diff --git a/MANIFEST.in b/MANIFEST.in
index d77ebec03d5b32da0cbc1e086fc15d08535d7e60..e898cd382afc09fb755c3868870ef0f7c9edabcc 100644
--- a/MANIFEST.in
+++ b/MANIFEST.in
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
 
 include *.txt
 include *.rst
+
+include rattail/data/rattail.conf.sample
diff --git a/rattail/commands.py b/rattail/commands.py
index 7f1d92789da0aeba6f401c08a9409fb5cf2201f9..040c80ce2204d48ab894efc87b724a89bf705d39 100644
--- a/rattail/commands.py
+++ b/rattail/commands.py
@@ -180,6 +180,44 @@ class LoadHostDataCommand(commands.Subcommand):
         proc.load_all_data(edbob.engines['host'], Progress)
 
 
+class MakeConfigCommand(commands.Subcommand):
+    """
+    Creates a sample configuration file.
+    """
+
+    name = 'make-config'
+    description = "Create a configuration file"
+
+    def add_parser_args(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument('path', default='rattail.conf', metavar='PATH',
+                            help="Path to the new file")
+        parser.add_argument('-f', '--force', action='store_true',
+                            help="Overwrite an existing file")
+
+
+    def run(self, args):
+        import os
+        import os.path
+        import shutil
+        from rattail.files import resource_path
+
+        dest = os.path.abspath(args.path)
+        if os.path.exists(dest):
+            if os.path.isdir(dest):
+                sys.stderr.write("Path must include the filename; "
+                                 "you gave a directory:\n  {0}\n".format(dest))
+                sys.exit(1)
+            if not args.force:
+                sys.stderr.write("File already exists "
+                                 "(use --force to overwrite):\n  "
+                                 "{0}\n".format(dest))
+                sys.exit(1)
+            os.remove(dest)
+
+        src = resource_path('rattail:data/rattail.conf.sample')
+        shutil.copyfile(src, dest)
+
+
 class PalmCommand(commands.Subcommand):
     """
     Manages registration for the HotSync Manager conduit; called as::
diff --git a/rattail/data/rattail.conf.sample b/rattail/data/rattail.conf.sample
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..1136aee17b091f61fe31d8f615fd9f5559f33978
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rattail/data/rattail.conf.sample
@@ -0,0 +1,323 @@
+
+######################################################################
+#
+# Rattail Configuration
+#
+# This file is meant to be used as a sample only.  Please copy it to a
+# location of your choice and edit for your needs.
+#
+######################################################################
+
+
+##############################
+# edbob
+##############################
+
+[edbob]
+
+# Include (inherit) configuration from one or more additional files.  See also
+# http://rattail.edbob.org/wiki/Configuration#Inheritance_.2BAC8_.22Chaining.22
+#include_config = [r'\\server\rattail\config\site.conf', r'C:\ProgramData\rattail\rattail.conf']
+#include_config = ['/etc/rattail/rattail.conf']
+
+# Configure the Python logging mechanisms according to the full configuration
+# set loaded upon initialization.
+configure_logging = True
+
+# Modules which should be explicitly initialized on application startup.
+#init = edbob.errors
+
+# Override the default Python interpreter when executing the ``shell`` command.
+#shell.python = ipython
+
+# Location of the ``git`` executable.  This is usually only needed on Windows.
+#git.executable = "C:\Program Files\Git\bin\git.exe"
+
+
+[edbob.db]
+
+# Keys which name the database engines configured within this section.  Without
+# this option, the 'default' key is assumed; but it must be included if the
+# option is defined.
+#keys = default, host, other
+
+# Connection details for the default database engine.  Configuration is
+# (mostly) defined by the SQLAlchemy library; for details see the parameters at
+# http://docs.sqlalchemy.org/en/latest/core/engines.html#sqlalchemy.create_engine
+#default.url = postgresql://user:pass@localhost/rattail
+
+# Connection details for additional database engines, as needed.
+#host.url = postgresql://user:pass@host-server/rattail
+#other.url = mysql://user:pass@another-server/rattail
+
+
+[edbob.errors]
+
+# Mako template used to generate the email body for an unhandled exception.  If
+# specified, it may be either an absolute file path or a "resource path."
+#template = edbob:templates/errors/redmine.mako
+
+# Value of the 'Content-Type' header to be used for the error email.  The
+# default content type is 'text/plain'.
+#content_type = text/html
+
+
+[edbob.mail]
+
+# SMTP server used to send emails.
+smtp.server = localhost
+
+# Credentials for SMTP server, if needed.
+#smtp.username = user
+#smtp.password = pass
+
+# Defaults for emails sent with no explicit profile.
+sender.default = noreply@localhost
+recipients.default = ['root@localhost']
+subject.default = [Rattail] Message
+
+# Defaults for emails sent with the "errors" profile.
+subject.errors = [Rattail] Error
+
+
+[edbob.time]
+
+# "Olson" name of the effective local time zone.  Note that this does not need
+# to match the local system (machine) time zone.  The full list is online at
+# http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tz_database_time_zones
+#zone.local = America/Los_Angeles
+
+# Time zone used to interpret timestamps found within a LOC SMS database.
+#zone.rattail.sw.locsms = America/Chicago
+
+
+[edbob.service_config]
+
+# This section defines effective "master" configuration files for use with
+# various Windows services.  It is not possible to pass a ``--config=FILE``
+# parameter to a service command; therefore the service *must* look in the
+# standard places to find some configuration on startup.  The options below
+# allow a service to redirect its attention to a secondary file(s) and then
+# pretend as though *this* (current) file had never been read.  Note that the
+# options names below must correspond to the underlying service names.
+
+# Master configuration file for the file monitoring service.
+#RattailFileMonitor = [r'C:\ProgramData\rattail\filemon.conf']
+
+# Master configuration file for the database synchronization service.
+#RattailDatabaseSynchronizer = [r'C:\ProgramData\rattail\dbsync.conf']
+
+
+##############################
+# Rattail
+##############################
+
+[rattail.db]
+
+# Whether to record "change" data for the local database (i.e. the 'default'
+# engine).  This should only be enabled for a parent/master database, as it is
+# used to track which data the database synchronization service will sync to
+# the child/slave databases.
+#record_changes = True
+
+# Database engine keys (as found in the ``[edbob.db]`` section above) which
+# correspond to child/slave databases in the hierarchy.  These databases will
+# be kept in sync by the database synchronization service, if used.
+#syncs = north, south
+
+# Class specification to use for the primary "data synchronizer" instance.
+#sync.synchronizer_class = myapp.sync:Synchronizer
+
+
+[rattail.filemon]
+
+# This section configures the file monitor service.  Its contents may vary
+# quite a bit depending on your needs.  Several common examples are included
+# below; however the underlying implementation is intentionally generic so this
+# list is by no means exhaustive.  For more information please see
+# http://rattail.edbob.org/wiki/FileMonitor#Configuration
+
+# Location of the PID file; relevant only on Linux.  If none is specified,
+# defaults to ``/tmp/rattail_filemon.pid``.
+#pid_path = /tmp/rattail_filemon_special.pid
+
+# Comma-separated list of monitor "profile" keys.  This defines which of the
+# profiles configured below will be considered active by the monitor.
+#monitored = foo, bar
+#monitored =
+#        scangenius,
+#        sms_auxiliary,
+#        sms_changes,
+#        sms_inbox_store,
+#        sms_inbox_host,
+#        sms_sending_transfers,
+#        wince
+
+# Watch the Scan Genius order export folder, and collect files to the local
+# queue folder on the server.
+#scangenius.dirs = [r'C:\Users\lance\AppData\Local\rattail\Scan Genius\Orders']
+#scangenius.actions = ['rattail.sw.livnat.scangenius:collect_order']
+
+# Watch the "Auxiliary" folder within an SMS node, and move files which are
+# deployed there to the local server.
+#sms_auxiliary.dirs = [r'C:\Storeman\XchRattail\Auxiliary']
+#sms_auxiliary.actions = [('rattail.files:locking_copy', r'\\server\rattail\SMS\Auxiliary'), 'os:remove']
+
+# Watch the "Auxiliary" folder within an SMS node, and process the files
+# directly so as to update the Rattail database.
+#sms_auxiliary.dirs = [r'C:\Storeman\XchRattail\Auxiliary']
+#sms_auxiliary.actions = ['rattail.sw.locsms.auxiliary:process_auxiliary']
+
+# Watch the "Changes" folder within an SMS node, and move files which are
+# deployed there to the local server.
+#sms_changes.dirs = [r'C:\Storeman\XchRattail\Changes']
+#sms_changes.actions = [('rattail.files:locking_copy', r'\\server\rattail\SMS\Changes'), 'os:remove']
+
+# Watch the "Changes" folder within an SMS node, and process the files directly
+# so as to update the Rattail database.
+#sms_changes.dirs = [r'C:\Storeman\XchRattail\Changes']
+#sms_changes.actions = ['rattail.sw.locsms.changes:process_changes']
+
+# Watch a "Store Outbox" folder on the server, and deploy files found there to
+# the SMS store server's inbox, where they will be processed by Launchpad.
+#sms_inbox_store.dirs = [r'\\server\rattail\SMS\Outbox\Store']
+#sms_inbox_store.actions = ['rattail.sw.locsms.deploy:deploy_to_inbox', 'os:remove']
+
+# Watch a "Host Outbox" folder on the server, and deploy files found there to
+# the SMS host server's inbox, where they will be processed by Launchpad.
+#sms_inbox_host.dirs = [r'\\server\rattail\SMS\Outbox\Host']
+#sms_inbox_host.actions = [('rattail.sw.locsms.deploy:deploy_to_inbox', 'host'), 'os:remove']
+
+# Watch the "Transfers" folder within an SMS node, and copy files which appear
+# there to the relevant receiving ("purchasing") store server.
+#sms_sending_transfers.dirs = [r'C:\Storeman\XchRattail\Transfers']
+#sms_sending_transfers.actions = ['rattail.sw.locsms.transfers:copy_transfer', 'os:remove']
+
+# Watch the "Incoming Transfers" folder on the server, and process files which
+# appear there to ensure the relevant SMS cost records are updated.
+#sms_receiving_transfers.dirs = [r'\\server\rattail\SMS\Transfers']
+#sms_receiving_transfers.actions = ['rattail.sw.locsms.transfers:process_transfer', 'os:remove']
+
+# Watch the Windows CE device (ActiveSync) documents folder, and convert and
+# collect batch files which appear there to the local queue.
+#wince.dirs = [r'C:\Users\lance\Documents\Documents on DEVICE\Rattail']
+#wince.actions = [('rattail.wince:collect_batch', 'DEVICE'), 'os:remove']
+
+
+[rattail.sw.livnat]
+
+# Collection directory for Scan Genius orders which are exported to CSV.  An
+# instance of the file monitor is usually responsible for moving exported files
+# to this common "queue" location, from where they will be processed further.
+#orders.collection_dir = \\server\rattail\ScanGenius\Orders
+
+# Location of the "Living Naturally Suppliers" CSV file.  A copy may be
+# obtained online at http://pos.livingnaturally.com/
+#suppliers.csv_file = \\server\rattail\LivingNaturally\SupplierList.csv
+
+
+[rattail.sw.locsms]
+
+# The root path of the default SMS node.  This usually refers to the local
+# store server.
+#node = \\server\Storeman
+
+# The root path(s) of additional "named" SMS nodes.
+#node.host = \\host-server\Storeman
+#node.foo = C:\Storeman
+
+# The "pseudo" (surrogate) root paths for SMS nodes.  From a Linux machine, it
+# is not possible to fully deploy a file to the node's inbox, since that
+# requires flipping the "archive bit" on the file.  The workaround is to use a
+# file monitor on the Windows machine, which will watch the "pseudo" inbox
+# folder and perform the final deployment to the true inbox.  If present, these
+# options effectively override the ``node.*`` options for the sake of inbox
+# file deployment.
+#pseudo_inbox = /srv/rattail/SMS/Outbox/Store
+#pseudo_inbox.host = /srv/rattail/SMS/Outbox/Host
+
+# The connection details of the SMS database engine.  This usually will require
+# configuring an ODBC DSN as well.
+#sqlalchemy.url = mssql://user:pass@SMS-STORESQL
+
+# The following is necessary when using pyodbc with FreeTDS; see also
+# http://docs.sqlalchemy.org/en/latest/core/engines.html#sqlalchemy.create_engine
+#sqlalchemy.convert_unicode = True
+
+# The following is necessary to avoid "write to server failed" errors; see also
+# http://docs.sqlalchemy.org/en/latest/core/engines.html#sqlalchemy.create_engine
+#sqlalchemy.pool_recycle = 3600
+
+# Class specification to use for a custom "auxiliary data processor" instance.
+#auxiliary.processor_class = myapp.locsms:AuxiliaryProcessor
+
+# Class specification to use for a custom "changes data processor" instance.
+#changes.processor_class = myapp.locsms:ChangesProcessor
+
+# Target directories for inter-store transfer files.  When a transfer occurs,
+# this mapping determines (according to "purchasing" store) where the file
+# should go.  It is assumed that a file monitor on the receiving end will be
+# responsible for final processing.
+#transfers.001 = \\store1\rattail\SMS\Transfers
+#transfers.002 = \\store2\rattail\SMS\Transfers
+#transfers.003 = \\store3\rattail\SMS\Transfers
+
+
+[rattail.wince]
+
+# Collection directory for batch files coming from Windows CE handheld devices.
+# An instance of the file monitor is usually responsible for converting the
+# "raw" batch files and moving them to this common "queue" location, from where
+# they will be processed further.
+#collection_dir = \\server\rattail\handheld-batches
+
+
+##############################
+# Logging
+##############################
+
+# All remaining sections and options control the logging mechanism, if
+# ``configure_logging`` is enabled above.  These settings will be interpreted
+# by the standard Python ``logging`` module, so the structure and syntax must
+# adhere to what is expected by that facility.  More details are online at
+# http://docs.python.org/2/library/logging.html
+
+[loggers]
+keys = root, exc_logger
+
+[handlers]
+keys = file, console, email
+
+[formatters]
+keys = generic, console
+
+[logger_root]
+handlers = file, console
+level = WARNING
+
+[logger_exc_logger]
+qualname = exc_logger
+handlers = email
+level = ERROR
+
+[handler_file]
+class = FileHandler
+args = ('rattail.log', 'a')
+formatter = generic
+
+[handler_console]
+class = StreamHandler
+args = (sys.stderr,)
+formatter = console
+
+[handler_email]
+class = handlers.SMTPHandler
+args = ('localhost', 'noreply@localhost', ['root@localhost'], "[Rattail] Logging")
+formatter = generic
+
+[formatter_generic]
+format = %(asctime)s %(levelname)-5.5s [%(name)s][%(threadName)s] %(message)s
+datefmt = %Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S
+
+[formatter_console]
+format = %(levelname)-5.5s [%(name)s][%(threadName)s] %(message)s
diff --git a/rattail/files.py b/rattail/files.py
index 2fcb99574b51ab03aa70ed6972df31cd6ca0ac0b..39afb785e3c94d2c7cd54cb05f54391f464b234b 100644
--- a/rattail/files.py
+++ b/rattail/files.py
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ import shutil
 import lockfile
 from datetime import datetime
 
+import pkg_resources
+
 
 def count_lines(path):
     """
@@ -92,3 +94,25 @@ def locking_copy(src, dst):
 
     with lockfile.FileLock(dst):
         shutil.copy(src, dst)
+
+
+def resource_path(path):
+    """
+    Obtain a resource file path, extracting the resource and/or coercing the
+    path as necessary.
+
+    :param path: May be either a package resource specifier, or a regular file
+       path.
+    :type path: string
+
+    :returns: Absolute file path to the resource.
+    :rtype: string
+
+    If ``path`` is a package resource specifier, and the package containing it
+    is a zipped egg, then the resource will be extracted and the resultant
+    filename will be returned.
+    """
+
+    if not os.path.isabs(path) and ':' in path:
+        return pkg_resources.resource_filename(*path.split(':'))
+    return path
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 54c5b34b2f73e9ddf1786ba7070230f2b8d21fa5..e47ea11c03112bf230a08e1539ad1f18d814e2e8 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@ rattail = rattail.db.extension:RattailExtension
 dbsync = rattail.commands:DatabaseSyncCommand
 filemon = rattail.commands:FileMonitorCommand
 load-host-data = rattail.commands:LoadHostDataCommand
+make-config = rattail.commands:MakeConfigCommand
 palm = rattail.commands:PalmCommand
 purge-batches = rattail.commands:PurgeBatchesCommand