diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index a9703fc..f51b734 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@
 weechat:
   # should we install weechat?
   install: true
+  # autostart weechat via systemd in a tmux session?
+  autostart: true
   # should we configure weechat
-  configure: true
+  configure: false
   # user to install and use weechat
   user: "{{ ansible_user_id }}"
   # where is our home direcotory for weechat
diff --git a/files/weechat.service b/files/weechat.service
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b0658c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/files/weechat.service
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=Weechat Chat Client
+
+[Service]
+Type=oneshot
+RemainAfterExit=yes
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/tmux -2 new-session -d -s weechat /usr/bin/weechat
+ExecStop=/usr/bin/tmux kill-session -t weechat
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=network.target
diff --git a/tasks/main.yml b/tasks/main.yml
index 5eff529..8588fc6 100644
--- a/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/tasks/main.yml
@@ -11,3 +11,6 @@
 
 #- include_tasks: plugins.yml
 #  when: configure_weechat | bool
+
+- include_tasks: setup_autostart.yml
+  when: weechat.autostart | bool
diff --git a/tasks/setup_autostart.yml b/tasks/setup_autostart.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f82ff1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tasks/setup_autostart.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+---
+- name: install tmux to launch weechat
+  become: true
+  package:
+    name: tmux
+    state: present
+  when: weechat.install | bool
+
+- name: copy systemd service for weechat
+  become: true
+  copy:
+    src: files/weechat.service
+    dest: /etc/systemd/system/weechat.service
+    owner: root
+    group: root
+    mode: '0644'
+
+- name: start and enable weechat.service
+  become: true
+  systemd:
+    state: started
+    name: weechat.service
+    daemon_reload: yes
diff --git a/vars/main.yml b/vars/main.yml
index b301a2c..6452013 100644
--- a/vars/main.yml
+++ b/vars/main.yml
@@ -9,13 +9,14 @@ weechat_plugin_languages:
   lua: lua
 
 # version management
-playbook_version_number: 2050 # should be over ninethousand
+playbook_version_number: 2051 # should be over ninethousand
 playbook_version_path: 'role-weechat_roles-ansible_github.com.version'
 
 # default values
 _weechat:
   install: true
-  configure: true
+  autostart: true
+  configure: false
   user: "{{ ansible_user_id }}"
   home_directory: "/home/{{ weechat_user }}/.weechat"
   plugins: []