diff --git a/kitty/cmds.py b/kitty/cmds.py
index f934aef60..9f3adbeb4 100644
--- a/kitty/cmds.py
+++ b/kitty/cmds.py
@@ -890,6 +890,7 @@ def cmd_launch(global_opts, opts, args):
     stdin_add_formatting: Boolean indicating whether to add formatting codes to stdin
     stdin_add_line_wrap_markers: Boolean indicating whether to add line wrap markers to stdin
     no_response: Boolean indicating whether to send back the window id
+    marker: Specification for marker for new window, for example: "text 1 ERROR"
     '''
     if opts.no_response:
         global_opts.no_command_response = True
diff --git a/kitty/launch.py b/kitty/launch.py
index 1bd97864f..6e98ff696 100644
--- a/kitty/launch.py
+++ b/kitty/launch.py
@@ -116,6 +116,9 @@ want to pipe to program that wants to duplicate the screen layout of the
 screen.
 
 
+--marker
+Create a marker that highlights text in the newly created window. The syntax is
+the same as for the :opt:`toggle_marker` map action.
 '''
         options_spec.ans = OPTIONS
     return options_spec.ans
@@ -178,6 +181,8 @@ def launch(boss, opts, args, target_tab=None):
         kw['override_title'] = opts.window_title
     if opts.copy_colors and active:
         kw['copy_colors_from'] = active
+    if opts.marker:
+        kw['marker'] = opts.marker
     cmd = args or None
     if opts.copy_cmdline and active_child:
         cmd = active_child.foreground_cmdline
diff --git a/kitty/tabs.py b/kitty/tabs.py
index b804ac374..2b54e57b2 100644
--- a/kitty/tabs.py
+++ b/kitty/tabs.py
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ class Tab:  # {{{
     def new_window(
         self, use_shell=True, cmd=None, stdin=None, override_title=None,
         cwd_from=None, cwd=None, overlay_for=None, env=None, location=None,
-        copy_colors_from=None, allow_remote_control=False
+        copy_colors_from=None, allow_remote_control=False, marker=None
     ):
         child = self.launch_child(
             use_shell=use_shell, cmd=cmd, stdin=stdin, cwd_from=cwd_from, cwd=cwd, env=env, allow_remote_control=allow_remote_control)
@@ -275,6 +275,12 @@ class Tab:  # {{{
         # Must add child before laying out so that resize_pty succeeds
         get_boss().add_child(window)
         self._add_window(window, location=location)
+        if marker:
+            try:
+                window.set_marker(marker)
+            except Exception:
+                import traceback
+                traceback.print_exc()
         return window
 
     def new_special_window(self, special_window, location=None, copy_colors_from=None, allow_remote_control=False):