diff --git a/documentation/ref-manual/introduction.xml b/documentation/ref-manual/introduction.xml
index 69b742244f..566fa5a9cf 100644
--- a/documentation/ref-manual/introduction.xml
+++ b/documentation/ref-manual/introduction.xml
@@ -290,6 +290,78 @@
             </para>
         </section>
     </section>
+
+    <section id='required-git-tar-and-python-versions'>
+        <title>Required Git, tar, and Python Versions</title>
+
+        <para>
+            In order to use the build system, your host development system
+            must meet the following version requirements for Git, tar, and
+            Python:
+            <itemizedlist>
+                <listitem><para>Git 1.7.5 or greater</para></listitem>
+                <listitem><para>tar 1.24 or greater</para></listitem>
+                <listitem><para>Python 2.7.3 or greater</para></listitem>
+            </itemizedlist>
+        </para>
+
+        <para>
+            If your host development system does not meet all these requirements,
+            you can resolve this by either downloading a pre-built tarball
+            containing these tools, or building such a tarball on another
+            system.
+            Regardless of the method, once you have the tarball you simply
+            install it somewhere on you system, such as a directory in your
+            home directory, and then source the envirnoment script provided,
+            which adds the tools into <filename>PATH</filename>.
+            Doing so gives you working versions of Git, tar, Python and
+            <filename>chrpath</filename>.
+        </para>
+
+        <para>
+            If downloading a pre-built tarball, locate the
+            <filename>*.sh</filename> at [NEED A PATH HERE from Beth].
+        </para>
+
+        <para>
+            If building your own tarball, do so using this command:
+            <literallayout class='monospaced'>
+     $ bitbake buildtools-tarball
+            </literallayout>
+            <note>
+                The <link linkend='var-SDKMACHINE'><filename>SDKMACHINE</filename></link>
+                variable determines whether you build tools for a 32-bit
+                or 64-bit system.
+            </note>
+            Once the build completes, you can find the file that installs the
+            the tools in <filename>tmp/deploy/sdk</filename> of the
+            <ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_DEV_URL;#build-directory'>Build Directory</ulink>.
+            The file used to install the tarball has the string "buildtools"
+            in the name.
+        </para>
+
+        <para>
+            After you have either built the tarball or downloaded it, you need
+            to install it.
+            Install the tools by executing the <filename>*.sh</filename> file.
+            During execution, a prompt appears that allows you to choose the
+            installation directory.
+            For example, you could choose the following:
+            <literallayout class='monospaced'>
+     /home/your-username/sdk
+            </literallayout>
+        </para>
+
+        <para>
+            The final step before you can actually use the tools is to source
+            the tools environment with a command like the following:
+            <literallayout class='monospaced'>
+     $ source /home/your-username/sdk/environment-setup-i586-poky-linux
+            </literallayout>
+            Of course, you need to supply your installation directory and be
+            sure to use the right file (i.e. i585 or x86-64).
+        </para>
+    </section>
 </section>
 
 <section id='intro-getit'>