diff --git a/.perltidyrc b/.perltidyrc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..31292b092
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.perltidyrc
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+# Perl Best Practices (plus errata) .perltidyrc file
+
+-l=98   # Max line width is 98 cols
+-i=4    # Indent level is 4 cols
+-ci=4   # Continuation indent is 4 cols
+#-st     # Output to STDOUT
+-se     # Errors to STDERR
+-vt=2   # Maximal vertical tightness
+-cti=0  # No extra indentation for closing brackets
+-pt=1   # Medium parenthesis tightness
+-bt=1   # Medium brace tightness
+-sbt=1  # Medium square bracket tightness
+-bbt=1  # Medium block brace tightness
+-nsfs   # No space before semicolons
+-nolq   # Don't outdent long quoted strings
+-wbb="% + - * / x != == >= <= =~ < > | & **= += *= &= <<= &&= -= /= |= >>= ||= .= %= ^= x="
+        # Break before all operators
+
+# extras/overrides/deviations from PBP
+
+--maximum-line-length=100               # be slightly more generous
+--warning-output                        # Show warnings
+--maximum-consecutive-blank-lines=2     # default is 1
+--nohanging-side-comments               # troublesome for commented out code
+
+-isbc   # block comments may only be indented if they have some space characters before the #
+-ci=2   # Continuation indent is 2 cols
+
+# we use version control, so just rewrite the file
+-b 
+
+# for the up-tight folk :)
+#-pt=2   # High parenthesis tightness
+#-bt=2   # High brace tightness
+#-sbt=2  # High square bracket tightness
+