diff --git a/desktop-env.sh b/desktop-env.sh
index a2ae190..eb54494 100644
--- a/desktop-env.sh
+++ b/desktop-env.sh
@@ -2,8 +2,32 @@
 ##  DESKTOP ENVIRONMENT  ##
 ###########################
 # Designed & tested on Cinnamon XX.x
+echo "## desktop environment" | tee todo.md -a
 
 echo "desktop-env.sh not populated"
 
 # remap caps-lock to escape (more efficient neovim)
 gsettings set org.gnome.libgnomekbd.keyboard options "['grp\tgrp:win_space_toggle', 'terminate\tterminate:ctrl_alt_bksp', 'caps\tcaps:escape']"
+
+# fix touchpad scrolling direction (the default is objectively wrong)
+gsettings set org.cinnamon.desktop.peripherals.touchpad natural-scroll "false"
+
+# enable slick touchpad gestures
+echo "* enable touchpad gestures" | tee todo.md -a
+
+# replace holding <Alt> to move windows with <Super>
+gsettings set org.cinnmon.desktop.wm.preferences mouse-button-modifier "'<Super>'"
+
+# hide annoying super menu icons
+
+# set up taskbar
+
+# startup programs - artha
+mkdir -p $HOME/.config/autostart
+cp ./utils/artha-autostart.desktop $HOME/.config/autostart/artha.desktop
+chmod 755 $HOME/.config/autostart/artha.desktop
+
+# disable calendar widget showing events too
+FP="$HOME/.config/cinnamon/spices/calendar@cinnamon.org/13.json" # why is this 13? doesn't seem very robust
+cat $FP | jq '.["show-events"].value = false' | tee $FP
+
diff --git a/utils/artha-autostart.desktop b/utils/artha-autostart.desktop
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d9db300
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/artha-autostart.desktop
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+[Desktop Entry]
+Type=Application
+Name=Artha
+GenericName=Thesaurus
+Comment=Handy thesaurus based on WordNet
+Exec=artha