diff --git a/tmux/tmux.conf b/tmux/tmux.conf
index 3da1187..b6ea5af 100644
--- a/tmux/tmux.conf
+++ b/tmux/tmux.conf
@@ -1,41 +1,65 @@
-# use ^b as prefix
-set -g prefix C-b
+#
+# ~/.tmux.conf
+#
 
-# force a reload of the config file
+# use ^b as prefix
+set-option -g prefix C-b
+
+# bind : to command-prompt like vim
+# this is default
+bind : command-prompt
+
+# use r to force a reload of the config file
 unbind r
 bind r source-file ~/.tmux.conf\; display "Reloaded!"
 
-# start window numbering at 1 for easier switching
-set -g base-index 1
+# start window numbering at 1
+set-option -g base-index 1
 
-# vim shortcuts
-setw -g mode-keys vi
-set -g status-keys vi
+# vi-style controls for copy mode
+set-window-option -g mode-keys vi
 
-# Make copy mode more vim-like.
-#bind -t vi-copy v begin-selection
-#bind -t vi-copy y copy-selection
-#bind -t vi-copy C-v rectangle-toggle
+# correct term for 256 colors
+set-option -g default-terminal "xterm-256color"
+# enable true color in term
+set-option -ga terminal-overrides ",xterm-256color:Tc"
 
-# commands
-bind : command-prompt
+# remove escape key delay
+set-option -g escape-time 0
 
-# colors
-set -g default-terminal "screen-256color"
-
-# Set titling
+# dynamic window title
 set-option -g set-titles on
 set-window-option -g automatic-rename on
-setw -g monitor-activity on
 
-# use PREFIX | to split window horizontally and PREFIX - to split vertically
+# highlight window when it has new activity
+set-window-option -g monitor-activity on
+
+# use | to split window horizontally and - to split vertically
 bind | split-window -h
 bind - split-window -v
 
-# status bar config
-set -g status-left "#h"
-set -g status-left-length 70
-set -g status-right "%a %d-%m-%y :: %H:%M"
+# use vim's definition splitting (reverse of tmux)
+bind s split-window -v
+bind v split-window -h
+
+# disable mouse
+set-window-option -g mode-mouse off
+
+
+# default status bar colours
+set-option -g status-bg black
+set-option -g status-fg white
+set-window-option -g window-status-bell-style bg=black,fg=brightred
+set-window-option -g windows-status-current-style fg=brightyellow
+
+# default status bar content
+set-option -g status-left "#h"
+set-option -g status-left-length 70
+set-option -g status-right "%a %d-%m-%y :: %H:%M"
+
+# enable UTF-8 support
+set-option -g status-utf8 on
+
 
 # Try loading machine specific things
 run-shell "bash ~/.tmux/load_hostnames.sh"