public class LayoutOptions 

var lastToolActive = ApplicationOptions.LayoutOptions.KeepLastToolActive;
var warnOnSurrounds = ApplicationOptions.LayoutOptions.WarnAboutAssociatedSurrounds;
//eg <Install_Path>\Resources\LayoutTemplates\en-US
var gallery_path = ApplicationOptions.LayoutOptions.LayoutTemplatePath;
var defaultGuideColor = ApplicationOptions.LayoutOptions.DefaultGuideColor;
QueuedTask.Run(() =>
{
  var guideColor = ApplicationOptions.LayoutOptions.GetGuideColor();
});

//keep graphic element insert tool active
ApplicationOptions.LayoutOptions.KeepLastToolActive = true;
//no warning when deleting a map frame results in other elements being deleted
ApplicationOptions.LayoutOptions.WarnAboutAssociatedSurrounds = false;
//path to .pagx files used as templates
ApplicationOptions.LayoutOptions.LayoutTemplatePath = @"D:\data\layout_templates";

QueuedTask.Run(() =>
{
  var guideColor = ApplicationOptions.LayoutOptions.GetGuideColor();
  // set guide color
  ApplicationOptions.LayoutOptions.SetGuideColor(ColorFactory.Instance.RedRGB);
});