diff --git a/autopickup.rc b/autopickup.rc
index 15c9946..a072419 100644
--- a/autopickup.rc
+++ b/autopickup.rc
@@ -1,4 +1,28 @@
-OPTIONS=autopickup,pickup_types:$
-OPTIONS=pickup_burden=B
-autopickup_exception=">.*iron chain.*"
-autopickup_exception=">.*heavy iron ball.*"
+{% if comments %}
+# autopickup: automatically pick up certain things when you move onto them
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=autopickup
+
+{% if comments %}
+# pickup_types: object types to be picked up when autopickup is on
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=pickup_types:$_
+
+{% if comments %}
+# pickup_burden: prompt for confirmation when picking up items that will push the character's encumbrance past the specified level
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=pickup_burden:burdened
+
+{% if comments %}
+# pickup_thrown: if set and autopickup is on, try to pick up things that you threw
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=pickup_thrown
+
+{% if comments %}
+# autopickup_exception: allow specifying regex matches for more nuanced autopickup
+#     lines starting with < will pick up matches
+#     lines starting with > will ignore matches
+#     only the latest line matching is processed, and if no line matches then pickup_types is looked at
+{% endif %}
+AUTOPICKUP_EXCEPTION=">.*iron chain.*"
+AUTOPICKUP_EXCEPTION=">.*heavy iron ball.*"
diff --git a/curses.rc b/curses.rc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..86c1d55
--- /dev/null
+++ b/curses.rc
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+{% if comments %}
+# windowtype: window interface to use, such as 'tty' or 'curses' (available options depend on build-time settings)
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=windowtype:curses
+
+{% if comments %}
+# perm_invent: display your current inventory in a permanent window (only applicable in window interfaces that implement it)
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=!perm_invent
+
+{% if comments %}
+# perminv_mode: determines what items to show in perm_invent window
+#     none: behave as if perm_invent is false
+#     all: show all inventory except for gold
+#     full: show full inventory including gold
+#     in-use: only show items which are in use (worn, wielded, quivered, lit lamp)
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=perminv_mode:none
+
+{% if comments %}
+# align_message: where to place the message window (top, bottom, left, or right)
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=align_message:top
+
+{% if comments %}
+# align_status: where to place the status window (top, bottom, left, or right)
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=align_status:top
+
+{% if comments %}
+# windowborders: whether to draw boxes around the map, status area, message area, and persistant inventory window
+#     0: off, never show borders
+#     1: on, always show borders
+#     2: auto, on if display is at least (24+2)x(80+2)
+#     3: on, execpt forced off for perm_invent
+#     4: auto, execpt forced off for perm_invent
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=windowborders:0
diff --git a/main.rc b/main.rc
index ea270e0..a5c71a0 100644
--- a/main.rc
+++ b/main.rc
@@ -2,42 +2,129 @@
 # junethack {{ jnh_username }}
 
 {% endif %}
+
+{%- if windowtype == "curses" %}
+{% include "curses.rc" %}
+{% else %}
+{% include "tty.rc" %}
+{% endif +%}
+
 {% include "menucolor.rc" +%}
 
 {% include "statusbar.rc" +%}
 
 {% include "msgtypes.rc" +%}
 
+{% include "names.rc" %}
+{# block for additional names to keep set of names together #}
 {% block names %}
-OPTIONS=dogname:Athena
-OPTIONS=catname:Moldorm
-OPTIONS=horsename:Horse
-OPTIONS=fruit:word
-{% endblock names %}
+{% endblock names +%}
 
 {% include "autopickup.rc" +%}
 
-{# put curses-specific stuff in a block so it can be easily overwritten if desired per-variant #}
-{% block curses %}
-OPTIONS=windowtype:curses
-OPTIONS=!perm_invent
-OPTIONS=windowborders:0
-{% endblock curses %}
-
+{% if comments %}
+# force_invmenu: always show a menu instead of a text query when selecting inventory items
+{% endif %}
 OPTIONS=!force_invmenu
+
 OPTIONS=map_mode:tiles,scroll_margin:10
-OPTIONS=hilite_pet,hilite_pile,!toptenwin
-OPTIONS=time,showexp,number_pad:2,lit_corridor
-OPTIONS=msg_window:reversed,sortloot:full
+
+{% if comments %}
+# hilite_pet: visually distinguish pets from other animals
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=hilite_pet
+
+{% if comments %}
+# hilite_pile: visually distinguish plies of objects from individual objects
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=hilite_pile
+
+OPTIONS=!toptenwin
+
+{% if comments %}
+# number_pad: use digit keys instead of letters to move
+#     0: move by letters; "yuhjklbn"
+#     1: move by numbers; digit '5' acts as 'G' movement prefix
+#     2: move by numbers; digit '5' acts as 'g' movement prefix
+#     3: move by numbers using phone key layout (123 above, 789 below)
+#     4: combines 3 with 2 (phone key layout plus MS-DOS compatibility)
+#     -1: move by letters but use 'z' to go northwest and 'y' to zap wands
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=number_pad:2
+
+{% if comments %}
+# lit_corridor: distinguish visually between lit and unlit corridors
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=lit_corridor
+
+{% if comments %}
+# msg_window: controls how to show messages recalled with ^P
+#     single: show single message at a time
+#     combination: show two messages as single, then as full
+#     full: full window, oldest message first
+#     reversed: full window, newest message first
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=msg_window:reversed
+
+{% if comments %}
+# sortloot: controls sorting behavior of item-choosing lists
+#     full: always sort lists by item name
+#     loot: sort lists that don't use inventory letters
+#     none: show all lists without sorting
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=sortloot:full
+
+{% if comments %}
+# autoquiver: automatically quiver a suitable weapon when firing if your quiver empties
+{% endif %}
 OPTIONS=autoquiver
+
+{% if comments %}
+# cmdassist: provide additional command assistance when detecting some anticipated mistakes
+{% endif %}
 OPTIONS=!cmdassist
+
+{% if comments %}
+# travel: enables the travel command, bound to _ by default
+{% endif %}
 OPTIONS=travel
+
 OPTIONS=disclose:yi ya nv ng yc no
+
+{% if comments %}
+# altmeta: enables extended command shortcuts using the alt key
+{% endif %}
 OPTIONS=altmeta
+
+{% if comments %}
+# autodig: automatically dig when wielding a digging tool moving into a place that can be dug
+{% endif %}
 OPTIONS=autodig
+
+{% if comments %}
+# runmode: set the screen updating interval for multi-turn actions such as running or traveling
+#     teleport: update the map after movement has finished
+#     run: update the map after every seven or so steps
+#     walk: update the map after every step
+#     crawl: update the map and pause after every step
+{% endif %}
 OPTIONS=runmode:teleport
+
 OPTIONS=quick_farsight
+
+{% if commenst %}
+# whatis_coord: coordinates to display when looking around the map with the whatis or farlook commands
+#     c: compass ('east' or '3s' or '2n,4w')
+#     f: full compass ('east' or '3south' or '2north,4west')
+#     m: map <x,y> (map column x=0 is not used)
+#     s: screen [row,column] (row is offset to match tty usage)
+#     n: none (no coordinates shown)
+{% endif %}
 OPTIONS=whatis_coord:c
+
+{% if comments %}
+# implicit_uncursed: omit "uncursed" from inventory lists when it is implied from other aspects of the item description
+{% endif %}
 OPTIONS=!implicit_uncursed
 {# block for additional options to keep main set of options together #}
 {% block options %}
@@ -49,7 +136,7 @@ BIND=M-m:terrain
 BIND=C:conduct
 BIND=!:annotate
 BIND=%:ride
-{# block for additional bindings to keep main set of bindings together #}
+{# block for additional bindings to keep set of bindings together #}
 {% block bindings %}
 {% endblock bindings %}
 
diff --git a/names.rc b/names.rc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f543652
--- /dev/null
+++ b/names.rc
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+{% if comments %}
+# fruit: set name of user-definable fruit
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=fruit:word
+
+{% if comments %}
+# catname: set name of starting cat
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=catname:Moldorm
+
+{% if comments %}
+# dogname: set name of starting dog
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=dogname:Athena
+
+{% if comments %}
+# horsename: set name of starting horse
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=horsename:Horse
diff --git a/pergame.rc b/pergame.rc
index fa266c3..63ffd3b 100644
--- a/pergame.rc
+++ b/pergame.rc
@@ -1,4 +1,16 @@
-{{ "# " if not nobones }}OPTIONS=nobones
-{{ "# " if not nopet }}OPTIONS=nopet
+{% if comments %}
+# bones: allow loading and saving bones files
+{% endif %}
+{{ "# " if not nobones }}OPTIONS=!bones
+
+{{ "# " if not nopet }}OPTIONS=!pet
+
+{% if comments %}
+# pauper: start character with no items, skills, spells, or discoveries
+{% endif %}
 {{ "# " if not pauper }}OPTIONS=pauper
+
+{% if comments %}
+# nudist: start character with no armor
+{% endif %}
 {{ "# " if not nudist }}OPTIONS=nudist
diff --git a/render.py b/render.py
index 7b9a18f..5c7f69e 100644
--- a/render.py
+++ b/render.py
@@ -50,15 +50,15 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     load_dotenv()
 
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
-    parser.add_argument("template")
-    parser.add_argument("--hdf_variant", help="If specified, the variant to upload the rendered template to on hardfought.org")
-    parser.add_argument("--nudist", "-n", action="store_true")
-    parser.add_argument("--pauper", "-p", action="store_true")
-    parser.add_argument("--nobones", action="store_true")
-    parser.add_argument("--nopet", action="store_true")
-    parser.add_argument("--hide-comments", action="store_false", dest="comments")
-    parser.add_argument("--curses", action="store_const", const="curses", dest="windowtype")
-    parser.add_argument("--tty", action="store_const", const="tty", dest="windowtype")
+    parser.add_argument("template", help="template file to render")
+    parser.add_argument("--hdf_variant", help="if specified, the variant to upload the rendered template to on hardfought.org")
+    parser.add_argument("--nudist", "-n", action="store_true", help="enable nudist conduct in rcfile")
+    parser.add_argument("--pauper", "-p", action="store_true", help="enable pauper conduct in rcfile")
+    parser.add_argument("--nobones", action="store_true", help="turn off bones in rcfile")
+    parser.add_argument("--nopet", action="store_true", help="turn off starting pet in rcfile")
+    parser.add_argument("--hide-comments", action="store_false", dest="comments", help="strip out explanatory comments in output to reduce file size")
+    parser.add_argument("--curses", action="store_const", const="curses", dest="windowtype", help="set windowtype to curses and set appropriate options")
+    parser.add_argument("--tty", action="store_const", const="tty", dest="windowtype", help="set windowtype to tty and set appropriate options")
 
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
diff --git a/statusbar.rc b/statusbar.rc
index 00a60a8..7a0e025 100644
--- a/statusbar.rc
+++ b/statusbar.rc
@@ -1,5 +1,20 @@
 OPTIONS=statuslines:3
 
+{% if comments %}
+# time: displays elapsed game turns on the status line
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=time,showexp
+
+{% if comments %}
+# showexp: displays exact number of experience points next to experience level on status line
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=showexp
+
+{% if comments %}
+# showscore: displays approximate accumulated score on status line
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=showscore
+
 # Status hilites
 OPTIONS=statushilites
 
diff --git a/tty.rc b/tty.rc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4d7959
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tty.rc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+{% if comments %}
+# windowtype: window interface to use, such as 'tty' or 'curses' (available options depend on build-time settings)
+{% endif %}
+OPTIONS=windowtype:tty