diff --git a/qutebrowser/app.py b/qutebrowser/app.py
index a3a855f9a..59aff9476 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/app.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/app.py
@@ -148,7 +148,8 @@ def init(args, crash_handler):
 
     log.init.debug("Connecting signals...")
     config_obj = objreg.get('config')
-    config_obj.style_changed.connect(style.get_stylesheet.cache_clear)
+    # FIXME:conf
+    # config_obj.style_changed.connect(style.get_stylesheet.cache_clear)
     qApp.focusChanged.connect(on_focus_changed)
 
     _process_args(args)
diff --git a/qutebrowser/commands/runners.py b/qutebrowser/commands/runners.py
index cc967ce86..c9109ab78 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/commands/runners.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/commands/runners.py
@@ -106,6 +106,8 @@ class CommandRunner(QObject):
             The new command string if an alias was found. Default value
             otherwise.
         """
+        # FIXME:conf
+        return default
         parts = text.strip().split(maxsplit=1)
         try:
             alias = config.get('aliases', parts[0])
diff --git a/qutebrowser/completion/models/miscmodels.py b/qutebrowser/completion/models/miscmodels.py
index 5ab381c43..00d1cdd02 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/completion/models/miscmodels.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/completion/models/miscmodels.py
@@ -285,9 +285,10 @@ def _get_cmd_completions(include_hidden, include_aliases, prefix=''):
             bindings = ', '.join(cmd_to_keys.get(obj.name, []))
             cmdlist.append((prefix + obj.name, obj.desc, bindings))
 
-    if include_aliases:
-        for name, cmd in config.section('aliases').items():
-            bindings = ', '.join(cmd_to_keys.get(name, []))
-            cmdlist.append((name, "Alias for '{}'".format(cmd), bindings))
+    # FIXME:conf
+    # if include_aliases:
+    #     for name, cmd in config.section('aliases').items():
+    #         bindings = ', '.join(cmd_to_keys.get(name, []))
+    #         cmdlist.append((name, "Alias for '{}'".format(cmd), bindings))
 
     return cmdlist
diff --git a/qutebrowser/config/config.py b/qutebrowser/config/config.py
index 587da214f..fe3beb545 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/config/config.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/config/config.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ import collections.abc
 from PyQt5.QtCore import pyqtSignal, QObject, QUrl, QSettings
 from PyQt5.QtGui import QColor
 
-from qutebrowser.config import configdata, configexc, textwrapper
+from qutebrowser.config import configdata, configexc, textwrapper, newconfig
 from qutebrowser.config.parsers import keyconf
 from qutebrowser.config.parsers import ini
 from qutebrowser.commands import cmdexc, cmdutils
@@ -132,7 +132,8 @@ def get(*args, **kwargs):
 
 def section(sect):
     """Get a config section from the global config."""
-    return objreg.get('config')[sect]
+    config = objreg.get('config')
+    return newconfig.SectionStub(config, sect)
 
 
 def _init_main_config(parent=None):
@@ -242,13 +243,20 @@ def _init_misc():
         QSettings.setPath(fmt, QSettings.UserScope, path)
 
 
+def _init_new_config(parent):
+    new_config = newconfig.NewConfigManager(parent)
+    new_config.read_defaults()
+    objreg.register('config', new_config)
+
+
 def init(parent=None):
     """Initialize the config.
 
     Args:
         parent: The parent to pass to QObjects which get initialized.
     """
-    _init_main_config(parent)
+    # _init_main_config(parent)
+    _init_new_config(parent)
     _init_key_config(parent)
     _init_misc()
 
diff --git a/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py b/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py
index 28cf41ac5..711fca495 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ DATA: A global read-only copy of the default config, an OrderedDict of
       sections.
 """
 
+# FIXME:conf reintroduce interpolation?
+
 import sys
 import re
 import collections
@@ -121,6 +123,13 @@ SECTION_DESC = {
 
 
 DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE = '10pt' if sys.platform == 'darwin' else '8pt'
+# FIXME:conf what to do about this?
+MONOSPACE = (' xos4 Terminus, Terminus, Monospace, '
+             '"DejaVu Sans Mono", Monaco, '
+             '"Bitstream Vera Sans Mono", "Andale Mono", '
+             '"Courier New", Courier, "Liberation Mono", '
+             'monospace, Fixed, Consolas, Terminal')
+
 
 
 def data(readonly=False):
@@ -155,7 +164,7 @@ def data(readonly=False):
             "the filename will be appended."),
 
             ('default-page',
-             SettingValue(typ.FuzzyUrl(), '${startpage}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.FuzzyUrl(), 'https://start.duckduckgo.com/'),
              "The page to open if :open -t/-b/-w is used without URL. Use "
              "`about:blank` for a blank page."),
 
@@ -1051,7 +1060,7 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              "Top border color of the completion widget category headers."),
 
             ('completion.category.border.bottom',
-             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '${completion.category.border.top}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), 'black'),
              "Bottom border color of the completion widget category headers."),
 
             ('completion.item.selected.fg',
@@ -1068,7 +1077,7 @@ def data(readonly=False):
 
             ('completion.item.selected.border.bottom',
              SettingValue(
-                 typ.QssColor(), '${completion.item.selected.border.top}'),
+                 typ.QssColor(), '#bbbb00'),
              "Bottom border color of the selected completion item."),
 
             ('completion.match.fg',
@@ -1076,11 +1085,11 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              "Foreground color of the matched text in the completion."),
 
             ('completion.scrollbar.fg',
-             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '${completion.fg}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), 'white'),
              "Color of the scrollbar handle in completion view."),
 
             ('completion.scrollbar.bg',
-             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '${completion.bg}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '#333333'),
              "Color of the scrollbar in completion view"),
 
             ('statusbar.fg',
@@ -1092,7 +1101,7 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              "Background color of the statusbar."),
 
             ('statusbar.fg.private',
-             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '${statusbar.fg}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), 'white'),
              "Foreground color of the statusbar in private browsing mode."),
 
             ('statusbar.bg.private',
@@ -1100,7 +1109,7 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              "Background color of the statusbar in private browsing mode."),
 
             ('statusbar.fg.insert',
-             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '${statusbar.fg}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), 'white'),
              "Foreground color of the statusbar in insert mode."),
 
             ('statusbar.bg.insert',
@@ -1108,25 +1117,25 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              "Background color of the statusbar in insert mode."),
 
             ('statusbar.fg.command',
-             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '${statusbar.fg}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), 'white'),
              "Foreground color of the statusbar in command mode."),
 
             ('statusbar.bg.command',
-             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '${statusbar.bg}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), 'black'),
              "Background color of the statusbar in command mode."),
 
             ('statusbar.fg.command.private',
-             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '${statusbar.fg.private}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), 'white'),
              "Foreground color of the statusbar in private browsing + command "
              "mode."),
 
             ('statusbar.bg.command.private',
-             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '${statusbar.bg.private}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), 'grey'),
              "Background color of the statusbar in private browsing + command "
              "mode."),
 
             ('statusbar.fg.caret',
-             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '${statusbar.fg}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), 'white'),
              "Foreground color of the statusbar in caret mode."),
 
             ('statusbar.bg.caret',
@@ -1134,7 +1143,7 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              "Background color of the statusbar in caret mode."),
 
             ('statusbar.fg.caret-selection',
-             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '${statusbar.fg}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), 'white'),
              "Foreground color of the statusbar in caret mode with a "
              "selection"),
 
@@ -1148,7 +1157,7 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              "Background color of the progress bar."),
 
             ('statusbar.url.fg',
-             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), '${statusbar.fg}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), 'white'),
              "Default foreground color of the URL in the statusbar."),
 
             ('statusbar.url.fg.success',
@@ -1200,11 +1209,11 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              "Background color of selected odd tabs."),
 
             ('tabs.fg.selected.even',
-             SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), '${tabs.fg.selected.odd}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), 'white'),
              "Foreground color of selected even tabs."),
 
             ('tabs.bg.selected.even',
-             SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), '${tabs.bg.selected.odd}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), 'black'),
              "Background color of selected even tabs."),
 
             ('tabs.bg.bar',
@@ -1255,7 +1264,7 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              "Color gradient start for download backgrounds."),
 
             ('downloads.fg.stop',
-             SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), '${downloads.fg.start}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), '#0000aa'),
              "Color gradient end for download text."),
 
             ('downloads.bg.stop',
@@ -1356,23 +1365,23 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              "Default monospace fonts."),
 
             ('completion',
-             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + ' ${_monospace}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + MONOSPACE),
              "Font used in the completion widget."),
 
             ('completion.category',
-             SettingValue(typ.Font(), 'bold ${completion}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.Font(), 'bold ' + DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + MONOSPACE),
              "Font used in the completion categories."),
 
             ('tabbar',
-             SettingValue(typ.QtFont(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + ' ${_monospace}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QtFont(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + MONOSPACE),
              "Font used in the tab bar."),
 
             ('statusbar',
-             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + ' ${_monospace}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + MONOSPACE),
              "Font used in the statusbar."),
 
             ('downloads',
-             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + ' ${_monospace}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + MONOSPACE),
              "Font used for the downloadbar."),
 
             ('hints',
@@ -1380,7 +1389,7 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              "Font used for the hints."),
 
             ('debug-console',
-             SettingValue(typ.QtFont(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + ' ${_monospace}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.QtFont(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + MONOSPACE),
              "Font used for the debugging console."),
 
             ('web-family-standard',
@@ -1432,19 +1441,19 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              "The default font size for fixed-pitch text."),
 
             ('keyhint',
-             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + ' ${_monospace}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + MONOSPACE),
              "Font used in the keyhint widget."),
 
             ('messages.error',
-             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + ' ${_monospace}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + MONOSPACE),
              "Font used for error messages."),
 
             ('messages.warning',
-             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + ' ${_monospace}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + MONOSPACE),
              "Font used for warning messages."),
 
             ('messages.info',
-             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + ' ${_monospace}'),
+             SettingValue(typ.Font(), DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE + MONOSPACE),
              "Font used for info messages."),
 
             ('prompts',
diff --git a/qutebrowser/config/newconfig.py b/qutebrowser/config/newconfig.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f4c350d66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/qutebrowser/config/newconfig.py
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+# vim: ft=python fileencoding=utf-8 sts=4 sw=4 et:
+
+# Copyright 2014-2017 Florian Bruhin (The Compiler) <mail@qutebrowser.org>
+#
+# This file is part of qutebrowser.
+#
+# qutebrowser is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# qutebrowser is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with qutebrowser.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+"""New qutebrowser configuration code."""
+
+
+from PyQt5.QtCore import pyqtSignal, QObject
+
+
+from qutebrowser.config import configdata
+
+
+class SectionStub:
+
+    # FIXME get rid of this once we get rid of sections
+
+    def __init__(self, conf, name):
+        self._conf = conf
+        self._name = name
+
+    def __getitem__(self, item):
+        return self._conf.get(self._name, item)
+
+
+class NewConfigManager(QObject):
+
+    # FIXME:conf QObject?
+
+    changed = pyqtSignal(str, str)  # FIXME:conf stub... where is this used?
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._values = {}
+
+    def _key(self, sect, opt):
+        return sect + ' -> ' + opt
+
+    def read_defaults(self):
+        for name, section in configdata.data().items():
+            for key, value in section.items():
+                self._values[self._key(name, key)] = value
+
+    def get(self, section, option):
+        val = self._values[self._key(section, option)]
+        return val.typ.transform(val.value())
diff --git a/qutebrowser/config/style.py b/qutebrowser/config/style.py
index 15215c398..cc66af2d8 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/config/style.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/config/style.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def get_stylesheet(template_str):
     Return:
         The formatted template as string.
     """
-    colordict = ColorDict(config.section('colors'))
+    colordict = ColorDict(config)
     template = jinja2.Template(template_str)
     return template.render(color=colordict, font=config.section('fonts'),
                            config=objreg.get('config'))
@@ -70,10 +70,13 @@ def _update_stylesheet(obj):
         obj.setStyleSheet(get_stylesheet(obj.STYLESHEET))
 
 
-class ColorDict(collections.UserDict):
+class ColorDict:
 
     """A dict aimed at Qt stylesheet colors."""
 
+    def __init__(self, config):
+        self._config = config
+
     def __getitem__(self, key):
         """Override dict __getitem__.
 
@@ -86,11 +89,7 @@ class ColorDict(collections.UserDict):
 
             else, return the plain value.
         """
-        try:
-            val = self.data[key]
-        except KeyError:
-            log.config.exception("No color defined for {}!".format(key))
-            return ''
+        val = self._config.get('colors', key)
         if isinstance(val, QColor):
             # This could happen when accidentally declaring something as
             # QtColor instead of Color in the config, and it'd go unnoticed as