diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e387909..d004fa0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# netlify-plugin-cache
+# Netlify Plugin: Custom Cache
 
 [![npm](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/netlify-plugin-cache?logo=npm&color=red)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/netlify-plugin-cache)
 
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ package = "netlify-plugin-cache"
   paths = ["resources", "_vendor", "folder/file.md"]
 ```
 
-This plugin only takes one input (which is required) named `paths`, an array of paths to files and/or folders relative to your project's root. These files/folders are restored before a build and saved in cache after a build **if it is successful**.
+This plugin only takes one input named `paths`, an array of files and/or directories relative to your project's root. These files/directories are restored before a build and saved in cache after a build **if it is successful**.
+
+**🚨 Important:** `paths` defaults to `[".cache"]`, but it's **highly recommended** you set this yourself based on the tools you're using. See examples below.
 
 Read more about plugin configuration at [the official Netlify Plugin docs](https://docs.netlify.com/configure-builds/build-plugins/#install-a-plugin).
 
@@ -40,7 +42,7 @@ You can add their debug plugin **after** this plugin in your `netlify.toml`. (An
 package = "netlify-plugin-debug-cache"
 ```
 
-The plugin will generate a file named `cache-output.json` at the root of your project's publish directory. [Learn more about this plugin here.](https://github.com/netlify-labs/netlify-plugin-debug-cache)
+The plugin will generate a file named `cache-output.json` at the root of your project's publish directory. [See an example file](https://gist.github.com/jakejarvis/dff606289e8b5d6be42d317e425bbee6#file-cache-output-json) or [learn more about this plugin](https://github.com/netlify-labs/netlify-plugin-debug-cache).
 
 ## Licenses
 
diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index 5b3cfa5..a45a8d2 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ module.exports = {
       const files = await cache.list(inputs.paths)
       console.log(`Successfully restored: ${inputs.paths.join(', ')} ... ${files.length} files in total.`)
     } else {
-      console.log(`A cache of ${inputs.paths.join(', ')} doesn't exist (yet).`)
+      console.log(`A cache of '${inputs.paths.join(', ')}' doesn't exist (yet).`)
     }
   },
 
@@ -24,7 +24,10 @@ module.exports = {
         text: `${inputs.paths.join(', ')}`,
       })
     } else {
-      console.log(`Failed caching ${inputs.paths.join(', ')}. :(`)
+      // this probably happened because the default `paths` is set, so provide instructions to fix
+      console.log(`Attempted to cache: ${inputs.paths.join(', ')} ... but failed. :(`)
+      console.log(`Try setting the 'paths' input appropriately in your netlify.toml or netlify.yml.`)
+      console.log(`More details: https://jrvs.io/netlify-cache-usage`)
     }
   },
 }
diff --git a/manifest.yml b/manifest.yml
index cc609f1..ee47a0b 100644
--- a/manifest.yml
+++ b/manifest.yml
@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@ name: netlify-plugin-cache
 inputs:
 - name: paths
   description: Array of files and/or directories to cache between builds.
-  required: true
+  default: [".cache"]