diff --git a/README.packaging b/README.packaging
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d35e71e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.packaging
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+The upstream cockpit spec file is rather complex and ugly. It does
+contain information we need though, such as the bundled node
+modules. Therefore the package reuses the upstream spec file and
+applies openSUSE specifics that upstream doesn't accept on top. For
+that purpose a git repo tracks the spec file changes:
+https://github.com/lnussel/cockpit
+
+There' an opensuse-$VERSION branch for each release
+
+For simple fixes it's fine to just submit the spec file by OBS
+means, I'll retrofit in git. Don't worry about that.
+
+For version updates the git workflow really is needed to maintain
+mental health though.
+
+The following workflow is used to update the package to a newer
+version:
+
+- create a branch for the new version based on the old one:
+  git checkout -b opensuse-$NEW_VERSION opensuse-$OLD_VERSION
+- use interactive rebase to amend the commits marked as EDIT THIS:
+  git rebase -i $NEW_VERSION
+  * for the very fist commit download the new tarball and extract
+    the spec file from it. Copy the spec file over
+    tools/cockpit.spec. That is basically what changed between the
+    versions wrt spec file.
+  * the second one adjust the spec file to have $NEW_VERSION. For
+    whatever reason the upstream spec file alwas has version 0.
+  * the rest of the changes should just apply.
+- copy the spec file back into the OBS checkout and continue with
+  regular tasks related to updating packages.
+- If any further spec file changes were needed, copy the spec back
+  into the git tree and commit there. Amend and reorder as needed.
+- When done, push the git repo.
+
+Sending fixes upstream:
+
+if you have any changes that should go upstream, create a new, clean
+branch and cherry pick *one* commit into it. Upstream wants pull
+requests with only one commit 
diff --git a/cockpit.changes b/cockpit.changes
index 2d2e050..46e4df7 100644
--- a/cockpit.changes
+++ b/cockpit.changes
@@ -1,3 +1,14 @@
+-------------------------------------------------------------------
+Fri Sep  4 12:09:16 UTC 2020 - Thorsten Kukuk <kukuk@suse.com>
+
+- cockpit-ws: don't require systemd (allows to build a very small
+  cockpit-ws container)
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------
+Mon Aug 31 15:46:35 UTC 2020 - Ludwig Nussel <lnussel@suse.de>
+
+- Add README.packaging for packagers
+
 -------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fri Aug 14 12:09:24 UTC 2020 - Ludwig Nussel <lnussel@suse.de>
 
diff --git a/cockpit.spec b/cockpit.spec
index 59294c0..b5bc804 100644
--- a/cockpit.spec
+++ b/cockpit.spec
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ Source0:        https://github.com/cockpit-project/cockpit/releases/download/%{v
 %endif
 Source1:       cockpit.pam
 Source2:       cockpit-rpmlintrc
+Source99:      README.packaging
 
 BuildRequires: gcc
 BuildRequires: pkgconfig(gio-unix-2.0)
@@ -472,12 +473,16 @@ Requires: group(wheel)
 Conflicts: firewalld < 0.6.0-1
 Recommends: sscg >= 2.3
 Recommends: system-logos
+%if !0%{?suse_version}
 Requires: systemd >= 235
+%endif
 Suggests: sssd-dbus
 Requires(pre): permissions
+%if !0%{?suse_version}
 Requires(post): systemd
 Requires(preun): systemd
 Requires(postun): systemd
+%endif
 
 %description ws
 The Cockpit Web Service listens on the network, and authenticates users.