diff --git a/docs/source/configuration.rst b/docs/source/configuration.rst
index 73c9943a..0ab55695 100644
--- a/docs/source/configuration.rst
+++ b/docs/source/configuration.rst
@@ -305,8 +305,22 @@ Themes
     step 2 is obviously avoided.
 
 ``segments``
-    A dict with a ``left`` and a ``right`` list, consisting of segment 
-    dicts. Each segment has the following options:
+    A dict with a ``left`` and a ``right`` lists, consisting of segment 
+    dictionaries. Shell themes may also contain ``above`` list of dictionaries. 
+    Each item in ``above`` list may have ``left`` and ``right`` keys like this 
+    dictionary, but no ``above`` key.
+
+    .. _config-themes-above:
+
+    ``above`` list is used for multiline shell configurations.
+
+    ``left`` and ``right`` lists are used for segments that should be put on the 
+    left or right side in the output. Actual mechanizm of putting segments on 
+    the left or the right depends on used renderer, but most renderers require 
+    one to specify segment with :ref:`width <config-themes-seg-width>` ``auto`` 
+    on either side to make generated line fill all of the available width.
+
+    Each segment dictionary has the following options:
 
     ``type``
         The segment type. Can be one of ``function`` (default), ``string`` 
@@ -368,6 +382,8 @@ Themes
         right (``r``).
 
     ``width``
+        .. _config-themes-seg-width:
+
         Enforces a specific width for this segment.
 
         This segment will work as a spacer if the width is set to ``auto``.
@@ -566,6 +582,15 @@ configuration script was sourced (in fish case: after ``powerline-setup``
 function was run). To disable specific feature support set one of these 
 variables to some non-empty value.
 
+If you do not want to disable prompt in shell, but yet do not want to launch 
+python twice to get :ref:`above <config-themes-above>` lines you do not use in 
+tcsh you should set ``$POWERLINE_NO_TCSH_ABOVE`` or 
+``$POWERLINE_NO_SHELL_ABOVE`` variable.
+
+If you do not want to see additional space which is added to the right prompt in 
+fish in order to support multiline prompt you should set 
+``$POWERLINE_NO_FISH_ABOVE`` or ``$POWERLINE_NO_SHELL_ABOVE`` variables.
+
 .. note::
 
     Most supported shells’ configuration scripts check for additional 
diff --git a/powerline/__init__.py b/powerline/__init__.py
index c82163a9..1f7b71cc 100644
--- a/powerline/__init__.py
+++ b/powerline/__init__.py
@@ -413,6 +413,25 @@ class Powerline(object):
 				pass
 			return FailedUnicode(safe_unicode(e))
 
+	def render_above_lines(self, *args, **kwargs):
+		'''Like .render(), but for ``self.renderer.render_above_lines()``
+		'''
+		try:
+			self.update_renderer()
+			for line in self.renderer.render_above_lines(*args, **kwargs):
+				yield line
+		except Exception as e:
+			try:
+				self.exception('Failed to render: {0}', str(e))
+			except Exception as e:
+				# Updates e variable to new value, masking previous one. 
+				# Normally it is the same exception (due to raise in case pl is 
+				# unset), but it may also show error in logger. Note that latter 
+				# is not logged by logger for obvious reasons, thus this also 
+				# prevents us from seeing logger traceback.
+				pass
+			yield FailedUnicode(safe_unicode(e))
+
 	def shutdown(self):
 		'''Shut down all background threads. Must be run only prior to exiting 
 		current application.
diff --git a/powerline/bindings/bash/powerline.sh b/powerline/bindings/bash/powerline.sh
index 9271e9bd..e6cb88f7 100644
--- a/powerline/bindings/bash/powerline.sh
+++ b/powerline/bindings/bash/powerline.sh
@@ -28,9 +28,15 @@ _powerline_init_tmux_support() {
 	fi
 }
 
+_run_powerline() {
+	# Arguments: side, last_exit_code, jobnum
+	$POWERLINE_COMMAND shell $1 -w $COLUMNS -r bash_prompt --last_exit_code=$2 --jobnum=$3
+}
+
 _powerline_prompt() {
 	local last_exit_code=$?
-	PS1="$($POWERLINE_COMMAND shell left -r bash_prompt --last_exit_code=$last_exit_code --jobnum="$(jobs -p|wc -l)")"
+	local jobnum="$(jobs -p|wc -l)"
+	PS1="$(_run_powerline aboveleft $last_exit_code $jobnum)"
 	_powerline_tmux_set_pwd
 	return $last_exit_code
 }
diff --git a/powerline/bindings/fish/powerline-setup.fish b/powerline/bindings/fish/powerline-setup.fish
index 50eb5302..6cb807fa 100644
--- a/powerline/bindings/fish/powerline-setup.fish
+++ b/powerline/bindings/fish/powerline-setup.fish
@@ -10,15 +10,35 @@ function powerline-setup
 			end
 		end
 		function --on-variable POWERLINE_COMMAND _powerline_update
-			set -l addargs "--last_exit_code=\$status --last_pipe_status=\$status --jobnum=(jobs -p | wc -l)"
+			set -l addargs "--last_exit_code=\$status"
+			set -l addargs "$addargs --last_pipe_status=\$status"
+			set -l addargs "$addargs --jobnum=(jobs -p | wc -l)"
+			set -l addargs "$addargs --width=\$_POWERLINE_COLUMNS"
+			set -l promptside
+			set -l rpromptpast
+			set -l columnsexpr
+			if test -z "$POWERLINE_NO_FISH_ABOVE$POWERLINE_NO_SHELL_ABOVE"
+				set promptside aboveleft
+				set rpromptpast 'echo -n " "'
+				set columnsexpr '(math $COLUMNS - 1)'
+			else
+				set promptside left
+				set rpromptpast
+				set columnsexpr '$COLUMNS'
+			end
 			eval "
 			function fish_prompt
-				$POWERLINE_COMMAND shell left $addargs
+				$POWERLINE_COMMAND shell $promptside $addargs
 			end
 			function fish_right_prompt
 				$POWERLINE_COMMAND shell right $addargs
+				$rpromptpast
+			end
+			function --on-signal WINCH _powerline_set_columns
+				set -g _POWERLINE_COLUMNS $columnsexpr
 			end
 			"
+			_powerline_set_columns
 		end
 		_powerline_update
 	end
diff --git a/powerline/bindings/tcsh/powerline.tcsh b/powerline/bindings/tcsh/powerline.tcsh
index eb6acac1..91b08993 100644
--- a/powerline/bindings/tcsh/powerline.tcsh
+++ b/powerline/bindings/tcsh/powerline.tcsh
@@ -19,7 +19,13 @@ if ! ( $?POWERLINE_NO_TCSH_TMUX_SUPPORT || $?POWERLINE_NO_SHELL_TMUX_SUPPORT ) t
 	alias cwdcmd "`alias cwdcmd` ; _powerline_tmux_set_pwd"
 endif
 if ! ( $?POWERLINE_NO_TCSH_PROMPT || $?POWERLINE_NO_SHELL_PROMPT ) then
-	alias _powerline_set_prompt 'set prompt="`$POWERLINE_COMMAND shell left -r tcsh_prompt --last_exit_code=$?`"'
-	alias _powerline_set_rprompt 'set rprompt="`$POWERLINE_COMMAND shell right -r tcsh_prompt --last_exit_code=$?` "'
-	alias precmd "`alias precmd` ; _powerline_set_prompt ; _powerline_set_rprompt"
+	if ( $?POWERLINE_NO_TCSH_ABOVE || $?POWERLINE_NO_SHELL_ABOVE ) then
+		alias _powerline_above true
+	else
+		alias _powerline_above '$POWERLINE_COMMAND shell above --last_exit_code=$POWERLINE_STATUS --width=$POWERLINE_COLUMNS'
+	endif
+	alias _powerline_set_prompt 'set prompt="`$POWERLINE_COMMAND shell left -r tcsh_prompt --last_exit_code=$POWERLINE_STATUS --width=$POWERLINE_COLUMNS`"'
+	alias _powerline_set_rprompt 'set rprompt="`$POWERLINE_COMMAND shell right -r tcsh_prompt --last_exit_code=$POWERLINE_STATUS --width=$POWERLINE_COLUMNS` "'
+	alias _powerline_set_columns 'set POWERLINE_COLUMNS=`stty size|cut -d" " -f2` ; set POWERLINE_COLUMNS=`expr $POWERLINE_COLUMNS - 2`'
+	alias precmd 'set POWERLINE_STATUS=$? ; '"`alias precmd`"' ; _powerline_set_columns ; _powerline_above ; _powerline_set_prompt ; _powerline_set_rprompt'
 endif
diff --git a/powerline/bindings/zsh/__init__.py b/powerline/bindings/zsh/__init__.py
index 0ffdee19..2bbf3184 100644
--- a/powerline/bindings/zsh/__init__.py
+++ b/powerline/bindings/zsh/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 # vim:fileencoding=utf-8:noet
+from __future__ import absolute_import, unicode_literals, division, print_function
+
 import zsh
 import atexit
 from powerline.shell import ShellPowerline
@@ -89,21 +91,22 @@ class ZshPowerline(ShellPowerline):
 	def precmd(self):
 		self.args.last_pipe_status = zsh.pipestatus()
 		self.args.last_exit_code = zsh.last_exit_code()
-		zsh.eval('_POWERLINE_PARSER_STATE="${(%):-%_}"')
 
 
 class Prompt(object):
-	__slots__ = ('powerline', 'side', 'savedpsvar', 'savedps', 'args', 'theme')
+	__slots__ = ('powerline', 'side', 'savedpsvar', 'savedps', 'args', 'theme', 'above')
 
-	def __init__(self, powerline, side, theme, savedpsvar=None, savedps=None):
+	def __init__(self, powerline, side, theme, savedpsvar=None, savedps=None, above=False):
 		self.powerline = powerline
 		self.side = side
+		self.above = above
 		self.savedpsvar = savedpsvar
 		self.savedps = savedps
 		self.args = powerline.args
 		self.theme = theme
 
 	def __str__(self):
+		zsh.eval('_POWERLINE_PARSER_STATE="${(%):-%_}"')
 		segment_info = {
 			'args': self.args,
 			'environ': environ,
@@ -111,7 +114,14 @@ class Prompt(object):
 			'local_theme': self.theme,
 			'parser_state': zsh.getvalue('_POWERLINE_PARSER_STATE'),
 		}
-		r = self.powerline.render(
+		r = ''
+		if self.above:
+			for line in self.powerline.render_above_lines(
+				width=zsh.columns() - 1,
+				segment_info=segment_info,
+			):
+				r += line + '\n'
+		r += self.powerline.render(
 			width=zsh.columns(),
 			side=self.side,
 			segment_info=segment_info,
@@ -131,13 +141,13 @@ class Prompt(object):
 			self.powerline.shutdown()
 
 
-def set_prompt(powerline, psvar, side, theme):
+def set_prompt(powerline, psvar, side, theme, above=False):
 	try:
 		savedps = zsh.getvalue(psvar)
 	except IndexError:
 		savedps = None
 	zpyvar = 'ZPYTHON_POWERLINE_' + psvar
-	prompt = Prompt(powerline, side, theme, psvar, savedps)
+	prompt = Prompt(powerline, side, theme, psvar, savedps, above)
 	zsh.set_special_string(zpyvar, prompt)
 	zsh.setvalue(psvar, '${' + zpyvar + '}')
 
@@ -146,7 +156,7 @@ def setup():
 	powerline = ZshPowerline(Args())
 	used_powerlines.append(powerline)
 	used_powerlines.append(powerline)
-	set_prompt(powerline, 'PS1', 'left', None)
+	set_prompt(powerline, 'PS1', 'left', None, above=True)
 	set_prompt(powerline, 'RPS1', 'right', None)
 	set_prompt(powerline, 'PS2', 'left', 'continuation')
 	set_prompt(powerline, 'RPS2', 'right', 'continuation')
diff --git a/powerline/bindings/zsh/powerline.zsh b/powerline/bindings/zsh/powerline.zsh
index 1f358b36..797c216f 100644
--- a/powerline/bindings/zsh/powerline.zsh
+++ b/powerline/bindings/zsh/powerline.zsh
@@ -111,21 +111,27 @@ _powerline_setup_prompt() {
 		fi
 	done
 	precmd_functions+=( _powerline_set_jobnum )
-	if zmodload libzpython &>/dev/null || zmodload zsh/zpython &>/dev/null ; then
+	if test -z "${POWERLINE_NO_ZSH_ZPYTHON}" && { zmodload libzpython || zmodload zsh/zpython } &>/dev/null ; then
 		precmd_functions+=( _powerline_update_counter )
 		zpython 'from powerline.bindings.zsh import setup as _powerline_setup'
 		zpython '_powerline = _powerline_setup()'
 		zpython 'del _powerline_setup'
 	else
-		local add_args='--last_exit_code=$? --last_pipe_status="$pipestatus"'
+		local add_args='--last_exit_code=$?'
+		add_args+=' --last_pipe_status="$pipestatus"'
 		add_args+=' --renderer_arg="client_id=$$"'
 		add_args+=' --jobnum=$_POWERLINE_JOBNUM'
-		local add_args_2=$add_args' -R parser_state=${(%%):-%_} -R local_theme=continuation'
-		PS1='$($POWERLINE_COMMAND shell left -r zsh_prompt '$add_args')'
+		local new_args_2=' -R parser_state=${(%%):-%_}'
+		new_args_2+=' -R local_theme=continuation'
+		local add_args_3=$add_args' -R local_theme=select'
+		local add_args_2=$add_args$new_args_2
+		add_args+=' --width=$(( COLUMNS - 1 ))'
+		local add_args_r2=$add_args$new_args_2
+		PS1='$($POWERLINE_COMMAND shell aboveleft -r zsh_prompt '$add_args')'
 		RPS1='$($POWERLINE_COMMAND shell right -r zsh_prompt '$add_args')'
 		PS2='$($POWERLINE_COMMAND shell left -r zsh_prompt '$add_args_2')'
-		RPS2='$($POWERLINE_COMMAND shell right -r zsh_prompt '$add_args_2')'
-		PS3='$($POWERLINE_COMMAND shell left -r zsh_prompt -R local_theme=select '$add_args')'
+		RPS2='$($POWERLINE_COMMAND shell right -r zsh_prompt '$add_args_r2')'
+		PS3='$($POWERLINE_COMMAND shell left -r zsh_prompt '$add_args_3')'
 	fi
 }
 
diff --git a/powerline/lint/__init__.py b/powerline/lint/__init__.py
index ec4d4608..9f73b9a8 100644
--- a/powerline/lint/__init__.py
+++ b/powerline/lint/__init__.py
@@ -73,25 +73,31 @@ class DelayedEchoErr(EchoErr):
 
 class Spec(object):
 	def __init__(self, **keys):
-		new_keys = {}
-		self.specs = list(keys.values())
-		for k, v in keys.items():
-			new_keys[k] = len(self.specs)
-			self.specs.append(v)
-		self.keys = new_keys
+		self.specs = []
+		self.keys = {}
 		self.checks = []
 		self.cmsg = ''
 		self.isoptional = False
 		self.uspecs = []
 		self.ufailmsg = lambda key: 'found unknown key: {0}'.format(key)
-		if keys:
+		self.did_type = False
+		self.update(**keys)
+
+	def update(self, **keys):
+		for k, v in keys.items():
+			self.keys[k] = len(self.specs)
+			self.specs.append(v)
+		if self.keys and not self.did_type:
 			self.type(dict)
+			self.did_type = True
+		return self
 
 	def copy(self):
-		return self.__class__().update(self.__dict__)
+		return self.__class__()._update(self.__dict__)
 
-	def update(self, d):
+	def _update(self, d):
 		self.__dict__.update(d)
+		self.keys = copy(self.keys)
 		self.checks = copy(self.checks)
 		self.uspecs = copy(self.uspecs)
 		self.specs = [spec.copy() for spec in self.specs]
@@ -1005,6 +1011,13 @@ segments_spec = Spec().optional().list(
 			lambda value: 'it is recommended that divider highlight group names end with ":divider"').optional(),
 	).func(check_full_segment_data),
 ).copy
+segdict_spec=Spec(
+	left=segments_spec().context_message('Error while loading segments from left side (key {key})'),
+	right=segments_spec().context_message('Error while loading segments from right side (key {key})'),
+).func(
+	lambda value, *args: (True, True, not (('left' in value) or ('right' in value))),
+	lambda value: 'segments dictionary must contain either left, right or both keys'
+).context_message('Error while loading segments (key {key})').copy
 theme_spec = (Spec(
 	default_module=segment_module_spec(),
 	segment_data=Spec().unknown_spec(
@@ -1016,13 +1029,7 @@ theme_spec = (Spec(
 			contents=Spec().type(unicode).optional(),
 		),
 	).optional().context_message('Error while loading segment data (key {key})'),
-	segments=Spec(
-		left=segments_spec().context_message('Error while loading segments from left side (key {key})'),
-		right=segments_spec().context_message('Error while loading segments from right side (key {key})'),
-	).func(
-		lambda value, *args: (True, True, not (('left' in value) or ('right' in value))),
-		lambda value: 'segments dictionary must contain either left, right or both keys'
-	).context_message('Error while loading segments (key {key})'),
+	segments=segdict_spec().update(above=Spec().list(segdict_spec()).optional()),
 ).context_message('Error while loading theme'))
 
 
diff --git a/powerline/renderer.py b/powerline/renderer.py
index 7445ff0f..002f777c 100644
--- a/powerline/renderer.py
+++ b/powerline/renderer.py
@@ -175,7 +175,20 @@ class Renderer(object):
 			r['getcwd'] = lambda: r['environ']['PWD']
 		return r
 
-	def render(self, mode=None, width=None, side=None, output_raw=False, segment_info=None, matcher_info=None):
+	def render_above_lines(self, **kwargs):
+		'''Render all segments in the {theme}/segments/above list
+
+		Rendering happens in the reversed order. Parameters are the same as in 
+		.render() method.
+
+		:yield: rendered line.
+		'''
+
+		theme = self.get_theme(kwargs.get('matcher_info', None))
+		for line in range(theme.get_line_number() - 1, 0, -1):
+			yield self.render(side=None, line=line, **kwargs)
+
+	def render(self, mode=None, width=None, side=None, line=0, output_raw=False, segment_info=None, matcher_info=None):
 		'''Render all segments.
 
 		When a width is provided, low-priority segments are dropped one at
@@ -193,6 +206,9 @@ class Renderer(object):
 		:param str side:
 			One of ``left``, ``right``. Determines which side will be rendered. 
 			If not present all sides are rendered.
+		:param int line:
+			Line number for which segments should be obtained. Is counted from 
+			zero (botmost line).
 		:param bool output_raw:
 			Changes the output: if this parameter is ``True`` then in place of 
 			one string this method outputs a pair ``(colored_string, 
@@ -203,7 +219,7 @@ class Renderer(object):
 			Matcher information. Is processed in ``.get_theme()`` method.
 		'''
 		theme = self.get_theme(matcher_info)
-		segments = theme.get_segments(side, self.get_segment_info(segment_info, mode))
+		segments = theme.get_segments(side, line, self.get_segment_info(segment_info, mode))
 
 		# Handle excluded/included segments for the current mode
 		segments = [self._get_highlighting(segment, mode) for segment in segments
diff --git a/powerline/shell.py b/powerline/shell.py
index 4b817ae1..bffa1df8 100644
--- a/powerline/shell.py
+++ b/powerline/shell.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ def get_argparser(parser=None, *args, **kwargs):
 		parser = argparse.ArgumentParser
 	p = parser(*args, **kwargs)
 	p.add_argument('ext', nargs=1)
-	p.add_argument('side', nargs='?', choices=('left', 'right'))
+	p.add_argument('side', nargs='?', choices=('left', 'right', 'above', 'aboveleft'))
 	p.add_argument('-r', '--renderer_module', metavar='MODULE', type=str)
 	p.add_argument('-w', '--width', type=int)
 	p.add_argument('--last_exit_code', metavar='INT', type=int)
diff --git a/powerline/theme.py b/powerline/theme.py
index d6b185f2..c6157e8f 100644
--- a/powerline/theme.py
+++ b/powerline/theme.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 from powerline.segment import gen_segment_getter
 from powerline.lib.unicode import u
+import itertools
 
 
 def requires_segment_info(func):
@@ -9,6 +10,13 @@ def requires_segment_info(func):
 	return func
 
 
+def new_empty_segment_line():
+	return {
+		'left': [],
+		'right': []
+	}
+
+
 class Theme(object):
 	def __init__(self,
 				ext,
@@ -20,10 +28,7 @@ class Theme(object):
 				shutdown_event=None):
 		self.dividers = theme_config.get('dividers', common_config['dividers'])
 		self.spaces = theme_config.get('spaces', common_config['spaces'])
-		self.segments = {
-			'left': [],
-			'right': [],
-		}
+		self.segments = []
 		self.EMPTY_SEGMENT = {
 			'contents': None,
 			'highlight': {'fg': False, 'bg': False, 'attr': 0}
@@ -33,25 +38,29 @@ class Theme(object):
 		if top_theme_config:
 			theme_configs.append(top_theme_config)
 		get_segment = gen_segment_getter(pl, ext, common_config['paths'], theme_configs, theme_config.get('default_module'))
-		for side in ['left', 'right']:
-			for segment in theme_config['segments'].get(side, []):
-				segment = get_segment(segment, side)
-				if not run_once:
-					if segment['startup']:
-						try:
-							segment['startup'](pl, shutdown_event)
-						except Exception as e:
-							pl.error('Exception during {0} startup: {1}', segment['name'], str(e))
-							continue
-				self.segments[side].append(segment)
+		for segdict in itertools.chain((theme_config['segments'],),
+										theme_config['segments'].get('above', ())):
+			self.segments.append(new_empty_segment_line())
+			for side in ['left', 'right']:
+				for segment in segdict.get(side, []):
+					segment = get_segment(segment, side)
+					if not run_once:
+						if segment['startup']:
+							try:
+								segment['startup'](pl, shutdown_event)
+							except Exception as e:
+								pl.error('Exception during {0} startup: {1}', segment['name'], str(e))
+								continue
+					self.segments[-1][side].append(segment)
 
 	def shutdown(self):
-		for segments in self.segments.values():
-			for segment in segments:
-				try:
-					segment['shutdown']()
-				except TypeError:
-					pass
+		for line in self.segments:
+			for segments in line.values():
+				for segment in segments:
+					try:
+						segment['shutdown']()
+					except TypeError:
+						pass
 
 	def get_divider(self, side='left', type='soft'):
 		'''Return segment divider.'''
@@ -60,15 +69,22 @@ class Theme(object):
 	def get_spaces(self):
 		return self.spaces
 
-	def get_segments(self, side=None, segment_info=None):
+	def get_line_number(self):
+		return len(self.segments)
+
+	def get_segments(self, side=None, line=0, segment_info=None):
 		'''Return all segments.
 
 		Function segments are called, and all segments get their before/after
 		and ljust/rjust properties applied.
+
+		:param int line:
+			Line number for which segments should be obtained. Is counted from 
+			zero (botmost line).
 		'''
 		for side in [side] if side else ['left', 'right']:
 			parsed_segments = []
-			for segment in self.segments[side]:
+			for segment in self.segments[line][side]:
 				if segment['type'] == 'function':
 					self.pl.prefix = segment['name']
 					try:
diff --git a/scripts/powerline b/scripts/powerline
index 74d0fc98..8b125217 100755
--- a/scripts/powerline
+++ b/scripts/powerline
@@ -10,6 +10,12 @@ except ImportError:
 	sys.path.append(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(os.path.realpath(__file__)))))
 	from powerline.shell import ShellPowerline, get_argparser, finish_args  # NOQA
 
+def write(output):
+	try:
+		sys.stdout.write(output)
+	except UnicodeEncodeError:
+		sys.stdout.write(output.encode('utf-8'))
+
 if __name__ == '__main__':
 	args = get_argparser(description=__doc__).parse_args()
 	finish_args(args)
@@ -17,13 +23,21 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
 	segment_info = {'args': args, 'environ': os.environ}
 	if args.renderer_arg:
 		segment_info.update(args.renderer_arg)
-	rendered = powerline.render(
-		width=args.width,
-		side=args.side,
-		segment_info=segment_info,
-		mode=os.environ.get('_POWERLINE_MODE'),
-	)
-	try:
-		sys.stdout.write(rendered)
-	except UnicodeEncodeError:
-		sys.stdout.write(rendered.encode('utf-8'))
+	if args.side.startswith('above'):
+		for line in powerline.render_above_lines(
+			width=args.width,
+			segment_info=segment_info,
+			mode=os.environ.get('_POWERLINE_MODE'),
+		):
+			write(line)
+			sys.stdout.write('\n')
+		args.side = args.side[len('above'):]
+
+	if args.side:
+		rendered = powerline.render(
+			width=args.width,
+			side=args.side,
+			segment_info=segment_info,
+			mode=os.environ.get('_POWERLINE_MODE'),
+		)
+		write(rendered)
diff --git a/tests/lib/config_mock.py b/tests/lib/config_mock.py
index a0c083df..1a27d7cd 100644
--- a/tests/lib/config_mock.py
+++ b/tests/lib/config_mock.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from powerline.renderer import Renderer
 from powerline.lib.config import ConfigLoader
 from powerline import Powerline
 from copy import deepcopy
+from time import sleep
 from functools import wraps
 
 
@@ -96,6 +97,15 @@ class SimpleRenderer(Renderer):
 		return '<{fg} {bg} {attr}>'.format(fg=fg and fg[0], bg=bg and bg[0], attr=attr)
 
 
+class EvenSimplerRenderer(Renderer):
+	def hlstyle(self, fg=None, bg=None, attr=None):
+		return '{{{fg}{bg}{attr}}}'.format(
+			fg=fg and fg[0] or '-',
+			bg=bg and bg[0] or '-',
+			attr=attr if attr else '',
+		)
+
+
 class TestPowerline(Powerline):
 	_created = False
 
@@ -111,7 +121,12 @@ renderer = SimpleRenderer
 
 
 def get_powerline(**kwargs):
+	global renderer
 	watcher = Watcher()
+	if kwargs.pop('simpler_renderer', False):
+		renderer = EvenSimplerRenderer
+	else:
+		renderer = SimpleRenderer
 	pl = TestPowerline(
 		ext='test',
 		renderer_module='tests.lib.config_mock',
@@ -138,3 +153,11 @@ def swap_attributes(cfg_container, powerline_module, replaces):
 		setattr(powerline_module, attr, val)
 		replaces[attr] = old_val
 	return replaces
+
+
+def add_watcher_events(p, *args, **kwargs):
+	p._watcher._reset(args)
+	while not p._will_create_renderer():
+		sleep(kwargs.get('interval', 0.1))
+		if not kwargs.get('wait', True):
+			return
diff --git a/tests/test_config_reload.py b/tests/test_config_reload.py
index 282d611f..f3ce58aa 100644
--- a/tests/test_config_reload.py
+++ b/tests/test_config_reload.py
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 # vim:fileencoding=utf-8:noet
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 import powerline as powerline_module
-import time
+from time import sleep
 from tests import TestCase
 from tests.lib import replace_item
-from tests.lib.config_mock import swap_attributes, get_powerline, pop_events
+from tests.lib.config_mock import swap_attributes, get_powerline, pop_events, add_watcher_events
 from copy import deepcopy
 
 
@@ -92,18 +92,6 @@ config = {
 }
 
 
-def sleep(interval):
-	time.sleep(interval)
-
-
-def add_watcher_events(p, *args, **kwargs):
-	p._watcher._reset(args)
-	while not p._will_create_renderer():
-		sleep(kwargs.get('interval', 0.1))
-		if not kwargs.get('wait', True):
-			return
-
-
 class TestConfigReload(TestCase):
 	def assertAccessEvents(self, *args):
 		self.assertEqual(set(pop_events()), set(args))
diff --git a/tests/test_configuration.py b/tests/test_configuration.py
index 64e9d6a6..ed6996ad 100644
--- a/tests/test_configuration.py
+++ b/tests/test_configuration.py
@@ -1,151 +1,136 @@
 # vim:fileencoding=utf-8:noet
-
-'''Dynamic configuration files tests.'''
-
-
-import tests.vim as vim_module
-import sys
-import os
-import json
-from tests.lib import Args, urllib_read, replace_attr
+from __future__ import unicode_literals, absolute_import, division
+import powerline as powerline_module
 from tests import TestCase
+from tests.lib import replace_item
+from tests.lib.config_mock import swap_attributes, get_powerline, pop_events
+from functools import wraps
+from copy import deepcopy
 
 
-VBLOCK = chr(ord('V') - 0x40)
-SBLOCK = chr(ord('S') - 0x40)
+config = {
+	'config': {
+		'common': {
+			'dividers': {
+				'left': {
+					'hard': '>>',
+					'soft': '>',
+				},
+				'right': {
+					'hard': '<<',
+					'soft': '<',
+				},
+			},
+			'spaces': 0,
+			'interval': 0,
+		},
+		'ext': {
+			'test': {
+				'theme': 'default',
+				'colorscheme': 'default',
+			},
+		},
+	},
+	'colors': {
+		'colors': {
+			'col1': 1,
+			'col2': 2,
+			'col3': 3,
+			'col4': 4,
+		},
+		'gradients': {
+		},
+	},
+	'colorschemes/test/default': {
+		'groups': {
+			'str1': {'fg': 'col1', 'bg': 'col2', 'attr': ['bold']},
+			'str2': {'fg': 'col3', 'bg': 'col4', 'attr': ['underline']},
+		},
+	},
+	'themes/test/default': {
+		'segments': {
+			'left': [
+				{
+					'type': 'string',
+					'contents': 's',
+					'width': 'auto',
+					'highlight_group': ['str1'],
+				},
+				{
+					'type': 'string',
+					'contents': 'g',
+					'highlight_group': ['str2'],
+				},
+			],
+			'right': [
+				{
+					'type': 'string',
+					'contents': 'f',
+					'width': 'auto',
+					'align': 'right',
+					'highlight_group': ['str2'],
+				},
+			],
+		},
+	},
+}
 
 
-class TestConfig(TestCase):
-	def test_vim(self):
-		from powerline.vim import VimPowerline
-		cfg_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__)), 'powerline', 'config_files')
-		buffers = (
-			(('bufoptions',), {'buftype': 'help'}),
-			(('bufname', '[Command Line]'), {}),
-			(('bufoptions',), {'buftype': 'quickfix'}),
-			(('bufname', 'NERD_tree_1'), {}),
-			(('bufname', '__Gundo__'), {}),
-			(('bufname', '__Gundo_Preview__'), {}),
-			(('bufname', 'ControlP'), {}),
-		)
-		with open(os.path.join(cfg_path, 'config.json'), 'r') as f:
-			local_themes_raw = json.load(f)['ext']['vim']['local_themes']
-			# Don't run tests on external/plugin segments
-			local_themes = dict((k, v) for (k, v) in local_themes_raw.items())
-			self.assertEqual(len(buffers), len(local_themes))
-		outputs = {}
-		i = 0
-
-		with vim_module._with('split'):
-			with VimPowerline() as powerline:
-				def check_output(mode, args, kwargs):
-					if mode == 'nc':
-						window = vim_module.windows[0]
-						window_id = 2
-					else:
-						vim_module._start_mode(mode)
-						window = vim_module.current.window
-						window_id = 1
-					winnr = window.number
-					out = powerline.render(window, window_id, winnr)
-					if out in outputs:
-						self.fail('Duplicate in set #{0} ({1}) for mode {2!r} (previously defined in set #{3} ({4!r}) for mode {5!r})'.format(i, (args, kwargs), mode, *outputs[out]))
-					outputs[out] = (i, (args, kwargs), mode)
-
-				with vim_module._with('bufname', '/tmp/foo.txt'):
-					with vim_module._with('globals', powerline_config_path=cfg_path):
-						exclude = set(('no', 'v', 'V', VBLOCK, 's', 'S', SBLOCK, 'R', 'Rv', 'c', 'cv', 'ce', 'r', 'rm', 'r?', '!'))
-						try:
-							for mode in ['n', 'nc', 'no', 'v', 'V', VBLOCK, 's', 'S', SBLOCK, 'i', 'R', 'Rv', 'c', 'cv', 'ce', 'r', 'rm', 'r?', '!']:
-								check_output(mode, None, None)
-								for args, kwargs in buffers:
-									i += 1
-									if mode in exclude:
-										continue
-									if mode == 'nc' and args == ('bufname', 'ControlP'):
-										# ControlP window is not supposed to not 
-										# be in the focus
-										continue
-									with vim_module._with(*args, **kwargs):
-										check_output(mode, args, kwargs)
-						finally:
-							vim_module._start_mode('n')
-
-	def test_tmux(self):
-		from powerline.segments import common
-		from imp import reload
-		reload(common)
-		from powerline.shell import ShellPowerline
-		with replace_attr(common, 'urllib_read', urllib_read):
-			with ShellPowerline(Args(ext=['tmux']), run_once=False) as powerline:
-				powerline.render()
-			with ShellPowerline(Args(ext=['tmux']), run_once=False) as powerline:
-				powerline.render()
-
-	def test_zsh(self):
-		from powerline.shell import ShellPowerline
-		args = Args(last_pipe_status=[1, 0], jobnum=0, ext=['shell'], renderer_module='zsh_prompt')
-		segment_info = {'args': args}
-		with ShellPowerline(args, run_once=False) as powerline:
-			powerline.render(segment_info=segment_info)
-		with ShellPowerline(args, run_once=False) as powerline:
-			powerline.render(segment_info=segment_info)
-		segment_info['local_theme'] = 'select'
-		with ShellPowerline(args, run_once=False) as powerline:
-			powerline.render(segment_info=segment_info)
-		segment_info['local_theme'] = 'continuation'
-		segment_info['parser_state'] = 'if cmdsubst'
-		with ShellPowerline(args, run_once=False) as powerline:
-			powerline.render(segment_info=segment_info)
-
-	def test_bash(self):
-		from powerline.shell import ShellPowerline
-		args = Args(last_exit_code=1, jobnum=0, ext=['shell'], renderer_module='bash_prompt', config={'ext': {'shell': {'theme': 'default_leftonly'}}})
-		with ShellPowerline(args, run_once=False) as powerline:
-			powerline.render(segment_info={'args': args})
-		with ShellPowerline(args, run_once=False) as powerline:
-			powerline.render(segment_info={'args': args})
-
-	def test_ipython(self):
-		from powerline.ipython import IpythonPowerline
-
-		class IpyPowerline(IpythonPowerline):
-			path = None
-			config_overrides = None
-			theme_overrides = {}
-
-		with IpyPowerline() as powerline:
-			segment_info = Args(prompt_count=1)
-			for prompt_type in ['in', 'in2', 'out', 'rewrite']:
-				powerline.render(matcher_info=prompt_type, segment_info=segment_info)
-				powerline.render(matcher_info=prompt_type, segment_info=segment_info)
-
-	def test_wm(self):
-		from powerline.segments import common
-		from imp import reload
-		reload(common)
-		from powerline import Powerline
-		with replace_attr(common, 'urllib_read', urllib_read):
-			Powerline(ext='wm', renderer_module='pango_markup', run_once=True).render()
-		reload(common)
+def add_p_arg(func):
+	@wraps(func)
+	def f(self):
+		with get_powerline(run_once=True, simpler_renderer=True) as p:
+			func(self, p)
+	return f
 
 
-old_cwd = None
+class TestSingleLine(TestCase):
+	def assertRenderEqual(self, p, output, **kwargs):
+		self.assertEqual(p.render(**kwargs).replace(' ', ' '), output)
+
+	def assertRenderLinesEqual(self, p, output, **kwargs):
+		self.assertEqual([l.replace(' ', ' ') for l in p.render_above_lines(**kwargs)], output)
+
+	@add_p_arg
+	def test_without_above(self, p):
+		self.assertRenderEqual(p, '{121} s{24}>>{344}g{34}>{34}<{344}f {--}')
+		self.assertRenderEqual(p, '{121} s {24}>>{344}g{34}>{34}<{344}f {--}', width=10)
+		# self.assertRenderEqual(p, '{121} s {24}>>{344}g{34}>{34}<{344} f {--}', width=11)
+		self.assertEqual(list(p.render_above_lines()), [])
+
+	def test_with_above(self):
+		with replace_item(globals(), 'config', deepcopy(config)):
+			old_segments = deepcopy(config['themes/test/default']['segments'])
+			config['themes/test/default']['segments']['above'] = [old_segments]
+			with get_powerline(run_once=True, simpler_renderer=True) as p:
+				self.assertRenderLinesEqual(p, [
+					'{121} s{24}>>{344}g{34}>{34}<{344}f {--}',
+				])
+				self.assertRenderLinesEqual(p, [
+					'{121} s {24}>>{344}g{34}>{34}<{344}f {--}',
+				], width=10)
+
+			config['themes/test/default']['segments']['above'] = [old_segments] * 2
+			with get_powerline(run_once=True, simpler_renderer=True) as p:
+				self.assertRenderLinesEqual(p, [
+					'{121} s{24}>>{344}g{34}>{34}<{344}f {--}',
+					'{121} s{24}>>{344}g{34}>{34}<{344}f {--}',
+				])
+				self.assertRenderLinesEqual(p, [
+					'{121} s {24}>>{344}g{34}>{34}<{344}f {--}',
+					'{121} s {24}>>{344}g{34}>{34}<{344}f {--}',
+				], width=10)
+
+
+replaces = {}
 
 
 def setUpModule():
-	global old_cwd
-	sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'path')))
-	old_cwd = os.getcwd()
-	from powerline.segments import vim
-	globals()['vim'] = vim
+	global replaces
+	replaces = swap_attributes(globals(), powerline_module, replaces)
 
 
-def tearDownModule():
-	global old_cwd
-	os.chdir(old_cwd)
-	old_cwd = None
-	sys.path.pop(0)
+tearDownModule = setUpModule
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/tests/test_provided_config_files.py b/tests/test_provided_config_files.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..64e9d6a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_provided_config_files.py
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+# vim:fileencoding=utf-8:noet
+
+'''Dynamic configuration files tests.'''
+
+
+import tests.vim as vim_module
+import sys
+import os
+import json
+from tests.lib import Args, urllib_read, replace_attr
+from tests import TestCase
+
+
+VBLOCK = chr(ord('V') - 0x40)
+SBLOCK = chr(ord('S') - 0x40)
+
+
+class TestConfig(TestCase):
+	def test_vim(self):
+		from powerline.vim import VimPowerline
+		cfg_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__)), 'powerline', 'config_files')
+		buffers = (
+			(('bufoptions',), {'buftype': 'help'}),
+			(('bufname', '[Command Line]'), {}),
+			(('bufoptions',), {'buftype': 'quickfix'}),
+			(('bufname', 'NERD_tree_1'), {}),
+			(('bufname', '__Gundo__'), {}),
+			(('bufname', '__Gundo_Preview__'), {}),
+			(('bufname', 'ControlP'), {}),
+		)
+		with open(os.path.join(cfg_path, 'config.json'), 'r') as f:
+			local_themes_raw = json.load(f)['ext']['vim']['local_themes']
+			# Don't run tests on external/plugin segments
+			local_themes = dict((k, v) for (k, v) in local_themes_raw.items())
+			self.assertEqual(len(buffers), len(local_themes))
+		outputs = {}
+		i = 0
+
+		with vim_module._with('split'):
+			with VimPowerline() as powerline:
+				def check_output(mode, args, kwargs):
+					if mode == 'nc':
+						window = vim_module.windows[0]
+						window_id = 2
+					else:
+						vim_module._start_mode(mode)
+						window = vim_module.current.window
+						window_id = 1
+					winnr = window.number
+					out = powerline.render(window, window_id, winnr)
+					if out in outputs:
+						self.fail('Duplicate in set #{0} ({1}) for mode {2!r} (previously defined in set #{3} ({4!r}) for mode {5!r})'.format(i, (args, kwargs), mode, *outputs[out]))
+					outputs[out] = (i, (args, kwargs), mode)
+
+				with vim_module._with('bufname', '/tmp/foo.txt'):
+					with vim_module._with('globals', powerline_config_path=cfg_path):
+						exclude = set(('no', 'v', 'V', VBLOCK, 's', 'S', SBLOCK, 'R', 'Rv', 'c', 'cv', 'ce', 'r', 'rm', 'r?', '!'))
+						try:
+							for mode in ['n', 'nc', 'no', 'v', 'V', VBLOCK, 's', 'S', SBLOCK, 'i', 'R', 'Rv', 'c', 'cv', 'ce', 'r', 'rm', 'r?', '!']:
+								check_output(mode, None, None)
+								for args, kwargs in buffers:
+									i += 1
+									if mode in exclude:
+										continue
+									if mode == 'nc' and args == ('bufname', 'ControlP'):
+										# ControlP window is not supposed to not 
+										# be in the focus
+										continue
+									with vim_module._with(*args, **kwargs):
+										check_output(mode, args, kwargs)
+						finally:
+							vim_module._start_mode('n')
+
+	def test_tmux(self):
+		from powerline.segments import common
+		from imp import reload
+		reload(common)
+		from powerline.shell import ShellPowerline
+		with replace_attr(common, 'urllib_read', urllib_read):
+			with ShellPowerline(Args(ext=['tmux']), run_once=False) as powerline:
+				powerline.render()
+			with ShellPowerline(Args(ext=['tmux']), run_once=False) as powerline:
+				powerline.render()
+
+	def test_zsh(self):
+		from powerline.shell import ShellPowerline
+		args = Args(last_pipe_status=[1, 0], jobnum=0, ext=['shell'], renderer_module='zsh_prompt')
+		segment_info = {'args': args}
+		with ShellPowerline(args, run_once=False) as powerline:
+			powerline.render(segment_info=segment_info)
+		with ShellPowerline(args, run_once=False) as powerline:
+			powerline.render(segment_info=segment_info)
+		segment_info['local_theme'] = 'select'
+		with ShellPowerline(args, run_once=False) as powerline:
+			powerline.render(segment_info=segment_info)
+		segment_info['local_theme'] = 'continuation'
+		segment_info['parser_state'] = 'if cmdsubst'
+		with ShellPowerline(args, run_once=False) as powerline:
+			powerline.render(segment_info=segment_info)
+
+	def test_bash(self):
+		from powerline.shell import ShellPowerline
+		args = Args(last_exit_code=1, jobnum=0, ext=['shell'], renderer_module='bash_prompt', config={'ext': {'shell': {'theme': 'default_leftonly'}}})
+		with ShellPowerline(args, run_once=False) as powerline:
+			powerline.render(segment_info={'args': args})
+		with ShellPowerline(args, run_once=False) as powerline:
+			powerline.render(segment_info={'args': args})
+
+	def test_ipython(self):
+		from powerline.ipython import IpythonPowerline
+
+		class IpyPowerline(IpythonPowerline):
+			path = None
+			config_overrides = None
+			theme_overrides = {}
+
+		with IpyPowerline() as powerline:
+			segment_info = Args(prompt_count=1)
+			for prompt_type in ['in', 'in2', 'out', 'rewrite']:
+				powerline.render(matcher_info=prompt_type, segment_info=segment_info)
+				powerline.render(matcher_info=prompt_type, segment_info=segment_info)
+
+	def test_wm(self):
+		from powerline.segments import common
+		from imp import reload
+		reload(common)
+		from powerline import Powerline
+		with replace_attr(common, 'urllib_read', urllib_read):
+			Powerline(ext='wm', renderer_module='pango_markup', run_once=True).render()
+		reload(common)
+
+
+old_cwd = None
+
+
+def setUpModule():
+	global old_cwd
+	sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'path')))
+	old_cwd = os.getcwd()
+	from powerline.segments import vim
+	globals()['vim'] = vim
+
+
+def tearDownModule():
+	global old_cwd
+	os.chdir(old_cwd)
+	old_cwd = None
+	sys.path.pop(0)
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+	from tests import main
+	main()