diff --git a/src/conway/gameoflife.py b/src/conway/gameoflife.py
index 430355b..c07af59 100644
--- a/src/conway/gameoflife.py
+++ b/src/conway/gameoflife.py
@@ -96,6 +96,16 @@ def get_anime(size=100, steps=100, start="random"):
     anime = PlotlyAnimation(state, steps)
     return anime.animation
 
+def get_starting_board(size, start=random):
+    # TODO: implement other starting options like e.g. glider
+    if start == "random":
+        return State(size, size, "random")
+    else:
+        return State(size, size, None)
+
+def start(size = 100, start="random"):
+    board = get_starting_board(size, start)
+    return PlotlyAnimation(board, size)
 
 def main():
     # state = State(20, 20, [(0, 1), (1, 2), (2, 0), (2, 1), (2, 2)])