diff --git a/extra/builder/common/common.factor b/extra/builder/common/common.factor
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6ebe1d625a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/extra/builder/common/common.factor
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+
+USING: kernel namespaces io.files sequences vars ;
+
+IN: builder.common
+
+! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
+
+SYMBOL: builds-dir
+
+: builds ( -- path )
+  builds-dir get
+  home "/builds" append
+  or ;
+
+! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
+
+VAR: stamp
+