diff --git a/class.properties b/class.properties
index 181c3887..57808b22 100644
--- a/class.properties
+++ b/class.properties
@@ -1,5 +1,20 @@
+
+#
+# define the root class of this application
+#
+root = helma.main.Server
+
+#
+# root.factory is used to retrieve the root class of the application
+# when the instance has already been created when the application comes up.
+# this is true for the helma server that is scripted here.
+# 
+root.factory.class = helma.main.Server
+root.factory.method = getServer
+
 #
 # Map Java classes to the prototype used to script them
+# and, yes, map the root class again.
 #
 
 helma.main.Server 		 = root