diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb3b816
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+desktop-base (100.1.1-1rakuos1) unstable; urgency=medium
+
+  * Initial release.
+
+ -- Tohur <tohur@rakuos.org>  Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:52:28 -0700
diff --git a/debian/control b/debian/control
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ca923e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian/control
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+Source: desktop-base
+Section: misc
+Priority: optional
+Maintainer: Joshua Webb <tohur@rakuos.org>
+Build-Depends: debhelper-compat (= 13),
+Standards-Version: 4.6.2
+Homepage: https://rakuos.org
+
+Package: desktop-base
+Architecture: all
+Replaces: desktop-base (<< 99)
+Breaks: desktop-base (<< 99)
+Conflicts: desktop-base (<< 99)
+Description: RakuOS desktop branding placeholder
+ A minimal package to override Debian's desktop-base and
+ include custom RakuOS desktop branding, themes, and artwork.
diff --git a/debian/rules b/debian/rules
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..cbe925d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian/rules
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/usr/bin/make -f
+%:
+	dh $@