diff --git a/roles/gitolite/base/tasks/main.yml b/roles/gitolite/base/tasks/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b6c7916078
--- /dev/null
+++ b/roles/gitolite/base/tasks/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+---
+# tasklist for setting up a basic gitolite
+
+- name: install the needed packages
+  yum: pkg={{item}} state=present
+  with_items:
+  - gitolite
+
+- name: ensure the /etc/gitolite directory
+  file: path=/etc/gitolite owner=root group=root mode=0755 state=directory