)
+
+clara:
+	$(BUILD) --clara $(THREADS)
+
+all: clara