diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 2be9cbb..2274cd7 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ git checkout js
 
 using npm? globally link via `npm link`.
 
-using yarn? globally link via `yarn link` (the output of `yarn global bin` must be in PATH).
+using yarn? globally link via `yarn && yarn link` (the output of `yarn global bin` must be in PATH).
 
 the downloaded folder is now directly linked to the `notion-enhancer` command.
 
@@ -57,20 +57,20 @@ depending on the content and scale of a contribution, it may constitute an updat
 to keep a consistent code but informative style it is preferred to name variables with
 `snake_case`, functions/methods with `camelCase`, and classes with `PascalCase`.
 
-for information on how to create a theme or module, check the [docs](README.md).
+for information on how to create a theme or module, check the [docs](DOCUMENTATION.md).
 
 ## review
 
 active core devs will manually look through each pull request and communicate with contributors before merging to
 make sure it is a) safe, b) functional and c) bug-free.
 
-**a)** system details (e.g. IP, clipboard) + notion user data are considered private unless directly shared by the user.
+**a) safe:** system details (e.g. IP, clipboard) + notion user data are considered private unless directly shared by the user.
 none of this should be accessed or transmitted to an external server.
 
-**b)** is there a better way to do this? can extra dependencies be removed or replaced by newer web technologies?
+**b) functional:** is there a better way to do this? can extra dependencies be removed or replaced by newer web technologies?
 how can this be made as user-friendly as possible?
 
-**c)** where possible, code should be tested on a variety of platforms in a variety of situations so it can be
+**c) bug-free:** where possible, code should be tested on a variety of platforms in a variety of situations so it can be
 confirmed that it won't break anything for the user and is robust enough to handle use by both
 power-users and non-tech-savvy users.
 
diff --git a/DOCUMENTATION.md b/DOCUMENTATION.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e4caba5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DOCUMENTATION.md
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+# readme placeholder
+
+ended up here? this is a wip version of the enhancer, and this file is yet to be completed.
+if you're interested in using the project, switch back to the [master branch](https://github.com/dragonwocky/notion-enhancer).
+for support, contact me on discord `dragonwocky#8449` or open an issue here in the repo.
+
+want to contribute? check the the [contribution guidelines](CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
+## module creation
+
+each directory in the `mods` folder is considered a module, with the entry point `mod.js`.
+this file must have its exports set to an object that defines metadata,
+configurable options for the menu, code to be run in both the back- and front- ends of the app,
+and styling.
+
+`module.exports =`
+
+| key     | value                              | required |
+| ------- | ---------------------------------- | -------- |
+| id      | uuidv4 string                      | ✔️       |
+| meta    | { meta: see below }                | ✔️       |
+| options | [ array of { option: see below } ] |          |
+| code    | { code: see below }                | ✔️       |
+
+`meta: { }`
+
+| key     | value                        | required |
+| ------- | ---------------------------- | -------- |
+| type    | 'extension', 'theme'         | ✔️       |
+| name    | string                       | ✔️       |
+| version | semver string (e.g. '0.3.7') | ✔️       |
+| author  | github username string       | ✔️       |
+| thumb   | relative file string, url    |          |
+
+`{ option }`
+
+| key   | value                                                                            | required |
+| ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- |
+| name  | string                                                                           | ✔️       |
+| type  | 'toggle', 'select', 'input', 'file'                                              | ✔️       |
+| value | type.toggle = true, false. type.select = [array of strings]. type.input = string |          |
+
+`code: {}`
+
+| key      | value                | required |
+| -------- | -------------------- | -------- |
+| styles   | relative file string |          |
+| main     | function             |          |
+| renderer | function             |          |
+| hack     | function             |          |
+
+_styles_ should be a css file, which is automatically inserted into each app window via the `enhancement://` protocol.
+
+_main_ code is executed on app launch in the "main" process (singular, shared between all apps - consider it a backend).
+_renderer_ code is executed on window launch in the "renderer" process
+(per-window, the client-side js one might expect to run on a website).
+
+note that as this code is inserted into notion's app, it may not work to `require()` modules that are not
+already installed for the app. in future a fix for this is planned.
+
+_hack_ code is executed on enhancement. this can be useful for things that require modding pre-existing parts of the app,
+and can't just be overruled (e.g. making the window frameless).
+
+to make the best use of these, check out [the electron docs](https://www.electronjs.org/docs/)
+and explore the contents of your local extracted `app.asar`.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8f85852..fdbc534 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # readme placeholder
 
-ended up here? this is a wip version of the enhancer, and this file is yet to be written.
-if you're interested in the project, switch back to the [master branch](https://github.com/dragonwocky/notion-enhancer).
+ended up here? this is a wip version of the enhancer, and this file is yet to be completed.
+if you're interested in using the project, switch back to the [master branch](https://github.com/dragonwocky/notion-enhancer).
 for support, contact me on discord `dragonwocky#8449` or open an issue here in the repo.
 
 want to contribute? check the the [contribution guidelines](CONTRIBUTING.md).
@@ -22,9 +22,6 @@ extension?
 3. ensure no notion processes are running (you may want to check the task manager to make sure), and try running one of these commands:
 
    ```
-   notion-enhancer v0.8.0-beta
-   https://github.com/dragonwocky/notion-enhancer
-
    Usage:
      $ notion-enhancer <command> [options]
 
diff --git a/mods/core/mod.js b/mods/core/mod.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fcdee48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mods/core/mod.js
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+/*
+ * notion-enhancer
+ * (c) 2020 dragonwocky <thedragonring.bod@gmail.com>
+ * (https://dragonwocky.me/) under the MIT license
+ */
+
+module.exports = {
+  id: '0f0bf8b6-eae6-4273-b307-8fc43f2ee082',
+  meta: {
+    type: 'extension',
+    name: 'notion-enhancer core',
+    version: require('../../package.json').version,
+    author: 'dragonwocky',
+    thumb:
+      'https://camo.githubusercontent.com/5c5bca9e987d986b8cc7e51066f90c6f8a84af08/68747470733a2f2f63646e2e646973636f72646170702e636f6d2f6174746163686d656e74732f3733313634373938343332333931393933332f3733313732373235393239353032333132342f494d475f323137302e6a7067',
+  },
+  options: [],
+  code: {
+    styles: 'styles.css',
+    electron: () => {},
+    client: () => {},
+  },
+};
diff --git a/mods/core/styles.css b/mods/core/styles.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29