diff --git a/bin/curvecalc b/bin/curvecalc
--- a/bin/curvecalc
+++ b/bin/curvecalc
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ from light9.editchoicegtk import EditCho
 from light9.gtkpyconsole import togglePyConsole
 from light9.namespaces import L9
 from light9.observable import Observable
-from rdfdb import clientsession
+from light9 import clientsession
 from rdfdb.patch import Patch
 from rdfdb.syncedgraph import SyncedGraph
 from light9.wavelength import wavelength
diff --git a/bin/effectsequencer b/bin/effectsequencer
--- a/bin/effectsequencer
+++ b/bin/effectsequencer
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import optparse, sys, logging
 import cyclone.web
 from rdflib import URIRef
 from light9.effect.sequencer import Sequencer, sendToCollector
-from rdfdb import clientsession
+from light9 import clientsession
 
 class App(object):
     def __init__(self, show, session):
diff --git a/bin/inputdemo b/bin/inputdemo
--- a/bin/inputdemo
+++ b/bin/inputdemo
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import optparse, logging, urllib, time
 from gi.repository import Gtk
 from run_local import log
 from light9 import showconfig, networking
-from rdfdb import clientsession
+from light9 import clientsession
 from rdfdb.syncedgraph import SyncedGraph
 import cyclone.httpclient
 from light9.curvecalc.client import sendLiveInputPoint
diff --git a/bin/keyboardcomposer b/bin/keyboardcomposer
--- a/bin/keyboardcomposer
+++ b/bin/keyboardcomposer
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ from light9 import showconfig, networkin
 from light9.uihelpers import toplevelat
 from light9.namespaces import L9, RDF, RDFS
 from light9.tkdnd import initTkdnd, dragSourceRegister, dropTargetRegister
-from rdfdb import clientsession
+from light9 import clientsession
 from rdfdb.syncedgraph import SyncedGraph
 from light9.effect.sequencer import CodeWatcher
 import light9.effect.effecteval
diff --git a/bin/paintserver b/bin/paintserver
--- a/bin/paintserver
+++ b/bin/paintserver
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ from greplin import scales
 import optparse, sys, logging
 import cyclone.web
 from rdflib import URIRef
-from rdfdb import clientsession
+from light9 import clientsession
 import light9.paint.solve
 from lib.cycloneerr import PrettyErrorHandler
 from light9.namespaces import RDF, L9, DEV
diff --git a/bin/subcomposer b/bin/subcomposer
--- a/bin/subcomposer
+++ b/bin/subcomposer
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ from light9 import dmxclient, Submaster,
 from light9.Patch import get_channel_name
 from light9.uihelpers import toplevelat
 from rdfdb.syncedgraph import SyncedGraph
-from rdfdb import clientsession
+from light9 import clientsession
 from light9.tkdnd import initTkdnd
 from light9.namespaces import L9
 from rdfdb.patch import Patch
diff --git a/light9/clientsession.py b/light9/clientsession.py
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/light9/clientsession.py
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+"""
+some clients will support the concept of a named session that keeps
+multiple instances of that client separate
+"""
+from rdflib import URIRef
+from urllib import quote
+from light9 import showconfig
+
+def add_option(parser):
+    parser.add_option(
+        '-s', '--session',
+        help="name of session used for levels and window position",
+        default='default')
+
+def getUri(appName, opts):
+    return URIRef("%s/sessions/%s/%s" % (showconfig.showUri(), appName,
+                                         quote(opts.session, safe='')))