diff --git a/deploy.sh b/deploy.sh
index b313bf2..1ac96af 100755
--- a/deploy.sh
+++ b/deploy.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
-set -e
+set -ex
 cd "$(dirname "$0")"
 
 LATEST_GIT_COMMIT="$(cat ./.git/refs/heads/main)"
@@ -234,16 +234,13 @@ for PROJECT_CHAIN in ${DEPLOYMENT_STRING//,/ }; do
         ln -s "$PROJECT_PATH" "$REMOTE_PATH/projects/$PROJECT_NAME"
     fi
 
-    # check to see if the enf file exists. exist if not.
-    PROJECT_DEFINITION_PATH="$PROJECT_PATH/project.conf"
-    if [ ! -f "$PROJECT_DEFINITION_PATH" ]; then
+# check to see if the enf file exists. exist if not.
+PROJECT_DEFINITION_PATH="$PROJECT_PATH/project_definition"
+if [ ! -f "$PROJECT_DEFINITION_PATH" ]; then
 
-        # stub out a project.conf
-        cat >"$PROJECT_DEFINITION_PATH" <<EOL
-# see https://www.sovereign-stack.org/ss-deploy for more info.
-
-PRIMARY_DOMAIN=
-# OTHER_SITES_LIST="domain1.tld,domain2.tld,domain3.tld"
+    # stub out a project_definition
+    cat >"$PROJECT_DEFINITION_PATH" <<EOL
+#!/bin/bash
 
 WWW_SERVER_MAC_ADDRESS=
 # WWW_SERVER_CPU_COUNT="6"
@@ -255,9 +252,9 @@ BTCPAYSERVER_MAC_ADDRESS=
 
 EOL
 
-        chmod 0744 "$PROJECT_DEFINITION_PATH"
-        echo "INFO: we stubbed a new 'project.conf' for you at '$PROJECT_DEFINITION_PATH'. Go update it!"
-        echo "INFO: Learn more at https://www.sovereign-stack.org/ss-deploy/"
+    chmod 0744 "$PROJECT_DEFINITION_PATH"
+    echo "INFO: we stubbed a new project_defition for you at '$PROJECT_DEFINITION_PATH'. Go update it!"
+    echo "INFO: Learn more at https://www.sovereign-stack.org/ss-deploy/"
 
         exit 1
     fi
@@ -265,21 +262,21 @@ EOL
     # source project defition.
     source "$PROJECT_DEFINITION_PATH"
 
-    if [ -z "$PRIMARY_DOMAIN" ]; then
-        echo "ERROR: The PRIMARY_DOMAIN is not specified. Check your 'project.conf'."
-        exit 1
-    fi
+if [ -z "$PRIMARY_DOMAIN" ]; then
+    echo "ERROR: The PRIMARY_DOMAIN is not specified. Check your project_definition."
+    exit 1
+fi
 
-    if [ -z "$WWW_SERVER_MAC_ADDRESS" ]; then
-        echo "ERROR: the WWW_SERVER_MAC_ADDRESS is not specified. Check your 'project.conf'."
-        exit 1
-    fi
+if [ -z "$WWW_SERVER_MAC_ADDRESS" ]; then
+    echo "ERROR: the WWW_SERVER_MAC_ADDRESS is not specified. Check your project_definition."
+    exit 1
+fi
 
 
-    if [ -z "$BTCPAYSERVER_MAC_ADDRESS" ]; then
-        echo "ERROR: the BTCPAYSERVER_MAC_ADDRESS is not specified. Check your 'project.conf'."
-        exit 1
-    fi
+if [ -z "$BTCPAYSERVER_MAC_ADDRESS" ]; then
+    echo "ERROR: the BTCPAYSERVER_MAC_ADDRESS is not specified. Check your project_definition."
+    exit 1
+fi
 
     # the DOMAIN_LIST is a complete list of all our domains. We often iterate over this list.
     DOMAIN_LIST="${PRIMARY_DOMAIN}"
@@ -318,14 +315,14 @@ EOL
 
         export SITE_PATH="$SITES_PATH/$DOMAIN_NAME"
 
-        source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
-        source ./domain_env.sh
+    source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
+    source ./domain_env.sh
 
-        # VALIDATE THE INPUT from the ENVFILE
-        if [ -z "$DOMAIN_NAME" ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: DOMAIN_NAME not specified in your site.conf."
-            exit 1
-        fi
+    # VALIDATE THE INPUT from the ENVFILE
+    if [ -z "$DOMAIN_NAME" ]; then
+        echo "ERROR: DOMAIN_NAME not specified in your site.conf."
+        exit 1
+    fi
 
         # create the lxc project as specified by PROJECT_NAME
         if ! lxc project list | grep -q "$PROJECT_NAME"; then
diff --git a/www/generate_certs.sh b/www/generate_certs.sh
index 187073c..89d5ef5 100755
--- a/www/generate_certs.sh
+++ b/www/generate_certs.sh
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ for DOMAIN_NAME in ${DOMAIN_LIST//,/ }; do
 
     # source the site path so we know what features it has.
     source ../../../defaults.sh
-    source "$SITE_PATH/site_definition"
+    source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
     source ../domain_env.sh
 
     # with the lxd side, we are trying to expose ALL OUR services from one IP address, which terminates
diff --git a/www/go.sh b/www/go.sh
index ea5f5b9..8e1138d 100755
--- a/www/go.sh
+++ b/www/go.sh
@@ -19,52 +19,52 @@ for DOMAIN_NAME in ${DOMAIN_LIST//,/ }; do
 
     # source the site path so we know what features it has.
     source ../../../defaults.sh
-    source "$SITE_PATH/site_definition"
+    source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
     source ../domain_env.sh
 
     ### Let's check to ensure all the requiredsettings are set.
     if [ "$DEPLOY_GHOST" = true ]; then
         if [ -z "$GHOST_MYSQL_PASSWORD" ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: Ensure GHOST_MYSQL_PASSWORD is configured in your site_definition."
+            echo "ERROR: Ensure GHOST_MYSQL_PASSWORD is configured in your site.conf."
             exit 1
         fi
 
         if [ -z "$GHOST_MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD" ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: Ensure GHOST_MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD is configured in your site_definition."
+            echo "ERROR: Ensure GHOST_MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD is configured in your site.conf."
             exit 1
         fi
     fi
 
     if [ "$DEPLOY_GITEA" = true ]; then
         if [ -z "$GITEA_MYSQL_PASSWORD" ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: Ensure GITEA_MYSQL_PASSWORD is configured in your site_definition."
+            echo "ERROR: Ensure GITEA_MYSQL_PASSWORD is configured in your site.conf."
             exit 1
         fi
         if [ -z "$GITEA_MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD" ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: Ensure GITEA_MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD is configured in your site_definition."
+            echo "ERROR: Ensure GITEA_MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD is configured in your site.conf."
             exit 1
         fi
     fi
 
     if [ "$DEPLOY_NEXTCLOUD" = true ]; then
         if [ -z "$NEXTCLOUD_MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD" ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: Ensure NEXTCLOUD_MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD is configured in your site_definition."
+            echo "ERROR: Ensure NEXTCLOUD_MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD is configured in your site.conf."
             exit 1
         fi
 
         if [ -z "$NEXTCLOUD_MYSQL_PASSWORD" ]; then
-            echo "ERROR: Ensure NEXTCLOUD_MYSQL_PASSWORD is configured in your site_definition."
+            echo "ERROR: Ensure NEXTCLOUD_MYSQL_PASSWORD is configured in your site.conf."
             exit 1
         fi
     fi
 
     if [ -z "$DUPLICITY_BACKUP_PASSPHRASE" ]; then
-        echo "ERROR: Ensure DUPLICITY_BACKUP_PASSPHRASE is configured in your site_definition."
+        echo "ERROR: Ensure DUPLICITY_BACKUP_PASSPHRASE is configured in your site.conf."
         exit 1
     fi
 
     if [ -z "$DOMAIN_NAME" ]; then
-        echo "ERROR: Ensure DOMAIN_NAME is configured in your site_definition."
+        echo "ERROR: Ensure DOMAIN_NAME is configured in your site.conf."
         exit 1
     fi
 
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ if [ "$RESTART_FRONT_END" = true ]; then
 
         # source the site path so we know what features it has.
         source ../../../defaults.sh
-        source "$SITE_PATH/site_definition"
+        source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
         source ../domain_env.sh
 
         # these variable are used by both backup/restore scripts.
diff --git a/www/stop_docker_stacks.sh b/www/stop_docker_stacks.sh
index b5f48e6..95b8817 100755
--- a/www/stop_docker_stacks.sh
+++ b/www/stop_docker_stacks.sh
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ for DOMAIN_NAME in ${DOMAIN_LIST//,/ }; do
 
     # source the site path so we know what features it has.
     source ../../../defaults.sh
-    source "$SITE_PATH/site_definition"
+    source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
     source ../domain_env.sh
 
     ### Stop all services.
diff --git a/www/stub/ghost_yml.sh b/www/stub/ghost_yml.sh
index e0683fb..15782bf 100755
--- a/www/stub/ghost_yml.sh
+++ b/www/stub/ghost_yml.sh
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@ for DOMAIN_NAME in ${DOMAIN_LIST//,/ }; do
 
     # source the site path so we know what features it has.
     source ../../../../defaults.sh
-    source "$SITE_PATH/site_definition"
+    source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
     source ../../domain_env.sh
 
-    # for each language specified in the site_definition, we spawn a separate ghost container
+    # for each language specified in the site.conf, we spawn a separate ghost container
     # at https://www.domain.com/$LANGUAGE_CODE
     for LANGUAGE_CODE in ${SITE_LANGUAGE_CODES//,/ }; do
 
diff --git a/www/stub/gitea_yml.sh b/www/stub/gitea_yml.sh
index 910b27c..2922902 100755
--- a/www/stub/gitea_yml.sh
+++ b/www/stub/gitea_yml.sh
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ for DOMAIN_NAME in ${DOMAIN_LIST//,/ }; do
 
     # source the site path so we know what features it has.
     source ../../../../defaults.sh
-    source "$SITE_PATH/site_definition"
+    source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
     source ../../domain_env.sh
 
     if [ "$DEPLOY_GITEA" = true ]; then
diff --git a/www/stub/nextcloud_yml.sh b/www/stub/nextcloud_yml.sh
index c3d9ed4..275f5db 100755
--- a/www/stub/nextcloud_yml.sh
+++ b/www/stub/nextcloud_yml.sh
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ for DOMAIN_NAME in ${DOMAIN_LIST//,/ }; do
 
     # source the site path so we know what features it has.
     source ../../../../defaults.sh
-    source "$SITE_PATH/site_definition"
+    source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
     source ../../domain_env.sh
 
     # ensure remote directories exist
diff --git a/www/stub/nginx_config.sh b/www/stub/nginx_config.sh
index fe5e98c..1f1f5bc 100755
--- a/www/stub/nginx_config.sh
+++ b/www/stub/nginx_config.sh
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ for DOMAIN_NAME in ${DOMAIN_LIST//,/ }; do
     
     # source the site path so we know what features it has.
     source ../../../../defaults.sh
-    source "$SITE_PATH/site_definition"
+    source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
     source ../../domain_env.sh
 
     if [ $iteration = 0 ]; then
diff --git a/www/stub/nginx_yml.sh b/www/stub/nginx_yml.sh
index 3655372..16db749 100755
--- a/www/stub/nginx_yml.sh
+++ b/www/stub/nginx_yml.sh
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ EOL
 
         # source the site path so we know what features it has.
         source ../../../../defaults.sh
-        source "$SITE_PATH/site_definition"
+        source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
         source ../../domain_env.sh
 
 
@@ -97,10 +97,10 @@ EOL
 
         # source the site path so we know what features it has.
         source ../../../../defaults.sh
-        source "$SITE_PATH/site_definition"
+        source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
         source ../../domain_env.sh
 
-        # for each language specified in the site_definition, we spawn a separate ghost container
+        # for each language specified in the site.conf, we spawn a separate ghost container
         # at https://www.domain.com/$LANGUAGE_CODE
         for LANGUAGE_CODE in ${SITE_LANGUAGE_CODES//,/ }; do
             cat >> "$DOCKER_YAML_PATH" <<EOL
diff --git a/www/stub/nostr_yml.sh b/www/stub/nostr_yml.sh
index c9cedb2..5488cc2 100755
--- a/www/stub/nostr_yml.sh
+++ b/www/stub/nostr_yml.sh
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ for DOMAIN_NAME in ${DOMAIN_LIST//,/ }; do
 
     # source the site path so we know what features it has.
     source ../../../../defaults.sh
-    source "$SITE_PATH/site_definition"
+    source "$SITE_PATH/site.conf"
     source ../../domain_env.sh
 
     if [ -n "$NOSTR_ACCOUNT_PUBKEY" ]; then