diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d343663..81a7f9e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -26,9 +26,14 @@
 --------
 
 ### todo items
-- config for: terminal (ghostty? foot? havoc?); shell; mpd, mpc, ncmpcpp; mpv
-- hyprland config on linux
+- config for: terminal (kitty? havoc?); shell; mpd, mpc, ncmpcpp; mpv
+- hyprland config and install on linux
+- web browsers config and install
+- get find, xargs, awk (use nawk) as unified as i can across system types
 - decide on docker? or alternatives like podman? any license concerns?
+- pick rss reader; newsboat? others? option with inbox and separate queues?
+- decide if i even want a filemanager; if yes, pick one and configure
+- decide what i'm doing for music streaming; spotify official? web? tui option?
 - switch installation approach, use csv file with programs to install, install types,
   any extra flags/opts, comments
     - regarding the system-types idea i'd started to build in already, maybe have a
@@ -37,3 +42,4 @@
     - alternate idea: columns for "include_in_systems" and/or "excluded_from_systems"
         - if both, likely apply the include column first, then the exclude (priority)
 - add command in tmux to perform cd to a given dir in all windows of the current session
+
diff --git a/box_setup.sh b/box_setup.sh
index c06cfb6..56938ef 100755
--- a/box_setup.sh
+++ b/box_setup.sh
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
     exit 0
 }
 
+echo "---- settings vars for system type -----"
+
 # determine OS and, if linux, distro
 [[ "$OSTYPE" = *"darwin"* ]] && setup_os="macos" || {
     [[ "$OSTYPE" = *"linux"* ]] && setup_os="linux" && {
diff --git a/copy_dotfiles.sh b/copy_dotfiles.sh
index df7dc5c..45d3645 100755
--- a/copy_dotfiles.sh
+++ b/copy_dotfiles.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ copy_file() {
     local to=$2
     local filename=$(basename $from)
     [[ -e $to/$filename ]] && rm $to/$filename
-    echo_and_execute cp -p $from $to/$filename
+    echo_and_execute cp -RPp $from $to/$filename
 }
 
 copy_dir() {
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ copy_dir() {
     local directories=(`find . -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -type d`)
     for dir in $directories; do
         [[ -d $to/$dir ]] && rm -rf $to/$dir
-        echo_and_execute cp -rp $dir $to/$dir
+        echo_and_execute cp -RPp $dir $to/$dir
     done
     local files=(`find . -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -type f`)
     for file in $files; do
@@ -26,30 +26,34 @@ copy_dir() {
     popd > /dev/null
 }
 
-link_dir() {
-    local src_dir=$1
-    local link_dir=$2
-    [[ -h "$link_dir" ]] && rm $link_dir
-    [[ -d "$link_dir" ]] && rm -rf $link_dir
-    echo_and_execute ln -s $src_dir $link_dir
+sym_link() {
+    [[ ! -e "$1" ]] && echo "skipping link, target does not exist: $1" && return
+    [[ -h "$2" ]] && rm $2
+    [[ -f "$2" || -d "$2" ]] && rm -rf $2
+    echo_and_execute ln -s $1 $2
 }
 
-echo "---- copying dotfiles ------------------------------------------------"
-
-copy_file src_files/.config/zsh/.zshenv $HOME # duplicate, copy anyway, ensures $ZDOTDIR
+echo "---- copying dotfiles ------------------"
+source src_files/.config/zsh/.zshenv
+copy_file src_files/.config/zsh/.zshenv $HOME # copy first, ensure $ZDOTDIR set
 
+# configs/executables/scripts from .config and .local
 copy_dir src_files/.config $XDG_CONFIG_HOME
 copy_dir src_files/.local/bin $DIR_BIN
-[[ "$OSTYPE" = *"darwin"* ]] && copy_dir src_files/bin_overrides_macos $DIR_BIN
 copy_dir src_files/.local/scripts $DIR_SCRIPTS
 
+# macOS overrides as needed
+[[ "$OSTYPE" = *"darwin"* ]] && copy_dir src_files/bin_overrides_macos $DIR_BIN
+
+# obsidian uses a per-vault config model, so copy to all target vaults/dirs
 for obs_dir in "${OBSIDIAN_WORKSPACES_TO_CONFIGURE[@]}"; do
     [[ ! -d "$obs_dir/.obsidian" ]] && mkdir "$obs_dir/.obsidian"
     copy_dir $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/obsidian "$obs_dir/.obsidian"
 done
 
+# TODO: get reaper config set up
 # [[ $1 = "studio-music" ]] {
 #     [[ "$OSTYPE" = *"darwin"* ]] &&
-#         link_dir "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/REAPER" "$HOME/Library/Application Support/REAPER" # TODO: get reaper config set up
+#         sym_link "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/REAPER" "$HOME/Library/Application Support/REAPER"
 # }
 
diff --git a/install_programs.sh b/install_programs.sh
index 9b6bee2..77af424 100755
--- a/install_programs.sh
+++ b/install_programs.sh
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ scripts_from_dir=($(find_scripts_in_dir "./installs_and_builds"))
     scripts_from_dir+=($(find_scripts_in_dir "./installs_and_builds/work_placeholder"))
 }
 
-echo "---- installing programs ---------------------------------------------"
+echo "---- installing programs ---------------"
 echo "-------- for system types: $system_types_list"
 install_scripts_from_list "${scripts_from_dir[@]}"
 
diff --git a/installs_and_builds/s02_utils b/installs_and_builds/s02_utils
index 1c693f2..203ac04 100755
--- a/installs_and_builds/s02_utils
+++ b/installs_and_builds/s02_utils
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ ${=BOX_SETUP_INSTALL_COMMAND} \
     make \
     cmake \
     gettext \
-    btop
+    htop
 
 utils_package_name_pandoc="pandoc"
 case $BOX_SETUP_DISTRO in
diff --git a/make_dirs.sh b/make_dirs.sh
index 2790119..bceccbe 100755
--- a/make_dirs.sh
+++ b/make_dirs.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/zsh
 
+echo "---- making system dirs ----------------"
 source ./src_files/.config/zsh/.zshenv # ensure env vars set for use below
 
 # some standard/common directories, some overlap/use in XDG directories
diff --git a/ref/post-run.md b/ref/post-run.md
index 6bd389c..f52b7a5 100644
--- a/ref/post-run.md
+++ b/ref/post-run.md
@@ -1,3 +1,12 @@
 # Manual steps needed after dotfile copy and/or installs
 
-currently none, wooooo
+## macOS
+
+- skhd
+    - run `skhd --start-service`
+    - grant skhd permission in accessibility settings
+    - run `skhd --restart-service`
+- aerospace
+    - grant aerospace permission in accessibility settings
+    - likely need system reboot before aerospace works
+
diff --git a/src_files/.config/aerospace/aerospace.toml b/src_files/.config/aerospace/aerospace.toml
index dce080e..07f4ce9 100644
--- a/src_files/.config/aerospace/aerospace.toml
+++ b/src_files/.config/aerospace/aerospace.toml
@@ -1,91 +1,47 @@
-# options commands : https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands
-after-startup-command = []
-start-at-login = true # start aerospace at login
+# ref: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands
+# ref: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide
+
+after-startup-command = []
+start-at-login = true
 
-# ref: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#normalization
 enable-normalization-flatten-containers = true
 enable-normalization-opposite-orientation-for-nested-containers = true
-
-accordion-padding = 0 # ref: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#layouts
-
-default-root-container-layout = 'accordion' # tiles|accordion
-default-root-container-orientation = 'vertical' # horizontal|vertical|auto
-
-# refs: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#on-focus-changed-callbacks
-#       https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#move-mouse
 on-focused-monitor-changed = ['move-mouse monitor-lazy-center']
-
-# ref: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/goodies#disable-hide-app
 automatically-unhide-macos-hidden-apps = true
 
-# See https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#key-mapping
-[key-mapping]
-    preset = 'qwerty' # qwerty|dvorak|colemak
+accordion-padding = 0
+default-root-container-layout = 'accordion' # opts: tiles accordion
+default-root-container-orientation = 'vertical' # opts: horizontal vertical auto
+
+[key-mapping]
+    preset = 'qwerty' # opts: qwerty dvorak colemak
 
-# ref: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#assign-workspaces-to-monitors
-# gaps between windows (inner-*) and between monitor edges (outer-*).
 [gaps]
-    inner.horizontal = 0
+    inner.horizontal = 0  # inner* - between windows and other windows
     inner.vertical =   0
-    outer.left =       0
+    outer.left =       0  # outer* - between windows and monitor edges
     outer.bottom =     0
     outer.top =        0
     outer.right =      0
 
-# 'main' binding mode; ref: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#binding-modes
-[mode.main.binding] # 'main' binding mode must be always presented
-    # All possible keys:
-    # - Letters.        a, b, c, ..., z
-    # - Numbers.        0, 1, 2, ..., 9
-    # - Keypad numbers. keypad0, keypad1, keypad2, ..., keypad9
-    # - F-keys.         f1, f2, ..., f20
-    # - Special keys.   minus, equal, period, comma, slash, backslash, quote, semicolon,
-    #                   backtick, leftSquareBracket, rightSquareBracket, space, enter, esc,
-    #                   backspace, tab, pageUp, pageDown, home, end, forwardDelete,
-    #                   sectionSign (ISO keyboards only, european keyboards only)
-    # - Keypad special. keypadClear, keypadDecimalMark, keypadDivide, keypadEnter, keypadEqual,
-    #                   keypadMinus, keypadMultiply, keypadPlus
-    # - Arrows.         left, down, up, right
-
-    # All possible modifiers: cmd, alt, ctrl, shift
-    # All possible commands: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands
-
-    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#exec-and-forget
-    # You can uncomment the following lines to open up terminal with alt + enter shortcut
-    # (like in i3)
-    # alt-enter = '''exec-and-forget osascript -e '
-    # tell application "Terminal"
-    #     do script
-    #     activate
-    # end tell'
-    # '''
-
-    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#layout
+[mode.main.binding]
     alt-comma = 'layout v_accordion'
     alt-period = 'layout h_tiles'
     alt-slash = 'layout horizontal vertical'
 
-    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#focus
-    # new windows are added to the stack "below" the current, so swap up and down
+    alt-minus = 'resize smart -50'
+    alt-equal = 'resize smart +50'
+
+    # in stack mode, new windows are added "below" the current, so swap up and down
     alt-j = 'focus up'
     alt-k = 'focus down'
-    # bindings: alt-l -> ctrl-tab, alt-h -> ctrl-shift-tab
-    # alt-l = "exec-and-forget osascript -e 'tell application \"System Events\" to key code 48 using control down'"
-    # alt-h = "exec-and-forget osascript -e 'tell application \"System Events\" to key code 48 using {control down, shift down}'"
-
-
-    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#move
-    # new windows are added to the stack "below" the current, so swap up and down
+    alt-l = 'focus right'
+    alt-h = 'focus left'
     alt-shift-j = 'move up'
     alt-shift-k = 'move down'
     alt-shift-h = 'move left'
     alt-shift-l = 'move right'
 
-    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#resize
-    alt-minus = 'resize smart -50'
-    alt-equal = 'resize smart +50'
-
-    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#workspace
     alt-1 = 'workspace 1'
     alt-2 = 'workspace 2'
     alt-3 = 'workspace 3'
@@ -96,8 +52,6 @@ automatically-unhide-macos-hidden-apps = true
     alt-8 = 'workspace 8'
     alt-9 = 'workspace 9'
     alt-0 = 'workspace 0'
-
-    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#move-node-to-workspace
     alt-shift-1 = 'move-node-to-workspace 1'
     alt-shift-2 = 'move-node-to-workspace 2'
     alt-shift-3 = 'move-node-to-workspace 3'
@@ -109,25 +63,13 @@ automatically-unhide-macos-hidden-apps = true
     alt-shift-9 = 'move-node-to-workspace 9'
     alt-shift-0 = 'move-node-to-workspace 0'
 
-    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#mode
     alt-shift-semicolon = 'mode service'
 
-# 'service' binding mode declaration.
-# See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#binding-modes
 [mode.service.binding]
-    esc = ['reload-config', 'mode main']
-    backspace = ['close-all-windows-but-current', 'mode main']
-
-    r = ['flatten-workspace-tree', 'mode main'] # reset layout
+    r = ['reload-config', 'flatten-workspace-tree', 'mode main'] # reset layout
     f = ['flatten-workspace-tree', 'layout floating', 'mode main']
-    s = ['flatten-workspace-tree', 'layout v_accordion', 'mode main']
-    g = ['flatten-workspace-tree', 'layout h_tiles', 'mode main']
+    alt-h = ['join-with left', 'mode main']
+    alt-j = ['join-with down', 'mode main']
+    alt-k = ['join-with up', 'mode main']
+    alt-l = ['join-with right', 'mode main']
 
-    alt-shift-h = ['join-with left', 'mode main']
-    alt-shift-j = ['join-with down', 'mode main']
-    alt-shift-k = ['join-with up', 'mode main']
-    alt-shift-l = ['join-with right', 'mode main']
-
-    down = 'volume down'
-    up = 'volume up'
-    shift-down = ['volume set 0', 'mode main']
diff --git a/src_files/.config/btop/btop.conf b/src_files/.config/btop/btop.conf
index 10bca93..795f739 100644
--- a/src_files/.config/btop/btop.conf
+++ b/src_files/.config/btop/btop.conf
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ show_battery = True
 selected_battery = "Auto"
 show_battery_watts = True
 
-color_theme = "$DIR_THEME_SETTINGS/.current-theme/btop.theme"
+color_theme = "~/.config/btop/themes/theme.theme"
 theme_background = False #* True: show theme background, False: needed for transparency
 truecolor = True
 rounded_corners = False
diff --git a/src_files/.config/gimp/gimprc b/src_files/.config/gimp/gimprc
index cf795a1..81c5360 100644
--- a/src_files/.config/gimp/gimprc
+++ b/src_files/.config/gimp/gimprc
@@ -47,6 +47,48 @@
     (dash-offset 0)
     (dash-info 0)
     (emulate-brush-dynamics no))
+(default-view
+    (show-menubar yes)
+    (show-statusbar no)
+    (show-rulers yes)
+    (show-scrollbars yes)
+    (show-selection no)
+    (show-layer-boundary no)
+    (show-canvas-boundary yes)
+    (show-guides yes)
+    (show-grid no)
+    (show-sample-points yes)
+    (snap-to-guides yes)
+    (snap-to-grid no)
+    (snap-to-canvas no)
+    (snap-to-path no)
+    (snap-to-bbox no)
+    (snap-to-equidistance no)
+    (padding-mode default)
+    (padding-color
+        (color "R'G'B'A float" 16 "\1\0\200\77\1\0\200\77\1\0\200\77\0\0\200\77" 0))
+    (padding-in-show-all no))
+(default-fullscreen-view
+    (show-menubar yes)
+    (show-statusbar no)
+    (show-rulers yes)
+    (show-scrollbars yes)
+    (show-selection no)
+    (show-layer-boundary no)
+    (show-canvas-boundary yes)
+    (show-guides yes)
+    (show-grid no)
+    (show-sample-points yes)
+    (snap-to-guides yes)
+    (snap-to-grid no)
+    (snap-to-canvas no)
+    (snap-to-path no)
+    (snap-to-bbox no)
+    (snap-to-equidistance no)
+    (padding-mode default)
+    (padding-color
+        (color "R'G'B'A float" 16 "\1\0\200\77\1\0\200\77\1\0\200\77\0\0\200\77" 0))
+    (padding-in-show-all no))
 
 
 # end of gimprc
diff --git a/src_files/.config/gimp/shortcutsrc b/src_files/.config/gimp/shortcutsrc
index 4b06500..b171304 100644
--- a/src_files/.config/gimp/shortcutsrc
+++ b/src_files/.config/gimp/shortcutsrc
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 (file-version 1)
-(action "windows-hide-docks" "<Shift><Control>d")
+(action "view-show-rulers" "<Shift><Control>r")
 (action "view-zoom-fit-in" "<Shift><Control>f")
+(action "windows-hide-docks" "<Shift><Control>d")
diff --git a/src_files/.config/nvim/lua/key_mappings.lua b/src_files/.config/nvim/lua/key_mappings.lua
index e5881fb..d8879a2 100644
--- a/src_files/.config/nvim/lua/key_mappings.lua
+++ b/src_files/.config/nvim/lua/key_mappings.lua
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ kmgAutocmd('FileType', {
 })
 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- quickfix TODO: learn about quickfix (:help quickfix), then maybe use these
+-- quickfix TODO: learn about quickfix (:help quickfix), then set mappings
 
 -- vim.keymap.set("n", "<C-k>", "<cmd>cnext<CR>zz")
 -- vim.keymap.set("n", "<C-j>", "<cmd>cprev<CR>zz")
diff --git a/src_files/.config/obsidian/appearance.json b/src_files/.config/obsidian/appearance.json
index 8326fc5..0fe3f3b 100644
--- a/src_files/.config/obsidian/appearance.json
+++ b/src_files/.config/obsidian/appearance.json
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 {
   "theme": "obsidian",
   "accentColor": "#2f930e",
-  "baseFontSize": 18
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+  "baseFontSize": 18,
+  "enabledCssSnippets": [
+    "theme-transparency"
+  ],
+  "translucency": false
+}
diff --git a/src_files/.config/obsidian/hotkeys.json b/src_files/.config/obsidian/hotkeys.json
index d0c186b..460081d 100644
--- a/src_files/.config/obsidian/hotkeys.json
+++ b/src_files/.config/obsidian/hotkeys.json
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
   "markdown:toggle-preview": [
     {
       "modifiers": [
-        "Alt"
+        "Ctrl",
+        "Shift"
       ],
       "key": "R"
     }
@@ -14,5 +15,23 @@
       ],
       "key": "F"
     }
+  ],
+  "app:toggle-left-sidebar": [
+    {
+      "modifiers": [
+        "Ctrl",
+        "Shift"
+      ],
+      "key": "D"
+    }
+  ],
+  "app:toggle-right-sidebar": [
+    {
+      "modifiers": [
+        "Ctrl",
+        "Shift"
+      ],
+      "key": "F"
+    }
   ]
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/src_files/.config/skhd/skhdrc b/src_files/.config/skhd/skhdrc
index db78c0d..20b458a 100755
--- a/src_files/.config/skhd/skhdrc
+++ b/src_files/.config/skhd/skhdrc
@@ -5,6 +5,6 @@
 ##########################################################################################
 # key bindings for general use
 
-alt - h : $(which skhd) -k "ctrl + shift - tab"
-alt - l : $(which skhd) -k "ctrl - tab"
+ctrl - h : $(which skhd) -k "ctrl + shift - tab"
+ctrl - l : $(which skhd) -k "ctrl - tab"