diff --git a/bin/start_service.sh b/bin/start_service.sh
index f284427..f56ea77 100755
--- a/bin/start_service.sh
+++ b/bin/start_service.sh
@@ -26,8 +26,13 @@ pip install uv
 # to run `uv ...`
 PATH="${HOME}/.local/bin:${PATH}"
 
+export UV_CACHE_DIR="/sls/bd/hla/.cache/uv"
+export UV_LINK_MODE="copy"
+
 APP_DIR=${SVC_DIR}/current/app
 echo "App dir: ${APP_DIR}"
+
+# TODO: do we need this? pyepics is not PSI specific...
 # (re)create venv using site-packages -- uses system-wide installed epics
 uv venv --system-site-packages ${APP_DIR}/.venv --clear
 # install custom python packages from pyproject.toml / uv.lock