diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index dd9a1094d..2b3ae0230 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 node_modules
-.gradle
\ No newline at end of file
+.gradle
+dist
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 79dbbf406..70fa8de4b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,12 +4,12 @@ This is a simple train schedule app written using nodejs. It is intended to be u
 
 ## Running the app
 
-It is not necessary to run this app locally in order to complete the learning activities, but if you wish to do so you will need a local installation of npm. Begin by installing the npm dependencies with:
+You need a Java JDK 7 or later to run the build. You can run the build like this:
 
-    npm install
+    ./gradlew build
 
-Then, you can run the app with:
+You can run the app with:
 
-    npm start
+    ./gradlew npm_start
 
 Once it is running, you can access it in a browser at [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..70ff983cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+plugins {
+  //inlude the nodeJS plugin to execute nodejs and npm tasks
+  id "com.moowork.node" version "1.2.0"
+}
+
+node {
+	download = true
+}
+
+//declare a build task
+task build
+
+//declare a task to create a zip of the app
+task zip(type: Zip) {
+	from ('.') {
+		include "*"
+		include "bin/**"
+		include "data/**"
+		include "node_modules/**"
+		include "public/**"
+		include "routes/**"
+		include "views/**"
+	}
+	destinationDir(file("dist"))
+	baseName "trainSchedule"
+}
+
+//declare task dependencies
+build.dependsOn zip
+zip.dependsOn npm_build
+npm_build.dependsOn npm_test
+npm_test.dependsOn npmInstall
+npm_build.dependsOn npmInstall
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/settings.gradle b/settings.gradle
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e080ed02f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/settings.gradle
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+/*
+ * This file was generated by the Gradle 'init' task.
+ *
+ * The settings file is used to specify which projects to include in your build.
+ * 
+ * Detailed information about configuring a multi-project build in Gradle can be found
+ * in the user guide at https://docs.gradle.org/4.6/userguide/multi_project_builds.html
+ */
+
+rootProject.name = 'cicd-pipeline-train-schedule-gradle'
diff --git a/views/index.jade b/views/index.jade
index 6e6be7155..0bb42d398 100644
--- a/views/index.jade
+++ b/views/index.jade
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 extends layout
 
 block content
-  h1 Find your train!
+  h1 Find your train and book your tickets!
   p Select your train below to see its current schedule.
   #wrapper
     #trainList