diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 611ea8d..708443e 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,15 +1,24 @@
 CC = gcc
 
-INCFLAGS  = -Isrc
+SOURCE = src
 
-CCFLAGS  = -std=c99 -Wall -Wextra -pedantic -O2 -D_DEFAULT_SOURCE
+MAJOR = 0
+MINOR = 0
+PATCH = 1
+
+INCFLAGS  = $(shell echo $(SOURCE) | xargs printf -- '-I%s')
+
+CCFLAGS  = -std=c99 -Wall -Wextra -pedantic -O2 
+CCFLAGS += -D_DEFAULT_SOURCE -DMAJOR=$(MAJOR) -DMINOR=$(MINOR) -DPATCH=$(PATCH) -DCHECK_LINK
 CCFLAGS += $(INCFLAGS)
 
+LDFLAGS = -s
 LDFLAGS += $(INCFLAGS)
 
 BIN = bin
 APP = $(BIN)/app
-SRC = $(shell find src -name "*.c")
+SRC = $(shell find $(SOURCE) -name "*.c")
+DIR = $(shell find $(SOURCE) -type d)
 OBJ = $(SRC:%.c=$(BIN)/%.o)
 
 .PHONY: dirs run clean build install uninstall
@@ -17,10 +26,7 @@ OBJ = $(SRC:%.c=$(BIN)/%.o)
 EOF: clean build
 
 dirs:
-	mkdir -p ./$(BIN)
-	mkdir -p ./$(BIN)/src
-	mkdir -p ./$(BIN)/src/util
-	mkdir -p ./$(BIN)/src/commands
+	echo $(DIR) | xargs printf -- '$(BIN)/%s\n' | xargs mkdir -p
 
 run: build
 	$(APP)
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index 50f9067..15ab698 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 A terrible busybox/gnu coreutils clone.
 
 Currently the only supported commands are: 
-`dd`, `cat`, `yes`, `echo`, `printf`, `id`, `groups`, `ls`, `tail`, `head`, `ed`, `tee`, `true`, `false`, `tee`, `whoami`, `wc`
+`dd`, `cat`, `yes`, `echo`, `printf`, `id`, `groups`, `ls`, `tail`, `head`, `ed`, `tee`, `true`, `false`, `tee`, `whoami`, `wc`, `xargs`
  
 ## How to
 
diff --git a/src/command.h b/src/command.h
index 015b1a2..e596847 100644
--- a/src/command.h
+++ b/src/command.h
@@ -30,3 +30,4 @@ COMMAND(ed);
 COMMAND(tee);
 COMMAND(whoami);
 COMMAND(wc);
+COMMAND(xargs);
diff --git a/src/commands/cat.c b/src/commands/cat.c
index bb050c0..6ed77e8 100644
--- a/src/commands/cat.c
+++ b/src/commands/cat.c
@@ -2,13 +2,13 @@
 
 #include <ctype.h>
 
-struct Flags {
+static struct {
     bool number_lines;
     bool number_non_empty;
     bool change_non_print;
     bool change_tabs;
     bool end_lines_dollar;
-};
+} flags;
 
 static bool printable(char c) {
     switch (c) {
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ static bool printable(char c) {
     }
 }
 
-static void help() {
+static void help(void) {
     printf("Usage: cat [-nbvteA] [FILE]...\n\n");
     printf("Print FILEs to stdout\n\n");
     printf("\t-n	Number output lines\n");
@@ -29,10 +29,9 @@ static void help() {
     printf("\t-t	...and tabs as ^I\n");
     printf("\t-e	...and end lines with $\n");
     printf("\t-A	Same as -vte\n");
-    exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
 }
 
-static void cat_file(FILE* file, struct Flags flags) {
+static void cat_file(FILE* file) {
     char c;
     size_t read;
     
@@ -78,74 +77,57 @@ static void cat_file(FILE* file, struct Flags flags) {
     }
 }
 
+static int short_arg(char c, char* next) {
+    UNUSED(next);
+    switch (c) {
+        case 'n':
+            flags.number_lines = true;
+            break;
+        case 'b':
+            flags.number_non_empty = true;
+            break;
+        case 'v':
+            flags.change_non_print = true;
+            break;
+        case 't':
+            flags.change_non_print = true;
+            flags.change_tabs = true;
+            break;
+        case 'e':
+            flags.change_non_print = true;
+            flags.end_lines_dollar = true;
+            break;
+        case 'A':
+            flags.change_non_print = true;
+            flags.change_tabs = true;
+            flags.end_lines_dollar = true;
+            break;
+        default:
+            error("error: unkown flag -%c", c);
+    }
+    return ARG_UNUSED;
+}
+
 COMMAND(cat) {
 
-    struct Flags flags;
     flags.number_lines = false;
     flags.number_non_empty = false;
     flags.change_non_print = false;
     flags.change_tabs = false;
     flags.end_lines_dollar = false;
 
-    int start = 0;
-
-    for (int i = 0; i < argc; i++) {
-        if (!prefix("-", argv[i])) {
-            continue;
-        }
-
-        if (streql("-", argv[i])) {
-            break;
-        }
-
-        if (streql("--help", argv[i])) {
-            help();
-        }
-
-        start++;
-
-        size_t len = strlen(argv[i]);
-        for (size_t j = 1; j < len; j++) {
-            char c = argv[i][j];
-            switch (c) {
-                case 'n':
-                    flags.number_lines = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'b':
-                    flags.number_non_empty = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'v':
-                    flags.change_non_print = true;
-                    break;
-                case 't':
-                    flags.change_non_print = true;
-                    flags.change_tabs = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'e':
-                    flags.change_non_print = true;
-                    flags.end_lines_dollar = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'A':
-                    flags.change_non_print = true;
-                    flags.change_tabs = true;
-                    flags.end_lines_dollar = true;
-                    break;
-                default:
-                    error("error: unkown flag -%c", c);
-            }
-        } 
-    }
+    int start = parse_args(argc, argv, help, short_arg, NULL);
 
     int arg_len = argc - start;
 
     if (arg_len < 1) {
-        cat_file(stdin, flags);
+        cat_file(stdin);
         return EXIT_SUCCESS;
     }
 
     for (int i = start; i < argc; i++) {
         FILE* in = get_file(argv[i], "r");
-        cat_file(in, flags);
+        cat_file(in);
         if (in != stdin)
             fclose(in);
     }
diff --git a/src/commands/dd.c b/src/commands/dd.c
index 2b6955f..6b973e2 100644
--- a/src/commands/dd.c
+++ b/src/commands/dd.c
@@ -1,13 +1,12 @@
 #include "../command.h"
 
-static void help() {
+static void help(void) {
     printf("Usage: dd [if=FILE] [of=FILE] [bs=N] [count=N]\n\n");
     printf("Copy a file with converting and formatting\n\n");
     printf("\tif=FILE\t\tRead from FILE instead of stdin\n");
     printf("\tof=FILE\t\tWrite to FILE instead of stdout\n");
     printf("\tbs=N\t\tRead and write N bytes at a time\n");
     printf("\tcount=N\t\tCopy only N input blocks\n");
-    exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
 }
 
 COMMAND(dd) {
@@ -17,6 +16,8 @@ COMMAND(dd) {
     int bs = 1024;
     int count = -1;
 
+    parse_help(argc, argv, help);
+
     for (int i = 0; i < argc; i++) {
         if (prefix("if=", argv[i])) {
             char* path = argv[i] + 3;
@@ -36,8 +37,6 @@ COMMAND(dd) {
             if (count < 1) {
                 error("error: count must be greather than 0");
             }
-        } else if (streql("--help", argv[i])) {
-            help();
         } else {
             error("error: unkown option %s", argv[i]);
         }
diff --git a/src/commands/echo.c b/src/commands/echo.c
index a13947c..8b39531 100644
--- a/src/commands/echo.c
+++ b/src/commands/echo.c
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 #include "../command.h"
 
+static struct {
+    bool escape_codes;
+    bool newline;
+} flags;
+
 static void print_with_escape_codes(const char* str) {
     
     size_t index = 0;
@@ -44,44 +49,39 @@ static void print_with_escape_codes(const char* str) {
     }
 }
 
+static int short_arg(char c, char* next) {
+    UNUSED(next);
+    switch (c) {
+        case 'e':
+            flags.escape_codes = true;
+            break;
+        case 'E':
+            flags.escape_codes = false;
+            break;
+        case 'n':
+            flags.newline = false;
+            break;
+        default:
+            flags.newline = true;
+            flags.escape_codes = false;
+            return ARG_IGNORE;
+    };
+    return ARG_UNUSED;
+}
+
 COMMAND(echo) {
 
     if (argc < 1) {
         return EXIT_SUCCESS;
     }
 
-    bool escape_codes = false;
-    bool newline = true;
+    flags.escape_codes = false;
+    flags.newline = true;
 
-    int start = 0;
-
-    if (prefix("-", argv[0])) {
-
-        start = 1;
-
-        for (size_t i = 0; i < strlen(argv[0] + 1); i++) {
-            char c = argv[0][i + 1];
-            switch (c) {
-                case 'e':
-                    escape_codes = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'E':
-                    escape_codes = false;
-                    break;
-                case 'n':
-                    newline = false;
-                    break;
-                default:
-                    escape_codes = false;
-                    newline = true;
-                    start = 0;
-                    break;
-            }
-        }
-    }
+    int start = parse_args(argc, argv, NULL, short_arg, NULL);
 
     for (int i = start; i < argc; i++) {
-         if (escape_codes) {
+         if (flags.escape_codes) {
             print_with_escape_codes(argv[i]);
         } else {
             printf("%s", argv[i]);
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ COMMAND(echo) {
         }
     } 
 
-    if (newline) {
+    if (flags.newline) {
         putchar('\n');
     }
 
diff --git a/src/commands/ed.c b/src/commands/ed.c
index ed4ce24..44f1a2c 100644
--- a/src/commands/ed.c
+++ b/src/commands/ed.c
@@ -141,21 +141,6 @@ static bool parse_regex_lines(char** end, struct LineAddress* address) {
         }
     }
 
-    // for (; (dir == BEFORE ? i >= until : i < until); dir == BEFORE ? i-- : i++) {
-    //     int len;
-    //     if (re_matchp(regex, lines[i], &len) == -1) {
-    //         if (dir == BEFORE && i == 0) break;
-    //         continue;
-    //     }
-    //     if (cap == siz) {
-    //         cap *= 2;
-    //         buf = realloc(buf, cap * sizeof(unsigned long));
-    //     }
-    //     buf[siz] = i;
-    //     siz++;
-    //     if (dir == BEFORE && i == 0) break;
-    // }
-
     free_address(*address);
     address->empty = false;
     address->type = SET;
@@ -295,7 +280,7 @@ static void free_data(bool all) {
     }
 }
 
-static void load_empty() {
+static void load_empty(void) {
     free_data(false);
 
     line_capacity = 8;
@@ -579,7 +564,7 @@ static int substute_string(long int index, long int matches, re_t regex, char* s
     return matches_found;
 }
 
-static void prompt() {
+static void prompt(void) {
     printf(": ");
     fflush(stdout);
 
@@ -805,13 +790,13 @@ test:
 
 }
 
-static void prompt_loop() {
+static void prompt_loop(void) {
     while (true) {
         prompt();
     }
 }
 
-static void help() {
+static void help(void) {
     printf("Usage: ed [FILE]\n\n");
     printf("Edit a given [FILE] or create a new text file\n\n");
     printf("\t(.,.)\tnewline\t\tgo to address line and print\n");
@@ -832,15 +817,16 @@ static void help() {
     printf("\t(.,.)\tw file\t\twrite contents of lines to file\n");
     printf("\t(.,.)\twq file\t\twrite contents of lines to file then quit\n");
     printf("\t(.,.)\tW file\t\tappend contents of line to file\n");
-    exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
+    printf("\t\t=\t\tprint current line number\n");
 }
 
 COMMAND(ed) {
+
+    parse_help(argc, argv, help);
+
     if (argc < 1) {
         load_empty();
         prompt_loop();
-    } else if (streql(argv[0], "--help")) {
-        help();
     } else {
         FILE* file = get_file(argv[0], "r");
         load_file(file);
diff --git a/src/commands/head.c b/src/commands/head.c
index 018da5a..44bc45b 100644
--- a/src/commands/head.c
+++ b/src/commands/head.c
@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
 #include "../command.h"
 
-struct Flags {
+static struct {
     int count;
     bool lines;
     bool print_headers;
     bool dont_print_headers;
-};
+} flags;
 
-static void head_file_lines(FILE* file, struct Flags* flags) {
+static void head_file_lines(FILE* file) {
     size_t len = 0;
     char* line = NULL;
 
-    int count = flags->count;
+    int count = flags.count;
     while(count > 0 && getline(&line, &len, file) != -1) {
         printf("%s", line);
         count--;
@@ -21,9 +21,9 @@ static void head_file_lines(FILE* file, struct Flags* flags) {
     fclose(file);
 }
 
-static void head_file_chars(FILE* file, struct Flags* flags) {
+static void head_file_chars(FILE* file) {
     char c;
-    int count = flags->count;
+    int count = flags.count;
     while(count > 0 && (c = getc(file)) != EOF) {
         putchar(c);
         count--;
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ static void head_file_chars(FILE* file, struct Flags* flags) {
     fclose(file);
 }
 
-static void help() {
+static void help(void) {
     printf("Usage: head [OPTIONS] [FILE]...\n\n");
     printf("Print first 10 lines of FILEs (or stdin)\n");
     printf("With more than one FILE, precede each with a filename header.\n\n");
@@ -41,19 +41,11 @@ static void help() {
 	printf("\t\t\t(b:*512 k:*1024 m:*1024^2)\n");
 	printf("\t-q\t\tNever print headers\n");
 	printf("\t-v\t\tAlways print headers\n");
-    exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
 }
 
-static char* next_arg(int argc, char** argv, int index) {
-    if (index >= argc) {
-        error("error: expected another argument after option");
-    }
-    return argv[index];
-}
-
-static void print_header(char* path, struct Flags* flags, bool many) {
-    if (flags->dont_print_headers) return;
-    if (!many && !flags->print_headers) return;
+static void print_header(char* path, bool many) {
+    if (flags.dont_print_headers) return;
+    if (!many && !flags.print_headers) return;
     if (streql("-", path)) {
         printf("\n==> standard input <==\n");
     } else {
@@ -61,81 +53,73 @@ static void print_header(char* path, struct Flags* flags, bool many) {
     }
 }
 
-static void head_file(char* path, struct Flags* flags, bool many) {
+static void head_file(char* path, bool many) {
     FILE* file = get_file(path, "r");
-    print_header(path, flags, many);
-    if (flags->lines) {
-        head_file_lines(file, flags);
+    print_header(path, many);
+    if (flags.lines) {
+        head_file_lines(file);
     } else {
-        head_file_chars(file, flags);
+        head_file_chars(file);
     }
 }
 
+static int short_arg(char c, char* next) {
+    switch(c) {
+        case 'c': {
+            flags.lines = false;
+            check_arg(next);
+            long int bkm = get_blkm(next);
+            if (bkm < 1) {
+                error("error: bkm cannot be less than 1");
+            }
+            flags.count = bkm;
+            return ARG_USED;
+        }
+        case 'n': {
+            flags.lines = true;
+            check_arg(next);
+            long int bkm = get_blkm(next);
+            if (bkm < 1) {
+                error("error: bkm cannot be less than 1");
+            }
+            flags.count = bkm;
+            return ARG_USED;
+        }
+        case 'q':
+            flags.dont_print_headers = true;
+            break;
+        case 'v':
+            flags.print_headers = true;
+            break;
+        default: {
+            error("error: unknown option -%c", c);
+        }
+    }
+    return ARG_UNUSED;
+}
+
 COMMAND(head) {
-    struct Flags flags;
     flags.count = 10;
     flags.lines = true;
     flags.print_headers = false;
     flags.dont_print_headers = false;
 
-    int start = 0;
-    for (int i = 0; i < argc; i++) { 
-        if (!prefix("-", argv[i])) break;
-        if (streql(argv[0], "--help")) help();
-        start++;
-        int i_s = i;
-        for (size_t j = 1; j < strlen(argv[i_s]); j++) {
-            char c = argv[i_s][j];
-            switch(c) {
-                case 'c': {
-                    start++;
-                    flags.lines = false;
-                    char* arg = next_arg(argc, argv, ++i);
-                    long int bkm = get_blkm(arg);
-                    if (bkm < 1) {
-                        error("error: bkm cannot be less than 1");
-                    }
-                    flags.count = bkm;
-                    break;
-                }
-                case 'n': {
-                    start++;
-                    flags.lines = true;
-                    char* arg = next_arg(argc, argv, ++i);
-                    long int bkm = get_blkm(arg);
-                    if (bkm < 1) {
-                        error("error: bkm cannot be less than 1");
-                    }
-                    flags.count = bkm;
-                    break;
-                }
-                case 'q':
-                    flags.dont_print_headers = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'v':
-                    flags.print_headers = true;
-                    break;
-                default: {
-                    error("error: unknown option -%c", c);
-                }
-            }
-        }
-    }
+    int start = parse_args(argc, argv, help, short_arg, NULL);
 
     int count = argc - start;
 
     if (count < 1) {
-        head_file_lines(stdin, &flags);
+        head_file_lines(stdin);
         return EXIT_SUCCESS;
     }
 
     if (count == 1) {
-        head_file(argv[start], &flags, false);
+        head_file(argv[start], false);
         return EXIT_SUCCESS;
     }
 
     for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) {
-        head_file(argv[start + i], &flags, true);
+        head_file(argv[start + i], true);
     }
 
     return EXIT_SUCCESS;
diff --git a/src/commands/ls.c b/src/commands/ls.c
index 855168c..ce7206c 100644
--- a/src/commands/ls.c
+++ b/src/commands/ls.c
@@ -15,14 +15,14 @@
 #define EXEC_COLOR      ANSCII BOLD NEXT NORMAL GREEN COLOR
 #define BLK_COLOR       ANSCII BOLD NEXT NORMAL YELLOW COLOR
 
-struct Flags {
+static struct {
     bool hidden;
     bool hide_dot;
     bool more_info;
     bool one_column;
     bool recurse;
     enum When colored;
-};
+} flags;
 
 struct FileInfo {
     struct passwd* usr;
@@ -206,14 +206,14 @@ static char* get_file_color(struct FileInfo* info) {
     return color;
 }
 
-static void list_files(struct FileInfo* files, int file_len, struct FileListInfo info, struct Flags* flags, const char* dir_path) {
+static void list_files(struct FileInfo* files, int file_len, struct FileListInfo info, const char* dir_path) {
     struct winsize w;
     ioctl(STDOUT_FILENO, TIOCGWINSZ, &w);
 
     if (!isatty(1)) {
-        flags->one_column = true;
-        if (flags->colored == AUTO)
-            flags->colored = NO;
+        flags.one_column = true;
+        if (flags.colored == AUTO)
+            flags.colored = NO;
     }
 
     char* color;
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ static void list_files(struct FileInfo* files, int file_len, struct FileListInfo
     for (int i = 0; i < file_len; i++) {
         struct FileInfo finfo = files[i];
         color = get_file_color(&finfo);
-        if (flags->more_info) {
+        if (flags.more_info) {
             printf("%s %*d %*s %*s %*s %s %s%s%s", 
                 finfo.mode, 
                 info.max_link,
@@ -235,9 +235,9 @@ static void list_files(struct FileInfo* files, int file_len, struct FileListInfo
                 info.max_size,
                 finfo.size, 
                 finfo.date,
-                flags->colored != NO ? color : "",
+                flags.colored != NO ? color : "",
                 finfo.name,
-                flags->colored != NO ? "\x1b[0m" : ""
+                flags.colored != NO ? "\x1b[0m" : ""
             );
             if (finfo.type == DT_LNK) {
                 char path[PATH_MAX];
@@ -254,21 +254,21 @@ static void list_files(struct FileInfo* files, int file_len, struct FileListInfo
             } else {
                 putchar('\n');
             }
-        } else if (flags->one_column) {
-            printf("%s%s%s\n", flags->colored != NO ? color : "", finfo.name, flags->colored != NO ? "\x1b[0m" : "");
+        } else if (flags.one_column) {
+            printf("%s%s%s\n", flags.colored != NO ? color : "", finfo.name, flags.colored != NO ? "\x1b[0m" : "");
         } else {
             if (info.total_len > w.ws_col) {
                 if (i != 0 && i % row_count == 0) putchar('\n');
-                printf("%s%*s%s", flags->colored != NO ? color : "", -column_width, 
-                       finfo.name, flags->colored != NO ? "\x1b[0m" : "");
+                printf("%s%*s%s", flags.colored != NO ? color : "", -column_width, 
+                       finfo.name, flags.colored != NO ? "\x1b[0m" : "");
             } else {
-                printf("%s%s%s  ", flags->colored != NO ? color : "", finfo.name,
-                       flags->colored != NO ? "\x1b[0m" : "");
+                printf("%s%s%s  ", flags.colored != NO ? color : "", finfo.name,
+                       flags.colored != NO ? "\x1b[0m" : "");
             }
         }
     }
 
-    if (!flags->more_info) printf("\n");
+    if (!flags.more_info) printf("\n");
 }
 
 static bool is_dot_dir(const char* path) {
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ static void push_file(
     (*size)++;
 }
 
-static bool recurse_directory(char* path, struct Flags* flags) {
+static bool recurse_directory(char* path) {
     DIR* d;
     struct dirent* file;
     bool first = true;
@@ -338,10 +338,10 @@ static bool recurse_directory(char* path, struct Flags* flags) {
 
     while((file = readdir(d)) != NULL) {
         if (file->d_type == DT_DIR) continue;
-        if (!flags->hidden && prefix(".", file->d_name)) continue;
+        if (!flags.hidden && prefix(".", file->d_name)) continue;
         if (is_dot_dir(file->d_name)) continue;
         if (first) {
-            if (flags->colored == NO)
+            if (flags.colored == NO)
                 printf("\n%s:\n", path);
             else
                 printf("\n%s%s:%s\n", DIR_COLOR, path, FILE_COLOR);
@@ -350,10 +350,10 @@ static bool recurse_directory(char* path, struct Flags* flags) {
         push_file(&files, &info, &size, &capacity, file->d_name, path);
     }
     
-    list_files(files, size, info, flags, path);
+    list_files(files, size, info, path);
     free(files);
 
-    if (!flags->more_info) printf("\n");
+    if (!flags.more_info) printf("\n");
 
     closedir(d);
 
@@ -362,11 +362,11 @@ static bool recurse_directory(char* path, struct Flags* flags) {
     
     while((file = readdir(d)) != NULL) {
         if (file->d_type != DT_DIR) continue;
-        if (!flags->hidden && prefix(".", file->d_name)) continue;
+        if (!flags.hidden && prefix(".", file->d_name)) continue;
         if (is_dot_dir(file->d_name)) continue;
         char buf[PATH_MAX];
         append_path(buf, path, file->d_name);
-        recurse_directory(buf, flags);
+        recurse_directory(buf);
     }
 
     closedir(d);
@@ -374,9 +374,9 @@ static bool recurse_directory(char* path, struct Flags* flags) {
     return true;
 }
 
-static bool list_directory(char* path, struct Flags* flags) {
-    if (flags->recurse) {
-        return recurse_directory(path, flags);
+static bool list_directory(char* path) {
+    if (flags.recurse) {
+        return recurse_directory(path);
     }
 
     DIR* d = get_directory(path);
@@ -390,12 +390,12 @@ static bool list_directory(char* path, struct Flags* flags) {
     
     struct dirent* file;
     while ((file = readdir(d)) != NULL) {
-        if (!flags->hidden && prefix(".", file->d_name)) continue;
-        if (flags->hide_dot && is_dot_dir(file->d_name)) continue;
+        if (!flags.hidden && prefix(".", file->d_name)) continue;
+        if (flags.hide_dot && is_dot_dir(file->d_name)) continue;
         push_file(&files, &info, &size, &capacity, file->d_name, path);
     }
 
-    if (size > 0) list_files(files, size, info, flags, path);
+    if (size > 0) list_files(files, size, info, path);
     free(files);
     
     closedir(d);
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ static bool is_dir(const char* path) {
     return S_ISDIR(s.st_mode);
 }
 
-static void list_file_args(int start, int argc, char** argv, struct Flags* flags) {
+static void list_file_args(int start, int argc, char** argv) {
     int capacity = 8;
     int size = 0;
     struct FileInfo* files = malloc(sizeof(struct FileInfo) * capacity);
@@ -420,12 +420,12 @@ static void list_file_args(int start, int argc, char** argv, struct Flags* flags
         push_file((struct FileInfo**) &files, &info, &size, &capacity, argv[i], ".");
     }
     
-    if (size > 0) list_files(files, size, info, flags, ".");
+    if (size > 0) list_files(files, size, info, ".");
 
     free(files);
 }
 
-static void help() {
+static void help(void) {
     printf("Usage: ls [FILE]...\n\n");
     printf("List directory contents\n\n");
     printf("\t-1\tOne column output\n");
@@ -433,12 +433,54 @@ static void help() {
     printf("\t-a\tInclude names starting with .\n");
     printf("\t-A\tLike -a but without . and ..\n");
     printf("\t-R\tRecurse\n");
-    exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
+}
+
+static int short_arg(char c, char* next) {
+    UNUSED(next);
+    switch (c) {
+        case 'R':
+            flags.recurse = true;
+            break;
+        case '1':
+            flags.one_column = true;
+            break;
+        case 'A':
+            flags.hide_dot = true;
+            flags.hidden = true;
+            break;
+        case 'a':
+            flags.hidden = true;
+            break;
+        case 'l':
+            flags.more_info = true;
+            break;
+        default:
+            error("error: unkown option -%c", c);
+    }
+    return ARG_UNUSED;
+}
+
+static int long_arg(char* cur, char* next) {
+    UNUSED(next);
+    if (prefix("--color=", cur)) {
+        char* arg = cur + 8;
+        if (streql("yes", arg) || streql("always", arg)) {
+            flags.colored = YES;
+        } else if (streql("auto", arg)) {
+            flags.colored = AUTO;
+        } else if (streql("no", arg) || streql("never", arg)) {
+            flags.colored = NO;
+        } else {
+            error("error: invalid color options: %s", arg);
+        }
+    } else {
+        return ARG_IGNORE;
+    }
+    return ARG_UNUSED;
 }
 
 COMMAND(ls) {
 
-    struct Flags flags;
     flags.hidden = false;
     flags.more_info = false;
     flags.hide_dot = false;
@@ -446,55 +488,14 @@ COMMAND(ls) {
     flags.recurse = false;
     flags.colored = AUTO;
 
-    int start = 0;
-    for (int i = 0; i < argc; i++) {
-        if (!prefix("-", argv[i])) break;
-        if (streql("--help", argv[i])) help();
-        start++;
-        if (prefix("--color=", argv[i])) {
-            char* arg = argv[i] + 8;
-            if (streql("yes", arg) || streql("always", arg)) {
-                flags.colored = YES;
-            } else if (streql("auto", arg)) {
-                flags.colored = AUTO;
-            } else if (streql("no", arg) || streql("never", arg)) {
-                flags.colored = NO;
-            } else {
-                error("error: invalid color options: %s", arg);
-            }
-            continue;
-        }
-        for (size_t j = 1; j < strlen(argv[i]); j++) {
-            char c = argv[i][j];
-            switch (c) {
-                case 'R':
-                    flags.recurse = true;
-                    break;
-                case '1':
-                    flags.one_column = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'A':
-                    flags.hide_dot = true;
-                    flags.hidden = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'a':
-                    flags.hidden = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'l':
-                    flags.more_info = true;
-                    break;
-                default:
-                    error("error: unkown option -%c", c);
-            }
-        }
-    }
+    int start = parse_args(argc, argv, help, short_arg, long_arg);
 
     if (argc - start == 0) {
-        list_directory(".", &flags);
+        list_directory(".");
         return EXIT_SUCCESS;
     }
 
-    list_file_args(start, argc, argv, &flags); 
+    list_file_args(start, argc, argv); 
 
     bool titled = argc - start > 1;
     for (int i = start; i < argc; i++) {
@@ -505,7 +506,7 @@ COMMAND(ls) {
             else
                 printf("\n%s:\n", argv[i]);
         }
-        if (list_directory(argv[i], &flags) && i + 1 != argc)
+        if (list_directory(argv[i]) && i + 1 != argc)
             if (titled && !flags.recurse) printf("\n");
     }
 
diff --git a/src/commands/printf.c b/src/commands/printf.c
index 2a84b80..fd08aa8 100644
--- a/src/commands/printf.c
+++ b/src/commands/printf.c
@@ -78,10 +78,9 @@ static void handle_slash(char n) {
     }
 }
 
-static void help() {
+static void help(void) {
     printf("Usage printf FORMAT [ARG]...\n\n");
     printf("Format and print ARG(s) according to FORMAT (a-la C prinf)\n");
-    exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
 }
 
 COMMAND(print) {
@@ -89,7 +88,7 @@ COMMAND(print) {
         error("usage: printf FORMAT [ARG]...\n");
     }
 
-    if (streql("--help", argv[0])) help();
+    parse_help(argc, argv, help);
 
     size_t index = 0;
     int arg_index = 0;
diff --git a/src/commands/tail.c b/src/commands/tail.c
index 118a771..a611842 100644
--- a/src/commands/tail.c
+++ b/src/commands/tail.c
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 #include "../command.h"
 
-struct Flags {
+static struct {
     bool lines;
     int count;
     bool print_headers;
     bool dont_print_headers;
     bool print_as_grow;
     int grow_wait;
-};
+} flags;
 
 static size_t tail_file_lines(FILE* file, unsigned int count, size_t skip) {
     char* ring[count];
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ static size_t tail_file_chars(FILE* file, unsigned int count, size_t skip) {
     return read;
 }
 
-static void help() {
+static void help(void) {
     printf("Usage: tail [OPTIONS] [FILE]...\n\n");
     printf("Print last 10 lines of FILEs (or stdin) to.\n");
     printf("With more than one FILE, precede each with a filename header.\n\n");
@@ -97,16 +97,9 @@ static void help() {
     exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
 }
 
-static char* next_arg(int argc, char** argv, int index) {
-    if (index >= argc) {
-        error("error: expected another argument after option");
-    }
-    return argv[index];
-}
-
-static void print_header(char* path, struct Flags* flags, bool many) {
-    if (flags->dont_print_headers) return;
-    if (!many && !flags->print_headers) return;
+static void print_header(char* path, bool many) {
+    if (flags.dont_print_headers) return;
+    if (!many && !flags.print_headers) return;
     if (streql("-", path)) {
         printf("\n==> standard input <==\n");
     } else {
@@ -114,26 +107,72 @@ static void print_header(char* path, struct Flags* flags, bool many) {
     }
 }
 
-static void tail_file(char* path, struct Flags* flags, bool many) {
+static void tail_file(char* path, bool many) {
     FILE* file = get_file(path, "r");
-    print_header(path, flags, many);
+    print_header(path, many);
     
     size_t skip = 0;
     while (true) {
-        if (flags->lines) {
-            skip = tail_file_lines(file, flags->count, skip);
+        if (flags.lines) {
+            skip = tail_file_lines(file, flags.count, skip);
         } else {
-            skip = tail_file_chars(file, flags->count, skip);
+            skip = tail_file_chars(file, flags.count, skip);
         }
-        if (!flags->print_as_grow) break;
-        sleep(flags->grow_wait);
+        if (!flags.print_as_grow) break;
+        sleep(flags.grow_wait);
         get_file(path, "r");
     };
 }
 
+static int short_arg(char c, char* next) {
+    switch (c) {
+        case 'c': {
+            flags.lines = false;
+            check_arg(next);
+            long int bkm = get_blkm(next);
+            if (bkm < 1) {
+                error("error: bkm cannot be less than 1");
+            }
+            flags.count = bkm;
+            return ARG_USED;
+        }
+        case 'n': {
+            flags.lines = true;
+            check_arg(next);
+            long int bkm = get_blkm(next);
+            if (bkm < 1) {
+                error("error: bkm cannot be less than 1");
+            }
+            flags.count = bkm;
+            return ARG_USED;
+        }
+        case 'q':
+            flags.dont_print_headers = true;
+            break;
+        case 'v':
+            flags.print_headers = true;
+            break;
+        case 'f':
+            flags.print_as_grow = true;
+            break;
+        case 's': {
+            check_arg(next);
+            long int sec = get_number(next);
+            if (sec < 1) {
+                error("error: wait seconds cannot be less than 1");
+            }
+            flags.grow_wait = sec;
+            return ARG_USED;
+        }
+        default: {
+            error("error: unknown option -%c", c);
+        }
+    }
+    return ARG_UNUSED;
+}
+
 COMMAND(tail) {
 
-    struct Flags flags;
     flags.count = 10;
     flags.dont_print_headers = false;
     flags.print_headers = false;
@@ -141,62 +180,7 @@ COMMAND(tail) {
     flags.print_as_grow = false;
     flags.grow_wait = 10;
 
-    int start = 0;
-    for (int i = 0; i < argc; i++) { 
-        if (!prefix("-", argv[i])) break;
-        if (streql(argv[0], "--help")) help();
-        start++;
-        int i_s = i;
-        for (size_t j = 1; j < strlen(argv[i_s]); j++) {
-            char c = argv[i_s][j];
-            switch(c) {
-                case 'c': {
-                    start++;
-                    flags.lines = false;
-                    char* arg = next_arg(argc, argv, ++i);
-                    long int bkm = get_blkm(arg);
-                    if (bkm < 1) {
-                        error("error: bkm cannot be less than 1");
-                    }
-                    flags.count = bkm;
-                    break;
-                }
-                case 'n': {
-                    start++;
-                    flags.lines = true;
-                    char* arg = next_arg(argc, argv, ++i);
-                    long int bkm = get_blkm(arg);
-                    if (bkm < 1) {
-                        error("error: bkm cannot be less than 1");
-                    }
-                    flags.count = bkm;
-                    break;
-                }
-                case 'q':
-                    flags.dont_print_headers = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'v':
-                    flags.print_headers = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'f':
-                    flags.print_as_grow = true;
-                    break;
-                case 's': {
-                    start++;
-                    char* arg = next_arg(argc, argv, ++i);
-                    long int sec = get_number(arg);
-                    if (sec < 1) {
-                        error("error: wait seconds cannot be less than 1");
-                    }
-                    flags.grow_wait = sec;
-                    break;
-                }
-                default: {
-                    error("error: unknown option -%c", c);
-                }
-            }
-        }
-    }
+    int start = parse_args(argc, argv, help, short_arg, NULL);
 
     int count = argc - start;
 
@@ -206,12 +190,12 @@ COMMAND(tail) {
     }
 
     if (count == 1) {
-        tail_file(argv[start], &flags, false);
+        tail_file(argv[start], false);
         return EXIT_SUCCESS;
     }
 
     for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) {
-        tail_file(argv[start + i], &flags, true);
+        tail_file(argv[start + i], true);
     }
 
     return EXIT_SUCCESS;
diff --git a/src/commands/tee.c b/src/commands/tee.c
index c500508..ced5b06 100644
--- a/src/commands/tee.c
+++ b/src/commands/tee.c
@@ -2,7 +2,12 @@
 
 #include <signal.h>
 
-static void help() {
+static struct {
+    bool append;
+    bool handle_sigint;
+} flags;
+
+static void help(void) {
     printf("Usage: tee [-ai] [FILE]...\n\n");
     printf("Copy stdin to each FILE, and also to stdout\n\n");
 	printf("\t-a	Append to the given FILEs, don't overwrite\n");
@@ -10,7 +15,7 @@ static void help() {
     exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
 }
 
-static void handle(){}
+static void handle(int dummy){UNUSED(dummy);}
 
 static void run_tee(int file_count, FILE* files[file_count]) {
     char c;
@@ -26,33 +31,29 @@ static void run_tee(int file_count, FILE* files[file_count]) {
     }
 }
 
+static int short_arg(char c, char* next) {
+    UNUSED(next);
+    switch (c) {
+        case 'a':
+            flags.append = true;
+            break;
+        case 'i':
+            flags.handle_sigint = true;
+            break;
+        default:
+            error("error: unkown option: %c", c);
+    }
+    return ARG_UNUSED;
+}
+
 COMMAND(tee) {
 
-    bool append = false;
-    bool handle_sigint = false;
+    flags.append = false;
+    flags.handle_sigint = false;
 
-    int start = 0;
-    for (int i = 0; i < argc; i++) {
-        if (!prefix("-", argv[i])) break;
-        if (streql("--help", argv[i])) help();
+    int start = parse_args(argc, argv, help, short_arg, NULL);
 
-        start++;
-        for (size_t j = 1; j < strlen(argv[i]); j++) {
-            char o = argv[i][j];
-            switch (o) {
-                case 'a':
-                    append = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'i':
-                    handle_sigint = true;
-                    break;
-                default:
-                    error("error: unkown option: %c", o);
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-    if (handle_sigint) {
+    if (flags.handle_sigint) {
         signal(SIGINT, handle);
     }
 
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ COMMAND(tee) {
 
     FILE* files[argc - start];
     for (int i = start; i < argc; i++) {
-        FILE* file = get_file(argv[i], append ? "a" : "w");
+        FILE* file = get_file(argv[i], flags.append ? "a" : "w");
         files[i - start] = file;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/commands/wc.c b/src/commands/wc.c
index 892ef2e..9acbf5c 100644
--- a/src/commands/wc.c
+++ b/src/commands/wc.c
@@ -2,13 +2,14 @@
 
 #include <ctype.h>
 
-struct Flags {
+static struct {
     bool newlines;
     bool words;
     bool characters;
     bool bytes;
     bool longest_line;
-};
+    bool has_flags;
+} flags;
 
 static int lines = 0;
 static int words = 0;
@@ -16,20 +17,20 @@ static int chars = 0;
 static int bytes = 0;
 static int logst = 0;
 
-static void list(int l, int w, int c, int b, int lg, struct Flags* flags) {
-    if (flags->newlines) {
+static void list(int l, int w, int c, int b, int lg) {
+    if (flags.newlines) {
         printf("\t%d", l);
     }
-    if (flags->words) {
+    if (flags.words) {
         printf("\t%d", w);
     }
-    if (flags->characters) {
+    if (flags.characters) {
         printf("\t%d", c);
     }
-    if (flags->bytes) {
+    if (flags.bytes) {
         printf("\t%d", b);
     }
-    if (flags->longest_line) {
+    if (flags.longest_line) {
         printf("\t%d", lg);
     }
 }
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ static bool is_delimiter(char c) {
     return c == ' ' || c == '\t' || c == '\n';
 }
 
-static void run_wc(FILE* file, struct Flags* flags) {
+static void run_wc(FILE* file) {
     int l = 0, w = 0, c = 0, b = 0, lg = 0;
 
     bool in_word = false;
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ static void run_wc(FILE* file, struct Flags* flags) {
     }
     if (in_word) w++;
     lg = lg > current_length ? lg : current_length;
-    list(l, w, c, b, lg, flags);
+    list(l, w, c, b, lg);
     lines += l;
     words += w;
     chars += c;
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ static void run_wc(FILE* file, struct Flags* flags) {
         fclose(file);
 }
 
-static void help() {
+static void help(void) {
     printf("Usage: wc [-cmlwL] [FILE]...\n\n");
     printf("Count lines, words, and bytes for FILEs (or stdin)\n\n");
 	printf("\t-c	Count bytes\n");
@@ -91,67 +92,62 @@ static void help() {
     exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
 }
 
+static int short_arg(char c, char* next) {
+    UNUSED(next);
+    switch (c) {
+        case 'c':
+            flags.bytes = true;
+            break;
+        case 'm':
+            flags.characters = true;
+            break;
+        case 'l':
+            flags.newlines = true;
+            break;
+        case 'w':
+            flags.words = true;
+            break;
+        case 'L':
+            flags.longest_line = true;
+            break;
+        default:
+            error("error: invald option -%c", c);
+    }
+    flags.has_flags = true;
+    return ARG_UNUSED;
+}
+
 COMMAND(wc) {
-    struct Flags flags;
     flags.newlines = false;
     flags.words = false;
     flags.characters = false;
     flags.bytes = false;
     flags.longest_line = false;
+    flags.has_flags = false;
 
-    bool has_flags = false;
 
-    int start = 0;
-    for (int i = 0; i < argc; i++) {
-        if (!prefix("-", argv[i])) break;
-        if (streql("--help", argv[i])) help();
+    int start = parse_args(argc, argv, help, short_arg, NULL);
 
-        start++;
-        for (size_t j = 1; j < strlen(argv[i]); j++) {
-            char c = argv[i][j];
-            switch (c) {
-                case 'c':
-                    flags.bytes = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'm':
-                    flags.characters = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'l':
-                    flags.newlines = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'w':
-                    flags.words = true;
-                    break;
-                case 'L':
-                    flags.longest_line = true;
-                    break;
-                default:
-                    error("error: invald option -%c", c);
-            }
-            has_flags = true;
-        }
-    }
-
-    if (!has_flags) {
+    if (!flags.has_flags) {
         flags.newlines = true;
         flags.words = true;
         flags.characters = true;
     }
 
     if (argc - start < 1) {
-        run_wc(stdin, &flags);
+        run_wc(stdin);
         printf("\n");
         return EXIT_SUCCESS;
     }
 
     for (int i = start; i < argc; i++) {
         FILE* file = get_file(argv[i], "r");
-        run_wc(file, &flags);
+        run_wc(file);
         printf("\t%s\n", argv[i]);
     }
 
     if (argc - start > 1) {
-        list(lines, words, chars, bytes, logst, &flags);
+        list(lines, words, chars, bytes, logst);
         printf("\ttotal\n");
     }
 
diff --git a/src/commands/whoami.c b/src/commands/whoami.c
index f19a724..623a35a 100644
--- a/src/commands/whoami.c
+++ b/src/commands/whoami.c
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #include <pwd.h>
 
-static void help() {
+static void help(void) {
     printf("Usage: whoami\n\n");
     printf("Print the username associated with the current effective user id\n");
     exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
 }
 
 COMMAND(whoami) {
-    if (argc > 0 && streql("--help", argv[0])) help();
+    parse_help(argc, argv, help);
 
     uid_t usr = getuid();
     struct passwd* passwd = getpwuid(usr);
diff --git a/src/commands/xargs.c b/src/commands/xargs.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3b96bb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/commands/xargs.c
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+#include "../command.h"
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+static struct {
+    bool null_seperated;
+    bool ignore_empty;
+    bool print_command;
+    bool prompt_command;
+    int max_args;
+    FILE* file;
+} flags;
+
+static void help(void) {
+    printf("Usage: xargs [OPTIONS] [PROG ARGS]\n\n");
+    printf("Run PROG on every item given by stdin\n\n");
+	printf("\t-0\tInput is separated by NULs\n");
+	printf("\t-a FILE\tRead from FILE instead of stdin\n");
+	printf("\t-r\tDon't run command if input is empty\n");
+	printf("\t-t\tPrint the command on stderr before execution\n");
+	printf("\t-p\tAsk user whether to run each command\n");
+	printf("\t-n N\tPass no more than N args to PROG\n");
+}
+
+static int short_arg(char c, char* next) {
+    UNUSED(next);
+    switch (c) {
+        case '0':
+            flags.null_seperated = true;
+            break;
+        case 'a':
+            check_arg(next);
+            flags.file = get_file(next, "r");
+            return ARG_USED;
+        case 'r':
+            flags.ignore_empty = true;
+            break;
+        case 't':
+            flags.print_command = true;
+            break;
+        case 'p':
+            flags.prompt_command = true;
+            break;
+        case 'n':
+            check_arg(next);
+            long int n = get_number(next);
+            if (n < 1) {
+                error("error: max arg count must be at least 1");
+            }
+            return ARG_USED;
+    }
+    return ARG_UNUSED;
+}
+
+char* read_next(FILE* file, int arg_count) {
+
+    if (arg_count == flags.max_args) return NULL;
+
+    int size = 0;
+    int capacity = 8;
+    char* buf = malloc(sizeof(char) * capacity);
+
+    char c;
+    while(c = getc(file), true) {
+        if (c == EOF && size == 0) {
+            free(buf);
+            return NULL;
+        }
+
+        if (size == capacity) {
+            capacity *= 2;
+            buf = realloc(buf, sizeof(char) * capacity);
+        }
+
+        if (c == '\0' || c == EOF || (!flags.null_seperated && c == '\n')) {
+            buf[size++] = '\0';
+            return buf;
+        } else {
+            buf[size++] = c;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void read_args(FILE* file, char*** args, int* size, int* capacity) {
+    char* arg;
+    while (arg = read_next(file, *size), true) {
+        if (*size == *capacity) {
+            *capacity *= 2;
+            *args = realloc(*args, sizeof(char*) * *capacity);
+        }
+        (*args)[(*size)++] = arg;
+        if (arg == NULL) break;
+    }
+}
+
+COMMAND(xargs) {
+    flags.null_seperated = false;
+    flags.ignore_empty = false;
+    flags.print_command = false;
+    flags.print_command = false;
+    flags.max_args = -1;
+    flags.file = stdin;
+
+    int start = parse_args(argc, argv, help, short_arg, NULL);
+
+    char* command;
+    if (start >= argc) {
+        command = "echo";
+    } else {
+        command = argv[start]; 
+    }
+
+    int arg_start = start + 1;
+    int arg_on_stack_count;
+
+    if (arg_start >= argc) {
+        arg_on_stack_count = 0;
+        arg_start = argc - 1;
+    } else {
+        arg_on_stack_count = argc - arg_start;
+    }
+
+    int size = arg_on_stack_count + 1;
+    int capacity = size + 8;
+    char** args = malloc(sizeof(char*) * capacity);
+    args[0] = command;
+    memcpy(&args[1], &argv[arg_start], arg_on_stack_count * sizeof(char*));
+    read_args(flags.file, &args, &size, &capacity);
+
+    if (flags.ignore_empty && size < 2) goto cleanup;
+
+    if (flags.prompt_command || flags.print_command) {
+        for (int i = 0; i < size - 1; i++) {
+            fprintf(stderr, "%s ", args[i]);
+        }
+        fprintf(stderr, "\b\n");
+    }
+
+    if (flags.prompt_command) {
+        fprintf(stderr, "Run command? ");
+        fflush(stderr);
+        FILE* in = get_tty_stream("r");
+        char c = getc(in);
+        fclose(in);
+        if (c != 'y' && c != 'Y') {
+            fprintf(stderr, "Skipping...\n");
+            goto cleanup;
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (execvp(command, args) == -1) {
+        error("error: failed to execute command: %s", strerror(errno));
+    }
+
+cleanup:
+
+    for (int i = arg_on_stack_count + 1; i < size - 1; i++) {
+        free(args[i]);
+    }
+    fclose(flags.file);
+
+    return EXIT_SUCCESS;
+}
diff --git a/src/commands/yes.c b/src/commands/yes.c
index c954810..39cf75d 100644
--- a/src/commands/yes.c
+++ b/src/commands/yes.c
@@ -1,19 +1,18 @@
 #include "../command.h"
 
-static void help() {
+static void help(void) {
     printf("Usage: yes [STRING]\n\n");
     printf("Repeatedly output a line with all specified STRING(s), or 'y'.\n");
-    exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
 }
 
 COMMAND(yes) {
+
+    parse_help(argc, argv, help);
+
     const char* repeat;
     if (argc == 0) {
         repeat = "y";
     } else {
-        if (streql("--help", argv[0])) {
-            help();
-        }
         repeat = argv[0];
         for (int i = 1; i < argc; i++) {
             *(argv[i]-1) = ' ';
diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index d8ee1b4..35899e2 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ int main (ARGUMENTS) {
         error("error: argument 0 missing");
     }
 
+#ifdef CHECK_LINK
     struct stat buf;
     lstat(argv[0], &buf);
 
@@ -20,12 +21,13 @@ int main (ARGUMENTS) {
         if (argc < 2) {
             printf("usage: lazysphere [function [arguments]...]\n\n");
             printf("currently defined functions:\n");
-            printf("\tdd, cat, yes, echo, printf, id, groups, ls, tail, head, ed, tee, true, false, tee, whoami, wc\n");
+            printf("\tdd, cat, yes, echo, printf, id, groups, ls, tail, head, ed, tee, true, false, tee, whoami, wc, xargs\n");
             return EXIT_SUCCESS;
         }
         argc--;
         argv = &argv[1];
     }
+#endif
 
     const char* cmd;
     if (strncmp("./", argv[0], 2) == 0) {
@@ -66,6 +68,8 @@ int main (ARGUMENTS) {
         return whoami(NEXT_ARGS);
     } else if (streql(cmd, "wc")) {
         return wc(NEXT_ARGS);
+    } else if (streql(cmd, "xargs")) {
+        return xargs(NEXT_ARGS);
     } else {
         error("error: invalid command %s", cmd);
     }
diff --git a/src/util/shared.c b/src/util/shared.c
index d512972..e207c6d 100644
--- a/src/util/shared.c
+++ b/src/util/shared.c
@@ -2,10 +2,12 @@
 
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <stdarg.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include <time.h>
 #include <sys/stat.h>
+#include <paths.h>
 
 void error(const char* format, ...) {
     va_list list;
@@ -132,3 +134,100 @@ void print_date_time(time_t mills, char buf[13]) {
 
     snprintf(buf + n, 13 - n, "%d %02d:%02d ", info->tm_mday, info->tm_hour, info->tm_sec);
 }
+
+#ifndef MAJOR
+#define MAJOR 0
+#endif
+
+#ifndef MINOR
+#define MINOR 0
+#endif
+
+#ifndef PATCH
+#define PATCH 0
+#endif
+
+void check_arg (char* arg) {
+    if (arg == NULL) {
+        error("error: expected another argument after option");
+    }
+}
+
+static void global_help(void (*help)(void)) {
+    printf("LazySphere v%d.%d.%d multi-call binary.\n\n", MAJOR, MINOR, PATCH);
+    help();
+    exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
+}
+
+void parse_help(int argc, char** argv, void (*help)(void)) {
+    if (argc < 1) return;
+    for (int i = 0; i < argc; i++) {
+        if (!prefix("-", argv[i]) || streql("-", argv[i])) break;
+        if (help != NULL && streql("--help", argv[i])) global_help(help);
+    }
+}
+
+int parse_args(int argc, char** argv, void (*help)(void), int (*short_arg)(char, char*), int (*long_arg)(char*, char*)) {
+    if (argc < 1) return 0;
+
+    int start = 0;
+    for (int i = 0; i < argc; i++) {
+        if (!prefix("-", argv[i]) || streql("-", argv[i])) break;
+        if (help != NULL && streql("--help", argv[i])) global_help(help);
+
+        char* next_arg;
+        if (i + 1 == argc) {
+            next_arg = NULL;
+        } else {
+            next_arg = argv[i+1];
+        }
+
+        int current = i;
+
+        if (prefix("--", argv[i])) {
+            if (long_arg == NULL) {
+                goto exit;
+            }
+            int r = long_arg(argv[current], next_arg);
+            if (r == ARG_USED) {
+                i++;
+                start++;
+            } else if (r == ARG_IGNORE) {
+                goto exit;
+            }
+        } else {
+            if (short_arg == NULL) {
+                goto exit;
+            }
+            for (size_t j = 1; j < strlen(argv[current]); j++) {
+                int r = short_arg(argv[current][j], next_arg);
+                if (r == ARG_USED) {
+                    i++;
+                    start++;
+                } else if (r == ARG_IGNORE) {
+                    goto exit;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        start++;
+    }
+exit:
+    return start;
+}
+
+int get_tty() {
+    int fd = open(_PATH_TTY, O_RDONLY);
+    if (fd < 0) error("error: failed to get tty: %s", strerror(errno));
+    return fd;
+}
+
+FILE* get_tty_stream(char* type) {
+    int fd = get_tty();
+    FILE* file = fdopen(fd, type);
+    if (file == NULL) {
+        error("error: failed to open tty stream: %s", strerror(errno));
+    }
+    return file;
+}
+
diff --git a/src/util/shared.h b/src/util/shared.h
index 5e5f4a9..c0945c1 100644
--- a/src/util/shared.h
+++ b/src/util/shared.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include <time.h>
+#include <fcntl.h>
 
 #define ANSCII          "\x1b["
 #define NEXT            ";"
@@ -44,3 +45,15 @@ bool prefix(const char* pre, const char* str);
 
 void print_file_size(size_t bytes, char buf[5]);
 void print_date_time(time_t mills, char buf[13]);
+
+#define UNUSED(x) (void)(x)
+#define ARG_UNUSED  0
+#define ARG_USED    1
+#define ARG_IGNORE  2
+
+void check_arg (char* arg);
+void parse_help (int argc, char** argv, void (*help)(void));
+int parse_args (int argc, char** argv, void (*help)(void), int (*short_arg)(char, char*), int (*long_arg)(char*, char*));
+
+int get_tty();
+FILE* get_tty_stream(char* type);