diff --git a/copy_dotfiles.sh b/copy_dotfiles.sh
index 775982b..44d066a 100755
--- a/copy_dotfiles.sh
+++ b/copy_dotfiles.sh
@@ -38,8 +38,9 @@ echo "---- copying dotfiles ------------------"
 . ./src_files/shell/profile
 
 # copy over env/profile files used by shell(s)
-copy_file src_files/shell/profile $XDG_CONFIG_HOME
 copy_file src_files/shell/.profile $HOME
+copy_file src_files/shell/profile $XDG_CONFIG_HOME
+copy_file src_files/shell/rc $XDG_CONFIG_HOME
 copy_file src_files/.config/zsh/.zshenv $HOME
 
 # copy over configs, executables, and scripts
diff --git a/src_files/.config/ksh/kshrc b/src_files/.config/ksh/kshrc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..86b78da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src_files/.config/ksh/kshrc
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+[ -r "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/profile" ] && . "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/profile"
+[ -r "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/rc" ] && . "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/rc"
diff --git a/src_files/.config/zsh/.zshrc b/src_files/.config/zsh/.zshrc
index affff8e..21ba80e 100644
--- a/src_files/.config/zsh/.zshrc
+++ b/src_files/.config/zsh/.zshrc
@@ -1,66 +1,2 @@
-# use vim-like control in shell
-set -o vi
-
-# path updates
-export PATH=$DIR_BIN:$DIR_SCRIPTS:$PATH:$XDG_DATA_HOME
-export PATH=$PATH:/opt/homebrew/opt/ccache/libexec:/opt/homebrew/bin
-
-# set env vars specific to this box, if any
-[ -r "$HOME/.local-box-vars" ] && . $HOME/.local-box-vars
-
-# shortcuts for common commands
-alias 3e='echo;echo;echo'
-alias 12e='3e;3e;3e;3e'
-alias cl='clear; '
-alias cls='clear;ls'
-
-# shortcuts for executables
-alias n='nvim'
-alias nv='nvim'
-alias ths='theme-set'
-alias thw='theme-update-wallpaper'
-alias tmi='tmux-session-init'
-
-# executable overrides
-alias ls='ls -F'
-alias ksh=oksh # NOTE: if i ever use openBSD, conditionally remove this alias
-
-# focus/productivity/similar
-alias cal="calcurse"
-alias note="cd $DIR_NOTES/inbox; $EDITOR"
-alias todo="cd $DIR_NOTES/rhythm; $EDITOR todo.md"
-alias budget="open $DIR_HOME_BOX/finance/budget/.current"
-
-# login shortcuts
-alias assume="source assume"
-alias login-aws='aws sso login --profile'
-alias login-aws-id-list="grep sso_account_id $HOME/.aws/config"
-
-# git stuff
-alias gfo='git fetch origin'
-alias gfl='git fetch origin; git log'
-alias gpo='git pull origin'
-alias gppo='git push origin'
-alias gst='git status'
-alias git-push-to-temp='git branch -D temp; git checkout -b temp; git push origin temp -uf; git checkout -'
-alias gptemp='git-push-to-temp'
-
-# code/test/linter run and build commands
-alias bel='bundle exec standardrb'
-alias bet='bundle exec rspec'
-alias lintjs='npx prettier --write'
-alias prl='poetry run black'
-alias prt='poetry run pytest'
-
-# containerization
-alias docker=podman
-
-# misc commands
-alias pdt='ping -c 2 drinkingtea.net'
-alias ppw='ping -c 2 pinewoods.xyz'
-alias weather='curl "wttr.in/dfw?2&F"'
-alias shrug='echo "¯\\_(ツ)_/¯"'
-
-# programming and language setup
-export DEVKITARM=/opt/devkitpro/devkitARM
-
+[ -r "$HOME/.config/profile" ] && . "$HOME/.config/profile"
+[ -r "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/rc" ] && . "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/rc"
diff --git a/src_files/shell/rc b/src_files/shell/rc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..13f856b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src_files/shell/rc
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+# use vim-like control in shell
+set -o vi
+
+# path updates
+export PATH=$DIR_BIN:$DIR_SCRIPTS:$PATH:$XDG_DATA_HOME
+export PATH=$PATH:/opt/homebrew/opt/ccache/libexec:/opt/homebrew/bin
+
+# set env vars specific to this box, if any
+[[ -a $HOME/.local-box-vars ]] && . $HOME/.local-box-vars
+
+# shortcuts for common commands
+alias 3e='echo;echo;echo'
+alias 12e='3e;3e;3e;3e'
+alias cl='clear; '
+alias cls='clear;ls'
+
+# shortcuts for executables
+alias n='nvim'
+alias nv='nvim'
+alias ths='theme-set'
+alias thw='theme-update-wallpaper'
+alias tmi='tmux-session-init'
+
+# executable overrides
+alias ls='ls -F'
+alias ksh=oksh # NOTE: if i ever use openBSD, conditionally remove this alias
+
+# focus/productivity/similar
+alias cal="calcurse"
+alias note="cd $DIR_NOTES/inbox; $EDITOR"
+alias todo="cd $DIR_NOTES/rhythm; $EDITOR todo.md"
+alias budget="open $DIR_HOME_BOX/finance/budget/.current"
+
+# login shortcuts
+alias assume="source assume"
+alias login-aws='aws sso login --profile'
+alias login-aws-id-list="grep sso_account_id $HOME/.aws/config"
+
+# git stuff
+alias gfo='git fetch origin'
+alias gfl='git fetch origin; git log'
+alias gpo='git pull origin'
+alias gppo='git push origin'
+alias gst='git status'
+alias git-push-to-temp='git branch -D temp; git checkout -b temp; git push origin temp -uf; git checkout -'
+alias gptemp='git-push-to-temp'
+
+# code/test/linter run and build commands
+alias bel='bundle exec standardrb'
+alias bet='bundle exec rspec'
+alias lintjs='npx prettier --write'
+alias prl='poetry run black'
+alias prt='poetry run pytest'
+
+# containerization
+alias docker=podman
+
+# misc commands
+alias pdt='ping -c 2 drinkingtea.net'
+alias ppw='ping -c 2 pinewoods.xyz'
+alias weather='curl "wttr.in/dfw?2&F"'
+alias shrug='echo "¯\\_(ツ)_/¯"'
+
+# programming and language setup
+export DEVKITARM=/opt/devkitpro/devkitARM