diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3bcddfb..daabf9b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@ This is my failsafe (and also my helpful migration tool) for restoring the OpenP
 - my shell theme (zsh + powerlevel10k)
 - deadswitch (& the ssh + git config to allow pushes)
 
+This playbook assumes the target VPS is running the latest debian stable release.
+
 ## Notes to my future self
 
-The deadswitch is disabled by default. Delete the file lock at `/root/.deadlock` to enable it.
+The deadswitch has the deadtrigger setup every run, so you have a 14-day timer to add a one-liner to your crontab to keep that deadtrigger set.
 
 ## Usage
 
diff --git a/tasks/deadswitch.yml b/tasks/deadswitch.yml
index 80da666..93d9f3b 100644
--- a/tasks/deadswitch.yml
+++ b/tasks/deadswitch.yml
@@ -21,9 +21,9 @@
     src: secrets/dead.md
     dest: /root/deadman/dead.md
 
-- name: Install deadlock, disabling the deadswitch
+- name: Install deadtrigger
   file:
-    name: /root/.deadlock
+    name: /root/.deadtrigger
     state: touch
 
 - name: Install deadlock cronjob
diff --git a/tasks/essential.yml b/tasks/essential.yml
index 9a621f7..0f60b41 100644
--- a/tasks/essential.yml
+++ b/tasks/essential.yml
@@ -40,4 +40,5 @@
 - name: Install .zshrc
   copy:
     src: templates/.zshrc
-    dest: /root/.zshrc
\ No newline at end of file
+    dest: /root/.zshrc
+    force: no
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tasks/git.yml b/tasks/git.yml
index 54c103a..f25c4d2 100644
--- a/tasks/git.yml
+++ b/tasks/git.yml
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
     dest: /root/.ssh/known_hosts
     owner: root
     mode: u=rw,g=,o=
+    force: no # if we already have a known_hosts file, ignore!
 
 - name: Install ssh priv key
   copy:
diff --git a/tasks/gitea.yml b/tasks/gitea.yml
index 2a531f3..a082780 100644
--- a/tasks/gitea.yml
+++ b/tasks/gitea.yml
@@ -4,11 +4,7 @@
     src: templates/gitea/app.ini
     dest: /etc/gitea/app.ini
     owner: gitea
-
-- name: Setup Gitea database
-  become: yes
-  become_user: gitea
-  shell: gitea migrate -c /etc/gitea/app.ini
+    force: no # we don't want to kill our existing config D:
 
 - name: Reload Gitea
   systemd:
diff --git a/tasks/nginx.yml b/tasks/nginx.yml
index ef9cd57..4f49951 100644
--- a/tasks/nginx.yml
+++ b/tasks/nginx.yml
@@ -14,26 +14,34 @@
     src: templates/nginx/nginx.conf
     dest: /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
 
+# setup our configs for each host (we don't want to 
+# overwrite certbot's changes, so if it already exists,
+# don't copy!)
+
 - name: Install nginx config for {{ domain }}
   template:
     src: templates/nginx/site.conf
     dest: /etc/nginx/conf.d/{{ domain }}.conf
+    force: no
 
 - name: Install nginx config for git.{{ domain }}
   template:
     src: templates/nginx/gitea.conf
     dest: /etc/nginx/conf.d/git.{{ domain }}.conf
+    force: no
 
 - name: Install nginx config for our Hidden Service
   template:
     src: templates/nginx/tor.conf
     dest: /etc/nginx/conf.d/tor-{{ domain }}.conf
+    force: no
 
 - name: Reload nginx to activate specified site
   service:
     name: nginx
     state: restarted
 
+# certbot is a life saver. thank you certbot devs!
 - name: Setup certbot
   shell: "certbot --nginx --non-interactive --agree-tos -m {{ contact_email }} -d {{ domain }} -d git.{{ domain }}"