diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,3 +1,18 @@
 # toastbin
 
 Bad Pastebin clone made to look like Forgejo (well, eventually at least).
+
+# docs
+
+todo: make this more complete
+
+currently, there's no reason to run this except for development. however, if you want to comtribute, you can submit pull requests either of these ways:
+- ask for a git.everypizza.im account (contact the admin with either @n:everypizza.im (matrix) or nyx@everypizza.im (xmpp))
+- send patches in a dm with either of those listed accounts.
+
+### running
+
+1. clone the repository
+2. copy `src/toastbin/config.sample.json` to `src/toastbin/config.json` 
+3. install dependencies (currently, we just need `flask` but this almost absoultely will change)
+4. run `src/toastbin/app.py` (`python3 src/toastbin/app.py`)