diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5591b9a..cc93610 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,23 +4,21 @@ some kind of hosting setup
 
 ## setup
 
-log into the vps, make sure it's fedora (or else 🔪)
-
-```
-sudo dnf install git -y
-git clone https://gitlab.com/futile/thingy
-./thingy/set-up-system.sh
-exit
-```
-
-```
-ssh <user>@<ip>
-cd thingy
-micro .env
-docker compose up
-```
-
-continue with service-specific setups .....
+1. log into the vps, make sure it's fedora (or else 🔪)
+2. create a new admin user
+  - `sudo useradd -m -G wheel admin`
+  - `sudo passwd admin`
+  - `sudo su - admin`
+3. use the system setup script, and log out
+  - `sudo dnf install git -y`
+  - `git clone https://gitlab.com/futile/thingy`
+  - `./thingy/set-up-system.sh`
+  - `exit`
+4. log in again, populate the `.env` and start everything up
+  - `cd thingy`
+  - `micro .env`
+  - `docker compose up`
+5. continue with service-specific setups .....
 
 ## services
 
@@ -47,19 +45,19 @@ specifics for everything
 ### stalwart
 
 **first setup**
-- server identity
+1. server identity
   - server hostname: `mail.yaoi.dog`
   - default email domain: `yaoi.dog`
   - automatically obtain tls certificate: `true`
   - generate email signing keys: `true`
-- storage
+2. storage
   - main data storage: `rocksdb`
   - path: `/var/lib/stalwart/`
-- account directory
+3. account directory
   - directory type: `use internal`
-- logging
+4. logging
   - log destination: `console`
-- automatic dns management
+5. automatic dns management
   - dns server type: `porkbun`
   - description: `porkbun`