diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0392010..fea6241 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -65,6 +65,10 @@ you can also cycle the list in both directions
 :lua require("harpoon.ui").nav_next()                   -- navigates to next mark
 :lua require("harpoon.ui").nav_prev()                   -- navigates to previous mark
 ```
+from the quickmenu, open a file in: 
+a vertical split with control+v,
+a horizontal split with control+x, 
+a new tab with control+t
 
 ### Terminal Navigation
 this works like file navigation except that if there is no terminal at the specified index
diff --git a/lua/harpoon/init.lua b/lua/harpoon/init.lua
index 88aaa3d..d96a7b7 100644
--- a/lua/harpoon/init.lua
+++ b/lua/harpoon/init.lua
@@ -20,6 +20,38 @@ vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd({ "BufLeave, VimLeave" }, {
     group = the_primeagen_harpoon,
 })
 
+vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("FileType", {
+    pattern = "harpoon",
+    group = the_primeagen_harpoon,
+
+    callback = function()
+        -- Open harpoon file choice in useful ways
+        --
+        -- vertical split (control+v)
+        vim.keymap.set("n", "<C-V>", function()
+            local curline = vim.api.nvim_get_current_line()
+            local working_directory = vim.fn.getcwd() .. "/"
+            vim.cmd("vs")
+            vim.cmd("e " .. working_directory .. curline)
+        end, { buffer=true, noremap = true, silent = true })
+
+        -- horizontal split (control+x)
+        vim.keymap.set("n", "<C-x>", function()
+            local curline = vim.api.nvim_get_current_line()
+            local working_directory = vim.fn.getcwd() .. "/"
+            vim.cmd("sp")
+            vim.cmd("e " .. working_directory .. curline)
+        end, { buffer=true, noremap = true, silent = true })
+
+        -- new tab (control+t)
+        vim.keymap.set("n", "<C-t>", function()
+            local curline = vim.api.nvim_get_current_line()
+            local working_directory = vim.fn.getcwd() .. "/"
+            vim.cmd("tabnew")
+            vim.cmd("e " .. working_directory .. curline)
+        end, { buffer=true, noremap = true, silent = true })
+    end
+})
 --[[
 {
     projects = {