diff --git a/cmd/cheat/main.go b/cmd/cheat/main.go
index c608d73..a696200 100755
--- a/cmd/cheat/main.go
+++ b/cmd/cheat/main.go
@@ -59,7 +59,6 @@ func main() {
 	// search for the config file in the above paths
 	confpath, err := config.Path(confpaths)
 	if err != nil {
-
 		// prompt the user to create a config file
 		yes, err := installer.Prompt(
 			"A config file was not found. Would you like to create one now? [Y/n]",
@@ -75,10 +74,21 @@ func main() {
 			os.Exit(0)
 		}
 
-		// determine the correct paths for the config file and (optional) community
-		// cheatsheet download
-		confpath  = confpaths[0]
-		confdir  := path.Dir(confpath)
+		// read the config template
+		configs := configs()
+
+		// determine the appropriate paths for config data and (optional) community
+		// cheatsheets based on the user's platform
+		confpath = confpaths[0]
+		confdir := path.Dir(confpath)
+
+		// create paths for community and personal cheatsheets
+		community := path.Join(confdir, "/cheatsheets/community")
+		personal := path.Join(confdir, "/cheatsheets/personal")
+
+		// template the above paths into the default configs
+		configs = strings.Replace(configs, "COMMUNITY_PATH", community, -1)
+		configs = strings.Replace(configs, "PERSONAL_PATH", personal, -1)
 
 		// prompt the user to download the community cheatsheets
 		yes, err = installer.Prompt(
@@ -92,16 +102,13 @@ func main() {
 
 		// clone the community cheatsheets if so instructed
 		if yes {
-
 			// clone the community cheatsheets
-			community := path.Join(confdir, "/cheatsheets/community")
 			if err := installer.Clone(community); err != nil {
 				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "failed to create config: %v\n", err)
 				os.Exit(1)
 			}
 
-			// create a directory for personal cheatsheets too
-			personal := path.Join(confdir, "/cheatsheets/personal")
+			// also create a directory for personal cheatsheets
 			if err := os.MkdirAll(personal, os.ModePerm); err != nil {
 				fmt.Fprintf(
 					os.Stderr,
@@ -113,7 +120,7 @@ func main() {
 		}
 
 		// the config file does not exist, so we'll try to create one
-		if err = config.Init(confpath, configs()); err != nil {
+		if err = config.Init(confpath, configs); err != nil {
 			fmt.Fprintf(
 				os.Stderr,
 				"failed to create config file: %s: %v\n",
diff --git a/cmd/cheat/str_config.go b/cmd/cheat/str_config.go
index 0cfaf5b..6cfcd2a 100644
--- a/cmd/cheat/str_config.go
+++ b/cmd/cheat/str_config.go
@@ -41,33 +41,34 @@ cheatpaths:
   # thus be overridden by more local cheatsheets. That being the case, you
   # should probably list community cheatsheets first.
   #
-  # Note that the paths and tags listed below are just examples. You may freely
+  # Note that the paths and tags listed below are placeholders. You may freely
   # change them to suit your needs.
   #
-  # TODO: regarding community cheatsheets: these must be installed separately.
-  # You may download them here:
+  # Community cheatsheets must be installed separately, though you may have
+  # downloaded them automatically when installing 'cheat'. If not, you may
+  # download them here:
   #
   # https://github.com/cheat/cheatsheets
   #
   # Once downloaded, ensure that 'path' below points to the location at which
   # you downloaded the community cheatsheets.
   - name: community
-    path: ~/.config/cheat/cheatsheets/community
+    path: COMMUNITY_PATH
     tags: [ community ]
     readonly: true
 
   # If you have personalized cheatsheets, list them last. They will take
   # precedence over the more global cheatsheets.
   - name: personal
-    path: ~/.config/cheat/cheatsheets/personal
+    path: PERSONAL_PATH
     tags: [ personal ]
     readonly: false
 
-  # While it requires no specific configuration here, it's also worth noting
-  # that 'cheat' will automatically append directories named '.cheat' within
-  # the current working directory to the 'cheatpath'. This can be very useful
-  # if you'd like to closely associate cheatsheets with, for example, a
-  # directory containing source code.
+  # While it requires no configuration here, it's also worth noting that
+  # 'cheat' will automatically append directories named '.cheat' within the
+  # current working directory to the 'cheatpath'. This can be very useful if
+  # you'd like to closely associate cheatsheets with, for example, a directory
+  # containing source code.
   #
   # Such "directory-scoped" cheatsheets will be treated as the most "local"
   # cheatsheets, and will override less "local" cheatsheets. Likewise,
diff --git a/configs/conf.yml b/configs/conf.yml
index c4ee6ff..a622d3e 100644
--- a/configs/conf.yml
+++ b/configs/conf.yml
@@ -32,33 +32,34 @@ cheatpaths:
   # thus be overridden by more local cheatsheets. That being the case, you
   # should probably list community cheatsheets first.
   #
-  # Note that the paths and tags listed below are just examples. You may freely
+  # Note that the paths and tags listed below are placeholders. You may freely
   # change them to suit your needs.
   #
-  # TODO: regarding community cheatsheets: these must be installed separately.
-  # You may download them here:
+  # Community cheatsheets must be installed separately, though you may have
+  # downloaded them automatically when installing 'cheat'. If not, you may
+  # download them here:
   #
   # https://github.com/cheat/cheatsheets
   #
   # Once downloaded, ensure that 'path' below points to the location at which
   # you downloaded the community cheatsheets.
   - name: community
-    path: ~/.config/cheat/cheatsheets/community
+    path: COMMUNITY_PATH
     tags: [ community ]
     readonly: true
 
   # If you have personalized cheatsheets, list them last. They will take
   # precedence over the more global cheatsheets.
   - name: personal
-    path: ~/.config/cheat/cheatsheets/personal
+    path: PERSONAL_PATH
     tags: [ personal ]
     readonly: false
 
-  # While it requires no specific configuration here, it's also worth noting
-  # that 'cheat' will automatically append directories named '.cheat' within
-  # the current working directory to the 'cheatpath'. This can be very useful
-  # if you'd like to closely associate cheatsheets with, for example, a
-  # directory containing source code.
+  # While it requires no configuration here, it's also worth noting that
+  # 'cheat' will automatically append directories named '.cheat' within the
+  # current working directory to the 'cheatpath'. This can be very useful if
+  # you'd like to closely associate cheatsheets with, for example, a directory
+  # containing source code.
   #
   # Such "directory-scoped" cheatsheets will be treated as the most "local"
   # cheatsheets, and will override less "local" cheatsheets. Likewise,