diff --git a/salt-formula-manager.py b/salt-formula-manager.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a29b86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/salt-formula-manager.py
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+from git import Repo
+import os
+import sys
+import yaml
+
+# constants
+CONFIG_FILE = 'sfm.yaml'
+
+# reads configuration and returns the dictionary
+def read_config():
+    f = open(CONFIG_FILE, 'r')
+    conf = yaml.load(f)
+    f.close()
+
+    return conf
+
+# makes the formulas directory if it doesn't exist
+def check_formula_dir(conf):
+    # check if the formulas directory is actually a directory
+    if not os.path.isdir(conf['formulas_dir']):
+        # check if it's a file
+        if os.path.exists(conf['formulas_dir']):
+            print(str(conf['formulas_dir']) + ' exists but is not a directory. Please fix this.')
+            sys.exit(1)
+        # create it if not
+        else:
+            os.makedirs(conf['formulas_dir'])
+
+# main program
+def main():
+    # read configuration settings
+    conf = read_config()
+
+    # make sure the formulas directory exists
+    check_formula_dir(conf)
+
+# run main
+main()