diff --git a/.config/kak/colors/ashen.kak b/.config/kak/colors/ashen.kak
index 4912a3bd..a7f43555 100644
--- a/.config/kak/colors/ashen.kak
+++ b/.config/kak/colors/ashen.kak
@@ -57,22 +57,33 @@ set-face global link      "%opt{red_glowing}+ui"
 set-face global bullet    "%opt{orange_glow}"
 set-face global list      "%opt{orange_glow}"
 
-# Helix-like insert mode cursor
-set-face global PrimaryCursorNormal   "%opt{background},%opt{orange_blaze}+gfb"
-set-face global SecondaryCursorNormal "%opt{background},%opt{orange_muted}+gf"
-set-face global PrimaryCursorInsert   "%opt{background},%opt{g_3}+gfb"
-set-face global SecondaryCursorInsert "%opt{background},%opt{g_7}+gf"
-set-face global PrimaryCursor   PrimaryCursorNormal
-set-face global SecondaryCursor SecondaryCursorNormal
+# SPECIAL CURSOR BLOCK
+# We implement a Helix-like cursor changing color.
+# Off by default; ashen_cursor option must be declared:
+# declare-option bool ashen_cursor true
+try %{
+    # check if ashen_dynamic_cursor option is set
+    nop %opt{ashen_dynamic_cursor}
+	# Helix-like insert mode cursor
+	set-face global PrimaryCursorNormal   "%opt{background},%opt{orange_blaze}+gfb"
+	set-face global SecondaryCursorNormal "%opt{background},%opt{orange_muted}+gf"
+	set-face global PrimaryCursorInsert   "%opt{background},%opt{g_3}+gfb"
+	set-face global SecondaryCursorInsert "%opt{background},%opt{g_7}+gf"
+	set-face global PrimaryCursor   PrimaryCursorNormal
+	set-face global SecondaryCursor SecondaryCursorNormal
 
-hook global ModeChange (push|pop):.*insert %{
-    set-face window PrimaryCursor PrimaryCursorInsert
-    set-face window SecondaryCursor SecondaryCursorInsert
-}
+	hook global ModeChange (push|pop):.*insert %{
+		set-face window PrimaryCursor PrimaryCursorInsert
+		set-face window SecondaryCursor SecondaryCursorInsert
+	}
 
-hook global ModeChange (push|pop):insert:.* %{
-    set-face window PrimaryCursor PrimaryCursorNormal
-    set-face window SecondaryCursor SecondaryCursorNormal
+	hook global ModeChange (push|pop):insert:.* %{
+		set-face window PrimaryCursor PrimaryCursorNormal
+		set-face window SecondaryCursor SecondaryCursorNormal
+	}
+} catch %{
+	set-face global PrimaryCursor   "%opt{background},%opt{orange_blaze}+gfb"
+	set-face global SecondaryCursor "%opt{background},%opt{orange_muted}+gf"
 }
 
 # Built-in UI
@@ -189,3 +200,4 @@ set-face global ts_string_special_url             "%opt{red_glowing}+b"
 set-face global ts_comment_block_documentation    "%opt{g_5}+i"
 set-face global ts_keyword_operator               "%opt{orange_blaze}"
 set-face global ts_markup_list                    "%opt{orange_glow}"
+
diff --git a/.config/kak/kakrc b/.config/kak/kakrc
index 923f1120..956acdf4 100644
--- a/.config/kak/kakrc
+++ b/.config/kak/kakrc
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 eval %sh{ kak-tree-sitter -dks --init $kak_session }
+declare-option bool ashen_dynamic_cursor true
 colorscheme ashen
 
 # disable clippy