diff --git a/gui/awesome.sh b/gui/awesome.sh
index 8419d59..3882dc7 100755
--- a/gui/awesome.sh
+++ b/gui/awesome.sh
@@ -66,5 +66,6 @@ EOT
 
 # configuration
 lnsf "$DIR/awesome/rc.lua" "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/awesome/rc.lua"
+lnsf "$DIR/awesome/autostart" "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/awesome/autostart"
 lnsf "$DIR/rofi/config.rasi" "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/rofi/config.rasi"
 lnsf "$DIR/rofi/catppuccin.rasi" "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/rofi/catppuccin.rasi"
diff --git a/gui/awesome/autostart b/gui/awesome/autostart
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..025b68a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gui/awesome/autostart
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# startup apps
+! /bin/pgrep nextcloud && nextcloud &
+! /bin/pgrep flameshot && flameshot &
+! /bin/pgrep nm-applet && nm-applet &
+! /bin/pgrep copyq && copyq &
+! /bin/pgrep -f "lua virtcam.lua" && cd ~/dotfiles/gui/virtcam && lua virtcam.lua &
+
+# input method
+ibus-daemon -drx
+
+# turn bluetooth power on 
+bluetoothctl power on
+
+# export X variable for cronjob to send notification
+echo DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS=$DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS > ~/.cron.env
+echo DISPLAY=$DISPLAY >> ~/.cron.env
+
+# adjust brightness in battery mode
+grep -F 0 /sys/class/power_supply/ACAD/online && sudo light -S 30
+
+# prioritize hdmi output
+HDMI_SINK=$(pactl list short sinks | awk '{print $2}' | grep hdmi)
+if [ -n "$HDMI_SINK" ]; then
+    pactl set-default-sink "$HDMI_SINK"
+fi
+
+# fix pulseaudio echo-cancel side effect
+pactl set-source-volume @DEFAULT_SOURCE@ 100%
diff --git a/gui/awesome/rc.lua b/gui/awesome/rc.lua
index f282cda..7260616 100644
--- a/gui/awesome/rc.lua
+++ b/gui/awesome/rc.lua
@@ -872,17 +872,4 @@ client.connect_signal("unfocus", function(c)
     --c.border_width = 0
 end)
 
--- Autostart
-awful.spawn.with_shell("! /bin/pgrep nextcloud && nextcloud")
-awful.spawn.with_shell("ibus-daemon -drx")
-awful.spawn.with_shell("flameshot")
---awful.spawn.with_shell("blueman-applet")
-awful.spawn.with_shell("nm-applet")
-awful.spawn.with_shell("copyq")
-awful.spawn.with_shell("bluetoothctl power on")
--- store session variables for crontab
-awful.spawn.with_shell("echo DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS=$DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS > ~/.cron.env")
-awful.spawn.with_shell("echo DISPLAY=$DISPLAY >> ~/.cron.env")
-awful.spawn.with_shell("grep -F 0 /sys/class/power_supply/ACAD/online && sudo light -S 30")
-awful.spawn.with_shell("cd ~/dotfiles/gui/virtcam && lua virtcam.lua")
--- }}}
+awful.spawn.with_shell("~/.config/awesome/autostart")