diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 8e11cc2..235a3fc 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -1,19 +1,25 @@
 controls = {
+    --util values
     modpath = minetest.get_modpath("controls"),
-    testsmode = minetest.settings:get_bool("controls_enable_tests", false)
+    testsmode = minetest.settings:get_bool("controls_enable_tests", false),
+
+    --location to store callbacks
+    registered_on_press = {},
+    registered_on_hold = {},
+    registered_on_release = {},
 }
 
 --api functions
 function controls.register_on_press(callback)
-
+    table.insert(controls.registered_on_press, callback)
 end
 
 function controls.register_on_hold(callback)
-
+    table.insert(controls.registered_on_hold, callback)
 end
 
 function controls.register_on_release(callback)
-
+    table.insert(controls.registered_on_release, callback)
 end
 
 if(controls.testsmode) then
diff --git a/test.lua b/test.lua
index 6d0be2c..9f74784 100644
--- a/test.lua
+++ b/test.lua
@@ -8,4 +8,11 @@ end)
 
 controls.register_on_release(function(player, key, length)
     minetest.chat_send_all(player:get_player_name() .. " released " .. key .. " after " .. length .. " seconds")
+end)
+
+minetest.register_on_joinplayer(function(player, _)
+    local pname = player:get_player_name()
+    minetest.chat_send_player(pname, #controls.registered_on_press .. " registered_on_press callbacks")
+    minetest.chat_send_player(pname, #controls.registered_on_hold .. " registered_on_hold callbacks")
+    minetest.chat_send_player(pname, #controls.registered_on_release .. " registered_on_release callbacks")
 end)
\ No newline at end of file