diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..91c99c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+*.o
+/build
+/build/*
+parser
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a338d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+# Define the C++ compiler and flags
+CXX = g++
+CXXFLAGS = -Wall -g
+
+# Directories
+BUILD_DIR = build
+SRC_DIR = src
+LIB_DIR = lib
+
+# Executable name
+TARGET = parser
+
+SRC_FILES := $(wildcard $(SRC_DIR)/*.cpp)
+LIB_FILES := $(wildcard $(LIB_DIR)/*.cpp)
+ALL_SOURCES = $(SRC_FILES) $(LIB_FILES)
+
+# Generate object file paths in the build directory
+OBJECTS := $(patsubst %.cpp, $(BUILD_DIR)/%.o, $(notdir $(ALL_SOURCES)))
+
+# Include directories
+INCLUDES = -I$(LIB_DIR) -I$(SRC_DIR)
+
+.PHONY: all clean test
+
+all: $(BUILD_DIR) $(TARGET)
+
+$(BUILD_DIR):
+	mkdir -p $(BUILD_DIR)
+
+$(TARGET): $(OBJECTS)
+	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) $(INCLUDES) $^ -o $@
+
+$(BUILD_DIR)/main.o: $(SRC_DIR)/main.cpp $(LIB_DIR)/parser.h
+	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) $(INCLUDES) -c $< -o $@
+
+$(BUILD_DIR)/parser.o: $(LIB_DIR)/parser.cpp $(LIB_DIR)/parser.h
+	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) $(INCLUDES) -c $< -o $@
+
+test: all
+	./$(TARGET)
+	./$(TARGET) '   '
+	./$(TARGET) ./test/input.md
+	./$(TARGET) ./test/input.md ./test/output.html
+
+clean:
+	rm -rf $(BUILD_DIR) $(TARGET)
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 308db0b..980ee84 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,3 +1,31 @@
 # MarkdownToHtmlCompiler
 
-This compiler will convert a Markdown file into an HTML output.
\ No newline at end of file
+This compiler will convert a Markdown file into an HTML output.
+
+
+
+### Notes
+
+Recursive Descent Parser: This is the primary algorithm you'll use. It's a top-down parsing technique
+where a set of recursive functions "descend" through the grammar of your simple Markdown language. 
+For example, a parse_document() function would call parse_line(), which in turn might call parse_bold_text()
+or parse_italic_text(). This method is intuitive and easy to implement for a simple grammar.
+
+Stack: A stack is essential for handling nested elements. For instance, if you allow bold text inside
+italic text (_This is *bold and italic* text_), you can push the _ token onto the stack and then push
+the * token. When you encounter the closing *, you check if the top of the stack matches. This ensures
+that all tags are correctly opened and closed. Your presentation can visually demonstrate this process 
+with a stack diagram.
+
+Hash Map or Map: A hash map (std::unordered_map) or a map (std::map) can be used to efficiently store
+and retrieve the HTML equivalent for each Markdown tag. For example, you could map `#` to `<h1>` or "_"
+to `<em>`. This provides O(1) average-case lookup time.
+
+### Targets
+
+- [-] Convert a .md file to an .html output
+
+### Reaches
+- [ ] Hot reload?
+
+
diff --git a/flake.lock b/flake.lock
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5cc6d19
--- /dev/null
+++ b/flake.lock
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+{
+  "nodes": {
+    "flake-utils": {
+      "inputs": {
+        "systems": "systems"
+      },
+      "locked": {
+        "lastModified": 1731533236,
+        "narHash": "sha256-l0KFg5HjrsfsO/JpG+r7fRrqm12kzFHyUHqHCVpMMbI=",
+        "owner": "numtide",
+        "repo": "flake-utils",
+        "rev": "11707dc2f618dd54ca8739b309ec4fc024de578b",
+        "type": "github"
+      },
+      "original": {
+        "owner": "numtide",
+        "repo": "flake-utils",
+        "type": "github"
+      }
+    },
+    "nixpkgs": {
+      "locked": {
+        "lastModified": 1760284886,
+        "narHash": "sha256-TK9Kr0BYBQ/1P5kAsnNQhmWWKgmZXwUQr4ZMjCzWf2c=",
+        "owner": "NixOS",
+        "repo": "nixpkgs",
+        "rev": "cf3f5c4def3c7b5f1fc012b3d839575dbe552d43",
+        "type": "github"
+      },
+      "original": {
+        "owner": "NixOS",
+        "ref": "nixos-unstable",
+        "repo": "nixpkgs",
+        "type": "github"
+      }
+    },
+    "root": {
+      "inputs": {
+        "flake-utils": "flake-utils",
+        "nixpkgs": "nixpkgs"
+      }
+    },
+    "systems": {
+      "locked": {
+        "lastModified": 1681028828,
+        "narHash": "sha256-Vy1rq5AaRuLzOxct8nz4T6wlgyUR7zLU309k9mBC768=",
+        "owner": "nix-systems",
+        "repo": "default",
+        "rev": "da67096a3b9bf56a91d16901293e51ba5b49a27e",
+        "type": "github"
+      },
+      "original": {
+        "owner": "nix-systems",
+        "repo": "default",
+        "type": "github"
+      }
+    }
+  },
+  "root": "root",
+  "version": 7
+}
diff --git a/flake.nix b/flake.nix
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..351e25c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/flake.nix
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+{
+  description = "Blank development flake. Adjust as needed";
+
+  inputs = {
+    nixpkgs.url = "github:NixOS/nixpkgs/nixos-unstable";
+    flake-utils.url = "github:numtide/flake-utils";
+  };
+
+  outputs = { self, nixpkgs, flake-utils, ... }:
+    flake-utils.lib.eachDefaultSystem (system:
+      let
+        pkgs = import nixpkgs { inherit system; };
+      in
+      {
+        # Define the development shell.
+        # When you run `nix develop` (or direnv activates), you'll enter this shell.
+        devShells.default = pkgs.mkShell {
+          # List all the development tools you need available in this shell's PATH.
+          packages = with pkgs; [
+            gcc
+            gdb
+            stdenv
+          ];
+
+          # Define the shell that will be executed.
+          # Here, we explicitly use zsh.
+          # Note: pkgs.zsh needs to be included in `packages` or `nativeBuildInputs`
+          # for it to be found in the shell's environment. `inherit pkgs.zsh;` is concise.
+          inherit (pkgs) zsh;
+
+          # Environment variables and commands to run when the shell starts.
+          shellHook = ''
+            # Add any exports, hooks, aliases, or anything else here
+
+            # Exec zsh to replace the current shell process with zsh.
+            # This ensures your prompt and zsh configurations load correctly.
+            exec zsh
+          '';
+        };
+      }
+    );
+}
diff --git a/lib/parser.cpp b/lib/parser.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ab53b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/parser.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+#include "./parser.h"
+#include <cctype>
+#include <stdexcept>
+
+using std::string;
+
+void removeWhitespace(string &input) {
+  size_t end = input.find_last_not_of(" \t\n\r\f\v");
+  if (end != std::string::npos) {
+    input.erase(end + 1);
+  } else {
+    input.clear(); // String contains only whitespace
+  }
+
+  size_t start = input.find_first_not_of(" \t\n\r\f\v");
+  if (start != std::string::npos) {
+    input.erase(0, start);
+  } else {
+    input.clear(); // String contains only whitespace
+  }
+}
+
+Parser::Parser(string input_file_path, string output_file_path) {
+  removeWhitespace(input_file_path);
+  removeWhitespace(output_file_path);
+
+  if (input_file_path == "") {
+    throw std::runtime_error("input_file_path cannot be empty");
+  }
+
+  this->input_file_path = input_file_path;
+
+  // NOTE: If the user does not provide an output file, then we should construct
+  // one using the input file with .md swapped with the extension.
+  if (output_file_path == "") {
+    std::cout << "CLEANING" << std::endl;
+    int ext_idx = input_file_path.find_last_of('.');
+    string output_cleaned = input_file_path.substr(0, ext_idx) + ".html";
+    this->output_file_path = output_cleaned;
+  } else {
+    this->output_file_path = output_file_path;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/lib/parser.h b/lib/parser.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8e8db2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/parser.h
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+#ifndef PARSER_H
+#define PARSER_H
+
+#include <iostream>
+#include <string>
+
+class Parser {
+private:
+  std::string input_file_path;
+  std::string output_file_path;
+
+public:
+  Parser(std::string input_file_path, std::string output_file_path = "");
+
+  inline void Print() {
+    std::cout << this->input_file_path << " -> " << this->output_file_path
+              << std::endl;
+  }
+};
+
+#endif
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..032fcd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+#include "../lib/parser.h"
+#include <stdexcept>
+
+int main(int argc, char **argv) {
+  if (argc <= 1) {
+    std::cerr << "Usage: <input_file> <?output_file>" << std::endl;
+    return 0; // TODO: Should return 1?
+  }
+
+  try {
+    if (argc >= 3) {
+      Parser p(argv[1], argv[2]);
+      p.Print();
+    } else {
+      Parser p(argv[1]);
+      p.Print();
+    }
+  } catch (const std::runtime_error &e) {
+    std::cout << "Caught an error: " << e.what() << std::endl;
+  } catch (...) {
+    std::cout << "Caught an error: UNKNOWN" << std::endl;
+  }
+
+  return 0;
+}
diff --git a/syntax.md b/syntax.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d780cfe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/syntax.md
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+
+Reference [here](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/)
+
+Headings, h# tags
+
+
+# Header Level 1 -> <h1> Content </h1>
+## Header Level 2 -> <h2> Content </h2>
+### Header Level 3 -> <h3> Content </h3>
+#### Header Level 4 -> <h4> Content </h4>
+##### Header Level 5 -> <h5> Content </h5>
+###### Header Level 6 -> <h6> Content </h6>
+
+
+Alternate syntax (n number of =/-)
+
+Header Level 1 -> <h1> Content </h1>
+================
+
+
+Header Level 2 -> <h2> Content </h2>
+----------------
+
+
+Paragraph tags
+
+Hello world -> <p> Hello world </p>
+
+This is also
+a paragraph   -> <p> this is also a paragraph regardless </p>
+regardless 
+
+However  
+this is a break, because it ends with two spaces -> <p> However <br> this is a break, because it ends with two spaces </p>
+
+Double returns also
+
+yield line breaks -> <p> Double returns also <br> yield line breaks </p>
diff --git a/test/input.md b/test/input.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..03da0ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/input.md
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+
+
+# Hello world in an h1 tag
+
+
+## This is a h2 tag
+
+
+### h3
+
+
+#### h4
+
+##### h5
+
+###### h6
+