diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 22ee9e48..1427b6c7 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -156,6 +156,11 @@ vim.opt.cursorline = true
 -- Minimal number of screen lines to keep above and below the cursor.
 vim.opt.scrolloff = 10
 
+-- if performing an operation that would fail due to unsaved changes in the buffer (like `:q`),
+-- instead raise a dialog asking if you wish to save the current file(s)
+-- See `:help 'confirm'`
+vim.opt.confirm = true
+
 -- [[ Basic Keymaps ]]
 --  See `:help vim.keymap.set()`
 
@@ -707,6 +712,8 @@ require('lazy').setup({
       require('mason-tool-installer').setup { ensure_installed = ensure_installed }
 
       require('mason-lspconfig').setup {
+        ensure_installed = {}, -- explicitly set to an empty table (Kickstart populates installs via mason-tool-installer)
+        automatic_installation = false,
         handlers = {
           function(server_name)
             local server = servers[server_name] or {}
@@ -799,7 +806,6 @@ require('lazy').setup({
       --  into multiple repos for maintenance purposes.
       'hrsh7th/cmp-nvim-lsp',
       'hrsh7th/cmp-path',
-      'hrsh7th/cmp-path',
       'hrsh7th/cmp-nvim-lsp-signature-help',
     },
     config = function()