diff --git a/libpkgconf/client.c b/libpkgconf/client.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7220bc4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libpkgconf/client.c
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+/*
+ * client.c
+ * libpkgconf consumer lifecycle management
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2016 pkgconf authors (see AUTHORS).
+ *
+ * Permission to use, copy, modify, and/or distribute this software for any
+ * purpose with or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above
+ * copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.
+ *
+ * This software is provided 'as is' and without any warranty, express or
+ * implied.  In no event shall the authors be liable for any damages arising
+ * from the use of this software.
+ */
+
+#include <libpkgconf/libpkgconf.h>
+
+void
+pkgconf_client_init(pkgconf_client_t *client, pkgconf_error_handler_func_t error_handler)
+{
+	client->error_handler = error_handler;
+}
+
+pkgconf_client_t *
+pkgconf_client_new(pkgconf_error_handler_func_t error_handler)
+{
+	pkgconf_client_t *out = calloc(sizeof(pkgconf_client_t), 1);
+	pkgconf_client_init(out, error_handler);
+	return out;
+}
+
+void
+pkgconf_client_deinit(pkgconf_client_t *client)
+{
+	pkgconf_tuple_free_global(client);
+}
+
+void
+pkgconf_client_free(pkgconf_client_t *client)
+{
+	pkgconf_client_deinit(client);
+	free(client);
+}