diff --git a/src/surplus-on-wheels/README.md b/src/surplus-on-wheels/README.md
index f71c11b..06dad0e 100644
--- a/src/surplus-on-wheels/README.md
+++ b/src/surplus-on-wheels/README.md
@@ -1,284 +1,13 @@
 # surplus on wheels
 
 surplus on wheels (s+ow) is a pure shell script to get your location using
-`termux-location`, process it through [surplus](https://github.com/markjoshwel/surplus),
-and send it to messaging service or wherever using [bridges](#bridges).
+[termux-location](https://wiki.termux.com/wiki/Termux-location), process it through surplus, and
+send it to messaging service or wherever using “bridges”
 
-surplus was made to emulate sending your location through the iOS Shortcuts app, and
-surplus on wheels complements it by running surplus automatically using a cron job.  
+surplus was made to emulate sending your location through the iOS Shortcuts app, and surplus on
+wheels complements it by running surplus automatically using a cron job.
 (but using it manually also works!)
 
-- [installing](#installing)
-  - [as a standalone script](#as-a-standalone-script)
-  - [as a cron job](#as-a-cron-job)
-  - [using installation scripts](#using-installation-scripts)
-- [usage](#usage)
-  - [environment variables](#environment-variables)
-  - [faking locations](#faking-locations)
-- [bridges](#bridges)
-  - [bring your own bridge](#bring-your-own-bridge)
-- [licence](#licence)
-
-## installing
-
-> [!IMPORTANT]  
-> s+ow is a Termux-first script, and will not work anywhere else unless you have
-> a utility that emulates [termux-location](https://wiki.termux.com/wiki/termux-location)
-> on `$PATH` alongside bridges that supports your platform.
-
-there are two notable ways to install s+ow:
-
-1. [as a standalone script](#as-a-standalone-script)
-2. or, [as a cron job](#as-a-cron-job).
-
-there is also an [installation script](#using-installation-scripts) for quickly getting
-started from a _fresh_ termux installation.
-
-### as a standalone script
-
-1. firstly install python and termux-api if you haven't already:
-
-   ```text
-   pkg install python termux-api
-   ```
-
-   also install the accompanying the Termux:API app from [F-Froid](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.termux.api/).
-
-2. install pipx
-
-   ```text
-   pip install pipx
-   ```
-
-3. install surplus:
-
-   ```text
-   pip install https://github.com/markjoshwel/surplus/releases/latest/download/surplus-latest-py3-none-any.whl
-   ```
-
-4. install surplus on wheels:
-
-   ```text
-   mkdir -p ~/.local/bin/
-   curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/markjoshwel/surplus-on-wheels/main/s+ow > ~/.local/bin/s+ow
-   chmod +x ~/.local/bin/s+ow
-   ```
-
-if `~/.local/bin` is not in your `$PATH`, add the following to your shell's rc file:
-
-```shell
-export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
-```
-
-et voilà! s+ow is now setup. to actually send the message to a messaging platform,
-[install an appropriate bridge](#bridges).
-
-### as a cron job
-
-> [!IMPORTANT]  
-> these instructions rely on following the [previous instructions](#as-a-standalone-script).
-
-1. install necessary packages to run cron jobs:
-
-   ```text
-   pkg install cronie termux-services
-   ```
-
-2. restart termux and start the cron service:
-
-   ```text
-   sv-enable cron
-   ```
-
-3. set up the cron job:
-
-   > [!IMPORTANT]  
-   > minimally fill in the `SPOW_TARGETS` variable before running s+ow.  
-   > [(see usage for more info)](#usage)
-
-   run the following command:
-
-   ```text
-   crontab -e
-   ```
-
-   and add the following text:
-
-   ```text
-   59 * * * *      bash -l -c "SPOW_TARGETS="" SPOW_CRON=y s+ow"
-   ```
-
-   this will run s+ow every hour, a minute before the hour.
-
-   modify the variables as per your needs.
-   see [usage](#usage) for more information.
-
-et voilà! s+ow will now send a message every hour. feel free to experiment with the cron
-job to your liking. see [crontab.guru](https://crontab.guru/) if you’re new to cron jobs.
-
-if you haven’t already, [install an appropriate bridge](#bridges) to actually send a
-message to a messaging platform.
-
-### using installation scripts
-
-> [!WARNING]  
-> these scripts assume you're starting from a fresh base installation of Termux.
-> if you have already cron jobs, then manually carry out the instructiions in
-> [as a cron job](#as-a-cron-job).
-
-> [!IMPORTANT]  
-> if not installed already, install [Termux:API](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.termux.api/)
-> from F-Droid.
-
-1. setup s+ow:
-
-   ```text
-   curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/markjoshwel/surplus-on-wheels/main/termux-s+ow-setup | sh
-   ```
-
-2. restart termux!
-
-3. setup cron job:
-
-   ```text
-   curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/markjoshwel/surplus-on-wheels/main/termux-s+ow-setup-cron | sh
-   ```
-
-   the script will run `crontab -e`, and you can then edit the variables as per your
-   needs. minimally fill in the `SPOW_TARGETS` variable before running s+ow.  
-   see [usage](#usage) for more information.
-
-et voilà! s+ow is now setup. to actually send the message to a messaging platform,
-[install an appropriate bridge](#bridges).
-
-## usage
-
-### environment variables
-
-s+ow uses three environment variables, two of which are optional:
-
-1. `SPOW_TARGETS`  
-   a single line of comma-deliminated chat IDs with bridge prefixes.
-
-   ```text
-   wa:000000000000000000@g.us,tg:-0000000000000000000,...
-   ```
-
-   in the example above, the WhatsApp chat ID is `wa:`-prefixed as recognised by the
-   [spow-whatsapp-bridge](https://github.com/markjoshwel/spow-whatsapp-bridge), and the
-   Telegram chat ID is `tg:`-prefixed as recognised by the
-   [spow-telegram-bridge](https://github.com/markjoshwel/spow-telegram-bridge).
-
-2. `SPOW_CRON` (optional)  
-   set as non-empty to declare that s+ow is being run as a cron job.  
-   if running as a cron job, start s+ow one minute earlier than intended to account for
-   the time it takes to run `termux-location` and `surplus`.  
-   s+ow will delay itself appropriately.
-
-   setting it to `n` will also be treated as empty.
-
-3. `LOCATION_PRIORITISE_NETWORK` (optional)  
-   set as non-empty to declare that s+ow can just use network location instead of GPS
-   if GPS is taking too long.  
-   you should only turn this on if punctuality means that much to you, or you’re in a
-   country with cell towers close by or everywhere, like Singapore.
-
-   setting it to `n` will also be treated as empty.
-
-the JIDs can be obtained by sending a message to the user/group, while running
-`s+ow mdtest`, and examining the output for your message. JIDs are email address-like
-strings.
-
-4. `LOCATION_TIMEOUT` (optional)  
-   set as a number to override the default first location timeout of `50`.
-
-### faking locations
-
-> sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do
-
-you can fake your s+ow messages by either:
-
-1. setting a dummy `last` file in s+ow cache
-
-   `$HOME/.cache/s+ow/last` is used as the fallback response when a part of s+ow (either
-   `termux-location` or `surplus` errors out). you can set this file to whatever you want
-   and just turn off location on your device.
-
-2. setting a `fake` file in s+ow cache
-
-   > [!WARNING]  
-   > s+ow uses the `read` command to read the file. as such, it is possible for s+ow to
-   > prematurely stop reading the file if the file does not contain a trailing newline.
-
-   you can also write text to `$HOME/.cache/s+ow/fake` to fake upcoming messages. the file
-   is delimited by empty lines. as such, arrange the file like so:
-
-   ```text
-   The Clementi Mall
-   3155 Commonwealth Avenue West
-   Westpeak Terrace
-   129588
-   Southwest, Singapore
-
-   Westgate
-   3 Gateway Drive
-   Jurong East
-   608532
-   Southwest, Singapore
-
-   ...
-
-   ```
-
-   on every run of s+ow, the first group of lines will be consumed, and the file will be
-   updated with the remaining lines. if the file is empty, it will be deleted.
-
-## bridges
-
-there are two “official” bridges for s+ow:
-
-- [spow-whatsapp-bridge](https://github.com/markjoshwel/spow-whatsapp-bridge)
-- [spow-telegram-bridge](https://github.com/markjoshwel/spow-telegram-bridge)
-
-bridges can be located anywhere, as long as they are reachable by the shell s+ow is
-running in.
-
-s+ow will run the bridges through definitions in in `$HOME/.s+ow-bridges`.
-each line of `$HOME/.s+ow-bridges` is evaluated as a shell command, and is piped
-`SPOW_TARGETS`.
-
-> [!WARNING]  
-> s+ow uses the `read` command to read the file. as such, it is possible for s+ow to
-> prematurely stop reading the file if the file does not contain a trailing newline.
-
-### bring your own bridge
-
-custom bridges are relatively easy as they are:
-
-1. an executable or script
-
-2. that reads `SPOW_TARGETS` (see [usage](#usage)) from stdin
-
-   - bridges should account for the possibility of comma and space (`, ` instead of just
-     `,`) delimited targets, and strip each target of preceding and trailing whitespace.
-
-   - bridges should recognise a platform based on a prefix  
-     (e.g. `wa:` for WhatsApp, `tg:` for Telegram, etc.)
-
-   - bridges do not need to account for the possibility of multiple lines sent to stdin.
-
-3. reads `SPOW_MESSAGE` (`~/.cache/spow/message`) for the message content
-
-notes:
-
-1. stderr and stdout are redirected to s+ow’s error and output logs respectively.
-2. any errors encountered by the bridge should always result in a non-zero return.  
-   error logs will show the exact error code, so feel free to use other numbers than 1.
-3. persistent data such as credentials and session data storage are to be handled by the
-   bridge itself.  
-   consider storing them in `$HOME/.local/share/<bridge-name>/`, or similar.
-
-## licence
-
-surplus on wheels is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
-for more information, please refer to [UNLICENCE](/UNLICENCE) or <http://unlicense.org/>.
+see <https://surplus.joshwel.co/onwheels/>
+or [/docs/onwheels/index.md](../../docs/onwheels/index.md)
+for more information and documentation
diff --git a/src/surplus-on-wheels/install.sh b/src/surplus-on-wheels/install.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..951cac8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surplus-on-wheels/install.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# surplus on wheels: termux installation script
+set -e
+
+# get packages
+yes | pkg upgrade
+yes | pkg install python cronie termux-api termux-services wget
+
+# install pipx and surplus
+pip install pipx
+pipx install surplus
+
+# install s+ow
+mkdir -p ~/.local/bin/
+if ping -c 1 surplus.joshwel.co ; then
+	wget -O ~/.local/bin/s+ow https://surplus.joshwel.co/spow.sh
+else
+	wget -O ~/.local/bin/s+ow https://raw.githubusercontent.com/markjoshwel/surplus/main/src/surplus-on-wheels/s+ow
+fi
+chmod +x ~/.local/bin/s+ow
+
+# setup path
+echo "export PATH=\$PATH:\$HOME/.local/bin/" >> ~/.profile
+
+printf "
+----- done! -----
+
+if you're going to set a cron job up:
+
+	1. restart termux
+	2. run crontab -e
+	3. add \"59 * * * *      bash -l -c \"(SPOW_TARGETS="" SPOW_CRON=y s+ow)\"\"
+	   (remember to minimally fill in the SPOW_TARGETS variable)
+
+else, surplus on wheels has been set up!
+
+"
diff --git a/src/surplus-on-wheels/s+ow b/src/surplus-on-wheels/s+ow
index 9e3ef5b..4e447c1 100644
--- a/src/surplus-on-wheels/s+ow
+++ b/src/surplus-on-wheels/s+ow
@@ -2,10 +2,38 @@
 
 # surplus on wheels (s+ow) - a pure shell script to run surplus with mdtest using the termux-api
 # ------------------------
-# public domain, unlicence
+# This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+#
+# Anyone is free to copy, modify, publish, use, compile, sell, or
+# distribute this software, either in source code form or as a compiled
+# binary, for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, and by any
+# means.
+#
+# In jurisdictions that recognize copyright laws, the author or authors
+# of this software dedicate any and all copyright interest in the
+# software to the public domain. We make this dedication for the benefit
+# of the public at large and to the detriment of our heirs and
+# successors. We intend this dedication to be an overt act of
+# relinquishment in perpetuity of all present and future rights to this
+# software under copyright law.
+#
+# THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
+# EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF
+# MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT.
+# IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR
+# OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE,
+# ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR
+# OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+#
+# For more information, please refer to <http://unlicense.org/>
+
+SURPLUS_CMD_DEFAULT="surplus -td"
+SURPLUS_CMD=${SURPLUS_CMD:-$SURPLUS_CMD_DEFAULT}
+LOCATION_CMD_DEFAULT="termux-location"
+LOCATION_CMD=${LOCATION_CMD:-$LOCATION_CMD_DEFAULT}
 
 # shellcheck disable=SC2059
-LOCATION_FALLBACK="%d%d%d\nSingapore?"
+LOCATION_FALLBACK=${LOCATION_FALLBACK:-"%d%d%d\nSingapore?"}
 # shellcheck disable=SC2269
 LOCATION_PRIORITISE_NETWORK="$LOCATION_PRIORITISE_NETWORK"
 LOCATION_TIMEOUT=${LOCATION_TIMEOUT:-50}
@@ -15,17 +43,18 @@ SPOW_TARGETS="$SPOW_TARGETS"
 SPOW_CACHE_DIR="$HOME/.cache/s+ow"
 SPOW_BRIDGES="$HOME/.s+ow-bridges"
 SPOW_CRON=${SPOW_CRON:-n}
+SPOW_PRIVATE=${SPOW_PRIVATE:-n}
 
 # per-tool session logs
-SPOW_NETLC_OUT="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/location.net.json"
-SPOW_GPSLC_OUT="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/location.gps.json"
-SPOW_LOCTN_OUT="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/location.json"
-SPOW_SPLUS_OUT="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/surplus.out.log"
-SPOW_SPLUS_ERR="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/surplus.err.log"
+SPOW_NETLC_OUT="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/location.net.json" # honours SPOW_PRIVATE (cleared after use)
+SPOW_GPSLC_OUT="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/location.gps.json" # honours SPOW_PRIVATE (cleared after use)
+SPOW_LOCTN_OUT="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/location.json"     # honours SPOW_PRIVATE (cleared after use)
+SPOW_SPLUS_OUT="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/surplus.out.log"   # honours SPOW_PRIVATE (cleared after use)
+SPOW_SPLUS_ERR="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/surplus.err.log"   # honours SPOW_PRIVATE (set to /dev/null + cleared after use)
 
 # per-session collated logs
-SPOW_SESH_OUT="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/out.log"
-SPOW_SESH_ERR="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/err.log"
+SPOW_SESH_OUT="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/out.log" # honours SPOW_PRIVATE (set to /dev/null)
+SPOW_SESH_ERR="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/err.log" # honours SPOW_PRIVATE (set to /dev/null)
 
 # per-week collated logs
 SPOW_WEEK_PRE="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/$(date +%Y)W$(date +"%V")"
@@ -36,7 +65,7 @@ SPOW_WEEK_ERR="$SPOW_WEEK_PRE.err.log"
 SPOW_LAST_OUT="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/last"
 
 # message to be sent
-SPOW_MESSAGE="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/message"
+SPOW_MESSAGE="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/message" # honours SPOW_PRIVATE (cleared after use)
 
 # list of fakes
 SPOW_FAKE_OUT="$SPOW_CACHE_DIR/fake"
@@ -51,14 +80,31 @@ if [ "$SPOW_CRON" = "n" ]; then
 	SPOW_CRON=""
 fi
 
-# ensure commands exist
-if ! command -v termux-location >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-	printf "s+ow: error: termux-location is not installed.\ninstall it with 'pkg install termux-api' and with installing the termux:api app from the play store or f-droid.\n"
-	exit 1
+# check if running in 'private' mode
+if [ "$SPOW_PRIVATE" = "n" ]; then
+	SPOW_PRIVATE=""
 fi
 
-if ! command -v surplus >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-	printf "s+ow: error: surplus is not installed.\ninstall it with 'pip install https://github.com/markjoshwel/surplus/releases/latest/download/surplus-latest-py3-none-any.whl'\n"
+# extract command names for checking
+TERMUX_EXE=$(echo "$TERMUX_CMD" | awk '{print $1}')
+SURPLUS_EXE=$(echo "$SURPLUS_CMD" | awk '{print $1}')
+
+# ensure commands exist
+if ! command -v "$SURPLUS_EXE" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+	if [ "$SURPLUS_EXE" = "surplus" ]; then
+		printf "s+ow: error: surplus is not installed.\ninstall it with 'pip install surplus'. see <https://surplus.joshwel.co> for more information.\n"
+	else
+		printf "s+ow: error: custom surplus command '%s' is not accessible" "$SURPLUS_EXE"
+	fi
+	exit 2
+fi
+
+if ! command -v "$TERMUX_EXE" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+	if [ "$TERMUX_EXE" = $LOCATION_CMD_DEFAULT ]; then
+		printf "s+ow: error: termux-location is not installed.\ninstall it with 'pkg install termux-api' and with installing the termux:api app from the play store or f-droid.\n"
+	else
+		printf "s+ow: error: custom location command '%s' is not accessible" "$TERMUX_EXE"
+	fi
 	exit 1
 fi
 
@@ -74,6 +120,13 @@ touch "$SPOW_NETLC_OUT" "$SPOW_GPSLC_OUT" "$SPOW_LOCTN_OUT" \
 	"$SPOW_WEEK_OUT" "$SPOW_WEEK_ERR" \
 	"$SPOW_BRIDGES" "$SPOW_FAKE_OUT"
 
+# disable logs if private
+if [ -n "$SPOW_PRIVATE" ]; then
+	SPOW_SESH_OUT="/dev/null"
+	SPOW_SESH_ERR="/dev/null"
+	SPOW_SPLUS_ERR="/dev/null"
+fi
+
 # 0 is nominal
 # 1 is an termux-location error
 # 2 is a surplus error
@@ -86,7 +139,7 @@ bridge_returns=""
 locate() {
 	# spawn termux-location processes
 	(
-		termux-location -p "network" >"$SPOW_NETLC_OUT"
+		$LOCATION_CMD -p "network" >"$SPOW_NETLC_OUT"
 		if [ -s "$SPOW_NETLC_OUT" ]; then
 			printf "net" | tee -a "$SPOW_SESH_ERR"
 		else
@@ -97,7 +150,7 @@ locate() {
 	tl_net_pid="$!"
 	sleep 1
 	(
-		termux-location -p "gps" >"$SPOW_GPSLC_OUT"
+		$LOCATION_CMD -p "gps" >"$SPOW_GPSLC_OUT"
 		if [ -s "$SPOW_GPSLC_OUT" ]; then
 			printf "gps" | tee -a "$SPOW_SESH_ERR"
 		else
@@ -108,7 +161,7 @@ locate() {
 	tl_gps_pid="$!"
 
 	# wait until timeout or both finished
-	printf "running termux-location" | tee -a "$SPOW_SESH_ERR"
+	printf "running '%s'" "$LOCATION_CMD" | tee -a "$SPOW_SESH_ERR"
 	while [ "$LOCATION_TIMEOUT" -gt 0 ]; do
 		# get process statuses
 		kill -0 "$tl_net_pid" >/dev/null 2>&1
@@ -121,7 +174,7 @@ locate() {
 			break
 		fi
 
-		# exception: if network is proritised: just use that
+		# exception: if network is prioritised: just use that
 		if [ "$tl_net_status" -eq 1 ] && [ -n "$LOCATION_PRIORITISE_NETWORK" ]; then
 			# break only if theres an actual response
 			if [ -s "$SPOW_NETLC_OUT" ]; then
@@ -179,7 +232,7 @@ locate() {
 }
 
 gensharetext() {
-	surplus -td "$1" >"$SPOW_SPLUS_OUT" 2>"$SPOW_SPLUS_ERR"
+	$SURPLUS_CMD "$1" >"$SPOW_SPLUS_OUT" 2>"$SPOW_SPLUS_ERR"
 	ret="$?"
 	cat "$SPOW_SPLUS_OUT" >>"$SPOW_SESH_OUT"
 	cat "$SPOW_SPLUS_ERR" >>"$SPOW_SESH_ERR"
@@ -237,7 +290,7 @@ send() {
 		done <"$SPOW_FAKE_OUT"
 
 		if [ -n "$fake_first" ]; then
-			printf "$fake_rest\n" >"$SPOW_FAKE_OUT"
+			printf "%s\n" "$fake_rest" >"$SPOW_FAKE_OUT"
 		fi
 	fi
 
@@ -283,7 +336,7 @@ send() {
 			fi
 		done <"$SPOW_BRIDGES"
 	else
-		printf "s+ow: warning: no '$SPOW_BRIDGES' file; message is not sent.\n"
+		printf "s+ow: warning: no '%s' file; message is not sent.\n" "$SPOW_BRIDGES"
 		termux-notification \
 			--priority "default" \
 			--title "surplus on wheels: No bridges" \
@@ -341,7 +394,7 @@ run() {
 		notify "Waiting for the 30th second to pass..."
 		printf "waiting for the 30th second to pass...\n"
 		while [ "$(date +'%S')" -lt 30 ]; do
-			printf "  $(date)\n"
+			printf "  %s\n" "$(date)"
 			sleep 1
 		done
 		printf "proceeding\n"
@@ -352,7 +405,7 @@ run() {
 	# termux-location
 	location=""
 	for locate_run in 1 2 3; do # run three times in case :p
-		notify "Running termux-location" "$locate_run"
+		notify "Running '%s'" "$LOCATION_CMD" "$locate_run"
 
 		if [ "$locate_run" -gt "1" ]; then
 			LOCATION_TIMEOUT=75 locate
@@ -371,14 +424,20 @@ run() {
 		fi
 	done
 
+	if [ -n "$SPOW_PRIVATE" ]; then
+		cat /dev/null >"$SPOW_GPSLC_OUT"
+		cat /dev/null >"$SPOW_NETLC_OUT"
+		cat /dev/null >"$SPOW_LOCTN_OUT"
+	fi
+
 	time_locate_end="$(date +%s)"
 	time_locate=$((time_locate_end - time_locate_start))
 
 	time_surplus_start="$(date +%s)"
 
 	# surplus
-	printf "running surplus... "
-	notify "Running surplus -td $location"
+	printf "running '%s'... " "$SURPLUS_CMD"
+	notify "Running $SURPLUS_CMD $location"
 	if [ "$status" -eq 0 ]; then
 		if gensharetext "$location"; then
 			# surplus ran nominally
@@ -402,7 +461,7 @@ run() {
 		notify "Waiting for the new hour..."
 		printf "waiting until the new hour...\n"
 		while [ "$(date +'%M')" -eq 59 ]; do
-			printf "  $(date)\n"
+			printf "  %s\n" "$(date)"
 			sleep 1
 		done
 		printf "proceeding\n"
@@ -410,12 +469,13 @@ run() {
 
 	time_sendmsg_start="$(date +%s)"
 
-	# mdtest/send message
+	# send message
 	printf "sending message(s)... "
 	notify "Sending message(s)"
-	sent_type=0 # 0 for freshly made sharetext
+	# 0 for freshly made sharetext
 	# 1 for recycling a last location
 	# 2 for using fallback template
+	sent_type=0
 	bridge_failures=0
 	sharetext=""
 	send_error_notif=false
@@ -436,9 +496,9 @@ run() {
 
 		else
 			# no last location, use fallback
+			sent_type=2
 			# shellcheck disable=SC2059
 			sharetext="$(printf "$LOCATION_FALLBACK" "$status" "$locate_run" "$sent_type")"
-			sent_type=2
 			printf "using fallback... \n"
 
 		fi
@@ -451,6 +511,13 @@ run() {
 		send_error_notif=true
 	fi
 
+	# delete s+ logs
+	if [ -n "$SPOW_PRIVATE" ]; then
+		cat /dev/null >"$SPOW_SPLUS_OUT"
+		cat /dev/null >"$SPOW_SPLUS_ERR"
+		cat /dev/null >"$SPOW_MESSAGE"
+	fi
+
 	time_sendmsg_end="$(date +%s)"
 	time_sendmsg=$((time_sendmsg_end - time_sendmsg_start))
 
@@ -475,7 +542,7 @@ run() {
 
 if [ -z "$SPOW_TARGETS" ]; then
 	echo "s+ow: error: SPOW_TARGETS are not set"
-	exit 1
+	exit 3
 fi
 run
 
diff --git a/src/surplus-on-wheels/termux-s+ow-setup b/src/surplus-on-wheels/termux-s+ow-setup
deleted file mode 100644
index b43924a..0000000
--- a/src/surplus-on-wheels/termux-s+ow-setup
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/sh
-set -e
-
-# get packages
-yes | pkg upgrade
-yes | pkg install python cronie termux-api termux-services wget
-
-# install pipx
-pip install pipx
-
-# install surplus
-pipx install https://github.com/markjoshwel/surplus/releases/latest/download/surplus-latest-py3-none-any.whl
-
-# install s+ow
-mkdir -p ~/.local/bin/
-curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/markjoshwel/surplus-on-wheels/main/s+ow > ~/.local/bin/s+ow
-chmod +x ~/.local/bin/s+ow
-
-# setup path
-echo "export PATH=\$PATH:\$HOME/.local/bin/" >> ~/.profile
-
-printf "\ndone\n"
diff --git a/src/surplus-on-wheels/termux-s+ow-setup-cron b/src/surplus-on-wheels/termux-s+ow-setup-cron
deleted file mode 100644
index 2c2adef..0000000
--- a/src/surplus-on-wheels/termux-s+ow-setup-cron
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/sh
-
-# enable cron service and add to crontab
-sv-enable crond
-printf "59 * * * *\tSPOW_TARGETS=\"\" SPOW_CRON=y ~/.local/bin/s+ow\n" > s+ow.cron
-crontab s+ow.cron
-rm s+ow.cron
-
-# open editor
-crontab -e
-
-printf "\ndone\n"
diff --git a/src/surplus-on-wheels/test.sh b/src/surplus-on-wheels/test.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..104ed91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surplus-on-wheels/test.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+SURPLUS_CMD_DEFAULT="surplus    --debugp -tp"
+SURPLUS_CMD=${SURPLUS_CMD:-$SURPLUS_CMD_DEFAULT}
+
+# parse SURPLUS_CMD to see if "-p" or "--private" is in the args
+set -f
+# shellcheck disable=SC2086
+set -- $SURPLUS_CMD
+for arg; do
+    case "$arg" in
+        --private)
+            echo YAY
+            break
+            ;;
+        --*)
+            ;;
+        -*)
+            if echo "$arg" | grep -q "p"; then
+                echo YAY
+                break
+            fi
+            ;;
+    esac
+done
+set +f