diff --git a/src/jam b/src/jam
index da0a3ad..782edcb 100755
--- a/src/jam
+++ b/src/jam
@@ -1,16 +1,67 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 
+import sys
+import os.path,os
+import filecheck
+
+## read cli before loading kivy, in case there are errors
+
+# read cli
+openfile=""
+lattice=""
+def read_cli():
+    global openfile
+    global lattice
+
+    # init flag
+    flag=""
+
+    # loop over arguments
+    for arg in sys.argv[1:]:
+        # option flag
+        if arg[0]=='-':
+            # loop over options
+            for c in arg[1:]:
+                # lattice
+                if c=='L':
+                    flag="lattice"
+
+        else:
+            # read lattice argument
+            if flag=="lattice":
+                if arg!="square":
+                    print("error: unrecognized lattice: '"+arg+"'",file=sys.stderr)
+                    exit(-1)
+                lattice=arg
+                # reset flag
+                flag=""
+
+            # no flags
+            else:
+                openfile=arg
+                (ret,message)=filecheck.check_edit(openfile)
+                if ret<0:
+                    print(message,file=sys.stderr)
+                    exit(-1)
+
+# read cli
+read_cli()
+
+
+## import kivy
+
+# disable kivy argument parser
+os.environ["KIVY_NO_ARGS"] = "1"
+
 from kivy.app import App
 from kivy.uix.widget import Widget
 from kivy.uix.boxlayout import BoxLayout
 from kivy.config import Config
-import sys
-import os.path
 
 from painter import Painter
 from status_bar import Status_bar
 from command_prompt import Command_prompt
-import filecheck
+from lattice import Square_lattice
 
 # App class
 class Jam_app(App):
@@ -21,6 +72,9 @@ class Jam_app(App):
         # the file open for editing
         self.openfile=kwargs.get("openfile","")
 
+        # the lattice open for editing
+        self.lattice=kwargs.get("lattice","")
+
         # readonly mode
         self.readonly=False
 
@@ -37,6 +91,10 @@ class Jam_app(App):
         # command prompt
         self.command_prompt=Command_prompt(self)
 
+        # load lattice
+        if self.lattice=="square":
+            self.painter.lattice=Square_lattice()
+
         layout.add_widget(self.painter)
         layout.add_widget(self.status_bar)
         layout.add_widget(self.command_prompt)
@@ -56,16 +114,6 @@ Config.set('input', 'mouse', 'mouse,disable_multitouch')
 # do not exit on escape
 Config.set('kivy', 'exit_on_escape', 0)
 
-# read cli
-openfile=""
-if len(sys.argv)==2:
-    openfile=sys.argv[1]
-    # check file
-    (ret,message)=filecheck.check_edit(openfile)
-    if ret<0:
-        print(message,file=sys.stderr)
-        exit(-1)
-
 # run
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    Jam_app(openfile=openfile).run()
+    Jam_app(openfile=openfile,lattice=lattice).run()