diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 13415d5..d78f810 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 !.gitignore
 !README.org
 !init.el
+!straight-boot.el
 !install_deps
 
 # track versions of installed packages
@@ -23,4 +24,4 @@ local/*
 
 !.github
 
-*.elc
\ No newline at end of file
+*.elc
diff --git a/straight-boot.el b/straight-boot.el
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b309bef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/straight-boot.el
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+;; disable automatic package updates
+(setq straight-check-for-modifications nil)
+
+;; watch for repo modifications if we have python3 and watchexec
+;; otherwise just use a save hook
+;; (setq straight-check-for-modifications
+;;       (if (and (executable-find "python3")
+;;                (executable-find "watchexec"))
+;;           '(watch-files find-when-checking)
+;;         '(check-on-save find-when-checking)))
+
+;; add pinned packages to straight
+;; (setq straight-profiles
+;;      '((nil . "default.el")
+;;        ;; Packages which are pinned to a specific commit.
+;;        (pinned . "pinned.el")))
+
+;; bootstrap straight
+(defvar bootstrap-version)
+(let ((bootstrap-file
+       (expand-file-name "straight/repos/straight.el/bootstrap.el" user-emacs-directory))
+      (bootstrap-version 5))
+  (unless (file-exists-p bootstrap-file)
+    (with-current-buffer
+        (url-retrieve-synchronously
+         "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/raxod502/straight.el/develop/install.el"
+         'silent 'inhibit-cookies)
+      (goto-char (point-max))
+      (eval-print-last-sexp)))
+  (load bootstrap-file nil 'nomessage))
+
+;; install use-package itself
+(straight-use-package 'use-package)