diff --git a/kitty/config.py b/kitty/config.py
index 0f669f2f1..d97f4a2c0 100644
--- a/kitty/config.py
+++ b/kitty/config.py
@@ -241,6 +241,14 @@ def disable_ligatures_in(func, rest):
     return func, [where, strategy]
 
 
+@func_with_args('layout_action')
+def layout_action(func, rest):
+    parts = rest.split(maxsplit=1)
+    if not parts:
+        raise ValueError('layout_action must have at least one argument')
+    return func, [parts[0], tuple(parts[1:])]
+
+
 def parse_marker_spec(ftype, parts):
     flags = re.UNICODE
     if ftype in ('text', 'itext', 'regex', 'iregex'):
diff --git a/kitty/layout.py b/kitty/layout.py
index 1bf57e7d3..ca22ec717 100644
--- a/kitty/layout.py
+++ b/kitty/layout.py
@@ -457,6 +457,9 @@ class Layout:  # {{{
                 yield all_borders
             else:
                 yield no_borders
+
+    def layout_action(self, action_name, args, all_windows, active_window_idx):
+        pass
 # }}}
 
 
@@ -1363,6 +1366,27 @@ class Splits(Layout):
                 else:
                     p2.two = w1
 
+    def layout_action(self, action_name, args, all_windows, active_window_idx):
+        if action_name == 'rotate':
+            args = args or ('90',)
+            try:
+                amt = int(args[0])
+            except Exception:
+                amt = 90
+            if amt not in (90, 180, 270):
+                amt = 90
+            rotate = amt in (90, 270)
+            swap = amt in (180, 270)
+            w = all_windows[active_window_idx]
+            wid = w.overlay_for or w.id
+            pair = self.pairs_root.pair_for_window(wid)
+            if pair is not None and not pair.is_redundant:
+                if rotate:
+                    pair.horizontal = not pair.horizontal
+                if swap:
+                    pair.one, pair.two = pair.two, pair.one
+                return True
+
 # }}}
 
 
diff --git a/kitty/tabs.py b/kitty/tabs.py
index d8ad5e43f..9a0cc08f9 100644
--- a/kitty/tabs.py
+++ b/kitty/tabs.py
@@ -236,6 +236,15 @@ class Tab:  # {{{
         if self.current_layout.remove_all_biases():
             self.relayout()
 
+    def layout_action(self, action_name, args):
+        ret = self.current_layout.layout_action(action_name, args, self.windows, self.active_window_idx)
+        if ret is None:
+            ring_bell()
+            return
+        if isinstance(ret, int) and not isinstance(ret, bool):
+            self.active_window_idx = ret
+        self.relayout()
+
     def launch_child(self, use_shell=False, cmd=None, stdin=None, cwd_from=None, cwd=None, env=None, allow_remote_control=False):
         if cmd is None:
             if use_shell: