diff --git a/arguments.c b/arguments.c
index 142f86d8..0867f815 100644
--- a/arguments.c
+++ b/arguments.c
@@ -38,6 +38,12 @@ struct args_entry {
 	RB_ENTRY(args_entry)	 entry;
 };
 
+struct args {
+	struct args_tree	  tree;
+	int			  argc;
+	char			**argv;
+};
+
 static struct args_entry	*args_find(struct args *, u_char);
 
 static int	args_cmp(struct args_entry *, struct args_entry *);
@@ -73,7 +79,7 @@ args_create(void)
 
 /* Parse an argv and argc into a new argument set. */
 struct args *
-args_parse(const char *template, int argc, char **argv)
+args_parse(const char *template, int argc, char **argv, int lower, int upper)
 {
 	struct args	*args;
 	int		 opt;
@@ -99,6 +105,10 @@ args_parse(const char *template, int argc, char **argv)
 	args->argc = argc;
 	args->argv = cmd_copy_argv(argc, argv);
 
+	if ((lower != -1 && argc < lower) || (upper != -1 && argc > upper)) {
+		args_free(args);
+		return (NULL);
+	}
 	return (args);
 }
 
@@ -126,6 +136,14 @@ args_free(struct args *args)
 	free(args);
 }
 
+/* Convert arguments to vector. */
+void
+args_vector(struct args *args, int *argc, char ***argv)
+{
+	*argc = args->argc;
+	*argv = cmd_copy_argv(args->argc, args->argv);
+}
+
 /* Add to string. */
 static void printflike(3, 4)
 args_print_add(char **buf, size_t *len, const char *fmt, ...)
@@ -145,23 +163,6 @@ args_print_add(char **buf, size_t *len, const char *fmt, ...)
 	free(s);
 }
 
-/* Add value to string. */
-static void
-args_print_add_value(char **buf, size_t *len, struct args_entry *entry,
-    struct args_value *value)
-{
-	char	*escaped;
-
-	if (**buf != '\0')
-		args_print_add(buf, len, " -%c ", entry->flag);
-	else
-		args_print_add(buf, len, "-%c ", entry->flag);
-
-	escaped = args_escape(value->value);
-	args_print_add(buf, len, "%s", escaped);
-	free(escaped);
-}
-
 /* Add argument to string. */
 static void
 args_print_add_argument(char **buf, size_t *len, const char *argument)
@@ -203,8 +204,13 @@ args_print(struct args *args)
 
 	/* Then the flags with arguments. */
 	RB_FOREACH(entry, args_tree, &args->tree) {
-		TAILQ_FOREACH(value, &entry->values, entry)
-			args_print_add_value(&buf, &len, entry, value);
+		TAILQ_FOREACH(value, &entry->values, entry) {
+			if (*buf != '\0')
+				args_print_add(&buf, &len, " -%c", entry->flag);
+			else
+				args_print_add(&buf, &len, "-%c", entry->flag);
+			args_print_add_argument(&buf, &len, value->value);
+		}
 	}
 
 	/* And finally the argument vector. */
@@ -330,6 +336,22 @@ args_next(struct args_entry **entry)
 	return ((*entry)->flag);
 }
 
+/* Get argument count. */
+u_int
+args_count(struct args *args)
+{
+	return (args->argc);
+}
+
+/* Return argument as string. */
+const char *
+args_string(struct args *args, u_int idx)
+{
+	if (idx >= (u_int)args->argc)
+		return (NULL);
+	return (args->argv[idx]);
+}
+
 /* Get first value in argument. */
 struct args_value *
 args_first_value(struct args *args, u_char flag)
diff --git a/cmd-bind-key.c b/cmd-bind-key.c
index b4e4167c..87dd3cf7 100644
--- a/cmd-bind-key.c
+++ b/cmd-bind-key.c
@@ -48,12 +48,13 @@ cmd_bind_key_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	key_code		  key;
 	const char		 *tablename, *note = args_get(args, 'N');
 	struct cmd_parse_result	 *pr;
-	char			**argv = args->argv;
-	int			  argc = args->argc, repeat;
+	char			**argv;
+	int			  argc, repeat;
+	u_int			  count = args_count(args);
 
-	key = key_string_lookup_string(argv[0]);
+	key = key_string_lookup_string(args_string(args, 0));
 	if (key == KEYC_NONE || key == KEYC_UNKNOWN) {
-		cmdq_error(item, "unknown key: %s", argv[0]);
+		cmdq_error(item, "unknown key: %s", args_string(args, 0));
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
 
@@ -65,11 +66,14 @@ cmd_bind_key_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		tablename = "prefix";
 	repeat = args_has(args, 'r');
 
-	if (argc != 1) {
-		if (argc == 2)
-			pr = cmd_parse_from_string(argv[1], NULL);
-		else
+	if (count != 1) {
+		if (count == 2)
+			pr = cmd_parse_from_string(args_string(args, 1), NULL);
+		else {
+			args_vector(args, &argc, &argv);
 			pr = cmd_parse_from_arguments(argc - 1, argv + 1, NULL);
+			cmd_free_argv(argc, argv);
+		}
 		switch (pr->status) {
 		case CMD_PARSE_EMPTY:
 			cmdq_error(item, "empty command");
diff --git a/cmd-command-prompt.c b/cmd-command-prompt.c
index 4943bc15..25ec6817 100644
--- a/cmd-command-prompt.c
+++ b/cmd-command-prompt.c
@@ -71,9 +71,10 @@ cmd_command_prompt_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct args			*args = cmd_get_args(self);
 	struct client			*tc = cmdq_get_target_client(item);
 	struct cmd_find_state		*target = cmdq_get_target(item);
-	const char			*inputs, *prompts, *type;
+	const char			*inputs, *prompts, *type, *s;
 	struct cmd_command_prompt_cdata	*cdata;
-	char				*prompt, *ptr, *input = NULL;
+	char				*prompt, *comma, *input = NULL;
+	u_int				 count = args_count(args);
 	size_t				 n;
 	int				 wait = !args_has(args, 'b');
 
@@ -94,28 +95,30 @@ cmd_command_prompt_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	if (wait)
 		cdata->item = item;
 
-	if (args->argc != 0 && args_has(args, 'F'))
-	    cdata->template = format_single_from_target(item, args->argv[0]);
-	else if (args->argc != 0)
-		cdata->template = xstrdup(args->argv[0]);
-	else
+	if (count != 0) {
+		s = args_string(args, 0);
+		if (args_has(args, 'F'))
+			cdata->template = format_single_from_target(item, s);
+		else
+			cdata->template = xstrdup(s);
+	}  else
 		cdata->template = xstrdup("%1");
 
 	if ((prompts = args_get(args, 'p')) != NULL)
 		cdata->prompts = xstrdup(prompts);
-	else if (args->argc != 0) {
+	else if (count != 0) {
 		n = strcspn(cdata->template, " ,");
-		xasprintf(&cdata->prompts, "(%.*s) ", (int) n, cdata->template);
+		xasprintf(&cdata->prompts, "(%.*s) ", (int)n, cdata->template);
 	} else
 		cdata->prompts = xstrdup(":");
 
 	/* Get first prompt. */
 	cdata->next_prompt = cdata->prompts;
-	ptr = strsep(&cdata->next_prompt, ",");
+	comma = strsep(&cdata->next_prompt, ",");
 	if (prompts == NULL)
-		prompt = xstrdup(ptr);
+		prompt = xstrdup(comma);
 	else
-		xasprintf(&prompt, "%s ", ptr);
+		xasprintf(&prompt, "%s ", comma);
 
 	/* Get initial prompt input. */
 	if ((inputs = args_get(args, 'I')) != NULL) {
@@ -157,7 +160,7 @@ cmd_command_prompt_callback(struct client *c, void *data, const char *s,
     int done)
 {
 	struct cmd_command_prompt_cdata	*cdata = data;
-	char				*new_template, *prompt, *ptr, *error;
+	char				*new_template, *prompt, *comma, *error;
 	char				*input = NULL;
 	struct cmdq_item		*item = cdata->item;
 	enum cmd_parse_status		 status;
@@ -177,8 +180,8 @@ cmd_command_prompt_callback(struct client *c, void *data, const char *s,
 	 * Check if there are more prompts; if so, get its respective input
 	 * and update the prompt data.
 	 */
-	if (done && (ptr = strsep(&cdata->next_prompt, ",")) != NULL) {
-		xasprintf(&prompt, "%s ", ptr);
+	if (done && (comma = strsep(&cdata->next_prompt, ",")) != NULL) {
+		xasprintf(&prompt, "%s ", comma);
 		input = strsep(&cdata->next_input, ",");
 		status_prompt_update(c, prompt, input);
 
diff --git a/cmd-confirm-before.c b/cmd-confirm-before.c
index 51c2fe8e..9f179aaf 100644
--- a/cmd-confirm-before.c
+++ b/cmd-confirm-before.c
@@ -59,22 +59,22 @@ cmd_confirm_before_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct cmd_confirm_before_data	*cdata;
 	struct client			*tc = cmdq_get_target_client(item);
 	struct cmd_find_state		*target = cmdq_get_target(item);
-	char				*cmd, *copy, *new_prompt, *ptr;
+	char				*cmd, *copy, *new_prompt, *tmp;
 	const char			*prompt;
 	int				 wait = !args_has(args, 'b');
 
+	cdata = xcalloc(1, sizeof *cdata);
+	cdata->cmd = xstrdup(args_string(args, 0));
+
 	if ((prompt = args_get(args, 'p')) != NULL)
 		xasprintf(&new_prompt, "%s ", prompt);
 	else {
-		ptr = copy = xstrdup(args->argv[0]);
-		cmd = strsep(&ptr, " \t");
+		tmp = copy = xstrdup(cdata->cmd);
+		cmd = strsep(&tmp, " \t");
 		xasprintf(&new_prompt, "Confirm '%s'? (y/n) ", cmd);
 		free(copy);
 	}
 
-	cdata = xcalloc(1, sizeof *cdata);
-	cdata->cmd = xstrdup(args->argv[0]);
-
 	cmd_get_source(self, &cdata->pi.file, &cdata->pi.line);
 	if (wait)
 		cdata->pi.item = item;
diff --git a/cmd-display-menu.c b/cmd-display-menu.c
index c774284c..a8eda0d2 100644
--- a/cmd-display-menu.c
+++ b/cmd-display-menu.c
@@ -261,10 +261,10 @@ cmd_display_menu_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct client		*tc = cmdq_get_target_client(item);
 	struct menu		*menu = NULL;
 	struct menu_item	 menu_item;
-	const char		*key;
-	char			*title, *name;
-	int			 flags = 0, i;
-	u_int			 px, py;
+	const char		*key, *name;
+	char			*title;
+	int			 flags = 0;
+	u_int			 px, py, i, count = args_count(args);
 
 	if (tc->overlay_draw != NULL)
 		return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
@@ -275,24 +275,24 @@ cmd_display_menu_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		title = xstrdup("");
 	menu = menu_create(title);
 
-	for (i = 0; i != args->argc; /* nothing */) {
-		name = args->argv[i++];
+	for (i = 0; i != count; /* nothing */) {
+		name = args_string(args, i++);
 		if (*name == '\0') {
 			menu_add_item(menu, NULL, item, tc, target);
 			continue;
 		}
 
-		if (args->argc - i < 2) {
+		if (count - i < 2) {
 			cmdq_error(item, "not enough arguments");
 			free(title);
 			menu_free(menu);
 			return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 		}
-		key = args->argv[i++];
+		key = args_string(args, i++);
 
 		menu_item.name = name;
 		menu_item.key = key_string_lookup_string(key);
-		menu_item.command = args->argv[i++];
+		menu_item.command = args_string(args, i++);
 
 		menu_add_item(menu, &menu_item, item, tc, target);
 	}
@@ -329,11 +329,10 @@ cmd_display_popup_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct session		*s = target->s;
 	struct client		*tc = cmdq_get_target_client(item);
 	struct tty		*tty = &tc->tty;
-	const char		*value, *shell[] = { NULL, NULL };
-	const char		*shellcmd = NULL;
-	char			*cwd, *cause, **argv = args->argv;
-	int			 flags = 0, argc = args->argc;
-	u_int			 px, py, w, h;
+	const char		*value, *shell, *shellcmd = NULL;
+	char			*cwd, *cause, **argv = NULL;
+	int			 flags = 0, argc = 0;
+	u_int			 px, py, w, h, count = args_count(args);
 
 	if (args_has(args, 'C')) {
 		server_client_clear_overlay(tc);
@@ -374,18 +373,18 @@ cmd_display_popup_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		cwd = format_single_from_target(item, value);
 	else
 		cwd = xstrdup(server_client_get_cwd(tc, s));
-	if (argc == 0)
+	if (count == 0)
 		shellcmd = options_get_string(s->options, "default-command");
-	else if (argc == 1)
-		shellcmd = argv[0];
-	if (argc <= 1 && (shellcmd == NULL || *shellcmd == '\0')) {
+	else if (count == 1)
+		shellcmd = args_string(args, 0);
+	if (count <= 1 && (shellcmd == NULL || *shellcmd == '\0')) {
 		shellcmd = NULL;
-		shell[0] = options_get_string(s->options, "default-shell");
-		if (!checkshell(shell[0]))
-			shell[0] = _PATH_BSHELL;
-		argc = 1;
-		argv = (char**)shell;
-	}
+		shell = options_get_string(s->options, "default-shell");
+		if (!checkshell(shell))
+			shell = _PATH_BSHELL;
+		cmd_append_argv(&argc, &argv, shell);
+	} else
+		args_vector(args, &argc, &argv);
 
 	if (args_has(args, 'E') > 1)
 		flags |= POPUP_CLOSEEXITZERO;
@@ -394,7 +393,10 @@ cmd_display_popup_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	if (args_has(args, 'B'))
 		flags |= POPUP_NOBORDER;
 	if (popup_display(flags, item, px, py, w, h, shellcmd, argc, argv, cwd,
-	    tc, s, NULL, NULL) != 0)
+	    tc, s, NULL, NULL) != 0) {
+		cmd_free_argv(argc, argv);
 		return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
+	}
+	cmd_free_argv(argc, argv);
 	return (CMD_RETURN_WAIT);
 }
diff --git a/cmd-display-message.c b/cmd-display-message.c
index 8fd6a8ff..f4d41e6c 100644
--- a/cmd-display-message.c
+++ b/cmd-display-message.c
@@ -68,9 +68,9 @@ cmd_display_message_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct window_pane	*wp = target->wp;
 	const char		*template;
 	char			*msg, *cause;
-	int			 delay = -1;
+	int			 delay = -1, flags;
 	struct format_tree	*ft;
-	int			 flags;
+	u_int			 count = args_count(args);
 
 	if (args_has(args, 'I')) {
 		if (wp == NULL)
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ cmd_display_message_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		return (CMD_RETURN_WAIT);
 	}
 
-	if (args_has(args, 'F') && args->argc != 0) {
+	if (args_has(args, 'F') && count != 0) {
 		cmdq_error(item, "only one of -F or argument must be given");
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
@@ -97,9 +97,10 @@ cmd_display_message_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		}
 	}
 
-	template = args_get(args, 'F');
-	if (args->argc != 0)
-		template = args->argv[0];
+	if (count != 0)
+		template = args_string(args, 0);
+	else
+		template = args_get(args, 'F');
 	if (template == NULL)
 		template = DISPLAY_MESSAGE_TEMPLATE;
 
diff --git a/cmd-display-panes.c b/cmd-display-panes.c
index beadae53..59484872 100644
--- a/cmd-display-panes.c
+++ b/cmd-display-panes.c
@@ -276,8 +276,8 @@ cmd_display_panes_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		delay = options_get_number(s->options, "display-panes-time");
 
 	cdata = xmalloc(sizeof *cdata);
-	if (args->argc != 0)
-		cdata->command = xstrdup(args->argv[0]);
+	if (args_count(args))
+		cdata->command = xstrdup(args_string(args, 0));
 	else
 		cdata->command = xstrdup("select-pane -t '%%'");
 	if (args_has(args, 'b'))
diff --git a/cmd-find-window.c b/cmd-find-window.c
index 43f5f9be..691baf85 100644
--- a/cmd-find-window.c
+++ b/cmd-find-window.c
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ cmd_find_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct args		*args = cmd_get_args(self), *new_args;
 	struct cmd_find_state	*target = cmdq_get_target(item);
 	struct window_pane	*wp = target->wp;
-	const char		*s = args->argv[0], *suffix = "";
+	const char		*s = args_string(args, 0), *suffix = "";
 	char			*filter;
 	int			 C, N, T;
 
diff --git a/cmd-if-shell.c b/cmd-if-shell.c
index f4c81074..df06a0b6 100644
--- a/cmd-if-shell.c
+++ b/cmd-if-shell.c
@@ -65,21 +65,20 @@ cmd_if_shell_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct cmd_find_state		*target = cmdq_get_target(item);
 	struct cmdq_state		*state = cmdq_get_state(item);
 	struct cmd_if_shell_data	*cdata;
-	char				*shellcmd, *cmd, *error;
-	const char			*file;
+	char				*shellcmd, *error;
+	const char			*cmd = NULL, *file;
 	struct client			*tc = cmdq_get_target_client(item);
 	struct session			*s = target->s;
 	struct cmd_parse_input		 pi;
 	enum cmd_parse_status		 status;
+	u_int				 count = args_count(args);
 
-	shellcmd = format_single_from_target(item, args->argv[0]);
+	shellcmd = format_single_from_target(item, args_string(args, 0));
 	if (args_has(args, 'F')) {
 		if (*shellcmd != '0' && *shellcmd != '\0')
-			cmd = args->argv[1];
-		else if (args->argc == 3)
-			cmd = args->argv[2];
-		else
-			cmd = NULL;
+			cmd = args_string(args, 1);
+		else if (count == 3)
+			cmd = args_string(args, 2);
 		free(shellcmd);
 		if (cmd == NULL)
 			return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
@@ -101,9 +100,9 @@ cmd_if_shell_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 
 	cdata = xcalloc(1, sizeof *cdata);
 
-	cdata->cmd_if = xstrdup(args->argv[1]);
-	if (args->argc == 3)
-		cdata->cmd_else = xstrdup(args->argv[2]);
+	cdata->cmd_if = xstrdup(args_string(args, 1));
+	if (count == 3)
+		cdata->cmd_else = xstrdup(args_string(args, 2));
 
 	if (!args_has(args, 'b'))
 		cdata->client = cmdq_get_client(item);
diff --git a/cmd-list-keys.c b/cmd-list-keys.c
index dbb510fb..1484af6d 100644
--- a/cmd-list-keys.c
+++ b/cmd-list-keys.c
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ cmd_list_keys_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct args		*args = cmd_get_args(self);
 	struct key_table	*table;
 	struct key_binding	*bd;
-	const char		*tablename, *r;
+	const char		*tablename, *r, *keystr;
 	char			*key, *cp, *tmp, *start, *empty;
 	key_code		 prefix, only = KEYC_UNKNOWN;
 	int			 repeat, width, tablewidth, keywidth, found = 0;
@@ -159,10 +159,10 @@ cmd_list_keys_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	if (cmd_get_entry(self) == &cmd_list_commands_entry)
 		return (cmd_list_keys_commands(self, item));
 
-	if (args->argc != 0) {
-		only = key_string_lookup_string(args->argv[0]);
+	if ((keystr = args_string(args, 0)) != NULL) {
+		only = key_string_lookup_string(keystr);
 		if (only == KEYC_UNKNOWN) {
-			cmdq_error(item, "invalid key: %s", args->argv[0]);
+			cmdq_error(item, "invalid key: %s", keystr);
 			return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 		}
 		only &= (KEYC_MASK_KEY|KEYC_MASK_MODIFIERS);
@@ -243,6 +243,7 @@ cmd_list_keys_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 
 	tmpsize = 256;
 	tmp = xmalloc(tmpsize);
+
 	table = key_bindings_first_table();
 	while (table != NULL) {
 		if (tablename != NULL && strcmp(table->name, tablename) != 0) {
@@ -307,7 +308,7 @@ cmd_list_keys_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 
 out:
 	if (only != KEYC_UNKNOWN && !found) {
-		cmdq_error(item, "unknown key: %s", args->argv[0]);
+		cmdq_error(item, "unknown key: %s", args_string(args, 0));
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
 	return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
@@ -320,12 +321,9 @@ cmd_list_keys_commands(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	const struct cmd_entry	**entryp;
 	const struct cmd_entry	 *entry;
 	struct format_tree	 *ft;
-	const char		 *template, *s, *command = NULL;
+	const char		 *template, *s, *command;
 	char			 *line;
 
-	if (args->argc != 0)
-		command = args->argv[0];
-
 	if ((template = args_get(args, 'F')) == NULL) {
 		template = "#{command_list_name}"
 		    "#{?command_list_alias, (#{command_list_alias}),} "
@@ -335,6 +333,7 @@ cmd_list_keys_commands(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	ft = format_create(cmdq_get_client(item), item, FORMAT_NONE, 0);
 	format_defaults(ft, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL);
 
+	command = args_string(args, 0);
 	for (entryp = cmd_table; *entryp != NULL; entryp++) {
 		entry = *entryp;
 		if (command != NULL &&
diff --git a/cmd-load-buffer.c b/cmd-load-buffer.c
index bca9a860..318a7467 100644
--- a/cmd-load-buffer.c
+++ b/cmd-load-buffer.c
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ cmd_load_buffer_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		cdata->client->references++;
 	}
 
-	path = format_single_from_target(item, args->argv[0]);
+	path = format_single_from_target(item, args_string(args, 0));
 	file_read(cmdq_get_client(item), path, cmd_load_buffer_done, cdata);
 	free(path);
 
diff --git a/cmd-new-session.c b/cmd-new-session.c
index 79b756bf..0cc6b9da 100644
--- a/cmd-new-session.c
+++ b/cmd-new-session.c
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@ cmd_new_session_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	char			*cause, *cwd = NULL, *cp, *newname = NULL;
 	char			*name, *prefix = NULL;
 	int			 detached, already_attached, is_control = 0;
-	u_int			 sx, sy, dsx, dsy;
-	struct spawn_context	 sc;
+	u_int			 sx, sy, dsx, dsy, count = args_count(args);
+	struct spawn_context	 sc = { 0 };
 	enum cmd_retval		 retval;
 	struct cmd_find_state    fs;
 	struct args_value	*av;
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ cmd_new_session_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
 	}
 
-	if (args_has(args, 't') && (args->argc != 0 || args_has(args, 'n'))) {
+	if (args_has(args, 't') && (count != 0 || args_has(args, 'n'))) {
 		cmdq_error(item, "command or window name given with target");
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
@@ -277,15 +277,13 @@ cmd_new_session_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	s = session_create(prefix, newname, cwd, env, oo, tiop);
 
 	/* Spawn the initial window. */
-	memset(&sc, 0, sizeof sc);
 	sc.item = item;
 	sc.s = s;
 	if (!detached)
 		sc.tc = c;
 
 	sc.name = args_get(args, 'n');
-	sc.argc = args->argc;
-	sc.argv = args->argv;
+	args_vector(args, &sc.argc, &sc.argv);
 
 	sc.idx = -1;
 	sc.cwd = args_get(args, 'c');
@@ -358,12 +356,16 @@ cmd_new_session_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	cmd_find_from_session(&fs, s, 0);
 	cmdq_insert_hook(s, item, &fs, "after-new-session");
 
+	if (sc.argv != NULL)
+		cmd_free_argv(sc.argc, sc.argv);
 	free(cwd);
 	free(newname);
 	free(prefix);
 	return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
 
 fail:
+	if (sc.argv != NULL)
+		cmd_free_argv(sc.argc, sc.argv);
 	free(cwd);
 	free(newname);
 	free(prefix);
diff --git a/cmd-new-window.c b/cmd-new-window.c
index a9156a6f..f24de8e9 100644
--- a/cmd-new-window.c
+++ b/cmd-new-window.c
@@ -55,12 +55,11 @@ cmd_new_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct client		*c = cmdq_get_client(item);
 	struct cmd_find_state	*current = cmdq_get_current(item);
 	struct cmd_find_state	*target = cmdq_get_target(item);
-	struct spawn_context	 sc;
+	struct spawn_context	 sc = { 0 };
 	struct client		*tc = cmdq_get_target_client(item);
 	struct session		*s = target->s;
-	struct winlink		*wl = target->wl;
+	struct winlink		*wl = target->wl, *new_wl = NULL;
 	int			 idx = target->idx, before;
-	struct winlink		*new_wl = NULL;
 	char			*cause = NULL, *cp;
 	const char		*template, *name;
 	struct cmd_find_state	 fs;
@@ -101,14 +100,12 @@ cmd_new_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 			idx = target->idx;
 	}
 
-	memset(&sc, 0, sizeof sc);
 	sc.item = item;
 	sc.s = s;
 	sc.tc = tc;
 
 	sc.name = args_get(args, 'n');
-	sc.argc = args->argc;
-	sc.argv = args->argv;
+	args_vector(args, &sc.argc, &sc.argv);
 	sc.environ = environ_create();
 
 	av = args_first_value(args, 'e');
@@ -129,6 +126,8 @@ cmd_new_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	if ((new_wl = spawn_window(&sc, &cause)) == NULL) {
 		cmdq_error(item, "create window failed: %s", cause);
 		free(cause);
+		if (sc.argv != NULL)
+			cmd_free_argv(sc.argc, sc.argv);
 		environ_free(sc.environ);
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
@@ -150,6 +149,8 @@ cmd_new_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	cmd_find_from_winlink(&fs, new_wl, 0);
 	cmdq_insert_hook(s, item, &fs, "after-new-window");
 
+	if (sc.argv != NULL)
+		cmd_free_argv(sc.argc, sc.argv);
 	environ_free(sc.environ);
 	return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
 }
diff --git a/cmd-pipe-pane.c b/cmd-pipe-pane.c
index 0a518e1b..d1917bc6 100644
--- a/cmd-pipe-pane.c
+++ b/cmd-pipe-pane.c
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ cmd_pipe_pane_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	}
 
 	/* If no pipe command, that is enough. */
-	if (args->argc == 0 || *args->argv[0] == '\0')
+	if (args_count(args) == 0 || *args_string(args, 0) == '\0')
 		return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
 
 	/*
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ cmd_pipe_pane_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	/* Expand the command. */
 	ft = format_create(cmdq_get_client(item), item, FORMAT_NONE, 0);
 	format_defaults(ft, tc, s, wl, wp);
-	cmd = format_expand_time(ft, args->argv[0]);
+	cmd = format_expand_time(ft, args_string(args, 0));
 	format_free(ft);
 
 	/* Fork the child. */
diff --git a/cmd-queue.c b/cmd-queue.c
index 198a2a43..687d037f 100644
--- a/cmd-queue.c
+++ b/cmd-queue.c
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ cmdq_insert_hook(struct session *s, struct cmdq_item *item,
 	struct options			*oo;
 	va_list				 ap;
 	char				*name, tmp[32], flag, *arguments;
-	int				 i;
+	u_int				 i;
 	const char			*value;
 	struct cmdq_item		*new_item;
 	struct cmdq_state		*new_state;
@@ -394,9 +394,9 @@ cmdq_insert_hook(struct session *s, struct cmdq_item *item,
 	cmdq_add_format(new_state, "hook_arguments", "%s", arguments);
 	free(arguments);
 
-	for (i = 0; i < args->argc; i++) {
+	for (i = 0; i < args_count(args); i++) {
 		xsnprintf(tmp, sizeof tmp, "hook_argument_%d", i);
-		cmdq_add_format(new_state, tmp, "%s", args->argv[i]);
+		cmdq_add_format(new_state, tmp, "%s", args_string(args, i));
 	}
 	flag = args_first(args, &ae);
 	while (flag != 0) {
diff --git a/cmd-refresh-client.c b/cmd-refresh-client.c
index 22efb38b..93845024 100644
--- a/cmd-refresh-client.c
+++ b/cmd-refresh-client.c
@@ -127,10 +127,11 @@ cmd_refresh_client_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	    args_has(args, 'U') ||
 	    args_has(args, 'D'))
 	{
-		if (args->argc == 0)
+		if (args_count(args) == 0)
 			adjust = 1;
 		else {
-			adjust = strtonum(args->argv[0], 1, INT_MAX, &errstr);
+			adjust = strtonum(args_string(args, 0), 1, INT_MAX,
+			    &errstr);
 			if (errstr != NULL) {
 				cmdq_error(item, "adjustment %s", errstr);
 				return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
diff --git a/cmd-rename-session.c b/cmd-rename-session.c
index 49fafe33..8ec070bf 100644
--- a/cmd-rename-session.c
+++ b/cmd-rename-session.c
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ cmd_rename_session_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct session		*s = target->s;
 	char			*newname, *tmp;
 
-	tmp = format_single_from_target(item, args->argv[0]);
+	tmp = format_single_from_target(item, args_string(args, 0));
 	newname = session_check_name(tmp);
 	if (newname == NULL) {
 		cmdq_error(item, "invalid session: %s", tmp);
diff --git a/cmd-rename-window.c b/cmd-rename-window.c
index 593e0b9e..66c119f2 100644
--- a/cmd-rename-window.c
+++ b/cmd-rename-window.c
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ cmd_rename_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct winlink		*wl = target->wl;
 	char			*newname;
 
-	newname = format_single_from_target(item, args->argv[0]);
+	newname = format_single_from_target(item, args_string(args, 0));
 	window_set_name(wl->window, newname);
 	options_set_number(wl->window->options, "automatic-rename", 0);
 
diff --git a/cmd-resize-pane.c b/cmd-resize-pane.c
index 94e060d0..98d500db 100644
--- a/cmd-resize-pane.c
+++ b/cmd-resize-pane.c
@@ -95,10 +95,11 @@ cmd_resize_pane_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	}
 	server_unzoom_window(w);
 
-	if (args->argc == 0)
+	if (args_count(args) == 0)
 		adjust = 1;
 	else {
-		adjust = strtonum(args->argv[0], 1, INT_MAX, &errstr);
+		adjust = strtonum(args_string(args, 0), 1, INT_MAX,
+		    &errstr);
 		if (errstr != NULL) {
 			cmdq_error(item, "adjustment %s", errstr);
 			return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
diff --git a/cmd-resize-window.c b/cmd-resize-window.c
index 1ebb7aca..3e33f771 100644
--- a/cmd-resize-window.c
+++ b/cmd-resize-window.c
@@ -56,10 +56,11 @@ cmd_resize_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	u_int			 adjust, sx, sy;
 	int			 xpixel = -1, ypixel = -1;
 
-	if (args->argc == 0)
+	if (args_count(args) == 0)
 		adjust = 1;
 	else {
-		adjust = strtonum(args->argv[0], 1, INT_MAX, &errstr);
+		adjust = strtonum(args_string(args, 0), 1, INT_MAX,
+		    &errstr);
 		if (errstr != NULL) {
 			cmdq_error(item, "adjustment %s", errstr);
 			return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
diff --git a/cmd-respawn-pane.c b/cmd-respawn-pane.c
index 8d938c5e..14f9abf2 100644
--- a/cmd-respawn-pane.c
+++ b/cmd-respawn-pane.c
@@ -49,14 +49,13 @@ cmd_respawn_pane_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 {
 	struct args		*args = cmd_get_args(self);
 	struct cmd_find_state	*target = cmdq_get_target(item);
-	struct spawn_context	 sc;
+	struct spawn_context	 sc = { 0 };
 	struct session		*s = target->s;
 	struct winlink		*wl = target->wl;
 	struct window_pane	*wp = target->wp;
 	char			*cause = NULL;
 	struct args_value	*av;
 
-	memset(&sc, 0, sizeof sc);
 	sc.item = item;
 	sc.s = s;
 	sc.wl = wl;
@@ -65,8 +64,7 @@ cmd_respawn_pane_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	sc.lc = NULL;
 
 	sc.name = NULL;
-	sc.argc = args->argc;
-	sc.argv = args->argv;
+	args_vector(args, &sc.argc, &sc.argv);
 	sc.environ = environ_create();
 
 	av = args_first_value(args, 'e');
@@ -85,6 +83,8 @@ cmd_respawn_pane_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	if (spawn_pane(&sc, &cause) == NULL) {
 		cmdq_error(item, "respawn pane failed: %s", cause);
 		free(cause);
+		if (sc.argv != NULL)
+			cmd_free_argv(sc.argc, sc.argv);
 		environ_free(sc.environ);
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
@@ -93,6 +93,8 @@ cmd_respawn_pane_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	server_redraw_window_borders(wp->window);
 	server_status_window(wp->window);
 
+	if (sc.argv != NULL)
+		cmd_free_argv(sc.argc, sc.argv);
 	environ_free(sc.environ);
 	return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
 }
diff --git a/cmd-respawn-window.c b/cmd-respawn-window.c
index da3ecee4..25288bad 100644
--- a/cmd-respawn-window.c
+++ b/cmd-respawn-window.c
@@ -49,22 +49,20 @@ cmd_respawn_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 {
 	struct args		*args = cmd_get_args(self);
 	struct cmd_find_state	*target = cmdq_get_target(item);
-	struct spawn_context	 sc;
+	struct spawn_context	 sc = { 0 };
 	struct client		*tc = cmdq_get_target_client(item);
 	struct session		*s = target->s;
 	struct winlink		*wl = target->wl;
 	char			*cause = NULL;
 	struct args_value	*av;
 
-	memset(&sc, 0, sizeof sc);
 	sc.item = item;
 	sc.s = s;
 	sc.wl = wl;
 	sc.tc = tc;
 
 	sc.name = NULL;
-	sc.argc = args->argc;
-	sc.argv = args->argv;
+	args_vector(args, &sc.argc, &sc.argv);
 	sc.environ = environ_create();
 
 	av = args_first_value(args, 'e');
@@ -83,12 +81,16 @@ cmd_respawn_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	if (spawn_window(&sc, &cause) == NULL) {
 		cmdq_error(item, "respawn window failed: %s", cause);
 		free(cause);
+		if (sc.argv != NULL)
+			cmd_free_argv(sc.argc, sc.argv);
 		environ_free(sc.environ);
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
 
 	server_redraw_window(wl->window);
 
+	if (sc.argv != NULL)
+		cmd_free_argv(sc.argc, sc.argv);
 	environ_free(sc.environ);
 	return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
 }
diff --git a/cmd-run-shell.c b/cmd-run-shell.c
index 7bc1d7cc..a0115f0a 100644
--- a/cmd-run-shell.c
+++ b/cmd-run-shell.c
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ cmd_run_shell_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	double				 d;
 	struct timeval			 tv;
 	char				*end;
+	const char			*cmd = args_string(args, 0);
 	int				 wait = !args_has(args, 'b');
 
 	if ((delay = args_get(args, 'd')) != NULL) {
@@ -112,12 +113,12 @@ cmd_run_shell_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 			cmdq_error(item, "invalid delay time: %s", delay);
 			return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 		}
-	} else if (args->argc == 0)
+	} else if (args_count(args) == 0)
 		return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
 
 	cdata = xcalloc(1, sizeof *cdata);
-	if (args->argc != 0)
-		cdata->cmd = format_single_from_target(item, args->argv[0]);
+	if (cmd != NULL)
+		cdata->cmd = format_single_from_target(item, cmd);
 
 	cdata->shell = !args_has(args, 'C');
 	if (!cdata->shell) {
diff --git a/cmd-save-buffer.c b/cmd-save-buffer.c
index 7f161a91..f897af24 100644
--- a/cmd-save-buffer.c
+++ b/cmd-save-buffer.c
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ cmd_save_buffer_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		}
 		path = xstrdup("-");
 	} else
-		path = format_single_from_target(item, args->argv[0]);
+		path = format_single_from_target(item, args_string(args, 0));
 	if (args_has(args, 'a'))
 		flags = O_APPEND;
 	else
diff --git a/cmd-select-layout.c b/cmd-select-layout.c
index 7069eccc..f9a29047 100644
--- a/cmd-select-layout.c
+++ b/cmd-select-layout.c
@@ -105,24 +105,24 @@ cmd_select_layout_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		goto changed;
 	}
 
+	if (args_count(args) != 0)
+		layoutname = args_string(args, 0);
+	else if (args_has(args, 'o'))
+		layoutname = oldlayout;
+	else
+		layoutname = NULL;
+
 	if (!args_has(args, 'o')) {
-		if (args->argc == 0)
+		if (layoutname == NULL)
 			layout = w->lastlayout;
 		else
-			layout = layout_set_lookup(args->argv[0]);
+			layout = layout_set_lookup(layoutname);
 		if (layout != -1) {
 			layout_set_select(w, layout);
 			goto changed;
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (args->argc != 0)
-		layoutname = args->argv[0];
-	else if (args_has(args, 'o'))
-		layoutname = oldlayout;
-	else
-		layoutname = NULL;
-
 	if (layoutname != NULL) {
 		if (layout_parse(w, layoutname) == -1) {
 			cmdq_error(item, "can't set layout: %s", layoutname);
diff --git a/cmd-send-keys.c b/cmd-send-keys.c
index c51d413b..351bd919 100644
--- a/cmd-send-keys.c
+++ b/cmd-send-keys.c
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ static struct cmdq_item *
 cmd_send_keys_inject_string(struct cmdq_item *item, struct cmdq_item *after,
     struct args *args, int i)
 {
-	const char		*s = args->argv[i];
+	const char		*s = args_string(args, i);
 	struct utf8_data	*ud, *loop;
 	utf8_char		 uc;
 	key_code		 key;
@@ -145,9 +145,9 @@ cmd_send_keys_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct mouse_event		*m = &event->m;
 	struct window_mode_entry	*wme = TAILQ_FIRST(&wp->modes);
 	struct cmdq_item		*after = item;
-	int				 i;
 	key_code			 key;
-	u_int				 np = 1;
+	u_int				 i, np = 1;
+	u_int				 count = args_count(args);
 	char				*cause = NULL;
 
 	if (args_has(args, 'N')) {
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ cmd_send_keys_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 			free(cause);
 			return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 		}
-		if (wme != NULL && (args_has(args, 'X') || args->argc == 0)) {
+		if (wme != NULL && (args_has(args, 'X') || count == 0)) {
 			if (wme->mode->command == NULL) {
 				cmdq_error(item, "not in a mode");
 				return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ cmd_send_keys_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	}
 
 	for (; np != 0; np--) {
-		for (i = 0; i < args->argc; i++) {
+		for (i = 0; i < count; i++) {
 			after = cmd_send_keys_inject_string(item, after, args,
 			    i);
 		}
diff --git a/cmd-set-buffer.c b/cmd-set-buffer.c
index 94d8cd52..3005e62d 100644
--- a/cmd-set-buffer.c
+++ b/cmd-set-buffer.c
@@ -94,11 +94,11 @@ cmd_set_buffer_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
 	}
 
-	if (args->argc != 1) {
+	if (args_count(args) != 1) {
 		cmdq_error(item, "no data specified");
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
-	if ((newsize = strlen(args->argv[0])) == 0)
+	if ((newsize = strlen(args_string(args, 0))) == 0)
 		return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
 
 	bufsize = 0;
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ cmd_set_buffer_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	}
 
 	bufdata = xrealloc(bufdata, bufsize + newsize);
-	memcpy(bufdata + bufsize, args->argv[0], newsize);
+	memcpy(bufdata + bufsize, args_string(args, 0), newsize);
 	bufsize += newsize;
 
 	if (paste_set(bufdata, bufsize, bufname, &cause) != 0) {
diff --git a/cmd-set-environment.c b/cmd-set-environment.c
index f142df53..e60240a8 100644
--- a/cmd-set-environment.c
+++ b/cmd-set-environment.c
@@ -49,11 +49,11 @@ cmd_set_environment_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct args		*args = cmd_get_args(self);
 	struct cmd_find_state	*target = cmdq_get_target(item);
 	struct environ		*env;
-	const char		*name, *value, *tflag;
-	char			*expand = NULL;
+	const char		*name = args_string(args, 0), *value;
+	const char		*tflag;
+	char			*expanded = NULL;
 	enum cmd_retval		 retval = CMD_RETURN_NORMAL;
 
-	name = args->argv[0];
 	if (*name == '\0') {
 		cmdq_error(item, "empty variable name");
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
@@ -63,13 +63,14 @@ cmd_set_environment_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
 
-	if (args->argc < 2)
+	if (args_count(args) < 2)
 		value = NULL;
-	else if (args_has(args, 'F'))
-		value = expand = format_single_from_target(item, args->argv[1]);
 	else
-		value = args->argv[1];
-
+		value = args_string(args, 1);
+	if (value != NULL && args_has(args, 'F')) {
+		expanded = format_single_from_target(item, value);
+		value = expanded;
+	}
 	if (args_has(args, 'g'))
 		env = global_environ;
 	else {
@@ -113,6 +114,6 @@ cmd_set_environment_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	}
 
 out:
-	free(expand);
+	free(expanded);
 	return (retval);
 }
diff --git a/cmd-set-option.c b/cmd-set-option.c
index 70e3c54d..48e04eed 100644
--- a/cmd-set-option.c
+++ b/cmd-set-option.c
@@ -77,14 +77,16 @@ cmd_set_option_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct window_pane		*loop;
 	struct options			*oo;
 	struct options_entry		*parent, *o, *po;
-	char				*name, *argument, *value = NULL, *cause;
+	char				*name, *argument, *expanded = NULL;
+	char				*cause;
+	const char			*value;
 	int				 window, idx, already, error, ambiguous;
 	int				 scope;
 
 	window = (cmd_get_entry(self) == &cmd_set_window_option_entry);
 
 	/* Expand argument. */
-	argument = format_single_from_target(item, args->argv[0]);
+	argument = format_single_from_target(item, args_string(args, 0));
 
 	/* If set-hook -R, fire the hook straight away. */
 	if (cmd_get_entry(self) == &cmd_set_hook_entry && args_has(args, 'R')) {
@@ -104,12 +106,14 @@ cmd_set_option_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 			cmdq_error(item, "invalid option: %s", argument);
 		goto fail;
 	}
-	if (args->argc < 2)
+	if (args_count(args) < 2)
 		value = NULL;
-	else if (args_has(args, 'F'))
-		value = format_single_from_target(item, args->argv[1]);
 	else
-		value = xstrdup(args->argv[1]);
+		value = args_string(args, 1);
+	if (value != NULL && args_has(args, 'F')) {
+		expanded = format_single_from_target(item, value);
+		value = expanded;
+	}
 
 	/* Get the scope and table for the option .*/
 	scope = options_scope_from_name(args, window, name, target, &oo,
@@ -211,13 +215,13 @@ cmd_set_option_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 
 out:
 	free(argument);
-	free(value);
+	free(expanded);
 	free(name);
 	return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
 
 fail:
 	free(argument);
-	free(value);
+	free(expanded);
 	free(name);
 	return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 }
diff --git a/cmd-show-environment.c b/cmd-show-environment.c
index 3ad31400..7ea1aeec 100644
--- a/cmd-show-environment.c
+++ b/cmd-show-environment.c
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ cmd_show_environment_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct cmd_find_state	*target = cmdq_get_target(item);
 	struct environ		*env;
 	struct environ_entry	*envent;
-	const char		*tflag;
+	const char		*tflag, *name = args_string(args, 0);
 
 	if ((tflag = args_get(args, 't')) != NULL) {
 		if (target->s == NULL) {
@@ -124,10 +124,10 @@ cmd_show_environment_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		env = target->s->environ;
 	}
 
-	if (args->argc != 0) {
-		envent = environ_find(env, args->argv[0]);
+	if (name != NULL) {
+		envent = environ_find(env, name);
 		if (envent == NULL) {
-			cmdq_error(item, "unknown variable: %s", args->argv[0]);
+			cmdq_error(item, "unknown variable: %s", name);
 			return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 		}
 		cmd_show_environment_print(self, item, envent);
diff --git a/cmd-show-options.c b/cmd-show-options.c
index a9c5bd2a..4d0acb42 100644
--- a/cmd-show-options.c
+++ b/cmd-show-options.c
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ cmd_show_options_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 
 	window = (cmd_get_entry(self) == &cmd_show_window_options_entry);
 
-	if (args->argc == 0) {
+	if (args_count(args) == 0) {
 		scope = options_scope_from_flags(args, window, target, &oo,
 		    &cause);
 		if (scope == OPTIONS_TABLE_NONE) {
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ cmd_show_options_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		}
 		return (cmd_show_options_all(self, item, scope, oo));
 	}
-	argument = format_single_from_target(item, args->argv[0]);
+	argument = format_single_from_target(item, args_string(args, 0));
 
 	name = options_match(argument, &idx, &ambiguous);
 	if (name == NULL) {
diff --git a/cmd-source-file.c b/cmd-source-file.c
index 5509259f..edc66c3f 100644
--- a/cmd-source-file.c
+++ b/cmd-source-file.c
@@ -129,11 +129,11 @@ cmd_source_file_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct cmd_source_file_data	*cdata;
 	struct client			*c = cmdq_get_client(item);
 	enum cmd_retval			 retval = CMD_RETURN_NORMAL;
-	char				*pattern, *cwd, *expand = NULL;
+	char				*pattern, *cwd, *expanded = NULL;
 	const char			*path, *error;
 	glob_t				 g;
-	int				 i, result;
-	u_int				 j;
+	int				 result;
+	u_int				 i, j;
 
 	cdata = xcalloc(1, sizeof *cdata);
 	cdata->item = item;
@@ -147,13 +147,13 @@ cmd_source_file_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 
 	utf8_stravis(&cwd, server_client_get_cwd(c, NULL), VIS_GLOB);
 
-	for (i = 0; i < args->argc; i++) {
+	for (i = 0; i < args_count(args); i++) {
+		path = args_string(args, i);
 		if (args_has(args, 'F')) {
-			free(expand);
-			expand = format_single_from_target(item, args->argv[i]);
-			path = expand;
-		} else
-			path = args->argv[i];
+			free(expanded);
+			expanded = format_single_from_target(item, path);
+			path = expanded;
+		}
 		if (strcmp(path, "-") == 0) {
 			cmd_source_file_add(cdata, "-");
 			continue;
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ cmd_source_file_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 			free(pattern);
 			continue;
 		}
-		free(expand);
+		free(expanded);
 		free(pattern);
 
 		for (j = 0; j < g.gl_pathc; j++)
diff --git a/cmd-split-window.c b/cmd-split-window.c
index ae36561f..baf75327 100644
--- a/cmd-split-window.c
+++ b/cmd-split-window.c
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ cmd_split_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	struct args		*args = cmd_get_args(self);
 	struct cmd_find_state	*current = cmdq_get_current(item);
 	struct cmd_find_state	*target = cmdq_get_target(item);
-	struct spawn_context	 sc;
+	struct spawn_context	 sc = { 0 };
 	struct client		*tc = cmdq_get_target_client(item);
 	struct session		*s = target->s;
 	struct winlink		*wl = target->wl;
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ cmd_split_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	char			*cause, *cp, *copy;
 	size_t			 plen;
 	struct args_value	*av;
+	u_int			 count = args_count(args);
 
 	if (args_has(args, 'h'))
 		type = LAYOUT_LEFTRIGHT;
@@ -112,14 +113,14 @@ cmd_split_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		size = -1;
 
 	window_push_zoom(wp->window, 1, args_has(args, 'Z'));
-	input = (args_has(args, 'I') && args->argc == 0);
+	input = (args_has(args, 'I') && count == 0);
 
 	flags = 0;
 	if (args_has(args, 'b'))
 		flags |= SPAWN_BEFORE;
 	if (args_has(args, 'f'))
 		flags |= SPAWN_FULLSIZE;
-	if (input || (args->argc == 1 && *args->argv[0] == '\0'))
+	if (input || (count == 1 && *args_string(args, 0) == '\0'))
 		flags |= SPAWN_EMPTY;
 
 	lc = layout_split_pane(wp, type, size, flags);
@@ -128,7 +129,6 @@ cmd_split_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
 
-	memset(&sc, 0, sizeof sc);
 	sc.item = item;
 	sc.s = s;
 	sc.wl = wl;
@@ -137,8 +137,7 @@ cmd_split_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	sc.lc = lc;
 
 	sc.name = NULL;
-	sc.argc = args->argc;
-	sc.argv = args->argv;
+	args_vector(args, &sc.argc, &sc.argv);
 	sc.environ = environ_create();
 
 	av = args_first_value(args, 'e');
@@ -159,6 +158,8 @@ cmd_split_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	if ((new_wp = spawn_pane(&sc, &cause)) == NULL) {
 		cmdq_error(item, "create pane failed: %s", cause);
 		free(cause);
+		if (sc.argv != NULL)
+			cmd_free_argv(sc.argc, sc.argv);
 		environ_free(sc.environ);
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
@@ -168,6 +169,8 @@ cmd_split_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		window_remove_pane(wp->window, new_wp);
 		cmdq_error(item, "%s", cause);
 		free(cause);
+		if (sc.argv != NULL)
+			cmd_free_argv(sc.argc, sc.argv);
 		environ_free(sc.environ);
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
@@ -188,6 +191,8 @@ cmd_split_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	cmd_find_from_winlink_pane(&fs, wl, new_wp, 0);
 	cmdq_insert_hook(s, item, &fs, "after-split-window");
 
+	if (sc.argv != NULL)
+		cmd_free_argv(sc.argc, sc.argv);
 	environ_free(sc.environ);
 	if (input)
 		return (CMD_RETURN_WAIT);
diff --git a/cmd-unbind-key.c b/cmd-unbind-key.c
index a29831af..202a07f4 100644
--- a/cmd-unbind-key.c
+++ b/cmd-unbind-key.c
@@ -44,11 +44,11 @@ cmd_unbind_key_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 {
 	struct args	*args = cmd_get_args(self);
 	key_code	 key;
-	const char	*tablename;
+	const char	*tablename, *keystr = args_string(args, 0);
 	int		 quiet = args_has(args, 'q');
 
 	if (args_has(args, 'a')) {
-		if (args->argc != 0) {
+		if (keystr != NULL) {
 			if (!quiet)
 				cmdq_error(item, "key given with -a");
 			return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
@@ -73,16 +73,16 @@ cmd_unbind_key_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
 	}
 
-	if (args->argc != 1) {
+	if (keystr == NULL) {
 		if (!quiet)
 			cmdq_error(item, "missing key");
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
 
-	key = key_string_lookup_string(args->argv[0]);
+	key = key_string_lookup_string(keystr);
 	if (key == KEYC_NONE || key == KEYC_UNKNOWN) {
 		if (!quiet)
-			cmdq_error(item, "unknown key: %s", args->argv[0]);
+			cmdq_error(item, "unknown key: %s", keystr);
 		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 	}
 
diff --git a/cmd-wait-for.c b/cmd-wait-for.c
index 807a661a..027700b4 100644
--- a/cmd-wait-for.c
+++ b/cmd-wait-for.c
@@ -121,11 +121,11 @@ static enum cmd_retval
 cmd_wait_for_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 {
 	struct args     	*args = cmd_get_args(self);
-	const char		*name = args->argv[0];
-	struct wait_channel	*wc, wc0;
+	const char		*name = args_string(args, 0);
+	struct wait_channel	*wc, find;
 
-	wc0.name = name;
-	wc = RB_FIND(wait_channels, &wait_channels, &wc0);
+	find.name = name;
+	wc = RB_FIND(wait_channels, &wait_channels, &find);
 
 	if (args_has(args, 'S'))
 		return (cmd_wait_for_signal(item, name, wc));
diff --git a/cmd.c b/cmd.c
index a26c523b..4f13e90e 100644
--- a/cmd.c
+++ b/cmd.c
@@ -518,13 +518,10 @@ cmd_parse(int argc, char **argv, const char *file, u_int line, char **cause)
 		return (NULL);
 	cmd_log_argv(argc, argv, "%s: %s", __func__, entry->name);
 
-	args = args_parse(entry->args.template, argc, argv);
+	args = args_parse(entry->args.template, argc, argv, entry->args.lower,
+	    entry->args.upper);
 	if (args == NULL)
 		goto usage;
-	if (entry->args.lower != -1 && args->argc < entry->args.lower)
-		goto usage;
-	if (entry->args.upper != -1 && args->argc > entry->args.upper)
-		goto usage;
 
 	cmd = xcalloc(1, sizeof *cmd);
 	cmd->entry = entry;
diff --git a/tmux.h b/tmux.h
index ae0ffc24..a28deb74 100644
--- a/tmux.h
+++ b/tmux.h
@@ -1364,11 +1364,6 @@ struct args_value {
 /* Arguments set. */
 struct args_entry;
 RB_HEAD(args_tree, args_entry);
-struct args {
-	struct args_tree	  tree;
-	int			  argc;
-	char			**argv;
-};
 
 /* Command find structures. */
 enum cmd_find_type {
@@ -2188,7 +2183,8 @@ int		tty_keys_next(struct tty *);
 /* arguments.c */
 void		 args_set(struct args *, u_char, const char *);
 struct args 	*args_create(void);
-struct args	*args_parse(const char *, int, char **);
+struct args	*args_parse(const char *, int, char **, int, int);
+void		 args_vector(struct args *, int *, char ***);
 void		 args_free(struct args *);
 char		*args_print(struct args *);
 char		*args_escape(const char *);
@@ -2196,6 +2192,8 @@ int		 args_has(struct args *, u_char);
 const char	*args_get(struct args *, u_char);
 u_char		 args_first(struct args *, struct args_entry **);
 u_char		 args_next(struct args_entry **);
+u_int		 args_count(struct args *);
+const char	*args_string(struct args *, u_int);
 struct args_value *args_first_value(struct args *, u_char);
 struct args_value *args_next_value(struct args_value *);
 long long	 args_strtonum(struct args *, u_char, long long, long long,
diff --git a/window-buffer.c b/window-buffer.c
index 30bd5092..a2fa08ad 100644
--- a/window-buffer.c
+++ b/window-buffer.c
@@ -343,10 +343,10 @@ window_buffer_init(struct window_mode_entry *wme, struct cmd_find_state *fs,
 		data->key_format = xstrdup(WINDOW_BUFFER_DEFAULT_KEY_FORMAT);
 	else
 		data->key_format = xstrdup(args_get(args, 'K'));
-	if (args == NULL || args->argc == 0)
+	if (args == NULL || args_count(args) == 0)
 		data->command = xstrdup(WINDOW_BUFFER_DEFAULT_COMMAND);
 	else
-		data->command = xstrdup(args->argv[0]);
+		data->command = xstrdup(args_string(args, 0));
 
 	data->data = mode_tree_start(wp, args, window_buffer_build,
 	    window_buffer_draw, window_buffer_search, window_buffer_menu, NULL,
diff --git a/window-client.c b/window-client.c
index db7c6dcc..00f36c7c 100644
--- a/window-client.c
+++ b/window-client.c
@@ -303,10 +303,10 @@ window_client_init(struct window_mode_entry *wme,
 		data->key_format = xstrdup(WINDOW_CLIENT_DEFAULT_KEY_FORMAT);
 	else
 		data->key_format = xstrdup(args_get(args, 'K'));
-	if (args == NULL || args->argc == 0)
+	if (args == NULL || args_count(args) == 0)
 		data->command = xstrdup(WINDOW_CLIENT_DEFAULT_COMMAND);
 	else
-		data->command = xstrdup(args->argv[0]);
+		data->command = xstrdup(args_string(args, 0));
 
 	data->data = mode_tree_start(wp, args, window_client_build,
 	    window_client_draw, NULL, window_client_menu, NULL,
diff --git a/window-copy.c b/window-copy.c
index 7c342d90..3e08c039 100644
--- a/window-copy.c
+++ b/window-copy.c
@@ -842,26 +842,23 @@ window_copy_expand_search_string(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 {
 	struct window_mode_entry	*wme = cs->wme;
 	struct window_copy_mode_data	*data = wme->data;
-	const char			*argument;
+	const char			*ss = args_string(cs->args, 1);
 	char				*expanded;
 
-	if (cs->args->argc == 2) {
-		argument = cs->args->argv[1];
-		if (*argument != '\0') {
-			if (args_has(cs->args, 'F')) {
-				expanded = format_single(NULL, argument, NULL,
-				    NULL, NULL, wme->wp);
-				if (*expanded == '\0') {
-					free(expanded);
-					return (0);
-				}
-				free(data->searchstr);
-				data->searchstr = expanded;
-			} else {
-				free(data->searchstr);
-				data->searchstr = xstrdup(argument);
-			}
+	if (ss == NULL || *ss == '\0')
+		return (0);
+
+	if (args_has(cs->args, 'F')) {
+		expanded = format_single(NULL, ss, NULL, NULL, NULL, wme->wp);
+		if (*expanded == '\0') {
+			free(expanded);
+			return (0);
 		}
+		free(data->searchstr);
+		data->searchstr = expanded;
+	} else {
+		free(data->searchstr);
+		data->searchstr = xstrdup(ss);
 	}
 	return (1);
 }
@@ -963,24 +960,25 @@ window_copy_do_copy_end_of_line(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs, int pipe,
     int cancel)
 {
 	struct window_mode_entry	 *wme = cs->wme;
-	int				  argc = cs->args->argc;
-	char				**argv = cs->args->argv;
 	struct client			 *c = cs->c;
 	struct session			 *s = cs->s;
 	struct winlink			 *wl = cs->wl;
 	struct window_pane		 *wp = wme->wp;
+	u_int				  count = args_count(cs->args);
 	u_int				  np = wme->prefix, ocx, ocy, ooy;
 	struct window_copy_mode_data	 *data = wme->data;
 	char				 *prefix = NULL, *command = NULL;
+	const char			 *arg1 = args_string(cs->args, 1);
+	const char			 *arg2 = args_string(cs->args, 2);
 
 	if (pipe) {
-		if (argc == 3)
-			prefix = format_single(NULL, argv[2], c, s, wl, wp);
-		if (s != NULL && argc > 1 && *argv[1] != '\0')
-			command = format_single(NULL, argv[1], c, s, wl, wp);
+		if (count == 3)
+			prefix = format_single(NULL, arg2, c, s, wl, wp);
+		if (s != NULL && count > 1 && *arg1 != '\0')
+			command = format_single(NULL, arg1, c, s, wl, wp);
 	} else {
-		if (argc == 2)
-			prefix = format_single(NULL, argv[1], c, s, wl, wp);
+		if (count == 2)
+			prefix = format_single(NULL, arg1, c, s, wl, wp);
 	}
 
 	ocx = data->cx;
@@ -1044,24 +1042,25 @@ static enum window_copy_cmd_action
 window_copy_do_copy_line(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs, int pipe, int cancel)
 {
 	struct window_mode_entry	 *wme = cs->wme;
-	int				  argc = cs->args->argc;
-	char				**argv = cs->args->argv;
 	struct client			 *c = cs->c;
 	struct session			 *s = cs->s;
 	struct winlink			 *wl = cs->wl;
 	struct window_pane		 *wp = wme->wp;
 	struct window_copy_mode_data	 *data = wme->data;
+	u_int				  count = args_count(cs->args);
 	u_int				  np = wme->prefix, ocx, ocy, ooy;
 	char				 *prefix = NULL, *command = NULL;
+	const char			 *arg1 = args_string(cs->args, 1);
+	const char			 *arg2 = args_string(cs->args, 2);
 
 	if (pipe) {
-		if (argc == 3)
-			prefix = format_single(NULL, argv[2], c, s, wl, wp);
-		if (s != NULL && argc > 1 && *argv[1] != '\0')
-			command = format_single(NULL, argv[1], c, s, wl, wp);
+		if (count == 3)
+			prefix = format_single(NULL, arg2, c, s, wl, wp);
+		if (s != NULL && count > 1 && *arg1 != '\0')
+			command = format_single(NULL, arg1, c, s, wl, wp);
 	} else {
-		if (argc == 2)
-			prefix = format_single(NULL, argv[1], c, s, wl, wp);
+		if (count == 2)
+			prefix = format_single(NULL, arg1, c, s, wl, wp);
 	}
 
 	ocx = data->cx;
@@ -1131,9 +1130,10 @@ window_copy_cmd_copy_selection_no_clear(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 	struct winlink			*wl = cs->wl;
 	struct window_pane		*wp = wme->wp;
 	char				*prefix = NULL;
+	const char			*arg1 = args_string(cs->args, 1);
 
-	if (cs->args->argc == 2)
-		prefix = format_single(NULL, cs->args->argv[1], c, s, wl, wp);
+	if (arg1 != NULL)
+		prefix = format_single(NULL, arg1, c, s, wl, wp);
 
 	if (s != NULL)
 		window_copy_copy_selection(wme, prefix);
@@ -1968,14 +1968,15 @@ window_copy_cmd_copy_pipe_no_clear(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 	struct session			*s = cs->s;
 	struct winlink			*wl = cs->wl;
 	struct window_pane		*wp = wme->wp;
-	char				*command = NULL;
-	char				*prefix = NULL;
+	char				*command = NULL, *prefix = NULL;
+	const char			*arg1 = args_string(cs->args, 1);
+	const char			*arg2 = args_string(cs->args, 2);
 
-	if (cs->args->argc == 3)
-		prefix = format_single(NULL, cs->args->argv[2], c, s, wl, wp);
+	if (arg2 != NULL)
+		prefix = format_single(NULL, arg2, c, s, wl, wp);
 
-	if (s != NULL && cs->args->argc > 1 && *cs->args->argv[1] != '\0')
-		command = format_single(NULL, cs->args->argv[1], c, s, wl, wp);
+	if (s != NULL && arg1 != NULL && *arg1 != '\0')
+		command = format_single(NULL, arg1, c, s, wl, wp);
 	window_copy_copy_pipe(wme, s, prefix, command);
 	free(command);
 
@@ -2012,9 +2013,10 @@ window_copy_cmd_pipe_no_clear(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 	struct winlink			*wl = cs->wl;
 	struct window_pane		*wp = wme->wp;
 	char				*command = NULL;
+	const char			*arg1 = args_string(cs->args, 1);
 
-	if (s != NULL && cs->args->argc > 1 && *cs->args->argv[1] != '\0')
-		command = format_single(NULL, cs->args->argv[1], c, s, wl, wp);
+	if (s != NULL && arg1 != NULL && *arg1 != '\0')
+		command = format_single(NULL, arg1, c, s, wl, wp);
 	window_copy_pipe(wme, s, command);
 	free(command);
 
@@ -2045,10 +2047,10 @@ static enum window_copy_cmd_action
 window_copy_cmd_goto_line(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 {
 	struct window_mode_entry	*wme = cs->wme;
-	const char			*argument = cs->args->argv[1];
+	const char			*arg1 = args_string(cs->args, 1);
 
-	if (*argument != '\0')
-		window_copy_goto_line(wme, argument);
+	if (*arg1 != '\0')
+		window_copy_goto_line(wme, arg1);
 	return (WINDOW_COPY_CMD_NOTHING);
 }
 
@@ -2058,12 +2060,12 @@ window_copy_cmd_jump_backward(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 	struct window_mode_entry	*wme = cs->wme;
 	struct window_copy_mode_data	*data = wme->data;
 	u_int				 np = wme->prefix;
-	const char			*argument = cs->args->argv[1];
+	const char			*arg1 = args_string(cs->args, 1);
 
-	if (*argument != '\0') {
+	if (*arg1 != '\0') {
 		data->jumptype = WINDOW_COPY_JUMPBACKWARD;
 		free(data->jumpchar);
-		data->jumpchar = utf8_fromcstr(argument);
+		data->jumpchar = utf8_fromcstr(arg1);
 		for (; np != 0; np--)
 			window_copy_cursor_jump_back(wme);
 	}
@@ -2076,12 +2078,12 @@ window_copy_cmd_jump_forward(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 	struct window_mode_entry	*wme = cs->wme;
 	struct window_copy_mode_data	*data = wme->data;
 	u_int				 np = wme->prefix;
-	const char			*argument = cs->args->argv[1];
+	const char			*arg1 = args_string(cs->args, 1);
 
-	if (*argument != '\0') {
+	if (*arg1 != '\0') {
 		data->jumptype = WINDOW_COPY_JUMPFORWARD;
 		free(data->jumpchar);
-		data->jumpchar = utf8_fromcstr(argument);
+		data->jumpchar = utf8_fromcstr(arg1);
 		for (; np != 0; np--)
 			window_copy_cursor_jump(wme);
 	}
@@ -2094,12 +2096,12 @@ window_copy_cmd_jump_to_backward(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 	struct window_mode_entry	*wme = cs->wme;
 	struct window_copy_mode_data	*data = wme->data;
 	u_int				 np = wme->prefix;
-	const char			*argument = cs->args->argv[1];
+	const char			*arg1 = args_string(cs->args, 1);
 
-	if (*argument != '\0') {
+	if (*arg1 != '\0') {
 		data->jumptype = WINDOW_COPY_JUMPTOBACKWARD;
 		free(data->jumpchar);
-		data->jumpchar = utf8_fromcstr(argument);
+		data->jumpchar = utf8_fromcstr(arg1);
 		for (; np != 0; np--)
 			window_copy_cursor_jump_to_back(wme);
 	}
@@ -2112,12 +2114,12 @@ window_copy_cmd_jump_to_forward(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 	struct window_mode_entry	*wme = cs->wme;
 	struct window_copy_mode_data	*data = wme->data;
 	u_int				 np = wme->prefix;
-	const char			*argument = cs->args->argv[1];
+	const char			*arg1 = args_string(cs->args, 1);
 
-	if (*argument != '\0') {
+	if (*arg1 != '\0') {
 		data->jumptype = WINDOW_COPY_JUMPTOFORWARD;
 		free(data->jumpchar);
-		data->jumpchar = utf8_fromcstr(argument);
+		data->jumpchar = utf8_fromcstr(arg1);
 		for (; np != 0; np--)
 			window_copy_cursor_jump_to(wme);
 	}
@@ -2218,27 +2220,27 @@ window_copy_cmd_search_backward_incremental(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 {
 	struct window_mode_entry	*wme = cs->wme;
 	struct window_copy_mode_data	*data = wme->data;
-	const char			*argument = cs->args->argv[1];
+	const char			*arg1 = args_string(cs->args, 1);
 	const char			*ss = data->searchstr;
 	char				 prefix;
 	enum window_copy_cmd_action	 action = WINDOW_COPY_CMD_NOTHING;
 
 	data->timeout = 0;
 
-	log_debug("%s: %s", __func__, argument);
+	log_debug("%s: %s", __func__, arg1);
 
-	prefix = *argument++;
+	prefix = *arg1++;
 	if (data->searchx == -1 || data->searchy == -1) {
 		data->searchx = data->cx;
 		data->searchy = data->cy;
 		data->searcho = data->oy;
-	} else if (ss != NULL && strcmp(argument, ss) != 0) {
+	} else if (ss != NULL && strcmp(arg1, ss) != 0) {
 		data->cx = data->searchx;
 		data->cy = data->searchy;
 		data->oy = data->searcho;
 		action = WINDOW_COPY_CMD_REDRAW;
 	}
-	if (*argument == '\0') {
+	if (*arg1 == '\0') {
 		window_copy_clear_marks(wme);
 		return (WINDOW_COPY_CMD_REDRAW);
 	}
@@ -2248,7 +2250,7 @@ window_copy_cmd_search_backward_incremental(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 		data->searchtype = WINDOW_COPY_SEARCHUP;
 		data->searchregex = 0;
 		free(data->searchstr);
-		data->searchstr = xstrdup(argument);
+		data->searchstr = xstrdup(arg1);
 		if (!window_copy_search_up(wme, 0)) {
 			window_copy_clear_marks(wme);
 			return (WINDOW_COPY_CMD_REDRAW);
@@ -2258,7 +2260,7 @@ window_copy_cmd_search_backward_incremental(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 		data->searchtype = WINDOW_COPY_SEARCHDOWN;
 		data->searchregex = 0;
 		free(data->searchstr);
-		data->searchstr = xstrdup(argument);
+		data->searchstr = xstrdup(arg1);
 		if (!window_copy_search_down(wme, 0)) {
 			window_copy_clear_marks(wme);
 			return (WINDOW_COPY_CMD_REDRAW);
@@ -2273,27 +2275,27 @@ window_copy_cmd_search_forward_incremental(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 {
 	struct window_mode_entry	*wme = cs->wme;
 	struct window_copy_mode_data	*data = wme->data;
-	const char			*argument = cs->args->argv[1];
+	const char			*arg1 = args_string(cs->args, 1);
 	const char			*ss = data->searchstr;
 	char				 prefix;
 	enum window_copy_cmd_action	 action = WINDOW_COPY_CMD_NOTHING;
 
 	data->timeout = 0;
 
-	log_debug("%s: %s", __func__, argument);
+	log_debug("%s: %s", __func__, arg1);
 
-	prefix = *argument++;
+	prefix = *arg1++;
 	if (data->searchx == -1 || data->searchy == -1) {
 		data->searchx = data->cx;
 		data->searchy = data->cy;
 		data->searcho = data->oy;
-	} else if (ss != NULL && strcmp(argument, ss) != 0) {
+	} else if (ss != NULL && strcmp(arg1, ss) != 0) {
 		data->cx = data->searchx;
 		data->cy = data->searchy;
 		data->oy = data->searcho;
 		action = WINDOW_COPY_CMD_REDRAW;
 	}
-	if (*argument == '\0') {
+	if (*arg1 == '\0') {
 		window_copy_clear_marks(wme);
 		return (WINDOW_COPY_CMD_REDRAW);
 	}
@@ -2303,7 +2305,7 @@ window_copy_cmd_search_forward_incremental(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 		data->searchtype = WINDOW_COPY_SEARCHDOWN;
 		data->searchregex = 0;
 		free(data->searchstr);
-		data->searchstr = xstrdup(argument);
+		data->searchstr = xstrdup(arg1);
 		if (!window_copy_search_down(wme, 0)) {
 			window_copy_clear_marks(wme);
 			return (WINDOW_COPY_CMD_REDRAW);
@@ -2313,7 +2315,7 @@ window_copy_cmd_search_forward_incremental(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 		data->searchtype = WINDOW_COPY_SEARCHUP;
 		data->searchregex = 0;
 		free(data->searchstr);
-		data->searchstr = xstrdup(argument);
+		data->searchstr = xstrdup(arg1);
 		if (!window_copy_search_up(wme, 0)) {
 			window_copy_clear_marks(wme);
 			return (WINDOW_COPY_CMD_REDRAW);
@@ -2342,8 +2344,8 @@ window_copy_cmd_refresh_from_pane(struct window_copy_cmd_state *cs)
 
 static const struct {
 	const char			 *command;
-	int				  minargs;
-	int				  maxargs;
+	u_int				  minargs;
+	u_int				  maxargs;
 	enum window_copy_cmd_clear	  clear;
 	enum window_copy_cmd_action	(*f)(struct window_copy_cmd_state *);
 } window_copy_cmd_table[] = {
@@ -2833,13 +2835,12 @@ window_copy_command(struct window_mode_entry *wme, struct client *c,
 	enum window_copy_cmd_action	 action;
 	enum window_copy_cmd_clear	 clear = WINDOW_COPY_CMD_CLEAR_NEVER;
 	const char			*command;
-	u_int				 i;
+	u_int				 i, count = args_count(args);
 	int				 keys;
 
-	if (args->argc == 0)
+	if (count == 0)
 		return;
-	command = args->argv[0];
-
+	command = args_string(args, 0);
 	if (m != NULL && m->valid && !MOUSE_WHEEL(m->b))
 		window_copy_move_mouse(m);
 
@@ -2854,8 +2855,8 @@ window_copy_command(struct window_mode_entry *wme, struct client *c,
 	action = WINDOW_COPY_CMD_NOTHING;
 	for (i = 0; i < nitems(window_copy_cmd_table); i++) {
 		if (strcmp(window_copy_cmd_table[i].command, command) == 0) {
-			if (args->argc - 1 < window_copy_cmd_table[i].minargs ||
-			    args->argc - 1 > window_copy_cmd_table[i].maxargs)
+			if (count - 1 < window_copy_cmd_table[i].minargs ||
+			    count - 1 > window_copy_cmd_table[i].maxargs)
 				break;
 			clear = window_copy_cmd_table[i].clear;
 			action = window_copy_cmd_table[i].f(&cs);
@@ -5188,14 +5189,16 @@ window_copy_cursor_previous_word(struct window_mode_entry *wme,
     const char *separators, int already)
 {
 	struct window_copy_mode_data	*data = wme->data;
+	struct window			*w = wme->wp->window;
 	struct screen			*back_s = data->backing;
 	struct grid_reader		 gr;
 	u_int				 px, py, oldy, hsize;
 	int				 stop_at_eol;
 
-	stop_at_eol =
-	    options_get_number(wme->wp->window->options, "mode-keys")
-	        == MODEKEY_EMACS;
+	if (options_get_number(w->options, "mode-keys") == MODEKEY_EMACS)
+		stop_at_eol = 1;
+	else
+		stop_at_eol = 0;
 
 	px = data->cx;
 	hsize = screen_hsize(back_s);
diff --git a/window-tree.c b/window-tree.c
index f8e38399..e7029d33 100644
--- a/window-tree.c
+++ b/window-tree.c
@@ -925,10 +925,10 @@ window_tree_init(struct window_mode_entry *wme, struct cmd_find_state *fs,
 		data->key_format = xstrdup(WINDOW_TREE_DEFAULT_KEY_FORMAT);
 	else
 		data->key_format = xstrdup(args_get(args, 'K'));
-	if (args == NULL || args->argc == 0)
+	if (args == NULL || args_count(args) == 0)
 		data->command = xstrdup(WINDOW_TREE_DEFAULT_COMMAND);
 	else
-		data->command = xstrdup(args->argv[0]);
+		data->command = xstrdup(args_string(args, 0));
 	data->squash_groups = !args_has(args, 'G');
 
 	data->data = mode_tree_start(wp, args, window_tree_build,