diff --git a/src/font/mod.rs b/src/font/mod.rs
index c21d5faac..6335f369a 100644
--- a/src/font/mod.rs
+++ b/src/font/mod.rs
@@ -28,14 +28,13 @@ pub mod fontloader;
 #[cfg(any(target_os = "macos", windows))]
 pub mod fontloader_and_freetype;
 
-use super::config::{Config, TextStyle};
+use super::config::{configuration, Config, TextStyle};
 use term::CellAttributes;
 
 type FontPtr = Rc<RefCell<Box<dyn NamedFont>>>;
 
 /// Matches and loads fonts for a given input style
 pub struct FontConfiguration {
-    config: Arc<Config>,
     fonts: RefCell<HashMap<TextStyle, FontPtr>>,
     system: Rc<dyn FontSystem>,
     metrics: RefCell<Option<FontMetrics>>,
@@ -129,9 +128,8 @@ impl std::str::FromStr for FontSystemSelection {
 
 impl FontConfiguration {
     /// Create a new empty configuration
-    pub fn new(config: Arc<Config>, system: FontSystemSelection) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(system: FontSystemSelection) -> Self {
         Self {
-            config,
             fonts: RefCell::new(HashMap::new()),
             system: system.new_font_system(),
             metrics: RefCell::new(None),
@@ -151,7 +149,7 @@ impl FontConfiguration {
 
         let scale = *self.dpi_scale.borrow() * *self.font_scale.borrow();
         let font = Rc::new(RefCell::new(self.system.load_font(
-            &self.config,
+            &configuration(),
             style,
             scale,
         )?));
@@ -168,7 +166,7 @@ impl FontConfiguration {
 
     /// Returns the baseline font specified in the configuration
     pub fn default_font(&self) -> Result<Rc<RefCell<Box<dyn NamedFont>>>, Error> {
-        self.cached_font(&self.config.font)
+        self.cached_font(&configuration().font)
     }
 
     pub fn get_font_scale(&self) -> f64 {
@@ -194,7 +192,11 @@ impl FontConfiguration {
     /// Apply the defined font_rules from the user configuration to
     /// produce the text style that best matches the supplied input
     /// cell attributes.
-    pub fn match_style(&self, attrs: &CellAttributes) -> &TextStyle {
+    pub fn match_style<'a>(
+        &self,
+        config: &'a Arc<Config>,
+        attrs: &CellAttributes,
+    ) -> &'a TextStyle {
         // a little macro to avoid boilerplate for matching the rules.
         // If the rule doesn't specify a value for an attribute then
         // it will implicitly match.  If it specifies an attribute
@@ -211,7 +213,7 @@ impl FontConfiguration {
             };
         };
 
-        for rule in &self.config.font_rules {
+        for rule in &config.font_rules {
             attr_match!(intensity, &rule);
             attr_match!(underline, &rule);
             attr_match!(italic, &rule);
@@ -224,7 +226,7 @@ impl FontConfiguration {
             // so we therefore assume that it did match overall.
             return &rule.font;
         }
-        &self.config.font
+        &config.font
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/frontend/gui/mod.rs b/src/frontend/gui/mod.rs
index cdb4b193f..78fa07df3 100644
--- a/src/frontend/gui/mod.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/gui/mod.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use crate::config::Config;
+use crate::config::configuration;
 use crate::font::FontConfiguration;
 use crate::frontend::FrontEnd;
 use crate::mux::tab::Tab;
@@ -121,11 +121,10 @@ impl FrontEnd for GuiFrontEnd {
 
     fn spawn_new_window(
         &self,
-        config: &Arc<Config>,
         fontconfig: &Rc<FontConfiguration>,
         tab: &Rc<dyn Tab>,
         window_id: MuxWindowId,
     ) -> Fallible<()> {
-        termwindow::TermWindow::new_window(config, fontconfig, tab, window_id)
+        termwindow::TermWindow::new_window(&configuration(), fontconfig, tab, window_id)
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/frontend/gui/termwindow.rs b/src/frontend/gui/termwindow.rs
index a87f66262..353321c34 100644
--- a/src/frontend/gui/termwindow.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/gui/termwindow.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ use super::quad::*;
 use super::renderstate::*;
 use super::utilsprites::RenderMetrics;
 use crate::clipboard::SystemClipboard;
-use crate::config::Config;
+use crate::config::{configuration, Config};
 use crate::font::{FontConfiguration, FontSystemSelection};
 use crate::frontend::gui::tabbar::{TabBarItem, TabBarState};
 use crate::frontend::{executor, front_end};
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ use termwiz::color::RgbColor;
 pub struct TermWindow {
     window: Option<Window>,
     fonts: Rc<FontConfiguration>,
-    config: Arc<Config>,
     dimensions: Dimensions,
     mux_window_id: MuxWindowId,
     render_metrics: RenderMetrics,
@@ -256,7 +255,7 @@ impl WindowCallbacks for TermWindow {
                         return true;
                     }
 
-                    if !self.config.send_composed_key_when_alt_is_pressed
+                    if !configuration().send_composed_key_when_alt_is_pressed
                         && modifiers.contains(::termwiz::input::Modifiers::ALT)
                         && tab.key_down(key, modifiers).is_ok()
                     {
@@ -388,7 +387,6 @@ impl TermWindow {
             Box::new(Self {
                 window: None,
                 mux_window_id,
-                config: Arc::clone(config),
                 fonts: Rc::clone(fontconfig),
                 render_metrics,
                 dimensions: Dimensions {
@@ -475,14 +473,14 @@ impl TermWindow {
             WK::Char('\r') => KC::Enter,
             WK::Char('\t') => KC::Tab,
             WK::Char('\u{08}') => {
-                if self.config.swap_backspace_and_delete {
+                if configuration().swap_backspace_and_delete {
                     KC::Delete
                 } else {
                     KC::Backspace
                 }
             }
             WK::Char('\u{7f}') => {
-                if self.config.swap_backspace_and_delete {
+                if configuration().swap_backspace_and_delete {
                     KC::Backspace
                 } else {
                     KC::Delete
@@ -596,7 +594,10 @@ impl TermWindow {
                 None
             },
             &window,
-            self.config.colors.as_ref().and_then(|c| c.tab_bar.as_ref()),
+            configuration()
+                .colors
+                .as_ref()
+                .and_then(|c| c.tab_bar.as_ref()),
         );
         if new_tab_bar != self.tab_bar {
             self.tab_bar = new_tab_bar;
@@ -778,16 +779,13 @@ impl TermWindow {
     pub fn spawn_new_window(&mut self) {
         promise::Future::with_executor(executor(), move || {
             let mux = Mux::get().unwrap();
-            let fonts = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(
-                Arc::clone(mux.config()),
-                FontSystemSelection::get_default(),
-            ));
+            let fonts = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(FontSystemSelection::get_default()));
             let window_id = mux.new_empty_window();
             let tab =
                 mux.default_domain()
                     .spawn(portable_pty::PtySize::default(), None, window_id)?;
             let front_end = front_end().expect("to be called on gui thread");
-            front_end.spawn_new_window(mux.config(), &fonts, &tab, window_id)?;
+            front_end.spawn_new_window(&fonts, &tab, window_id)?;
             Ok(())
         });
     }
@@ -1049,13 +1047,14 @@ impl TermWindow {
         // Break the line into clusters of cells with the same attributes
         let cell_clusters = line.cluster();
         let mut last_cell_idx = 0;
+        let config = configuration();
         for cluster in cell_clusters {
             let attrs = &cluster.attrs;
             let is_highlited_hyperlink = match (&attrs.hyperlink, &current_highlight) {
                 (&Some(ref this), &Some(ref highlight)) => this == highlight,
                 _ => false,
             };
-            let style = self.fonts.match_style(attrs);
+            let style = self.fonts.match_style(&config, attrs);
 
             let bg_color = palette.resolve_bg(attrs.background);
             let fg_color = match attrs.foreground {
@@ -1269,6 +1268,8 @@ impl TermWindow {
         terminal: &dyn Renderable,
         palette: &ColorPalette,
     ) -> Fallible<()> {
+        let config = configuration();
+
         let (_num_rows, num_cols) = terminal.physical_dimensions();
         let current_highlight = terminal.current_highlight();
 
@@ -1281,7 +1282,7 @@ impl TermWindow {
                 (&Some(ref this), &Some(ref highlight)) => this == highlight,
                 _ => false,
             };
-            let style = self.fonts.match_style(attrs);
+            let style = self.fonts.match_style(&config, attrs);
 
             let bg_color = palette.resolve_bg(attrs.background);
             let fg_color = match attrs.foreground {
diff --git a/src/frontend/mod.rs b/src/frontend/mod.rs
index 4437f67fd..a7ab1721c 100644
--- a/src/frontend/mod.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/mod.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-use crate::config::Config;
 use crate::font::FontConfiguration;
 use crate::mux::tab::Tab;
 use crate::mux::window::WindowId;
@@ -9,7 +8,7 @@ use promise::Executor;
 use serde_derive::*;
 use std::cell::RefCell;
 use std::rc::Rc;
-use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
+use std::sync::Mutex;
 
 pub mod gui;
 pub mod muxserver;
@@ -111,7 +110,6 @@ pub trait FrontEnd: Downcast {
 
     fn spawn_new_window(
         &self,
-        config: &Arc<Config>,
         fontconfig: &Rc<FontConfiguration>,
         tab: &Rc<dyn Tab>,
         window_id: WindowId,
diff --git a/src/frontend/muxserver/mod.rs b/src/frontend/muxserver/mod.rs
index 433274b00..a12229dbb 100644
--- a/src/frontend/muxserver/mod.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/muxserver/mod.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 //! Implements the multiplexer server frontend
-use crate::config::Config;
 use crate::font::FontConfiguration;
 use crate::frontend::FrontEnd;
 use crate::mux::tab::Tab;
@@ -11,7 +10,6 @@ use log::info;
 use promise::*;
 use std::rc::Rc;
 use std::sync::mpsc::{self, Receiver, Sender};
-use std::sync::Arc;
 
 #[derive(Clone)]
 struct MuxExecutor {
@@ -43,8 +41,7 @@ impl MuxServerFrontEnd {
         let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel();
 
         if start_listener {
-            let mux = Mux::get().unwrap();
-            spawn_listener(mux.config())?;
+            spawn_listener()?;
         }
         Ok(Rc::new(Self { tx, rx }))
     }
@@ -85,7 +82,6 @@ impl FrontEnd for MuxServerFrontEnd {
 
     fn spawn_new_window(
         &self,
-        _config: &Arc<Config>,
         _fontconfig: &Rc<FontConfiguration>,
         _tab: &Rc<dyn Tab>,
         _window_id: WindowId,
diff --git a/src/keyassignment.rs b/src/keyassignment.rs
index 512f71fb6..70ca3a88b 100644
--- a/src/keyassignment.rs
+++ b/src/keyassignment.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
+use crate::config::configuration;
 use crate::mux::domain::DomainId;
-use crate::mux::Mux;
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use term::{KeyCode, KeyModifiers};
 
@@ -40,9 +40,7 @@ pub struct KeyMap(HashMap<(KeyCode, KeyModifiers), KeyAssignment>);
 
 impl KeyMap {
     pub fn new() -> Self {
-        let mux = Mux::get().unwrap();
-        let mut map = mux
-            .config()
+        let mut map = configuration()
             .key_bindings()
             .expect("keys section of config to be valid");
 
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index d53377633..dbbadc0ac 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ fn run_ssh(config: Arc<config::Config>, opts: &SshCommand) -> Fallible<()> {
     // Set up the mux with no default domain; there's a good chance that
     // we'll need to show authentication UI and we don't want its domain
     // to become the default domain.
-    let mux = Rc::new(mux::Mux::new(&config, None));
+    let mux = Rc::new(mux::Mux::new(None));
     Mux::set_mux(&mux);
 
     // Initiate an ssh connection; since that is a blocking process with
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ fn run_ssh(config: Arc<config::Config>, opts: &SshCommand) -> Fallible<()> {
             let font_system = opts.font_system.unwrap_or(config.font_system);
             font_system.set_default();
 
-            let fontconfig = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(Arc::clone(&config), font_system));
+            let fontconfig = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(font_system));
             let cmd = if !opts.prog.is_empty() {
                 let argv: Vec<&std::ffi::OsStr> = opts.prog.iter().map(|x| x.as_os_str()).collect();
                 let mut builder = CommandBuilder::new(&argv[0]);
@@ -392,7 +392,6 @@ fn run_ssh(config: Arc<config::Config>, opts: &SshCommand) -> Fallible<()> {
             let pty_system = Box::new(portable_pty::ssh::SshSession::new(sess, &config.term));
             let domain: Arc<dyn Domain> = Arc::new(ssh::RemoteSshDomain::with_pty_system(
                 &opts.user_at_host_and_port,
-                &config,
                 pty_system,
             ));
 
@@ -403,7 +402,7 @@ fn run_ssh(config: Arc<config::Config>, opts: &SshCommand) -> Fallible<()> {
 
             let window_id = mux.new_empty_window();
             let tab = domain.spawn(PtySize::default(), cmd, window_id)?;
-            gui.spawn_new_window(mux.config(), &fontconfig, &tab, window_id)?;
+            gui.spawn_new_window(&fontconfig, &tab, window_id)?;
             Ok(())
         });
     });
@@ -415,7 +414,7 @@ fn run_serial(config: Arc<config::Config>, opts: &SerialCommand) -> Fallible<()>
     let font_system = opts.font_system.unwrap_or(config.font_system);
     font_system.set_default();
 
-    let fontconfig = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(Arc::clone(&config), font_system));
+    let fontconfig = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(font_system));
 
     let mut serial = portable_pty::serial::SerialTty::new(&opts.port);
     if let Some(baud) = opts.baud {
@@ -423,9 +422,8 @@ fn run_serial(config: Arc<config::Config>, opts: &SerialCommand) -> Fallible<()>
     }
 
     let pty_system = Box::new(portable_pty::serial::SerialTty::new(&opts.port));
-    let domain: Arc<dyn Domain> =
-        Arc::new(LocalDomain::with_pty_system("local", &config, pty_system));
-    let mux = Rc::new(mux::Mux::new(&config, Some(domain.clone())));
+    let domain: Arc<dyn Domain> = Arc::new(LocalDomain::with_pty_system("local", pty_system));
+    let mux = Rc::new(mux::Mux::new(Some(domain.clone())));
     Mux::set_mux(&mux);
 
     let front_end = opts.front_end.unwrap_or(config.front_end);
@@ -434,7 +432,7 @@ fn run_serial(config: Arc<config::Config>, opts: &SerialCommand) -> Fallible<()>
 
     let window_id = mux.new_empty_window();
     let tab = domain.spawn(PtySize::default(), None, window_id)?;
-    gui.spawn_new_window(mux.config(), &fontconfig, &tab, window_id)?;
+    gui.spawn_new_window(&fontconfig, &tab, window_id)?;
 
     gui.run_forever()
 }
@@ -469,10 +467,10 @@ fn run_mux_client(config: Arc<config::Config>, opts: &ConnectCommand) -> Fallibl
     let font_system = opts.font_system.unwrap_or(config.font_system);
     font_system.set_default();
 
-    let fontconfig = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(Arc::clone(&config), font_system));
+    let fontconfig = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(font_system));
 
     let domain: Arc<dyn Domain> = Arc::new(ClientDomain::new(client_config));
-    let mux = Rc::new(mux::Mux::new(&config, Some(domain.clone())));
+    let mux = Rc::new(mux::Mux::new(Some(domain.clone())));
     Mux::set_mux(&mux);
 
     let front_end = opts.front_end.unwrap_or(config.front_end);
@@ -492,7 +490,7 @@ fn run_mux_client(config: Arc<config::Config>, opts: &ConnectCommand) -> Fallibl
         let tab = mux
             .default_domain()
             .spawn(PtySize::default(), cmd, window_id)?;
-        gui.spawn_new_window(mux.config(), &fontconfig, &tab, window_id)?;
+        gui.spawn_new_window(&fontconfig, &tab, window_id)?;
     }
 
     for dom in mux.iter_domains() {
@@ -543,7 +541,7 @@ fn run_terminal_gui(config: Arc<config::Config>, opts: &StartCommand) -> Fallibl
     let font_system = opts.font_system.unwrap_or(config.font_system);
     font_system.set_default();
 
-    let fontconfig = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(Arc::clone(&config), font_system));
+    let fontconfig = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(font_system));
 
     let cmd = if !opts.prog.is_empty() {
         let argv: Vec<&std::ffi::OsStr> = opts.prog.iter().map(|x| x.as_os_str()).collect();
@@ -554,8 +552,8 @@ fn run_terminal_gui(config: Arc<config::Config>, opts: &StartCommand) -> Fallibl
         None
     };
 
-    let domain: Arc<dyn Domain> = Arc::new(LocalDomain::new("local", &config)?);
-    let mux = Rc::new(mux::Mux::new(&config, Some(domain.clone())));
+    let domain: Arc<dyn Domain> = Arc::new(LocalDomain::new("local")?);
+    let mux = Rc::new(mux::Mux::new(Some(domain.clone())));
     Mux::set_mux(&mux);
 
     let front_end = opts.front_end.unwrap_or(config.front_end);
@@ -583,7 +581,7 @@ fn run_terminal_gui(config: Arc<config::Config>, opts: &StartCommand) -> Fallibl
         let tab = mux
             .default_domain()
             .spawn(PtySize::default(), cmd, window_id)?;
-        gui.spawn_new_window(mux.config(), &fontconfig, &tab, window_id)?;
+        gui.spawn_new_window(&fontconfig, &tab, window_id)?;
     }
 
     for dom in mux.iter_domains() {
@@ -658,7 +656,7 @@ fn run() -> Result<(), Error> {
         SubCommand::ImageCat(cmd) => cmd.run(),
         SubCommand::Cli(cli) => {
             let initial = true;
-            let client = Client::new_default_unix_domain(&config, initial)?;
+            let client = Client::new_default_unix_domain(initial)?;
             match cli.sub {
                 CliSubCommand::List => {
                     let cols = vec![
diff --git a/src/mux/domain.rs b/src/mux/domain.rs
index 47098132e..786bd1033 100644
--- a/src/mux/domain.rs
+++ b/src/mux/domain.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 //! container or actually remote, running on the other end
 //! of an ssh session somewhere.
 
-use crate::config::Config;
+use crate::config::configuration;
 use crate::localtab::LocalTab;
 use crate::mux::tab::Tab;
 use crate::mux::window::WindowId;
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ use log::info;
 use portable_pty::cmdbuilder::CommandBuilder;
 use portable_pty::{PtySize, PtySystem};
 use std::rc::Rc;
-use std::sync::Arc;
 
 static DOMAIN_ID: ::std::sync::atomic::AtomicUsize = ::std::sync::atomic::AtomicUsize::new(0);
 pub type DomainId = usize;
@@ -60,27 +59,20 @@ impl_downcast!(Domain);
 
 pub struct LocalDomain {
     pty_system: Box<dyn PtySystem>,
-    config: Arc<Config>,
     id: DomainId,
     name: String,
 }
 
 impl LocalDomain {
-    pub fn new(name: &str, config: &Arc<Config>) -> Result<Self, Error> {
-        let pty_system = config.pty.get()?;
-        Ok(Self::with_pty_system(name, config, pty_system))
+    pub fn new(name: &str) -> Result<Self, Error> {
+        let pty_system = configuration().pty.get()?;
+        Ok(Self::with_pty_system(name, pty_system))
     }
 
-    pub fn with_pty_system(
-        name: &str,
-        config: &Arc<Config>,
-        pty_system: Box<dyn PtySystem>,
-    ) -> Self {
-        let config = Arc::clone(config);
+    pub fn with_pty_system(name: &str, pty_system: Box<dyn PtySystem>) -> Self {
         let id = alloc_domain_id();
         Self {
             pty_system,
-            config,
             id,
             name: name.to_string(),
         }
@@ -94,9 +86,10 @@ impl Domain for LocalDomain {
         command: Option<CommandBuilder>,
         window: WindowId,
     ) -> Result<Rc<dyn Tab>, Error> {
+        let config = configuration();
         let cmd = match command {
             Some(c) => c,
-            None => self.config.build_prog(None)?,
+            None => config.build_prog(None)?,
         };
         let pair = self.pty_system.openpty(size)?;
         let child = pair.slave.spawn_command(cmd)?;
@@ -107,13 +100,13 @@ impl Domain for LocalDomain {
             size.cols as usize,
             size.pixel_width as usize,
             size.pixel_height as usize,
-            self.config.scrollback_lines.unwrap_or(3500),
-            self.config.hyperlink_rules.clone(),
+            config.scrollback_lines.unwrap_or(3500),
+            config.hyperlink_rules.clone(),
         );
 
         let mux = Mux::get().unwrap();
 
-        if let Some(palette) = mux.config().colors.as_ref() {
+        if let Some(palette) = config.colors.as_ref() {
             *terminal.palette_mut() = palette.clone().into();
         }
 
diff --git a/src/mux/mod.rs b/src/mux/mod.rs
index 2db32019d..e507d2757 100644
--- a/src/mux/mod.rs
+++ b/src/mux/mod.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use crate::config::Config;
+use crate::config::configuration;
 use crate::frontend::{executor, low_pri_executor};
 use crate::mux::tab::{Tab, TabId};
 use crate::mux::window::{Window, WindowId};
@@ -38,18 +38,17 @@ pub type MuxSubscriber = PollableReceiver<MuxNotification>;
 pub struct Mux {
     tabs: RefCell<HashMap<TabId, Rc<dyn Tab>>>,
     windows: RefCell<HashMap<WindowId, Window>>,
-    config: Arc<Config>,
     default_domain: RefCell<Option<Arc<dyn Domain>>>,
     domains: RefCell<HashMap<DomainId, Arc<dyn Domain>>>,
     domains_by_name: RefCell<HashMap<String, Arc<dyn Domain>>>,
     subscribers: RefCell<HashMap<usize, PollableSender<MuxNotification>>>,
 }
 
-fn read_from_tab_pty(config: Arc<Config>, tab_id: TabId, mut reader: Box<dyn std::io::Read>) {
+fn read_from_tab_pty(tab_id: TabId, mut reader: Box<dyn std::io::Read>) {
     const BUFSIZE: usize = 32 * 1024;
     let mut buf = [0; BUFSIZE];
 
-    let mut lim = RateLimiter::new(config.ratelimit_output_bytes_per_second);
+    let mut lim = RateLimiter::new(configuration().ratelimit_output_bytes_per_second);
 
     loop {
         match reader.read(&mut buf) {
@@ -133,7 +132,7 @@ thread_local! {
 }
 
 impl Mux {
-    pub fn new(config: &Arc<Config>, default_domain: Option<Arc<dyn Domain>>) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(default_domain: Option<Arc<dyn Domain>>) -> Self {
         let mut domains = HashMap::new();
         let mut domains_by_name = HashMap::new();
         if let Some(default_domain) = default_domain.as_ref() {
@@ -148,7 +147,6 @@ impl Mux {
         Self {
             tabs: RefCell::new(HashMap::new()),
             windows: RefCell::new(HashMap::new()),
-            config: Arc::clone(config),
             default_domain: RefCell::new(default_domain),
             domains_by_name: RefCell::new(domains_by_name),
             domains: RefCell::new(domains),
@@ -200,10 +198,6 @@ impl Mux {
             .insert(domain.domain_name().to_string(), Arc::clone(domain));
     }
 
-    pub fn config(&self) -> &Arc<Config> {
-        &self.config
-    }
-
     pub fn set_mux(mux: &Rc<Mux>) {
         MUX.with(|m| {
             *m.borrow_mut() = Some(Rc::clone(mux));
@@ -229,8 +223,7 @@ impl Mux {
 
         let reader = tab.reader()?;
         let tab_id = tab.tab_id();
-        let config = Arc::clone(&self.config);
-        thread::spawn(move || read_from_tab_pty(config, tab_id, reader));
+        thread::spawn(move || read_from_tab_pty(tab_id, reader));
 
         Ok(())
     }
diff --git a/src/server/client.rs b/src/server/client.rs
index d6343ea82..5086041cf 100644
--- a/src/server/client.rs
+++ b/src/server/client.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use crate::config::{Config, SshDomain, TlsDomainClient, UnixDomain};
+use crate::config::{configuration, SshDomain, TlsDomainClient, UnixDomain};
 use crate::frontend::executor;
 use crate::mux::domain::alloc_domain_id;
 use crate::mux::domain::DomainId;
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::io::{Read, Write};
 use std::net::TcpStream;
 use std::path::Path;
-use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::thread;
 use std::time::Duration;
 
@@ -567,17 +566,17 @@ impl Client {
         self.local_domain_id
     }
 
-    pub fn new_default_unix_domain(config: &Arc<Config>, initial: bool) -> Fallible<Self> {
+    pub fn new_default_unix_domain(initial: bool) -> Fallible<Self> {
+        let config = configuration();
         let unix_dom = config
             .unix_domains
             .first()
             .ok_or_else(|| err_msg("no default unix domain is configured"))?;
-        Self::new_unix_domain(alloc_domain_id(), config, unix_dom, initial)
+        Self::new_unix_domain(alloc_domain_id(), unix_dom, initial)
     }
 
     pub fn new_unix_domain(
         local_domain_id: DomainId,
-        _config: &Arc<Config>,
         unix_dom: &UnixDomain,
         initial: bool,
     ) -> Fallible<Self> {
@@ -587,22 +586,14 @@ impl Client {
         Ok(Self::new(local_domain_id, reconnectable))
     }
 
-    pub fn new_tls(
-        local_domain_id: DomainId,
-        _config: &Arc<Config>,
-        tls_client: &TlsDomainClient,
-    ) -> Fallible<Self> {
+    pub fn new_tls(local_domain_id: DomainId, tls_client: &TlsDomainClient) -> Fallible<Self> {
         let mut reconnectable =
             Reconnectable::new(ClientDomainConfig::Tls(tls_client.clone()), None);
         reconnectable.connect(true)?;
         Ok(Self::new(local_domain_id, reconnectable))
     }
 
-    pub fn new_ssh(
-        local_domain_id: DomainId,
-        _config: &Arc<Config>,
-        ssh_dom: &SshDomain,
-    ) -> Fallible<Self> {
+    pub fn new_ssh(local_domain_id: DomainId, ssh_dom: &SshDomain) -> Fallible<Self> {
         let mut reconnectable = Reconnectable::new(ClientDomainConfig::Ssh(ssh_dom.clone()), None);
         reconnectable.connect(true)?;
         Ok(Self::new(local_domain_id, reconnectable))
diff --git a/src/server/domain.rs b/src/server/domain.rs
index 86972ce9f..ba68a34e0 100644
--- a/src/server/domain.rs
+++ b/src/server/domain.rs
@@ -192,14 +192,10 @@ impl Domain for ClientDomain {
         let client = match &self.config {
             ClientDomainConfig::Unix(unix) => {
                 let initial = true;
-                Client::new_unix_domain(self.local_domain_id, mux.config(), unix, initial)?
-            }
-            ClientDomainConfig::Tls(tls) => {
-                Client::new_tls(self.local_domain_id, mux.config(), tls)?
-            }
-            ClientDomainConfig::Ssh(ssh) => {
-                Client::new_ssh(self.local_domain_id, mux.config(), ssh)?
+                Client::new_unix_domain(self.local_domain_id, unix, initial)?
             }
+            ClientDomainConfig::Tls(tls) => Client::new_tls(self.local_domain_id, tls)?,
+            ClientDomainConfig::Ssh(ssh) => Client::new_ssh(self.local_domain_id, ssh)?,
         };
 
         let inner = Arc::new(ClientInner::new(self.local_domain_id, client));
@@ -226,17 +222,14 @@ impl Domain for ClientDomain {
                 window.push(&tab);
             } else {
                 log::error!("spawn new local window");
-                let fonts = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(
-                    Arc::clone(mux.config()),
-                    FontSystemSelection::get_default(),
-                ));
+                let fonts = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(FontSystemSelection::get_default()));
                 let local_window_id = mux.new_empty_window();
                 inner.record_remote_to_local_window_mapping(entry.window_id, local_window_id);
                 mux.add_tab_to_window(&tab, local_window_id)?;
 
                 front_end()
                     .unwrap()
-                    .spawn_new_window(mux.config(), &fonts, &tab, local_window_id)
+                    .spawn_new_window(&fonts, &tab, local_window_id)
                     .unwrap();
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/server/listener.rs b/src/server/listener.rs
index d56409be9..32f82233a 100644
--- a/src/server/listener.rs
+++ b/src/server/listener.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use crate::config::{Config, TlsDomainServer, UnixDomain};
+use crate::config::{configuration, TlsDomainServer, UnixDomain};
 use crate::create_user_owned_dirs;
 use crate::frontend::executor;
 use crate::mux::tab::{Tab, TabId};
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ mod not_ossl {
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn spawn_tls_listener(_config: &Arc<Config>, tls_server: &TlsDomainServer) -> Fallible<()> {
+    pub fn spawn_tls_listener(tls_server: &TlsDomainServer) -> Fallible<()> {
         let identity = IdentitySource::PemFiles {
             key: tls_server
                 .pem_private_key
@@ -328,10 +328,7 @@ mod ossl {
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn spawn_tls_listener(
-        _config: &Arc<Config>,
-        tls_server: &TlsDomainServer,
-    ) -> Result<(), Error> {
+    pub fn spawn_tls_listener(tls_server: &TlsDomainServer) -> Result<(), Error> {
         openssl::init();
 
         let mut acceptor = SslAcceptor::mozilla_modern(SslMethod::tls())?;
@@ -428,9 +425,9 @@ struct ClientSurfaceState {
 
 impl ClientSurfaceState {
     fn new(cols: usize, rows: usize) -> Self {
-        let mux = Mux::get().expect("to be running on gui thread");
-        let push_limiter = RateLimiter::new(mux.config().ratelimit_mux_output_pushes_per_second);
-        let update_limiter = RateLimiter::new(mux.config().ratelimit_mux_output_scans_per_second);
+        let push_limiter = RateLimiter::new(configuration().ratelimit_mux_output_pushes_per_second);
+        let update_limiter =
+            RateLimiter::new(configuration().ratelimit_mux_output_scans_per_second);
         let surface = Surface::new(cols, rows);
         Self {
             surface,
@@ -890,16 +887,17 @@ fn safely_create_sock_path(unix_dom: &UnixDomain) -> Result<UnixListener, Error>
 }
 
 #[cfg(any(feature = "openssl", unix))]
-fn spawn_tls_listener(config: &Arc<Config>, tls_server: &TlsDomainServer) -> Fallible<()> {
-    ossl::spawn_tls_listener(config, tls_server)
+fn spawn_tls_listener(tls_server: &TlsDomainServer) -> Fallible<()> {
+    ossl::spawn_tls_listener(tls_server)
 }
 
 #[cfg(not(any(feature = "openssl", unix)))]
-fn spawn_tls_listener(config: &Arc<Config>, tls_server: &TlsDomainServer) -> Fallible<()> {
-    not_ossl::spawn_tls_listener(config, tls_server)
+fn spawn_tls_listener(tls_server: &TlsDomainServer) -> Fallible<()> {
+    not_ossl::spawn_tls_listener(tls_server)
 }
 
-pub fn spawn_listener(config: &Arc<Config>) -> Fallible<()> {
+pub fn spawn_listener() -> Fallible<()> {
+    let config = configuration();
     for unix_dom in &config.unix_domains {
         let mut listener = LocalListener::new(safely_create_sock_path(unix_dom)?);
         thread::spawn(move || {
@@ -908,7 +906,7 @@ pub fn spawn_listener(config: &Arc<Config>) -> Fallible<()> {
     }
 
     for tls_server in &config.tls_servers {
-        spawn_tls_listener(config, tls_server)?;
+        spawn_tls_listener(tls_server)?;
     }
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/src/ssh.rs b/src/ssh.rs
index ffbff50ef..01a2f9422 100644
--- a/src/ssh.rs
+++ b/src/ssh.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use crate::config::Config;
+use crate::config::configuration;
 use crate::localtab::LocalTab;
 use crate::mux::domain::{alloc_domain_id, Domain, DomainId, DomainState};
 use crate::mux::tab::Tab;
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ use std::io::Write;
 use std::net::TcpStream;
 use std::path::Path;
 use std::rc::Rc;
-use std::sync::Arc;
 use termwiz::cell::{unicode_column_width, AttributeChange, Intensity};
 use termwiz::lineedit::*;
 use termwiz::surface::Change;
@@ -316,22 +315,15 @@ pub fn ssh_connect(remote_address: &str, username: &str) -> Fallible<ssh2::Sessi
 
 pub struct RemoteSshDomain {
     pty_system: Box<dyn PtySystem>,
-    config: Arc<Config>,
     id: DomainId,
     name: String,
 }
 
 impl RemoteSshDomain {
-    pub fn with_pty_system(
-        name: &str,
-        config: &Arc<Config>,
-        pty_system: Box<dyn PtySystem>,
-    ) -> Self {
-        let config = Arc::clone(config);
+    pub fn with_pty_system(name: &str, pty_system: Box<dyn PtySystem>) -> Self {
         let id = alloc_domain_id();
         Self {
             pty_system,
-            config,
             id,
             name: name.to_string(),
         }
@@ -353,18 +345,20 @@ impl Domain for RemoteSshDomain {
         let child = pair.slave.spawn_command(cmd)?;
         log::info!("spawned: {:?}", child);
 
+        let config = configuration();
+
         let mut terminal = term::Terminal::new(
             size.rows as usize,
             size.cols as usize,
             size.pixel_width as usize,
             size.pixel_height as usize,
-            self.config.scrollback_lines.unwrap_or(3500),
-            self.config.hyperlink_rules.clone(),
+            config.scrollback_lines.unwrap_or(3500),
+            config.hyperlink_rules.clone(),
         );
 
         let mux = Mux::get().unwrap();
 
-        if let Some(palette) = mux.config().colors.as_ref() {
+        if let Some(palette) = configuration().colors.as_ref() {
             *terminal.palette_mut() = palette.clone().into();
         }
 
diff --git a/src/termwiztermtab.rs b/src/termwiztermtab.rs
index 778f8154d..c383fe164 100644
--- a/src/termwiztermtab.rs
+++ b/src/termwiztermtab.rs
@@ -432,12 +432,11 @@ pub fn run<T: Send + 'static, F: Send + 'static + Fn(TermWizTerminal) -> Fallibl
         mux.add_tab_to_window(&tab, window_id)?;
 
         let fontconfig = Rc::new(FontConfiguration::new(
-            Arc::clone(mux.config()),
             crate::font::FontSystemSelection::get_default(),
         ));
 
         let gui = front_end().unwrap();
-        gui.spawn_new_window(mux.config(), &fontconfig, &tab, window_id)?;
+        gui.spawn_new_window(&fontconfig, &tab, window_id)?;
 
         Ok(())
     });