diff --git a/inventory b/inventory
index 431d8db..a89617b 100644
--- a/inventory
+++ b/inventory
@@ -1,15 +1,16 @@
 [laptop]
 petrichor
+orion
 
 [worklaptop]
 kisom-x1
 
-[build]
-orion
+# [build]
+# orion
 
 [personal]
 petrichor
 orion
 
 [rpi]
-rp3b-cdev
\ No newline at end of file
+rp3b-cdev
diff --git a/roles/base/tasks/main.yml b/roles/base/tasks/main.yml
index 5cc9bf2..bdaa668 100644
--- a/roles/base/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/base/tasks/main.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,19 @@
+- name: ensure system groups exist
+  become: true
+  ansible.builtin.group:
+    name: "{{ item }}"
+    state: present
+    system: true
+  with_items:
+    - adm
+    - cdrom
+    - dialout
+    - dip
+    - lpadmin
+    - plugdev
+    - sambashare
+    - sudo
+
 - name: set up user
   become: true
   ansible.builtin.user: