  This paper introduces QCDLAB, a design and research tool for lattice QCD
algorithms. The tool, a collection of MATLAB functions, is based on a
``small-code'' and a ``minutes-run-time'' algorithmic design philosophy. The
present version uses the Schwinger model on the lattice, a great
simplification, which shares many features and algorithms with lattice QCD. A
typical computing project using QCDLAB is characterised by short codes, short
run times, and the ability to make substantial changes in a few seconds. QCDLAB
1.0 can be downloaded from the QCDLAB project homepage {\tt
http://phys.fshn.edu.al/qcdlab.html}.
