diff --git a/src/command_line.rs b/src/command_line.rs
index 023d957..0143ea5 100644
--- a/src/command_line.rs
+++ b/src/command_line.rs
@@ -35,6 +35,10 @@ pub struct CommandLine {
     /// Increase or decrease the size of the annotations
     #[arg(long)]
     pub annotation_size_factor: Option<f64>,
+
+    /// Hide toolbars by default
+    #[arg(short, long)]
+    pub default_hide_toolbars: bool,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Default, ValueEnum)]
diff --git a/src/configuration.rs b/src/configuration.rs
index 978f5d9..3a35b92 100644
--- a/src/configuration.rs
+++ b/src/configuration.rs
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ pub struct Configuration {
     copy_command: Option<String>,
     annotation_size_factor: f64,
     color_palette: ColorPalette,
+    default_hide_toolbars: bool,
 }
 
 pub struct ColorPalette {
@@ -138,6 +139,9 @@ impl Configuration {
         if let Some(v) = general.annotation_size_factor {
             self.annotation_size_factor = v;
         }
+        if let Some(v) = general.default_hide_toolbars {
+            self.default_hide_toolbars = v;
+        }
     }
     fn merge(&mut self, file: Option<ConfigurationFile>, command_line: CommandLine) {
         // input_filename is required and needs to be overwritten
@@ -160,6 +164,9 @@ impl Configuration {
         if command_line.early_exit {
             self.early_exit = command_line.early_exit;
         }
+        if command_line.default_hide_toolbars {
+            self.default_hide_toolbars = command_line.default_hide_toolbars;
+        }
         if let Some(v) = command_line.initial_tool {
             self.initial_tool = v.into();
         }
@@ -205,6 +212,10 @@ impl Configuration {
     pub fn color_palette(&self) -> &ColorPalette {
         &self.color_palette
     }
+
+    pub fn default_hide_toolbars(&self) -> bool {
+        self.default_hide_toolbars
+    }
 }
 
 impl Default for Configuration {
@@ -218,6 +229,7 @@ impl Default for Configuration {
             copy_command: None,
             annotation_size_factor: 1.0f64,
             color_palette: ColorPalette::default(),
+            default_hide_toolbars: false,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -251,6 +263,7 @@ struct ConfiguationFileGeneral {
     copy_command: Option<String>,
     annotation_size_factor: Option<f64>,
     output_filename: Option<String>,
+    default_hide_toolbars: Option<bool>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Deserialize)]
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index fd3d2ee..5243cd8 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -241,6 +241,11 @@ impl Component for App {
             .launch(())
             .forward(sketch_board.sender(), SketchBoardInput::ToolbarEvent);
 
+        if APP_CONFIG.read().default_hide_toolbars() {
+            tools_toolbar.widget().hide();
+            style_toolbar.widget().hide();
+        }
+
         // Model
         let model = App {
             sketch_board,