diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c1102a0..30035b8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -180,24 +180,22 @@ nix-build '<nixpkgs/nixos>' -A vm -I nixos-config=./hosts/yodaTux/configuration.
 Local node (e.g. yodaTux):
 
 ```shell
-sudo nix-channel --update && niv update
-colmena build --on $(hostname) -v --show-trace && colmena apply-local --sudo boot
+niv update
+sudo nix-channel --update && colmena build --on $(hostname) -v --show-trace && colmena apply-local --sudo boot
 ```
 
 Single remote node (e.g. deploy to yodaTab):
 
 ```shell
 niv update
-colmena build --on remoteTab -v --show-trace && colmena apply --on remoteTab boot
-colmena exec --on remoteTab "nix-channel --update"
+i='remoteTab'; colmena build --on $i -v --show-trace && colmena apply --on $i boot && colmena exec --on $i "nix-channel --update"
 ```
 
 Multiple remote nodes (e.g. deploy to all nodes with tag @server):
 
 ```shell
 niv update
-colmena build --on @server -v --show-trace && colmena apply --on @server boot
-colmena exec --on @server "nix-channel --update"
+i='@server'; colmena build --on $i -v --show-trace && colmena apply --on $i boot && colmena exec --on $i "nix-channel --update"
 ```
 
 ### Update