diff --git a/.cdb.json b/.cdb.json
index 8e256a7..36f388e 100644
--- a/.cdb.json
+++ b/.cdb.json
@@ -7,5 +7,5 @@
     "repo": "https://github.com/fluxionary/minetest-toolcap_monoids.git",
     "website": "https://github.com/fluxionary/minetest-toolcap_monoids",
     "issue_tracker": "https://github.com/fluxionary/minetest-toolcap_monoids/issues",
-    "short_description": "TODO: write a description"
+    "short_description": "an API to allow multiple sources to apply changes to a tools's capabilities."
 }
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6605d01..ee85fb3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,23 +1,23 @@
 # toolcap_monoids
 
-some standard tool_monoids.
+an API to allow multiple sources to apply changes to a tools's capabilities.
 
-* `toolcap_monoids.full_punch`
+### `toolcap_monoids.full_punch`
 
   modifies the "full punch" interval. multiplicative. values > 1 will increase time between full punches,
   < 1 will decrease the same.
 
-* `toolcap_monoids.dig_speed`
+### `toolcap_monoids.dig_speed`
 
   modifies dig times. multiplicative. values > 1 will increase dig time, < 1 will decrease dig time.
   values can also be tables mapping specific groupcaps to specific multipliers.
 
-* `toolcap_monoids.durability`
+### `toolcap_monoids.durability`
 
   modifies tool uses. multiplicative. values > 1 will increase durability, < 1 will decrease durability.
   values can also be tables mapping specific groupcaps to specific multipliers.
 
-* `toolcap_monoids.damage`
+### `toolcap_monoids.damage`
 
   modifies tool damage groups. *additive*, not multiplicative.
   values must be tables mapping damage groups to the increase (or decrease) in damage for that group.
diff --git a/mod.conf b/mod.conf
index aeda14e..e6199a6 100644
--- a/mod.conf
+++ b/mod.conf
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 name = toolcap_monoids
 title = toolcap_monoids
-description = TODO: write a description
+description = an API to allow multiple sources to apply changes to a tools's capabilities.
 website = https://content.minetest.net/packages/rheo/toolcap_monoids/
 author = flux
 license = AGPL-3.0-or-later