diff --git a/rpminspect.yaml b/rpminspect.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..543ce0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rpminspect.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+desktop:
+  # sadly, it doesn't look like there's anything more
+  # fine-grained than outright ignoring entire files
+  ignore:
+    # uses evolution's executable and icon; used to launch
+    # the calendar component with startup notifcation if
+    # evolution is the preferred calendar application
+    - evolution-calendar.desktop
+
+    # uses a placeholder exec because it's never launched;
+    # provides icon + name to extension preference dialogs
+    - org.gnome.Shell.Extensions.desktop
+
+    # uses a placeholder exec because it's never launched;
+    # provides icon + name to the portal login window
+    - org.gnome.Shell.PortalHelper.desktop
+
+runpath:
+  allowed_paths:
+    # mutter is a semi-private library, so its
+    # libraries aren't in the regular lookup path
+    - /usr/lib/mutter-8
+    - /usr/lib64/mutter-8