diff --git a/doc/2-admin.mkd b/doc/2-admin.mkd
index 39f9c3c..4fd1fb7 100644
--- a/doc/2-admin.mkd
+++ b/doc/2-admin.mkd
@@ -50,6 +50,11 @@ Once you've cloned it, you're ready to add users and repos.
 
 ### adding users and repos
 
+Do **NOT** add repos or users directly on the server!  You MUST manage the
+server by cloning the special 'gitolite-admin' repo on your workstation (`git
+clone git@server:gitolite-admin`), making changes, and pushing them.  This
+section tells you how to add users and repos.
+
   * ask each user who will get access to send you a public key.  See other
     sources (for example [here][genpub]) for how to do this