diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e3d4337..b46aeb6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -45,3 +45,22 @@ the structure of the file is kept. It is mandatory, that the tpm command must
 remain at the end of the file at all times for TPM to work properly!
 
 After adding a plugin, press **Ctrl+\<prefix> I** to install the plugins.
+
+## Basic usage
+
+Independent from the layout you use, the basic usage is standard tmux operation.
+You can use the tmux commands to split and control windows, and manage your
+terminal window layoout. There are, however, some extra functions.
+
+## Manage git
+
+In order to manage your git repositories, without having to switch to a blank
+terminal, press `Ctrl+<prefix> g`. This will open `lazygit` in a popup, that
+overlays your current layoout. To close the window, all that is needed, is to
+quit `lazygit` by pressing `q`.
+
+## Open an ai chat window
+
+To open a chat window to confer with your ai-bot in chatmode, you can easily
+open a chatwindow to the left of your main window. To do so, press
+`Ctrl+<prefix> a`. To close the window, press `Ctrl+d`.
diff --git a/tmux.conf b/tmux.conf
index 0a5a287..3d2f621 100644
--- a/tmux.conf
+++ b/tmux.conf
@@ -1,6 +1,17 @@
 # TMUX configuration for using tmux as an IDE
 # This file contains a minimal configuration and diffent layout.
 
+# enable the default terminal colours
+set -g default-terminal "${TERM}"
+set -ag terminal-overrides ",${TERM}:Tc"
+
+# set the background colours for the status bar.
+set -g status-bg "#544788"
+set -g status-fg white
+
+# set matching colours to for the active and inactive pane borders.
+set -g pane-border-style "fg=#544788"
+set -g pane-active-border-style "fg=#8066b3"
 
 # enable the mouse mode
 set -g mouse on
@@ -12,6 +23,9 @@ bind C-v run "tmux set-buffer $(xclip -o sel clip); tmux paste-buffer"
 # Use lazygit for version control.
 bind-key g display-popup -d "#{pane_current_path}" -x C -y C -w 80% -h 80% -E 'lazygit' 
 
+# open an ai chat window to the left of the main screen
+bind-key a split-window -bh -p 20 -c "#{pane_current_path}" 'aichat-ng'
+
 # Configure the plugin manager
 # List of plugins
 set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tpm'