diff --git a/labeltool.py b/labeltool.py
index cc55304..9f1f6b2 100755
--- a/labeltool.py
+++ b/labeltool.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from PyQt4.QtGui import *
 from PyQt4.QtCore import *
 import PyQt4.uic as uic
 import qrc_icons
+from buttonarea import *
 
 APP_NAME            = """labeltool"""
 ORGANIZATION_NAME   = """CVHCI Research Group"""
@@ -22,6 +23,10 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.scene = QGraphicsScene(self)
         self.view.setScene(self.scene)
 
+        self.buttonarea = ButtonArea()
+        self.buttonarea.load("example_config.py")
+        self.ui.dockAnnotationTree.setWidget(self.buttonarea)
+
         ## create action group for tools
         self.toolActions = QActionGroup(self)
         for action in (self.ui.actionSelection,