diff --git a/LICENSE b/LICENSE
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..89fa792
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+MIT License
+
+Copyright (c) 2026 Ryan Cowles
+
+Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
+of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
+in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
+to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
+copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
+furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
+
+The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+
+THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
+FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
+AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
+LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
+OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
+SOFTWARE.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3580ce0..997f933 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -97,3 +97,9 @@ ATProto repository records and blobs are public. LinkedAt UI copy must treat upl
 ## Future Job Lexicon Decision
 
 If LinkedAt later needs structured salary, hiring organization objects, applicant location requirements, a direct apply URL separate from the source URL, or verified employer claims, the first step is to propose compatible extensions upstream to XPTracker. Create `app.linkedat.job.*` only if upstream coordination is not viable after real usage.
+
+## License
+
+MIT. See [LICENSE](LICENSE).
+
+The pinned lexicons under `packages/lexicons/external/` are copies of schemas owned by the Sifa and XPTracker projects and are not covered by this license.
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 5e54c08..94da1f4 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
   "name": "linkedat",
   "version": "0.1.0",
   "private": true,
+  "license": "MIT",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "pnpm --filter @linkedat/web dev",