diff --git a/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md b/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..31132f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+# Ex-Mode Contributing Guidelines
+
+Current Maintainers:
+
+- [@jazzpi](https://github.com/jazzpi)
+- [@LongLiveCHIEF](https://github.com/LongLiveCHIEF)
+
+This project is accepting new maintainers. Interested parties should
+
+1. Open a new issue, titled: `New Maintainer Request`
+2. Assign the issue to [@lloeki](https://github.com/lloeki)
+3. The last line of your request should `/cc @jazzpi @LongLiveCHIEF`
+
+## Pull Requests
+
+- If the PR *fixes* or should result in the closure of any issues, use the `fixes #` or `closes #` syntax to ensure issue will
+close when your PR is merged
+- All pull-requests that fix a bug or add a new feature *must* have accompanying tests before they will be merged. If you want
+to speed up the merge of your PR, please contribute these tests
+ - *note*: if you submit a PR but are unsure how to write tests, please begin your PR title with `[needs tests]`
+- Please use the [pull request template](PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md) as a guide for submitting your PR.
+- Include a `/cc` for @LongLiveCHIEF and @jazzpi the current maintainers
+
+## Issues
+
+- Be aware of the responsibilities of `ex-mode` vs `vim-mode`
+- If you have identified a bug we would welcome any Pull Requests that either:
+ - Fix the issue
+ - Create failing tests to confirm the bug
diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ae22d79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+Fixes # .
+
+Changes Proposed in this Pull Request:
+-
+-
+-
+
+I have written tests for:
+
+- [ ] New features introduced
+- [ ] Bugs fixed
+- [ ] Neither (I'm just enhancing tests!)
+
+@jazzpi @LongLiveCHIEF
diff --git a/lib/ex-mode.coffee b/lib/ex-mode.coffee
index e3a15b2..490003e 100644
--- a/lib/ex-mode.coffee
+++ b/lib/ex-mode.coffee
@@ -35,3 +35,15 @@ module.exports = ExMode =
   consumeVim: (vim) ->
     @vim = vim
     @globalExState.setVim(vim)
+
+  config:
+    splitbelow:
+      title: 'Split below'
+      description: 'when splitting, split from below'
+      type: 'boolean'
+      default: 'false'
+    splitright:
+      title: 'Split right'
+      description: 'when splitting, split from right'
+      type: 'boolean'
+      default: 'false'
diff --git a/lib/ex.coffee b/lib/ex.coffee
index 41aaed6..c91beb7 100644
--- a/lib/ex.coffee
+++ b/lib/ex.coffee
@@ -127,11 +127,11 @@ class Ex
 
   tabe: (args) => @tabedit(args)
 
-  tabnew: ({ range, args }) =>
-    if args.trim() is ''
+  tabnew: (args) =>
+    if args.args.trim() is ''
       atom.workspace.open()
     else
-      @tabedit(range, args)
+      @tabedit(args)
 
   tabclose: (args) => @quit(args)
 
@@ -258,13 +258,23 @@ class Ex
     filePaths = args.split(' ')
     filePaths = undefined if filePaths.length is 1 and filePaths[0] is ''
     pane = atom.workspace.getActivePane()
-    if filePaths? and filePaths.length > 0
-      newPane = pane.splitUp()
-      for file in filePaths
-        do ->
-          atom.workspace.openURIInPane file, newPane
+    if atom.config.get('ex-mode.splitbelow')
+      if filePaths? and filePaths.length > 0
+        newPane = pane.splitDown()
+        for file in filePaths
+          do ->
+            atom.workspace.openURIInPane file, newPane
+      else
+        pane.splitDown(copyActiveItem: true)
     else
-      pane.splitUp(copyActiveItem: true)
+      if filePaths? and filePaths.length > 0
+        newPane = pane.splitUp()
+        for file in filePaths
+          do ->
+            atom.workspace.openURIInPane file, newPane
+      else
+        pane.splitUp(copyActiveItem: true)
+
 
   sp: (args) => @split(args)
 
@@ -335,13 +345,22 @@ class Ex
     filePaths = args.split(' ')
     filePaths = undefined if filePaths.length is 1 and filePaths[0] is ''
     pane = atom.workspace.getActivePane()
-    if filePaths? and filePaths.length > 0
-      newPane = pane.splitLeft()
-      for file in filePaths
-        do ->
-          atom.workspace.openURIInPane file, newPane
+    if atom.config.get('ex-mode.splitright')
+      if filePaths? and filePaths.length > 0
+        newPane = pane.splitRight()
+        for file in filePaths
+          do ->
+            atom.workspace.openURIInPane file, newPane
+      else
+        pane.splitRight(copyActiveItem: true)
     else
-      pane.splitLeft(copyActiveItem: true)
+      if filePaths? and filePaths.length > 0
+        newPane = pane.splitLeft()
+        for file in filePaths
+          do ->
+            atom.workspace.openURIInPane file, newPane
+      else
+        pane.splitLeft(copyActiveItem: true)
 
   vsp: (args) => @vsplit(args)
 
diff --git a/spec/ex-commands-spec.coffee b/spec/ex-commands-spec.coffee
index 2fa05c5..08237e3 100644
--- a/spec/ex-commands-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/ex-commands-spec.coffee
@@ -496,27 +496,52 @@ describe "the commands", ->
       submitNormalModeInputText('tabnew')
       expect(atom.workspace.open).toHaveBeenCalled()
 
-  describe ":split", ->
-    it "splits the current file upwards", ->
-      pane = atom.workspace.getActivePane()
-      spyOn(pane, 'splitUp').andCallThrough()
-      filePath = projectPath('split')
-      editor.saveAs(filePath)
+    it "opens a new tab for editing when provided an argument", ->
+      spyOn(Ex, 'tabnew').andCallThrough()
+      spyOn(Ex, 'tabedit')
       keydown(':')
-      submitNormalModeInputText('split')
-      expect(pane.splitUp).toHaveBeenCalled()
+      submitNormalModeInputText('tabnew tabnew-test')
+      expect(Ex.tabedit)
+        .toHaveBeenCalledWith(Ex.tabnew.calls[0].args...)
+
+  describe ":split", ->
+    it "splits the current file upwards/downward", ->
+      pane = atom.workspace.getActivePane()
+      if atom.config.get('ex-mode.splitbelow')
+        spyOn(pane, 'splitDown').andCallThrough()
+        filePath = projectPath('split')
+        editor.saveAs(filePath)
+        keydown(':')
+        submitNormalModeInputText('split')
+        expect(pane.splitDown).toHaveBeenCalled()
+      else
+        spyOn(pane, 'splitUp').andCallThrough()
+        filePath = projectPath('split')
+        editor.saveAs(filePath)
+        keydown(':')
+        submitNormalModeInputText('split')
+        expect(pane.splitUp).toHaveBeenCalled()
       # FIXME: Should test whether the new pane contains a TextEditor
       #        pointing to the same path
 
   describe ":vsplit", ->
-    it "splits the current file to the left", ->
-      pane = atom.workspace.getActivePane()
-      spyOn(pane, 'splitLeft').andCallThrough()
-      filePath = projectPath('vsplit')
-      editor.saveAs(filePath)
-      keydown(':')
-      submitNormalModeInputText('vsplit')
-      expect(pane.splitLeft).toHaveBeenCalled()
+    it "splits the current file to the left/right", ->
+      if atom.config.get('ex-mode.splitright')
+        pane = atom.workspace.getActivePane()
+        spyOn(pane, 'splitRight').andCallThrough()
+        filePath = projectPath('vsplit')
+        editor.saveAs(filePath)
+        keydown(':')
+        submitNormalModeInputText('vsplit')
+        expect(pane.splitLeft).toHaveBeenCalled()
+      else
+        pane = atom.workspace.getActivePane()
+        spyOn(pane, 'splitLeft').andCallThrough()
+        filePath = projectPath('vsplit')
+        editor.saveAs(filePath)
+        keydown(':')
+        submitNormalModeInputText('vsplit')
+        expect(pane.splitLeft).toHaveBeenCalled()
       # FIXME: Should test whether the new pane contains a TextEditor
       #        pointing to the same path