diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 3030474..c3c9539 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -25,10 +25,34 @@ ask_app() {
     local label="$1"
     local default="$2"
     local app
+    local first_run=true
 
     while true; do
-        read -rp "$label (default: $default): " app
-        app="${app:-$default}"
+        if [ "$first_run" = true ]; then
+            # First run: show the prompt with default
+            read -rp "$label (default: $default): " app
+            first_run=false
+        else
+            # Subsequent runs: show a simpler prompt
+            read -rp "Enter a different command or 'skip' to continue anyway: " app
+        fi
+        
+        # Handle empty input (use default on first run, empty on subsequent runs)
+        if [ -z "$app" ]; then
+            if [ "$first_run" = false ]; then
+                # User pressed Enter on retry - ask if they want to skip
+                echo "  Press Enter again to skip, or type 'skip'"
+                continue
+            fi
+            app="$default"
+        fi
+        
+        # Allow user to skip validation
+        if [ "$app" = "skip" ]; then
+            echo "  Using '$default' (not verified)"
+            echo "$default"
+            return
+        fi
 
         # check if command exists
         if command -v "${app%% *}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
@@ -36,7 +60,10 @@ ask_app() {
             return
         else
             echo "✗ '$app' not found in PATH"
-            echo "  install it first or choose another"
+            if [ "$first_run" = true ]; then
+                echo "  Install it with: sudo pacman -S ${app%% *}"
+                echo "  Or choose a different application"
+            fi
         fi
     done
 }
@@ -205,4 +232,4 @@ if [ "$WM" = "sway" ]; then
     echo "Make sure to log out and select Sway from your display manager"
 else
     echo "For i3, reload with: Super + Shift + C"
-fi
\ No newline at end of file
+fi