diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a18ae8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+# a nixos config
+
+## mission statement
+
+this config attempts to follow the [synaptic standard](https://github.com/llakala/synaptic-standard/), and is built in an effort to achieve **semantic colocation**.
+
+ideally, our modules are categorised by the purpose they hope to fulfil, and contain all the information necessary to achieve that within their context.
+
+this is in contrast to many configuration styles which may be structured in a way that is beholden to mechanical details (implementations, module systems, or other scope they may carry).
+
+here, *we do not build our dreams of concrete*.
+
+## mechanism
+
+recursive imports and module aliasing bend the module system/s to our will. 
+
+this allows us to create freeform sets of modules which break down broad goals into manageable units while cross-cutting module system concerns, all with a single toplevel import point.
+
+you can see [entry.nix](./entry.nix) and [util/create.nix](util/create.nix) for the explicit details of how this is done.
diff --git a/graphical/documents.nix b/graphical/documents.nix
index 1fb700f..18aca39 100644
--- a/graphical/documents.nix
+++ b/graphical/documents.nix
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
     inherit (pkgs)
       libreoffice
       thunderbird
+      obsidian
       ;
   };
 }