diff --git a/gitflow-common b/gitflow-common
index 93f1e7a..2ff3036 100644
--- a/gitflow-common
+++ b/gitflow-common
@@ -44,6 +44,15 @@
 gitflow_all_branches() { gitflow_local_branches; gitflow_remote_branches; }
 gitflow_all_tags() { git tag; }
 
+# loading settings that can be overridden using git config
+gitflow_load_settings() {
+	export GIT_DIR=$(git rev-parse --git-dir >/dev/null 2>&1)
+	export MASTER_BRANCH=$(git config --get gitflow.branch.master || echo master)
+	export DEVELOP_BRANCH=$(git config --get gitflow.branch.develop || echo develop)
+	export ORIGIN=$(git config --get gitflow.origin || echo origin)
+	export README=$(git config --get gitflow.readme || echo README)
+}
+
 #
 # resolve_nameprefix
 #
@@ -107,6 +116,12 @@
 	fi
 }
 
+gitflow_require_git_repo() {
+	if ! git rev-parse --git-dir >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+		die "Not a git repository"
+	fi
+}
+
 gitflow_require_clean_working_tree() {
 	gitflow_test_clean_working_tree
 	local result=$?