diff --git a/src/cmake.cpp b/src/cmake.cpp
index b38274a..116a530 100644
--- a/src/cmake.cpp
+++ b/src/cmake.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include "dialogs.hpp"
 #include "filesystem.hpp"
 #include "terminal.hpp"
+#include "utility.hpp"
 #include <regex>
 
 CMake::CMake(const boost::filesystem::path &path) {
@@ -113,7 +114,7 @@ boost::filesystem::path CMake::get_executable(const boost::filesystem::path &bui
 
   std::vector<boost::filesystem::path> cmake_executables;
   for(auto &parameter : parameters) {
-    if(parameter.second.size() > 1 && parameter.second[0].size() > 0 && parameter.second[0].compare(0, 2, "${") != 0) {
+    if(parameter.second.size() > 1 && parameter.second[0].size() > 0 && !starts_with(parameter.second[0], "${")) {
       auto executable = (parameter.first.parent_path() / parameter.second[0]).string();
       auto project_path_str = project_path.string();
       size_t pos = executable.find(project_path_str);
diff --git a/src/compile_commands.cpp b/src/compile_commands.cpp
index d9e5ae5..b610208 100644
--- a/src/compile_commands.cpp
+++ b/src/compile_commands.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #include "clangmm.hpp"
 #include "config.hpp"
 #include "terminal.hpp"
+#include "utility.hpp"
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <boost/property_tree/json_parser.hpp>
 #include <regex>
@@ -14,7 +15,7 @@ CompileCommands::FindSystemIncludePaths::FindSystemIncludePaths() {
     return;
   std::string line;
   while(std::getline(stdout_stream, line)) {
-    if(line.compare(0, 34, "#include <...> search starts here:") == 0) {
+    if(starts_with(line, "#include <...> search starts here:")) {
       while(std::getline(stdout_stream, line)) {
         if(!line.empty() && line[0] == ' ') {
 #ifdef _WIN32
diff --git a/src/ctags.cpp b/src/ctags.cpp
index cd57f0a..1933afb 100644
--- a/src/ctags.cpp
+++ b/src/ctags.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include "filesystem.hpp"
 #include "project_build.hpp"
 #include "terminal.hpp"
+#include "utility.hpp"
 #include <climits>
 #include <vector>
 
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ Ctags::Location Ctags::get_location(const std::string &line_, bool add_markup) c
     return location;
   }
   location.symbol = line.substr(0, symbol_end);
-  if(9 < location.symbol.size() && location.symbol[8] == ' ' && location.symbol.compare(0, 8, "operator") == 0) {
+  if(9 < location.symbol.size() && location.symbol[8] == ' ' && starts_with(location.symbol, "operator")) {
     auto &chr = location.symbol[9];
     if(!((chr >= 'a' && chr <= 'z') || (chr >= 'A' && chr <= 'Z') || (chr >= '0' && chr <= '9') || chr == '_'))
       location.symbol.erase(8, 1);
@@ -151,7 +152,7 @@ Ctags::Location Ctags::get_location(const std::string &line_, bool add_markup) c
     bool escaped = false;
     for(size_t i = 0; i < location.source.size(); i++) {
       if(!escaped) {
-        if(location.source.compare(i, symbol.size(), symbol) == 0) {
+        if(starts_with(location.source, i, symbol)) {
           location.source.insert(i + symbol.size(), "</b>");
           location.source.insert(i, "<b>");
           i += 7 + symbol.size() - 1;
diff --git a/src/debug_lldb.cpp b/src/debug_lldb.cpp
index 06f2b57..7501fb5 100644
--- a/src/debug_lldb.cpp
+++ b/src/debug_lldb.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include "filesystem.hpp"
 #include "process.hpp"
 #include "terminal.hpp"
+#include "utility.hpp"
 #include <boost/filesystem.hpp>
 #include <iostream>
 
@@ -451,7 +452,7 @@ std::string Debug::LLDB::get_value(const std::string &variable, const boost::fil
               if(value_decl_path == file_path) {
                 value.GetDescription(stream);
                 std::string variable_value = stream.GetData();
-                if(variable_value.size() >= 2 && variable_value.compare(variable_value.size() - 2, 2, "\n\n", 2) == 0)
+                if(ends_with(variable_value, "\n\n"))
                   variable_value.pop_back(); // Remove newline at end of string
                 return variable_value;
               }
diff --git a/src/filesystem.cpp b/src/filesystem.cpp
index 10b4820..ee1f44c 100644
--- a/src/filesystem.cpp
+++ b/src/filesystem.cpp
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
+#include "filesystem.hpp"
+#include "utility.hpp"
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <fstream>
 #include <iostream>
 #include <sstream>
 
-#include "filesystem.hpp"
-
 //Only use on small files
 std::string filesystem::read(const std::string &path) {
   std::string str;
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ boost::filesystem::path filesystem::get_executable(const boost::filesystem::path
       for(boost::filesystem::directory_iterator it(path), end; it != end; ++it) {
         auto it_path = it->path();
         auto it_path_filename_str = it_path.filename().string();
-        if(!it_path_filename_str.empty() && it_path_filename_str.compare(0, executable_name_str.size(), executable_name_str) == 0) {
+        if(starts_with(it_path_filename_str, executable_name_str)) {
           if(it_path > executable &&
              ((it_path_filename_str.size() > executable_name_str.size() &&
                it_path_filename_str[executable_name_str.size()] >= '0' &&
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ std::string filesystem::get_uri_from_path(const boost::filesystem::path &path) {
 boost::filesystem::path filesystem::get_path_from_uri(const std::string &uri) {
   std::string encoded;
 
-  if(uri.compare(0, 7, "file://") == 0)
+  if(starts_with(uri, "file://"))
     encoded = uri.substr(7);
   else
     encoded = uri;
diff --git a/src/grep.cpp b/src/grep.cpp
index 510fe9f..d636ee8 100644
--- a/src/grep.cpp
+++ b/src/grep.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include "filesystem.hpp"
 #include "project_build.hpp"
 #include "terminal.hpp"
+#include "utility.hpp"
 
 Grep::Grep(const boost::filesystem::path &path, const std::string &pattern, bool case_sensitive, bool extended_regex) {
   auto build = Project::Build::create(path);
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ Grep::Location Grep::get_location(std::string line, bool color_codes_to_markup,
   if(color_codes_to_markup) {
     std::string escaped = Glib::Markup::escape_text(line);
     auto decode_escape_sequence = [](const std::string &line, size_t &i) -> bool {
-      if(line.compare(i, 7, "&#x1b;[") != 0)
+      if(!starts_with(line, i, "&#x1b;["))
         return false;
       i += 7;
       for(; i < line.size(); ++i) {
diff --git a/src/juci.cpp b/src/juci.cpp
index 86038cb..ab0d7ca 100644
--- a/src/juci.cpp
+++ b/src/juci.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include "menu.hpp"
 #include "notebook.hpp"
 #include "terminal.hpp"
+#include "utility.hpp"
 #include "window.hpp"
 #ifndef _WIN32
 #include <csignal>
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ void Application::on_activate() {
     else {
       std::string files_in_directory;
       for(auto it = files.begin(); it != files.end();) {
-        if(it->first.generic_string().compare(0, directory.generic_string().size() + 1, directory.generic_string() + '/') == 0) {
+        if(filesystem::file_in_path(it->first, directory)) {
           files_in_directory += " " + filesystem::escape_argument(it->first.string());
           it = files.erase(it);
         }
diff --git a/src/meson.cpp b/src/meson.cpp
index 47b9f87..cffa9a2 100644
--- a/src/meson.cpp
+++ b/src/meson.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include "dialogs.hpp"
 #include "filesystem.hpp"
 #include "terminal.hpp"
+#include "utility.hpp"
 #include <regex>
 
 Meson::Meson(const boost::filesystem::path &path) {
@@ -101,7 +102,7 @@ boost::filesystem::path Meson::get_executable(const boost::filesystem::path &bui
     if(!values.empty()) {
       size_t pos;
       if((pos = values[0].find('@')) != std::string::npos) {
-        if(pos + 1 < values[0].size() && values[0].compare(pos + 1, 3, "exe") == 0) {
+        if(starts_with(values[0], pos + 1, "exe")) {
           auto executable = build_path / values[0].substr(0, pos);
           if(command_file == file_path)
             return executable;
diff --git a/src/selection_dialog.cpp b/src/selection_dialog.cpp
index 54e2905..9d85c6c 100644
--- a/src/selection_dialog.cpp
+++ b/src/selection_dialog.cpp
@@ -254,14 +254,9 @@ SelectionDialog::SelectionDialog(Gtk::TextView *text_view, const Glib::RefPtr<Gt
 
   auto activate = [this]() {
     auto it = list_view_text.get_selection()->get_selected();
-    if(on_select && it) {
-      auto index = it->get_value(list_view_text.column_record.index);
-      auto text = it->get_value(list_view_text.column_record.text);
-      hide();
-      on_select(index, text, true);
-    }
-    else
-      hide();
+    if(on_select && it)
+      on_select(it->get_value(list_view_text.column_record.index), it->get_value(list_view_text.column_record.text), true);
+    hide();
   };
   search_entry.signal_activate().connect([activate]() {
     activate();
@@ -390,11 +385,8 @@ void CompletionDialog::select(bool hide_window) {
   row_in_entry = true;
 
   auto it = list_view_text.get_selection()->get_selected();
-  if(on_select && it) {
-    auto index = it->get_value(list_view_text.column_record.index);
-    auto text = it->get_value(list_view_text.column_record.text);
-    on_select(index, text, hide_window);
-  }
+  if(on_select && it)
+    on_select(it->get_value(list_view_text.column_record.index), it->get_value(list_view_text.column_record.text), hide_window);
   if(hide_window)
     hide();
 }
@@ -403,9 +395,8 @@ bool CompletionDialog::on_key_release(GdkEventKey *key) {
   if(key->keyval == GDK_KEY_Down || key->keyval == GDK_KEY_KP_Down || key->keyval == GDK_KEY_Up || key->keyval == GDK_KEY_KP_Up)
     return false;
 
-  if(show_offset > text_view->get_buffer()->get_insert()->get_iter().get_offset()) {
+  if(show_offset > text_view->get_buffer()->get_insert()->get_iter().get_offset())
     hide();
-  }
   else {
     auto text = text_view->get_buffer()->get_text(start_mark->get_iter(), text_view->get_buffer()->get_insert()->get_iter());
     search_entry.set_text(text);
diff --git a/src/source.cpp b/src/source.cpp
index 2877910..bd83939 100644
--- a/src/source.cpp
+++ b/src/source.cpp
@@ -1558,10 +1558,10 @@ void Source::View::show_or_hide() {
                 }
               }
               else if(std::none_of(exact.begin(), exact.end(), [&text](const std::string &e) {
-                        return text.compare(0, e.size(), e) == 0;
+                        return starts_with(text, e);
                       }) &&
                       std::none_of(followed_by_non_token_char.begin(), followed_by_non_token_char.end(), [this, &text](const std::string &e) {
-                        return text.compare(0, e.size(), e) == 0 && text.size() > e.size() && !is_token_char(text[e.size()]);
+                        return starts_with(text, e) && text.size() > e.size() && !is_token_char(text[e.size()]);
                       })) {
                 end = get_buffer()->get_iter_at_line(end.get_line());
                 break;
@@ -2411,8 +2411,7 @@ bool Source::View::on_key_press_event_bracket_language(GdkEventKey *key) {
     if(tabs.size() % tab_size == 1 && !start_iter.ends_line() && !is_code_iter(start_iter)) {
       auto end_of_line_iter = start_iter;
       end_of_line_iter.forward_to_line_end();
-      auto line = get_buffer()->get_text(tabs_end_iter, end_of_line_iter);
-      if(!line.empty() && line.raw().compare(0, 2, "*/") == 0) {
+      if(starts_with(get_buffer()->get_text(tabs_end_iter, end_of_line_iter).raw(), "*/")) {
         tabs.pop_back();
         get_buffer()->insert_at_cursor('\n' + tabs);
         scroll_to(get_buffer()->get_insert());
diff --git a/src/source_base.cpp b/src/source_base.cpp
index 6cf0672..00c4675 100644
--- a/src/source_base.cpp
+++ b/src/source_base.cpp
@@ -1035,10 +1035,10 @@ void Source::BaseView::setup_extra_cursor_signals() {
   });
 }
 
-void Source::BaseView::insert_snippet(Gtk::TextIter iter, const Glib::ustring &snippet) {
+void Source::BaseView::insert_snippet(Gtk::TextIter iter, const std::string &snippet) {
   std::map<size_t, std::vector<std::pair<size_t, size_t>>> arguments_offsets;
 
-  Glib::ustring insert;
+  std::string insert;
   insert.reserve(snippet.size());
   size_t i = 0;
   int number;
@@ -1058,12 +1058,18 @@ void Source::BaseView::insert_snippet(Gtk::TextIter iter, const Glib::ustring &s
       return false;
     }
   };
+  auto compare_variable = [&snippet, &i](const char *text) {
+    if(starts_with(snippet, i, text)) {
+      i += strlen(text);
+      return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+  };
   bool erase_line = false, erase_word = false;
-  auto parse_variable = [this, &iter, &snippet, &i, &insert, &erase_line, &erase_word] {
+  auto parse_variable = [this, &iter, &snippet, &i, &insert, &compare_variable, &erase_line, &erase_word] {
     if(i >= snippet.size())
       throw std::out_of_range("unexpected end");
-    if(snippet.compare(i, 16, "TM_SELECTED_TEXT") == 0) {
-      i += 16;
+    if(compare_variable("TM_SELECTED_TEXT")) {
       Gtk::TextIter start, end;
       if(get_buffer()->get_selection_bounds(start, end)) {
         insert += get_buffer()->get_text(start, end);
@@ -1071,16 +1077,14 @@ void Source::BaseView::insert_snippet(Gtk::TextIter iter, const Glib::ustring &s
       }
       return false;
     }
-    else if(snippet.compare(i, 15, "TM_CURRENT_LINE") == 0) {
-      i += 15;
+    else if(compare_variable("TM_CURRENT_LINE")) {
       auto start = get_buffer()->get_iter_at_line(iter.get_line());
       auto end = get_iter_at_line_end(iter.get_line());
       insert += get_buffer()->get_text(start, end);
       erase_line = true;
       return true;
     }
-    else if(snippet.compare(i, 15, "TM_CURRENT_WORD") == 0) {
-      i += 15;
+    else if(compare_variable("TM_CURRENT_WORD")) {
       if(is_token_char(*iter)) {
         auto token_iters = get_token_iters(iter);
         insert += get_buffer()->get_text(token_iters.first, token_iters.second);
@@ -1089,38 +1093,31 @@ void Source::BaseView::insert_snippet(Gtk::TextIter iter, const Glib::ustring &s
       }
       return false;
     }
-    else if(snippet.compare(i, 13, "TM_LINE_INDEX") == 0) {
-      i += 13;
+    else if(compare_variable("TM_LINE_INDEX")) {
       insert += std::to_string(iter.get_line());
       return true;
     }
-    else if(snippet.compare(i, 14, "TM_LINE_NUMBER") == 0) {
-      i += 14;
+    else if(compare_variable("TM_LINE_NUMBER")) {
       insert += std::to_string(iter.get_line() + 1);
       return true;
     }
-    else if(snippet.compare(i, 16, "TM_FILENAME_BASE") == 0) {
-      i += 16;
+    else if(compare_variable("TM_FILENAME_BASE")) {
       insert += file_path.stem().string();
       return true;
     }
-    else if(snippet.compare(i, 11, "TM_FILENAME") == 0) {
-      i += 11;
+    else if(compare_variable("TM_FILENAME")) {
       insert += file_path.filename().string();
       return true;
     }
-    else if(snippet.compare(i, 12, "TM_DIRECTORY") == 0) {
-      i += 12;
+    else if(compare_variable("TM_DIRECTORY")) {
       insert += file_path.parent_path().string();
       return true;
     }
-    else if(snippet.compare(i, 11, "TM_FILEPATH") == 0) {
-      i += 11;
+    else if(compare_variable("TM_FILEPATH")) {
       insert += file_path.string();
       return true;
     }
-    else if(snippet.compare(i, 9, "CLIPBOARD") == 0) {
-      i += 9;
+    else if(compare_variable("CLIPBOARD")) {
       insert += Gtk::Clipboard::get()->wait_for_text();
       return true;
     }
@@ -1144,7 +1141,7 @@ void Source::BaseView::insert_snippet(Gtk::TextIter iter, const Glib::ustring &s
         if(snippet.at(i) == '{') {
           ++i;
           if(parse_number()) {
-            Glib::ustring placeholder;
+            std::string placeholder;
             if(snippet.at(i) == ':') {
               ++i;
               for(; snippet.at(i) != '}'; ++i)
diff --git a/src/source_base.hpp b/src/source_base.hpp
index 8283f07..a4df26e 100644
--- a/src/source_base.hpp
+++ b/src/source_base.hpp
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ namespace Source {
     std::vector<Snippets::Snippet> *snippets GUARDED_BY(snippets_mutex) = nullptr;
     std::list<std::vector<std::pair<Glib::RefPtr<Gtk::TextBuffer::Mark>, Glib::RefPtr<Gtk::TextBuffer::Mark>>>> snippets_marks;
     Glib::RefPtr<Gtk::TextTag> snippet_argument_tag;
-    void insert_snippet(Gtk::TextIter iter, const Glib::ustring &snippet);
+    void insert_snippet(Gtk::TextIter iter, const std::string &snippet);
     bool select_snippet_argument();
     bool clear_snippet_marks();
   };
diff --git a/src/source_clang.cpp b/src/source_clang.cpp
index 4ec8f4d..e809be6 100644
--- a/src/source_clang.cpp
+++ b/src/source_clang.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include "info.hpp"
 #include "selection_dialog.hpp"
 #include "usages_clang.hpp"
+#include "utility.hpp"
 
 const std::regex include_regex(R"(^[ \t]*#[ \t]*include[ \t]*[<"]([^<>"]+)[>"].*$)");
 
@@ -375,7 +376,7 @@ void Source::ClangViewParse::update_diagnostics() {
           std::string *c_header = nullptr;
           std::string *cpp_header = nullptr;
           for(auto &header : headers) {
-            if(!c_header && header.find(".h") != std::string::npos)
+            if(!c_header && ends_with(header, ".h"))
               c_header = &header;
             else if(!cpp_header)
               cpp_header = &header;
@@ -393,17 +394,17 @@ void Source::ClangViewParse::update_diagnostics() {
           if(token.get_kind() == clangmm::Token::Kind::Identifier) {
             auto &token_offsets = clang_tokens_offsets[c];
             if(static_cast<unsigned int>(line) == token_offsets.first.line - 1 && static_cast<unsigned int>(index) >= token_offsets.first.index - 1 && static_cast<unsigned int>(index) <= token_offsets.second.index - 1) {
-              if(diagnostic.spelling.compare(0, 44, "implicit instantiation of undefined template") == 0) {
+              if(starts_with(diagnostic.spelling, "implicit instantiation of undefined template")) {
                 auto cursor = token.get_cursor();
                 if(cursor.get_referenced()) {
                   auto type_description = cursor.get_type_description();
                   bool has_std = false;
                   if(is_cpp) {
-                    if(type_description.compare(0, 5, "std::") == 0) {
+                    if(starts_with(type_description, "std::")) {
                       has_std = true;
                       type_description.erase(0, 5);
                     }
-                    if(type_description.compare(0, 5, "__1::") == 0)
+                    if(starts_with(type_description, "__1::"))
                       type_description.erase(0, 5);
                     auto pos = type_description.find('<');
                     if(pos != std::string::npos)
@@ -413,13 +414,13 @@ void Source::ClangViewParse::update_diagnostics() {
                   add_include_fixit(has_std, is_cpp && has_using_namespace_std(c), type_description);
                 }
               }
-              if(diagnostic.spelling.compare(0, 17, "unknown type name") == 0 ||
-                 diagnostic.spelling.compare(0, 13, "no type named") == 0 ||
-                 diagnostic.spelling.compare(0, 15, "no member named") == 0 ||
-                 diagnostic.spelling.compare(0, 17, "no template named") == 0 ||
-                 diagnostic.spelling.compare(0, 28, "use of undeclared identifier") == 0 ||
-                 diagnostic.spelling.compare(0, 44, "implicit instantiation of undefined template") == 0 ||
-                 diagnostic.spelling.compare(0, 79, "no viable constructor or deduction guide for deduction of template arguments of") == 0) {
+              if(starts_with(diagnostic.spelling, "unknown type name") ||
+                 starts_with(diagnostic.spelling, "no type named") ||
+                 starts_with(diagnostic.spelling, "no member named") ||
+                 starts_with(diagnostic.spelling, "no template named") ||
+                 starts_with(diagnostic.spelling, "use of undeclared identifier") ||
+                 starts_with(diagnostic.spelling, "implicit instantiation of undefined template") ||
+                 starts_with(diagnostic.spelling, "no viable constructor or deduction guide for deduction of template arguments of")) {
                 bool has_std = false;
                 if(is_cpp) {
                   if(token_string == "std" && c + 2 < clang_tokens->size() && (*clang_tokens)[c + 2].get_kind() == clangmm::Token::Kind::Identifier) {
@@ -876,7 +877,7 @@ Source::ClangViewAutocomplete::ClangViewAutocomplete(const boost::filesystem::pa
               if(kind != clangmm::CompletionChunk_Informative) {
                 auto chunk_cstr = clangmm::String(clang_getCompletionChunkText(result.cx_completion_string, i));
                 if(kind == clangmm::CompletionChunk_TypedText) {
-                  if(strlen(chunk_cstr.c_str) >= prefix.size() && prefix.compare(0, prefix.size(), chunk_cstr.c_str, prefix.size()) == 0)
+                  if(starts_with(chunk_cstr.c_str, prefix))
                     match = true;
                   else
                     break;
@@ -900,7 +901,7 @@ Source::ClangViewAutocomplete::ClangViewAutocomplete(const boost::filesystem::pa
         LockGuard lock(snippets_mutex);
         if(snippets) {
           for(auto &snippet : *snippets) {
-            if(prefix.compare(0, prefix.size(), snippet.prefix, 0, prefix.size()) == 0) {
+            if(starts_with(snippet.prefix, prefix)) {
               autocomplete.rows.emplace_back(snippet.prefix);
               completion_strings.emplace_back(nullptr);
               snippet_inserts.emplace(autocomplete.rows.size() - 1, snippet.body);
@@ -929,9 +930,8 @@ Source::ClangViewAutocomplete::ClangViewAutocomplete(const boost::filesystem::pa
     if(!completion_strings[index]) { // Insert snippet instead
       get_buffer()->erase(CompletionDialog::get()->start_mark->get_iter(), get_buffer()->get_insert()->get_iter());
 
-      if(!hide_window) {
+      if(!hide_window)
         get_buffer()->insert(CompletionDialog::get()->start_mark->get_iter(), text);
-      }
       else
         insert_snippet(CompletionDialog::get()->start_mark->get_iter(), snippet_inserts[index]);
       return;
@@ -1231,8 +1231,7 @@ Source::ClangViewRefactor::ClangViewRefactor(const boost::filesystem::path &file
               if(static_cast<int>(source_location.get_offset().line) - 1 <= client_data->line_nr &&
                  filesystem::get_normal_path(source_location.get_path()) == client_data->file_path) {
                 auto included_file_str = clangmm::to_string(clang_getFileName(included_file));
-                if(included_file_str.size() >= client_data->sm_str.size() &&
-                   included_file_str.compare(included_file_str.size() - client_data->sm_str.size(), client_data->sm_str.size(), client_data->sm_str) == 0) {
+                if(ends_with(included_file_str, client_data->sm_str)) {
                   client_data->found_include = included_file_str;
                   break;
                 }
@@ -1784,7 +1783,7 @@ Source::ClangViewRefactor::ClangViewRefactor(const boost::filesystem::path &file
       auto it = data.end();
       do {
         auto token_spelling = cursor.get_token_spelling();
-        if(!token_spelling.empty() && token_spelling != "__1" && token_spelling.compare(0, 5, "__cxx") != 0) {
+        if(!token_spelling.empty() && token_spelling != "__1" && !starts_with(token_spelling, "__cxx")) {
           it = data.emplace(it, token_spelling);
           if(symbol.empty())
             symbol = token_spelling;
diff --git a/src/source_generic.cpp b/src/source_generic.cpp
index 60eeab2..54df6ab 100644
--- a/src/source_generic.cpp
+++ b/src/source_generic.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include "selection_dialog.hpp"
 #include "snippets.hpp"
 #include "terminal.hpp"
+#include "utility.hpp"
 #include <algorithm>
 
 Source::GenericView::GenericView(const boost::filesystem::path &file_path, const Glib::RefPtr<Gsv::Language> &language) : BaseView(file_path, language), View(file_path, language, true), autocomplete(this, interactive_completion, last_keyval, false) {
@@ -260,7 +261,7 @@ void Source::GenericView::setup_autocomplete() {
         prefix = autocomplete.prefix;
       }
       for(auto &keyword : keywords) {
-        if(prefix.compare(0, prefix.size(), keyword, 0, prefix.size()) == 0) {
+        if(starts_with(keyword, prefix)) {
           autocomplete.rows.emplace_back(keyword);
           autocomplete_insert.emplace_back(keyword);
           autocomplete_comment.emplace_back("");
@@ -269,7 +270,8 @@ void Source::GenericView::setup_autocomplete() {
       {
         LockGuard lock(buffer_words_mutex);
         for(auto &buffer_word : buffer_words) {
-          if((show_prefix_buffer_word || buffer_word.first.size() > prefix.size()) && prefix.compare(0, prefix.size(), buffer_word.first, 0, prefix.size()) == 0 &&
+          if((show_prefix_buffer_word || buffer_word.first.size() > prefix.size()) &&
+             starts_with(buffer_word.first, prefix) &&
              keywords.find(buffer_word.first) == keywords.end()) {
             autocomplete.rows.emplace_back(buffer_word.first);
             autocomplete_insert.emplace_back(buffer_word.first);
@@ -280,7 +282,7 @@ void Source::GenericView::setup_autocomplete() {
       LockGuard lock(snippets_mutex);
       if(snippets) {
         for(auto &snippet : *snippets) {
-          if(prefix.compare(0, prefix.size(), snippet.prefix, 0, prefix.size()) == 0) {
+          if(starts_with(snippet.prefix, prefix)) {
             autocomplete.rows.emplace_back(snippet.prefix);
             autocomplete_insert.emplace_back(snippet.body);
             autocomplete_comment.emplace_back(snippet.description);
@@ -300,7 +302,7 @@ void Source::GenericView::setup_autocomplete() {
   };
 
   autocomplete.on_select = [this](unsigned int index, const std::string &text, bool hide_window) {
-    Glib::ustring insert = hide_window ? autocomplete_insert[index] : text;
+    const auto &insert = hide_window ? autocomplete_insert[index] : text;
 
     get_buffer()->erase(CompletionDialog::get()->start_mark->get_iter(), get_buffer()->get_insert()->get_iter());
 
diff --git a/src/source_language_protocol.cpp b/src/source_language_protocol.cpp
index c0e491c..6121f34 100644
--- a/src/source_language_protocol.cpp
+++ b/src/source_language_protocol.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 #endif
 #include "config.hpp"
 #include "menu.hpp"
+#include "utility.hpp"
 #include <future>
 #include <limits>
 #include <regex>
@@ -194,7 +195,7 @@ void LanguageProtocol::Client::parse_server_message() {
     std::string line;
     while(!header_read && std::getline(server_message_stream, line)) {
       if(!line.empty() && line != "\r") {
-        if(line.compare(0, 16, "Content-Length: ") == 0) {
+        if(starts_with(line, "Content-Length: ")) {
           try {
             server_message_size = static_cast<size_t>(std::stoul(line.substr(16)));
           }
@@ -1607,7 +1608,7 @@ void Source::LanguageProtocolView::setup_autocomplete() {
                   LockGuard lock(autocomplete->prefix_mutex);
                   prefix = autocomplete->prefix;
                 }
-                if(prefix.compare(0, prefix.size(), label, 0, prefix.size()) == 0) {
+                if(starts_with(label, prefix)) {
                   autocomplete->rows.emplace_back(std::move(label));
                   if(!plaintext.empty() && detail != plaintext) {
                     if(!detail.empty())
@@ -1628,7 +1629,7 @@ void Source::LanguageProtocolView::setup_autocomplete() {
               LockGuard lock(snippets_mutex);
               if(snippets) {
                 for(auto &snippet : *snippets) {
-                  if(prefix.compare(0, prefix.size(), snippet.prefix, 0, prefix.size()) == 0) {
+                  if(starts_with(snippet.prefix, prefix)) {
                     autocomplete->rows.emplace_back(snippet.prefix);
                     autocomplete_rows.emplace_back(AutocompleteRow{snippet.body, snippet.description, {}});
                   }
@@ -1652,7 +1653,7 @@ void Source::LanguageProtocolView::setup_autocomplete() {
   };
 
   autocomplete->on_select = [this](unsigned int index, const std::string &text, bool hide_window) {
-    Glib::ustring insert = hide_window ? autocomplete_rows[index].insert : text;
+    auto insert = hide_window ? autocomplete_rows[index].insert : text;
 
     get_buffer()->erase(CompletionDialog::get()->start_mark->get_iter(), get_buffer()->get_insert()->get_iter());
 
@@ -1660,9 +1661,8 @@ void Source::LanguageProtocolView::setup_autocomplete() {
     auto iter = get_buffer()->get_insert()->get_iter();
     if(*iter == '(' || *iter == '<') {
       auto bracket_pos = insert.find(*iter);
-      if(bracket_pos != std::string::npos) {
-        insert = insert.substr(0, bracket_pos);
-      }
+      if(bracket_pos != std::string::npos)
+        insert.erase(bracket_pos);
     }
 
     if(hide_window) {
diff --git a/src/tooltips.cpp b/src/tooltips.cpp
index b98b75d..027b079 100644
--- a/src/tooltips.cpp
+++ b/src/tooltips.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include "info.hpp"
 #include "notebook.hpp"
 #include "selection_dialog.hpp"
+#include "utility.hpp"
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <regex>
 
@@ -152,7 +153,7 @@ void Tooltip::show(bool disregard_drawn, const std::function<void()> &on_motion)
           if(link.empty())
             link = text;
 
-          if(link.compare(0, 7, "http://") == 0 || link.compare(0, 8, "https://") == 0) {
+          if(starts_with(link, "http://") || starts_with(link, "https://")) {
             Notebook::get().open_uri(link);
             return true;
           }
@@ -477,7 +478,7 @@ void Tooltip::insert_markdown(const std::string &input) {
       auto start = i;
       for(; i < to; i++) {
         if(!unescape(i)) {
-          if(input.compare(i, prefix.size(), prefix) == 0) {
+          if(starts_with(input, i, prefix)) {
             if(i - 1 > from && is_whitespace_character(i - 1)) { // Do not emphasis _test in: _test _test_
               i = i_saved;
               return false;
@@ -507,7 +508,7 @@ void Tooltip::insert_markdown(const std::string &input) {
     };
 
     auto insert_strikethrough = [&] {
-      if(input.compare(i, 2, "~~") == 0) {
+      if(starts_with(input, i, "~~")) {
         insert_with_links_tagged(partial);
         partial.clear();
         auto i_saved = i;
@@ -515,7 +516,7 @@ void Tooltip::insert_markdown(const std::string &input) {
         if(i < to) {
           auto start = i;
           for(; i < to; i++) {
-            if(!unescape(i) && input.compare(i, 2, "~~") == 0)
+            if(!unescape(i) && starts_with(input, i, "~~"))
               break;
           }
           if(i == to) {
@@ -701,13 +702,13 @@ void Tooltip::insert_markdown(const std::string &input) {
 
 
   auto insert_code_block = [&] {
-    if(input.compare(i, 3, "```") == 0) {
+    if(starts_with(input, i, "```")) {
       auto i_saved = i;
       if(forward_to({'\n'})) {
         i++;
         if(i < input.size()) {
           auto start = i;
-          while(i < input.size() && !(input[i - 1] == '\n' && input.compare(i, 3, "```") == 0))
+          while(i < input.size() && !(input[i - 1] == '\n' && starts_with(input, i, "```")))
             i++;
           if(i == input.size()) {
             i = i_saved;
@@ -769,7 +770,7 @@ void Tooltip::insert_markdown(const std::string &input) {
     // Insert paragraph:
     auto start = i;
     for(; forward_to({'\n'}); i++) {
-      if(i + 1 < input.size() && (input[i + 1] == '\n' || input[i + 1] == '#' || input.compare(i + 1, 3, "```") == 0))
+      if(i + 1 < input.size() && (input[i + 1] == '\n' || input[i + 1] == '#' || starts_with(input, i + 1, "```")))
         break;
     }
     insert_text(start, i);
diff --git a/src/utility.cpp b/src/utility.cpp
index 8689c68..8e1c894 100644
--- a/src/utility.cpp
+++ b/src/utility.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,76 @@
 #include "utility.hpp"
+#include <cstring>
 
 ScopeGuard::~ScopeGuard() {
   if(on_exit)
     on_exit();
 }
+
+bool starts_with(const char *str, const std::string &test) noexcept {
+  for(size_t i = 0; i < test.size(); ++i) {
+    if(*str == '\0')
+      return false;
+    if(*str != test[i])
+      return false;
+    ++str;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool starts_with(const char *str, const char *test) noexcept {
+  for(; *test != '\0'; ++test) {
+    if(*str == '\0')
+      return false;
+    if(*str != *test)
+      return false;
+    ++str;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool starts_with(const std::string &str, const std::string &test) noexcept {
+  return str.compare(0, test.size(), test) == 0;
+}
+
+bool starts_with(const std::string &str, const char *test) noexcept {
+  for(size_t i = 0; i < str.size(); ++i) {
+    if(*test == '\0')
+      return true;
+    if(str[i] != *test)
+      return false;
+    ++test;
+  }
+  return *test == '\0';
+}
+
+bool starts_with(const std::string &str, size_t pos, const std::string &test) noexcept {
+  if(pos > str.size())
+    return false;
+  return str.compare(pos, test.size(), test) == 0;
+}
+
+bool starts_with(const std::string &str, size_t pos, const char *test) noexcept {
+  if(pos > str.size())
+    return false;
+  for(size_t i = pos; i < str.size(); ++i) {
+    if(*test == '\0')
+      return true;
+    if(str[i] != *test)
+      return false;
+    ++test;
+  }
+  return *test == '\0';
+}
+
+bool ends_with(const std::string &str, const std::string &test) noexcept {
+  if(test.size() > str.size())
+    return false;
+  return str.compare(str.size() - test.size(), test.size(), test) == 0;
+}
+
+bool ends_with(const std::string &str, const char *test) noexcept {
+  auto test_size = strlen(test);
+  if(test_size > str.size())
+    return false;
+  return str.compare(str.size() - test_size, test_size, test) == 0;
+}
diff --git a/src/utility.hpp b/src/utility.hpp
index 3f0e1a0..e143b8d 100644
--- a/src/utility.hpp
+++ b/src/utility.hpp
@@ -1,8 +1,19 @@
 #pragma once
 #include <functional>
+#include <string>
 
 class ScopeGuard {
 public:
   std::function<void()> on_exit;
   ~ScopeGuard();
 };
+
+bool starts_with(const char *str, const std::string &test) noexcept;
+bool starts_with(const char *str, const char *test) noexcept;
+bool starts_with(const std::string &str, const std::string &test) noexcept;
+bool starts_with(const std::string &str, const char *test) noexcept;
+bool starts_with(const std::string &str, size_t pos, const std::string &test) noexcept;
+bool starts_with(const std::string &str, size_t pos, const char *test) noexcept;
+
+bool ends_with(const std::string &str, const std::string &test) noexcept;
+bool ends_with(const std::string &str, const char *test) noexcept;
diff --git a/src/window.cpp b/src/window.cpp
index e794097..9c19682 100644
--- a/src/window.cpp
+++ b/src/window.cpp
@@ -830,8 +830,6 @@ void Window::set_menu_actions() {
   });
 
   menu.add_action("source_find_pattern", [this]() {
-    std::string excludes = "--exclude-dir=node_modules";
-
     EntryBox::get().clear();
 
     EntryBox::get().entries.emplace_back(last_find_pattern, [this](const std::string &pattern_) {
@@ -845,14 +843,14 @@ void Window::set_menu_actions() {
           return;
         }
 
-        if(auto view = Notebook::get().get_current_view())
+        auto view = Notebook::get().get_current_view();
+        if(view)
           SelectionDialog::create(view, true, true);
         else
           SelectionDialog::create(true, true);
 
         std::string current_path;
         unsigned int current_line = 0;
-        auto view = Notebook::get().get_current_view();
         if(view) {
           current_path = filesystem::get_relative_path(view->file_path, grep->project_path).string();
           current_line = view->get_buffer()->get_insert()->get_iter().get_line();
diff --git a/tests/CMakeLists.txt b/tests/CMakeLists.txt
index 90dbf07..6a88646 100644
--- a/tests/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/tests/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -84,3 +84,6 @@ add_executable(tooltips_test tooltips_test.cpp $<TARGET_OBJECTS:test_stubs>)
 target_link_libraries(tooltips_test juci_shared)
 add_test(tooltips_test tooltips_test)
 
+add_executable(utility_test utility_test.cpp $<TARGET_OBJECTS:test_stubs>)
+target_link_libraries(utility_test juci_shared)
+add_test(utility_test utility_test)
diff --git a/tests/utility_test.cpp b/tests/utility_test.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ae0e319
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/utility_test.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+#include "utility.hpp"
+#include <glib.h>
+
+int main() {
+  static bool scope_exit = false;
+  {
+    ScopeGuard guard{[] {
+      scope_exit = true;
+    }};
+    g_assert(!scope_exit);
+  }
+  g_assert(scope_exit);
+
+  std::string empty;
+  std::string test("test");
+  std::string testtest("testtest");
+
+  g_assert(starts_with("", empty));
+  g_assert(starts_with("", ""));
+  g_assert(starts_with(empty, ""));
+  g_assert(starts_with(empty, empty));
+  g_assert(starts_with(empty, 0, ""));
+  g_assert(starts_with(empty, 0, empty));
+  g_assert(ends_with(empty, ""));
+  g_assert(ends_with(empty, empty));
+
+  g_assert(starts_with(test.c_str(), empty));
+  g_assert(starts_with(test.c_str(), ""));
+  g_assert(starts_with(test, ""));
+  g_assert(starts_with(test, empty));
+  g_assert(starts_with(test, 0, ""));
+  g_assert(starts_with(test, 0, empty));
+  g_assert(ends_with(test, ""));
+  g_assert(ends_with(test, empty));
+
+  g_assert(!starts_with(empty, 10, ""));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(empty, 10, empty));
+
+  g_assert(!starts_with(test, 10, ""));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(test, 10, empty));
+
+  g_assert(!starts_with(test, 10, test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(test, 10, test));
+
+  g_assert(starts_with(test, 2, test.c_str() + 2));
+  g_assert(starts_with(test, 2, test.substr(2)));
+
+  g_assert(ends_with(test, test.c_str() + 2));
+  g_assert(ends_with(test, test.substr(2)));
+
+  g_assert(starts_with(test.c_str(), test));
+  g_assert(starts_with(test.c_str(), test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(starts_with(test, test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(starts_with(test, test));
+  g_assert(starts_with(test, 0, test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(starts_with(test, 0, test));
+  g_assert(ends_with(test, test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(ends_with(test, test));
+
+  g_assert(starts_with(testtest.c_str(), test));
+  g_assert(starts_with(testtest.c_str(), test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(starts_with(testtest, test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(starts_with(testtest, test));
+  g_assert(starts_with(testtest, 0, test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(starts_with(testtest, 0, test));
+  g_assert(ends_with(testtest, test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(ends_with(testtest, test));
+  g_assert(ends_with(testtest, "ttest"));
+  g_assert(ends_with(testtest, std::string("ttest")));
+
+  g_assert(!starts_with(test.c_str(), testtest));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(test.c_str(), testtest.c_str()));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(test, testtest.c_str()));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(test, testtest));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(test, 0, testtest.c_str()));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(test, 0, testtest));
+  g_assert(!ends_with(test, testtest.c_str()));
+  g_assert(!ends_with(test, testtest));
+
+  g_assert(!starts_with(empty.c_str(), test));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(empty.c_str(), test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(empty, test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(empty, test));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(empty, 0, test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(!starts_with(empty, 0, test));
+  g_assert(!ends_with(empty, test.c_str()));
+  g_assert(!ends_with(empty, test));
+}
\ No newline at end of file