diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 13f41c5..6234673 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -97,22 +97,91 @@ A lightweight Linux VM running permanently on Proxmox, pre-configured to access
 - No dependency on internet connectivity
 - Keeps file ownership intact when writing to the NFS share
 
+### Recommended OS — Alpine Linux
+
+Alpine Linux is the ideal choice for a permanently-running, lightweight emergency VM. It's the same base image used by many Docker containers, and its footprint is minimal:
+
+- Base install is around **130MB** of disk space
+- RAM usage at idle is typically **50-100MB**
+- Uses **musl libc** and **busybox** instead of heavier GNU equivalents
+- Uses **OpenRC** instead of systemd
+- Package manager (`apk`) is fast and simple
+
+### LXC Container vs Full VM
+
+Since everything is on Proxmox, Alpine works particularly well as an **LXC container** rather than a full VM, reducing overhead even further:
+
+| | LXC Container | Full VM |
+|---|---|---|
+| RAM at idle | ~20-30MB | ~100MB+ |
+| Disk footprint | Minimal | Larger |
+| Boot time | Seconds | 10-30 seconds |
+| NFS support | Yes, with minor config | Yes, standard |
+| SSH access | Identical | Identical |
+| Proxmox snapshots | Very fast | Slightly slower |
+
+> **Note:** Use a **privileged** LXC container for NFS mounts — unprivileged containers can have issues mounting NFS shares.
+
+Proxmox has Alpine available as a built-in LXC template (Datacenter → Node → local storage → CT Templates).
+
+### Proxmox LXC Suggested Specs
+
+- **RAM:** 512MB (it will rarely use more than 50MB, but this gives headroom)
+- **Disk:** 4GB (more than sufficient)
+- **Privileged container:** Yes (required for NFS)
+
+### Alpine Package Installation
+
+```bash
+apk update && apk upgrade
+
+apk add nfs-utils        # NFS client support
+apk add rsync            # File transfers
+apk add openssh          # SSH server
+apk add tmux             # Terminal multiplexer
+apk add mc               # Midnight Commander
+apk add shadow           # Needed for usermod on Alpine
+```
+
+Total footprint including all packages will remain well under 300MB.
+
+### Alpine-Specific Configuration
+
+**Enable and start NFS services:**
+```bash
+rc-update add rpcbind
+rc-update add nfsmount
+rc-service rpcbind start
+rc-service nfsmount start
+```
+
+**Enable SSH:**
+```bash
+ssh-keygen -A
+rc-update add sshd
+rc-service sshd start
+```
+
+**Note:** Alpine uses `ash` (via busybox) as its default shell rather than `bash`. The startup scripts in this guide use `#!/bin/ash` accordingly. If you prefer bash, install it with:
+```bash
+apk add bash
+```
+
 ### VM Setup Checklist
 
-1. Install a minimal Debian/Ubuntu server (no desktop environment required)
-2. Set the local user's UID to match `www-data` on the Nextcloud server (UID 33):
+1. Create Alpine LXC container in Proxmox using the built-in template
+2. Install required packages (see above)
+3. Set the local user's UID to match `www-data` on the Nextcloud server (UID 33):
    ```bash
-   sudo usermod -u 33 your-username
+   usermod -u 33 your-username
    ```
-3. Install required tools:
-   ```bash
-   sudo apt install nfs-common rsync mc tmux openssh-server
-   ```
-4. Add the NFS mount to `/etc/fstab`:
+4. Configure NFS services (see above)
+5. Add the NFS mount to `/etc/fstab`:
    ```
    nas-server:/share /mnt/nextcloud nfs _netdev,auto 0 0
    ```
-5. Take a Proxmox snapshot of the VM once configured, so you can roll back if something goes wrong during an emergency file operation.
+6. Enable and start SSH (see above)
+7. Take a Proxmox snapshot once configured, so you can roll back if something goes wrong during an emergency file operation.
 
 ---
 
@@ -149,7 +218,7 @@ mc also has a built-in SFTP client (F9 → Left/Right → SFTP link), allowing y
 
 ### tmux — Terminal Multiplexer
 
-tmux provides persistent terminal sessions and split-pane layouts, mimicking the two-panel feel of Midnight Commander while adding session resilience.
+tmux provides persistent terminal sessions and split-pane layouts. Rather than using tmux alone to display directory listings (which are static and don't update automatically), the recommended approach is to run **mc inside tmux** — giving you live-updating two-panel file browsing alongside a persistent shell pane for rsync and other commands.
 
 #### Key Benefit
 If your SSH connection drops during a large file transfer, the tmux session keeps running. Reconnect and reattach with:
@@ -170,25 +239,45 @@ tmux attach -t emergency
 | `Ctrl+b [` | Scroll mode |
 | `Ctrl+b d` | Detach (session keeps running) |
 
+#### Why Not tmux Panes Alone?
+
+A tmux layout using `ls` or `watch ls` in each pane was considered but has drawbacks:
+
+- `ls` is a one-shot command — it doesn't update as files change
+- `watch ls` updates automatically but locks the pane, requiring `Ctrl+C` before you can interact with it
+
+mc running in a tmux pane gives live directory updates and full interactivity, making it the better solution.
+
+#### Combined tmux + mc Layout
+
+```
+┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
+│  mc (two-panel, full width)          │
+│  ~/staging      │  /mnt/nextcloud    │
+│  (live)         │  (live)            │
+│                 │                    │
+├──────────────────────────────────────┤
+│  Shell pane — rsync / occ commands   │
+└──────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+mc accepts two path arguments (left panel and right panel), so it opens directly with your staging area and NFS mount side by side, both updating live.
+
 #### Emergency Session Startup Script
 
 Save as `~/emergency-session.sh` on the VM:
 
 ```bash
-#!/bin/bash
+#!/bin/ash
 tmux new-session -d -s emergency -x 220 -y 50
 
-# Left pane - staging area
-tmux send-keys -t emergency 'cd /home/user/staging && ls -lah' Enter
+# Top pane - mc with staging area on left, NFS mount on right
+tmux send-keys -t emergency 'mc /home/user/staging /mnt/nextcloud' Enter
 
-# Right pane - NFS mount
-tmux split-window -h -t emergency
-tmux send-keys -t emergency 'cd /mnt/nextcloud && ls -lah' Enter
-
-# Bottom pane - command input
+# Bottom pane - shell for rsync and other commands
 tmux split-window -v -t emergency
-tmux resize-pane -t emergency -y 10
-tmux send-keys -t emergency 'echo "Ready for commands"' Enter
+tmux resize-pane -t emergency -y 8
+tmux send-keys -t emergency 'echo "Command pane ready"' Enter
 
 tmux attach -t emergency
 ```
@@ -197,18 +286,6 @@ tmux attach -t emergency
 chmod +x ~/emergency-session.sh
 ```
 
-This creates the following layout:
-
-```
-┌──────────────────┬──────────────────┐
-│ ~/staging        │ /mnt/nextcloud   │
-│                  │                  │
-│                  │                  │
-├──────────────────┴──────────────────┤
-│ Command pane (rsync / scp)          │
-└─────────────────────────────────────┘
-```
-
 ---
 
 ## Part 4 — Transferring Files with rsync