diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ca66182..4167be3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,29 +4,49 @@ Netlify CLI plugin for local dev experience.
 
 ## What is Netlify Dev?
 
-Netlify Dev brings the power of Netlify's Edge Logic layer, serverless functions and [add-on ecosystem](#using-add-ons) to your local laptop. It runs Netlify's production routing engine in a local dev server to make all redirects, proxy rules, function routes or add-on routes available locally and injects the correct environment variables from your site environment, installed add-ons or your netlify.toml file into your build and function environment.
+Netlify Dev brings the power of Netlify's Edge Logic layer, [serverless functions](#netlify-functions) and [add-on ecosystem](#using-add-ons) to your local machine. It runs Netlify's production routing engine in a local dev server to make all redirects, proxy rules, function routes or add-on routes available locally and injects the correct environment variables from your site environment, installed add-ons or your netlify.toml file into your build and function environment.
 
 It automatically detects common tools like Gatsby, Hugo, React Static, Eleventy, and more, to give a zero config setup for your local dev server and can help scaffolding new functions as you work on them.
 
+## Prerequisites
+
+There are just two:
+
+- You should be [logged in on Netlify CLI](https://www.netlify.com/docs/cli/#authentication)
+- Your project should be linked to a `siteID` on Netlify (using [netlify init](https://www.netlify.com/docs/cli/#continuous-deployment) or [netlify link](https://www.netlify.com/docs/cli/#linking-and-unlinking-sites)). You can confirm this has been done if you have a `.netlify` folder with a `state.json` file containing your `siteID`.
+
+This is how we pull down your build environment variables and manage your addons on your local machine.
+
 ## Usage
 
 - `netlify dev` start a local dev server for the build tool you're using
 - `netlify dev:exec <command>` runs a shell command within the netlify dev environment
 - `netlify functions:create` bootstrap a new function
 
+As these commands are expected to be frequently used, it may be helpful to define aliases in your terminal (Mac: [bash](https://jonsuh.com/blog/bash-command-line-shortcuts/), [zsh](https://askubuntu.com/questions/758496/how-to-make-a-permanent-alias-in-oh-my-zsh), Windows: [doskey](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/20530996/aliases-in-windows-command-prompt), [registry](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/20530996/aliases-in-windows-command-prompt)) to your personal preference. For example:
+
+```bash
+## ~/.zshrc
+alias ndeploy="netlify deploy --prod"
+alias nd="netlify dev"
+alias ndl="netlify dev --live"
+alias nfc="netlify functions:create"
+alias ndx="netlify dev:exec "
+```
+
 ## Using the beta
 
 Currently the Netlify dev plugin is in private beta. You'll need to follow these steps to enable it:
 
 Make sure Netlify CLI is installed and up to date:
 
-```
+```bash
 npm install -g netlify-cli
 ```
 
 Then clone and activate the plugin:
 
-```
+```bash
 git clone git@github.com:netlify/netlify-dev-plugin.git
 cd netlify-dev-plugin
 npm install
@@ -161,7 +181,7 @@ Add-ons are a way for Netlify users to extend the functionality of their Jamstac
 
 To try out an add-on with Netlify dev, run the `netlify addons:create` command:
 
-```
+```bash
 netlify addons:create fauna
 ```
 
@@ -175,8 +195,10 @@ After you have installed an add-on, it will be visible with the `netlify addons:
 
 To share your ongoing dev session with a coworker, just run Netlify Dev with a `--live` flag:
 
-```
+```bash
 netlify dev --live
 ```
 
 You will get a URL that looks like `https://clever-cray-2aa156-6639f3.netlify.live/`. This can be accessed by anyone as long as you keep your session open.
+
+> Note: there are currently known issues with ending the live session alongside your webdevserver. We are working on fixing it. In the mean time you can run `ps aux | grep live-tunnel` and kill these sessions manually.
diff --git a/src/commands/dev/exec.js b/src/commands/dev/exec.js
index b1bf1d2..3053a32 100644
--- a/src/commands/dev/exec.js
+++ b/src/commands/dev/exec.js
@@ -8,7 +8,10 @@ class ExecCommand extends Command {
   async run() {
     const { site, api } = this.netlify;
     if (site.id) {
-      const accessToken = await this.authenticate();
+      console.log(
+        `${NETLIFYDEV} Checking your site's environment variables...`
+      );
+      const accessToken = api.accessToken;
       const { addEnvVariables } = require("../../utils/dev");
       await addEnvVariables(api, site, accessToken);
     } else {
diff --git a/src/commands/dev/index.js b/src/commands/dev/index.js
index 55de465..25e14a1 100644
--- a/src/commands/dev/index.js
+++ b/src/commands/dev/index.js
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ function startDevServer(settings, log, error) {
 
 class DevCommand extends Command {
   async run() {
+    this.log(`${NETLIFYDEV} Starting Netlify Dev...`);
     const { flags, args } = this.parse(DevCommand);
     const { api, site, config } = this.netlify;
     const functionsDir =
@@ -180,7 +181,6 @@ class DevCommand extends Command {
 
     let accessToken = api.accessToken;
     if (site.id && !flags.offline) {
-      accessToken = await this.authenticate();
       const { addEnvVariables } = require("../../utils/dev");
       addonUrls = await addEnvVariables(api, site, accessToken);
     }
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ class DevCommand extends Command {
     let settings = serverSettings(config.dev);
     if (!(settings && settings.command)) {
       this.log(
-        "[Netlify Dev] No dev server detected, using simple static server"
+        `${NETLIFYDEV} No dev server detected, using simple static server`
       );
       const dist =
         (config.dev && config.dev.publish) ||
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ class DevCommand extends Command {
       live: flags.live || false
     });
 
-    const banner = chalk.bold(`Netlify Dev Server now ready on ${url}`);
+    const banner = chalk.bold(`${NETLIFYDEV} Server now ready on ${url}`);
     this.log(
       boxen(banner, {
         padding: 1,
diff --git a/src/commands/functions/build.js b/src/commands/functions/build.js
index d613ac5..04e8c3a 100644
--- a/src/commands/functions/build.js
+++ b/src/commands/functions/build.js
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ const fs = require("fs");
 const { flags } = require("@oclif/command");
 const Command = require("@netlify/cli-utils");
 const { zipFunctions } = require("@netlify/zip-it-and-ship-it");
+const chalk = require("chalk");
+const NETLIFYDEV = `[${chalk.cyan("Netlify Dev")}]`;
 
 class FunctionsBuildCommand extends Command {
   async run() {
@@ -12,27 +14,29 @@ class FunctionsBuildCommand extends Command {
     const dst = flags.functions || config.build.functions;
 
     if (src === dst) {
-      this.log("Source and destination for function build can't be the same");
+      this.log(
+        `${NETLIFYDEV} Source and destination for function build can't be the same`
+      );
       process.exit(1);
     }
 
     if (!src || !dst) {
       if (!src)
         this.log(
-          "You must specify a source folder with a --src flag or a functionsSource field in your config"
+          `${NETLIFYDEV} Error: You must specify a source folder with a --src flag or a functionsSource field in your config`
         );
       if (!dst)
         this.log(
-          "You must specify a destination functions folder with a --functions flag or a functions field in your config"
+          `${NETLIFYDEV} Error: You must specify a destination functions folder with a --functions flag or a functions field in your config`
         );
       process.exit(1);
     }
 
     fs.mkdirSync(dst, { recursive: true });
 
-    this.log("Building functions");
+    this.log(`${NETLIFYDEV} Building functions`);
     zipFunctions(src, dst, { skipGo: true });
-    this.log("Functions built to ", dst);
+    this.log(`${NETLIFYDEV} Functions built to `, dst);
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/commands/functions/create.js b/src/commands/functions/create.js
index e7846e7..d67397d 100644
--- a/src/commands/functions/create.js
+++ b/src/commands/functions/create.js
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ const cp = require("child_process");
 const { createAddon } = require("netlify/src/addons");
 const ora = require("ora");
 const { track } = require("@netlify/cli-utils/src/utils/telemetry");
+const chalk = require("chalk");
+const NETLIFYDEV = `[${chalk.cyan("Netlify Dev")}]`;
 
 const templatesDir = path.resolve(__dirname, "../../functions-templates");
 
@@ -161,7 +163,6 @@ async function pickTemplate() {
     const filteredTemplateNames = filteredTemplates.map(x =>
       input ? x.string : x
     );
-    // console.log({ filteredTemplateNames })
     return registry
       .filter(t => filteredTemplateNames.includes(t.name + t.description))
       .map(t => {
@@ -203,15 +204,17 @@ function ensureFunctionDirExists(flags, config) {
   const functionsDir =
     flags.functions || (config.build && config.build.functions);
   if (!functionsDir) {
-    this.log("No functions folder specified in netlify.toml or as an argument");
+    this.log(
+      `${NETLIFYDEV} No functions folder specified in netlify.toml or as an argument`
+    );
     process.exit(1);
   }
   if (!fs.existsSync(functionsDir)) {
     this.log(
-      `functions folder ${functionsDir} specified in netlify.toml but folder not found, creating it...`
+      `${NETLIFYDEV} functions folder ${functionsDir} specified in netlify.toml but folder not found, creating it...`
     );
     fs.mkdirSync(functionsDir);
-    this.log(`functions folder ${functionsDir} created`);
+    this.log(`${NETLIFYDEV} functions folder ${functionsDir} created`);
   }
   return functionsDir;
 }
@@ -227,7 +230,7 @@ async function downloadFromURL(flags, args, functionsDir) {
     fs.lstatSync(fnFolder + ".js").isFile()
   ) {
     this.log(
-      `A single file version of the function ${name} already exists at ${fnFolder}.js`
+      `${NETLIFYDEV} Warning: A single file version of the function ${name} already exists at ${fnFolder}.js. Terminating without further action.`
     );
     process.exit(1);
   }
@@ -254,9 +257,11 @@ async function downloadFromURL(flags, args, functionsDir) {
     })
   );
 
-  this.log(`installing dependencies for ${nameToUse}...`);
+  this.log(`${NETLIFYDEV} Installing dependencies for ${nameToUse}...`);
   cp.exec("npm i", { cwd: path.join(functionsDir, nameToUse) }, () => {
-    this.log(`installing dependencies for ${nameToUse} complete `);
+    this.log(
+      `${NETLIFYDEV} Installing dependencies for ${nameToUse} complete `
+    );
   });
 
   // read, execute, and delete function template file if exists
@@ -296,16 +301,13 @@ async function scaffoldFromTemplate(flags, args, functionsDir) {
     try {
       await downloadFromURL.call(this, flags, args, functionsDir);
     } catch (err) {
-      console.error("Error downloading from URL: " + flags.url);
+      console.error(`${NETLIFYDEV} Error downloading from URL: ` + flags.url);
       console.error(err);
       process.exit(1);
     }
   } else if (chosentemplate === "report") {
     console.log(
-      "opening in browser: https://github.com/netlify/netlify-dev-plugin/issues/new"
-    );
-    require("../../utils/openBrowser.js")(
-      "https://github.com/netlify/netlify-dev-plugin/issues/new"
+      `${NETLIFYDEV} Open in browser: https://github.com/netlify/netlify-dev-plugin/issues/new`
     );
   } else {
     const {
@@ -323,7 +325,7 @@ async function scaffoldFromTemplate(flags, args, functionsDir) {
     }
 
     const name = await getNameFromArgs(args, flags, templateName);
-    this.log(`Creating function ${name}`);
+    this.log(`${NETLIFYDEV} Creating function ${name}`);
     const functionPath = ensureFunctionPathIsOk.call(
       this,
       functionsDir,
@@ -338,7 +340,7 @@ async function scaffoldFromTemplate(flags, args, functionsDir) {
     copy(pathToTemplate, functionPath, vars, async (err, createdFiles) => {
       if (err) throw err;
       createdFiles.forEach(filePath => {
-        this.log(`Created ${filePath}`);
+        this.log(`${NETLIFYDEV} Created ${filePath}`);
         require("fs").chmodSync(path.resolve(filePath), 0o777);
         if (filePath.includes("package.json")) hasPackageJSON = true;
       });
@@ -377,12 +379,12 @@ async function installAddons(addons = [], fnPath) {
       );
       return false;
     }
-    console.log("checking Netlify APIs...");
+    console.log(`${NETLIFYDEV} checking Netlify APIs...`);
 
     return api.getSite({ siteId }).then(async siteData => {
-      const accessToken = await this.authenticate();
+      const accessToken = api.accessToken;
       const arr = addons.map(({ addonName, addonDidInstall }) => {
-        console.log("installing addon: " + addonName);
+        console.log(`${NETLIFYDEV} installing addon: ` + addonName);
         // will prompt for configs if not supplied - we do not yet allow for addon configs supplied by `netlify functions:create` command and may never do so
         return createSiteAddon(
           accessToken,
@@ -423,7 +425,9 @@ async function installAddons(addons = [], fnPath) {
 function ensureFunctionPathIsOk(functionsDir, flags, name) {
   const functionPath = path.join(functionsDir, name);
   if (fs.existsSync(functionPath)) {
-    this.log(`Function ${functionPath} already exists, cancelling...`);
+    this.log(
+      `${NETLIFYDEV} Function ${functionPath} already exists, cancelling...`
+    );
     process.exit(1);
   }
   return functionPath;
diff --git a/src/commands/functions/serve.js b/src/commands/functions/serve.js
index 55f4e88..8c82ee2 100644
--- a/src/commands/functions/serve.js
+++ b/src/commands/functions/serve.js
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 const { Command, flags } = require("@oclif/command");
+const chalk = require("chalk");
+const NETLIFYDEV = `[${chalk.cyan("Netlify Dev")}]`;
 
 class FunctionsServeCommand extends Command {
   async run() {
-    this.log(`serve a function`);
+    this.log(`${NETLIFYDEV} NOT IMPLEMENTED YET: serve a function`);
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/commands/functions/update.js b/src/commands/functions/update.js
index 0ef4202..ce91812 100644
--- a/src/commands/functions/update.js
+++ b/src/commands/functions/update.js
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 const { Command, flags } = require("@oclif/command");
+const chalk = require("chalk");
+const NETLIFYDEV = `[${chalk.cyan("Netlify Dev")}]`;
 
 class FunctionsUpdateCommand extends Command {
   async run() {
-    this.log(`update a function`);
+    this.log(`${NETLIFYDEV} NOT IMPLEMENTED YET: update a function`);
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/live-tunnel.js b/src/live-tunnel.js
index 2a780e3..cdd5f26 100644
--- a/src/live-tunnel.js
+++ b/src/live-tunnel.js
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ const os = require("os");
 const path = require("path");
 const execa = require("execa");
 const { fetchLatest, updateAvailable } = require("gh-release-fetch");
+const chalk = require("chalk");
+const NETLIFYDEV = `[${chalk.cyan("Netlify Dev")}]`;
 
 async function createTunnel(siteId, netlifyApiToken, log) {
   await installTunnelClient(log);
@@ -14,7 +16,7 @@ async function createTunnel(siteId, netlifyApiToken, log) {
     );
     process.exit(1);
   }
-  log("Creating Live Tunnel for " + siteId);
+  log(`${NETLIFYDEV} Creating Live Tunnel for ` + siteId);
   const url = `https://api.netlify.com/api/v1/live_sessions?site_id=${siteId}`;
 
   const response = await fetch(url, {
@@ -71,7 +73,7 @@ async function installTunnelClient(log) {
     return;
   }
 
-  log("Installing Live Tunnel Client");
+  log(`${NETLIFYDEV} Installing Live Tunnel Client`);
 
   const win = isWindows();
   const platform = win ? "windows" : process.platform;
diff --git a/src/utils/dev.js b/src/utils/dev.js
index 830f4f0..b2fe437 100644
--- a/src/utils/dev.js
+++ b/src/utils/dev.js
@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ const NETLIFYDEV = `[${chalk.cyan("Netlify Dev")}]`;
  *
  * ```
  * // usage example
- * const { site } = this.netlify
+ * const { site, api } = this.netlify
  * if (site.id) {
- *   const accessToken = await this.authenticate()
+ *   const accessToken = api.accessToken
  *   const addonUrls = await addEnvVariables(site, accessToken)
  *   // addonUrls is only for startProxy in netlify dev:index
  * }