diff --git a/kitty/config.py b/kitty/config.py
index a037906d7..829403a01 100644
--- a/kitty/config.py
+++ b/kitty/config.py
@@ -111,6 +111,8 @@ def parse_key_action(action):
         args = rest.split(' ', 2)
     elif func == 'goto_tab':
         args = (max(0, int(rest)), )
+    elif func == 'goto_layout':
+        args = [rest]
     elif func in shlex_actions:
         args = shlex.split(rest)
     return KeyAction(func, args)
@@ -348,7 +350,7 @@ def parse_config(lines, check_keys=True):
 
 Options, defaults = init_config(default_config_path, parse_config)
 actions = frozenset(a.func for a in defaults.keymap.values()) | frozenset(
-    'combine send_text goto_tab new_tab_with_cwd new_window_with_cwd new_os_window_with_cwd'.
+    'combine send_text goto_tab goto_layout new_tab_with_cwd new_window_with_cwd new_os_window_with_cwd'.
     split()
 )
 no_op_actions = frozenset({'noop', 'no-op', 'no_op'})
diff --git a/kitty/kitty.conf b/kitty/kitty.conf
index 153b741db..268af8df6 100644
--- a/kitty/kitty.conf
+++ b/kitty/kitty.conf
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ focus_follows_mouse no
 
 # The enabled window layouts. A comma separated list of layout names. The special value * means
 # all layouts. The first listed layout will be used as the startup layout.
-# For a list of available layouts, see the file layouts.py
+# For a list of available layouts, see the README.
 enabled_layouts *
 
 # If enabled, the window size will be remembered so that new instances of kitty will have the same
@@ -336,6 +336,12 @@ map ctrl+shift+,        move_tab_backward
 # commands to run when using new_tab and use new_tab_with_cwd.
 
 
+# Layout management
+# You can create shortcuts to switch to specific layouts
+# map ctrl+alt+1          goto_layout tall
+# map ctrl+alt+2          goto_layout stack
+
+
 # Miscellaneous
 map ctrl+shift+equal    increase_font_size
 map ctrl+shift+minus    decrease_font_size
diff --git a/kitty/tabs.py b/kitty/tabs.py
index b71a3573b..6c6b51e1e 100644
--- a/kitty/tabs.py
+++ b/kitty/tabs.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ from .fast_data_types import (
 )
 from .layout import Rect, all_layouts
 from .session import resolved_shell
-from .utils import color_as_int
+from .utils import color_as_int, log_error
 from .window import Window, calculate_gl_geometry
 
 TabbarData = namedtuple('TabbarData', 'title is_active is_last')
@@ -116,6 +116,14 @@ class Tab:  # {{{
             self.current_layout = self.create_layout_object(nl)
             self.relayout()
 
+    def goto_layout(self, layout_name):
+        layout_name = layout_name.lower()
+        if layout_name not in self.enabled_layouts:
+            log_error('Unknown or disabled layout: {}'.format(layout_name))
+            return
+        self.current_layout = self.create_layout_object(layout_name)
+        self.relayout()
+
     def launch_child(self, use_shell=False, cmd=None, stdin=None, cwd_from=None, cwd=None):
         if cmd is None:
             if use_shell: