diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 35a0cf2..1f014ed 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -2,6 +2,15 @@
 
 set -e
 
+sudo -v || exit 1
+
+# keep sudo alive until script exits
+while true; do
+  sudo -n true
+  sleep 60
+  kill -0 "$$" || exit
+done 2>/dev/null &
+
 #########################
 ## gum style variables ##
 #########################
@@ -102,7 +111,7 @@ for choice in "${desktop[@]}"; do
       qt6ct-kde \
       xdg-desktop-portal-gnome
 
-    stow niri qt6ct
+    stow niri qt6ct --override
 
     curl -fsSL https://install.danklinux.com | sh
 
@@ -138,7 +147,7 @@ for choice in "${tools[@]}"; do
       wl-clipboard \
       zoxide \
       reflector
-    stow fastfetch hyfetch nvim zsh
+    stow fastfetch hyfetch nvim zsh --override
     gum spin --title "Updating Tealdeer database" -- \
       tldr --update
     ;;
@@ -148,7 +157,7 @@ for choice in "${tools[@]}"; do
     gum spin --title "Installing Terminal Emulator..." -- \
       yay -S --needed --noconfirm \
       ghostty
-    stow ghostty
+    stow ghostty --override
     ;;
 
   "Gaming")
@@ -161,7 +170,7 @@ for choice in "${tools[@]}"; do
       prismlauncher \
       heroic-games-launcher-bin \
       arrpc
-    stow mangohud
+    stow mangohud --override
 
     sudo -v
     gum spin --spinner minidot --title "Applying arrpy systemd fix..." -- \
@@ -183,7 +192,7 @@ for choice in "${tools[@]}"; do
       yay -S --needed --noconfirm \
       hamr
 
-    stow hamr-sticker-picker
+    stow hamr-sticker-picker --override
 
     systemctl --user enable hamr.service
     systemctl --user add-wants niri.service hamr.service
@@ -198,12 +207,12 @@ for choice in "${extratools[@]}"; do
   case "$choice" in
   "Godot")
     extrapkgs+=("godots-bin")
-    stow godot
+    stow godot --override
     ;;
 
   "Fuzzel")
     extrapkgs+=("fuzzel")
-    stow fuzzel
+    stow fuzzel --override
     ;;
 
   "Btop") extrapkgs+=("btop") ;;