diff --git a/docs/quickstart.md b/docs/quickstart.md
index 0b4f6ee9f..635ee2ff9 100644
--- a/docs/quickstart.md
+++ b/docs/quickstart.md
@@ -11,11 +11,25 @@ Use natural-language questions against the **jaffle\_shop** dataset using **Wren
 ## Prerequisites
 
 - **Claude Code** — installed and authenticated ([install guide](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/overview))
-- **Python 3.9+**
+- **Python 3.11+**
+- **Node.js / npm** — required if using `npx` to install skills (see Step 3)
 - **Git**
 
 ---
 
+## Step 0 — Create a Python virtual environment
+
+Create and activate a virtual environment before installing any packages. This keeps dbt and wren-engine dependencies isolated from your system Python:
+
+```bash
+python3 -m venv ~/.venvs/wren
+source ~/.venvs/wren/bin/activate
+```
+
+> **Tip:** Activate this environment (`source ~/.venvs/wren/bin/activate`) in every new terminal session before running `dbt` or `wren` commands.
+
+---
+
 ## Step 1 — Seed the jaffle_shop dataset
 
 Clone the dbt jaffle\_shop project and build the DuckDB database:
@@ -23,8 +37,6 @@ Clone the dbt jaffle\_shop project and build the DuckDB database:
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/dbt-labs/jaffle_shop_duckdb.git
 cd jaffle_shop_duckdb
-python3 -m venv .venv
-source .venv/bin/activate
 pip install dbt-core dbt-duckdb
 dbt build
 ```
@@ -82,8 +94,6 @@ This installs two skills:
 | **wren-usage** | Day-to-day workflow — gather context, recall past queries, write SQL, store results |
 | **wren-generate-mdl** | One-time setup — explore database schema and generate the MDL project |
 
-> **Important:** Start a **new Claude Code session** after installing skills so they are loaded.
-
 ---
 
 ## Step 4 — Set up a profile
@@ -117,6 +127,7 @@ Create a YAML file `jaffle-profile.yml`:
 ```yaml
 datasource: duckdb
 url: /Users/you/jaffle_shop_duckdb
+format: duckdb
 ```
 
 Then import it:
@@ -161,20 +172,9 @@ This creates:
 └── instructions.md         # business rules for the AI
 ```
 
-Edit `wren_project.yml` to set the data source:
-
-```yaml
-schema_version: 2
-name: jaffle_shop
-version: "1.0"
-# catalog and schema are Wren Engine's internal namespace for this MDL project.
-# They are NOT your database's native catalog/schema. Keep the defaults.
-catalog: wren
-schema: public
-data_source: duckdb
-```
+The generated `wren_project.yml` contains default values for `catalog` and `schema`:
 
-> **Note:** `catalog` and `schema` here define the **Wren Engine namespace** — how the engine addresses this MDL project internally. They have nothing to do with your database's catalog or schema. The actual database location of each table is specified per-model in the `table_reference` section. Keep the defaults (`wren` / `public`) unless you plan to query across multiple MDL projects.
+> **Note:** `catalog` and `schema` in `wren_project.yml` define the **Wren Engine namespace** — they have nothing to do with your database's catalog or schema. Keep the defaults (`wren` / `public`). The actual database location of each table is specified per-model in the `table_reference` section.
 
 ---
 
@@ -304,8 +304,8 @@ wren memory index
 | Show project context | `wren context show` |
 | Show instructions | `wren context instructions` |
 | Build manifest | `wren context build` |
-| Fetch context for a question | `wren memory fetch --question "..."` |
-| Recall similar queries | `wren memory recall --question "..."` |
+| Fetch context for a question | `wren memory fetch --query "..."` |
+| Recall similar queries | `wren memory recall --query "..."` |
 | Store a NL-SQL pair | `wren memory store --nl "..." --sql "..."` |
 | Check memory status | `wren memory status` |
 | Re-index memory | `wren memory index` |