diff --git a/argv.go b/argv.go
index 4ae5570..603e37c 100644
--- a/argv.go
+++ b/argv.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ type args struct {
 	Proto     string `arg:"--proto"                    help:"the .proto filename"`
 	Mutex     bool   `arg:"--mutex"   default:"true"   help:"insert a mutex into protoc .pb.go file"`
 	MutexName string `arg:"--mutex-name"               help:"use a var name for the mutex"`
+	Regret    bool   `arg:"--regret"                   help:"ignore needed UUID. You will eventually regret this."`
 	Delete    bool   `arg:"--delete"                   help:"use delete with copy experiment"`
 	DryRun    bool   `arg:"--dry-run"                  help:"check the .proto syntax, but don't do anything"`
 	GoSrc     string `arg:"--go-src"                   help:"default is ~/go/src. could be set to your go.work path"`
diff --git a/example/fruit.New.go b/example/fruit.New.go
index 0be9b07..bc192c0 100644
--- a/example/fruit.New.go
+++ b/example/fruit.New.go
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 package main
 
-func NewFruits() *Fruits {
+func oldNewFruits() *Fruits {
 	x := new(Fruits)
 	x.Uuid = "test"
 	x.Version = "v0.0.2"
diff --git a/file.proto b/file.proto
index 591e15f..fb42046 100644
--- a/file.proto
+++ b/file.proto
@@ -75,10 +75,11 @@ message File {
         MsgName  base              = 8;    // the primary repeated message for the master struct
 
         // every struct in this proto file, this file has: "Apple", "Apples", ... "File", etc...
-        repeated MsgName msgNames  = 9;
-        repeated MsgName sortNames = 10;    // variables that are repeated can have the standard functions generated (Sort(), etc)
+        repeated MsgName msgNames   = 9;
+        repeated MsgName sortNames  = 10;    // variables that are repeated can have the standard functions generated (Sort(), etc)
         map<string, string> iterMap = 11;
-        repeated Sort toSort      = 12;    // variables that are repeated can have the standard functions generated (Sort(), etc)
+        repeated Sort toSort        = 12;    // variables that are repeated can have the standard functions generated (Sort(), etc)
+        string   goPath             = 13;    // the version to use in a func NewMsgName()
 }
 
 // I know, I know, the whole point of using protobuf
diff --git a/generate.go b/generate.go
index 5c7b92a..2ef7c6c 100644
--- a/generate.go
+++ b/generate.go
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ func (pb *Files) makeNewSortfile(pf *File) error {
 
 	header(wSort, pf)
 	pf.syncLock(wSort)
+	if os.Getenv("PROTOBUF_REGRET") != "true" {
+		pf.addNewFunc(wSort)
+	}
 
 	fmt.Fprintf(wSort, "// START SORT\n")
 	fmt.Fprintf(wSort, "\n")
diff --git a/generateHeader.go b/generateHeader.go
index 99040d2..1660689 100644
--- a/generateHeader.go
+++ b/generateHeader.go
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@ package main
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
+	"os"
+
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 )
 
 func pbHeaderComment(w io.Writer) {
@@ -43,3 +46,34 @@ func header(w io.Writer, pf *File) {
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, ")")
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "")
 }
+
+func (pf *File) addNewFunc(w io.Writer) {
+	var STRUCT string = pf.Bases.Name
+	var UUID string = pf.Uuid
+	var VERSION string = pf.Version
+	if UUID == "" {
+		log.Info("error: UUID == ''")
+		os.Exit(-1)
+	}
+	if VERSION == "" {
+		log.Info("error: Version == ''")
+		os.Exit(-1)
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "func (x *"+STRUCT+") fixUuid() {")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	if x == nil {")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "		return")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	}")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	if x.Uuid == \""+UUID+"\" {")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "		return")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	}")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	x.Uuid = \""+UUID+"\"")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	x.Version = \""+VERSION+" "+pf.GoPath+"\"")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "}")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "func New"+STRUCT+"() *"+STRUCT+"{")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	x := new("+STRUCT+")")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	x.Uuid = \""+UUID+"\"")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	x.Version = \""+VERSION+" "+pf.GoPath+"\"")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	return x")
+	fmt.Fprintln(w, "}")
+}
diff --git a/generateMarshal.go b/generateMarshal.go
index 18758bb..8474efe 100644
--- a/generateMarshal.go
+++ b/generateMarshal.go
@@ -24,23 +24,28 @@ func (pb *Files) marshal(f *File) {
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "")
 
 	if f.Bases.DoMarshal {
-		marshalThing(w, f.Bases.Name)
+		if f.Uuid == "" {
+			marshalThing(w, f.Bases.Name, false)
+		} else {
+			// if the Uuid is set, run fixUuid() in Marshal()
+			marshalThing(w, f.Bases.Name, true)
+		}
 	}
 
 	if f.Base.DoMarshal {
-		marshalThing(w, f.Base.Name)
+		marshalThing(w, f.Base.Name, false)
 	}
 
 	for _, msg := range f.MsgNames {
 		if msg.DoMarshal {
-			marshalThing(w, msg.Name)
+			marshalThing(w, msg.Name, false)
 		} else {
 			// log.Info("Skipping. DoMarshal = false for", msg.Name)
 		}
 	}
 }
 
-func marshalThing(w io.Writer, thing string) {
+func marshalThing(w io.Writer, thing string, fix bool) {
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "// human readable JSON")
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "func (v *"+thing+") FormatJSON() string {")
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	return protojson.Format(v)")
@@ -60,6 +65,9 @@ func marshalThing(w io.Writer, thing string) {
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "// https://protobuf.dev/reference/go/faq/#unstable-text")
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "// it's brilliant for config files!")
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "func (v *"+thing+") FormatTEXT() string {")
+	if fix {
+		fmt.Fprintln(w, "	v.fixUuid()")
+	}
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	return prototext.Format(v)")
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "}")
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "")
@@ -70,6 +78,9 @@ func marshalThing(w io.Writer, thing string) {
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "")
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "// marshal to wire. This is called winning.")
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "func (v *"+thing+") Marshal() ([]byte, error) {")
+	if fix {
+		fmt.Fprintln(w, "	v.fixUuid()")
+	}
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "	return proto.Marshal(v)")
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "}")
 	fmt.Fprintln(w, "")
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 75f82ba..381b2fd 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -51,6 +51,11 @@ func main() {
 		os.Exit(-1)
 	}
 
+	if argv.Regret {
+		// this will override the manditory Uuid checks
+		os.Setenv("PROTOBUF_REGRET", "true")
+	}
+
 	pf := new(File)
 	pb.Files = append(pb.Files, pf)
 	pf.Filename = argv.Proto
@@ -61,7 +66,7 @@ func main() {
 	// parse sort & marshal options from the .proto file
 	// this goes through the .proto files and looks
 	// for `autogenpb: ` lines
-	if err := pb.protoParse(pf); err != nil {
+	if err := pf.protoParse(); err != nil {
 		log.Info("autogenpb parse error:", err)
 		badExit(err)
 	}
diff --git a/protoParse.go b/protoParse.go
index 9efe2fd..72c7e17 100644
--- a/protoParse.go
+++ b/protoParse.go
@@ -3,68 +3,17 @@ package main
 // auto run protoc with the correct args
 
 import (
-	"bufio"
-	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"strings"
 
 	"go.wit.com/lib/fhelp"
-	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"golang.org/x/text/cases"
 	"golang.org/x/text/language"
 )
 
 // this parses the .proto file and handles anything with `autogenpb: `
 
-// does the fruit.proto file have "message Fruits"
-func (pb *Files) hasPluralMessage(f *File) error {
-	file, err := os.Open(f.Filename)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	defer file.Close()
-	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(file)
-	for scanner.Scan() {
-		line := scanner.Text()
-
-		base := cases.Title(language.English, cases.NoLower).String(f.Filebase)
-		prefix := "message " + base + "s {" // to conform, it must have an added 's'
-		if !strings.HasPrefix(line, prefix) {
-			// log.Info("nope", prefix, "line", line)
-			// nope, not this line
-			continue
-		}
-
-		scanner.Scan()
-		line = scanner.Text()
-		fields := strings.Fields(line)
-		// log.Info("GOT LINE", line)
-		if fields[0] == "string" && fields[1] != "uuid" {
-			f.noUuid()
-			return fmt.Errorf("proto file does not have a UUID")
-		}
-		// ok, uuid is here
-		f.Uuid = line
-		log.Info("found UUID:", line)
-
-		scanner.Scan()
-		line = scanner.Text()
-		fields = strings.Fields(line)
-		// log.Info("GOT LINE", line)
-		if fields[0] == "string" && fields[1] != "version" {
-			f.noUuid()
-			return fmt.Errorf("proto file does not have a version")
-		}
-		// found "version", the .proto file conforms
-		f.Version = line
-		log.Info("found Version:", line)
-		return nil
-	}
-	f.noPluralMessage()
-	return fmt.Errorf("proto file error %s", f.Filename)
-}
-
-func (pb *Files) protoParse(pf *File) error {
+func (pf *File) protoParse() error {
 	// does the file conform to the standard? (also reads in UUID & Version)
 	// if err := pb.hasPluralMessage(pf); err != nil {
 	// 	return err
@@ -73,10 +22,13 @@ func (pb *Files) protoParse(pf *File) error {
 
 	uuid, version, err := fhelp.ValidProtobuf(pf.Filename)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		// the user can bypass this, but it's probably not worth allowing this
+		if os.Getenv("PROTOBUF_REGRET") != "true" {
+			return err
+		}
 	}
-	pb.Uuid = uuid
-	pb.Version = version
+	pf.Uuid = uuid
+	pf.Version = version
 
 	// read in the .proto file
 	data, err := os.ReadFile(pf.Filename)
diff --git a/protoc.go b/protoc.go
index 5f17a19..e0c128e 100644
--- a/protoc.go
+++ b/protoc.go
@@ -33,19 +33,19 @@ import (
 // 		--go_opt=MforgeConfig.proto=go.wit.com/apps/autogenpb/testautogen \
 // 		forgeConfig.proto
 
-func (pb *Files) protocBuild(f *File) error {
+func (pb *Files) protocBuild(pf *File) error {
 	// read in the .proto file
-	data, err := os.ReadFile(f.Filename)
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(pf.Filename)
 	if err != nil {
 		// log.Info("open config file :", err)
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if shell.Exists(f.Pbfilename) {
-		log.Info("protoc file already created", f.Pbfilename)
+	if shell.Exists(pf.Pbfilename) {
+		log.Info("protoc file already created", pf.Pbfilename)
 		return nil
 	}
-	log.Info("Attempt to generate the protoc file:", f.Pbfilename)
+	log.Info("Attempt to generate the protoc file:", pf.Pbfilename)
 	// log.Info("go src", forge.GetGoSrc())
 	pwd, _ := os.Getwd()
 	log.Info("go.Getwd()", pwd)
@@ -60,9 +60,10 @@ func (pb *Files) protocBuild(f *File) error {
 	gopath := strings.TrimPrefix(pwd, argv.GoSrc)
 	gopath = strings.Trim(gopath, "/")
 	log.Info("gopath", gopath)
+	pf.GoPath = gopath
 	cmd := []string{"protoc", "--go_out=."}
 	cmd = append(cmd, "--proto_path="+gopath)
-	cmd = append(cmd, "--go_opt=M"+f.Filename+"="+gopath)
+	cmd = append(cmd, "--go_opt=M"+pf.Filename+"="+gopath)
 	// cmd = append(cmd, "--print_free_field_numbers")
 
 	// look for included proto files
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@ func (pb *Files) protocBuild(f *File) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	cmd = append(cmd, f.Filename)
+	cmd = append(cmd, pf.Filename)
 	log.Info("\tpwd", argv.GoSrc)
 	for i, s := range cmd {
 		log.Info("\t", i, s)
diff --git a/small/fruit.New.go b/small/fruit.New.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 0be9b07..0000000
--- a/small/fruit.New.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-func NewFruits() *Fruits {
-	x := new(Fruits)
-	x.Uuid = "test"
-	x.Version = "v0.0.2"
-	// x.Fruits =
-	return x
-}