diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b86185
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+/kissy
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b3fbc1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+CC := gcc
+CFLAGS := -O2 -pipe -Wall -Wextra
+INSTALL := install
+PREFIX := /usr/local
+BINDIR := bin
+
+.PHONY: all
+all: kissy
+
+kissy: kissy.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -o kissy kissy.c
+
+.PHONY: install
+install:
+	$(INSTALL) -Dm2755 -oroot -gtty -s kissy $(DESTDIR)$(PREFIX)/$(BINDIR)/kissy
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f kissy
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index bb715d1..a052f0d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ Ever wanted to kiss girls through a tty? Well now you can!
 - run `sudo chown root:tty /path/to/kissy` (or whatever ownership it's supposed to have)
 - run `sudo chmod 2755 /path/to/kissy` (or whatever permissions work for you. has to run with setgid)
 
+- alternatively, build kissy from source using `make` then `sudo make install`
+
 ### Usage:
 `kissy [target] <message>`
 
@@ -18,4 +20,4 @@ Have fun girlkissing! :3
 
 ## License
 
-This project is licensed with [GPLv3](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.txt)
\ No newline at end of file
+This project is licensed with [GPLv3](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.txt)
diff --git a/kissy.c b/kissy.c
index 5167a5b..87f5cd7 100644
--- a/kissy.c
+++ b/kissy.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// KISSY (Kissing Interface for Sapphic Smooching over ttY) v1.1
+// KISSY (Kissing Interface for Sapphic Smooching over ttY) v1.2
 
 /*
     Copyright (C) 2025  Magdalunaa <magdalunaa@linuxposting.xyz>
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <pwd.h>
 #include <stdbool.h>
+#include <ctype.h>
 
 // mreowww meow nya :3
 
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ int main (int argc, char **argv) {
         printf("%s\n", "Cannot find target");
         return 1;
     }
-    int target = pw->pw_uid;
+    uid_t target = pw->pw_uid;
 
     // get current username
     struct passwd *pw2 = getpwuid(getuid());
@@ -64,17 +65,26 @@ int main (int argc, char **argv) {
     char* user = pw2->pw_name;
 
     // if we have a second argument, set a custom kiss message
-    char* kiss;
-    if (argc >= 3)
-        kiss = argv[2];
-    else
-        kiss = "*mwah*";
-
+    char kiss[32] = "*mwah*";
+    if (argc >= 3) {
+        int len = strlen(argv[2]);
+        int written_chars = 0;
+        for (int i = 0; i < len; i++) {
+            if (written_chars >= 31) {
+                kiss[31] = '\0';
+                break;
+            };
+            if (iscntrl(argv[2][i])) continue;
+            kiss[i] = argv[2][i];
+            written_chars++;
+        }
+    }
+    
     bool kissed = false;
     // iterate over all files in directory
     DIR *dir = opendir("/dev/pts");
     while (1) {
-        struct dirent *ent = readdir (dir);
+        struct dirent *ent = readdir(dir);
         if (ent == NULL)
             break;
         
@@ -90,10 +100,10 @@ int main (int argc, char **argv) {
             kissed = true;
 
             if (stats.st_gid != getegid()) { // are we running as the tty user?
-                printf("%s\n", "Mismatch between file owner group and current effective group. Make sure this program is running with setgid.");
+                fprintf(stderr, "%s\n", "Mismatch between file owner group and current effective group. Make sure this program is running with setgid.");
             } else {
                 FILE *tty = fopen(filepath, "a"); // write to terminal!
-                fprintf(tty, "\n%s\n--%s\n", kiss, user);
+                fprintf(tty, "\a\n%s\n--%s\n", kiss, user);
                 fclose(tty);
             }
         }
@@ -101,5 +111,5 @@ int main (int argc, char **argv) {
 
     // print a message if a suitable terminal couldn't be found
     if (!kissed)
-            printf("%s\n", "Couldn't find any suitable terminals. User is not logged in or has not enabled messages.");
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+        fprintf(stderr, "%s\n", "Couldn't find any suitable terminals. User is not logged in or has not enabled messages.");    
+}