diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 9c9b403..3b3200b 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -5,5 +5,4 @@ log
 logs
 script
 *.log
-bin
-example
+bin
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/builder.go b/builder.go
index 5540b64..6f0a9b5 100644
--- a/builder.go
+++ b/builder.go
@@ -48,11 +48,20 @@ func (b *Builder) Build() (*Config, error) {
 		tagName = "toml"
 	}
 
-	// Register defaults if provided
+	// The logic for registering defaults must be prioritized:
+	// 1. If WithDefaults() was called, it takes precedence.
+	// 2. If not, but WithTarget() was called, use the target struct for defaults.
 	if b.defaults != nil {
+		// WithDefaults() was called explicitly.
 		if err := b.cfg.RegisterStructWithTags(b.prefix, b.defaults, tagName); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to register defaults: %w", err)
 		}
+	} else if b.cfg.structCache != nil && b.cfg.structCache.target != nil {
+		// No explicit defaults, so use the target struct as the source of defaults.
+		// This is the behavior the tests rely on.
+		if err := b.cfg.RegisterStructWithTags(b.prefix, b.cfg.structCache.target, tagName); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to register target struct as defaults: %w", err)
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Explicitly set the file path on the config object so the watcher can find it,
@@ -179,10 +188,12 @@ func (b *Builder) WithTarget(target any) *Builder {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Register struct fields automatically
-	if b.defaults == nil {
-		b.defaults = target
-	}
+	// NOTE: removed since it would cause issues when an empty struct is passed
+	// TODO: may cause issue in other scenarios, test extensively
+	// // Register struct fields automatically
+	// if b.defaults == nil {
+	// 	b.defaults = target
+	// }
 
 	return b
 }
diff --git a/doc/builder.md b/doc/builder.md
index cfb3391..6abba10 100644
--- a/doc/builder.md
+++ b/doc/builder.md
@@ -214,7 +214,61 @@ This searches for configuration files in:
 3. Current directory
 4. XDG config directories (`~/.config/myapp/`, `/etc/myapp/`)
 
-## Advanced Patterns
+## Method Interaction and Precedence
+
+While most builder methods can be chained in any order, it's important to understand how `WithDefaults` and `WithTarget` interact to define the default configuration values.
+
+### `WithDefaults` Has Precedence
+
+**Rule:** If `WithDefaults()` is used anywhere in the chain, it will **always** be the definitive source for default values.
+
+This is the recommended approach for clarity and explicitness. It cleanly separates the struct that defines the defaults from the struct that will be populated.
+
+**Example (Recommended Pattern):**
+
+```go
+// initialData contains the fallback values.
+initialData := &AppConfig{
+    Server: ServerConfig{Port: 8080},
+}
+
+// target is an empty shell for population.
+var target AppConfig
+
+// WithDefaults explicitly sets the defaults.
+// WithTarget sets up the config for type-safe decoding.
+cfg, err := config.NewBuilder().
+    WithTarget(&target).
+    WithDefaults(initialData).
+    WithFile("config.toml").
+    Build()
+```
+
+In this scenario, the `target` struct is *only* used for type information and `AsStruct()` functionality; its initial (zero) values are not used as defaults as per below.
+
+### Using `WithTarget` for Defaults
+
+**Rule:** If `WithDefaults()` is **not** used, the struct passed to `WithTarget()` will serve as the source of default values.
+
+This provides a convenient shorthand for simpler cases where the initial state of your application's config struct *is* the desired default state. The unit tests for the package rely on this behavior.
+
+**Example (Convenience Pattern):**
+
+```go
+// The initial state of this struct will be used as the defaults.
+target := &AppConfig{
+    Server: ServerConfig{Port: 8080},
+}
+
+// Since WithDefaults() is absent, the builder uses `target`
+// for both defaults and for type-safe decoding.
+cfg, err := config.NewBuilder().
+    WithTarget(&target).
+    WithFile("config.toml").
+    Build()
+```
+
+## Usage Patterns
 
 ### Type-Safe Configuration Access
 
diff --git a/example/main.go b/example/main.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8c0ee8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/example/main.go
@@ -0,0 +1,232 @@
+// FILE: lixenwraith/config/example/main.go
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"log"
+	"os"
+	"strconv"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"config"
+)
+
+// AppConfig defines a richer configuration structure to showcase more features.
+type AppConfig struct {
+	Server struct {
+		Host     string `toml:"host"`
+		Port     int64  `toml:"port"`
+		LogLevel string `toml:"log_level"`
+	} `toml:"server"`
+	FeatureFlags map[string]bool `toml:"feature_flags"`
+}
+
+const configFilePath = "config.toml"
+
+func main() {
+	// =========================================================================
+	// PART 1: INITIAL SETUP
+	// Create a clean config.toml file on disk for our program to read.
+	// =========================================================================
+	log.Println("---")
+	log.Println("➡️  PART 1: Creating initial configuration file...")
+
+	// Defer cleanup to run at the very end of the program.
+	defer func() {
+		log.Println("---")
+		log.Println("🧹 Cleaning up...")
+		os.Remove(configFilePath)
+		// Unset the environment variable we use for testing.
+		os.Unsetenv("APP_SERVER_PORT")
+		log.Printf("Removed %s and unset APP_SERVER_PORT.", configFilePath)
+	}()
+
+	initialData := &AppConfig{}
+	initialData.Server.Host = "localhost"
+	initialData.Server.Port = 8080
+	initialData.Server.LogLevel = "info"
+	initialData.FeatureFlags = map[string]bool{"enable_metrics": true}
+
+	if err := createInitialConfigFile(initialData); err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("❌ Failed during initial file creation: %v", err)
+	}
+	log.Printf("✅ Initial configuration saved to %s.", configFilePath)
+
+	// =========================================================================
+	// PART 2: RECOMMENDED CONFIGURATION USING THE BUILDER
+	// This demonstrates source precedence, validation, and type-safe targets.
+	// =========================================================================
+	log.Println("---")
+	log.Println("➡️  PART 2: Configuring manager with the Builder...")
+
+	// Set an environment variable to demonstrate source precedence (Env > File).
+	os.Setenv("APP_SERVER_PORT", "8888")
+	log.Println("   (Set environment variable APP_SERVER_PORT=8888)")
+
+	// Create a "target" struct. The builder will automatically populate this
+	// and keep it updated when using `AsStruct()`.
+	target := &AppConfig{}
+
+	// Define a custom validator function.
+	validator := func(c *config.Config) error {
+		p, _ := c.Get("server.port")
+		// 'p' can be an int64 (from defaults/TOML) or a string (from environment variables).
+
+		var port int64
+		var err error
+
+		switch v := p.(type) {
+		case string:
+			// If it's a string from an env var, parse it.
+			port, err = strconv.ParseInt(v, 10, 64)
+			if err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("could not parse port from string '%s': %w", v, err)
+			}
+		case int64:
+			// If it's already an int64, just use it.
+			port = v
+		default:
+			// Handle any other unexpected types.
+			return fmt.Errorf("unexpected type for server.port: %T", p)
+		}
+
+		if port < 1024 || port > 65535 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("port %d is outside the recommended range (1024-65535)", port)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Use the builder to chain multiple configuration options.
+	builder := config.NewBuilder().
+		WithTarget(target).        // Enables type-safe `AsStruct()` and auto-registration.
+		WithDefaults(initialData). // Explicitly set the source of defaults.
+		WithFile(configFilePath).  // Specifies the config file to read.
+		WithEnvPrefix("APP_").     // Sets prefix for environment variables (e.g., APP_SERVER_PORT).
+		WithValidator(validator)   // Adds a validation function to run at the end of the build.
+
+	// Build the final config object.
+	cfg, err := builder.Build()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("❌ Builder failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	log.Println("✅ Builder finished successfully. Initial values loaded.")
+	initialTarget, _ := cfg.AsStruct()
+	printCurrentState(initialTarget.(*AppConfig), "Initial State (Env overrides File)")
+
+	// =========================================================================
+	// PART 3: DYNAMIC RELOADING WITH THE WATCHER
+	// We'll now modify the file and verify the watcher updates the config.
+	// =========================================================================
+	log.Println("---")
+	log.Println("➡️  PART 3: Testing the file watcher...")
+
+	// Use WithOptions to demonstrate customizing the watcher.
+	watchOpts := config.WatchOptions{
+		PollInterval: 250 * time.Millisecond,
+		Debounce:     100 * time.Millisecond,
+	}
+	cfg.AutoUpdateWithOptions(watchOpts)
+	changes := cfg.Watch()
+	log.Println("✅ Watcher is now active with custom options.")
+
+	// Start a goroutine to modify the file after a short delay.
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	wg.Add(1)
+	go modifyFileOnDiskStructurally(&wg)
+	log.Println("   (Modifier goroutine dispatched to change file in 1 second...)")
+
+	log.Println("   (Waiting for watcher notification...)")
+	select {
+	case path := <-changes:
+		log.Printf("✅ Watcher detected a change for path: '%s'", path)
+		log.Println("   Verifying in-memory config using AsStruct()...")
+
+		// Retrieve the updated, type-safe struct.
+		updatedTarget, err := cfg.AsStruct()
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Fatalf("❌ AsStruct() failed after update: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		// Type-assert and verify the new values.
+		typedCfg := updatedTarget.(*AppConfig)
+		expectedLevel := "debug"
+		if typedCfg.Server.LogLevel != expectedLevel {
+			log.Fatalf("❌ VERIFICATION FAILED: Expected log_level '%s', but got '%s'.", expectedLevel, typedCfg.Server.LogLevel)
+		}
+
+		log.Println("✅ VERIFICATION SUCCESSFUL: In-memory config was updated by the watcher.")
+		printCurrentState(typedCfg, "Final State (Updated by Watcher)")
+
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		log.Fatalf("❌ TEST FAILED: Timed out waiting for watcher notification.")
+	}
+
+	wg.Wait()
+}
+
+// createInitialConfigFile is a helper to set up the initial file state.
+func createInitialConfigFile(data *AppConfig) error {
+	cfg := config.New()
+	if err := cfg.RegisterStruct("", data); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return cfg.Save(configFilePath)
+}
+
+// modifyFileOnDiskStructurally simulates an external program robustly changing the config file.
+func modifyFileOnDiskStructurally(wg *sync.WaitGroup) {
+	defer wg.Done()
+	time.Sleep(1 * time.Second)
+	log.Println("   (Modifier goroutine: now changing file on disk...)")
+
+	modifierCfg := config.New()
+	if err := modifierCfg.RegisterStruct("", &AppConfig{}); err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("❌ Modifier failed to register struct: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := modifierCfg.LoadFile(configFilePath); err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("❌ Modifier failed to load file: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Change the log level and add a new feature flag.
+	modifierCfg.Set("server.log_level", "debug")
+
+	rawFlags, _ := modifierCfg.Get("feature_flags")
+	newFlags := make(map[string]any)
+
+	// Use a type switch to robustly handle the map, regardless of its source.
+	switch flags := rawFlags.(type) {
+	case map[string]bool:
+		for k, v := range flags {
+			newFlags[k] = v
+		}
+	case map[string]any:
+		for k, v := range flags {
+			newFlags[k] = v
+		}
+	default:
+		log.Fatalf("❌ Modifier encountered unexpected type for feature_flags: %T", rawFlags)
+	}
+
+	// Now modify the generic map and set it back.
+	newFlags["enable_tracing"] = false
+	modifierCfg.Set("feature_flags", newFlags)
+
+	if err := modifierCfg.Save(configFilePath); err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("❌ Modifier failed to save file: %v", err)
+	}
+	log.Println("   (Modifier goroutine: finished.)")
+}
+
+// printCurrentState is a helper to display the typed config state.
+func printCurrentState(cfg *AppConfig, title string) {
+	fmt.Println("   --------------------------------------------------")
+	fmt.Printf("             %s\n", title)
+	fmt.Println("   --------------------------------------------------")
+	fmt.Printf("     Server Host:      %s\n", cfg.Server.Host)
+	fmt.Printf("     Server Port:      %d\n", cfg.Server.Port)
+	fmt.Printf("     Server Log Level: %s\n", cfg.Server.LogLevel)
+	fmt.Printf("     Feature Flags:    %v\n", cfg.FeatureFlags)
+	fmt.Println("   --------------------------------------------------")
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index ffaa49d..d541f78 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ go 1.24.5
 
 require (
 	github.com/BurntSushi/toml v1.5.0
-	github.com/lixenwraith/config v0.0.0-20250719015120-e02ee494d440
 	github.com/mitchellh/mapstructure v1.5.0
 	github.com/stretchr/testify v1.10.0
 )
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index e2ab293..d199406 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -4,8 +4,6 @@ github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.1 h1:vj9j/u1bqnvCEfJOwUhtlOARqs3+rkHYY13jYWTU97c
 github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.1/go.mod h1:J7Y8YcW2NihsgmVo/mv3lAwl/skON4iLHjSsI+c5H38=
 github.com/go-viper/mapstructure v1.6.0 h1:0WdPOF2rmmQDN1xo8qIgxyugvLp71HrZSWyGLxofobw=
 github.com/go-viper/mapstructure v1.6.0/go.mod h1:FcbLReH7/cjaC0RVQR+LHFIrBhHF3s1e/ud1KMDoBVw=
-github.com/lixenwraith/config v0.0.0-20250719015120-e02ee494d440 h1:O6nHnpeDfIYQ1WxCtA2gkm8upQ4RW21DUMlQz5DKJCU=
-github.com/lixenwraith/config v0.0.0-20250719015120-e02ee494d440/go.mod h1:y7kgDrWIFROWJJ6ASM/SPTRRAj27FjRGWh2SDLcdQ68=
 github.com/pmezard/go-difflib v1.0.0 h1:4DBwDE0NGyQoBHbLQYPwSUPoCMWR5BEzIk/f1lZbAQM=
 github.com/pmezard/go-difflib v1.0.0/go.mod h1:iKH77koFhYxTK1pcRnkKkqfTogsbg7gZNVY4sRDYZ/4=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.10.0 h1:Xv5erBjTwe/5IxqUQTdXv5kgmIvbHo3QQyRwhJsOfJA=