diff --git a/include/sway/input/seat.h b/include/sway/input/seat.h
index 31210a5a..38795e14 100644
--- a/include/sway/input/seat.h
+++ b/include/sway/input/seat.h
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ struct sway_container *sway_seat_get_focus_inactive(struct sway_seat *seat,
 		struct sway_container *container);
 
 struct sway_container *sway_seat_get_focus_by_type(struct sway_seat *seat,
-		enum sway_container_type type);
+		struct sway_container *container, enum sway_container_type type);
 
 void sway_seat_set_config(struct sway_seat *seat, struct seat_config *seat_config);
 
diff --git a/include/sway/tree/container.h b/include/sway/tree/container.h
index 6aa66da0..46f1c5ab 100644
--- a/include/sway/tree/container.h
+++ b/include/sway/tree/container.h
@@ -87,6 +87,8 @@ struct sway_container {
 	} events;
 };
 
+struct sway_container *container_create(enum sway_container_type type);
+
 // TODO only one container create function and pass the type?
 struct sway_container *container_output_create(
 		struct sway_output *sway_output);
diff --git a/include/sway/tree/layout.h b/include/sway/tree/layout.h
index 0a904c4b..79c14eda 100644
--- a/include/sway/tree/layout.h
+++ b/include/sway/tree/layout.h
@@ -54,4 +54,7 @@ void arrange_windows(struct sway_container *container,
 struct sway_container *container_get_in_direction(struct sway_container
 		*container, struct sway_seat *seat, enum movement_direction dir);
 
+struct sway_container *container_split(struct sway_container *child,
+		enum sway_container_layout layout);
+
 #endif
diff --git a/sway/commands.c b/sway/commands.c
index 90544220..c85ddf7a 100644
--- a/sway/commands.c
+++ b/sway/commands.c
@@ -163,6 +163,10 @@ static struct cmd_handler command_handlers[] = {
 	{ "kill", cmd_kill },
 	{ "layout", cmd_layout },
 	{ "reload", cmd_reload },
+	{ "split", cmd_split },
+	{ "splith", cmd_splith },
+	{ "splitt", cmd_splitt },
+	{ "splitv", cmd_splitv },
 };
 
 static int handler_compare(const void *_a, const void *_b) {
diff --git a/sway/commands/kill.c b/sway/commands/kill.c
index f6774767..80120832 100644
--- a/sway/commands/kill.c
+++ b/sway/commands/kill.c
@@ -3,21 +3,30 @@
 #include "sway/input/input-manager.h"
 #include "sway/input/seat.h"
 #include "sway/tree/view.h"
+#include "sway/tree/container.h"
 #include "sway/commands.h"
 
 struct cmd_results *cmd_kill(int argc, char **argv) {
-	enum sway_container_type type = config->handler_context.current_container->type;
-	if (type != C_VIEW && type != C_CONTAINER) {
+	struct sway_container *con =
+		config->handler_context.current_container;
+
+	switch (con->type) {
+	case C_ROOT:
+	case C_OUTPUT:
+	case C_WORKSPACE:
 		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, NULL,
 				"Can only kill views and containers with this command");
-	}
-
-	// TODO close arbitrary containers without a view
-	struct sway_view *view =
-		config->handler_context.current_container->sway_view;
-
-	if (view) {
-		view_close(view);
+		break;
+	case C_CONTAINER:
+		con = container_destroy(con);
+		con = container_reap_empty(con);
+		arrange_windows(con, -1, -1);
+		break;
+	case C_VIEW:
+		view_close(con->sway_view);
+		break;
+	default:
+		break;
 	}
 
 	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
diff --git a/sway/commands/split.c b/sway/commands/split.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6df20e88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sway/commands/split.c
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+#include <string.h>
+#include <strings.h>
+#include "sway/commands.h"
+#include "sway/tree/container.h"
+#include "sway/tree/layout.h"
+#include "sway/tree/view.h"
+#include "sway/input/input-manager.h"
+#include "sway/input/seat.h"
+#include "log.h"
+
+static struct cmd_results *_do_split(int argc, char **argv, int layout) {
+	char *name = layout == L_VERT  ? "splitv" :
+		layout == L_HORIZ ? "splith" : "split";
+	struct cmd_results *error = NULL;
+	if (config->reading) {
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, name,
+				"Can't be used in config file.");
+	}
+	if (!config->active) {
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, name,
+				"Can only be used when sway is running.");
+	}
+	if ((error = checkarg(argc, name, EXPECTED_EQUAL_TO, 0))) {
+		return error;
+	}
+
+	struct sway_container *focused = config->handler_context.current_container;
+
+	// TODO floating: dont split
+
+	/* Case that focus is on an workspace with 0/1 children.change its layout */
+	if (focused->type == C_WORKSPACE && focused->children->length <= 1) {
+		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "changing workspace layout");
+		container_set_layout(focused, layout);
+	} else if (focused->type != C_WORKSPACE &&
+			focused->parent->children->length == 1) {
+		/* Case of no siblings. change parent layout */
+		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "changing container layout");
+		container_set_layout(focused->parent, layout);
+	} else {
+		// regular case where new split container is build around focused
+		// container or in case of workspace, container inherits its children
+		wlr_log(L_DEBUG,
+			"Adding new container around current focused container");
+		wlr_log(L_INFO, "FOCUSED SIZE: %.f %.f",
+			focused->width, focused->height);
+
+		struct sway_container *parent = container_split(focused, layout);
+		arrange_windows(parent, -1, -1);
+	}
+
+	// TODO borders: update borders
+
+	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
+}
+
+struct cmd_results *cmd_split(int argc, char **argv) {
+	struct cmd_results *error = NULL;
+	if (config->reading) {
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, "split",
+				"Can't be used in config file.");
+	}
+	if (!config->active) {
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, "split",
+				"Can only be used when sway is running.");
+	}
+	if ((error = checkarg(argc, "split", EXPECTED_EQUAL_TO, 1))) {
+		return error;
+	}
+	if (strcasecmp(argv[0], "v") == 0 || strcasecmp(argv[0], "vertical") == 0) {
+		_do_split(argc - 1, argv + 1, L_VERT);
+	} else if (strcasecmp(argv[0], "h") == 0 ||
+			strcasecmp(argv[0], "horizontal") == 0) {
+		_do_split(argc - 1, argv + 1, L_HORIZ);
+	} else if (strcasecmp(argv[0], "t") == 0 ||
+			strcasecmp(argv[0], "toggle") == 0) {
+		struct sway_container *focused =
+			config->handler_context.current_container;
+		if (focused->parent->layout == L_VERT) {
+			_do_split(argc - 1, argv + 1, L_HORIZ);
+		} else {
+			_do_split(argc - 1, argv + 1, L_VERT);
+		}
+	} else {
+		error = cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, "split",
+			"Invalid split command (expected either horizontal or vertical).");
+		return error;
+	}
+	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
+}
+
+struct cmd_results *cmd_splitv(int argc, char **argv) {
+	return _do_split(argc, argv, L_VERT);
+}
+
+struct cmd_results *cmd_splith(int argc, char **argv) {
+	return _do_split(argc, argv, L_HORIZ);
+}
+
+struct cmd_results *cmd_splitt(int argc, char **argv) {
+	struct sway_container *focused = config->handler_context.current_container;
+	if (focused->parent->layout == L_VERT) {
+		return _do_split(argc, argv, L_HORIZ);
+	} else {
+		return _do_split(argc, argv, L_VERT);
+	}
+}
diff --git a/sway/input/seat.c b/sway/input/seat.c
index 9aa34aca..e0fd314a 100644
--- a/sway/input/seat.c
+++ b/sway/input/seat.c
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 #define _XOPEN_SOURCE 700
+#include <assert.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_cursor.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_output_layout.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_xcursor_manager.h>
@@ -378,24 +379,7 @@ void sway_seat_set_focus(struct sway_seat *seat,
 }
 
 struct sway_container *sway_seat_get_focus_inactive(struct sway_seat *seat, struct sway_container *container) {
-	struct sway_seat_container *current = NULL;
-	struct sway_container *parent = NULL;
-	wl_list_for_each(current, &seat->focus_stack, link) {
-		parent = current->container->parent;
-
-		if (current->container == container) {
-			return current->container;
-		}
-
-		while (parent) {
-			if (parent == container) {
-				return current->container;
-			}
-			parent = parent->parent;
-		}
-	}
-
-	return NULL;
+	return sway_seat_get_focus_by_type(seat, container, C_TYPES);
 }
 
 struct sway_container *sway_seat_get_focus(struct sway_seat *seat) {
@@ -406,13 +390,25 @@ struct sway_container *sway_seat_get_focus(struct sway_seat *seat) {
 }
 
 struct sway_container *sway_seat_get_focus_by_type(struct sway_seat *seat,
-		enum sway_container_type type) {
-	struct sway_container *focus = sway_seat_get_focus_inactive(seat, &root_container);
-	if (focus->type == type) {
-		return focus;
+		struct sway_container *container, enum sway_container_type type) {
+	struct sway_seat_container *current = NULL;
+	struct sway_container *parent = NULL;
+	wl_list_for_each(current, &seat->focus_stack, link) {
+		parent = current->container->parent;
+
+		if (current->container == container) {
+			return current->container;
+		}
+
+		while (parent) {
+			if (parent == container && (type == C_TYPES || current->container->type == type)) {
+				return current->container;
+			}
+			parent = parent->parent;
+		}
 	}
 
-	return container_parent(focus, type);
+	return NULL;
 }
 
 void sway_seat_set_config(struct sway_seat *seat,
diff --git a/sway/meson.build b/sway/meson.build
index 0cc620ea..b4775d58 100644
--- a/sway/meson.build
+++ b/sway/meson.build
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ sway_sources = files(
 	'commands/input.c',
 	'commands/layout.c',
 	'commands/mode.c',
+	'commands/split.c',
 	'commands/seat.c',
 	'commands/seat/attach.c',
 	'commands/seat/fallback.c',
diff --git a/sway/tree/container.c b/sway/tree/container.c
index 746dbf1f..7b88cccb 100644
--- a/sway/tree/container.c
+++ b/sway/tree/container.c
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ static void notify_new_container(struct sway_container *container) {
 	ipc_event_window(container, "new");
 }
 
-static struct sway_container *container_create(enum sway_container_type type) {
+struct sway_container *container_create(enum sway_container_type type) {
 	// next id starts at 1 because 0 is assigned to root_container in layout.c
 	static size_t next_id = 1;
 	struct sway_container *c = calloc(1, sizeof(struct sway_container));
@@ -66,13 +66,14 @@ struct sway_container *container_destroy(struct sway_container *cont) {
 	wl_signal_emit(&cont->events.destroy, cont);
 
 	struct sway_container *parent = cont->parent;
-	if (cont->children) {
+	if (cont->children != NULL) {
 		// remove children until there are no more, container_destroy calls
 		// container_remove_child, which removes child from this container
-		while (cont->children->length) {
+		while (cont->children->length != 0) {
 			container_destroy(cont->children->items[0]);
 		}
 		list_free(cont->children);
+		cont->children = NULL;
 	}
 	if (cont->marks) {
 		list_foreach(cont->marks, free);
diff --git a/sway/tree/layout.c b/sway/tree/layout.c
index ce0682dc..62df19e9 100644
--- a/sway/tree/layout.c
+++ b/sway/tree/layout.c
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 #define _POSIX_C_SOURCE 200809L
+#include <assert.h>
 #include <ctype.h>
 #include <math.h>
 #include <stdbool.h>
@@ -100,6 +101,8 @@ void container_add_child(struct sway_container *parent,
 			parent, parent->type, parent->width, parent->height);
 	list_add(parent->children, child);
 	child->parent = parent;
+	// TODO: set focus for this container?
+	sway_input_manager_set_focus(input_manager, child);
 }
 
 struct sway_container *container_reap_empty(struct sway_container *container) {
@@ -135,7 +138,7 @@ struct sway_container *container_remove_child(struct sway_container *child) {
 		}
 	}
 	child->parent = NULL;
-	return container_reap_empty(parent);
+	return parent;
 }
 
 void container_move_to(struct sway_container* container,
@@ -322,7 +325,12 @@ static void apply_horiz_layout(struct sway_container *container,
 			wlr_log(L_DEBUG,
 				"Calculating arrangement for %p:%d (will scale %f by %f)",
 				child, child->type, width, scale);
-			view_set_position(child->sway_view, child_x, y);
+			if (child->type == C_VIEW) {
+				view_set_position(child->sway_view, child_x, y);
+			} else {
+				child->x = child_x;
+				child->y = y;
+			}
 
 			if (i == end - 1) {
 				double remaining_width = x + width - child_x;
@@ -505,9 +513,9 @@ static struct sway_container *sway_output_from_wlr(struct wlr_output *output) {
 	return NULL;
 }
 
-static struct sway_container *get_swayc_in_direction_under(
-		struct sway_container *container, enum movement_direction dir,
-		struct sway_seat *seat, struct sway_container *limit) {
+struct sway_container *container_get_in_direction(
+		struct sway_container *container, struct sway_seat *seat,
+		enum movement_direction dir) {
 	if (dir == MOVE_CHILD) {
 		return sway_seat_get_focus_inactive(seat, container);
 	}
@@ -559,7 +567,6 @@ static struct sway_container *get_swayc_in_direction_under(
 
 	struct sway_container *wrap_candidate = NULL;
 	while (true) {
-		// Test if we can even make a difference here
 		bool can_move = false;
 		int desired;
 		int idx = index_child(container);
@@ -589,7 +596,7 @@ static struct sway_container *get_swayc_in_direction_under(
 			}
 			if (next->children && next->children->length) {
 				// TODO consider floating children as well
-				return sway_seat_get_focus_inactive(seat, next);
+				return sway_seat_get_focus_by_type(seat, next, C_VIEW);
 			} else {
 				return next;
 			}
@@ -619,21 +626,22 @@ static struct sway_container *get_swayc_in_direction_under(
 						wrap_candidate = parent->children->items[0];
 					}
 					if (config->force_focus_wrapping) {
-						return wrap_candidate;
+						 return sway_seat_get_focus_by_type(seat, wrap_candidate, C_VIEW);
 					}
 				}
 			} else {
 				wlr_log(L_DEBUG,
 					"cont %d-%p dir %i sibling %d: %p", idx,
 					container, dir, desired, parent->children->items[desired]);
-				return parent->children->items[desired];
+				return sway_seat_get_focus_by_type(seat,
+						parent->children->items[desired], C_VIEW);
 			}
 		}
 
 		if (!can_move) {
 			container = parent;
 			parent = parent->parent;
-			if (!parent || container == limit) {
+			if (!parent) {
 				// wrapping is the last chance
 				return wrap_candidate;
 			}
@@ -641,8 +649,71 @@ static struct sway_container *get_swayc_in_direction_under(
 	}
 }
 
-struct sway_container *container_get_in_direction(
-		struct sway_container *container, struct sway_seat *seat,
-		enum movement_direction dir) {
-	return get_swayc_in_direction_under(container, dir, seat, NULL);
+struct sway_container *container_replace_child(struct sway_container *child,
+		struct sway_container *new_child) {
+	struct sway_container *parent = child->parent;
+	if (parent == NULL) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+	int i = index_child(child);
+
+	// TODO floating
+	parent->children->items[i] = new_child;
+	new_child->parent = parent;
+	child->parent = NULL;
+
+	// Set geometry for new child
+	new_child->x = child->x;
+	new_child->y = child->y;
+	new_child->width = child->width;
+	new_child->height = child->height;
+
+	// reset geometry for child
+	child->width = 0;
+	child->height = 0;
+
+	return parent;
+}
+
+struct sway_container *container_split(struct sway_container *child,
+		enum sway_container_layout layout) {
+	// TODO floating: cannot split a floating container
+	if (!sway_assert(child, "child cannot be null")) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+	struct sway_container *cont = container_create(C_CONTAINER);
+
+	wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "creating container %p around %p", cont, child);
+
+	cont->prev_layout = L_NONE;
+	cont->layout = layout;
+	cont->width = child->width;
+	cont->height = child->height;
+	cont->x = child->x;
+	cont->y = child->y;
+
+	/* Container inherits all of workspaces children, layout and whatnot */
+	if (child->type == C_WORKSPACE) {
+		struct sway_container *workspace = child;
+		// reorder focus
+		int i;
+		for (i = 0; i < workspace->children->length; ++i) {
+			((struct sway_container *)workspace->children->items[i])->parent =
+				cont;
+		}
+
+		// Swap children
+		list_t  *tmp_list  = workspace->children;
+		workspace->children = cont->children;
+		cont->children = tmp_list;
+		// add container to workspace chidren
+		container_add_child(workspace, cont);
+		// give them proper layouts
+		cont->layout = workspace->workspace_layout;
+		cont->prev_layout = workspace->prev_layout;
+	} else { // Or is built around container
+		container_replace_child(child, cont);
+		container_add_child(cont, child);
+	}
+	return cont;
 }