Merge remote-tracking branch 'refs/remotes/ivan/feature/refactor-soledad-to-backend' into develop

12 files changed, 909 insertions, 454 deletions

diff --git a/src/leap/bitmask/app.py b/src/leap/bitmask/app.py
index e413ab4c..05f81f0b 100644
--- a/src/leap/bitmask/app.py
+++ b/src/leap/bitmask/app.py
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ def sigint_handler(*args, **kwargs):
     mainwindow = args[0]
     mainwindow.quit()
 
+
 def sigterm_handler(*args, **kwargs):
     """
     Signal handler for SIGTERM.
@@ -87,6 +88,7 @@ def sigterm_handler(*args, **kwargs):
     mainwindow = args[0]
     mainwindow.quit()
 
+
 def add_logger_handlers(debug=False, logfile=None, replace_stdout=True):
     """
     Create the logger and attach the handlers.
diff --git a/src/leap/bitmask/backend.py b/src/leap/bitmask/backend.py
index a2df465d..0ab7040b 100644
--- a/src/leap/bitmask/backend.py
+++ b/src/leap/bitmask/backend.py
@@ -17,13 +17,13 @@
 """
 Backend for everything
 """
-import commands
 import logging
 import os
 import time
 
 from functools import partial
 from Queue import Queue, Empty
+from threading import Condition
 
 from twisted.internet import reactor
 from twisted.internet import threads, defer
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ from twisted.internet.task import LoopingCall
 from twisted.python import log
 
 import zope.interface
+import zope.proxy
 
 from leap.bitmask.config.providerconfig import ProviderConfig
 from leap.bitmask.crypto.srpauth import SRPAuth
@@ -45,8 +46,18 @@ from leap.bitmask.services.eip.eipbootstrapper import EIPBootstrapper
 from leap.bitmask.services.eip import vpnlauncher, vpnprocess
 from leap.bitmask.services.eip import linuxvpnlauncher, darwinvpnlauncher
 
+
+from leap.bitmask.services.mail.imapcontroller import IMAPController
+from leap.bitmask.services.mail.smtpbootstrapper import SMTPBootstrapper
+from leap.bitmask.services.mail.smtpconfig import SMTPConfig
+
+from leap.bitmask.services.soledad.soledadbootstrapper import \
+    SoledadBootstrapper
+
 from leap.common import certs as leap_certs
 
+from leap.soledad.client import NoStorageSecret, PassphraseTooShort
+
 # Frontend side
 from PySide import QtCore
 
@@ -197,11 +208,15 @@ class Provider(object):
         """
         d = None
 
+        # TODO: use this commented code when we don't need the provider config
+        # in the maiwindow.
+        # config = ProviderConfig.get_provider_config(provider)
+        # self._provider_config = config
+        # if config is not None:
         config = self._provider_config
         if get_provider_config(config, provider):
             d = self._provider_bootstrapper.run_provider_setup_checks(
-                self._provider_config,
-                download_if_needed=True)
+                config, download_if_needed=True)
         else:
             if self._signaler is not None:
                 self._signaler.signal(
@@ -246,8 +261,9 @@ class Register(object):
         :returns: the defer for the operation running in a thread.
         :rtype: twisted.internet.defer.Deferred
         """
-        config = ProviderConfig()
-        if get_provider_config(config, domain):
+        config = ProviderConfig.get_provider_config(domain)
+        self._provider_config = config
+        if config is not None:
             srpregister = SRPRegister(signaler=self._signaler,
                                       provider_config=config)
             return threads.deferToThread(
@@ -294,8 +310,9 @@ class EIP(object):
         :returns: the defer for the operation running in a thread.
         :rtype: twisted.internet.defer.Deferred
         """
-        config = self._provider_config
-        if get_provider_config(config, domain):
+        config = ProviderConfig.get_provider_config(domain)
+        self._provider_config = config
+        if config is not None:
             if skip_network:
                 return defer.Deferred()
             eb = self._eip_bootstrapper
@@ -373,14 +390,20 @@ class EIP(object):
             # TODO: are we connected here?
             signaler.signal(signaler.EIP_CONNECTED)
 
-    def stop(self, shutdown=False):
+    def _do_stop(self, shutdown=False):
         """
-        Stop the service.
+        Stop the service. This is run in a thread to avoid blocking.
         """
         self._vpn.terminate(shutdown)
         if IS_LINUX:
             self._wait_for_firewall_down()
 
+    def stop(self, shutdown=False):
+        """
+        Stop the service.
+        """
+        return threads.deferToThread(self._do_stop, shutdown)
+
     def _wait_for_firewall_down(self):
         """
         Wait for the firewall to come down.
@@ -393,15 +416,16 @@ class EIP(object):
         MAX_FW_WAIT_RETRIES = 25
         FW_WAIT_STEP = 0.5
 
-        retry = 0
-
-        fw_up_cmd = "pkexec /usr/sbin/bitmask-root firewall isup"
-        fw_is_down = lambda: commands.getstatusoutput(fw_up_cmd)[0] == 256
+        retry = 1
 
-        while retry < MAX_FW_WAIT_RETRIES:
-            if fw_is_down():
+        while retry <= MAX_FW_WAIT_RETRIES:
+            if self._vpn.is_fw_down():
+                self._signaler.signal(self._signaler.EIP_STOPPED)
                 return
             else:
+                msg = "Firewall is not down yet, waiting... {0} of {1}"
+                msg = msg.format(retry, MAX_FW_WAIT_RETRIES)
+                logger.debug(msg)
                 time.sleep(FW_WAIT_STEP)
                 retry += 1
         logger.warning("After waiting, firewall is not down... "
@@ -539,6 +563,237 @@ class EIP(object):
                 self._signaler.signal(self._signaler.EIP_CANNOT_START)
 
 
+class Soledad(object):
+    """
+    Interfaces with setup of Soledad.
+    """
+    zope.interface.implements(ILEAPComponent)
+
+    def __init__(self, soledad_proxy, keymanager_proxy, signaler=None):
+        """
+        Constructor for the Soledad component.
+
+        :param soledad_proxy: proxy to pass around a Soledad object.
+        :type soledad_proxy: zope.ProxyBase
+        :param keymanager_proxy: proxy to pass around a Keymanager object.
+        :type keymanager_proxy: zope.ProxyBase
+        :param signaler: Object in charge of handling communication
+                         back to the frontend
+        :type signaler: Signaler
+        """
+        self.key = "soledad"
+        self._soledad_proxy = soledad_proxy
+        self._keymanager_proxy = keymanager_proxy
+        self._signaler = signaler
+        self._soledad_bootstrapper = SoledadBootstrapper(signaler)
+        self._soledad_defer = None
+
+    def bootstrap(self, username, domain, password):
+        """
+        Bootstrap Soledad with the user credentials.
+
+        Signals:
+            soledad_download_config
+            soledad_gen_key
+
+        :param user: user's login
+        :type user: unicode
+        :param domain: the domain that we are using.
+        :type domain: unicode
+        :param password: user's password
+        :type password: unicode
+        """
+        provider_config = ProviderConfig.get_provider_config(domain)
+        if provider_config is not None:
+            self._soledad_defer = threads.deferToThread(
+                self._soledad_bootstrapper.run_soledad_setup_checks,
+                provider_config, username, password,
+                download_if_needed=True)
+            self._soledad_defer.addCallback(self._set_proxies_cb)
+        else:
+            if self._signaler is not None:
+                self._signaler.signal(self._signaler.SOLEDAD_BOOTSTRAP_FAILED)
+            logger.error("Could not load provider configuration.")
+
+        return self._soledad_defer
+
+    def _set_proxies_cb(self, _):
+        """
+        Update the soledad and keymanager proxies to reference the ones created
+        in the bootstrapper.
+        """
+        zope.proxy.setProxiedObject(self._soledad_proxy,
+                                    self._soledad_bootstrapper.soledad)
+        zope.proxy.setProxiedObject(self._keymanager_proxy,
+                                    self._soledad_bootstrapper.keymanager)
+
+    def load_offline(self, username, password, uuid):
+        """
+        Load the soledad database in offline mode.
+
+        :param username: full user id (user@provider)
+        :type username: str or unicode
+        :param password: the soledad passphrase
+        :type password: unicode
+        :param uuid: the user uuid
+        :type uuid: str or unicode
+
+        Signals:
+            Signaler.soledad_offline_finished
+            Signaler.soledad_offline_failed
+        """
+        self._soledad_bootstrapper.load_offline_soledad(
+            username, password, uuid)
+
+    def cancel_bootstrap(self):
+        """
+        Cancel the ongoing soledad bootstrap (if any).
+        """
+        if self._soledad_defer is not None:
+            logger.debug("Cancelling soledad defer.")
+            self._soledad_defer.cancel()
+            self._soledad_defer = None
+            zope.proxy.setProxiedObject(self._soledad_proxy, None)
+
+    def close(self):
+        """
+        Close soledad database.
+        """
+        if not zope.proxy.sameProxiedObjects(self._soledad_proxy, None):
+            self._soledad_proxy.close()
+            zope.proxy.setProxiedObject(self._soledad_proxy, None)
+
+    def _change_password_ok(self, _):
+        """
+        Password change callback.
+        """
+        if self._signaler is not None:
+            self._signaler.signal(self._signaler.SOLEDAD_PASSWORD_CHANGE_OK)
+
+    def _change_password_error(self, failure):
+        """
+        Password change errback.
+
+        :param failure: failure object containing problem.
+        :type failure: twisted.python.failure.Failure
+        """
+        if failure.check(NoStorageSecret):
+            logger.error("No storage secret for password change in Soledad.")
+        if failure.check(PassphraseTooShort):
+            logger.error("Passphrase too short.")
+
+        if self._signaler is not None:
+            self._signaler.signal(self._signaler.SOLEDAD_PASSWORD_CHANGE_ERROR)
+
+    def change_password(self, new_password):
+        """
+        Change the database's password.
+
+        :param new_password: the new password.
+        :type new_password: unicode
+
+        :returns: a defer to interact with.
+        :rtype: twisted.internet.defer.Deferred
+        """
+        d = threads.deferToThread(self._soledad_proxy.change_passphrase,
+                                  new_password)
+        d.addCallback(self._change_password_ok)
+        d.addErrback(self._change_password_error)
+
+
+class Mail(object):
+    """
+    Interfaces with setup and launch of Mail.
+    """
+    # We give each service some time to come to a halt before forcing quit
+    SERVICE_STOP_TIMEOUT = 20
+
+    zope.interface.implements(ILEAPComponent)
+
+    def __init__(self, soledad_proxy, keymanager_proxy, signaler=None):
+        """
+        Constructor for the Mail component.
+
+        :param soledad_proxy: proxy to pass around a Soledad object.
+        :type soledad_proxy: zope.ProxyBase
+        :param keymanager_proxy: proxy to pass around a Keymanager object.
+        :type keymanager_proxy: zope.ProxyBase
+        :param signaler: Object in charge of handling communication
+                         back to the frontend
+        :type signaler: Signaler
+        """
+        self.key = "mail"
+        self._signaler = signaler
+        self._soledad_proxy = soledad_proxy
+        self._keymanager_proxy = keymanager_proxy
+        self._imap_controller = IMAPController(self._soledad_proxy,
+                                               self._keymanager_proxy)
+        self._smtp_bootstrapper = SMTPBootstrapper()
+        self._smtp_config = SMTPConfig()
+
+    def start_smtp_service(self, full_user_id, download_if_needed=False):
+        """
+        Start the SMTP service.
+
+        :param full_user_id: user id, in the form "user@provider"
+        :type full_user_id: str
+        :param download_if_needed: True if it should check for mtime
+                                   for the file
+        :type download_if_needed: bool
+
+        :returns: a defer to interact with.
+        :rtype: twisted.internet.defer.Deferred
+        """
+        return threads.deferToThread(
+            self._smtp_bootstrapper.start_smtp_service,
+            self._keymanager_proxy, full_user_id, download_if_needed)
+
+    def start_imap_service(self, full_user_id, offline=False):
+        """
+        Start the IMAP service.
+
+        :param full_user_id: user id, in the form "user@provider"
+        :type full_user_id: str
+        :param offline: whether imap should start in offline mode or not.
+        :type offline: bool
+
+        :returns: a defer to interact with.
+        :rtype: twisted.internet.defer.Deferred
+        """
+        return threads.deferToThread(
+            self._imap_controller.start_imap_service,
+            full_user_id, offline)
+
+    def stop_smtp_service(self):
+        """
+        Stop the SMTP service.
+
+        :returns: a defer to interact with.
+        :rtype: twisted.internet.defer.Deferred
+        """
+        return threads.deferToThread(self._smtp_bootstrapper.stop_smtp_service)
+
+    def _stop_imap_service(self):
+        """
+        Stop imap and wait until the service is stopped to signal that is done.
+        """
+        cv = Condition()
+        cv.acquire()
+        threads.deferToThread(self._imap_controller.stop_imap_service, cv)
+        logger.debug('Waiting for imap service to stop.')
+        cv.wait(self.SERVICE_STOP_TIMEOUT)
+        self._signaler.signal(self._signaler.IMAP_STOPPED)
+
+    def stop_imap_service(self):
+        """
+        Stop imap service (fetcher, factory and port).
+
+        :returns: a defer to interact with.
+        :rtype: twisted.internet.defer.Deferred
+        """
+        return threads.deferToThread(self._stop_imap_service)
+
+
 class Authenticate(object):
     """
     Interfaces with setup and bootstrapping operations for a provider
@@ -556,6 +811,7 @@ class Authenticate(object):
         """
         self.key = "authenticate"
         self._signaler = signaler
+        self._login_defer = None
         self._srp_auth = SRPAuth(ProviderConfig(), self._signaler)
 
     def login(self, domain, username, password):
@@ -572,8 +828,8 @@ class Authenticate(object):
         :returns: the defer for the operation running in a thread.
         :rtype: twisted.internet.defer.Deferred
         """
-        config = ProviderConfig()
-        if get_provider_config(config, domain):
+        config = ProviderConfig.get_provider_config(domain)
+        if config is not None:
             self._srp_auth = SRPAuth(config, self._signaler)
             self._login_defer = self._srp_auth.authenticate(username, password)
             return self._login_defer
@@ -703,6 +959,7 @@ class Signaler(QtCore.QObject):
     eip_disconnected = QtCore.Signal(object)
     eip_connection_died = QtCore.Signal(object)
     eip_connection_aborted = QtCore.Signal(object)
+    eip_stopped = QtCore.Signal(object)
 
     # EIP problems
     eip_no_polkit_agent_error = QtCore.Signal(object)
@@ -732,6 +989,19 @@ class Signaler(QtCore.QObject):
     eip_can_start = QtCore.Signal(object)
     eip_cannot_start = QtCore.Signal(object)
 
+    # Signals for Soledad
+    soledad_bootstrap_failed = QtCore.Signal(object)
+    soledad_bootstrap_finished = QtCore.Signal(object)
+    soledad_offline_failed = QtCore.Signal(object)
+    soledad_offline_finished = QtCore.Signal(object)
+    soledad_invalid_auth_token = QtCore.Signal(object)
+    soledad_cancelled_bootstrap = QtCore.Signal(object)
+    soledad_password_change_ok = QtCore.Signal(object)
+    soledad_password_change_error = QtCore.Signal(object)
+
+    # mail related signals
+    imap_stopped = QtCore.Signal(object)
+
     # This signal is used to warn the backend user that is doing something
     # wrong
     backend_bad_call = QtCore.Signal(object)
@@ -777,6 +1047,8 @@ class Signaler(QtCore.QObject):
     EIP_DISCONNECTED = "eip_disconnected"
     EIP_CONNECTION_DIED = "eip_connection_died"
     EIP_CONNECTION_ABORTED = "eip_connection_aborted"
+    EIP_STOPPED = "eip_stopped"
+
     EIP_NO_POLKIT_AGENT_ERROR = "eip_no_polkit_agent_error"
     EIP_NO_TUN_KEXT_ERROR = "eip_no_tun_kext_error"
     EIP_NO_PKEXEC_ERROR = "eip_no_pkexec_error"
@@ -801,6 +1073,19 @@ class Signaler(QtCore.QObject):
     EIP_CAN_START = "eip_can_start"
     EIP_CANNOT_START = "eip_cannot_start"
 
+    SOLEDAD_BOOTSTRAP_FAILED = "soledad_bootstrap_failed"
+    SOLEDAD_BOOTSTRAP_FINISHED = "soledad_bootstrap_finished"
+    SOLEDAD_OFFLINE_FAILED = "soledad_offline_failed"
+    SOLEDAD_OFFLINE_FINISHED = "soledad_offline_finished"
+    SOLEDAD_INVALID_AUTH_TOKEN = "soledad_invalid_auth_token"
+
+    SOLEDAD_PASSWORD_CHANGE_OK = "soledad_password_change_ok"
+    SOLEDAD_PASSWORD_CHANGE_ERROR = "soledad_password_change_error"
+
+    SOLEDAD_CANCELLED_BOOTSTRAP = "soledad_cancelled_bootstrap"
+
+    IMAP_STOPPED = "imap_stopped"
+
     BACKEND_BAD_CALL = "backend_bad_call"
 
     def __init__(self):
@@ -834,6 +1119,8 @@ class Signaler(QtCore.QObject):
             self.EIP_DISCONNECTED,
             self.EIP_CONNECTION_DIED,
             self.EIP_CONNECTION_ABORTED,
+            self.EIP_STOPPED,
+
             self.EIP_NO_POLKIT_AGENT_ERROR,
             self.EIP_NO_TUN_KEXT_ERROR,
             self.EIP_NO_PKEXEC_ERROR,
@@ -872,6 +1159,18 @@ class Signaler(QtCore.QObject):
             self.SRP_STATUS_LOGGED_IN,
             self.SRP_STATUS_NOT_LOGGED_IN,
 
+            self.SOLEDAD_BOOTSTRAP_FAILED,
+            self.SOLEDAD_BOOTSTRAP_FINISHED,
+            self.SOLEDAD_OFFLINE_FAILED,
+            self.SOLEDAD_OFFLINE_FINISHED,
+            self.SOLEDAD_INVALID_AUTH_TOKEN,
+            self.SOLEDAD_CANCELLED_BOOTSTRAP,
+
+            self.SOLEDAD_PASSWORD_CHANGE_OK,
+            self.SOLEDAD_PASSWORD_CHANGE_ERROR,
+
+            self.IMAP_STOPPED,
+
             self.BACKEND_BAD_CALL,
         ]
 
@@ -926,11 +1225,22 @@ class Backend(object):
         # Signaler object to translate commands into Qt signals
         self._signaler = Signaler()
 
+        # Objects needed by several components, so we make a proxy and pass
+        # them around
+        self._soledad_proxy = zope.proxy.ProxyBase(None)
+        self._keymanager_proxy = zope.proxy.ProxyBase(None)
+
         # Component registration
         self._register(Provider(self._signaler, bypass_checks))
         self._register(Register(self._signaler))
         self._register(Authenticate(self._signaler))
         self._register(EIP(self._signaler))
+        self._register(Soledad(self._soledad_proxy,
+                               self._keymanager_proxy,
+                               self._signaler))
+        self._register(Mail(self._soledad_proxy,
+                            self._keymanager_proxy,
+                            self._signaler))
 
         # We have a looping call on a thread executing all the
         # commands in queue. Right now this queue is an actual Queue
@@ -952,7 +1262,7 @@ class Backend(object):
         """
         Starts the looping call
         """
-        log.msg("Starting worker...")
+        logger.debug("Starting worker...")
         self._lc.start(0.01)
 
     def stop(self):
@@ -965,14 +1275,17 @@ class Backend(object):
         """
         Delayed stopping of worker. Called from `stop`.
         """
-        log.msg("Stopping worker...")
+        logger.debug("Stopping worker...")
         if self._lc.running:
             self._lc.stop()
         else:
             logger.warning("Looping call is not running, cannot stop")
+
+        logger.debug("Cancelling ongoing defers...")
         while len(self._ongoing_defers) > 0:
             d = self._ongoing_defers.pop()
             d.cancel()
+        logger.debug("Defers cancelled.")
 
     def _register(self, component):
         """
@@ -986,8 +1299,7 @@ class Backend(object):
         try:
             self._components[component.key] = component
         except Exception:
-            log.msg("There was a problem registering %s" % (component,))
-            log.err()
+            logger.error("There was a problem registering %s" % (component,))
 
     def _signal_back(self, _, signal):
         """
@@ -1015,19 +1327,19 @@ class Backend(object):
                 # A call might not have a callback signal, but if it does,
                 # we add it to the chain
                 if cmd[2] is not None:
-                    d.addCallbacks(self._signal_back, log.err, cmd[2])
-                d.addCallbacks(self._done_action, log.err,
+                    d.addCallbacks(self._signal_back, logger.error, cmd[2])
+                d.addCallbacks(self._done_action, logger.error,
                                callbackKeywords={"d": d})
-                d.addErrback(log.err)
+                d.addErrback(logger.error)
                 self._ongoing_defers.append(d)
         except Empty:
             # If it's just empty we don't have anything to do.
             pass
         except defer.CancelledError:
             logger.debug("defer cancelled somewhere (CancelledError).")
-        except Exception:
+        except Exception as e:
             # But we log the rest
-            log.err()
+            logger.exception("Unexpected exception: {0!r}".format(e))
 
     def _done_action(self, _, d):
         """
@@ -1044,7 +1356,7 @@ class Backend(object):
     # this in two processes, the methods bellow can be changed to
     # send_multipart and this backend class will be really simple.
 
-    def setup_provider(self, provider):
+    def provider_setup(self, provider):
         """
         Initiate the setup for a provider.
 
@@ -1060,7 +1372,7 @@ class Backend(object):
         """
         self._call_queue.put(("provider", "setup_provider", None, provider))
 
-    def cancel_setup_provider(self):
+    def provider_cancel_setup(self):
         """
         Cancel the ongoing setup provider (if any).
         """
@@ -1081,7 +1393,7 @@ class Backend(object):
         """
         self._call_queue.put(("provider", "bootstrap", None, provider))
 
-    def register_user(self, provider, username, password):
+    def user_register(self, provider, username, password):
         """
         Register a user using the domain and password given as parameters.
 
@@ -1100,7 +1412,7 @@ class Backend(object):
         self._call_queue.put(("register", "register_user", None, provider,
                               username, password))
 
-    def setup_eip(self, provider, skip_network=False):
+    def eip_setup(self, provider, skip_network=False):
         """
         Initiate the setup for a provider
 
@@ -1118,13 +1430,13 @@ class Backend(object):
         self._call_queue.put(("eip", "setup_eip", None, provider,
                               skip_network))
 
-    def cancel_setup_eip(self):
+    def eip_cancel_setup(self):
         """
         Cancel the ongoing setup EIP (if any).
         """
         self._call_queue.put(("eip", "cancel_setup_eip", None))
 
-    def start_eip(self):
+    def eip_start(self):
         """
         Start the EIP service.
 
@@ -1148,7 +1460,7 @@ class Backend(object):
         """
         self._call_queue.put(("eip", "start", None))
 
-    def stop_eip(self, shutdown=False):
+    def eip_stop(self, shutdown=False):
         """
         Stop the EIP service.
 
@@ -1157,7 +1469,7 @@ class Backend(object):
         """
         self._call_queue.put(("eip", "stop", None, shutdown))
 
-    def terminate_eip(self):
+    def eip_terminate(self):
         """
         Terminate the EIP service, not necessarily in a nice way.
         """
@@ -1209,7 +1521,7 @@ class Backend(object):
         self._call_queue.put(("eip", "can_start",
                               None, domain))
 
-    def login(self, provider, username, password):
+    def user_login(self, provider, username, password):
         """
         Execute the whole authentication process for a user
 
@@ -1231,7 +1543,7 @@ class Backend(object):
         self._call_queue.put(("authenticate", "login", None, provider,
                               username, password))
 
-    def logout(self):
+    def user_logout(self):
         """
         Log out the current session.
 
@@ -1242,13 +1554,13 @@ class Backend(object):
         """
         self._call_queue.put(("authenticate", "logout", None))
 
-    def cancel_login(self):
+    def user_cancel_login(self):
         """
         Cancel the ongoing login (if any).
         """
         self._call_queue.put(("authenticate", "cancel_login", None))
 
-    def change_password(self, current_password, new_password):
+    def user_change_password(self, current_password, new_password):
         """
         Change the user's password.
 
@@ -1266,7 +1578,23 @@ class Backend(object):
         self._call_queue.put(("authenticate", "change_password", None,
                               current_password, new_password))
 
-    def get_logged_in_status(self):
+    def soledad_change_password(self, new_password):
+        """
+        Change the database's password.
+
+        :param new_password: the new password for the user.
+        :type new_password: unicode
+
+        Signals:
+            srp_not_logged_in_error
+            srp_password_change_ok
+            srp_password_change_badpw
+            srp_password_change_error
+        """
+        self._call_queue.put(("soledad", "change_password", None,
+                              new_password))
+
+    def user_get_logged_in_status(self):
         """
         Signal if the user is currently logged in or not.
 
@@ -1276,10 +1604,107 @@ class Backend(object):
         """
         self._call_queue.put(("authenticate", "get_logged_in_status", None))
 
+    def soledad_bootstrap(self, username, domain, password):
+        """
+        Bootstrap the soledad database.
+
+        :param username: the user name
+        :type username: unicode
+        :param domain: the domain that we are using.
+        :type domain: unicode
+        :param password: the password for the username
+        :type password: unicode
+
+        Signals:
+            soledad_bootstrap_finished
+            soledad_bootstrap_failed
+            soledad_invalid_auth_token
+        """
+        self._call_queue.put(("soledad", "bootstrap", None,
+                              username, domain, password))
+
+    def soledad_load_offline(self, username, password, uuid):
+        """
+        Load the soledad database in offline mode.
+
+        :param username: full user id (user@provider)
+        :type username: str or unicode
+        :param password: the soledad passphrase
+        :type password: unicode
+        :param uuid: the user uuid
+        :type uuid: str or unicode
+
+        Signals:
+        """
+        self._call_queue.put(("soledad", "load_offline", None,
+                              username, password, uuid))
+
+    def soledad_cancel_bootstrap(self):
+        """
+        Cancel the ongoing soledad bootstrapping process (if any).
+        """
+        self._call_queue.put(("soledad", "cancel_bootstrap", None))
+
+    def soledad_close(self):
+        """
+        Close soledad database.
+        """
+        self._call_queue.put(("soledad", "close", None))
+
+    def smtp_start_service(self, full_user_id, download_if_needed=False):
+        """
+        Start the SMTP service.
+
+        :param full_user_id: user id, in the form "user@provider"
+        :type full_user_id: str
+        :param download_if_needed: True if it should check for mtime
+                                   for the file
+        :type download_if_needed: bool
+        """
+        self._call_queue.put(("mail", "start_smtp_service", None,
+                              full_user_id, download_if_needed))
+
+    def imap_start_service(self, full_user_id, offline=False):
+        """
+        Start the IMAP service.
+
+        :param full_user_id: user id, in the form "user@provider"
+        :type full_user_id: str
+        :param offline: whether imap should start in offline mode or not.
+        :type offline: bool
+        """
+        self._call_queue.put(("mail", "start_imap_service", None,
+                              full_user_id, offline))
+
+    def smtp_stop_service(self):
+        """
+        Stop the SMTP service.
+        """
+        self._call_queue.put(("mail", "stop_smtp_service", None))
+
+    def imap_stop_service(self):
+        """
+        Stop imap service.
+
+        Signals:
+            imap_stopped
+        """
+        self._call_queue.put(("mail", "stop_imap_service", None))
+
     ###########################################################################
     # XXX HACK: this section is meant to be a place to hold methods and
     # variables needed in the meantime while we migrate all to the backend.
 
     def get_provider_config(self):
+        # TODO: refactor the provider config into a singleton/global loading it
+        # every time from the file.
         provider_config = self._components["provider"]._provider_config
         return provider_config
+
+    def get_soledad(self):
+        soledad = self._components["soledad"]._soledad_bootstrapper._soledad
+        return soledad
+
+    def get_keymanager(self):
+        km = self._components["soledad"]._soledad_bootstrapper._keymanager
+        return km
diff --git a/src/leap/bitmask/gui/advanced_key_management.py b/src/leap/bitmask/gui/advanced_key_management.py
index be6b4410..1681caca 100644
--- a/src/leap/bitmask/gui/advanced_key_management.py
+++ b/src/leap/bitmask/gui/advanced_key_management.py
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ Advanced Key Management
 import logging
 
 from PySide import QtGui
-from zope.proxy import sameProxiedObjects
 
 from leap.keymanager import openpgp
 from leap.keymanager.errors import KeyAddressMismatch, KeyFingerprintMismatch
@@ -34,7 +33,7 @@ class AdvancedKeyManagement(QtGui.QDialog):
     """
     Advanced Key Management
     """
-    def __init__(self, parent, has_mx, user, keymanager, soledad):
+    def __init__(self, parent, has_mx, user, keymanager, soledad_started):
         """
         :param parent: parent object of AdvancedKeyManagement.
         :parent type: QWidget
@@ -45,8 +44,8 @@ class AdvancedKeyManagement(QtGui.QDialog):
         :type user: unicode
         :param keymanager: the existing keymanager instance
         :type keymanager: KeyManager
-        :param soledad: a loaded instance of Soledad
-        :type soledad: Soledad
+        :param soledad_started: whether soledad has started or not
+        :type soledad_started: bool
         """
         QtGui.QDialog.__init__(self, parent)
 
@@ -56,7 +55,6 @@ class AdvancedKeyManagement(QtGui.QDialog):
         # XXX: Temporarily disable the key import.
         self.ui.pbImportKeys.setVisible(False)
 
-        # if Soledad is not started yet
         if not has_mx:
             msg = self.tr("The provider that you are using "
                           "does not support {0}.")
@@ -64,8 +62,7 @@ class AdvancedKeyManagement(QtGui.QDialog):
             self._disable_ui(msg)
             return
 
-        # if Soledad is not started yet
-        if sameProxiedObjects(soledad, None):
+        if not soledad_started:
             msg = self.tr("To use this, you need to enable/start {0}.")
             msg = msg.format(get_service_display_name(MX_SERVICE))
             self._disable_ui(msg)
@@ -79,7 +76,6 @@ class AdvancedKeyManagement(QtGui.QDialog):
         #     self.ui.lblStatus.setText(msg)
 
         self._keymanager = keymanager
-        self._soledad = soledad
 
         self._key = keymanager.get_key(user, openpgp.OpenPGPKey)
         self._key_priv = keymanager.get_key(
diff --git a/src/leap/bitmask/gui/mail_status.py b/src/leap/bitmask/gui/mail_status.py
index d3346780..5caef745 100644
--- a/src/leap/bitmask/gui/mail_status.py
+++ b/src/leap/bitmask/gui/mail_status.py
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ class MailStatusWidget(QtGui.QWidget):
     def set_soledad_failed(self):
         """
         TRIGGERS:
-            SoledadBootstrapper.soledad_failed
+            Signaler.soledad_bootstrap_failed
 
         This method is called whenever soledad has a failure.
         """
diff --git a/src/leap/bitmask/gui/mainwindow.py b/src/leap/bitmask/gui/mainwindow.py
index e3848c46..fc4b4d75 100644
--- a/src/leap/bitmask/gui/mainwindow.py
+++ b/src/leap/bitmask/gui/mainwindow.py
@@ -19,9 +19,7 @@ Main window for Bitmask.
 """
 import logging
 import socket
-import time
 
-from threading import Condition
 from datetime import datetime
 
 from PySide import QtCore, QtGui
@@ -57,8 +55,6 @@ from leap.bitmask.services.mail import conductor as mail_conductor
 
 from leap.bitmask.services import EIP_SERVICE, MX_SERVICE
 from leap.bitmask.services.eip.connection import EIPConnection
-from leap.bitmask.services.soledad.soledadbootstrapper import \
-    SoledadBootstrapper
 
 from leap.bitmask.util import make_address
 from leap.bitmask.util.keyring_helpers import has_keyring
@@ -89,17 +85,17 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
     new_updates = QtCore.Signal(object)
     raise_window = QtCore.Signal([])
     soledad_ready = QtCore.Signal([])
-    mail_client_logged_in = QtCore.Signal([])
     logout = QtCore.Signal([])
+    all_services_stopped = QtCore.Signal()
 
     # We use this flag to detect abnormal terminations
     user_stopped_eip = False
 
     # We give EIP some time to come up before starting soledad anyway
-    EIP_TIMEOUT = 60000  # in milliseconds
+    EIP_START_TIMEOUT = 60000  # in milliseconds
 
-    # We give each service some time to come to a halt before forcing quit
-    SERVICE_STOP_TIMEOUT = 20
+    # We give the services some time to a halt before forcing quit.
+    SERVICES_STOP_TIMEOUT = 20
 
     def __init__(self, quit_callback, bypass_checks=False, start_hidden=False):
         """
@@ -125,9 +121,6 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         register(signal=proto.RAISE_WINDOW,
                  callback=self._on_raise_window_event,
                  reqcbk=lambda req, resp: None)  # make rpc call async
-        register(signal=proto.IMAP_CLIENT_LOGIN,
-                 callback=self._on_mail_client_logged_in,
-                 reqcbk=lambda req, resp: None)  # make rpc call async
         # end register leap events ####################################
 
         self._quit_callback = quit_callback
@@ -195,28 +188,22 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         self._provisional_provider_config = ProviderConfig()
 
         self._already_started_eip = False
-        self._already_started_soledad = False
+        self._soledad_started = False
 
         # This is created once we have a valid provider config
         self._srp_auth = None
         self._logged_user = None
         self._logged_in_offline = False
 
+        # Set used to track the services being stopped and need wait.
+        self._services_being_stopped = {}
+
+        # timeout object used to trigger quit
+        self._quit_timeout_callater = None
+
         self._backend_connected_signals = {}
         self._backend_connect()
 
-        self._soledad_bootstrapper = SoledadBootstrapper()
-        self._soledad_bootstrapper.download_config.connect(
-            self._soledad_intermediate_stage)
-        self._soledad_bootstrapper.gen_key.connect(
-            self._soledad_bootstrapped_stage)
-        self._soledad_bootstrapper.local_only_ready.connect(
-            self._soledad_bootstrapped_stage)
-        self._soledad_bootstrapper.soledad_invalid_auth_token.connect(
-            self._mail_status.set_soledad_invalid_auth_token)
-        self._soledad_bootstrapper.soledad_failed.connect(
-            self._mail_status.set_soledad_failed)
-
         self.ui.action_preferences.triggered.connect(self._show_preferences)
         self.ui.action_eip_preferences.triggered.connect(
             self._show_eip_preferences)
@@ -280,10 +267,6 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         # XXX should connect to mail_conductor.start_mail_service instead
         self.soledad_ready.connect(self._start_smtp_bootstrapping)
         self.soledad_ready.connect(self._start_imap_service)
-        self.mail_client_logged_in.connect(self._fetch_incoming_mail)
-        self.logout.connect(self._stop_imap_service)
-        self.logout.connect(self._stop_smtp_service)
-
         ################################# end Qt Signals connection ########
 
         init_platform()
@@ -296,18 +279,13 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         self._bypass_checks = bypass_checks
         self._start_hidden = start_hidden
 
-        # We initialize Soledad and Keymanager instances as
-        # transparent proxies, so we can pass the reference freely
-        # around.
-        self._soledad = ProxyBase(None)
         self._keymanager = ProxyBase(None)
 
-        self._soledad_defer = None
-
-        self._mail_conductor = mail_conductor.MailConductor(
-            self._soledad, self._keymanager)
+        self._mail_conductor = mail_conductor.MailConductor(self._backend)
         self._mail_conductor.connect_mail_signals(self._mail_status)
 
+        self.logout.connect(self._mail_conductor.stop_mail_services)
+
         # Eip machine is a public attribute where the state machine for
         # the eip connection will be available to the different components.
         # Remember that this will not live in the  +1600LOC mainwindow for
@@ -370,14 +348,23 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         logger.error("Bad call to the backend:")
         logger.error(data)
 
-    def _backend_connect(self):
+    def _backend_connect(self, only_tracked=False):
         """
-        Helper to connect to backend signals
+        Connect to backend signals.
+
+        We track some signals in order to disconnect them on demand.
+        For instance, in the wizard we need to connect to some signals that are
+        already connected in the mainwindow, so to avoid conflicts we do:
+            - disconnect signals needed in wizard (`_disconnect_and_untrack`)
+            - use wizard
+            - reconnect disconnected signals (we use the `only_tracked` param)
+
+        :param only_tracked: whether or not we should connect only the signals
+                             that we are tracking to disconnect later.
+        :type only_tracked: bool
         """
         sig = self._backend.signaler
 
-        sig.backend_bad_call.connect(self._backend_bad_call)
-
         self._connect_and_track(sig.prov_name_resolution,
                                 self._intermediate_stage)
         self._connect_and_track(sig.prov_https_connection,
@@ -433,7 +420,16 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         self._connect_and_track(sig.eip_client_certificate_ready,
                                 self._finish_eip_bootstrap)
 
+        ###################################################
+        # Add tracked signals above this, untracked bellow!
+        ###################################################
+        if only_tracked:
+            return
+
         # We don't want to disconnect some signals so don't track them:
+
+        sig.backend_bad_call.connect(self._backend_bad_call)
+
         sig.prov_unsupported_client.connect(self._needs_update)
         sig.prov_unsupported_api.connect(self._incompatible_api)
 
@@ -461,6 +457,21 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         sig.eip_can_start.connect(self._backend_can_start_eip)
         sig.eip_cannot_start.connect(self._backend_cannot_start_eip)
 
+        # Soledad signals
+        sig.soledad_bootstrap_failed.connect(
+            self._mail_status.set_soledad_failed)
+        sig.soledad_bootstrap_finished.connect(self._on_soledad_ready)
+
+        sig.soledad_offline_failed.connect(
+            self._mail_status.set_soledad_failed)
+        sig.soledad_offline_finished.connect(self._on_soledad_ready)
+
+        sig.soledad_invalid_auth_token.connect(
+            self._mail_status.set_soledad_invalid_auth_token)
+
+        # TODO: connect this with something
+        # sig.soledad_cancelled_bootstrap.connect()
+
     def _disconnect_and_untrack(self):
         """
         Helper to disconnect the tracked signals.
@@ -497,7 +508,7 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
             # This happens if the user finishes the provider
             # setup but does not register
             self._wizard = None
-            self._backend_connect()
+            self._backend_connect(only_tracked=True)
             if self._wizard_firstrun:
                 self._finish_init()
 
@@ -591,8 +602,8 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
             provider_config = self._get_best_provider_config()
             has_mx = provider_config.provides_mx()
 
-        akm = AdvancedKeyManagement(
-            self, has_mx, logged_user, self._keymanager, self._soledad)
+        akm = AdvancedKeyManagement(self, has_mx, logged_user,
+                                    self._keymanager, self._soledad_started)
         akm.show()
 
     @QtCore.Slot()
@@ -607,8 +618,8 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         user = self._login_widget.get_user()
         prov = self._login_widget.get_selected_provider()
         preferences = PreferencesWindow(
-            self, self._backend, self._provider_config, self._soledad,
-            user, prov)
+            self, self._backend, self._provider_config,
+            self._soledad_started, user, prov)
 
         self.soledad_ready.connect(preferences.set_soledad_ready)
         preferences.show()
@@ -642,7 +653,7 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         # If we don't want to start eip, we leave everything
         # initialized to quickly start it
         if not self._trying_to_start_eip:
-            self._backend.setup_eip(default_provider, skip_network=True)
+            self._backend.eip_setup(default_provider, skip_network=True)
 
     def _backend_can_start_eip(self):
         """
@@ -817,7 +828,7 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
                 self.eip_needs_login.emit()
 
             self._wizard = None
-            self._backend_connect()
+            self._backend_connect(only_tracked=True)
         else:
             self._update_eip_enabled_status()
 
@@ -1156,7 +1167,7 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         """
         # XXX should rename this provider, name clash.
         provider = self._login_widget.get_selected_provider()
-        self._backend.setup_provider(provider)
+        self._backend.provider_setup(provider)
 
     @QtCore.Slot(dict)
     def _load_provider_config(self, data):
@@ -1250,20 +1261,19 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         Cancel the running defers to avoid app blocking.
         """
         # XXX: Should we stop all the backend defers?
-        self._backend.cancel_setup_provider()
-        self._backend.cancel_login()
+        self._backend.provider_cancel_setup()
+        self._backend.user_cancel_login()
+        self._backend.soledad_cancel_bootstrap()
+        self._backend.soledad_close()
 
-        if self._soledad_defer is not None:
-            logger.debug("Cancelling soledad defer.")
-            self._soledad_defer.cancel()
-            self._soledad_defer = None
+        self._soledad_started = False
 
     @QtCore.Slot()
     def _set_login_cancelled(self):
         """
         TRIGGERS:
             Signaler.prov_cancelled_setup fired by
-            self._backend.cancel_setup_provider()
+            self._backend.provider_cancel_setup()
 
         This method re-enables the login widget and display a message for
         the cancelled operation.
@@ -1289,7 +1299,7 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
             self._show_hide_unsupported_services()
 
             domain = self._provider_config.get_domain()
-            self._backend.login(domain, username, password)
+            self._backend.user_login(domain, username, password)
         else:
             logger.error(data[self._backend.ERROR_KEY])
             self._login_problem_provider()
@@ -1317,9 +1327,9 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         if MX_SERVICE in self._enabled_services:
             btn_enabled = self._login_widget.set_logout_btn_enabled
             btn_enabled(False)
-            self.soledad_ready.connect(lambda: btn_enabled(True))
-            self._soledad_bootstrapper.soledad_failed.connect(
-                lambda: btn_enabled(True))
+            sig = self._backend.signaler
+            sig.soledad_bootstrap_failed.connect(lambda: btn_enabled(True))
+            sig.soledad_bootstrap_finished.connect(lambda: btn_enabled(True))
 
         if not self._get_best_provider_config().provides_mx():
             self._set_mx_visible(False)
@@ -1372,9 +1382,6 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         Conditionally start Soledad.
         """
         # TODO split.
-        if self._already_started_soledad is True:
-            return
-
         if not self._provides_mx_and_enabled():
             return
 
@@ -1382,11 +1389,7 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         password = unicode(self._login_widget.get_password())
         provider_domain = self._login_widget.get_selected_provider()
 
-        sb = self._soledad_bootstrapper
-        if flags.OFFLINE is True:
-            provider_domain = self._login_widget.get_selected_provider()
-            sb._password = password
-
+        if flags.OFFLINE:
             self._provisional_provider_config.load(
                 provider.get_provider_path(provider_domain))
 
@@ -1399,74 +1402,31 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
                 # this is mostly for internal use/debug for now.
                 logger.warning("Sorry! Log-in at least one time.")
                 return
-            fun = sb.load_offline_soledad
-            fun(full_user_id, password, uuid)
+            self._backend.soledad_load_offline(full_user_id, password, uuid)
         else:
-            provider_config = self._provider_config
-
             if self._logged_user is not None:
-                self._soledad_defer = sb.run_soledad_setup_checks(
-                    provider_config, username, password,
-                    download_if_needed=True)
+                domain = self._provider_config.get_domain()
+                self._backend.soledad_bootstrap(username, domain, password)
 
     ###################################################################
     # Service control methods: soledad
 
-    @QtCore.Slot(dict)
-    def _soledad_intermediate_stage(self, data):
-        # TODO missing param docstring
+    @QtCore.Slot()
+    def _on_soledad_ready(self):
         """
         TRIGGERS:
-            self._soledad_bootstrapper.download_config
+            Signaler.soledad_bootstrap_finished
 
-        If there was a problem, displays it, otherwise it does nothing.
-        This is used for intermediate bootstrapping stages, in case
-        they fail.
+        Actions to take when Soledad is ready.
         """
-        passed = data[self._soledad_bootstrapper.PASSED_KEY]
-        if not passed:
-            # TODO display in the GUI:
-            # should pass signal to a slot in status_panel
-            # that sets the global status
-            logger.error("Soledad failed to start: %s" %
-                         (data[self._soledad_bootstrapper.ERROR_KEY],))
-
-    @QtCore.Slot(dict)
-    def _soledad_bootstrapped_stage(self, data):
-        """
-        TRIGGERS:
-            self._soledad_bootstrapper.gen_key
-            self._soledad_bootstrapper.local_only_ready
-
-        If there was a problem, displays it, otherwise it does nothing.
-        This is used for intermediate bootstrapping stages, in case
-        they fail.
-
-        :param data: result from the bootstrapping stage for Soledad
-        :type data: dict
-        """
-        passed = data[self._soledad_bootstrapper.PASSED_KEY]
-        if not passed:
-            # TODO should actually *display* on the panel.
-            logger.debug("ERROR on soledad bootstrapping:")
-            logger.error("%r" % data[self._soledad_bootstrapper.ERROR_KEY])
-            return
-
         logger.debug("Done bootstrapping Soledad")
 
-        # Update the proxy objects to point to
-        # the initialized instances.
-        setProxiedObject(self._soledad,
-                         self._soledad_bootstrapper.soledad)
-        setProxiedObject(self._keymanager,
-                         self._soledad_bootstrapper.keymanager)
+        # Update the proxy objects to point to the initialized instances.
+        # setProxiedObject(self._soledad, self._backend.get_soledad())
+        setProxiedObject(self._keymanager, self._backend.get_keymanager())
 
-        # Ok, now soledad is ready, so we can allow other things that
-        # depend on soledad to start.
-        self._soledad_defer = None
+        self._soledad_started = True
 
-        # this will trigger start_imap_service
-        # and start_smtp_boostrapping
         self.soledad_ready.emit()
 
     ###################################################################
@@ -1483,19 +1443,7 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
             return
 
         if self._provides_mx_and_enabled():
-            self._mail_conductor.start_smtp_service(self._provider_config,
-                                                    download_if_needed=True)
-
-    # XXX --- should remove from here, and connecte directly to the state
-    # machine.
-    @QtCore.Slot()
-    def _stop_smtp_service(self):
-        """
-        TRIGGERS:
-            self.logout
-        """
-        # TODO call stop_mail_service
-        self._mail_conductor.stop_smtp_service()
+            self._mail_conductor.start_smtp_service(download_if_needed=True)
 
     ###################################################################
     # Service control methods: imap
@@ -1510,48 +1458,19 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         # in the mail state machine so it shows that imap is active
         # (but not smtp since it's not yet ready for offline use)
         start_fun = self._mail_conductor.start_imap_service
-        if flags.OFFLINE is True:
+        if flags.OFFLINE:
             provider_domain = self._login_widget.get_selected_provider()
             self._provider_config.load(
                 provider.get_provider_path(provider_domain))
         provides_mx = self._provider_config.provides_mx()
 
-        if flags.OFFLINE is True and provides_mx:
+        if flags.OFFLINE and provides_mx:
             start_fun()
             return
 
         if self._provides_mx_and_enabled():
             start_fun()
 
-    def _on_mail_client_logged_in(self, req):
-        """
-        Triggers qt signal when client login event is received.
-        """
-        self.mail_client_logged_in.emit()
-
-    @QtCore.Slot()
-    def _fetch_incoming_mail(self):
-        """
-        TRIGGERS:
-            self.mail_client_logged_in
-        """
-        # TODO connect signal directly!!!
-        self._mail_conductor.fetch_incoming_mail()
-
-    @QtCore.Slot()
-    def _stop_imap_service(self):
-        """
-        TRIGGERS:
-            self.logout
-        """
-        cv = Condition()
-        cv.acquire()
-        # TODO call stop_mail_service
-        threads.deferToThread(self._mail_conductor.stop_imap_service, cv)
-        # and wait for it to be stopped
-        logger.debug('Waiting for imap service to stop.')
-        cv.wait(self.SERVICE_STOP_TIMEOUT)
-
     # end service control methods (imap)
 
     ###################################################################
@@ -1690,7 +1609,7 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         # won't try the next time.
         self._settings.set_autostart_eip(True)
 
-        self._backend.start_eip()
+        self._backend.eip_start()
 
     @QtCore.Slot()
     def _on_eip_connection_aborted(self):
@@ -1773,7 +1692,7 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         :type abnormal: bool
         """
         self.user_stopped_eip = True
-        self._backend.stop_eip()
+        self._backend.eip_stop()
 
         self._set_eipstatus_off(False)
         self._already_started_eip = False
@@ -1864,7 +1783,7 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
             eip_status_label = eip_status_label.format(self._eip_name)
             self._eip_status.set_eip_status(eip_status_label, error=True)
             signal = qtsigs.connection_aborted_signal
-            self._backend.terminate_eip()
+            self._backend.eip_terminate()
 
         elif exitCode != 0 or not self.user_stopped_eip:
             eip_status_label = self.tr("{0} finished in an unexpected manner!")
@@ -1894,13 +1813,13 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
                 self.tr("Starting..."))
 
             domain = self._login_widget.get_selected_provider()
-            self._backend.setup_eip(domain)
+            self._backend.eip_setup(domain)
 
             self._already_started_eip = True
             # we want to start soledad anyway after a certain timeout if eip
             # fails to come up
             QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(
-                self.EIP_TIMEOUT,
+                self.EIP_START_TIMEOUT,
                 self._maybe_run_soledad_setup_checks)
         else:
             if not self._already_started_eip:
@@ -1987,16 +1906,11 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
 
         Starts the logout sequence
         """
-        setProxiedObject(self._soledad, None)
-
         self._cancel_ongoing_defers()
 
-        # reset soledad status flag
-        self._already_started_soledad = False
-
         # XXX: If other defers are doing authenticated stuff, this
         # might conflict with those. CHECK!
-        self._backend.logout()
+        self._backend.user_logout()
         self.logout.emit()
 
     @QtCore.Slot()
@@ -2080,59 +1994,37 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
     # cleanup and quit methods
     #
 
-    def _cleanup_pidfiles(self):
+    def _stop_services(self):
         """
-        Removes lockfiles on a clean shutdown.
-
-        Triggered after aboutToQuit signal.
+        Stop services and cancel ongoing actions (if any).
         """
-        if IS_WIN:
-            WindowsLock.release_all_locks()
-
-    def _cleanup_and_quit(self):
-        """
-        Call all the cleanup actions in a serialized way.
-        Should be called from the quit function.
-        """
-        logger.debug('About to quit, doing cleanup...')
-
-        self._stop_imap_service()
-
-        if self._logged_user is not None:
-            self._backend.logout()
+        logger.debug('About to quit, doing cleanup.')
 
-        if self._soledad_bootstrapper.soledad is not None:
-            logger.debug("Closing soledad...")
-            self._soledad_bootstrapper.soledad.close()
-        else:
-            logger.error("No instance of soledad was found.")
+        self._cancel_ongoing_defers()
 
-        logger.debug('Terminating vpn')
-        self._backend.stop_eip(shutdown=True)
+        self._services_being_stopped = {'imap', 'eip'}
 
-        # We need to give some time to the ongoing signals for shutdown
-        # to come into action. This needs to be solved using
-        # back-communication from backend.
-        QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(3000, self._shutdown)
+        imap_stopped = lambda: self._remove_service('imap')
+        self._backend.signaler.imap_stopped.connect(imap_stopped)
 
-    def _shutdown(self):
-        """
-        Actually shutdown.
-        """
-        self._cancel_ongoing_defers()
+        eip_stopped = lambda: self._remove_service('eip')
+        self._backend.signaler.eip_stopped.connect(eip_stopped)
 
-        # TODO missing any more cancels?
+        logger.debug('Stopping mail services')
+        self._backend.imap_stop_service()
+        self._backend.smtp_stop_service()
 
-        logger.debug('Cleaning pidfiles')
-        self._cleanup_pidfiles()
-        if self._quit_callback:
-            self._quit_callback()
+        if self._logged_user is not None:
+            logger.debug("Doing logout")
+            self._backend.user_logout()
 
-        logger.debug('Bye.')
+        logger.debug('Terminating vpn')
+        self._backend.eip_stop(shutdown=True)
 
     def quit(self):
         """
-        Cleanup and tidely close the main window before quitting.
+        Start the quit sequence and wait for services to finish.
+        Cleanup and close the main window before quitting.
         """
         # TODO separate the shutting down of services from the
         # UI stuff.
@@ -2145,22 +2037,69 @@ class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
                 self.tr('The app is quitting, please wait.'))
 
         # explicitly process events to display tooltip immediately
-        QtCore.QCoreApplication.processEvents()
+        QtCore.QCoreApplication.processEvents(0, 10)
+
+        # Close other windows if any.
+        if self._wizard:
+            self._wizard.close()
+
+        if self._logger_window:
+            self._logger_window.close()
 
         # Set this in case that the app is hidden
         QtGui.QApplication.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(True)
 
-        self._cleanup_and_quit()
+        self._stop_services()
 
-        # We queue the call to stop since we need to wait until EIP is stopped.
-        # Otherwise we may exit leaving an unmanaged openvpn process.
-        reactor.callLater(0, self._backend.stop)
         self._really_quit = True
 
-        if self._wizard:
-            self._wizard.close()
+        # call final quit when all the services are stopped
+        self.all_services_stopped.connect(self.final_quit)
+        # or if we reach the timeout
+        self._quit_timeout_callater = reactor.callLater(
+            self.SERVICES_STOP_TIMEOUT, self.final_quit)
 
-        if self._logger_window:
-            self._logger_window.close()
+    @QtCore.Slot()
+    def _remove_service(self, service):
+        """
+        Remove the given service from the waiting list and check if we have
+        running services that we need to wait until we quit.
+        Emit self.all_services_stopped signal if we don't need to keep waiting.
 
+        :param service: the service that we want to remove
+        :type service: str
+        """
+        self._services_being_stopped.discard(service)
+
+        if not self._services_being_stopped:
+            logger.debug("All services stopped.")
+            self.all_services_stopped.emit()
+
+    @QtCore.Slot()
+    def final_quit(self):
+        """
+        Final steps to quit the app, starting from here we don't care about
+        running services or user interaction, just quitting.
+        """
+        logger.debug('Final quit...')
+
+        try:
+            # disconnect signal if we get here due a timeout.
+            self.all_services_stopped.disconnect(self.final_quit)
+        except RuntimeError:
+            pass  # Signal was not connected
+
+        # Cancel timeout to avoid being called if we reached here through the
+        # signal
+        if self._quit_timeout_callater.active():
+            self._quit_timeout_callater.cancel()
+
+        # Remove lockfiles on a clean shutdown.
+        logger.debug('Cleaning pidfiles')
+        if IS_WIN:
+            WindowsLock.release_all_locks()
+
+        self._backend.stop()
         self.close()
+
+        reactor.callLater(1, self._quit_callback)
diff --git a/src/leap/bitmask/gui/preferenceswindow.py b/src/leap/bitmask/gui/preferenceswindow.py
index 2947c5db..47011a85 100644
--- a/src/leap/bitmask/gui/preferenceswindow.py
+++ b/src/leap/bitmask/gui/preferenceswindow.py
@@ -23,12 +23,10 @@ import logging
 from functools import partial
 
 from PySide import QtCore, QtGui
-from zope.proxy import sameProxiedObjects
 
 from leap.bitmask.provider import get_provider_path
 from leap.bitmask.config.leapsettings import LeapSettings
 from leap.bitmask.gui.ui_preferences import Ui_Preferences
-from leap.soledad.client import NoStorageSecret
 from leap.bitmask.util.password import basic_password_checks
 from leap.bitmask.services import get_supported
 from leap.bitmask.config.providerconfig import ProviderConfig
@@ -43,8 +41,8 @@ class PreferencesWindow(QtGui.QDialog):
     """
     preferences_saved = QtCore.Signal()
 
-    def __init__(self, parent, backend, provider_config,
-                 soledad, username, domain):
+    def __init__(self, parent, backend, provider_config, soledad_started,
+                 username, domain):
         """
         :param parent: parent object of the PreferencesWindow.
         :parent type: QWidget
@@ -52,8 +50,8 @@ class PreferencesWindow(QtGui.QDialog):
         :type backend: Backend
         :param provider_config: ProviderConfig object.
         :type provider_config: ProviderConfig
-        :param soledad: Soledad instance
-        :type soledad: Soledad
+        :param soledad_started: whether soledad has started or not
+        :type soledad_started: bool
         :param username: the user set in the login widget
         :type username: unicode
         :param domain: the selected domain in the login widget
@@ -64,8 +62,8 @@ class PreferencesWindow(QtGui.QDialog):
 
         self._backend = backend
         self._settings = LeapSettings()
-        self._soledad = soledad
         self._provider_config = provider_config
+        self._soledad_started = soledad_started
         self._username = username
         self._domain = domain
 
@@ -89,7 +87,7 @@ class PreferencesWindow(QtGui.QDialog):
         else:
             self._add_configured_providers()
 
-        self._backend.get_logged_in_status()
+        self._backend.user_get_logged_in_status()
 
         self._select_provider_by_name(domain)
 
@@ -118,7 +116,7 @@ class PreferencesWindow(QtGui.QDialog):
                 pw_enabled = False
             else:
                 # check if Soledad is bootstrapped
-                if sameProxiedObjects(self._soledad, None):
+                if not self._soledad_started:
                     msg = self.tr(
                         "You need to wait until {0} is ready in "
                         "order to change the password.".format(mx_name))
@@ -209,10 +207,10 @@ class PreferencesWindow(QtGui.QDialog):
             return
 
         self._set_changing_password(True)
-        self._backend.change_password(current_password, new_password)
+        self._backend.user_change_password(current_password, new_password)
 
     @QtCore.Slot()
-    def _change_password_ok(self):
+    def _srp_change_password_ok(self):
         """
         TRIGGERS:
             self._backend.signaler.srp_password_change_ok
@@ -221,12 +219,33 @@ class PreferencesWindow(QtGui.QDialog):
         """
         new_password = self.ui.leNewPassword.text()
         logger.debug("SRP password changed successfully.")
-        try:
-            self._soledad.change_passphrase(new_password)
-            logger.debug("Soledad password changed successfully.")
-        except NoStorageSecret:
-            logger.debug(
-                "No storage secret for password change in Soledad.")
+        self._backend.soledad_change_password(new_password)
+
+    @QtCore.Slot(unicode)
+    def _srp_change_password_problem(self, msg):
+        """
+        TRIGGERS:
+            self._backend.signaler.srp_password_change_error
+            self._backend.signaler.srp_password_change_badpw
+
+        Callback used to display an error on changing password.
+
+        :param msg: the message to show to the user.
+        :type msg: unicode
+        """
+        logger.error("Error changing password")
+        self._set_password_change_status(msg, error=True)
+        self._set_changing_password(False)
+
+    @QtCore.Slot()
+    def _soledad_change_password_ok(self):
+        """
+        TRIGGERS:
+            Signaler.soledad_password_change_ok
+
+        Callback used to display a successfully changed password.
+        """
+        logger.debug("Soledad password changed successfully.")
 
         self._set_password_change_status(
             self.tr("Password changed successfully."), success=True)
@@ -234,18 +253,17 @@ class PreferencesWindow(QtGui.QDialog):
         self._set_changing_password(False)
 
     @QtCore.Slot(unicode)
-    def _change_password_problem(self, msg):
+    def _soledad_change_password_problem(self, msg):
         """
         TRIGGERS:
-            self._backend.signaler.srp_password_change_error
-            self._backend.signaler.srp_password_change_badpw
+            Signaler.soledad_password_change_error
 
         Callback used to display an error on changing password.
 
         :param msg: the message to show to the user.
         :type msg: unicode
         """
-        logger.error("Error changing password")
+        logger.error("Error changing soledad password")
         self._set_password_change_status(msg, error=True)
         self._set_changing_password(False)
 
@@ -418,12 +436,18 @@ class PreferencesWindow(QtGui.QDialog):
         sig.srp_status_logged_in.connect(self._is_logged_in)
         sig.srp_status_not_logged_in.connect(self._not_logged_in)
 
-        sig.srp_password_change_ok.connect(self._change_password_ok)
+        sig.srp_password_change_ok.connect(self._srp_change_password_ok)
 
-        pwd_change_error = lambda: self._change_password_problem(
+        pwd_change_error = lambda: self._srp_change_password_problem(
             self.tr("There was a problem changing the password."))
         sig.srp_password_change_error.connect(pwd_change_error)
 
-        pwd_change_badpw = lambda: self._change_password_problem(
+        pwd_change_badpw = lambda: self._srp_change_password_problem(
             self.tr("You did not enter a correct current password."))
         sig.srp_password_change_badpw.connect(pwd_change_badpw)
+
+        sig.soledad_password_change_ok.connect(
+            self._soledad_change_password_ok)
+
+        sig.soledad_password_change_error.connect(
+            self._soledad_change_password_problem)
diff --git a/src/leap/bitmask/gui/wizard.py b/src/leap/bitmask/gui/wizard.py
index 020a58e2..316b2bff 100644
--- a/src/leap/bitmask/gui/wizard.py
+++ b/src/leap/bitmask/gui/wizard.py
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ class Wizard(QtGui.QWizard):
         if ok:
             self._set_register_status(self.tr("Starting registration..."))
 
-            self._backend.register_user(self._domain, username, password)
+            self._backend.user_register(self._domain, username, password)
             self._username = username
             self._password = password
         else:
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ class Wizard(QtGui.QWizard):
 
         self.ui.lblNameResolution.setPixmap(self.QUESTION_ICON)
         self._provider_select_defer = self._backend.\
-            setup_provider(self._domain)
+            provider_setup(self._domain)
 
     @QtCore.Slot(bool)
     def _skip_provider_checks(self, skip):
diff --git a/src/leap/bitmask/services/eip/vpnprocess.py b/src/leap/bitmask/services/eip/vpnprocess.py
index 734b88df..81eac6d9 100644
--- a/src/leap/bitmask/services/eip/vpnprocess.py
+++ b/src/leap/bitmask/services/eip/vpnprocess.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 """
 VPN Manager, spawned in a custom processProtocol.
 """
+import commands
 import logging
 import os
 import shutil
@@ -232,6 +233,17 @@ class VPN(object):
                                     BM_ROOT, "firewall", "start"] + gateways)
         return True if exitCode is 0 else False
 
+    def is_fw_down(self):
+        """
+        Return whether the firewall is down or not.
+
+        :rtype: bool
+        """
+        BM_ROOT = linuxvpnlauncher.LinuxVPNLauncher.BITMASK_ROOT
+        fw_up_cmd = "pkexec {0} firewall isup".format(BM_ROOT)
+        fw_is_down = lambda: commands.getstatusoutput(fw_up_cmd)[0] == 256
+        return fw_is_down()
+
     def _tear_down_firewall(self):
         """
         Tear the firewall down using the privileged wrapper.
diff --git a/src/leap/bitmask/services/mail/conductor.py b/src/leap/bitmask/services/mail/conductor.py
index 1766a39d..7fc19f1c 100644
--- a/src/leap/bitmask/services/mail/conductor.py
+++ b/src/leap/bitmask/services/mail/conductor.py
@@ -19,15 +19,10 @@ Mail Services Conductor
 """
 import logging
 
-from zope.proxy import sameProxiedObjects
-
+from leap.bitmask.config import flags
 from leap.bitmask.gui import statemachines
 from leap.bitmask.services.mail import connection as mail_connection
-from leap.bitmask.services.mail import imap
-from leap.bitmask.services.mail.smtpbootstrapper import SMTPBootstrapper
-from leap.bitmask.services.mail.smtpconfig import SMTPConfig
 
-from leap.common.check import leap_assert
 from leap.common.events import events_pb2 as leap_events
 from leap.common.events import register as leap_register
 
@@ -44,9 +39,6 @@ class IMAPControl(object):
         Initializes smtp variables.
         """
         self.imap_machine = None
-        self.imap_service = None
-        self.imap_port = None
-        self.imap_factory = None
         self.imap_connection = None
 
         leap_register(signal=leap_events.IMAP_SERVICE_STARTED,
@@ -55,10 +47,13 @@ class IMAPControl(object):
         leap_register(signal=leap_events.IMAP_SERVICE_FAILED_TO_START,
                       callback=self._handle_imap_events,
                       reqcbk=lambda req, resp: None)
+        leap_register(signal=leap_events.IMAP_CLIENT_LOGIN,
+                      callback=self._handle_imap_events,
+                      reqcbk=lambda req, resp: None)
 
     def set_imap_connection(self, imap_connection):
         """
-        Sets the imap connection to an initialized connection.
+        Set the imap connection to an initialized connection.
 
         :param imap_connection: an initialized imap connection
         :type imap_connection: IMAPConnection instance.
@@ -67,67 +62,18 @@ class IMAPControl(object):
 
     def start_imap_service(self):
         """
-        Starts imap service.
+        Start imap service.
         """
-        from leap.bitmask.config import flags
-
-        logger.debug('Starting imap service')
-        leap_assert(sameProxiedObjects(self._soledad, None)
-                    is not True,
-                    "We need a non-null soledad for initializing imap service")
-        leap_assert(sameProxiedObjects(self._keymanager, None)
-                    is not True,
-                    "We need a non-null keymanager for initializing imap "
-                    "service")
-
-        offline = flags.OFFLINE
-        self.imap_service, self.imap_port, \
-            self.imap_factory = imap.start_imap_service(
-                self._soledad,
-                self._keymanager,
-                userid=self.userid,
-                offline=offline)
+        self._backend.imap_start_service(self.userid, flags.OFFLINE)
 
-        if offline is False:
-            logger.debug("Starting loop")
-            self.imap_service.start_loop()
-
-    def stop_imap_service(self, cv):
+    def stop_imap_service(self):
         """
-        Stops imap service (fetcher, factory and port).
-
-        :param cv: A condition variable to which we can signal when imap
-                   indeed stops.
-        :type cv: threading.Condition
+        Stop imap service.
         """
         self.imap_connection.qtsigs.disconnecting_signal.emit()
-        # TODO We should homogenize both services.
-        if self.imap_service is not None:
-            logger.debug('Stopping imap service.')
-            # Stop the loop call in the fetcher
-            self.imap_service.stop()
-            self.imap_service = None
-            # Stop listening on the IMAP port
-            self.imap_port.stopListening()
-            # Stop the protocol
-            self.imap_factory.theAccount.closed = True
-            self.imap_factory.doStop(cv)
-        else:
-            # main window does not have to wait because there's no service to
-            # be stopped, so we release the condition variable
-            cv.acquire()
-            cv.notify()
-            cv.release()
-
-    def fetch_incoming_mail(self):
-        """
-        Fetches incoming mail.
-        """
-        if self.imap_service:
-            logger.debug('Client connected, fetching mail...')
-            self.imap_service.fetch()
-
-    # handle events
+        logger.debug('Stopping imap service.')
+
+        self._backend.imap_stop_service()
 
     def _handle_imap_events(self, req):
         """
@@ -137,25 +83,31 @@ class IMAPControl(object):
         :type req: leap.common.events.events_pb2.SignalRequest
         """
         if req.event == leap_events.IMAP_SERVICE_STARTED:
-            self.on_imap_connected()
+            self._on_imap_connected()
         elif req.event == leap_events.IMAP_SERVICE_FAILED_TO_START:
-            self.on_imap_failed()
+            self._on_imap_failed()
+        elif req.event == leap_events.IMAP_CLIENT_LOGIN:
+            self._on_mail_client_logged_in()
 
-    # emit connection signals
+    def _on_mail_client_logged_in(self):
+        """
+        On mail client logged in, fetch incoming mail.
+        """
+        self._controller.imap_service_fetch()
 
-    def on_imap_connecting(self):
+    def _on_imap_connecting(self):
         """
         Callback for IMAP connecting state.
         """
         self.imap_connection.qtsigs.connecting_signal.emit()
 
-    def on_imap_connected(self):
+    def _on_imap_connected(self):
         """
         Callback for IMAP connected state.
         """
         self.imap_connection.qtsigs.connected_signal.emit()
 
-    def on_imap_failed(self):
+    def _on_imap_failed(self):
         """
         Callback for IMAP failed state.
         """
@@ -167,12 +119,9 @@ class SMTPControl(object):
         """
         Initializes smtp variables.
         """
-        self.smtp_config = SMTPConfig()
         self.smtp_connection = None
         self.smtp_machine = None
 
-        self.smtp_bootstrapper = SMTPBootstrapper()
-
         leap_register(signal=leap_events.SMTP_SERVICE_STARTED,
                       callback=self._handle_smtp_events,
                       reqcbk=lambda req, resp: None)
@@ -188,29 +137,23 @@ class SMTPControl(object):
         """
         self.smtp_connection = smtp_connection
 
-    def start_smtp_service(self, provider_config, download_if_needed=False):
+    def start_smtp_service(self, download_if_needed=False):
         """
         Starts the SMTP service.
 
-        :param provider_config: Provider configuration
-        :type provider_config: ProviderConfig
         :param download_if_needed: True if it should check for mtime
                                    for the file
         :type download_if_needed: bool
         """
         self.smtp_connection.qtsigs.connecting_signal.emit()
-        self.smtp_bootstrapper.start_smtp_service(
-            provider_config, self.smtp_config, self._keymanager,
-            self.userid, download_if_needed)
+        self._backend.smtp_start_service(self.userid, download_if_needed)
 
     def stop_smtp_service(self):
         """
         Stops the SMTP service.
         """
         self.smtp_connection.qtsigs.disconnecting_signal.emit()
-        self.smtp_bootstrapper.stop_smtp_service()
-
-    # handle smtp events
+        self._backend.smtp_stop_service()
 
     def _handle_smtp_events(self, req):
         """
@@ -224,8 +167,6 @@ class SMTPControl(object):
         elif req.event == leap_events.SMTP_SERVICE_FAILED_TO_START:
             self.on_smtp_failed()
 
-    # emit connection signals
-
     def on_smtp_connecting(self):
         """
         Callback for SMTP connecting state.
@@ -253,22 +194,17 @@ class MailConductor(IMAPControl, SMTPControl):
     """
     # XXX We could consider to use composition instead of inheritance here.
 
-    def __init__(self, soledad, keymanager):
+    def __init__(self, backend):
         """
         Initializes the mail conductor.
 
-        :param soledad: a transparent proxy that eventually will point to a
-                        Soledad Instance.
-        :type soledad: zope.proxy.ProxyBase
-
-        :param keymanager: a transparent proxy that eventually will point to a
-                           Keymanager Instance.
-        :type keymanager: zope.proxy.ProxyBase
+        :param backend: Backend being used
+        :type backend: Backend
         """
         IMAPControl.__init__(self)
         SMTPControl.__init__(self)
-        self._soledad = soledad
-        self._keymanager = keymanager
+
+        self._backend = backend
         self._mail_machine = None
         self._mail_connection = mail_connection.MailConnection()
 
@@ -309,6 +245,13 @@ class MailConductor(IMAPControl, SMTPControl):
         self._smtp_machine = smtp
         self._smtp_machine.start()
 
+    def stop_mail_services(self):
+        """
+        Stop the IMAP and SMTP services.
+        """
+        self.imap_stop_service()
+        self.smtp_stop_service()
+
     def connect_mail_signals(self, widget):
         """
         Connects the mail signals to the mail_status widget slots.
diff --git a/src/leap/bitmask/services/mail/imapcontroller.py b/src/leap/bitmask/services/mail/imapcontroller.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d0bf4c34
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/leap/bitmask/services/mail/imapcontroller.py
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# imapcontroller.py
+# Copyright (C) 2013 LEAP
+#
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+"""
+IMAP service controller.
+"""
+import logging
+
+from leap.bitmask.services.mail import imap
+
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class IMAPController(object):
+    """
+    IMAP Controller.
+    """
+    def __init__(self, soledad, keymanager):
+        """
+        Initialize IMAP variables.
+
+        :param soledad: a transparent proxy that eventually will point to a
+                        Soledad Instance.
+        :type soledad: zope.proxy.ProxyBase
+        :param keymanager: a transparent proxy that eventually will point to a
+                           Keymanager Instance.
+        :type keymanager: zope.proxy.ProxyBase
+        """
+        self._soledad = soledad
+        self._keymanager = keymanager
+
+        self.imap_service = None
+        self.imap_port = None
+        self.imap_factory = None
+
+    def start_imap_service(self, userid, offline=False):
+        """
+        Start IMAP service.
+
+        :param userid: user id, in the form "user@provider"
+        :type userid: str
+        :param offline: whether imap should start in offline mode or not.
+        :type offline: bool
+        """
+        logger.debug('Starting imap service')
+
+        self.imap_service, self.imap_port, \
+            self.imap_factory = imap.start_imap_service(
+                self._soledad,
+                self._keymanager,
+                userid=userid,
+                offline=offline)
+
+        if offline is False:
+            logger.debug("Starting loop")
+            self.imap_service.start_loop()
+
+    def stop_imap_service(self, cv):
+        """
+        Stop IMAP service (fetcher, factory and port).
+
+        :param cv: A condition variable to which we can signal when imap
+                   indeed stops.
+        :type cv: threading.Condition
+        """
+        if self.imap_service is not None:
+            # Stop the loop call in the fetcher
+            self.imap_service.stop()
+            self.imap_service = None
+
+            # Stop listening on the IMAP port
+            self.imap_port.stopListening()
+
+            # Stop the protocol
+            self.imap_factory.theAccount.closed = True
+            self.imap_factory.doStop(cv)
+        else:
+            # Release the condition variable so the caller doesn't have to wait
+            cv.acquire()
+            cv.notify()
+            cv.release()
+
+    def fetch_incoming_mail(self):
+        """
+        Fetch incoming mail.
+        """
+        if self.imap_service:
+            logger.debug('Client connected, fetching mail...')
+            self.imap_service.fetch()
diff --git a/src/leap/bitmask/services/mail/smtpbootstrapper.py b/src/leap/bitmask/services/mail/smtpbootstrapper.py
index 7ecf8134..785fe404 100644
--- a/src/leap/bitmask/services/mail/smtpbootstrapper.py
+++ b/src/leap/bitmask/services/mail/smtpbootstrapper.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ from leap.bitmask.services.mail.smtpconfig import SMTPConfig
 from leap.bitmask.util import is_file
 
 from leap.common import certs as leap_certs
-from leap.common.check import leap_assert, leap_assert_type
+from leap.common.check import leap_assert
 from leap.common.files import check_and_fix_urw_only
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -38,6 +38,10 @@ class NoSMTPHosts(Exception):
     """This is raised when there is no SMTP host to use."""
 
 
+class MalformedUserId(Exception):
+    """This is raised when an userid does not have the form user@provider."""
+
+
 class SMTPBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
     """
     SMTP init procedure
@@ -126,15 +130,10 @@ class SMTPBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
             smtp_key=client_cert_path,
             encrypted_only=False)
 
-    def start_smtp_service(self, provider_config, smtp_config, keymanager,
-                           userid, download_if_needed=False):
+    def start_smtp_service(self, keymanager, userid, download_if_needed=False):
         """
         Starts the SMTP service.
 
-        :param provider_config: Provider configuration
-        :type provider_config: ProviderConfig
-        :param smtp_config: SMTP configuration to populate
-        :type smtp_config: SMTPConfig
         :param keymanager: a transparent proxy that eventually will point to a
                            Keymanager Instance.
         :type keymanager: zope.proxy.ProxyBase
@@ -144,12 +143,15 @@ class SMTPBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
                                    for the file
         :type download_if_needed: bool
         """
-        leap_assert_type(provider_config, ProviderConfig)
-        leap_assert_type(smtp_config, SMTPConfig)
+        try:
+            username, domain = userid.split('@')
+        except ValueError:
+            logger.critical("Malformed userid parameter!")
+            raise MalformedUserId()
 
-        self._provider_config = provider_config
+        self._provider_config = ProviderConfig.get_provider_config(domain)
         self._keymanager = keymanager
-        self._smtp_config = smtp_config
+        self._smtp_config = SMTPConfig()
         self._useid = userid
         self._download_if_needed = download_if_needed
 
diff --git a/src/leap/bitmask/services/soledad/soledadbootstrapper.py b/src/leap/bitmask/services/soledad/soledadbootstrapper.py
index 6bb7c036..2bdad7e2 100644
--- a/src/leap/bitmask/services/soledad/soledadbootstrapper.py
+++ b/src/leap/bitmask/services/soledad/soledadbootstrapper.py
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ import sys
 from ssl import SSLError
 from sqlite3 import ProgrammingError as sqlite_ProgrammingError
 
-from PySide import QtCore
 from u1db import errors as u1db_errors
 from twisted.internet import threads
 from zope.proxy import sameProxiedObjects
@@ -134,16 +133,11 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
     MAX_INIT_RETRIES = 10
     MAX_SYNC_RETRIES = 10
 
-    # All dicts returned are of the form
-    # {"passed": bool, "error": str}
-    download_config = QtCore.Signal(dict)
-    gen_key = QtCore.Signal(dict)
-    local_only_ready = QtCore.Signal(dict)
-    soledad_invalid_auth_token = QtCore.Signal()
-    soledad_failed = QtCore.Signal()
+    def __init__(self, signaler=None):
+        AbstractBootstrapper.__init__(self, signaler)
 
-    def __init__(self):
-        AbstractBootstrapper.__init__(self)
+        if signaler is not None:
+            self._cancel_signal = signaler.SOLEDAD_CANCELLED_BOOTSTRAP
 
         self._provider_config = None
         self._soledad_config = None
@@ -181,16 +175,22 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
         Instantiate Soledad for offline use.
 
         :param username: full user id (user@provider)
-        :type username: basestring
+        :type username: str or unicode
         :param password: the soledad passphrase
         :type password: unicode
         :param uuid: the user uuid
-        :type uuid: basestring
+        :type uuid: str or unicode
         """
         print "UUID ", uuid
         self._address = username
+        self._password = password
         self._uuid = uuid
-        return self.load_and_sync_soledad(uuid, offline=True)
+        try:
+            self.load_and_sync_soledad(uuid, offline=True)
+            self._signaler.signal(self._signaler.SOLEDAD_OFFLINE_FINISHED)
+        except Exception:
+            # TODO: we should handle more specific exceptions in here
+            self._signaler.signal(self._signaler.SOLEDAD_OFFLINE_FAILED)
 
     def _get_soledad_local_params(self, uuid, offline=False):
         """
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
     def _do_soledad_init(self, uuid, secrets_path, local_db_path,
                          server_url, cert_file, token):
         """
-        Initialize soledad, retry if necessary and emit soledad_failed if we
+        Initialize soledad, retry if necessary and raise an exception if we
         can't succeed.
 
         :param uuid: user identifier
@@ -263,19 +263,22 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
         :param auth token: auth token
         :type auth_token: str
         """
-        init_tries = self.MAX_INIT_RETRIES
-        while init_tries > 0:
+        init_tries = 1
+        while init_tries <= self.MAX_INIT_RETRIES:
             try:
+                logger.debug("Trying to init soledad....")
                 self._try_soledad_init(
                     uuid, secrets_path, local_db_path,
                     server_url, cert_file, token)
                 logger.debug("Soledad has been initialized.")
                 return
             except Exception:
-                init_tries -= 1
+                init_tries += 1
+                msg = "Init failed, retrying... (retry {0} of {1})".format(
+                    init_tries, self.MAX_INIT_RETRIES)
+                logger.warning(msg)
                 continue
 
-        self.soledad_failed.emit()
         raise SoledadInitError()
 
     def load_and_sync_soledad(self, uuid=None, offline=False):
@@ -306,9 +309,8 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
         leap_assert(not sameProxiedObjects(self._soledad, None),
                     "Null soledad, error while initializing")
 
-        if flags.OFFLINE is True:
+        if flags.OFFLINE:
             self._init_keymanager(self._address, token)
-            self.local_only_ready.emit({self.PASSED_KEY: True})
         else:
             try:
                 address = make_address(
@@ -353,9 +355,10 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
         Do several retries to get an initial soledad sync.
         """
         # and now, let's sync
-        sync_tries = self.MAX_SYNC_RETRIES
-        while sync_tries > 0:
+        sync_tries = 1
+        while sync_tries <= self.MAX_SYNC_RETRIES:
             try:
+                logger.debug("Trying to sync soledad....")
                 self._try_soledad_sync()
                 logger.debug("Soledad has been synced.")
                 # so long, and thanks for all the fish
@@ -368,19 +371,20 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
                 # retry strategy can be pushed to u1db, or at least
                 # it's something worthy to talk about with the
                 # ubuntu folks.
-                sync_tries -= 1
+                sync_tries += 1
+                msg = "Sync failed, retrying... (retry {0} of {1})".format(
+                    sync_tries, self.MAX_SYNC_RETRIES)
+                logger.warning(msg)
                 continue
             except InvalidAuthTokenError:
-                self.soledad_invalid_auth_token.emit()
+                self._signaler.signal(
+                    self._signaler.SOLEDAD_INVALID_AUTH_TOKEN)
                 raise
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.exception("Unhandled error while syncing "
                                  "soledad: %r" % (e,))
                 break
 
-        # reached bottom, failed to sync
-        # and there's nothing we can do...
-        self.soledad_failed.emit()
         raise SoledadSyncError()
 
     def _try_soledad_init(self, uuid, secrets_path, local_db_path,
@@ -443,7 +447,6 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
         Raises SoledadSyncError if not successful.
         """
         try:
-            logger.debug("trying to sync soledad....")
             self._soledad.sync()
         except SSLError as exc:
             logger.error("%r" % (exc,))
@@ -467,7 +470,6 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
         """
         Download the Soledad config for the given provider
         """
-
         leap_assert(self._provider_config,
                     "We need a provider configuration!")
         logger.debug("Downloading Soledad config for %s" %
@@ -480,14 +482,6 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
             self._session,
             self._download_if_needed)
 
-        # soledad config is ok, let's proceed to load and sync soledad
-        # XXX but honestly, this is a pretty strange entry point for that.
-        # it feels like it should be the other way around:
-        # load_and_sync, and from there, if needed, call download_config
-
-        uuid = self.srpauth.get_uuid()
-        self.load_and_sync_soledad(uuid)
-
     def _get_gpg_bin_path(self):
         """
         Return the path to gpg binary.
@@ -574,7 +568,7 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
                 logger.exception(exc)
                 # but we do not raise
 
-    def _gen_key(self, _):
+    def _gen_key(self):
         """
         Generates the key pair if needed, uploads it to the webapp and
         nickserver
@@ -613,10 +607,7 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
 
         logger.debug("Key generated successfully.")
 
-    def run_soledad_setup_checks(self,
-                                 provider_config,
-                                 user,
-                                 password,
+    def run_soledad_setup_checks(self, provider_config, user, password,
                                  download_if_needed=False):
         """
         Starts the checks needed for a new soledad setup
@@ -640,9 +631,27 @@ class SoledadBootstrapper(AbstractBootstrapper):
         self._user = user
         self._password = password
 
-        cb_chain = [
-            (self._download_config, self.download_config),
-            (self._gen_key, self.gen_key)
-        ]
+        if flags.OFFLINE:
+            signal_finished = self._signaler.SOLEDAD_OFFLINE_FINISHED
+            signal_failed = self._signaler.SOLEDAD_OFFLINE_FAILED
+        else:
+            signal_finished = self._signaler.SOLEDAD_BOOTSTRAP_FINISHED
+            signal_failed = self._signaler.SOLEDAD_BOOTSTRAP_FAILED
 
-        return self.addCallbackChain(cb_chain)
+        try:
+            self._download_config()
+
+            # soledad config is ok, let's proceed to load and sync soledad
+            uuid = self.srpauth.get_uuid()
+            self.load_and_sync_soledad(uuid)
+
+            if not flags.OFFLINE:
+                self._gen_key()
+
+            self._signaler.signal(signal_finished)
+        except Exception as e:
+            # TODO: we should handle more specific exceptions in here
+            self._soledad = None
+            self._keymanager = None
+            logger.exception("Error while bootstrapping Soledad: %r" % (e, ))
+            self._signaler.signal(signal_failed)