diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index c94c9ff..5540452 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.
 - Added editorconfig
 - Added code linters for shellcheck & shfmt [#33](https://github.com/egel/tmux-gruvbox/issues/33)
 - Added tests (for linux) [#39](https://github.com/egel/tmux-gruvbox/issues/39)
+- Added customizable statusbar [#31](https://github.com/egel/tmux-gruvbox/issues/31)
 
 ### Changed
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ff5426d..eb2da52 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -25,60 +25,126 @@ Theme with 'retro groove' flavor for [Tmux][github-tmux], based on Pavel Pertsev
 
 ## Installation
 
-**Available Themes**
+### Install via [TPM][github-tpm] (recommended)
 
-- [`dark`](./docs/assets/img/gruvbox-dark-theme.png)
-- [`light`](./docs/assets/img/gruvbox-light-theme.png)
-- `dark-transparent` (experimental)
-- `light-transparent` (experimental)
+Add plugin at the top list of TPM plugins in `.tmux.conf` and select desired theme.
+
+```bash
+# ~/.tmux.conf
+set -g @plugin 'egel/tmux-gruvbox'
+# set desired options...
+set -g @tmux-gruvbox 'dark' # or 'light'
+```
+
+Hit `prefix + I` to fetch the plugin and source it. Your Tmux should be updated with the theme at this point.
 
 ### Install manually
 
-The simplest way is just:
+1.  Clone the project to desired location
+
+    > ![TIP] If you do not have github account [download](https://github.com/egel/tmux-gruvbox/archive/refs/heads/main.zip) it and unzip.
+
+    ```bash
+    cd ~/projects/
+    git clone ...
+    ```
 
-> [!TIP]
-> Always make a backup of your config files before any action.
+1.  Add theme at to top of your `~/.tmux.conf` config.
+
+    ```bash
+    # ~/.tmux.conf
+    run ~/projects/tmux-gruvbox/tmux-gruvbox.tmux
+    # set desired options...
+    set -g @tmux-gruvbox 'dark' # or light
+    ```
+
+## Configuration options
+
+### Theme
+
+- default value: `dark256`
+- available themes:
+  - [`dark256`](./docs/assets/img/gruvbox-dark-theme.png)
+  - [`light256`](./docs/assets/img/gruvbox-light-theme.png)
 
 ```bash
-cat tmux-gruvbox-dark.conf >> ~/.tmux.conf
+set -g @tmux-gruvbox 'dark256'
 ```
 
-### Install through [Tmux Plugin Manager](https://github.com/tmux-plugins/tpm)
+### Transparent status-bar
 
-Add plugin to the list of TPM plugins in `.tmux.conf` and select desired theme.
+- default value: `'false'`
+- tmux >= 3.2 (experimental)
 
 ```bash
-set -g @plugin 'egel/tmux-gruvbox'
-set -g @tmux-gruvbox 'dark' # or 'light', 'dark-transparent', 'light-transparent'
+set -g @tmux-gruvbox-statusbar-alpha 'true'
 ```
 
-Hit `prefix + I` to fetch the plugin and source it. Your Tmux should be updated with the theme at this point.
+### Left Status (Section A)
+
+- default value: `'#S'`
+
+```bash
+set -g @tmux-gruvbox-left-status-a
+```
+
+### Right Status (Section X)
+
+- default value: `'%Y-%m-%d'`
+
+This section is customizable for user, and by default contains current date.
+
+```bash
+set -g @tmux-gruvbox-right-status-x
+```
+
+### Right Status (Section Y)
+
+- default value: `'%H:%M'`
+
+This section is customizable for user, and by default contains current time.
+
+```bash
+# set different time format
+set -g @tmux-gruvbox-right-status-y '%H:%M'
+```
+
+### Right Status (Section Z)
+
+- default value: `'#h'`
+
+This section is customizable for user, and by default contains hostname.
+
+```bash
+# enhance this section with other plugin
+set -g @tmux-gruvbox-right-status-z '#h #{tmux_mode_indicator} '
+```
 
 ## Development
 
 To run project locally:
 
-1.  clone the repo to desired place
+1.  clone the repository to desired place
 
     ```bash
     cd $HOME/projects/
     git clone ...
     ```
 
-1.  create symlink in plugin dir to the cloned repo:
+1.  create a symlink to the cloned repository (best in the standard [TPM][github-tpm] plugin directory):
 
     ```bash
     # cd to tmux plugin directory
     cd ~/.tmux/plugins/
 
-    # create simlink to cloned repo
+    # create symlink to cloned repo
     ln -sf $HOME/projects/tmux-gruvbox/ tmux-gruvbox
     ```
 
 1.  and in `~/.tmux.conf` set
 
     ```bash
-    # add plugin
+    # ~/.tmux.conf
     set -g @plugin 'egel/tmux-gruvbox'
     # set desired options...
     set -g @tmux-gruvbox 'dark'
@@ -101,6 +167,7 @@ GPLv3 - Maciej Sypień
 [github-hack]: https://github.com/chrissimpkins/Hack
 [github-nerd-fonts]: https://github.com/ryanoasis/nerd-fonts
 [github-alacritty]: https://github.com/alacritty/alacritty
+[github-tpm]: https://github.com/tmux-plugins/tpm
 [tmux-color-solarized]: https://github.com/seebi/tmux-colors-solarized
 [pexcel-1]: https://www.pexels.com/photo/urban-photo-of-an-alley-2411688/
 [pexcel-2]: https://www.pexels.com/photo/lights-hanging-above-the-alley-in-a-city-at-night-27044195/
diff --git a/src/gruvbox-main.sh b/src/gruvbox-main.sh
index 0773393..7bb1c20 100755
--- a/src/gruvbox-main.sh
+++ b/src/gruvbox-main.sh
@@ -5,37 +5,79 @@ readonly CURRENT_DIR
 readonly THEME_OPTION="@tmux-gruvbox"
 readonly DEFAULT_THEME="dark"
 
-get_theme() {
-  local option="$1"
-  local default_value="$2"
-  local option_value
-  option_value=$(tmux show-option -gqv "$option")
-  if [ -z "$option_value" ]; then
-    echo "$default_value"
-  else
-    echo "$option_value"
-  fi
-}
+# hold the array of all command to configure tmux theme
+declate -a TMUX_CMDS
+
+# load libraries
+# shellcheck disable=1091
+source "${CURRENT_DIR}/src/helper_methods.sh"
+# shellcheck disable=1091
+source "${CURRENT_DIR}/src/tmux_utils.sh"
+
+readonly TMUX_GRUVBOX="@tmux-gruvbox"
+readonly TMUX_GRUVBOX_STATUSBAR_ALPHA="@tmux-gruvbox-statusbar-alpha"
+readonly TMUX_GRUVBOX_LEFT_STATUS_A="@tmux-gruvbox-left-status-a"
+readonly TMUX_GRUVBOX_RIGHT_STAUTS_X="@tmux-gruvbox-right-status-x"
+readonly TMUX_GRUVBOX_RIGHT_STAUTS_Y="@tmux-gruvbox-right-status-y"
+readonly TMUX_GRUVBOX_RIGHT_STAUTS_Z="@tmux-gruvbox-right-status-z"
+
+# define simple theme options (no color interpolation required)
+DEFAULT_THEME="dark"
+DEFAULT_STATUSBAR_ALPHA=false
+# defaults for theme option (with color interpolation)
+DEFAULT_LEFT_STATUS_A='#S'
+DEFAULT_RIGHT_STATUS_X='%Y-%m-%d'
+DEFAULT_RIGHT_STATUS_Y='%H:%M'
+DEFAULT_RIGHT_STATUS_Z='#h'
 
 main() {
-  local _theme _path
-  _theme=$(get_theme "$THEME_OPTION" "$DEFAULT_THEME")
+  TMUX_CMDS=() # clear
+
+  # load proper palette for the theme asap to avoid additional variable interpolation
+  local _theme
+  _theme=$(tmux_get_option "${TMUX_GRUVBOX}" "${DEFAULT_THEME}")
+  _statusbar_alpha=$(tmux_get_option "${TMUX_GRUVBOX_STATUSBAR_ALPHA}" "${DEFAULT_STATUSBAR_ALPHA}")
+
   case "$_theme" in
-  light-transparent)
-    _theme="light-transparent"
+  light | light256)
+    # shellcheck disable=1091
+    source "${CURRENT_DIR}/src/palette_gruvbox_light256.sh"
+    # shellcheck disable=1091
+    source "${CURRENT_DIR}/src/theme_gruvbox_light.sh"
     ;;
-  dark-transparent)
-    _theme="dark-transparent"
+  dark | dark256 | *)
+    # shellcheck disable=1091
+    source "${CURRENT_DIR}/src/palette_gruvbox_dark256.sh"
+    # shellcheck disable=1091
+    source "${CURRENT_DIR}/src/theme_gruvbox_dark.sh"
     ;;
+  esac
+
+  local _status_left _status_right _window_status_current_format _window_status_format
+  _status_left_a=$(tmux_get_option "$TMUX_GRUVBOX_LEFT_STATUS_A" "$DEFAULT_LEFT_STATUS_A")
+  _status_right_x=$(tmux_get_option "$TMUX_GRUVBOX_RIGHT_STAUTS_X" "$DEFAULT_RIGHT_STATUS_X")
+  _status_right_y=$(tmux_get_option "$TMUX_GRUVBOX_RIGHT_STAUTS_Y" "$DEFAULT_RIGHT_STATUS_Y")
+  _status_right_z=$(tmux_get_option "$TMUX_GRUVBOX_RIGHT_STAUTS_Z" "$DEFAULT_RIGHT_STATUS_Z")
+
+  theme_args=(
+    "$_status_left_a"
+    "$_status_right_x"
+    "$_status_right_y"
+    "$_status_right_z"
+    "$_statusbar_alpha"
+  )
+
+  case $_theme in
   light | light256)
-    _theme="light"
+    theme_set_light "${theme_args[@]}"
     ;;
   dark | dark256 | *)
-    _theme="dark"
+    theme_set_dark "${theme_args[@]}"
     ;;
   esac
 
-  tmux source-file "${CURRENT_DIR}/tmux-gruvbox-${_theme}.conf"
+  # execute commands with tmux as array of options
+  tmux "${TMUX_CMDS[@]}"
 }
 
 main "$@"
diff --git a/src/helper_methods.sh b/src/helper_methods.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..175a5a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/helper_methods.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# simply print passed array
+#
+# example
+#
+#   myarray=()
+#   print_array myarray
+#
+print_array() {
+  local -n arr # -n available over bash 4.3
+  arr=$1
+
+  echo ""
+  echo "begin >>>"
+  printf "%s\n" "${arr[@]}"
+  echo "<<< end"
+  echo ""
+}
diff --git a/src/palette_gruvbox_dark256.sh b/src/palette_gruvbox_dark256.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5470ee8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/palette_gruvbox_dark256.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+##########################
+# gruvbox dark pallete
+##########################
+
+####
+# When using 'colour124' you are using the color default in terminal pallete.
+# This could be important for people which terminals support only 256 colors
+# and does not support HEX values.
+#
+# The names of colors used from https://github.com/morhetz/gruvbox
+
+# shellcheck disable=2034 # ignored as this file only contains var definitions
+col_bg=colour235
+col_bg0_h=colour234
+col_bg0=colour235
+col_bg1=colour237
+col_bg2=colour239
+col_bg3=colour241
+col_bg4=colour243
+col_gray0=colour246
+col_gray1=colour245
+col_gray2=colour245
+col_bg0_s=colour236
+col_fg=colour223
+col_fg4=colour246
+col_fg3=colour248
+col_fg2=colour250
+col_fg1=colour223
+col_fg0=colour229
+
+col_red=colour124
+col_red2=colour167
+col_green=colour106
+col_green2=colour142
+col_yellow=colour172
+col_yellow2=colour214
+col_blue=colour66
+col_blue2=colour109
+col_purple=colour132
+col_purple2=colour175
+col_aqua=colour72
+col_aqua2=colour108
+col_orange=colour166
+col_orange2=colour208
diff --git a/src/palette_gruvbox_light256.sh b/src/palette_gruvbox_light256.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3949472
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/palette_gruvbox_light256.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+##########################
+# gruvbox dark pallete
+##########################
+
+####
+# When using 'colour124' you are using the color default in terminal pallete.
+# This could be important for people which terminals support only 256 colors
+# and does not support HEX values.
+#
+# The names of colors used from https://github.com/morhetz/gruvbox
+
+# shellcheck disable=2034 # ignored as this file only contains var definitions
+col_bg=colour229
+col_bg0_h=colour230
+col_bg0=colour229
+col_bg1=colour223
+col_bg2=colour250
+col_bg3=colour248
+col_bg4=colour246
+col_gray0=colour246
+col_gray1=colour245
+col_gray2=colour244
+col_bg0_s=colour228
+col_fg=colour223
+col_fg4=colour243
+col_fg3=colour241
+col_fg2=colour239
+col_fg1=colour237
+col_fg0=colour235
+
+col_red=colour124
+col_red2=colour88
+col_green=colour106
+col_green2=colour100
+col_yellow=colour172
+col_yellow2=colour136
+col_blue=colour66
+col_blue2=colour24
+col_purple=colour132
+col_purple2=colour96
+col_aqua=colour72
+col_aqua2=colour66
+col_orange=colour166
+col_orange2=colour130
diff --git a/src/theme_gruvbox_dark.sh b/src/theme_gruvbox_dark.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ee9e88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/theme_gruvbox_dark.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Themes may use different colors in sets therefore we setup dark and light
+# separately.
+#
+# shellcheck disable=SC2154
+theme_set_dark() {
+  local _left_status_a _right_status_x _right_status_y _right_status_z _statusbar_alpha
+  _left_status_a=$1
+  _right_status_x=$2
+  _right_status_y=$3
+  _right_status_z=$4
+  _statusbar_alpha=$5
+
+  tmux_append_seto "status" "on"
+
+  # default statusbar bg color
+  local _statusbar_bg="${col_bg1}"
+  if [[ "$_statusbar_alpha" == "true" ]]; then _statusbar_bg="default"; fi
+  tmux_append_seto "status-style" "bg=${_statusbar_bg},fg=${col_fg1}"
+
+  # default window title colors
+  local _window_title_bg=${col_yellow2}
+  if [[ "$_statusbar_alpha" == "true" ]]; then _window_title_bg="default"; fi
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-style" "bg=${_window_title_bg},fg=${col_bg1}"
+
+  # default window with an activity alert
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-activity-style" "bg=${col_bg1},fg=${col_fg3}"
+
+  # active window title colors
+  local active_window_title_bg=${col_yellow2}
+  if [[ "$_statusbar_alpha" == "true" ]]; then active_window_title_bg="default"; fi
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-current-style" "bg=${active_window_title_bg},fg=${col_bg1}" # TODO cosider removing red!
+
+  # pane border
+  tmux_append_seto "pane-active-border-style" "fg=${col_fg2}"
+  tmux_append_seto "pane-border-style" "fg=${col_bg1}"
+
+  # message infos
+  tmux_append_seto "message-style" "bg=${col_bg2},fg=${col_fg1}"
+
+  # writing commands inactive
+  tmux_append_seto "message-command-style" "bg=${col_fg3},fg=${col_bg1}"
+
+  # pane number display
+  tmux_append_seto "display-panes-active-colour" "${col_fg2}"
+  tmux_append_seto "display-panes-colour" "${col_bg1}"
+
+  # clock
+  tmux_append_setwo "clock-mode-colour" "${col_blue2}"
+
+  # bell
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-bell-style" "bg=${col_red2},fg=${col_bg}"
+
+  ## Theme settings mixed with colors (unfortunately, but there is no cleaner way)
+  tmux_append_seto "status-justify" "left"
+  tmux_append_seto "status-left-style" none
+  tmux_append_seto "status-left-length" "80"
+  tmux_append_seto "status-right-style" none
+  tmux_append_seto "status-right-length" "80"
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-separator" ""
+
+  tmux_append_seto "status-left" "#[bg=${col_bg3},fg=${col_fg3}] ${_left_status_a} #[bg=${col_bg1},fg=${col_bg3},nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]"
+
+  # right status
+  local _status_right_bg=${col_bg1}
+  if [[ "$_statusbar_alpha" == "true" ]]; then _status_right_bg="default"; fi
+  tmux_append_seto "status-right" "#[bg=${_status_right_bg},fg=${col_bg2},nobold,nounderscore,noitalics]#[bg=${col_bg2},fg=${col_fg4}] ${_right_status_x}  ${_right_status_y} #[bg=${col_bg2},fg=${col_fg3},nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]#[bg=${col_fg3},fg=${col_bg1}] ${_right_status_z}"
+
+  # current window
+  local _current_window_status_format_bg=${col_bg1}
+  if [[ "$_statusbar_alpha" == "true" ]]; then _current_window_status_format_bg="default"; fi
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-current-format" "#[bg=${col_yellow2},fg=${col_bg1},nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]#[bg=${col_yellow2},fg=${col_bg2}] #I #[bg=${col_yellow2},fg=${col_bg2},bold] #W#{?window_zoomed_flag,*Z,} #{?window_end_flag,#[bg=${_current_window_status_format_bg}],#[bg=${col_bg1}]}#[fg=${col_yellow2},nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]"
+
+  # default window
+  local _default_window_status_format_bg=${col_bg1}
+  if [[ "$_statusbar_alpha" == "true" ]]; then _default_window_status_format_bg="default"; fi
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-format" "#[bg=${col_bg2},fg=${col_bg1},noitalics]#[bg=${col_bg2},fg=${col_fg1}] #I #[bg=${col_bg2},fg=${col_fg1}] #W #{?window_end_flag,#[bg=${_default_window_status_format_bg}],#[bg=${col_bg1}]}#[fg=${col_bg2},noitalics]"
+}
diff --git a/src/theme_gruvbox_light.sh b/src/theme_gruvbox_light.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f5c21fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/theme_gruvbox_light.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Themes may use different colors in sets therefore we setup dark and light
+# separately.
+#
+# shellcheck disable=SC2154
+theme_set_light() {
+  local _left_status_value _right_status_value _window_status_current_format _window_status_format
+  _left_status_a=$1
+  _right_status_x=$2
+  _right_status_y=$3
+  _right_status_z=$4
+
+  tmux_append_seto "status" "on"
+
+  # default statusbar color
+  tmux_append_seto "status-style" "bg=${col_bg1},fg=${col_fg1}"
+
+  # default window title colors
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-style" "bg=${col_yellow2},fg=${col_bg1}"
+
+  # default window with an activity alert
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-activity-style" "bg=${col_bg1},fg=${col_fg3}"
+
+  # active window title colors
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-current-style" "bg=default,fg=${col_bg1}" # TODO cosider removing red!
+
+  # pane border
+  tmux_append_seto "pane-active-border-style" "fg=${col_fg2}"
+  tmux_append_seto "pane-border-style" "fg=${col_bg1}"
+
+  # message infos
+  tmux_append_seto "message-style" "bg=${col_bg2},fg=${col_fg1}"
+
+  # writing commands inactive
+  tmux_append_seto "message-command-style" "bg=${col_fg3},fg=${col_bg1}"
+
+  # pane number display
+  tmux_append_seto "display-panes-active-colour" "${col_fg2}"
+  tmux_append_seto "display-panes-colour" "${col_bg1}"
+
+  # clock
+  tmux_append_setwo "clock-mode-colour" "${col_blue2}"
+
+  # bell
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-bell-style" "bg=${col_red2},fg=${col_bg}"
+
+  ## Theme settings mixed with colors (unfortunately, but there is no cleaner way)
+  tmux_append_seto "status-justify" "left"
+  tmux_append_seto "status-left-style" none
+  tmux_append_seto "status-left-length" "80"
+  tmux_append_seto "status-right-style" none
+  tmux_append_seto "status-right-length" "80"
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-separator" ""
+
+  tmux_append_seto "status-left" "#[bg=${col_bg3},fg=${col_fg3}] ${_left_status_a} #[bg=${col_bg1},fg=${col_bg3},nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]"
+  tmux_append_seto "status-right" "#[bg=${col_bg1},fg=${col_bg2},nobold,nounderscore,noitalics]#[bg=${col_bg2},fg=${col_fg4}] ${_right_status_x}  ${_right_status_y} #[bg=${col_bg2},fg=${col_fg3},nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]#[bg=${col_fg3},fg=${col_bg1}] ${_right_status_z}"
+
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-current-format" "#[bg=${col_yellow2},fg=${col_bg1},nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]#[bg=${col_yellow2},fg=${col_bg2}] #I #[bg=${col_yellow2},fg=${col_bg2},bold] #W#{?window_zoomed_flag,*Z,} #[bg=${col_bg1},fg=${col_yellow2},nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]"
+  tmux_append_setwo "window-status-format" "#[bg=${col_bg2},fg=${col_bg1},noitalics]#[bg=${col_bg2},fg=${col_fg1}] #I #[bg=${col_bg2},fg=${col_fg1}] #W #[bg=${col_bg1},fg=${col_bg2},noitalics]"
+}
diff --git a/src/tmux-gruvbox-dark.conf b/src/tmux-gruvbox-dark.conf
index 8d86699..93700c5 100644
--- a/src/tmux-gruvbox-dark.conf
+++ b/src/tmux-gruvbox-dark.conf
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ set-option -g status-right-length "80"
 set-window-option -g window-status-separator ""
 
 set-option -g status-left "#[bg=colour241,fg=colour248] #S #[bg=colour237,fg=colour241,nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]"
-set-option -g status-right "#[bg=colour237,fg=colour239 nobold, nounderscore, noitalics]#[bg=colour239,fg=colour246] %Y-%m-%d  %H:%M #[bg=colour239,fg=colour248,nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]#[bg=colour248,fg=colour237] #h "
+set-option -g status-right "#[bg=colour237,fg=colour239 nobold, nounderscore, noitalics]#[bg=colour239,fg=colour246] %Y-%m-%d  %H:%M #[bg=colour239,fg=colour248,nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]#[bg=colour248,fg=colour237] #h #{tmux_mode_indicator}"
 
 set-window-option -g window-status-current-format "#[bg=colour214,fg=colour237,nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]#[bg=colour214,fg=colour239] #I #[bg=colour214,fg=colour239,bold] #W#{?window_zoomed_flag,*Z,} #[bg=colour237,fg=colour214,nobold,noitalics,nounderscore]"
 set-window-option -g window-status-format "#[bg=colour239,fg=colour237,noitalics]#[bg=colour239,fg=colour223] #I #[bg=colour239,fg=colour223] #W #[bg=colour237,fg=colour239,noitalics]"
diff --git a/src/tmux_utils.sh b/src/tmux_utils.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc235b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/tmux_utils.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# get desired option from tmux or default
+tmux_get_option_or_default() {
+  local _option_name _default_value
+  _option_name="$1"
+  _default_value="$2"
+
+  local _current_option_value
+  _current_option_value=$(tmux show-option -gqv "$_option_name")
+  if [[ -n "$_current_option_value" ]]; then
+    echo "$_current_option_value"
+  else
+    echo "$_default_value"
+  fi
+}
+
+# get desired tmux option or use given default value
+tmux_get_option() {
+  local _option_name _default_value
+  _option_name="$1"
+  _default_value="$2"
+
+  local _current_option_value
+  _current_option_value=$(tmux show-option -gqv "$_option_name")
+  if [[ -n "$_current_option_value" ]]; then
+    echo "$_current_option_value"
+  else
+    echo "$_default_value"
+  fi
+}
+
+# get desired window-option from tmux or default
+tmux_get_window_option() {
+  local _option_name _default_value
+  _option_name="$1"
+  _default_value="$2"
+
+  local _current_option_value
+  _current_option_value=$(tmux show-window-option -gqv "$_option_name")
+  if [[ -n "$_current_option_value" ]]; then
+    echo "$_current_option_value"
+  else
+    echo "$_default_value"
+  fi
+}
+
+# append preconfigured tmux set-option to global array
+tmux_append_seto() {
+  local _option _value _result
+  _option="$1"
+  _value="$2"
+  TMUX_CMDS+=("set-option" "-gq" "${_option}" "${_value}" ";")
+}
+
+# append preconfigured tmux set-window-option to global array
+tmux_append_setwo() {
+  local _option _value _result
+  _option="$1"
+  _value="$2"
+  TMUX_CMDS+=("set-window-option" "-gq" "${_option}" "${_value}" ";")
+}
+
+# imediately execute tmux option
+tmux_set_option_now() {
+  local _option_name _value
+  _option_name="$1"
+  _value="$2"
+  tmux set-option -gq "$_option_name" "$_value"
+}
+
+# imediately execute tmux option
+tmux_set_window_option_now() {
+  local _option_name _value
+  _option_name="$1"
+  _value="$2"
+  tmux set-window-option -gq "$_option_name" "$_value"
+}