diff --git a/default-config.toml b/default-config.toml
index 016a47e..efa0ff8 100644
--- a/default-config.toml
+++ b/default-config.toml
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ tick_delay = 30
 maximum_messages = 150
 # The file path to log to.
 log_file = ""
+# The state the application will start in.
+start_state = "normal"
 
 [storage]
 # If previous channels switched to should be tracked.
diff --git a/src/handlers/app.rs b/src/handlers/app.rs
index c952709..7f5c717 100644
--- a/src/handlers/app.rs
+++ b/src/handlers/app.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
+#![allow(clippy::use_self)]
+
 use std::{
     cmp::{Eq, PartialEq},
     collections::VecDeque,
 };
 
 use rustyline::line_buffer::LineBuffer;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use tui::style::Style;
 
 use crate::{
@@ -18,7 +21,7 @@ use crate::{
 
 const INPUT_BUFFER_LIMIT: usize = 4096;
 
-#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Clone)]
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum State {
     Normal,
     Insert,
@@ -84,7 +87,7 @@ impl App {
             messages: VecDeque::with_capacity(config.terminal.maximum_messages),
             storage: Storage::new("storage.json", &config.storage),
             filters: Filters::new("filters.txt", &config.filters),
-            state: State::Normal,
+            state: config.terminal.start_state.clone(),
             input_buffer: LineBuffer::with_capacity(INPUT_BUFFER_LIMIT),
             buffer_suggestion: None,
             scroll_offset: 0,
diff --git a/src/handlers/args.rs b/src/handlers/args.rs
index 386d948..febb72e 100644
--- a/src/handlers/args.rs
+++ b/src/handlers/args.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
-use clap::{builder::PossibleValue, Parser};
+use clap::{builder::PossibleValue, Parser, ValueEnum};
 
-use crate::handlers::config::{Alignment, CompleteConfig, Palette, Theme};
+use crate::handlers::{
+    app::State,
+    config::{Alignment, CompleteConfig, Palette, Theme},
+};
 
-impl clap::ValueEnum for Alignment {
+impl ValueEnum for Alignment {
     fn value_variants<'a>() -> &'a [Self] {
         &[Self::Left, Self::Center, Self::Right]
     }
@@ -16,7 +19,7 @@ impl clap::ValueEnum for Alignment {
     }
 }
 
-impl clap::ValueEnum for Palette {
+impl ValueEnum for Palette {
     fn value_variants<'a>() -> &'a [Self] {
         &[Self::Pastel, Self::Vibrant, Self::Warm, Self::Cool]
     }
@@ -31,7 +34,7 @@ impl clap::ValueEnum for Palette {
     }
 }
 
-impl clap::ValueEnum for Theme {
+impl ValueEnum for Theme {
     fn value_variants<'a>() -> &'a [Self] {
         &[Self::Dark, Self::Light]
     }
@@ -44,6 +47,28 @@ impl clap::ValueEnum for Theme {
     }
 }
 
+impl ValueEnum for State {
+    fn value_variants<'a>() -> &'a [Self] {
+        &[
+            Self::Normal,
+            Self::Insert,
+            Self::Help,
+            Self::ChannelSwitch,
+            Self::MessageSearch,
+        ]
+    }
+
+    fn to_possible_value(&self) -> Option<PossibleValue> {
+        Some(PossibleValue::new(match self {
+            Self::Normal => "normal",
+            Self::Insert => "insert",
+            Self::Help => "help",
+            Self::ChannelSwitch => "channel",
+            Self::MessageSearch => "search",
+        }))
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Parser, Debug)]
 #[clap(rename_all = "kebab-case")]
 #[clap(author, version, about)]
@@ -82,6 +107,9 @@ pub struct Cli {
     /// The theme of the terminal
     #[arg(long)]
     pub theme: Option<Theme>,
+    /// The starting state of the terminal
+    #[arg(short, long)]
+    pub start_state: Option<State>,
 }
 
 pub fn merge_args_into_config(config: &mut CompleteConfig, args: Cli) {
@@ -97,6 +125,9 @@ pub fn merge_args_into_config(config: &mut CompleteConfig, args: Cli) {
     if let Some(max_messages) = args.max_messages {
         config.terminal.maximum_messages = max_messages;
     }
+    if let Some(start_state) = args.start_state {
+        config.terminal.start_state = start_state;
+    }
 
     // Twitch arguments
     if let Some(channel) = args.channel {
diff --git a/src/handlers/config.rs b/src/handlers/config.rs
index bca9ced..57eb262 100644
--- a/src/handlers/config.rs
+++ b/src/handlers/config.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,10 @@ use color_eyre::eyre::{bail, Error, Result};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 use crate::{
-    handlers::args::{merge_args_into_config, Cli},
+    handlers::{
+        app::State,
+        args::{merge_args_into_config, Cli},
+    },
     utils::pathing::config_path,
 };
 
@@ -53,8 +56,10 @@ pub struct TerminalConfig {
     pub maximum_messages: usize,
     /// The file path to log to.
     pub log_file: Option<String>,
-    /// if debug logging should be enabled
+    /// if debug logging should be enabled.
     pub verbose: bool,
+    /// What state the application should start in.
+    pub start_state: State,
 }
 
 #[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug, Clone, Default)]
@@ -120,6 +125,7 @@ impl Default for TerminalConfig {
             maximum_messages: 150,
             log_file: None,
             verbose: false,
+            start_state: State::Normal,
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/handlers/data.rs b/src/handlers/data.rs
index 904219f..1c53a2a 100644
--- a/src/handlers/data.rs
+++ b/src/handlers/data.rs
@@ -9,16 +9,14 @@ use tui::{
 };
 
 use crate::{
-    handlers::config::{FrontendConfig, Palette},
+    handlers::config::{FrontendConfig, Palette, Theme},
     utils::{
         colors::hsl_to_rgb,
-        styles::{self, HIGHLIGHT_NAME_DARK, HIGHLIGHT_NAME_LIGHT},
+        styles::{HIGHLIGHT_NAME_DARK, HIGHLIGHT_NAME_LIGHT, SYSTEM_CHAT},
         text::align_text,
     },
 };
 
-use super::config::Theme;
-
 lazy_static! {
     pub static ref FUZZY_FINDER: SkimMatcherV2 = SkimMatcherV2::default();
 }
@@ -182,7 +180,7 @@ impl Data {
                 frontend_config.maximum_username_length,
             ))
             .style(if self.system {
-                styles::SYSTEM_CHAT
+                SYSTEM_CHAT
             } else {
                 Style::default().fg(self.hash_username(&frontend_config.palette))
             }),