diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/CMakeLists.txt b/slsDetectorSoftware/CMakeLists.txt
index 5ac91741f..6d202cbd0 100644
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ set(SOURCES
     ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/slsSupportLib/src/ClientInterface.cpp
     ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/slsSupportLib/src/utilities.cpp
     ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/slsSupportLib/src/string_utils.cpp
+    ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/slsSupportLib/src/CmdLineParser.cpp
 )
 
 set(HEADERS
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/multiSlsDetector/multiSlsDetectorClient.h b/slsDetectorSoftware/multiSlsDetector/multiSlsDetectorClient.h
index 28f9da73f..93b3fb9d0 100644
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/multiSlsDetector/multiSlsDetectorClient.h
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/multiSlsDetector/multiSlsDetectorClient.h
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #include <iostream>
 #include <string>
 
+#include "CmdLineParser.h"
 #include "container_utils.h"
 #include "multiSlsDetector.h"
 #include "multiSlsDetectorCommand.h"
diff --git a/slsSupportLib/include/CmdLineParser.h b/slsSupportLib/include/CmdLineParser.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c241d6666
--- /dev/null
+++ b/slsSupportLib/include/CmdLineParser.h
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+#ifndef CMD_LINE_PARSER_H
+#define CMD_LINE_PARSER_H
+#include <stdexcept>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+class CmdLineParser {
+public:
+    void Parse(int argc, char* argv[]);
+    void Parse(std::string s);
+    void Print();
+
+    //getters
+    int multi_id() const { return multi_id_; };
+    int detector_id() const { return detector_id_; };
+    std::string command() const { return command_; }
+    const std::vector<std::string>& arguments() { return arguments_; };
+
+private:
+    void DecodeIdAndPosition(const char* c);
+    int multi_id_ = 0;
+    int detector_id_ = -1;
+    std::string command_;
+    std::vector<std::string> arguments_;
+};
+
+#endif // CMD_LINE_PARSER_H
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/slsSupportLib/src/CmdLineParser.cpp b/slsSupportLib/src/CmdLineParser.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..51a5a682a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/slsSupportLib/src/CmdLineParser.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+
+#include "CmdLineParser.h"
+#include <cstdio>
+#include <cstring>
+#include <sstream>
+#include <iterator>
+#include <iostream>
+//printing function for debugging
+void CmdLineParser::Print()
+{
+    std::cout << "\nCmdLineParser::Print()\n";
+    std::cout << "\tmulti_id: " << multi_id_ << ", detector_id: " << detector_id_ << std::endl;
+    std::cout << "\tcommand: " << command_ << std::endl;
+    std::cout << "\targuments: ";
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < arguments_.size(); ++i) {
+        std::cout << arguments_[i] << " ";
+    }
+    std::cout << "\n\n";
+};
+
+void CmdLineParser::Parse(int argc, char* argv[])
+{
+    //first element of argv is the command used to call the executable ->skipping
+    //and if this is the only command skip all
+    if (argc > 1) {
+        //second element is cmd string that needs to be decoded
+        DecodeIdAndPosition(argv[1]);
+        //The rest of the arguments goes into a vector for later processing
+        for (int i = 2; i < argc; ++i)
+            arguments_.push_back(std::string(argv[i]));
+    }
+};
+
+void CmdLineParser::Parse(std::string s){
+  std::istringstream iss(s);
+  auto it =  std::istream_iterator<std::string>(iss);
+  //read the first element and increment
+  command_ = *it++;
+  arguments_ =  std::vector<std::string>(it, std::istream_iterator<std::string>());;
+  DecodeIdAndPosition(command_.c_str());
+}
+
+void CmdLineParser::DecodeIdAndPosition(const char* c)
+{
+    bool contains_id  = std::strchr(c, '-');
+    bool contains_pos = std::strchr(c, ':');
+    char tmp[100];
+
+    if (contains_id && contains_pos) {
+        int r = sscanf(c, "%d-%d:%s", &multi_id_, &detector_id_, tmp);
+        if (r != 3)
+            throw(std::invalid_argument("Cannot decode client or detector id from: \"" + std::string(c) + "\"\n"));
+        command_ = tmp;
+    } else if (contains_id && !contains_pos) {
+        int r = sscanf(c, "%d-%s", &multi_id_, tmp);
+        if (r != 2)
+            throw(std::invalid_argument("Cannot decode client id from: \"" + std::string(c) + "\"\n"));
+        command_ = tmp;
+    } else if (!contains_id && contains_pos) {
+        int r = sscanf(c, "%d:%s", &detector_id_, tmp);
+        if (r != 2)
+            throw(std::invalid_argument("Cannot decode detector id from: \"" + std::string(c) + "\"\n"));
+        command_ = tmp;
+    } else {
+        command_ = c;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/CMakeLists.txt b/tests/CMakeLists.txt
index 4a4dcac4e..9b6ce4f83 100644
--- a/tests/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/tests/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ if(USE_TESTS)
         ${LOCAL_TEST_DIR}/test-container_utils.cpp
         ${LOCAL_TEST_DIR}/test-string_utils.cpp
         ${LOCAL_TEST_DIR}/test-MySocketTCP.cpp
-
+        ${LOCAL_TEST_DIR}/test-CmdLineParser.cpp
         #${LOCAL_TEST_DIR}/test-multiDetector.cpp
         ${LOCAL_TEST_DIR}/test.cpp
         # PARENT_SCOPE
diff --git a/tests/src/test-CmdLineParser.cpp b/tests/src/test-CmdLineParser.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..da469178b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/src/test-CmdLineParser.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+#include "CmdLineParser.h"
+#include "catch.hpp"
+#include <exception>
+#include <string>
+//tests to add
+//help for all docs
+//command for all depreciated commands
+
+TEST_CASE("Parse with no arguments results in no command and default id")
+{
+    //build up argc and argv
+    //first argument is the command used to call the binary
+    int argc = 1;
+    char* argv[argc];
+    char a0[] = "call";
+    argv[0]   = a0;
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(argc, argv);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == -1);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 0);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string(""));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 0);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Parse empty string")
+{
+    std::string s = "";
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(s);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == -1);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 0);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string(""));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 0);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Parse a command without client id and detector id results in default")
+{
+    int argc = 2;
+    char* argv[argc];
+    char a0[] = "call";
+    char a1[] = "vrf";
+    argv[0]   = a0;
+    argv[1]   = a1;
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(argc, argv);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == -1);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 0);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string("vrf"));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 0);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Parse a string without client id and detector id results in default")
+{
+    std::string s = "vrf";
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(s);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == -1);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 0);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string("vrf"));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 0);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Parse a command with value but without client or detector id")
+{
+    int argc = 3;
+    char* argv[argc];
+    char a0[] = "call";
+    char a1[] = "vrf";
+    char a2[] = "3000";
+    argv[0]   = a0;
+    argv[1]   = a1;
+    argv[2]   = a2;
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(argc, argv);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == -1);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 0);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string("vrf"));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 1);
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments()[0] == std::string("3000"));
+}
+TEST_CASE("Parse a string with value but without client or detector id")
+{
+    std::string s = "vrf 3000\n";
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(s);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == -1);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 0);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string("vrf"));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 1);
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments()[0] == std::string("3000"));
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Decodes position")
+{
+    int argc = 2;
+    char* argv[argc];
+    char a0[] = "call";
+    char a1[] = "7:vrf";
+    argv[0]   = a0;
+    argv[1]   = a1;
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(argc, argv);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == 7);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 0);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string("vrf"));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 0);
+}
+TEST_CASE("Decodes position from string")
+{
+    std::string s =  "7:vrf\n";
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(s);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == 7);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 0);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string("vrf"));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 0);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Decodes double digit position")
+{
+    int argc = 2;
+    char* argv[argc];
+    char a0[] = "call";
+    char a1[] = "73:vcmp";
+    argv[0]   = a0;
+    argv[1]   = a1;
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(argc, argv);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == 73);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 0);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string("vcmp"));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 0);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Decodes double digit position from string")
+{
+
+    std::string s = "73:vcmp";
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(s);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == 73);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 0);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string("vcmp"));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 0);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Decodes position and id")
+{
+    int argc = 2;
+    char* argv[argc];
+    char a0[] = "call";
+    char a1[] = "5-8:vrf";
+    argv[0]   = a0;
+    argv[1]   = a1;
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(argc, argv);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == 8);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 5);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string("vrf"));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 0);
+}
+TEST_CASE("Decodes position and id from string")
+{
+
+    std::string s = "5-8:vrf";
+
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(s);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == 8);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 5);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string("vrf"));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 0);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Double digit id")
+{
+    int argc = 2;
+    char* argv[argc];
+    char a0[] = "call";
+    char a1[] = "56-8:vrf";
+    argv[0]   = a0;
+    argv[1]   = a1;
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(argc, argv);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == 8);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 56);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string("vrf"));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 0);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Double digit id from string")
+{
+    std::string s = "56-8:vrf";
+
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    p.Parse(s);
+
+    REQUIRE(p.detector_id() == 8);
+    REQUIRE(p.multi_id() == 56);
+    REQUIRE(p.command() == std::string("vrf"));
+    REQUIRE(p.arguments().size() == 0);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Calling with wrong id throws invalid_argument")
+{
+
+    int argc = 2;
+    char* argv[argc];
+    char a0[] = "call";
+    char a1[] = "asvldkn:vrf";
+    argv[0]   = a0;
+    argv[1]   = a1;
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    CHECK_THROWS(p.Parse(argc, argv));
+}
+TEST_CASE("Calling with string with wrong id throws invalid_argument")
+{
+    std::string s = "asvldkn:vrf";
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    CHECK_THROWS(p.Parse(s));
+}
+
+
+TEST_CASE("Calling with wrong client throws invalid_argument")
+{
+
+    int argc = 2;
+    char* argv[argc];
+    char a0[] = "call";
+    char a1[] = "lki-3:vrf";
+    argv[0]   = a0;
+    argv[1]   = a1;
+
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    CHECK_THROWS(p.Parse(argc, argv));
+}
+TEST_CASE("Calling with string with wrong client throws invalid_argument")
+{
+    std::string s = "lki-3:vrf";
+    CmdLineParser p;
+    CHECK_THROWS(p.Parse(s));
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Parses string with two arguments"){
+  std::string s = "trimen 3000 4000\n";
+  CmdLineParser p;
+  p.Parse(s);
+
+  REQUIRE("trimen" == p.command());
+  REQUIRE("3000" == p.arguments()[0]);
+  REQUIRE("4000" == p.arguments()[1]);
+  REQUIRE(2 == p.arguments().size());
+}
\ No newline at end of file