diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7920685..11718a5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@ this is a 3d-printable case designed for the PinePhone,
 but implemented with an eye towards generalizing beyond just that model
 and supporting future phones/preferences alongside this first model.
 
-as an example, the default case (pictured below) includes a pouch for carrying an external battery: a quick solution to achieve all-day battery life with any of the stock OSes. the back of this case prints flat, with a mesh that stretches to fit the battery upon installation.
+as an example, the default case (pictured below) includes a pouch for carrying an external battery, but if you don't want the pouch then you can build with `CASE_BATTERY=none make` (or edit with `CASE_BATTERY=none cq-toplevel.py --editor`, etc).
+
+the battery pouch is the defining feature of this case though. it's a quick solution to achieve all-day battery life without any special requirements from the OS, and it requires no supports to print: it's a simple mesh which prints flat with the rest of the case, but deforms to fit the battery upon installation.
 
 
 ## Images
diff --git a/cq_toplevel.py b/cq_toplevel.py
index edca2e4..a671707 100755
--- a/cq_toplevel.py
+++ b/cq_toplevel.py
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ from cadquery.vis import _to_assy
 from vtkmodules.vtkRenderingCore import vtkRenderWindow, vtkWindowToImageFilter
 from vtkmodules.vtkIOImage import vtkPNGWriter
 
+DEFAULT_BATTERY = "ldtek"
+
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -69,6 +71,7 @@ def export_png_image(obj, file_: str, orientation: str):
 
 def _model(as_assy: bool=False):
     logger.info("computing model ...")
+    battery_name = os.environ.get("CASE_BATTERY", DEFAULT_BATTERY)
     render_phone = os.environ.get("CASE_RENDER_PHONE", "") not in ("", "0")
     render_phone_only = os.environ.get("CASE_RENDER_PHONE_ONLY", "") not in ("", "0")
 
@@ -77,16 +80,19 @@ def _model(as_assy: bool=False):
     if render_phone_only:
         return case.orient_for_printing(phone)
 
-    battery = ldtek_battery.LdtekBattery()
+    battery = None
+    if battery_name == "ldtek":
+        battery = ldtek_battery.LdtekBattery()
     return case.case(phone, battery=battery, render_phone=render_phone, as_assy=as_assy)
 
 _computedModels = {}
 def model(as_assy: bool=False):
     """ memoized wrapper around `_model` """
     global _computedModels
-    if as_assy not in _computedModels:
-        _computedModels[as_assy] = _model(as_assy=as_assy)
-    return _computedModels[as_assy]
+    key = (as_assy, )
+    if key not in _computedModels:
+        _computedModels[key] = _model(as_assy=as_assy)
+    return _computedModels[key]
 
 def main():
     logging.basicConfig()
@@ -95,6 +101,7 @@ def main():
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="toplevel cadquery interface")
     parser.add_argument("--render-phone", action="store_true", help="render the case and also the phone within it; useful to confirm fit visually before printing")
     parser.add_argument("--render-phone-only", action="store_true", help="render *only* the phone, not even the case")
+    parser.add_argument("--battery", choices=["none", "ldtek"], help="name of the battery for which to create a pocket cutout, or 'none'")
     parser.add_argument("--export-stl")
     parser.add_argument("--export-png")
     parser.add_argument("--export-vtk")
@@ -108,6 +115,9 @@ def main():
     if args.render_phone_only:
         os.environ["CASE_RENDER_PHONE_ONLY"] = "1"
 
+    if args.battery:
+        os.environ["CASE_BATTERY"] = args.battery
+
     if args.export_stl:
         model_ = model()
         logger.info("exporting stl to %s", args.export_stl)