diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cacbd72..75b11ac 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -52,6 +52,31 @@ $ rustup update
 $ cargo build
 ```
 
+### Dependencies
+
+In order to build `tonic` >= 0.8.0, you need the `protoc` Protocol Buffers compiler, along with Protocol Buffers resource files.
+
+#### Ubuntu
+
+```bash
+sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
+sudo apt install -y protobuf-compiler libprotobuf-dev
+```
+
+#### Alpine Linux
+
+```sh
+sudo apk add protoc protobuf-dev
+```
+
+#### macOS
+
+Assuming [Homebrew](https://brew.sh/) is already installed. (If not, see instructions for installing Homebrew on [the Homebrew website](https://brew.sh/).)
+
+```zsh
+brew install protobuf
+```
+
 ### Tutorials
 
 - The [`helloworld`][helloworld-tutorial] tutorial provides a basic example of using `tonic`, perfect for first time users!
diff --git a/examples/README.md b/examples/README.md
index e71c5bd..f11da34 100644
--- a/examples/README.md
+++ b/examples/README.md
@@ -2,6 +2,30 @@
 
 Set of examples that show off the features provided by `tonic`.
 
+In order to build these examples, you must have the `protoc` Protocol Buffers compiler
+installed, along with the Protocol Buffers resource files.
+
+Ubuntu:
+
+```bash
+sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
+sudo apt install -y protobuf-compiler libprotobuf-dev
+```
+
+Alpine Linux:
+
+```sh
+sudo apk add protoc protobuf-dev
+```
+
+macOS:
+
+Assuming [Homebrew](https://brew.sh/) is already installed. (If not, see instructions for installing Homebrew on [the Homebrew website](https://brew.sh/).)
+
+```zsh
+brew install protobuf
+```
+
 ## Helloworld
 
 ### Client