diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b72f72a..7f8d54d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,8 +1,20 @@
 # ansible_role_exim4
 
-Ansible role to configure exim4 that it will send mail via external smtp server. (smarthost)
+Ansible role to configure exim4.
+By default you can tell exim4 that it will send mail via smarthost.
 
-This role is a work in proggress!
+To do this you have at leaset set the smarthost FQDN in the variable: ``exim4__dc_smarthost:``.
+
+ Example Playbook:
+----------------
+```
+- name: run exim4 role
+  hosts: localhost
+  roles:
+    - {role: dansible_role_exim, tags: exim4}
+  vars:
+    exim4__dc_smarthost: mx01.example.com
+```
 
  Testing
 ----------
diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index 016ddec..84eb67e 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,22 @@
 ---
 exim4__state: present
 
+# please set the smarthost you wnt to use to send mails
+exim4__dc_smarthost: "{{sansible_fqdn }}"
+
+# you can adjust the other exim4 settings, if you want
+exim4__dc_eximconfig_configtype: 'satellite'
+exim4__dc_other_hostnames: "{{ hostname }}"
+exim4__dc_local_interfaces: '127.0.0.1 ; ::1'
+exim4__dc_readhost: "{{ hostname }}"
+exim4__dc_relay_domains: ''
+exim4__dc_minimaldns: false
+exim4__dc_relay_nets: ''
+exim4__CFILEMODE: '644'
+exim4__dc_use_split_config: 'false'
+exim4__dc_hide_mailname: 'true'
+exim4__dc_mailname_in_oh: 'true'
+exim4__dc_localdelivery: 'mail_spool'
+
 # should we do a version check? (recomended)
 submodules_versioncheck: false
diff --git a/handlers/main.yml b/handlers/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..da547b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/handlers/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+- name: systemctl restart exim4
+  become: true
+  ansible.builtin.systemd:
+    name: "{{ exim4__daemon }}"
+    state: restarted
diff --git a/tasks/configuration.yml b/tasks/configuration.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8c6224
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tasks/configuration.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+---
+- name: Configure exim4 (Debian)
+  become: true
+  ansible.builtin.template:
+    src: 'templates/exim4.conf.j2'
+    dest: "{{ exim4__configuration_file }}"
+    mode: 0644
+    owner: root
+    group: root
+  notify: systemctl restart exim4
diff --git a/tasks/main.yml b/tasks/main.yml
index 61bd596..a4cd32a 100644
--- a/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/tasks/main.yml
@@ -15,3 +15,12 @@
 
 - name: exim4 installation
   ansible.builtin.include_tasks: installation.yml
+
+- name: exim4 configuration
+  ansible.builtin.include_tasks: configuration.yml
+
+- name: systemctl start exim4
+  become: true
+  ansible.builtin.systemd:
+    name: "{{ exim4__daemon }}"
+    state: started
diff --git a/templates/exim4.conf.j2 b/templates/exim4.conf.j2
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5adb289
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/exim4.conf.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# exim4 config file
+# {{ ansible_managed }}
+# {{ exim4__configuration_file }}
+dc_eximconfig_configtype='{{ exim4__dc_eximconfig_configtype }}'
+dc_other_hostnames='{{ exim4__dc_other_hostnames }}'
+dc_local_interfaces='{{ exim4__dc_local_interfaces }}'
+dc_readhost='{{ exim4__dc_readhost }}'
+dc_relay_domains='{{ exim4__dc_relay_domains }}'
+dc_minimaldns='{{ exim4__dc_minimaldns|ternary('true', 'false') }}'
+dc_relay_nets='{{ exim4__dc_relay_nets }}'
+dc_smarthost='{{ exim4__dc_smarthost }}'
+CFILEMODE='{{ exim4__CFILEMODE }}'
+dc_use_split_config='{{ exim4__dc_use_split_config|ternary('true', 'false') }}'
+dc_hide_mailname='{{ exim4__dc_hide_mailname|ternary('true', 'false') }}'
+dc_mailname_in_oh='{{ exim4__dc_mailname_in_oh|ternary('true', 'false') }}'
+dc_localdelivery='{{ exim4__dc_localdelivery }}'