diff --git a/setup_env.sh b/setup_env.sh
index d6570bf..4e70fbe 100755
--- a/setup_env.sh
+++ b/setup_env.sh
@@ -2,10 +2,18 @@
 
 # Function to install packages
 install_packages() {
-  echo "Updating package list..."
+  local packages=(tmux vim git pspg bat fzf ripgrep)
+  local missing=()
+  for pkg in "${packages[@]}"; do
+    command -v "$pkg" &>/dev/null || missing+=("$pkg")
+  done
+  if [[ ${#missing[@]} -eq 0 ]]; then
+    echo "All packages already installed, skipping."
+    return
+  fi
+  echo "Installing missing packages: ${missing[*]}"
   sudo apt update
-  echo "Installing basic packages..."
-  sudo apt install -y tmux vim git pspg bat fzf ripgrep
+  sudo apt install -y "${missing[@]}"
 }
 
 # Install Tmux Plugin Manager (TPM) if not already installed
@@ -38,11 +46,15 @@ install_git_bash_prompt() {
   fi
 }
 
-# Back up and create symlink
+# Back up and create symlink — skips if already pointing at the right target
 create_symlink() {
   local target=$1
   local link_name=$2
 
+  if [[ -L $link_name && "$(readlink "$link_name")" == "$target" ]]; then
+    return
+  fi
+
   if [[ -L $link_name || -f $link_name ]]; then
     echo "Backing up existing $link_name to ${link_name}.backup"
     mv "$link_name" "${link_name}.backup"