diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 4c5367fd..9fa68e51 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -5,8 +5,26 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/)
 
 ## [Unreleased]
+* Plugins don't crash zellij anymore on receiving mouse events (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/620)
+
+
+## [0.15.0] - 2021-07-19
 * Kill children properly (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/601)
 * Change name of `Run` binding for actions (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/602)
+* Add running commands to `layouts` (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/600)
+
+  POSSIBLE BREAKING CHANGE for custom layouts:
+  Plugins are under the run category now, that means:
+  ```
+  plugin: status-bar
+  ```
+  is now:
+  ```
+  run:
+      plugin: status-bar
+  ```
+* Add `on_force_close` config option (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/609)
+
 
 ## [0.14.0] - 2021-07-05
 * Add improved error handling for layouts (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/576)
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index f06e05c1..f3533409 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -2622,7 +2622,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "zellij"
-version = "0.15.0"
+version = "0.16.0"
 dependencies = [
  "insta",
  "log",
@@ -2636,7 +2636,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "zellij-client"
-version = "0.15.0"
+version = "0.16.0"
 dependencies = [
  "insta",
  "log",
@@ -2647,7 +2647,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "zellij-server"
-version = "0.15.0"
+version = "0.16.0"
 dependencies = [
  "ansi_term 0.12.1",
  "async-trait",
@@ -2667,7 +2667,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "zellij-tile"
-version = "0.15.0"
+version = "0.16.0"
 dependencies = [
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
@@ -2677,14 +2677,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "zellij-tile-utils"
-version = "0.15.0"
+version = "0.16.0"
 dependencies = [
  "ansi_term 0.12.1",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "zellij-utils"
-version = "0.15.0"
+version = "0.16.0"
 dependencies = [
  "async-std",
  "backtrace",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index a0fd188e..5ccd8e48 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "zellij"
-version = "0.15.0"
+version = "0.16.0"
 authors = ["Aram Drevekenin <aram@poor.dev>"]
 edition = "2018"
 description = "A terminal workspace with batteries included"
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@ resolver = "2"
 
 [dependencies]
 names = "0.11.0"
-zellij-client = { path = "zellij-client/", version = "0.15.0" }
-zellij-server = { path = "zellij-server/", version = "0.15.0" }
-zellij-utils = { path = "zellij-utils/", version = "0.15.0" }
+zellij-client = { path = "zellij-client/", version = "0.16.0" }
+zellij-server = { path = "zellij-server/", version = "0.16.0" }
+zellij-utils = { path = "zellij-utils/", version = "0.16.0" }
 log = "0.4.14"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
diff --git a/Makefile.toml b/Makefile.toml
index c58ce3d0..e0043ab7 100644
--- a/Makefile.toml
+++ b/Makefile.toml
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ run_task = "publish-zellij"
 [tasks.release-commit]
 dependencies = ["commit-all", "tag-release"]
 command = "git"
-args = ["push", "--atomic", "upstream", "main", "v${CARGO_MAKE_CRATE_VERSION}"]
+args = ["push", "--atomic", "origin", "main", "v${CARGO_MAKE_CRATE_VERSION}"]
 
 [tasks.commit-all]
 ignore_errors = true
diff --git a/example/run_htop_layout.yaml b/example/run_htop_layout.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..949435d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/example/run_htop_layout.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+---
+direction: Vertical
+parts:
+  - direction: Horizontal
+    split_size:
+      Percent: 50
+    parts:
+      - direction: Vertical
+        split_size:
+          Percent: 50
+      - direction: Vertical
+        split_size:
+          Percent: 50
+        run:
+          command: {cmd: htop}
+  - direction: Horizontal
+    split_size:
+      Percent: 50
+    run:
+      command: {cmd: htop}
diff --git a/example/run_htop_layout_with_plugins.yaml b/example/run_htop_layout_with_plugins.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..99f72edb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/example/run_htop_layout_with_plugins.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+---
+direction: Horizontal
+parts:
+  - direction: Vertical
+    split_size:
+      Fixed: 1
+    run:
+      plugin: tab-bar
+  - direction: Vertical
+    parts:
+    - direction: Vertical
+      parts:
+      - direction: Vertical
+        split_size:
+          Percent: 50
+        run:
+          command: {cmd: htop}
+      - direction: Vertical
+        split_size:
+          Percent: 50
+        run:
+          command: {cmd: htop, args: ["-C"]}
+  - direction: Vertical
+    split_size:
+      Fixed: 5
+  - direction: Vertical
+    split_size:
+      Fixed: 2
+    run:
+      plugin: status-bar
diff --git a/zellij-client/Cargo.toml b/zellij-client/Cargo.toml
index 64241f58..731c0d45 100644
--- a/zellij-client/Cargo.toml
+++ b/zellij-client/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "zellij-client"
-version = "0.15.0"
+version = "0.16.0"
 authors = ["Kunal Mohan <kunalmohan99@gmail.com>"]
 edition = "2018"
 description = "The client-side library for Zellij"
@@ -11,9 +11,10 @@ license = "MIT"
 [dependencies]
 mio = "0.7.11"
 termbg = "0.2.3"
-zellij-utils = { path = "../zellij-utils/", version = "0.15.0" }
+zellij-utils = { path = "../zellij-utils/", version = "0.16.0" }
 log = "0.4.14"
 
+
 [dev-dependencies]
 insta = "1.6.0"
 
diff --git a/zellij-client/src/lib.rs b/zellij-client/src/lib.rs
index d9dda42c..5c832e86 100644
--- a/zellij-client/src/lib.rs
+++ b/zellij-client/src/lib.rs
@@ -166,6 +166,8 @@ pub fn start_client(
         })
     });
 
+    let on_force_close = config_options.on_force_close.unwrap_or_default();
+
     let _stdin_thread = thread::Builder::new()
         .name("stdin_handler".to_string())
         .spawn({
@@ -202,7 +204,7 @@ pub fn start_client(
                     Box::new({
                         let os_api = os_input.clone();
                         move || {
-                            os_api.send_to_server(ClientToServerMsg::Action(Action::Detach));
+                            os_api.send_to_server(ClientToServerMsg::Action(on_force_close.into()));
                         }
                     }),
                 );
diff --git a/zellij-server/Cargo.toml b/zellij-server/Cargo.toml
index 81616d06..e3015aaa 100644
--- a/zellij-server/Cargo.toml
+++ b/zellij-server/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "zellij-server"
-version = "0.15.0"
+version = "0.16.0"
 authors = ["Kunal Mohan <kunalmohan99@gmail.com>"]
 edition = "2018"
 description = "The server-side library for Zellij"
@@ -18,11 +18,12 @@ unicode-width = "0.1.8"
 wasmer = "1.0.0"
 wasmer-wasi = "1.0.0"
 cassowary = "0.3.0"
-zellij-utils = { path = "../zellij-utils/", version = "0.15.0" }
+zellij-utils = { path = "../zellij-utils/", version = "0.16.0" }
 log = "0.4.14"
 typetag = "0.1.7"
 chrono = "0.4.19"
 
+
 [dev-dependencies]
 insta = "1.6.0"
 
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/panes/plugin_pane.rs b/zellij-server/src/panes/plugin_pane.rs
index c01c7b87..256ceaea 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/panes/plugin_pane.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/plugin_pane.rs
@@ -196,13 +196,13 @@ impl Pane for PluginPane {
         self.position_and_size.y -= count;
     }
     fn scroll_up(&mut self, _count: usize) {
-        unimplemented!()
+        //unimplemented!()
     }
     fn scroll_down(&mut self, _count: usize) {
-        unimplemented!()
+        //unimplemented!()
     }
     fn clear_scroll(&mut self) {
-        unimplemented!()
+        //unimplemented!()
     }
     // FIXME: This need to be reevaluated and deleted if possible.
     // `max` doesn't make sense when things are fixed...
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/pty.rs b/zellij-server/src/pty.rs
index e7884f35..5ef3b321 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/pty.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/pty.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,3 @@
-use zellij_utils::async_std;
-
-use async_std::future::timeout as async_timeout;
-use async_std::task::{self, JoinHandle};
-use std::collections::HashMap;
-use std::os::unix::io::RawFd;
-use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
-
 use crate::{
     os_input_output::{AsyncReader, Pid, ServerOsApi},
     panes::PaneId,
@@ -14,9 +6,22 @@ use crate::{
     wasm_vm::PluginInstruction,
     ServerInstruction,
 };
+use async_std::{
+    future::timeout as async_timeout,
+    task::{self, JoinHandle},
+};
+use std::{
+    collections::HashMap,
+    os::unix::io::RawFd,
+    time::{Duration, Instant},
+};
 use zellij_utils::{
+    async_std,
     errors::{get_current_ctx, ContextType, PtyContext},
-    input::{command::TerminalAction, layout::Layout},
+    input::{
+        command::TerminalAction,
+        layout::{Layout, Run},
+    },
     logging::debug_to_file,
 };
 
@@ -236,19 +241,36 @@ impl Pty {
     pub fn spawn_terminals_for_layout(
         &mut self,
         layout: Layout,
-        terminal_action: Option<TerminalAction>,
+        default_shell: Option<TerminalAction>,
     ) {
-        let total_panes = layout.total_terminal_panes();
+        let extracted_run_instructions = layout.extract_run_instructions();
         let mut new_pane_pids = vec![];
-        for _ in 0..total_panes {
-            let (pid_primary, pid_secondary): (RawFd, Pid) = self
-                .bus
-                .os_input
-                .as_mut()
-                .unwrap()
-                .spawn_terminal(terminal_action.clone());
-            self.id_to_child_pid.insert(pid_primary, pid_secondary);
-            new_pane_pids.push(pid_primary);
+        for run_instruction in extracted_run_instructions {
+            match run_instruction {
+                Some(Run::Command(command)) => {
+                    let cmd = TerminalAction::RunCommand(command);
+                    let (pid_primary, pid_secondary): (RawFd, Pid) = self
+                        .bus
+                        .os_input
+                        .as_mut()
+                        .unwrap()
+                        .spawn_terminal(Some(cmd));
+                    self.id_to_child_pid.insert(pid_primary, pid_secondary);
+                    new_pane_pids.push(pid_primary);
+                }
+                None => {
+                    let (pid_primary, pid_secondary): (RawFd, Pid) = self
+                        .bus
+                        .os_input
+                        .as_mut()
+                        .unwrap()
+                        .spawn_terminal(default_shell.clone());
+                    self.id_to_child_pid.insert(pid_primary, pid_secondary);
+                    new_pane_pids.push(pid_primary);
+                }
+                // Investigate moving plugin loading to here.
+                Some(Run::Plugin(_)) => {}
+            }
         }
         self.bus
             .senders
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/screen.rs b/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
index 9005d795..c96c1345 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ use crate::{
     wasm_vm::PluginInstruction,
     ServerInstruction, SessionState,
 };
-use zellij_tile::data::{Event, InputMode, ModeInfo, Palette, PluginCapabilities, TabInfo};
+use zellij_tile::data::{Event, ModeInfo, Palette, PluginCapabilities, TabInfo};
 use zellij_utils::{
     errors::{ContextType, ScreenContext},
     input::options::Options,
@@ -149,7 +149,6 @@ pub(crate) struct Screen {
     /// The index of this [`Screen`]'s active [`Tab`].
     active_tab_index: Option<usize>,
     mode_info: ModeInfo,
-    input_mode: InputMode,
     colors: Palette,
     session_state: Arc<RwLock<SessionState>>,
 }
@@ -161,7 +160,6 @@ impl Screen {
         client_attributes: &ClientAttributes,
         max_panes: Option<usize>,
         mode_info: ModeInfo,
-        input_mode: InputMode,
         session_state: Arc<RwLock<SessionState>>,
     ) -> Self {
         Screen {
@@ -172,7 +170,6 @@ impl Screen {
             active_tab_index: None,
             tabs: BTreeMap::new(),
             mode_info,
-            input_mode,
             session_state,
         }
     }
@@ -192,7 +189,6 @@ impl Screen {
             self.max_panes,
             Some(PaneId::Terminal(pane_id)),
             self.mode_info.clone(),
-            self.input_mode,
             self.colors,
             self.session_state.clone(),
         );
@@ -354,7 +350,6 @@ impl Screen {
             self.max_panes,
             None,
             self.mode_info.clone(),
-            self.input_mode,
             self.colors,
             self.session_state.clone(),
         );
@@ -428,7 +423,6 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
     session_state: Arc<RwLock<SessionState>>,
 ) {
     let capabilities = config_options.simplified_ui;
-    let default_mode = config_options.default_mode.unwrap_or_default();
 
     let mut screen = Screen::new(
         bus,
@@ -439,10 +433,8 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
             capabilities: PluginCapabilities {
                 arrow_fonts: capabilities,
             },
-            mode: default_mode,
             ..ModeInfo::default()
         },
-        default_mode,
         session_state,
     );
     loop {
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/tab.rs b/zellij-server/src/tab.rs
index 68e7b7a6..f3b30fe3 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/tab.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/tab.rs
@@ -24,9 +24,12 @@ use std::{
     cmp::Reverse,
     collections::{BTreeMap, HashSet},
 };
-use zellij_tile::data::{Event, InputMode, ModeInfo, Palette};
+use zellij_tile::data::{Event, ModeInfo, Palette};
 use zellij_utils::{
-    input::{layout::Layout, parse_keys},
+    input::{
+        layout::{Layout, Run},
+        parse_keys,
+    },
     pane_size::PositionAndSize,
     shared::adjust_to_size,
 };
@@ -84,7 +87,6 @@ pub(crate) struct Tab {
     should_clear_display_before_rendering: bool,
     session_state: Arc<RwLock<SessionState>>,
     pub mode_info: ModeInfo,
-    pub input_mode: InputMode,
     pub colors: Palette,
 }
 
@@ -96,7 +98,6 @@ pub(crate) struct TabData {
     pub name: String,
     pub active: bool,
     pub mode_info: ModeInfo,
-    pub input_mode: InputMode,
     pub colors: Palette,
 }
 
@@ -257,7 +258,6 @@ impl Tab {
         max_panes: Option<usize>,
         pane_id: Option<PaneId>,
         mode_info: ModeInfo,
-        input_mode: InputMode,
         colors: Palette,
         session_state: Arc<RwLock<SessionState>>,
     ) -> Self {
@@ -296,7 +296,6 @@ impl Tab {
             senders,
             should_clear_display_before_rendering: false,
             mode_info,
-            input_mode,
             colors,
             session_state,
         }
@@ -338,7 +337,7 @@ impl Tab {
         let mut new_pids = new_pids.iter();
         for (layout, position_and_size) in positions_and_size {
             // A plugin pane
-            if let Some(plugin) = &layout.plugin {
+            if let Some(Run::Plugin(Some(plugin))) = &layout.run {
                 let (pid_tx, pid_rx) = channel();
                 self.senders
                     .send_to_plugin(PluginInstruction::Load(pid_tx, plugin.clone()))
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/unit/screen_tests.rs b/zellij-server/src/unit/screen_tests.rs
index 173e2ccc..df159dde 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/unit/screen_tests.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/unit/screen_tests.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 use super::{Screen, ScreenInstruction};
-use crate::zellij_tile::data::{InputMode, ModeInfo, Palette};
+use crate::zellij_tile::data::{ModeInfo, Palette};
 use crate::{
     os_input_output::{AsyncReader, Pid, ServerOsApi},
     thread_bus::Bus,
@@ -81,16 +81,8 @@ fn create_new_screen(position_and_size: PositionAndSize) -> Screen {
     client_attributes.position_and_size = position_and_size;
     let max_panes = None;
     let mode_info = ModeInfo::default();
-    let input_mode = InputMode::Normal;
     let session_state = Arc::new(RwLock::new(SessionState::Attached));
-    Screen::new(
-        bus,
-        &client_attributes,
-        max_panes,
-        mode_info,
-        input_mode,
-        session_state,
-    )
+    Screen::new(bus, &client_attributes, max_panes, mode_info, session_state)
 }
 
 #[test]
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/unit/tab_tests.rs b/zellij-server/src/unit/tab_tests.rs
index c19c41ce..cc08a5b1 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/unit/tab_tests.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/unit/tab_tests.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 use super::Tab;
-use crate::zellij_tile::data::{InputMode, ModeInfo, Palette};
+use crate::zellij_tile::data::{ModeInfo, Palette};
 use crate::{
     os_input_output::{AsyncReader, Pid, ServerOsApi},
     panes::PaneId,
@@ -82,7 +82,6 @@ fn create_new_tab(position_and_size: PositionAndSize) -> Tab {
     let max_panes = None;
     let first_pane_id = Some(PaneId::Terminal(1));
     let mode_info = ModeInfo::default();
-    let input_mode = InputMode::Normal;
     let colors = Palette::default();
     let session_state = Arc::new(RwLock::new(SessionState::Attached));
     Tab::new(
@@ -95,7 +94,6 @@ fn create_new_tab(position_and_size: PositionAndSize) -> Tab {
         max_panes,
         first_pane_id,
         mode_info,
-        input_mode,
         colors,
         session_state,
     )
diff --git a/zellij-tile-utils/Cargo.toml b/zellij-tile-utils/Cargo.toml
index 9c8865a9..d1e7d233 100644
--- a/zellij-tile-utils/Cargo.toml
+++ b/zellij-tile-utils/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "zellij-tile-utils"
-version = "0.15.0"
+version = "0.16.0"
 authors = ["denis <denismaximov98@gmail.com>"]
 edition = "2018"
 description = "A utility library for Zellij plugins"
diff --git a/zellij-tile/Cargo.toml b/zellij-tile/Cargo.toml
index b0c18ff2..90be3e08 100644
--- a/zellij-tile/Cargo.toml
+++ b/zellij-tile/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "zellij-tile"
-version = "0.15.0"
+version = "0.16.0"
 authors = ["Brooks J Rady <b.j.rady@gmail.com>"]
 edition = "2018"
 description = "A small client-side library for writing Zellij plugins"
diff --git a/zellij-utils/Cargo.toml b/zellij-utils/Cargo.toml
index b3f14886..5761f414 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/Cargo.toml
+++ b/zellij-utils/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "zellij-utils"
-version = "0.15.0"
+version = "0.16.0"
 authors = ["Kunal Mohan <kunalmohan99@gmail.com>"]
 edition = "2018"
 description = "A utility library for Zellij client and server"
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ structopt = "0.3"
 strum = "0.20.0"
 termion = "1.5.0"
 vte = "0.10.1"
-zellij-tile = { path = "../zellij-tile/", version = "0.15.0" }
+zellij-tile = { path = "../zellij-tile/", version = "0.16.0" }
 log = "0.4.14"
 log4rs = "1.0.0"
 
diff --git a/zellij-utils/assets/config/default.yaml b/zellij-utils/assets/config/default.yaml
index 42bc1688..d9090a8d 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/assets/config/default.yaml
+++ b/zellij-utils/assets/config/default.yaml
@@ -240,3 +240,10 @@ keybinds:
           key: [Ctrl: 'q',]
         - action: [Detach,]
           key: [Char: 'd',]
+
+# Choose what to do when zellij receives SIGTERM, SIGINT, SIGQUIT or SIGHUP
+# eg. when terminal window with an active zellij session is closed
+# Options:
+#   - detach (Default)
+#   - quit
+#on_force_close: quit
diff --git a/zellij-utils/assets/layouts/default.yaml b/zellij-utils/assets/layouts/default.yaml
index 9be7af2a..96bf1809 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/assets/layouts/default.yaml
+++ b/zellij-utils/assets/layouts/default.yaml
@@ -4,9 +4,11 @@ parts:
   - direction: Vertical
     split_size:
       Fixed: 1
-    plugin: tab-bar
+    run:
+      plugin: tab-bar
   - direction: Vertical
   - direction: Vertical
     split_size:
       Fixed: 2
-    plugin: status-bar
+    run:
+      plugin: status-bar
diff --git a/zellij-utils/assets/layouts/disable-status-bar.yaml b/zellij-utils/assets/layouts/disable-status-bar.yaml
index fd9c97da..b990ba50 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/assets/layouts/disable-status-bar.yaml
+++ b/zellij-utils/assets/layouts/disable-status-bar.yaml
@@ -4,5 +4,6 @@ parts:
   - direction: Vertical
     split_size:
       Fixed: 1
-    plugin: tab-bar
+    run:
+      plugin: tab-bar
   - direction: Vertical
diff --git a/zellij-utils/assets/layouts/strider.yaml b/zellij-utils/assets/layouts/strider.yaml
index 5dc9b08f..9bbe5772 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/assets/layouts/strider.yaml
+++ b/zellij-utils/assets/layouts/strider.yaml
@@ -4,15 +4,18 @@ parts:
   - direction: Vertical
     split_size:
       Fixed: 1
-    plugin: tab-bar
+    run:
+      plugin: tab-bar
   - direction: Vertical
     parts:
       - direction: Horizontal
         split_size:
           Percent: 20
-        plugin: strider
+        run:
+          plugin: strider
       - direction: Horizontal
   - direction: Vertical
     split_size:
       Fixed: 2
-    plugin: status-bar
+    run:
+      plugin: status-bar
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
index ecd515a4..bfd7d255 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 //! Definition of the actions that can be bound to keys.
 
 use super::command::RunCommandAction;
+use crate::input::options::OnForceClose;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use zellij_tile::data::InputMode;
 
@@ -81,3 +82,12 @@ pub enum Action {
     MouseHold(Position),
     Copy,
 }
+
+impl From<OnForceClose> for Action {
+    fn from(ofc: OnForceClose) -> Action {
+        match ofc {
+            OnForceClose::Quit => Action::Quit,
+            OnForceClose::Detach => Action::Detach,
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/command.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/command.rs
index b66c7500..2054f208 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/command.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/command.rs
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ pub enum TerminalAction {
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Deserialize, Default, Serialize, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub struct RunCommand {
+    #[serde(alias = "cmd")]
     pub command: PathBuf,
     #[serde(default)]
     pub args: Vec<String>,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/layout.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/layout.rs
index 16309db1..a48c3521 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/layout.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/layout.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,11 @@
 //  place.
 //  If plugins should be able to depend on the layout system
 //  then [`zellij-utils`] could be a proper place.
-use crate::{input::config::ConfigError, pane_size::PositionAndSize, setup};
+use crate::{
+    input::{command::RunCommand, config::ConfigError},
+    pane_size::PositionAndSize,
+    setup,
+};
 use crate::{serde, serde_yaml};
 
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
@@ -29,6 +33,15 @@ pub enum SplitSize {
     Fixed(u16),  // An absolute number of columns or rows
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, Clone)]
+#[serde(crate = "self::serde")]
+pub enum Run {
+    #[serde(rename = "plugin")]
+    Plugin(Option<PathBuf>),
+    #[serde(rename = "command")]
+    Command(RunCommand),
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, Clone)]
 #[serde(crate = "self::serde")]
 pub struct Layout {
@@ -36,7 +49,7 @@ pub struct Layout {
     #[serde(default)]
     pub parts: Vec<Layout>,
     pub split_size: Option<SplitSize>,
-    pub plugin: Option<PathBuf>,
+    pub run: Option<Run>,
 }
 
 type LayoutResult = Result<Layout, ConfigError>;
@@ -127,13 +140,28 @@ impl Layout {
         let mut total_panes = 0;
         total_panes += self.parts.len();
         for part in self.parts.iter() {
-            if part.plugin.is_none() {
-                total_panes += part.total_terminal_panes();
+            match part.run {
+                Some(Run::Command(_)) | None => {
+                    total_panes += part.total_terminal_panes();
+                }
+                Some(Run::Plugin(_)) => {}
             }
         }
         total_panes
     }
 
+    pub fn extract_run_instructions(&self) -> Vec<Option<Run>> {
+        let mut run_instructions = vec![];
+        if self.parts.is_empty() {
+            run_instructions.push(self.run.clone());
+        }
+        for part in self.parts.iter() {
+            let mut current_runnables = part.extract_run_instructions();
+            run_instructions.append(&mut current_runnables);
+        }
+        run_instructions
+    }
+
     pub fn position_panes_in_space(
         &self,
         space: &PositionAndSize,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/options.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/options.rs
index 2ba2be86..a2f9231c 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/options.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/options.rs
@@ -2,12 +2,39 @@
 use crate::cli::Command;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::str::FromStr;
 use structopt::StructOpt;
 use zellij_tile::data::InputMode;
 
+#[derive(Copy, Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Deserialize, Serialize)]
+pub enum OnForceClose {
+    #[serde(alias = "quit")]
+    Quit,
+    #[serde(alias = "detach")]
+    Detach,
+}
+
+impl Default for OnForceClose {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::Detach
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromStr for OnForceClose {
+    type Err = Box<dyn std::error::Error>;
+
+    fn from_str(s: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        match s {
+            "quit" => Ok(Self::Quit),
+            "detach" => Ok(Self::Detach),
+            e => Err(e.to_string().into()),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Clone, Default, Debug, PartialEq, Deserialize, Serialize, StructOpt)]
 /// Options that can be set either through the config file,
-/// or cli flags
+/// or cli flags - cli flags should take precedence over the config file
 pub struct Options {
     /// Allow plugins to use a more simplified layout
     /// that is compatible with more fonts
@@ -29,7 +56,11 @@ pub struct Options {
     pub layout_dir: Option<PathBuf>,
     #[structopt(long)]
     #[serde(default)]
+    /// Disable handling of mouse events
     pub disable_mouse_mode: bool,
+    /// Set behaviour on force close (quit or detach)
+    #[structopt(long)]
+    pub on_force_close: Option<OnForceClose>,
 }
 
 impl Options {
@@ -45,37 +76,16 @@ impl Options {
     /// will supercede a `Some` in `self`
     // TODO: Maybe a good candidate for a macro?
     pub fn merge(&self, other: Options) -> Options {
-        let simplified_ui = if other.simplified_ui {
-            true
-        } else {
-            self.simplified_ui
-        };
+        let merge_bool = |opt_other, opt_self| if opt_other { true } else { opt_self };
 
-        let default_mode = match other.default_mode {
-            None => self.default_mode,
-            other => other,
-        };
+        let simplified_ui = merge_bool(other.simplified_ui, self.simplified_ui);
+        let disable_mouse_mode = merge_bool(other.disable_mouse_mode, self.disable_mouse_mode);
 
-        let default_shell = match other.default_shell {
-            None => self.default_shell.clone(),
-            other => other,
-        };
-
-        let layout_dir = match other.layout_dir {
-            None => self.layout_dir.clone(),
-            other => other,
-        };
-
-        let theme = match other.theme {
-            None => self.theme.clone(),
-            other => other,
-        };
-
-        let disable_mouse_mode = if other.disable_mouse_mode {
-            true
-        } else {
-            self.disable_mouse_mode
-        };
+        let default_mode = other.default_mode.or(self.default_mode);
+        let default_shell = other.default_shell.or_else(|| self.default_shell.clone());
+        let layout_dir = other.layout_dir.or_else(|| self.layout_dir.clone());
+        let theme = other.theme.or_else(|| self.theme.clone());
+        let on_force_close = other.on_force_close.or(self.on_force_close);
 
         Options {
             simplified_ui,
@@ -84,6 +94,7 @@ impl Options {
             default_shell,
             layout_dir,
             disable_mouse_mode,
+            on_force_close,
         }
     }