diff --git a/.tmux.conf b/.tmux.conf
index 145527d..b2050a0 100644
--- a/.tmux.conf
+++ b/.tmux.conf
@@ -74,14 +74,6 @@ bind C-c new-session
 # find session
 bind C-f command-prompt -p find-session 'switch-client -t %%'
 
-# split current window vertically, retain current path
-bind '"' split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}"
-bind _ split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}"
-# split current window horizontally, retain current path
-unbind %
-bind % split-window -v -c "#{pane_current_path}"
-bind - split-window -v -c "#{pane_current_path}"
-
 # pane navigation
 bind -r h select-pane -L  # move left
 bind -r j select-pane -D  # move down
@@ -157,6 +149,7 @@ if '[ -f ~/.tmux.conf.local ]' 'source ~/.tmux.conf.local'
 # -- 8< ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 run 'cut -c3- ~/.tmux.conf | sh -s apply_theme $tmux_conf_theme'
+run 'cut -c3- ~/.tmux.conf | sh -s apply_configurable_bindings $tmux_conf_new_windows_retain_current_path $tmux_conf_new_panes_retain_current_path'
 run 'for name in $(printenv | grep -Eo ^tmux_conf_[^=]+); do tmux setenv -gu $name; done;'
 
 
@@ -366,4 +359,26 @@ run 'for name in $(printenv | grep -Eo ^tmux_conf_[^=]+); do tmux setenv -gu $na
 #     printf "%0.s$battery_symbol_empty" $(seq 1 $empty)
 # }
 #
+# apply_configurable_bindings() {
+#   windows_retain_current_path=${1:-false}
+#   if [ x"$windows_retain_current_path" = x"true" -o x"$windows_retain_current_path" = x"1" ] ; then
+#     tmux bind c new-window -c '#{pane_current_path}'
+#   else
+#     tmux bind c new-window
+#   fi
+#
+#   panes_retain_current_path=${2:-true}
+#   if [ x"$panes_retain_current_path" = x"true" -o x"$panes_retain_current_path" = x"1" ] ; then
+#     tmux  bind '"' split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}"  \;\
+#           bind _ split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}"    \;\
+#           bind % split-window -v -c "#{pane_current_path}"    \;\
+#           bind - split-window -v -c "#{pane_current_path}"
+#   else
+#     tmux  bind '"' split-window -h  \;\
+#           bind _ split-window -h    \;\
+#           bind % split-window -v    \;\
+#           bind - split-window -v
+#   fi
+# }
+#
 # $@
diff --git a/.tmux.conf.local b/.tmux.conf.local
index 0582f09..f064dde 100644
--- a/.tmux.conf.local
+++ b/.tmux.conf.local
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@
 # or alternatively use an external tool, e.g. https://github.com/Goles/Battery
 #tmux_conf_battery='#(battery -t) '
 
+# new windows and new panes optionally retain current path
+#tmux_conf_new_windows_retain_current_path=false
+#tmux_conf_new_panes_retain_current_path=true
+
 # if you're running tmux within iTerm2
 #   - and tmux is 1.9 or 1.9a
 #   - and iTerm2 is configured to let option key act as +Esc
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ed8c091..e1d3c1c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ Features
  - mouse mode toggle with `<prefix>m`
  - automatic usage of `reattach-to-user-namespace` if available
  - laptop battery status
+ - configurable new windows and panes behavior (optionally retain current path)
 
 Installation
 ------------
@@ -59,6 +60,15 @@ Edit your `~/.tmux.conf.local` file and uncomment the following lines:
 
 See `~/.tmux.conf.local` for more details.
 
+### Configuring new windows and new panes creation
+
+Edit your `~/.tmux.conf.local` file and uncomment the following lines:
+
+    #tmux_conf_new_windows_retain_current_path=false
+    #tmux_conf_new_panes_retain_current_path=true
+
+See `~/.tmux.conf.local` for more details.
+
 ### Accessing the Mac OSX clipboard from within tmux sessions
 
 [Chris Johnsen created the `reattach-to-user-namespace`