From dd66e6f3b760558b3004c500a3259457b2349e0c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: cube <git@cubes.link>
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2026 22:52:07 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] readme

---
 README.md | 77 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-------------------
 1 file changed, 51 insertions(+), 26 deletions(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index db4975a..cc02f60 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -27,46 +27,71 @@ do not deploy this way, the packaged flask server is not secure. production inst
 
 it is recommended to run waitress in a tmux window for easier management
 
-create new tmux window:
-tmux new -s myriad
+create new tmux window
 
-detach from tmux window:
-ctrl+b -> d
+`tmux new -s myriad`
 
-attach to existing tmux window:
-tmux attach -t myriad
+detach from tmux window
 
-git clone https://tea.cubes.link/cube/myriad.git
-cd myriad
-python3 -m venv venv
-source venv/bin/activate
+`ctrl+b` -> `d`
 
-pip install flask
-pip install waitress
+attach to existing tmux window
 
-mkdir instance
-mkdir myriad/static/icons
-mkdir myriad/static/blinkies
-mkdir myriad/static/stamps
-mkdir myriad/static/tmp
+`tmux attach -t myriad`
 
-sudo nano instance/config.py
-(copy and paste sample from readme)
+## installing
 
-python -c 'import secrets; print(secrets.token_hex())'
-copy value generated above (maybe do the generation on a local machine so it easier to copy/paste)
-add new line to config.py:
-SECRET_KEY = '(paste generated key here)'
+clone the repo and set up virtual env
 
-flask --app myriad init-db
-waitress-serve --port=80 --call 'myriad:create_app'
+`git clone https://tea.cubes.link/cube/myriad.git`
+`cd myriad`
+`python3 -m venv venv`
+`source venv/bin/activate`
 
-after running and setting up first user stop waitress (CTRL+C), then `sudo nano instance/config.py` and set `REGISTRATION = False`
+install necessary packages in the virtual env
+
+`pip install flask`
+`pip install waitress`
+
+make sure all directories exist
+
+`mkdir instance`
+`mkdir myriad/static/icons`
+`mkdir myriad/static/blinkies`
+`mkdir myriad/static/stamps`
+`mkdir myriad/static/tmp`
+
+copy sample from readme and paste into the following
+
+`sudo nano instance/config.py`
+
+in a window where you can copy the output, (or in python itself) generate a secret key and copy it to the clipboard
+
+`python -c 'import secrets; print(secrets.token_hex())'`
+
+add a new line to config.py and paste in the key 
+
+`SECRET_KEY = '(paste generated key here)'`
+
+initialize the database
+
+`flask --app myriad init-db`
+
+start running the site
+
+`waitress-serve --port=80 --call 'myriad:create_app'`
+
+after running and setting up first user stop waitress (CTRL+C), then edit the config to disable user registration for security
+
+`sudo nano instance/config.py`
+`REGISTRATION = False`
 
 ## updating
 
 stop waitress (CTRL+C) and use `git pull` to pull changes
+
 start waitress again to reload
+
 if it is a database changing update, use backup features, re-init db, then re-import from backup