diff --git a/plugins/ruby/plugins/unit.rb b/plugins/ruby/plugins/unit.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cf62c5e01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/ruby/plugins/unit.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+module DFHack
+# returns an Array of all units that are current fort citizen (dwarves, on map, not hostile)
+def self.unit_citizens
+	race = ui.race_id
+	civ = ui.civ_id
+	world.units.other[0].find_all { |u| 
+		u.race == race and u.civ_id == civ and !u.flags1.dead and !u.flags1.merchant and
+		!u.flags1.diplomat and !u.flags2.resident and !u.flags3.ghostly and
+		!u.curse.add_tags1.OPPOSED_TO_LIFE and !u.curse.add_tags1.CRAZED and
+		u.mood != MoodType::Berserk
+		# TODO check curse ; currently this should keep vampires, but may include werebeasts
+	}
+end
+
+# list workers (citizen, not crazy / child / inmood / noble)
+def self.unit_workers
+	unit_citizens.find_all { |u|
+		u.mood == MoodType::None and
+		Profession::ENUM[u.profession] != :CHILD and
+		Profession::ENUM[u.profession] != :BABY and
+		# TODO MENIAL_WORK_EXEMPTION_SPOUSE
+		!unit_entitypositions(u).find { |pos| pos.flags[:MENIAL_WORK_EXEMPTION] }
+	}
+end
+
+# list currently idle workers
+def self.unit_idlers
+	unit_workers.find_all { |u|
+		# current_job includes eat/drink/sleep/pickupequip
+		!u.job.current_job._getv and 
+		# filter 'attend meeting'
+		u.meetings.length == 0 and
+		# filter soldiers (TODO check schedule)
+		u.military.squad_index == -1 and
+		# filter 'on break'
+		!u.status.misc_traits.find { |t| id = UnitMiscTrait::ENUM[t.id] ; id == :OnBreak }
+	}
+end
+
+def self.unit_entitypositions(unit)
+	list = []
+	return list if not hf = world.history.figures.binsearch(unit.hist_figure_id)
+	hf.entity_links.each { |el|
+		next if el._rtti_classname != 'histfig_entity_link_positionst'
+		next if not ent = world.entities.all.binsearch(el.entity_id)
+		next if not pa = ent.positions.assignments.binsearch(el.assignment_id)
+		next if not pos = ent.positions.own.binsearch(pa.position_id)
+		list << pos
+	}
+	list
+end
+end