diff --git a/box_setup.sh b/box_setup.sh
index 5d410be..8d4233c 100755
--- a/box_setup.sh
+++ b/box_setup.sh
@@ -2,44 +2,52 @@
 
 [[ $1 = "--help" ]] && {
     echo "\nusage: ./box_setup.sh [system-type]"
-    echo "\nsystem-type options: work"
-    echo "\nexamples:\n    ./box_setup.sh\n    ./box_setup.sh work\n"
+    echo "\nsystem-type options: music_studio, programming"
+    echo "\nexamples:\n    ./box_setup.sh\n    ./box_setup.sh music_studio\n"
     exit 0
 }
 
 echo "---- settings vars for system type -----"
 
-# determine OS and, if linux, distro
-[[ "$OSTYPE" = *"darwin"* ]] && setup_os="macos" || {
-    [[ "$OSTYPE" = *"linux"* ]] && setup_os="linux" && {
+# determine OS and distro
+case "$OSTYPE" in
+    (*linux*)
+        setup_os="linux"
         [[ -f /etc/os-release ]] && . /etc/os-release
         setup_distro=$(echo "${NAME%% *}" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]')
-        [[ -z "$setup_distro" ]] && echo "OS: linux; distro not detected" && exit 1
-    }
-}
-[[ -z "$setup_os" ]] && echo "OS not detected" && exit 1
+        ;;
+    (*darwin*)
+        setup_os="macos"
+        setup_distro="macos" # just repeat macos, but maybe there is some better value
+        ;;
+esac
+
+# ensure OS and distro are set before proceeding
+[[ -z "$setup_os" ]] && echo "setup OS not detected" && exit 1
+[[ -z "$setup_distro" ]] && echo "setup distro not detected" && exit 1
 
 # set package manager commands for installs
-[[ "$setup_os" = "macos" ]] && {
-    install_cmd="brew install"
-    update_pkg_manager_and_defs_cmd='brew update'
-    update_pkgs_cmd='brew upgrade'
-} || {
-    [[ "$setup_os" = "linux" ]] && {
+case "$setup_os" in
+    (linux)
         case $setup_distro in
             (arch | artix)
                 install_cmd="sudo pacman -S --noconfirm"
                 update_pkg_manager_and_defs_cmd='' # don't; update system instead
                 update_pkgs_cmd='sudo pacman -Syu'
-        	;;
+                ;;
             (debian)
                 install_cmd="sudo apt install"
                 update_pkg_manager_and_defs_cmd='sudo apt update'
                 update_pkgs_cmd='sudo apt upgrade'
-        	;;
+                ;;
         esac
-    }
-}
+        ;;
+    (macos)
+        install_cmd="brew install"
+        update_pkg_manager_and_defs_cmd='brew update'
+        update_pkgs_cmd='brew upgrade'
+        ;;
+esac
 
 # export vars for scripts
 export BOX_SETUP_OS="$setup_os"
diff --git a/docs/attribution.md b/docs/attribution.md
index 88c7c05..fd89a03 100644
--- a/docs/attribution.md
+++ b/docs/attribution.md
@@ -16,12 +16,6 @@ for the code contained within these sources, but I wanted to give attribution no
 - [YouTube video - neovim config video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7i4amO_zaE)
 - [FrontEnd Masters course - dev productivity v2](https://frontendmasters.com/courses/developer-productivity-v2/)
 
-## Idea of using a list of programs in a file for build/install
-
-The idea of using a file with a list of programs in it for building and/or
-installing programs was inspired by Luke Smith's
-[LARBS project](https://github.com/LukeSmithxyz/LARBS/tree/master).
-
 ## Theme-swtiching/setting logic and some themes
 
 Much of the "theme-switching" or "theme-setting" logic and scripts are derived from
diff --git a/docs/todo.md b/docs/todo.md
index 60568cd..d5ff64c 100644
--- a/docs/todo.md
+++ b/docs/todo.md
@@ -8,16 +8,14 @@
     - xresources working? use from/within theme-changing logic?
 - finished artix/dinit setup
     - include figuring out wiregaurd/vpn stuff
-- switch install approach from csv file to:
-    - checking for custom file for os/distro
-    - then checking custom file for overall
-    - then just installing via package manager
-- web browsers config and install (primary: qutebrowser, alt1: brave, alt2: tor)
+- web browsers config and install (primary: qutebrowser, alt1: brave, alt2: tor?)
 - config for mpd, and client(s), (mpd clients to consider: mpc, ncmpcpp, ncmpc, inori)
 - get find, xargs, and awk (use nawk) as unified as i can across system types
 
 ## optional
 
-- pick rss reader; newsboat? others? option with inbox and separate queues?
+- configured neomutt
+- picked and configured rss reader
+    - newsboat? others? option with inbox and separate queues?
 - make all these scripts POSIX-compliant (or at least usable in ksh/oksh)
 
diff --git a/install_programs.sh b/install_programs.sh
index 405027a..27683eb 100755
--- a/install_programs.sh
+++ b/install_programs.sh
@@ -1,26 +1,16 @@
 #!/bin/zsh
 
-apply_overrides() {
-    name="$1"
-    kind="$2"
-    echo $3 |
-        sed -E 's/; */\n/g' |
-        while IFS=$'\n ' read -r override_key override_values; do
-            [[ -z $override_values ]] && continue
-            override_key=$(echo $override_key | sed 's/[: ]//g')
-            [[ $override_key = $BOX_SETUP_OS ]] && eval $override_values
-            [[ $override_key = $BOX_SETUP_DISTRO ]] && eval $override_values
-            [[ $4 =~ $override_key ]] && eval $override_values
-        done
-    [[ -z $name || -z $kind ]] && echo "zz_skip,zz_skip" || echo "$name,$kind"
-}
+build_install() {
+    echo "-- installing $1"
 
-build_custom() {
-    target=$(echo "custom_$BOX_SETUP_OS-$BOX_SETUP_DISTRO-$1" | tr '-' '_')
+    target=$(echo "custom-$1-$BOX_SETUP_OS-$BOX_SETUP_DISTRO" | tr '-' '_')
     [[ ! -e ./installs_and_builds/$target ]] &&
-        target=$(echo "custom_default_$1" | tr '-' '_')
+        target=$(echo "custom-$1-$BOX_SETUP_OS-default" | tr '-' '_')
     [[ ! -e ./installs_and_builds/$target ]] &&
-        echo "custom build/install script not found for: $1" &&
+        target=$(echo "custom-$1-default" | tr '-' '_')
+
+    [[ ! -e ./installs_and_builds/$target ]] &&
+        ${=BOX_SETUP_INSTALL_COMMAND} "$1" &&
         return
 
     tmpdir=$(mktemp -d "${TMPDIR:-/tmp}/$1.XXXXXXXX") || {
@@ -40,19 +30,14 @@ echo "---- updating package manager / packages"
 
 echo "---- installing programs ---------------"
 [[ -z $1 ]] && system_types_list="base" || system_types_list="base,$1"
-echo "-------- for system types: $system_types_list"
 
-sed 1d "installs_and_builds/programs.csv" |
-    while IFS=, read -r name kind os_overrides distro_overrides system_overrides notes; do
-        apply_overrides $name $kind $os_overrides '' | IFS=, read -r name kind
-        apply_overrides $name $kind $distro_overrides '' | IFS=, read -r name kind
-        apply_overrides $name $kind $system_overrides $system_types_list |
-            IFS=, read -r name kind
-
-        [[ $name = 'zz_skip' || $kind = 'zz_skip' ]] && continue
-
-        echo "-- installing $name"
-        [[ $kind = 'package_manager' ]] && ${=BOX_SETUP_INSTALL_COMMAND} ${=name}
-        [[ $kind = 'build_custom' ]] && build_custom $name
+echo "$system_types_list" |
+    sed -E "s/,/\n/g" |
+    while IFS="\n" read -r system_type; do
+        echo "-------- install for system type: $system_type"
+        cat "installs_and_builds/programs_$system_type.txt" |
+            while IFS="\n" read -r program_name; do
+                build_install "$program_name"
+            done
     done
 
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_aerospace_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_aerospace_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..bff0182
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_aerospace_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "program not applicable for this OS or distro, skipping build/installation"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_aerospace_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_aerospace_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..d813c50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_aerospace_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#!/bin/zsh
+
+# use normal package manager for macos install, since default is noop for other OSs
+${=BOX_SETUP_INSTALL_COMMAND} --cask nikitabobko/tap/aerospace
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_bitwig_studio_linux_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_bitwig_studio_linux_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..2bfb9cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_bitwig_studio_linux_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "TODO: custom script for bitwig not yet implemented; may just want manual install"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_bitwig_studio_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_bitwig_studio_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..2bfb9cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_bitwig_studio_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "TODO: custom script for bitwig not yet implemented; may just want manual install"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_clang_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_clang_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9a7fd25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_clang_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "intentionally skipping build/installation for macos"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_coreutils_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_coreutils_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..bff0182
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_coreutils_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "program not applicable for this OS or distro, skipping build/installation"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_coreutils_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_coreutils_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..f286649
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_coreutils_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#!/bin/zsh
+
+# use normal package manager for macos install, since default is noop for other OSs
+${=BOX_SETUP_INSTALL_COMMAND} coreutils
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_dmenu_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_dmenu_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..f0a20bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_dmenu_default
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# for now, use luke's build; i can make my own fork later if desired
+git clone https://github.com/LukeSmithxyz/dmenu.git
+
+pushd dmenu > /dev/null
+sudo make clean install
+popd > /dev/null
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_dmenu_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_dmenu_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9a7fd25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_dmenu_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "intentionally skipping build/installation for macos"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_dwm_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_dwm_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..cad8e11
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_dwm_default
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+git clone https://git.drinkingtea.net/david/dwm.git
+
+pushd dwm > /dev/null
+sudo make clean install
+popd > /dev/null
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_dwm_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_dwm_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9a7fd25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_dwm_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "intentionally skipping build/installation for macos"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_findutils_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_findutils_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..bff0182
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_findutils_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "program not applicable for this OS or distro, skipping build/installation"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_findutils_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_findutils_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..12e0639
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_findutils_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#!/bin/zsh
+
+# use normal package manager for macos install, since default is noop for other OSs
+${=BOX_SETUP_INSTALL_COMMAND} findutils
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_gcc_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_gcc_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9a7fd25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_gcc_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "intentionally skipping build/installation for macos"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_gimp_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_gimp_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..c09be91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_gimp_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#!/bin/zsh
+
+# adjust prefix for package manager before install
+${=BOX_SETUP_INSTALL_COMMAND} --cask gimp
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_kitty_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_kitty_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9def0da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_kitty_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#!/bin/zsh
+
+# adjust prefix for package manager before install
+${=BOX_SETUP_INSTALL_COMMAND} --cask kitty
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_default_ksh b/installs_and_builds/custom_ksh_default
similarity index 99%
rename from installs_and_builds/custom_default_ksh
rename to installs_and_builds/custom_ksh_default
index 97251df..4e08ebd 100755
--- a/installs_and_builds/custom_default_ksh
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_ksh_default
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #!/bin/zsh
 
 git clone https://github.com/ibara/oksh.git
+
 pushd oksh > /dev/null
 ./configure
 make && sudo make install
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_linux_debian_bitwig_studio b/installs_and_builds/custom_linux_debian_bitwig_studio
deleted file mode 100755
index f6bde75..0000000
--- a/installs_and_builds/custom_linux_debian_bitwig_studio
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-echo 'hello from bitwig custom build!'
-echo 'custom script for bitwig is not yet implemented, these echos just here for testing'
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_default_mise b/installs_and_builds/custom_mise_default
similarity index 100%
rename from installs_and_builds/custom_default_mise
rename to installs_and_builds/custom_mise_default
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_musl_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_musl_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9a7fd25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_musl_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "intentionally skipping build/installation for macos"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_pandoc_linux_arch b/installs_and_builds/custom_pandoc_linux_arch
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..52bbf44
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_pandoc_linux_arch
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#!/bin/zsh
+
+# change package name; on arch it is 'pandoc-cli'
+${=BOX_SETUP_INSTALL_COMMAND} pandoc-cli
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_pandoc_linux_artix b/installs_and_builds/custom_pandoc_linux_artix
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..7951b5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_pandoc_linux_artix
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#!/bin/zsh
+
+# change package name; on artix it is 'pandoc-bin'
+${=BOX_SETUP_INSTALL_COMMAND} pandoc-bin
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_reference_neovim b/installs_and_builds/custom_reference_neovim
deleted file mode 100755
index 03605bf..0000000
--- a/installs_and_builds/custom_reference_neovim
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,18 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/zsh
-
-# from primeagen's examples and dev repo
-# currnetly not used, but keeping for reference in case i need this soon for debian
-
-install_neovim_dir=$HOME/.local/build/neovim
-install_neovim_version="v0.10.3"
-[ ! -z $NVIM_VERSION ] && install_neovim_version="$NVIM_VERSION"
-echo "install_neovim_version: \"$install_neovim_version\""
-
-[ ! -d $install_neovim_dir ] && git clone https://github.com/neovim/neovim.git $install_neovim_dir
-git -C $install_neovim_dir fetch --all
-git -C $install_neovim_dir checkout $install_neovim_version
-
-make -C $install_neovim_dir clean
-make -C $install_neovim_dir CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo
-sudo make -C $install_neovim_dir install
-
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_sed_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_sed_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9a7fd25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_sed_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "intentionally skipping build/installation for macos"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_skhd_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_skhd_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..bff0182
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_skhd_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "program not applicable for this OS or distro, skipping build/installation"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_skhd_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_skhd_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..bbaaae7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_skhd_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#!/bin/zsh
+
+# use normal package manager for macos install, since default is noop for other OSs
+${=BOX_SETUP_INSTALL_COMMAND} koekeishiya/formulae/skhd
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_st_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_st_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..f7032f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_st_default
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# git clone https://git.drinkingtea.net/david/st.git
+
+# pushd st > /dev/null
+# sudo make clean install
+# popd > /dev/null
+
+echo "TODO: st build not yet done, skipping this install for now"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_st_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_st_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9a7fd25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_st_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "intentionally skipping build/installation for macos"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_tenacity_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_tenacity_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..c39117d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_tenacity_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#!/bin/zsh
+
+# tenacity is not readily available on macos, so just use audacity for now
+${=BOX_SETUP_INSTALL_COMMAND} --cask audacity
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/custom_zathura_macos_default b/installs_and_builds/custom_zathura_macos_default
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9a7fd25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/custom_zathura_macos_default
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+echo "intentionally skipping build/installation for macos"
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/programs.csv b/installs_and_builds/programs.csv
deleted file mode 100644
index 8210364..0000000
--- a/installs_and_builds/programs.csv
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,38 +0,0 @@
-name,kind,os_overrides,distro_overrides,system_type_overrides,notes
-gcc,package_manager,macos: name='',,,
-clang,package_manager,macos: name='',,,
-musl,package_manager,macos: name='',,,
-coreutils,package_manager,linux: name='',,,
-findutils,package_manager,linux: name='',,,
-make,package_manager,,,,
-cmake,package_manager,,,,
-mise,build_custom,,,,TODO implement the build_custom script for this
-mpv,package_manager,,,,
-kitty,package_manager,macos: name='--cask kitty',,,
-zsh,package_manager,,,,
-ksh,build_custom,,,,
-tmux,package_manager,,,,
-neovim,package_manager,,,,
-mutt,package_manager,,,,
-podman,package_manager,,,,
-curl,package_manager,,,,
-grep,package_manager,,,,
-ripgrep,package_manager,,,,
-sed,package_manager,macos: name='',,,
-fzf,package_manager,,,,
-jq,package_manager,,,,
-parallel,package_manager,,,,
-gettext,package_manager,,,,
-htop,package_manager,,,,
-ffmpeg,package_manager,,,work: name='',
-mpd,package_manager,,,,
-ncmpcpp,package_manager,,,,
-git,package_manager,,,,
-calcurse,package_manager,,,,
-zathura,package_manager,macos: name='',,,
-tenacity,package_manager,macos: name='--cask audacity',,work: name='',tenacity not available via homebrew; use audacity in macos
-bitwig-studio,package_manager,macos: name='--cask bitwig-studio',artix: kind='aur'; arch: kind='aur'; debian: kind='build_custom';,work: name='',
-gimp,package_manager,macos: name='--cask gimp',,,
---cask nikitabobko/tap/aerospace,package_manager,linux: name='',,,
-koekeishiya/formulae/skhd,package_manager,linux: name='',,,
-pandoc,package_manager,,arch: name='pandoc-cli'; artix: name='pandoc-bin';,work: name='',
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/programs_base.txt b/installs_and_builds/programs_base.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f27311c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/programs_base.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+gcc
+musl
+coreutils
+findutils
+make
+mpv
+kitty
+zsh
+ksh
+tmux
+neovim
+neomutt
+curl
+grep
+ripgrep
+sed
+fzf
+jq
+parallel
+gettext
+htop
+ffmpeg
+mpd
+ncmpcpp
+git
+calcurse
+zathura
+gimp
+aerospace
+skhd
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/programs_music_studio.txt b/installs_and_builds/programs_music_studio.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..da5ea90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/programs_music_studio.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+tenacity
+bitwig-studio
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/programs_programming.txt b/installs_and_builds/programs_programming.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..85d7472
--- /dev/null
+++ b/installs_and_builds/programs_programming.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+clang
+cmake
+mise
+podman
+pandoc