diff --git a/spec/configs/flapjack-notifier-couchdb.ini b/spec/configs/flapjack-notifier-couchdb.ini
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..68373fe2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/configs/flapjack-notifier-couchdb.ini
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# top level
+[notifier]
+  notifier-directories = /usr/lib/flapjack/notifiers/ /path/to/my/notifiers
+  notifiers = mailer, xmpp
+
+[persistence]
+  backend = couchdb
+	host = localhost
+	port = 5984 
+	username = spoons
+	password = doom
+
+[transport]
+  backend = beanstalkd
+  basedir = /usr/lib/flapjack/persistence/
+  host = localhost
+  port = 11300
+
+[mailer-notifier]
+  from_address = foo@bar.com
+
+[xmpp-notifier]
+  jid = foo@bar.com
+  password = barfoo
+  
diff --git a/spec/configs/flapjack-notifier.ini b/spec/configs/flapjack-notifier.ini
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e674040d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/configs/flapjack-notifier.ini
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# top level
+[notifier]
+  notifier-directories = /usr/lib/flapjack/notifiers/ /path/to/my/notifiers
+  notifiers = mailer, xmpp
+
+# persistence layers
+[persistence]
+  backend = datamapper
+  uri = sqlite3:///tmp/flapjack.db
+
+# message transports
+[transport]
+  backend = beanstalkd
+  basedir = /usr/lib/flapjack/persistence/
+  host = localhost
+  port = 11300
+
+# notifiers
+[mailer-notifier]
+  from_address = foo@bar.com
+
+[xmpp-notifier]
+  jid = foo@bar.com
+  password = barfoo
+  
diff --git a/spec/configs/recipients.ini b/spec/configs/recipients.ini
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bf57ad450
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/configs/recipients.ini
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# recipients
+
+[John Doe]
+  email = johndoe@example.org
+  jid = john@example.org
+  phone = +61 400 111 222
+  pager = 61400111222
+
+[Jane Doe]
+  email = janedoe@example.org
+  jid = jane@example.org
+  phone = +61 222 333 111
+  pager = 61222333111
+
diff --git a/spec/notifier_options_multiplexer_spec.rb b/spec/notifier_options_multiplexer_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0fd130546
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/notifier_options_multiplexer_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), '..', 'lib', 'flapjack', 'cli', 'notifier')
+
+describe "notifier options multiplexer" do 
+
+  before(:all) do
+    @config_filename     = File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'configs', 'flapjack-notifier.ini')
+    @recipients_filename = File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'configs', 'recipients.ini')
+    
+    @couchdb_config_filename = File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'configs', 'flapjack-notifier-couchdb.ini')
+  end
+
+  it "should setup notifier options from specified config file" do 
+    args = ["-c", @config_filename, "-r", @recipients_filename]
+    config = Flapjack::Notifier::Options.parse(args)
+    config.notifiers.each do |notifier|
+      %w(mailer xmpp).include?(notifier.keys.first)
+    end
+
+    config.notifier_directories.each do |dir|
+      %w(/usr/lib/flapjack/notifiers/ /path/to/my/notifiers).include?(dir)
+    end
+  end
+
+  it "should setup beanstalkd transport options from specified config file" do 
+    args = ["-c", @config_filename, "-r", @recipients_filename]
+    config = Flapjack::Notifier::Options.parse(args)
+    config.transport.backend.should == "beanstalkd"
+    config.transport.host.should == "localhost"
+    config.transport.port.should == "11300"
+  end
+
+  it "should setup datamapper persistence options from specified config file" do 
+    args = ["-c", @config_filename, "-r", @recipients_filename]
+    config = Flapjack::Notifier::Options.parse(args)
+    config.persistence.backend.should == "datamapper"
+    config.persistence.uri.should == "sqlite3:///tmp/flapjack.db"
+  end
+
+  it "should setup couchdb persistence backend from specified config file" do 
+    args = [ "-c", @couchdb_config_filename, "-r", @recipients_filename ]
+    config = Flapjack::Notifier::Options.parse(args)
+    config.persistence.backend.should == "couchdb"
+    config.persistence.host.should == "localhost"
+    config.persistence.port.should == "5984"
+    config.persistence.username.should == "spoons"
+    config.persistence.password.should == "doom"
+  end
+
+end
+
+