diff --git a/.dir-locals.el b/.dir-locals.el
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9d9f8cd178
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.dir-locals.el
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+; Sets emacs variables based on mode.
+; A list of (major-mode . ((var1 . value1) (var2 . value2)))
+; Mode can be nil, which gives default values.
+
+((nil . ((indent-tabs-mode . nil)
+         (tab-width . 8)))
+)