diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e8f9be6..1044574 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ Bill (Heath) Gates 65 3.3
  * Works on any type
  * Easy to use
  * No exceptions
+ * Works with quotes, escapes and spacings
  * Columns and rows can be ignored
  * Works with any type of delimiter
  * Can return whole objects composed of converted values
@@ -216,6 +217,15 @@ inline bool ss::extract(const char* begin, const char* end, shape& dst) {
 ```
 The shape enum will be used in an example below. The **inline** is there just to prevent multiple definition errors. The function returns **true** if the conversion was a success, and **false** otherwise. The function uses **const char*** begin and end for performance reasons. 
 
+## Quoting
+Not yet documented.
+
+## Escaping
+Not yet documented.
+
+## Spacing
+Not yet documented.
+
 ## Error handling
 
 Detailed error messages can be accessed via the **error_msg** method, and to enable them the error mode has to be changed to **error_mode::error_string** using the **set_error_mode** method:
diff --git a/include/ss/converter.hpp b/include/ss/converter.hpp
index 25be27c..e73c5db 100644
--- a/include/ss/converter.hpp
+++ b/include/ss/converter.hpp
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 #pragma once
-
 #include "extract.hpp"
 #include "function_traits.hpp"
 #include "restrictions.hpp"
+#include "splitter.hpp"
 #include "type_traits.hpp"
 #include <string>
 #include <type_traits>
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ INIT_HAS_METHOD(error)
 // eg. no_validator_tup_t<int, ss::nx<char, 'A', 'B'>> <=> std::tuple<int, char>
 // where ss::nx<char, 'A', 'B'> is a validator '(n)one e(x)cept' which
 // checks if the returned character is either 'A' or 'B', returns error if not
-// additionaly if one element is left in the pack, it will be unwraped from
+// additionally if one element is left in the pack, it will be unwrapped from
 // the tuple eg. no_void_validator_tup_t<int> <=> int instead of std::tuple<int>
 template <typename T, typename U = void>
 struct no_validator;
@@ -103,34 +103,31 @@ struct tied_class {
 template <typename... Ts>
 constexpr bool tied_class_v = tied_class<Ts...>::value;
 
-// the error can be set inside a string, or a bool
-enum class error_mode { error_string, error_bool };
-
 ////////////////
 // converter
 ////////////////
 
+template <typename... Matchers>
 class converter {
-    using string_range = std::pair<const char*, const char*>;
-    constexpr static auto default_delimiter = ',';
+    constexpr static auto default_delimiter = ",";
+    using line_ptr_type = typename splitter<Matchers...>::line_ptr_type;
 
 public:
-    using split_input = std::vector<string_range>;
-
     // parses line with given delimiter, returns a 'T' object created with
     // extracted values of type 'Ts'
     template <typename T, typename... Ts>
-    T convert_object(const char* const line, const std::string& delim = "") {
+    T convert_object(line_ptr_type line,
+                     const std::string& delim = default_delimiter) {
         return to_object<T>(convert<Ts...>(line, delim));
     }
 
     // parses line with given delimiter, returns tuple of objects with
     // extracted values of type 'Ts'
     template <typename... Ts>
-    no_void_validator_tup_t<Ts...> convert(const char* const line,
-                                           const std::string& delim = "") {
-        input_ = split(line, delim);
-        return convert<Ts...>(input_);
+    no_void_validator_tup_t<Ts...> convert(
+        line_ptr_type line, const std::string& delim = default_delimiter) {
+        split(line, delim);
+        return convert<Ts...>(splitter_.split_input_);
     }
 
     // parses already split line, returns 'T' object with extracted values
@@ -139,6 +136,12 @@ public:
         return to_object<T>(convert<Ts...>(elems));
     }
 
+    // same as above, but uses cached split line
+    template <typename T, typename... Ts>
+    T convert_object() {
+        return to_object<T>(convert<Ts...>());
+    }
+
     // parses already split line, returns either a tuple of objects with
     // parsed values (returns raw element (no tuple) if Ts is empty), or if
     // one argument is given which is a class which has a tied
@@ -163,35 +166,53 @@ public:
         }
     }
 
+    // same as above, but uses cached split line
+    template <typename T, typename... Ts>
+    no_void_validator_tup_t<T, Ts...> convert() {
+        return convert<T, Ts...>(splitter_.split_input_);
+    }
+
     bool valid() const {
         return (error_mode_ == error_mode::error_string) ? string_error_.empty()
                                                          : bool_error_ == false;
     }
 
-    const std::string& error_msg() const { return string_error_; }
+    bool unterminated_quote() const {
+        return splitter_.unterminated_quote();
+    }
 
-    void set_error_mode(error_mode mode) { error_mode_ = mode; }
+    const std::string& error_msg() const {
+        return string_error_;
+    }
+
+    void set_error_mode(error_mode mode) {
+        splitter_.set_error_mode(mode);
+        error_mode_ = mode;
+    }
 
     // 'splits' string by given delimiter, returns vector of pairs which
-    // contain the beginings and the ends of each column of the string
-    const split_input& split(const char* const line,
-                             const std::string& delim = "") {
-        input_.clear();
+    // contain the beginnings and the ends of each column of the string
+    const split_input& split(line_ptr_type line,
+                             const std::string& delim = default_delimiter) {
+        splitter_.split_input_.clear();
         if (line[0] == '\0') {
-            return input_;
+            return splitter_.split_input_;
         }
 
-        switch (delim.size()) {
-        case 0:
-            return split_impl(line, ',');
-        case 1:
-            return split_impl(line, delim[0]);
-        default:
-            return split_impl(line, delim, delim.size());
-        };
+        return splitter_.split(line, delim);
     }
 
 private:
+
+    ////////////////
+    // resplit
+    ////////////////
+
+    const split_input& resplit(line_ptr_type new_line, ssize_t new_size,
+                               const std::string& delim = default_delimiter) {
+        return splitter_.resplit(new_line, new_size, delim);
+    }
+
     ////////////////
     // error
     ////////////////
@@ -212,6 +233,15 @@ private:
         return error;
     }
 
+    void set_error_unterminated_quote() {
+        if (error_mode_ == error_mode::error_string) {
+            string_error_.clear();
+            string_error_.append(splitter_.error_msg());
+        } else {
+            bool_error_ = true;
+        }
+    }
+
     void set_error_invalid_conversion(const string_range msg, size_t pos) {
         if (error_mode_ == error_mode::error_string) {
             string_error_.clear();
@@ -252,11 +282,19 @@ private:
     template <typename... Ts>
     no_void_validator_tup_t<Ts...> convert_impl(const split_input& elems) {
         clear_error();
-        no_void_validator_tup_t<Ts...> ret{};
-        if (sizeof...(Ts) != elems.size()) {
-            set_error_number_of_colums(sizeof...(Ts), elems.size());
+
+        if (!splitter_.valid()) {
+            set_error_unterminated_quote();
+            no_void_validator_tup_t<Ts...> ret{};
             return ret;
         }
+
+        if (sizeof...(Ts) != elems.size()) {
+            set_error_number_of_colums(sizeof...(Ts), elems.size());
+            no_void_validator_tup_t<Ts...> ret{};
+            return ret;
+        }
+
         return extract_tuple<Ts...>(elems);
     }
 
@@ -267,37 +305,6 @@ private:
         return convert_impl<Ts...>(elems);
     }
 
-    ////////////////
-    // substring
-    ////////////////
-
-    template <typename Delim>
-    const split_input& split_impl(const char* const line, Delim delim,
-                                  size_t delim_size = 1) {
-        auto range = substring(line, delim);
-        input_.push_back(range);
-        while (range.second[0] != '\0') {
-            range = substring(range.second + delim_size, delim);
-            input_.push_back(range);
-        }
-        return input_;
-    }
-
-    bool no_match(const char* end, char delim) const { return *end != delim; }
-
-    bool no_match(const char* end, const std::string& delim) const {
-        return strncmp(end, delim.c_str(), delim.size()) != 0;
-    }
-
-    template <typename Delim>
-    string_range substring(const char* const begin, Delim delim) const {
-        const char* end;
-        for (end = begin; *end != '\0' && no_match(end, delim); ++end)
-            ;
-
-        return string_range{begin, end};
-    }
-
     ////////////////
     // conversion
     ////////////////
@@ -309,6 +316,11 @@ private:
             return;
         }
 
+        if constexpr (std::is_same_v<T, std::string>) {
+            extract(msg.first, msg.second, dst);
+            return;
+        }
+
         if (!extract(msg.first, msg.second, dst)) {
             set_error_invalid_conversion(msg, pos);
             return;
@@ -353,7 +365,7 @@ private:
     no_void_validator_tup_t<Ts...> extract_tuple(const split_input& elems) {
         static_assert(!all_of<std::is_void, Ts...>::value,
                       "at least one parameter must be non void");
-        no_void_validator_tup_t<Ts...> ret;
+        no_void_validator_tup_t<Ts...> ret{};
         extract_multiple<0, 0, Ts...>(ret, elems);
         return ret;
     }
@@ -362,21 +374,13 @@ private:
     // members
     ////////////////
 
-    std::vector<string_range> input_;
     std::string string_error_;
     bool bool_error_;
     enum error_mode error_mode_ { error_mode::error_bool };
+    splitter<Matchers...> splitter_;
+
+    template <typename ...>
+    friend class parser;
 };
 
-template <>
-inline void converter::extract_one<std::string>(std::string& dst,
-                                                const string_range msg,
-                                                size_t) {
-    if (!valid()) {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    extract(msg.first, msg.second, dst);
-}
-
 } /* ss */
diff --git a/include/ss/extract.hpp b/include/ss/extract.hpp
index f994430..b10759d 100644
--- a/include/ss/extract.hpp
+++ b/include/ss/extract.hpp
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ std::enable_if_t<std::is_floating_point_v<T>, T> pow10(int n) {
     return ret;
 }
 
+// TODO not working with large number of digits
 template <typename T>
 std::enable_if_t<std::is_floating_point_v<T>, std::optional<T>> to_num(
     const char* begin, const char* const end) {
diff --git a/include/ss/parser.hpp b/include/ss/parser.hpp
index a0ed111..d8b19b5 100644
--- a/include/ss/parser.hpp
+++ b/include/ss/parser.hpp
@@ -9,13 +9,14 @@
 #include <string>
 #include <vector>
 
+// TODO rule of 5-3-1
+// TODO threads
 namespace ss {
 
-struct none {};
-template <typename...>
-class composite;
-
+template <typename... Matchers>
 class parser {
+    struct none {};
+
 public:
     parser(const std::string& file_name, const std::string& delimiter)
         : file_name_{file_name}, delim_{delimiter},
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ public:
 
     void set_error_mode(error_mode mode) {
         error_mode_ = mode;
-        converter_.set_error_mode(mode);
+        reader_.set_error_mode(mode);
     }
 
     const std::string& error_msg() const {
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ public:
     }
 
     bool ignore_next() {
-        return buff_.read(file_);
+        return reader_.read(file_);
     }
 
     template <typename T, typename... Ts>
@@ -63,17 +64,16 @@ public:
 
     template <typename T, typename... Ts>
     no_void_validator_tup_t<T, Ts...> get_next() {
-        buff_.update();
+        reader_.update();
         clear_error();
         if (eof_) {
             set_error_eof_reached();
             return {};
         }
 
-        split_input_ = converter_.split(buff_.get(), delim_);
-        auto value = converter_.convert<T, Ts...>(split_input_);
+        auto value = reader_.get_converter().template convert<T, Ts...>();
 
-        if (!converter_.valid()) {
+        if (!reader_.get_converter().valid()) {
             set_error_invalid_conversion();
         }
 
@@ -162,8 +162,8 @@ public:
         no_void_validator_tup_t<U, Us...> try_same() {
             parser_.clear_error();
             auto value =
-                parser_.converter_.convert<U, Us...>(parser_.split_input_);
-            if (!parser_.converter_.valid()) {
+                parser_.reader_.get_converter().template convert<U, Us...>();
+            if (!parser_.reader_.get_converter().valid()) {
                 parser_.set_error_invalid_conversion();
             }
             return value;
@@ -192,9 +192,6 @@ public:
     }
 
 private:
-    template <typename...>
-    friend class composite;
-
     // tries to invoke the given function (see below), if the function
     // returns a value which can be used as a conditional, and it returns
     // false, the function sets an error, and allows the invoke of the
@@ -249,44 +246,146 @@ private:
     // line reading
     ////////////////
 
-    class buffer {
+    class reader {
         char* buffer_{nullptr};
-        char* new_buffer_{nullptr};
-        size_t size_{0};
+        char* next_line_buffer_{nullptr};
+        char* helper_buffer_{nullptr};
 
-    public:
-        ~buffer() {
-            free(buffer_);
-            free(new_buffer_);
+        converter<Matchers...> converter_;
+        converter<Matchers...> next_line_converter_;
+
+        size_t size_{0};
+        size_t helper_size_{0};
+        const std::string& delim_;
+
+        bool crlf;
+
+        bool escaped_eol(size_t size) {
+            if constexpr (setup<Matchers...>::escape::enabled) {
+                const char* curr;
+                for (curr = next_line_buffer_ + size - 1;
+                     curr >= next_line_buffer_ &&
+                     setup<Matchers...>::escape::match(*curr);
+                     --curr) {
+                }
+                return (next_line_buffer_ - curr + size) % 2 == 0;
+            }
+
+            return false;
         }
 
-        bool read(FILE* file) {
-            ssize_t size = getline(&new_buffer_, &size_, file);
-            size_t string_end = size - 1;
+        bool unterminated_quote() {
+            if constexpr (ss::setup<Matchers...>::quote::enabled) {
+                if (next_line_converter_.unterminated_quote()) {
+                    return true;
+                }
+            }
+            return false;
+        }
 
-            if (size == -1) {
+        void undo_remove_eol(size_t& string_end) {
+            if (crlf) {
+                std::copy_n("\r\n\0", 3, next_line_buffer_ + string_end);
+                string_end += 2;
+            } else {
+                std::copy_n("\n\0", 2, next_line_buffer_ + string_end);
+                string_end += 1;
+            }
+        }
+
+        size_t remove_eol(char*& buffer, size_t size) {
+            size_t new_size = size - 1;
+            if (size >= 2 && buffer[size - 2] == '\r') {
+                crlf = true;
+                new_size--;
+            } else {
+                crlf = false;
+            }
+
+            buffer[new_size] = '\0';
+            return new_size;
+        }
+
+        void realloc_concat(char*& first, size_t& first_size,
+                            const char* const second, size_t second_size) {
+            first = static_cast<char*>(realloc(static_cast<void*>(first),
+                                               first_size + second_size + 2));
+
+            std::copy_n(second, second_size + 1, first + first_size);
+            first_size += second_size;
+        }
+
+        bool append_line(FILE* file, char*& dst_buffer, size_t& dst_size) {
+            undo_remove_eol(dst_size);
+
+            ssize_t ssize = getline(&helper_buffer_, &helper_size_, file);
+            if (ssize == -1) {
                 return false;
             }
 
-            if (size >= 2 && new_buffer_[size - 2] == '\r') {
-                string_end--;
-            }
-
-            new_buffer_[string_end] = '\0';
+            size_t size = remove_eol(helper_buffer_, ssize);
+            realloc_concat(dst_buffer, dst_size, helper_buffer_, size);
             return true;
         }
 
-        const char* get() const {
+    public:
+        reader(const std::string& delimiter) : delim_{delimiter} {
+        }
+
+        ~reader() {
+            free(buffer_);
+            free(next_line_buffer_);
+            free(helper_buffer_);
+        }
+
+        bool read(FILE* file) {
+            ssize_t ssize = getline(&next_line_buffer_, &size_, file);
+
+            if (ssize == -1) {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            size_t size = remove_eol(next_line_buffer_, ssize);
+
+            while (escaped_eol(size)) {
+                if (!append_line(file, next_line_buffer_, size)) {
+                    return false;
+                }
+            }
+
+            next_line_converter_.split(next_line_buffer_, delim_);
+
+            while (unterminated_quote()) {
+                if (!append_line(file, next_line_buffer_, size)) {
+                    return false;
+                }
+                next_line_converter_.resplit(next_line_buffer_, size);
+            }
+
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        void set_error_mode(error_mode mode) {
+            converter_.set_error_mode(mode);
+            next_line_converter_.set_error_mode(mode);
+        }
+
+        converter<Matchers...>& get_converter() {
+            return converter_;
+        }
+
+        const char* get_buffer() const {
             return buffer_;
         }
 
         void update() {
-            std::swap(buffer_, new_buffer_);
+            std::swap(buffer_, next_line_buffer_);
+            std::swap(converter_, next_line_converter_);
         }
     };
 
     void read_line() {
-        eof_ = !buff_.read(file_);
+        eof_ = !reader_.read(file_);
         ++line_number_;
     }
 
@@ -326,9 +425,9 @@ private:
                 .append(" ")
                 .append(std::to_string(line_number_))
                 .append(": ")
-                .append(converter_.error_msg())
+                .append(reader_.get_converter().error_msg())
                 .append(": \"")
-                .append(buff_.get())
+                .append(reader_.get_buffer())
                 .append("\"");
         } else {
             bool_error_ = true;
@@ -344,10 +443,8 @@ private:
     std::string string_error_;
     bool bool_error_{false};
     error_mode error_mode_{error_mode::error_bool};
-    converter converter_;
-    converter::split_input split_input_;
     FILE* file_{nullptr};
-    buffer buff_;
+    reader reader_{delim_};
     size_t line_number_{0};
     bool eof_{false};
 };
diff --git a/include/ss/setup.hpp b/include/ss/setup.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d1c02b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/ss/setup.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+#pragma once
+#include "type_traits.hpp"
+#include <array>
+
+namespace ss {
+
+template <char... Cs>
+struct matcher {
+private:
+    template <char X, char... Xs>
+    static bool match_impl(char c) {
+        if constexpr (sizeof...(Xs) != 0) {
+            return (c == X) || match_impl<Xs...>(c);
+        }
+        return (c == X);
+    }
+
+    constexpr static bool contains_string_terminator() {
+        for (const auto& match : matches) {
+            if (match == '\0') {
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
+        return true;
+    }
+
+public:
+    static bool match(char c) {
+        return match_impl<Cs...>(c);
+    }
+
+    constexpr static bool enabled = true;
+    constexpr static std::array<char, sizeof...(Cs)> matches{Cs...};
+    static_assert(contains_string_terminator(),
+                  "string terminator cannot be used as a match character");
+};
+
+template <typename FirstMatcher, typename SecondMatcher>
+constexpr bool matches_intersect() {
+    for (const auto& first_match : FirstMatcher::matches) {
+        for (const auto& second_match : SecondMatcher::matches) {
+            if (first_match != '\0' && first_match == second_match) {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
+template <>
+class matcher<'\0'> {
+public:
+    constexpr static bool enabled = false;
+    constexpr static std::array<char, 1> matches{'\0'};
+    static bool match(char c) = delete;
+};
+
+template <char C>
+struct quote : matcher<C> {};
+
+template <char... Cs>
+struct trim : matcher<Cs...> {};
+
+template <char... Cs>
+struct escape : matcher<Cs...> {};
+
+template <typename T, template <char...> class Template>
+struct is_instance_of_matcher {
+    constexpr static bool value = false;
+};
+
+template <char... Ts, template <char...> class Template>
+struct is_instance_of_matcher<Template<Ts...>, Template> {
+    constexpr static bool value = true;
+};
+
+template <template <char...> class Matcher, typename... Ts>
+struct get_matcher;
+
+template <template <char...> class Matcher, typename T, typename... Ts>
+struct get_matcher<Matcher, T, Ts...> {
+    using type =
+        typename ternary<is_instance_of_matcher<T, Matcher>::value, T,
+                         typename get_matcher<Matcher, Ts...>::type>::type;
+};
+
+template <template <char...> class Matcher>
+struct get_matcher<Matcher> {
+    using type = Matcher<'\0'>;
+};
+
+template <template <char...> class Matcher, typename... Ts>
+using get_matcher_t = typename get_matcher<Matcher, Ts...>::type;
+
+template <typename... Ts>
+struct setup {
+    using quote = get_matcher_t<quote, Ts...>;
+    using trim = get_matcher_t<trim, Ts...>;
+    using escape = get_matcher_t<escape, Ts...>;
+
+#define ASSERT_MSG "cannot have the same match character in multiple matchers"
+    static_assert(!matches_intersect<quote, trim>(), ASSERT_MSG);
+    static_assert(!matches_intersect<trim, escape>(), ASSERT_MSG);
+    static_assert(!matches_intersect<escape, quote>(), ASSERT_MSG);
+#undef ASSERT_MSG
+};
+
+template <typename... Ts>
+struct setup<setup<Ts...>> : setup<Ts...> {};
+
+} /* ss */
diff --git a/include/ss/splitter.hpp b/include/ss/splitter.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd0c0ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/ss/splitter.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,388 @@
+#pragma once
+#include "setup.hpp"
+#include "type_traits.hpp"
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <cstdlib>
+#include <cstring>
+#include <memory>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+namespace ss {
+
+using string_range = std::pair<const char*, const char*>;
+using split_input = std::vector<string_range>;
+
+// the error can be set inside a string, or a bool
+enum class error_mode { error_string, error_bool };
+
+template <typename... Ts>
+class splitter {
+private:
+    constexpr static auto default_delimiter = ",";
+
+    using quote = typename setup<Ts...>::quote;
+    using trim = typename setup<Ts...>::trim;
+    using escape = typename setup<Ts...>::escape;
+
+    constexpr static auto is_const_line = !quote::enabled && !escape::enabled;
+
+public:
+    using line_ptr_type =
+        typename ternary<is_const_line, const char*, char*>::type;
+
+    bool valid() const {
+        return (error_mode_ == error_mode::error_string) ? string_error_.empty()
+                                                         : bool_error_ == false;
+    }
+
+    bool unterminated_quote() const {
+        return unterminated_quote_;
+    }
+
+    const std::string& error_msg() const {
+        return string_error_;
+    }
+
+    void set_error_mode(error_mode mode) {
+        error_mode_ = mode;
+    }
+
+    const split_input& split(line_ptr_type new_line,
+                             const std::string& delimiter = default_delimiter) {
+        split_input_.clear();
+        return resplit(new_line, -1, delimiter);
+    }
+
+    void adjust_ranges(const char* old_line) {
+        for (auto& [begin, end] : split_input_) {
+            begin = begin - old_line + line_;
+            end = end - old_line + line_;
+        }
+    }
+
+private:
+    ////////////////
+    // resplit
+    ////////////////
+
+    const split_input& resplit(
+        line_ptr_type new_line, ssize_t new_size,
+        const std::string& delimiter = default_delimiter) {
+        line_ = new_line;
+
+        // resplitting, continue from last slice
+        if (!split_input_.empty() && unterminated_quote()) {
+            const auto& last = std::prev(split_input_.end());
+            const auto [old_line, old_begin] = *last;
+            size_t begin = old_begin - old_line - 1;
+            split_input_.pop_back();
+            adjust_ranges(old_line);
+
+            // safety measure
+            if (new_size != -1 && static_cast<size_t>(new_size) < begin) {
+                set_error_invalid_resplit();
+                return split_input_;
+            }
+
+            begin_ = line_ + begin;
+        }
+
+        return split_impl_select_delim(delimiter);
+    }
+
+    ////////////////
+    // error
+    ////////////////
+
+    void clear_error() {
+        string_error_.clear();
+        bool_error_ = false;
+        unterminated_quote_ = false;
+    }
+
+    void set_error_empty_delimiter() {
+        if (error_mode_ == error_mode::error_string) {
+            string_error_.clear();
+            string_error_.append("empty delimiter");
+        } else {
+            bool_error_ = true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    void set_error_mismatched_quote(size_t n) {
+        if (error_mode_ == error_mode::error_string) {
+            string_error_.clear();
+            string_error_.append("mismatched quote at position: " +
+                                 std::to_string(n));
+        } else {
+            bool_error_ = true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    void set_error_unterminated_quote() {
+        unterminated_quote_ = true;
+        if (error_mode_ == error_mode::error_string) {
+            string_error_.clear();
+            string_error_.append("unterminated quote");
+        } else {
+            bool_error_ = true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    void set_error_invalid_resplit() {
+        unterminated_quote_ = false;
+        if (error_mode_ == error_mode::error_string) {
+            string_error_.clear();
+            string_error_.append("invalid resplit, new line must be longer"
+                                 "than the end of the last slice");
+        } else {
+            bool_error_ = true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    ////////////////
+    // matching
+    ////////////////
+
+    bool match(const char* const curr, char delim) {
+        return *curr == delim;
+    };
+
+    bool match(const char* const curr, const std::string& delim) {
+        return strncmp(curr, delim.c_str(), delim.size()) == 0;
+    };
+
+    size_t delimiter_size(char) {
+        return 1;
+    }
+
+    size_t delimiter_size(const std::string& delim) {
+        return delim.size();
+    }
+
+    void trim_if_enabled(line_ptr_type& curr) {
+        if constexpr (trim::enabled) {
+            while (trim::match(*curr)) {
+                ++curr;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    void shift_if_escaped(line_ptr_type& curr) {
+        if constexpr (escape::enabled) {
+            if (escape::match(*curr)) {
+                shift_and_jump_escape();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    template <typename Delim>
+    std::tuple<size_t, bool> match_delimiter(line_ptr_type begin,
+                                             const Delim& delim) {
+        line_ptr_type end = begin;
+
+        trim_if_enabled(end);
+
+        // just spacing
+        if (*end == '\0') {
+            return {0, false};
+        }
+
+        // not a delimiter
+        if (!match(end, delim)) {
+            shift_if_escaped(end);
+            return {1 + end - begin, false};
+        }
+
+        end += delimiter_size(delim);
+        trim_if_enabled(end);
+
+        // delimiter
+        return {end - begin, true};
+    }
+
+    ////////////////
+    // shifting
+    ////////////////
+
+    void shift_and_set_current() {
+        if (escaped_ > 0) {
+            if constexpr (!is_const_line) {
+                std::copy_n(curr_ + escaped_, end_ - curr_, curr_);
+            }
+        }
+        curr_ = end_ - escaped_;
+    }
+
+    void shift_and_push() {
+        shift_and_set_current();
+        split_input_.emplace_back(begin_, curr_);
+    }
+
+    void shift_and_jump_escape() {
+        shift_and_set_current();
+        ++end_;
+        ++escaped_;
+    }
+
+    void shift_push_and_start_next(size_t n) {
+        shift_and_push();
+        begin_ = end_ + n;
+    }
+
+    ////////////////
+    // split impl
+    ////////////////
+
+    const split_input& split_impl_select_delim(
+        const std::string& delimiter = default_delimiter) {
+        clear_error();
+        switch (delimiter.size()) {
+        case 0:
+            set_error_empty_delimiter();
+            return split_input_;
+        case 1:
+            return split_impl(delimiter[0]);
+        default:
+            return split_impl(delimiter);
+        }
+    }
+
+    template <typename Delim>
+    const split_input& split_impl(const Delim& delim) {
+
+        if (split_input_.empty()) {
+            begin_ = line_;
+        }
+
+        trim_if_enabled(begin_);
+
+        for (done_ = false; !done_; read(delim))
+            ;
+
+        return split_input_;
+    }
+
+    ////////////////
+    // reading
+    ////////////////
+
+    template <typename Delim>
+    void read(const Delim& delim) {
+        escaped_ = 0;
+        if constexpr (quote::enabled) {
+            if (quote::match(*begin_)) {
+                curr_ = end_ = ++begin_;
+                read_quoted(delim);
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+        curr_ = end_ = begin_;
+        read_normal(delim);
+    }
+
+    template <typename Delim>
+    void read_normal(const Delim& delim) {
+        while (true) {
+            auto [width, valid] = match_delimiter(end_, delim);
+
+            if (!valid) {
+                // not a delimiter
+                if (width == 0) {
+                    // eol
+                    shift_and_push();
+                    done_ = true;
+                    break;
+                } else {
+                    end_ += width;
+                    continue;
+                }
+            } else {
+                // found delimiter
+                shift_push_and_start_next(width);
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    template <typename Delim>
+    void read_quoted(const Delim& delim) {
+        if constexpr (quote::enabled) {
+            while (true) {
+                if (!quote::match(*end_)) {
+                    if constexpr (escape::enabled) {
+                        if (escape::match(*end_)) {
+                            shift_and_jump_escape();
+                            ++end_;
+                            continue;
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    // unterminated quote error
+                    // eg: ..."hell\0 -> quote not terminated
+                    if (*end_ == '\0') {
+                        set_error_unterminated_quote();
+                        split_input_.emplace_back(line_, begin_);
+                        done_ = true;
+                        break;
+                    }
+                    ++end_;
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                auto [width, valid] = match_delimiter(end_ + 1, delim);
+
+                // delimiter
+                if (valid) {
+                    shift_push_and_start_next(width + 1);
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                // double quote
+                // eg: ...,"hel""lo",... -> hel"lo
+                if (quote::match(end_[1])) {
+                    shift_and_jump_escape();
+                    ++end_;
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                // not a delimiter
+                if (width == 0) {
+                    // eol
+                    // eg: ...,"hello"   \0 -> hello
+                    // eg no trim: ...,"hello"\0 -> hello
+                    shift_and_push();
+                } else {
+                    // mismatched quote
+                    // eg: ...,"hel"lo,... -> error
+                    set_error_mismatched_quote(end_ - line_);
+                    split_input_.emplace_back(line_, begin_);
+                }
+                done_ = true;
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    ////////////////
+    // members
+    ////////////////
+
+    std::string string_error_;
+    bool bool_error_{false};
+    bool unterminated_quote_{false};
+    enum error_mode error_mode_ { error_mode::error_bool };
+    line_ptr_type begin_;
+    line_ptr_type curr_;
+    line_ptr_type end_;
+    line_ptr_type line_;
+    bool done_;
+    size_t escaped_{0};
+    split_input split_input_;
+
+    template <typename ...>
+    friend class converter;
+};
+
+} /* ss */
diff --git a/include/ss/type_traits.hpp b/include/ss/type_traits.hpp
index 0653696..64f1dab 100644
--- a/include/ss/type_traits.hpp
+++ b/include/ss/type_traits.hpp
@@ -314,6 +314,23 @@ struct is_instance_of<Template<Ts...>, Template> {
     constexpr static bool value = true;
 };
 
+////////////////
+// ternary
+////////////////
+
+template <bool B, typename T, typename U>
+struct ternary;
+
+template <typename T, typename U>
+struct ternary<true, T, U> {
+    using type = T;
+};
+
+template <typename T, typename U>
+struct ternary<false, T, U> {
+    using type = U;
+};
+
 ////////////////
 // tuple to struct
 ////////////////
@@ -323,6 +340,7 @@ S to_object(std::index_sequence<Is...>, Tup&& tup) {
     return {std::get<Is>(std::forward<Tup>(tup))...};
 }
 
+// TODO Tup may not be a tuple ...
 template <class S, class Tup>
 S to_object(Tup&& tup) {
     using T = std::remove_reference_t<Tup>;
diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index c59bd09..16fff8f 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ project('ssp', 'cpp',
   default_options : 
   ['warning_level=3', 
     'cpp_std=c++17', 
-    'buildtype=debug'])
+    'buildtype=debugoptimized'])
 
 includes = include_directories('include')
 subdir('test')
diff --git a/test/CMakeLists.txt b/test/CMakeLists.txt
index 640aa93..8804b9d 100644
--- a/test/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/test/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ include(doctest)
 
 enable_testing()
 
-foreach(name IN ITEMS test_parser test_converter test_extractions)
+foreach(name IN ITEMS test_splitter test_parser test_converter test_extractions)
   add_executable("${name}" "${name}.cpp")
   target_link_libraries("${name}" PRIVATE ssp::ssp doctest::doctest)
   target_compile_definitions("${name}" PRIVATE
diff --git a/test/meson.build b/test/meson.build
index f6f43bc..9936129 100644
--- a/test/meson.build
+++ b/test/meson.build
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 test_sources = files([
       'test_main.cpp',
+      'test_splitter.cpp',
       'test_converter.cpp',
       'test_parser.cpp',
       'test_extractions.cpp',
diff --git a/test/test_converter.cpp b/test/test_converter.cpp
index 8fc5171..e8eec52 100644
--- a/test/test_converter.cpp
+++ b/test/test_converter.cpp
@@ -1,23 +1,18 @@
+#include "test_helpers.hpp"
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <ss/converter.hpp>
 
-#ifdef CMAKE_GITHUB_CI
-#include <doctest/doctest.h>
-#else
-#include <doctest.h>
-#endif
-
 TEST_CASE("testing split") {
     ss::converter c;
-
     for (const auto& [s, expected, delim] :
-         {std::make_tuple("a,b,c,d", std::vector{"a", "b", "c", "d"}, ","),
-          {"", {}, " "},
-          {"a,b,c", {"a", "b", "c"}, ""},
-          {" x x x x | x ", {" x x x x ", " x "}, "|"},
-          {"a::b::c::d", {"a", "b", "c", "d"}, "::"},
-          {"x\t-\ty", {"x", "y"}, "\t-\t"},
-          {"x", {"x"}, ","}}) {
+         // clang-format off
+                {std::make_tuple("a,b,c,d", std::vector{"a", "b", "c", "d"}, ","),
+                {"", {}, " "},
+                {" x x x x | x ", {" x x x x ", " x "}, "|"},
+                {"a::b::c::d", {"a", "b", "c", "d"}, "::"},
+                {"x\t-\ty", {"x", "y"}, "\t-\t"},
+                {"x", {"x"}, ","}} // clang-format on
+    ) {
         auto split = c.split(s, delim);
         CHECK(split.size() == expected.size());
         for (size_t i = 0; i < split.size(); ++i) {
@@ -120,6 +115,9 @@ TEST_CASE("testing invalid conversions") {
     c.convert<int>("");
     REQUIRE(!c.valid());
 
+    c.convert<int>("10", "");
+    REQUIRE(!c.valid());
+
     c.convert<int, void>("");
     REQUIRE(!c.valid());
 
@@ -396,3 +394,71 @@ TEST_CASE("testing error mode") {
     CHECK(!c.valid());
     CHECK(!c.error_msg().empty());
 }
+
+TEST_CASE("testing converter with quotes spacing and escaping") {
+    {
+        ss::converter c;
+
+        auto tup = c.convert<std::string, std::string, std::string>(
+            R"("just","some","strings")");
+        REQUIRE(c.valid());
+        CHECK(tup == std::make_tuple("\"just\"", "\"some\"", "\"strings\""));
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::quote<'"'>> c;
+
+        auto tup = c.convert<std::string, std::string, double, char>(
+            buff(R"("just",some,"12.3","a")"));
+        REQUIRE(c.valid());
+        CHECK(tup == std::make_tuple("just", "some", 12.3, 'a'));
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::trim<' '>> c;
+
+        auto tup = c.convert<std::string, std::string, double, char>(
+            buff(R"(    just  ,  some   ,  12.3 ,a     )"));
+        REQUIRE(c.valid());
+        CHECK(tup == std::make_tuple("just", "some", 12.3, 'a'));
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::escape<'\\'>> c;
+
+        auto tup =
+            c.convert<std::string, std::string>(buff(R"(ju\,st,strings)"));
+        REQUIRE(c.valid());
+        CHECK(tup == std::make_tuple("ju,st", "strings"));
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::escape<'\\'>, ss::trim<' '>, ss::quote<'"'>> c;
+
+        auto tup = c.convert<std::string, std::string, double, std::string>(
+            buff(R"(  ju\,st  ,  "so,me"  ,   12.34     ,   "str""ings")"));
+        REQUIRE(c.valid());
+        CHECK(tup == std::make_tuple("ju,st", "so,me", 12.34, "str\"ings"));
+    }
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing invalid split conversions") {
+    ss::converter<ss::escape<'\\'>, ss::trim<' '>, ss::quote<'"'>> c;
+    c.set_error_mode(ss::error_mode::error_string);
+
+    {
+        // mismatched quote
+        auto tup = c.convert<std::string, std::string, double, char>(
+            buff(R"(  "just  , some ,   "12.3","a"  )"));
+        CHECK(!c.valid());
+        CHECK(!c.unterminated_quote());
+    }
+
+    {
+        // unterminated quote
+        auto tup = c.convert<std::string, std::string, double, std::string>(
+            buff(R"(  ju\,st  ,  "so,me"  ,   12.34     ,   "str""ings)"));
+        CHECK(!c.valid());
+        CHECK(c.unterminated_quote());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/test/test_extractions.cpp b/test/test_extractions.cpp
index d645b61..c0866e9 100644
--- a/test/test_extractions.cpp
+++ b/test/test_extractions.cpp
@@ -1,11 +1,6 @@
-#include <ss/extract.hpp>
+#include "test_helpers.hpp"
 #include <algorithm>
-
-#ifdef CMAKE_GITHUB_CI
-#include <doctest/doctest.h>
-#else
-#include <doctest.h>
-#endif
+#include <ss/extract.hpp>
 
 constexpr auto eps = 0.000001;
 using ld = long double;
diff --git a/test/test_helpers.hpp b/test/test_helpers.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f9317cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/test_helpers.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+#pragma once
+#include <cstdlib>
+#include <cstring>
+
+#ifdef CMAKE_GITHUB_CI
+#include <doctest/doctest.h>
+#else
+#include <doctest.h>
+#endif
+
+class buffer {
+    char* data_{nullptr};
+
+public:
+    char* operator()(const char* data) {
+        if (data_) {
+            delete[] data_;
+        }
+        data_ = new char[strlen(data) + 1];
+        strcpy(data_, data);
+        return data_;
+    }
+
+    char* append(const char* data) {
+        if (data_) {
+            char* new_data_ = new char[strlen(data_) + strlen(data) + 1];
+            strcpy(new_data_, data_);
+            strcat(new_data_, data);
+            delete[] data_;
+            data_ = new_data_;
+            return data_;
+        } else {
+            return operator()(data);
+        }
+    }
+
+    ~buffer() {
+        if (data_) {
+            delete[] data_;
+        }
+    }
+};
+
+[[maybe_unused]] inline buffer buff;
diff --git a/test/test_parser.cpp b/test/test_parser.cpp
index 54cfef5..896f0b9 100644
--- a/test/test_parser.cpp
+++ b/test/test_parser.cpp
@@ -1,20 +1,18 @@
+#include "test_helpers.hpp"
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <filesystem>
 #include <fstream>
 #include <ss/parser.hpp>
 
-#ifdef CMAKE_GITHUB_CI
-#include <doctest/doctest.h>
-#else
-#include <doctest.h>
-#endif
-
 struct unique_file_name {
     const std::string name;
 
-    unique_file_name() : name{std::tmpnam(nullptr)} {}
+    unique_file_name() : name{std::tmpnam(nullptr)} {
+    }
 
-    ~unique_file_name() { std::filesystem::remove(name); }
+    ~unique_file_name() {
+        std::filesystem::remove(name);
+    }
 };
 
 struct X {
@@ -30,7 +28,9 @@ struct X {
             .append(delim)
             .append(s);
     }
-    auto tied() const { return std::tie(i, d, s); }
+    auto tied() const {
+        return std::tie(i, d, s);
+    }
 };
 
 template <typename T>
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ TEST_CASE("testing parser") {
     make_and_write(f.name, data);
     {
         ss::parser p{f.name, ","};
+        p.set_error_mode(ss::error_mode::error_string);
         std::vector<X> i;
 
         while (!p.eof()) {
@@ -166,10 +167,13 @@ struct test_struct {
     int i;
     double d;
     char c;
-    auto tied() { return std::tie(i, d, c); }
+    auto tied() {
+        return std::tie(i, d, c);
+    }
 };
 
-void expect_test_struct(const test_struct&) {}
+void expect_test_struct(const test_struct&) {
+}
 
 // various scenarios
 TEST_CASE("testing composite conversion") {
@@ -391,7 +395,9 @@ struct my_string {
 
     my_string() = default;
 
-    ~my_string() { delete[] data; }
+    ~my_string() {
+        delete[] data;
+    }
 
     // make sure no object is copied
     my_string(const my_string&) = delete;
@@ -422,7 +428,9 @@ struct xyz {
     my_string x;
     my_string y;
     my_string z;
-    auto tied() { return std::tie(x, y, z); }
+    auto tied() {
+        return std::tie(x, y, z);
+    }
 };
 
 TEST_CASE("testing the moving of parsed values") {
@@ -474,8 +482,8 @@ TEST_CASE("testing the moving of parsed values") {
 TEST_CASE("testing the moving of parsed composite values") {
     // to compile is enough
     return;
-    ss::parser* p;
-    p->try_next<my_string, my_string, my_string>()
+    ss::parser p{"", ""};
+    p.try_next<my_string, my_string, my_string>()
         .or_else<my_string, my_string, my_string, my_string>([](auto&&) {})
         .or_else<my_string>([](auto&) {})
         .or_else<xyz>([](auto&&) {})
@@ -506,3 +514,66 @@ TEST_CASE("testing error mode") {
     CHECK(!p.valid());
     CHECK(!p.error_msg().empty());
 }
+
+std::string no_quote(const std::string& s) {
+    if (!s.empty() && s[0] == '"') {
+        return {std::next(begin(s)), std::prev(end(s))};
+    }
+    return s;
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing csv on multiple lines with quotes") {
+    unique_file_name f;
+    std::vector<X> data = {{1, 2, "\"x\nx\nx\""}, {3, 4, "\"y\ny\ny\""},
+                           {5, 6, "\"z\nz\""},    {7, 8, "\"u\"\"\""},
+                           {9, 10, "v"},          {11, 12, "\"w\n\""}};
+    make_and_write(f.name, data);
+    for (auto& [_, __, s] : data) {
+        s = no_quote(s);
+        if (s[0] == 'u') {
+            s = "u\"";
+        }
+    }
+
+    ss::parser<ss::quote<'"'>> p{f.name, ","};
+    p.set_error_mode(ss::error_mode::error_string);
+    std::vector<X> i;
+
+    while (!p.eof()) {
+        auto a = p.get_next<int, double, std::string>();
+        i.emplace_back(ss::to_object<X>(a));
+    }
+
+    CHECK(std::equal(i.begin(), i.end(), data.begin()));
+}
+
+std::string no_escape(std::string& s) {
+    s.erase(std::remove(begin(s), end(s), '\\'), end(s));
+    return s;
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing csv on multiple lines with escapes") {
+    unique_file_name f;
+    std::vector<X> data = {{1, 2, "x\\\nx\\\nx"}, {3, 4, "y\\\ny\\\ny"},
+                           {5, 6, "z\\\nz"},      {7, 8, "u"},
+                           {9, 10, "v\\\\"},      {11, 12, "w\\\n"}};
+
+    make_and_write(f.name, data);
+    for (auto& [_, __, s] : data) {
+        s = no_escape(s);
+        if (s == "v") {
+            s = "v\\";
+        }
+    }
+
+    ss::parser<ss::escape<'\\'>> p{f.name, ","};
+    p.set_error_mode(ss::error_mode::error_string);
+    std::vector<X> i;
+
+    while (!p.eof()) {
+        auto a = p.get_next<int, double, std::string>();
+        i.emplace_back(ss::to_object<X>(a));
+    }
+
+    CHECK(std::equal(i.begin(), i.end(), data.begin()));
+}
diff --git a/test/test_splitter.cpp b/test/test_splitter.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50ea6af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/test_splitter.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,717 @@
+#include "test_helpers.hpp"
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <cstring>
+#include <iostream>
+#include <ss/splitter.hpp>
+
+namespace {
+constexpr static auto combinations_size_default = 4;
+size_t combinations_size = combinations_size_default;
+
+struct set_combinations_size {
+    set_combinations_size(size_t size) {
+        combinations_size = size;
+    }
+    ~set_combinations_size() {
+        combinations_size = combinations_size_default;
+    }
+};
+
+std::vector<std::string> words(const ss::split_input& input) {
+    std::vector<std::string> ret;
+    for (const auto& [begin, end] : input) {
+        ret.emplace_back(begin, end);
+    }
+    return ret;
+}
+
+[[maybe_unused]] std::string concat(const std::vector<std::string>& v) {
+    std::string ret = "[";
+    for (const auto& i : v) {
+        ret.append(i).append(",");
+    }
+    ret.back() = (']');
+    return ret;
+}
+
+template <typename... Ts>
+size_t strings_size(const std::string& s, const Ts&... ss) {
+    if constexpr (sizeof...(Ts) > 0) {
+        return s.size() + strings_size(ss...);
+    }
+    return s.size();
+}
+
+template <typename... Ts>
+void concat_to(std::string& dst, const std::string& s, const Ts&... ss) {
+    dst.append(s);
+    if constexpr (sizeof...(Ts) > 0) {
+        concat_to(dst, ss...);
+    }
+}
+
+template <typename... Ts>
+std::string concat(const Ts&... ss) {
+    std::string ret;
+    ret.reserve(strings_size(ss...));
+    concat_to(ret, ss...);
+    return ret;
+}
+
+using case_type = std::vector<std::string>;
+auto spaced(const case_type& input, const std::string& s) {
+    case_type ret = input;
+    for (const auto& i : input) {
+        ret.push_back(concat(s, i, s));
+        ret.push_back(concat(i, s));
+        ret.push_back(concat(s, i));
+        ret.push_back(concat(s, s, i));
+        ret.push_back(concat(s, s, i, s, s));
+        ret.push_back(concat(i, s, s));
+    }
+
+    return ret;
+}
+
+auto spaced(const case_type& input, const std::string& s1,
+            const std::string& s2) {
+    case_type ret = input;
+    for (const auto& i : input) {
+        ret.push_back(concat(s1, i, s2));
+        ret.push_back(concat(s2, i, s1));
+        ret.push_back(concat(s2, s2, s1, s1, i));
+        ret.push_back(concat(i, s1, s2, s1, s2));
+        ret.push_back(concat(s1, s1, s1, i, s2, s2, s2));
+        ret.push_back(concat(s2, s2, s2, i, s1, s1, s1));
+    }
+
+    return ret;
+}
+
+std::vector<std::string> combinations(const std::vector<std::string>& v,
+                                      const std::string& delim, size_t n) {
+    if (n <= 1) {
+        return v;
+    }
+    std::vector<std::string> ret;
+    auto inner_combinations = combinations(v, delim, n - 1);
+    for (const auto& i : v) {
+        for (const auto& j : inner_combinations) {
+            ret.push_back(concat(i, delim, j));
+        }
+    }
+    return ret;
+}
+
+std::vector<std::vector<std::string>> vector_combinations(
+    const std::vector<std::string>& v, size_t n) {
+    std::vector<std::vector<std::string>> ret;
+    if (n <= 1) {
+        for (const auto& i : v) {
+            ret.push_back({i});
+        }
+        return ret;
+    }
+
+    auto inner_combinations = vector_combinations(v, n - 1);
+    for (const auto& i : v) {
+        for (auto j : inner_combinations) {
+            j.insert(j.begin(), i);
+            ret.push_back(move(j));
+        }
+    }
+    return ret;
+}
+
+std::pair<std::vector<std::string>, std::vector<std::vector<std::string>>>
+make_combinations(const std::vector<std::string>& input,
+                  const std::vector<std::string>& output,
+                  const std::string& delim) {
+    std::vector<std::string> lines;
+    std::vector<std::vector<std::string>> expectations;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < combinations_size; ++i) {
+        auto l = combinations(input, delim, i);
+        lines.reserve(lines.size() + l.size());
+        lines.insert(lines.end(), l.begin(), l.end());
+
+        auto e = vector_combinations(output, i);
+        expectations.reserve(expectations.size() + e.size());
+        expectations.insert(expectations.end(), e.begin(), e.end());
+    }
+
+    return {std::move(lines), std::move(expectations)};
+}
+} /* namespace */
+
+/* ********************************** */
+/* ********************************** */
+
+using matches_type = std::vector<std::pair<case_type, std::string>>;
+
+template <typename... Matchers>
+void test_combinations(matches_type& matches, std::vector<std::string> delims) {
+
+    ss::splitter<Matchers...> s;
+    std::vector<std::string> inputs;
+    std::vector<std::string> outputs;
+    for (const auto& [cases, e] : matches) {
+        for (const auto& c : cases) {
+            inputs.emplace_back(c);
+            outputs.emplace_back(e);
+        }
+    }
+
+    for (const auto& delim : delims) {
+        auto [lines, expectations] = make_combinations(inputs, outputs, delim);
+
+        REQUIRE(lines.size() == expectations.size());
+
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < lines.size(); ++i) {
+            auto vec = s.split(buff(lines[i].c_str()), delim);
+            CHECK(s.valid());
+            CHECK(words(vec) == expectations[i]);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing splitter no setup") {
+    {
+        matches_type p{{{"x"}, "x"},        {{"\""}, "\""},
+                       {{""}, ""},          {{"\n"}, "\n"},
+                       {{"\"\""}, "\"\""},  {{"\" \\ \""}, "\" \\ \""},
+                       {{"     "}, "     "}};
+        test_combinations(p, {",", ";", "\t", "::"});
+    }
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing splitter quote") {
+    case_type case1 = {R"("""")"};
+    case_type case2 = {R"("x""x")", R"(x"x)"};
+    case_type case3 = {R"("")", R"()"};
+    case_type case4 = {R"("x")", R"(x)"};
+    case_type case5 = {R"("""""")"};
+    case_type case6 = {R"("\")", R"(\)"};
+    case_type case7 = {R"("xxxxxxxxxx")", R"(xxxxxxxxxx)"};
+
+    std::vector<std::string> delims = {",", "::", " ", "\t", "\n"};
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "\""},        {case2, "x\"x"}, {case3, ""},
+                       {case4, "x"},         {case5, "\"\""}, {case6, "\\"},
+                       {case7, "xxxxxxxxxx"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::quote<'"'>>(p, delims);
+    }
+
+    case_type case8 = {R"(",")"};
+    case_type case9 = {R"("x,")"};
+    case_type case10 = {R"(",x")"};
+    case_type case11 = {R"("x,x")"};
+    case_type case12 = {R"(",,")"};
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "\""}, {case3, ""},    {case8, ","},
+                       {case9, "x,"}, {case10, ",x"}, {case11, "x,x"},
+                       {case12, ",,"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::quote<'"'>>(p, {","});
+    }
+
+    case_type case13 = {R"("::")"};
+    case_type case14 = {R"("x::")"};
+    case_type case15 = {R"("::x")"};
+    case_type case16 = {R"("x::x")"};
+    case_type case17 = {R"("::::")"};
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "\""},   {case3, ""},     {case13, "::"},
+                       {case14, "x::"}, {case15, "::x"}, {case16, "x::x"},
+                       {case17, "::::"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::quote<'"'>>(p, {"::"});
+    }
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing splitter trim") {
+    auto guard = set_combinations_size(3);
+    case_type case1 = spaced({R"(x)"}, " ");
+    case_type case2 = spaced({R"(yy)"}, " ");
+    case_type case3 = spaced({R"(y y)"}, " ");
+    case_type case4 = spaced({R"()"}, " ");
+
+    std::vector<std::string> delims = {",", "::", "\t", "\n"};
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "x"},
+                       {case2, "yy"},
+                       {case3, "y y"},
+                       {case4, ""}};
+        test_combinations<ss::trim<' '>>(p, delims);
+    }
+
+    case_type case5 = spaced({"z"}, "\t");
+    case_type case6 = spaced({"ab"}, " ", "\t");
+    case_type case7 = spaced({"a\tb"}, " ", "\t");
+    case_type case8 = spaced({"a \t b"}, " ", "\t");
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "x"},    {case2, "yy"},    {case3, "y y"},
+                       {case4, ""},     {case5, "z"},     {case6, "ab"},
+                       {case7, "a\tb"}, {case8, "a \t b"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::trim<' ', '\t'>>(p, {",", "::", "\n"});
+    }
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing splitter escape") {
+    case_type case1 = {R"(x)", R"(\x)"};
+    case_type case2 = {R"(xx)", R"(\xx)", R"(x\x)", R"(\x\x)"};
+    case_type case3 = {R"(\\)"};
+
+    std::vector<std::string> delims = {",", "::", " ", "\t", "\n"};
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "x"}, {case2, "xx"}, {case3, "\\"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::escape<'\\'>>(p, delims);
+    }
+
+    case_type case4 = {R"(\,)"};
+    case_type case5 = {R"(x#,)"};
+    case_type case6 = {R"(#,x)"};
+    case_type case7 = {R"(x\,x)"};
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "x"},  {case2, "xx"}, {case3, "\\"},
+                       {case4, ","},  {case5, "x,"}, {case6, ",x"},
+                       {case7, "x,x"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::escape<'\\', '#'>>(p, {","});
+    }
+
+    case_type case8 = {R"(\:\:)"};
+    case_type case9 = {R"(x\::x)"};
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "x"},
+                       {case2, "xx"},
+                       {case3, "\\"},
+                       {case8, "::"},
+                       {case9, "x::x"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::escape<'\\'>>(p, {"::"});
+    }
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing splitter quote and trim") {
+    auto guard = set_combinations_size(3);
+    case_type case1 = spaced({R"("""")"}, " ");
+    case_type case2 = spaced({R"("x""x")", R"(x"x)"}, " ");
+    case_type case3 = spaced({R"("")", R"()"}, " ");
+    case_type case4 = spaced({R"("x")", R"(x)"}, " ");
+    case_type case5 = spaced({R"("""""")"}, " ");
+    case_type case6 = spaced({R"("\")", R"(\)"}, " ");
+    case_type case7 = spaced({R"("xxxxxxxxxx")", R"(xxxxxxxxxx)"}, " ");
+
+    std::vector<std::string> delims = {",", "::", "\t", "\n"};
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "\""},        {case2, "x\"x"}, {case3, ""},
+                       {case4, "x"},         {case5, "\"\""}, {case6, "\\"},
+                       {case7, "xxxxxxxxxx"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::trim<' '>>(p, delims);
+    }
+
+    case_type case8 = spaced({R"(",")"}, " ", "\t");
+    case_type case9 = spaced({R"("x,")"}, " ", "\t");
+    case_type case10 = spaced({R"(",x")"}, " ", "\t");
+    case_type case11 = spaced({R"("x,x")"}, " ", "\t");
+    case_type case12 = spaced({R"(",,")"}, " ", "\t");
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "\""}, {case3, ""},    {case8, ","},
+                       {case9, "x,"}, {case10, ",x"}, {case11, "x,x"},
+                       {case12, ",,"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::trim<' ', '\t'>>(p, {","});
+    }
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing splitter quote and escape") {
+    case_type case1 = {R"("\"")", R"(\")", R"("""")"};
+    case_type case2 = {R"("x\"x")", R"(x\"x)", R"(x"x)", R"("x""x")"};
+    case_type case3 = {R"("")", R"()"};
+    case_type case4 = {R"("x")", R"(x)"};
+    case_type case5 = {R"("\"\"")", R"("""""")", R"("\"""")", R"("""\"")"};
+    case_type case6 = {R"("\\")", R"(\\)"};
+    case_type case7 = {R"("xxxxxxxxxx")", R"(xxxxxxxxxx)"};
+
+    std::vector<std::string> delims = {",", "::", " ", "\t", "\n"};
+
+    ss::splitter<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::escape<'\\'>> s;
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "\""},        {case2, "x\"x"}, {case3, ""},
+                       {case4, "x"},         {case5, "\"\""}, {case6, "\\"},
+                       {case7, "xxxxxxxxxx"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::escape<'\\'>>(p, delims);
+    }
+
+    case_type case8 = {R"('xxxxxxxxxx')", R"(xxxxxxxxxx)"};
+    case_type case9 = {R"('')", R"()"};
+    case_type case10 = {R"('#\')", R"(#\)"};
+    case_type case11 = {R"('#'')", R"(#')", R"('''')"};
+    case_type case12 = {R"('##')", R"(##)"};
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case8, "xxxxxxxxxx"},
+                       {case9, ""},
+                       {case10, "\\"},
+                       {case11, "'"},
+                       {case12, "#"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::quote<'\''>, ss::escape<'#'>>(p, delims);
+    }
+
+    case_type case13 = {R"("x,x")",  R"(x\,x)",   R"(x#,x)",
+                        R"("x\,x")", R"("x#,x")", R"("x#,x")"};
+    case_type case14 = {R"("#\\#")", R"(#\\#)", R"(\\##)", R"("\\##")"};
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "\""},
+                       {case2, "x\"x"},
+                       {case3, ""},
+                       {case13, "x,x"},
+                       {case14, "\\#"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::escape<'\\', '#'>>(p, {","});
+    }
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing splitter escape and trim") {
+    case_type case0 = spaced({R"(\ x\ )", R"(\ \x\ )"}, " ");
+    case_type case1 = spaced({R"(x)", R"(\x)"}, " ");
+    case_type case3 = spaced({R"(\\)"}, " ");
+
+    std::vector<std::string> delims = {",", "::", "\t", "\n"};
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case0, " x "}, {case1, "x"}, {case3, "\\"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::escape<'\\'>, ss::trim<' '>>(p, delims);
+    }
+
+    case_type case4 = spaced({R"(\,)"}, " ");
+    case_type case6 = spaced({R"(#,x)"}, " ");
+    case_type case7 = spaced({R"(x\,x)"}, " ");
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "x"},
+                       {case3, "\\"},
+                       {case4, ","},
+                       {case6, ",x"},
+                       {case7, "x,x"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::escape<'\\', '#'>, ss::trim<' '>>(p, {","});
+    }
+
+    case_type case8 = spaced({R"(\:\:)"}, " ", "\t");
+    case_type case9 = spaced({R"(x\::x)"}, " ", "\t");
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "x"},
+                       {case3, "\\"},
+                       {case8, "::"},
+                       {case9, "x::x"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::escape<'\\'>, ss::trim<' ', '\t'>>(p, {"::"});
+    }
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing splitter quote and escape and trim") {
+    auto guard = set_combinations_size(3);
+    case_type case1 = spaced({R"("\"")", R"(\")", R"("""")"}, " ");
+    case_type case2 =
+        spaced({R"("x\"x")", R"(x\"x)", R"(x"x)", R"("x""x")"}, " ");
+    case_type case3 = spaced({R"("")", R"()"}, " ");
+    case_type case4 = spaced({R"("x")", R"(x)"}, " ");
+    case_type case5 =
+        spaced({R"("\"\"")", R"("""""")", R"("\"""")", R"("""\"")"}, " ");
+    case_type case6 = spaced({R"("\\")", R"(\\)"}, " ");
+    case_type case7 = spaced({R"("xxxxxxxxxx")", R"(xxxxxxxxxx)"}, " ");
+
+    std::vector<std::string> delims = {"::", "\n"};
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "\""},   {case2, "x\"x"}, {case3, ""},
+                       {case5, "\"\""}, {case6, "\\"},   {case7, "xxxxxxxxxx"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::escape<'\\'>,
+                          ss::trim<' '>>(p, delims);
+    }
+
+    case_type case8 = spaced({R"('xxxxxxxxxx')", R"(xxxxxxxxxx)"}, " ", "\t");
+    case_type case9 = spaced({R"('')", R"()"}, " ", "\t");
+    case_type case10 = spaced({R"('#\')", R"(#\)"}, " ", "\t");
+    case_type case11 = spaced({R"('#'')", R"(#')", R"('''')"}, " ", "\t");
+    case_type case12 = spaced({R"('##')", R"(##)"}, " ", "\t");
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case8, "xxxxxxxxxx"},
+                       {case9, ""},
+                       {case10, "\\"},
+                       {case11, "'"},
+                       {case12, "#"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::quote<'\''>, ss::escape<'#'>,
+                          ss::trim<' ', '\t'>>(p, {","});
+    }
+
+    case_type case13 = spaced({R"("x,x")", R"(x\,x)", R"(x#,x)", R"("x\,x")",
+                               R"("x#,x")", R"("x#,x")"},
+                              " ", "\t");
+    case_type case14 =
+        spaced({R"("#\\#")", R"(#\\#)", R"(\\##)", R"("\\##")"}, " ", "\t");
+
+    {
+        matches_type p{{case1, "\""},
+                       {case2, "x\"x"},
+                       {case3, ""},
+                       {case13, "x,x"},
+                       {case14, "\\#"}};
+        test_combinations<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::escape<'\\', '#'>,
+                          ss::trim<' ', '\t'>>(p, {","});
+    }
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing splitter constnes if quoting and escaping are disabled") {
+    // to compile is enough
+    return;
+    const char* const line{};
+    ss::splitter s1;
+    ss::splitter<ss::trim<' '>> s2;
+    s1.split(line);
+    s2.split(line);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing error mode") {
+
+    {
+        // empty delimiter
+        ss::splitter s;
+        s.split(buff("just,some,strings"), "");
+        CHECK(!s.valid());
+        CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+        CHECK(s.error_msg().empty());
+
+        s.set_error_mode(ss::error_mode::error_string);
+        s.split(buff("just,some,strings"), "");
+        CHECK(!s.valid());
+        CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+        CHECK(!s.error_msg().empty());
+    }
+
+    {
+        // unterminated quote
+        ss::splitter<ss::quote<'"'>> s;
+        s.split(buff("\"just"));
+        CHECK(!s.valid());
+        CHECK(s.unterminated_quote());
+        CHECK(s.error_msg().empty());
+
+        s.set_error_mode(ss::error_mode::error_string);
+        s.split(buff("\"just"));
+        CHECK(!s.valid());
+        CHECK(s.unterminated_quote());
+        CHECK(!s.error_msg().empty());
+    }
+}
+
+template <typename Splitter>
+auto expect_unterminated_quote(Splitter& s, const std::string& line) {
+    auto vec = s.split(buff(line.c_str()));
+    CHECK(!s.valid());
+    CHECK(s.unterminated_quote());
+    return vec;
+}
+
+namespace ss {
+// Used to test resplit since it is only accessible via friend class converter
+template <typename... Matchers>
+class converter {
+public:
+    ss::splitter<Matchers...> splitter;
+    auto resplit(char* new_line, size_t new_line_size) {
+        return splitter.resplit(new_line, new_line_size);
+    }
+};
+} /* ss */
+
+TEST_CASE("testing unterminated quote") {
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::quote<'"'>> c;
+        auto& s = c.splitter;
+        auto vec = expect_unterminated_quote(s, "\"just");
+        CHECK(vec.size() == 1);
+
+        auto new_line = buff.append(R"(",strings)");
+        vec = c.resplit(new_line, strlen(new_line));
+        CHECK(s.valid());
+        CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+        std::vector<std::string> expected{"just", "strings"};
+        CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::quote<'"'>> c;
+        auto& s = c.splitter;
+        auto vec = expect_unterminated_quote(s, "just,some,\"random");
+        std::vector<std::string> expected{"just", "some", "just,some,\""};
+        CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+
+        auto new_line = buff.append(R"(",strings)");
+        vec = c.resplit(new_line, strlen(new_line));
+        CHECK(s.valid());
+        CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+        expected = {"just", "some", "random", "strings"};
+        CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::quote<'"'>> c;
+        auto& s = c.splitter;
+        auto vec = expect_unterminated_quote(s, R"("just","some","ran"")");
+        std::vector<std::string> expected{"just", "some", R"("just","some",")"};
+        CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+
+        auto new_line = buff.append(R"(,dom","strings")");
+        vec = c.resplit(new_line, strlen(new_line));
+        CHECK(s.valid());
+        CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+        expected = {"just", "some", "ran\",dom", "strings"};
+        CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::quote<'"'>> c;
+        auto& s = c.splitter;
+        auto vec = expect_unterminated_quote(s, R"("just","some","ran)");
+        std::vector<std::string> expected{"just", "some", R"("just","some",")"};
+        CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+
+        {
+            auto new_line = buff.append(R"(,dom)");
+            vec = c.resplit(new_line, strlen(new_line));
+            CHECK(!s.valid());
+            CHECK(s.unterminated_quote());
+            CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+        }
+
+        {
+            auto new_line = buff.append(R"(",strings)");
+            vec = c.resplit(new_line, strlen(new_line));
+            CHECK(s.valid());
+            CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+            expected = {"just", "some", "ran,dom", "strings"};
+            CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::escape<'\\'>> c;
+        auto& s = c.splitter;
+        auto vec = expect_unterminated_quote(s, R"("just\"some","ra)");
+        std::vector<std::string> expected{"just\"some"};
+        auto w = words(vec);
+        w.pop_back();
+        CHECK(w == expected);
+        {
+            auto new_line = buff.append(R"(n,dom",str\"ings)");
+            vec = c.resplit(new_line, strlen(new_line));
+            CHECK(s.valid());
+            CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+            expected = {"just\"some", "ran,dom", "str\"ings"};
+            CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::escape<'\\'>> c;
+        auto& s = c.splitter;
+        auto vec = expect_unterminated_quote(s, R"("just\"some","ra"")");
+        std::vector<std::string> expected{"just\"some"};
+        auto w = words(vec);
+        w.pop_back();
+        CHECK(w == expected);
+        {
+            auto new_line = buff.append(R"(n,dom",str\"ings)");
+            vec = c.resplit(new_line, strlen(new_line));
+            CHECK(s.valid());
+            CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+            expected = {"just\"some", "ra\"n,dom", "str\"ings"};
+            CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::escape<'\\'>> c;
+        auto& s = c.splitter;
+        auto vec = expect_unterminated_quote(s, R"("just\"some","ra\")");
+        std::vector<std::string> expected{"just\"some"};
+        auto w = words(vec);
+        w.pop_back();
+        CHECK(w == expected);
+        {
+            auto new_line = buff.append(R"(n,dom",str\"ings)");
+            vec = c.resplit(new_line, strlen(new_line));
+            CHECK(s.valid());
+            CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+            expected = {"just\"some", "ra\"n,dom", "str\"ings"};
+            CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::trim<' '>> c;
+        auto& s = c.splitter;
+        auto vec = expect_unterminated_quote(s, R"(  "just" ,some,  "ra )");
+        std::vector<std::string> expected{"just", "some"};
+        auto w = words(vec);
+        w.pop_back();
+        CHECK(w == expected);
+        {
+            auto new_line = buff.append(R"( n,dom"  , strings   )");
+            vec = c.resplit(new_line, strlen(new_line));
+            CHECK(s.valid());
+            CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+            expected = {"just", "some", "ra  n,dom", "strings"};
+            CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss::converter<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::trim<' '>, ss::escape<'\\'>> c;
+        auto& s = c.splitter;
+        auto vec = expect_unterminated_quote(s, R"(  "ju\"st" ,some,  "ra \")");
+        std::vector<std::string> expected{"ju\"st", "some"};
+        auto w = words(vec);
+        w.pop_back();
+        CHECK(w == expected);
+        {
+            auto new_line = buff.append(R"( n,dom"  , strings   )");
+            vec = c.resplit(new_line, strlen(new_line));
+            CHECK(s.valid());
+            CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+            expected = {"ju\"st", "some", "ra \" n,dom", "strings"};
+            CHECK(words(vec) == expected);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("testing invalid splits") {
+    ss::converter<ss::quote<'"'>, ss::trim<' '>, ss::escape<'\\'>> c;
+    auto& s = c.splitter;
+
+    // empty delimiter
+    s.split(buff("some,random,strings"), "");
+    CHECK(!s.valid());
+    CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+
+    // mismatched delimiter
+    s.split(buff(R"(some,"random,"strings")"));
+    CHECK(!s.valid());
+    CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+
+    // unterminated quote
+    s.split(buff("some,random,\"strings"));
+    CHECK(!s.valid());
+    CHECK(s.unterminated_quote());
+
+    // invalid resplit
+    char new_line[] = "some";
+    auto a = c.resplit(new_line, strlen(new_line));
+    CHECK(!s.valid());
+    CHECK(!s.unterminated_quote());
+}