diff --git a/src/root-manager.scm b/src/root-manager.scm
index da94e89..475da6e 100644
--- a/src/root-manager.scm
+++ b/src/root-manager.scm
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
   (create-workspace keys "F9")
   (create-workspace-question string "What kind of manager do you want in the new workspace?\n(S)witch or (M)ove windowmanager:")
   (kill-client keys "M-c")
+  (user-bindings binding-list '(("F2" exec "xterm")))
   )
 
 (define-record-type root-wm :root-wm
@@ -67,6 +68,10 @@
 		execute attach quit
 		create-workspace
 		kill-client))
+    (for-each (lambda (binding)
+		(grab-shortcut dpy window (car binding) (cons 'binding binding)
+			       in-channel #t))
+	      (get-option-value options 'user-bindings))
 
     (spawn* '(root-wm)
 	    (lambda (release)
@@ -316,7 +321,16 @@
 		      '(#\y #\Y #\n #\N) #f)))
        (if (memq a '(#\y #\Y))
 	   (exit #t))))
-    (else (warn "unhandled root message" msg))))
+    (else
+     (if (and (pair? (car msg)) (eq? 'binding (car (car msg))))
+	 (let* ((binding (cdr (car msg)))
+		(time (second msg))
+		(command (cdr binding)))
+	   (mdisplay "binding: " binding " command: " command "\n")
+	   (case (car command)
+	     ((exec) (run (sh -c ,(string-append (cadr command) " &"))))
+	     (else (warn "unknown binding command" command))))
+	 (warn "unhandled root message" msg)))))
 
 (define (exec-complete str pos)
   ;; TODO