diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e6bbc67..82fa67c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -3,12 +3,27 @@
 ### prerequisites
 - when running on a fresh system, ensure package manager is configured
     - i.e. source repos, mirrors, etc. are configured
-    - if on macOS, have to first install the package manager, [homebrew](https://brew.sh/)
 - zsh is installed (scripts are written for zsh)
 - ensure sudo access is configured for the current user (2025-01-27, not needed on macos)
 - export the env var `BOX_SETUP_OS` to indicate the operating system
     - options defined in `set_script_env_vars` file
 
+##### prereqs, os specific, zxcv-linux-placeholder
+- currently none
+
+##### prereqs, os specific, macos
+- have to first install the package manager, [homebrew](https://brew.sh/)
+- for yabai window manager (at least for now, so as to not mess with SIP settings)
+    - create 9 spaces/desktops
+    - in system settings, manually set keyboard shortcuts to switch between spaces
+    - in system settings, for desktop/dock/mission-ctrl:
+        - `click wallpaper to reveal desktop`: set to "only in stage manager"
+        - all `drag windows to corner/edge/place` types of options: disabled
+        - `rearrange spaces based on recent use`: disabled
+        - `when switch to app... switch to space with open windows of app`: disabled
+        - `displays have separate spaces`: disabled
+
+
 ### script run
 - git clone this repo (TODO: consider adding logic to handle automatically)
 - from the repo's root directory, run `./box_setup`
@@ -23,8 +38,12 @@
     - set things in gtkrc only? still need to nest that within a sub dir?
     - or maybe just configure in gimp's gui, copy the whole resulting dir into
       `src_files/.config/GIMP` (edit out and delete what i don't need) and call it a day
-- decide on window managers, then do config (for each OS; macos will likely be different)
+- for whatever is causing it, editor/terminal/other, git rid of ligatures/name?
+    - for example, `>=` is two chars (`>` then `=`), not one char/symbol
+- decide on window manager for linux, then do config
 - look into xquartz for macos (x/xorg emulation or something?)
+- build in flags/logic for skipping certain installs/builds (and maybe configs?) on a
+    given system (i.e. don't install on a company box, on a server, etc.)
 - decide on and implement approach for languages and versioning
     - docker? or alternatives like podman? any license concerns?
     - asdf, or language-specific version managers?