diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index 6573b60..79362c6 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -4,4 +4,13 @@ breadbot
 A Python IRC bot built using the `pinhook`_ framework to encourage
 addiction to bread on breadpunk's own irc server.
 
+Data files
+----------
+
+This bot expects a ``/bread/breadbot`` folder to exist, and will
+use it to store the breadcount in ``breadcount.txt``.  It will also
+use the ``/bread/bread_messages.txt`` file if it is available to give
+interesting replies instead of just saying ``bread`` when you say
+``bread``.
+
 .. _pinhook: https://github.com/archangelic/pinhook
diff --git a/breadbot/data/bread_messages.txt b/breadbot/data/bread_messages.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index d349822..0000000
--- a/breadbot/data/bread_messages.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-bread
-mmhhhh, bread
-bread!!!
-ｂｒｅａｄ
-🅱️ r e a d
-baguette
-bagel
-waffle
-le pain
-brode
-Adrian Bready
-Breadley Cooper
-toast
-Sometimes you get the crumb, sometimes the crust.
-muffin
-pita
-bread pudding
-ciabatta
-Jared Breado
-roll
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/breadbot/plugins/bread.py b/breadbot/plugins/bread.py
index 773fc20..8468d01 100644
--- a/breadbot/plugins/bread.py
+++ b/breadbot/plugins/bread.py
@@ -5,20 +5,26 @@ import re
 import random
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-data_path = Path(__file__).absolute().parent.parent / 'data'
+
+data_path = Path('/bread/breadbot')
 count_file = data_path / 'breadcount.txt'
 messages_file = data_path / 'bread_messages.txt'
+
 word_regex = re.compile(r'\W')
 
-try:
-    bread_messages = messages_file.read_text().strip().splitlines()
-    assert bread_messages
-except (IOError, TypeError, ValueError, AssertionError):
-    if not messages_file.exists():
-        messages_file.write_text('bread\n')
-    logger.warning(f'Bread messages file at {messages_file} not found '
-                   'or corrupted, using ["bread"]')
-    bread_messages = ['bread']
+
+def get_that_bread():
+    try:
+        bread_messages = messages_file.read_text().strip().splitlines()
+        assert bread_messages
+    except (IOError, TypeError, ValueError, AssertionError):
+        if not messages_file.exists():
+            messages_file.write_text('bread\n')
+        logger.warning(f'Bread messages file at {messages_file} not found '
+                       'or corrupted, using ["bread"]')
+        bread_messages = ['bread']
+
+    return random.choice(bread_messages)
 
 
 def increment_bread():
@@ -38,7 +44,7 @@ def bread(ctx):
     if 'bread' in words:
         increment_bread()
     if words == {'bread'}:
-        return plugin.message(random.choice(bread_messages))
+        return plugin.message(get_that_bread())
 
 
 @plugin.command(