diff --git a/nvim/.config/nvim/lua/scratchpad.lua b/nvim/.config/nvim/lua/scratchpad.lua
index 7e58c45..6c7e3da 100644
--- a/nvim/.config/nvim/lua/scratchpad.lua
+++ b/nvim/.config/nvim/lua/scratchpad.lua
@@ -1,11 +1,40 @@
+--[[
+creates a 'scratch' buffer which is ephemeral --
+it will disappear when vim closes, does not save to anything and does not
+appear in the buffer list. Useful for e.g. jotting down quick notes and thoughts.
+
+If called with bang, will replace the current buffer with the scratch
+window, otherwise opens a new split.
+
+The buffer, by default is set to the pandoc filetype.
+This can be changed by setting the `g:scratchpad_ft` variable or the `b:scratchpad_ft`
+variable to the intended filetype.
+]]--
 local api = vim.api
 local M= {}
 
-function M.makeScratch()
-  api.nvim_command('enew')
-  -- vim.bo[0].bufhidden=hide
-  vim.bo[0].buftype=nofile
-  vim.bo[0].swapfile=false
+local function isempty(s)
+  return s == nil or s == ''
+end
+
+function M.create(split, ft)
+  -- should we create a new split or switch out the current buffer?
+  if isempty(split) then split = false else split = true end
+  -- which filetype to set for the scratchpad, defaults to pandoc
+  if isempty(ft) then ft = vim.b["scratchpad_ft"] or vim.g["scratchpad_ft"] or "pandoc" end
+
+  local buf = api.nvim_create_buf(false, true)
+  if buf == 0 then
+    print("Error opening scratch buffer.")
+  end
+  api.nvim_buf_set_option(buf, "bufhidden", "hide")
+  api.nvim_buf_set_option(buf, "buftype", "nofile")
+  api.nvim_buf_set_option(buf, "swapfile",false)
+  api.nvim_buf_set_option(buf, "filetype",ft)
+
+  if split then api.nvim_command('vsplit new') end -- i think this is the only way to interact with the buffers creating a new split
+  -- switch to scratchpad
+  api.nvim_win_set_buf(0, buf)
 end
 
 return M
diff --git a/nvim/.config/nvim/plugin/personal/makescratch.vim b/nvim/.config/nvim/plugin/personal/makescratch.vim
index 1a5a233..99cb3ce 100644
--- a/nvim/.config/nvim/plugin/personal/makescratch.vim
+++ b/nvim/.config/nvim/plugin/personal/makescratch.vim
@@ -1,5 +1,15 @@
-function s:makeScratch()
-  lua require('scratchpad').makeScratch()
-endfunction
+" --[[ scratchpad.lua
+"
+" creates a 'scratch' buffer which is ephemeral --
+" it will disappear when vim closes, does not save to anything and does not
+" appear in the buffer list. Useful for e.g. jotting down quick notes and thoughts.
+"
+" If called with bang, will replace the current buffer with the scratch
+" window, otherwise opens a new split.
+"
+" The buffer, by default is set to the pandoc filetype.
+" This can be changed by setting the `g:scratchpad_ft` variable or the `b:scratchpad_ft`
+" variable to the intended filetype.
+" ]]--
 
-command! ScratchPad call s:makeScratch()
+command! -nargs=? -bang ScratchPad :lua require("scratchpad").create("<bang>","<args>")
diff --git a/nvim/.config/nvim/spell/en.utf-8.add b/nvim/.config/nvim/spell/en.utf-8.add
index 2466bd3..ffef326 100644
--- a/nvim/.config/nvim/spell/en.utf-8.add
+++ b/nvim/.config/nvim/spell/en.utf-8.add
@@ -72,3 +72,7 @@ dialogue
 Uber
 precarity
 financialization
+Walmart
+Wrocław
+Poznań
+Taylorization