diff --git a/core/autoload/debug.el b/core/autoload/debug.el
index f53e5b33d..2662128e5 100644
--- a/core/autoload/debug.el
+++ b/core/autoload/debug.el
@@ -1,15 +1,10 @@
 ;;; core/autoload/debug.el -*- lexical-binding: t; -*-
 
-(defun doom-template-exists-p (template)
-  "TODO"
-  (file-exists-p
-   (expand-file-name (format "templates/%s" template)
-                     doom-core-dir)))
-
 (defun doom-template-insert (template)
   "TODO"
-  (let ((dir (expand-file-name "templates/" doom-core-dir)))
-    (insert-file-contents (expand-file-name template dir))))
+  (let ((file (expand-file-name (format "templates/%s" template) doom-core-dir)))
+    (when (file-exists-p file)
+      (insert-file-contents file))))
 
 ;;;###autoload
 (defun doom-info ()
diff --git a/core/core-dispatcher.el b/core/core-dispatcher.el
index 0128702c5..6919d4878 100644
--- a/core/core-dispatcher.el
+++ b/core/core-dispatcher.el
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ with the -p option, e.g.
 
 This command will refuse to overwrite the private directory if it already
 exists."
-  (doom//quickstart args))
+  (doom//quickstart))
 
 (def-dispatcher! (install i)
   "Installs requested plugins that aren't installed."
@@ -252,27 +252,34 @@ recompile. Run this whenever you:
 
 This deploys a barebones config to `doom-private-dir', installs all missing
 packages and regenerates the autoloads file."
-  (declare (interactive-only t))
   (interactive)
   (let ((short-private-dir (abbreviate-file-name doom-private-dir)))
-    (unless (file-directory-p doom-private-dir)
+    (if (file-directory-p doom-private-dir)
+        (print! (yellow "%s directory already exists. Skipping." short-private-dir))
       (print! "Creating %s" short-private-dir)
-      (make-directory doom-private-dir t))
+      (make-directory doom-private-dir t)
+      (print! (green "Done!")))
     (let ((init-file (expand-file-name "init.el" doom-private-dir)))
       (if (file-exists-p init-file)
-          (print! "%sinit.el already exists. Skipping." short-private-dir)
+          (print! (yellow "%sinit.el already exists. Skipping." short-private-dir))
         (print! "Copying init.example.el to %s" short-private-dir)
         (copy-file (expand-file-name "init.example.el" doom-emacs-dir)
-                   init-file)))
+                   init-file)
+        (print! (green "Done!"))))
     (let ((config-file (expand-file-name "config.el" doom-private-dir)))
       (if (file-exists-p config-file)
           (print! "%sconfig.el already exists. Skipping." short-private-dir)
-        (with-temp-file config-file (insert "")))))
-  (print! "Installing plugins & generating autoloads file, if necessary")
+        (print! "Deploying empty config.el file in %s" short-private-dir)
+        (with-temp-file config-file (insert ""))
+        (print! (green "Done!")))))
+  (print! "Installing plugins")
   (doom//packages-install)
-  (doom//reload-autoloads)
-  (print! "\n\nDone! Doom Emacs is ready.\n")
-  (print! "Remember to run M-x all-the-icons-install-fonts after starting Emacs for the first time."))
+  (print! "Regenerating autoloads files")
+  (doom//reload-autoloads nil 'force-p)
+  (print! (bold (green "\nFinished! Doom is ready to go!\n")))
+  (with-temp-buffer
+    (doom-template-insert "QUICKSTART_INTRO")
+    (print! (buffer-string))))
 
 (provide 'core-dispatcher)
 ;;; core-dispatcher.el ends here
diff --git a/core/templates/QUICKSTART_INTRO b/core/templates/QUICKSTART_INTRO
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..61a8af0ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/templates/QUICKSTART_INTRO
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+Before you doom yourself, there are a few things you should know:
+
+1. If you use GUI Emacs, run `M-x all-the-icons-install-fonts` so you don't get
+   weird symbols all over the place.
+
+2. When you edit ~/.doom.d/init.el or modify modules, run:
+
+     bin/doom refresh
+
+   This will ensure all needed packages are installed, all orphaned packages are
+   removed, and your autoloads files are up to date. This is important! If you
+   forget to do this you will get errors!
+
+3. If something inexplicably goes wrong, it's a good idea to try:
+
+     bin/doom doctor
+
+   It will diagnose common issues with your environment and setup, and may give
+   you clues about what is wrong.
+
+4. To update doom, run
+
+     bin/doom upgrade
+
+   Doing it any other way will require you run `bin/doom refresh` otherwise,
+
+5. Check out `bin/doom help` to see what else it can do (it is also safe to add
+   ~/.emacs.d/bin to your PATH).
+
+Have fun!