diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 96dd39d..549b46f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 *.uasm
 result
+*.qcow2
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 92f1969..d38cefa 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,23 @@
-this is wip
+# QOTD daemon
 
-the idea was to create a uiua program that serves the [qotd port
+> [! CAUTION]
+> This is WIP
+
+The idea was to create a uiua program that serves the [qotd port
 17](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QOTD) then host it on one of pvv's machines.
 this to learn about socket programming in uiua, and to show some love to the
 oft-forgotten port 17.
+
+## Building and running
+
+**Build:**
+
+```console
+$ nix build
+```
+
+**Run in VM:**
+
+```console
+$ nix run .#vm
+```
diff --git a/flake.nix b/flake.nix
index e061171..0ba2601 100644
--- a/flake.nix
+++ b/flake.nix
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     inputs.nixpkgs.url = "github:NixOS/nixpkgs/nixos-unstable";
 
-    outputs = { self, nixpkgs }: 
+    outputs = { self, nixpkgs }:
     let
         inherit (nixpkgs) lib;
 
@@ -16,6 +16,19 @@
           pkgs = nixpkgs.legacyPackages.${system};
         in f system pkgs);
     in {
+        apps = forAllSystems (
+          system: pkgs: {
+            default = {
+              type = "app";
+              program = "${lib.getExe self.packages.${system}.default}";
+            };
+            vm = {
+              type = "app";
+              program = "${self.nixosConfigurations.vm.config.system.build.vm}/bin/run-nixos-vm";
+            };
+          }
+        );
+
         devShells = forAllSystems (system: pkgs: {
           default = pkgs.mkShell {
             nativeBuildInputs = [
@@ -33,5 +46,64 @@
         };
 
         nixosModules.default = ./nix/module.nix;
+
+        nixosConfigurations.vm = nixpkgs.lib.nixosSystem {
+          system = "x86_64-linux";
+          pkgs = import nixpkgs {
+            system = "x86_64-linux";
+            overlays = [
+              self.overlays.default
+            ];
+          };
+
+          modules = [
+            "${nixpkgs}/nixos/modules/virtualisation/qemu-vm.nix"
+            self.nixosModules.default
+            ({ config, pkgs, ... }: {
+              system.stateVersion = config.system.nixos.release;
+              virtualisation.graphics = false;
+              users.extraUsers.root.password = "root";
+              services.getty.autologinUser = "root";
+
+              environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [
+                netcat
+              ];
+
+              users.motd = ''
+                =======================
+
+                Welcome to the qotd vm!
+
+                Try running:
+
+                    nc localhost 17
+
+                =======================
+              '';
+
+              services.qotd = {
+                enable = true;
+                quotes = [
+                  ''
+                    "rm -rf /"
+
+                    - felixalb on bekkalokk, 2026 (probably)
+                  ''
+                  ''
+                             ( U I U A )
+                    汎用配列指向プログラミング言語
+
+                    - frero, 2025
+                  ''
+                  ''
+                    bwaaa :3
+
+                    - oysteikt on gitea, 2024
+                  ''
+                ];
+              };
+            })
+          ];
+        };
     };
 }
diff --git a/nix/package.nix b/nix/package.nix
index 00fbfb0..85ef8fb 100644
--- a/nix/package.nix
+++ b/nix/package.nix
@@ -51,4 +51,6 @@ stdenvNoCC.mkDerivation {
       install -Dm555 "$wrapperPath" "$out"/bin/qotd
       runHook postInstall
   '';
+
+  meta.mainProgram = "qotd";
 }