Merge branch 'develop'

56 files changed, 5714 insertions, 917 deletions

diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/acme.rb b/lib/leap_cli/acme.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6c7dbe98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/acme.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+require 'openssl'
+require 'acme-client'
+
+#
+# A little bit of sugar around gem acme-client
+#
+
+module LeapCli
+  class Acme
+
+    if ENV['ACME_STAGING']
+      ENDPOINT = 'https://acme-staging.api.letsencrypt.org/'
+      puts "using endpoint " + ENDPOINT
+    else
+      ENDPOINT = 'https://acme-v01.api.letsencrypt.org/'
+    end
+
+    def initialize(domain: nil, key:)
+      @client = ::Acme::Client.new(
+        private_key: key,
+        endpoint: ENDPOINT,
+        connection_options: {request: {open_timeout: 5, timeout: 5}}
+      )
+      @domain = domain
+    end
+
+    #
+    # static methods
+    #
+
+    def self.new_private_key
+      return OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(4096)
+    end
+
+    def self.load_private_key(pem_encoded_key)
+      return OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(pem_encoded_key)
+    end
+
+    def self.load_csr(pem_encoded_csr)
+      return OpenSSL::X509::Request.new(pem_encoded_csr)
+    end
+
+    #
+    # instance methods
+    #
+
+    #
+    # register a new account key with CA
+    #
+    def register(contact)
+      registration = @client.register(contact: 'mailto:' + contact)
+      if registration && registration.agree_terms
+        return registration
+      else
+        return false
+      end
+    end
+
+    #
+    # authorize account key for domain
+    #
+    def authorize
+      authorization = @client.authorize(domain: @domain)
+      challenge = nil
+      begin
+        while true
+          if authorization.status == 'pending'
+            challenge = authorization.http01
+            yield challenge
+            challenge.request_verification
+            sleep 1
+            authorization.verify_status
+            if challenge.error
+              return 'error', challenge.error
+            end
+          elsif authorization.status == 'invalid'
+            challenge_msg = (challenge.nil? ? '' : challenge.error)
+            return 'error', 'Something bad happened. %s' % challenge_msg
+          elsif authorization.status == 'valid'
+            return 'valid', nil
+          else
+            challenge_msg = (challenge.nil? ? '' : challenge.error)
+            return 'error', 'status: %s, response message: %s' % [authorization.status, challenge_msg]
+          end
+        end
+      rescue Interrupt
+        return 'error', 'interrupted'
+      end
+    rescue ::Acme::Client::Error::Unauthorized => exc
+      return 'unauthorized', exc.to_s
+    end
+
+    #
+    # get new certificate
+    #
+    def get_certificate(csr)
+      return @client.new_certificate(csr)
+    end
+
+  end
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/cloud.rb b/lib/leap_cli/cloud.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..268cea38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/cloud.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+
+require 'fog/aws'
+require_relative 'cloud/cloud.rb'
+require_relative 'cloud/image.rb'
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/cloud/cloud.rb b/lib/leap_cli/cloud/cloud.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2c06e7ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/cloud/cloud.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,380 @@
+#
+# An abstractions in front of Fog, which is an abstraction in front of
+# the AWS api. Oh my!
+#
+# A Cloud object binds a particular node with particular Fog
+# authentication credentials.
+#
+# NOTE: Possible AWS options for creating instances:
+#
+# options = {
+#   'BlockDeviceMapping'          => block_device_mapping,
+#   'NetworkInterfaces'           => network_interfaces,
+#   'ClientToken'                 => client_token,
+#   'DisableApiTermination'       => disable_api_termination,
+#   'EbsOptimized'                => ebs_optimized,
+#   'IamInstanceProfile.Arn'      => @iam_instance_profile_arn,
+#   'IamInstanceProfile.Name'     => @iam_instance_profile_name,
+#   'InstanceInitiatedShutdownBehavior' => instance_initiated_shutdown_behavior,
+#   'InstanceType'                => flavor_id,
+#   'KernelId'                    => kernel_id,
+#   'KeyName'                     => key_name,
+#   'Monitoring.Enabled'          => monitoring,
+#   'Placement.AvailabilityZone'  => availability_zone,
+#   'Placement.GroupName'         => placement_group,
+#   'Placement.Tenancy'           => tenancy,
+#   'PrivateIpAddress'            => private_ip_address,
+#   'RamdiskId'                   => ramdisk_id,
+#   'SecurityGroup'               => groups,
+#   'SecurityGroupId'             => security_group_ids,
+#   'SubnetId'                    => subnet_id,
+#   'UserData'                    => user_data,
+# }
+#
+
+module LeapCli
+  class Cloud
+    DEFAULT_INSTANCE_OPTIONS = {
+      "InstanceType" => "t2.nano"
+    }
+    LEAP_SG_NAME = 'leap_default'
+    LEAP_SG_DESC = 'Default security group for LEAP nodes'
+
+    include LeapCli::LogCommand
+
+    attr_reader :compute  # Fog::Compute object
+    attr_reader :node     # Config::Node, if any
+    attr_reader :options  # options for the VMs, if any
+    attr_reader :image    # which vm image to use, if any
+    attr_reader :name     # name of which entry in cloud.json to use
+
+    def initialize(name, conf, node=nil)
+      @node = node
+      @name = name
+      @conf = conf
+      @compute = nil
+      @options = DEFAULT_INSTANCE_OPTIONS
+      @image = nil
+
+      raise ArgumentError, 'name missing' unless @name
+      raise ArgumentError, 'config missing' unless @conf
+      raise ArgumentError, 'config auth missing' unless @conf["auth"]
+      raise ArgumentError, 'config auth missing' unless @conf["vendor"]
+
+      credentials = @conf["auth"].symbolize_keys
+      credentials[:provider] = @conf["vendor"]
+      @compute = Fog::Compute.new(credentials)
+
+      if @conf['default_options']
+        @options = @options.merge(@conf['default_options'])
+      end
+      @image = @conf['default_image'] || Cloud.aws_image(credentials[:region])
+      if @node
+        @options = @options.merge(node.vm.options) if node['vm.options']
+        @image   = node.vm.image if node['vm.image']
+      end
+
+      unless @options['InstanceType']
+        raise ArgumentError, 'VM instance type is required. See https://leap.se/virtual-machines for more information.'
+      end
+      unless @image
+        raise ArgumentError, 'VM image is required. See https://leap.se/virtual-machines for more information.'
+      end
+    end
+
+    #
+    # fetches or creates a server for this cloud object.
+    #
+    def fetch_or_create_server(options)
+      fetch_server_for_node || create_new_vm_instance(choose_ssh_key: options[:choose_ssh_key])
+    end
+
+    #
+    # fetches the server for a particular node.
+    #
+    # return nil if this cloud object has no node, or there is no corresponding
+    # server.
+    #
+    def fetch_server_for_node(bail_on_failure=false)
+      server = nil
+      return nil unless @node
+
+      # does an instance exist that matches the node's vm.id?
+      if @node.vm_id?
+        instance_id = @node.vm.id
+        server = @compute.servers.get(instance_id)
+      end
+
+      # does an instance exist that is tagged with this node name?
+      if server.nil?
+        response = @compute.describe_instances({"tag:node_name" => @node.name})
+        # puts JSON.pretty_generate(response.body)
+        if !response.body["reservationSet"].empty?
+          instances = response.body["reservationSet"].first["instancesSet"]
+          if instances.size > 1
+            bail! "There are multiple VMs with the same node name tag! Manually remove one before continuing."
+          elsif instances.size == 1
+            instance_id = instances.first["instanceId"]
+            server = @compute.servers.get(instance_id)
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      if server.nil? && bail_on_failure
+        bail! :error, "A virtual machine could not be found for node `#{@node.name}`. Things to try:" do
+          log "check the output of `leap vm status`"
+          log "check the value of `vm.id` in #{@node.name}.json"
+          log "run `leap vm add #{@node.name}` to create a corresponding virtual machine"
+        end
+      end
+
+      return server
+    end
+
+    #
+    # associates a node with a vm
+    #
+    def bind_server_to_node(server)
+      unless @node
+        raise ArgumentError, 'no node'
+      end
+      if server.public_ip_address.nil?
+        bail! do
+          log 'The virtual machine `%s` must have an IP address in order to bind it to the configuration `%s`.' % [
+            server.id, Path.relative_path(Path.named_path([:node_config, @node.name]))]
+          log 'To fix, run `leap vm start %s`' % server.id
+        end
+      end
+
+      # assign tag
+      @compute.create_tags(server.id, {'node_name' => @node.name})
+      log :created, "association between node '%s' and vm '%s'" % [@node.name, server.id]
+
+      # update node json
+      @node.update_json({
+        "ip_address" => server.public_ip_address,
+        "vm"=> {"id"=>server.id}
+      })
+    end
+
+    #
+    # disassociates a node from a vm
+    #
+    def unbind_server_from_node(server)
+      raise ArgumentError, 'no node' unless @node
+
+      # assign tag
+      @compute.delete_tags(server.id, {'node_name' => @node.name})
+      log :removed, "association between node '%s' and vm '%s'" % [@node.name, server.id]
+
+      # update node json
+      @node.update_json({
+        "ip_address" => '0.0.0.0',
+        "vm"=> {"id" => ""}
+      })
+    end
+
+    #
+    # return an AWS KeyPair object, potentially uploading it to the server
+    # if necessary.
+    #
+    # this is used when initially creating the vm. After the first `node init`, then
+    # all sysadmins should have access to the server.
+    #
+    # NOTE: ssh and aws use different types of fingerprint
+    #
+    def find_or_create_key_pair(pick_ssh_key_method)
+      require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+      key_pair, local_key = match_ssh_key(:user_only => true)
+      if key_pair
+        log :using, "user SSH key #{local_key.filename}" do
+          log 'AWS MD5 fingerprint: ' + local_key.fingerprint(:digest => :md5, :type => :der, :encoding => :hex)
+          log 'SSH MD5 fingerprint: ' + local_key.fingerprint(:digest => :md5, :type => :ssh, :encoding => :hex)
+          log 'SSH SHA256 fingerprint: ' + local_key.fingerprint(:digest => :sha256, :type => :ssh, :encoding => :base64)
+        end
+      elsif key_pair.nil?
+        username, key = pick_ssh_key_method.call(self)
+        key_pair = upload_ssh_key(username, key)
+      end
+      return key_pair
+    end
+
+    #
+    # checks if there is a match between a local key and a registered key_pair
+    #
+    # options:
+    #   :key_pair -- limit comparisons to this key_pair object.
+    #   :user_only -- limit comparisons to the user's ~/.ssh directory only
+    #
+    # returns:
+    #
+    #   key_pair -- an AWS KeyPair
+    #   local_key -- a LeapCLi::SSH::Key
+    #
+    def match_ssh_key(options={})
+      key_pair = options[:key_pair]
+      local_keys_to_check = LeapCli::SSH::Key.my_public_keys
+      unless options[:user_only]
+        local_keys_to_check += LeapCli::SSH::Key.provider_public_keys
+      end
+      fingerprints = Hash[local_keys_to_check.map {|k|
+        [k.fingerprint(:digest => :md5, :type => :der, :encoding => :hex), k]
+      }]
+      key_pair ||= @compute.key_pairs.select {|key_pair|
+        fingerprints.include?(key_pair.fingerprint)
+      }.first
+      if key_pair
+        local_key = fingerprints[key_pair.fingerprint]
+        return key_pair, local_key
+      else
+        return nil, nil
+      end
+    end
+
+    def wait_for_ssh_host_key(server)
+      require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+      return nil if Fog.mock?
+      tries = 0
+      host_key = nil
+      cloud = self
+      server.wait_for {
+        if tries > 0
+          LeapCli.log :waiting, "for SSH host key..."
+        elsif tries > 20
+          return nil
+        end
+        tries += 1
+        ssh_host_keys = cloud.ssh_host_keys(server)
+        if ssh_host_keys.nil?
+          false
+        else
+          host_key = SSH::Key.pick_best_key(ssh_host_keys)
+          true
+        end
+      }
+      return host_key
+    end
+
+    #
+    # checks the console of the server for the ssh host keys
+    #
+    # returns nil if they cannot be found.
+    #
+    def ssh_host_keys(server)
+      require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+      return nil if Fog.mock?
+      response = @compute.get_console_output(server.id)
+      output = response.body["output"]
+      if output.nil?
+        return nil
+      end
+      keys = output.match(
+        /-----BEGIN SSH HOST KEY KEYS-----(.*)-----END SSH HOST KEY KEYS-----/m
+      )
+      if keys.nil?
+        return nil
+      else
+        ssh_key_list = keys[1].strip.split("\r\n").map {|key_str|
+          SSH::Key.load(key_str)
+        }
+        return ssh_key_list.compact
+      end
+    end
+
+    private
+
+    #
+    # Every AWS instance requires a security group, which is just a simple firewall.
+    # In the future, we could create a separate security group for each node,
+    # and set the rules to match what the rules should be for that node.
+    #
+    # However, for now, we just use a security group 'leap_default' that opens
+    # all the ports.
+    #
+    # The default behavior for AWS security groups is:
+    # all ingress traffic is blocked and all egress traffic is allowed.
+    #
+    def find_or_create_security_group
+      group = @compute.security_groups.get(LEAP_SG_NAME)
+      if group.nil?
+        group = @compute.security_groups.create(
+          :name => LEAP_SG_NAME,
+          :description => LEAP_SG_DESC
+        )
+        group.authorize_port_range(0..65535,
+          :ip_protocol => 'tcp',
+          :cidr_ip => '0.0.0.0/0',
+        )
+        group.authorize_port_range(0..65535,
+          :ip_protocol => 'udp',
+          :cidr_ip => '0.0.0.0/0',
+        )
+      end
+      return group
+    end
+
+    #
+    # key - a LeapCli::SSH::Key object
+    # returns -- AWS KeyPair
+    #
+    def upload_ssh_key(username, key)
+      key_name = 'leap_' + username
+      key_pair = @compute.key_pairs.create(
+       :name => key_name,
+       :public_key => key.public_key.to_s
+      )
+      log :registered, "public key" do
+        log 'cloud provider: ' + @name
+        log 'name: ' + key_name
+        log 'AWS MD5 fingerprint: ' + key.fingerprint(:digest => :md5, :type => :der, :encoding => :hex)
+        log 'SSH MD5 fingerprint: ' + key.fingerprint(:digest => :md5, :type => :ssh, :encoding => :hex)
+        log 'SSH SHA256 fingerprint: ' + key.fingerprint(:digest => :sha256, :type => :ssh, :encoding => :base64)
+      end
+      return key_pair
+    end
+
+    def create_new_vm_instance(choose_ssh_key: nil)
+      log :creating, "new vm instance..."
+      assert! @image, "No image found. Specify `default_image` in cloud.json or `vm.image` in node's config."
+      if Fog.mock?
+        options = @options
+      else
+        key_pair       = find_or_create_key_pair(choose_ssh_key)
+        security_group = find_or_create_security_group
+        options = @options.merge({
+          'KeyName' => key_pair.name,
+          'SecurityGroup' => security_group.name
+        })
+      end
+      response = @compute.run_instances(
+        @image,
+        1, # min count
+        1, # max count
+        options
+      )
+      instance_id = response.body["instancesSet"].first["instanceId"]
+      log :created, "vm with instance id #{instance_id}."
+      server = @compute.servers.get(instance_id)
+      if server.nil?
+        bail! :error, "could not query instance '#{instance_id}'."
+      end
+      unless Fog.mock?
+        tries = 0
+        server.wait_for {
+          if tries > 0
+            LeapCli.log :waiting, "for IP address to be assigned..."
+          end
+          tries += 1
+          !public_ip_address.nil?
+        }
+        if options[:wait]
+          log :waiting, "for vm #{instance_id} to start..."
+          server.wait_for { ready? }
+          log :started, "#{instance_id} with #{server.public_ip_address}"
+        end
+      end
+      return server
+    end
+
+  end
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/cloud/dependencies.rb b/lib/leap_cli/cloud/dependencies.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fd690e59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/cloud/dependencies.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+#
+# I am not sure this is a good idea, but it might be. Tricky, so disabled for now
+#
+
+=begin
+module LeapCli
+  class Cloud
+
+    def self.check_required_gems
+      begin
+        require "fog"
+      rescue LoadError
+        bail! do
+          log :error, "The 'vm' command requires the gem 'fog-core'. Please run `gem install fog-core` and try again."
+        end
+      end
+
+      fog_gems = @cloud.required_gems
+      if !options[:mock] && fog_gems.empty?
+        bail! do
+          log :warning, "no vm providers are configured in cloud.json."
+          log "You must have credentials for one of: #{@cloud.possible_apis.join(', ')}."
+        end
+      end
+
+      fog_gems.each do |name, gem_name|
+        begin
+          require gem_name.sub('-','/')
+        rescue LoadError
+          bail! do
+            log :error, "The 'vm' command requires the gem '#{gem_name}' (because of what is configured in cloud.json)."
+            log "Please run `sudo gem install #{gem_name}` and try again."
+          end
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+  end
+end
+=end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/cloud/image.rb b/lib/leap_cli/cloud/image.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1f7f47b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/cloud/image.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+module LeapCli
+  class Cloud
+
+    #
+    # returns the latest official debian image for
+    # a particular AWS region
+    #
+    # https://wiki.debian.org/Cloud/AmazonEC2Image/Jessie
+    # current list based on Debian 8.4
+    #
+    # might return nil if no image is found.
+    #
+    def self.aws_image(region)
+       image_list = %q[
+  ap-northeast-1 ami-d7d4c5b9
+  ap-northeast-2 ami-9a03caf4
+  ap-southeast-1 ami-73974210
+  ap-southeast-2 ami-09daf96a
+  eu-central-1 ami-ccc021a3
+  eu-west-1 ami-e079f893
+  sa-east-1 ami-d3ae21bf
+  us-east-1 ami-c8bda8a2
+  us-west-1 ami-45374b25
+  us-west-2 ami-98e114f8
+  ]
+      region_to_image = Hash[image_list.strip.split("\n").map{|i| i.split(" ")}]
+      return region_to_image[region]
+    end
+
+  end
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/ca.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/ca.rb
index 1b311eee..3c5fc7d5 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/ca.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/ca.rb
@@ -1,8 +1,3 @@
-autoload :OpenSSL, 'openssl'
-autoload :CertificateAuthority, 'certificate_authority'
-autoload :Date, 'date'
-require 'digest/md5'
-
 module LeapCli; module Commands
 
   desc "Manage X.509 certificates"
@@ -35,41 +30,15 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     cert.desc 'Creates a Diffie-Hellman parameter file, needed for forward secret OpenVPN ciphers.' # (needed for server-side of some TLS connections)
     cert.command :dh do |dh|
       dh.action do |global_options,options,args|
-        long_running do
-          if cmd_exists?('certtool')
-            log 0, 'Generating DH parameters (takes a long time)...'
-            output = assert_run!('certtool --generate-dh-params --sec-param high')
-            output.sub! /.*(-----BEGIN DH PARAMETERS-----.*-----END DH PARAMETERS-----).*/m, '\1'
-            output << "\n"
-            write_file!(:dh_params, output)
-          else
-            log 0, 'Generating DH parameters (takes a REALLY long time)...'
-            output = OpenSSL::PKey::DH.generate(3248).to_pem
-            write_file!(:dh_params, output)
-          end
-        end
+        generate_dh
       end
     end
 
-    #
-    # hints:
-    #
-    # inspect CSR:
-    #   openssl req -noout -text -in files/cert/x.csr
-    #
-    # generate CSR with openssl to see how it compares:
-    #   openssl req -sha256 -nodes -newkey rsa:2048 -keyout example.key -out example.csr
-    #
-    # validate a CSR:
-    #   http://certlogik.com/decoder/
-    #
-    # nice details about CSRs:
-    #   http://www.redkestrel.co.uk/Articles/CSR.html
-    #
     cert.desc "Creates a CSR for use in buying a commercial X.509 certificate."
     cert.long_desc "Unless specified, the CSR is created for the provider's primary domain. "+
       "The properties used for this CSR come from `provider.ca.server_certificates`, "+
       "but may be overridden here."
+    cert.arg_name "DOMAIN"
     cert.command :csr do |csr|
       csr.flag 'domain', :arg_name => 'DOMAIN', :desc => 'Specify what domain to create the CSR for.'
       csr.flag ['organization', 'O'], :arg_name => 'ORGANIZATION', :desc => "Override default O in distinguished name."
@@ -81,70 +50,26 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
       csr.flag :bits, :arg_name => 'BITS', :desc => "Override default certificate bit length"
       csr.flag :digest, :arg_name => 'DIGEST', :desc => "Override default signature digest"
       csr.action do |global_options,options,args|
-        assert_config! 'provider.domain'
-        assert_config! 'provider.name'
-        assert_config! 'provider.default_language'
-        assert_config! 'provider.ca.server_certificates.bit_size'
-        assert_config! 'provider.ca.server_certificates.digest'
-        domain = options[:domain] || provider.domain
-
-        unless global_options[:force]
-          assert_files_missing! [:commercial_key, domain], [:commercial_csr, domain],
-            :msg => 'If you really want to create a new key and CSR, remove these files first or run with --force.'
-        end
-
-        server_certificates = provider.ca.server_certificates
-
-        # RSA key
-        keypair = CertificateAuthority::MemoryKeyMaterial.new
-        bit_size = (options[:bits] || server_certificates.bit_size).to_i
-        log :generating, "%s bit RSA key" % bit_size do
-          keypair.generate_key(bit_size)
-          write_file! [:commercial_key, domain], keypair.private_key.to_pem
-        end
-
-        # CSR
-        dn  = CertificateAuthority::DistinguishedName.new
-        dn.common_name   = domain
-        dn.organization  = options[:organization] || provider.name[provider.default_language]
-        dn.ou            = options[:organizational_unit] # optional
-        dn.email_address = options[:email] # optional
-        dn.country       = options[:country] || server_certificates['country']   # optional
-        dn.state         = options[:state] || server_certificates['state']       # optional
-        dn.locality      = options[:locality] || server_certificates['locality'] # optional
-
-        digest = options[:digest] || server_certificates.digest
-        log :generating, "CSR with #{digest} digest and #{print_dn(dn)}" do
-          csr = create_csr(dn, keypair, digest)
-          request = csr.to_x509_csr
-          write_file! [:commercial_csr, domain], csr.to_pem
-        end
+        generate_csr(global_options, options, args)
+      end
+    end
 
-        # Sign using our own CA, for use in testing but hopefully not production.
-        # It is not that commerical CAs are so secure, it is just that signing your own certs is
-        # a total drag for the user because they must click through dire warnings.
-        #if options[:sign]
-          log :generating, "self-signed x509 server certificate for testing purposes" do
-            cert = csr.to_cert
-            cert.serial_number.number = cert_serial_number(domain)
-            cert.not_before = yesterday
-            cert.not_after  = yesterday.advance(:years => 1)
-            cert.parent = ca_root
-            cert.sign! domain_test_signing_profile
-            write_file! [:commercial_cert, domain], cert.to_pem
-            log "please replace this file with the real certificate you get from a CA using #{Path.relative_path([:commercial_csr, domain])}"
-          end
-        #end
+    cert.desc "Register an authorization key with the CA letsencrypt.org"
+    cert.long_desc "This only needs to be done once."
+    cert.command :register do |register|
+      register.action do |global, options, args|
+        do_register_key(global, options, args)
+      end
+    end
 
-        # FAKE CA
-        unless file_exists? :commercial_ca_cert
-          log :using, "generated CA in place of commercial CA for testing purposes" do
-            write_file! :commercial_ca_cert, read_file!(:ca_cert)
-            log "please also replace this file with the CA cert from the commercial authority you use."
-          end
-        end
+    cert.desc "Renews a certificate using the CA letsencrypt.org"
+    cert.arg_name "DOMAIN"
+    cert.command :renew do |renew|
+      renew.action do |global, options, args|
+        do_renew_cert(global, options, args)
       end
     end
+
   end
 
   protected
@@ -153,6 +78,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
   # will generate new certificates for the specified nodes, if needed.
   #
   def update_certificates(nodes, options={})
+    require 'leap_cli/x509'
     assert_files_exist! :ca_cert, :ca_key, :msg => 'Run `leap cert ca` to create them'
     assert_config! 'provider.ca.server_certificates.bit_size'
     assert_config! 'provider.ca.server_certificates.digest'
@@ -160,382 +86,281 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     assert_config! 'common.x509.use'
 
     nodes.each_node do |node|
-      warn_if_commercial_cert_will_soon_expire(node)
+      node.warn_if_commercial_cert_will_soon_expire
       if !node.x509.use
         remove_file!([:node_x509_key, node.name])
         remove_file!([:node_x509_cert, node.name])
-      elsif options[:force] || cert_needs_updating?(node)
-        generate_cert_for_node(node)
+      elsif options[:force] || node.cert_needs_updating?
+        node.generate_cert
       end
     end
   end
 
+  #
+  # yields client key and cert suitable for testing
+  #
+  def generate_test_client_cert(prefix=nil)
+    require 'leap_cli/x509'
+    cert = CertificateAuthority::Certificate.new
+    cert.serial_number.number = cert_serial_number(provider.domain)
+    cert.subject.common_name = [prefix, random_common_name(provider.domain)].join
+    cert.not_before = X509.yesterday
+    cert.not_after  = X509.yesterday.advance(:years => 1)
+    cert.key_material.generate_key(1024) # just for testing, remember!
+    cert.parent = client_ca_root
+    cert.sign! client_test_signing_profile
+    yield cert.key_material.private_key.to_pem, cert.to_pem
+  end
+
   private
 
   def generate_new_certificate_authority(key_file, cert_file, common_name)
+    require 'leap_cli/x509'
     assert_files_missing! key_file, cert_file
     assert_config! 'provider.ca.name'
     assert_config! 'provider.ca.bit_size'
     assert_config! 'provider.ca.life_span'
 
-    root = CertificateAuthority::Certificate.new
+    root = X509.new_ca(provider.ca, common_name)
 
-    # set subject
-    root.subject.common_name = common_name
-    possible = ['country', 'state', 'locality', 'organization', 'organizational_unit', 'email_address']
-    provider.ca.keys.each do |key|
-      if possible.include?(key)
-        root.subject.send(key + '=', provider.ca[key])
+    write_file!(key_file, root.key_material.private_key.to_pem)
+    write_file!(cert_file, root.to_pem)
+  end
+
+  def generate_dh
+    require 'leap_cli/x509'
+    long_running do
+      if cmd_exists?('certtool')
+        log 0, 'Generating DH parameters (takes a long time)...'
+        output = assert_run!('certtool --generate-dh-params --sec-param high')
+        output.sub!(/.*(-----BEGIN DH PARAMETERS-----.*-----END DH PARAMETERS-----).*/m, '\1')
+        output << "\n"
+        write_file!(:dh_params, output)
+      else
+        log 0, 'Generating DH parameters (takes a REALLY long time)...'
+        output = OpenSSL::PKey::DH.generate(3248).to_pem
+        write_file!(:dh_params, output)
       end
     end
+  end
 
-    # set expiration
-    root.not_before = yesterday
-    root.not_after = yesterday_advance(provider.ca.life_span)
-
-    # generate private key
-    root.serial_number.number = 1
-    root.key_material.generate_key(provider.ca.bit_size)
+  #
+  # hints:
+  #
+  # inspect CSR:
+  #   openssl req -noout -text -in files/cert/x.csr
+  #
+  # generate CSR with openssl to see how it compares:
+  #   openssl req -sha256 -nodes -newkey rsa:2048 -keyout example.key -out example.csr
+  #
+  # validate a CSR:
+  #   http://certlogik.com/decoder/
+  #
+  # nice details about CSRs:
+  #   http://www.redkestrel.co.uk/Articles/CSR.html
+  #
+  def generate_csr(global_options, options, args)
+    require 'leap_cli/x509'
+    assert_config! 'provider.domain'
+    assert_config! 'provider.name'
+    assert_config! 'provider.default_language'
+    assert_config! 'provider.ca.server_certificates.bit_size'
+    assert_config! 'provider.ca.server_certificates.digest'
 
-    # sign self
-    root.signing_entity = true
-    root.parent = root
-    root.sign!(ca_root_signing_profile)
+    server_certificates      = provider.ca.server_certificates
+    options[:domain]       ||= args.first || provider.domain
+    options[:organization] ||= provider.name[provider.default_language]
+    options[:country]      ||= server_certificates['country']
+    options[:state]        ||= server_certificates['state']
+    options[:locality]     ||= server_certificates['locality']
+    options[:bits]         ||= server_certificates.bit_size
+    options[:digest]       ||= server_certificates.digest
+
+    unless global_options[:force]
+      assert_files_missing! [:commercial_key, options[:domain]], [:commercial_csr, options[:domain]],
+        :msg => 'If you really want to create a new key and CSR, remove these files first or run with --force.'
+    end
 
-    # save
-    write_file!(key_file, root.key_material.private_key.to_pem)
-    write_file!(cert_file, root.to_pem)
+    X509.create_csr_and_cert(options)
   end
 
   #
-  # returns true if the certs associated with +node+ need to be regenerated.
+  # letsencrypt.org
   #
-  def cert_needs_updating?(node)
-    if !file_exists?([:node_x509_cert, node.name], [:node_x509_key, node.name])
-      return true
-    else
-      cert = load_certificate_file([:node_x509_cert, node.name])
-      if !created_by_authority?(cert, ca_root)
-        log :updating, "cert for node '#{node.name}' because it was signed by an old CA root cert."
-        return true
-      end
-      if cert.not_after < Time.now.advance(:months => 2)
-        log :updating, "cert for node '#{node.name}' because it will expire soon"
-        return true
-      end
-      if cert.subject.common_name != node.domain.full
-        log :updating, "cert for node '#{node.name}' because domain.full has changed (was #{cert.subject.common_name}, now #{node.domain.full})"
-        return true
+
+  def do_register_key(global, options, args)
+    require 'leap_cli/acme'
+    assert_config! 'provider.contacts.default'
+    contact = manager.provider.contacts.default.first
+
+    if file_exists?(:acme_key) && !global[:force]
+      bail! do
+        log "the authorization key for letsencrypt.org already exists"
+        log "run with --force if you really want to register a new key."
       end
-      cert.openssl_body.extensions.each do |ext|
-        if ext.oid == "subjectAltName"
-          ips = []
-          dns_names = []
-          ext.value.split(",").each do |value|
-            value.strip!
-            ips << $1          if value =~ /^IP Address:(.*)$/
-            dns_names << $1    if value =~ /^DNS:(.*)$/
-          end
-          dns_names.sort!
-          if ips.first != node.ip_address
-            log :updating, "cert for node '#{node.name}' because ip_address has changed (from #{ips.first} to #{node.ip_address})"
-            return true
-          elsif dns_names != dns_names_for_node(node)
-            log :updating, "cert for node '#{node.name}' because domain name aliases have changed\n    from: #{dns_names.inspect}\n    to: #{dns_names_for_node(node).inspect})"
-            return true
-          end
+    else
+      private_key = Acme.new_private_key
+      registration = nil
+
+      log(:registering, "letsencrypt.org authorization key using contact `%s`" % contact) do
+        acme = Acme.new(key: private_key)
+        registration = acme.register(contact)
+        if registration
+          log 'success!', :color => :green, :style => :bold
+        else
+          bail! "could not register authorization key."
         end
       end
-    end
-    return false
-  end
 
-  def created_by_authority?(cert, ca)
-    authority_key_id = cert.extensions["authorityKeyIdentifier"].identifier.sub(/^keyid:/, '')
-    authority_key_id == public_key_id_for_ca(ca)
-  end
-
-  # calculate the "key id" for a root CA, that matches the value
-  # Authority Key Identifier in the x509 extensions of a cert.
-  def public_key_id_for_ca(ca_cert)
-    @ca_key_ids ||= {}
-    @ca_key_ids[ca_cert.object_id] ||= begin
-      pubkey = ca_cert.key_material.public_key
-      seq = OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence([
-        OpenSSL::ASN1::Integer.new(pubkey.n),
-        OpenSSL::ASN1::Integer.new(pubkey.e)
-      ])
-      Digest::SHA1.hexdigest(seq.to_der).upcase.scan(/../).join(':')
+      log :saving, "authorization key for letsencrypt.org" do
+        write_file!(:acme_key, private_key.to_pem)
+        write_file!(:acme_info, JSON.sorted_generate({
+          id: registration.id,
+          contact: registration.contact,
+          key: registration.key,
+          uri: registration.uri
+        }))
+        log :warning, "keep key file private!"
+      end
     end
   end
 
-  def warn_if_commercial_cert_will_soon_expire(node)
-    dns_names_for_node(node).each do |domain|
-      if file_exists?([:commercial_cert, domain])
-        cert = load_certificate_file([:commercial_cert, domain])
-        path = Path.relative_path([:commercial_cert, domain])
-        if cert.not_after < Time.now.utc
-          log :error, "the commercial certificate '#{path}' has EXPIRED! " +
-            "You should renew it with `leap cert csr --domain #{domain}`."
-        elsif cert.not_after < Time.now.advance(:months => 2)
-          log :warning, "the commercial certificate '#{path}' will expire soon (#{cert.not_after}). "+
-            "You should renew it with `leap cert csr --domain #{domain}`."
-        end
-      end
+  def assert_no_errors!(msg)
+    yield
+  rescue StandardError => exc
+    bail! :error, msg do
+      log exc.to_s
     end
   end
 
-  def generate_cert_for_node(node)
-    return if node.x509.use == false
-
-    cert = CertificateAuthority::Certificate.new
-
-    # set subject
-    cert.subject.common_name = node.domain.full
-    cert.serial_number.number = cert_serial_number(node.domain.full)
+  def do_renew_cert(global, options, args)
+    require 'leap_cli/acme'
+    require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+    require 'socket'
+    require 'net/http'
 
-    # set expiration
-    cert.not_before = yesterday
-    cert.not_after = yesterday_advance(provider.ca.server_certificates.life_span)
+    csr = nil
+    account_key = nil
+    cert = nil
+    acme = nil
 
-    # generate key
-    cert.key_material.generate_key(provider.ca.server_certificates.bit_size)
-
-    # sign
-    cert.parent = ca_root
-    cert.sign!(server_signing_profile(node))
-
-    # save
-    write_file!([:node_x509_key, node.name], cert.key_material.private_key.to_pem)
-    write_file!([:node_x509_cert, node.name], cert.to_pem)
-  end
-
-  #
-  # yields client key and cert suitable for testing
-  #
-  def generate_test_client_cert(prefix=nil)
-    cert = CertificateAuthority::Certificate.new
-    cert.serial_number.number = cert_serial_number(provider.domain)
-    cert.subject.common_name = [prefix, random_common_name(provider.domain)].join
-    cert.not_before = yesterday
-    cert.not_after  = yesterday.advance(:years => 1)
-    cert.key_material.generate_key(1024) # just for testing, remember!
-    cert.parent = client_ca_root
-    cert.sign! client_test_signing_profile
-    yield cert.key_material.private_key.to_pem, cert.to_pem
-  end
-
-  #
-  # creates a CSR and returns it.
-  # with the correct extReq attribute so that the CA
-  # doens't generate certs with extensions we don't want.
-  #
-  def create_csr(dn, keypair, digest)
-    csr = CertificateAuthority::SigningRequest.new
-    csr.distinguished_name = dn
-    csr.key_material = keypair
-    csr.digest = digest
-
-    # define extensions manually (library doesn't support setting these on CSRs)
-    extensions = []
-    extensions << CertificateAuthority::Extensions::BasicConstraints.new.tap {|basic|
-      basic.ca = false
-    }
-    extensions << CertificateAuthority::Extensions::KeyUsage.new.tap {|keyusage|
-      keyusage.usage = ["digitalSignature", "keyEncipherment"]
-    }
-    extensions << CertificateAuthority::Extensions::ExtendedKeyUsage.new.tap {|extkeyusage|
-      extkeyusage.usage = [ "serverAuth"]
-    }
-
-    # convert extensions to attribute 'extReq'
-    # aka "Requested Extensions"
-    factory = OpenSSL::X509::ExtensionFactory.new
-    attrval = OpenSSL::ASN1::Set([OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence(
-      extensions.map{|e| factory.create_ext(e.openssl_identifier, e.to_s, e.critical)}
-    )])
-    attrs = [
-      OpenSSL::X509::Attribute.new("extReq", attrval),
-    ]
-    csr.attributes = attrs
-
-    return csr
-  end
+    #
+    # sanity check the domain
+    #
+    domain = args.first
+    nodes  = nodes_for_domain(domain)
+    domain_ready_for_acme!(domain)
 
-  def ca_root
-    @ca_root ||= begin
-      load_certificate_file(:ca_cert, :ca_key)
+    #
+    # load key material
+    #
+    assert_files_exist!([:commercial_key, domain], [:commercial_csr, domain],
+      :msg => 'Please create the CSR first with `leap cert csr %s`' % domain)
+    assert_no_errors!("Could not load #{path([:commercial_csr, domain])}") do
+      csr = Acme.load_csr(read_file!([:commercial_csr, domain]))
     end
-  end
-
-  def client_ca_root
-    @client_ca_root ||= begin
-      load_certificate_file(:client_ca_cert, :client_ca_key)
+    assert_files_exist!(:acme_key,
+      :msg => "Please run `leap cert register` first. This only needs to be done once.")
+    assert_no_errors!("Could not load #{path(:acme_key)}") do
+      account_key = Acme.load_private_key(read_file!(:acme_key))
     end
-  end
 
-  def load_certificate_file(crt_file, key_file=nil, password=nil)
-    crt = read_file!(crt_file)
-    openssl_cert = OpenSSL::X509::Certificate.new(crt)
-    cert = CertificateAuthority::Certificate.from_openssl(openssl_cert)
-    if key_file
-      key = read_file!(key_file)
-      cert.key_material.private_key = OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(key, password)
+    #
+    # check authorization for this domain
+    #
+    log :checking, "authorization"
+    acme = Acme.new(domain: domain, key: account_key)
+    status, message = acme.authorize do |challenge|
+      log(:uploading, 'challenge to server %s' % domain) do
+        SSH.remote_command(nodes) do |ssh, host|
+          ssh.scripts.upload_acme_challenge(challenge.token, challenge.file_content)
+        end
+      end
+      log :waiting, "for letsencrypt.org to verify challenge"
+    end
+    if status == 'valid'
+      log 'authorized!', color: :green, style: :bold
+    elsif status == 'error'
+      bail! :error, message
+    elsif status == 'unauthorized'
+      bail!(:unauthorized, message, color: :yellow, style: :bold) do
+        log 'You must first run `leap cert register` to register the account key with letsencrypt.org'
+      end
     end
-    return cert
-  end
-
-  def ca_root_signing_profile
-    {
-      "extensions" => {
-        "basicConstraints" => {"ca" => true},
-        "keyUsage" => {
-          "usage" => ["critical", "keyCertSign"]
-        },
-        "extendedKeyUsage" => {
-          "usage" => []
-        }
-      }
-    }
-  end
 
-  #
-  # For keyusage, openvpn server certs can have keyEncipherment or keyAgreement.
-  # Web browsers seem to break without keyEncipherment.
-  # For now, I am using digitalSignature + keyEncipherment
-  #
-  # * digitalSignature -- for (EC)DHE cipher suites
-  #   "The digitalSignature bit is asserted when the subject public key is used
-  #    with a digital signature mechanism to support security services other
-  #    than certificate signing (bit 5), or CRL signing (bit 6). Digital
-  #    signature mechanisms are often used for entity authentication and data
-  #    origin authentication with integrity."
-  #
-  # * keyEncipherment  ==> for plain RSA cipher suites
-  #   "The keyEncipherment bit is asserted when the subject public key is used for
-  #    key transport. For example, when an RSA key is to be used for key management,
-  #    then this bit is set."
-  #
-  # * keyAgreement     ==> for used with DH, not RSA.
-  #   "The keyAgreement bit is asserted when the subject public key is used for key
-  #    agreement. For example, when a Diffie-Hellman key is to be used for key
-  #    management, then this bit is set."
-  #
-  # digest options: SHA512, SHA256, SHA1
-  #
-  def server_signing_profile(node)
-    {
-      "digest" => provider.ca.server_certificates.digest,
-      "extensions" => {
-        "keyUsage" => {
-          "usage" => ["digitalSignature", "keyEncipherment"]
-        },
-        "extendedKeyUsage" => {
-          "usage" => ["serverAuth", "clientAuth"]
-        },
-        "subjectAltName" => {
-          "ips" => [node.ip_address],
-          "dns_names" => dns_names_for_node(node)
-        }
-      }
-    }
+    log :fetching, "new certificate from letsencrypt.org"
+    assert_no_errors!("could not renew certificate") do
+      cert = acme.get_certificate(csr)
+    end
+    log 'success', color: :green, style: :bold
+    write_file!([:commercial_cert, domain], cert.fullchain_to_pem)
+    log 'You should now run `leap deploy` to deploy the new certificate.'
   end
 
   #
-  # This is used when signing the main cert for the provider's domain
-  # with our own CA (for testing purposes). Typically, this cert would
-  # be purchased from a commercial CA, and not signed this way.
+  # Returns a hash of nodes that match this domain. It also checks:
   #
-  def domain_test_signing_profile
-    {
-      "digest" => "SHA256",
-      "extensions" => {
-        "keyUsage" => {
-          "usage" => ["digitalSignature", "keyEncipherment"]
-        },
-        "extendedKeyUsage" => {
-          "usage" => ["serverAuth"]
-        }
-      }
-    }
-  end
-
+  # * a node configuration has this domain
+  # * the dns for the domain exists
   #
-  # This is used when signing a dummy client certificate that is only to be
-  # used for testing.
+  # This method will bail if any checks fail.
   #
-  def client_test_signing_profile
-    {
-      "digest" => "SHA256",
-      "extensions" => {
-        "keyUsage" => {
-          "usage" => ["digitalSignature"]
-        },
-        "extendedKeyUsage" => {
-          "usage" => ["clientAuth"]
-        }
-      }
-    }
-  end
-
-  def dns_names_for_node(node)
-    names = [node.domain.internal, node.domain.full]
-    if node['dns'] && node.dns['aliases'] && node.dns.aliases.any?
-      names += node.dns.aliases
+  def nodes_for_domain(domain)
+    bail! { log 'Argument DOMAIN is required' } if domain.nil? || domain.empty?
+    nodes = manager.nodes['dns.aliases' => domain]
+    if nodes.empty?
+      bail! :error, "There are no nodes configured for domain `%s`" % domain
     end
-    names.compact!
-    names.sort!
-    names.uniq!
-    return names
+    begin
+      ips = Socket.getaddrinfo(domain, 'http').map {|record| record[2]}.uniq
+      nodes = nodes['ip_address' => ips]
+      if nodes.empty?
+        bail! do
+          log :error, "The domain `%s` resolves to [%s]" % [domain, ips.join(', ')]
+          log :error, "But there no nodes configured for this domain with these adddresses."
+        end
+      end
+    rescue SocketError
+      bail! :error, "Could not resolve the DNS for `#{domain}`. Without a DNS " +
+        "entry for this domain, authorization will not work."
+    end
+    return nodes
   end
 
   #
-  # For cert serial numbers, we need a non-colliding number less than 160 bits.
-  # md5 will do nicely, since there is no need for a secure hash, just a short one.
-  # (md5 is 128 bits)
+  # runs the following checks on the domain:
   #
-  def cert_serial_number(domain_name)
-    Digest::MD5.hexdigest("#{domain_name} -- #{Time.now}").to_i(16)
-  end
-
+  # * we are able to get /.well-known/acme-challenge/ok
   #
-  # for the random common name, we need a text string that will be unique across all certs.
-  # ruby 1.8 doesn't have a built-in uuid generator, or we would use SecureRandom.uuid
+  # This method will bail if any checks fail.
   #
-  def random_common_name(domain_name)
-    cert_serial_number(domain_name).to_s(36)
-  end
-
-  # prints CertificateAuthority::DistinguishedName fields
-  def print_dn(dn)
-    fields = {}
-    [:common_name, :locality, :state, :country, :organization, :organizational_unit, :email_address].each do |attr|
-      fields[attr] = dn.send(attr) if dn.send(attr)
-    end
-    fields.inspect
-  end
-
-  ##
-  ## TIME HELPERS
-  ##
-  ## note: we use 'yesterday' instead of 'today', because times are in UTC, and some people on the planet
-  ## are behind UTC.
-  ##
-
-  def yesterday
-    t = Time.now - 24*24*60
-    Time.utc t.year, t.month, t.day
-  end
-
-  def yesterday_advance(string)
-    number, unit = string.split(' ')
-    unless ['years', 'months', 'days', 'hours', 'minutes'].include? unit
-      bail!("The time property '#{string}' is missing a unit (one of: years, months, days, hours, minutes).")
-    end
-    unless number.to_i.to_s == number
-      bail!("The time property '#{string}' is missing a number.")
+  def domain_ready_for_acme!(domain)
+    begin
+      uri = URI("https://#{domain}/.well-known/acme-challenge/ok")
+      options = {
+        use_ssl: true,
+        open_timeout: 5,
+        verify_mode: OpenSSL::SSL::VERIFY_NONE
+      }
+      Net::HTTP.start(uri.host, uri.port, options) do |http|
+        http.request(Net::HTTP::Get.new(uri)) do |response|
+          if !response.is_a?(Net::HTTPSuccess)
+            bail!(:error, "Could not GET %s" % uri) do
+              log "%s %s" % [response.code, response.message]
+              log "You may need to run `leap deploy`"
+            end
+          end
+        end
+      end
+    rescue Errno::ETIMEDOUT, Net::OpenTimeout
+      bail! :error, "Connection attempt timed out: %s" % uri
+    rescue Interrupt
+      bail!
+    rescue StandardError => exc
+      bail!(:error, "Could not GET %s" % uri) do
+        log exc.to_s
+      end
     end
-    yesterday.advance(unit.to_sym => number.to_i)
   end
 
 end; end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/compile.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/compile.rb
index f9079279..92c879d7 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/compile.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/compile.rb
@@ -284,7 +284,6 @@ remove this directory if you don't use it.
       # note: we use the default provider for all nodes, because we use it
       # to generate hostnames that are relative to the default domain.
       provider   = manager.env('default').provider
-      hosts_seen = {}
       lines      = []
 
       #
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/db.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/db.rb
index 5307ac4d..227d429d 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/db.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/db.rb
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
 
   def destroy_all_dbs(nodes)
     ssh_connect(nodes) do |ssh|
-      ssh.run('/etc/init.d/bigcouch stop && test ! -z "$(ls /opt/bigcouch/var/lib/ 2> /dev/null)" && rm -r /opt/bigcouch/var/lib/* && echo "All DBs destroyed" || echo "DBs already destroyed"')
+      ssh.run('/etc/init.d/couchdb stop && test ! -z "$(ls /var/lib/couchdb 2> /dev/null)" && rm -r /var/lib/couchdb/* && echo "All DBs destroyed" || echo "DBs already destroyed"')
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/deploy.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/deploy.rb
index 9dd190ab..91e25a96 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/deploy.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/deploy.rb
@@ -29,57 +29,7 @@ module LeapCli
                     :arg_name => 'IPADDRESS'
 
       c.action do |global,options,args|
-
-        if options[:dev] != true
-          init_submodules
-        end
-
-        nodes = manager.filter!(args, :disabled => false)
-        if nodes.size > 1
-          say "Deploying to these nodes: #{nodes.keys.join(', ')}"
-          if !global[:yes] && !agree("Continue? ")
-            quit! "OK. Bye."
-          end
-        end
-
-        environments = nodes.field('environment').uniq
-        if environments.empty?
-          environments = [nil]
-        end
-        environments.each do |env|
-          check_platform_pinning(env, global)
-        end
-
-        # compile hiera files for all the nodes in every environment that is
-        # being deployed and only those environments.
-        compile_hiera_files(manager.filter(environments), false)
-
-        ssh_connect(nodes, connect_options(options)) do |ssh|
-          ssh.leap.log :checking, 'node' do
-            ssh.leap.check_for_no_deploy
-            ssh.leap.assert_initialized
-          end
-          ssh.leap.log :synching, "configuration files" do
-            sync_hiera_config(ssh)
-            sync_support_files(ssh)
-          end
-          ssh.leap.log :synching, "puppet manifests" do
-            sync_puppet_files(ssh)
-          end
-          unless options[:sync]
-            ssh.leap.log :applying, "puppet" do
-              ssh.puppet.apply(:verbosity => [LeapCli.log_level,5].min,
-                :tags => tags(options),
-                :force => options[:force],
-                :info => deploy_info,
-                :downgrade => options[:downgrade]
-              )
-            end
-          end
-        end
-        if !Util.exit_status.nil? && Util.exit_status != 0
-          log :warning, "puppet did not finish successfully."
-        end
+        run_deploy(global, options, args)
       end
     end
 
@@ -94,19 +44,91 @@ module LeapCli
       c.switch :last, :desc => 'Show last deploy only',
                       :negatable => false
       c.action do |global,options,args|
-        if options[:last] == true
-          lines = 1
-        else
-          lines = 10
+        run_history(global, options, args)
+      end
+    end
+
+    private
+
+    def run_deploy(global, options, args)
+      require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+
+      if options[:dev] != true
+        init_submodules
+      end
+
+      nodes = manager.filter!(args, :disabled => false)
+      if nodes.size > 1
+        say "Deploying to these nodes: #{nodes.keys.join(', ')}"
+        if !global[:yes] && !agree("Continue? ")
+          quit! "OK. Bye."
         end
-        nodes = manager.filter!(args)
-        ssh_connect(nodes, connect_options(options)) do |ssh|
-          ssh.leap.history(lines)
+      end
+
+      environments = nodes.field('environment').uniq
+      if environments.empty?
+        environments = [nil]
+      end
+      environments.each do |env|
+        check_platform_pinning(env, global)
+      end
+
+      # compile hiera files for all the nodes in every environment that is
+      # being deployed and only those environments.
+      compile_hiera_files(manager.filter(environments), false)
+
+      log :checking, 'nodes' do
+        SSH.remote_command(nodes, options) do |ssh, host|
+          begin
+            ssh.scripts.check_for_no_deploy
+            ssh.scripts.assert_initialized
+          rescue SSH::ExecuteError
+            # skip nodes with errors, but run others
+            nodes.delete(host.hostname)
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      if nodes.empty?
+        return
+      end
+
+      log :synching, "configuration files" do
+        sync_hiera_config(nodes, options)
+        sync_support_files(nodes, options)
+      end
+      log :synching, "puppet manifests" do
+        sync_puppet_files(nodes, options)
+      end
+
+      unless options[:sync]
+        log :applying, "puppet" do
+          SSH.remote_command(nodes, options) do |ssh, host|
+            ssh.scripts.puppet_apply(
+              :verbosity => [LeapCli.log_level,5].min,
+              :tags => tags(options),
+              :force => options[:force],
+              :info => deploy_info,
+              :downgrade => options[:downgrade]
+            )
+          end
         end
       end
     end
 
-    private
+    def run_history(global, options, args)
+      require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+
+      if options[:last] == true
+        lines = 1
+      else
+        lines = 10
+      end
+      nodes = manager.filter!(args)
+      SSH.remote_command(nodes, options) do |ssh, host|
+        ssh.scripts.history(lines)
+      end
+    end
 
     def forcible_prompt(forced, msg, prompt)
       say(msg)
@@ -211,56 +233,51 @@ module LeapCli
       end
     end
 
-    def sync_hiera_config(ssh)
-      ssh.rsync.update do |server|
-        node = manager.node(server.host)
+    def sync_hiera_config(nodes, options)
+      SSH.remote_sync(nodes, options) do |sync, host|
+        node = manager.node(host.hostname)
         hiera_file = Path.relative_path([:hiera, node.name])
-        ssh.leap.log hiera_file + ' -> ' + node.name + ':' + Leap::Platform.hiera_path
-        {
-          :source => hiera_file,
-          :dest => Leap::Platform.hiera_path,
-          :flags => "-rltp --chmod=u+rX,go-rwx"
-        }
+        sync.log hiera_file + ' -> ' + node.name + ':' + Leap::Platform.hiera_path
+        sync.source = hiera_file
+        sync.dest = Leap::Platform.hiera_path
+        sync.flags = "-rltp --chmod=u+rX,go-rwx"
+        sync.exec
       end
     end
 
     #
     # sync various support files.
     #
-    def sync_support_files(ssh)
-      dest_dir = Leap::Platform.files_dir
+    def sync_support_files(nodes, options)
+      dest_dir     = Leap::Platform.files_dir
       custom_files = build_custom_file_list
-      ssh.rsync.update do |server|
-        node = manager.node(server.host)
+      SSH.remote_sync(nodes, options) do |sync, host|
+        node = manager.node(host.hostname)
         files_to_sync = node.file_paths.collect {|path| Path.relative_path(path, Path.provider) }
         files_to_sync += custom_files
         if files_to_sync.any?
-          ssh.leap.log(files_to_sync.join(', ') + ' -> ' + node.name + ':' + dest_dir)
-          {
-            :chdir => Path.named_path(:files_dir),
-            :source => ".",
-            :dest => dest_dir,
-            :excludes => "*",
-            :includes => calculate_includes_from_files(files_to_sync, '/files'),
-            :flags => "-rltp --chmod=u+rX,go-rwx --relative --delete --delete-excluded --copy-links"
-          }
-        else
-          nil
+          sync.log(files_to_sync.join(', ') + ' -> ' + node.name + ':' + dest_dir)
+          sync.chdir = Path.named_path(:files_dir)
+          sync.source = "."
+          sync.dest = dest_dir
+          sync.excludes = "*"
+          sync.includes = calculate_includes_from_files(files_to_sync, '/files')
+          sync.flags = "-rltp --chmod=u+rX,go-rwx --relative --delete --delete-excluded --copy-links"
+          sync.exec
         end
       end
     end
 
-    def sync_puppet_files(ssh)
-      ssh.rsync.update do |server|
-        ssh.leap.log(Path.platform + '/[bin,tests,puppet] -> ' + server.host + ':' + Leap::Platform.leap_dir)
-        {
-          :dest => Leap::Platform.leap_dir,
-          :source => '.',
-          :chdir => Path.platform,
-          :excludes => '*',
-          :includes => ['/bin', '/bin/**', '/puppet', '/puppet/**', '/tests', '/tests/**'],
-          :flags => "-rlt --relative --delete --copy-links"
-        }
+    def sync_puppet_files(nodes, options)
+      SSH.remote_sync(nodes, options) do |sync, host|
+        sync.log(Path.platform + '/[bin,tests,puppet] -> ' + host.hostname + ':' + Leap::Platform.leap_dir)
+        sync.dest = Leap::Platform.leap_dir
+        sync.source = '.'
+        sync.chdir = Path.platform
+        sync.excludes = '*'
+        sync.includes = ['/bin', '/bin/**', '/puppet', '/puppet/**', '/tests', '/tests/server-tests', '/tests/server-tests/**']
+        sync.flags = "-rlt --relative --delete --copy-links"
+        sync.exec
       end
     end
 
@@ -269,7 +286,7 @@ module LeapCli
     # repository.
     #
     def init_submodules
-      return unless is_git_directory?(Path.platform)
+      return unless is_git_directory?(Path.platform) && !is_git_subrepo?(Path.platform)
       Dir.chdir Path.platform do
         assert_run! "git submodule sync"
         statuses = assert_run! "git submodule status"
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/facts.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/facts.rb
index 11329ccc..74ef463d 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/facts.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/facts.rb
@@ -79,15 +79,18 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
   private
 
   def update_facts(global_options, options, args)
+    require 'leap_cli/ssh'
     nodes = manager.filter(args, :local => false, :disabled => false)
     new_facts = {}
-    ssh_connect(nodes) do |ssh|
-      ssh.leap.run_with_progress(facter_cmd) do |response|
-        node = manager.node(response[:host])
+    SSH.remote_command(nodes) do |ssh, host|
+      response = ssh.capture(facter_cmd, :log_output => false)
+      if response
+        node = manager.node(host.hostname)
         if node
-          new_facts[node.name] = response[:data].strip
+          new_facts[node.name] = response.strip
+          log 'done', :host => host.to_s
         else
-          log :warning, 'Could not find node for hostname %s' % response[:host]
+          log :warning, 'Could not find node for hostname %s' % host
         end
       end
     end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/info.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/info.rb
index 52225a94..a49c20c9 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/info.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/info.rb
@@ -5,10 +5,17 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
   arg_name 'FILTER'
   command [:info] do |c|
     c.action do |global,options,args|
-      nodes = manager.filter!(args)
-      ssh_connect(nodes, connect_options(options)) do |ssh|
-        ssh.leap.debug
-      end
+      run_info(global, options, args)
+    end
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def run_info(global, options, args)
+    require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+    nodes = manager.filter!(args)
+    SSH.remote_command(nodes, options) do |ssh, host|
+      ssh.scripts.debug
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/inspect.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/inspect.rb
index 20654fa7..b71da80e 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/inspect.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/inspect.rb
@@ -25,27 +25,22 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     "PEM certificate request" => :inspect_x509_csr
   }
 
+  SUFFIX_MAP = {
+    ".json" => :inspect_unknown_json,
+    ".key"  => :inspect_x509_key
+  }
+
   def inspection_method(object)
-    if File.exists?(object)
+    if File.exist?(object)
       ftype = `file #{object}`.split(':').last.strip
+      suffix = File.extname(object)
       log 2, "file is of type '#{ftype}'"
       if FTYPE_MAP[ftype]
         FTYPE_MAP[ftype]
-      elsif File.extname(object) == ".json"
-        full_path = File.expand_path(object, Dir.pwd)
-        if path_match?(:node_config, full_path)
-          :inspect_node
-        elsif path_match?(:service_config, full_path)
-          :inspect_service
-        elsif path_match?(:tag_config, full_path)
-          :inspect_tag
-        elsif path_match?(:provider_config, full_path) || path_match?(:provider_env_config, full_path)
-          :inspect_provider
-        elsif path_match?(:common_config, full_path)
-          :inspect_common
-        else
-          nil
-        end
+      elsif SUFFIX_MAP[suffix]
+        SUFFIX_MAP[suffix]
+      else
+        nil
       end
     elsif manager.nodes[object]
       :inspect_node
@@ -72,8 +67,10 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
   end
 
   def inspect_x509_cert(file_path, options)
+    require 'leap_cli/x509'
     assert_bin! 'openssl'
     puts assert_run! 'openssl x509 -in %s -text -noout' % file_path
+    log 0, :"SHA1 fingerprint", X509.fingerprint("SHA1", file_path)
     log 0, :"SHA256 fingerprint", X509.fingerprint("SHA256", file_path)
   end
 
@@ -123,6 +120,23 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     end
   end
 
+  def inspect_unknown_json(arg, options)
+    full_path = File.expand_path(arg, Dir.pwd)
+    if path_match?(:node_config, full_path)
+      inspect_node(arg, options)
+    elsif path_match?(:service_config, full_path)
+      inspect_service(arg, options)
+    elsif path_match?(:tag_config, full_path)
+      inspect_tag(arg, options)
+    elsif path_match?(:provider_config, full_path) || path_match?(:provider_env_config, full_path)
+      inspect_provider(arg, options)
+    elsif path_match?(:common_config, full_path)
+      inspect_common(arg, options)
+    else
+      inspect_json(arg, options)
+    end
+  end
+
   #
   # helpers
   #
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/list.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/list.rb
index aa425432..1b3efc27 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/list.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/list.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-require 'command_line_reporter'
-
 module LeapCli; module Commands
 
   desc 'List nodes and their classifications'
@@ -15,33 +13,38 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     c.flag 'print', :desc => 'What attributes to print (optional)'
     c.switch 'disabled', :desc => 'Include disabled nodes in the list.', :negatable => false
     c.action do |global_options,options,args|
-      # don't rely on default manager(), because we want to pass custom options to load()
-      manager = LeapCli::Config::Manager.new
-      if global_options[:color]
-        colors = ['cyan', 'white']
-      else
-        colors = [nil, nil]
-      end
-      puts
-      manager.load(:include_disabled => options['disabled'], :continue_on_error => true)
-      if options['print']
-        print_node_properties(manager.filter(args), options['print'])
-      else
-        if args.any?
-          NodeTable.new(manager.filter(args), colors).run
-        else
-          environment = LeapCli.leapfile.environment || '_all_'
-          TagTable.new('SERVICES', manager.env(environment).services, colors).run
-          TagTable.new('TAGS', manager.env(environment).tags, colors).run
-          NodeTable.new(manager.filter(), colors).run
-        end
-      end
+      do_list(global_options, options, args)
     end
   end
 
   private
 
-  def self.print_node_properties(nodes, properties)
+  def do_list(global, options, args)
+    require 'leap_cli/util/console_table'
+    # don't rely on default manager(), because we want to pass custom options to load()
+    manager = LeapCli::Config::Manager.new
+    if global[:color]
+      colors = [:cyan, nil]
+    else
+      colors = [nil, nil]
+    end
+    puts
+    manager.load(:include_disabled => options['disabled'], :continue_on_error => true)
+    if options['print']
+      print_node_properties(manager.filter(args), options['print'])
+    else
+      if args.any?
+        NodeTable.new(manager.filter(args), colors).run
+      else
+        environment = LeapCli.leapfile.environment || '_all_'
+        TagTable.new('SERVICES', manager.env(environment).services, colors).run
+        TagTable.new('TAGS', manager.env(environment).tags, colors).run
+        NodeTable.new(manager.filter(), colors).run
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  def print_node_properties(nodes, properties)
     properties = properties.split(',')
     max_width = nodes.keys.inject(0) {|max,i| [i.size,max].max}
     nodes.each_node do |node|
@@ -62,8 +65,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     puts
   end
 
-  class TagTable
-    include CommandLineReporter
+  class TagTable < LeapCli::Util::ConsoleTable
     def initialize(heading, tag_list, colors)
       @heading = heading
       @tag_list = tag_list
@@ -71,29 +73,24 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     end
     def run
       tags = @tag_list.keys.select{|tag| tag !~ /^_/}.sort # sorted list of tags, excluding _partials
-      max_width = [20, (tags+[@heading]).inject(0) {|max,i| [i.size,max].max}].max
-      table :border => false do
-        row :color => @colors[0]  do
-          column @heading, :align => 'right', :width => max_width
-          column "NODES", :width => HighLine::SystemExtensions.terminal_size.first - max_width - 2, :padding => 2
+      table do
+        row(color: @colors[0]) do
+          column @heading, align: 'right', min_width: 20
+          column "NODES"
         end
         tags.each do |tag|
           next if @tag_list[tag].node_list.empty?
-          row :color => @colors[1] do
+          row(color: @colors[1]) do
             column tag
             column @tag_list[tag].node_list.keys.sort.join(', ')
           end
         end
       end
-      vertical_spacing
+      draw_table
     end
   end
 
-  #
-  # might be handy: HighLine::SystemExtensions.terminal_size.first
-  #
-  class NodeTable
-    include CommandLineReporter
+  class NodeTable < LeapCli::Util::ConsoleTable
     def initialize(node_list, colors)
       @node_list = node_list
       @colors = colors
@@ -103,29 +100,25 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
         [node_name, @node_list[node_name].services.sort.join(', '), @node_list[node_name].tags.sort.join(', ')]
       end
       unless rows.any?
-        puts Paint["no results", :red]
+        puts " = " + LeapCli.logger.colorize("no results", :red)
         puts
         return
       end
-      padding = 2
-      max_node_width    = [20, (rows.map{|i|i[0]} + ["NODES"]   ).inject(0) {|max,i| [i.size,max].max}].max
-      max_service_width = (rows.map{|i|i[1]} + ["SERVICES"]).inject(0) {|max,i| [i.size+padding+padding,max].max}
-      max_tag_width     = (rows.map{|i|i[2]} + ["TAGS"]    ).inject(0) {|max,i| [i.size,max].max}
-      table :border => false do
-        row :color => @colors[0]  do
-          column "NODES", :align => 'right', :width => max_node_width
-          column "SERVICES", :width => max_service_width, :padding => 2
-          column "TAGS", :width => max_tag_width
+      table do
+        row(color: @colors[0]) do
+          column "NODES", align: 'right', min_width: 20
+          column "SERVICES"
+          column "TAGS"
         end
         rows.each do |r|
-          row :color => @colors[1] do
+          row(color: @colors[1]) do
             column r[0]
             column r[1]
             column r[2]
           end
         end
       end
-      vertical_spacing
+      draw_table
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/node.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/node.rb
index a23661b3..60540de9 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/node.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/node.rb
@@ -3,8 +3,6 @@
 #      but all other `node x` commands live here.
 #
 
-autoload :IPAddr, 'ipaddr'
-
 module LeapCli; module Commands
 
   ##
@@ -18,33 +16,16 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
                     "The format is property_name:value.",
                     "For example: `leap node add web1 ip_address:1.2.3.4 services:webapp`.",
                     "To set nested properties, property name can contain '.', like so: `leap node add web1 ssh.port:44`",
-                    "Separeate multiple values for a single property with a comma, like so: `leap node add mynode services:webapp,dns`"].join("\n\n")
+                    "Separate multiple values for a single property with a comma, like so: `leap node add mynode services:webapp,dns`"].join("\n\n")
     node.arg_name 'NAME [SEED]' # , :optional => false, :multiple => false
     node.command :add do |add|
-      add.switch :local, :desc => 'Make a local testing node (by automatically assigning the next available local IP address). Local nodes are run as virtual machines on your computer.', :negatable => false
+      add.switch :local, :desc => 'Make a local testing node (by assigning the next available local IP address). Local nodes are run as virtual machines on your computer.', :negatable => false
+      add.switch :vm, :desc => 'Make a remote virtual machine for this node. Requires a valid cloud.json configuration.', :negatable => false
       add.action do |global_options,options,args|
-        # argument sanity checks
-        name = args.first
-        assert_valid_node_name!(name, options[:local])
-        assert_files_missing! [:node_config, name]
-
-        # create and seed new node
-        node = Config::Node.new(manager.env)
-        if options[:local]
-          node['ip_address'] = pick_next_vagrant_ip_address
-        end
-        seed_node_data_from_cmd_line(node, args[1..-1])
-        seed_node_data_from_template(node)
-        validate_ip_address(node)
-        begin
-          node['name'] = name
-          json = node.dump_json(:exclude => ['name'])
-          write_file!([:node_config, name], json + "\n")
-          if file_exists? :ca_cert, :ca_key
-            generate_cert_for_node(manager.reload_node!(node))
-          end
-        rescue LeapCli::ConfigError => exc
-          remove_node_files(name)
+        if options[:vm]
+          do_vm_add(global_options, options, args)
+        else
+          do_node_add(global_options, options, args)
         end
       end
     end
@@ -53,15 +34,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     node.arg_name 'OLD_NAME NEW_NAME'
     node.command :mv do |mv|
       mv.action do |global_options,options,args|
-        node = get_node_from_args(args, include_disabled: true)
-        new_name = args.last
-        assert_valid_node_name!(new_name, node.vagrant?)
-        ensure_dir [:node_files_dir, new_name]
-        Leap::Platform.node_files.each do |path|
-          rename_file! [path, node.name], [path, new_name]
-        end
-        remove_directory! [:node_files_dir, node.name]
-        rename_node_facts(node.name, new_name)
+        do_node_move(global_options, options, args)
       end
     end
 
@@ -69,12 +42,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     node.arg_name 'NAME' #:optional => false #, :multiple => false
     node.command :rm do |rm|
       rm.action do |global_options,options,args|
-        node = get_node_from_args(args, include_disabled: true)
-        remove_node_files(node.name)
-        if node.vagrant?
-          vagrant_command("destroy --force", [node.name])
-        end
-        remove_node_facts(node.name)
+        do_node_rm(global_options, options, args)
       end
     end
   end
@@ -93,96 +61,69 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     node
   end
 
-  def seed_node_data_from_cmd_line(node, args)
-    args.each do |seed|
-      key, value = seed.split(':', 2)
-      value = format_seed_value(value)
-      assert! key =~ /^[0-9a-z\._]+$/, "illegal characters used in property '#{key}'"
-      if key =~ /\./
-        key_parts = key.split('.')
-        final_key = key_parts.pop
-        current_object = node
-        key_parts.each do |key_part|
-          current_object[key_part] ||= Config::Object.new
-          current_object = current_object[key_part]
-        end
-        current_object[final_key] = value
-      else
-        node[key] = value
-      end
-    end
-  end
+  protected
 
   #
-  # load "new node template" information into the `node`, modifying `node`.
-  # values in the template will not override existing node values.
+  # additionally called by `leap vm add`
   #
-  def seed_node_data_from_template(node)
-    node.inherit_from!(manager.template('common'))
-    [node['services']].flatten.each do |service|
-      if service
-        template = manager.template(service)
-        if template
-          node.inherit_from!(template)
-        end
-      end
+  def do_node_add(global, options, args)
+    name = args.first
+    unless global[:force]
+      assert_files_missing! [:node_config, name]
     end
-  end
-
-  def remove_node_files(node_name)
-    (Leap::Platform.node_files + [:node_files_dir]).each do |path|
-      remove_file! [path, node_name]
+    node = Config::Node.new(manager.env)
+    node['name'] = name
+    if options[:ip_address]
+      node['ip_address'] = options[:ip_address]
+    elsif options[:local]
+      node['ip_address'] = pick_next_vagrant_ip_address
     end
+    node.seed_from_args(args[1..-1])
+    node.seed_from_template
+    node.validate!
+    node.write_configs
+    # reapply inheritance, since tags/services might have changed:
+    node = manager.reload_node!(node)
+    node.generate_cert
   end
 
-  #
-  # conversions:
-  #
-  #   "x,y,z" => ["x","y","z"]
-  #
-  #   "22" => 22
-  #
-  #   "5.1" => 5.1
-  #
-  def format_seed_value(v)
-    if v =~ /,/
-      v = v.split(',')
-      v.map! do |i|
-        i = i.to_i if i.to_i.to_s == i
-        i = i.to_f if i.to_f.to_s == i
-        i
-      end
-    else
-      v = v.to_i if v.to_i.to_s == v
-      v = v.to_f if v.to_f.to_s == v
-    end
-    return v
-  end
+  private
 
-  def validate_ip_address(node)
-    if node['ip_address'] == "REQUIRED"
-      bail! do
-        log :error, "ip_address is not set. Specify with `leap node add NAME ip_address:ADDRESS`."
-      end
+  def do_node_move(global, options, args)
+    node = get_node_from_args(args, include_disabled: true)
+    new_name = args.last
+    Config::Node.validate_name!(new_name, node.vagrant?)
+    ensure_dir [:node_files_dir, new_name]
+    Leap::Platform.node_files.each do |path|
+      rename_file! [path, node.name], [path, new_name]
     end
-    IPAddr.new(node['ip_address'])
-  rescue ArgumentError
-    bail! do
-      if node['ip_address']
-        log :invalid, "ip_address #{node['ip_address'].inspect}"
-      else
-        log :missing, "ip_address"
-      end
+    remove_directory! [:node_files_dir, node.name]
+    rename_node_facts(node.name, new_name)
+    if node.vm_id?
+      node['name'] = new_name
+      bind_server_to_node(node.vm.id, node, options)
     end
   end
 
-  def assert_valid_node_name!(name, local=false)
-    assert! name, 'No <node-name> specified.'
-    if local
-      assert! name =~ /^[0-9a-z]+$/, "illegal characters used in node name '#{name}' (note: Vagrant does not allow hyphens or underscores)"
-    else
-      assert! name =~ /^[0-9a-z-]+$/, "illegal characters used in node name '#{name}' (note: Linux does not allow underscores)"
+  def do_node_rm(global, options, args)
+    node = get_node_from_args(args, include_disabled: true)
+    if node.vm?
+      if !node.vm_id?
+        log :warning, "The node #{node.name} is missing a 'vm.id' property. "+
+                      "You may have a virtual machine instance that is left "+
+                      "running. Check `leap vm status`"
+      else
+        msg = "The node #{node.name} appears to be associated with a virtual machine. " +
+              "Do you want to also destroy this virtual machine? "
+        if global[:yes] || agree(msg)
+          do_vm_rm(global, options, args)
+        end
+      end
+    elsif node.vagrant?
+      vagrant_command("destroy --force", [node.name])
     end
+    node.remove_files
+    remove_node_facts(node.name)
   end
 
 end; end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/node_init.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/node_init.rb
index 33f6288d..59661295 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/node_init.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/node_init.rb
@@ -6,58 +6,70 @@
 module LeapCli; module Commands
 
   desc 'Node management'
-  command :node do |node|
-    node.desc 'Bootstraps a node or nodes, setting up SSH keys and installing prerequisite packages'
-    node.long_desc "This command prepares a server to be used with the LEAP Platform by saving the server's SSH host key, " +
+  command :node do |cmd|
+    cmd.desc 'Bootstraps a node or nodes, setting up SSH keys and installing prerequisite packages'
+    cmd.long_desc "This command prepares a server to be used with the LEAP Platform by saving the server's SSH host key, " +
                    "copying the authorized_keys file, installing packages that are required for deploying, and registering important facts. " +
                    "Node init must be run before deploying to a server, and the server must be running and available via the network. " +
                    "This command only needs to be run once, but there is no harm in running it multiple times."
-    node.arg_name 'FILTER'
-    node.command :init do |init|
-      init.switch 'echo', :desc => 'If set, passwords are visible as you type them (default is hidden)', :negatable => false
+    cmd.arg_name 'FILTER'
+    cmd.command :init do |init|
+      #init.switch 'echo', :desc => 'If set, passwords are visible as you type them (default is hidden)', :negatable => false
+      # ^^ i am not sure how to get this working with sshkit
       init.flag :port, :desc => 'Override the default SSH port.', :arg_name => 'PORT'
       init.flag :ip,   :desc => 'Override the default SSH IP address.', :arg_name => 'IPADDRESS'
 
       init.action do |global,options,args|
-        assert! args.any?, 'You must specify a FILTER'
-        finished = []
-        manager.filter!(args).each_node do |node|
-          is_node_alive(node, options)
-          save_public_host_key(node, global, options) unless node.vagrant?
-          update_compiled_ssh_configs
-          ssh_connect_options = connect_options(options).merge({:bootstrap => true, :echo => options[:echo]})
-          ssh_connect(node, ssh_connect_options) do |ssh|
-            if node.vagrant?
-              ssh.install_insecure_vagrant_key
-            end
-            ssh.install_authorized_keys
-            ssh.install_prerequisites
-            unless node.vagrant?
-              ssh.leap.log(:checking, "SSH host keys") do
-                ssh.leap.capture(get_ssh_keys_cmd) do |response|
-                  update_local_ssh_host_keys(node, response[:data]) if response[:exitcode] == 0
-                end
-              end
-            end
-            ssh.leap.log(:updating, "facts") do
-              ssh.leap.capture(facter_cmd) do |response|
-                if response[:exitcode] == 0
-                  update_node_facts(node.name, response[:data])
-                else
-                  log :failed, "to run facter on #{node.name}"
-                end
-              end
+        run_node_init(global, options, args)
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def run_node_init(global, options, args)
+    require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+    assert! args.any?, 'You must specify a FILTER'
+    finished = []
+    manager.filter!(args).each_node do |node|
+      is_node_alive(node, options)
+      save_public_host_key(node, global, options) unless node.vagrant?
+      update_compiled_ssh_configs
+      # allow password auth for new nodes:
+      options[:auth_methods] = ["publickey", "password"]
+      if node.vm?
+        # new AWS virtual machines will only allow login as 'admin'
+        # before we continue, we must enable root access.
+        SSH.remote_command(node, options.merge(:user => 'admin')) do |ssh, host|
+          ssh.scripts.allow_root_ssh
+        end
+      end
+      SSH.remote_command(node, options) do |ssh, host|
+        if node.vagrant?
+          ssh.scripts.install_insecure_vagrant_key
+        end
+        ssh.scripts.install_authorized_keys
+        ssh.scripts.install_prerequisites
+        unless node.vagrant?
+          ssh.log(:checking, "SSH host keys") do
+            response = ssh.capture(get_ssh_keys_cmd, :log_output => false)
+            if response
+              update_local_ssh_host_keys(node, response)
             end
           end
-          finished << node.name
         end
-        log :completed, "initialization of nodes #{finished.join(', ')}"
+        ssh.log(:updating, "facts") do
+          response = ssh.capture(facter_cmd)
+          if response
+            update_node_facts(node.name, response)
+          end
+        end
       end
+      finished << node.name
     end
+    log :completed, "initialization of nodes #{finished.join(', ')}"
   end
 
-  private
-
   ##
   ## PRIVATE HELPERS
   ##
@@ -83,7 +95,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     pub_key_path = Path.named_path([:node_ssh_pub_key, node.name])
 
     if Path.exists?(pub_key_path)
-      if host_keys.include? SshKey.load(pub_key_path)
+      if host_keys.include? SSH::Key.load(pub_key_path)
         log :trusted, "- Public SSH host key for #{node.name} matches previously saved key", :indent => 1
       else
         bail! do
@@ -96,7 +108,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
       if known_key
         log :trusted, "- Public SSH host key for #{node.name} is trusted (key found in your ~/.ssh/known_hosts)"
       else
-        public_key = SshKey.pick_best_key(host_keys)
+        public_key = SSH::Key.pick_best_key(host_keys)
         if public_key.nil?
           bail!("We got back #{host_keys.size} host keys from #{node.name}, but we can't support any of them.")
         else
@@ -118,7 +130,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
 
   #
   # Get the public host keys for a host using ssh-keyscan.
-  # Return an array of SshKey objects, one for each key.
+  # Return an array of SSH::Key objects, one for each key.
   #
   def get_public_keys_for_ip(address, port=22)
     assert_bin!('ssh-keyscan')
@@ -130,7 +142,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     if output =~ /No route to host/
       bail! :failed, 'ssh-keyscan: no route to %s' % address
     else
-      keys = SshKey.parse_keys(output)
+      keys = SSH::Key.parse_keys(output)
       if keys.empty?
         bail! "ssh-keyscan got zero host keys back (that we understand)! Output was: #{output}"
       else
@@ -139,7 +151,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     end
   end
 
-  # run on the server to generate a string suitable for passing to SshKey.parse_keys()
+  # run on the server to generate a string suitable for passing to SSH::Key.parse_keys()
   def get_ssh_keys_cmd
     "/bin/grep ^HostKey /etc/ssh/sshd_config | /usr/bin/awk '{print $2 \".pub\"}' | /usr/bin/xargs /bin/cat"
   end
@@ -149,10 +161,10 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
   # stored locally. In these cases, ask the user if they want to upgrade.
   #
   def update_local_ssh_host_keys(node, remote_keys_string)
-    remote_keys = SshKey.parse_keys(remote_keys_string)
+    remote_keys = SSH::Key.parse_keys(remote_keys_string)
     return unless remote_keys.any?
-    current_key = SshKey.load(Path.named_path([:node_ssh_pub_key, node.name]))
-    best_key = SshKey.pick_best_key(remote_keys)
+    current_key = SSH::Key.load(Path.named_path([:node_ssh_pub_key, node.name]))
+    best_key = SSH::Key.pick_best_key(remote_keys)
     return unless best_key && current_key
     if current_key != best_key
       say("   One of the SSH host keys for node '#{node.name}' is better than what you currently have trusted.")
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/open.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/open.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3de97298
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/open.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+module LeapCli
+  module Commands
+
+    desc 'Opens useful URLs in a web browser.'
+    long_desc "NAME can be one or more of: monitor, web, docs, bug"
+    arg_name 'NAME'
+    command :open do |c|
+      c.flag :env, :desc => 'Which environment to use (optional).', :arg_name => 'ENVIRONMENT'
+      c.switch :ip, :desc => 'To get around HSTS or DNS, open the URL using the IP address instead of the domain (optional).'
+      c.action do |global_options,options,args|
+        do_open_cmd(global_options, options, args)
+      end
+    end
+
+    private
+
+    def do_open_cmd(global, options, args)
+      env = options[:env] || LeapCli.leapfile.environment
+      args.each do |name|
+        if name == 'monitor' || name == 'nagios'
+          open_nagios(env, options[:ip])
+        elsif name == 'web' || name == 'webapp'
+          open_webapp(env, options[:ip])
+        elsif name == 'docs' || name == 'help' || name == 'doc'
+          open_url("https://leap.se/docs")
+        elsif name == 'bug' || name == 'feature' || name == 'bugreport'
+          open_url("https://leap.se/code")
+        else
+          bail! "'#{name}' is not a recognized URL."
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+    def find_node_with_service(service, environment)
+      nodes = manager.nodes[:services => service]
+      node = nil
+      if nodes.size == 0
+        bail! "No nodes with '#{service}' service."
+      elsif nodes.size == 1
+        node = nodes.values.first
+      elsif nodes.size > 1
+        if environment
+          node = nodes[:environment => environment].values.first
+          if node.nil?
+            bail! "No nodes with '#{service}' service."
+          end
+        else
+          node_list = nodes.values
+          list = node_list.map {|i| "#{i.name} (#{i.environment})"}
+          index = numbered_choice_menu("Which #{service}?", list) do |line, i|
+            say("#{i+1}. #{line}")
+          end
+          node = node_list[index]
+        end
+      end
+      return node
+    end
+
+    def pick_domain(node, ip)
+      bail! "monitor missing webapp service" unless node["webapp"]
+      if ip
+        domain = node["ip_address"]
+      else
+        domain = node["webapp"]["domain"]
+        bail! "webapp domain is missing" unless !domain.empty?
+      end
+      return domain
+    end
+
+    def open_webapp(environment, ip)
+      node = find_node_with_service('webapp', environment)
+      domain = pick_domain(node, ip)
+      open_url("https://%s" % domain)
+    end
+
+    def open_nagios(environment, ip)
+      node = find_node_with_service('monitor', environment)
+      domain = pick_domain(node, ip)
+      username = 'nagiosadmin'
+      password = manager.secrets.retrieve("nagios_admin_password", node.environment)
+      bail! "unable to find nagios_admin_password" unless !password.nil? && !password.empty?
+      open_url("https://%s:%s@%s/nagios3" % [username, password, domain])
+    end
+
+    def open_url(url)
+      log :opening, url
+      if RbConfig::CONFIG['host_os'] =~ /mswin|mingw|cygwin/
+        system %(start "#{url}")
+      elsif RbConfig::CONFIG['host_os'] =~ /darwin/
+        system %(open "#{url}")
+      elsif RbConfig::CONFIG['host_os'] =~ /linux|bsd/
+        ['xdg-open', 'sensible-browser', 'gnome-open', 'kde-open'].each do |cmd|
+          if !`which #{cmd}`.strip.empty?
+            system %(#{cmd} "#{url}")
+            return
+          end
+        end
+        log :error, 'no command found to launch browser window.'
+      end
+    end
+
+  end
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/run.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/run.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cad9b7a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/run.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+module LeapCli; module Commands
+
+  desc 'Run a shell command remotely'
+  long_desc "Runs the specified command COMMAND on each node in the FILTER set. " +
+            "For example, `leap run 'uname -a' webapp`"
+  arg_name 'COMMAND FILTER'
+  command :run do |c|
+    c.switch 'stream', :default => false, :desc => 'If set, stream the output as it arrives. (default: --stream for a single node, --no-stream for multiple nodes)'
+    c.flag 'port', :arg_name => 'SSH_PORT', :desc => 'Override default SSH port used when trying to connect to the server.'
+    c.action do |global, options, args|
+      run_shell_command(global, options, args)
+    end
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def run_shell_command(global, options, args)
+    require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+    cmd    = args[0]
+    filter = args[1..-1]
+    cmd    = global[:force] ? cmd : LeapCli::SSH::Options.sanitize_command(cmd)
+    nodes  = manager.filter!(filter)
+    if nodes.size == 1 || options[:stream]
+      stream_command(nodes, cmd, options)
+    else
+      capture_command(nodes, cmd, options)
+    end
+  end
+
+  def capture_command(nodes, cmd, options)
+    SSH.remote_command(nodes, options) do |ssh, host|
+      output = ssh.capture(cmd, :log_output => false)
+      if output
+        logger = LeapCli.new_logger
+        logger.log(:ran, "`" + cmd + "`", host: host.hostname, color: :green) do
+          logger.log(output, wrap: true)
+        end
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  def stream_command(nodes, cmd, options)
+    SSH.remote_command(nodes, options) do |ssh, host|
+      ssh.stream(cmd, :log_cmd => true, :log_finish => true, :fail_msg => 'oops')
+    end
+  end
+
+end; end
+
+
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/ssh.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/ssh.rb
index 3887618e..03192071 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/ssh.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/ssh.rb
@@ -69,20 +69,6 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
 
   protected
 
-  #
-  # allow for ssh overrides of all commands that use ssh_connect
-  #
-  def connect_options(options)
-    connect_options = {:ssh_options=>{}}
-    if options[:port]
-      connect_options[:ssh_options][:port] = options[:port]
-    end
-    if options[:ip]
-      connect_options[:ssh_options][:host_name] = options[:ip]
-    end
-    return connect_options
-  end
-
   def ssh_config_help_message
     puts ""
     puts "Are 'too many authentication failures' getting you down?"
@@ -193,7 +179,8 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
       "-o 'UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null'"
     ]
     if node.vagrant?
-      options << "-i #{vagrant_ssh_key_file}"    # use the universal vagrant insecure key
+      # use the universal vagrant insecure key:
+      options << "-i #{LeapCli::Util::Vagrant.vagrant_ssh_key_file}"
       options << "-o IdentitiesOnly=yes"         # force the use of the insecure vagrant key
       options << "-o 'StrictHostKeyChecking=no'" # blindly accept host key and don't save it
                                                  # (since userknownhostsfile is /dev/null)
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/test.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/test.rb
index 73207b31..70eb00fd 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/test.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/test.rb
@@ -7,24 +7,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     test.command :run do |run|
       run.switch 'continue', :desc => 'Continue over errors and failures (default is --no-continue).', :negatable => true
       run.action do |global_options,options,args|
-        test_order = File.join(Path.platform, 'tests/order.rb')
-        if File.exists?(test_order)
-          require test_order
-        end
-        manager.filter!(args).names_in_test_dependency_order.each do |node_name|
-          node = manager.nodes[node_name]
-          begin
-            ssh_connect(node) do |ssh|
-              ssh.run(test_cmd(options))
-            end
-          rescue Capistrano::CommandError => exc
-            if options[:continue]
-              exit_status(1)
-            else
-              bail!
-            end
-          end
-        end
+        do_test_run(global_options, options, args)
       end
     end
 
@@ -40,6 +23,28 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
 
   private
 
+  def do_test_run(global_options, options, args)
+    require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+    test_order = File.join(Path.platform, 'tests/order.rb')
+    if File.exist?(test_order)
+      require test_order
+    end
+    manager.filter!(args).names_in_test_dependency_order.each do |node_name|
+      node = manager.nodes[node_name]
+      begin
+        SSH::remote_command(node, options) do |ssh, host|
+          ssh.stream(test_cmd(options), :raise_error => true, :log_wrap => true)
+        end
+      rescue LeapCli::SSH::ExecuteError
+        if options[:continue]
+          exit_status(1)
+        else
+          bail!
+        end
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
   def test_cmd(options)
     if options[:continue]
       "#{Leap::Platform.leap_dir}/bin/run_tests --continue"
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/user.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/user.rb
index b842e854..1ca92719 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/user.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/user.rb
@@ -13,67 +13,131 @@
 module LeapCli
   module Commands
 
-    desc 'Adds a new trusted sysadmin by adding public keys to the "users" directory.'
-    arg_name 'USERNAME' #, :optional => false, :multiple => false
+    desc 'Manage trusted sysadmins (DEPRECATED)'
+    long_desc "Use `leap user add` instead"
     command :'add-user' do |c|
-
       c.switch 'self', :desc => 'Add yourself as a trusted sysadmin by choosing among the public keys available for the current user.', :negatable => false
       c.flag 'ssh-pub-key', :desc => 'SSH public key file for this new user'
       c.flag 'pgp-pub-key', :desc => 'OpenPGP public key file for this new user'
-
       c.action do |global_options,options,args|
-        username = args.first
-        if !username.any?
-          if options[:self]
-            username ||= `whoami`.strip
-          else
-            help! "Either USERNAME argument or --self flag is required."
-          end
-        end
-        if Leap::Platform.reserved_usernames.include? username
-          bail! %(The username "#{username}" is reserved. Sorry, pick another.)
-        end
+        do_add_user(global_options, options, args)
+      end
+    end
 
-        ssh_pub_key = nil
-        pgp_pub_key = nil
+    desc 'Manage trusted sysadmins'
+    long_desc "Manage the trusted sysadmins that are configured in the 'users' directory."
+    command :user do |user|
+
+      user.desc 'Adds a new trusted sysadmin'
+      user.arg_name 'USERNAME'
+      user.command :add do |c|
+        c.switch 'self', :desc => 'Add yourself as a trusted sysadmin by choosing among the public keys available for the current user.', :negatable => false
+        c.flag 'ssh-pub-key', :desc => 'SSH public key file for this new user'
+        c.flag 'pgp-pub-key', :desc => 'OpenPGP public key file for this new user'
+        c.action do |global_options,options,args|
+          do_add_user(global_options, options, args)
+        end
+      end
 
-        if options['ssh-pub-key']
-          ssh_pub_key = read_file!(options['ssh-pub-key'])
+      user.desc 'Removes a trusted sysadmin'
+      user.arg_name 'USERNAME'
+      user.command :rm do |c|
+        c.action do |global_options,options,args|
+          do_rm_user(global_options, options, args)
         end
-        if options['pgp-pub-key']
-          pgp_pub_key = read_file!(options['pgp-pub-key'])
+      end
+
+      user.desc 'Lists the configured sysadmins'
+      user.command :ls do |c|
+        c.action do |global_options,options,args|
+          do_list_users(global_options, options, args)
         end
+      end
+
+    end
 
+    private
+
+    def do_add_user(global, options, args)
+      require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+
+      username = args.first
+      if !username.any?
         if options[:self]
-          ssh_pub_key ||= pick_ssh_key.to_s
-          pgp_pub_key ||= pick_pgp_key
+          username ||= `whoami`.strip
+        else
+          help! "Either USERNAME argument or --self flag is required."
         end
+      end
+      if Leap::Platform.reserved_usernames.include? username
+        bail! %(The username "#{username}" is reserved. Sorry, pick another.)
+      end
 
-        assert!(ssh_pub_key, 'Sorry, could not find SSH public key.')
+      ssh_pub_key = nil
+      pgp_pub_key = nil
 
-        if ssh_pub_key
-          write_file!([:user_ssh, username], ssh_pub_key)
-        end
-        if pgp_pub_key
-          write_file!([:user_pgp, username], pgp_pub_key)
-        end
+      if options['ssh-pub-key']
+        ssh_pub_key = read_file!(options['ssh-pub-key'])
+      end
+      if options['pgp-pub-key']
+        pgp_pub_key = read_file!(options['pgp-pub-key'])
+      end
 
+      if options[:self]
+        ssh_pub_key ||= pick_ssh_key.to_s
+        pgp_pub_key ||= pick_pgp_key
+      end
+
+      assert!(ssh_pub_key, 'Sorry, could not find SSH public key.')
+
+      if ssh_pub_key
+        write_file!([:user_ssh, username], ssh_pub_key)
+      end
+      if pgp_pub_key
+        write_file!([:user_pgp, username], pgp_pub_key)
+      end
+
+      update_authorized_keys
+    end
+
+    def do_rm_user(global, options, args)
+      dir = [:user_dir, args.first]
+      if Util.dir_exists?(dir)
+        Util.remove_file!(dir)
         update_authorized_keys
+      else
+        bail! :error, 'There is no directory `%s`' % Path.named_path(dir)
+      end
+    end
+
+    def do_list_users(global, options, args)
+      require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+
+      Dir.glob(path([:user_ssh, '*'])).each do |keyfile|
+        username = File.basename(File.dirname(keyfile))
+        log username, :color => :cyan do
+          log Path.relative_path(keyfile)
+          key = SSH::Key.load(keyfile)
+          log 'SSH MD5 fingerprint: ' + key.fingerprint(:digest => :md5, :type => :ssh, :encoding => :hex)
+          log 'SSH SHA256 fingerprint: ' + key.fingerprint(:digest => :sha256, :type => :ssh, :encoding => :base64)
+          log 'DER MD5 fingerprint: ' + key.fingerprint(:digest => :md5, :type => :der, :encoding => :hex)
+        end
       end
     end
 
     #
-    # let the the user choose among the ssh public keys that we encounter, or just pick the key if there is only one.
+    # let the the user choose among the ssh public keys that we encounter, or
+    # just pick the key if there is only one.
     #
     def pick_ssh_key
       ssh_keys = []
       Dir.glob("#{ENV['HOME']}/.ssh/*.pub").each do |keyfile|
-        ssh_keys << SshKey.load(keyfile)
+        ssh_keys << SSH::Key.load(keyfile)
       end
 
       if `which ssh-add`.strip.any?
         `ssh-add -L 2> /dev/null`.split("\n").compact.each do |line|
-          key = SshKey.load(line)
+          key = SSH::Key.load(line)
           if key
             key.comment = 'ssh-agent'
             ssh_keys << key unless ssh_keys.include?(key)
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/util.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/util.rb
deleted file mode 100644
index c1da570e..00000000
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/util.rb
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,50 +0,0 @@
-module LeapCli; module Commands
-
-  extend self
-  extend LeapCli::Util
-  extend LeapCli::Util::RemoteCommand
-
-  def path(name)
-    Path.named_path(name)
-  end
-
-  #
-  # keeps prompting the user for a numbered choice, until they pick a good one or bail out.
-  #
-  # block is yielded and is responsible for rendering the choices.
-  #
-  def numbered_choice_menu(msg, items, &block)
-    while true
-      say("\n" + msg + ':')
-      items.each_with_index &block
-      say("q. quit")
-      index = ask("number 1-#{items.length}> ")
-      if index.empty?
-        next
-      elsif index =~ /q/
-        bail!
-      else
-        i = index.to_i - 1
-        if i < 0 || i >= items.length
-          bail!
-        else
-          return i
-        end
-      end
-    end
-  end
-
-
-  def parse_node_list(nodes)
-    if nodes.is_a? Config::Object
-      Config::ObjectList.new(nodes)
-    elsif nodes.is_a? Config::ObjectList
-      nodes
-    elsif nodes.is_a? String
-      manager.filter!(nodes)
-    else
-      bail! "argument error"
-    end
-  end
-
-end; end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/vagrant.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/vagrant.rb
index 9fdd48e3..f8a75b61 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/commands/vagrant.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/vagrant.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ require 'fileutils'
 module LeapCli; module Commands
 
   desc "Manage local virtual machines."
-  long_desc "This command provides a convient way to manage Vagrant-based virtual machines. If FILTER argument is missing, the command runs on all local virtual machines. The Vagrantfile is automatically generated in 'test/Vagrantfile'. If you want to run vagrant commands manually, cd to 'test'."
+  long_desc "This command provides a convenient way to manage Vagrant-based virtual machines. If FILTER argument is missing, the command runs on all local virtual machines. The Vagrantfile is automatically generated in 'test/Vagrantfile'. If you want to run vagrant commands manually, cd to 'test'."
   command [:local, :l] do |local|
     local.desc 'Starts up the virtual machine(s)'
     local.arg_name 'FILTER', :optional => true #, :multiple => false
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
 
     local.desc 'Destroys the virtual machine(s), reclaiming the disk space'
     local.arg_name 'FILTER', :optional => true #, :multiple => false
-    local.command :destroy do |destroy|
+    local.command [:rm, :destroy] do |destroy|
       destroy.action do |global_options,options,args|
         if global_options[:yes]
           vagrant_command("destroy --force", args)
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
 
     local.desc 'Print the status of local virtual machine(s)'
     local.arg_name 'FILTER', :optional => true #, :multiple => false
-    local.command :status do |status|
+    local.command [:ls, :status] do |status|
       status.action do |global_options,options,args|
         vagrant_command("status", args)
       end
@@ -70,25 +70,6 @@ module LeapCli; module Commands
     end
   end
 
-  public
-
-  #
-  # returns the path to a vagrant ssh private key file.
-  #
-  # if the vagrant.key file is owned by root or ourselves, then
-  # we need to make sure that it owned by us and not world readable.
-  #
-  def vagrant_ssh_key_file
-    file_path = Path.vagrant_ssh_priv_key_file
-    Util.assert_files_exist! file_path
-    uid = File.new(file_path).stat.uid
-    if uid == 0 || uid == Process.euid
-      FileUtils.install file_path, '/tmp/vagrant.key', :mode => 0600
-      file_path = '/tmp/vagrant.key'
-    end
-    return file_path
-  end
-
   protected
 
   def vagrant_command(cmds, args, options={})
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/commands/vm.rb b/lib/leap_cli/commands/vm.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..790774f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/commands/vm.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,467 @@
+module LeapCli; module Commands
+
+  desc "Manage remote virtual machines (VMs)."
+  long_desc "This command provides a convenient way to manage virtual machines. " +
+            "FILTER may be a node filter or the ID of a virtual machine."
+
+  command [:vm] do |vm|
+    vm.switch :mock, :desc => "Run as simulation, without actually connecting to a cloud provider. If set, --auth is ignored."
+    vm.switch :wait, :desc => "Wait for servers to start/stop before continuing."
+    vm.flag :auth,  :arg_name => 'AUTH',
+      :desc => "Choose which authentication credentials to use from the file cloud.json. "+
+               "If omitted, will default to the node's `vm.auth` property, or the first credentials in cloud.json"
+
+    vm.desc "Allocates a new VM and/or associates it with node NAME."
+    vm.long_desc "If node configuration file does not yet exist, "+
+            "it is created with the optional SEED values. "+
+            "You can run this command when the virtual machine already exists "+
+            "in order to update the node's `vm.id` property."
+    vm.arg_name 'NODE_NAME [SEED]'
+    vm.command :add do |cmd|
+      cmd.action do |global, options, args|
+        do_vm_add(global, options, args)
+      end
+    end
+
+    vm.desc 'Starts one or more VMs'
+    vm.arg_name 'FILTER', :optional => true
+    vm.command :start do |start|
+      start.action do |global, options, args|
+        do_vm_start(global, options, args)
+      end
+    end
+
+    vm.desc 'Shuts down one or more VMs'
+    vm.long_desc 'This keeps the storage allocated. To save resources, run `leap vm rm` instead.'
+    vm.arg_name 'FILTER', :optional => true
+    vm.command :stop do |stop|
+      stop.action do |global, options, args|
+        do_vm_stop(global, options, args)
+      end
+    end
+
+    vm.desc 'Destroys one or more VMs'
+    vm.arg_name 'FILTER', :optional => true
+    vm.command :rm do |rm|
+      rm.action do |global, options, args|
+        do_vm_rm(global, options, args)
+      end
+    end
+
+    vm.desc 'Print the status of all VMs'
+    vm.arg_name 'FILTER', :optional => true
+    vm.command [:status, :ls] do |status|
+      status.action do |global, options, args|
+        do_vm_status(global, options, args)
+      end
+    end
+
+    vm.desc "Binds a running VM instance to a node configuration."
+    vm.long_desc "Afterwards, the VM will be assigned a label matching the node name, "+
+            "and the node config will be updated with the instance ID."
+    vm.arg_name 'NODE_NAME INSTANCE_ID'
+    vm.command 'bind' do |cmd|
+      cmd.action do |global, options, args|
+        do_vm_bind(global, options, args)
+      end
+    end
+
+    vm.desc "Registers a SSH public key for use when creating new VMs."
+    vm.long_desc "Note that only people who are creating new VM instances need to "+
+            "have their key registered."
+    vm.command 'key-register' do |cmd|
+      cmd.action do |global, options, args|
+        do_vm_key_register(global, options, args)
+      end
+    end
+
+    vm.desc "Lists the registered SSH public keys for a particular VM provider."
+    vm.command 'key-list' do |cmd|
+      cmd.action do |global, options, args|
+        do_vm_key_list(global, options, args)
+      end
+    end
+
+    #vm.desc 'Saves the current state of the virtual machine as a new snapshot.'
+    #vm.arg_name 'FILTER', :optional => true
+    #vm.command :save do |save|
+    #  save.action do |global, options, args|
+    #    do_vm_save(global, options, args)
+    #  end
+    #end
+
+    #vm.desc 'Resets virtual machine(s) to the last saved snapshot'
+    #vm.arg_name 'FILTER', :optional => true
+    #vm.command :reset do |reset|
+    #  reset.action do |global, options, args|
+    #    do_vm_reset(global, options, args)
+    #  end
+    #end
+
+    #vm.desc 'Lists the available images.'
+    #vm.command 'image-list' do |cmd|
+    #  cmd.action do |global, options, args|
+    #    do_vm_image_list(global, options, args)
+    #  end
+    #end
+  end
+
+  ##
+  ## SHARED UTILITY METHODS
+  ##
+
+  protected
+
+  #
+  # a callback used if we need to upload a new ssh key
+  #
+  def choose_ssh_key_for_upload(cloud)
+    puts
+    bail! unless agree("The cloud provider `#{cloud.name}` does not have "+
+          "your public key. Do you want to upload one? ")
+    key = pick_ssh_key
+    username = ask("username? ", :default => `whoami`.strip)
+    assert!(username && !username.empty? && username =~ /[0-9a-z_-]+/, "Username must consist of one or more letters or numbers")
+    puts
+    return username, key
+  end
+
+  def bind_server_to_node(vm_id, node, options={})
+    cloud  = new_cloud_handle(node, options)
+    server = cloud.compute.servers.get(vm_id)
+    assert! server, "Could not find a VM instance with ID '#{vm_id}'"
+    cloud.bind_server_to_node(server)
+  end
+
+  ##
+  ## COMMANDS
+  ##
+
+  protected
+
+  #
+  # entirely removes the vm, not just stopping it.
+  #
+  # This might be additionally called by the 'leap node rm' command.
+  #
+  def do_vm_rm(global, options, args)
+    servers_from_args(global, options, args) do |cloud, server|
+      cloud.unbind_server_from_node(server) if cloud.node
+      destroy_server(server, options[:wait])
+    end
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def do_vm_status(global, options, args)
+    cloud = new_cloud_handle(nil, options)
+    servers = cloud.compute.servers
+
+    #
+    # PRETTY TABLE
+    #
+    t = LeapCli::Util::ConsoleTable.new
+    t.table do
+      t.row(color: :cyan) do
+        t.column "ID"
+        t.column "NODE"
+        t.column "STATE"
+        t.column "FLAVOR"
+        t.column "IP"
+        t.column "ZONE"
+      end
+      servers.each do |server|
+        t.row do
+          t.column server.id
+          t.column server.tags["node_name"]
+          t.column server.state, :color => state_color(server.state)
+          t.column server.flavor_id
+          t.column server.public_ip_address
+          t.column server.availability_zone
+        end
+      end
+    end
+    puts
+    t.draw_table
+
+    #
+    # SANITY CHECKS
+    #
+    servers.each do |server|
+      name = server.tags["node_name"]
+      if name
+        node = manager.nodes[name]
+        if node.nil?
+          log :warning, 'A virtual machine has the name `%s`, but there is no corresponding node definition in `%s`.' % [
+            name, relative_path(path([:node_config, name]))]
+          next
+        end
+        if node['vm'].nil?
+          log :warning, 'Node `%s` is not configured as a virtual machine' % name do
+            log 'You should fix this with `leap vm bind %s %s`' % [name, server.id]
+          end
+          next
+        end
+        if node['vm.id'] != server.id
+          message = 'Node `%s` is configured with virtual machine id `%s`' % [name, node['vm.id']]
+          log :warning, message do
+            log 'But the virtual machine with that name really has id `%s`' % server.id
+            log 'You should fix this with `leap vm bind %s %s`' % [name, server.id]
+          end
+        end
+        if server.state == 'running'
+          if node.ip_address != server.public_ip_address
+            message = 'The configuration file for node `%s` has IP address `%s`' % [name, node.ip_address]
+            log(:warning, message) do
+              log 'But the virtual machine actually has IP address `%s`' % server.public_ip_address
+              log 'You should fix this with `leap vm add %s`' % name
+            end
+          end
+        end
+      end
+    end
+    manager.filter(['vm']).each_node do |node|
+      if node['vm.id'].nil?
+        log :warning, 'The node `%s` is missing a server id' % node.name
+        next
+      end
+      if !servers.detect {|s| s.id == node.vm.id }
+        message = "The configuration file for node `%s` has virtual machine id of `%s`" % [node.name, node.vm.id]
+        log :warning, message do
+          log "But that does not match any actual virtual machines!"
+        end
+      end
+      if !servers.detect {|s| s.tags["node_name"] == node.name }
+        log :warning, "The node `%s` has no virtual machines with a matching name." % node.name do
+          server = servers.detect {|s| s.id == node.vm.id }
+          if server
+            log 'Run `leap bind %s %s` to fix this' % [node.name, server.id]
+          end
+        end
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  def do_vm_add(global, options, args)
+    name = args.first
+    if manager.nodes[name].nil?
+      do_node_add(global, {:ip_address => '0.0.0.0'}.merge(options), args)
+    end
+    node   = manager.nodes[name]
+    cloud  = new_cloud_handle(node, options)
+    server = cloud.fetch_or_create_server(:choose_ssh_key => method(:choose_ssh_key_for_upload))
+
+    if server
+      cloud.bind_server_to_node(server)
+      ssh_host_key = cloud.wait_for_ssh_host_key(server)
+      if ssh_host_key.nil?
+        log :warning, "We could not get a SSH host key." do
+          log "Try running `leap vm add #{node.name}` again later."
+        end
+      else
+        log :saving, "SSH host key for #{node.name}"
+        write_file! [:node_ssh_pub_key, node.name], ssh_host_key.to_s
+      end
+      log "done", :color => :green, :style => :bold
+    end
+  end
+
+  def do_vm_start(global, options, args)
+    servers_from_args(global, options, args) do |cloud, server|
+      start_server(server, options[:wait])
+    end
+  end
+
+  def do_vm_stop(global, options, args)
+    servers_from_args(global, options, args) do |cloud, server|
+      stop_server(server, options[:wait])
+    end
+  end
+
+  def do_vm_key_register(global, options, args)
+    cloud = new_cloud_handle(nil, options)
+    cloud.find_or_create_key_pair(method(:choose_ssh_key_for_upload))
+  end
+
+  def do_vm_key_list(global, options, args)
+    require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+    cloud = new_cloud_handle(nil, options)
+    cloud.compute.key_pairs.each do |key_pair|
+      log key_pair.name, :color => :cyan do
+        log "AWS fingerprint: " + key_pair.fingerprint
+        key_pair, local_key = cloud.match_ssh_key(:key_pair => key_pair)
+        if local_key
+          log "matches local key: " + local_key.filename
+          log 'SSH MD5 fingerprint: ' + local_key.fingerprint(:digest => :md5, :type => :ssh, :encoding => :hex)
+          log 'SSH SHA256 fingerprint: ' + local_key.fingerprint(:digest => :sha256, :type => :ssh, :encoding => :base64)
+        end
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  #
+  # update association between node and virtual machine.
+  #
+  # This might additionally be called by the 'leap node mv' command.
+  #
+  def do_vm_bind(global, options, args)
+    node_name = args.first
+    vm_id = args.last
+    assert! node_name, "NODE_NAME is missing"
+    assert! vm_id, "INSTANCE_ID is missing"
+    node = manager.nodes[node_name]
+    assert! node, "No node with name '#{node_name}'"
+    bind_server_to_node(vm_id, node, options)
+  end
+
+  #def do_vm_image_list(global, options, args)
+  #  compute = fog_setup(nil, options)
+  #  p compute.images.all
+  #end
+
+  ##
+  ## PRIVATE UTILITY METHODS
+  ##
+
+  def stop_server(server, wait=false)
+    if server.state == 'stopped'
+      log :skipping, "virtual machine `#{server.id}` (already stopped)."
+    elsif ['shutting-down', 'terminated'].include?(server.state)
+      log :skipping, "virtual machine `#{server.id}` (being destroyed)."
+    else
+      log :stopping, "virtual machine `#{server.id}` (#{server.flavor_id}, #{server.availability_zone})"
+      server.stop
+      if wait
+        log 'please wait...', :indent => 1
+        server.wait_for { state == 'stopped' }
+        log 'done', :color => :green, :indent => 1
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  def start_server(server, wait=false)
+    if server.state == 'running'
+      log :skipping, "virtual machine `#{server.id}` (already running)."
+    elsif ['shutting-down', 'terminated'].include?(server.state)
+      log :skipping, "virtual machine `#{server.id}` (being destroyed)."
+    else
+      log :starting, "virtual machine `#{server.id}` (#{server.flavor_id}, #{server.availability_zone})"
+      server.start
+      if wait
+        log 'please wait...', :indent => 1
+        server.wait_for { ready? }
+        log 'done', :color => :green, :indent => 1
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  def destroy_server(server, wait=false)
+    if ['shutting-down', 'terminated'].include?(server.state)
+      log :skipping, "virtual machine `#{server.id}` (already being removed)."
+    else
+      log :terminated, "virtual machine `#{server.id}` (#{server.flavor_id}, #{server.availability_zone})"
+      server.destroy
+      if wait
+        log 'please wait...', :indent => 1
+        server.wait_for { state == 'terminated' }
+        log 'done', :color => :green, :indent => 1
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  #
+  # for each server it finds, yields cloud, server
+  #
+  def servers_from_args(global, options, args)
+    nodes = filter_vm_nodes(args)
+    if nodes.any?
+      nodes.each_node do |node|
+        cloud  = new_cloud_handle(node, options)
+        server = cloud.fetch_server_for_node(true)
+        yield cloud, server
+      end
+    else
+      instance_id = args.first
+      cloud  = new_cloud_handle(nil, options)
+      server = cloud.compute.servers.get(instance_id)
+      if server.nil?
+        bail! :error, "There is no virtual machine with ID `#{instance_id}`."
+      end
+      yield cloud, server
+    end
+  end
+
+  #
+  # returns either:
+  #
+  # * the set of nodes specified by the filter, for this environment
+  #   even if the result includes nodes that are not previously tagged with 'vm'
+  #
+  # * the list of all vm nodes for this environment, if filter is empty
+  #
+  def filter_vm_nodes(filter)
+    if filter.nil? || filter.empty?
+      return manager.filter(['vm'], :warning => false)
+    elsif filter.is_a? Array
+      return manager.filter(filter, :warning => false)
+    else
+      raise ArgumentError, 'could not understand filter'
+    end
+  end
+
+  def new_cloud_handle(node, options)
+    require 'leap_cli/cloud'
+
+    config = manager.env.cloud
+    name = nil
+    if options[:mock]
+      Fog.mock!
+      name = 'mock_aws'
+      config['mock_aws'] = {
+        "api" => "aws",
+        "vendor" => "aws",
+        "auth" => {
+          "aws_access_key_id" => "dummy",
+          "aws_secret_access_key" => "dummy",
+          "region" => "us-west-2"
+        },
+        "instance_options" => {
+          "image" => "dummy"
+        }
+      }
+    elsif options[:auth]
+      name = options[:auth]
+      assert! config[name], "The value for --auth does not correspond to any value in cloud.json."
+    elsif node && node['vm.auth']
+      name = node.vm.auth
+      assert! config[name], "The node '#{node.name}' has a value for property 'vm.auth' that does not correspond to any value in cloud.json."
+    elsif config.keys.length == 1
+      name = config.keys.first
+      log :using, "cloud vendor credentials `#{name}`."
+    else
+      bail! "You must specify --mock, --auth, or a node filter."
+    end
+
+    entry = config[name] # entry in cloud.json
+    assert! entry, "cloud.json: could not find cloud resource `#{name}`."
+    assert! entry['vendor'], "cloud.json: property `vendor` is missing from `#{name}` entry."
+    assert! entry['api'], "cloud.json: property `api` is missing from `#{name}` entry. It must be one of #{config.possible_apis.join(', ')}."
+    assert! entry['auth'], "cloud.json: property `auth` is missing from `#{name}` entry."
+    assert! entry['auth']['region'], "cloud.json: property `auth.region` is missing from `#{name}` entry."
+    assert! entry['api'] == 'aws', "cloud.json: currently, only 'aws' is supported for `api`."
+    assert! entry['vendor'] == 'aws', "cloud.json: currently, only 'aws' is supported for `vendor`."
+
+    return LeapCli::Cloud.new(name, entry, node)
+  end
+
+  def state_color(state)
+    case state
+      when 'running'; :green
+      when 'terminated'; :red
+      when 'stopped'; :magenta
+      when 'shutting-down'; :yellow
+      else; :white
+    end
+  end
+
+end; end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/config/cloud.rb b/lib/leap_cli/config/cloud.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e3e5c1f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/config/cloud.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+# encoding: utf-8
+#
+# A class for the cloud.json file
+#
+# Example format:
+#
+# {
+#   "my_aws": {
+#     "api": "aws",
+#     "vendor": "aws",
+#     "auth": {
+#       "region": "us-west-2",
+#       "aws_access_key_id": "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx",
+#       "aws_secret_access_key": "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
+#     },
+#     "default_image": "ami-98e114f8",
+#     "default_options": {
+#       "InstanceType": "t2.nano"
+#     }
+#   }
+# }
+#
+
+module LeapCli; module Config
+
+  # http://fog.io/about/supported_services.html
+  VM_APIS = {
+    'aws' => 'fog-aws',
+    'google' => 'fog-google',
+    'libvirt' => 'fog-libvirt',
+    'openstack' => 'fog-openstack',
+    'rackspace' => 'fog-rackspace'
+  }
+
+  class Cloud < Hash
+    def initialize(env=nil)
+    end
+
+    #
+    # returns hash, each key is the name of an API that is
+    # needed and the value is the name of the gem.
+    #
+    # only provider APIs that are required because they are present
+    # in cloud.json are included.
+    #
+    def required_gems
+      required = {}
+      self.each do |name, conf|
+        api = conf["api"]
+        required_gems[api] = VM_APIS[api]
+      end
+      return required
+    end
+
+    #
+    # returns an array of all possible providers
+    #
+    def possible_apis
+      VM_APIS.keys
+    end
+
+  end
+
+end; end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/config/environment.rb b/lib/leap_cli/config/environment.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ce570839
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/config/environment.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,200 @@
+#
+# All configurations files can be isolated into separate environments.
+#
+# Each config json in each environment inherits from the default environment,
+# which in term inherits from the "_base_" environment:
+#
+# _base_             -- base provider in leap_platform
+# '- default         -- environment in provider dir when no env is set
+#    '- production   -- example environment
+#
+
+module LeapCli; module Config
+
+  class Environment
+    # the String name of the environment
+    attr_accessor :name
+
+    # the shared Manager object
+    attr_accessor :manager
+
+    # hashes of {name => Config::Object}
+    attr_accessor :services, :tags, :partials
+
+    # a Config::Provider
+    attr_accessor :provider
+
+    # a Config::Object
+    attr_accessor :common
+
+    # shared, non-inheritable
+    def nodes; @@nodes; end
+    def secrets; @@secrets; end
+    def cloud; @@cloud; end
+
+    def initialize(manager, name, search_dir, parent, options={})
+      @@nodes ||= nil
+      @@secrets ||= nil
+      @@cloud ||= nil
+
+      @manager = manager
+      @name    = name
+
+      load_provider_files(search_dir, options)
+
+      if parent
+        @services.inherit_from! parent.services, self
+            @tags.inherit_from! parent.tags    , self
+        @partials.inherit_from! parent.partials, self
+          @common.inherit_from! parent.common
+        @provider.inherit_from! parent.provider
+      end
+
+      if @provider
+        @provider.set_env(name)
+        @provider.validate!
+      end
+    end
+
+    def load_provider_files(search_dir, options)
+      #
+      # load empty environment if search_dir doesn't exist
+      #
+      if search_dir.nil? || !Dir.exist?(search_dir)
+        @services = Config::ObjectList.new
+        @tags     = Config::ObjectList.new
+        @partials = Config::ObjectList.new
+        @provider = Config::Provider.new
+        @common   = Config::Object.new
+        @cloud    = Config::Cloud.new
+        return
+      end
+
+      #
+      # inheritable
+      #
+      if options[:scope]
+        scope = options[:scope]
+        @services = load_all_json(Path.named_path([:service_env_config, '*', scope],  search_dir), Config::Tag, options)
+        @tags     = load_all_json(Path.named_path([:tag_env_config, '*', scope],      search_dir), Config::Tag, options)
+        @partials = load_all_json(Path.named_path([:service_env_config, '_*', scope], search_dir), Config::Tag, options)
+        @provider = load_json(    Path.named_path([:provider_env_config, scope],      search_dir), Config::Provider, options)
+        @common   = load_json(    Path.named_path([:common_env_config, scope],        search_dir), Config::Object, options)
+      else
+        @services = load_all_json(Path.named_path([:service_config, '*'],  search_dir), Config::Tag, options)
+        @tags     = load_all_json(Path.named_path([:tag_config, '*'],      search_dir), Config::Tag, options)
+        @partials = load_all_json(Path.named_path([:service_config, '_*'], search_dir), Config::Tag, options)
+        @provider = load_json(    Path.named_path(:provider_config,        search_dir), Config::Provider, options)
+        @common   = load_json(    Path.named_path(:common_config,          search_dir), Config::Object, options)
+      end
+
+      # remove 'name' from partials, since partials get merged with nodes
+      @partials.values.each {|partial| partial.delete('name'); }
+
+      #
+      # shared
+      #
+      # shared configs are also non-inheritable
+      # load the first ones we find, and only those.
+      #
+      if @@nodes.nil? || @@nodes.empty?
+        @@nodes = load_all_json(Path.named_path([:node_config, '*'], search_dir), Config::Node, options)
+      end
+      if @@secrets.nil? || @@secrets.empty?
+        @@secrets = load_json(Path.named_path(:secrets_config, search_dir), Config::Secrets, options)
+      end
+      if @@cloud.nil? || @@cloud.empty?
+        @@cloud = load_json(Path.named_path(:cloud_config, search_dir), Config::Cloud)
+      end
+    end
+
+    #
+    # Loads a json template file as a Hash (used only when creating a new node .json
+    # file for the first time).
+    #
+    def template(template)
+      path = Path.named_path([:template_config, template], Path.provider_base)
+      if File.exist?(path)
+        return load_json(path, Config::Object)
+      else
+        return nil
+      end
+    end
+
+    #
+    # Alters the node's json config file. Unfortunately, doing this will
+    # strip out all the comments.
+    #
+    def update_node_json(node, new_values)
+      node_json_path = Path.named_path([:node_config, node.name])
+      old_data       = load_json(node_json_path, Config::Node)
+      new_data       = old_data.merge(new_values)
+      new_contents   = JSON.sorted_generate(new_data) + "\n"
+      Util::write_file! node_json_path, new_contents
+    end
+
+    private
+
+    def load_all_json(pattern, object_class, options={})
+      results = Config::ObjectList.new
+      Dir.glob(pattern).each do |filename|
+        next if options[:no_dots] && File.basename(filename) !~ /^[^\.]*\.json$/
+        obj = load_json(filename, object_class)
+        if obj
+          name = File.basename(filename).force_encoding('utf-8').sub(/^([^\.]+).*\.json$/,'\1')
+          obj['name'] ||= name
+          if options[:env]
+            obj.environment = options[:env]
+          end
+          results[name] = obj
+        end
+      end
+      results
+    end
+
+    def load_json(filename, object_class, options={})
+      if !File.exist?(filename)
+        return object_class.new(self)
+      end
+
+      Util::log :loading, filename, 3
+
+      #
+      # Read a JSON file, strip out comments.
+      #
+      # UTF8 is the default encoding for JSON, but others are allowed:
+      # https://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc4627.txt
+      #
+      buffer = StringIO.new
+      File.open(filename, "rb", :encoding => 'UTF-8') do |f|
+        while (line = f.gets)
+          next if line =~ /^\s*\/\//
+          buffer << line
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # force UTF-8
+      #
+      if $ruby_version >= [1,9]
+        string = buffer.string.force_encoding('utf-8')
+      else
+        string = Iconv.conv("UTF-8//IGNORE", "UTF-8", buffer.string)
+      end
+
+      # parse json
+      begin
+        hash = JSON.parse(string, :object_class => Hash, :array_class => Array) || {}
+      rescue SyntaxError, JSON::ParserError => exc
+        Util::log 0, :error, 'in file "%s":' % filename
+        Util::log 0, exc.to_s, :indent => 1
+        return nil
+      end
+      object = object_class.new(self)
+      object.deep_merge!(hash)
+      return object
+    end
+
+  end # end Environment
+
+end; end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/config/filter.rb b/lib/leap_cli/config/filter.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..07424894
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/config/filter.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+#
+# Many leap_cli commands accept a list of filters to select a subset of nodes for the command to
+# be applied to. This class is a helper for manager to run these filters.
+#
+# Classes other than Manager should not use this class.
+#
+# Filter rules:
+#
+# * A filter consists of a list of tokens
+# * A token may be a service name, tag name, environment name, or node name.
+# * Each token may be optionally prefixed with a plus sign.
+# * Multiple tokens with a plus are treated as an OR condition,
+#   but treated as an AND condition with the plus sign.
+#
+# For example
+#
+# * openvpn +development => all nodes with service 'openvpn' AND environment 'development'
+# * openvpn seattle => all nodes with service 'openvpn' OR tag 'seattle'.
+#
+# There can only be one environment specified. Typically, there are also tags
+# for each environment name. These name are treated as environments, not tags.
+#
+module LeapCli
+  module Config
+    class Filter
+
+      #
+      # filter -- array of strings, each one a filter
+      # options -- hash, possible keys include
+      #   :nopin -- disregard environment pinning
+      #   :local -- if false, disallow local nodes
+      #   :warning -- if false, don't print a warning when no nodes are found.
+      #
+      # A nil value in the filters array indicates
+      # the default environment. This is in order to support
+      # calls like `manager.filter(environments)`
+      #
+      def initialize(filters, options, manager)
+        @filters = filters.nil? ? [] : filters.dup
+        @environments = []
+        @options = options
+        @manager = manager
+
+        # split filters by pulling out items that happen
+        # to be environment names.
+        if LeapCli.leapfile.environment.nil? || @options[:nopin]
+          @environments = []
+        else
+          @environments = [LeapCli.leapfile.environment]
+        end
+        @filters.select! do |filter|
+          if filter.nil?
+            @environments << nil unless @environments.include?(nil)
+            false
+          else
+            filter_text = filter.sub(/^\+/,'')
+            if is_environment?(filter_text)
+              if filter_text == LeapCli.leapfile.environment
+                # silently ignore already pinned environments
+              elsif (filter =~ /^\+/ || @filters.first == filter) && !@environments.empty?
+                LeapCli::Util.bail! do
+                  LeapCli.log "Environments are exclusive: no node is in two environments." do
+                    LeapCli.log "Tried to filter on '#{@environments.join('\' AND \'')}' AND '#{filter_text}'"
+                  end
+                end
+              else
+                @environments << filter_text
+              end
+              false
+            else
+              true
+            end
+          end
+        end
+
+        # don't let the first filter have a + prefix
+        if @filters[0] =~ /^\+/
+          @filters[0] = @filters[0][1..-1]
+        end
+      end
+
+      # actually run the filter, returns a filtered list of nodes
+      def nodes()
+        if @filters.empty?
+          return nodes_for_empty_filter
+        else
+          return nodes_for_filter
+        end
+      end
+
+      private
+
+      def nodes_for_empty_filter
+        node_list = @manager.nodes
+        if @environments.any?
+          node_list = node_list[ @environments.collect{|e|[:environment, env_to_filter(e)]} ]
+        end
+        if @options[:local] === false
+          node_list = node_list[:environment => '!local']
+        end
+        if @options[:disabled] === false
+          node_list = node_list[:environment => '!disabled']
+        end
+        node_list
+      end
+
+      def nodes_for_filter
+        node_list = Config::ObjectList.new
+        @filters.each do |filter|
+          if filter =~ /^\+/
+            keep_list = nodes_for_name(filter[1..-1])
+            node_list.delete_if do |name, node|
+              if keep_list[name]
+                false
+              else
+                true
+              end
+            end
+          else
+            node_list.merge!(nodes_for_name(filter))
+          end
+        end
+        node_list
+      end
+
+      private
+
+      #
+      # returns a set of nodes corresponding to a single name,
+      # where name could be a node name, service name, or tag name.
+      #
+      # For services and tags, we only include nodes for the
+      # environments that are active
+      #
+      def nodes_for_name(name)
+        if node = @manager.nodes[name]
+          return Config::ObjectList.new(node)
+        elsif @environments.empty?
+          if @manager.services[name]
+            return @manager.env('_all_').services[name].node_list
+          elsif @manager.tags[name]
+            return @manager.env('_all_').tags[name].node_list
+          elsif @options[:warning] != false
+            LeapCli.log :warning, "filter '#{name}' does not match any node names, tags, services, or environments."
+            return Config::ObjectList.new
+          else
+            return Config::ObjectList.new
+          end
+        else
+          node_list = Config::ObjectList.new
+          if @manager.services[name]
+            @environments.each do |env|
+              node_list.merge!(@manager.env(env).services[name].node_list)
+            end
+          elsif @manager.tags[name]
+            @environments.each do |env|
+              node_list.merge!(@manager.env(env).tags[name].node_list)
+            end
+          elsif @options[:warning] != false
+            LeapCli.log :warning, "filter '#{name}' does not match any node names, tags, services, or environments."
+          end
+          return node_list
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # when pinning, we use the name 'default' to specify nodes
+      # without an environment set, but when filtering, we need to filter
+      # on :environment => nil.
+      #
+      def env_to_filter(environment)
+        environment == 'default' ? nil : environment
+      end
+
+      def is_environment?(text)
+        text == 'default' || @manager.environment_names.include?(text)
+      end
+
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/config/manager.rb b/lib/leap_cli/config/manager.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d69a5808
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/config/manager.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,475 @@
+# encoding: utf-8
+
+require 'json/pure'
+
+if $ruby_version < [1,9]
+  require 'iconv'
+end
+
+module LeapCli
+  module Config
+
+    #
+    # A class to manage all the objects in all the configuration files.
+    #
+    class Manager
+
+      def initialize
+        @environments = {} # hash of `Environment` objects, keyed by name.
+        Config::Object.send(:include, LeapCli::Macro)
+      end
+
+      ##
+      ## ATTRIBUTES
+      ##
+
+      #
+      # returns the Hash of the contents of facts.json
+      #
+      def facts
+        @facts ||= begin
+          content = Util.read_file(:facts)
+          if !content || content.empty?
+            content = "{}"
+          end
+          JSON.parse(content)
+        rescue SyntaxError, JSON::ParserError => exc
+          Util::bail! "Could not parse facts.json -- #{exc}"
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # returns an Array of all the environments defined for this provider.
+      # the returned array includes nil (for the default environment)
+      #
+      def environment_names
+        @environment_names ||= begin
+          [nil] + (env.tags.field('environment') + env.nodes.field('environment')).compact.uniq
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # Returns the appropriate environment variable
+      #
+      def env(env=nil)
+        @environments[env || 'default']
+      end
+
+      #
+      # The default accessors
+      #
+      # For these defaults, use 'default' environment, or whatever
+      # environment is pinned.
+      #
+      # I think it might be an error that these are ever used
+      # and I would like to get rid of them.
+      #
+      def services; env(default_environment).services; end
+      def tags;     env(default_environment).tags;     end
+      def partials; env(default_environment).partials; end
+      def provider; env(default_environment).provider; end
+      def common;   env(default_environment).common;   end
+      def secrets;  env(default_environment).secrets;  end
+      def nodes;    env(default_environment).nodes;    end
+      def template(*args)
+        self.env.template(*args)
+      end
+
+      def default_environment
+        LeapCli.leapfile.environment
+      end
+
+      ##
+      ## IMPORT EXPORT
+      ##
+
+      def add_environment(args)
+        if args[:inherit]
+          parent = @environments[args.delete(:inherit)]
+        else
+          parent = nil
+        end
+        env = Environment.new(
+          self,
+          args.delete(:name),
+          args.delete(:dir),
+          parent,
+          args
+        )
+        @environments[env.name] = env
+      end
+
+      #
+      # load .json configuration files
+      #
+      def load(options = {})
+        # load base
+        add_environment(name: '_base_', dir: Path.provider_base)
+
+        # load provider
+        Util::assert_files_exist!(Path.named_path(:provider_config, Path.provider))
+        add_environment(name: 'default', dir: Path.provider,
+          inherit: '_base_', no_dots: true)
+
+        # create a special '_all_' environment, used for tracking
+        # the union of all the environments
+        add_environment(name: '_all_', inherit: 'default')
+
+        # load environments
+        environment_names.each do |ename|
+          if ename
+            LeapCli.log 3, :loading, '%s environment...' % ename
+            add_environment(name: ename, dir: Path.provider,
+              inherit: 'default', scope: ename)
+          end
+        end
+
+        # apply inheritance
+        env.nodes.each do |name, node|
+          Util::assert! name =~ /^[0-9a-z-]+$/, "Illegal character(s) used in node name '#{name}'"
+          env.nodes[name] = apply_inheritance(node)
+        end
+
+        # do some node-list post-processing
+        cleanup_node_lists(options)
+
+        # apply service.rb, common.rb, and provider.rb control files
+        apply_control_files
+      end
+
+      #
+      # save compiled hiera .yaml files
+      #
+      # if a node_list is specified, only update those .yaml files.
+      # otherwise, update all files, destroying files that are no longer used.
+      #
+      def export_nodes(node_list=nil)
+        updated_hiera = []
+        updated_files = []
+        existing_hiera = nil
+        existing_files = nil
+
+        unless node_list
+          node_list = env.nodes
+          existing_hiera = Dir.glob(Path.named_path([:hiera, '*'], Path.provider))
+          existing_files = Dir.glob(Path.named_path([:node_files_dir, '*'], Path.provider))
+        end
+
+        node_list.each_node do |node|
+          filepath = Path.named_path([:node_files_dir, node.name], Path.provider)
+          hierapath = Path.named_path([:hiera, node.name], Path.provider)
+          Util::write_file!(hierapath, node.dump_yaml)
+          updated_files << filepath
+          updated_hiera << hierapath
+        end
+
+        if @disabled_nodes
+          # make disabled nodes appear as if they are still active
+          @disabled_nodes.each_node do |node|
+            updated_files << Path.named_path([:node_files_dir, node.name], Path.provider)
+            updated_hiera << Path.named_path([:hiera, node.name], Path.provider)
+          end
+        end
+
+        # remove files that are no longer needed
+        if existing_hiera
+          (existing_hiera - updated_hiera).each do |filepath|
+            Util::remove_file!(filepath)
+          end
+        end
+        if existing_files
+          (existing_files - updated_files).each do |filepath|
+            Util::remove_directory!(filepath)
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      def export_secrets(clean_unused_secrets = false)
+        if env.secrets.any?
+          Util.write_file!([:secrets_config, Path.provider], env.secrets.dump_json(clean_unused_secrets) + "\n")
+        end
+      end
+
+      ##
+      ## FILTERING
+      ##
+
+      #
+      # returns a node list consisting only of nodes that satisfy the filter criteria.
+      #
+      # filter: condition [condition] [condition] [+condition]
+      # condition: [node_name | service_name | tag_name | environment_name]
+      #
+      # if conditions is prefixed with +, then it works like an AND. Otherwise, it works like an OR.
+      #
+      # args:
+      # filter -- array of filter terms, one per item
+      #
+      # options:
+      # :local -- if :local is false and the filter is empty, then local nodes are excluded.
+      # :nopin -- if true, ignore environment pinning
+      #
+      def filter(filters=nil, options={})
+        Filter.new(filters, options, self).nodes()
+      end
+
+      #
+      # same as filter(), but exits if there is no matching nodes
+      #
+      def filter!(filters, options={})
+        node_list = filter(filters, options)
+        Util::assert! node_list.any?, "Could not match any nodes from '#{filters.join ' '}'"
+        return node_list
+      end
+
+      #
+      # returns a single Config::Object that corresponds to a Node.
+      #
+      def node(name)
+        if name =~ /\./
+          # probably got a fqdn, since periods are not allowed in node names.
+          # so, take the part before the first period as the node name
+          name = name.split('.').first
+        end
+        env.nodes[name]
+      end
+
+      #
+      # returns a single node that is disabled
+      #
+      def disabled_node(name)
+        @disabled_nodes[name]
+      end
+
+      #
+      # yields each node, in sorted order
+      #
+      def each_node(&block)
+        env.nodes.each_node(&block)
+      end
+
+      def reload_node!(node)
+        env.nodes[node.name] = apply_inheritance!(node)
+      end
+
+      ##
+      ## CONNECTIONS
+      ##
+
+      class ConnectionList < Array
+        def add(data={})
+          self << {
+            "from" => data[:from],
+            "to" => data[:to],
+            "port" => data[:port]
+          }
+        end
+      end
+
+      def connections
+        @connections ||= ConnectionList.new
+      end
+
+      ##
+      ## PRIVATE
+      ##
+
+      private
+
+      #
+      # makes a node inherit options from appropriate the common, service, and tag json files.
+      #
+      def apply_inheritance(node, throw_exceptions=false)
+        new_node = Config::Node.new(nil)
+        node_env = guess_node_env(node)
+        new_node.set_environment(node_env, new_node)
+
+        # inherit from common
+        new_node.deep_merge!(node_env.common)
+
+        # inherit from services
+        if node['services']
+          node['services'].to_a.each do |node_service|
+            service = node_env.services[node_service]
+            if service.nil?
+              msg = 'in node "%s": the service "%s" does not exist.' % [node['name'], node_service]
+              LeapCli.log 0, :error, msg
+              raise LeapCli::ConfigError.new(node, "error " + msg) if throw_exceptions
+            else
+              new_node.deep_merge!(service)
+            end
+          end
+        end
+
+        # inherit from tags
+        node['tags'] = (node['tags'] || []).to_a
+        if node.vagrant?
+          node['tags'] << 'local'
+        elsif node['vm']
+          node['tags'] << 'vm'
+        end
+        node['tags'].each do |node_tag|
+          tag = node_env.tags[node_tag]
+          if tag.nil?
+            msg = 'in node `%s`: the tag "%s" does not exist!' % [node['name'], node_tag]
+            LeapCli.log 0, :error, msg
+            raise LeapCli::ConfigError.new(node, "error " + msg) if throw_exceptions
+          else
+            new_node.deep_merge!(tag)
+          end
+        end
+
+        # inherit from node
+        new_node.deep_merge!(node)
+        return new_node
+      end
+
+      def apply_inheritance!(node)
+        apply_inheritance(node, true)
+      end
+
+      #
+      # Guess the environment of the node from the tag names.
+      #
+      # Technically, this is wrong: a tag that sets the environment might not be
+      # named the same as the environment. This code assumes that it is.
+      #
+      # Unfortunately, it is a chicken and egg problem. We need to know the nodes
+      # likely environment in order to apply the inheritance that will actually
+      # determine the node's properties.
+      #
+      def guess_node_env(node)
+        if node.vagrant?
+          return self.env("local")
+        else
+          environment = self.env(default_environment)
+          if node['tags']
+            node['tags'].to_a.each do |tag|
+              if self.environment_names.include?(tag)
+                environment = self.env(tag)
+              end
+            end
+          end
+          return environment
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # does some final clean at the end of loading nodes.
+      # this includes removing disabled nodes, and populating
+      # the services[x].node_list and tags[x].node_list
+      #
+      def cleanup_node_lists(options)
+        @disabled_nodes = Config::ObjectList.new
+        env.nodes.each do |name, node|
+          if node.enabled || options[:include_disabled]
+            if node['services']
+              node['services'].to_a.each do |node_service|
+                env(node.environment).services[node_service].node_list.add(node.name, node)
+                env('_all_').services[node_service].node_list.add(node.name, node)
+              end
+            end
+            if node['tags']
+              node['tags'].to_a.each do |node_tag|
+                if env(node.environment).tags[node_tag]
+                  # if tag exists
+                  env(node.environment).tags[node_tag].node_list.add(node.name, node)
+                  env('_all_').tags[node_tag].node_list.add(node.name, node)
+                end
+              end
+            end
+            if node.name == 'default' || environment_names.include?(node.name)
+              LeapCli::Util.bail! do
+                LeapCli.log :error, "The node name '#{node.name}' is invalid, because there is an environment with that same name."
+              end
+            end
+          elsif !options[:include_disabled]
+            LeapCli.log 2, :skipping, "disabled node #{name}."
+            env.nodes.delete(name)
+            @disabled_nodes[name] = node
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # Applies 'control' files for node .json files and provider.json.
+      #
+      # A control file is like a service or a tag JSON file, but it contains
+      # raw ruby code that gets evaluated in the context of the node.
+      #
+      # Yes, this entirely breaks our functional programming model for JSON
+      # generation.
+      #
+      # Control files are evaluated last, after everything else has run.
+      #
+      def apply_control_files
+        @environments.values.each do |e|
+          provider_control_files(e.name).each do |provider_rb|
+            begin
+              e.provider.eval_file provider_rb
+            rescue ConfigError => exc
+              if options[:continue_on_error]
+                exc.log
+              else
+                raise exc
+              end
+            end
+          end
+        end
+        env.nodes.each do |name, node|
+          node_control_files(node).each do |file|
+            begin
+              node.eval_file file
+            rescue ConfigError => exc
+              if options[:continue_on_error]
+                exc.log
+              else
+                raise exc
+              end
+            end
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      def node_control_files(node)
+        files = []
+        [Path.provider_base, Path.provider].each do |provider_dir|
+          # add common.rb
+          common = File.join(provider_dir, 'common.rb')
+          files << common if File.exist?(common)
+
+          # add services/*.rb and tags/*.rb, as appropriate for this node
+          [['services', :service_config], ['tags', :tag_config]].each do |attribute, path_sym|
+            node[attribute].each do |attr_value|
+              path = Path.named_path([path_sym, "#{attr_value}.rb"], provider_dir).sub(/\.json$/,'')
+              if File.exist?(path)
+                files << path
+              end
+            end
+          end
+        end
+        return files
+      end
+
+      def provider_control_files(env)
+        # skip envs that start with underscore
+        if env =~ /^_/
+          return []
+        end
+        files = []
+        environments = [nil]
+        environments << env unless env == 'default'
+        environments.each do |environment|
+          [Path.provider_base, Path.provider].each do |provider_dir|
+            provider_rb = File.join(
+              provider_dir, ['provider', environment, 'rb'].compact.join('.')
+            )
+            files << provider_rb if File.exist?(provider_rb)
+          end
+        end
+        return files
+      end
+
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/config/node.rb b/lib/leap_cli/config/node.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..23abdee3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/config/node.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+#
+# Configuration for a 'node' (a server in the provider's infrastructure)
+#
+
+require 'ipaddr'
+
+module LeapCli; module Config
+
+  class Node < Object
+    attr_accessor :file_paths
+
+    def initialize(environment=nil)
+      super(environment)
+      @node = self
+      @file_paths = []
+    end
+
+    #
+    # returns true if this node has an ip address in the range of the vagrant network
+    #
+    def vagrant?
+      ip = self['ip_address']
+      return false unless ip
+      begin
+        vagrant_range = IPAddr.new LeapCli.leapfile.vagrant_network
+      rescue ArgumentError
+        Util::bail! { Util::log :invalid, "vagrant_network in Leapfile or .leaprc" }
+      end
+
+      begin
+        ip_addr = IPAddr.new(ip)
+      rescue ArgumentError
+        Util::log :warning, "invalid ip address '#{ip}' for node '#{@node.name}'"
+      end
+      return vagrant_range.include?(ip_addr)
+    end
+
+    def vm?
+      self['vm']
+    end
+
+    def vm_id?
+      self['vm.id'] && !self['vm.id'].empty?
+    end
+
+    #
+    # Return a hash table representation of ourselves, with the key equal to the @node.name,
+    # and the value equal to the fields specified in *keys.
+    #
+    # Also, the result is flattened to a single hash, so a key of 'a.b' becomes 'a_b'
+    #
+    # compare to Object#pick(*keys). This method is the sames as Config::ObjectList#pick_fields,
+    # but works on a single node.
+    #
+    # Example:
+    #
+    #  node.pick('domain.internal') =>
+    #
+    #    {
+    #      'node1': {
+    #        'domain_internal': 'node1.example.i'
+    #      }
+    #    }
+    #
+    def pick_fields(*keys)
+      {@node.name => self.pick(*keys)}
+    end
+
+    #
+    # can be overridden by the platform.
+    # returns a list of node names that should be tested before this node
+    #
+    def test_dependencies
+      []
+    end
+
+    # returns a string list of supported ssh host key algorithms for this node.
+    # or an empty string if it could not be determined
+    def supported_ssh_host_key_algorithms
+      require 'leap_cli/ssh'
+      @host_key_algo ||= LeapCli::SSH::Key.supported_host_key_algorithms(
+        Util.read_file([:node_ssh_pub_key, @node.name])
+      )
+    end
+
+    #
+    # Takes strings such as "openvpn.gateway_address:1.1.1.1"
+    # and converts this to data stored in this node.
+    #
+    def seed_from_args(args)
+      args.each do |seed|
+        key, value = seed.split(':', 2)
+        value = format_seed_value(value)
+        Util.assert! key =~ /^[0-9a-z\._]+$/, "illegal characters used in property '#{key}'"
+        if key =~ /\./
+          key_parts = key.split('.')
+          final_key = key_parts.pop
+          current_object = self
+          key_parts.each do |key_part|
+            current_object[key_part] ||= Config::Object.new
+            current_object = current_object[key_part]
+          end
+          current_object[final_key] = value
+        else
+          self[key] = value
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+    #
+    # Seeds values for this node from a template, based on the services.
+    # Values in the template will not override existing node values.
+    #
+    def seed_from_template
+      inherit_from!(manager.template('common'))
+      [self['services']].flatten.each do |service|
+        if service
+          template = manager.template(service)
+          if template
+            inherit_from!(template)
+          end
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+    #
+    # bails if the node is not valid.
+    #
+    def validate!
+      #
+      # validate ip_address
+      #
+      if self['ip_address'] == "REQUIRED"
+        Util.bail! do
+          Util.log :error, "ip_address is not set. " +
+            "Specify with `leap node add NAME ip_address:ADDRESS`."
+        end
+      elsif self['ip_address']
+        begin
+          IPAddr.new(self['ip_address'])
+        rescue ArgumentError
+          Util.bail! do
+            Util.log :invalid, "ip_address #{self['ip_address'].inspect}"
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # validate name
+      #
+      self.class.validate_name!(self.name, self.vagrant?)
+    end
+
+    #
+    # create or update all the configs needed for this node,
+    # including x.509 certs as needed.
+    #
+    # note: this method will write to disk EVERYTHING
+    # in the node, which is not what you want
+    # if the node has inheritance applied.
+    #
+    def write_configs
+      json = self.dump_json(:exclude => ['name'])
+      Util.write_file!([:node_config, name], json + "\n")
+    rescue LeapCli::ConfigError
+      Config::Node.remove_node_files(self.name)
+    end
+
+    #
+    # modifies the config file nodes/NAME.json for this node.
+    #
+    def update_json(new_values)
+      self.env.update_node_json(node, new_values)
+    end
+
+    #
+    # returns an array of all possible dns names for this node
+    #
+    def all_dns_names
+      names = [@node.domain.internal, @node.domain.full]
+      if @node['dns'] && @node.dns['aliases'] && @node.dns.aliases.any?
+        names += @node.dns.aliases
+      end
+      names.compact!
+      names.sort!
+      names.uniq!
+      return names
+    end
+
+    def remove_files
+      self.class.remove_node_files(self.name)
+    end
+
+    ##
+    ## Class Methods
+    ##
+
+    def self.remove_node_files(node_name)
+      (Leap::Platform.node_files + [:node_files_dir]).each do |path|
+        Util.remove_file! [path, node_name]
+      end
+    end
+
+    def self.validate_name!(name, local=false)
+      Util.assert! name, 'Node is missing a name.'
+      if local
+        Util.assert! name =~ /^[0-9a-z]+$/,
+          "illegal characters used in node name '#{name}' " +
+          "(note: Vagrant does not allow hyphens or underscores)"
+      else
+        Util.assert! name =~ /^[0-9a-z-]+$/,
+          "illegal characters used in node name '#{name}' " +
+          "(note: Linux does not allow underscores)"
+      end
+    end
+
+    private
+
+    #
+    # conversions:
+    #
+    #   "x,y,z" => ["x","y","z"]
+    #
+    #   "22" => 22
+    #
+    #   "5.1" => 5.1
+    #
+    def format_seed_value(v)
+      if v =~ /,/
+        v = v.split(',')
+        v.map! do |i|
+          i = i.to_i if i.to_i.to_s == i
+          i = i.to_f if i.to_f.to_s == i
+          i
+        end
+      else
+        v = v.to_i if v.to_i.to_s == v
+        v = v.to_f if v.to_f.to_s == v
+      end
+      return v
+    end
+
+  end
+
+end; end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/config/node_cert.rb b/lib/leap_cli/config/node_cert.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..da63d621
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/config/node_cert.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+#
+# x509 related methods for Config::Node
+#
+module LeapCli; module Config
+
+  class Node < Object
+
+    #
+    # creates a new server certificate file for this node
+    #
+    def generate_cert
+      require 'leap_cli/x509'
+
+      if self['x509.use'] == false ||
+         !Util.file_exists?(:ca_cert, :ca_key) ||
+         !self.cert_needs_updating?
+        return false
+      end
+
+      cert = CertificateAuthority::Certificate.new
+      provider = env.provider
+
+      # set subject
+      cert.subject.common_name = self.domain.full
+      cert.serial_number.number = X509.cert_serial_number(self.domain.full)
+
+      # set expiration
+      cert.not_before = X509.yesterday
+      cert.not_after  = X509.yesterday_advance(provider.ca.server_certificates.life_span)
+
+      # generate key
+      cert.key_material.generate_key(provider.ca.server_certificates.bit_size)
+
+      # sign
+      cert.parent = X509.ca_root
+      cert.sign!(X509.server_signing_profile(self))
+
+      # save
+      Util.write_file!([:node_x509_key, self.name], cert.key_material.private_key.to_pem)
+      Util.write_file!([:node_x509_cert, self.name], cert.to_pem)
+    end
+
+    #
+    # returns true if the certs associated with +node+ need to be regenerated.
+    #
+    def cert_needs_updating?(log_comments=true)
+      require 'leap_cli/x509'
+
+      if log_comments
+        def log(*args, &block)
+          Util.log(*args, &block)
+        end
+      else
+        def log(*args); end
+      end
+
+      node = self
+      if !Util.file_exists?([:node_x509_cert, node.name], [:node_x509_key, node.name])
+        return true
+      else
+        cert = X509.load_certificate_file([:node_x509_cert, node.name])
+        if !X509.created_by_authority?(cert)
+          log :updating, "cert for node '#{node.name}' because it was signed by an old CA root cert."
+          return true
+        end
+        if cert.not_after < Time.now.advance(:months => 2)
+          log :updating, "cert for node '#{node.name}' because it will expire soon"
+          return true
+        end
+        if cert.subject.common_name != node.domain.full
+          log :updating, "cert for node '#{node.name}' because domain.full has changed (was #{cert.subject.common_name}, now #{node.domain.full})"
+          return true
+        end
+        cert.openssl_body.extensions.each do |ext|
+          if ext.oid == "subjectAltName"
+            ips = []
+            dns_names = []
+            ext.value.split(",").each do |value|
+              value.strip!
+              ips << $1          if value =~ /^IP Address:(.*)$/
+              dns_names << $1    if value =~ /^DNS:(.*)$/
+            end
+            dns_names.sort!
+            if ips.first != node.ip_address
+              log :updating, "cert for node '#{node.name}' because ip_address has changed (from #{ips.first} to #{node.ip_address})"
+              return true
+            elsif dns_names != node.all_dns_names
+              log :updating, "cert for node '#{node.name}' because domain name aliases have changed" do
+                log "from: #{dns_names.inspect}"
+                log "to: #{node.all_dns_names.inspect})"
+              end
+              return true
+            end
+          end
+        end
+      end
+      return false
+    end
+
+    #
+    # check the expiration of commercial certs, if any.
+    #
+    def warn_if_commercial_cert_will_soon_expire
+      require 'leap_cli/x509'
+
+      self.all_dns_names.each do |domain|
+        if Util.file_exists?([:commercial_cert, domain])
+          cert = X509.load_certificate_file([:commercial_cert, domain])
+          path = Path.relative_path([:commercial_cert, domain])
+          if cert.not_after < Time.now.utc
+            Util.log :error, "the commercial certificate '#{path}' has EXPIRED! " +
+              "You should renew it with `leap cert renew #{domain}`."
+          elsif cert.not_after < Time.now.advance(:months => 2)
+            Util.log :warning, "the commercial certificate '#{path}' will expire soon (#{cert.not_after}). "+
+              "You should renew it with `leap cert renew #{domain}`."
+          end
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+  end
+
+end; end
+
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/config/object.rb b/lib/leap_cli/config/object.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..16c41999
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/config/object.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,454 @@
+# encoding: utf-8
+
+require 'erb'
+require 'json/pure'  # pure ruby implementation is required for our sorted trick to work.
+
+if $ruby_version < [1,9]
+  $KCODE = 'UTF8'
+end
+require 'ya2yaml' # pure ruby yaml
+
+module LeapCli
+  module Config
+
+    #
+    # This class represents the configuration for a single node, service, or tag.
+    # Also, all the nested hashes are also of this type.
+    #
+    # It is called 'object' because it corresponds to an Object in JSON.
+    #
+    class Object < Hash
+
+      attr_reader :env
+      attr_reader :node
+
+      def initialize(environment=nil, node=nil)
+        raise ArgumentError unless environment.nil? || environment.is_a?(Config::Environment)
+        @env = environment
+        # an object that is a node as @node equal to self, otherwise all the
+        # child objects point back to the top level node.
+        @node = node || self
+      end
+
+      def manager
+        @env.manager
+      end
+
+      #
+      # TODO: deprecate node.global()
+      #
+      def global
+        @env
+      end
+
+      def environment=(e)
+        self.store('environment', e)
+      end
+
+      def environment
+        self['environment']
+      end
+
+      def duplicate(env)
+        new_object = self.deep_dup
+        new_object.set_environment(env, new_object)
+      end
+
+      #
+      # export YAML
+      #
+      # We use pure ruby yaml exporter ya2yaml instead of SYCK or PSYCH because it
+      # allows us greater compatibility regardless of installed ruby version and
+      # greater control over how the yaml is exported (sorted keys, in particular).
+      #
+      def dump_yaml
+        evaluate(@node)
+        sorted_ya2yaml(:syck_compatible => true)
+      end
+
+      #
+      # export JSON
+      #
+      def dump_json(options={})
+        evaluate(@node)
+        if options[:format] == :compact
+          return self.to_json
+        else
+          excluded = {}
+          if options[:exclude]
+            options[:exclude].each do |key|
+              excluded[key] = self[key]
+              self.delete(key)
+            end
+          end
+          json_str = JSON.sorted_generate(self)
+          if excluded.any?
+            self.merge!(excluded)
+          end
+          return json_str
+        end
+      end
+
+      def evaluate(context=@node)
+        evaluate_everything(context)
+        late_evaluate_everything(context)
+      end
+
+      ##
+      ## FETCHING VALUES
+      ##
+
+      def [](key)
+        get(key)
+      end
+
+      # Overrride some default methods in Hash that are likely to
+      # be used as attributes.
+      alias_method :hkey, :key
+      def key; get('key'); end
+
+      #
+      # make hash addressable like an object (e.g. obj['name'] available as obj.name)
+      #
+      def method_missing(method, *args, &block)
+        get!(method)
+      end
+
+      def get(key)
+        begin
+          get!(key)
+        rescue NoMethodError
+          nil
+        end
+      end
+
+      # override behavior of #default() from Hash
+      def default
+        get!('default')
+      end
+
+      #
+      # Like a normal Hash#[], except:
+      #
+      # (1) lazily eval dynamic values when we encounter them. (i.e. strings that start with "= ")
+      #
+      # (2) support for nested references in a single string (e.g. ['a.b'] is the same as ['a']['b'])
+      #     the dot path is always absolute, starting at the top-most object.
+      #
+      def get!(key)
+        key = key.to_s
+        if self.has_key?(key)
+          fetch_value(key)
+        elsif key =~ /\./
+          # for keys with with '.' in them, we start from the root object (@node).
+          keys = key.split('.')
+          value = self.get!(keys.first)
+          if value.is_a? Config::Object
+            value.get!(keys[1..-1].join('.'))
+          else
+            value
+          end
+        else
+          raise NoMethodError.new(key, "No method '#{key}' for #{self.class}")
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # works like Hash#store(key, value), but supports our nested dot notation,
+      # just like get() does.
+      #
+      def set(key, value)
+        key = key.to_s
+        # for keys with with '.' in them, we pop off the first part
+        # and recursively call ourselves.
+        if key =~ /\./
+          keys = key.split('.')
+          parent_value = self.get!(keys.first)
+          if parent_value.is_a?(Config::Object)
+            parent_value.set(keys[1..-1].join('.'), value)
+          else
+            parent_value.store(keys[1..-1].join('.'), value)
+          end
+        else
+          self.store(key, value)
+        end
+        return nil
+      end
+
+      ##
+      ## COPYING
+      ##
+
+      #
+      # A deep (recursive) merge with another Config::Object.
+      #
+      # If prefer_self is set to true, the value from self will be picked when there is a conflict
+      # that cannot be merged.
+      #
+      # Merging rules:
+      #
+      # - If a value is a hash, we recursively merge it.
+      # - If the value is simple, like a string, the new one overwrites the value.
+      # - If the value is an array:
+      #   - If both old and new values are arrays, the new one replaces the old.
+      #   - If one of the values is simple but the other is an array, the simple is added to the array.
+      #
+      def deep_merge!(object, prefer_self=false)
+        object.each do |key,new_value|
+          if self.has_key?('+'+key)
+            mode = :add
+            old_value = self.fetch '+'+key, nil
+            self.delete('+'+key)
+          elsif self.has_key?('-'+key)
+            mode = :subtract
+            old_value = self.fetch '-'+key, nil
+            self.delete('-'+key)
+          elsif self.has_key?('!'+key)
+            mode = :replace
+            old_value = self.fetch '!'+key, nil
+            self.delete('!'+key)
+          else
+            mode = :normal
+            old_value = self.fetch key, nil
+          end
+
+          # clean up boolean
+          new_value = true  if new_value == "true"
+          new_value = false if new_value == "false"
+          old_value = true  if old_value == "true"
+          old_value = false if old_value == "false"
+
+          # force replace?
+          if mode == :replace && prefer_self
+            value = old_value
+
+          # merge hashes
+          elsif old_value.is_a?(Hash) || new_value.is_a?(Hash)
+            value = Config::Object.new(@env, @node)
+            old_value.is_a?(Hash) ? value.deep_merge!(old_value) : (value[key] = old_value if !old_value.nil?)
+            new_value.is_a?(Hash) ? value.deep_merge!(new_value, prefer_self) : (value[key] = new_value if !new_value.nil?)
+
+          # merge nil
+          elsif new_value.nil?
+            value = old_value
+          elsif old_value.nil?
+            value = new_value
+
+          # merge arrays when one value is not an array
+          elsif old_value.is_a?(Array) && !new_value.is_a?(Array)
+            (value = (old_value.dup << new_value).compact.uniq).delete('REQUIRED')
+          elsif new_value.is_a?(Array) && !old_value.is_a?(Array)
+            (value = (new_value.dup << old_value).compact.uniq).delete('REQUIRED')
+
+          # merge two arrays
+          elsif old_value.is_a?(Array) && new_value.is_a?(Array)
+            if mode == :add
+              value = (old_value + new_value).sort.uniq
+            elsif mode == :subtract
+              value = new_value - old_value
+            elsif prefer_self
+              value = old_value
+            else
+              value = new_value
+            end
+
+          # catch errors
+          elsif type_mismatch?(old_value, new_value)
+            raise 'Type mismatch. Cannot merge %s (%s) with %s (%s). Key is "%s", name is "%s".' % [
+              old_value.inspect, old_value.class,
+              new_value.inspect, new_value.class,
+              key, self.class
+            ]
+
+          # merge simple strings & numbers
+          else
+            if prefer_self
+              value = old_value
+            else
+              value = new_value
+            end
+          end
+
+          # save value
+          self[key] = value
+        end
+        self
+      end
+
+      def set_environment(env, node)
+        @env = env
+        @node = node
+        self.each do |key, value|
+          if value.is_a?(Config::Object)
+            value.set_environment(env, node)
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # like a reverse deep merge
+      # (self takes precedence)
+      #
+      def inherit_from!(object)
+        self.deep_merge!(object, true)
+      end
+
+      #
+      # Make a copy of ourselves, except only including the specified keys.
+      #
+      # Also, the result is flattened to a single hash, so a key of 'a.b' becomes 'a_b'
+      #
+      def pick(*keys)
+        keys.map(&:to_s).inject(self.class.new(@manager)) do |hsh, key|
+          value = self.get(key)
+          if !value.nil?
+            hsh[key.gsub('.','_')] = value
+          end
+          hsh
+        end
+      end
+
+      def eval_file(filename)
+        evaluate_ruby(filename, File.read(filename))
+      end
+
+      protected
+
+      #
+      # walks the object tree, eval'ing all the attributes that are dynamic ruby (e.g. value starts with '= ')
+      #
+      def evaluate_everything(context)
+        keys.each do |key|
+          obj = fetch_value(key, context)
+          if is_required_value_not_set?(obj)
+            Util::log 0, :warning, "required property \"#{key}\" is not set in node \"#{node.name}\"."
+          elsif obj.is_a? Config::Object
+            obj.evaluate_everything(context)
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # some keys need to be evaluated 'late', after all the other keys have been evaluated.
+      #
+      def late_evaluate_everything(context)
+        if @late_eval_list
+          @late_eval_list.each do |key, value|
+            self[key] = context.evaluate_ruby(key, value)
+            if is_required_value_not_set?(self[key])
+              Util::log 0, :warning, "required property \"#{key}\" is not set in node \"#{node.name}\"."
+            end
+          end
+        end
+        values.each do |obj|
+          if obj.is_a? Config::Object
+            obj.late_evaluate_everything(context)
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # evaluates the string `value` as ruby in the context of self.
+      # (`key` is just passed for debugging purposes)
+      #
+      def evaluate_ruby(key, value)
+        self.instance_eval(value, key, 1)
+      rescue ConfigError => exc
+        raise exc # pass through
+      rescue SystemStackError => exc
+        Util::log 0, :error, "while evaluating node '#{self.name}'"
+        Util::log 0, "offending key: #{key}", :indent => 1
+        Util::log 0, "offending string: #{value}", :indent => 1
+        Util::log 0, "STACK OVERFLOW, BAILING OUT. There must be an eval loop of death (variables with circular dependencies).", :indent => 1
+        raise SystemExit.new(1)
+      rescue FileMissing => exc
+        Util::bail! do
+          if exc.options[:missing]
+            Util::log :missing, exc.options[:missing].gsub('$node', self.name).gsub('$file', exc.path)
+          else
+            Util::log :error, "while evaluating node '#{self.name}'"
+            Util::log "offending key: #{key}", :indent => 1
+            Util::log "offending string: #{value}", :indent => 1
+            Util::log "error message: no file '#{exc}'", :indent => 1
+          end
+          raise exc if DEBUG
+        end
+      rescue AssertionFailed => exc
+        Util.bail! do
+          Util::log :failed, "assertion while evaluating node '#{self.name}'"
+          Util::log 'assertion: %s' % exc.assertion, :indent => 1
+          Util::log "offending key: #{key}", :indent => 1
+          raise exc if DEBUG
+        end
+      rescue SyntaxError, StandardError => exc
+        Util::bail! do
+          Util::log :error, "while evaluating node '#{self.name}'"
+          Util::log "offending key: #{key}", :indent => 1
+          Util::log "offending string: #{value}", :indent => 1
+          Util::log "error message: #{exc.inspect}", :indent => 1
+          raise exc if DEBUG
+        end
+      end
+
+      private
+
+      #
+      # fetches the value for the key, evaluating the value as ruby if it begins with '='
+      #
+      def fetch_value(key, context=@node)
+        value = fetch(key, nil)
+        if value.is_a?(String) && value =~ /^=/
+          # strings prefix with '=' are evaluated as ruby code.
+          if value =~ /^=> (.*)$/
+            value = evaluate_later(key, $1)
+          elsif value =~ /^= (.*)$/
+            value = context.evaluate_ruby(key, $1)
+          end
+          self[key] = value
+        elsif value.is_a?(Proc)
+          # the value might be a proc, set by a 'control' file
+          self[key] = value.call
+        end
+        return value
+      end
+
+      def evaluate_later(key, value)
+        @late_eval_list ||= []
+        @late_eval_list << [key, value]
+        '<evaluate later>'
+      end
+
+      #
+      # when merging, we raise an error if this method returns true for the two values.
+      #
+      def type_mismatch?(old_value, new_value)
+        if old_value.is_a?(Boolean) && new_value.is_a?(Boolean)
+          # note: FalseClass and TrueClass are different classes
+          # so we can't do old_value.class == new_value.class
+          return false
+        elsif old_value.is_a?(String) && old_value =~ /^=/
+          # pass through macros, since we don't know what the type will eventually be.
+          return false
+        elsif new_value.is_a?(String) && new_value =~ /^=/
+          return false
+        elsif old_value.class == new_value.class
+          return false
+        else
+          return true
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # returns true if the value has not been changed and the default is "REQUIRED"
+      #
+      def is_required_value_not_set?(value)
+        if value.is_a? Array
+          value == ["REQUIRED"]
+        else
+          value == "REQUIRED"
+        end
+      end
+
+    end # class
+  end # module
+end # module
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/config/object_list.rb b/lib/leap_cli/config/object_list.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..80f89d92
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/config/object_list.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+require 'tsort'
+
+module LeapCli
+  module Config
+    #
+    # A list of Config::Object instances (internally stored as a hash)
+    #
+    class ObjectList < Hash
+      include TSort
+
+      def initialize(config=nil)
+        if config
+          self.add(config['name'], config)
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # If the key is a string, the Config::Object it references is returned.
+      #
+      # If the key is a hash, we treat it as a condition and filter all the Config::Objects using the condition.
+      # A new ObjectList is returned.
+      #
+      # Examples:
+      #
+      # nodes['vpn1']
+      #   node named 'vpn1'
+      #
+      # nodes[:public_dns => true]
+      #   all nodes with public dns
+      #
+      # nodes[:services => 'openvpn', 'location.country_code' => 'US']
+      #   all nodes with services containing 'openvpn' OR country code of US
+      #
+      # Sometimes, you want to do an OR condition with multiple conditions
+      # for the same field. Since hash keys must be unique, you can use
+      # an array representation instead:
+      #
+      # nodes[[:services, 'openvpn'], [:services, 'tor']]
+      #   nodes with openvpn OR tor service
+      #
+      # nodes[:services => 'openvpn'][:tags => 'production']
+      #   nodes with openvpn AND are production
+      #
+      def [](key)
+        if key.is_a?(Hash) || key.is_a?(Array)
+          filter(key)
+        else
+          super key.to_s
+        end
+      end
+
+      def exclude(node)
+        list = self.dup
+        list.delete(node.name)
+        return list
+      end
+
+      def each_node(&block)
+        self.keys.sort.each do |node_name|
+          yield self[node_name]
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # filters this object list, producing a new list.
+      # filter is an array or a hash. see []
+      #
+      def filter(filter)
+        results = Config::ObjectList.new
+        filter.each do |field, match_value|
+          field = field.is_a?(Symbol) ? field.to_s : field
+          match_value = match_value.is_a?(Symbol) ? match_value.to_s : match_value
+          if match_value.is_a?(String) && match_value =~ /^!/
+            operator = :not_equal
+            match_value = match_value.sub(/^!/, '')
+          else
+            operator = :equal
+          end
+          each do |name, config|
+            value = config[field]
+            if value.is_a? Array
+              if operator == :equal && value.include?(match_value)
+                results[name] = config
+              elsif operator == :not_equal && !value.include?(match_value)
+                results[name] = config
+              end
+            elsif match_value.is_a? Array
+              if operator == :equal && match_value.include?(value)
+                results[name] = config
+              elsif operator == :not_equal && !match_value.include?(value)
+                results[name] = config
+              end
+            else
+              if operator == :equal && value == match_value
+                results[name] = config
+              elsif operator == :not_equal && value != match_value
+                results[name] = config
+              end
+            end
+          end
+        end
+        results
+      end
+
+      def add(name, object)
+        self[name] = object
+      end
+
+      #
+      # converts the hash of configs into an array of hashes, with ONLY the specified fields
+      #
+      def fields(*fields)
+        result = []
+        keys.sort.each do |name|
+          result << self[name].pick(*fields)
+        end
+        result
+      end
+
+      #
+      # like fields(), but returns an array of values instead of an array of hashes.
+      #
+      def field(field)
+        field = field.to_s
+        result = []
+        keys.sort.each do |name|
+          result << self[name].get(field)
+        end
+        result
+      end
+
+      #
+      # pick_fields(field1, field2, ...)
+      #
+      # generates a Hash from the object list, but with only the fields that are picked.
+      #
+      # If there are more than one field, then the result is a Hash of Hashes.
+      # If there is just one field, it is a simple map to the value.
+      #
+      # For example:
+      #
+      #   "neighbors" = "= nodes_like_me[:services => :couchdb].pick_fields('domain.full', 'ip_address')"
+      #
+      # generates this:
+      #
+      #   neighbors:
+      #     couch1:
+      #       domain_full: couch1.bitmask.net
+      #       ip_address: "10.5.5.44"
+      #     couch2:
+      #       domain_full: couch2.bitmask.net
+      #       ip_address: "10.5.5.52"
+      #
+      # But this:
+      #
+      #   "neighbors": "= nodes_like_me[:services => :couchdb].pick_fields('domain.full')"
+      #
+      # will generate this:
+      #
+      #   neighbors:
+      #     couch1: couch1.bitmask.net
+      #     couch2: couch2.bitmask.net
+      #
+      def pick_fields(*fields)
+        self.values.inject({}) do |hsh, node|
+          value = self[node.name].pick(*fields)
+          if fields.size == 1
+            value = value.values.first
+          end
+          hsh[node.name] = value
+          hsh
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # Applies inherit_from! to all objects.
+      #
+      # 'env' specifies what environment should be for
+      # each object in the list.
+      #
+      def inherit_from!(object_list, env)
+        object_list.each do |name, object|
+          if self[name]
+            self[name].inherit_from!(object)
+          else
+            self[name] = object.duplicate(env)
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # topographical sort based on test dependency
+      #
+      def tsort_each_node(&block)
+        self.each_key(&block)
+      end
+
+      def tsort_each_child(node_name, &block)
+        if self[node_name]
+          self[node_name].test_dependencies.each do |test_me_first|
+            if self[test_me_first] # TODO: in the future, allow for ability to optionally pull in all dependencies.
+                                   # not just the ones that pass the node filter.
+              yield(test_me_first)
+            end
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      def names_in_test_dependency_order
+        self.tsort
+      end
+
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/config/provider.rb b/lib/leap_cli/config/provider.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0d8bc1f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/config/provider.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#
+# Configuration class for provider.json
+#
+
+module LeapCli; module Config
+  class Provider < Object
+    attr_reader :environment
+    def set_env(e)
+      if e == 'default'
+        @environment = nil
+      else
+        @environment = e
+      end
+    end
+    def provider
+      self
+    end
+    def validate!
+      # nothing here yet :(
+    end
+  end
+end; end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/config/secrets.rb b/lib/leap_cli/config/secrets.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ca851c74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/config/secrets.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+# encoding: utf-8
+#
+# A class for the secrets.json file
+#
+
+module LeapCli; module Config
+
+  class Secrets < Object
+    attr_reader :node_list
+
+    def initialize(manager=nil)
+      super(manager)
+      @discovered_keys = {}
+    end
+
+    # we can't use fetch() or get(), since those already have special meanings
+    def retrieve(key, environment)
+      environment ||= 'default'
+      self.fetch(environment, {})[key.to_s]
+    end
+
+    def set(*args, &block)
+      if block_given?
+        set_with_block(*args, &block)
+      else
+        set_without_block(*args)
+      end
+    end
+
+    # searches over all keys matching the regexp, checking to see if the value
+    # has been already used by any of them.
+    def taken?(regexp, value, environment)
+      self.keys.grep(regexp).each do |key|
+        return true if self.retrieve(key, environment) == value
+      end
+      return false
+    end
+
+    def set_without_block(key, value, environment)
+      set_with_block(key, environment) {value}
+    end
+
+    def set_with_block(key, environment, &block)
+      environment ||= 'default'
+      key = key.to_s
+      @discovered_keys[environment] ||= {}
+      @discovered_keys[environment][key] = true
+      self[environment] ||= {}
+      self[environment][key] ||= yield
+    end
+
+    #
+    # if clean is true, then only secrets that have been discovered
+    # during this run will be exported.
+    #
+    # if environment is also pinned, then we will clean those secrets
+    # just for that environment.
+    #
+    # the clean argument should only be used when all nodes have
+    # been processed, otherwise secrets that are actually in use will
+    # get mistakenly removed.
+    #
+    def dump_json(clean=false)
+      pinned_env = LeapCli.leapfile.environment
+      if clean
+        self.each_key do |environment|
+          if pinned_env.nil? || pinned_env == environment
+            env = self[environment]
+            if env.nil?
+              raise StandardError.new("secrets.json file seems corrupted. No such environment '#{environment}'")
+            end
+            env.each_key do |key|
+              unless @discovered_keys[environment] && @discovered_keys[environment][key]
+                self[environment].delete(key)
+              end
+            end
+            if self[environment].empty?
+              self.delete(environment)
+            end
+          end
+        end
+      end
+      super()
+    end
+  end
+
+end; end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/config/sources.rb b/lib/leap_cli/config/sources.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..aee860de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/config/sources.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# encoding: utf-8
+#
+# A class for the sources.json file
+#
+
+module LeapCli
+  module Config
+    class Sources < Object
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/config/tag.rb b/lib/leap_cli/config/tag.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6bd8d1e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/config/tag.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+#
+#
+# A class for node services or node tags.
+#
+#
+
+module LeapCli; module Config
+
+  class Tag < Object
+    attr_reader :node_list
+
+    def initialize(environment=nil)
+      super(environment)
+      @node_list = Config::ObjectList.new
+    end
+
+    # don't copy the node list pointer when this object is dup'ed.
+    def initialize_copy(orig)
+      super
+      @node_list = Config::ObjectList.new
+    end
+
+  end
+
+end; end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/leapfile_extensions.rb b/lib/leap_cli/leapfile_extensions.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cba321f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/leapfile_extensions.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+module LeapCli
+  class Leapfile
+    attr_reader :custom_vagrant_vm_line
+    attr_reader :leap_version
+    attr_reader :log
+    attr_reader :vagrant_basebox
+
+    def vagrant_network
+      @vagrant_network ||= '10.5.5.0/24'
+    end
+
+    private
+
+    PRIVATE_IP_RANGES = /(^127\.0\.0\.1)|(^10\.)|(^172\.1[6-9]\.)|(^172\.2[0-9]\.)|(^172\.3[0-1]\.)|(^192\.168\.)/
+
+    def validate
+      Util::assert! vagrant_network =~ PRIVATE_IP_RANGES do
+        Util::log 0, :error, "in #{file}: vagrant_network is not a local private network"
+      end
+      return true
+    end
+
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/load_libraries.rb b/lib/leap_cli/load_libraries.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..01384f78
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/load_libraries.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+#
+# load the commonly needed leap_cli libraries that live in the platform.
+#
+# loaded by leap_cli's bootstrap.rb
+#
+
+require 'leap_cli/log_filter'
+
+require 'leap_cli/config/object'
+require 'leap_cli/config/node'
+require 'leap_cli/config/node_cert'
+require 'leap_cli/config/tag'
+require 'leap_cli/config/provider'
+require 'leap_cli/config/secrets'
+require 'leap_cli/config/cloud'
+require 'leap_cli/config/object_list'
+require 'leap_cli/config/filter'
+require 'leap_cli/config/environment'
+require 'leap_cli/config/manager'
+
+require 'leap_cli/util/secret'
+require 'leap_cli/util/vagrant'
+require 'leap_cli/util/console_table'
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/log_filter.rb b/lib/leap_cli/log_filter.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c73f3a91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/log_filter.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+#
+# A module to hide, modify, and colorize log entries.
+#
+
+module LeapCli
+  module LogFilter
+    #
+    # options for formatters:
+    #
+    # :match       => regexp for matching a log line
+    # :color       => what color the line should be
+    # :style       => what style the line should be
+    # :priority    => what order the formatters are applied in. higher numbers first.
+    # :match_level => only apply filter at the specified log level
+    # :level       => make this line visible at this log level or higher
+    # :replace     => replace the matched text
+    # :prepend     => insert text at start of message
+    # :append      => append text to end of message
+    # :exit        => force the exit code to be this (does not interrupt program, just
+    #                 ensures a specific exit code when the program eventually exits)
+    #
+    FORMATTERS = [
+      # TRACE
+      { :match => /command finished/,          :color => :white,   :style => :dim, :match_level => 3, :priority => -10 },
+      { :match => /executing locally/,         :color => :yellow,  :match_level => 3, :priority => -20 },
+
+      # DEBUG
+      #{ :match => /executing .*/,             :color => :green,   :match_level => 2, :priority => -10, :timestamp => true },
+      #{ :match => /.*/,                       :color => :yellow,  :match_level => 2, :priority => -30 },
+      { :match => /^transaction:/,             :level => 3 },
+
+      # INFO
+      { :match => /.*out\] (fatal:|ERROR:).*/, :color => :red,     :match_level => 1, :priority => -10 },
+      { :match => /Permission denied/,         :color => :red,     :match_level => 1, :priority => -20 },
+      { :match => /sh: .+: command not found/, :color => :magenta, :match_level => 1, :priority => -30 },
+
+      # IMPORTANT
+      { :match => /^(E|e)rr ::/,               :color => :red,     :match_level => 0, :priority => -10, :exit => 1},
+      { :match => /^ERROR:/,                   :color => :red,                        :priority => -10, :exit => 1},
+      #{ :match => /.*/,                        :color => :blue,    :match_level => 0, :priority => -20 },
+
+      # CLEANUP
+      #{ :match => /\s+$/,                      :replace => '', :priority => 0},
+
+      # DEBIAN PACKAGES
+      { :match => /^(Hit|Ign) /,                :color => :green,   :priority => -20},
+      { :match => /^Err /,                      :color => :red,     :priority => -20},
+      { :match => /^W(ARNING)?: /,              :color => :yellow,  :priority => -20},
+      { :match => /^E: /,                       :color => :red,     :priority => -20},
+      { :match => /already the newest version/, :color => :green,   :priority => -20},
+      { :match => /WARNING: The following packages cannot be authenticated!/, :color => :red, :level => 0, :priority => -10},
+
+      # PUPPET
+      { :match => /^(W|w)arning: Not collecting exported resources without storeconfigs/, :level => 2, :color => :yellow, :priority => -10},
+      { :match => /^(W|w)arning: Found multiple default providers for vcsrepo:/,          :level => 2, :color => :yellow, :priority => -10},
+      { :match => /^(W|w)arning: .*is deprecated.*$/, :level => 2, :color => :yellow, :priority => -10},
+      { :match => /^(W|w)arning: Scope.*$/,           :level => 2, :color => :yellow, :priority => -10},
+      #{ :match => /^(N|n)otice:/,                     :level => 1, :color => :cyan,   :priority => -20},
+      #{ :match => /^(N|n)otice:.*executed successfully$/, :level => 2, :color => :cyan, :priority => -15},
+      { :match => /^(W|w)arning:/,                    :level => 0, :color => :yellow, :priority => -20},
+      { :match => /^Duplicate declaration:/,          :level => 0, :color => :red,    :priority => -20},
+      #{ :match => /Finished catalog run/,             :level => 0, :color => :green,  :priority => -10},
+      { :match => /^APPLY COMPLETE \(changes made\)/, :level => 0, :color => :green, :style => :bold, :priority => -10},
+      { :match => /^APPLY COMPLETE \(no changes\)/,   :level => 0, :color => :green, :style => :bold, :priority => -10},
+
+      # PUPPET FATAL ERRORS
+      { :match => /^(E|e)rr(or|):/,                :level => 0, :color => :red, :priority => -1, :exit => 1},
+      { :match => /^Wrapped exception:/,           :level => 0, :color => :red, :priority => -1, :exit => 1},
+      { :match => /^Failed to parse template/,     :level => 0, :color => :red, :priority => -1, :exit => 1},
+      { :match => /^Execution of.*returned/,       :level => 0, :color => :red, :priority => -1, :exit => 1},
+      { :match => /^Parameter matches failed:/,    :level => 0, :color => :red, :priority => -1, :exit => 1},
+      { :match => /^Syntax error/,                 :level => 0, :color => :red, :priority => -1, :exit => 1},
+      { :match => /^Cannot reassign variable/,     :level => 0, :color => :red, :priority => -1, :exit => 1},
+      { :match => /^Could not find template/,      :level => 0, :color => :red, :priority => -1, :exit => 1},
+      { :match => /^APPLY COMPLETE.*fail/,         :level => 0, :color => :red, :style => :bold, :priority => -1, :exit => 1},
+
+      # TESTS
+      { :match => /^PASS: /,                :color => :green,   :priority => -20},
+      { :match => /^(FAIL|ERROR): /,        :color => :red,     :priority => -20},
+      { :match => /^(SKIP|WARN): /,         :color => :yellow,  :priority => -20},
+      { :match => /\d+ tests: \d+ passes, \d+ skips, 0 warnings, 0 failures, 0 errors/,
+        :color => :green, :style => :bold, :priority => -20 },
+      { :match => /\d+ tests: \d+ passes, \d+ skips, [1-9][0-9]* warnings, 0 failures, 0 errors/,
+        :color => :yellow, :style => :bold,  :priority => -20 },
+      { :match => /\d+ tests: \d+ passes, \d+ skips, \d+ warnings, \d+ failures, [1-9][0-9]* errors/,
+        :color => :red, :style => :bold, :priority => -20 },
+      { :match => /\d+ tests: \d+ passes, \d+ skips, \d+ warnings, [1-9][0-9]* failures, \d+ errors/,
+        :color => :red, :style => :bold, :priority => -20 },
+
+      # LOG SUPPRESSION
+      { :match => /^(W|w)arning: You cannot collect without storeconfigs being set/, :level => 2, :priority => 10},
+      { :match => /^(W|w)arning: You cannot collect exported resources without storeconfigs being set/, :level => 2, :priority => 10}
+    ]
+
+    SORTED_FORMATTERS = FORMATTERS.sort_by { |i| -(i[:priority] || i[:prio] || 0) }
+
+    #
+    # same as normal formatters, but only applies to the title, not the message.
+    #
+    TITLE_FORMATTERS = [
+      # red
+      { :match => /fatal_error/, :replace => 'fatal error:', :color => :red, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /error/, :color => :red, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /removed/, :color => :red, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /removing/, :color => :red, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /destroyed/, :color => :red, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /destroying/, :color => :red, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /terminated/, :color => :red, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /failed/, :replace => 'FAILED', :color => :red, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /bailing/, :replace => 'bailing', :color => :red, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /invalid/, :color => :red, :style => :bold },
+
+      # yellow
+      { :match => /warning/, :replace => 'warning:', :color => :yellow, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /missing/, :color => :yellow, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /skipping/, :color => :yellow, :style => :bold },
+
+      # green
+      { :match => /created/, :color => :green, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /completed/, :color => :green, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /ran/, :color => :green, :style => :bold },
+      { :match => /^registered/, :color => :green, :style => :bold },
+
+      # cyan
+      { :match => /note/, :replace => 'NOTE:', :color => :cyan, :style => :bold },
+
+      # magenta
+      { :match => /nochange/, :replace => 'no change', :color => :magenta },
+      { :match => /^loading/, :color => :magenta },
+    ]
+
+    def self.apply_message_filters(message)
+      return self.apply_filters(SORTED_FORMATTERS, message)
+    end
+
+    def self.apply_title_filters(title)
+      return self.apply_filters(TITLE_FORMATTERS, title)
+    end
+
+    private
+
+    def self.apply_filters(formatters, message)
+      level = LeapCli.logger.log_level
+      result = {}
+      formatters.each do |formatter|
+        if (formatter[:match_level] == level || formatter[:match_level].nil?)
+          if message =~ formatter[:match]
+            # puts "applying formatter #{formatter.inspect}"
+            result[:level] = formatter[:level] if formatter[:level]
+            result[:color] = formatter[:color] if formatter[:color]
+            result[:style] = formatter[:style] || formatter[:attribute] # (support original cap colors)
+
+            message.gsub!(formatter[:match], formatter[:replace]) if formatter[:replace]
+            message.replace(formatter[:prepend] + message) unless formatter[:prepend].nil?
+            message.replace(message + formatter[:append])  unless formatter[:append].nil?
+            message.replace(Time.now.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %T') + ' ' + message) if formatter[:timestamp]
+
+            if formatter[:exit]
+              LeapCli::Util.exit_status(formatter[:exit])
+            end
+
+            # stop formatting, unless formatter was just for string replacement
+            break unless formatter[:replace]
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      if result[:color] == :hide
+        return [nil, {}]
+      else
+        return [message, result]
+      end
+    end
+
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/macros.rb b/lib/leap_cli/macros.rb
deleted file mode 100644
index fdb9a94e..00000000
--- a/lib/leap_cli/macros.rb
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
-#
-# MACROS
-#
-# The methods in these files are available in the context of a .json configuration file.
-# (The module LeapCli::Macro is included in Config::Object)
-#
-
-require_relative 'macros/core'
-require_relative 'macros/files'
-require_relative 'macros/haproxy'
-require_relative 'macros/hosts'
-require_relative 'macros/keys'
-require_relative 'macros/nodes'
-require_relative 'macros/secrets'
-require_relative 'macros/stunnel'
-require_relative 'macros/provider'
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/macros/files.rb b/lib/leap_cli/macros/files.rb
index 04c94edf..602fdddb 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/macros/files.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/macros/files.rb
@@ -79,19 +79,26 @@ module LeapCli
     #
     #   file_path(:dkim_priv_key) {generate_dkim_key}
     #
-    # notes:
+    # Notes:
     #
-    # * argument 'path' is relative to Path.provider/files or
-    #   Path.provider_base/files
-    # * the path returned by this method is absolute
-    # * the path stored for use later by rsync is relative to Path.provider
-    # * if the path does not exist locally, but exists in provider_base,
+    # * Argument 'path' must be relative to Path.provider/files or
+    #   Path.provider_base/files. It is OK for the path to be prefixed with
+    #   with 'files/', this prefix will be ignored.
+    #
+    # * The path returned by this method is an absolute path on the server.
+    #
+    # * The path stored for use later by rsync is relative to the local
+    #   Path.provider. It should always be prefixed with 'files/'
+    #
+    # * If the path does not exist locally, but exists in provider_base,
     #   then the default file from provider_base is copied locally. this
     #   is required for rsync to work correctly.
     #
+    #   NOTE: this is an aweful way to do this. It would be better
+    #         to rsync twice.
+    #
     def remote_file_path(path, options={}, &block)
       local_path = local_file_path(path, options, &block)
-
       return nil if local_path.nil?
 
       # if file is under Path.provider_base, we must copy the default file to
@@ -110,9 +117,11 @@ module LeapCli
       end
 
       relative_path = Path.relative_path(local_path)
-      relative_path.sub!(/^files\//, '') # remove "files/" prefix
       @node.file_paths << relative_path
-      return File.join(Leap::Platform.files_dir, relative_path)
+      return File.join(
+        Leap::Platform.files_dir,
+        relative_path.sub(/^files\//, '')
+      )
     end
 
     # deprecated
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/macros/haproxy.rb b/lib/leap_cli/macros/haproxy.rb
index 602ae726..3fef24c4 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/macros/haproxy.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/macros/haproxy.rb
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ module LeapCli
 
       # create a simple map for node name -> local stunnel accept port
       accept_ports = stunnel_clients.inject({}) do |hsh, stunnel_entry|
-        name = stunnel_entry.first.sub /_[0-9]+$/, ''
+        name = stunnel_entry.first.sub(/_[0-9]+$/, '')
         hsh[name] = stunnel_entry.last['accept_port']
         hsh
       end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/macros/keys.rb b/lib/leap_cli/macros/keys.rb
index e7a75cfb..9cc01fe7 100644
--- a/lib/leap_cli/macros/keys.rb
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/macros/keys.rb
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ module LeapCli
     # generating key if it is missing
     #
     def tor_public_key_path(path_name, key_type)
-      file_path(path_name) { generate_tor_key(key_type) }
+      remote_file_path(path_name) { generate_tor_key(key_type) }
     end
 
     #
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ module LeapCli
     # generating key if it is missing
     #
     def tor_private_key_path(path_name, key_type)
-      file_path(path_name) { generate_tor_key(key_type) }
+      remote_file_path(path_name) { generate_tor_key(key_type) }
     end
 
     #
@@ -55,15 +55,15 @@ module LeapCli
       require 'base32'
       require 'base64'
       require 'openssl'
-      path = Path.find_file([path_name, self.name])
-      if path && File.exists?(path)
+      path = Path.named_path([path_name, self.name])
+      if path && File.exist?(path)
         public_key_str = File.readlines(path).grep(/^[^-]/).join
         public_key     = Base64.decode64(public_key_str)
         public_key     = public_key.slice(22..-1) # Tor ignores the 22 byte SPKI header
         sha1sum        = Digest::SHA1.new.digest(public_key)
         Base32.encode(sha1sum.slice(0,10)).downcase
       else
-        LeapCli.log :warning, 'Tor public key file "%s" does not exist' % tor_public_key_path
+        LeapCli.log :warning, 'Tor public key file "%s" does not exist' % path
       end
     end
 
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/ssh.rb b/lib/leap_cli/ssh.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8b604d1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/ssh.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+require 'sshkit'
+require_relative 'ssh/options'
+require_relative 'ssh/backend'
+require_relative 'ssh/formatter'
+require_relative 'ssh/scripts'
+require_relative 'ssh/remote_command'
+require_relative 'ssh/key'
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/ssh/backend.rb b/lib/leap_cli/ssh/backend.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3894d815
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/ssh/backend.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,209 @@
+#
+# A custome SSHKit backend, derived from the default netssh backend.
+# Our custom backend modifies the logging behavior and gracefully captures
+# common exceptions.
+#
+
+require 'stringio'
+require 'timeout'
+require 'sshkit'
+require 'leap_cli/ssh/formatter'
+require 'leap_cli/ssh/scripts'
+
+module SSHKit
+  class Command
+    #
+    # override exit_status in order to be less verbose
+    #
+    def exit_status=(new_exit_status)
+      @finished_at = Time.now
+      @exit_status = new_exit_status
+      if options[:raise_on_non_zero_exit] && exit_status > 0
+        message = ""
+        message += "exit status: " + exit_status.to_s + "\n"
+        message += "stdout: " + (full_stdout.strip.empty? ? "Nothing written" : full_stdout.strip) + "\n"
+        message += "stderr: " + (full_stderr.strip.empty? ? 'Nothing written' : full_stderr.strip) + "\n"
+        raise Failed, message
+      end
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+module LeapCli
+  module SSH
+    class Backend < SSHKit::Backend::Netssh
+
+      # since the @pool is a class instance variable, we need to copy
+      # the code from the superclass that initializes it. boo
+      @pool = SSHKit::Backend::ConnectionPool.new
+
+      # modify to pass itself to the block, instead of relying on instance_exec.
+      def run
+        Thread.current["sshkit_backend"] = self
+        # was: instance_exec(@host, &@block)
+        @block.call(self, @host)
+      ensure
+        Thread.current["sshkit_backend"] = nil
+      end
+
+      # if set, all the commands will begin with:
+      # sudo -u #{@user} -- sh -c '<command>'
+      def set_user(user='root')
+        @user = user
+      end
+
+      #
+      # like default capture, but gracefully logs failures for us
+      # last argument can be an options hash.
+      #
+      # available options:
+      #
+      #   :fail_msg    - [nil] if set, log this instead of the default
+      #                  fail message.
+      #
+      #   :raise_error - [nil] if true, then reraise failed command exception.
+      #
+      #   :log_cmd     - [false] if true, log what the command is that gets run.
+      #
+      #   :log_output  - [true] if true, log each output from the command as
+      #                  it is received.
+      #
+      #   :log_finish  - [false] if true, log the exit status and time
+      #                  to completion
+      #
+      #   :log_wrap    - [nil] passed to log method as :wrap option.
+      #
+      def capture(*args)
+        extract_options(args)
+        initialize_logger(:log_output => false)
+        rescue_ssh_errors(*args) do
+          return super(*args)
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # like default execute, but log the results as they come in.
+      #
+      # see capture() for available options
+      #
+      def stream(*args)
+        extract_options(args)
+        initialize_logger
+        rescue_ssh_errors(*args) do
+          execute(*args)
+        end
+      end
+
+      def log(*args, &block)
+        @logger ||= LeapCli.new_logger
+        @logger.log(*args, &block)
+      end
+
+      # some prewritten servers-side scripts
+      def scripts
+        @scripts ||= LeapCli::SSH::Scripts.new(self, @host.hostname)
+      end
+
+      #
+      # sshkit just passes upload! and download! to Net::SCP, but Net::SCP
+      # make it impossible to set the file permissions. Here is how the mode
+      # is determined, from upload.rb:
+      #
+      #    mode = channel[:stat] ? channel[:stat].mode & 07777 : channel[:options][:mode]
+      #
+      # The stat info from the file always overrides the mode you pass in options.
+      # However, the channel[:options][:mode] will be applied for pure in-memory
+      # uploads. So, if the mode is set, we convert the upload to be a memory
+      # upload instead of a file upload.
+      #
+      # Stupid, but blame Net::SCP.
+      #
+      def upload!(src, dest, options={})
+        if options[:mode]
+          if src.is_a?(StringIO)
+            content = src
+          else
+            content = StringIO.new(File.read(src))
+          end
+          super(content, dest, options)
+        else
+          super(src, dest, options)
+        end
+      end
+
+      private
+
+      #
+      # creates a new logger instance for this specific ssh command.
+      # by doing this, each ssh session has its own logger and its own
+      # indentation.
+      #
+      # potentially modifies 'args' array argument.
+      #
+      def initialize_logger(default_options={})
+        @logger ||= LeapCli.new_logger
+        @output = LeapCli::SSH::Formatter.new(@logger, @host, default_options.merge(@options))
+      end
+
+      def extract_options(args)
+        if args.last.is_a? Hash
+          @options = args.pop
+        else
+          @options = {}
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # capture common exceptions
+      #
+      def rescue_ssh_errors(*args, &block)
+        yield
+      rescue Net::SSH::HostKeyMismatch => exc
+        @logger.log(:fatal_error, "Host key mismatch!") do
+          @logger.log(exc.to_s)
+          @logger.log("The ssh host key for the server does not match what is on "+
+            " file in `%s`." % Path.named_path(:known_hosts))
+          @logger.log("One of these is happening:") do
+            @logger.log("There is an active Man in The Middle attack against you.")
+            @logger.log("Or, someone has generated new host keys for the server " +
+               "and your provider files are out of date.")
+            @logger.log("Or, a new server is using this IP address " +
+               "and your provider files are out of date.")
+            @logger.log("Or, the server configuration has changed to use a different host key.")
+          end
+          @logger.log("You can pin a different host key using `leap node init NODE`, " +
+            "but you must verify the fingerprint of the new host key!")
+        end
+        exit(1)
+      rescue StandardError => exc
+        if exc.is_a?(SSHKit::Command::Failed) || exc.is_a?(SSHKit::Runner::ExecuteError)
+          if @options[:raise_error]
+            raise LeapCli::SSH::ExecuteError, exc.to_s
+          elsif @options[:fail_msg]
+            @logger.log(@options[:fail_msg], host: @host.hostname, :color => :red)
+          else
+            @logger.log(:failed, args.join(' '), host: @host.hostname) do
+              @logger.log(exc.to_s.strip, wrap: true)
+            end
+          end
+        elsif exc.is_a?(Timeout::Error) || exc.is_a?(Net::SSH::ConnectionTimeout)
+          @logger.log(:failed, args.join(' '), host: @host.hostname) do
+            @logger.log("Connection timed out")
+          end
+          if @options[:raise_error]
+            raise LeapCli::SSH::TimeoutError, exc.to_s
+          end
+        else
+          raise
+        end
+        return nil
+      end
+
+      def output
+        @output ||= LeapCli::SSH::Formatter.new(@logger, @host)
+      end
+
+    end
+  end
+end
+
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/ssh/formatter.rb b/lib/leap_cli/ssh/formatter.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c2e386dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/ssh/formatter.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+#
+# A custom SSHKit formatter that uses LeapLogger.
+#
+
+require 'sshkit'
+
+module LeapCli
+  module SSH
+
+    class Formatter < SSHKit::Formatter::Abstract
+
+      DEFAULT_OPTIONS = {
+        :log_cmd => false,    # log what the command is that gets run.
+        :log_output => true,  # log each output from the command as it is received.
+        :log_finish => false  # log the exit status and time to completion.
+      }
+
+      def initialize(logger, host, options={})
+        @logger = logger || LeapCli.new_logger
+        @host = host
+        @options = DEFAULT_OPTIONS.merge(options)
+      end
+
+      def write(obj)
+        @logger.log(obj.to_s, :host => @host.hostname)
+      end
+
+      def log_command_start(command)
+        if @options[:log_cmd]
+          @logger.log(:running, "`" + command.to_s + "`", :host => @host.hostname)
+        end
+      end
+
+      def log_command_data(command, stream_type, stream_data)
+        if @options[:log_output]
+          color = stream_type == :stderr ? :red : nil
+          @logger.log(stream_data.to_s.chomp,
+            :color => color, :host => @host.hostname, :wrap => options[:log_wrap])
+        end
+      end
+
+      def log_command_exit(command)
+        if @options[:log_finish]
+          runtime = sprintf('%5.3fs', command.runtime)
+          if command.failure?
+            message = "in #{runtime} with status #{command.exit_status}."
+            @logger.log(:failed, message, :host => @host.hostname)
+          else
+            message = "in #{runtime}."
+            @logger.log(:completed, message, :host => @host.hostname)
+          end
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+  end
+end
+
+  #
+  # A custom InteractionHandler that will output the results as they come in.
+  #
+  #class LoggingInteractionHandler
+  #  def initialize(hostname, logger=nil)
+  #    @hostname = hostname
+  #    @logger = logger || LeapCli.new_logger
+  #  end
+  #  def on_data(command, stream_name, data, channel)
+  #    @logger.log(data, host: @hostname, wrap: true)
+  #  end
+  #end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/ssh/key.rb b/lib/leap_cli/ssh/key.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..76223b7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/ssh/key.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,310 @@
+#
+# A wrapper around OpenSSL::PKey::RSA instances to provide a better api for
+# dealing with SSH keys.
+#
+# NOTES:
+#
+# cipher 'ssh-ed25519' not supported yet because we are waiting
+# for support in Net::SSH
+#
+# there are many ways to represent an SSH key, since SSH keys can be of
+# a variety of types.
+#
+# To confuse matters more, there are multiple binary representations.
+# So, for example, an RSA key has a native SSH representation
+# (two bignums, e followed by n), and a DER representation.
+#
+# AWS uses fingerprints of the DER representation, but SSH typically reports
+# fingerprints of the SSH representation.
+#
+# Also, SSH public key files are base64 encoded, but with whitespace removed
+# so it all goes on one line.
+#
+# Some useful links:
+#
+# https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3162155/convert-rsa-public-key-to-rsa-der
+# https://net-ssh.github.io/ssh/v2/api/classes/Net/SSH/Buffer.html
+# https://serverfault.com/questions/603982/why-does-my-openssh-key-fingerprint-not-match-the-aws-ec2-console-keypair-finger
+#
+
+require 'net/ssh'
+require 'forwardable'
+require 'base64'
+
+module LeapCli
+  module SSH
+    class Key
+      extend Forwardable
+
+      attr_accessor :filename
+      attr_accessor :comment
+
+      # supported ssh key types, in order of preference
+      SUPPORTED_TYPES = ['ssh-rsa', 'ecdsa-sha2-nistp256']
+      SUPPORTED_TYPES_RE = /(#{SUPPORTED_TYPES.join('|')})/
+
+      ##
+      ## CLASS METHODS
+      ##
+
+      def self.load(arg1, arg2=nil)
+        key = nil
+        if arg1.is_a? OpenSSL::PKey::RSA
+          key = Key.new arg1
+        elsif arg1.is_a? String
+          if arg1 =~ /^ssh-/
+            type, data = arg1.split(' ')
+            key = Key.new load_from_data(data, type)
+          elsif File.exist? arg1
+            key = Key.new load_from_file(arg1)
+            key.filename = arg1
+          else
+            key = Key.new load_from_data(arg1, arg2)
+          end
+        end
+        return key
+      rescue StandardError
+      end
+
+      def self.load_from_file(filename)
+        public_key = nil
+        private_key = nil
+        begin
+          public_key = Net::SSH::KeyFactory.load_public_key(filename)
+        rescue NotImplementedError, Net::SSH::Exception, OpenSSL::PKey::PKeyError
+          begin
+            private_key = Net::SSH::KeyFactory.load_private_key(filename)
+          rescue NotImplementedError, Net::SSH::Exception, OpenSSL::PKey::PKeyError
+          end
+        end
+        public_key || private_key
+      end
+
+      def self.load_from_data(data, type='ssh-rsa')
+        public_key = nil
+        private_key = nil
+        begin
+          public_key = Net::SSH::KeyFactory.load_data_public_key("#{type} #{data}")
+        rescue NotImplementedError, Net::SSH::Exception, OpenSSL::PKey::PKeyError
+          begin
+            private_key = Net::SSH::KeyFactory.load_data_private_key("#{type} #{data}")
+          rescue NotImplementedError, Net::SSH::Exception, OpenSSL::PKey::PKeyError
+          end
+        end
+        public_key || private_key
+      end
+
+      def self.my_public_keys
+        load_keys_from_paths File.join(ENV['HOME'], '.ssh', '*.pub')
+      end
+
+      def self.provider_public_keys
+        load_keys_from_paths Path.named_path([:user_ssh, '*'])
+      end
+
+      #
+      # Picks one key out of an array of keys that we think is the "best",
+      # based on the order of preference in SUPPORTED_TYPES
+      #
+      # Currently, this does not take bitsize into account.
+      #
+      def self.pick_best_key(keys)
+        keys.select {|k|
+          SUPPORTED_TYPES.include?(k.type)
+        }.sort {|a,b|
+          SUPPORTED_TYPES.index(a.type) <=> SUPPORTED_TYPES.index(b.type)
+        }.first
+      end
+
+      #
+      # takes a string with one or more ssh keys, one key per line,
+      # and returns an array of Key objects.
+      #
+      # the lines should be in one of these formats:
+      #
+      # 1. <hostname> <key-type> <key>
+      # 2. <key-type> <key>
+      #
+      def self.parse_keys(string)
+        keys = []
+        lines = string.split("\n").grep(/^[^#]/)
+        lines.each do |line|
+          if line =~ / #{Key::SUPPORTED_TYPES_RE} /
+            # <hostname> <key-type> <key>
+            keys << line.split(' ')[1..2]
+          elsif line =~ /^#{Key::SUPPORTED_TYPES_RE} /
+            # <key-type> <key>
+            keys << line.split(' ')
+          end
+        end
+        return keys.map{|k| Key.load(k[1], k[0])}
+      end
+
+      #
+      # takes a string with one or more ssh keys, one key per line,
+      # and returns a string that specified the ssh key algorithms
+      # that are supported by the keys, in order of preference.
+      #
+      # eg: ecdsa-sha2-nistp256,ssh-rsa,ssh-ed25519
+      #
+      def self.supported_host_key_algorithms(string)
+        if string
+          self.parse_keys(string).map {|key|
+            key.type
+          }.join(',')
+        else
+          ""
+        end
+      end
+
+      private
+
+      def self.load_keys_from_paths(key_glob)
+        keys = []
+        Dir.glob(key_glob).each do |file|
+          key = Key.load(file)
+          if key && key.public?
+            keys << key
+          end
+        end
+        return keys
+      end
+
+      ##
+      ## INSTANCE METHODS
+      ##
+
+      public
+
+      def initialize(p_key)
+        @key = p_key
+      end
+
+      def_delegator :@key, :ssh_type, :type
+      def_delegator :@key, :public_encrypt, :public_encrypt
+      def_delegator :@key, :public_decrypt, :public_decrypt
+      def_delegator :@key, :private_encrypt, :private_encrypt
+      def_delegator :@key, :private_decrypt, :private_decrypt
+      def_delegator :@key, :params, :params
+      def_delegator :@key, :to_text, :to_text
+
+      def public_key
+        Key.new(@key.public_key)
+      end
+
+      def private_key
+        Key.new(@key.private_key)
+      end
+
+      def private?
+        @key.respond_to?(:private?) ? @key.private? : @key.private_key?
+      end
+
+      def public?
+        @key.respond_to?(:public?) ? @key.public? : @key.public_key?
+      end
+
+      #
+      # three arguments:
+      #
+      # - digest: one of md5, sha1, sha256, etc. (default sha256)
+      # - encoding: either :hex (default) or :base64
+      # - type: fingerprint type, either :ssh (default) or :der
+      #
+      # NOTE:
+      #
+      # * I am not sure how to make a fingerprint for OpenSSL::PKey::EC::Point
+      #
+      # * AWS reports fingerprints using MD5 digest for uploaded ssh keys,
+      #   but SHA1 for keys it created itself.
+      #
+      # * Also, AWS fingerprints are digests on the DER encoding of the key.
+      #   But standard SSH fingerprints are digests of SSH encoding of the key.
+      #
+      # * Other tools will sometimes display fingerprints in hex and sometimes
+      #   in base64. Arrrgh.
+      #
+      def fingerprint(type: :ssh, digest: :sha256, encoding: :hex)
+        require 'digest'
+
+        digest = digest.to_s.upcase
+        digester = case digest
+          when "MD5" then Digest::MD5.new
+          when "SHA1" then Digest::SHA1.new
+          when "SHA256" then Digest::SHA256.new
+          when "SHA384" then Digest::SHA384.new
+          when "SHA512" then Digest::SHA512.new
+          else raise ArgumentError, "digest #{digest} is unknown"
+        end
+
+        keymatter = nil
+        if type == :der && @key.respond_to?(:to_der)
+          keymatter = @key.to_der
+        else
+          keymatter = self.raw_key.to_s
+        end
+
+        fp = nil
+        if encoding == :hex
+          fp = digester.hexdigest(keymatter)
+        elsif encoding == :base64
+          fp = Base64.encode64(digester.digest(keymatter)).sub(/=$/, '')
+        else
+          raise ArgumentError, "encoding #{encoding} not understood"
+        end
+
+        if digest == "MD5" && encoding == :hex
+          return fp.scan(/../).join(':')
+        else
+          return fp
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # not sure if this will always work, but is seems to for now.
+      #
+      def bits
+        Net::SSH::Buffer.from(:key, @key).to_s.split("\001\000").last.size * 8
+      end
+
+      def summary
+        if self.filename
+          "%s %s %s (%s)" % [self.type, self.bits, self.fingerprint, File.basename(self.filename)]
+        else
+          "%s %s %s" % [self.type, self.bits, self.fingerprint]
+        end
+      end
+
+      def to_s
+        self.type + " " + self.key
+      end
+
+      #
+      # base64 encoding of the key, with spaces removed.
+      #
+      def key
+        [Net::SSH::Buffer.from(:key, @key).to_s].pack("m*").gsub(/\s/, "")
+      end
+
+      def raw_key
+        Net::SSH::Buffer.from(:key, @key)
+      end
+
+      def ==(other_key)
+        return false if other_key.nil?
+        return false if self.class != other_key.class
+        return self.to_text == other_key.to_text
+      end
+
+      def in_known_hosts?(*identifiers)
+        identifiers.each do |identifier|
+          Net::SSH::KnownHosts.search_for(identifier).each do |key|
+            return true if self == key
+          end
+        end
+        return false
+      end
+
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/ssh/options.rb b/lib/leap_cli/ssh/options.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7bc06564
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/ssh/options.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+#
+# Options for passing to the ruby gem ssh-net
+#
+
+module LeapCli
+  module SSH
+    module Options
+
+      #
+      # options passed to net-ssh. See
+      # https://net-ssh.github.io/net-ssh/Net/SSH.html#method-c-start
+      # for the available options.
+      #
+      def self.global_options
+        {
+          #:keys_only => true,
+          :global_known_hosts_file => Path.named_path(:known_hosts),
+          :user_known_hosts_file => '/dev/null',
+          :paranoid => true,
+          :verbose => net_ssh_log_level,
+          :auth_methods => ["publickey"],
+          :timeout => 5
+        }
+      end
+
+      def self.node_options(node, ssh_options_override=nil)
+        {
+          # :host_key_alias => node.name, << incompatible with ports in known_hosts
+          :host_name => node.ip_address,
+          :port => node.ssh.port
+        }.merge(
+          contingent_ssh_options_for_node(node)
+        ).merge(
+          ssh_options_override||{}
+        )
+      end
+
+      def self.options_from_args(args)
+        ssh_options = {}
+        if args[:port]
+          ssh_options[:port] = args[:port]
+        end
+        if args[:ip]
+          ssh_options[:host_name] = args[:ip]
+        end
+        if args[:auth_methods]
+          ssh_options[:auth_methods] = args[:auth_methods]
+        end
+        if args[:user]
+          ssh_options[:user] = args[:user]
+        end
+        return ssh_options
+      end
+
+      def self.sanitize_command(cmd)
+        if cmd =~ /(^|\/| )rm / || cmd =~ /(^|\/| )unlink /
+          LeapCli.log :warning, "You probably don't want to do that. Run with --force if you are really sure."
+          exit(1)
+        else
+          cmd
+        end
+      end
+
+      private
+
+      def self.contingent_ssh_options_for_node(node)
+        opts = {}
+        if node.vagrant?
+          opts[:keys] = [LeapCli::Util::Vagrant.vagrant_ssh_key_file]
+          opts[:keys_only] = true # only use the keys specified above, and
+                                  # ignore whatever keys the ssh-agent is aware of.
+          opts[:paranoid] = false # we skip host checking for vagrant nodes,
+                                  # because fingerprint is different for everyone.
+          if LeapCli.logger.log_level <= 1
+            opts[:verbose] = :error # suppress all the warnings about adding
+                                    # host keys to known_hosts, since it is
+                                    # not actually doing that.
+          end
+        end
+        if !node.supported_ssh_host_key_algorithms.empty?
+          opts[:host_key] = node.supported_ssh_host_key_algorithms
+        end
+        return opts
+      end
+
+      def self.net_ssh_log_level
+        if DEBUG
+          case LeapCli.logger.log_level
+            when 1 then :error
+            when 2 then :info
+            else :debug
+          end
+        else
+          :fatal
+        end
+      end
+
+    end
+  end
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/ssh/remote_command.rb b/lib/leap_cli/ssh/remote_command.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0e9f2d55
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/ssh/remote_command.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+#
+# Provides SSH.remote_command for running commands in parallel or in sequence
+# on remote servers.
+#
+# The gem sshkit is used for this.
+#
+
+require 'sshkit'
+require 'leap_cli/ssh/options'
+require 'leap_cli/ssh/backend'
+
+SSHKit.config.backend = LeapCli::SSH::Backend
+LeapCli::SSH::Backend.config.ssh_options = LeapCli::SSH::Options.global_options
+
+#
+# define remote_command
+#
+module LeapCli
+  module SSH
+
+    class ExecuteError < StandardError
+    end
+
+    class TimeoutError < ExecuteError
+    end
+
+    # override default runner mode
+    class CustomCoordinator < SSHKit::Coordinator
+      private
+      def default_options
+        { in: :groups, limit: 10, wait: 0 }
+      end
+    end
+
+    #
+    # Available options:
+    #
+    #  :port -- ssh port
+    #  :ip   -- ssh ip
+    #  :auth_methods -- e.g. ["pubkey", "password"]
+    #  :user -- default 'root'
+    #
+    def self.remote_command(nodes, options={}, &block)
+      CustomCoordinator.new(
+        host_list(
+          nodes,
+          SSH::Options.options_from_args(options)
+        )
+      ).each do |ssh, host|
+        LeapCli.log 2, "ssh options for #{host.hostname}: #{host.ssh_options.inspect}"
+        if host.user != 'root'
+          # if the ssh user is not root, we want to make the ssh commands
+          # switch to root before they are run:
+          ssh.set_user('root')
+        end
+        yield ssh, host
+      end
+    end
+
+    #
+    # For example:
+    #
+    # SSH.remote_sync(nodes) do |sync, host|
+    #   sync.source = '/from'
+    #   sync.dest   = '/to'
+    #   sync.flags  = ''
+    #   sync.includes = []
+    #   sync.excludes = []
+    #   sync.exec
+    # end
+    #
+    def self.remote_sync(nodes, options={}, &block)
+      require 'rsync_command'
+      hosts = host_list(
+        nodes,
+        SSH::Options.options_from_args(options)
+      )
+      rsync = RsyncCommand.new(:logger => LeapCli::logger)
+      rsync.asynchronously(hosts) do |sync, host|
+        sync.logger = LeapCli.new_logger
+        sync.user   = host.user || fetch(:user, ENV['USER'])
+        sync.host   = host.hostname
+        sync.ssh    = SSH::Options.global_options.merge(host.ssh_options)
+        sync.chdir  = Path.provider
+        yield(sync, host)
+      end
+      if rsync.failed?
+        LeapCli::Util.bail! do
+          LeapCli.log :failed, "to rsync to #{rsync.failures.map{|f|f[:dest][:host]}.join(' ')}"
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+    private
+
+    def self.host_list(nodes, ssh_options_override={})
+      if nodes.is_a?(Config::ObjectList)
+        list = nodes.values
+      elsif nodes.is_a?(Config::Node)
+        list = [nodes]
+      else
+        raise ArgumentError, "I don't understand the type of argument `nodes`"
+      end
+      list.collect do |node|
+        options = SSH::Options.node_options(node, ssh_options_override)
+        user    = options.delete(:user) || 'root'
+        #
+        # note: whatever hostname is specified here will be what is used
+        # when loading options from .ssh/config. However, this value
+        # has no impact on the actual ip address that is connected to,
+        # which is determined by the :host_name value in ssh_options.
+        #
+        SSHKit::Host.new(
+          :hostname => node.domain.full,
+          :user => user,
+          :ssh_options => options
+        )
+      end
+    end
+
+  end
+end
+
+
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/ssh/scripts.rb b/lib/leap_cli/ssh/scripts.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3dd6b604
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/ssh/scripts.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+#
+# Common commands that we would like to run on remote servers.
+#
+# These scripts are available via:
+#
+# SSH.remote_command(nodes) do |ssh, host|
+#   ssh.script.custom_script_name
+# end
+#
+
+module LeapCli
+  module SSH
+    class Scripts
+
+      REQUIRED_PACKAGES = "puppet rsync lsb-release locales"
+
+      attr_reader :ssh, :host
+      def initialize(backend, hostname)
+        @ssh = backend
+        @host = hostname
+      end
+
+      #
+      # creates directories that are owned by root and 700 permissions
+      #
+      def mkdirs(*dirs)
+        raise ArgumentError.new('illegal dir name') if dirs.grep(/[\' ]/).any?
+        ssh.stream dirs.collect{|dir| "mkdir -m 700 -p #{dir}; "}.join
+      end
+
+      #
+      # echos "ok" if the node has been initialized and the required packages are installed, bails out otherwise.
+      #
+      def assert_initialized
+        begin
+          test_initialized_file = "test -f #{Leap::Platform.init_path}"
+          check_required_packages = "! dpkg-query -W --showformat='${Status}\n' #{REQUIRED_PACKAGES} 2>&1 | grep -q -E '(deinstall|no packages)'"
+          ssh.stream "#{test_initialized_file} && #{check_required_packages} && echo ok", :raise_error => true
+        rescue SSH::ExecuteError
+          ssh.log :error, "running deploy: node not initialized. Run `leap node init #{host}`.", :host => host
+          raise # will skip further action on this node
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # bails out the deploy if the file /etc/leap/no-deploy exists.
+      #
+      def check_for_no_deploy
+        begin
+          ssh.stream "test ! -f /etc/leap/no-deploy", :raise_error => true, :log_output => false
+        rescue SSH::TimeoutError
+          raise
+        rescue SSH::ExecuteError
+          ssh.log :warning, "can't continue because file /etc/leap/no-deploy exists", :host => host
+          raise # will skip further action on this node
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # dumps debugging information
+      #
+      def debug
+        output = ssh.capture "#{Leap::Platform.leap_dir}/bin/debug.sh"
+        ssh.log(output, :wrap => true, :host => host, :color => :cyan)
+      end
+
+      #
+      # dumps the recent deploy history to the console
+      #
+      def history(lines)
+        cmd = "(test -s /var/log/leap/deploy-summary.log && tail -n #{lines} /var/log/leap/deploy-summary.log) || (test -s /var/log/leap/deploy-summary.log.1 && tail -n #{lines} /var/log/leap/deploy-summary.log.1) || (echo 'no history')"
+        history = ssh.capture(cmd, :log_output => false)
+        if history
+          ssh.log host, :color => :cyan, :style => :bold do
+            ssh.log history, :wrap => true
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # apply puppet! weeeeeee
+      #
+      def puppet_apply(options)
+        cmd = "#{Leap::Platform.leap_dir}/bin/puppet_command set_hostname apply #{flagize(options)}"
+        ssh.stream cmd, :log_finish => true
+      end
+
+      def install_authorized_keys
+        ssh.log :updating, "authorized_keys" do
+          mkdirs '/root/.ssh'
+          ssh.upload! LeapCli::Path.named_path(:authorized_keys), '/root/.ssh/authorized_keys', :mode => 0600
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # for vagrant nodes, we install insecure vagrant key to authorized_keys2, since deploy
+      # will overwrite authorized_keys.
+      #
+      # why force the insecure vagrant key?
+      #   if we don't do this, then first time initialization might fail if the user has many keys
+      #   (ssh will bomb out before it gets to the vagrant key).
+      #   and it really doesn't make sense to ask users to pin the insecure vagrant key in their
+      #   .ssh/config files.
+      #
+      def install_insecure_vagrant_key
+        ssh.log :installing, "insecure vagrant key" do
+          mkdirs '/root/.ssh'
+          ssh.upload! LeapCli::Path.vagrant_ssh_pub_key_file, '/root/.ssh/authorized_keys2', :mode => 0600
+        end
+      end
+
+      def install_prerequisites
+        bin_dir = File.join(Leap::Platform.leap_dir, 'bin')
+        node_init_path = File.join(bin_dir, 'node_init')
+        ssh.log :running, "node_init script" do
+          mkdirs bin_dir
+          ssh.upload! LeapCli::Path.node_init_script, node_init_path, :mode => 0700
+          ssh.stream node_init_path, :log_wrap => true
+        end
+      end
+
+      #
+      # AWS debian images only allow you to login as admin. This is done with a
+      # custom command in /root/.ssh/authorized_keys, instead of by modifying
+      # /etc/ssh/sshd_config.
+      #
+      # We need to be able to ssh as root for scp and rsync to work.
+      #
+      # This command is run as 'admin', with a sudo wrapper. In order for the
+      # sudo to work, the command must be specified as separate arguments with
+      # no spaces (that is how ssh-kit works).
+      #
+      def allow_root_ssh
+        ssh.execute 'cp', '/home/admin/.ssh/authorized_keys', '/root/.ssh/authorized_keys'
+      end
+
+      #
+      # uploads an acme challenge for renewing certificates using Let's Encrypt CA.
+      #
+      # Filename is returned from acme api, so it must not be trusted.
+      #
+      def upload_acme_challenge(filename, content)
+        path = '/srv/acme/' + filename.gsub(/[^a-zA-Z0-9_-]/, '')
+        ssh.upload! StringIO.new(content), path, :mode => 0444
+      end
+
+      private
+
+      def flagize(hsh)
+        hsh.inject([]) {|str, item|
+          if item[1] === false
+            str
+          elsif item[1] === true
+            str << "--" + item[0].to_s
+          else
+            str << "--" + item[0].to_s + " " + item[1].inspect
+          end
+        }.join(' ')
+      end
+
+    end
+  end
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/util/console_table.rb b/lib/leap_cli/util/console_table.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ccdcc2ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/util/console_table.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+module LeapCli; module Util
+
+  class ConsoleTable
+    def table
+      @rows = []
+      @cell_options = []
+
+      @row_options = []
+      @column_widths = []
+      @column_options = []
+
+      @current_row = 0
+      @current_column = 0
+      yield
+    end
+
+    def row(options=nil)
+      @current_column = 0
+      @rows[@current_row] = []
+      @cell_options[@current_row] = []
+      @row_options[@current_row] ||= options
+      yield
+      @current_row += 1
+    end
+
+    def column(str, options={})
+      str ||= ""
+      @rows[@current_row][@current_column] = str
+      @cell_options[@current_row][@current_column] = options
+      @column_widths[@current_column] = [str.length, options[:min_width]||0, @column_widths[@current_column]||0].max
+      @column_options[@current_column] ||= options
+      @current_column += 1
+    end
+
+    def draw_table
+      @rows.each_with_index do |row, i|
+        color = (@row_options[i]||{})[:color]
+        row.each_with_index do |column, j|
+          align = (@column_options[j]||{})[:align] || "left"
+          width = @column_widths[j]
+          cell_color = @cell_options[i][j] && @cell_options[i][j][:color]
+          cell_color ||= color
+          if cell_color
+            str = LeapCli.logger.colorize(column, cell_color)
+            extra_width = str.length - column.length
+          else
+            str = column
+            extra_width = 0
+          end
+          if align == "right"
+            printf "  %#{width+extra_width}s" % str
+          else
+            printf "  %-#{width+extra_width}s" % str
+          end
+        end
+        puts
+      end
+      puts
+    end
+  end
+
+end; end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/util/secret.rb b/lib/leap_cli/util/secret.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..749b9595
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/util/secret.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+# encoding: utf-8
+#
+# A simple secret generator
+#
+# Uses OpenSSL random number generator instead of Ruby's rand function
+#
+autoload :OpenSSL, 'openssl'
+
+module LeapCli; module Util
+  class Secret
+    CHARS = (('A'..'Z').to_a + ('a'..'z').to_a + ('0'..'9').to_a) - "i1loO06G".split(//u)
+    HEX = (0..9).to_a + ('a'..'f').to_a
+
+    #
+    # generate a secret with with no ambiguous characters.
+    #
+    # +length+ is in chars
+    #
+    # Only alphanumerics are allowed, in order to make these passwords work
+    # for REST url calls and to allow you to easily copy and paste them.
+    #
+    def self.generate(length = 16)
+      seed
+      OpenSSL::Random.random_bytes(length).bytes.to_a.collect { |byte|
+        CHARS[ byte % CHARS.length ]
+      }.join
+    end
+
+    #
+    # generates a hex secret, instead of an alphanumeric on.
+    #
+    # length is in bits
+    #
+    def self.generate_hex(length = 128)
+      seed
+      OpenSSL::Random.random_bytes(length/4).bytes.to_a.collect { |byte|
+        HEX[ byte % HEX.length ]
+      }.join
+    end
+
+    private
+
+    def self.seed
+      @pid ||= 0
+      pid = $$
+      if @pid != pid
+        now = Time.now
+        ary = [now.to_i, now.nsec, @pid, pid]
+        OpenSSL::Random.seed(ary.to_s)
+        @pid = pid
+      end
+    end
+
+  end
+end; end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/util/vagrant.rb b/lib/leap_cli/util/vagrant.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c67ea4f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/util/vagrant.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+require 'fileutils'
+
+module LeapCli
+  module Util
+    module Vagrant
+
+      #
+      # returns the path to a vagrant ssh private key file.
+      #
+      # if the vagrant.key file is owned by root or ourselves, then
+      # we need to make sure that it owned by us and not world readable.
+      #
+      def self.vagrant_ssh_key_file
+        file_path = Path.vagrant_ssh_priv_key_file
+        Util.assert_files_exist! file_path
+        uid = File.new(file_path).stat.uid
+        if uid == 0 || uid == Process.euid
+          FileUtils.install file_path, '/tmp/vagrant.key', :mode => 0600
+          file_path = '/tmp/vagrant.key'
+        end
+        return file_path
+      end
+
+    end
+  end
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/x509.rb b/lib/leap_cli/x509.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..68d13ddf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/x509.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+#
+# optional. load if you want access to any methods in the module X509
+#
+
+require 'date'
+require 'securerandom'
+require 'openssl'
+require 'digest'
+require 'digest/md5'
+require 'digest/sha1'
+
+require 'certificate_authority'
+
+require 'leap_cli/x509/certs'
+require 'leap_cli/x509/signing_profiles'
+require 'leap_cli/x509/utils'
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/x509/certs.rb b/lib/leap_cli/x509/certs.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3b74d2fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/x509/certs.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,232 @@
+
+module LeapCli; module X509
+
+  #
+  # returns a fingerprint of a x509 certificate
+  #
+  # Note: there are different ways of computing a digest of a certificate.
+  # You can either take a digest of the entire cert in DER format, or you
+  # can take a digest of the public key.
+  #
+  # For now, we only support the DER method.
+  #
+  def self.fingerprint(digest, cert_file)
+    if cert_file.is_a? String
+      cert = OpenSSL::X509::Certificate.new(Util.read_file!(cert_file))
+    elsif cert_file.is_a? OpenSSL::X509::Certificate
+      cert = cert_file
+    elsif cert_file.is_a? CertificateAuthority::Certificate
+      cert = cert_file.openssl_body
+    end
+    digester = case digest
+      when "MD5" then Digest::MD5.new
+      when "SHA1" then Digest::SHA1.new
+      when "SHA256" then Digest::SHA256.new
+      when "SHA384" then Digest::SHA384.new
+      when "SHA512" then Digest::SHA512.new
+    end
+    digester.hexdigest(cert.to_der)
+  end
+
+  def self.ca_root
+    @ca_root ||= begin
+      load_certificate_file(:ca_cert, :ca_key)
+    end
+  end
+
+  def self.client_ca_root
+    @client_ca_root ||= begin
+      load_certificate_file(:client_ca_cert, :client_ca_key)
+    end
+  end
+
+  def self.load_certificate_file(crt_file, key_file=nil, password=nil)
+    crt = Util.read_file!(crt_file)
+    openssl_cert = OpenSSL::X509::Certificate.new(crt)
+    cert = CertificateAuthority::Certificate.from_openssl(openssl_cert)
+    if key_file
+      key = Util.read_file!(key_file)
+      cert.key_material.private_key = OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(key, password)
+    end
+    return cert
+  end
+
+  #
+  # creates a new certificate authority.
+  #
+  def self.new_ca(options, common_name)
+    root = CertificateAuthority::Certificate.new
+
+    # set subject
+    root.subject.common_name = common_name
+    possible = ['country', 'state', 'locality', 'organization', 'organizational_unit', 'email_address']
+    options.keys.each do |key|
+      if possible.include?(key)
+        root.subject.send(key + '=', options[key])
+      end
+    end
+
+    # set expiration
+    root.not_before = X509.yesterday
+    root.not_after = X509.yesterday_advance(options['life_span'])
+
+    # generate private key
+    root.serial_number.number = 1
+    root.key_material.generate_key(options['bit_size'])
+
+    # sign self
+    root.signing_entity = true
+    root.parent = root
+    root.sign!(ca_root_signing_profile)
+    return root
+  end
+
+  #
+  # creates a CSR in memory and returns it.
+  # with the correct extReq attribute so that the CA
+  # doens't generate certs with extensions we don't want.
+  #
+  def self.new_csr(dn, keypair, digest)
+    csr = CertificateAuthority::SigningRequest.new
+    csr.distinguished_name = dn
+    csr.key_material = keypair
+    csr.digest = digest
+
+    # define extensions manually (library doesn't support setting these on CSRs)
+    extensions = []
+    extensions << CertificateAuthority::Extensions::BasicConstraints.new.tap {|basic|
+      basic.ca = false
+    }
+    extensions << CertificateAuthority::Extensions::KeyUsage.new.tap {|keyusage|
+      keyusage.usage = ["digitalSignature", "keyEncipherment"]
+    }
+    extensions << CertificateAuthority::Extensions::ExtendedKeyUsage.new.tap {|extkeyusage|
+      extkeyusage.usage = [ "serverAuth"]
+    }
+
+    # convert extensions to attribute 'extReq'
+    # aka "Requested Extensions"
+    factory = OpenSSL::X509::ExtensionFactory.new
+    attrval = OpenSSL::ASN1::Set([OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence(
+      extensions.map{|e| factory.create_ext(e.openssl_identifier, e.to_s, e.critical)}
+    )])
+    attrs = [
+      OpenSSL::X509::Attribute.new("extReq", attrval),
+    ]
+    csr.attributes = attrs
+
+    return csr
+  end
+
+  #
+  # creates new csr and cert files for a particular domain.
+  #
+  # The cert is signed with the ca_root, but should be replaced
+  # later with a real cert signed by a better ca
+  #
+  def self.create_csr_and_cert(options)
+    bit_size = options[:bits].to_i
+    digest   = options[:digest]
+
+    # RSA key
+    keypair = CertificateAuthority::MemoryKeyMaterial.new
+    Util.log :generating, "%s bit RSA key" % bit_size do
+      keypair.generate_key(bit_size)
+      Util.write_file! [:commercial_key, options[:domain]], keypair.private_key.to_pem
+    end
+
+    # CSR
+    csr = nil
+    dn  = CertificateAuthority::DistinguishedName.new
+    dn.common_name   = options[:domain]
+    dn.organization  = options[:organization]
+    dn.ou            = options[:organizational_unit]
+    dn.email_address = options[:email]
+    dn.country       = options[:country]
+    dn.state         = options[:state]
+    dn.locality      = options[:locality]
+    Util.log :generating, "CSR with #{digest} digest and #{print_dn(dn)}" do
+      csr = new_csr(dn, keypair, options[:digest])
+      Util.write_file! [:commercial_csr, options[:domain]], csr.to_pem
+    end
+
+    # Sign using our own CA, for use in testing but hopefully not production.
+    # It is not that commerical CAs are so secure, it is just that signing your own certs is
+    # a total drag for the user because they must click through dire warnings.
+    Util.log :generating, "self-signed x509 server certificate for testing purposes" do
+      cert = csr.to_cert
+      cert.serial_number.number = cert_serial_number(options[:domain])
+      cert.not_before = yesterday
+      cert.not_after  = yesterday.advance(:years => 1)
+      cert.parent = ca_root
+      cert.sign! domain_test_signing_profile
+      Util.write_file! [:commercial_cert, options[:domain]], cert.to_pem
+      Util.log "please replace this file with the real certificate you get from a CA using #{Path.relative_path([:commercial_csr, options[:domain]])}"
+    end
+
+    # Fake CA
+    unless Util.file_exists? :commercial_ca_cert
+      Util.log :using, "generated CA in place of commercial CA for testing purposes" do
+        Util.write_file! :commercial_ca_cert, Util.read_file!(:ca_cert)
+        Util.log "please also replace this file with the CA cert from the commercial authority you use."
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  #
+  # Return true if the given server cert has been signed by the given CA cert
+  #
+  # This does not actually validate the signature, it just checks the cert
+  # extensions.
+  #
+  def self.created_by_authority?(cert, ca=X509.ca_root)
+    authority_key_id = cert.extensions["authorityKeyIdentifier"].identifier.sub(/^keyid:/, '')
+    return authority_key_id == self.public_key_id_for_ca(ca)
+  end
+
+  #
+  # For cert serial numbers, we need a non-colliding number less than 160 bits.
+  # md5 will do nicely, since there is no need for a secure hash, just a short one.
+  # (md5 is 128 bits)
+  #
+  def self.cert_serial_number(domain_name)
+    Digest::MD5.hexdigest("#{domain_name} -- #{Time.now}").to_i(16)
+  end
+
+  #
+  # for the random common name, we need a text string that will be
+  # unique across all certs.
+  #
+  def self.random_common_name(domain_name)
+    #cert_serial_number(domain_name).to_s(36)
+    SecureRandom.uuid
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  #
+  # calculate the "key id" for a root CA, that matches the value
+  # Authority Key Identifier in the x509 extensions of a cert.
+  #
+  def self.public_key_id_for_ca(ca_cert)
+    @ca_key_ids ||= {}
+    @ca_key_ids[ca_cert.object_id] ||= begin
+      pubkey = ca_cert.key_material.public_key
+      seq = OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence([
+        OpenSSL::ASN1::Integer.new(pubkey.n),
+        OpenSSL::ASN1::Integer.new(pubkey.e)
+      ])
+      Digest::SHA1.hexdigest(seq.to_der).upcase.scan(/../).join(':')
+    end
+  end
+
+  # prints CertificateAuthority::DistinguishedName fields
+  def self.print_dn(dn)
+    fields = {}
+    [:common_name, :locality, :state, :country, :organization, :organizational_unit, :email_address].each do |attr|
+      fields[attr] = dn.send(attr) if dn.send(attr)
+    end
+    fields.inspect
+  end
+
+end; end
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/x509/signing_profiles.rb b/lib/leap_cli/x509/signing_profiles.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..56cd29c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/x509/signing_profiles.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+#
+# Signing profiles are used by CertificateAuthority in order to
+# set the correct flags when signing certificates.
+#
+
+module LeapCli; module X509
+
+  #
+  # For CA self-signing
+  #
+  def self.ca_root_signing_profile
+    {
+      "extensions" => {
+        "basicConstraints" => {"ca" => true},
+        "keyUsage" => {
+          "usage" => ["critical", "keyCertSign"]
+        },
+        "extendedKeyUsage" => {
+          "usage" => []
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  end
+
+  #
+  # For keyusage, openvpn server certs can have keyEncipherment or keyAgreement.
+  # Web browsers seem to break without keyEncipherment.
+  # For now, I am using digitalSignature + keyEncipherment
+  #
+  # * digitalSignature -- for (EC)DHE cipher suites
+  #   "The digitalSignature bit is asserted when the subject public key is used
+  #    with a digital signature mechanism to support security services other
+  #    than certificate signing (bit 5), or CRL signing (bit 6). Digital
+  #    signature mechanisms are often used for entity authentication and data
+  #    origin authentication with integrity."
+  #
+  # * keyEncipherment  ==> for plain RSA cipher suites
+  #   "The keyEncipherment bit is asserted when the subject public key is used for
+  #    key transport. For example, when an RSA key is to be used for key management,
+  #    then this bit is set."
+  #
+  # * keyAgreement     ==> for used with DH, not RSA.
+  #   "The keyAgreement bit is asserted when the subject public key is used for key
+  #    agreement. For example, when a Diffie-Hellman key is to be used for key
+  #    management, then this bit is set."
+  #
+  # digest options: SHA512, SHA256, SHA1
+  #
+  def self.server_signing_profile(node)
+    {
+      "digest" => node.env.provider.ca.server_certificates.digest,
+      "extensions" => {
+        "keyUsage" => {
+          "usage" => ["digitalSignature", "keyEncipherment"]
+        },
+        "extendedKeyUsage" => {
+          "usage" => ["serverAuth", "clientAuth"]
+        },
+        "subjectAltName" => {
+          "ips" => [node.ip_address],
+          "dns_names" => node.all_dns_names
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  end
+
+  #
+  # This is used when signing the main cert for the provider's domain
+  # with our own CA (for testing purposes). Typically, this cert would
+  # be purchased from a commercial CA, and not signed this way.
+  #
+  def self.domain_test_signing_profile
+    {
+      "digest" => "SHA256",
+      "extensions" => {
+        "keyUsage" => {
+          "usage" => ["digitalSignature", "keyEncipherment"]
+        },
+        "extendedKeyUsage" => {
+          "usage" => ["serverAuth"]
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  end
+
+  #
+  # This is used when signing a dummy client certificate that is only to be
+  # used for testing.
+  #
+  def self.client_test_signing_profile
+    {
+      "digest" => "SHA256",
+      "extensions" => {
+        "keyUsage" => {
+          "usage" => ["digitalSignature"]
+        },
+        "extendedKeyUsage" => {
+          "usage" => ["clientAuth"]
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  end
+
+end; end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/leap_cli/x509/utils.rb b/lib/leap_cli/x509/utils.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..98ff9c0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/leap_cli/x509/utils.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+module LeapCli; module X509
+
+  #
+  # TIME HELPERS
+  #
+  # note: we use 'yesterday' instead of 'today', because times are in UTC, and
+  # some people on the planet are behind UTC!
+  #
+
+  def self.yesterday
+    t = Time.now - 24*24*60
+    Time.utc t.year, t.month, t.day
+  end
+
+  def self.yesterday_advance(string)
+    number, unit = string.split(' ')
+    unless ['years', 'months', 'days', 'hours', 'minutes'].include? unit
+      bail!("The time property '#{string}' is missing a unit (one of: years, months, days, hours, minutes).")
+    end
+    unless number.to_i.to_s == number
+      bail!("The time property '#{string}' is missing a number.")
+    end
+    yesterday.advance(unit.to_sym => number.to_i)
+  end
+
+end; end
\ No newline at end of file