diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 18df34ab..3b81f032 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ EXTRA_DIST= \
 	rak/file_stat.h \
 	rak/functional.h \
 	rak/functional_fun.h \
+	rak/path.h \
 	rak/priority_queue.h \
 	rak/priority_queue_default.h \
 	rak/regex.h \
diff --git a/src/option_file.cc b/rak/path.h
similarity index 69%
rename from src/option_file.cc
rename to rak/path.h
index fc888ce7..c4047f71 100644
--- a/src/option_file.cc
+++ b/rak/path.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// rTorrent - BitTorrent client
+// rak - Rakshasa's toolbox
 // Copyright (C) 2005-2006, Jari Sundell
 //
 // This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -34,37 +34,30 @@
 //           Skomakerveien 33
 //           3185 Skoppum, NORWAY
 
-#include "config.h"
+// Various functions for manipulating file paths. Also consider making
+// a directory iterator.
 
-#include <fstream>
-#include <stdexcept>
-#include <stdio.h>
-#include <torrent/exceptions.h>
+#ifndef RAK_PATH_H
+#define RAK_PATH_H
 
-#include "option_file.h"
+#include <cstdlib>
+#include <string>
 
-bool
-OptionFile::process_file(const std::string& filename) {
-  std::fstream file(filename.c_str(), std::ios::in);
+namespace rak {
 
-  if (!file.good())
-    return false;
+inline std::string
+path_expand(const std::string& path) {
+  if (path.empty() || path[0] != '~')
+    return path;
 
-  int lineNumber = 0;
-  char buffer[max_size_line];
+  char* home = std::getenv("HOME");
 
-  try {
-
-    while (file.getline(buffer, max_size_line).good()) {
-      lineNumber++;
-      m_slotOption(buffer);
-    }
-
-  } catch (torrent::input_error& e) {
-    snprintf(buffer, max_size_line, "Error in option file: %s:%i: %s", filename.c_str(), lineNumber, e.what());
-
-    throw std::runtime_error(buffer);
-  }
-
-  return true;
+  if (home == NULL)
+    return path;
+  
+  return home + path.substr(1);
 }
+
+}
+
+#endif
diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index 0d2b631f..7c60c6bb 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -24,8 +24,6 @@ rtorrent_SOURCES = \
 	globals.cc \
 	globals.h \
 	main.cc \
-	option_file.cc \
-	option_file.h \
 	option_handler_rules.cc \
 	option_handler_rules.h \
 	option_parser.cc \
diff --git a/src/core/download.cc b/src/core/download.cc
index 9b47b6ab..61963b20 100644
--- a/src/core/download.cc
+++ b/src/core/download.cc
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@
 #include <sigc++/bind.h>
 #include <sigc++/hide.h>
 #include <sigc++/signal.h>
+#include <rak/path.h>
 #include <torrent/exceptions.h>
 #include <torrent/torrent.h>
 
@@ -217,15 +218,19 @@ Download::receive_chunk_failed(__UNUSED uint32_t idx) {
 
 // Clean up.
 void
-Download::set_root_directory(const std::string& d) {
-  if (d.empty())
+Download::set_root_directory(const std::string& path) {
+  if (path.empty()) {
     m_download.set_root_dir("./" + (m_download.size_file_entries() > 1 ? m_download.name() : std::string()));
-  else
-    m_download.set_root_dir(d +
-			    (*d.rbegin() != '/' ? "/" : "") +
+
+  } else {
+    std::string fullPath = rak::path_expand(path);
+
+    m_download.set_root_dir(fullPath +
+			    (*fullPath.rbegin() != '/' ? "/" : "") +
 			    (m_download.size_file_entries() > 1 ? m_download.name() : ""));
+  }
 
-  m_download.bencode().get_key("rtorrent").insert_key("directory", d);
+  m_download.bencode().get_key("rtorrent").insert_key("directory", path);
 }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/core/download.h b/src/core/download.h
index 1557491f..c7187582 100644
--- a/src/core/download.h
+++ b/src/core/download.h
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ private:
   const char*        connection_current() const                    { return connection_type_to_string(m_download.connection_type()); }
   void               set_connection_current(const std::string& t)  { return m_download.set_connection_type(string_to_connection_type(t.c_str())); }
 
-  void               set_root_directory(const std::string& d);
+  void               set_root_directory(const std::string& path);
 
   torrent::Download  m_download;
 
diff --git a/src/core/download_factory.cc b/src/core/download_factory.cc
index b0455bf2..9f2b4407 100644
--- a/src/core/download_factory.cc
+++ b/src/core/download_factory.cc
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 #include <fstream>
 #include <sstream>
 #include <stdexcept>
+#include <rak/path.h>
 #include <torrent/bencode.h>
 #include <torrent/exceptions.h>
 
@@ -108,7 +109,7 @@ DownloadFactory::receive_load() {
     m_variables.set("tied_to_file", (int64_t)false);
 
   } else {
-    m_stream = new std::fstream(m_uri.c_str(), std::ios::in);
+    m_stream = new std::fstream(rak::path_expand(m_uri).c_str(), std::ios::in);
 
     if (m_stream->good())
       receive_loaded();
diff --git a/src/core/download_store.cc b/src/core/download_store.cc
index 47fb92a4..5a7a216b 100644
--- a/src/core/download_store.cc
+++ b/src/core/download_store.cc
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@
 #include <fstream>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <unistd.h>
+#include <rak/path.h>
 #include <rak/string_manip.h>
 #include <torrent/bencode.h>
 #include <torrent/exceptions.h>
@@ -82,9 +83,9 @@ DownloadStore::set_path(const std::string& path) {
     throw torrent::input_error("Tried to change session directory while it is enabled.");
 
   if (!path.empty() && *path.rbegin() != '/')
-    m_path = path + '/';
+    m_path = rak::path_expand(path + '/');
   else
-    m_path = path;
+    m_path = rak::path_expand(path);
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/src/main.cc b/src/main.cc
index 9d4b7e32..70e86d4a 100644
--- a/src/main.cc
+++ b/src/main.cc
@@ -68,7 +68,6 @@
 #include "control.h"
 #include "globals.h"
 #include "signal_handler.h"
-#include "option_file.h"
 #include "option_handler_rules.h"
 #include "option_parser.h"
 #include "command_scheduler.h"
@@ -166,10 +165,8 @@ main(int argc, char** argv) {
 
     control->core()->initialize_first();
 
-    OptionFile optionFile;
-    optionFile.slot_option(sigc::mem_fun(control->variables(), &utils::VariableMap::process_command));
-
-    if (getenv("HOME") && !optionFile.process_file(getenv("HOME") + std::string("/.rtorrent.rc")))
+    // Move env and go through "try_import".
+    if (!control->variables()->process_file("~/.rtorrent.rc"))
       control->core()->get_log_important().push_front("Could not load \"~/.rtorrent.rc\".");
 
     int firstArg = parse_options(control, control->variables(), argc, argv);
diff --git a/src/option_file.h b/src/option_file.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 7d04f86f..00000000
--- a/src/option_file.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,64 +0,0 @@
-// rTorrent - BitTorrent client
-// Copyright (C) 2005-2006, Jari Sundell
-//
-// This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
-// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-// the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
-// (at your option) any later version.
-// 
-// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-// GNU General Public License for more details.
-// 
-// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-// along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
-// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
-//
-// In addition, as a special exception, the copyright holders give
-// permission to link the code of portions of this program with the
-// OpenSSL library under certain conditions as described in each
-// individual source file, and distribute linked combinations
-// including the two.
-//
-// You must obey the GNU General Public License in all respects for
-// all of the code used other than OpenSSL.  If you modify file(s)
-// with this exception, you may extend this exception to your version
-// of the file(s), but you are not obligated to do so.  If you do not
-// wish to do so, delete this exception statement from your version.
-// If you delete this exception statement from all source files in the
-// program, then also delete it here.
-//
-// Contact:  Jari Sundell <jaris@ifi.uio.no>
-//
-//           Skomakerveien 33
-//           3185 Skoppum, NORWAY
-
-#ifndef RTORRENT_OPTION_FILE_H
-#define RTORRENT_OPTION_FILE_H
-
-#include <string>
-#include <sigc++/slot.h>
-
-class OptionFile {
-public:
-  static const int max_size_key = 128;
-  static const int max_size_opt = 1024;
-  static const int max_size_line = max_size_key + max_size_opt + 64;
-
-  typedef sigc::slot1<void, const std::string&> SlotStringPair;
-  
-  // Returns false when the file doesn't exist or cannot be opened.
-  bool                process_file(const std::string& filename);
-
-  void                slot_option(const SlotStringPair& s) { m_slotOption = s; }
-
-private:
-  void                parse_line(const char* line);
-
-  static char*        fill_buffer(int fd, char* buffer, char* first, char* last);
-
-  SlotStringPair      m_slotOption;
-};
-
-#endif
diff --git a/src/option_handler_rules.cc b/src/option_handler_rules.cc
index 8276d411..7c639725 100644
--- a/src/option_handler_rules.cc
+++ b/src/option_handler_rules.cc
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@
 #include <sys/stat.h>
 #include <rak/file_stat.h>
 #include <rak/functional.h>
+#include <rak/path.h>
 #include <rak/string_manip.h>
 #include <torrent/bencode.h>
 #include <torrent/exceptions.h>
@@ -116,7 +117,7 @@ apply_stop_untied(Control* m, __UNUSED const std::string& arg) {
 	 != m->core()->download_list().end()) {
     rak::file_stat fs;
 
-    if (!fs.update((*itr)->variable_string("tied_to_file"))) {
+    if (!fs.update(rak::path_expand((*itr)->variable_string("tied_to_file")))) {
       (*itr)->variables()->set("tied_to_file", std::string());
       m->core()->stop(*itr);
     }
@@ -135,7 +136,7 @@ apply_remove_untied(Control* m, __UNUSED const std::string& arg) {
 	 != m->core()->download_list().end()) {
     rak::file_stat fs;
 
-    if (!fs.update((*itr)->variable_string("tied_to_file"))) {
+    if (!fs.update(rak::path_expand((*itr)->variable_string("tied_to_file")))) {
       (*itr)->variables()->set("tied_to_file", std::string());
       m->core()->stop(*itr);
       itr = m->core()->erase(itr);
@@ -183,6 +184,8 @@ initialize_option_handler(Control* c) {
   variables->insert("max_open_sockets",    new utils::VariableSlotValue<int, uint32_t>(NULL, rak::ptr_fn(&torrent::set_max_open_sockets), "%i"));
 
   variables->insert("print",               new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::mem_fn(control->core(), &core::Manager::push_log)));
+  variables->insert("import",              new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::mem_fn(control->variables(), &utils::VariableMap::process_file_throw)));
+  variables->insert("try_import",          new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::mem_fn(control->variables(), &utils::VariableMap::process_file_nothrow)));
 
   variables->insert("schedule",            new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::mem_fn<const std::string&>(c->command_scheduler(), &CommandScheduler::parse)));
   variables->insert("schedule_remove",     new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::mem_fn<const std::string&>(c->command_scheduler(), &CommandScheduler::erase)));
diff --git a/src/utils/directory.cc b/src/utils/directory.cc
index 79f97fc7..b692ff54 100644
--- a/src/utils/directory.cc
+++ b/src/utils/directory.cc
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@
 #include <functional>
 #include <stdexcept>
 #include <dirent.h>
+#include <rak/path.h>
 
 #include "directory.h"
 
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ Directory::is_valid() const {
   if (m_path.empty())
     return false;
 
-  DIR* d = opendir(m_path.c_str());
+  DIR* d = opendir(rak::path_expand(m_path).c_str());
   closedir(d);
 
   return d;
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ Directory::update(bool hideDot) {
   if (m_path.empty())
     throw std::logic_error("Directory::update() tried to open an empty path");
 
-  DIR* d = opendir(m_path.c_str());
+  DIR* d = opendir(rak::path_expand(m_path).c_str());
 
   if (d == NULL)
     return false;
diff --git a/src/utils/variable_map.cc b/src/utils/variable_map.cc
index a18e7659..d4fd33f8 100644
--- a/src/utils/variable_map.cc
+++ b/src/utils/variable_map.cc
@@ -36,9 +36,12 @@
 
 #include "config.h"
 
-#include <cctype>
 #include <algorithm>
+#include <cstdio>
+#include <cctype>
+#include <fstream>
 #include <rak/functional.h>
+#include <rak/path.h>
 #include <torrent/exceptions.h>
 #include <torrent/bencode.h>
 
@@ -83,6 +86,12 @@ VariableMap::set(const std::string& key, const mapped_type& arg) {
   itr->second->set(arg);
 }
 
+struct variable_map_is_space : std::unary_function<char, bool> {
+  bool operator () (char c) const {
+    return std::isspace(c);
+  }
+};
+
 std::string::const_iterator
 parse_name(std::string::const_iterator first, std::string::const_iterator last, std::string* dest) {
   if (first == last || !std::isalpha(*first))
@@ -109,7 +118,7 @@ parse_unknown(std::string::const_iterator first, std::string::const_iterator las
 
   } else {
     // Add rak::or and check for ','.
-    std::string::const_iterator next = std::find_if(first, last, std::ptr_fun(&std::isspace));
+    std::string::const_iterator next = std::find_if(first, last, variable_map_is_space());
 
     *dest = std::string(first, next);
     return next;
@@ -118,13 +127,13 @@ parse_unknown(std::string::const_iterator first, std::string::const_iterator las
 
 std::string::const_iterator
 parse_args(std::string::const_iterator first, std::string::const_iterator last, VariableMap::mapped_type::List* dest) {
-  first = std::find_if(first, last, std::not1(std::ptr_fun(&std::isspace)));
+  first = std::find_if(first, last, std::not1(variable_map_is_space()));
 
   while (first != last) {
     dest->push_back(VariableMap::mapped_type());
 
     first = parse_unknown(first, last, &dest->back());
-    first = std::find_if(first, last, std::not1(std::ptr_fun(&std::isspace)));
+    first = std::find_if(first, last, std::not1(variable_map_is_space()));
 
     if (first != last && *first != ',')
       throw torrent::input_error("A string with blanks must be quoted.");
@@ -136,7 +145,7 @@ parse_args(std::string::const_iterator first, std::string::const_iterator last,
 void
 VariableMap::process_command(const std::string& command) {
   std::string::const_iterator pos = command.begin();
-  pos = std::find_if(pos, command.end(), std::not1(std::ptr_fun(&std::isspace)));
+  pos = std::find_if(pos, command.end(), std::not1(variable_map_is_space()));
 
   if (pos == command.end() || *pos == '#')
     return;
@@ -144,7 +153,7 @@ VariableMap::process_command(const std::string& command) {
   // Replace with parse_unknown?
   std::string key;
   pos = parse_name(pos, command.end(), &key);
-  pos = std::find_if(pos, command.end(), std::not1(std::ptr_fun(&std::isspace)));
+  pos = std::find_if(pos, command.end(), std::not1(variable_map_is_space()));
   
   if (pos == command.end() || *pos != '=')
     throw torrent::input_error("Could not find '='.");
@@ -162,4 +171,42 @@ VariableMap::process_command(const std::string& command) {
     set(key, args);
 }
 
+bool
+VariableMap::process_file(const std::string& path) {
+  std::fstream file(rak::path_expand(path).c_str(), std::ios::in);
+
+  if (!file.good())
+    return false;
+
+  int lineNumber = 0;
+  char buffer[max_size_line];
+
+  try {
+
+    while (file.getline(buffer, max_size_line).good()) {
+      lineNumber++;
+      // Would be nice to make this zero-copy.
+      process_command(buffer);
+    }
+
+  } catch (torrent::input_error& e) {
+    snprintf(buffer, max_size_line, "Error in option file: %s:%i: %s", path.c_str(), lineNumber, e.what());
+
+    throw torrent::input_error(buffer);
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}
+
+void
+VariableMap::process_file_throw(const std::string& path) {
+  if (!process_file(path))
+    throw torrent::input_error("Could not open option file: " + path);
+}
+
+void
+VariableMap::process_file_nothrow(const std::string& path) {
+  process_file(path);
+}
+
 }
diff --git a/src/utils/variable_map.h b/src/utils/variable_map.h
index b1c00551..3b4beb62 100644
--- a/src/utils/variable_map.h
+++ b/src/utils/variable_map.h
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 
 #include <map>
 #include <string>
+#include <iosfwd>
 #include <torrent/bencode.h>
 
 namespace utils {
@@ -50,6 +51,10 @@ public:
   typedef std::map<std::string, Variable*> base_type;
   typedef torrent::Bencode                 mapped_type;
 
+  static const int max_size_key = 128;
+  static const int max_size_opt = 1024;
+  static const int max_size_line = max_size_key + max_size_opt + 64;
+
   using base_type::iterator;
   using base_type::value_type;
 
@@ -66,8 +71,12 @@ public:
   void                set(const std::string& key, const mapped_type& arg);
   void                set_string(const std::string& key, const std::string& arg) { set(key, mapped_type(arg)); }
 
-  // Temporary.
+  // Relocate.
   void                process_command(const std::string& command);
+  void                process_stream(std::istream* str);
+  bool                process_file(const std::string& path);
+  void                process_file_throw(const std::string& path);
+  void                process_file_nothrow(const std::string& path);
 
 private:
   VariableMap(const VariableMap&);