diff --git a/options.h b/options.h
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/options.h
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+/* * Copyright (c) 2023 Carl Klemm <carl@uvos.xyz>
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
+ * are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *
+ *  * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
+ * list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *  * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
+ * this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or
+ * other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *  * Neither the name of %ORGANIZATION% nor the names of its contributors may be
+ * used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific
+ * prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND
+ * ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
+ * WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+ * DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR
+ * ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
+ * (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES;
+ * LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON
+ * ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
+ * SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+#include <argp.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <stdint.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+#define MAX_COMMANDS 8
+
+const char *argp_program_version = "eismulitplexer_cli";
+const char *argp_program_bug_address = "<carl@uvos.xyz>";
+static char doc[] = "Applicaion to control eismultiplexer devices";
+static char args_doc[] = "COMMAND";
+
+static struct argp_option options[] =
+{
+  {"interactive",	'i', 0,				0,	"run in interactive mode" },
+  {"pipe",			'p', 0,				0,	"run in pipe mode" },
+  {"serial",		's', "[NUMMBER]",	0,	"serial number of device to connect to"},
+  {"serial",		'l', 0,	0,	"list commands"},
+  {0}
+};
+
+struct command
+{
+	char* command;
+};
+
+struct config
+{
+	bool interactive;
+	bool pipe;
+	uint16_t serial;
+	bool serialSet;
+	char* commands[MAX_COMMANDS];
+	size_t command_count;
+	bool list_commands;
+};
+
+static error_t parse_opt (int key, char *arg, struct argp_state *state)
+{
+	struct config *config = (struct config*)(state->input);
+	switch (key)
+	{
+	case 'i':
+		config->interactive = true;
+		break;
+	case 's':
+	{
+		int serial = atoi(arg);
+		if(serial < 0 || serial > UINT16_MAX )
+		{
+			argp_usage(state);
+			break;
+		}
+		config->serial = serial;
+		config->serialSet = true;
+		break;
+	}
+	case 'p':
+		config->pipe = true;
+		break;
+	case 'l':
+		config->list_commands = true;
+		break;
+	case ARGP_KEY_ARG:
+	{
+		if(config->command_count+1 > MAX_COMMANDS)
+		{
+			argp_usage(state);
+			break;
+		}
+		config->commands[config->command_count] = arg;
+		++config->command_count;
+		break;
+	}
+	default:
+		return ARGP_ERR_UNKNOWN;
+	}
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static struct argp argp = {options, parse_opt, args_doc, doc};