diff --git a/doc/orgmode.txt b/doc/orgmode.txt
index 7508b63d4..ce9b54273 100644
--- a/doc/orgmode.txt
+++ b/doc/orgmode.txt
@@ -845,6 +845,59 @@ Separator used to separate multiple agenda views generated by
 `@org.agenda.separator` hl group.
 
 
+org_agenda_prefix_format                    *orgmode-org_agenda_prefix_format*
+
+- Type: `{ agenda?: string, todo?: string, tags?: string, search?: string,
+    tags_todo?: string }`
+- Default:
+    >lua
+        {
+          agenda = '  %-12:c%?t% s',
+          todo = '  %-12:c',
+          tags = '  %-12:c',
+          tags_todo = '  %-12:c',
+          search = '  %-12:c',
+        }
+    <
+
+Format for the prefix of each line in the agenda view. The format string can
+contain placeholders that will be replaced with actual values. Format of the
+placeholder: `%[specifiers][variable]` or `%[specifiers](lua expression)`.
+
+**Specifiers:**
+
+- `-` - Left align the value (default is right align)
+- `[number]` - Set fixed width for the value
+- `?` - Optional placeholder. If the value is empty, the placeholder (and surrounding spaces) will be omitted.
+
+**Variables:**
+
+- `c` - Category of the headline
+- `:c` - Category of the headline followed by a colon
+- `s` - Planning info (Deadline, Scheduled, etc.)
+- `t` - Time range (e.g. 10:00-11:00)
+- `T` - Tags
+- `e` - Effort property
+- `l` - Headline level
+- `b` - Breadcrumbs (parent headline titles separated by `->`)
+
+**Lua expressions:** Anything inside `%()` will be evaluated as a Lua
+expression. The expression has access to following variables:
+
+- `headline` - |orgmode-orgheadline| object
+- `item` - |orgmode-orgagendaitem| object (only in `agenda` view)
+- `metadata` - Metadata table containing `category_length`
+
+Example:
+
+>lua
+    org_agenda_prefix_format = {
+      agenda = ' %-12:c %?t %s ',
+      todo = ' %-12:c %(headline:get_property("PRIORITY") or "C") '
+    }
+<
+
+
 org_agenda_remove_tags                        *orgmode-org_agenda_remove_tags*
 
 - Type: `boolean`
diff --git a/docs/configuration.org b/docs/configuration.org
index da4ba9c4b..a089612b8 100644
--- a/docs/configuration.org
+++ b/docs/configuration.org
@@ -788,6 +788,56 @@ Separator used to separate multiple agenda views generated by
 [[#org_agenda_custom_commands][org_agenda_custom_commands]].
 To change the highlight, override =@org.agenda.separator= hl group.
 
+*** org_agenda_prefix_format
+:PROPERTIES:
+:CUSTOM_ID: org_agenda_prefix_format
+:END:
+- Type: ={ agenda?: string, todo?: string, tags?: string, search?: string, tags_todo?: string }=
+- Default:
+  #+begin_src lua
+  {
+    agenda = '  %-12:c%?t% s',
+    todo = '  %-12:c',
+    tags = '  %-12:c',
+    tags_todo = '  %-12:c',
+    search = '  %-12:c',
+  }
+  #+end_src
+
+Format for the prefix of each line in the agenda view.
+The format string can contain placeholders that will be replaced with actual values.
+Format of the placeholder: =%[specifiers][variable]= or =%[specifiers](lua expression)=.
+
+*Specifiers:*
+- =-= - Left align the value (default is right align)
+- =[number]= - Set fixed width for the value
+- =?= - Optional placeholder. If the value is empty, the placeholder (and surrounding spaces) will be omitted.
+
+*Variables:*
+- =c= - Category of the headline
+- =:c= - Category of the headline followed by a colon
+- =s= - Planning info (Deadline, Scheduled, etc.)
+- =t= - Time range (e.g. 10:00-11:00)
+- =T= - Tags
+- =e= - Effort property
+- =l= - Headline level
+- =b= - Breadcrumbs (parent headline titles separated by =->=)
+
+*Lua expressions:*
+Anything inside =%()= will be evaluated as a Lua expression.
+The expression has access to following variables:
+- =headline= - [[#org-headline][OrgHeadline]] object
+- =item= - [[#org-agenda-item][OrgAgendaItem]] object (only in =agenda= view)
+- =metadata= - Metadata table containing =category_length=
+
+Example:
+#+begin_src lua
+org_agenda_prefix_format = {
+  agenda = ' %-12:c %?t %s ',
+  todo = ' %-12:c %(headline:get_property("PRIORITY") or "C") '
+}
+#+end_src
+
 *** org_agenda_remove_tags
 :PROPERTIES:
 :CUSTOM_ID: org_agenda_remove_tags
diff --git a/lua/orgmode/agenda/agenda_item.lua b/lua/orgmode/agenda/agenda_item.lua
index b68c4f493..4dd50e32e 100644
--- a/lua/orgmode/agenda/agenda_item.lua
+++ b/lua/orgmode/agenda/agenda_item.lua
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ end
 ---@field is_in_date_range boolean
 ---@field date_range_days number
 ---@field label string
+---@field time string
+---@field marker string
 ---@field index number
 local AgendaItem = {}
 
@@ -77,6 +79,8 @@ function AgendaItem:_process()
 end
 
 function AgendaItem:_generate_data()
+  self.time = self.headline_date:has_time() and self:_format_time(self.headline_date) or ''
+  self.marker = self:_generate_marker()
   self.label = self:_generate_label()
 end
 
@@ -152,19 +156,18 @@ function AgendaItem:_is_valid_for_date()
 
   return false
 end
-
-function AgendaItem:_generate_label()
-  local time = self.headline_date:has_time() and add_padding(self:_format_time(self.headline_date)) or ''
+---@private
+function AgendaItem:_generate_marker()
   if self.headline_date:is_deadline() then
     if self.is_same_day then
-      return time .. 'Deadline:'
+      return 'Deadline:'
     end
     return self.headline_date:humanize(self.date) .. ':'
   end
 
   if self.headline_date:is_scheduled() then
     if self.is_same_day then
-      return time .. 'Scheduled:'
+      return 'Scheduled:'
     end
 
     local diff = math.abs(self.date:diff(self.headline_date))
@@ -174,21 +177,30 @@ function AgendaItem:_generate_label()
 
   if self.headline_date.is_date_range_start then
     if not self.is_in_date_range then
-      return time
+      return ''
     end
-    local range = string.format('(%d/%d):', self.date:diff(self.headline_date) + 1, self.date_range_days)
-    if not self.is_same_day then
-      return range
-    end
-    return time .. range
+    return string.format('(%d/%d):', self.date:diff(self.headline_date) + 1, self.date_range_days)
   end
 
   if self.headline_date.is_date_range_end then
-    local range = string.format('(%d/%d):', self.date_range_days, self.date_range_days)
-    return time .. range
+    return string.format('(%d/%d):', self.date_range_days, self.date_range_days)
+  end
+
+  return ''
+end
+
+function AgendaItem:_generate_label()
+  local include_time = self.time ~= ''
+  if (self.headline_date:is_deadline() or self.headline_date:is_scheduled()) and not self.is_same_day then
+    include_time = false
+  end
+
+  if self.headline_date.is_date_range_start and not self.is_in_date_range and not self.is_same_day then
+    include_time = false
   end
 
-  return time
+  local time = include_time and add_padding(self.time) or ''
+  return time .. self.marker
 end
 
 ---@private
diff --git a/lua/orgmode/agenda/init.lua b/lua/orgmode/agenda/init.lua
index 9b42d73cc..ab1d8cb23 100644
--- a/lua/orgmode/agenda/init.lua
+++ b/lua/orgmode/agenda/init.lua
@@ -122,7 +122,9 @@ function Agenda:_build_custom_commands()
   end
   local custom_commands = {}
   ---@param opts OrgAgendaCustomCommandType
-  local get_type_opts = function(opts, id)
+  ---@param parent_opts? table
+  local get_type_opts = function(opts, id, parent_opts)
+    parent_opts = parent_opts or {}
     local opts_by_type = {
       agenda = {
         span = opts.org_agenda_span,
@@ -153,7 +155,9 @@ function Agenda:_build_custom_commands()
     opts_by_type[opts.type].tag_filter = opts.org_agenda_tag_filter_preset
     opts_by_type[opts.type].category_filter = opts.org_agenda_category_filter_preset
     opts_by_type[opts.type].highlighter = self.highlighter
-    opts_by_type[opts.type].remove_tags = opts.org_agenda_remove_tags
+    opts_by_type[opts.type].remove_tags = utils.if_nil(opts.org_agenda_remove_tags, parent_opts.org_agenda_remove_tags)
+    opts_by_type[opts.type].org_agenda_prefix_format =
+      utils.if_nil(opts.org_agenda_prefix_format, parent_opts.org_agenda_prefix_format)
     opts_by_type[opts.type].id = id
 
     return opts_by_type[opts.type]
@@ -165,7 +169,7 @@ function Agenda:_build_custom_commands()
       action = function()
         local views = {}
         for i, agenda_type in ipairs(command.types) do
-          local opts = get_type_opts(agenda_type, ('%s_%s_%d'):format(shortcut, agenda_type.type, i))
+          local opts = get_type_opts(agenda_type, ('%s_%s_%d'):format(shortcut, agenda_type.type, i), command)
           if not opts then
             utils.echo_error('Invalid custom agenda command type ' .. agenda_type.type)
             break
diff --git a/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/agenda.lua b/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/agenda.lua
index 56871e8a8..f49ffd426 100644
--- a/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/agenda.lua
+++ b/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/agenda.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ local AgendaItem = require('orgmode.agenda.agenda_item')
 local AgendaView = require('orgmode.agenda.view.init')
 local AgendaLine = require('orgmode.agenda.view.line')
 local AgendaLineToken = require('orgmode.agenda.view.token')
+local Formatter = require('orgmode.agenda.view.formatter')
 local ClockReport = require('orgmode.clock.report')
 local utils = require('orgmode.utils')
 local SortingStrategy = require('orgmode.agenda.sorting_strategy')
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ local Promise = require('orgmode.utils.promise')
 ---@field sorting_strategy? OrgAgendaSortingStrategy[]
 ---@field remove_tags? boolean
 ---@field valid_filters? OrgAgendaFilter[]
+---@field org_agenda_prefix_format? table
 ---@field id? string
 ---@field private _grid_times { hour: number, min: number }[]
 local OrgAgendaType = {}
@@ -79,6 +81,7 @@ function OrgAgendaType:new(opts)
     sorting_strategy = opts.sorting_strategy or vim.tbl_get(config.org_agenda_sorting_strategy, 'agenda') or {},
     id = opts.id,
     remove_tags = utils.if_nil(opts.remove_tags, config.org_agenda_remove_tags),
+    org_agenda_prefix_format = opts.org_agenda_prefix_format,
   }
   data.valid_filters = vim.tbl_filter(function(filter)
     return filter and true or false
@@ -246,6 +249,10 @@ function OrgAgendaType:render(bufnr, current_line)
   end
   local agenda_days = self:_get_agenda_days()
 
+  local prefix_formats = self.org_agenda_prefix_format or config.org_agenda_prefix_format
+  local prefix_format = prefix_formats.agenda
+  local compiled_prefix = Formatter.compile(prefix_format)
+
   local agendaView = AgendaView:new({ bufnr = self.bufnr, highlighter = self.highlighter })
   agendaView:add_line(AgendaLine:single_token({
     content = self:_get_title(),
@@ -269,7 +276,7 @@ function OrgAgendaType:render(bufnr, current_line)
     for _, agenda_item in ipairs(agenda_day.agenda_items) do
       -- If there is an index value, this is an AgendaItem instance
       if agenda_item.index then
-        agendaView:add_line(self:_build_line(agenda_item, agenda_day))
+        agendaView:add_line(self:_build_line(agenda_item, agenda_day, compiled_prefix))
       else
         agendaView:add_line(self:_build_time_grid_line(agenda_item, agenda_day))
       end
@@ -496,8 +503,9 @@ end
 ---@private
 ---@param agenda_item OrgAgendaItem
 ---@param metadata table<string, any>
+---@param compiled_prefix? OrgAgendaFormatterSegment[]
 ---@return OrgAgendaLine
-function OrgAgendaType:_build_line(agenda_item, metadata)
+function OrgAgendaType:_build_line(agenda_item, metadata, compiled_prefix)
   local headline = agenda_item.headline
   local item_hl_group = agenda_item:get_hlgroup()
   local line = AgendaLine:new({
@@ -510,11 +518,13 @@ function OrgAgendaType:_build_line(agenda_item, metadata)
       label_length = metadata.label_length,
     },
   })
+
+  local prefix_formats = self.org_agenda_prefix_format or config.org_agenda_prefix_format
+  local prefix_format = compiled_prefix or Formatter.compile(prefix_formats.agenda)
+  local prefix = Formatter.format(prefix_format, agenda_item, metadata)
+
   line:add_token(AgendaLineToken:new({
-    content = '  ' .. utils.pad_right(('%s:'):format(headline:get_category()), metadata.category_length),
-  }))
-  line:add_token(AgendaLineToken:new({
-    content = utils.pad_right(agenda_item.label, metadata.label_length),
+    content = prefix,
   }))
   local todo = headline:get_todo()
   if todo then
diff --git a/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/search.lua b/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/search.lua
index 54900d03e..6fbcad143 100644
--- a/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/search.lua
+++ b/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/search.lua
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ OrgAgendaSearchType.__index = OrgAgendaSearchType
 ---@param opts OrgAgendaSearchTypeOpts
 function OrgAgendaSearchType:new(opts)
   opts.todo_only = false
+  opts.prefix_key = 'search'
   opts.subheader = 'Press "r" to update search'
   setmetatable(self, { __index = OrgAgendaTodosType })
   local obj = OrgAgendaTodosType:new(opts)
diff --git a/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/tags.lua b/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/tags.lua
index d58bc9600..9379292fe 100644
--- a/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/tags.lua
+++ b/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/tags.lua
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ OrgAgendaTagsType.__index = OrgAgendaTagsType
 ---@param opts OrgAgendaTagsTypeOpts
 function OrgAgendaTagsType:new(opts)
   opts.todo_only = opts.todo_only or false
+  opts.prefix_key = 'tags'
   opts.sorting_strategy = opts.sorting_strategy or vim.tbl_get(config.org_agenda_sorting_strategy, 'tags') or {}
   if not opts.id then
     opts.subheader = 'Press "r" to update search'
diff --git a/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/tags_todo.lua b/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/tags_todo.lua
index e38d32ef8..3a65924f8 100644
--- a/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/tags_todo.lua
+++ b/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/tags_todo.lua
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ function OrgAgendaTagsTodoType:new(opts)
     return nil
   end
   setmetatable(obj, self)
+  obj.prefix_key = 'tags_todo'
   return obj
 end
 
diff --git a/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/todo.lua b/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/todo.lua
index 7e8379c33..71827df62 100644
--- a/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/todo.lua
+++ b/lua/orgmode/agenda/types/todo.lua
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ local Files = require('orgmode.files')
 local AgendaLine = require('orgmode.agenda.view.line')
 local AgendaFilter = require('orgmode.agenda.filter')
 local AgendaLineToken = require('orgmode.agenda.view.token')
+local Formatter = require('orgmode.agenda.view.formatter')
 local utils = require('orgmode.utils')
 local agenda_highlights = require('orgmode.colors.highlights')
 local hl_map = agenda_highlights.get_agenda_hl_map()
@@ -41,6 +42,8 @@ local Promise = require('orgmode.utils.promise')
 ---@field remove_tags? boolean
 ---@field valid_filters OrgAgendaFilter[]
 ---@field id? string
+---@field prefix_key string
+---@field org_agenda_prefix_format? table
 local OrgAgendaTodosType = {}
 OrgAgendaTodosType.__index = OrgAgendaTodosType
 
@@ -61,6 +64,8 @@ function OrgAgendaTodosType:new(opts)
     sorting_strategy = opts.sorting_strategy or vim.tbl_get(config.org_agenda_sorting_strategy, 'todo') or {},
     id = opts.id,
     remove_tags = type(opts.remove_tags) == 'boolean' and opts.remove_tags or config.org_agenda_remove_tags,
+    prefix_key = opts.prefix_key or 'todo',
+    org_agenda_prefix_format = opts.org_agenda_prefix_format,
   }, OrgAgendaTodosType)
   this.valid_filters = vim.tbl_filter(function(filter)
     return filter and true or false
@@ -103,9 +108,20 @@ function OrgAgendaTodosType:_get_header()
 end
 
 ---@param bufnr? number
-function OrgAgendaTodosType:render(bufnr)
+---@param current_line? number
+function OrgAgendaTodosType:render(bufnr, current_line)
   self.bufnr = bufnr or 0
+  local was_line_in_view = true
+  if self.view then
+    was_line_in_view = self.view:is_in_range(current_line)
+  end
+
   local headlines, category_length = self:_get_headlines()
+
+  local prefix_formats = self.org_agenda_prefix_format or config.org_agenda_prefix_format
+  local prefix_format = prefix_formats[self.prefix_key] or prefix_formats.todo
+  local compiled_prefix = Formatter.compile(prefix_format)
+
   local agendaView = AgendaView:new({ bufnr = self.bufnr, highlighter = self.highlighter })
 
   -- If custom view and no headlines, return empty view
@@ -127,25 +143,51 @@ function OrgAgendaTodosType:render(bufnr)
   end
 
   for _, headline in ipairs(headlines) do
-    agendaView:add_line(self:_build_line(headline, { category_length = category_length }))
+    agendaView:add_line(self:_build_line(headline, { category_length = category_length }, compiled_prefix))
   end
 
   self.view = agendaView:render()
+  if was_line_in_view then
+    self:_jump_to_item(current_line)
+  end
   return self.view
 end
 
+---@private
+function OrgAgendaTodosType:_jump_to_item(line)
+  local agenda_line = self:get_line(line)
+  if not agenda_line or not agenda_line.headline then
+    return
+  end
+  local target_headline = agenda_line.headline
+  local target_file = target_headline.file.filename
+  local target_id = target_headline.headline:id()
+
+  for _, l in ipairs(self.view.lines) do
+    if l.headline and l.headline.file.filename == target_file and l.headline.headline:id() == target_id then
+      return vim.fn.cursor({ l.line_nr, 0 })
+    end
+  end
+end
+
 ---@private
 ---@param headline OrgHeadline
 ---@param metadata table<string, any>
+---@param compiled_prefix? OrgAgendaFormatterSegment[]
 ---@return OrgAgendaLine
-function OrgAgendaTodosType:_build_line(headline, metadata)
+function OrgAgendaTodosType:_build_line(headline, metadata, compiled_prefix)
   local line = AgendaLine:new({
     headline = headline,
     line_hl_group = headline:is_clocked_in() and 'Visual' or nil,
     metadata = metadata,
   })
+
+  local prefix_formats = self.org_agenda_prefix_format or config.org_agenda_prefix_format
+  local prefix_format = compiled_prefix or Formatter.compile(prefix_formats[self.prefix_key] or prefix_formats.todo)
+  local prefix = Formatter.format(prefix_format, nil, metadata, headline)
+
   line:add_token(AgendaLineToken:new({
-    content = '  ' .. utils.pad_right(('%s:'):format(headline:get_category()), metadata.category_length),
+    content = prefix,
   }))
 
   local todo, _, todo_type = headline:get_todo()
diff --git a/lua/orgmode/agenda/view/formatter.lua b/lua/orgmode/agenda/view/formatter.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..383fed24e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lua/orgmode/agenda/view/formatter.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+local utils = require('orgmode.utils')
+
+---@class OrgAgendaFormatterSegment
+---@field type 'literal' | 'placeholder'
+---@field value? string literal value
+---@field var? string variable name
+---@field func? function compiled expression or variable fetcher
+---@field optional? boolean
+---@field alignment? '-' | ''
+---@field width? number
+---@field spaces? string
+
+---@class OrgAgendaFormatter
+---@field private compiled_cache table<string, OrgAgendaFormatterSegment[]>
+local Formatter = {
+  compiled_cache = {},
+}
+
+local builtin_vars = {
+  c = function(headline)
+    return headline:get_category()
+  end,
+  [':c'] = function(headline)
+    local cat = headline:get_category()
+    return cat ~= '' and (cat .. ':') or ''
+  end,
+  s = function(headline, agenda_item)
+    -- Marker for planning info (Deadline, Scheduled, etc.)
+    return (agenda_item and agenda_item.marker) or ''
+  end,
+  t = function(headline, agenda_item)
+    return (agenda_item and agenda_item.time) or ''
+  end,
+  i = function()
+    return ''
+  end,
+  T = function(headline)
+    local tags = headline:get_tags()
+    return #tags > 0 and headline:tags_to_string() or ''
+  end,
+  e = function(headline)
+    return headline:get_property('effort') or ''
+  end,
+  l = function(headline)
+    return tostring(headline:get_level())
+  end,
+  b = function(headline)
+    -- Breadcrumbs: build from parent headlines
+    local breadcrumbs = {}
+    local parent = headline.parent
+    while parent and parent.level > 0 do
+      table.insert(breadcrumbs, 1, parent:get_title())
+      parent = parent.parent
+    end
+    return table.concat(breadcrumbs, '->')
+  end,
+}
+
+--- Apply formatting specifiers (width, alignment) to a value
+---@param value string
+---@param segment OrgAgendaFormatterSegment
+---@param metadata table
+---@return string
+local function apply_formatting(value, segment, metadata)
+  local w = segment.width
+  -- Fallback for category width if not specified
+  if not w and (segment.var == 'c' or segment.var == ':c') then
+    w = metadata.category_length
+  end
+
+  if not w then
+    return value
+  end
+
+  if segment.alignment == '-' then
+    return utils.pad_right(value, w)
+  end
+  return utils.pad_left(value, w)
+end
+
+---@param format_string string
+---@return OrgAgendaFormatterSegment[]
+function Formatter.compile(format_string)
+  if Formatter.compiled_cache[format_string] then
+    return Formatter.compiled_cache[format_string]
+  end
+
+  local segments = {}
+  local pos = 1
+  -- pattern_var matches % [optional flags/width] [variable name]
+  local pattern_var = '%%([%?%-?%d%s]*)([:%a]+)'
+  -- pattern_expr matches % [optional flags/width] (Lua expression)
+  local pattern_expr = '%%([%?%-?%d%s]*)(%b())'
+
+  while pos <= #format_string do
+    local s_var, e_var, spec_var, var = format_string:find(pattern_var, pos)
+    local s_expr, e_expr, spec_expr, expr = format_string:find(pattern_expr, pos)
+
+    local start_pos, end_pos, specifiers, value, is_expr
+    -- Determine which pattern matches first
+    if s_var and (not s_expr or s_var < s_expr) then
+      start_pos, end_pos, specifiers, value, is_expr = s_var, e_var, spec_var, var, false
+    elseif s_expr then
+      start_pos, end_pos, specifiers, value, is_expr = s_expr, e_expr, spec_expr, expr, true
+    end
+
+    -- If no more placeholders, append the rest of the string as literal
+    if not start_pos then
+      table.insert(segments, { type = 'literal', value = format_string:sub(pos) })
+      break
+    end
+
+    -- Append literal text before the placeholder
+    if start_pos > pos then
+      table.insert(segments, { type = 'literal', value = format_string:sub(pos, start_pos - 1) })
+    end
+
+    local segment = {
+      type = 'placeholder',
+      optional = specifiers:match('%?') ~= nil,
+      alignment = specifiers:match('%-') or '',
+      width = tonumber(specifiers:match('%d+')),
+      spaces = specifiers:match('^%s+') or specifiers:match('%s+$') or '',
+      var = value,
+    }
+
+    if is_expr then
+      local lua_code = value:sub(2, -2)
+      local f = (loadstring or load)('return ' .. lua_code)
+      if f then
+        segment.func = function(headline, agenda_item, metadata)
+          local env = setmetatable({
+            headline = headline,
+            item = agenda_item,
+            metadata = metadata,
+          }, { __index = _G })
+          if setfenv then
+            setfenv(f, env)
+          end
+          local ok, res = pcall(f)
+          return ok and tostring(res or '') or ''
+        end
+      end
+    elseif builtin_vars[value] then
+      local builtin_func = builtin_vars[value]
+      segment.func = function(headline, agenda_item)
+        return builtin_func(headline, agenda_item)
+      end
+    else
+      segment.func = function()
+        return ''
+      end
+    end
+
+    table.insert(segments, segment)
+    pos = end_pos + 1
+  end
+
+  Formatter.compiled_cache[format_string] = segments
+  return segments
+end
+
+---@param format_string string | OrgAgendaFormatterSegment[]
+---@param agenda_item? OrgAgendaItem
+---@param metadata table
+---@param headline? OrgHeadline
+---@return string
+function Formatter.format(format_string, agenda_item, metadata, headline)
+  local segments = type(format_string) == 'string' and Formatter.compile(format_string) or format_string
+  headline = headline or (agenda_item and agenda_item.headline)
+  if not headline then
+    return ''
+  end
+
+  local result = ''
+  for _, segment in ipairs(segments) do
+    if segment.type == 'literal' then
+      result = result .. segment.value
+    else
+      local value = segment.func(headline, agenda_item, metadata)
+
+      -- Handle optional placeholders and leading/trailing spaces
+      if (segment.optional or segment.spaces ~= '') and value == '' then
+        -- Skip empty optional values
+      else
+        local formatted_value = apply_formatting(value, segment, metadata)
+        result = result .. segment.spaces .. formatted_value
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  return result
+end
+
+return Formatter
diff --git a/lua/orgmode/config/defaults.lua b/lua/orgmode/config/defaults.lua
index 2a5ebd64f..b20e3a5f2 100644
--- a/lua/orgmode/config/defaults.lua
+++ b/lua/orgmode/config/defaults.lua
@@ -26,6 +26,13 @@ local DefaultConfig = {
   org_agenda_skip_deadline_if_done = false,
   org_agenda_text_search_extra_files = {},
   org_agenda_custom_commands = {},
+  org_agenda_prefix_format = {
+    agenda = '  %-12:c%?t% s',
+    todo = '  %-12:c',
+    tags = '  %-12:c',
+    tags_todo = '  %-12:c',
+    search = '  %-12:c',
+  },
   org_agenda_hide_empty_blocks = false,
   org_agenda_block_separator = '-',
   org_agenda_sorting_strategy = {
diff --git a/lua/orgmode/utils/init.lua b/lua/orgmode/utils/init.lua
index 23808316f..9acc38ccc 100644
--- a/lua/orgmode/utils/init.lua
+++ b/lua/orgmode/utils/init.lua
@@ -485,6 +485,16 @@ function utils.pad_right(str, amount)
   return string.format('%s%s', str, string.rep(' ', spaces))
 end
 
+---@param str string
+---@param amount number
+function utils.pad_left(str, amount)
+  local spaces = math.max(0, amount - vim.api.nvim_strwidth(str))
+  if spaces == 0 then
+    return str
+  end
+  return string.format('%s%s', string.rep(' ', spaces), str)
+end
+
 function utils.is_list(value)
   if vim.islist then
     return vim.islist(value)
diff --git a/tests/plenary/agenda/formatter_spec.lua b/tests/plenary/agenda/formatter_spec.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b657297d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/plenary/agenda/formatter_spec.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+local Formatter = require('orgmode.agenda.view.formatter')
+local AgendaItem = require('orgmode.agenda.agenda_item')
+local Date = require('orgmode.objects.date')
+local helpers = require('tests.plenary.helpers')
+
+describe('Agenda formatter', function()
+  local function generate_headline(content_line, title)
+    title = title or 'This is some content'
+    local file = helpers.create_file({
+      '* TODO ' .. title,
+      content_line,
+    }, 'agenda_test.org')
+    return file:get_headlines()[1]
+  end
+
+  it('should format category correctly', function()
+    local today = Date.now()
+    local headline = generate_headline(string.format('<%s>', today:to_string()))
+    local agenda_item = AgendaItem:new(headline:get_all_dates()[1], headline, today)
+    local metadata = { category_length = 10 }
+
+    local format = '%c'
+    local result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('agenda_test', result)
+
+    format = '%-12c'
+    result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('agenda_test ', result) -- agenda_test is 11 chars
+
+    format = '%:c'
+    result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('agenda_test:', result)
+  end)
+
+  it('should format time and scheduling correctly', function()
+    local today = Date.now():set({ hour = 10, min = 0 })
+    local headline = generate_headline(string.format('<%s>', today:to_string()))
+    local agenda_item = AgendaItem:new(headline:get_all_dates()[1], headline, today)
+    local metadata = { category_length = 10 }
+
+    local format = '%t'
+    local result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('10:00', result)
+
+    headline = generate_headline(string.format('DEADLINE: <%s>', today:to_string()))
+    agenda_item = AgendaItem:new(headline:get_all_dates()[1], headline, today)
+    format = '%s'
+    result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('Deadline:', result)
+  end)
+
+  it('should handle optional formatting with %?', function()
+    local today = Date.now():set({ hour = 10, min = 0 })
+    local headline = generate_headline(string.format('<%s>', today:to_string()))
+    local agenda_item = AgendaItem:new(headline:get_all_dates()[1], headline, today)
+    local metadata = { category_length = 10 }
+
+    local format = '%?s'
+    local result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('', result) -- s is empty
+
+    headline = generate_headline(string.format('DEADLINE: <%s>', today:to_string()))
+    agenda_item = AgendaItem:new(headline:get_all_dates()[1], headline, today)
+    result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('Deadline:', result)
+  end)
+
+  it('should handle optional space in format string', function()
+    local today = Date.now():set({ hour = 10, min = 0 })
+    local headline = generate_headline(string.format('<%s>', today:to_string()))
+    local agenda_item = AgendaItem:new(headline:get_all_dates()[1], headline, today)
+    local metadata = { category_length = 10 }
+
+    local format = '% s'
+    local result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('', result) -- s is empty
+
+    headline = generate_headline(string.format('DEADLINE: <%s>', today:to_string()))
+    agenda_item = AgendaItem:new(headline:get_all_dates()[1], headline, today)
+    result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same(' Deadline:', result) -- notice the space
+  end)
+
+  it('should support evaluating expressions with %(...)', function()
+    local today = Date.now()
+    local headline = generate_headline(string.format('<%s>', today:to_string()))
+    local agenda_item = AgendaItem:new(headline:get_all_dates()[1], headline, today)
+    local metadata = { category_length = 10 }
+
+    -- Define a global function for testing
+    _G.test_prefix = function()
+      return 'SHORT'
+    end
+
+    local format = '%(test_prefix())'
+    local result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('SHORT', result)
+
+    -- Test with width and alignment
+    format = '%10(test_prefix())'
+    result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('     SHORT', result)
+
+    -- Test access to headline in the environment
+    format = '%(headline:get_category())'
+    result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('agenda_test', result)
+
+    -- Test access to item marker
+    format = '%(item.marker)'
+    headline = generate_headline(string.format('DEADLINE: <%s>', today:to_string()))
+    agenda_item = AgendaItem:new(headline:get_all_dates()[1], headline, today)
+    result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('Deadline:', result)
+
+    _G.test_prefix = nil
+  end)
+
+  it('should handle multiple placeholders', function()
+    local today = Date.now():set({ hour = 10, min = 0 })
+    local headline = generate_headline(string.format('DEADLINE: <%s>', today:to_string()))
+    local agenda_item = AgendaItem:new(headline:get_all_dates()[1], headline, today)
+    local metadata = { category_length = 10 }
+
+    local format = '%c %t %s'
+    local result = Formatter.format(format, agenda_item, metadata)
+    assert.are.same('agenda_test 10:00 Deadline:', result)
+  end)
+end)