diff --git a/tools/python/jwutils/stree/serdes.py b/tools/python/jwutils/stree/serdes.py
index 4525c12..f2ad994 100644
--- a/tools/python/jwutils/stree/serdes.py
+++ b/tools/python/jwutils/stree/serdes.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import os
+
 from jwutils.stree.StringTree import *
 from jwutils.log import *
 
@@ -66,7 +68,36 @@ def parse(s: str, allow_full_lines: bool=True, root_content: str='root') -> Stri
         root.add(sec + '.' + cleanup_string(lhs), cleanup_string(rhs), split=split)
     return root
 
+def _read_lines(path: str, throw=True):
+    try:
+        with open(path, 'r') as infile:
+            ret = []
+            for line in infile: # lines are all trailed by \n
+                m = re.search(r'^\s*(-)*include\s+(\S+)', line)
+                if m:
+                    optional = m.group(1) == '-'
+                    include_path = m.group(2)
+                    if include_path[0] != '/':
+                        dir_name = os.path.dirname(path)
+                        if len(dir_name):
+                            include_path = dir_name + '/' + include_path
+                    include_lines = _read_lines(include_path, throw=(not optional))
+                    if include_lines is None:
+                        msg = f'{path}: Failed to process "{line}"'
+                        slog(DEBUG, line)
+                        continue
+                    ret.extend(include_lines)
+                    continue
+                ret.append(line)
+            return ret
+    except Exception as e:
+        msg = f'Failed to read file "{path}": {e}'
+        if throw:
+            raise Exception(msg)
+        slog(DEBUG, msg)
+    return None
+
 def read(path: str, root_content: str='root') -> StringTree: # export
-    with open(path, 'r') as infile:
-        s = infile.read()
+    lines = _read_lines(path)
+    s = ''.join(lines)
     return parse(s, root_content=root_content)