diff --git a/dist/commands/alias.js b/dist/commands/alias.js
index ba15634..39aed34 100755
--- a/dist/commands/alias.js
+++ b/dist/commands/alias.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 var alias = {
   exec: function exec(args, options) {
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return alias;
   }
   vorpal.api.alias = alias;
-  vorpal.command('alias [name...]').option('-p', 'print all defined aliases in a reusable format').action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('alias [name...]').parse(preparser).option('-p', 'print all defined aliases in a reusable format').action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     args.options.vorpal = vorpal;
     return interfacer.call(this, {
diff --git a/dist/commands/boilerplate.js b/dist/commands/boilerplate.js
index 676c039..431f7b0 100755
--- a/dist/commands/boilerplate.js
+++ b/dist/commands/boilerplate.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 /**
  * This is a boilerplate for implementing a new command.
@@ -81,7 +82,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
    * descriptions should exactly emulate
    * existing commands.
    */
-  vorpal.command('cmdName [files...]').option('-o, --option', 'option description').action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('cmdName [files...]').parse(preparser).option('-o, --option', 'option description').action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     /**
      * The interfacer method does a
diff --git a/dist/commands/cat.js b/dist/commands/cat.js
index 4ed1950..e1f0abb 100755
--- a/dist/commands/cat.js
+++ b/dist/commands/cat.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ var fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 var fetch = require('./../util/fetch');
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 var lpad = require('./../util/lpad');
 var strip = require('./../util/stripAnsi');
 
@@ -102,7 +103,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return cat;
   }
   vorpal.api.cat = cat;
-  vorpal.command('cat [files...]').option('-A, --show-all', 'equivalent to -vET').option('-b, --number-nonblank', 'number nonempty output lines, overrides -n').option('-e', 'equivalent to -vE').option('-E, --show-ends', 'display $ at end of each line').option('-n, --number', 'number all output lines').option('-s, --squeeze-blank', 'suppress repeated empty output lines').option('-t', 'equivalent to -vT').option('-T, --show-tabs', 'display TAB characters as ^I').option('-v, --show-nonprinting', 'use ^ and M- notation, except for LFD and TAB') // this doesn't work yet...
+  vorpal.command('cat [files...]').parse(preparser).option('-A, --show-all', 'equivalent to -vET').option('-b, --number-nonblank', 'number nonempty output lines, overrides -n').option('-e', 'equivalent to -vE').option('-E, --show-ends', 'display $ at end of each line').option('-n, --number', 'number all output lines').option('-s, --squeeze-blank', 'suppress repeated empty output lines').option('-t', 'equivalent to -vT').option('-T, --show-tabs', 'display TAB characters as ^I').option('-v, --show-nonprinting', 'use ^ and M- notation, except for LFD and TAB') // this doesn't work yet...
   .autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, cb) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     return interfacer.call(this, {
diff --git a/dist/commands/cd.js b/dist/commands/cd.js
index c2299bc..af243c2 100755
--- a/dist/commands/cd.js
+++ b/dist/commands/cd.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ var fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 var delimiter = require('./../delimiter');
 
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 var cd = {
   exec: function exec(dir, options) {
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return cd;
   }
   vorpal.api.cd = cd;
-  vorpal.command('cd [dir]').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete({ directory: true })).action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('cd [dir]').parse(preparser).autocomplete(fsAutocomplete({ directory: true })).action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     args.options.vorpal = vorpal;
     return interfacer.call(this, {
diff --git a/dist/commands/cp.js b/dist/commands/cp.js
index b6b16a5..1a52005 100755
--- a/dist/commands/cp.js
+++ b/dist/commands/cp.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ var os = require('os');
 
 var expand = require('./../util/expand');
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 var cp = {
   exec: function exec(args, options) {
@@ -194,7 +195,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return cp;
   }
   vorpal.api.cp = cp;
-  vorpal.command('cp [args...]').option('-f, --force', 'do not prompt before overwriting').option('-n, --no-clobber', 'do not overwrite an existing file').option('-r, --recursive', 'copy directories recursively').option('-R', 'copy directories recursively').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('cp [args...]').parse(preparser).option('-f, --force', 'do not prompt before overwriting').option('-n, --no-clobber', 'do not overwrite an existing file').option('-r, --recursive', 'copy directories recursively').option('-R', 'copy directories recursively').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     return interfacer.call(this, {
       command: cp,
diff --git a/dist/commands/kill.js b/dist/commands/kill.js
index 0a0f0cc..9e414a4 100755
--- a/dist/commands/kill.js
+++ b/dist/commands/kill.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ var fkill = require('fkill');
 var os = require('os');
 
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 var usage = 'kill: usage: kill [-s sigspec | -n signum | -sigspec] pid | jobspec ... or kill -l [sigspec]';
 var windows = os.platform().indexOf('win') > -1;
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return kill;
   }
   vorpal.api.kill = kill;
-  vorpal.command('kill [process...]').option('-9', 'sigkill').option('-s [sig]', 'sig is a signal name').option('-n [sig]', 'sig is a signal number').option('-l [sigspec]', 'list the signal names').action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('kill [process...]').parse(preparser).option('-9', 'sigkill').option('-s [sig]', 'sig is a signal name').option('-n [sig]', 'sig is a signal number').option('-l [sigspec]', 'list the signal names').action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     args.options.vorpal = vorpal;
     return interfacer.call(this, {
diff --git a/dist/commands/ls.js b/dist/commands/ls.js
index 7e621a6..b5ae1dd 100755
--- a/dist/commands/ls.js
+++ b/dist/commands/ls.js
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ var columnify = require('./../util/columnify');
 var dateConverter = require('./../util/converter.date');
 var fileFromPath = require('./../util/fileFromPath');
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 var pad = require('./../util/pad');
 var lpad = require('./../util/lpad');
 var permissionsConverter = require('./../util/converter.permissions');
@@ -345,7 +346,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return ls;
   }
   vorpal.api.ls = ls;
-  vorpal.command('ls [paths...]').option('-a, --all', 'do not ignore entries starting with .').option('-A, --almost-all', 'do not list implied . and ..').option('-d, --directory', 'list directory entries instead of contents, and do not dereference symbolic links').option('-F, --classify', 'append indicator (one of */=>@|) to entries').option('-h, --human-readable', 'with -l, print sizes in human readable format (e.g., 1K 234M 2G)').option('-i, --inode', 'print the index number of each file').option('-l', 'use a long listing format').option('-Q, --quote-name', 'enclose entry names in double quotes').option('-r, --reverse', 'reverse order while sorting').option('-R, --recursive', 'list subdirectories recursively').option('-S', 'sort by file size').option('-t', 'sort by modification time, newest first').option('-U', 'do not sort; list entries in directory order').option('-w, --width [COLS]', 'assume screen width instead of current value').option('-x', 'list entries by lines instead of columns').option('-1', 'list one file per line').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, cb) {
+  vorpal.command('ls [paths...]').parse(preparser).option('-a, --all', 'do not ignore entries starting with .').option('-A, --almost-all', 'do not list implied . and ..').option('-d, --directory', 'list directory entries instead of contents, and do not dereference symbolic links').option('-F, --classify', 'append indicator (one of */=>@|) to entries').option('-h, --human-readable', 'with -l, print sizes in human readable format (e.g., 1K 234M 2G)').option('-i, --inode', 'print the index number of each file').option('-l', 'use a long listing format').option('-Q, --quote-name', 'enclose entry names in double quotes').option('-r, --reverse', 'reverse order while sorting').option('-R, --recursive', 'list subdirectories recursively').option('-S', 'sort by file size').option('-t', 'sort by modification time, newest first').option('-U', 'do not sort; list entries in directory order').option('-w, --width [COLS]', 'assume screen width instead of current value').option('-x', 'list entries by lines instead of columns').option('-1', 'list one file per line').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, cb) {
     return interfacer.call(this, {
       command: ls,
       args: args.paths,
diff --git a/dist/commands/mkdir.js b/dist/commands/mkdir.js
index 8f92c96..1ce969c 100755
--- a/dist/commands/mkdir.js
+++ b/dist/commands/mkdir.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ var path = require('path');
 var fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 var mkdir = {
   exec: function exec(args, options) {
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return mkdir;
   }
   vorpal.api.mkdir = mkdir;
-  vorpal.command('mkdir [directory...]').option('-p, --parents', 'no error if existing, make parent directories as needed').option('-v, --verbose', 'print a message for each created directory').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete({ directory: true })).action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('mkdir [directory...]').parse(preparser).option('-p, --parents', 'no error if existing, make parent directories as needed').option('-v, --verbose', 'print a message for each created directory').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete({ directory: true })).action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     args.options.vorpal = vorpal;
     return interfacer.call(this, {
diff --git a/dist/commands/mv.js b/dist/commands/mv.js
index 893205c..f382f0e 100755
--- a/dist/commands/mv.js
+++ b/dist/commands/mv.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ var path = require('path');
 
 var expand = require('./../util/expand');
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 var mv = {
   exec: function exec(args, options) {
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return mv;
   }
   vorpal.api.mv = mv;
-  vorpal.command('mv [args...]').option('-f, --force', 'do not prompt before overwriting').option('-n, --no-clobber', 'do not overwrite an existing file').option('--striptrailingslashes', 'remove any trailing slashes from each source') // vorpal bug, need to add dashes between words
+  vorpal.command('mv [args...]').parse(preparser).option('-f, --force', 'do not prompt before overwriting').option('-n, --no-clobber', 'do not overwrite an existing file').option('--striptrailingslashes', 'remove any trailing slashes from each source') // vorpal bug, need to add dashes between words
   .option('-v, --verbose', 'explain what is being done').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     return interfacer.call(this, {
diff --git a/dist/commands/rm.js b/dist/commands/rm.js
index 502f359..7866517 100755
--- a/dist/commands/rm.js
+++ b/dist/commands/rm.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ var fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 var expand = require('./../util/expand');
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 var unlinkSync = require('./../util/unlinkSync');
 
 var rm = {
@@ -159,7 +160,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return rm;
   }
   vorpal.api.rm = rm;
-  vorpal.command('rm [files...]').option('-f, --force', 'ignore nonexistent files and arguments, never prompt').option('-r, --recursive', 'remove directories and their contents recursively').option('-R', 'remove directories and their contents recursively').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('rm [files...]').parse(preparser).option('-f, --force', 'ignore nonexistent files and arguments, never prompt').option('-r, --recursive', 'remove directories and their contents recursively').option('-R', 'remove directories and their contents recursively').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     return interfacer.call(this, {
       command: rm,
diff --git a/dist/commands/sort.js b/dist/commands/sort.js
index 5809895..1d398f5 100755
--- a/dist/commands/sort.js
+++ b/dist/commands/sort.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ var fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 var fetch = require('./../util/fetch');
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 var strip = require('./../util/stripAnsi');
 var shuffle = require('array-shuffle');
 
@@ -244,7 +245,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return sort;
   }
   vorpal.api.sort = sort;
-  vorpal.command('sort [files...]').option('-M, --month-sort', 'compare (unknown) < \'JAN\' < ... < \'DEC\'').option('-h, --human-numeric-sort', 'compare human readable numbers (e.g., 2K 1G)').option('-n, --numeric-sort', 'compare according to string numerical value').option('-R, --random-sort', 'sort by random hash of keys').option('-r, --reverse', 'reverse the result of comparisons').option('-c, --check', 'check for sorted input; do not sort').option('-o, --output [file]', 'write result to file instead of standard output').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('sort [files...]').parse(preparser).option('-M, --month-sort', 'compare (unknown) < \'JAN\' < ... < \'DEC\'').option('-h, --human-numeric-sort', 'compare human readable numbers (e.g., 2K 1G)').option('-n, --numeric-sort', 'compare according to string numerical value').option('-R, --random-sort', 'sort by random hash of keys').option('-r, --reverse', 'reverse the result of comparisons').option('-c, --check', 'check for sorted input; do not sort').option('-o, --output [file]', 'write result to file instead of standard output').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     return interfacer.call(this, {
       command: sort,
diff --git a/dist/commands/touch.js b/dist/commands/touch.js
index 91caa4b..e70def2 100755
--- a/dist/commands/touch.js
+++ b/dist/commands/touch.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ var fs = require('fs-extra');
 var fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 require('./../lib/sugar');
 
 var touch = {
@@ -141,7 +142,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return touch;
   }
   vorpal.api.touch = touch;
-  vorpal.command('touch <files...>').option('-a', 'change only the access time').option('-c, --no-create', 'do not create any files').option('-d, --date [STRING]', 'parse STRING and use it instead of current time').option('-m', 'change only the modification time').option('-r, --reference [FILE]', 'use this file\'s times instead of current time').option('--time [WORD]', 'change the specified time: WORD is access, atime, or use: equivalent to -a WORD is modify or mtime: equivalent to -m').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('touch <files...>').parse(preparser).option('-a', 'change only the access time').option('-c, --no-create', 'do not create any files').option('-d, --date [STRING]', 'parse STRING and use it instead of current time').option('-m', 'change only the modification time').option('-r, --reference [FILE]', 'use this file\'s times instead of current time').option('--time [WORD]', 'change the specified time: WORD is access, atime, or use: equivalent to -a WORD is modify or mtime: equivalent to -m').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
     return interfacer.call(this, {
       command: touch,
       args: args.files || [],
diff --git a/dist/commands/unalias.js b/dist/commands/unalias.js
index bf384db..191744e 100755
--- a/dist/commands/unalias.js
+++ b/dist/commands/unalias.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 var unalias = {
   exec: function exec(args, options) {
@@ -85,7 +86,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return unalias;
   }
   vorpal.api.unalias = unalias;
-  vorpal.command('unalias [name...]').option('-a', 'remove all alias definitions').action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('unalias [name...]').parse(preparser).option('-a', 'remove all alias definitions').action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     args.options.vorpal = vorpal;
     return interfacer.call(this, {
diff --git a/packages/cat/dist/commands/cat.js b/packages/cat/dist/commands/cat.js
index 4ed1950..e1f0abb 100755
--- a/packages/cat/dist/commands/cat.js
+++ b/packages/cat/dist/commands/cat.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ var fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 var fetch = require('./../util/fetch');
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 var lpad = require('./../util/lpad');
 var strip = require('./../util/stripAnsi');
 
@@ -102,7 +103,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return cat;
   }
   vorpal.api.cat = cat;
-  vorpal.command('cat [files...]').option('-A, --show-all', 'equivalent to -vET').option('-b, --number-nonblank', 'number nonempty output lines, overrides -n').option('-e', 'equivalent to -vE').option('-E, --show-ends', 'display $ at end of each line').option('-n, --number', 'number all output lines').option('-s, --squeeze-blank', 'suppress repeated empty output lines').option('-t', 'equivalent to -vT').option('-T, --show-tabs', 'display TAB characters as ^I').option('-v, --show-nonprinting', 'use ^ and M- notation, except for LFD and TAB') // this doesn't work yet...
+  vorpal.command('cat [files...]').parse(preparser).option('-A, --show-all', 'equivalent to -vET').option('-b, --number-nonblank', 'number nonempty output lines, overrides -n').option('-e', 'equivalent to -vE').option('-E, --show-ends', 'display $ at end of each line').option('-n, --number', 'number all output lines').option('-s, --squeeze-blank', 'suppress repeated empty output lines').option('-t', 'equivalent to -vT').option('-T, --show-tabs', 'display TAB characters as ^I').option('-v, --show-nonprinting', 'use ^ and M- notation, except for LFD and TAB') // this doesn't work yet...
   .autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, cb) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     return interfacer.call(this, {
diff --git a/packages/cp/dist/commands/cp.js b/packages/cp/dist/commands/cp.js
index b6b16a5..1a52005 100755
--- a/packages/cp/dist/commands/cp.js
+++ b/packages/cp/dist/commands/cp.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ var os = require('os');
 
 var expand = require('./../util/expand');
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 var cp = {
   exec: function exec(args, options) {
@@ -194,7 +195,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return cp;
   }
   vorpal.api.cp = cp;
-  vorpal.command('cp [args...]').option('-f, --force', 'do not prompt before overwriting').option('-n, --no-clobber', 'do not overwrite an existing file').option('-r, --recursive', 'copy directories recursively').option('-R', 'copy directories recursively').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('cp [args...]').parse(preparser).option('-f, --force', 'do not prompt before overwriting').option('-n, --no-clobber', 'do not overwrite an existing file').option('-r, --recursive', 'copy directories recursively').option('-R', 'copy directories recursively').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     return interfacer.call(this, {
       command: cp,
diff --git a/packages/kill/dist/commands/kill.js b/packages/kill/dist/commands/kill.js
index 0a0f0cc..9e414a4 100755
--- a/packages/kill/dist/commands/kill.js
+++ b/packages/kill/dist/commands/kill.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ var fkill = require('fkill');
 var os = require('os');
 
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 var usage = 'kill: usage: kill [-s sigspec | -n signum | -sigspec] pid | jobspec ... or kill -l [sigspec]';
 var windows = os.platform().indexOf('win') > -1;
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return kill;
   }
   vorpal.api.kill = kill;
-  vorpal.command('kill [process...]').option('-9', 'sigkill').option('-s [sig]', 'sig is a signal name').option('-n [sig]', 'sig is a signal number').option('-l [sigspec]', 'list the signal names').action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('kill [process...]').parse(preparser).option('-9', 'sigkill').option('-s [sig]', 'sig is a signal name').option('-n [sig]', 'sig is a signal number').option('-l [sigspec]', 'list the signal names').action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     args.options.vorpal = vorpal;
     return interfacer.call(this, {
diff --git a/packages/ls/dist/commands/ls.js b/packages/ls/dist/commands/ls.js
index 7e621a6..b5ae1dd 100755
--- a/packages/ls/dist/commands/ls.js
+++ b/packages/ls/dist/commands/ls.js
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ var columnify = require('./../util/columnify');
 var dateConverter = require('./../util/converter.date');
 var fileFromPath = require('./../util/fileFromPath');
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 var pad = require('./../util/pad');
 var lpad = require('./../util/lpad');
 var permissionsConverter = require('./../util/converter.permissions');
@@ -345,7 +346,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return ls;
   }
   vorpal.api.ls = ls;
-  vorpal.command('ls [paths...]').option('-a, --all', 'do not ignore entries starting with .').option('-A, --almost-all', 'do not list implied . and ..').option('-d, --directory', 'list directory entries instead of contents, and do not dereference symbolic links').option('-F, --classify', 'append indicator (one of */=>@|) to entries').option('-h, --human-readable', 'with -l, print sizes in human readable format (e.g., 1K 234M 2G)').option('-i, --inode', 'print the index number of each file').option('-l', 'use a long listing format').option('-Q, --quote-name', 'enclose entry names in double quotes').option('-r, --reverse', 'reverse order while sorting').option('-R, --recursive', 'list subdirectories recursively').option('-S', 'sort by file size').option('-t', 'sort by modification time, newest first').option('-U', 'do not sort; list entries in directory order').option('-w, --width [COLS]', 'assume screen width instead of current value').option('-x', 'list entries by lines instead of columns').option('-1', 'list one file per line').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, cb) {
+  vorpal.command('ls [paths...]').parse(preparser).option('-a, --all', 'do not ignore entries starting with .').option('-A, --almost-all', 'do not list implied . and ..').option('-d, --directory', 'list directory entries instead of contents, and do not dereference symbolic links').option('-F, --classify', 'append indicator (one of */=>@|) to entries').option('-h, --human-readable', 'with -l, print sizes in human readable format (e.g., 1K 234M 2G)').option('-i, --inode', 'print the index number of each file').option('-l', 'use a long listing format').option('-Q, --quote-name', 'enclose entry names in double quotes').option('-r, --reverse', 'reverse order while sorting').option('-R, --recursive', 'list subdirectories recursively').option('-S', 'sort by file size').option('-t', 'sort by modification time, newest first').option('-U', 'do not sort; list entries in directory order').option('-w, --width [COLS]', 'assume screen width instead of current value').option('-x', 'list entries by lines instead of columns').option('-1', 'list one file per line').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, cb) {
     return interfacer.call(this, {
       command: ls,
       args: args.paths,
diff --git a/packages/mkdir/dist/commands/mkdir.js b/packages/mkdir/dist/commands/mkdir.js
index 8f92c96..1ce969c 100755
--- a/packages/mkdir/dist/commands/mkdir.js
+++ b/packages/mkdir/dist/commands/mkdir.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ var path = require('path');
 var fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 var mkdir = {
   exec: function exec(args, options) {
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return mkdir;
   }
   vorpal.api.mkdir = mkdir;
-  vorpal.command('mkdir [directory...]').option('-p, --parents', 'no error if existing, make parent directories as needed').option('-v, --verbose', 'print a message for each created directory').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete({ directory: true })).action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('mkdir [directory...]').parse(preparser).option('-p, --parents', 'no error if existing, make parent directories as needed').option('-v, --verbose', 'print a message for each created directory').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete({ directory: true })).action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     args.options.vorpal = vorpal;
     return interfacer.call(this, {
diff --git a/packages/mv/dist/commands/mv.js b/packages/mv/dist/commands/mv.js
index 893205c..f382f0e 100755
--- a/packages/mv/dist/commands/mv.js
+++ b/packages/mv/dist/commands/mv.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ var path = require('path');
 
 var expand = require('./../util/expand');
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 var mv = {
   exec: function exec(args, options) {
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return mv;
   }
   vorpal.api.mv = mv;
-  vorpal.command('mv [args...]').option('-f, --force', 'do not prompt before overwriting').option('-n, --no-clobber', 'do not overwrite an existing file').option('--striptrailingslashes', 'remove any trailing slashes from each source') // vorpal bug, need to add dashes between words
+  vorpal.command('mv [args...]').parse(preparser).option('-f, --force', 'do not prompt before overwriting').option('-n, --no-clobber', 'do not overwrite an existing file').option('--striptrailingslashes', 'remove any trailing slashes from each source') // vorpal bug, need to add dashes between words
   .option('-v, --verbose', 'explain what is being done').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     return interfacer.call(this, {
diff --git a/packages/rm/dist/commands/rm.js b/packages/rm/dist/commands/rm.js
index 502f359..7866517 100755
--- a/packages/rm/dist/commands/rm.js
+++ b/packages/rm/dist/commands/rm.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ var fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 var expand = require('./../util/expand');
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 var unlinkSync = require('./../util/unlinkSync');
 
 var rm = {
@@ -159,7 +160,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return rm;
   }
   vorpal.api.rm = rm;
-  vorpal.command('rm [files...]').option('-f, --force', 'ignore nonexistent files and arguments, never prompt').option('-r, --recursive', 'remove directories and their contents recursively').option('-R', 'remove directories and their contents recursively').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('rm [files...]').parse(preparser).option('-f, --force', 'ignore nonexistent files and arguments, never prompt').option('-r, --recursive', 'remove directories and their contents recursively').option('-R', 'remove directories and their contents recursively').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     return interfacer.call(this, {
       command: rm,
diff --git a/packages/sort/dist/commands/sort.js b/packages/sort/dist/commands/sort.js
index 5809895..1d398f5 100755
--- a/packages/sort/dist/commands/sort.js
+++ b/packages/sort/dist/commands/sort.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ var fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 var fetch = require('./../util/fetch');
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 var strip = require('./../util/stripAnsi');
 var shuffle = require('array-shuffle');
 
@@ -244,7 +245,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return sort;
   }
   vorpal.api.sort = sort;
-  vorpal.command('sort [files...]').option('-M, --month-sort', 'compare (unknown) < \'JAN\' < ... < \'DEC\'').option('-h, --human-numeric-sort', 'compare human readable numbers (e.g., 2K 1G)').option('-n, --numeric-sort', 'compare according to string numerical value').option('-R, --random-sort', 'sort by random hash of keys').option('-r, --reverse', 'reverse the result of comparisons').option('-c, --check', 'check for sorted input; do not sort').option('-o, --output [file]', 'write result to file instead of standard output').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('sort [files...]').parse(preparser).option('-M, --month-sort', 'compare (unknown) < \'JAN\' < ... < \'DEC\'').option('-h, --human-numeric-sort', 'compare human readable numbers (e.g., 2K 1G)').option('-n, --numeric-sort', 'compare according to string numerical value').option('-R, --random-sort', 'sort by random hash of keys').option('-r, --reverse', 'reverse the result of comparisons').option('-c, --check', 'check for sorted input; do not sort').option('-o, --output [file]', 'write result to file instead of standard output').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
     args.options = args.options || {};
     return interfacer.call(this, {
       command: sort,
diff --git a/packages/touch/dist/commands/touch.js b/packages/touch/dist/commands/touch.js
index 91caa4b..e70def2 100755
--- a/packages/touch/dist/commands/touch.js
+++ b/packages/touch/dist/commands/touch.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ var fs = require('fs-extra');
 var fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 var interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+var preparser = require('./../preparser');
 require('./../lib/sugar');
 
 var touch = {
@@ -141,7 +142,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
     return touch;
   }
   vorpal.api.touch = touch;
-  vorpal.command('touch <files...>').option('-a', 'change only the access time').option('-c, --no-create', 'do not create any files').option('-d, --date [STRING]', 'parse STRING and use it instead of current time').option('-m', 'change only the modification time').option('-r, --reference [FILE]', 'use this file\'s times instead of current time').option('--time [WORD]', 'change the specified time: WORD is access, atime, or use: equivalent to -a WORD is modify or mtime: equivalent to -m').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
+  vorpal.command('touch <files...>').parse(preparser).option('-a', 'change only the access time').option('-c, --no-create', 'do not create any files').option('-d, --date [STRING]', 'parse STRING and use it instead of current time').option('-m', 'change only the modification time').option('-r, --reference [FILE]', 'use this file\'s times instead of current time').option('--time [WORD]', 'change the specified time: WORD is access, atime, or use: equivalent to -a WORD is modify or mtime: equivalent to -m').autocomplete(fsAutocomplete()).action(function (args, callback) {
     return interfacer.call(this, {
       command: touch,
       args: args.files || [],
diff --git a/src/commands/alias.js b/src/commands/alias.js
index d7a4683..f4f32c2 100755
--- a/src/commands/alias.js
+++ b/src/commands/alias.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 const alias = {
 
@@ -97,6 +98,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
   vorpal.api.alias = alias;
   vorpal
     .command('alias [name...]')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .option('-p', 'print all defined aliases in a reusable format')
     .action(function (args, callback) {
       args.options = args.options || {};
diff --git a/src/commands/boilerplate.js b/src/commands/boilerplate.js
index df111ba..36f4099 100755
--- a/src/commands/boilerplate.js
+++ b/src/commands/boilerplate.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 /**
  * This is a boilerplate for implementing a new command.
@@ -83,6 +84,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
    */
   vorpal
     .command('cmdName [files...]')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .option('-o, --option', 'option description')
     .action(function (args, callback) {
       args.options = args.options || {};
diff --git a/src/commands/cat.js b/src/commands/cat.js
index edce1a7..9c514eb 100755
--- a/src/commands/cat.js
+++ b/src/commands/cat.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ const fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 const fetch = require('./../util/fetch');
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 const lpad = require('./../util/lpad');
 const strip = require('./../util/stripAnsi');
 
@@ -110,6 +111,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
   vorpal.api.cat = cat;
   vorpal
     .command('cat [files...]')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .option('-A, --show-all', 'equivalent to -vET')
     .option('-b, --number-nonblank', 'number nonempty output lines, overrides -n')
     .option('-e', 'equivalent to -vE')
diff --git a/src/commands/cd.js b/src/commands/cd.js
index bed8201..e6cfb2c 100755
--- a/src/commands/cd.js
+++ b/src/commands/cd.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ const fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 const delimiter = require('./../delimiter');
 
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 const cd = {
 
@@ -50,6 +51,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
   vorpal.api.cd = cd;
   vorpal
     .command('cd [dir]')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .autocomplete(fsAutocomplete({directory: true}))
     .action(function (args, callback) {
       args.options = args.options || {};
diff --git a/src/commands/cp.js b/src/commands/cp.js
index 6021b5c..8f7f3a4 100755
--- a/src/commands/cp.js
+++ b/src/commands/cp.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ const os = require('os');
 
 const expand = require('./../util/expand');
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 const cp = {
 
@@ -195,6 +196,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
   vorpal.api.cp = cp;
   vorpal
     .command('cp [args...]')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .option('-f, --force', 'do not prompt before overwriting')
     .option('-n, --no-clobber', 'do not overwrite an existing file')
     .option('-r, --recursive', 'copy directories recursively')
diff --git a/src/commands/kill.js b/src/commands/kill.js
index 85e6a71..7bc506e 100755
--- a/src/commands/kill.js
+++ b/src/commands/kill.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ const fkill = require('fkill');
 const os = require('os');
 
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 const usage = `kill: usage: kill [-s sigspec | -n signum | -sigspec] pid | jobspec ... or kill -l [sigspec]`;
 const windows = (os.platform().indexOf('win') > -1);
@@ -85,6 +86,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
   vorpal.api.kill = kill;
   vorpal
     .command('kill [process...]')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .option('-9', 'sigkill')
     .option('-s [sig]', 'sig is a signal name')
     .option('-n [sig]', 'sig is a signal number')
diff --git a/src/commands/ls.js b/src/commands/ls.js
index 3d3b03e..3a6cf98 100755
--- a/src/commands/ls.js
+++ b/src/commands/ls.js
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ const columnify = require('./../util/columnify');
 const dateConverter = require('./../util/converter.date');
 const fileFromPath = require('./../util/fileFromPath');
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 const pad = require('./../util/pad');
 const lpad = require('./../util/lpad');
 const permissionsConverter = require('./../util/converter.permissions');
@@ -349,6 +350,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
   vorpal.api.ls = ls;
   vorpal
     .command('ls [paths...]')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .option('-a, --all', 'do not ignore entries starting with .')
     .option('-A, --almost-all', 'do not list implied . and ..')
     .option('-d, --directory', 'list directory entries instead of contents, and do not dereference symbolic links')
diff --git a/src/commands/mkdir.js b/src/commands/mkdir.js
index 21d623f..eddec0f 100755
--- a/src/commands/mkdir.js
+++ b/src/commands/mkdir.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ const path = require('path');
 const fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 const mkdir = {
 
@@ -74,6 +75,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
   vorpal.api.mkdir = mkdir;
   vorpal
     .command('mkdir [directory...]')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .option('-p, --parents', 'no error if existing, make parent directories as needed')
     .option('-v, --verbose', 'print a message for each created directory')
     .autocomplete(fsAutocomplete({directory: true}))
diff --git a/src/commands/mv.js b/src/commands/mv.js
index f18a6be..a1e2428 100755
--- a/src/commands/mv.js
+++ b/src/commands/mv.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ const path = require('path');
 
 const expand = require('./../util/expand');
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 const mv = {
 
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
   vorpal.api.mv = mv;
   vorpal
     .command('mv [args...]')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .option('-f, --force', 'do not prompt before overwriting')
     .option('-n, --no-clobber', 'do not overwrite an existing file')
     .option('--striptrailingslashes', 'remove any trailing slashes from each source') // vorpal bug, need to add dashes between words
diff --git a/src/commands/rm.js b/src/commands/rm.js
index 56f4888..a0a37ee 100755
--- a/src/commands/rm.js
+++ b/src/commands/rm.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ const fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 const expand = require('./../util/expand');
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 const unlinkSync = require('./../util/unlinkSync');
 
 const rm = {
@@ -163,6 +164,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
   vorpal.api.rm = rm;
   vorpal
     .command('rm [files...]')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .option('-f, --force', 'ignore nonexistent files and arguments, never prompt')
     .option('-r, --recursive', 'remove directories and their contents recursively')
     .option('-R', 'remove directories and their contents recursively')
diff --git a/src/commands/sort.js b/src/commands/sort.js
index 5a08549..07f50ef 100755
--- a/src/commands/sort.js
+++ b/src/commands/sort.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ const fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 const fetch = require('./../util/fetch');
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 const strip = require('./../util/stripAnsi');
 const shuffle = require('array-shuffle');
 
@@ -246,6 +247,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
   vorpal.api.sort = sort;
   vorpal
     .command('sort [files...]')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .option('-M, --month-sort', 'compare (unknown) < \'JAN\' < ... < \'DEC\'')
     .option('-h, --human-numeric-sort', 'compare human readable numbers (e.g., 2K 1G)')
     .option('-n, --numeric-sort', 'compare according to string numerical value')
diff --git a/src/commands/touch.js b/src/commands/touch.js
index 83e771e..700a4d4 100755
--- a/src/commands/touch.js
+++ b/src/commands/touch.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ const fs = require('fs-extra');
 const fsAutocomplete = require('vorpal-autocomplete-fs');
 
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 require('./../lib/sugar');
 
 const touch = {
@@ -150,6 +151,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
   vorpal.api.touch = touch;
   vorpal
     .command('touch <files...>')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .option('-a', 'change only the access time')
     .option('-c, --no-create', 'do not create any files')
     .option('-d, --date [STRING]', 'parse STRING and use it instead of current time')
diff --git a/src/commands/unalias.js b/src/commands/unalias.js
index 5721f62..70928e3 100755
--- a/src/commands/unalias.js
+++ b/src/commands/unalias.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 const interfacer = require('./../util/interfacer');
+const preparser = require('./../preparser');
 
 const unalias = {
 
@@ -81,6 +82,7 @@ module.exports = function (vorpal) {
   vorpal.api.unalias = unalias;
   vorpal
     .command('unalias [name...]')
+    .parse(preparser)
     .option('-a', 'remove all alias definitions')
     .action(function (args, callback) {
       args.options = args.options || {};
diff --git a/test/preparser.js b/test/preparser.js
index 830f7a9..40a83b9 100755
--- a/test/preparser.js
+++ b/test/preparser.js
@@ -90,6 +90,49 @@ describe('preparser', function () {
     it('should convert the same variable twice', function () {
       cash('echo $PATH-$PATH').should.equal(`${path}-${path}\n`);
     });
+
+    after(function () {
+      delete process.env.FOO;
+    });
+  });
+  describe('commands are preparsed', function () {
+    before(function () {
+      process.env.FOO = 'thisfiledoesntexist';
+    });
+
+    it('should work for cat', function () {
+      cash('cat $FOO').should.equal(`cat: ${process.env.FOO}: No such file or directory\n`);
+    });
+
+    it('should work for cd', function () {
+      cash('cd $FOO').should.equal(`-bash: cd: ${process.env.FOO}: No such file or directory\n`);
+    });
+
+    it('should work for cp', function () {
+      cash('cp $FOO dest').should.equal(`cp: cannot stat ${process.env.FOO}: No such file or directory\n`);
+    });
+
+    it('should work for ls', function () {
+      cash('ls $FOO').should.equal('');
+      cash('ls $NOSUCHENVVAR').should.equal(cash('ls'));
+    });
+
+    it('should work for mv', function () {
+      cash('mv $FOO dest').should.equal(`mv: cannot stat ${process.env.FOO}: No such file or directory\n`);
+    });
+
+    it('should work for rm', function () {
+      cash('rm $FOO').should.equal(`rm: cannot remove ${process.env.FOO}: No such file or directory\n`);
+    });
+
+    it('should work for sort', function () {
+      cash('sort $FOO').should.equal(`sort: cannot read: ${process.env.FOO}: No such file or directory\n`);
+    });
+
+    it.skip('should work for kill', function () {
+      cash('kill $FOO').should.equal(`-cash: kill: (${process.env.FOO}) - No such process\n`);
+    });
+
     after(function () {
       delete process.env.FOO;
     });