diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8179bb7..f1825ca 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,6 +4,12 @@ This script forwards new emails from a source IMAP account (e.g., GMX) to a dest
 
 ## Setup
 
+### Automated Install (Recommended)
+Run the install script: `./install.sh`
+
+This will set up the virtual environment, systemd services, and provide post-install instructions.
+
+### Manual Setup
 1. Copy `.env.example` to `.env` and fill in your IMAP credentials, Uptime URLs, and settings.
 
 2. Create virtual environment: `python -m venv venv`
diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9444fe4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Email Forwarder Install Script for Linux
+# Installs virtual environment, systemd user services, and configures paths.
+
+set -e  # Exit on error
+
+# Colors for output
+RED='\033[0;31m'
+GREEN='\033[0;32m'
+YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
+NC='\033[0m' # No Color
+
+# Default paths
+PROJECT_DIR="$(pwd)"
+STATE_DIR="$HOME/.config/email_forwarder"
+ENV_FILE="./.env"
+
+# Functions
+check_dependencies() {
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Checking dependencies...${NC}"
+    if ! command -v python3 &> /dev/null; then
+        echo -e "${RED}Error: python3 not found. Please install Python 3.${NC}"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    if ! command -v pip3 &> /dev/null; then
+        echo -e "${RED}Error: pip3 not found. Please install pip.${NC}"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    if ! command -v systemctl &> /dev/null; then
+        echo -e "${RED}Error: systemctl not found. Systemd required.${NC}"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    echo -e "${GREEN}Dependencies OK.${NC}"
+}
+
+setup_venv() {
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Setting up virtual environment...${NC}"
+    if [ ! -d "venv" ]; then
+        python3 -m venv venv
+        echo -e "${GREEN}Virtual environment created.${NC}"
+    else
+        echo -e "${GREEN}Virtual environment already exists.${NC}"
+    fi
+
+    source venv/bin/activate
+    pip install -e .
+    deactivate
+    echo -e "${GREEN}Dependencies installed.${NC}"
+}
+
+setup_systemd() {
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Setting up systemd user services...${NC}"
+
+    # Create systemd dir
+    mkdir -p "$HOME/.config/systemd/user"
+
+    # Copy service files
+    cp *.service *.timer "$HOME/.config/systemd/user/"
+
+    # Copy and configure drop-in
+    mkdir -p "$HOME/.config/systemd/user/email_forwarder.service.d"
+    cp email_forwarder.service.d/override.conf.sample "$HOME/.config/systemd/user/email_forwarder.service.d/override.conf"
+
+    # Replace placeholders
+    sed -i "s|/path/to/your/email_forwarder|$PROJECT_DIR|g" "$HOME/.config/systemd/user/email_forwarder.service.d/override.conf"
+    sed -i "s|./.env|$ENV_FILE|g" "$HOME/.config/systemd/user/email_forwarder.service.d/override.conf"
+
+    # Reload systemd
+    systemctl --user daemon-reload
+    echo -e "${GREEN}Systemd services configured.${NC}"
+}
+
+create_state_dir() {
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Ensuring state directory exists...${NC}"
+    mkdir -p "$STATE_DIR"
+    echo -e "${GREEN}State directory: $STATE_DIR${NC}"
+}
+
+post_install() {
+    echo -e "${GREEN}Installation complete!${NC}"
+    echo ""
+    echo "Next steps:"
+    echo "1. Copy .env.example to .env and fill in your IMAP credentials and URLs."
+    echo "2. Run: systemctl --user enable email_forwarder.timer"
+    echo "3. Run: systemctl --user start email_forwarder.timer"
+    echo "4. Check status: systemctl --user status email_forwarder.timer"
+    echo ""
+    echo "If you encounter issues, check logs with: journalctl --user -u email_forwarder.service"
+}
+
+# Main
+echo -e "${GREEN}Email Forwarder Install Script${NC}"
+echo "Project dir: $PROJECT_DIR"
+echo "State dir: $STATE_DIR"
+echo "Env file: $ENV_FILE"
+echo ""
+
+read -p "Continue with installation? (y/N): " -n 1 -r
+echo
+if [[ ! $REPLY =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
+    echo "Installation cancelled."
+    exit 0
+fi
+
+check_dependencies
+setup_venv
+create_state_dir
+setup_systemd
+post_install
\ No newline at end of file