diff --git a/.guile b/.guile
index 620e028..ce2bdfc 100644
--- a/.guile
+++ b/.guile
@@ -1,4 +1,18 @@
-(use-modules (ice-9 readline))
-(use-modules (ice-9 history))
+(cond ((false-if-exception (resolve-interface '(ice-9 readline)))
+       =>
+       (lambda (module)
+         ;; Enable completion and input history at the REPL.
+         ((module-ref module 'activate-readline))))
+      (else
+       (display "Consider installing the 'guile-readline' package for
+convenient interactive line editing and input history.\n\n")))
 
-(activate-readline)
+      (unless (getenv "INSIDE_EMACS")
+        (cond ((false-if-exception (resolve-interface '(ice-9 colorized)))
+               =>
+               (lambda (module)
+                 ;; Enable completion and input history at the REPL.
+                 ((module-ref module 'activate-colorized))))
+              (else
+               (display "Consider installing the 'guile-colorized' package
+for a colorful Guile experience.\n\n"))))