diff --git a/.claude/settings.local.json b/.claude/settings.local.json
index 47ecc96..62be6e2 100644
--- a/.claude/settings.local.json
+++ b/.claude/settings.local.json
@@ -265,7 +265,15 @@
       "Bash(nix-instantiate --parse modules/home/rofi.nix)",
       "Bash(nix-instantiate --parse modules/home/shell.nix)",
       "Bash(command -v nix)",
-      "Bash(nix-instantiate --parse modules/home/keys.nix)"
+      "Bash(nix-instantiate --parse modules/home/keys.nix)",
+      "Bash(cp /home/bernardo/Projects/Nomarchy/modules/nixos/plymouth/logo.png /tmp/logo-orig.png)",
+      "Bash(nix run *)",
+      "Bash(cp /tmp/logo-text.png /home/bernardo/Projects/Nomarchy/.tmp-logo-preview.png)",
+      "Bash(cp /tmp/logo-text.png /home/bernardo/Projects/Nomarchy/preview-logo.png)",
+      "Bash(nix-instantiate --parse modules/nixos/plymouth.nix)",
+      "Bash(echo \"parse OK\")",
+      "Bash(echo \"=== build the plymouth theme derivation directly ===\")",
+      "Bash(nix-instantiate --parse modules/nixos/default.nix)"
     ]
   }
 }
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e124de8..56e9c68 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -316,8 +316,10 @@ close · `SUPER+1..9` workspaces · `Print` region screenshot.
   `nomarchy.osd.*`, media keys drive `swayosd-client`, themed from the JSON)
 - **Distro branding, round 2:** `distroName = "Nomarchy"` ships
   (os-release `PRETTY_NAME`, systemd-boot entries, ISO menu label).
+  ✓ tuigreet greeting (`Welcome to <distroName>`) and a branded `users.motd`
+  (doubling as a helper cheat sheet), both keyed off `distroName`.
   Remaining: `isoImage.splashImage`/`grubTheme` art for the ISO boot
-  screen, tuigreet/MOTD text, and the `distroId` question (it changes
+  screen (needs a designed asset), and the `distroId` question (it changes
   `DEFAULT_HOSTNAME` and upstream `isNixos` checks — needs a test pass;
   nixos-* CLI names stay regardless)
 - **Theme-switch feedback:** ✓ the "rebuilding…" notification is now
diff --git a/modules/nixos/default.nix b/modules/nixos/default.nix
index 6495f15..ebc9231 100644
--- a/modules/nixos/default.nix
+++ b/modules/nixos/default.nix
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@
 
 let
   cfg = config.nomarchy.system;
+  # Reused by the greeter banner and MOTD so the brand name lives in one
+  # place (system.nixos.distroName, set below).
+  distroName = config.system.nixos.distroName;
 in
 {
   imports = [ ./options.nix ./plymouth.nix ./file-manager.nix ];
@@ -20,6 +23,19 @@ in
     # DEFAULT_HOSTNAME and upstream isNixos checks (see roadmap).
     system.nixos.distroName = lib.mkDefault "Nomarchy";
 
+    # MOTD on TTY/SSH login (the desktop auto-logs into Hyprland, so this
+    # is mostly seen over SSH or on a bare console). Branded, and doubles
+    # as a cheat sheet for the distro's own helpers.
+    users.motd = lib.mkDefault ''
+
+        ${distroName} — a NixOS desktop, themed from one JSON.
+
+        sys-update                          update inputs + rebuild the system
+        home-update                         apply home/theme changes (no sudo)
+        nomarchy-theme-sync apply <theme>   switch the whole palette
+        SUPER+?                             keybindings cheatsheet
+    '';
+
     # Unfree allowed distro-wide: pragmatic-desktop territory (vendor
     # GPU/wifi drivers, firmware, fonts, …). The custom nixpkgs-config
     # type can't carry a nested mkDefault; disagree with
@@ -42,7 +58,7 @@ in
         default_session = {
           # start-hyprland is Hyprland 0.55's watchdog launcher; running
           # the bare binary makes every session print a warning.
-          command = lib.mkDefault "${pkgs.tuigreet}/bin/tuigreet --time --remember --cmd start-hyprland";
+          command = lib.mkDefault "${pkgs.tuigreet}/bin/tuigreet --time --remember --greeting 'Welcome to ${distroName}' --cmd start-hyprland";
           user = "greeter";
         };
         # Boot straight into the session once; logout → normal greeter.