diff --git a/install-rubix.sh b/install-rubix.sh
index cb9d161..995e624 100755
--- a/install-rubix.sh
+++ b/install-rubix.sh
@@ -49,13 +49,20 @@ prompt_token() {
   if [[ -n "${GITEA_TOKEN}" ]]; then
     return 0
   fi
-  echo "Gitea token (private rubix repo — same as registry / GITEA_REGISTRY_PULL_TOKEN):"
+  echo ""
+  echo "=== Gitea access token (required) ==="
+  echo "Paste your personal access token from gitea.dialer.work"
+  echo "(User Settings → Applications → Generate New Token)."
+  echo "Same token as Docker registry / GITEA_REGISTRY_PULL_TOKEN in .env later."
+  echo "Input is hidden — type or paste the token, then press Enter:"
+  echo ""
   read -r -s GITEA_TOKEN
   echo ""
   if [[ -z "${GITEA_TOKEN}" ]]; then
-    echo "Token is required." >&2
+    echo "[install-rubix] ERROR: token is required to download the private rubix release." >&2
     exit 1
   fi
+  echo "[install-rubix] token received."
 }
 
 prepare_system