beta 2011.02.08 10:06

30 files changed, 2775 insertions, 2417 deletions

diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-babel.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-babel.lua
index 7e08633cf..120e49092 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-babel.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-babel.lua
@@ -8,6 +8,20 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-babel'] = {
 
 -- data tables by Thomas A. Schmitz
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--language=string     conversion language (e.g. greek)
+--structure=string    obey given structure (e.g. 'document', default: 'context')
+--convert             convert babel codes into utf
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-babel",
+    banner   = "Babel Input To UTF Conversion 1.20",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts       = scripts       or { }
 scripts.babel = scripts.babel or { }
 
@@ -387,22 +401,22 @@ do
                         local structure = environment.argument("structure") or "document"
                         converter = converter[structure]
                         if converter then
-                            logs.simple("converting '%s' using language '%s' with structure '%s'", filename, language, structure)
+                            report("converting '%s' using language '%s' with structure '%s'", filename, language, structure)
                             data = converter:match(data)
                             local newfilename = filename .. ".utf"
                             io.savedata(newfilename, data)
-                            logs.simple("converted data saved in '%s'", newfilename)
+                            report("converted data saved in '%s'", newfilename)
                         else
-                            logs.simple("unknown structure '%s' language '%s'", structure, language)
+                            report("unknown structure '%s' language '%s'", structure, language)
                         end
                     else
-                        logs.simple("no converter for language '%s'", language)
+                        report("no converter for language '%s'", language)
                     end
                 else
-                    logs.simple("provide language")
+                    report("provide language")
                 end
             else
-                logs.simple("no data in '%s'",filename)
+                report("no data in '%s'",filename)
             end
         end
     end
@@ -415,16 +429,8 @@ do
 
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("Babel Input To UTF Conversion 1.20")
-
-messages.help = [[
---language=string     conversion language (e.g. greek)
---structure=string    obey given structure (e.g. 'document', default: 'context')
---convert             convert babel codes into utf
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("convert") then
     scripts.babel.convert(environment.files[1] or "")
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-base.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-base.lua
index 99a478b1e..ab5bfe18a 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-base.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-base.lua
@@ -6,35 +6,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-base'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXt TDS Management Tool 1.35 (aka luatools)")
-
--- private option --noluc for testing errors in the stub
-
-local instance   = resolvers.instance
-
-local pattern    = environment.arguments["pattern"]  or nil
-local fileformat = environment.arguments["format"]   or "" -- nil ?
-local allresults = environment.arguments["all"]      or false
-local trace      = environment.arguments["trace"]
-
-if type(pattern) == 'boolean' then
-    logs.simple("invalid pattern specification")
-    pattern = nil
-end
-
-if trace then
-    resolvers.settrace(trace)  -- move to mtxrun ?
-end
-
-runners  = runners  or { }
-messages = messages or { }
-
-messages.no_ini_file = [[
-There is no lua initialization file found. It may be that you have
-to regenerate the file database using "mtxrun --generate".
-]]
-
-messages.help = [[
+local helpinfo = [[
 --generate        generate file database
 --variables       show configuration variables
 --configurations  show configuration order
@@ -55,6 +27,32 @@ messages.help = [[
 --trackers=list   enable given trackers
 ]]
 
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-base",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt TDS Management Tool 1.35 (aka luatools)",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
+-- private option --noluc for testing errors in the stub
+
+local instance   = resolvers.instance
+
+local pattern    = environment.arguments["pattern"]  or nil
+local fileformat = environment.arguments["format"]   or "" -- nil ?
+local allresults = environment.arguments["all"]      or false
+local trace      = environment.arguments["trace"]
+
+if type(pattern) == 'boolean' then
+    report("invalid pattern specification")
+    pattern = nil
+end
+
+if trace then
+    resolvers.settrace(trace)  -- move to mtxrun ?
+end
+
 if environment.arguments["find-file"] then
     resolvers.load()
     if pattern then
@@ -91,7 +89,7 @@ elseif environment.arguments["var-value"] or environment.arguments["show-value"]
     resolvers.dowithfilesandreport(resolvers.variable, environment.files)
 elseif environment.arguments["format-path"] then
     resolvers.load()
-    logs.simple(caches.getwritablepath("format"))
+    report(caches.getwritablepath("format"))
 elseif pattern then -- brrr
     resolvers.load()
     resolvers.dowithfilesandreport(resolvers.findfiles, { pattern }, fileformat, allresults)
@@ -110,7 +108,7 @@ elseif environment.arguments["configurations"] or environment.arguments["show-co
     resolvers.load("nofiles")
     resolvers.listers.configurations()
 elseif environment.arguments["help"] or (environment.files[1]=='help') or (#environment.files==0) then
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 elseif environment.files[1] == 'texmfcnf.lua' then
     resolvers.load("nofiles")
     resolvers.listers.configurations()
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-cache.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-cache.lua
index a6985d3bc..08202bbf8 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-cache.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-cache.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,22 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-cache'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--purge               remove not used files
+--erase               completely remove cache
+--list                show cache
+
+--all                 all (not yet implemented)
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-cache",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt & MetaTeX Cache Management 0.10",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts       = scripts       or { }
 scripts.cache = scripts.cache or { }
 
@@ -27,18 +43,18 @@ local function collect(path)
 end
 
 local function list(banner,path,tmas,tmcs,rest)
-    logs.report("cache",string.format("%s: %s",banner,path))
-    logs.report()
-    logs.report("cache",string.format("tma   : %4i",#tmas))
-    logs.report("cache",string.format("tmc   : %4i",#tmcs))
-    logs.report("cache",string.format("rest  : %4i",#rest))
-    logs.report("cache",string.format("total : %4i",#tmas+#tmcs+#rest))
-    logs.report()
+    report("%s: %s",banner,path)
+    report()
+    report("tma   : %4i",#tmas)
+    report("tmc   : %4i",#tmcs)
+    report("rest  : %4i",#rest)
+    report("total : %4i",#tmas+#tmcs+#rest)
+    report()
 end
 
 local function purge(banner,path,list,all)
-    logs.report("cache",string.format("%s: %s",banner,path))
-    logs.report()
+    report("%s: %s",banner,path)
+    report()
     local n = 0
     for i=1,#list do
         local filename = list[i]
@@ -58,8 +74,8 @@ local function purge(banner,path,list,all)
             end
         end
     end
-    logs.report("cache",string.format("removed tma files : %i",n))
-    logs.report()
+    report("removed tma files : %i",n)
+    report()
 end
 
 function scripts.cache.purge()
@@ -92,16 +108,6 @@ function scripts.cache.list()
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXt & MetaTeX Cache Management 0.10")
-
-messages.help = [[
---purge               remove not used files
---erase               completely remove cache
---list                show cache
-
---all                 all (not yet implemented)
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("purge") then
     scripts.cache.purge()
 elseif environment.argument("erase") then
@@ -109,5 +115,5 @@ elseif environment.argument("erase") then
 elseif environment.argument("list") then
     scripts.cache.list()
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-chars.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-chars.lua
index d356bb5bb..dc760c4e7 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-chars.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-chars.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,20 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-chars'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--stix                convert stix table to math table
+--xtx                 generate xetx-*.tex (used by xetex)
+--pdf                 generate pdfr-def.tex (used by pdftex)
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-chars",
+    banner   = "MkII Character Table Generators 0.10",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 local format, concat, utfchar, upper = string.format, table.concat, unicode.utf8.char, string.upper
 
 scripts       = scripts       or { }
@@ -24,13 +38,13 @@ scripts.chars = scripts.chars or { }
 --~
 --~ function scripts.chars.stixtomkiv(inname,outname)
 --~     if inname == "" then
---~         logs.report("aquiring math data","invalid datafilename")
+--~         report("aquiring math data, invalid datafilename")
 --~     end
 --~     local f = io.open(inname)
 --~     if not f then
---~         logs.report("aquiring math data","invalid datafile")
+--~         report("aquiring math data, invalid datafile")
 --~     else
---~         logs.report("aquiring math data","processing " .. inname)
+--~         report("aquiring math data, processing %s",inname)
 --~         if not outname or outname == "" then
 --~             outname = "char-mth.lua"
 --~         end
@@ -72,9 +86,9 @@ scripts.chars = scripts.chars or { }
 --~         end
 --~         if not valid then
 --~             g:write("\t-- The data file is corrupt, invalid or maybe the format has changed.\n")
---~             logs.report("aquiring math data","problems with data table")
+--~             report("aquiring math data, problems with data table")
 --~         else
---~             logs.report("aquiring math data","table saved in " .. outname)
+--~             report("aquiring math data, table saved in %s",outname)
 --~         end
 --~         g:write("}\n")
 --~         g:close()
@@ -83,7 +97,7 @@ scripts.chars = scripts.chars or { }
 --~ end
 
 function scripts.chars.stixtomkiv(inname,outname)
-    logs.report("we no longer use this options but use our own tables instead")
+    report("we no longer use this options but use our own tables instead")
 end
 
 local banner_pdf_1 = [[
@@ -185,7 +199,7 @@ function scripts.chars.makeencoutf()
         local function open(name,banner)
             local f = io.open(name,'w')
             if f then
-                logs.simple("writing '%s'",name)
+                report("writing '%s'",name)
                 f:write(format(banner_utf_module,name))
                 f:write(banner)
                 f:write()
@@ -307,14 +321,6 @@ function scripts.chars.makeencoutf()
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("MkII Character Table Generators 0.10")
-
-messages.help = [[
---stix                convert stix table to math table
---xtx                 generate xetx-*.tex (used by xetex)
---pdf                 generate pdfr-def.tex (used by pdftex)
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("stix") then
     local inname  = environment.files[1] or ""
     local outname = environment.files[2] or ""
@@ -324,5 +330,5 @@ elseif environment.argument("xtx") then
 elseif environment.argument("pdf") then
     scripts.chars.makepdfr()
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-check.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-check.lua
index 7704d86ae..e0ab3b882 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-check.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-check.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,18 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-check'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--convert             check tex file for errors
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-check",
+    banner   = "Basic ConTeXt Syntax Checking 0.10",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts         = scripts         or { }
 scripts.checker = scripts.checker or { }
 
@@ -123,17 +135,13 @@ function scripts.checker.check(filename)
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("Basic ConTeXt Syntax Checking 0.10")
-
-messages.help = [[
---convert             check tex file for errors
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("check") then
     scripts.checker.check(environment.files[1])
 elseif environment.argument("help") then
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 elseif environment.files[1] then
     scripts.checker.check(environment.files[1])
+else
+    application.help()
 end
 
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-colors.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-colors.lua
index e5338a32b..ee825a42c 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-colors.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-colors.lua
@@ -8,6 +8,22 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-colors'] = {
 
 -- todo: fc-cache -v en check dirs, or better is: fc-cat -v | grep Directory
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--table               show icc table
+
+example:
+
+mtxrun --script color --table somename
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-cache",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt Color Management 0.10",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 if not fontloader then fontloader = fontforge end
 
 dofile(resolvers.findfile("colo-icc.lua","tex"))
@@ -21,31 +37,21 @@ function scripts.colors.table()
         for i=1,#files do
             local profile, okay, message = colors.iccprofile(files[i])
             if not okay then
-                logs.simple(message)
+                report(message)
             else
-                logs.simple(table.serialize(profile,"profile"))
+                report(table.serialize(profile,"profile"))
             end
         end
     else
-        logs.simple("no file(s) given" )
+        report("no file(s) given" )
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXt Color Management 0.1")
-
-messages.help = [[
---table               show icc table
-
-example:
-
-mtxrun --script color --table somename
-]]
-
 --~ local track = environment.argument("track")
 --~ if track then trackers.enable(track) end
 
 if environment.argument("table") then
     scripts.colors.table()
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-context.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-context.lua
index e3082e825..b8ca6a11e 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-context.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-context.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,88 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-context'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+local basicinfo = [[
+--run                 process (one or more) files (default action)
+--make                create context formats
+
+--ctx=name            use ctx file (process management specification)
+--interface           use specified user interface (default: en)
+
+--autopdf             close pdf file in viewer and start pdf viewer afterwards
+--purge(all)          purge files either or not after a run (--pattern=...)
+
+--usemodule=list      load the given module or style, normally part o fthe distribution
+--environment=list    load the given environment file first (document styles)
+--mode=list           enable given the modes (conditional processing in styles)
+--path=list           also consult the given paths when files are looked for
+--arguments=list      set variables that can be consulted during a run (key/value pairs)
+--randomseed=number   set the randomseed
+--result=name         rename the resulting output to the given name
+--trackers=list       set tracker variables (show list with --showtrackers)
+--directives=list     set directive variables (show list with --showdirectives)
+--silent=list         disable logcatgories (show list with --showlogcategories)
+--purgeresult         purge result file before run
+
+--forcexml            force xml stub (optional flag: --mkii)
+--forcecld            force cld (context lua document) stub
+
+--arrange             run extra imposition pass, given that the style sets up imposition
+--noarrange           ignore imposition specifications in the style
+
+--once                only run once (no multipass data file is produced)
+--batchmode           run without stopping and don't show messages on the console
+--nonstopmode         run without stopping
+
+--generate            generate file database etc. (as luatools does)
+--paranoid            don't descend to .. and ../..
+--version             report installed context version
+
+--expert              expert options
+]]
+
+-- filter=list      is kind of obsolete
+-- color            is obsolete for mkiv, always on
+-- separation       is obsolete for mkiv, no longer available
+-- output           is currently obsolete for mkiv
+-- setuppath=list   must check
+-- modefile=name    must check
+-- input=name   load the given inputfile (must check)
+
+local expertinfo = [[
+expert options:
+
+--touch               update context version number (remake needed afterwards, also provide --expert)
+--nostats             omit runtime statistics at the end of the run
+--update              update context from website (not to be confused with contextgarden)
+--profile             profile job (use: mtxrun --script profile --analyze)
+--timing              generate timing and statistics overview
+--tracefiles          show some extra info when locating files (at the tex end)
+
+--extra=name          process extra (mtx-context-<name> in distribution)
+--extras              show extras
+]]
+
+local specialinfo = [[
+special options:
+
+--pdftex              process file with texexec using pdftex
+--xetex               process file with texexec using xetex
+
+--pipe                don't check for file and enter scroll mode (--dummyfile=whatever.tmp)
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-context",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt Process Management 0.52",
+    helpinfo = {
+        basic  = basicinfo,
+        extra  = extrainfo,
+        expert = expertinfo,
+    }
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts         = scripts         or { }
 scripts.context = scripts.context or { }
 
@@ -118,13 +200,13 @@ do
             elseif ctxdata.ctxname then
                 ctlname = file.replacesuffix(ctxdata.ctxname,'ctl')
             else
-                logs.simple("invalid ctl name: %s",ctlname or "?")
+                report("invalid ctl name: %s",ctlname or "?")
                 return
             end
         end
         local prepfiles = ctxdata.prepfiles
         if prepfiles and next(prepfiles) then
-            logs.simple("saving logdata in: %s",ctlname)
+            report("saving logdata in: %s",ctlname)
             f = io.open(ctlname,'w')
             if f then
                 f:write("<?xml version='1.0' standalone='yes'?>\n\n")
@@ -138,7 +220,7 @@ do
                 f:close()
             end
         else
-            logs.simple("nothing prepared, no ctl file saved")
+            report("nothing prepared, no ctl file saved")
             os.remove(ctlname)
         end
     end
@@ -173,8 +255,8 @@ do
         ctxdata.jobname = file.addsuffix(ctxdata.jobname,'tex')
         ctxdata.ctxname = file.addsuffix(ctxdata.ctxname,'ctx')
 
-        logs.simple("jobname: %s",ctxdata.jobname)
-        logs.simple("ctxname: %s",ctxdata.ctxname)
+        report("jobname: %s",ctxdata.jobname)
+        report("ctxname: %s",ctxdata.ctxname)
 
         -- mtxrun should resolve kpse: and file:
 
@@ -225,7 +307,7 @@ do
 
         local messages = ctxdata.messages
         for i=1,#messages do
-            logs.simple("ctx comment: %s", xml.tostring(messages[i]))
+            report("ctx comment: %s", xml.tostring(messages[i]))
         end
 
         for r, d, k in xml.elements(ctxdata.xmldata,"ctx:value[@name='job']") do
@@ -318,11 +400,11 @@ do
                                         -- potential optimization: when mtxrun run internal
                                         command = xml.content(command)
                                         command = ctxrunner.justtext(command)
-                                        logs.simple("command: %s",command)
+                                        report("command: %s",command)
                                         local result = os.spawn(command) or 0
                                         -- somehow we get the wrong return value
                                         if result > 0 then
-                                            logs.simple("error, return code: %s",result)
+                                            report("error, return code: %s",result)
                                         end
                                         if ctxdata.runlocal then
                                             oldfile = file.basename(oldfile)
@@ -333,11 +415,11 @@ do
                                     file.syncmtimes(oldfile,newfile)
                                     ctxdata.prepfiles[oldfile] = true
                                 else
-                                    logs.simple("error, check target location of new file: %s", newfile)
+                                    report("error, check target location of new file: %s", newfile)
                                     ctxdata.prepfiles[oldfile] = false
                                 end
                             else
-                                logs.simple("old file needs no preprocessing")
+                                report("old file needs no preprocessing")
                                 ctxdata.prepfiles[oldfile] = lfs.isfile(newfile)
                             end
                         end
@@ -447,10 +529,15 @@ function scripts.context.multipass.makeoptionfile(jobname,ctxdata,kindofrun,curr
         --
         setalways("%% feedback and basic job control")
         if type(environment.argument("trackers")) == "string" then
-            setvalue ("trackers" , "\\enabletrackers[%s]")
+            setvalue("trackers" , "\\enabletrackers[%s]")
         end
         if type(environment.argument("directives")) == "string" then
-            setvalue ("directives", "\\enabledirectives[%s]")
+            setvalue("directives", "\\enabledirectives[%s]")
+        end
+        if type(environment.argument("silent")) == "string" then
+            setvalue("silent", "\\enabledirectives[logs.blocked={%s}]")
+        elseif environment.argument("silent") then
+            setvalue("silent", "\\enabledirectives[logs.blocked=*]") -- maybe \silentmode
         end
         setfixed ("timing"       , "\\usemodule[timing]")
         setfixed ("batchmode"    , "\\batchmode")
@@ -490,7 +577,7 @@ function scripts.context.multipass.makeoptionfile(jobname,ctxdata,kindofrun,curr
         setalways("%% options (not that important)")
         --
         setalways("\\startsetups *runtime:options")
-        setvalue ('output'       , "\\setupoutput[%s]", scripts.context.backends, 'pdftex')
+        setvalue ('output'       , "\\setupoutput[%s]", scripts.context.backends, 'pdf')
         setfixed ("color"        , "\\setupcolors[\\c!state=\\v!start]")
         setvalue ("separation"   , "\\setupcolors[\\c!split=%s]")
         setfixed ("noarrange"    , "\\setuparranging[\\v!disable]")
@@ -640,7 +727,7 @@ local pdfview -- delayed loading
 function scripts.context.openpdf(name,method)
     pdfview = pdfview or dofile(resolvers.findfile("l-pdfview.lua","tex"))
     pdfview.setmethod(method)
-    logs.simple(pdfview.status())
+    report(pdfview.status())
     pdfview.open(file.replacesuffix(name,"pdf"))
 end
 
@@ -669,7 +756,7 @@ function scripts.context.run(ctxdata,filename)
         local formatfile, scriptfile = resolvers.locateformat(formatname)
         -- this catches the command line
         if not formatfile or not scriptfile then
-            logs.simple("warning: no format found, forcing remake (commandline driven)")
+            report("warning: no format found, forcing remake (commandline driven)")
             scripts.context.make(formatname)
             formatfile, scriptfile = resolvers.locateformat(formatname)
         end
@@ -716,7 +803,7 @@ function scripts.context.run(ctxdata,filename)
                     end
                     -- this catches the command line
                     if not formatfile or not scriptfile then
-                        logs.simple("warning: no format found, forcing remake (source driven)")
+                        report("warning: no format found, forcing remake (source driven)")
                         scripts.context.make(formatname)
                         formatfile, scriptfile = resolvers.locateformat(formatname)
                     end
@@ -785,7 +872,7 @@ function scripts.context.run(ctxdata,filename)
                         --
                         local okay = statistics.checkfmtstatus(formatfile)
                         if okay ~= true then
-                            logs.simple("warning: %s, forcing remake",tostring(okay))
+                            report("warning: %s, forcing remake",tostring(okay))
                             scripts.context.make(formatname)
                         end
                         --
@@ -794,7 +881,7 @@ function scripts.context.run(ctxdata,filename)
                             flags[#flags+1] = "--interaction=batchmode"
                         end
                         if environment.argument("synctex") then
-                            logs.simple("warning: syntex is enabled") -- can add upto 5% runtime
+                            report("warning: syntex is enabled") -- can add upto 5% runtime
                             flags[#flags+1] = "--synctex=1"
                         end
                         flags[#flags+1] = "--fmt=" .. string.quote(formatfile)
@@ -809,22 +896,22 @@ function scripts.context.run(ctxdata,filename)
                             -- 1:first run, 2:successive run, 3:once, 4:last of maxruns
                             local kindofrun = (once and 3) or (i==1 and 1) or (i==maxnofruns and 4) or 2
                             scripts.context.multipass.makeoptionfile(jobname,ctxdata,kindofrun,i,false) -- kindofrun, currentrun, final
-                            logs.simple("run %s: %s",i,command)
+                            report("run %s: %s",i,command)
                             local returncode, errorstring = os.spawn(command)
                         --~ if returncode == 3 then
                         --~     scripts.context.make(formatname)
                         --~     returncode, errorstring = os.spawn(command)
                         --~     if returncode == 3 then
-                        --~         logs.simple("ks: return code 3, message: %s",errorstring or "?")
+                        --~         report("ks: return code 3, message: %s",errorstring or "?")
                         --~         os.exit(1)
                         --~     end
                         --~ end
                             if not returncode then
-                                logs.simple("fatal error: no return code, message: %s",errorstring or "?")
+                                report("fatal error: no return code, message: %s",errorstring or "?")
                                 os.exit(1)
                                 break
                             elseif returncode > 0 then
-                                logs.simple("fatal error: return code: %s",returncode or "?")
+                                report("fatal error: return code: %s",returncode or "?")
                                 os.exit(returncode)
                                 break
                             else
@@ -842,13 +929,13 @@ function scripts.context.run(ctxdata,filename)
                         if arrange then
                             local kindofrun = 3
                             scripts.context.multipass.makeoptionfile(jobname,ctxdata,kindofrun,i,true) -- kindofrun, currentrun, final
-                            logs.simple("arrange run: %s",command)
+                            report("arrange run: %s",command)
                             local returncode, errorstring = os.spawn(command)
                             if not returncode then
-                                logs.simple("fatal error: no return code, message: %s",errorstring or "?")
+                                report("fatal error: no return code, message: %s",errorstring or "?")
                                 os.exit(1)
                             elseif returncode > 0 then
-                                logs.simple("fatal error: return code: %s",returncode or "?")
+                                report("fatal error: return code: %s",returncode or "?")
                                 os.exit(returncode)
                             end
                         end
@@ -881,7 +968,7 @@ function scripts.context.run(ctxdata,filename)
                                     os.rename(tmpname,oldname)
                                 end
                             end
-                            logs.simple("result renamed to: %s",newbase)
+                            report("result renamed to: %s",newbase)
                         end
                         --
                         if environment.argument("purge") then
@@ -896,18 +983,18 @@ function scripts.context.run(ctxdata,filename)
                         end
                         --
                         if environment.argument("timing") then
-                            logs.line()
-                            logs.simple("you can process (timing) statistics with:",jobname)
-                            logs.line()
-                            logs.simple("context --extra=timing '%s'",jobname)
-                            logs.simple("mtxrun --script timing --xhtml [--launch --remove] '%s'",jobname)
-                            logs.line()
+                            report()
+                            report("you can process (timing) statistics with:",jobname)
+                            report()
+                            report("context --extra=timing '%s'",jobname)
+                            report("mtxrun --script timing --xhtml [--launch --remove] '%s'",jobname)
+                            report()
                         end
                     else
                         if formatname then
-                            logs.simple("error, no format found with name: %s, skipping",formatname)
+                            report("error, no format found with name: %s, skipping",formatname)
                         else
-                            logs.simple("error, no format found (provide formatname or interface)")
+                            report("error, no format found (provide formatname or interface)")
                         end
                         break
                     end
@@ -915,9 +1002,9 @@ function scripts.context.run(ctxdata,filename)
             end
         else
             if formatname then
-                logs.simple("error, no format found with name: %s, aborting",formatname)
+                report("error, no format found with name: %s, aborting",formatname)
             else
-                logs.simple("error, no format found (provide formatname or interface)")
+                report("error, no format found (provide formatname or interface)")
             end
         end
     end
@@ -931,14 +1018,14 @@ function scripts.context.pipe()
     local formatname = scripts.context.interfaces[interface] or "cont-en"
     local formatfile, scriptfile = resolvers.locateformat(formatname)
     if not formatfile or not scriptfile then
-        logs.simple("warning: no format found, forcing remake (commandline driven)")
+        report("warning: no format found, forcing remake (commandline driven)")
         scripts.context.make(formatname)
         formatfile, scriptfile = resolvers.locateformat(formatname)
     end
     if formatfile and scriptfile then
         local okay = statistics.checkfmtstatus(formatfile)
         if okay ~= true then
-            logs.simple("warning: %s, forcing remake",tostring(okay))
+            report("warning: %s, forcing remake",tostring(okay))
             scripts.context.make(formatname)
         end
         local flags = {
@@ -950,12 +1037,12 @@ function scripts.context.pipe()
         local filename = environment.argument("dummyfile") or ""
         if filename == "" then
             filename = "\\relax"
-            logs.simple("entering scrollmode, end job with \\end")
+            report("entering scrollmode, end job with \\end")
         else
             filename = file.addsuffix(filename,"tmp")
             io.savedata(filename,"\\relax")
             scripts.context.multipass.makeoptionfile(filename,{ flags = flags },3,1,false) -- kindofrun, currentrun, final
-            logs.simple("entering scrollmode using '%s' with optionfile, end job with \\end",filename)
+            report("entering scrollmode using '%s' with optionfile, end job with \\end",filename)
         end
         local command = string.format("luatex %s %s", table.concat(flags," "), string.quote(filename))
         os.spawn(command)
@@ -967,9 +1054,9 @@ function scripts.context.pipe()
         end
     else
         if formatname then
-            logs.simple("error, no format found with name: %s, aborting",formatname)
+            report("error, no format found with name: %s, aborting",formatname)
         else
-            logs.simple("error, no format found (provide formatname or interface)")
+            report("error, no format found (provide formatname or interface)")
         end
     end
 end
@@ -979,7 +1066,7 @@ local make_mkiv_format = environment.make_format
 local function make_mkii_format(name,engine)
     if environment.argument(engine) then
         local command = string.format("mtxrun texexec.rb --make --%s %s",name,engine)
-        logs.simple("running command: %s",command)
+        report("running command: %s",command)
         os.spawn(command)
     end
 end
@@ -1051,7 +1138,7 @@ function scripts.context.metapost()
         dofile(resolvers.findfile("mlib-run.lua"))
         loaded = true
         commands = commands or { }
-        commands.writestatus = logs.report
+        commands.writestatus = report -- no longer needed
     end
     local formatname = environment.argument("format") or "metafun"
     if formatname == "" or type(format) == "boolean" then
@@ -1079,20 +1166,20 @@ end
 function scripts.context.version()
     local name = resolvers.findfile("context.mkiv")
     if name ~= "" then
-        logs.simple("main context file: %s",name)
+        report("main context file: %s",name)
         local data = io.loaddata(name)
         if data then
             local version = data:match("\\edef\\contextversion{(.-)}")
             if version then
-                logs.simple("current version: %s",version)
+                report("current version: %s",version)
             else
-                logs.simple("context version: unknown, no timestamp found")
+                report("context version: unknown, no timestamp found")
             end
         else
-            logs.simple("context version: unknown, load error")
+            report("context version: unknown, load error")
         end
     else
-        logs.simple("main context file: unknown, 'context.mkiv' not found")
+        report("main context file: unknown, 'context.mkiv' not found")
     end
 end
 
@@ -1157,7 +1244,7 @@ function scripts.context.purge_job(jobname,all,mkiitoo)
                 end
             end
             if #deleted > 0 then
-                logs.simple("purged files: %s", table.concat(deleted,", "))
+                report("purged files: %s", table.concat(deleted,", "))
             end
         end
     end
@@ -1187,7 +1274,7 @@ function scripts.context.purge(all,pattern,mkiitoo)
         end
     end
     if #deleted > 0 then
-        logs.simple("purged files: %s", table.concat(deleted,", "))
+        report("purged files: %s", table.concat(deleted,", "))
     end
 end
 
@@ -1215,12 +1302,12 @@ end
 local function touchfiles(suffix)
     local done, oldversion, newversion, foundname = touch(file.addsuffix("context",suffix),"(\\edef\\contextversion{)(.-)(})")
     if done then
-        logs.simple("old version : %s", oldversion)
-        logs.simple("new version : %s", newversion)
-        logs.simple("touched file: %s", foundname)
+        report("old version : %s", oldversion)
+        report("new version : %s", newversion)
+        report("touched file: %s", foundname)
         local ok, _, _, foundname = touch(file.addsuffix("cont-new",suffix), "(\\newcontextversion{)(.-)(})")
         if ok then
-            logs.simple("touched file: %s", foundname)
+            report("touched file: %s", foundname)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -1237,26 +1324,21 @@ end
 function scripts.context.extras(pattern)
     local found = resolvers.findfile("context.mkiv")
     if found == "" then
-        logs.simple("unknown extra: %s", extra)
+        report("unknown extra: %s", extra)
     else
         pattern = file.join(dir.expandname(file.dirname(found)),string.format("mtx-context-%s.tex",pattern or "*"))
         local list = dir.glob(pattern)
-        if not extra or extra == "" then
-            logs.extendbanner("extras")
-        else
-            logs.extendbanner(extra)
-        end
         for i=1,#list do
             local v = list[i]
             local data = io.loaddata(v) or ""
             data = string.match(data,"begin help(.-)end help")
             if data then
-                local h = { string.format("extra: %s (%s)",string.gsub(v,"^.*mtx%-context%-(.-)%.tex$","%1"),v) }
+                report()
+                report(string.format("extra: %s (%s)",string.gsub(v,"^.*mtx%-context%-(.-)%.tex$","%1"),v))
                 for s in string.gmatch(data,"%% *(.-)[\n\r]") do
-                    h[#h+1] = s
+                    report(s)
                 end
-                h[#h+1] = ""
-                logs.help(table.concat(h,"\n"),"nomoreinfo")
+                report()
             end
         end
     end
@@ -1277,7 +1359,7 @@ function scripts.context.extra()
                 scripts.context.extras()
                 return
             else
-                logs.simple("processing extra: %s", foundextra)
+                report("processing extra: %s", foundextra)
             end
             environment.setargument("purgeall",true)
             local result = environment.setargument("result") or ""
@@ -1294,17 +1376,24 @@ end
 -- todo: we need to do a dummy run
 
 function scripts.context.trackers()
-    environment.files = { resolvers.findfile("m-trackers.tex") }
+    environment.files = { resolvers.findfile("m-trackers.mkiv") }
     scripts.context.multipass.nofruns = 1
+    environment.setargument("purgeall",true)
     scripts.context.run()
-    -- maybe filter from log
 end
 
 function scripts.context.directives()
-    environment.files = { resolvers.findfile("m-directives.tex") }
+    environment.files = { resolvers.findfile("m-directives.mkiv") }
     scripts.context.multipass.nofruns = 1
+    environment.setargument("purgeall",true)
+    scripts.context.run()
+end
+
+function scripts.context.logcategories()
+    environment.files = { resolvers.findfile("m-logcategories.mkiv") }
+    scripts.context.multipass.nofruns = 1
+    environment.setargument("purgeall",true)
     scripts.context.run()
-    -- maybe filter from log
 end
 
 function scripts.context.timed(action)
@@ -1332,12 +1421,12 @@ function scripts.context.update()
     local http   = require("socket.http")
     local basepath = resolvers.findfile("context.mkiv") or ""
     if basepath == "" then
-        logs.simple("quiting, no 'context.mkiv' found")
+        report("quiting, no 'context.mkiv' found")
         return
     end
     local basetree = basepath.match(basepath,"^(.-)tex/context/base/context.mkiv$") or ""
     if basetree == "" then
-        logs.simple("quiting, no proper tds structure (%s)",basepath)
+        report("quiting, no proper tds structure (%s)",basepath)
         return
     end
     local function is_okay(basetree)
@@ -1351,19 +1440,19 @@ function scripts.context.update()
     end
     local okay = is_okay(basetree)
     if not okay then
-        logs.simple("quiting, tree '%s' is protected",okay)
+        report("quiting, tree '%s' is protected",okay)
         return
     else
-        logs.simple("updating tree '%s'",okay)
+        report("updating tree '%s'",okay)
     end
     if not lfs.chdir(basetree) then
-        logs.simple("quiting, unable to change to '%s'",okay)
+        report("quiting, unable to change to '%s'",okay)
         return
     end
-    logs.simple("fetching '%s'",mainzip)
+    report("fetching '%s'",mainzip)
     local latest = http.request(mainzip)
     if not latest then
-        logs.simple("context tree '%s' can be updated, use --force",okay)
+        report("context tree '%s' can be updated, use --force",okay)
         return
     end
     io.savedata("cont-tmf.zip",latest)
@@ -1374,12 +1463,12 @@ function scripts.context.update()
         -- variant 2
         local zipfile = zip.open(zipname)
         if not zipfile then
-            logs.simple("quiting, unable to open '%s'",zipname)
+            report("quiting, unable to open '%s'",zipname)
             return
         end
         local newfile = zip.loaddata(zipfile,"tex/context/base/context.mkiv")
         if not newfile then
-            logs.simple("quiting, unable to open '%s'","context.mkiv")
+            report("quiting, unable to open '%s'","context.mkiv")
             return
         end
         local oldfile = io.loaddata(resolvers.findfile("context.mkiv")) or ""
@@ -1388,23 +1477,23 @@ function scripts.context.update()
             local year, month, day, hour, minute = str:match("\\edef\\contextversion{(%d+)%.(%d+)%.(%d+) *(%d+)%:(%d+)}")
             if year and minute then
                 local time = os.time { year=year,month=month,day=day,hour=hour,minute=minute}
-                logs.simple("%s version: %s (%s)",what,version,time)
+                report("%s version: %s (%s)",what,version,time)
                 return time
             else
-                logs.simple("%s version: %s (unknown)",what,version)
+                report("%s version: %s (unknown)",what,version)
                 return nil
             end
         end
         local oldversion = versiontonumber("old",oldfile)
         local newversion = versiontonumber("new",newfile)
         if not oldversion or not newversion then
-            logs.simple("quiting, version cannot be determined")
+            report("quiting, version cannot be determined")
             return
         elseif oldversion == newversion then
-            logs.simple("quiting, your current version is up-to-date")
+            report("quiting, your current version is up-to-date")
             return
         elseif oldversion > newversion then
-            logs.simple("quiting, your current version is newer")
+            report("quiting, your current version is newer")
             return
         end
         for k in zipfile:files() do
@@ -1417,7 +1506,7 @@ function scripts.context.update()
                     if force then
                         io.savedata(filename,data)
                     end
-                    logs.simple(filename)
+                    report(filename)
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -1427,13 +1516,13 @@ function scripts.context.update()
                 local newscript = "./scripts/context/lua/" .. scriptname
                 local data = io.loaddata(newscript) or ""
                 if data ~= "" then
-                    logs.simple("replacing script '%s' by '%s'",oldscript,newscript)
+                    report("replacing script '%s' by '%s'",oldscript,newscript)
                     if force then
                         io.savedata(oldscript,data)
                     end
                 end
             else
-                logs.simple("keeping script '%s'",oldscript)
+                report("keeping script '%s'",oldscript)
             end
         end
         if force then
@@ -1441,83 +1530,12 @@ function scripts.context.update()
         end
     end
     if force then
-        logs.simple("context tree '%s' has been updated",okay)
+        report("context tree '%s' has been updated",okay)
     else
-        logs.simple("context tree '%s' can been updated (use --force)",okay)
+        report("context tree '%s' can been updated (use --force)",okay)
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXt Process Management 0.51")
-
-messages.help = [[
---run                 process (one or more) files (default action)
---make                create context formats
-
---ctx=name            use ctx file (process management specification)
---interface           use specified user interface (default: en)
-
---autopdf             close pdf file in viewer and start pdf viewer afterwards
---purge(all)          purge files either or not after a run (--pattern=...)
-
---usemodule=list      load the given module or style, normally part o fthe distribution
---environment=list    load the given environment file first (document styles)
---mode=list           enable given the modes (conditional processing in styles)
---path=list           also consult the given paths when files are looked for
---arguments=list      set variables that can be consulted during a run (key/value pairs)
---randomseed=number   set the randomseed
---result=name         rename the resulting output to the given name
---trackers=list       show/set tracker variables
---directives=list     show/set directive variables
---purgeresult         purge result file before run
-
---forcexml            force xml stub (optional flag: --mkii)
---forcecld            force cld (context lua document) stub
-
---arrange             run extra imposition pass, given that the style sets up imposition
---noarrange           ignore imposition specifications in the style
-
---once                only run once (no multipass data file is produced)
---batchmode           run without stopping and don't show messages on the console
---nonstopmode         run without stopping
-
---generate            generate file database etc. (as luatools does)
---paranoid            don't descend to .. and ../..
---version             report installed context version
-
---expert              expert options
-]]
-
--- filter=list      is kind of obsolete
--- color            is obsolete for mkiv, always on
--- separation       is obsolete for mkiv, no longer available
--- output           is currently obsolete for mkiv
--- setuppath=list   must check
--- modefile=name    must check
--- input=name   load the given inputfile (must check)
-
-messages.expert = [[
-expert options:
-
---touch               update context version number (remake needed afterwards, also provide --expert)
---nostats             omit runtime statistics at the end of the run
---update              update context from website (not to be confused with contextgarden)
---profile             profile job (use: mtxrun --script profile --analyze)
---timing              generate timing and statistics overview
---tracefiles          show some extra info when locating files (at the tex end)
-
---extra=name          process extra (mtx-context-<name> in distribution)
---extras              show extras
-]]
-
-messages.special = [[
-special options:
-
---pdftex              process file with texexec using pdftex
---xetex               process file with texexec using xetex
-
---pipe                don't check for file and enter scroll mode (--dummyfile=whatever.tmp)
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("once") then
     scripts.context.multipass.nofruns = 1
 elseif environment.argument("runs") then
@@ -1546,7 +1564,7 @@ elseif environment.argument("touch") then
 elseif environment.argument("update") then
     scripts.context.update()
 elseif environment.argument("expert") then
-    logs.help(table.concat({ messages.expert, messages.special },"\n"))
+    application.help("expert", "special")
 elseif environment.argument("extras") then
     scripts.context.extras()
 elseif environment.argument("extra") then
@@ -1555,12 +1573,14 @@ elseif environment.argument("help") then
     if environment.files[1] == "extras" then
         scripts.context.extras()
     else
-        logs.help(messages.help)
+        application.help("basic")
     end
-elseif environment.argument("trackers") and type(environment.argument("trackers")) == "boolean" then
+elseif environment.argument("showtrackers") or environment.argument("trackers") == true then
     scripts.context.trackers()
-elseif environment.argument("directives") and type(environment.argument("directives")) == "boolean" then
+elseif environment.argument("showdirectives") or environment.argument("directives") == true then
     scripts.context.directives()
+elseif environment.argument("showlogcategories") then
+    scripts.context.logcategories()
 elseif environment.argument("track") and type(environment.argument("track")) == "boolean" then -- for old times sake, will go
     scripts.context.trackers()
 elseif environment.files[1] then
@@ -1575,7 +1595,7 @@ elseif environment.argument("purgeall") then
     -- only when no filename given, supports --pattern
     scripts.context.purge(true)
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help("basic")
 end
 
 if environment.argument("profile") then
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-convert.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-convert.lua
index 448a1b6ca..0c5c01bbf 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-convert.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-convert.lua
@@ -8,6 +8,23 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-convert'] = {
 
 -- todo: eps and svg
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--convertall          convert all graphics on path
+--inputpath=string    original graphics path
+--outputpath=string   converted graphics path
+--watch               watch folders
+--force               force conversion (even if older)
+--delay               time between sweeps
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-convert",
+    banner   = "ConTeXT Graphic Conversion Helpers 0.10",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 graphics            = graphics            or { }
 graphics.converters = graphics.converters or { }
 
@@ -40,7 +57,7 @@ local function convert(kind,oldname,newname)
     if graphics.converters[kind] then -- extra test
         local tmpname = file.replacesuffix(newname,"tmp")
         local command = graphics.converters[kind](oldname,tmpname)
-        logs.simple("command: %s",command)
+        report("command: %s",command)
         io.flush()
         os.spawn(command)
         os.remove(newname)
@@ -118,22 +135,10 @@ function scripts.convert.convertgiven()
     end
 end
 
-
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXT Graphic Conversion Helpers 0.10")
-
-messages.help = [[
---convertall          convert all graphics on path
---inputpath=string    original graphics path
---outputpath=string   converted graphics path
---watch               watch folders
---force               force conversion (even if older)
---delay               time between sweeps
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("convertall") then
     scripts.convert.convertall()
 elseif environment.files[1] then
     scripts.convert.convertgiven()
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-fonts.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-fonts.lua
index b42627c95..b1e5f2dde 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-fonts.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-fonts.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,49 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-fonts'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--save                save open type font in raw table
+
+--reload              generate new font database
+--reload --simple     generate 'luatex-fonts-names.lua' (not for context!)
+
+--list --name         list installed fonts, filter by name [--pattern]
+--list --spec         list installed fonts, filter by spec [--filter]
+--list --file         list installed fonts, filter by file [--pattern]
+
+--pattern=str         filter files using pattern
+--filter=list         key-value pairs
+--all                 show all found instances
+--info                give more details
+--track=list          enable trackers
+--statistics          some info about the database
+
+examples of searches:
+
+mtxrun --script font --list somename (== --pattern=*somename*)
+
+mtxrun --script font --list --name somename
+mtxrun --script font --list --name --pattern=*somename*
+
+mtxrun --script font --list --spec somename
+mtxrun --script font --list --spec somename-bold-italic
+mtxrun --script font --list --spec --pattern=*somename*
+mtxrun --script font --list --spec --filter="fontname=somename"
+mtxrun --script font --list --spec --filter="familyname=somename,weight=bold,style=italic,width=condensed"
+mtxrun --script font --list --spec --filter="familyname=crap*,weight=bold,style=italic"
+
+mtxrun --script font --list --file somename
+mtxrun --script font --list --file --pattern=*somename*
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-fonts",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt Font Database Management 0.21",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 -- todo: fc-cache -v en check dirs, or better is: fc-cat -v | grep Directory
 
 if not fontloader then fontloader = fontforge end
@@ -31,29 +74,29 @@ function fonts.names.statistics()
         return table.sequenced(n)
     end
 
-    logs.simple("cache uuid      : %s", data.cache_uuid)
-    logs.simple("cache version   : %s", data.cache_version)
-    logs.simple("number of trees : %s", #data.datastate)
-    logs.simpleline()
-    logs.simple("number of fonts : %s", statistics.fonts or 0)
-    logs.simple("used files      : %s", statistics.readfiles or 0)
-    logs.simple("skipped files   : %s", statistics.skippedfiles or 0)
-    logs.simple("duplicate files : %s", statistics.duplicatefiles or 0)
-    logs.simple("specifications  : %s", #data.specifications)
-    logs.simple("families        : %s", table.count(data.families))
-    logs.simpleline()
-    logs.simple("mappings        : %s", counted(data.mappings))
-    logs.simple("fallbacks       : %s", counted(data.fallbacks))
-    logs.simpleline()
-    logs.simple("used styles     : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.used_styles))
-    logs.simple("used variants   : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.used_variants))
-    logs.simple("used weights    : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.used_weights))
-    logs.simple("used widths     : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.used_widths))
-    logs.simpleline()
-    logs.simple("found styles    : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.styles))
-    logs.simple("found variants  : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.variants))
-    logs.simple("found weights   : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.weights))
-    logs.simple("found widths    : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.widths))
+    report("cache uuid      : %s", data.cache_uuid)
+    report("cache version   : %s", data.cache_version)
+    report("number of trees : %s", #data.datastate)
+    report()
+    report("number of fonts : %s", statistics.fonts or 0)
+    report("used files      : %s", statistics.readfiles or 0)
+    report("skipped files   : %s", statistics.skippedfiles or 0)
+    report("duplicate files : %s", statistics.duplicatefiles or 0)
+    report("specifications  : %s", #data.specifications)
+    report("families        : %s", table.count(data.families))
+    report()
+    report("mappings        : %s", counted(data.mappings))
+    report("fallbacks       : %s", counted(data.fallbacks))
+    report()
+    report("used styles     : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.used_styles))
+    report("used variants   : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.used_variants))
+    report("used weights    : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.used_weights))
+    report("used widths     : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.used_widths))
+    report()
+    report("found styles    : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.styles))
+    report("found variants  : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.variants))
+    report("found weights   : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.weights))
+    report("found widths    : %s", table.sequenced(statistics.widths))
 
 end
 
@@ -63,7 +106,7 @@ function fonts.names.simple()
     local name = "luatex-fonts-names.lua"
     fonts.names.filters.list = simplelist
     fonts.names.version = simpleversion -- this number is the same as in font-dum.lua
-    logs.report("fontnames","generating font database for 'luatex-fonts' version %s",fonts.names.version)
+    report("generating font database for 'luatex-fonts' version %s",fonts.names.version)
     fonts.names.identify(true)
     local data = fonts.names.data
     if data then
@@ -80,12 +123,12 @@ function fonts.names.simple()
                 simplemappings[tag] = { s.rawname, s.filename, s.subfont }
             end
         end
-        logs.report("fontnames","saving names in '%s'",name)
+        report("saving names in '%s'",name)
         io.savedata(name,table.serialize(simplified,true))
         local data = io.loaddata(resolvers.findfile("font-dum.lua","tex"))
         local dummy = string.match(data,"fonts%.names%.version%s*=%s*([%d%.]+)")
         if tonumber(dummy) ~= simpleversion then
-            logs.report("fontnames","warning: version number %s in 'font-dum' does not match database version number %s",dummy or "?",simpleversion)
+            report("warning: version number %s in 'font-dum' does not match database version number %s",dummy or "?",simpleversion)
         end
     elseif lfs.isfile(name) then
         os.remove(name)
@@ -117,28 +160,29 @@ local function fontweight(fw)
 end
 
 local function showfeatures(tag,specification)
-    logs.simple("mapping : %s",tag)
-    logs.simple("fontname: %s",specification.fontname)
-    logs.simple("fullname: %s",specification.fullname)
-    logs.simple("filename: %s",specification.filename)
-    logs.simple("family  : %s",specification.familyname or "<nofamily>")
-    logs.simple("weight  : %s",specification.weight or "<noweight>")
-    logs.simple("style   : %s",specification.style or "<nostyle>")
-    logs.simple("width   : %s",specification.width or "<nowidth>")
-    logs.simple("variant : %s",specification.variant or "<novariant>")
-    logs.simple("subfont : %s",subfont(specification.subfont))
-    logs.simple("fweight : %s",fontweight(specification.fontweight))
+    report()
+    report("mapping : %s",tag)
+    report("fontname: %s",specification.fontname)
+    report("fullname: %s",specification.fullname)
+    report("filename: %s",specification.filename)
+    report("family  : %s",specification.familyname or "<nofamily>")
+    report("weight  : %s",specification.weight or "<noweight>")
+    report("style   : %s",specification.style or "<nostyle>")
+    report("width   : %s",specification.width or "<nowidth>")
+    report("variant : %s",specification.variant or "<novariant>")
+    report("subfont : %s",subfont(specification.subfont))
+    report("fweight : %s",fontweight(specification.fontweight))
     -- maybe more
     local features = fonts.get_features(specification.filename,specification.format)
     if features then
         for what, v in table.sortedhash(features) do
             local data = features[what]
             if data and next(data) then
-                logs.simple()
-                logs.simple("%s features:",what)
-                logs.simple()
-                logs.simple("feature  script   languages")
-                logs.simple()
+                report()
+                report("%s features:",what)
+                report()
+                report("feature  script   languages")
+                report()
                 for f,ff in table.sortedhash(data) do
                     local done = false
                     for s, ss in table.sortedhash(ff) do
@@ -149,24 +193,22 @@ local function showfeatures(tag,specification)
                         else
                             done = true
                         end
-                        logs.simple("% -8s % -8s % -8s",f,s,table.concat(table.sortedkeys(ss), " ")) -- todo: padd 4
+                        report("% -8s % -8s % -8s",f,s,table.concat(table.sortedkeys(ss), " ")) -- todo: padd 4
                     end
                 end
             end
         end
     else
-        logs.simple()
-        logs.simple("no features")
-        logs.simple()
+        report("no features")
     end
-    logs.reportline()
+    report()
 end
 
 local function reloadbase(reload)
     if reload then
-        logs.simple("fontnames, reloading font database")
+        report("fontnames, reloading font database")
         names.load(true)
-        logs.simple("fontnames, done\n\n")
+        report("fontnames, done\n\n")
     end
 end
 
@@ -245,17 +287,17 @@ function scripts.fonts.list()
             --~ mtxrun --script font --list --name --pattern=*somename*
             list_matches(fonts.names.list(string.topattern(pattern,true),reload,all),info)
         elseif filter then
-            logs.report("fontnames","not supported: --list --name --filter",name)
+            report("not supported: --list --name --filter",name)
         elseif given then
             --~ mtxrun --script font --list --name somename
             list_matches(fonts.names.list(given,reload,all),info)
         else
-            logs.report("fontnames","not supported: --list --name <no specification>",name)
+            report("not supported: --list --name <no specification>",name)
         end
     elseif environment.argument("spec") then
         if pattern then
             --~ mtxrun --script font --list --spec --pattern=*somename*
-            logs.report("fontnames","not supported: --list --spec --pattern",name)
+            report("not supported: --list --spec --pattern",name)
         elseif filter then
             --~ mtxrun --script font --list --spec --filter="fontname=somename"
             list_specifications(fonts.names.getlookups(filter),info)
@@ -263,19 +305,19 @@ function scripts.fonts.list()
             --~ mtxrun --script font --list --spec somename
             list_specifications(fonts.names.collectspec(given,reload,all),info)
         else
-            logs.report("fontnames","not supported: --list --spec <no specification>",name)
+            report("not supported: --list --spec <no specification>",name)
         end
     elseif environment.argument("file") then
         if pattern then
             --~ mtxrun --script font --list --file --pattern=*somename*
             list_specifications(fonts.names.collectfiles(string.topattern(pattern,true),reload,all),info)
         elseif filter then
-            logs.report("fontnames","not supported: --list --spec",name)
+            report("not supported: --list --spec",name)
         elseif given then
             --~ mtxrun --script font --list --file somename
             list_specifications(fonts.names.collectfiles(given,reload,all),info)
         else
-            logs.report("fontnames","not supported: --list --file <no specification>",name)
+            report("not supported: --list --file <no specification>",name)
         end
     elseif pattern then
         --~ mtxrun --script font --list --pattern=*somename*
@@ -287,7 +329,7 @@ function scripts.fonts.list()
         pattern = "*"
         list_matches(fonts.names.list(string.topattern(pattern,true),reload,all),info)
     else
-        logs.report("fontnames","not supported: --list <no specification>",name)
+        report("not supported: --list <no specification>",name)
     end
 
 end
@@ -298,7 +340,7 @@ function scripts.fonts.save()
     local function save(savename,fontblob)
         if fontblob then
             savename = savename:lower() .. ".lua"
-            logs.simple("fontsave, saving data in %s",savename)
+            report("fontsave, saving data in %s",savename)
             table.tofile(savename,fontloader.to_table(fontblob),"return")
             fontloader.close(fontblob)
         end
@@ -310,7 +352,7 @@ function scripts.fonts.save()
             if suffix == 'ttf' or suffix == 'otf' or suffix == 'ttc' or suffix == "dfont" then
                 local fontinfo = fontloader.info(filename)
                 if fontinfo then
-                    logs.simple("font: %s located as %s",name,filename)
+                    report("font: %s located as %s",name,filename)
                     if fontinfo[1] then
                         for k=1,#fontinfo do
                             local v = fontinfo[k]
@@ -320,56 +362,19 @@ function scripts.fonts.save()
                         save(fontinfo.fullname,fontloader.open(filename))
                     end
                 else
-                    logs.simple("font: %s cannot be read",filename)
+                    report("font: %s cannot be read",filename)
                 end
             else
-                logs.simple("font: %s not saved",filename)
+                report("font: %s not saved",filename)
             end
         else
-            logs.simple("font: %s not found",name)
+            report("font: %s not found",name)
         end
     else
-        logs.simple("font: no name given")
+        report("font: no name given")
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXt Font Database Management 0.21")
-
-messages.help = [[
---save                save open type font in raw table
-
---reload              generate new font database
---reload --simple     generate 'luatex-fonts-names.lua' (not for context!)
-
---list --name         list installed fonts, filter by name [--pattern]
---list --spec         list installed fonts, filter by spec [--filter]
---list --file         list installed fonts, filter by file [--pattern]
-
---pattern=str         filter files using pattern
---filter=list         key-value pairs
---all                 show all found instances
---info                give more details
---track=list          enable trackers
---statistics          some info about the database
-
-examples of searches:
-
-mtxrun --script font --list somename (== --pattern=*somename*)
-
-mtxrun --script font --list --name somename
-mtxrun --script font --list --name --pattern=*somename*
-
-mtxrun --script font --list --spec somename
-mtxrun --script font --list --spec somename-bold-italic
-mtxrun --script font --list --spec --pattern=*somename*
-mtxrun --script font --list --spec --filter="fontname=somename"
-mtxrun --script font --list --spec --filter="familyname=somename,weight=bold,style=italic,width=condensed"
-mtxrun --script font --list --spec --filter="familyname=crap*,weight=bold,style=italic"
-
-mtxrun --script font --list --file somename
-mtxrun --script font --list --file --pattern=*somename*
-]]
-
 local track = environment.argument("track")
 
 if track then trackers.enable(track) end
@@ -388,5 +393,5 @@ elseif environment.argument("save") then
 elseif environment.argument("statistics") then
     fonts.names.statistics()
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-grep.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-grep.lua
index 98378f92b..963422c68 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-grep.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-grep.lua
@@ -6,11 +6,25 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-babel'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--pattern             search for pattern (optional)
+--count               count matches only
+--nocomment           skip lines that start with %% or #
+
+patterns are lua patterns and need to be escaped accordingly
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-grep",
+    banner   = "Simple Grepper 0.10",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts      = scripts      or { }
 scripts.grep = scripts.grep or { }
 
-logs.extendbanner("Simple Grepper 0.10")
-
 local find, format = string.find, string.format
 
 local cr       = lpeg.P("\r")
@@ -94,14 +108,6 @@ function scripts.grep.find(pattern, files, offset)
     end
 end
 
-messages.help = [[
---pattern             search for pattern (optional)
---count               count matches only
---nocomment           skip lines that start with %% or #
-
-patterns are lua patterns and need to be escaped accordingly
-]]
-
 local pattern = environment.argument("pattern")
 local files   = environment.files and #environment.files > 0 and environment.files
 
@@ -110,5 +116,5 @@ if pattern and files then
 elseif files then
     scripts.grep.find(files[1], files, 2)
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-interface.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-interface.lua
index bee6a7da1..91ae16ce3 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-interface.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-interface.lua
@@ -10,6 +10,36 @@ local concat, sort, insert = table.concat, table.sort, table.insert
 local gsub, format, gmatch, find = string.gsub, string.format, string.gmatch, string.find
 local utfchar, utfgsub = utf.char, utf.gsub
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--interfaces          generate context interface files
+--messages            generate context message files
+--labels              generate context label files
+
+--context             equals --interfaces --messages --languages
+
+--scite               generate scite interface
+--bbedit              generate bbedit interface files
+--jedit               generate jedit interface files
+--textpad             generate textpad interface files
+--text                create text files for commands and environments
+--raw                 report commands to the console
+--check               generate check file
+
+--toutf               replace named characters by utf
+--preprocess          preprocess mkvi files to tex files [force,suffix]
+
+--suffix              use given suffix for output files
+--force               force action even when in doubt
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-interface",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt Interface Related Goodies 0.13",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts           = scripts           or { }
 scripts.interface = scripts.interface or { }
 
@@ -64,7 +94,7 @@ end
 
 function flushers.raw(interface,commands)
     for i=1,#commands do
-        logs.simple(commands[i])
+        report(commands[i])
     end
 end
 
@@ -73,12 +103,12 @@ local textpadcreator = "mtx-interface-textpad.lua"
 function flushers.text(interface,commands,environments)
     local c, cname = { }, format("context-commands-%s.txt",interface)
     local e, ename = { }, format("context-environments-%s.txt",interface)
-    logs.simple("saving '%s'",cname)
+    report("saving '%s'",cname)
     for i=1,#commands do
         c[#c+1] = format("\\%s",commands[i])
     end
     io.savedata(cname,concat(c,"\n"))
-    logs.simple("saving '%s'",ename)
+    report("saving '%s'",ename)
     for i=1,#environments do
         e[#e+1] = format("\\start%s",environments[i])
         e[#e+1] = format("\\stop%s", environments[i])
@@ -92,7 +122,7 @@ function flushers.textpad(interface,commands,environments)
     -- plugin, this is a rewrite of a file provided by Lukas Prochazka
     --
     local function merge(templatedata,destinationdata,categories)
-        logs.simple("loading '%s'",templatedata)
+        report("loading '%s'",templatedata)
         local data = io.loaddata(templatedata)
         local done = 0
         for i=1,#categories do
@@ -103,25 +133,25 @@ function flushers.textpad(interface,commands,environments)
                 local found = resolvers.findfile(filename) or ""
                 local blob = found ~= "" and io.loaddata(found) or ""
                 if blob == ""  then
-                    logs.simple("category: %s, filename: %s, not found",category,filename)
+                    report("category: %s, filename: %s, not found",category,filename)
                 else
                     done = done + 1
-                    logs.simple("category: %s, filename: %s, merged",category,filename)
+                    report("category: %s, filename: %s, merged",category,filename)
                 end
                 return format("; category: %s\n; filename: %s\n%s\n\n",category,filename,blob)
             end)
         end
         if done > 0 then
-            logs.simple("saving '%s' (%s files merged)",destinationdata,done)
+            report("saving '%s' (%s files merged)",destinationdata,done)
             io.savedata(destinationdata,data)
         else
-            logs.simple("skipping '%s' (no files merged)",destinationdata)
+            report("skipping '%s' (no files merged)",destinationdata)
         end
     end
     local templatename = "textpad-context-template.txt"
     local templatedata = resolvers.findfile(templatename) or ""
     if templatedata == "" then
-        logs.simple("unable to locate template '%s'",templatename)
+        report("unable to locate template '%s'",templatename)
     else
         merge(templatedata, "context.syn",       { "tex commands","context commands" })
         if environment.argument("textpad") == "latex" then
@@ -152,13 +182,13 @@ function scripts.interface.editor(editor,split,forcedinterfaces)
     end
     local xmlfile = resolvers.findfile("cont-en.xml") or ""
     if xmlfile == "" then
-        logs.simple("unable to locate cont-en.xml")
+        report("unable to locate cont-en.xml")
     end
     for i=1,#interfaces do
         local interface = interfaces[i]
         local keyfile = resolvers.findfile(format("keys-%s.xml",interface)) or ""
         if keyfile == "" then
-            logs.simple("unable to locate keys-*.xml")
+            report("unable to locate keys-*.xml")
         else
             local commands     = { }
             local mappings     = { }
@@ -243,7 +273,7 @@ function scripts.interface.interfaces()
                     local v = t[key]
                     local value = v[language] or v["en"]
                     if not value then
-                        logs.simple("warning, no value for key '%s' for language '%s'",key,language)
+                        report("warning, no value for key '%s' for language '%s'",key,language)
                     else
                         local value = t[key][language] or t[key].en
                         texresult[#texresult+1] = format("\\setinterface%s{%s}{%s}",tag,key,value)
@@ -281,9 +311,9 @@ function scripts.interface.interfaces()
                 local texfilename = format("mult-%s.mkii",language)
                 local xmlfilename = format("keys-%s.xml",language)
                 io.savedata(texfilename,concat(texresult,"\n"))
-                logs.simple("saving interface definitions '%s'",texfilename)
+                report("saving interface definitions '%s'",texfilename)
                 io.savedata(xmlfilename,concat(xmlresult,"\n"))
-                logs.simple("saving interface translations '%s'",xmlfilename)
+                report("saving interface translations '%s'",xmlfilename)
                 if language ~= "en" and xmldata ~= "" then
                     local newdata = xmldata:gsub("(<cd:interface.*language=.)en(.)","%1"..language.."%2",1)
                     newdata = replace(newdata, 'cd:string', 'value', interface.commands, interface.elements, language)
@@ -294,7 +324,7 @@ function scripts.interface.interfaces()
                     newdata = replace(newdata, 'cd:inherit', 'name', interface.commands, interface.elements, language)
                     local xmlfilename = format("cont-%s.xml",language)
                     io.savedata(xmlfilename,newdata)
-                    logs.simple("saving interface specification '%s'",xmlfilename)
+                    report("saving interface specification '%s'",xmlfilename)
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -309,42 +339,42 @@ function scripts.interface.preprocess()
         local oldname = environment.files[i]
         local newname = file.replacesuffix(oldname,newsuffix)
         if oldname == newname then
-            logs.simple("skipping '%s' because old and new name are the same",oldname)
+            report("skipping '%s' because old and new name are the same",oldname)
         elseif io.exists(newname) and not force then
-            logs.simple("skipping '%s' because new file exists, use --force",oldname)
+            report("skipping '%s' because new file exists, use --force",oldname)
         else
-            logs.simple("processing '%s' into '%s'",oldname,newname)
+            report("processing '%s' into '%s'",oldname,newname)
             io.savedata(newname,resolvers.macros.preprocessed(io.loaddata(oldname)))
         end
     end
 end
 
-function scripts.interface.messages()
-    local filename = resolvers.findfile(environment.files[1] or "mult-mes.lua") or ""
-    if filename ~= "" then
-        local messages = dofile(filename)
-        logs.simple("messages for * loaded from '%s'",filename)
-        logs.simple()
-        for i=1,#messageinterfaces do
-            local interface = messageinterfaces[i]
-            local texresult = { }
-            for category, data in next, messages do
-                for tag, message in next, data do
-                    if tag ~= "files" then
-                        local msg = message[interface] or message["all"] or message["en"]
-                        if msg then
-                            texresult[#texresult+1] = format("\\setinterfacemessage{%s}{%s}{%s}",category,tag,msg)
-                        end
-                    end
-                end
-            end
-            texresult[#texresult+1] = format("%%\n\\endinput")
-            local interfacefile = format("mult-m%s.mkii",interface)
-            io.savedata(interfacefile,concat(texresult,"\n"))
-            logs.simple("messages for '%s' saved in '%s'",interface,interfacefile)
-        end
-    end
-end
+-- function scripts.interface.messages()
+--     local filename = resolvers.findfile(environment.files[1] or "mult-mes.lua") or ""
+--     if filename ~= "" then
+--         local messages = dofile(filename)
+--         report("messages for * loaded from '%s'",filename)
+--         report()
+--         for i=1,#messageinterfaces do
+--             local interface = messageinterfaces[i]
+--             local texresult = { }
+--             for category, data in next, messages do
+--                 for tag, message in next, data do
+--                     if tag ~= "files" then
+--                         local msg = message[interface] or message["all"] or message["en"]
+--                         if msg then
+--                             texresult[#texresult+1] = format("\\setinterfacemessage{%s}{%s}{%s}",category,tag,msg)
+--                         end
+--                     end
+--                 end
+--             end
+--             texresult[#texresult+1] = format("%%\n\\endinput")
+--             local interfacefile = format("mult-m%s.mkii",interface)
+--             io.savedata(interfacefile,concat(texresult,"\n"))
+--             report("messages for '%s' saved in '%s'",interface,interfacefile)
+--         end
+--     end
+-- end
 
 function scripts.interface.toutf()
     local filename = environment.files[1]
@@ -363,7 +393,7 @@ function scripts.interface.toutf()
             contextnames.aumlaut = contextnames.adiaeresis
             contextnames.Aumlaut = contextnames.Adiaeresis
         end
-        logs.simple("loading '%s'",filename)
+        report("loading '%s'",filename)
         local str = io.loaddata(filename) or ""
         local done = { }
         str = gsub(str,"(\\)([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z]+)(%s*)", function(b,s,a)
@@ -378,129 +408,99 @@ function scripts.interface.toutf()
         end)
         for k, v in table.sortedpairs(done) do
             if v > 0 then
-                logs.simple("+ %5i : %s => %s",v,k,contextnames[k])
+                report("+ %5i : %s => %s",v,k,contextnames[k])
             else
-                logs.simple("- %5i : %s",-v,k,contextnames[k])
+                report("- %5i : %s",-v,k,contextnames[k])
             end
         end
         filename = filename .. ".toutf"
-        logs.simple("saving '%s'",filename)
+        report("saving '%s'",filename)
         io.savedata(filename,str)
     end
 end
 
-function scripts.interface.labels()
-    require("char-def.lua")
-    require("lang-txt.lua")
-    local interfaces = require("mult-def.lua")
-    local variables = interfaces.variables
-    local contextnames = { }
-    for unicode, data in next, characters.data do
-        local contextname = data.contextname
-        if contextname then
-            contextnames[utfchar(unicode)] = "\\" .. contextname .. " "
-        end
-    end
-    contextnames["i"] = nil
-    contextnames["'"] = nil
-    contextnames["\\"] = nil
-    local function flush(f,kind,what,expand,namespace,prefix)
-        local whatdata = languages.data.labels[what]
-        f:write("\n")
-        f:write(format("%% %s => %s\n",what,kind))
-        for tag, data in table.sortedpairs(whatdata) do
-            if not data.hidden then
-                f:write("\n")
-                for language, text in table.sortedpairs(data.labels) do
-                    if text ~= "" then
-                        if expand then
-                            text = utfgsub(text,".",contextnames)
-                            text = gsub(text,"  ", "\ ")
-                        end
-                        if namespace and namespace[tag] then
-                            tag = prefix .. tag
-                        end
-                        if find(text,",") then
-                            text = "{" .. text .. "}"
-                        end
-
-                        if text == "" then
-                            -- skip
-                        else
-                            if type(text) == "table" then
-                                f:write(format("\\setup%stext[\\s!%s][%s={{%s},}]\n",kind,language,tag,text))
-                            else
-                                f:write(format("\\setup%stext[\\s!%s][%s={{%s},{%s}}]\n",kind,language,tag,text[1],text[2]))
-                            end
-                        end
-
-                    end
-                end
-            end
-        end
-    end
-    function flushall(txtname,expand)
-        local f = io.open(txtname,"w")
-        if f then
-            logs.simple("saving '%s'",txtname)
-            f:write("% this file is auto-generated, don't edit this file\n")
-            flush(f,"head","titles",expand,variables,"\\v!")
-            flush(f,"label","texts",expand,variables,"\\v!")
-            flush(f,"mathlabel","functions",expand)
-            flush(f,"taglabel","tags",expand)
-            f:write("\n")
-            f:write("\\endinput\n")
-            f:close()
-        end
-    end
-    flushall("lang-txt.mkii",true)
-    flushall("lang-txt.mkiv",false)
-end
-
-function scripts.interface.labels()
-    -- maybe supported one day
-end
-
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXt Interface Related Goodies 0.13")
-
-messages.help = [[
---interfaces          generate context interface files
---messages            generate context message files
---labels              generate context label files
-
---context             equals --interfaces --messages --languages
-
---scite               generate scite interface
---bbedit              generate bbedit interface files
---jedit               generate jedit interface files
---textpad             generate textpad interface files
---text                create text files for commands and environments
---raw                 report commands to the console
---check               generate check file
-
---toutf               replace named characters by utf
---preprocess          preprocess mkvi files to tex files [force,suffix]
-
---suffix              use given suffix for output files
---force               force action even when in doubt
-]]
+-- function scripts.interface.labels()
+--     require("char-def.lua")
+--     require("lang-txt.lua")
+--     local interfaces = require("mult-def.lua")
+--     local variables = interfaces.variables
+--     local contextnames = { }
+--     for unicode, data in next, characters.data do
+--         local contextname = data.contextname
+--         if contextname then
+--             contextnames[utfchar(unicode)] = "\\" .. contextname .. " "
+--         end
+--     end
+--     contextnames["i"] = nil
+--     contextnames["'"] = nil
+--     contextnames["\\"] = nil
+--     local function flush(f,kind,what,expand,namespace,prefix)
+--         local whatdata = languages.data.labels[what]
+--         f:write("\n")
+--         f:write(format("%% %s => %s\n",what,kind))
+--         for tag, data in table.sortedpairs(whatdata) do
+--             if not data.hidden then
+--                 f:write("\n")
+--                 for language, text in table.sortedpairs(data.labels) do
+--                     if text ~= "" then
+--                         if expand then
+--                             text = utfgsub(text,".",contextnames)
+--                             text = gsub(text,"  ", "\ ")
+--                         end
+--                         if namespace and namespace[tag] then
+--                             tag = prefix .. tag
+--                         end
+--                         if find(text,",") then
+--                             text = "{" .. text .. "}"
+--                         end
+--                         if text == "" then
+--                             -- skip
+--                         else
+--                             if type(text) == "table" then
+--                                 f:write(format("\\setup%stext[\\s!%s][%s={{%s},}]\n",kind,language,tag,text))
+--                             else
+--                                 f:write(format("\\setup%stext[\\s!%s][%s={{%s},{%s}}]\n",kind,language,tag,text[1],text[2]))
+--                             end
+--                         end
+--                     end
+--                 end
+--             end
+--         end
+--     end
+--     function flushall(txtname,expand)
+--         local f = io.open(txtname,"w")
+--         if f then
+--             report("saving '%s'",txtname)
+--             f:write("% this file is auto-generated, don't edit this file\n")
+--             flush(f,"head","titles",expand,variables,"\\v!")
+--             flush(f,"label","texts",expand,variables,"\\v!")
+--             flush(f,"mathlabel","functions",expand)
+--             flush(f,"taglabel","tags",expand)
+--             f:write("\n")
+--             f:write("\\endinput\n")
+--             f:close()
+--         end
+--     end
+--     flushall("lang-txt.mkii",true)
+--     flushall("lang-txt.mkiv",false)
+-- end
 
 local ea = environment.argument
 
 if ea("context") then
     scripts.interface.interfaces()
-    scripts.interface.messages()
-    scripts.interface.labels()
+ -- scripts.interface.messages()
+ -- scripts.interface.labels()
 elseif ea("interfaces") or ea("messages") or ea("labels") then
     if ea("interfaces") then
         scripts.interface.interfaces()
     end
-    if ea("messages") then
-        scripts.interface.messages()
-    end
-    if ea("labels") then
-        scripts.interface.labels()
-    end
+ -- if ea("messages") then
+ --     scripts.interface.messages()
+ -- end
+ -- if ea("labels") then
+ --     scripts.interface.labels()
+ -- end
 elseif ea("preprocess") then
     scripts.interface.preprocess()
 elseif ea("toutf") then
@@ -527,5 +527,5 @@ elseif ea("scite") or ea("bbedit") or ea("jedit") or ea("textpad") or ea("text")
         scripts.interface.editor("raw")
     end
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-metapost.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-metapost.lua
index 9bdd1260f..3b9ed6ff1 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-metapost.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-metapost.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,30 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-metapost'] = { -- this was m
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--rawmp               raw metapost run
+--metafun             use metafun instead of plain
+--latex               force --tex=latex
+--texexec             force texexec usage (mkii)
+--split               split single result file into pages
+
+intended usage:
+
+mtxrun --script metapost yourfile.mp
+mtxrun --script metapost --split yourfile.mp
+mtxrun --script metapost yourfile.123 myfile.mps
+
+other usage resembles mptopdf.pl
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-metapost",
+    banner   = "MetaPost to PDF processor 0.10",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts             = scripts             or { }
 scripts.mptopdf     = scripts.mptopdf     or { }
 scripts.mptopdf.aux = scripts.mptopdf.aux or { }
@@ -67,23 +91,23 @@ local function do_convert_all(filename)
         end
     end
     if #report > 0 then
-        logs.simple("number of converted files: %i", #report)
-        logs.simple("")
+        report("number of converted files: %i", #report)
+        report()
         for i=1,#report do
             local r = report[i]
-            logs.simple("%s => %s", r[1], r[2])
+            report("%s => %s", r[1], r[2])
         end
     else
-        logs.simple("no files are converted for '%s'",filename)
+        report("no files are converted for '%s'",filename)
     end
 end
 
 local function do_convert_one(filename)
     local resultname = do_convert(filename)
     if resultname then
-        logs.simple("%s => %s", filename,resultname)
+        report("%s => %s", filename,resultname)
     else
-        logs.simple("no result for '%s'",filename)
+        report("no result for '%s'",filename)
     end
 end
 
@@ -121,7 +145,7 @@ function scripts.mptopdf.convertall()
                         command, convert = format("context --result=%s --purge --once %s",file.nameonly(filename),tempname), false
                     end
                 end
-                logs.simple("running: %s\n",command)
+                report("running: %s",command)
                 local done = os.execute(command)
                 if done then
                     if convert then
@@ -131,41 +155,23 @@ function scripts.mptopdf.convertall()
                         -- already pdf, maybe optionally split
                     end
                 else
-                    logs.simple("error while processing mp file '%s'", filename)
+                    report("error while processing mp file '%s'", filename)
                 end
             else
                 do_convert_one(filename)
             end
         end
     else
-        logs.simple("no files match to process")
+        report("no files match to process")
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("MetaPost to PDF processor 0.10")
-
-messages.help = [[
---rawmp               raw metapost run
---metafun             use metafun instead of plain
---latex               force --tex=latex
---texexec             force texexec usage (mkii)
---split               split single result file into pages
-
-intended usage:
-
-mtxrun --script metapost yourfile.mp
-mtxrun --script metapost --split yourfile.mp
-mtxrun --script metapost yourfile.123 myfile.mps
-
-other usage resembles mptopdf.pl
-]]
-
 if environment.files[1] then
     scripts.mptopdf.convertall()
 else
     if not environment.arguments.help then
-        logs.simple("provide MP output file (or pattern)")
-        logs.simple("")
+        report("provide MP output file (or pattern)")
+        report()
     end
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-metatex.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-metatex.lua
index c5865b808..0b66d59ef 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-metatex.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-metatex.lua
@@ -8,6 +8,19 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-metatex'] = {
 
 -- future versions will deal with specific variants of metatex
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--run                 process (one or more) files (default action)
+--make                create metatex format(s)
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-metatex",
+    banner   = "MetaTeX Process Management 0.10",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts         = scripts         or { }
 scripts.metatex = scripts.metatex or { }
 
@@ -24,12 +37,12 @@ function scripts.metatex.run(ctxdata,filename)
         if formatfile and scriptfile then
             local command = string.format("luatex --fmt=%s --lua=%s  %s",
                 string.quote(formatfile), string.quote(scriptfile), string.quote(filename))
-            logs.simple("running command: %s",command)
+            report("running command: %s",command)
             os.spawn(command)
         elseif formatname then
-            logs.simple("error, no format found with name: %s",formatname)
+            report("error, no format found with name: %s",formatname)
         else
-            logs.simple("error, no format found (provide formatname or interface)")
+            report("error, no format found (provide formatname or interface)")
         end
     end
 end
@@ -38,13 +51,6 @@ function scripts.metatex.timed(action)
     statistics.timed(action)
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("MetaTeX Process Management 0.10")
-
-messages.help = [[
---run                 process (one or more) files (default action)
---make                create metatex format(s)
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("run") then
     scripts.metatex.timed(scripts.metatex.run)
 elseif environment.argument("make") then
@@ -54,5 +60,5 @@ elseif environment.argument("help") then
 elseif environment.files[1] then
     scripts.metatex.timed(scripts.metatex.run)
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help,false)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-modules.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-modules.lua
index 632aa0f68..8f3ab89cf 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-modules.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-modules.lua
@@ -9,6 +9,20 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-modules'] = {
 scripts         = scripts         or { }
 scripts.modules = scripts.modules or { }
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--convert             convert source files (tex, mkii, mkiv, mp) to 'ted' files
+--process             process source files (tex, mkii, mkiv, mp) to 'pdf' files
+--prep                use original name with suffix 'prep' appended
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-modules",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt Module Documentation Generators 1.00",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 -- Documentation can be woven into a source file. This script can generates
 -- a file with the documentation and source fragments properly tagged. The
 -- documentation is included as comment:
@@ -39,15 +53,15 @@ local find, format, sub, is_empty, strip = string.find, string.format, string.su
 local function source_to_ted(inpname,outname,filetype)
     local inp = io.open(inpname)
     if not inp then
-        logs.simple("unable to open '%s'",inpname)
+        report("unable to open '%s'",inpname)
         return
     end
     local out = io.open(outname,"w")
     if not out then
-        logs.simple("unable to open '%s'",outname)
+        report("unable to open '%s'",outname)
         return
     end
-    logs.simple("converting '%s' to '%s'",inpname,outname)
+    report("converting '%s' to '%s'",inpname,outname)
     local skiplevel, indocument, indefinition = 0, false, false
     out:write(format("\\startmodule[type=%s]\n",filetype or file.suffix(inpname)))
     for line in inp:lines() do
@@ -143,25 +157,16 @@ function scripts.modules.process(runtex)
     end
     for i=1,#processed do
         local name = processed[i]
-        logs.simple("modules","processed: %s",name)
+        report("modules","processed: %s",name)
     end
 end
 
 --  context --ctx=m-modules.ctx xxx.mkiv
 
-
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXt Module Documentation Generators 1.00")
-
-messages.help = [[
---convert             convert source files (tex, mkii, mkiv, mp) to 'ted' files
---process             process source files (tex, mkii, mkiv, mp) to 'pdf' files
---prep                use original name with suffix 'prep' appended
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("process") then
     scripts.modules.process(true)
 elseif environment.argument("convert") then
     scripts.modules.process(false)
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-package.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-package.lua
index 5269eb34c..294ef4f28 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-package.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-package.lua
@@ -8,6 +8,18 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-package'] = {
 
 local format, gsub, gmatch = string.format, string.gsub, string.gmatch
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--merge               merge 'loadmodule' into merge file
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-package",
+    banner   = "Distribution Related Goodies 0.10",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts         = scripts         or { }
 messages        = messages        or { }
 scripts.package = scripts.package or { }
@@ -16,14 +28,14 @@ function scripts.package.merge_luatex_files(name,strip)
     local oldname = resolvers.findfile(name) or ""
     oldname = file.replacesuffix(oldname,"lua")
     if oldname == "" then
-        logs.simple("missing '%s'",name)
+        report("missing '%s'",name)
     else
         local newname = file.removesuffix(oldname) .. "-merged.lua"
         local data = io.loaddata(oldname) or ""
         if data == "" then
-            logs.simple("missing '%s'",newname)
+            report("missing '%s'",newname)
         else
-            logs.simple("loading '%s'",oldname)
+            report("loading '%s'",oldname)
             local collected = { }
             collected[#collected+1] = format("-- merged file : %s\n",newname)
             collected[#collected+1] = format("-- parent file : %s\n",oldname)
@@ -33,9 +45,9 @@ function scripts.package.merge_luatex_files(name,strip)
                 if file.basename(lib) ~= file.basename(newname) then
                     local fullname = resolvers.findfile(lib) or ""
                     if fullname == "" then
-                        logs.simple("missing '%s'",lib)
+                        report("missing '%s'",lib)
                     else
-                        logs.simple("fetching '%s'",fullname)
+                        report("fetching '%s'",fullname)
                         local data = io.loaddata(fullname)
                         if strip then
                             data = gsub(data,"%-%-%[%[ldx%-%-.-%-%-%ldx%]%]%-%-[\n\r]*","")
@@ -49,20 +61,14 @@ function scripts.package.merge_luatex_files(name,strip)
                     end
                 end
             end
-            logs.simple("saving '%s'",newname)
+            report("saving '%s'",newname)
             io.savedata(newname,table.concat(collected))
         end
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("Distribution Related Goodies 0.10")
-
-messages.help = [[
---merge               merge 'loadmodule' into merge file
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("merge") then
     scripts.package.merge_luatex_files(environment.files[1] or "")
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-patterns.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-patterns.lua
index cb5717c58..bbf475133 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-patterns.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-patterns.lua
@@ -11,10 +11,31 @@ local byte, char = utf.byte, utf.char
 local addsuffix = file.addsuffix
 local lpegmatch, validutf8 = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns.validutf8
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--convert             generate context language files (mnemonic driven, if not given then all)
+--check               check pattern file (or those used by context when no file given)
+--path                source path where hyph-foo.tex files are stored
+--destination         destination path
+
+examples of usage:
+
+mtxrun --script pattern --check hyph-*.tex
+mtxrun --script pattern --check   --path=c:/data/develop/svn-hyphen/trunk/hyph-utf8/tex/generic/hyph-utf8/patterns
+mtxrun --script pattern --convert --path=c:/data/develop/svn-hyphen/trunk/hyph-utf8/tex/generic/hyph-utf8/patterns/tex --destination=e:/tmp/patterns
+mtxrun --script pattern --convert --path=c:/data/develop/svn-hyphen/trunk/hyph-utf8/tex/generic/hyph-utf8/patterns/txt --destination=e:/tmp/patterns
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-patterns",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt Pattern File Management 0.20",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts          = scripts          or { }
 scripts.patterns = scripts.patterns or { }
 
-
 local permitted_characters = table.tohash {
     0x0009, -- tab
     0x0027, -- apostrofe
@@ -138,11 +159,11 @@ function scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
     local splitpatternsold, splithyphenationsold = { }, { }
     local usedpatterncharacters, usedhyphenationcharacters = { }, { }
     if lfs.isfile(patfile) then
-        logs.simple("using txt files %s.[hyp|pat|lic].txt",name)
+        report("using txt files %s.[hyp|pat|lic].txt",name)
         comment, patterns, hyphenations = io.loaddata(licfile) or "", io.loaddata(patfile) or "", io.loaddata(hypfile) or ""
         hypfile, patfile, licfile = hypfile, patfile, licfile
     elseif lfs.isfile(texfile) then
-        logs.simple("using tex file %s.txt",name)
+        report("using tex file %s.txt",name)
         local data = io.loaddata(texfile) or ""
         if data ~= "" then
             data = gsub(data,"([\n\r])\\input ([^ \n\r]+)", function(previous,subname)
@@ -150,7 +171,7 @@ function scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
                 local subfull = file.join(file.dirname(texfile),subname)
                 local subdata = io.loaddata(subfull) or ""
                 if subdata == "" then
-                    logs.simple("no subfile %s",subname)
+                    report("no subfile %s",subname)
                 end
                 return previous .. subdata
             end)
@@ -179,7 +200,7 @@ function scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
                     local line = splitdata[i]
                     if find(line,"%%") then
                         splitdata[i] = gsub(line,"%%.*$","")
-                        logs.simple("removing comment: %s",line)
+                        report("removing comment: %s",line)
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -195,7 +216,7 @@ function scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
                     local line = splitdata[i]
                     if find(line,"\\") then
                         splitdata[i] = ""
-                        logs.simple("removing line with command: %s",line)
+                        report("removing line with command: %s",line)
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -211,7 +232,7 @@ function scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
                 local ok = lpegmatch(validutf8,line)
                 if not ok then
                     splitdata[i] = ""
-                    logs.simple("removing line with invalid utf: %s",line)
+                    report("removing line with invalid utf: %s",line)
                 end
             end
             -- check for commands being used in comments
@@ -235,7 +256,7 @@ function scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
                     else
                         local cdb = cd[b]
                         if not cdb then
-                            logs.simple("no entry in chardata for character %s (0x%04X)",char(b),b)
+                            report("no entry in chardata for character %s (0x%04X)",char(b),b)
                         else
                             local ct = cd[b].category
                             if ct == "lu" or ct == "ll" then
@@ -243,7 +264,7 @@ function scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
                             elseif ct == "nd" then
                                 -- number
                             else
-                                logs.simple("removing line with suspected utf character %s (0x%04X), category %s: %s",char(b),b,ct,line)
+                                report("removing line with suspected utf character %s (0x%04X), category %s: %s",char(b),b,ct,line)
                                 splitdata[i] = ""
                                 break
                             end
@@ -256,7 +277,7 @@ function scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
         usedpatterncharacters = check(splitpatternsnew,byte("."))
         usedhyphenationcharacters = check(splithyphenationsnew,byte("-"))
         for k, v in next, stripped do
-            logs.simple("entries that contain character %s (0x%04X) have been omitted",char(k),k)
+            report("entries that contain character %s (0x%04X) have been omitted",char(k),k)
         end
     end
     if okay then
@@ -287,11 +308,11 @@ function scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
             for i=1,#what do
                 local line = what[i]
                 if p and lpegmatch(p,line) then
-                    logs.simple("discarding conflicting pattern: %s",line)
+                    report("discarding conflicting pattern: %s",line)
                 else -- we can speed this up by testing for replacements in the string
                     local l = lpegmatch(r,line)
                     if l ~= line then
-                        logs.simple("sanitizing pattern: %s -> %s (for old patterns)",line,l)
+                        report("sanitizing pattern: %s -> %s (for old patterns)",line,l)
                     end
                     result[#result+1] = l
                 end
@@ -313,7 +334,7 @@ function scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
                     -- discard
                 elseif used[line] then
                     -- discard
-                    logs.simple("discarding duplicate pattern: %s",line)
+                    repo("discarding duplicate pattern: %s",line)
                 else
                     used[line] = true
                     collected[#collected+1] = line
@@ -327,7 +348,7 @@ function scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
         splithyphenationsold = check(hyphenations,splithyphenationsold,hypfile)
     end
     if not okay then
-        logs.simple("no valid file %s.*",name)
+        report("no valid file %s.*",name)
     end
     return okay, splitpatternsnew, splithyphenationsnew, splitpatternsold, splithyphenationsold, comment, stripset, usedpatterncharacters, usedhyphenationcharacters
 end
@@ -335,7 +356,7 @@ end
 function scripts.patterns.save(destination,mnemonic,name,patternsnew,hyphenationsnew,patternsold,hyphenationsold,comment,stripped,pused,hused,ignored)
     local nofpatternsnew, nofhyphenationsnew = #patternsnew, #hyphenationsnew
     local nofpatternsold, nofhyphenationsold = #patternsold, #hyphenationsold
-    logs.simple("language %s has %s old and %s new patterns and %s old and %s new exceptions",mnemonic,nofpatternsold,nofpatternsnew,nofhyphenationsold,nofhyphenationsnew)
+    report("language %s has %s old and %s new patterns and %s old and %s new exceptions",mnemonic,nofpatternsold,nofpatternsnew,nofhyphenationsold,nofhyphenationsnew)
     if mnemonic ~= "??" then
         local pu = concat(table.sortedkeys(pused), " ")
         local hu = concat(table.sortedkeys(hused), " ")
@@ -347,7 +368,7 @@ function scripts.patterns.save(destination,mnemonic,name,patternsnew,hyphenation
 
         local topline = "% generated by mtxrun --script pattern --convert"
         local banner = "% for comment and copyright, see " .. rmefile
-        logs.simple("saving language data for %s",mnemonic)
+        report("saving language data for %s",mnemonic)
         if not comment or comment == "" then comment = "% no comment" end
         if not type(destination) == "string" then destination = "." end
 
@@ -426,12 +447,12 @@ function scripts.patterns.check()
     for k, v in next, scripts.patterns.list do
         local mnemonic, name, ignored = v[1], v[2], v[4]
         if not only or only[mnemonic] then
-            logs.simple("checking language %s, file %s", mnemonic, name)
+            report("checking language %s, file %s", mnemonic, name)
             local okay = scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
             if not okay then
-                logs.simple("there are errors that need to be fixed")
+                report("there are errors that need to be fixed")
             end
-            logs.simple("")
+            report()
         end
     end
 end
@@ -439,11 +460,11 @@ end
 function scripts.patterns.convert()
     local path = environment.argument("path") or "."
     if path == "" then
-        logs.simple("provide sourcepath using --path ")
+        report("provide sourcepath using --path ")
     else
         local destination = environment.argument("destination") or "."
         if path == destination then
-            logs.simple("source path and destination path should differ (use --path and/or --destination)")
+            resport("source path and destination path should differ (use --path and/or --destination)")
         else
             local files = environment.files
             local only  = false
@@ -453,36 +474,20 @@ function scripts.patterns.convert()
             for k, v in next, scripts.patterns.list do
                 local mnemonic, name, ignored = v[1], v[2], v[4]
                 if not only or only[mnemonic] then
-                    logs.simple("converting language %s, file %s", mnemonic, name)
+                    report("converting language %s, file %s", mnemonic, name)
                     local okay, patternsnew, hyphenationsnew, patternsold, hyphenationsold, comment, stripped, pused, hused = scripts.patterns.load(path,name,mnemonic,ignored)
                     if okay then
                         scripts.patterns.save(destination,mnemonic,name,patternsnew,hyphenationsnew,patternsold,hyphenationsold,comment,stripped,pused,hused,ignored)
                     else
-                        logs.simple("convertion aborted due to error(s)")
+                        report("convertion aborted due to error(s)")
                     end
-                    logs.simple("")
+                    report()
                 end
             end
         end
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXt Pattern File Management 0.20")
-
-messages.help = [[
---convert             generate context language files (mnemonic driven, if not given then all)
---check               check pattern file (or those used by context when no file given)
---path                source path where hyph-foo.tex files are stored
---destination         destination path
-
-examples of usage:
-
-mtxrun --script pattern --check hyph-*.tex
-mtxrun --script pattern --check   --path=c:/data/develop/svn-hyphen/trunk/hyph-utf8/tex/generic/hyph-utf8/patterns
-mtxrun --script pattern --convert --path=c:/data/develop/svn-hyphen/trunk/hyph-utf8/tex/generic/hyph-utf8/patterns/tex --destination=e:/tmp/patterns
-mtxrun --script pattern --convert --path=c:/data/develop/svn-hyphen/trunk/hyph-utf8/tex/generic/hyph-utf8/patterns/txt --destination=e:/tmp/patterns
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("check") then
     scripts.patterns.prepare()
     scripts.patterns.check()
@@ -490,7 +495,7 @@ elseif environment.argument("convert") then
     scripts.patterns.prepare()
     scripts.patterns.convert()
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
 
 -- mtxrun --script pattern --check hyph-*.tex
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-profile.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-profile.lua
index d78e3457a..74e1d1538 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-profile.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-profile.lua
@@ -11,6 +11,19 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-profile'] = {
 
 local match, format, find = string.match, string.format, string.find
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--analyze             analyze lua calls
+--trace               analyze tex calls
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-cache",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt MkIV LuaTeX Profiler 1.00",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts          = scripts or { }
 scripts.profiler = scripts.profiler or { }
 
@@ -54,7 +67,7 @@ function scripts.profiler.analyze(filename)
         f:close()
         print("")
         local loaded = { }
-        local sortedtable.sortedkeys(times)
+        sortedtable.sortedkeys(times)
         for i=1,#sorted do
             local filename = sorted[i]
             local functions = times[filename]
@@ -154,17 +167,10 @@ end
 --~ scripts.profiler.analyze("t:/manuals/mk/mk-fonts-profile.lua")
 --~ scripts.profiler.analyze("t:/manuals/mk/mk-introduction-profile.lua")
 
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXt MkIV LuaTeX Profiler 1.00")
-
-messages.help = [[
---analyze             analyze lua calls
---trace               analyze tex calls
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("analyze") then
     scripts.profiler.analyze(environment.files[1] or "luatex-profile.log")
 elseif environment.argument("trace") then
     scripts.profiler.analyze(environment.files[1] or "temp.log")
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-scite.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-scite.lua
index 068e4ecf5..0ac09b017 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-scite.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-scite.lua
@@ -9,6 +9,19 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-scite'] = {
 -- todo: append to global properties else order of loading problem
 -- linux problem ... files are under root protection so we need --install
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--start [--verbose]   start scite
+--test                report what will happen
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-scite",
+    banner   = "Scite Startup Script 1.00",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts       = scripts       or { }
 scripts.scite = scripts.scite or { }
 
@@ -42,11 +55,11 @@ function scripts.scite.start(indeed)
         end
     end
     if not datapath or datapath == "" then
-        logs.simple("invalid datapath, maybe you need to regenerate the file database")
+        report("invalid datapath, maybe you need to regenerate the file database")
         return false
     end
     if not binpaths or #binpaths == 0 then
-        logs.simple("invalid binpath")
+        report("invalid binpath")
         return false
     end
     for i=1,#binpaths do
@@ -57,7 +70,7 @@ function scripts.scite.start(indeed)
         end
     end
     if not fullname then
-        logs.simple("unable to locate %s",workname)
+        report("unable to locate %s",workname)
         return false
     end
     local properties  = dir.glob(file.join(datapath,"*.properties"))
@@ -65,7 +78,7 @@ function scripts.scite.start(indeed)
     local extrafont   = resolvers.findfile(screenfont,"truetype font") or ""
     local pragmafound = dir.glob(file.join(datapath,"pragma.properties"))
     if userpath == "" then
-        logs.simple("unable to figure out userpath")
+        report("unable to figure out userpath")
         return false
     end
     local verbose = environment.argument("verbose")
@@ -120,47 +133,40 @@ function scripts.scite.start(indeed)
         end
     end
     if not indeed or verbose then
-        logs.simple("used signal: %s", usedsignal)
-        logs.simple("data path  : %s", datapath)
-        logs.simple("full name  : %s", fullname)
-        logs.simple("user path  : %s", userpath)
-        logs.simple("extra font : %s", extrafont)
+        report("used signal: %s", usedsignal)
+        report("data path  : %s", datapath)
+        report("full name  : %s", fullname)
+        report("user path  : %s", userpath)
+        report("extra font : %s", extrafont)
     end
     if #logdata > 0 then
-        logs.simple("")
+        report("")
         for k=1,#logdata do
             local v = logdata[k]
-            logs.simple(v[1],v[2])
+            report(v[1],v[2])
         end
     end
     if indeed then
         if #tobecopied > 0 then
-            logs.simple("warning    : copying updated files")
+            report("warning    : copying updated files")
             for i=1,#tobecopied do
                 local what = tobecopied[i]
-                logs.simple("copying    : '%s' => '%s'",what[1],what[2])
+                report("copying    : '%s' => '%s'",what[1],what[2])
                 file.copy(what[1],what[2])
             end
         end
         if propfiledone then
-            logs.simple("saving     : '%s'",userpropfile)
+            report("saving     : '%s'",userpropfile)
             io.savedata(fullpropfile,userpropdata)
         end
         os.launch(fullname)
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("Scite Startup Script 1.00")
-
-messages.help = [[
---start [--verbose]   start scite
---test                report what will happen
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("start") then
     scripts.scite.start(true)
 elseif environment.argument("test") then
     scripts.scite.start()
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-server-ctx-fonttest.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-server-ctx-fonttest.lua
index d2f11ca95..9bea14561 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-server-ctx-fonttest.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-server-ctx-fonttest.lua
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ dofile(resolvers.findfile("font-mis.lua","tex"))
 
 local format, gsub, concat, match, find = string.format, string.gsub, table.concat, string.match, string.find
 
+local report = logs.new("ctx-fonttest")
+
 local sample_line = "This is a sample line!"
 local tempname    = "mtx-server-ctx-fonttest-temp"
 local temppath    = caches.setfirstwritablefile("temp","mtx-server-ctx-fonttest")
@@ -150,20 +152,20 @@ local cache = { }
 
 local function showfeatures(f)
     if f then
-        logs.simple("processing font '%s'",f)
+        report("processing font '%s'",f)
         local features = cache[f]
         if features == nil then
             features = fonts.get_features(resolvers.findfile(f))
             if not features then
-                logs.simple("building cache for '%s'",f)
+                report("building cache for '%s'",f)
                 io.savedata(file.join(temppath,file.addsuffix(tempname,"tex")),format(process_templates.cache,f,f))
                 os.execute(format("mtxrun --path=%s --script context --once --batchmode %s",temppath,tempname))
                 features = fonts.get_features(f)
             end
             cache[f] = features or false
-            logs.simple("caching info of '%s'",f)
+            report("caching info of '%s'",f)
         else
-            logs.simple("using cached info of '%s'",f)
+            report("using cached info of '%s'",f)
         end
         if features then
             local scr, lan, fea, rev = { }, { }, { }, { }
@@ -294,7 +296,7 @@ local function get_specification(name)
 end
 
 local function edit_font(currentfont,detail,tempname)
-    logs.simple("entering edit mode for '%s'",currentfont)
+    report("entering edit mode for '%s'",currentfont)
     local specification = get_specification(currentfont)
     if specification then
         local htmldata = showfeatures(specification.filename)
@@ -374,7 +376,7 @@ local function process_font(currentfont,detail) -- maybe just fontname
     end
     local sample = string.strip(detail.sampletext or "")
     if sample == "" then sample = sample_line end
-    logs.simple("sample text: %s",sample)
+    report("sample text: %s",sample)
     io.savedata(file.join(temppath,file.addsuffix(tempname,"tex")),format(variant,concat(features,","),currentfont,sample))
     os.execute(format("mtxrun --path=%s --script context --once --batchmode %s",temppath,tempname))
     return edit_font(currentfont,detail,tempname)
@@ -497,7 +499,7 @@ local function loadbase()
     if storage == "" then
         storage = { }
     else
-        logs.simple("loading '%s'",datafile)
+        report("loading '%s'",datafile)
         storage = loadstring(storage)
         storage = (storage and storage()) or { }
     end
@@ -527,14 +529,14 @@ end
 
 local function savebase(storage,name)
     local datafile = file.join(basepath,basename)
-    logs.simple("saving '%s' in '%s'",name or "data",datafile)
+    report("saving '%s' in '%s'",name or "data",datafile)
     io.savedata(datafile,table.serialize(storage,true))
 end
 
 local function deletestored(detail,currentfont,name)
     local storage = loadbase()
     if storage and name and storage[name] then
-        logs.simple("deleting '%s' from base",name)
+        report("deleting '%s' from base",name)
         storage[name] = nil
         savebase(storage)
     end
@@ -610,7 +612,7 @@ end
 
 function extras.reload()
     local command = "mtxrun --script font --reload"
-    logs.simple("run command: %s",command)
+    report("run command: %s",command)
     os.execute(command)
     return do_extras()
 end
@@ -679,7 +681,7 @@ function doit(configuration,filename,hashed)
     variables.javascripts    = ""
     variables.javascriptinit = ""
 
-    logs.simple("action: %s",action or "no action")
+    report("action: %s",action or "no action")
 
     local result
 
@@ -722,7 +724,7 @@ function doit(configuration,filename,hashed)
 
     result = { content = lmx.convert('context-fonttest.lmx',false,variables) }
 
-    logs.simple("time spent on page: %0.03f seconds",os.clock()-start)
+    report("time spent on page: %0.03f seconds",os.clock()-start)
 
     return result
 
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-server-ctx-help.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-server-ctx-help.lua
index 5ee0c7d43..eb07a244b 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-server-ctx-help.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-server-ctx-help.lua
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ dofile(resolvers.findfile("trac-lmx.lua","tex"))
 local format = string.format
 local concat = table.concat
 
+local report = logs.new("ctx-help")
+
 -- -- -- make this a module: cont-xx.lua
 
 document = document or { }
@@ -591,7 +593,7 @@ local function doit(configuration,filename,hashed)
     lastmode      = tonumber(detail.mode or lastmode) or 1
 
     if lastinterface then
-        logs.simple("checking interface: %s",lastinterface)
+        report("checking interface: %s",lastinterface)
         document.setups.load(format("cont-%s.xml",lastinterface))
     end
 
@@ -657,7 +659,7 @@ local function doit(configuration,filename,hashed)
 
     local content = lmx.convert('context-help.lmx',false,variables)
 
-    logs.simple("time spent on page: %0.03f seconds",os.clock()-start)
+    report("time spent on page: %0.03f seconds",os.clock()-start)
 
     return { content = content }
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-server.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-server.lua
index 4fe0a6ac8..4547877b5 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-server.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-server.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,23 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-server'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--start               start server
+--port                port to listen to
+--root                server root
+--scripts             scripts sub path
+--index               index file
+--auto                start on own path
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-server",
+    banner   = "Simple Webserver For Helpers 0.10",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts           = scripts           or { }
 scripts.webserver = scripts.webserver or { }
 
@@ -127,7 +144,7 @@ local handlers = { }
 
 local function errormessage(client,configuration,n)
     local data = format("<head><title>%s %s</title></head><html><h2>%s %s</h2></html>",n,messages[n],n,messages[n])
-    logs.simple("handling error %s: %s",n,messages[n])
+    report("handling error %s: %s",n,messages[n])
     handlers.generic(client,configuration,data,nil,true)
 end
 
@@ -136,7 +153,7 @@ local validpaths, registered = { }, { }
 function scripts.webserver.registerpath(name)
     if not registered[name] then
         local cleanname = string.gsub(name,"%.%.","deleted-parent")
-        logs.simple("registering path '%s'",cleanname)
+        report("registering path '%s'",cleanname)
         validpaths[#validpaths+1] = cleanname
         registered[name] = true
     end
@@ -145,7 +162,7 @@ end
 function handlers.generic(client,configuration,data,suffix,iscontent)
     if not iscontent then
         local name = data
-        logs.simple("requested file '%s'",name)
+        report("requested file '%s'",name)
         local fullname = file.join(configuration.root,name)
         data = io.loaddata(fullname) or ""
         if data == "" then
@@ -153,12 +170,12 @@ function handlers.generic(client,configuration,data,suffix,iscontent)
                 local fullname = file.join(validpaths[n],name)
                 data = io.loaddata(fullname) or ""
                 if data ~= "" then
-                    logs.simple("sending generic file '%s'",fullname)
+                    report("sending generic file '%s'",fullname)
                     break
                 end
             end
         else
-            logs.simple("sending generic file '%s'",fullname)
+            report("sending generic file '%s'",fullname)
         end
     end
     if data and data ~= "" then
@@ -192,18 +209,18 @@ function handlers.lua(client,configuration,filename,suffix,iscontent,hashed) --
     -- todo: split url in components, see l-url; rather trivial
     local result, keep = loaded[filename], false
     if result then
-        logs.simple("reusing script: %s",filename)
+        report("reusing script: %s",filename)
     else
-        logs.simple("locating script: %s",filename)
+        report("locating script: %s",filename)
         if lfs.isfile(filename) then
-            logs.simple("loading script: %s",filename)
+            report("loading script: %s",filename)
             result = loadfile(filename)
-            logs.simple("return type: %s",type(result))
+            report("return type: %s",type(result))
             if result and type(result) == "function" then
              -- result() should return a table { [type=,] [length=,] content= }, function or string
                 result, keep = result()
                 if keep then
-                    logs.simple("saving script: %s",type(result))
+                    report("saving script: %s",type(result))
                     loaded[filename] = result
                 end
             end
@@ -277,11 +294,11 @@ function scripts.webserver.run(configuration)
         configuration.scripts = dir.expandname(file.join(configuration.root or ".",configuration.scripts or "."))
     end
     -- so far for checks
-    logs.simple("running at port: %s",configuration.port)
-    logs.simple("document root: %s",configuration.root or resolvers.ownpath)
-    logs.simple("main index file: %s",configuration.index)
-    logs.simple("scripts subpath: %s",configuration.scripts)
-    logs.simple("context services: http://localhost:%s/mtx-server-ctx-startup.lua",configuration.port)
+    report("running at port: %s",configuration.port)
+    report("document root: %s",configuration.root or resolvers.ownpath)
+    report("main index file: %s",configuration.index)
+    report("scripts subpath: %s",configuration.scripts)
+    report("context services: http://localhost:%s/mtx-server-ctx-startup.lua",configuration.port)
     local server = assert(socket.bind("*", configuration.port))
 --~ local reading = { server }
     while true do -- no multiple clients
@@ -295,7 +312,7 @@ function scripts.webserver.run(configuration)
             errormessage(client,configuration,404)
         else
             local from = client:getpeername()
-            logs.simple("request from: %s",tostring(from))
+            report("request from: %s",tostring(from))
             local fullurl = request:match("GET (.+) HTTP/.*$") -- todo: more clever
             fullurl = socket.url.unescape(fullurl)
             local hashed = url.hashed(fullurl)
@@ -304,18 +321,18 @@ function scripts.webserver.run(configuration)
 --~ table.print(hashed)
             if filename then
                 filename = socket.url.unescape(filename)
-                logs.simple("requested action: %s",filename)
+                report("requested action: %s",filename)
                 if filename:find("%.%.") then
                     filename = nil -- invalid path
                 end
                 if filename == nil or filename == "" or filename == "/" then
                     filename = configuration.index
-                    logs.simple("invalid filename, forcing: %s",filename)
+                    report("invalid filename, forcing: %s",filename)
                 end
                 local suffix = file.extname(filename)
                 local action = handlers[suffix] or handlers.generic
                 if action then
-                    logs.simple("performing action: %s",filename)
+                    report("performing action: %s",filename)
                     action(client,configuration,filename,suffix,false,hashed) -- filename and no content
                 else
                     errormessage(client,configuration,404)
@@ -325,21 +342,10 @@ function scripts.webserver.run(configuration)
             end
         end
         client:close()
-        logs.simple("time spent with client: %0.03f seconds",os.clock()-start)
+        report("time spent with client: %0.03f seconds",os.clock()-start)
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("Simple Webserver For Helpers 0.10")
-
-messages.help = [[
---start               start server
---port                port to listen to
---root                server root
---scripts             scripts sub path
---index               index file
---auto                start on own path
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("auto") then
     local path = resolvers.findfile("mtx-server.lua") or "."
     scripts.webserver.run {
@@ -355,7 +361,7 @@ elseif environment.argument("start") then
         scripts = environment.argument("scripts"),
     }
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
 
 
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-texworks.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-texworks.lua
index 38a162c0e..33e56df46 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-texworks.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-texworks.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,19 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-texworks'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--start [--verbose]   start texworks
+--test                report what will happen
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-texworks",
+    banner   = "TeXworks Startup Script 1.00",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts          = scripts          or { }
 scripts.texworks = scripts.texworks or { }
 
@@ -49,11 +62,11 @@ function scripts.texworks.start(indeed)
         end
     end
     if datapath == "" then
-        logs.simple("invalid datapath, maybe you need to regenerate the file database")
+        report("invalid datapath, maybe you need to regenerate the file database")
         return false
     end
     if not binpaths or #binpaths == 0 then
-        logs.simple("invalid binpath")
+        report("invalid binpath")
         return false
     end
     for i=1,#binpaths do
@@ -64,7 +77,7 @@ function scripts.texworks.start(indeed)
         end
     end
     if not fullname then
-        logs.simple("unable to locate %s",workname)
+        report("unable to locate %s",workname)
         return false
     end
     for i=1,#texworkspaths do
@@ -73,27 +86,20 @@ function scripts.texworks.start(indeed)
     os.setenv("TW_INIPATH",datapath)
     os.setenv("TW_LIBPATH",datapath)
     if not indeed or environment.argument("verbose") then
-        logs.simple("used signal: %s", usedsignal)
-        logs.simple("data path  : %s", datapath)
-        logs.simple("full name  : %s", fullname)
-        logs.simple("set paths  : TW_INIPATH TW_LIBPATH")
+        report("used signal: %s", usedsignal)
+        report("data path  : %s", datapath)
+        report("full name  : %s", fullname)
+        report("set paths  : TW_INIPATH TW_LIBPATH")
     end
     if indeed then
         os.launch(fullname)
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("TeXworks Startup Script 1.00")
-
-messages.help = [[
---start [--verbose]   start texworks
---test                report what will happen
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("start") then
     scripts.texworks.start(true)
 elseif environment.argument("test") then
     scripts.texworks.start()
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-timing.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-timing.lua
index ee658f461..03100e991 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-timing.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-timing.lua
@@ -8,6 +8,20 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-timing'] = {
 
 local format, gsub, concat = string.format, string.gsub, table.concat
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--xhtml               make xhtml file
+--launch              launch after conversion
+--remove              remove after launching
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-timing",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt Timing Tools 0.10",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 dofile(resolvers.findfile("trac-tim.lua","tex"))
 dofile(resolvers.findfile("trac-lmx.lua","tex"))
 
@@ -57,6 +71,8 @@ local directrun = true
 
 local what = { "parameters", "nodes" }
 
+plugins = plugins or { } -- brrr, will become moduledata as well
+
 function plugins.progress.make_svg(filename,other)
     local metadata, menudata, c = { }, { }, 0
     metadata[#metadata+1] = 'outputformat := "svg" ;'
@@ -76,7 +92,7 @@ function plugins.progress.make_svg(filename,other)
     if directrun then
         dofile(resolvers.findfile("mlib-run.lua","tex"))
         commands = commands or { }
-        commands.writestatus = logs.report
+        commands.writestatus = report
         local result = metapost.directrun("metafun","timing data","svg",true,metadata)
         return menudata, result
     else
@@ -167,9 +183,9 @@ scripts.timings = scripts.timings or { }
 
 function scripts.timings.xhtml(filename)
     if filename == "" then
-        logs.simple("provide filename")
+        report("provide filename")
     elseif not plugins.progress.valid_file(filename) then
-        logs.simple("first run context again with the --timing option")
+        report("first run context again with the --timing option")
     else
         local basename = file.removesuffix(filename)
         local launch   = environment.argument("launch")
@@ -178,16 +194,8 @@ function scripts.timings.xhtml(filename)
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXt Timing Tools 0.10",true)
-
-messages.help = [[
---xhtml               make xhtml file
---launch              launch after conversion
---remove              remove after launching
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("xhtml") then
     scripts.timings.xhtml(environment.files[1] or "")
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-tools.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-tools.lua
index 92c13886a..905b3aa85 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-tools.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-tools.lua
@@ -8,6 +8,33 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-tools'] = {
 
 local find, format, sub, rep, gsub, lower = string.find, string.format, string.sub, string.rep, string.gsub, string.lower
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--disarmutfbomb       remove utf bomb if present
+    --force             remove indeed
+
+--dirtoxml              glob directory into xml
+    --pattern           glob pattern (default: *)
+    --url               url attribute (no processing)
+    --root              the root of the globbed path (default: .)
+    --output            output filename (console by default)
+    --recurse           recurse into subdirecories
+    --stripname         take pathpart of given pattern
+    --longname          set name attributes to full path name
+
+--downcase
+    --pattern           glob pattern (default: *)
+    --recurse           recurse into subdirecories
+    --force             downcase indeed
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-tools",
+    banner   = "Some File Related Goodies 1.01",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts       = scripts       or { }
 scripts.tools = scripts.tools or { }
 
@@ -23,24 +50,24 @@ function scripts.tools.disarmutfbomb()
             if not data then
                 -- just skip
             elseif find(data,bomb_1) then
-                logs.simple("file '%s' has a 2 character utf bomb",name)
+                report("file '%s' has a 2 character utf bomb",name)
                 if force then
                     io.savedata(name,(gsub(data,bomb_1,"")))
                 end
                 done = true
             elseif find(data,bomb_2) then
-                logs.simple("file '%s' has a 3 character utf bomb",name)
+                report("file '%s' has a 3 character utf bomb",name)
                 if force then
                     io.savedata(name,(gsub(data,bomb_2,"")))
                 end
                 done = true
             else
-            --  logs.simple("file '%s' has no utf bomb",name)
+            --  report("file '%s' has no utf bomb",name)
             end
         end
     end
     if done and not force then
-        logs.simple("use --force to do a real disarming")
+        report("use --force to do a real disarming")
     end
 end
 
@@ -63,12 +90,12 @@ function scripts.tools.downcase()
     end)
     if n > 0 then
         if force then
-            logs.simple("%s files renamed",n)
+            report("%s files renamed",n)
         else
-            logs.simple("use --force to do a real rename (%s files involved)",n)
+            report("use --force to do a real rename (%s files involved)",n)
         end
     else
-        logs.simple("nothing to do")
+        report("nothing to do")
     end
 end
 
@@ -111,7 +138,7 @@ function scripts.tools.dirtoxml()
     end
 
     if not pattern or pattern == ""  then
-        logs.report('provide --pattern=')
+        report('provide --pattern=')
         return
     end
 
@@ -144,27 +171,6 @@ function scripts.tools.dirtoxml()
 
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("Some File Related Goodies 1.01")
-
-messages.help = [[
---disarmutfbomb       remove utf bomb if present
-    --force             remove indeed
-
---dirtoxml              glob directory into xml
-    --pattern           glob pattern (default: *)
-    --url               url attribute (no processing)
-    --root              the root of the globbed path (default: .)
-    --output            output filename (console by default)
-    --recurse           recurse into subdirecories
-    --stripname         take pathpart of given pattern
-    --longname          set name attributes to full path name
-
---downcase
-    --pattern           glob pattern (default: *)
-    --recurse           recurse into subdirecories
-    --force             downcase indeed
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("disarmutfbomb") then
     scripts.tools.disarmutfbomb()
 elseif environment.argument("dirtoxml") then
@@ -172,5 +178,5 @@ elseif environment.argument("dirtoxml") then
 elseif environment.argument("downcase") then
     scripts.tools.downcase()
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-unzip.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-unzip.lua
index 85a4b9e7b..645863426 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-unzip.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-unzip.lua
@@ -10,21 +10,23 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-unzip'] = {
 
 local format = string.format
 
-logs.extendbanner("Simple Unzipper 0.10")
-
-messages.help = [[
+local helpinfo = [[
 --list                list files in archive
 --junk                flatten unzipped directory structure
 --extract             extract files
 ]]
 
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-unzip",
+    banner   = "Simple Unzipper 0.10",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts          = scripts          or { }
 scripts.unzipper = scripts.unzipper or { }
 
-function scripts.unzipper.help()
-    logs.help(messages.help)
-end
-
 function scripts.unzipper.opened()
     local filename = environment.files[1]
     if filename and filename ~= "" then
@@ -34,7 +36,7 @@ function scripts.unzipper.opened()
             return zipfile
         end
     end
-    logs.report("unzip", "no zip file: " .. filename)
+    report("no zip file: %s",filename)
     return false
 end
 
@@ -104,11 +106,11 @@ function scripts.unzipper.extract()
 end
 
 if environment.arguments["h"] or environment.arguments["help"] then
-    scripts.unzipper.help()
+    application.help()
 elseif environment.arguments["l"] or environment.arguments["list"] then
     scripts.unzipper.list(zipfile)
 elseif environment.files[1] then -- implicit --extract
     scripts.unzipper.extract(zipfile)
 else
-    scripts.unzipper.help()
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-update.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-update.lua
index 708565910..750c74886 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-update.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-update.lua
@@ -11,6 +11,32 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-update'] = {
 -- Together with Arthur Reutenauer she made sure that it worked well on all
 -- platforms that matter.
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--platform=string     platform (windows, linux, linux-64, osx-intel, osx-ppc, linux-ppc)
+--server=string       repository url (rsync://contextgarden.net)
+--module=string       repository url (minimals)
+--repository=string   specify version (current, experimental)
+--context=string      specify version (current, latest, beta, yyyy.mm.dd)
+--rsync=string        rsync binary (rsync)
+--texroot=string      installation directory (not guessed for the moment)
+--engine=string       tex engine (luatex, pdftex, xetex)
+--extras=string       extra modules (can be list or 'all')
+--goodies=string      extra binaries (like scite and texworks)
+--force               instead of a dryrun, do the real thing
+--update              update minimal tree
+--make                also make formats and generate file databases
+--keep                don't delete unused or obsolete files
+--state               update tree using saved state
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-update",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt Minimals Updater 0.22",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 local format, concat, gmatch, gsub = string.format, table.concat, string.gmatch, string.gsub
 
 scripts         = scripts         or { }
@@ -159,10 +185,10 @@ function scripts.update.run(str)
     -- (texlua sets luatex as the engine, we need to reset that or to fix texexec :)
     os.setenv("engine",nil)
     if environment.argument("force") then
-        logs.report("run", str)
+        report("run, %s",str)
         os.execute(str)
     else
-        logs.report("dry run", str)
+        report("dry run, %s",str)
     end
 end
 
@@ -176,7 +202,7 @@ end
 
 function scripts.update.synchronize()
 
-    logs.report("update","start")
+    report("update, start")
 
     local texroot      = scripts.update.fullpath(states.get("paths.root"))
     local engines      = states.get('engines') or { }
@@ -350,7 +376,7 @@ function scripts.update.synchronize()
                 deleteflags = states.get("rsync.flags.delete")
             end
             command = format("%s %s %s %s %s'%s' '%s'", bin, normalflags, deleteflags, dryrunflags, url, archives, destination)
-            --logs.report("mtx update", format("running command: %s",command))
+            -- report("running command: %s",command)
             if not fetched[command] then
                 scripts.update.run(command,true)
                 fetched[command] = command
@@ -370,7 +396,7 @@ function scripts.update.synchronize()
                 else
                     command = format("%s -tgo --chmod=a+x %s/texmf-context/scripts/context/lua/%s.lua %s/texmf-%s/bin/%s", bin, texroot, script, texroot, platform, script)
                 end
-                logs.report("mtx update", format("updating %s for %s: %s", script, platform, command))
+                report("updating %s for %s: %s", script, platform, command)
                 scripts.update.run(command)
             end
         end
@@ -382,10 +408,10 @@ function scripts.update.synchronize()
         end
 
     else
-        logs.report("mtx update", format("no valid texroot: %s",texroot))
+        report("no valid texroot: %s",texroot)
     end
     if not force then
-        logs.report("update", "use --force to really update files")
+        report("use --force to really update files")
     end
 
     resolvers.load_tree(texroot) -- else we operate in the wrong tree
@@ -395,7 +421,7 @@ function scripts.update.synchronize()
     -- update filename database for luatex
     scripts.update.run(format('mtxrun --tree="%s" --generate',texroot))
 
-    logs.report("update","done")
+    report("update, done")
 end
 
 function table.fromhash(t)
@@ -409,7 +435,7 @@ end
 -- make the ConTeXt formats
 function scripts.update.make()
 
-    logs.report("make","start")
+    report("make, start")
 
     local force     = environment.argument("force")
     local texroot   = scripts.update.fullpath(states.get("paths.root"))
@@ -451,33 +477,13 @@ function scripts.update.make()
         scripts.update.run(format('mtxrun --tree="%s" --script texexec --make --all %s',texroot,formatlist))
     end
     if not force then
-        logs.report("make", "use --force to really make formats")
+        report("make, use --force to really make formats")
     end
     scripts.update.run(format('mtxrun --tree="%s" --direct mktexlsr',texroot))
     scripts.update.run(format('mtxrun --tree="%s" --generate',texroot))
-    logs.report("make","done")
+    report("make, done")
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXt Minimals Updater 0.21")
-
-messages.help = [[
---platform=string     platform (windows, linux, linux-64, osx-intel, osx-ppc, linux-ppc)
---server=string       repository url (rsync://contextgarden.net)
---module=string       repository url (minimals)
---repository=string   specify version (current, experimental)
---context=string      specify version (current, latest, beta, yyyy.mm.dd)
---rsync=string        rsync binary (rsync)
---texroot=string      installation directory (not guessed for the moment)
---engine=string       tex engine (luatex, pdftex, xetex)
---extras=string       extra modules (can be list or 'all')
---goodies=string      extra binaries (like scite and texworks)
---force               instead of a dryrun, do the real thing
---update              update minimal tree
---make                also make formats and generate file databases
---keep                don't delete unused or obsolete files
---state               update tree using saved state
-]]
-
 scripts.savestate = true
 
 if scripts.savestate then
@@ -544,7 +550,8 @@ if scripts.savestate then
         states.set("goodies." .. r, true)
     end
 
-    logs.report("state","loaded")
+    report("state, loaded")
+    report()
 
 end
 
@@ -562,7 +569,7 @@ if environment.argument("update") then
 elseif environment.argument("make") then
     scripts.update.make()
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
 
 if scripts.savestate then
@@ -570,6 +577,6 @@ if scripts.savestate then
     states.set("info.runtime",tonumber(statistics.elapsedtime(states)))
     if environment.argument("force") then
         states.save()
-        logs.report("state","saved")
+        report("state","saved")
     end
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-watch.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-watch.lua
index 617d73f90..5bd0ad5f4 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-watch.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-watch.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,25 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-watch'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+local helpinfo = [[
+--logpath             optional path for log files
+--watch               watch given path [--delay]
+--pipe                use pipe instead of execute
+--delay               delay between sweeps
+--automachine         replace /machine/ in path /<servername>/
+--collect             condense log files
+--cleanup=delay       remove files in given path [--force]
+--showlog             show log data
+]]
+
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtx-watch",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt Request Watchdog 1.00",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
 scripts       = scripts       or { }
 scripts.watch = scripts.watch or { }
 
@@ -92,7 +111,7 @@ function scripts.watch.watch()
             end
         end
         for i=1,#paths do
-            logs.report("watch", "watching path ".. paths[i])
+            report("watching path %s",paths[i])
         end
         local function process()
             local done = false
@@ -107,7 +126,7 @@ function scripts.watch.watch()
                     local ok, joblog = pcall(dofile,name)
                     if ok and joblog then
                         if joblog.status == "processing" then
-                            logs.report("watch",format("aborted job, %s added to queue",name))
+                            report("aborted job, %s added to queue",name)
                             joblog.status = "queued"
                             io.savedata(name, table.serialize(joblog,true))
                         elseif joblog.status == "queued" then
@@ -124,7 +143,7 @@ function scripts.watch.watch()
                                     joblog.status = "processing"
                                     joblog.runtime = clock()
                                     io.savedata(name, table.serialize(joblog,true))
-                                    logs.report("watch",format("running: %s", command))
+                                    report("running: %s", command)
                                     local newpath = file.dirname(name)
                                     io.flush()
                                     local result = ""
@@ -141,7 +160,7 @@ function scripts.watch.watch()
                                         scripts.watch.save_exa_modes(joblog,ctmname)
                                         if pipe then result = os.resultof(command) else result = os.spawn(command) end
                                     end
-                                    logs.report("watch",format("return value: %s", result))
+                                    report("return value: %s", result)
                                     done = true
                                     local path, base = replacements.outputpath, file.basename(replacements.filename)
                                     joblog.runtime = clock() - joblog.runtime
@@ -162,7 +181,7 @@ function scripts.watch.watch()
                             if logpath and logpath ~= "" then
                                 local name = file.join(logpath,os.uuid() .. ".lua")
                                 io.savedata(name, table.serialize(joblog,true))
-                                logs.report("watch", "saving joblog in " .. name)
+                                report("saving joblog in %s",name)
                             end
                         end
                     end
@@ -175,7 +194,7 @@ function scripts.watch.watch()
 --~             if not done then
 --~                 n = n + 1
 --~                 if n >= 10 then
---~                     logs.report("watch", format("run time: %i seconds, memory usage: %0.3g MB", difftime(time(),start), (status.luastate_bytes/1024)/1000))
+--~                     report("run time: %i seconds, memory usage: %0.3g MB", difftime(time(),start), (status.luastate_bytes/1024)/1000)
 --~                     n = 0
 --~                 end
 --~                 os.sleep(delay)
@@ -187,7 +206,7 @@ function scripts.watch.watch()
             if not done then
                 n = n + 1
                 if n >= 10 then
-                    logs.report("watch", format("run time: %i seconds, memory usage: %0.3g MB", difftime(time(),start), (status.luastate_bytes/1024)/1000))
+                    report("run time: %i seconds, memory usage: %0.3g MB", difftime(time(),start), (status.luastate_bytes/1024)/1000)
                     n = 0
                 end
                 local ttime = 0
@@ -222,7 +241,7 @@ function scripts.watch.watch()
                                 local filetime = lfs.attributes(name,"modification")
                                 local delta = difftime(currenttime,filetime)
                                 if delta > cleanupdelay then
-                                 -- logs.report("watch",format("cleaning up '%s'",name))
+                                 -- report("cleaning up '%s'",name)
                                     os.remove(name)
                                 end
                             end
@@ -248,7 +267,7 @@ function scripts.watch.watch()
             end
         end
     else
-        logs.report("watch", "no paths to watch")
+        report("no paths to watch")
     end
 end
 
@@ -282,7 +301,7 @@ function scripts.watch.save_logs(collection,path) -- play safe
         local check = dofile(filename)
         for k,v in next, check do
             if not collection[k] then
-                logs.error("watch", "error in saving file")
+                report("error in saving file")
                 os.remove(filename)
                 return false
             end
@@ -326,7 +345,7 @@ function scripts.watch.show_logs(path) -- removes duplicates
         local v = sorted[k]
         local c = collection[v]
         local f, s, r, n = c.filename or "?", c.status or "?", c.runtime or 0, c.size or 0
-        logs.report("watch", format("%s  %s  %3i  %8i  %s",string.padd(f,max," "),string.padd(s,10," "),r,n,v))
+        report("%s  %s  %3i  %8i  %s",string.padd(f,max," "),string.padd(s,10," "),r,n,v)
     end
 end
 
@@ -335,11 +354,11 @@ function scripts.watch.cleanup_stale_files() -- removes duplicates
     local delay = tonumber(environment.argument("cleanup"))
     local force = environment.argument("force")
     if not path or path == "." then
-        logs.report("watch","provide qualified path")
+        report("provide qualified path")
     elseif not delay then
-        logs.report("watch","missing --cleanup=delay")
+        report("missing --cleanup=delay")
     else
-        logs.report("watch","dryrun, use --force for real cleanup")
+        report("dryrun, use --force for real cleanup")
         local files = dir.glob(file.join(path,"*"))
         local rtime = time()
         for i=1,#files do
@@ -347,7 +366,7 @@ function scripts.watch.cleanup_stale_files() -- removes duplicates
             local mtime = lfs.attributes(name,"modification")
             local delta = difftime(rtime,mtime)
             if delta > delay then
-                logs.report("watch",format("cleaning up '%s'",name))
+                report("cleaning up '%s'",name)
                 if force then
                     os.remove(name)
                 end
@@ -356,19 +375,6 @@ function scripts.watch.cleanup_stale_files() -- removes duplicates
     end
 end
 
-logs.extendbanner("ConTeXt Request Watchdog 1.00")
-
-messages.help = [[
---logpath             optional path for log files
---watch               watch given path [--delay]
---pipe                use pipe instead of execute
---delay               delay between sweeps
---automachine         replace /machine/ in path /<servername>/
---collect             condense log files
---cleanup=delay       remove files in given path [--force]
---showlog             show log data
-]]
-
 if environment.argument("watch") then
     scripts.watch.watch()
 elseif environment.argument("collect") then
@@ -378,5 +384,5 @@ elseif environment.argument("cleanup") then
 elseif environment.argument("showlog") then
     scripts.watch.show_logs()
 else
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
index 31d7d9b0f..afc472d1c 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtxrun'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-
 -- one can make a stub:
 --
 -- #!/bin/sh
@@ -132,11 +131,7 @@ local simple_escapes = {
 }
 
 function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
-    if simple then
-        return (gsub(str,".",simple_escapes))
-    else
-        return (gsub(str,".",patterns_escapes))
-    end
+    return (gsub(str,".",simple and simple_escapes or patterns_escapes))
 end
 
 function string.topattern(str,lowercase,strict)
@@ -556,11 +551,7 @@ local p = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / patterns_escapes + anything)^0)
 local s = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / simple_escapes   + anything)^0)
 
 function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
-    if simple then
-        return match(s,str)
-    else
-        return match(p,str)
-    end
+    return match(simple and s or p,str)
 end
 
 -- utf extensies
@@ -3826,7 +3817,7 @@ local type, next = type, next
 
 utilities        = utilities or {}
 utilities.merger = utilities.merger or { } -- maybe mergers
-utilities.report = utilities.report or print
+utilities.report = logs and logs.new("system") or print
 
 local merger     = utilities.merger
 
@@ -3964,7 +3955,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-lua'] = {
 
 utilities        = utilities or {}
 utilities.lua    = utilities.lua or { }
-utilities.report = utilities.report or print
+utilities.report = logs and logs.new("system") or print
 
 function utilities.lua.compile(luafile,lucfile,cleanup,strip) -- defaults: cleanup=false strip=true
     utilities.report("lua: compiling %s into %s",luafile,lucfile)
@@ -4577,19 +4568,21 @@ function statistics.show(reporter)
     end
 end
 
-
-local template, nn = nil, 0 -- we only calcute it once
+local template, report_statistics, nn = nil, nil, 0 -- we only calcute it once
 
 function statistics.showjobstat(tag,data,n)
-    if type(data) == "table" then
+    if not logs then
+        -- sorry
+    elseif type(data) == "table" then
         for i=1,#data do
             statistics.showjobstat(tag,data[i],n)
         end
     else
         if not template or n > nn then
-            template, n = format("%%-%ss: %%-%ss - %%s",15,n), nn
+            template, n = format("%%-%ss - %%s",n), nn
+            report_statistics = logs.new("mkiv lua stats")
         end
-        write_nl(format(template,"mkiv lua stats",tag,data))
+        report_statistics(format(template,tag,data))
     end
 end
 
@@ -4610,7 +4603,7 @@ function statistics.runtime()
 end
 
 function statistics.timed(action,report)
-    report = report or logs.simple
+    report = report or logs.new("system")
     starttiming("run")
     action()
     stoptiming("run")
@@ -4664,14 +4657,10 @@ local data = { } -- maybe just local
 
 local trace_initialize = false -- only for testing during development
 
-local function report(a,b,...)
-    texio.write_nl(format("%-16s> %s",a,format(b,...)))
-end
-
 function setters.initialize(filename,name,values) -- filename only for diagnostics
-    local data = data[name]
-    if data then
-        data = data.data
+    local setter = data[name]
+    if setter then
+        local data = data.data
         if data then
             for key, value in next, values do
              -- key = gsub(key,"_",".")
@@ -4680,7 +4669,7 @@ function setters.initialize(filename,name,values) -- filename only for diagnosti
                 if functions then
                     if #functions > 0 and not functions.value then
                         if trace_initialize then
-                            report(name,"executing %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
+                            setter.report("executing %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
                         end
                         for i=1,#functions do
                             functions[i](value)
@@ -4688,7 +4677,7 @@ function setters.initialize(filename,name,values) -- filename only for diagnosti
                         functions.value = value
                     else
                         if trace_initialize then
-                            report(name,"skipping %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
+                            setter.report("skipping %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
                         end
                     end
                 else
@@ -4697,7 +4686,7 @@ function setters.initialize(filename,name,values) -- filename only for diagnosti
                     functions = { default = value }
                     data[key] = functions
                     if trace_initialize then
-                        report(name,"storing %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
+                        setter.report("storing %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -4724,10 +4713,11 @@ local function set(t,what,newvalue)
         else
             value = is_boolean(value,value)
         end
+        w = escapedpattern(w,true)
         for name, functions in next, data do
             if done[name] then
                 -- prevent recursion due to wildcards
-            elseif find(name,escapedpattern(w,true)) then
+            elseif find(name,w) then
                 done[name] = true
                 for i=1,#functions do
                     functions[i](value)
@@ -4769,7 +4759,7 @@ function setters.register(t,what,...)
         functions = { }
         data[what] = functions
         if trace_initialize then
-            report(t.name,"defining %s",what)
+            t.report("defining %s",what)
         end
     end
     local default = functions.default -- can be set from cnf file
@@ -4777,7 +4767,7 @@ function setters.register(t,what,...)
         local typ = type(fnc)
         if typ == "string" then
             if trace_initialize then
-                report(t.name,"coupling %s to %s",what,fnc)
+                t.report("coupling %s to %s",what,fnc)
             end
             local s = fnc -- else wrong reference
             fnc = function(value) set(t,s,value) end
@@ -4831,9 +4821,9 @@ function setters.list(t) -- pattern
 end
 
 function setters.show(t)
-    commands.writestatus("","")
-    local list = setters.list(t)
     local category = t.name
+    local list = setters.list(t)
+    t.report()
     for k=1,#list do
         local name = list[k]
         local functions = t.data[name]
@@ -4841,10 +4831,10 @@ function setters.show(t)
             local value, default, modules = functions.value, functions.default, #functions
             value   = value   == nil and "unset" or tostring(value)
             default = default == nil and "unset" or tostring(default)
-            commands.writestatus(category,format("%-30s   modules: %2i   default: %5s   value: %5s",name,modules,default,value))
+            t.report("%-30s   modules: %2i   default: %6s   value: %6s",name,modules,default,value)
         end
     end
-    commands.writestatus("","")
+    t.report()
 end
 
 -- we could have used a bit of oo and the trackers:enable syntax but
@@ -4854,57 +4844,62 @@ end
 
 local enable, disable, register, list, show = setters.enable, setters.disable, setters.register, setters.list, setters.show
 
+local function report(setter,...)
+    local report = logs and logs.report
+    if report then
+        report(setter.name,...)
+    else -- fallback, as this module is loaded before the logger
+        write_nl(format("%-16s: %s\n",setter.name,format(...)))
+    end
+end
+
 function setters.new(name)
-    local t -- we need to access it in t
-    t = {
+    local setter -- we need to access it in setter itself
+    setter = {
         data     = allocate(), -- indexed, but also default and value fields
         name     = name,
-        enable   = function(...) enable  (t,...) end,
-        disable  = function(...) disable (t,...) end,
-        register = function(...) register(t,...) end,
-        list     = function(...) list    (t,...) end,
-        show     = function(...) show    (t,...) end,
+        report   = function(...) report  (setter,...) end,
+        enable   = function(...) enable  (setter,...) end,
+        disable  = function(...) disable (setter,...) end,
+        register = function(...) register(setter,...) end,
+        list     = function(...) list    (setter,...) end,
+        show     = function(...) show    (setter,...) end,
     }
-    data[name] = t
-    return t
+    data[name] = setter
+    return setter
 end
 
 trackers    = setters.new("trackers")
 directives  = setters.new("directives")
 experiments = setters.new("experiments")
 
-local t_enable, t_disable = trackers   .enable, trackers   .disable
-local d_enable, d_disable = directives .enable, directives .disable
-local e_enable, e_disable = experiments.enable, experiments.disable
+local t_enable, t_disable, t_report = trackers   .enable, trackers   .disable, trackers   .report
+local d_enable, d_disable, d_report = directives .enable, directives .disable, directives .report
+local e_enable, e_disable, e_report = experiments.enable, experiments.disable, experiments.report
 
 -- nice trick: we overload two of the directives related functions with variants that
 -- do tracing (itself using a tracker) .. proof of concept
 
-local function report(...) -- messy .. chicken or egg
-    local p = (commands and commands.writestatus) or (logs and logs.report)
-    if p then p(...) end
-end
-
 local trace_directives  = false local trace_directives  = false  trackers.register("system.directives",  function(v) trace_directives  = v end)
 local trace_experiments = false local trace_experiments = false  trackers.register("system.experiments", function(v) trace_experiments = v end)
 
 function directives.enable(...)
-    report("directives","enabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
+    d_report("enabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
     d_enable(...)
 end
 
 function directives.disable(...)
-    report("directives","disabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
+    d_report("disabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
     d_disable(...)
 end
 
 function experiments.enable(...)
-    report("experiments","enabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
+    e_report("enabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
     e_enable(...)
 end
 
 function experiments.disable(...)
-    report("experiments","disabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
+    e_report("disabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
     e_disable(...)
 end
 
@@ -4967,20 +4962,19 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-log'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
--- xml logging is only usefull in normal runs, not in ini mode
--- it looks like some tex logging (like filenames) is broken (no longer
--- interceoted at the tex end so the xml variant is not that useable now)
+-- todo: less categories, more subcategories (e.g. nodes)
 
 
 local write_nl, write = texio and texio.write_nl or print, texio and texio.write or io.write
-local format, gmatch = string.format, string.gmatch
+local format, gmatch, find = string.format, string.gmatch, string.find
+local concat = table.concat
+local escapedpattern = string.escapedpattern
 local texcount = tex and tex.count
+local next, type = next, type
 
 --[[ldx--
-<p>This is a prelude to a more extensive logging module. For the sake
-of parsing log files, in addition to the standard logging we will
-provide an <l n='xml'/> structured file. Actually, any logging that
-is hooked into callbacks will be \XML\ by default.</p>
+<p>This is a prelude to a more extensive logging module. We no longer
+provide <l n='xml'/> based logging a sparsing is relatively easy anyway.</p>
 --ldx]]--
 
 logs       = logs or { }
@@ -4998,96 +4992,239 @@ webpage  : http://www.pragma-ade.nl / http://tex.aanhet.net
 wiki     : http://contextgarden.net
 ]]
 
-local functions = {
-    'report', 'status', 'start', 'stop', 'push', 'pop', 'line', 'direct',
-    'start_run', 'stop_run',
-    'start_page_number', 'stop_page_number',
-    'report_output_pages', 'report_output_log',
-    'report_tex_stat', 'report_job_stat',
-    'show_open', 'show_close', 'show_load',
-    'dummy',
-}
+-- local functions = {
+--     'report', 'status', 'start', 'stop', 'line', 'direct',
+--     'start_run', 'stop_run',
+--     'start_page_number', 'stop_page_number',
+--     'report_output_pages', 'report_output_log',
+--     'report_tex_stat', 'report_job_stat',
+--     'show_open', 'show_close', 'show_load',
+--     'dummy',
+-- }
 
-local method = "nop"
+-- basic loggers
 
-function logs.setmethod(newmethod)
-    method = newmethod
-    -- a direct copy might be faster but let's try this for a while
-    setmetatable(logs, { __index = logs[method] })
-end
+local function ignore() end
 
-function logs.getmethod()
-    return method
-end
+setmetatable(logs, { __index = function(t,k) t[k] = ignore ; return ignore end })
 
--- installer
+-- local separator = (tex and (tex.jobname or tex.formatname)) and ">" or "|"
 
-local data = { }
+local report, subreport
 
-function logs.new(category)
-    local logger = data[category]
-    if not logger then
-        logger = function(...)
-            logs.report(category,...)
+if tex and tex.jobname or tex.formatname then
+
+    report = function(a,b,c,...)
+        if c then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s\n",a,format(b,c,...)))
+        elseif b then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s\n",a,b))
+        elseif a then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s >\n",   a))
+        else
+            write_nl("\n")
         end
-        data[category] = logger
     end
-    return logger
-end
 
+    subreport = function(a,sub,b,c,...)
+        if c then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s > %s\n",a,sub,format(b,c,...)))
+        elseif b then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s > %s\n",a,sub,b))
+        elseif a then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s >\n",   a,sub))
+        else
+            write_nl("\n")
+        end
+    end
 
--- nop logging (maybe use __call instead)
-
-local noplog = { } logs.nop = noplog  setmetatable(logs, { __index = noplog })
+else
 
-for i=1,#functions do
-    noplog[functions[i]] = function() end
-end
+    report = function(a,b,c,...)
+        if c then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s",a,format(b,c,...)))
+        elseif b then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s",a,b))
+        elseif a then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s |",   a))
+        else
+            write_nl("")
+        end
+    end
 
--- tex logging
+    subreport = function(a,sub,b,c,...)
+        if c then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s | %s",a,sub,format(b,c,...)))
+        elseif b then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s | %s",a,sub,b))
+        elseif a then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s |",   a,sub))
+        else
+            write_nl("")
+        end
+    end
 
-local texlog = { }  logs.tex = texlog  setmetatable(texlog, { __index = noplog })
+end
 
-function texlog.report(a,b,c,...)
+function logs.status(a,b,c,...) -- at the tex end
     if c then
-        write_nl(format("%-16s> %s\n",a,format(b,c,...)))
+        write_nl(format("%-15s : %s\n",a,format(b,c,...)))
     elseif b then
-        write_nl(format("%-16s> %s\n",a,b))
+        write_nl(format("%-15s : %s\n",a,b)) -- b can have %'s
+    elseif a then
+        write_nl(format("%-15s :\n",   a))
     else
-        write_nl(format("%-16s>\n",a))
+        write_nl("\n")
     end
 end
 
-function texlog.status(a,b,c,...)
-    if c then
-        write_nl(format("%-16s: %s\n",a,format(b,c,...)))
-    elseif b then
-        write_nl(format("%-16s: %s\n",a,b)) -- b can have %'s
-    else
-        write_nl(format("%-16s:>\n",a))
+logs.report    = report
+logs.subreport = subreport
+
+-- installer
+
+-- todo: renew (un) locks when a new one is added and wildcard
+
+local data, states = { }, nil
+
+function logs.reporter(category,subcategory)
+    local logger = data[category]
+    if not logger then
+        local state = false
+        if states == true then
+            state = true
+        elseif type(states) == "table" then
+            for c, _ in next, states do
+                if find(category,c) then
+                    state = true
+                    break
+                end
+            end
+        end
+        logger = {
+            reporters = { },
+            state = state,
+        }
+        data[category] = logger
+    end
+    local reporter = logger.reporters[subcategory or "default"]
+    if not reporter then
+        if subcategory then
+            reporter = function(...)
+                if not logger.state then
+                    subreport(category,subcategory,...)
+                end
+            end
+            logger.reporters[subcategory] = reporter
+        else
+            local tag = category
+            reporter = function(...)
+                if not logger.state then
+                    report(category,...)
+                end
+            end
+            logger.reporters.default = reporter
+        end
     end
+    return reporter
 end
 
-function texlog.line(fmt,...) -- new
-    if fmt then
-        write_nl(format(fmt,...))
+logs.new = logs.reporter
+
+local function doset(category,value)
+    if category == true then
+        -- lock all
+        category, value = "*", true
+    elseif category == false then
+        -- unlock all
+        category, value = "*", false
+    elseif value == nil then
+        -- lock selective
+        value = true
+    end
+    if category == "*" then
+        states = value
+        for k, v in next, data do
+            v.state = value
+        end
     else
-        write_nl("")
+        states = utilities.parsers.settings_to_hash(category)
+        for c, _ in next, states do
+            if data[c] then
+                v.state = value
+            else
+                c = escapedpattern(c,true)
+                for k, v in next, data do
+                    if find(k,c) then
+                        v.state = value
+                    end
+                end
+            end
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function logs.disable(category,value)
+    doset(category,value == nil and true or value)
+end
+
+function logs.enable(category)
+    doset(category,false)
+end
+
+function logs.categories()
+    return table.sortedkeys(data)
+end
+
+function logs.show()
+    local n, c, s, max = 0, 0, 0, 0
+    for category, v in table.sortedpairs(data) do
+        n = n + 1
+        local state = v.state
+        local reporters = v.reporters
+        local nc = #category
+        if nc > c then
+            c = nc
+        end
+        for subcategory, _ in next, reporters do
+            local ns = #subcategory
+            if ns > c then
+                s = ns
+            end
+            local m = nc + ns
+            if m > max then
+                max = m
+            end
+        end
+        local subcategories = concat(table.sortedkeys(reporters),", ")
+        if state == true then
+            state = "disabled"
+        elseif state == false then
+            state = "enabled"
+        else
+            state = "unknown"
+        end
+        -- no new here
+        report("logging","category: '%s', subcategories: '%s', state: '%s'",category,subcategories,state)
     end
+    report("logging","categories: %s, max category: %s, max subcategory: %s, max combined: %s",n,c,s,max)
 end
 
+directives.register("logs.blocked", function(v)
+    doset(v,true)
+end)
 
+-- tex specific loggers (might move elsewhere)
 
+local report_pages = logs.reporter("pages") -- not needed but saves checking when we grep for it
 
 local real, user, sub
 
-function texlog.start_page_number()
+function logs.start_page_number()
     real, user, sub = texcount.realpageno, texcount.userpageno, texcount.subpageno
 end
 
-local report_pages = logs.new("pages") -- not needed but saves checking when we grep for it
-
-function texlog.stop_page_number()
+function logs.stop_page_number()
     if real > 0 then
         if user > 0 then
             if sub > 0 then
@@ -5104,176 +5241,98 @@ function texlog.stop_page_number()
     io.flush()
 end
 
-texlog.report_job_stat = statistics and statistics.showjobstat
+logs.report_job_stat = statistics and statistics.showjobstat
 
--- xml logging
+local report_files = logs.reporter("files")
 
-local xmllog = { }  logs.xml = xmllog  setmetatable(xmllog, { __index = noplog })
+local nesting = 0
+local verbose = false
 
-function xmllog.report(category,fmt,s,...) -- new
-    if s then
-        write_nl(format("<r category='%s'>%s</r>",category,format(fmt,s,...)))
-    elseif fmt then
-        write_nl(format("<r category='%s'>%s</r>",category,fmt))
-    else
-        write_nl(format("<r category='%s'/>",category))
+function logs.show_open(name)
+    if verbose then
+        nesting = nesting + 1
+        report_files("level %s, opening %s",nesting,name)
     end
 end
 
-function xmllog.status(category,fmt,s,...)
-    if s then
-        write_nl(format("<s category='%s'>%s</r>",category,format(fmt,s,...)))
-    elseif fmt then
-        write_nl(format("<s category='%s'>%s</r>",category,fmt))
-    else
-        write_nl(format("<s category='%s'/>",category))
+function logs.show_close(name)
+    if verbose then
+        report_files("level %s, closing %s",nesting,name)
+        nesting = nesting - 1
     end
 end
 
-function xmllog.line(fmt,...) -- new
-    if fmt then
-        write_nl(format("<r>%s</r>",format(fmt,...)))
-    else
-        write_nl("<r/>")
+function logs.show_load(name)
+    if verbose then
+        report_files("level %s, loading %s",nesting+1,name)
     end
 end
 
-function xmllog.start() write_nl("<%s>" ) end
-function xmllog.stop () write_nl("</%s>") end
-function xmllog.push () write_nl("<!-- ") end
-function xmllog.pop  () write_nl(" -->" ) end
-
-function xmllog.start_run()
-    write_nl("<?xml version='1.0' standalone='yes'?>")
-    write_nl("<job>") --  xmlns='www.pragma-ade.com/luatex/schemas/context-job.rng'
-    write_nl("")
-end
-
-function xmllog.stop_run()
-    write_nl("</job>")
-end
-
-function xmllog.start_page_number()
-    write_nl(format("<p real='%s' page='%s' sub='%s'", texcount.realpageno, texcount.userpageno, texcount.subpageno))
-end
-
-function xmllog.stop_page_number()
-    write("/>")
-    write_nl("")
-end
+-- there may be scripts out there using this:
 
-function xmllog.report_output_pages(p,b)
-    write_nl(format("<v k='pages' v='%s'/>", p))
-    write_nl(format("<v k='bytes' v='%s'/>", b))
-    write_nl("")
-end
-
-function xmllog.report_output_log()
-    -- nothing
-end
+local simple = logs.reporter("comment")
 
-function xmllog.report_tex_stat(k,v)
-    write_nl("log","<v k='"..k.."'>"..tostring(v).."</v>")
-end
-
-local nesting = 0
-
-function xmllog.show_open(name)
-    nesting = nesting + 1
-    write_nl(format("<f l='%s' n='%s'>",nesting,name))
-end
+logs.simple     = simple
+logs.simpleline = simple
 
-function xmllog.show_close(name)
-    write("</f> ")
-    nesting = nesting - 1
-end
-
-function xmllog.show_load(name)
-    write_nl(format("<f l='%s' n='%s'/>",nesting+1,name))
-end
-
--- initialization
-
-if tex and (tex.jobname or tex.formatname) then
-    -- todo: this can be set in mtxrun ... or maybe we should just forget about this alternative format
-    if (os.getenv("mtx.directives.logmethod") or os.getenv("mtx_directives_logmethod")) == "xml" then
-        logs.setmethod('xml')
-    else
-        logs.setmethod('tex')
-    end
-else
-    logs.setmethod('nop')
-end
+-- obsolete
 
--- logging in runners -> these are actually the nop loggers
+function logs.setprogram  () end -- obsolete
+function logs.extendbanner() end -- obsolete
+function logs.reportlines () end -- obsolete
+function logs.reportbanner() end -- obsolete
+function logs.reportline  () end -- obsolete
+function logs.simplelines () end -- obsolete
+function logs.help        () end -- obsolete
 
-local name, banner = 'report', 'context'
+-- applications
 
-function noplog.report(category,fmt,...) -- todo: fmt,s
-    if fmt then
-        write_nl(format("%s | %s: %s",name,category,format(fmt,...)))
-    elseif category then
-        write_nl(format("%s | %s",name,category))
-    else
-        write_nl(format("%s |",name))
+local function reportlines(t,str)
+    if str then
+        for line in gmatch(str,"(.-)[\n\r]") do
+            t.report(line)
+        end
     end
 end
 
-noplog.status = noplog.report -- just to be sure, never used
-
-function noplog.simple(fmt,...) -- todo: fmt,s
-    if fmt then
-        write_nl(format("%s | %s",name,format(fmt,...)))
-    else
-        write_nl(format("%s |",name))
+local function reportbanner(t)
+    local banner = t.banner
+    if banner then
+        t.report(banner)
+        t.report()
     end
 end
 
-if utilities then
-    utilities.report = function(...) logs.simple(...) end
-end
-
-function logs.setprogram(newname,newbanner)
-    name, banner = newname, newbanner
-end
-
-function logs.extendbanner(newbanner)
-    banner = banner .. " | ".. newbanner
-end
-
-function logs.reportlines(str) -- todo: <lines></lines>
-    for line in gmatch(str,"(.-)[\n\r]") do
-        logs.report(line)
+local function reporthelp(t,...)
+    local helpinfo = t.helpinfo
+    if type(helpinfo) == "string" then
+        reportlines(t,helpinfo)
+    elseif type(helpinfo) == "table" then
+        local tags = { ... }
+        for i=1,#tags do
+            reportlines(t,t.helpinfo[tags[i]])
+            if i < #tags then
+                t.report()
+            end
+        end
     end
 end
 
-function logs.reportline() -- for scripts too
-    logs.report()
-end
-
-function logs.simpleline()
-    logs.report()
+local function reportinfo(t)
+    t.report()
+    reportlines(t,moreinfo)
 end
 
-function logs.simplelines(str) -- todo: <lines></lines>
-    for line in gmatch(str,"(.-)[\n\r]") do
-        logs.simple(line)
-    end
+function logs.application(t)
+    t.name     = t.name   or "unknown"
+    t.banner   = t.banner
+    t.report   = logs.reporter(t.name)
+    t.help     = function(...) reportbanner(t) ; reporthelp(t,...) ; reportinfo(t) end
+    t.identify = function() reportbanner(t) end
+    return t
 end
 
-function logs.reportbanner() -- for scripts too
-    logs.report(banner)
-end
-
-function logs.help(message,option)
-    logs.reportbanner()
-    logs.reportline()
-    logs.reportlines(message)
-    if option ~= "nomoreinfo" then
-        logs.reportline()
-        logs.reportlines(moreinfo)
-    end
-end
+-- somewhat special
 
 -- logging to a file
 
@@ -5281,7 +5340,7 @@ end
 function logs.system(whereto,process,jobname,category,...)
     local message = format("%s %s => %s => %s => %s\r",os.date("%d/%m/%y %H:%m:%S"),process,jobname,category,format(...))
     for i=1,10 do
-        local f = io.open(whereto,"a")
+        local f = io.open(whereto,"a") -- we can consider keepint the file open
         if f then
             f:write(message)
             f:close()
@@ -5292,30 +5351,24 @@ function logs.system(whereto,process,jobname,category,...)
     end
 end
 
--- bonus
-
-function logs.fatal(where,...)
-    logs.report(where,"fatal error: %s, aborting now",format(...))
-    os.exit()
-end
-
+local report_system = logs.reporter("system","logs")
 
 function logs.obsolete(old,new)
     local o = loadstring("return " .. new)()
     if type(o) == "function" then
         return function(...)
-            logs.report("system","function %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
+            report_system("function %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
             loadstring(old .. "=" .. new  .. " return ".. old)()(...)
         end
     elseif type(o) == "table" then
         local t, m = { }, { }
         m.__index = function(t,k)
-            logs.report("system","table %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
+            report_system("table %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
             m.__index, m.__newindex = o, o
             return o[k]
         end
         m.__newindex = function(t,k,v)
-            logs.report("system","table %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
+            report_system("table %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
             m.__index, m.__newindex = o, o
             o[k] = v
         end
@@ -5327,6 +5380,10 @@ function logs.obsolete(old,new)
     end
 end
 
+if utilities then
+    utilities.report = report_system
+end
+
 if tex and tex.error then
     function logs.texerrormessage(...) -- for the moment we put this function here
         tex.error(format(...), { })
@@ -5361,7 +5418,7 @@ local getmetatable, setmetatable, rawset, type = getmetatable, setmetatable, raw
 
 local trace_namespaces = false  trackers.register("system.namespaces", function(v) trace_namespaces = v end)
 
-local report_system = logs.new("system")
+local report_system = logs.new("system","protection")
 
 namespaces       = namespaces or { }
 local namespaces = namespaces
@@ -5530,7 +5587,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['luat-env'] = {
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_lua = logs.new("resolvers","lua")
 
 local allocate, mark = utilities.storage.allocate, utilities.storage.mark
 
@@ -5754,14 +5811,14 @@ function environment.luafilechunk(filename,silent) -- used for loading lua bytec
     if fullname and fullname ~= "" then
         local data = environment.loadedluacode(fullname)
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("loading file %s%s", fullname, not data and " failed" or "")
+            report_lua("loading file %s%s", fullname, not data and " failed" or "")
         elseif not silent then
             texio.write("<",data and "+ " or "- ",fullname,">")
         end
         return data
     else
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("unknown file %s", filename)
+            report_lua("unknown file %s", filename)
         end
         return nil
     end
@@ -5781,7 +5838,7 @@ function environment.loadluafile(filename, version)
     local fullname = (lucname and environment.luafile(lucname)) or ""
     if fullname ~= "" then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("loading %s", fullname)
+            report_lua("loading %s", fullname)
         end
         chunk = loadfile(fullname) -- this way we don't need a file exists check
     end
@@ -5799,7 +5856,7 @@ function environment.loadluafile(filename, version)
                 return true
             else
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("version mismatch for %s: lua=%s, luc=%s", filename, v, version)
+                    report_lua("version mismatch for %s: lua=%s, luc=%s", filename, v, version)
                 end
                 environment.loadluafile(filename)
             end
@@ -5810,12 +5867,12 @@ function environment.loadluafile(filename, version)
     fullname = (luaname and environment.luafile(luaname)) or ""
     if fullname ~= "" then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("loading %s", fullname)
+            report_lua("loading %s", fullname)
         end
         chunk = loadfile(fullname) -- this way we don't need a file exists check
         if not chunk then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("unknown file %s", filename)
+                report_lua("unknown file %s", filename)
             end
         else
             assert(chunk)()
@@ -5844,7 +5901,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['lxml-tab'] = {
 
 local trace_entities = false  trackers.register("xml.entities", function(v) trace_entities = v end)
 
-local report_xml = logs.new("xml")
+local report_xml = logs and logs.new("xml","core") or function(...) print(format(...)) end
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>The parser used here is inspired by the variant discussed in the lua book, but
@@ -6518,7 +6575,7 @@ function xml.is_valid(root)
     return root and not root.error
 end
 
-xml.errorhandler = (logs and logs.report) or (input and logs.report) or print
+xml.errorhandler = report
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>We cannot load an <l n='lpeg'/> from a filehandle so we need to load
@@ -7069,7 +7126,7 @@ local trace_lpath    = false  if trackers then trackers.register("xml.path",
 local trace_lparse   = false  if trackers then trackers.register("xml.parse",   function(v) trace_lparse = v end) end
 local trace_lprofile = false  if trackers then trackers.register("xml.profile", function(v) trace_lpath  = v trace_lparse = v trace_lprofile = v end) end
 
-local report_lpath = logs.new("lpath")
+local report_lpath = logs.new("xml","lpath")
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>We've now arrived at an interesting part: accessing the tree using a subset
@@ -7951,9 +8008,9 @@ local function traced_apply(list,parsed,nofparsed,order)
     if trace_lparse then
         lshow(parsed)
     end
-    report_lpath("collecting : %s",parsed.pattern)
-    report_lpath(" root tags : %s",tagstostring(list))
-    report_lpath("     order : %s",order or "unset")
+    report_lpath("collecting: %s",parsed.pattern)
+    report_lpath("root tags : %s",tagstostring(list))
+    report_lpath("order     : %s",order or "unset")
     local collected = list
     for i=1,nofparsed do
         local pi = parsed[i]
@@ -9224,7 +9281,7 @@ local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   functi
 local trace_detail     = false  trackers.register("resolvers.details",    function(v) trace_detail     = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_initialization = logs.new("resolvers","initialization")
 
 local ostype, osname, ossetenv, osgetenv = os.type, os.name, os.setenv, os.getenv
 
@@ -9245,7 +9302,7 @@ kpse = { original = kpse }
 
 setmetatable(kpse, {
     __index = function(kp,name)
-        report_resolvers("fatal error: kpse library is accessed (key: %s)",name)
+        report_initialization("fatal error: kpse library is accessed (key: %s)",name)
         os.exit()
     end
 } )
@@ -9329,13 +9386,13 @@ do
                         if lfs.chdir(p) then
                             local pp = lfs.currentdir()
                             if trace_locating and p ~= pp then
-                                report_resolvers("following symlink '%s' to '%s'",p,pp)
+                                report_initialization("following symlink '%s' to '%s'",p,pp)
                             end
                             ownpath = pp
                             lfs.chdir(olddir)
                         else
                             if trace_locating then
-                                report_resolvers("unable to check path '%s'",p)
+                                report_initialization("unable to check path '%s'",p)
                             end
                             ownpath =  p
                         end
@@ -9346,9 +9403,9 @@ do
         end
         if not ownpath or ownpath == "" then
             ownpath = "."
-            report_resolvers("forcing fallback ownpath .")
+            report_initialization("forcing fallback ownpath .")
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("using ownpath '%s'",ownpath)
+            report_initialization("using ownpath '%s'",ownpath)
         end
     end
 
@@ -9375,7 +9432,7 @@ do
         ossetenv('SELFAUTODIR',    file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/.."))
         ossetenv('SELFAUTOPARENT', file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/../.."))
     else
-        report_resolvers("error: unable to locate ownpath")
+        report_initialization("error: unable to locate ownpath")
         os.exit()
     end
 
@@ -9461,7 +9518,7 @@ local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_expansions = logs.new("resolvers","expansions")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -9524,7 +9581,7 @@ local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
-        report_resolvers("expanding variable '%s'",str)
+        report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
     end
     local t, ok, done = newlist or { }, false, false
     local n = #t
@@ -9550,7 +9607,7 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpeggi
     end
     if trace_expansions then
         for k=1,#t do
-            report_resolvers("% 4i: %s",k,t[k])
+            report_expansions("% 4i: %s",k,t[k])
         end
     end
     return t
@@ -9585,7 +9642,7 @@ function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
         homedir = lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir or "")
         if homedir == string.char(127) or homedir == "" or not lfs.isdir(homedir) then
             if trace_expansions then
-                report_resolvers("no home dir set, ignoring dependent paths")
+                report_expansions("no home dir set, ignoring dependent paths")
             end
             function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
                 if find(str,"~") then
@@ -9655,9 +9712,9 @@ local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path
                     end
                 end
                 if trace_expansions then
-                    report_resolvers("splitting path specification '%s'",str)
+                    report_expansions("splitting path specification '%s'",str)
                     for k=1,noffound do
-                        report_resolvers("% 4i: %s",k,found[k])
+                        report_expansions("% 4i: %s",k,found[k])
                     end
                 end
                 cache[str] = found
@@ -9742,7 +9799,7 @@ end
 
 function resolvers.scanfiles(path,branch)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("scanning path '%s', branch '%s'",path, branch or path)
+        report_expansions("scanning path '%s', branch '%s'",path, branch or path)
     end
     local realpath = resolvers.resolve(path) -- no shortcut
     local files, n, m, r = scan({ },realpath .. '/',"",0,0,0)
@@ -9751,7 +9808,7 @@ function resolvers.scanfiles(path,branch)
     files.__directories__   = m
     files.__remappings__    = r
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("%s files found on %s directories with %s uppercase remappings",n,m,r)
+        report_expansions("%s files found on %s directories with %s uppercase remappings",n,m,r)
     end
     return files
 end
@@ -10080,8 +10137,8 @@ local mkdirs, isdir = dir.mkdirs, lfs.isdir
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 local trace_cache    = false  trackers.register("resolvers.cache",    function(v) trace_cache    = v end)
 
-local report_cache     = logs.new("cache")
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_caches    = logs.new("resolvers","caches")
+local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers","caching")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -10141,7 +10198,7 @@ local function identify()
                         if not caches.ask or io.ask(format("\nShould I create the cache path %s?",cachepath), "no", { "yes", "no" }) == "yes" then
                             mkdirs(cachepath)
                             if isdir(cachepath) and file.is_writable(cachepath) then
-                                report_cache("created: %s",cachepath)
+                                report_caches("created: %s",cachepath)
                                 writable = cachepath
                                 readables[#readables+1] = cachepath
                             end
@@ -10175,10 +10232,10 @@ local function identify()
     -- Some extra checking. If we have no writable or readable path then we simply
     -- quit.
     if not writable then
-        report_cache("fatal error: there is no valid writable cache path defined")
+        report_caches("fatal error: there is no valid writable cache path defined")
         os.exit()
     elseif #readables == 0 then
-        report_cache("fatal error: there is no valid readable cache path defined")
+        report_caches("fatal error: there is no valid readable cache path defined")
         os.exit()
     end
     -- why here
@@ -10200,9 +10257,9 @@ local function identify()
     -- end
     if trace_cache then
         for i=1,#readables do
-            report_cache("using readable path '%s' (order %s)",readables[i],i)
+            report_caches("using readable path '%s' (order %s)",readables[i],i)
         end
-        report_cache("using writable path '%s'",writable)
+        report_caches("using writable path '%s'",writable)
     end
     identify = function()
         return writable, readables
@@ -10237,7 +10294,7 @@ function caches.hashed(tree)
     tree = lower(tree)
     local hash = md5.hex(tree)
     if trace_cache or trace_locating then
-        report_cache("hashing tree %s, hash %s",tree,hash)
+        report_caches("hashing tree %s, hash %s",tree,hash)
     end
     return hash
 end
@@ -10463,7 +10520,7 @@ trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_methods = v end)
 trackers.register("resolvers.methods",  function(v) trace_methods = v end)
 
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_methods = logs.new("resolvers","methods")
 
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
@@ -10505,41 +10562,41 @@ local function methodhandler(what,first,...) -- filename can be nil or false
             local resolver = namespace and namespace[scheme]
             if resolver then
                 if trace_methods then
-                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, scheme=%s, argument=%s",what,how,scheme,first)
+                    report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, scheme=%s, argument=%s",what,how,scheme,first)
                 end
                 return resolver(specification,...)
             else
                 resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
                 if resolver then
                     if trace_methods then
-                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default, argument=%s",what,how,first)
+                        report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default, argument=%s",what,how,first)
                     end
                     return resolver(specification,...)
                 elseif trace_methods then
-                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, no handler",what,how)
+                    report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, no handler",what,how)
                 end
             end
         elseif how == "tag" then
             local resolver = namespace and namespace[first]
             if resolver then
                 if trace_methods then
-                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, tag=%s",what,how,first)
+                    report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, tag=%s",what,how,first)
                 end
                 return resolver(...)
             else
                 resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
                 if resolver then
                     if trace_methods then
-                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default",what,how)
+                        report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default",what,how)
                     end
                     return resolver(...)
                 elseif trace_methods then
-                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, unknown",what,how)
+                    report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, unknown",what,how)
                 end
             end
         end
     else
-        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, unknown",what)
+        report_methods("resolver: method=%s, unknown",what)
     end
 end
 
@@ -10610,7 +10667,7 @@ local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   functi
 local trace_detail     = false  trackers.register("resolvers.details",    function(v) trace_detail     = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_resolving = logs.new("resolvers","resolving")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -10712,7 +10769,7 @@ end
 function resolvers.newinstance() -- todo: all vars will become lowercase and alphanum only
 
      if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("creating instance")
+        report_resolving("creating instance")
      end
 
     local environment, variables, expansions, order = allocate(), allocate(), allocate(), allocate()
@@ -10830,9 +10887,9 @@ local function reportcriticalvariables()
         for i=1,#resolvers.criticalvars do
             local k = resolvers.criticalvars[i]
             local v = resolvers.getenv(k) or "unknown" -- this one will not resolve !
-            report_resolvers("variable '%s' set to '%s'",k,v)
+            report_resolving("variable '%s' set to '%s'",k,v)
         end
-        report_resolvers()
+        report_resolving()
     end
     reportcriticalvariables = function() end
 end
@@ -10856,17 +10913,17 @@ local function identify_configuration_files()
             if lfs.isfile(realname) then
                 specification[#specification+1] = filename
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("found configuration file '%s'",realname)
+                    report_resolving("found configuration file '%s'",realname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("unknown configuration file '%s'",realname)
+                report_resolving("unknown configuration file '%s'",realname)
             end
         end
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers()
+            report_resolving()
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("configuration files already identified")
+        report_resolving("configuration files already identified")
     end
 end
 
@@ -10886,8 +10943,8 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                 data = data and data.content
                 if data then
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("loading configuration file '%s'",filename)
-                        report_resolvers()
+                        report_resolving("loading configuration file '%s'",filename)
+                        report_resolving()
                     end
                     local variables = data.variables or { }
                     local warning = false
@@ -10897,7 +10954,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                             initializesetter(filename,k,v)
                         elseif variables[k] == nil then
                             if trace_locating and not warning then
-                                report_resolvers("variables like '%s' in configuration file '%s' should move to the 'variables' subtable",
+                                report_resolving("variables like '%s' in configuration file '%s' should move to the 'variables' subtable",
                                     k,resolvers.resolve(filename))
                                 warning = true
                             end
@@ -10910,7 +10967,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                         local cnfspec = variables["TEXMFCNF"]
                         if cnfspec then
                             if trace_locating then
-                                report_resolvers("reloading configuration due to TEXMF redefinition")
+                                report_resolving("reloading configuration due to TEXMF redefinition")
                             end
                             -- we push the value into the main environment (osenv) so
                             -- that it takes precedence over the default one and therefore
@@ -10929,13 +10986,13 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
 
                 else
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("skipping configuration file '%s' (no content)",filename)
+                        report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no content)",filename)
                     end
                     setups[pathname] = { }
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -10943,7 +11000,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
             end
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("warning: no lua configuration files found")
+        report_resolving("warning: no lua configuration files found")
     end
 end
 
@@ -10979,19 +11036,19 @@ local function locate_file_databases()
                 end
                 if trace_locating then
                     if runtime then
-                        report_resolvers("locating list of '%s' (runtime)",path)
+                        report_resolving("locating list of '%s' (runtime)",path)
                     else
-                        report_resolvers("locating list of '%s' (cached)",path)
+                        report_resolving("locating list of '%s' (cached)",path)
                     end
                 end
                 methodhandler('locators',stripped)
             end
         end
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers()
+            report_resolving()
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("no texmf paths are defined (using TEXMF)")
+        report_resolving("no texmf paths are defined (using TEXMF)")
     end
 end
 
@@ -11002,7 +11059,7 @@ local function generate_file_databases()
         methodhandler('generators',hash.name)
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers()
+        report_resolving()
     end
 end
 
@@ -11014,11 +11071,11 @@ local function save_file_databases() -- will become cachers
             local content = instance.files[cachename]
             caches.collapsecontent(content)
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("saving tree '%s'",cachename)
+                report_resolving("saving tree '%s'",cachename)
             end
             caches.savecontent(cachename,"files",content)
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("not saving runtime tree '%s'",cachename)
+            report_resolving("not saving runtime tree '%s'",cachename)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -11043,7 +11100,7 @@ function resolvers.appendhash(type,name,cache)
     -- safeguard ... tricky as it's actually a bug when seen twice
     if not instance.hashed[name] then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("hash '%s' appended",name)
+            report_resolving("hash '%s' appended",name)
         end
         insert(instance.hashes, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
         instance.hashed[name] = cache
@@ -11054,7 +11111,7 @@ function resolvers.prependhash(type,name,cache)
     -- safeguard ... tricky as it's actually a bug when seen twice
     if not instance.hashed[name] then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("hash '%s' prepended",name)
+            report_resolving("hash '%s' prepended",name)
         end
         insert(instance.hashes, 1, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
         instance.hashed[name] = cache
@@ -11287,9 +11344,9 @@ function isreadable(name)
     local readable = lfs.isfile(name) -- not file.is_readable(name) asit can be a dir
     if trace_detail then
         if readable then
-            report_resolvers("file '%s' is readable",name)
+            report_resolving("file '%s' is readable",name)
         else
-            report_resolvers("file '%s' is not readable", name)
+            report_resolving("file '%s' is not readable", name)
         end
     end
     return readable
@@ -11303,7 +11360,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
     for k=1,#names do
         local fname = names[k]
         if trace_detail then
-            report_resolvers("checking name '%s'",fname)
+            report_resolving("checking name '%s'",fname)
         end
         local bname = filebasename(fname)
         local dname = filedirname(fname)
@@ -11319,7 +11376,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
             local files = blobpath and instance.files[blobpath]
             if files then
                 if trace_detail then
-                    report_resolvers("deep checking '%s' (%s)",blobpath,bname)
+                    report_resolving("deep checking '%s' (%s)",blobpath,bname)
                 end
                 local blobfile = files[bname]
                 if not blobfile then
@@ -11339,7 +11396,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                             local search = filejoin(blobroot,blobfile,bname)
                             local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,blobfile,bname)
                             if trace_detail then
-                                report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
+                                report_resolving("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                             end
                             noffiles = noffiles + 1
                             filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
@@ -11353,7 +11410,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                                 local search = filejoin(blobroot,vv,bname)
                                 local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,vv,bname)
                                 if trace_detail then
-                                    report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
+                                    report_resolving("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                                 end
                                 noffiles = noffiles + 1
                                 filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
@@ -11362,7 +11419,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                     end
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("no match in '%s' (%s)",blobpath,bname)
+                report_resolving("no match in '%s' (%s)",blobpath,bname)
             end
         end
     end
@@ -11403,7 +11460,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         stamp = filename .. "--" .. askedformat
         if instance.found[stamp] then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("remembered file '%s'",filename)
+                report_resolving("remembered file '%s'",filename)
             end
             resolvers.registerintrees(filename) -- for tracing used files
             return instance.found[stamp]
@@ -11412,7 +11469,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
     if not dangerous[askedformat] then
         if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_detail then
-                report_resolvers("file '%s' found directly",filename)
+                report_resolving("file '%s' found directly",filename)
             end
             if stamp then
                 instance.found[stamp] = { filename }
@@ -11422,13 +11479,13 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
     end
     if find(filename,'%*') then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("checking wildcard '%s'", filename)
+            report_resolving("checking wildcard '%s'", filename)
         end
         result = resolvers.findwildcardfiles(filename) -- we can use th elocal
     elseif file.is_qualified_path(filename) then
         if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("qualified name '%s'", filename)
+                report_resolving("qualified name '%s'", filename)
             end
             result = { filename }
         else
@@ -11441,7 +11498,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                         forcedname = filename .. "." .. s
                         if isreadable(forcedname) then
                             if trace_locating then
-                                report_resolvers("no suffix, forcing format filetype '%s'", s)
+                                report_resolving("no suffix, forcing format filetype '%s'", s)
                             end
                             result, ok = { forcedname }, true
                             break
@@ -11494,7 +11551,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 -- end
             end
             if not ok and trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("qualified name '%s'", filename)
+                report_resolving("qualified name '%s'", filename)
             end
         end
     else
@@ -11513,13 +11570,13 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                     wantedfiles[#wantedfiles+1] = forcedname
                     filetype = resolvers.formatofsuffix(forcedname)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("forcing filetype '%s'",filetype)
+                        report_resolving("forcing filetype '%s'",filetype)
                     end
                 end
             else
                 filetype = resolvers.formatofsuffix(filename)
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("using suffix based filetype '%s'",filetype)
+                    report_resolving("using suffix based filetype '%s'",filetype)
                 end
             end
         else
@@ -11533,7 +11590,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
             end
             filetype = askedformat
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("using given filetype '%s'",filetype)
+                report_resolving("using given filetype '%s'",filetype)
             end
         end
         local typespec = resolvers.variableofformat(filetype)
@@ -11541,7 +11598,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         if not pathlist or #pathlist == 0 then
             -- no pathlist, access check only / todo == wildcard
             if trace_detail then
-                report_resolvers("checking filename '%s', filetype '%s', wanted files '%s'",filename, filetype or '?',concat(wantedfiles," | "))
+                report_resolving("checking filename '%s', filetype '%s', wanted files '%s'",filename, filetype or '?',concat(wantedfiles," | "))
             end
             for k=1,#wantedfiles do
                 local fname = wantedfiles[k]
@@ -11569,7 +11626,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 end
             end
             if trace_detail then
-                report_resolvers("checking filename '%s'",filename)
+                report_resolving("checking filename '%s'",filename)
             end
             for k=1,#pathlist do
                 local path = pathlist[k]
@@ -11581,7 +11638,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                     -- compare list entries with permitted pattern -- /xx /xx//
                     local expression = makepathexpression(pathname)
                     if trace_detail then
-                        report_resolvers("using pattern '%s' for path '%s'",expression,pathname)
+                        report_resolving("using pattern '%s' for path '%s'",expression,pathname)
                     end
                     for k=1,#filelist do
                         local fl = filelist[k]
@@ -11593,16 +11650,16 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                             done = true
                             if allresults then
                                 if trace_detail then
-                                    report_resolvers("match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s', continue scanning",expression,f,d)
+                                    report_resolving("match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s', continue scanning",expression,f,d)
                                 end
                             else
                                 if trace_detail then
-                                    report_resolvers("match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s', quit scanning",expression,f,d)
+                                    report_resolving("match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s', quit scanning",expression,f,d)
                                 end
                                 break
                             end
                         elseif trace_detail then
-                            report_resolvers("no match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s'",expression,f,d)
+                            report_resolving("no match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s'",expression,f,d)
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -11619,7 +11676,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                                     local fname = filejoin(ppname,w)
                                     if isreadable(fname) then
                                         if trace_detail then
-                                            report_resolvers("found '%s' by scanning",fname)
+                                            report_resolving("found '%s' by scanning",fname)
                                         end
                                         result[#result+1] = fname
                                         done = true
@@ -11824,7 +11881,7 @@ end
 
 local function report(str)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers(str) -- has already verbose
+        report_resolving(str) -- has already verbose
     else
         print(str)
     end
@@ -12219,7 +12276,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-fil'] = {
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_files = logs.new("resolvers","files")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -12233,11 +12290,11 @@ function locators.file(specification)
     local realname = resolvers.resolve(name) -- no shortcut
     if realname and realname ~= '' and lfs.isdir(realname) then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("file locator '%s' found as '%s'",name,realname)
+            report_files("file locator '%s' found as '%s'",name,realname)
         end
         resolvers.appendhash('file',name,true) -- cache
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("file locator '%s' not found",name)
+        report_files("file locator '%s' not found",name)
     end
 end
 
@@ -12260,12 +12317,12 @@ function finders.file(specification,filetype)
     local foundname = resolvers.findfile(filename,filetype)
     if foundname and foundname ~= "" then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("file finder: '%s' found",filename)
+            report_files("file finder: '%s' found",filename)
         end
         return foundname
     else
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("file finder: %s' not found",filename)
+            report_files("file finder: %s' not found",filename)
         end
         return finders.notfound()
     end
@@ -12286,13 +12343,13 @@ function openers.file(specification,filetype)
         local f = io.open(filename,"r")
         if f then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' opened",filename)
+                report_files("file opener, '%s' opened",filename)
             end
             return openers.helpers.textopener("file",filename,f)
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_files("file opener, '%s' not found",filename)
     end
     return openers.notfound()
 end
@@ -12304,7 +12361,7 @@ function loaders.file(specification,filetype)
         if f then
             logs.show_load(filename)
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' loaded",filename)
+                report_files("file loader, '%s' loaded",filename)
             end
             local s = f:read("*a")
             if checkgarbage then
@@ -12317,7 +12374,7 @@ function loaders.file(specification,filetype)
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_files("file loader, '%s' not found",filename)
     end
     return loaders.notfound()
 end
@@ -12358,11 +12415,11 @@ containers          = containers or { }
 local containers    = containers
 containers.usecache = true
 
-local report_cache = logs.new("cache")
+local report_containers = logs.new("resolvers","containers")
 
 local function report(container,tag,name)
     if trace_cache or trace_containers then
-        report_cache("container: %s, tag: %s, name: %s",container.subcategory,tag,name or 'invalid')
+        report_containers("container: %s, tag: %s, name: %s",container.subcategory,tag,name or 'invalid')
     end
 end
 
@@ -12480,7 +12537,7 @@ local format, lower, gsub, find = string.format, string.lower, string.gsub, stri
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_mounts = logs.new("resolvers","mounts")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -12505,7 +12562,7 @@ function resolvers.automount(usecache)
                             -- skip
                         elseif find(line,"^zip://") then
                             if trace_locating then
-                                report_resolvers("mounting %s",line)
+                                report_mounts("mounting %s",line)
                             end
                             table.insert(resolvers.automounted,line)
                             resolvers.usezipfile(line)
@@ -12585,7 +12642,7 @@ local format, find, match = string.format, string.find, string.match
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_zip = logs.new("resolvers","zip")
 
 -- zip:///oeps.zip?name=bla/bla.tex
 -- zip:///oeps.zip?tree=tex/texmf-local
@@ -12638,9 +12695,9 @@ function resolvers.locators.zip(specification)
     local zipfile = archive and archive ~= "" and zip.openarchive(archive) -- tricky, could be in to be initialized tree
     if trace_locating then
         if zipfile then
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' found",archive)
+            report_zip("locator, archive '%s' found",archive)
         else
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' not found",archive)
+            report_zip("locator, archive '%s' not found",archive)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -12648,7 +12705,7 @@ end
 function resolvers.hashers.zip(specification)
     local archive = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("loading zip file '%s'",archive)
+        report_zip("loading file '%s'",archive)
     end
     resolvers.usezipfile(specification.original)
 end
@@ -12671,25 +12728,25 @@ function resolvers.finders.zip(specification)
             local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, archive '%s' found",archive)
+                    report_zip("finder, archive '%s' found",archive)
                 end
                 local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     dfile = zfile:close()
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' found",queryname)
+                        report_zip("finder, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
                     return specification.original
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' not found",queryname)
+                    report_zip("finder, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip finder, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
+                report_zip("finder, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip finder, '%s' not found",original)
+        report_zip("finder, '%s' not found",original)
     end
     return resolvers.finders.notfound()
 end
@@ -12704,24 +12761,24 @@ function resolvers.openers.zip(specification)
             local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, archive '%s' opened",archive)
+                    report_zip("opener, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
                 local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' found",queryname)
+                        report_zip("opener, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
                     return resolvers.openers.helpers.textopener('zip',original,dfile)
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' not found",queryname)
+                    report_zip("opener, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip opener, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
+                report_zip("opener, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip opener, '%s' not found",original)
+        report_zip("opener, '%s' not found",original)
     end
     return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
@@ -12736,27 +12793,27 @@ function resolvers.loaders.zip(specification)
             local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, archive '%s' opened",archive)
+                    report_zip("loader, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
                 local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     logs.show_load(original)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' loaded",original)
+                        report_zip("loader, file '%s' loaded",original)
                     end
                     local s = dfile:read("*all")
                     dfile:close()
                     return true, s, #s
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' not found",queryname)
+                    report_zip("loader, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip loader, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
+                report_zip("loader, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip loader, '%s' not found",original)
+        report_zip("loader, '%s' not found",original)
     end
     return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
@@ -12772,7 +12829,7 @@ function resolvers.usezipfile(archive)
         if z then
             local tree = url.query(specification.query).tree or ""
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip registering, registering archive '%s'",archive)
+                report_zip("registering, registering archive '%s'",archive)
             end
             statistics.starttiming(resolvers.instance)
             resolvers.prependhash('zip',archive)
@@ -12781,10 +12838,10 @@ function resolvers.usezipfile(archive)
             instance.files[archive] = resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
             statistics.stoptiming(resolvers.instance)
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("zip registering, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
+            report_zip("registering, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip registering, '%s' not found",archive)
+        report_zip("registering, '%s' not found",archive)
     end
 end
 
@@ -12796,7 +12853,7 @@ function resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
         filter = format("^%s/(.+)/(.-)$",tree)
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip registering, using filter '%s'",filter)
+        report_zip("registering, using filter '%s'",filter)
     end
     local register, n = resolvers.registerfile, 0
     for i in z:files() do
@@ -12813,7 +12870,7 @@ function resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
             n = n + 1
         end
     end
-    report_resolvers("zip registering, %s files registered",n)
+    report_zip("registering, %s files registered",n)
     return files
 end
 
@@ -12836,7 +12893,7 @@ local find, gsub, format = string.find, string.gsub, string.format
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_trees = logs.new("resolvers","trees")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -12874,18 +12931,18 @@ function resolvers.locators.tree(specification)
     local name = specification.filename
     if name ~= '' and lfs.isdir(name) then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' found",name)
+            report_trees("locator '%s' found",name)
         end
         resolvers.appendhash('tree',name,false) -- don't cache
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' not found",name)
+        report_trees("locator '%s' not found",name)
     end
 end
 
 function resolvers.hashers.tree(specification)
     local name = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("analysing tree '%s'",name)
+        report_trees("analysing '%s'",name)
     end
     resolvers.methodhandler("hashers",name)
 end
@@ -12981,7 +13038,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-lua'] = {
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_libraries = logs.new("resolvers","libraries")
 
 local gsub, insert = string.gsub, table.insert
 local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
@@ -13013,7 +13070,7 @@ local function thepath(...)
     local t = { ... } t[#t+1] = "?.lua"
     local path = file.join(unpack(t))
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("! appending '%s' to 'package.path'",path)
+        report_libraries("! appending '%s' to 'package.path'",path)
     end
     return path
 end
@@ -13035,11 +13092,11 @@ local function loaded(libpaths,name,simple)
         local libpath = libpaths[i]
         local resolved = gsub(libpath,"%?",simple)
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
-            report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.path': '%s' => '%s'",simple,libpath,resolved)
+            report_libraries("! checking for '%s' on 'package.path': '%s' => '%s'",simple,libpath,resolved)
         end
         if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.path': '%s'",name,resolved)
+                report_libraries("! lib '%s' located via 'package.path': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
             return loadfile(resolved)
         end
@@ -13048,17 +13105,17 @@ end
 
 package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
     if trace_locating then -- mode detail
-        report_resolvers("! locating '%s'",name)
+        report_libraries("! locating '%s'",name)
     end
     for i=1,#libformats do
         local format = libformats[i]
         local resolved = resolvers.findfile(name,format) or ""
         if trace_locating then -- mode detail
-            report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'libformat path': '%s'",name,format)
+            report_libraries("! checking for '%s' using 'libformat path': '%s'",name,format)
         end
         if resolved ~= "" then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via environment: '%s'",name,resolved)
+                report_libraries("! lib '%s' located via environment: '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
             return loadfile(resolved)
         end
@@ -13081,11 +13138,11 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
             local path = paths[p]
             local resolved = file.join(path,libname)
             if trace_locating then -- mode detail
-                report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'clibformat path': '%s'",libname,path)
+                report_libraries("! checking for '%s' using 'clibformat path': '%s'",libname,path)
             end
             if file.is_readable(resolved) then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'clibformat': '%s'",libname,resolved)
+                    report_libraries("! lib '%s' located via 'clibformat': '%s'",libname,resolved)
                 end
                 return package.loadlib(resolved,name)
             end
@@ -13095,28 +13152,28 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
         local libpath = clibpaths[i]
         local resolved = gsub(libpath,"?",simple)
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
-            report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.cpath': '%s'",simple,libpath)
+            report_libraries("! checking for '%s' on 'package.cpath': '%s'",simple,libpath)
         end
         if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.cpath': '%s'",name,resolved)
+                report_libraries("! lib '%s' located via 'package.cpath': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
             return package.loadlib(resolved,name)
         end
     end
     -- just in case the distribution is messed up
     if trace_loading then -- more detail
-        report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'luatexlibs': '%s'",name)
+        report_libraries("! checking for '%s' using 'luatexlibs': '%s'",name)
     end
     local resolved = resolvers.findfile(file.basename(name),'luatexlibs') or ""
     if resolved ~= "" then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located by basename via environment: '%s'",name,resolved)
+            report_libraries("! lib '%s' located by basename via environment: '%s'",name,resolved)
         end
         return loadfile(resolved)
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers('? unable to locate lib: %s',name)
+        report_libraries('? unable to locate lib: %s',name)
     end
 --  return "unable to locate " .. name
 end
@@ -13153,48 +13210,48 @@ local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_scripts = logs.new("resolvers","scripts")
 
 function resolvers.updatescript(oldname,newname) -- oldname -> own.name, not per se a suffix
     local scriptpath = "scripts/context/lua"
     newname = file.addsuffix(newname,"lua")
     local oldscript = resolvers.cleanpath(oldname)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("to be replaced old script %s", oldscript)
+        report_scripts("to be replaced old script %s", oldscript)
     end
     local newscripts = resolvers.findfiles(newname) or { }
     if #newscripts == 0 then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("unable to locate new script")
+            report_scripts("unable to locate new script")
         end
     else
         for i=1,#newscripts do
             local newscript = resolvers.cleanpath(newscripts[i])
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("checking new script %s", newscript)
+                report_scripts("checking new script %s", newscript)
             end
             if oldscript == newscript then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("old and new script are the same")
+                    report_scripts("old and new script are the same")
                 end
             elseif not find(newscript,scriptpath) then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("new script should come from %s",scriptpath)
+                    report_scripts("new script should come from %s",scriptpath)
                 end
             elseif not (find(oldscript,file.removesuffix(newname).."$") or find(oldscript,newname.."$")) then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("invalid new script name")
+                    report_scripts("invalid new script name")
                 end
             else
                 local newdata = io.loaddata(newscript)
                 if newdata then
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("old script content replaced by new content")
+                        report_scripts("old script content replaced by new content")
                     end
                     io.savedata(oldscript,newdata)
                     break
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("unable to load new script")
+                    report_scripts("unable to load new script")
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -13216,6 +13273,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-tmf'] = {
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
+local report_tds = logs.new("resolvers","tds")
+
 --  =  <<
 --  ?  ??
 --  <  +=
@@ -13236,11 +13295,11 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         local newpath = file.join(newtree,"bin")
 
         if not lfs.isdir(newtree) then
-            logs.simple("no '%s' under tree %s",texos,tree)
+            report_tds("no '%s' under tree %s",texos,tree)
             os.exit()
         end
         if not lfs.isdir(newpath) then
-            logs.simple("no '%s/bin' under tree %s",texos,tree)
+            report_tds("no '%s/bin' under tree %s",texos,tree)
             os.exit()
         end
 
@@ -13264,9 +13323,9 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         setenv('TEXMFCNF',       resolvers.luacnfspec, not resolve)
         setenv("PATH",           newpath .. io.pathseparator .. getenv("PATH"))
 
-        logs.simple("changing from root '%s' to '%s'",oldroot,newroot)
-        logs.simple("prepending '%s' to binary path",newpath)
-        logs.simple()
+        report_tds("changing from root '%s' to '%s'",oldroot,newroot)
+        report_tds("prepending '%s' to binary path",newpath)
+        report_tds()
     end
 end
 
@@ -13291,6 +13350,8 @@ resolvers.listers = resolvers.listers or { }
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
+local report_lists = logs.new("resolvers","lists")
+
 local function tabstr(str)
     if type(str) == 'table' then
         return concat(str," | ")
@@ -13319,11 +13380,11 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
     local exp = table.fastcopy(expansions)
     for key, value in table.sortedpairs(configured) do
         if key ~= "" and (pattern == "" or find(upper(key),pattern)) then
-            logs.simple(key)
-            logs.simple("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
-            logs.simple("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
-            logs.simple("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            logs.simple("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists(key)
+            report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
+            report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
+            report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = table.fastcopy(env)
@@ -13477,6 +13538,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['luat-fmt'] = {
 
 local format = string.format
 
+local report_format = logs.new("resolvers","formats")
+
 -- helper for mtxrun
 
 local quoted = string.quoted
@@ -13501,7 +13564,7 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
     if path ~= "" then
         lfs.chdir(path)
     end
-    logs.simple("format path: %s",lfs.currentdir())
+    report_format("format path: %s",lfs.currentdir())
     -- check source file
     local texsourcename = file.addsuffix(name,"mkiv")
     local fulltexsourcename = resolvers.findfile(texsourcename,"tex") or ""
@@ -13510,11 +13573,11 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
         fulltexsourcename = resolvers.findfile(texsourcename,"tex") or ""
     end
     if fulltexsourcename == "" then
-        logs.simple("no tex source file with name: %s (mkiv or tex)",name)
+        report_format("no tex source file with name: %s (mkiv or tex)",name)
         lfs.chdir(olddir)
         return
     else
-        logs.simple("using tex source file: %s",fulltexsourcename)
+        report_format("using tex source file: %s",fulltexsourcename)
     end
     local texsourcepath = dir.expandname(file.dirname(fulltexsourcename)) -- really needed
     -- check specification
@@ -13525,7 +13588,7 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
         fullspecificationname = resolvers.findfile(specificationname,"tex") or ""
     end
     if fullspecificationname == "" then
-        logs.simple("unknown stub specification: %s",specificationname)
+        report_format("unknown stub specification: %s",specificationname)
         lfs.chdir(olddir)
         return
     end
@@ -13536,39 +13599,39 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
     if type(usedlualibs) == "string" then
         usedluastub = file.join(file.dirname(fullspecificationname),usedlualibs)
     elseif type(usedlualibs) == "table" then
-        logs.simple("using stub specification: %s",fullspecificationname)
+        report_format("using stub specification: %s",fullspecificationname)
         local texbasename = file.basename(name)
         local luastubname = file.addsuffix(texbasename,"lua")
         local lucstubname = file.addsuffix(texbasename,"luc")
         -- pack libraries in stub
-        logs.simple("creating initialization file: %s",luastubname)
+        report_format("creating initialization file: %s",luastubname)
         utilities.merger.selfcreate(usedlualibs,specificationpath,luastubname)
         -- compile stub file (does not save that much as we don't use this stub at startup any more)
         local strip = resolvers.booleanvariable("LUACSTRIP", true)
         if utilities.lua.compile(luastubname,lucstubname) and lfs.isfile(lucstubname) then
-            logs.simple("using compiled initialization file: %s",lucstubname)
+            report_format("using compiled initialization file: %s",lucstubname)
             usedluastub = lucstubname
         else
-            logs.simple("using uncompiled initialization file: %s",luastubname)
+            report_format("using uncompiled initialization file: %s",luastubname)
             usedluastub = luastubname
         end
     else
-        logs.simple("invalid stub specification: %s",fullspecificationname)
+        report_format("invalid stub specification: %s",fullspecificationname)
         lfs.chdir(olddir)
         return
     end
     -- generate format
     local command = format("luatex --ini %s --lua=%s %s %sdump",primaryflags(),quoted(usedluastub),quoted(fulltexsourcename),os.platform == "unix" and "\\\\" or "\\")
-    logs.simple("running command: %s\n",command)
+    report_format("running command: %s\n",command)
     os.spawn(command)
     -- remove related mem files
     local pattern = file.removesuffix(file.basename(usedluastub)).."-*.mem"
- -- logs.simple("removing related mplib format with pattern '%s'", pattern)
+ -- report_format("removing related mplib format with pattern '%s'", pattern)
     local mp = dir.glob(pattern)
     if mp then
         for i=1,#mp do
             local name = mp[i]
-            logs.simple("removing related mplib format %s", file.basename(name))
+            report_format("removing related mplib format %s", file.basename(name))
             os.remove(name)
         end
     end
@@ -13585,7 +13648,7 @@ function environment.run_format(name,data,more)
         end
         fmtname = resolvers.cleanpath(fmtname)
         if fmtname == "" then
-            logs.simple("no format with name: %s",name)
+            report_format("no format with name: %s",name)
         else
             local barename = file.removesuffix(name) -- expanded name
             local luaname = file.addsuffix(barename,"luc")
@@ -13593,11 +13656,11 @@ function environment.run_format(name,data,more)
                 luaname = file.addsuffix(barename,"lua")
             end
             if not lfs.isfile(luaname) then
-                logs.simple("using format name: %s",fmtname)
-                logs.simple("no luc/lua with name: %s",barename)
+                report_format("using format name: %s",fmtname)
+                report_format("no luc/lua with name: %s",barename)
             else
                 local command = format("luatex %s --fmt=%s --lua=%s %s %s",primaryflags(),quoted(barename),quoted(luaname),quoted(data),more ~= "" and quoted(more) or "")
-                logs.simple("running command: %s",command)
+                report_format("running command: %s",command)
                 os.spawn(command)
             end
         end
@@ -13750,8 +13813,6 @@ if not resolvers then
     os.exit()
 end
 
-logs.setprogram('MTXrun',"TDS Runner Tool 1.30")
-
 if environment.arguments["verbose"] then
     trackers.enable("resolvers.locating")
 end
@@ -13764,10 +13825,7 @@ if trackspec then
     trackers.enable(trackspec)
 end
 
-runners  = runners  or { } -- global
-messages = messages or { }
-
-messages.help = [[
+local helpinfo = [[
 --script              run an mtx script (lua prefered method) (--noquotes), no script gives list
 --execute             run a script or program (texmfstart method) (--noquotes)
 --resolve             resolve prefixed arguments
@@ -13819,6 +13877,19 @@ messages.help = [[
 --pattern=str         filter variables
 ]]
 
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtxrun",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt TDS Runner Tool 1.30",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
+local verbose = environment.argument("verbose")
+
+messages = messages or { } -- for the mo
+
+runners = runners  or { } -- global
 
 runners.applications = {
     ["lua"] = "luatex --luaonly",
@@ -13872,17 +13943,16 @@ end
 
 function runners.prepare()
     local checkname = environment.argument("ifchanged")
-    local verbose = environment.argument("verbose")
     if type(checkname) == "string" and checkname ~= "" then
         local oldchecksum = file.loadchecksum(checkname)
         local newchecksum = file.checksum(checkname)
         if oldchecksum == newchecksum then
             if verbose then
-                logs.simple("file '%s' is unchanged",checkname)
+                report("file '%s' is unchanged",checkname)
             end
             return "skip"
         elseif verbose then
-            logs.simple("file '%s' is changed, processing started",checkname)
+            report("file '%s' is changed, processing started",checkname)
         end
         file.savechecksum(checkname)
     end
@@ -13892,17 +13962,17 @@ function runners.prepare()
         if oldname and newname and oldname ~= "" and newname ~= "" then
             if not file.needs_updating(oldname,newname) then
                 if verbose then
-                    logs.simple("file '%s' and '%s' have same age",oldname,newname)
+                    report("file '%s' and '%s' have same age",oldname,newname)
                 end
                 return "skip"
             elseif verbose then
-                logs.simple("file '%s' is older than '%s'",oldname,newname)
+                report("file '%s' is older than '%s'",oldname,newname)
             end
         end
     end
     local runpath = environment.argument("path")
     if type(runpath) == "string" and not lfs.chdir(runpath) then
-        logs.simple("unable to change to path '%s'",runpath)
+        report("unable to change to path '%s'",runpath)
         return "error"
     end
     runners.prepare = function() end
@@ -13961,11 +14031,11 @@ function runners.execute_script(fullname,internal,nosplit)
                         result = binary .. " " .. result
                     end
                     local command = result .. " " .. environment.reconstructcommandline(environment.arguments_after,noquote)
-                    if logs.verbose then
-                        logs.simpleline()
-                        logs.simple("executing: %s",command)
-                        logs.simpleline()
-                        logs.simpleline()
+                    if verbose then
+                        report()
+                        report("executing: %s",command)
+                        report()
+                        report()
                         io.flush()
                     end
                     -- no os.exec because otherwise we get the wrong return value
@@ -13980,9 +14050,9 @@ function runners.execute_script(fullname,internal,nosplit)
                                     return false
                                 end
                             end
-                            logs.simpleline()
-                            logs.simple("This script needs '%s' which seems not to be installed.",binary)
-                            logs.simpleline()
+                            report()
+                            report("This script needs '%s' which seems not to be installed.",binary)
+                            report()
                         end
                         return false
                     end
@@ -14007,10 +14077,10 @@ function runners.execute_program(fullname)
             environment.initializearguments(after)
             fullname = fullname:gsub("^bin:","")
             local command = fullname .. " " .. (environment.reconstructcommandline(after or "",noquote) or "")
-            logs.simpleline()
-            logs.simple("executing: %s",command)
-            logs.simpleline()
-            logs.simpleline()
+            report()
+            report("executing: %s",command)
+            report()
+            report()
             io.flush()
             local code = os.exec(command) -- (fullname,unpack(after)) does not work / maybe spawn
             return code == 0
@@ -14042,18 +14112,18 @@ function runners.handle_stubs(create)
             if create then
                 if windows then
                     io.savedata(file.join(stubpath,base..".bat"),string.format(windows_stub,name))
-                    logs.simple("windows stub for '%s' created",base)
+                    report("windows stub for '%s' created",base)
                 end
                 if unix then
                     io.savedata(file.join(stubpath,base),string.format(unix_stub,name))
-                    logs.simple("unix stub for '%s' created",base)
+                    report("unix stub for '%s' created",base)
                 end
             else
                 if windows and (os.remove(file.join(stubpath,base..'.bat')) or os.remove(file.join(stubpath,base..'.cmd'))) then
-                    logs.simple("windows stub for '%s' removed", base)
+                    report("windows stub for '%s' removed", base)
                 end
                 if unix and (os.remove(file.join(stubpath,base)) or os.remove(file.join(stubpath,base..'.sh'))) then
-                    logs.simple("unix stub for '%s' removed",base)
+                    report("unix stub for '%s' removed",base)
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -14078,12 +14148,12 @@ function runners.locate_platform()
 end
 
 function runners.report_location(result)
-    if logs.verbose then
-        logs.simpleline()
+    if verbose then
+        reportline()
         if result and result ~= "" then
-            logs.simple(result)
+            report(result)
         else
-            logs.simple("not found")
+            report("not found")
         end
     else
         io.write(result)
@@ -14095,11 +14165,11 @@ function runners.edit_script(filename) -- we assume that gvim is present on most
     local rest = resolvers.resolve(filename)
     if rest ~= "" then
         local command = editor .. " " .. rest
-        if logs.verbose then
-            logs.simpleline()
-            logs.simple("starting editor: %s",command)
-            logs.simple_line()
-            logs.simple_line()
+        if verbose then
+            report()
+            report("starting editor: %s",command)
+            report()
+            report()
         end
         os.launch(command)
     end
@@ -14148,7 +14218,7 @@ function runners.launch_file(filename)
         pattern = filename
     end
     if not pattern or pattern == "" then
-        logs.simple("provide name or --pattern=")
+        report("provide name or --pattern=")
     else
         local t = resolvers.findfiles(pattern)
         if not t or #t == 0 then
@@ -14160,15 +14230,15 @@ function runners.launch_file(filename)
         if t and #t > 0 then
             if environment.arguments["all"] then
                 for _, v in pairs(t) do
-                    logs.simple("launching %s", v)
+                    report("launching %s", v)
                     resolvers.launch(v)
                 end
             else
-                logs.simple("launching %s", t[1])
+                report("launching %s", t[1])
                 resolvers.launch(t[1])
             end
         else
-            logs.simple("no match for %s", pattern)
+            report("no match for %s", pattern)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -14239,7 +14309,7 @@ function runners.execute_ctx_script(filename,...)
     local fullname = runners.find_mtx_script(filename) or ""
     if file.extname(fullname) == "cld" then
         -- handy in editors where we force --autopdf
-        logs.simple("running cld script: %s",filename)
+        report("running cld script: %s",filename)
         table.insert(arguments,1,fullname)
         table.insert(arguments,"--autopdf")
         fullname = runners.find_mtx_script("context") or ""
@@ -14270,8 +14340,8 @@ function runners.execute_ctx_script(filename,...)
                 runners.load_script_session(loadname)
             end
             filename = environment.files[1]
-            if logs.verbose then
-                logs.simple("using script: %s\n",fullname)
+            if verbose then
+                report("using script: %s\n",fullname)
             end
             environment.ownscript = fullname
             dofile(fullname)
@@ -14306,24 +14376,23 @@ function runners.execute_ctx_script(filename,...)
                     end
                 end
                 if #valid > 0 then
-                    logs.reportbanner()
-                    logs.reportline()
-                    logs.simple("no script name given, known scripts:")
-                    logs.simple()
+                    application.identify()
+                    report("no script name given, known scripts:")
+                    report()
                     for k=1,#valid do
                         local v = valid[k]
-                        logs.simple("%-12s  %4s  %s",v[1],v[2],v[3])
+                        report("%-12s  %4s  %s",v[1],v[2],v[3])
                     end
                 end
             else
-                logs.simple("no script name given")
+                report("no script name given")
             end
         else
             filename = file.addsuffix(filename,"lua")
             if file.is_qualified_path(filename) then
-                logs.simple("unknown script '%s'",filename)
+                report("unknown script '%s'",filename)
             else
-                logs.simple("unknown script '%s' or 'mtx-%s'",filename,filename)
+                report("unknown script '%s' or 'mtx-%s'",filename,filename)
             end
         end
         return false
@@ -14331,9 +14400,9 @@ function runners.execute_ctx_script(filename,...)
 end
 
 function runners.prefixes()
-    logs.reportbanner()
-    logs.reportline()
-    logs.simple(table.concat(resolvers.allprefixes(true)," "))
+    application.identify()
+    report()
+    report(table.concat(resolvers.allprefixes(true)," "))
 end
 
 function runners.timedrun(filename) -- just for me
@@ -14385,7 +14454,7 @@ if environment.argument("usekpse") or environment.argument("forcekpse") or is_mk
         local t = os.clock()
         local k = kpse.original.new("luatex",progname)
         local dummy = k:find_file("mtxrun.lua") -- so that we're initialized
-        logs.simple("kpse fallback with progname '%s' initialized in %s seconds",progname,os.clock()-t)
+        report("kpse fallback with progname '%s' initialized in %s seconds",progname,os.clock()-t)
         kpse_initialized = function() return k end
         return k
     end
@@ -14432,11 +14501,11 @@ else
 
     function runners.loadbase(...)
         if not resolvers.load(...) then
-            logs.simple("forcing cache reload")
+            report("forcing cache reload")
             instance.renewcache = true
             trackers.enable("resolvers.locating")
             if not resolvers.load(...) then
-                logs.simple("the resolver databases are not present or outdated")
+                report("the resolver databases are not present or outdated")
             end
         end
     end
@@ -14595,8 +14664,8 @@ elseif environment.argument("find-path") then
 
     resolvers.load()
     local path = resolvers.findpath(filename, instance.my_format)
-    if logs.verbose then
-        logs.simple(path)
+    if verbose then
+        report(path)
     else
         print(path)
     end
@@ -14651,7 +14720,7 @@ elseif environment.argument("format-path") then
     -- luatools: runners.execute_ctx_script("mtx-base","--format-path",filename)
 
     resolvers.load()
-    logs.simple(caches.getwritablepath("format"))
+    report(caches.getwritablepath("format"))
 
 elseif environment.argument("pattern") then
 
@@ -14695,7 +14764,7 @@ elseif environment.argument("help") and filename=='base' then
 
 elseif environment.argument("help") or filename=='help' or filename == "" then
 
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 
 elseif filename:find("^bin:") then
 
@@ -14729,9 +14798,9 @@ else
 
 end
 
-if logs.verbose then
-    logs.simpleline()
-    logs.simple("runtime: %0.3f seconds",os.runtime())
+if verbose then
+    report()
+    report("runtime: %0.3f seconds",os.runtime())
 end
 
 if os.type ~= "windows" then
diff --git a/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua b/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
index 31d7d9b0f..afc472d1c 100644
--- a/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtxrun'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-
 -- one can make a stub:
 --
 -- #!/bin/sh
@@ -132,11 +131,7 @@ local simple_escapes = {
 }
 
 function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
-    if simple then
-        return (gsub(str,".",simple_escapes))
-    else
-        return (gsub(str,".",patterns_escapes))
-    end
+    return (gsub(str,".",simple and simple_escapes or patterns_escapes))
 end
 
 function string.topattern(str,lowercase,strict)
@@ -556,11 +551,7 @@ local p = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / patterns_escapes + anything)^0)
 local s = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / simple_escapes   + anything)^0)
 
 function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
-    if simple then
-        return match(s,str)
-    else
-        return match(p,str)
-    end
+    return match(simple and s or p,str)
 end
 
 -- utf extensies
@@ -3826,7 +3817,7 @@ local type, next = type, next
 
 utilities        = utilities or {}
 utilities.merger = utilities.merger or { } -- maybe mergers
-utilities.report = utilities.report or print
+utilities.report = logs and logs.new("system") or print
 
 local merger     = utilities.merger
 
@@ -3964,7 +3955,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-lua'] = {
 
 utilities        = utilities or {}
 utilities.lua    = utilities.lua or { }
-utilities.report = utilities.report or print
+utilities.report = logs and logs.new("system") or print
 
 function utilities.lua.compile(luafile,lucfile,cleanup,strip) -- defaults: cleanup=false strip=true
     utilities.report("lua: compiling %s into %s",luafile,lucfile)
@@ -4577,19 +4568,21 @@ function statistics.show(reporter)
     end
 end
 
-
-local template, nn = nil, 0 -- we only calcute it once
+local template, report_statistics, nn = nil, nil, 0 -- we only calcute it once
 
 function statistics.showjobstat(tag,data,n)
-    if type(data) == "table" then
+    if not logs then
+        -- sorry
+    elseif type(data) == "table" then
         for i=1,#data do
             statistics.showjobstat(tag,data[i],n)
         end
     else
         if not template or n > nn then
-            template, n = format("%%-%ss: %%-%ss - %%s",15,n), nn
+            template, n = format("%%-%ss - %%s",n), nn
+            report_statistics = logs.new("mkiv lua stats")
         end
-        write_nl(format(template,"mkiv lua stats",tag,data))
+        report_statistics(format(template,tag,data))
     end
 end
 
@@ -4610,7 +4603,7 @@ function statistics.runtime()
 end
 
 function statistics.timed(action,report)
-    report = report or logs.simple
+    report = report or logs.new("system")
     starttiming("run")
     action()
     stoptiming("run")
@@ -4664,14 +4657,10 @@ local data = { } -- maybe just local
 
 local trace_initialize = false -- only for testing during development
 
-local function report(a,b,...)
-    texio.write_nl(format("%-16s> %s",a,format(b,...)))
-end
-
 function setters.initialize(filename,name,values) -- filename only for diagnostics
-    local data = data[name]
-    if data then
-        data = data.data
+    local setter = data[name]
+    if setter then
+        local data = data.data
         if data then
             for key, value in next, values do
              -- key = gsub(key,"_",".")
@@ -4680,7 +4669,7 @@ function setters.initialize(filename,name,values) -- filename only for diagnosti
                 if functions then
                     if #functions > 0 and not functions.value then
                         if trace_initialize then
-                            report(name,"executing %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
+                            setter.report("executing %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
                         end
                         for i=1,#functions do
                             functions[i](value)
@@ -4688,7 +4677,7 @@ function setters.initialize(filename,name,values) -- filename only for diagnosti
                         functions.value = value
                     else
                         if trace_initialize then
-                            report(name,"skipping %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
+                            setter.report("skipping %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
                         end
                     end
                 else
@@ -4697,7 +4686,7 @@ function setters.initialize(filename,name,values) -- filename only for diagnosti
                     functions = { default = value }
                     data[key] = functions
                     if trace_initialize then
-                        report(name,"storing %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
+                        setter.report("storing %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -4724,10 +4713,11 @@ local function set(t,what,newvalue)
         else
             value = is_boolean(value,value)
         end
+        w = escapedpattern(w,true)
         for name, functions in next, data do
             if done[name] then
                 -- prevent recursion due to wildcards
-            elseif find(name,escapedpattern(w,true)) then
+            elseif find(name,w) then
                 done[name] = true
                 for i=1,#functions do
                     functions[i](value)
@@ -4769,7 +4759,7 @@ function setters.register(t,what,...)
         functions = { }
         data[what] = functions
         if trace_initialize then
-            report(t.name,"defining %s",what)
+            t.report("defining %s",what)
         end
     end
     local default = functions.default -- can be set from cnf file
@@ -4777,7 +4767,7 @@ function setters.register(t,what,...)
         local typ = type(fnc)
         if typ == "string" then
             if trace_initialize then
-                report(t.name,"coupling %s to %s",what,fnc)
+                t.report("coupling %s to %s",what,fnc)
             end
             local s = fnc -- else wrong reference
             fnc = function(value) set(t,s,value) end
@@ -4831,9 +4821,9 @@ function setters.list(t) -- pattern
 end
 
 function setters.show(t)
-    commands.writestatus("","")
-    local list = setters.list(t)
     local category = t.name
+    local list = setters.list(t)
+    t.report()
     for k=1,#list do
         local name = list[k]
         local functions = t.data[name]
@@ -4841,10 +4831,10 @@ function setters.show(t)
             local value, default, modules = functions.value, functions.default, #functions
             value   = value   == nil and "unset" or tostring(value)
             default = default == nil and "unset" or tostring(default)
-            commands.writestatus(category,format("%-30s   modules: %2i   default: %5s   value: %5s",name,modules,default,value))
+            t.report("%-30s   modules: %2i   default: %6s   value: %6s",name,modules,default,value)
         end
     end
-    commands.writestatus("","")
+    t.report()
 end
 
 -- we could have used a bit of oo and the trackers:enable syntax but
@@ -4854,57 +4844,62 @@ end
 
 local enable, disable, register, list, show = setters.enable, setters.disable, setters.register, setters.list, setters.show
 
+local function report(setter,...)
+    local report = logs and logs.report
+    if report then
+        report(setter.name,...)
+    else -- fallback, as this module is loaded before the logger
+        write_nl(format("%-16s: %s\n",setter.name,format(...)))
+    end
+end
+
 function setters.new(name)
-    local t -- we need to access it in t
-    t = {
+    local setter -- we need to access it in setter itself
+    setter = {
         data     = allocate(), -- indexed, but also default and value fields
         name     = name,
-        enable   = function(...) enable  (t,...) end,
-        disable  = function(...) disable (t,...) end,
-        register = function(...) register(t,...) end,
-        list     = function(...) list    (t,...) end,
-        show     = function(...) show    (t,...) end,
+        report   = function(...) report  (setter,...) end,
+        enable   = function(...) enable  (setter,...) end,
+        disable  = function(...) disable (setter,...) end,
+        register = function(...) register(setter,...) end,
+        list     = function(...) list    (setter,...) end,
+        show     = function(...) show    (setter,...) end,
     }
-    data[name] = t
-    return t
+    data[name] = setter
+    return setter
 end
 
 trackers    = setters.new("trackers")
 directives  = setters.new("directives")
 experiments = setters.new("experiments")
 
-local t_enable, t_disable = trackers   .enable, trackers   .disable
-local d_enable, d_disable = directives .enable, directives .disable
-local e_enable, e_disable = experiments.enable, experiments.disable
+local t_enable, t_disable, t_report = trackers   .enable, trackers   .disable, trackers   .report
+local d_enable, d_disable, d_report = directives .enable, directives .disable, directives .report
+local e_enable, e_disable, e_report = experiments.enable, experiments.disable, experiments.report
 
 -- nice trick: we overload two of the directives related functions with variants that
 -- do tracing (itself using a tracker) .. proof of concept
 
-local function report(...) -- messy .. chicken or egg
-    local p = (commands and commands.writestatus) or (logs and logs.report)
-    if p then p(...) end
-end
-
 local trace_directives  = false local trace_directives  = false  trackers.register("system.directives",  function(v) trace_directives  = v end)
 local trace_experiments = false local trace_experiments = false  trackers.register("system.experiments", function(v) trace_experiments = v end)
 
 function directives.enable(...)
-    report("directives","enabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
+    d_report("enabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
     d_enable(...)
 end
 
 function directives.disable(...)
-    report("directives","disabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
+    d_report("disabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
     d_disable(...)
 end
 
 function experiments.enable(...)
-    report("experiments","enabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
+    e_report("enabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
     e_enable(...)
 end
 
 function experiments.disable(...)
-    report("experiments","disabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
+    e_report("disabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
     e_disable(...)
 end
 
@@ -4967,20 +4962,19 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-log'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
--- xml logging is only usefull in normal runs, not in ini mode
--- it looks like some tex logging (like filenames) is broken (no longer
--- interceoted at the tex end so the xml variant is not that useable now)
+-- todo: less categories, more subcategories (e.g. nodes)
 
 
 local write_nl, write = texio and texio.write_nl or print, texio and texio.write or io.write
-local format, gmatch = string.format, string.gmatch
+local format, gmatch, find = string.format, string.gmatch, string.find
+local concat = table.concat
+local escapedpattern = string.escapedpattern
 local texcount = tex and tex.count
+local next, type = next, type
 
 --[[ldx--
-<p>This is a prelude to a more extensive logging module. For the sake
-of parsing log files, in addition to the standard logging we will
-provide an <l n='xml'/> structured file. Actually, any logging that
-is hooked into callbacks will be \XML\ by default.</p>
+<p>This is a prelude to a more extensive logging module. We no longer
+provide <l n='xml'/> based logging a sparsing is relatively easy anyway.</p>
 --ldx]]--
 
 logs       = logs or { }
@@ -4998,96 +4992,239 @@ webpage  : http://www.pragma-ade.nl / http://tex.aanhet.net
 wiki     : http://contextgarden.net
 ]]
 
-local functions = {
-    'report', 'status', 'start', 'stop', 'push', 'pop', 'line', 'direct',
-    'start_run', 'stop_run',
-    'start_page_number', 'stop_page_number',
-    'report_output_pages', 'report_output_log',
-    'report_tex_stat', 'report_job_stat',
-    'show_open', 'show_close', 'show_load',
-    'dummy',
-}
+-- local functions = {
+--     'report', 'status', 'start', 'stop', 'line', 'direct',
+--     'start_run', 'stop_run',
+--     'start_page_number', 'stop_page_number',
+--     'report_output_pages', 'report_output_log',
+--     'report_tex_stat', 'report_job_stat',
+--     'show_open', 'show_close', 'show_load',
+--     'dummy',
+-- }
 
-local method = "nop"
+-- basic loggers
 
-function logs.setmethod(newmethod)
-    method = newmethod
-    -- a direct copy might be faster but let's try this for a while
-    setmetatable(logs, { __index = logs[method] })
-end
+local function ignore() end
 
-function logs.getmethod()
-    return method
-end
+setmetatable(logs, { __index = function(t,k) t[k] = ignore ; return ignore end })
 
--- installer
+-- local separator = (tex and (tex.jobname or tex.formatname)) and ">" or "|"
 
-local data = { }
+local report, subreport
 
-function logs.new(category)
-    local logger = data[category]
-    if not logger then
-        logger = function(...)
-            logs.report(category,...)
+if tex and tex.jobname or tex.formatname then
+
+    report = function(a,b,c,...)
+        if c then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s\n",a,format(b,c,...)))
+        elseif b then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s\n",a,b))
+        elseif a then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s >\n",   a))
+        else
+            write_nl("\n")
         end
-        data[category] = logger
     end
-    return logger
-end
 
+    subreport = function(a,sub,b,c,...)
+        if c then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s > %s\n",a,sub,format(b,c,...)))
+        elseif b then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s > %s\n",a,sub,b))
+        elseif a then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s >\n",   a,sub))
+        else
+            write_nl("\n")
+        end
+    end
 
--- nop logging (maybe use __call instead)
-
-local noplog = { } logs.nop = noplog  setmetatable(logs, { __index = noplog })
+else
 
-for i=1,#functions do
-    noplog[functions[i]] = function() end
-end
+    report = function(a,b,c,...)
+        if c then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s",a,format(b,c,...)))
+        elseif b then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s",a,b))
+        elseif a then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s |",   a))
+        else
+            write_nl("")
+        end
+    end
 
--- tex logging
+    subreport = function(a,sub,b,c,...)
+        if c then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s | %s",a,sub,format(b,c,...)))
+        elseif b then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s | %s",a,sub,b))
+        elseif a then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s |",   a,sub))
+        else
+            write_nl("")
+        end
+    end
 
-local texlog = { }  logs.tex = texlog  setmetatable(texlog, { __index = noplog })
+end
 
-function texlog.report(a,b,c,...)
+function logs.status(a,b,c,...) -- at the tex end
     if c then
-        write_nl(format("%-16s> %s\n",a,format(b,c,...)))
+        write_nl(format("%-15s : %s\n",a,format(b,c,...)))
     elseif b then
-        write_nl(format("%-16s> %s\n",a,b))
+        write_nl(format("%-15s : %s\n",a,b)) -- b can have %'s
+    elseif a then
+        write_nl(format("%-15s :\n",   a))
     else
-        write_nl(format("%-16s>\n",a))
+        write_nl("\n")
     end
 end
 
-function texlog.status(a,b,c,...)
-    if c then
-        write_nl(format("%-16s: %s\n",a,format(b,c,...)))
-    elseif b then
-        write_nl(format("%-16s: %s\n",a,b)) -- b can have %'s
-    else
-        write_nl(format("%-16s:>\n",a))
+logs.report    = report
+logs.subreport = subreport
+
+-- installer
+
+-- todo: renew (un) locks when a new one is added and wildcard
+
+local data, states = { }, nil
+
+function logs.reporter(category,subcategory)
+    local logger = data[category]
+    if not logger then
+        local state = false
+        if states == true then
+            state = true
+        elseif type(states) == "table" then
+            for c, _ in next, states do
+                if find(category,c) then
+                    state = true
+                    break
+                end
+            end
+        end
+        logger = {
+            reporters = { },
+            state = state,
+        }
+        data[category] = logger
+    end
+    local reporter = logger.reporters[subcategory or "default"]
+    if not reporter then
+        if subcategory then
+            reporter = function(...)
+                if not logger.state then
+                    subreport(category,subcategory,...)
+                end
+            end
+            logger.reporters[subcategory] = reporter
+        else
+            local tag = category
+            reporter = function(...)
+                if not logger.state then
+                    report(category,...)
+                end
+            end
+            logger.reporters.default = reporter
+        end
     end
+    return reporter
 end
 
-function texlog.line(fmt,...) -- new
-    if fmt then
-        write_nl(format(fmt,...))
+logs.new = logs.reporter
+
+local function doset(category,value)
+    if category == true then
+        -- lock all
+        category, value = "*", true
+    elseif category == false then
+        -- unlock all
+        category, value = "*", false
+    elseif value == nil then
+        -- lock selective
+        value = true
+    end
+    if category == "*" then
+        states = value
+        for k, v in next, data do
+            v.state = value
+        end
     else
-        write_nl("")
+        states = utilities.parsers.settings_to_hash(category)
+        for c, _ in next, states do
+            if data[c] then
+                v.state = value
+            else
+                c = escapedpattern(c,true)
+                for k, v in next, data do
+                    if find(k,c) then
+                        v.state = value
+                    end
+                end
+            end
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function logs.disable(category,value)
+    doset(category,value == nil and true or value)
+end
+
+function logs.enable(category)
+    doset(category,false)
+end
+
+function logs.categories()
+    return table.sortedkeys(data)
+end
+
+function logs.show()
+    local n, c, s, max = 0, 0, 0, 0
+    for category, v in table.sortedpairs(data) do
+        n = n + 1
+        local state = v.state
+        local reporters = v.reporters
+        local nc = #category
+        if nc > c then
+            c = nc
+        end
+        for subcategory, _ in next, reporters do
+            local ns = #subcategory
+            if ns > c then
+                s = ns
+            end
+            local m = nc + ns
+            if m > max then
+                max = m
+            end
+        end
+        local subcategories = concat(table.sortedkeys(reporters),", ")
+        if state == true then
+            state = "disabled"
+        elseif state == false then
+            state = "enabled"
+        else
+            state = "unknown"
+        end
+        -- no new here
+        report("logging","category: '%s', subcategories: '%s', state: '%s'",category,subcategories,state)
     end
+    report("logging","categories: %s, max category: %s, max subcategory: %s, max combined: %s",n,c,s,max)
 end
 
+directives.register("logs.blocked", function(v)
+    doset(v,true)
+end)
 
+-- tex specific loggers (might move elsewhere)
 
+local report_pages = logs.reporter("pages") -- not needed but saves checking when we grep for it
 
 local real, user, sub
 
-function texlog.start_page_number()
+function logs.start_page_number()
     real, user, sub = texcount.realpageno, texcount.userpageno, texcount.subpageno
 end
 
-local report_pages = logs.new("pages") -- not needed but saves checking when we grep for it
-
-function texlog.stop_page_number()
+function logs.stop_page_number()
     if real > 0 then
         if user > 0 then
             if sub > 0 then
@@ -5104,176 +5241,98 @@ function texlog.stop_page_number()
     io.flush()
 end
 
-texlog.report_job_stat = statistics and statistics.showjobstat
+logs.report_job_stat = statistics and statistics.showjobstat
 
--- xml logging
+local report_files = logs.reporter("files")
 
-local xmllog = { }  logs.xml = xmllog  setmetatable(xmllog, { __index = noplog })
+local nesting = 0
+local verbose = false
 
-function xmllog.report(category,fmt,s,...) -- new
-    if s then
-        write_nl(format("<r category='%s'>%s</r>",category,format(fmt,s,...)))
-    elseif fmt then
-        write_nl(format("<r category='%s'>%s</r>",category,fmt))
-    else
-        write_nl(format("<r category='%s'/>",category))
+function logs.show_open(name)
+    if verbose then
+        nesting = nesting + 1
+        report_files("level %s, opening %s",nesting,name)
     end
 end
 
-function xmllog.status(category,fmt,s,...)
-    if s then
-        write_nl(format("<s category='%s'>%s</r>",category,format(fmt,s,...)))
-    elseif fmt then
-        write_nl(format("<s category='%s'>%s</r>",category,fmt))
-    else
-        write_nl(format("<s category='%s'/>",category))
+function logs.show_close(name)
+    if verbose then
+        report_files("level %s, closing %s",nesting,name)
+        nesting = nesting - 1
     end
 end
 
-function xmllog.line(fmt,...) -- new
-    if fmt then
-        write_nl(format("<r>%s</r>",format(fmt,...)))
-    else
-        write_nl("<r/>")
+function logs.show_load(name)
+    if verbose then
+        report_files("level %s, loading %s",nesting+1,name)
     end
 end
 
-function xmllog.start() write_nl("<%s>" ) end
-function xmllog.stop () write_nl("</%s>") end
-function xmllog.push () write_nl("<!-- ") end
-function xmllog.pop  () write_nl(" -->" ) end
-
-function xmllog.start_run()
-    write_nl("<?xml version='1.0' standalone='yes'?>")
-    write_nl("<job>") --  xmlns='www.pragma-ade.com/luatex/schemas/context-job.rng'
-    write_nl("")
-end
-
-function xmllog.stop_run()
-    write_nl("</job>")
-end
-
-function xmllog.start_page_number()
-    write_nl(format("<p real='%s' page='%s' sub='%s'", texcount.realpageno, texcount.userpageno, texcount.subpageno))
-end
-
-function xmllog.stop_page_number()
-    write("/>")
-    write_nl("")
-end
+-- there may be scripts out there using this:
 
-function xmllog.report_output_pages(p,b)
-    write_nl(format("<v k='pages' v='%s'/>", p))
-    write_nl(format("<v k='bytes' v='%s'/>", b))
-    write_nl("")
-end
-
-function xmllog.report_output_log()
-    -- nothing
-end
+local simple = logs.reporter("comment")
 
-function xmllog.report_tex_stat(k,v)
-    write_nl("log","<v k='"..k.."'>"..tostring(v).."</v>")
-end
-
-local nesting = 0
-
-function xmllog.show_open(name)
-    nesting = nesting + 1
-    write_nl(format("<f l='%s' n='%s'>",nesting,name))
-end
+logs.simple     = simple
+logs.simpleline = simple
 
-function xmllog.show_close(name)
-    write("</f> ")
-    nesting = nesting - 1
-end
-
-function xmllog.show_load(name)
-    write_nl(format("<f l='%s' n='%s'/>",nesting+1,name))
-end
-
--- initialization
-
-if tex and (tex.jobname or tex.formatname) then
-    -- todo: this can be set in mtxrun ... or maybe we should just forget about this alternative format
-    if (os.getenv("mtx.directives.logmethod") or os.getenv("mtx_directives_logmethod")) == "xml" then
-        logs.setmethod('xml')
-    else
-        logs.setmethod('tex')
-    end
-else
-    logs.setmethod('nop')
-end
+-- obsolete
 
--- logging in runners -> these are actually the nop loggers
+function logs.setprogram  () end -- obsolete
+function logs.extendbanner() end -- obsolete
+function logs.reportlines () end -- obsolete
+function logs.reportbanner() end -- obsolete
+function logs.reportline  () end -- obsolete
+function logs.simplelines () end -- obsolete
+function logs.help        () end -- obsolete
 
-local name, banner = 'report', 'context'
+-- applications
 
-function noplog.report(category,fmt,...) -- todo: fmt,s
-    if fmt then
-        write_nl(format("%s | %s: %s",name,category,format(fmt,...)))
-    elseif category then
-        write_nl(format("%s | %s",name,category))
-    else
-        write_nl(format("%s |",name))
+local function reportlines(t,str)
+    if str then
+        for line in gmatch(str,"(.-)[\n\r]") do
+            t.report(line)
+        end
     end
 end
 
-noplog.status = noplog.report -- just to be sure, never used
-
-function noplog.simple(fmt,...) -- todo: fmt,s
-    if fmt then
-        write_nl(format("%s | %s",name,format(fmt,...)))
-    else
-        write_nl(format("%s |",name))
+local function reportbanner(t)
+    local banner = t.banner
+    if banner then
+        t.report(banner)
+        t.report()
     end
 end
 
-if utilities then
-    utilities.report = function(...) logs.simple(...) end
-end
-
-function logs.setprogram(newname,newbanner)
-    name, banner = newname, newbanner
-end
-
-function logs.extendbanner(newbanner)
-    banner = banner .. " | ".. newbanner
-end
-
-function logs.reportlines(str) -- todo: <lines></lines>
-    for line in gmatch(str,"(.-)[\n\r]") do
-        logs.report(line)
+local function reporthelp(t,...)
+    local helpinfo = t.helpinfo
+    if type(helpinfo) == "string" then
+        reportlines(t,helpinfo)
+    elseif type(helpinfo) == "table" then
+        local tags = { ... }
+        for i=1,#tags do
+            reportlines(t,t.helpinfo[tags[i]])
+            if i < #tags then
+                t.report()
+            end
+        end
     end
 end
 
-function logs.reportline() -- for scripts too
-    logs.report()
-end
-
-function logs.simpleline()
-    logs.report()
+local function reportinfo(t)
+    t.report()
+    reportlines(t,moreinfo)
 end
 
-function logs.simplelines(str) -- todo: <lines></lines>
-    for line in gmatch(str,"(.-)[\n\r]") do
-        logs.simple(line)
-    end
+function logs.application(t)
+    t.name     = t.name   or "unknown"
+    t.banner   = t.banner
+    t.report   = logs.reporter(t.name)
+    t.help     = function(...) reportbanner(t) ; reporthelp(t,...) ; reportinfo(t) end
+    t.identify = function() reportbanner(t) end
+    return t
 end
 
-function logs.reportbanner() -- for scripts too
-    logs.report(banner)
-end
-
-function logs.help(message,option)
-    logs.reportbanner()
-    logs.reportline()
-    logs.reportlines(message)
-    if option ~= "nomoreinfo" then
-        logs.reportline()
-        logs.reportlines(moreinfo)
-    end
-end
+-- somewhat special
 
 -- logging to a file
 
@@ -5281,7 +5340,7 @@ end
 function logs.system(whereto,process,jobname,category,...)
     local message = format("%s %s => %s => %s => %s\r",os.date("%d/%m/%y %H:%m:%S"),process,jobname,category,format(...))
     for i=1,10 do
-        local f = io.open(whereto,"a")
+        local f = io.open(whereto,"a") -- we can consider keepint the file open
         if f then
             f:write(message)
             f:close()
@@ -5292,30 +5351,24 @@ function logs.system(whereto,process,jobname,category,...)
     end
 end
 
--- bonus
-
-function logs.fatal(where,...)
-    logs.report(where,"fatal error: %s, aborting now",format(...))
-    os.exit()
-end
-
+local report_system = logs.reporter("system","logs")
 
 function logs.obsolete(old,new)
     local o = loadstring("return " .. new)()
     if type(o) == "function" then
         return function(...)
-            logs.report("system","function %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
+            report_system("function %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
             loadstring(old .. "=" .. new  .. " return ".. old)()(...)
         end
     elseif type(o) == "table" then
         local t, m = { }, { }
         m.__index = function(t,k)
-            logs.report("system","table %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
+            report_system("table %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
             m.__index, m.__newindex = o, o
             return o[k]
         end
         m.__newindex = function(t,k,v)
-            logs.report("system","table %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
+            report_system("table %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
             m.__index, m.__newindex = o, o
             o[k] = v
         end
@@ -5327,6 +5380,10 @@ function logs.obsolete(old,new)
     end
 end
 
+if utilities then
+    utilities.report = report_system
+end
+
 if tex and tex.error then
     function logs.texerrormessage(...) -- for the moment we put this function here
         tex.error(format(...), { })
@@ -5361,7 +5418,7 @@ local getmetatable, setmetatable, rawset, type = getmetatable, setmetatable, raw
 
 local trace_namespaces = false  trackers.register("system.namespaces", function(v) trace_namespaces = v end)
 
-local report_system = logs.new("system")
+local report_system = logs.new("system","protection")
 
 namespaces       = namespaces or { }
 local namespaces = namespaces
@@ -5530,7 +5587,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['luat-env'] = {
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_lua = logs.new("resolvers","lua")
 
 local allocate, mark = utilities.storage.allocate, utilities.storage.mark
 
@@ -5754,14 +5811,14 @@ function environment.luafilechunk(filename,silent) -- used for loading lua bytec
     if fullname and fullname ~= "" then
         local data = environment.loadedluacode(fullname)
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("loading file %s%s", fullname, not data and " failed" or "")
+            report_lua("loading file %s%s", fullname, not data and " failed" or "")
         elseif not silent then
             texio.write("<",data and "+ " or "- ",fullname,">")
         end
         return data
     else
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("unknown file %s", filename)
+            report_lua("unknown file %s", filename)
         end
         return nil
     end
@@ -5781,7 +5838,7 @@ function environment.loadluafile(filename, version)
     local fullname = (lucname and environment.luafile(lucname)) or ""
     if fullname ~= "" then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("loading %s", fullname)
+            report_lua("loading %s", fullname)
         end
         chunk = loadfile(fullname) -- this way we don't need a file exists check
     end
@@ -5799,7 +5856,7 @@ function environment.loadluafile(filename, version)
                 return true
             else
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("version mismatch for %s: lua=%s, luc=%s", filename, v, version)
+                    report_lua("version mismatch for %s: lua=%s, luc=%s", filename, v, version)
                 end
                 environment.loadluafile(filename)
             end
@@ -5810,12 +5867,12 @@ function environment.loadluafile(filename, version)
     fullname = (luaname and environment.luafile(luaname)) or ""
     if fullname ~= "" then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("loading %s", fullname)
+            report_lua("loading %s", fullname)
         end
         chunk = loadfile(fullname) -- this way we don't need a file exists check
         if not chunk then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("unknown file %s", filename)
+                report_lua("unknown file %s", filename)
             end
         else
             assert(chunk)()
@@ -5844,7 +5901,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['lxml-tab'] = {
 
 local trace_entities = false  trackers.register("xml.entities", function(v) trace_entities = v end)
 
-local report_xml = logs.new("xml")
+local report_xml = logs and logs.new("xml","core") or function(...) print(format(...)) end
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>The parser used here is inspired by the variant discussed in the lua book, but
@@ -6518,7 +6575,7 @@ function xml.is_valid(root)
     return root and not root.error
 end
 
-xml.errorhandler = (logs and logs.report) or (input and logs.report) or print
+xml.errorhandler = report
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>We cannot load an <l n='lpeg'/> from a filehandle so we need to load
@@ -7069,7 +7126,7 @@ local trace_lpath    = false  if trackers then trackers.register("xml.path",
 local trace_lparse   = false  if trackers then trackers.register("xml.parse",   function(v) trace_lparse = v end) end
 local trace_lprofile = false  if trackers then trackers.register("xml.profile", function(v) trace_lpath  = v trace_lparse = v trace_lprofile = v end) end
 
-local report_lpath = logs.new("lpath")
+local report_lpath = logs.new("xml","lpath")
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>We've now arrived at an interesting part: accessing the tree using a subset
@@ -7951,9 +8008,9 @@ local function traced_apply(list,parsed,nofparsed,order)
     if trace_lparse then
         lshow(parsed)
     end
-    report_lpath("collecting : %s",parsed.pattern)
-    report_lpath(" root tags : %s",tagstostring(list))
-    report_lpath("     order : %s",order or "unset")
+    report_lpath("collecting: %s",parsed.pattern)
+    report_lpath("root tags : %s",tagstostring(list))
+    report_lpath("order     : %s",order or "unset")
     local collected = list
     for i=1,nofparsed do
         local pi = parsed[i]
@@ -9224,7 +9281,7 @@ local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   functi
 local trace_detail     = false  trackers.register("resolvers.details",    function(v) trace_detail     = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_initialization = logs.new("resolvers","initialization")
 
 local ostype, osname, ossetenv, osgetenv = os.type, os.name, os.setenv, os.getenv
 
@@ -9245,7 +9302,7 @@ kpse = { original = kpse }
 
 setmetatable(kpse, {
     __index = function(kp,name)
-        report_resolvers("fatal error: kpse library is accessed (key: %s)",name)
+        report_initialization("fatal error: kpse library is accessed (key: %s)",name)
         os.exit()
     end
 } )
@@ -9329,13 +9386,13 @@ do
                         if lfs.chdir(p) then
                             local pp = lfs.currentdir()
                             if trace_locating and p ~= pp then
-                                report_resolvers("following symlink '%s' to '%s'",p,pp)
+                                report_initialization("following symlink '%s' to '%s'",p,pp)
                             end
                             ownpath = pp
                             lfs.chdir(olddir)
                         else
                             if trace_locating then
-                                report_resolvers("unable to check path '%s'",p)
+                                report_initialization("unable to check path '%s'",p)
                             end
                             ownpath =  p
                         end
@@ -9346,9 +9403,9 @@ do
         end
         if not ownpath or ownpath == "" then
             ownpath = "."
-            report_resolvers("forcing fallback ownpath .")
+            report_initialization("forcing fallback ownpath .")
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("using ownpath '%s'",ownpath)
+            report_initialization("using ownpath '%s'",ownpath)
         end
     end
 
@@ -9375,7 +9432,7 @@ do
         ossetenv('SELFAUTODIR',    file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/.."))
         ossetenv('SELFAUTOPARENT', file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/../.."))
     else
-        report_resolvers("error: unable to locate ownpath")
+        report_initialization("error: unable to locate ownpath")
         os.exit()
     end
 
@@ -9461,7 +9518,7 @@ local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_expansions = logs.new("resolvers","expansions")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -9524,7 +9581,7 @@ local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
-        report_resolvers("expanding variable '%s'",str)
+        report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
     end
     local t, ok, done = newlist or { }, false, false
     local n = #t
@@ -9550,7 +9607,7 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpeggi
     end
     if trace_expansions then
         for k=1,#t do
-            report_resolvers("% 4i: %s",k,t[k])
+            report_expansions("% 4i: %s",k,t[k])
         end
     end
     return t
@@ -9585,7 +9642,7 @@ function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
         homedir = lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir or "")
         if homedir == string.char(127) or homedir == "" or not lfs.isdir(homedir) then
             if trace_expansions then
-                report_resolvers("no home dir set, ignoring dependent paths")
+                report_expansions("no home dir set, ignoring dependent paths")
             end
             function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
                 if find(str,"~") then
@@ -9655,9 +9712,9 @@ local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path
                     end
                 end
                 if trace_expansions then
-                    report_resolvers("splitting path specification '%s'",str)
+                    report_expansions("splitting path specification '%s'",str)
                     for k=1,noffound do
-                        report_resolvers("% 4i: %s",k,found[k])
+                        report_expansions("% 4i: %s",k,found[k])
                     end
                 end
                 cache[str] = found
@@ -9742,7 +9799,7 @@ end
 
 function resolvers.scanfiles(path,branch)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("scanning path '%s', branch '%s'",path, branch or path)
+        report_expansions("scanning path '%s', branch '%s'",path, branch or path)
     end
     local realpath = resolvers.resolve(path) -- no shortcut
     local files, n, m, r = scan({ },realpath .. '/',"",0,0,0)
@@ -9751,7 +9808,7 @@ function resolvers.scanfiles(path,branch)
     files.__directories__   = m
     files.__remappings__    = r
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("%s files found on %s directories with %s uppercase remappings",n,m,r)
+        report_expansions("%s files found on %s directories with %s uppercase remappings",n,m,r)
     end
     return files
 end
@@ -10080,8 +10137,8 @@ local mkdirs, isdir = dir.mkdirs, lfs.isdir
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 local trace_cache    = false  trackers.register("resolvers.cache",    function(v) trace_cache    = v end)
 
-local report_cache     = logs.new("cache")
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_caches    = logs.new("resolvers","caches")
+local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers","caching")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -10141,7 +10198,7 @@ local function identify()
                         if not caches.ask or io.ask(format("\nShould I create the cache path %s?",cachepath), "no", { "yes", "no" }) == "yes" then
                             mkdirs(cachepath)
                             if isdir(cachepath) and file.is_writable(cachepath) then
-                                report_cache("created: %s",cachepath)
+                                report_caches("created: %s",cachepath)
                                 writable = cachepath
                                 readables[#readables+1] = cachepath
                             end
@@ -10175,10 +10232,10 @@ local function identify()
     -- Some extra checking. If we have no writable or readable path then we simply
     -- quit.
     if not writable then
-        report_cache("fatal error: there is no valid writable cache path defined")
+        report_caches("fatal error: there is no valid writable cache path defined")
         os.exit()
     elseif #readables == 0 then
-        report_cache("fatal error: there is no valid readable cache path defined")
+        report_caches("fatal error: there is no valid readable cache path defined")
         os.exit()
     end
     -- why here
@@ -10200,9 +10257,9 @@ local function identify()
     -- end
     if trace_cache then
         for i=1,#readables do
-            report_cache("using readable path '%s' (order %s)",readables[i],i)
+            report_caches("using readable path '%s' (order %s)",readables[i],i)
         end
-        report_cache("using writable path '%s'",writable)
+        report_caches("using writable path '%s'",writable)
     end
     identify = function()
         return writable, readables
@@ -10237,7 +10294,7 @@ function caches.hashed(tree)
     tree = lower(tree)
     local hash = md5.hex(tree)
     if trace_cache or trace_locating then
-        report_cache("hashing tree %s, hash %s",tree,hash)
+        report_caches("hashing tree %s, hash %s",tree,hash)
     end
     return hash
 end
@@ -10463,7 +10520,7 @@ trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_methods = v end)
 trackers.register("resolvers.methods",  function(v) trace_methods = v end)
 
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_methods = logs.new("resolvers","methods")
 
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
@@ -10505,41 +10562,41 @@ local function methodhandler(what,first,...) -- filename can be nil or false
             local resolver = namespace and namespace[scheme]
             if resolver then
                 if trace_methods then
-                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, scheme=%s, argument=%s",what,how,scheme,first)
+                    report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, scheme=%s, argument=%s",what,how,scheme,first)
                 end
                 return resolver(specification,...)
             else
                 resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
                 if resolver then
                     if trace_methods then
-                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default, argument=%s",what,how,first)
+                        report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default, argument=%s",what,how,first)
                     end
                     return resolver(specification,...)
                 elseif trace_methods then
-                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, no handler",what,how)
+                    report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, no handler",what,how)
                 end
             end
         elseif how == "tag" then
             local resolver = namespace and namespace[first]
             if resolver then
                 if trace_methods then
-                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, tag=%s",what,how,first)
+                    report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, tag=%s",what,how,first)
                 end
                 return resolver(...)
             else
                 resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
                 if resolver then
                     if trace_methods then
-                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default",what,how)
+                        report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default",what,how)
                     end
                     return resolver(...)
                 elseif trace_methods then
-                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, unknown",what,how)
+                    report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, unknown",what,how)
                 end
             end
         end
     else
-        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, unknown",what)
+        report_methods("resolver: method=%s, unknown",what)
     end
 end
 
@@ -10610,7 +10667,7 @@ local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   functi
 local trace_detail     = false  trackers.register("resolvers.details",    function(v) trace_detail     = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_resolving = logs.new("resolvers","resolving")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -10712,7 +10769,7 @@ end
 function resolvers.newinstance() -- todo: all vars will become lowercase and alphanum only
 
      if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("creating instance")
+        report_resolving("creating instance")
      end
 
     local environment, variables, expansions, order = allocate(), allocate(), allocate(), allocate()
@@ -10830,9 +10887,9 @@ local function reportcriticalvariables()
         for i=1,#resolvers.criticalvars do
             local k = resolvers.criticalvars[i]
             local v = resolvers.getenv(k) or "unknown" -- this one will not resolve !
-            report_resolvers("variable '%s' set to '%s'",k,v)
+            report_resolving("variable '%s' set to '%s'",k,v)
         end
-        report_resolvers()
+        report_resolving()
     end
     reportcriticalvariables = function() end
 end
@@ -10856,17 +10913,17 @@ local function identify_configuration_files()
             if lfs.isfile(realname) then
                 specification[#specification+1] = filename
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("found configuration file '%s'",realname)
+                    report_resolving("found configuration file '%s'",realname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("unknown configuration file '%s'",realname)
+                report_resolving("unknown configuration file '%s'",realname)
             end
         end
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers()
+            report_resolving()
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("configuration files already identified")
+        report_resolving("configuration files already identified")
     end
 end
 
@@ -10886,8 +10943,8 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                 data = data and data.content
                 if data then
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("loading configuration file '%s'",filename)
-                        report_resolvers()
+                        report_resolving("loading configuration file '%s'",filename)
+                        report_resolving()
                     end
                     local variables = data.variables or { }
                     local warning = false
@@ -10897,7 +10954,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                             initializesetter(filename,k,v)
                         elseif variables[k] == nil then
                             if trace_locating and not warning then
-                                report_resolvers("variables like '%s' in configuration file '%s' should move to the 'variables' subtable",
+                                report_resolving("variables like '%s' in configuration file '%s' should move to the 'variables' subtable",
                                     k,resolvers.resolve(filename))
                                 warning = true
                             end
@@ -10910,7 +10967,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                         local cnfspec = variables["TEXMFCNF"]
                         if cnfspec then
                             if trace_locating then
-                                report_resolvers("reloading configuration due to TEXMF redefinition")
+                                report_resolving("reloading configuration due to TEXMF redefinition")
                             end
                             -- we push the value into the main environment (osenv) so
                             -- that it takes precedence over the default one and therefore
@@ -10929,13 +10986,13 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
 
                 else
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("skipping configuration file '%s' (no content)",filename)
+                        report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no content)",filename)
                     end
                     setups[pathname] = { }
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -10943,7 +11000,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
             end
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("warning: no lua configuration files found")
+        report_resolving("warning: no lua configuration files found")
     end
 end
 
@@ -10979,19 +11036,19 @@ local function locate_file_databases()
                 end
                 if trace_locating then
                     if runtime then
-                        report_resolvers("locating list of '%s' (runtime)",path)
+                        report_resolving("locating list of '%s' (runtime)",path)
                     else
-                        report_resolvers("locating list of '%s' (cached)",path)
+                        report_resolving("locating list of '%s' (cached)",path)
                     end
                 end
                 methodhandler('locators',stripped)
             end
         end
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers()
+            report_resolving()
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("no texmf paths are defined (using TEXMF)")
+        report_resolving("no texmf paths are defined (using TEXMF)")
     end
 end
 
@@ -11002,7 +11059,7 @@ local function generate_file_databases()
         methodhandler('generators',hash.name)
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers()
+        report_resolving()
     end
 end
 
@@ -11014,11 +11071,11 @@ local function save_file_databases() -- will become cachers
             local content = instance.files[cachename]
             caches.collapsecontent(content)
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("saving tree '%s'",cachename)
+                report_resolving("saving tree '%s'",cachename)
             end
             caches.savecontent(cachename,"files",content)
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("not saving runtime tree '%s'",cachename)
+            report_resolving("not saving runtime tree '%s'",cachename)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -11043,7 +11100,7 @@ function resolvers.appendhash(type,name,cache)
     -- safeguard ... tricky as it's actually a bug when seen twice
     if not instance.hashed[name] then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("hash '%s' appended",name)
+            report_resolving("hash '%s' appended",name)
         end
         insert(instance.hashes, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
         instance.hashed[name] = cache
@@ -11054,7 +11111,7 @@ function resolvers.prependhash(type,name,cache)
     -- safeguard ... tricky as it's actually a bug when seen twice
     if not instance.hashed[name] then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("hash '%s' prepended",name)
+            report_resolving("hash '%s' prepended",name)
         end
         insert(instance.hashes, 1, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
         instance.hashed[name] = cache
@@ -11287,9 +11344,9 @@ function isreadable(name)
     local readable = lfs.isfile(name) -- not file.is_readable(name) asit can be a dir
     if trace_detail then
         if readable then
-            report_resolvers("file '%s' is readable",name)
+            report_resolving("file '%s' is readable",name)
         else
-            report_resolvers("file '%s' is not readable", name)
+            report_resolving("file '%s' is not readable", name)
         end
     end
     return readable
@@ -11303,7 +11360,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
     for k=1,#names do
         local fname = names[k]
         if trace_detail then
-            report_resolvers("checking name '%s'",fname)
+            report_resolving("checking name '%s'",fname)
         end
         local bname = filebasename(fname)
         local dname = filedirname(fname)
@@ -11319,7 +11376,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
             local files = blobpath and instance.files[blobpath]
             if files then
                 if trace_detail then
-                    report_resolvers("deep checking '%s' (%s)",blobpath,bname)
+                    report_resolving("deep checking '%s' (%s)",blobpath,bname)
                 end
                 local blobfile = files[bname]
                 if not blobfile then
@@ -11339,7 +11396,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                             local search = filejoin(blobroot,blobfile,bname)
                             local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,blobfile,bname)
                             if trace_detail then
-                                report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
+                                report_resolving("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                             end
                             noffiles = noffiles + 1
                             filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
@@ -11353,7 +11410,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                                 local search = filejoin(blobroot,vv,bname)
                                 local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,vv,bname)
                                 if trace_detail then
-                                    report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
+                                    report_resolving("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                                 end
                                 noffiles = noffiles + 1
                                 filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
@@ -11362,7 +11419,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                     end
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("no match in '%s' (%s)",blobpath,bname)
+                report_resolving("no match in '%s' (%s)",blobpath,bname)
             end
         end
     end
@@ -11403,7 +11460,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         stamp = filename .. "--" .. askedformat
         if instance.found[stamp] then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("remembered file '%s'",filename)
+                report_resolving("remembered file '%s'",filename)
             end
             resolvers.registerintrees(filename) -- for tracing used files
             return instance.found[stamp]
@@ -11412,7 +11469,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
     if not dangerous[askedformat] then
         if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_detail then
-                report_resolvers("file '%s' found directly",filename)
+                report_resolving("file '%s' found directly",filename)
             end
             if stamp then
                 instance.found[stamp] = { filename }
@@ -11422,13 +11479,13 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
     end
     if find(filename,'%*') then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("checking wildcard '%s'", filename)
+            report_resolving("checking wildcard '%s'", filename)
         end
         result = resolvers.findwildcardfiles(filename) -- we can use th elocal
     elseif file.is_qualified_path(filename) then
         if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("qualified name '%s'", filename)
+                report_resolving("qualified name '%s'", filename)
             end
             result = { filename }
         else
@@ -11441,7 +11498,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                         forcedname = filename .. "." .. s
                         if isreadable(forcedname) then
                             if trace_locating then
-                                report_resolvers("no suffix, forcing format filetype '%s'", s)
+                                report_resolving("no suffix, forcing format filetype '%s'", s)
                             end
                             result, ok = { forcedname }, true
                             break
@@ -11494,7 +11551,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 -- end
             end
             if not ok and trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("qualified name '%s'", filename)
+                report_resolving("qualified name '%s'", filename)
             end
         end
     else
@@ -11513,13 +11570,13 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                     wantedfiles[#wantedfiles+1] = forcedname
                     filetype = resolvers.formatofsuffix(forcedname)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("forcing filetype '%s'",filetype)
+                        report_resolving("forcing filetype '%s'",filetype)
                     end
                 end
             else
                 filetype = resolvers.formatofsuffix(filename)
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("using suffix based filetype '%s'",filetype)
+                    report_resolving("using suffix based filetype '%s'",filetype)
                 end
             end
         else
@@ -11533,7 +11590,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
             end
             filetype = askedformat
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("using given filetype '%s'",filetype)
+                report_resolving("using given filetype '%s'",filetype)
             end
         end
         local typespec = resolvers.variableofformat(filetype)
@@ -11541,7 +11598,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         if not pathlist or #pathlist == 0 then
             -- no pathlist, access check only / todo == wildcard
             if trace_detail then
-                report_resolvers("checking filename '%s', filetype '%s', wanted files '%s'",filename, filetype or '?',concat(wantedfiles," | "))
+                report_resolving("checking filename '%s', filetype '%s', wanted files '%s'",filename, filetype or '?',concat(wantedfiles," | "))
             end
             for k=1,#wantedfiles do
                 local fname = wantedfiles[k]
@@ -11569,7 +11626,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 end
             end
             if trace_detail then
-                report_resolvers("checking filename '%s'",filename)
+                report_resolving("checking filename '%s'",filename)
             end
             for k=1,#pathlist do
                 local path = pathlist[k]
@@ -11581,7 +11638,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                     -- compare list entries with permitted pattern -- /xx /xx//
                     local expression = makepathexpression(pathname)
                     if trace_detail then
-                        report_resolvers("using pattern '%s' for path '%s'",expression,pathname)
+                        report_resolving("using pattern '%s' for path '%s'",expression,pathname)
                     end
                     for k=1,#filelist do
                         local fl = filelist[k]
@@ -11593,16 +11650,16 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                             done = true
                             if allresults then
                                 if trace_detail then
-                                    report_resolvers("match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s', continue scanning",expression,f,d)
+                                    report_resolving("match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s', continue scanning",expression,f,d)
                                 end
                             else
                                 if trace_detail then
-                                    report_resolvers("match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s', quit scanning",expression,f,d)
+                                    report_resolving("match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s', quit scanning",expression,f,d)
                                 end
                                 break
                             end
                         elseif trace_detail then
-                            report_resolvers("no match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s'",expression,f,d)
+                            report_resolving("no match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s'",expression,f,d)
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -11619,7 +11676,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                                     local fname = filejoin(ppname,w)
                                     if isreadable(fname) then
                                         if trace_detail then
-                                            report_resolvers("found '%s' by scanning",fname)
+                                            report_resolving("found '%s' by scanning",fname)
                                         end
                                         result[#result+1] = fname
                                         done = true
@@ -11824,7 +11881,7 @@ end
 
 local function report(str)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers(str) -- has already verbose
+        report_resolving(str) -- has already verbose
     else
         print(str)
     end
@@ -12219,7 +12276,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-fil'] = {
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_files = logs.new("resolvers","files")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -12233,11 +12290,11 @@ function locators.file(specification)
     local realname = resolvers.resolve(name) -- no shortcut
     if realname and realname ~= '' and lfs.isdir(realname) then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("file locator '%s' found as '%s'",name,realname)
+            report_files("file locator '%s' found as '%s'",name,realname)
         end
         resolvers.appendhash('file',name,true) -- cache
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("file locator '%s' not found",name)
+        report_files("file locator '%s' not found",name)
     end
 end
 
@@ -12260,12 +12317,12 @@ function finders.file(specification,filetype)
     local foundname = resolvers.findfile(filename,filetype)
     if foundname and foundname ~= "" then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("file finder: '%s' found",filename)
+            report_files("file finder: '%s' found",filename)
         end
         return foundname
     else
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("file finder: %s' not found",filename)
+            report_files("file finder: %s' not found",filename)
         end
         return finders.notfound()
     end
@@ -12286,13 +12343,13 @@ function openers.file(specification,filetype)
         local f = io.open(filename,"r")
         if f then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' opened",filename)
+                report_files("file opener, '%s' opened",filename)
             end
             return openers.helpers.textopener("file",filename,f)
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_files("file opener, '%s' not found",filename)
     end
     return openers.notfound()
 end
@@ -12304,7 +12361,7 @@ function loaders.file(specification,filetype)
         if f then
             logs.show_load(filename)
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' loaded",filename)
+                report_files("file loader, '%s' loaded",filename)
             end
             local s = f:read("*a")
             if checkgarbage then
@@ -12317,7 +12374,7 @@ function loaders.file(specification,filetype)
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_files("file loader, '%s' not found",filename)
     end
     return loaders.notfound()
 end
@@ -12358,11 +12415,11 @@ containers          = containers or { }
 local containers    = containers
 containers.usecache = true
 
-local report_cache = logs.new("cache")
+local report_containers = logs.new("resolvers","containers")
 
 local function report(container,tag,name)
     if trace_cache or trace_containers then
-        report_cache("container: %s, tag: %s, name: %s",container.subcategory,tag,name or 'invalid')
+        report_containers("container: %s, tag: %s, name: %s",container.subcategory,tag,name or 'invalid')
     end
 end
 
@@ -12480,7 +12537,7 @@ local format, lower, gsub, find = string.format, string.lower, string.gsub, stri
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_mounts = logs.new("resolvers","mounts")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -12505,7 +12562,7 @@ function resolvers.automount(usecache)
                             -- skip
                         elseif find(line,"^zip://") then
                             if trace_locating then
-                                report_resolvers("mounting %s",line)
+                                report_mounts("mounting %s",line)
                             end
                             table.insert(resolvers.automounted,line)
                             resolvers.usezipfile(line)
@@ -12585,7 +12642,7 @@ local format, find, match = string.format, string.find, string.match
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_zip = logs.new("resolvers","zip")
 
 -- zip:///oeps.zip?name=bla/bla.tex
 -- zip:///oeps.zip?tree=tex/texmf-local
@@ -12638,9 +12695,9 @@ function resolvers.locators.zip(specification)
     local zipfile = archive and archive ~= "" and zip.openarchive(archive) -- tricky, could be in to be initialized tree
     if trace_locating then
         if zipfile then
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' found",archive)
+            report_zip("locator, archive '%s' found",archive)
         else
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' not found",archive)
+            report_zip("locator, archive '%s' not found",archive)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -12648,7 +12705,7 @@ end
 function resolvers.hashers.zip(specification)
     local archive = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("loading zip file '%s'",archive)
+        report_zip("loading file '%s'",archive)
     end
     resolvers.usezipfile(specification.original)
 end
@@ -12671,25 +12728,25 @@ function resolvers.finders.zip(specification)
             local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, archive '%s' found",archive)
+                    report_zip("finder, archive '%s' found",archive)
                 end
                 local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     dfile = zfile:close()
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' found",queryname)
+                        report_zip("finder, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
                     return specification.original
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' not found",queryname)
+                    report_zip("finder, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip finder, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
+                report_zip("finder, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip finder, '%s' not found",original)
+        report_zip("finder, '%s' not found",original)
     end
     return resolvers.finders.notfound()
 end
@@ -12704,24 +12761,24 @@ function resolvers.openers.zip(specification)
             local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, archive '%s' opened",archive)
+                    report_zip("opener, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
                 local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' found",queryname)
+                        report_zip("opener, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
                     return resolvers.openers.helpers.textopener('zip',original,dfile)
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' not found",queryname)
+                    report_zip("opener, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip opener, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
+                report_zip("opener, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip opener, '%s' not found",original)
+        report_zip("opener, '%s' not found",original)
     end
     return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
@@ -12736,27 +12793,27 @@ function resolvers.loaders.zip(specification)
             local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, archive '%s' opened",archive)
+                    report_zip("loader, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
                 local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     logs.show_load(original)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' loaded",original)
+                        report_zip("loader, file '%s' loaded",original)
                     end
                     local s = dfile:read("*all")
                     dfile:close()
                     return true, s, #s
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' not found",queryname)
+                    report_zip("loader, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip loader, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
+                report_zip("loader, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip loader, '%s' not found",original)
+        report_zip("loader, '%s' not found",original)
     end
     return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
@@ -12772,7 +12829,7 @@ function resolvers.usezipfile(archive)
         if z then
             local tree = url.query(specification.query).tree or ""
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip registering, registering archive '%s'",archive)
+                report_zip("registering, registering archive '%s'",archive)
             end
             statistics.starttiming(resolvers.instance)
             resolvers.prependhash('zip',archive)
@@ -12781,10 +12838,10 @@ function resolvers.usezipfile(archive)
             instance.files[archive] = resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
             statistics.stoptiming(resolvers.instance)
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("zip registering, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
+            report_zip("registering, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip registering, '%s' not found",archive)
+        report_zip("registering, '%s' not found",archive)
     end
 end
 
@@ -12796,7 +12853,7 @@ function resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
         filter = format("^%s/(.+)/(.-)$",tree)
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip registering, using filter '%s'",filter)
+        report_zip("registering, using filter '%s'",filter)
     end
     local register, n = resolvers.registerfile, 0
     for i in z:files() do
@@ -12813,7 +12870,7 @@ function resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
             n = n + 1
         end
     end
-    report_resolvers("zip registering, %s files registered",n)
+    report_zip("registering, %s files registered",n)
     return files
 end
 
@@ -12836,7 +12893,7 @@ local find, gsub, format = string.find, string.gsub, string.format
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_trees = logs.new("resolvers","trees")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -12874,18 +12931,18 @@ function resolvers.locators.tree(specification)
     local name = specification.filename
     if name ~= '' and lfs.isdir(name) then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' found",name)
+            report_trees("locator '%s' found",name)
         end
         resolvers.appendhash('tree',name,false) -- don't cache
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' not found",name)
+        report_trees("locator '%s' not found",name)
     end
 end
 
 function resolvers.hashers.tree(specification)
     local name = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("analysing tree '%s'",name)
+        report_trees("analysing '%s'",name)
     end
     resolvers.methodhandler("hashers",name)
 end
@@ -12981,7 +13038,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-lua'] = {
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_libraries = logs.new("resolvers","libraries")
 
 local gsub, insert = string.gsub, table.insert
 local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
@@ -13013,7 +13070,7 @@ local function thepath(...)
     local t = { ... } t[#t+1] = "?.lua"
     local path = file.join(unpack(t))
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("! appending '%s' to 'package.path'",path)
+        report_libraries("! appending '%s' to 'package.path'",path)
     end
     return path
 end
@@ -13035,11 +13092,11 @@ local function loaded(libpaths,name,simple)
         local libpath = libpaths[i]
         local resolved = gsub(libpath,"%?",simple)
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
-            report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.path': '%s' => '%s'",simple,libpath,resolved)
+            report_libraries("! checking for '%s' on 'package.path': '%s' => '%s'",simple,libpath,resolved)
         end
         if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.path': '%s'",name,resolved)
+                report_libraries("! lib '%s' located via 'package.path': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
             return loadfile(resolved)
         end
@@ -13048,17 +13105,17 @@ end
 
 package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
     if trace_locating then -- mode detail
-        report_resolvers("! locating '%s'",name)
+        report_libraries("! locating '%s'",name)
     end
     for i=1,#libformats do
         local format = libformats[i]
         local resolved = resolvers.findfile(name,format) or ""
         if trace_locating then -- mode detail
-            report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'libformat path': '%s'",name,format)
+            report_libraries("! checking for '%s' using 'libformat path': '%s'",name,format)
         end
         if resolved ~= "" then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via environment: '%s'",name,resolved)
+                report_libraries("! lib '%s' located via environment: '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
             return loadfile(resolved)
         end
@@ -13081,11 +13138,11 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
             local path = paths[p]
             local resolved = file.join(path,libname)
             if trace_locating then -- mode detail
-                report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'clibformat path': '%s'",libname,path)
+                report_libraries("! checking for '%s' using 'clibformat path': '%s'",libname,path)
             end
             if file.is_readable(resolved) then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'clibformat': '%s'",libname,resolved)
+                    report_libraries("! lib '%s' located via 'clibformat': '%s'",libname,resolved)
                 end
                 return package.loadlib(resolved,name)
             end
@@ -13095,28 +13152,28 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
         local libpath = clibpaths[i]
         local resolved = gsub(libpath,"?",simple)
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
-            report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.cpath': '%s'",simple,libpath)
+            report_libraries("! checking for '%s' on 'package.cpath': '%s'",simple,libpath)
         end
         if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.cpath': '%s'",name,resolved)
+                report_libraries("! lib '%s' located via 'package.cpath': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
             return package.loadlib(resolved,name)
         end
     end
     -- just in case the distribution is messed up
     if trace_loading then -- more detail
-        report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'luatexlibs': '%s'",name)
+        report_libraries("! checking for '%s' using 'luatexlibs': '%s'",name)
     end
     local resolved = resolvers.findfile(file.basename(name),'luatexlibs') or ""
     if resolved ~= "" then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located by basename via environment: '%s'",name,resolved)
+            report_libraries("! lib '%s' located by basename via environment: '%s'",name,resolved)
         end
         return loadfile(resolved)
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers('? unable to locate lib: %s',name)
+        report_libraries('? unable to locate lib: %s',name)
     end
 --  return "unable to locate " .. name
 end
@@ -13153,48 +13210,48 @@ local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_scripts = logs.new("resolvers","scripts")
 
 function resolvers.updatescript(oldname,newname) -- oldname -> own.name, not per se a suffix
     local scriptpath = "scripts/context/lua"
     newname = file.addsuffix(newname,"lua")
     local oldscript = resolvers.cleanpath(oldname)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("to be replaced old script %s", oldscript)
+        report_scripts("to be replaced old script %s", oldscript)
     end
     local newscripts = resolvers.findfiles(newname) or { }
     if #newscripts == 0 then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("unable to locate new script")
+            report_scripts("unable to locate new script")
         end
     else
         for i=1,#newscripts do
             local newscript = resolvers.cleanpath(newscripts[i])
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("checking new script %s", newscript)
+                report_scripts("checking new script %s", newscript)
             end
             if oldscript == newscript then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("old and new script are the same")
+                    report_scripts("old and new script are the same")
                 end
             elseif not find(newscript,scriptpath) then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("new script should come from %s",scriptpath)
+                    report_scripts("new script should come from %s",scriptpath)
                 end
             elseif not (find(oldscript,file.removesuffix(newname).."$") or find(oldscript,newname.."$")) then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("invalid new script name")
+                    report_scripts("invalid new script name")
                 end
             else
                 local newdata = io.loaddata(newscript)
                 if newdata then
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("old script content replaced by new content")
+                        report_scripts("old script content replaced by new content")
                     end
                     io.savedata(oldscript,newdata)
                     break
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("unable to load new script")
+                    report_scripts("unable to load new script")
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -13216,6 +13273,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-tmf'] = {
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
+local report_tds = logs.new("resolvers","tds")
+
 --  =  <<
 --  ?  ??
 --  <  +=
@@ -13236,11 +13295,11 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         local newpath = file.join(newtree,"bin")
 
         if not lfs.isdir(newtree) then
-            logs.simple("no '%s' under tree %s",texos,tree)
+            report_tds("no '%s' under tree %s",texos,tree)
             os.exit()
         end
         if not lfs.isdir(newpath) then
-            logs.simple("no '%s/bin' under tree %s",texos,tree)
+            report_tds("no '%s/bin' under tree %s",texos,tree)
             os.exit()
         end
 
@@ -13264,9 +13323,9 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         setenv('TEXMFCNF',       resolvers.luacnfspec, not resolve)
         setenv("PATH",           newpath .. io.pathseparator .. getenv("PATH"))
 
-        logs.simple("changing from root '%s' to '%s'",oldroot,newroot)
-        logs.simple("prepending '%s' to binary path",newpath)
-        logs.simple()
+        report_tds("changing from root '%s' to '%s'",oldroot,newroot)
+        report_tds("prepending '%s' to binary path",newpath)
+        report_tds()
     end
 end
 
@@ -13291,6 +13350,8 @@ resolvers.listers = resolvers.listers or { }
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
+local report_lists = logs.new("resolvers","lists")
+
 local function tabstr(str)
     if type(str) == 'table' then
         return concat(str," | ")
@@ -13319,11 +13380,11 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
     local exp = table.fastcopy(expansions)
     for key, value in table.sortedpairs(configured) do
         if key ~= "" and (pattern == "" or find(upper(key),pattern)) then
-            logs.simple(key)
-            logs.simple("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
-            logs.simple("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
-            logs.simple("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            logs.simple("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists(key)
+            report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
+            report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
+            report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = table.fastcopy(env)
@@ -13477,6 +13538,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['luat-fmt'] = {
 
 local format = string.format
 
+local report_format = logs.new("resolvers","formats")
+
 -- helper for mtxrun
 
 local quoted = string.quoted
@@ -13501,7 +13564,7 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
     if path ~= "" then
         lfs.chdir(path)
     end
-    logs.simple("format path: %s",lfs.currentdir())
+    report_format("format path: %s",lfs.currentdir())
     -- check source file
     local texsourcename = file.addsuffix(name,"mkiv")
     local fulltexsourcename = resolvers.findfile(texsourcename,"tex") or ""
@@ -13510,11 +13573,11 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
         fulltexsourcename = resolvers.findfile(texsourcename,"tex") or ""
     end
     if fulltexsourcename == "" then
-        logs.simple("no tex source file with name: %s (mkiv or tex)",name)
+        report_format("no tex source file with name: %s (mkiv or tex)",name)
         lfs.chdir(olddir)
         return
     else
-        logs.simple("using tex source file: %s",fulltexsourcename)
+        report_format("using tex source file: %s",fulltexsourcename)
     end
     local texsourcepath = dir.expandname(file.dirname(fulltexsourcename)) -- really needed
     -- check specification
@@ -13525,7 +13588,7 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
         fullspecificationname = resolvers.findfile(specificationname,"tex") or ""
     end
     if fullspecificationname == "" then
-        logs.simple("unknown stub specification: %s",specificationname)
+        report_format("unknown stub specification: %s",specificationname)
         lfs.chdir(olddir)
         return
     end
@@ -13536,39 +13599,39 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
     if type(usedlualibs) == "string" then
         usedluastub = file.join(file.dirname(fullspecificationname),usedlualibs)
     elseif type(usedlualibs) == "table" then
-        logs.simple("using stub specification: %s",fullspecificationname)
+        report_format("using stub specification: %s",fullspecificationname)
         local texbasename = file.basename(name)
         local luastubname = file.addsuffix(texbasename,"lua")
         local lucstubname = file.addsuffix(texbasename,"luc")
         -- pack libraries in stub
-        logs.simple("creating initialization file: %s",luastubname)
+        report_format("creating initialization file: %s",luastubname)
         utilities.merger.selfcreate(usedlualibs,specificationpath,luastubname)
         -- compile stub file (does not save that much as we don't use this stub at startup any more)
         local strip = resolvers.booleanvariable("LUACSTRIP", true)
         if utilities.lua.compile(luastubname,lucstubname) and lfs.isfile(lucstubname) then
-            logs.simple("using compiled initialization file: %s",lucstubname)
+            report_format("using compiled initialization file: %s",lucstubname)
             usedluastub = lucstubname
         else
-            logs.simple("using uncompiled initialization file: %s",luastubname)
+            report_format("using uncompiled initialization file: %s",luastubname)
             usedluastub = luastubname
         end
     else
-        logs.simple("invalid stub specification: %s",fullspecificationname)
+        report_format("invalid stub specification: %s",fullspecificationname)
         lfs.chdir(olddir)
         return
     end
     -- generate format
     local command = format("luatex --ini %s --lua=%s %s %sdump",primaryflags(),quoted(usedluastub),quoted(fulltexsourcename),os.platform == "unix" and "\\\\" or "\\")
-    logs.simple("running command: %s\n",command)
+    report_format("running command: %s\n",command)
     os.spawn(command)
     -- remove related mem files
     local pattern = file.removesuffix(file.basename(usedluastub)).."-*.mem"
- -- logs.simple("removing related mplib format with pattern '%s'", pattern)
+ -- report_format("removing related mplib format with pattern '%s'", pattern)
     local mp = dir.glob(pattern)
     if mp then
         for i=1,#mp do
             local name = mp[i]
-            logs.simple("removing related mplib format %s", file.basename(name))
+            report_format("removing related mplib format %s", file.basename(name))
             os.remove(name)
         end
     end
@@ -13585,7 +13648,7 @@ function environment.run_format(name,data,more)
         end
         fmtname = resolvers.cleanpath(fmtname)
         if fmtname == "" then
-            logs.simple("no format with name: %s",name)
+            report_format("no format with name: %s",name)
         else
             local barename = file.removesuffix(name) -- expanded name
             local luaname = file.addsuffix(barename,"luc")
@@ -13593,11 +13656,11 @@ function environment.run_format(name,data,more)
                 luaname = file.addsuffix(barename,"lua")
             end
             if not lfs.isfile(luaname) then
-                logs.simple("using format name: %s",fmtname)
-                logs.simple("no luc/lua with name: %s",barename)
+                report_format("using format name: %s",fmtname)
+                report_format("no luc/lua with name: %s",barename)
             else
                 local command = format("luatex %s --fmt=%s --lua=%s %s %s",primaryflags(),quoted(barename),quoted(luaname),quoted(data),more ~= "" and quoted(more) or "")
-                logs.simple("running command: %s",command)
+                report_format("running command: %s",command)
                 os.spawn(command)
             end
         end
@@ -13750,8 +13813,6 @@ if not resolvers then
     os.exit()
 end
 
-logs.setprogram('MTXrun',"TDS Runner Tool 1.30")
-
 if environment.arguments["verbose"] then
     trackers.enable("resolvers.locating")
 end
@@ -13764,10 +13825,7 @@ if trackspec then
     trackers.enable(trackspec)
 end
 
-runners  = runners  or { } -- global
-messages = messages or { }
-
-messages.help = [[
+local helpinfo = [[
 --script              run an mtx script (lua prefered method) (--noquotes), no script gives list
 --execute             run a script or program (texmfstart method) (--noquotes)
 --resolve             resolve prefixed arguments
@@ -13819,6 +13877,19 @@ messages.help = [[
 --pattern=str         filter variables
 ]]
 
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtxrun",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt TDS Runner Tool 1.30",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
+local verbose = environment.argument("verbose")
+
+messages = messages or { } -- for the mo
+
+runners = runners  or { } -- global
 
 runners.applications = {
     ["lua"] = "luatex --luaonly",
@@ -13872,17 +13943,16 @@ end
 
 function runners.prepare()
     local checkname = environment.argument("ifchanged")
-    local verbose = environment.argument("verbose")
     if type(checkname) == "string" and checkname ~= "" then
         local oldchecksum = file.loadchecksum(checkname)
         local newchecksum = file.checksum(checkname)
         if oldchecksum == newchecksum then
             if verbose then
-                logs.simple("file '%s' is unchanged",checkname)
+                report("file '%s' is unchanged",checkname)
             end
             return "skip"
         elseif verbose then
-            logs.simple("file '%s' is changed, processing started",checkname)
+            report("file '%s' is changed, processing started",checkname)
         end
         file.savechecksum(checkname)
     end
@@ -13892,17 +13962,17 @@ function runners.prepare()
         if oldname and newname and oldname ~= "" and newname ~= "" then
             if not file.needs_updating(oldname,newname) then
                 if verbose then
-                    logs.simple("file '%s' and '%s' have same age",oldname,newname)
+                    report("file '%s' and '%s' have same age",oldname,newname)
                 end
                 return "skip"
             elseif verbose then
-                logs.simple("file '%s' is older than '%s'",oldname,newname)
+                report("file '%s' is older than '%s'",oldname,newname)
             end
         end
     end
     local runpath = environment.argument("path")
     if type(runpath) == "string" and not lfs.chdir(runpath) then
-        logs.simple("unable to change to path '%s'",runpath)
+        report("unable to change to path '%s'",runpath)
         return "error"
     end
     runners.prepare = function() end
@@ -13961,11 +14031,11 @@ function runners.execute_script(fullname,internal,nosplit)
                         result = binary .. " " .. result
                     end
                     local command = result .. " " .. environment.reconstructcommandline(environment.arguments_after,noquote)
-                    if logs.verbose then
-                        logs.simpleline()
-                        logs.simple("executing: %s",command)
-                        logs.simpleline()
-                        logs.simpleline()
+                    if verbose then
+                        report()
+                        report("executing: %s",command)
+                        report()
+                        report()
                         io.flush()
                     end
                     -- no os.exec because otherwise we get the wrong return value
@@ -13980,9 +14050,9 @@ function runners.execute_script(fullname,internal,nosplit)
                                     return false
                                 end
                             end
-                            logs.simpleline()
-                            logs.simple("This script needs '%s' which seems not to be installed.",binary)
-                            logs.simpleline()
+                            report()
+                            report("This script needs '%s' which seems not to be installed.",binary)
+                            report()
                         end
                         return false
                     end
@@ -14007,10 +14077,10 @@ function runners.execute_program(fullname)
             environment.initializearguments(after)
             fullname = fullname:gsub("^bin:","")
             local command = fullname .. " " .. (environment.reconstructcommandline(after or "",noquote) or "")
-            logs.simpleline()
-            logs.simple("executing: %s",command)
-            logs.simpleline()
-            logs.simpleline()
+            report()
+            report("executing: %s",command)
+            report()
+            report()
             io.flush()
             local code = os.exec(command) -- (fullname,unpack(after)) does not work / maybe spawn
             return code == 0
@@ -14042,18 +14112,18 @@ function runners.handle_stubs(create)
             if create then
                 if windows then
                     io.savedata(file.join(stubpath,base..".bat"),string.format(windows_stub,name))
-                    logs.simple("windows stub for '%s' created",base)
+                    report("windows stub for '%s' created",base)
                 end
                 if unix then
                     io.savedata(file.join(stubpath,base),string.format(unix_stub,name))
-                    logs.simple("unix stub for '%s' created",base)
+                    report("unix stub for '%s' created",base)
                 end
             else
                 if windows and (os.remove(file.join(stubpath,base..'.bat')) or os.remove(file.join(stubpath,base..'.cmd'))) then
-                    logs.simple("windows stub for '%s' removed", base)
+                    report("windows stub for '%s' removed", base)
                 end
                 if unix and (os.remove(file.join(stubpath,base)) or os.remove(file.join(stubpath,base..'.sh'))) then
-                    logs.simple("unix stub for '%s' removed",base)
+                    report("unix stub for '%s' removed",base)
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -14078,12 +14148,12 @@ function runners.locate_platform()
 end
 
 function runners.report_location(result)
-    if logs.verbose then
-        logs.simpleline()
+    if verbose then
+        reportline()
         if result and result ~= "" then
-            logs.simple(result)
+            report(result)
         else
-            logs.simple("not found")
+            report("not found")
         end
     else
         io.write(result)
@@ -14095,11 +14165,11 @@ function runners.edit_script(filename) -- we assume that gvim is present on most
     local rest = resolvers.resolve(filename)
     if rest ~= "" then
         local command = editor .. " " .. rest
-        if logs.verbose then
-            logs.simpleline()
-            logs.simple("starting editor: %s",command)
-            logs.simple_line()
-            logs.simple_line()
+        if verbose then
+            report()
+            report("starting editor: %s",command)
+            report()
+            report()
         end
         os.launch(command)
     end
@@ -14148,7 +14218,7 @@ function runners.launch_file(filename)
         pattern = filename
     end
     if not pattern or pattern == "" then
-        logs.simple("provide name or --pattern=")
+        report("provide name or --pattern=")
     else
         local t = resolvers.findfiles(pattern)
         if not t or #t == 0 then
@@ -14160,15 +14230,15 @@ function runners.launch_file(filename)
         if t and #t > 0 then
             if environment.arguments["all"] then
                 for _, v in pairs(t) do
-                    logs.simple("launching %s", v)
+                    report("launching %s", v)
                     resolvers.launch(v)
                 end
             else
-                logs.simple("launching %s", t[1])
+                report("launching %s", t[1])
                 resolvers.launch(t[1])
             end
         else
-            logs.simple("no match for %s", pattern)
+            report("no match for %s", pattern)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -14239,7 +14309,7 @@ function runners.execute_ctx_script(filename,...)
     local fullname = runners.find_mtx_script(filename) or ""
     if file.extname(fullname) == "cld" then
         -- handy in editors where we force --autopdf
-        logs.simple("running cld script: %s",filename)
+        report("running cld script: %s",filename)
         table.insert(arguments,1,fullname)
         table.insert(arguments,"--autopdf")
         fullname = runners.find_mtx_script("context") or ""
@@ -14270,8 +14340,8 @@ function runners.execute_ctx_script(filename,...)
                 runners.load_script_session(loadname)
             end
             filename = environment.files[1]
-            if logs.verbose then
-                logs.simple("using script: %s\n",fullname)
+            if verbose then
+                report("using script: %s\n",fullname)
             end
             environment.ownscript = fullname
             dofile(fullname)
@@ -14306,24 +14376,23 @@ function runners.execute_ctx_script(filename,...)
                     end
                 end
                 if #valid > 0 then
-                    logs.reportbanner()
-                    logs.reportline()
-                    logs.simple("no script name given, known scripts:")
-                    logs.simple()
+                    application.identify()
+                    report("no script name given, known scripts:")
+                    report()
                     for k=1,#valid do
                         local v = valid[k]
-                        logs.simple("%-12s  %4s  %s",v[1],v[2],v[3])
+                        report("%-12s  %4s  %s",v[1],v[2],v[3])
                     end
                 end
             else
-                logs.simple("no script name given")
+                report("no script name given")
             end
         else
             filename = file.addsuffix(filename,"lua")
             if file.is_qualified_path(filename) then
-                logs.simple("unknown script '%s'",filename)
+                report("unknown script '%s'",filename)
             else
-                logs.simple("unknown script '%s' or 'mtx-%s'",filename,filename)
+                report("unknown script '%s' or 'mtx-%s'",filename,filename)
             end
         end
         return false
@@ -14331,9 +14400,9 @@ function runners.execute_ctx_script(filename,...)
 end
 
 function runners.prefixes()
-    logs.reportbanner()
-    logs.reportline()
-    logs.simple(table.concat(resolvers.allprefixes(true)," "))
+    application.identify()
+    report()
+    report(table.concat(resolvers.allprefixes(true)," "))
 end
 
 function runners.timedrun(filename) -- just for me
@@ -14385,7 +14454,7 @@ if environment.argument("usekpse") or environment.argument("forcekpse") or is_mk
         local t = os.clock()
         local k = kpse.original.new("luatex",progname)
         local dummy = k:find_file("mtxrun.lua") -- so that we're initialized
-        logs.simple("kpse fallback with progname '%s' initialized in %s seconds",progname,os.clock()-t)
+        report("kpse fallback with progname '%s' initialized in %s seconds",progname,os.clock()-t)
         kpse_initialized = function() return k end
         return k
     end
@@ -14432,11 +14501,11 @@ else
 
     function runners.loadbase(...)
         if not resolvers.load(...) then
-            logs.simple("forcing cache reload")
+            report("forcing cache reload")
             instance.renewcache = true
             trackers.enable("resolvers.locating")
             if not resolvers.load(...) then
-                logs.simple("the resolver databases are not present or outdated")
+                report("the resolver databases are not present or outdated")
             end
         end
     end
@@ -14595,8 +14664,8 @@ elseif environment.argument("find-path") then
 
     resolvers.load()
     local path = resolvers.findpath(filename, instance.my_format)
-    if logs.verbose then
-        logs.simple(path)
+    if verbose then
+        report(path)
     else
         print(path)
     end
@@ -14651,7 +14720,7 @@ elseif environment.argument("format-path") then
     -- luatools: runners.execute_ctx_script("mtx-base","--format-path",filename)
 
     resolvers.load()
-    logs.simple(caches.getwritablepath("format"))
+    report(caches.getwritablepath("format"))
 
 elseif environment.argument("pattern") then
 
@@ -14695,7 +14764,7 @@ elseif environment.argument("help") and filename=='base' then
 
 elseif environment.argument("help") or filename=='help' or filename == "" then
 
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 
 elseif filename:find("^bin:") then
 
@@ -14729,9 +14798,9 @@ else
 
 end
 
-if logs.verbose then
-    logs.simpleline()
-    logs.simple("runtime: %0.3f seconds",os.runtime())
+if verbose then
+    report()
+    report("runtime: %0.3f seconds",os.runtime())
 end
 
 if os.type ~= "windows" then
diff --git a/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun b/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
index 31d7d9b0f..afc472d1c 100755
--- a/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
+++ b/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtxrun'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-
 -- one can make a stub:
 --
 -- #!/bin/sh
@@ -132,11 +131,7 @@ local simple_escapes = {
 }
 
 function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
-    if simple then
-        return (gsub(str,".",simple_escapes))
-    else
-        return (gsub(str,".",patterns_escapes))
-    end
+    return (gsub(str,".",simple and simple_escapes or patterns_escapes))
 end
 
 function string.topattern(str,lowercase,strict)
@@ -556,11 +551,7 @@ local p = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / patterns_escapes + anything)^0)
 local s = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / simple_escapes   + anything)^0)
 
 function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
-    if simple then
-        return match(s,str)
-    else
-        return match(p,str)
-    end
+    return match(simple and s or p,str)
 end
 
 -- utf extensies
@@ -3826,7 +3817,7 @@ local type, next = type, next
 
 utilities        = utilities or {}
 utilities.merger = utilities.merger or { } -- maybe mergers
-utilities.report = utilities.report or print
+utilities.report = logs and logs.new("system") or print
 
 local merger     = utilities.merger
 
@@ -3964,7 +3955,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-lua'] = {
 
 utilities        = utilities or {}
 utilities.lua    = utilities.lua or { }
-utilities.report = utilities.report or print
+utilities.report = logs and logs.new("system") or print
 
 function utilities.lua.compile(luafile,lucfile,cleanup,strip) -- defaults: cleanup=false strip=true
     utilities.report("lua: compiling %s into %s",luafile,lucfile)
@@ -4577,19 +4568,21 @@ function statistics.show(reporter)
     end
 end
 
-
-local template, nn = nil, 0 -- we only calcute it once
+local template, report_statistics, nn = nil, nil, 0 -- we only calcute it once
 
 function statistics.showjobstat(tag,data,n)
-    if type(data) == "table" then
+    if not logs then
+        -- sorry
+    elseif type(data) == "table" then
         for i=1,#data do
             statistics.showjobstat(tag,data[i],n)
         end
     else
         if not template or n > nn then
-            template, n = format("%%-%ss: %%-%ss - %%s",15,n), nn
+            template, n = format("%%-%ss - %%s",n), nn
+            report_statistics = logs.new("mkiv lua stats")
         end
-        write_nl(format(template,"mkiv lua stats",tag,data))
+        report_statistics(format(template,tag,data))
     end
 end
 
@@ -4610,7 +4603,7 @@ function statistics.runtime()
 end
 
 function statistics.timed(action,report)
-    report = report or logs.simple
+    report = report or logs.new("system")
     starttiming("run")
     action()
     stoptiming("run")
@@ -4664,14 +4657,10 @@ local data = { } -- maybe just local
 
 local trace_initialize = false -- only for testing during development
 
-local function report(a,b,...)
-    texio.write_nl(format("%-16s> %s",a,format(b,...)))
-end
-
 function setters.initialize(filename,name,values) -- filename only for diagnostics
-    local data = data[name]
-    if data then
-        data = data.data
+    local setter = data[name]
+    if setter then
+        local data = data.data
         if data then
             for key, value in next, values do
              -- key = gsub(key,"_",".")
@@ -4680,7 +4669,7 @@ function setters.initialize(filename,name,values) -- filename only for diagnosti
                 if functions then
                     if #functions > 0 and not functions.value then
                         if trace_initialize then
-                            report(name,"executing %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
+                            setter.report("executing %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
                         end
                         for i=1,#functions do
                             functions[i](value)
@@ -4688,7 +4677,7 @@ function setters.initialize(filename,name,values) -- filename only for diagnosti
                         functions.value = value
                     else
                         if trace_initialize then
-                            report(name,"skipping %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
+                            setter.report("skipping %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
                         end
                     end
                 else
@@ -4697,7 +4686,7 @@ function setters.initialize(filename,name,values) -- filename only for diagnosti
                     functions = { default = value }
                     data[key] = functions
                     if trace_initialize then
-                        report(name,"storing %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
+                        setter.report("storing %s (%s -> %s)",key,filename,tostring(value))
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -4724,10 +4713,11 @@ local function set(t,what,newvalue)
         else
             value = is_boolean(value,value)
         end
+        w = escapedpattern(w,true)
         for name, functions in next, data do
             if done[name] then
                 -- prevent recursion due to wildcards
-            elseif find(name,escapedpattern(w,true)) then
+            elseif find(name,w) then
                 done[name] = true
                 for i=1,#functions do
                     functions[i](value)
@@ -4769,7 +4759,7 @@ function setters.register(t,what,...)
         functions = { }
         data[what] = functions
         if trace_initialize then
-            report(t.name,"defining %s",what)
+            t.report("defining %s",what)
         end
     end
     local default = functions.default -- can be set from cnf file
@@ -4777,7 +4767,7 @@ function setters.register(t,what,...)
         local typ = type(fnc)
         if typ == "string" then
             if trace_initialize then
-                report(t.name,"coupling %s to %s",what,fnc)
+                t.report("coupling %s to %s",what,fnc)
             end
             local s = fnc -- else wrong reference
             fnc = function(value) set(t,s,value) end
@@ -4831,9 +4821,9 @@ function setters.list(t) -- pattern
 end
 
 function setters.show(t)
-    commands.writestatus("","")
-    local list = setters.list(t)
     local category = t.name
+    local list = setters.list(t)
+    t.report()
     for k=1,#list do
         local name = list[k]
         local functions = t.data[name]
@@ -4841,10 +4831,10 @@ function setters.show(t)
             local value, default, modules = functions.value, functions.default, #functions
             value   = value   == nil and "unset" or tostring(value)
             default = default == nil and "unset" or tostring(default)
-            commands.writestatus(category,format("%-30s   modules: %2i   default: %5s   value: %5s",name,modules,default,value))
+            t.report("%-30s   modules: %2i   default: %6s   value: %6s",name,modules,default,value)
         end
     end
-    commands.writestatus("","")
+    t.report()
 end
 
 -- we could have used a bit of oo and the trackers:enable syntax but
@@ -4854,57 +4844,62 @@ end
 
 local enable, disable, register, list, show = setters.enable, setters.disable, setters.register, setters.list, setters.show
 
+local function report(setter,...)
+    local report = logs and logs.report
+    if report then
+        report(setter.name,...)
+    else -- fallback, as this module is loaded before the logger
+        write_nl(format("%-16s: %s\n",setter.name,format(...)))
+    end
+end
+
 function setters.new(name)
-    local t -- we need to access it in t
-    t = {
+    local setter -- we need to access it in setter itself
+    setter = {
         data     = allocate(), -- indexed, but also default and value fields
         name     = name,
-        enable   = function(...) enable  (t,...) end,
-        disable  = function(...) disable (t,...) end,
-        register = function(...) register(t,...) end,
-        list     = function(...) list    (t,...) end,
-        show     = function(...) show    (t,...) end,
+        report   = function(...) report  (setter,...) end,
+        enable   = function(...) enable  (setter,...) end,
+        disable  = function(...) disable (setter,...) end,
+        register = function(...) register(setter,...) end,
+        list     = function(...) list    (setter,...) end,
+        show     = function(...) show    (setter,...) end,
     }
-    data[name] = t
-    return t
+    data[name] = setter
+    return setter
 end
 
 trackers    = setters.new("trackers")
 directives  = setters.new("directives")
 experiments = setters.new("experiments")
 
-local t_enable, t_disable = trackers   .enable, trackers   .disable
-local d_enable, d_disable = directives .enable, directives .disable
-local e_enable, e_disable = experiments.enable, experiments.disable
+local t_enable, t_disable, t_report = trackers   .enable, trackers   .disable, trackers   .report
+local d_enable, d_disable, d_report = directives .enable, directives .disable, directives .report
+local e_enable, e_disable, e_report = experiments.enable, experiments.disable, experiments.report
 
 -- nice trick: we overload two of the directives related functions with variants that
 -- do tracing (itself using a tracker) .. proof of concept
 
-local function report(...) -- messy .. chicken or egg
-    local p = (commands and commands.writestatus) or (logs and logs.report)
-    if p then p(...) end
-end
-
 local trace_directives  = false local trace_directives  = false  trackers.register("system.directives",  function(v) trace_directives  = v end)
 local trace_experiments = false local trace_experiments = false  trackers.register("system.experiments", function(v) trace_experiments = v end)
 
 function directives.enable(...)
-    report("directives","enabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
+    d_report("enabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
     d_enable(...)
 end
 
 function directives.disable(...)
-    report("directives","disabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
+    d_report("disabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
     d_disable(...)
 end
 
 function experiments.enable(...)
-    report("experiments","enabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
+    e_report("enabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
     e_enable(...)
 end
 
 function experiments.disable(...)
-    report("experiments","disabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
+    e_report("disabling: %s",concat({...}," "))
     e_disable(...)
 end
 
@@ -4967,20 +4962,19 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-log'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
--- xml logging is only usefull in normal runs, not in ini mode
--- it looks like some tex logging (like filenames) is broken (no longer
--- interceoted at the tex end so the xml variant is not that useable now)
+-- todo: less categories, more subcategories (e.g. nodes)
 
 
 local write_nl, write = texio and texio.write_nl or print, texio and texio.write or io.write
-local format, gmatch = string.format, string.gmatch
+local format, gmatch, find = string.format, string.gmatch, string.find
+local concat = table.concat
+local escapedpattern = string.escapedpattern
 local texcount = tex and tex.count
+local next, type = next, type
 
 --[[ldx--
-<p>This is a prelude to a more extensive logging module. For the sake
-of parsing log files, in addition to the standard logging we will
-provide an <l n='xml'/> structured file. Actually, any logging that
-is hooked into callbacks will be \XML\ by default.</p>
+<p>This is a prelude to a more extensive logging module. We no longer
+provide <l n='xml'/> based logging a sparsing is relatively easy anyway.</p>
 --ldx]]--
 
 logs       = logs or { }
@@ -4998,96 +4992,239 @@ webpage  : http://www.pragma-ade.nl / http://tex.aanhet.net
 wiki     : http://contextgarden.net
 ]]
 
-local functions = {
-    'report', 'status', 'start', 'stop', 'push', 'pop', 'line', 'direct',
-    'start_run', 'stop_run',
-    'start_page_number', 'stop_page_number',
-    'report_output_pages', 'report_output_log',
-    'report_tex_stat', 'report_job_stat',
-    'show_open', 'show_close', 'show_load',
-    'dummy',
-}
+-- local functions = {
+--     'report', 'status', 'start', 'stop', 'line', 'direct',
+--     'start_run', 'stop_run',
+--     'start_page_number', 'stop_page_number',
+--     'report_output_pages', 'report_output_log',
+--     'report_tex_stat', 'report_job_stat',
+--     'show_open', 'show_close', 'show_load',
+--     'dummy',
+-- }
 
-local method = "nop"
+-- basic loggers
 
-function logs.setmethod(newmethod)
-    method = newmethod
-    -- a direct copy might be faster but let's try this for a while
-    setmetatable(logs, { __index = logs[method] })
-end
+local function ignore() end
 
-function logs.getmethod()
-    return method
-end
+setmetatable(logs, { __index = function(t,k) t[k] = ignore ; return ignore end })
 
--- installer
+-- local separator = (tex and (tex.jobname or tex.formatname)) and ">" or "|"
 
-local data = { }
+local report, subreport
 
-function logs.new(category)
-    local logger = data[category]
-    if not logger then
-        logger = function(...)
-            logs.report(category,...)
+if tex and tex.jobname or tex.formatname then
+
+    report = function(a,b,c,...)
+        if c then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s\n",a,format(b,c,...)))
+        elseif b then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s\n",a,b))
+        elseif a then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s >\n",   a))
+        else
+            write_nl("\n")
         end
-        data[category] = logger
     end
-    return logger
-end
 
+    subreport = function(a,sub,b,c,...)
+        if c then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s > %s\n",a,sub,format(b,c,...)))
+        elseif b then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s > %s\n",a,sub,b))
+        elseif a then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s > %s >\n",   a,sub))
+        else
+            write_nl("\n")
+        end
+    end
 
--- nop logging (maybe use __call instead)
-
-local noplog = { } logs.nop = noplog  setmetatable(logs, { __index = noplog })
+else
 
-for i=1,#functions do
-    noplog[functions[i]] = function() end
-end
+    report = function(a,b,c,...)
+        if c then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s",a,format(b,c,...)))
+        elseif b then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s",a,b))
+        elseif a then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s |",   a))
+        else
+            write_nl("")
+        end
+    end
 
--- tex logging
+    subreport = function(a,sub,b,c,...)
+        if c then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s | %s",a,sub,format(b,c,...)))
+        elseif b then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s | %s",a,sub,b))
+        elseif a then
+            write_nl(format("%-15s | %s |",   a,sub))
+        else
+            write_nl("")
+        end
+    end
 
-local texlog = { }  logs.tex = texlog  setmetatable(texlog, { __index = noplog })
+end
 
-function texlog.report(a,b,c,...)
+function logs.status(a,b,c,...) -- at the tex end
     if c then
-        write_nl(format("%-16s> %s\n",a,format(b,c,...)))
+        write_nl(format("%-15s : %s\n",a,format(b,c,...)))
     elseif b then
-        write_nl(format("%-16s> %s\n",a,b))
+        write_nl(format("%-15s : %s\n",a,b)) -- b can have %'s
+    elseif a then
+        write_nl(format("%-15s :\n",   a))
     else
-        write_nl(format("%-16s>\n",a))
+        write_nl("\n")
     end
 end
 
-function texlog.status(a,b,c,...)
-    if c then
-        write_nl(format("%-16s: %s\n",a,format(b,c,...)))
-    elseif b then
-        write_nl(format("%-16s: %s\n",a,b)) -- b can have %'s
-    else
-        write_nl(format("%-16s:>\n",a))
+logs.report    = report
+logs.subreport = subreport
+
+-- installer
+
+-- todo: renew (un) locks when a new one is added and wildcard
+
+local data, states = { }, nil
+
+function logs.reporter(category,subcategory)
+    local logger = data[category]
+    if not logger then
+        local state = false
+        if states == true then
+            state = true
+        elseif type(states) == "table" then
+            for c, _ in next, states do
+                if find(category,c) then
+                    state = true
+                    break
+                end
+            end
+        end
+        logger = {
+            reporters = { },
+            state = state,
+        }
+        data[category] = logger
+    end
+    local reporter = logger.reporters[subcategory or "default"]
+    if not reporter then
+        if subcategory then
+            reporter = function(...)
+                if not logger.state then
+                    subreport(category,subcategory,...)
+                end
+            end
+            logger.reporters[subcategory] = reporter
+        else
+            local tag = category
+            reporter = function(...)
+                if not logger.state then
+                    report(category,...)
+                end
+            end
+            logger.reporters.default = reporter
+        end
     end
+    return reporter
 end
 
-function texlog.line(fmt,...) -- new
-    if fmt then
-        write_nl(format(fmt,...))
+logs.new = logs.reporter
+
+local function doset(category,value)
+    if category == true then
+        -- lock all
+        category, value = "*", true
+    elseif category == false then
+        -- unlock all
+        category, value = "*", false
+    elseif value == nil then
+        -- lock selective
+        value = true
+    end
+    if category == "*" then
+        states = value
+        for k, v in next, data do
+            v.state = value
+        end
     else
-        write_nl("")
+        states = utilities.parsers.settings_to_hash(category)
+        for c, _ in next, states do
+            if data[c] then
+                v.state = value
+            else
+                c = escapedpattern(c,true)
+                for k, v in next, data do
+                    if find(k,c) then
+                        v.state = value
+                    end
+                end
+            end
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function logs.disable(category,value)
+    doset(category,value == nil and true or value)
+end
+
+function logs.enable(category)
+    doset(category,false)
+end
+
+function logs.categories()
+    return table.sortedkeys(data)
+end
+
+function logs.show()
+    local n, c, s, max = 0, 0, 0, 0
+    for category, v in table.sortedpairs(data) do
+        n = n + 1
+        local state = v.state
+        local reporters = v.reporters
+        local nc = #category
+        if nc > c then
+            c = nc
+        end
+        for subcategory, _ in next, reporters do
+            local ns = #subcategory
+            if ns > c then
+                s = ns
+            end
+            local m = nc + ns
+            if m > max then
+                max = m
+            end
+        end
+        local subcategories = concat(table.sortedkeys(reporters),", ")
+        if state == true then
+            state = "disabled"
+        elseif state == false then
+            state = "enabled"
+        else
+            state = "unknown"
+        end
+        -- no new here
+        report("logging","category: '%s', subcategories: '%s', state: '%s'",category,subcategories,state)
     end
+    report("logging","categories: %s, max category: %s, max subcategory: %s, max combined: %s",n,c,s,max)
 end
 
+directives.register("logs.blocked", function(v)
+    doset(v,true)
+end)
 
+-- tex specific loggers (might move elsewhere)
 
+local report_pages = logs.reporter("pages") -- not needed but saves checking when we grep for it
 
 local real, user, sub
 
-function texlog.start_page_number()
+function logs.start_page_number()
     real, user, sub = texcount.realpageno, texcount.userpageno, texcount.subpageno
 end
 
-local report_pages = logs.new("pages") -- not needed but saves checking when we grep for it
-
-function texlog.stop_page_number()
+function logs.stop_page_number()
     if real > 0 then
         if user > 0 then
             if sub > 0 then
@@ -5104,176 +5241,98 @@ function texlog.stop_page_number()
     io.flush()
 end
 
-texlog.report_job_stat = statistics and statistics.showjobstat
+logs.report_job_stat = statistics and statistics.showjobstat
 
--- xml logging
+local report_files = logs.reporter("files")
 
-local xmllog = { }  logs.xml = xmllog  setmetatable(xmllog, { __index = noplog })
+local nesting = 0
+local verbose = false
 
-function xmllog.report(category,fmt,s,...) -- new
-    if s then
-        write_nl(format("<r category='%s'>%s</r>",category,format(fmt,s,...)))
-    elseif fmt then
-        write_nl(format("<r category='%s'>%s</r>",category,fmt))
-    else
-        write_nl(format("<r category='%s'/>",category))
+function logs.show_open(name)
+    if verbose then
+        nesting = nesting + 1
+        report_files("level %s, opening %s",nesting,name)
     end
 end
 
-function xmllog.status(category,fmt,s,...)
-    if s then
-        write_nl(format("<s category='%s'>%s</r>",category,format(fmt,s,...)))
-    elseif fmt then
-        write_nl(format("<s category='%s'>%s</r>",category,fmt))
-    else
-        write_nl(format("<s category='%s'/>",category))
+function logs.show_close(name)
+    if verbose then
+        report_files("level %s, closing %s",nesting,name)
+        nesting = nesting - 1
     end
 end
 
-function xmllog.line(fmt,...) -- new
-    if fmt then
-        write_nl(format("<r>%s</r>",format(fmt,...)))
-    else
-        write_nl("<r/>")
+function logs.show_load(name)
+    if verbose then
+        report_files("level %s, loading %s",nesting+1,name)
     end
 end
 
-function xmllog.start() write_nl("<%s>" ) end
-function xmllog.stop () write_nl("</%s>") end
-function xmllog.push () write_nl("<!-- ") end
-function xmllog.pop  () write_nl(" -->" ) end
-
-function xmllog.start_run()
-    write_nl("<?xml version='1.0' standalone='yes'?>")
-    write_nl("<job>") --  xmlns='www.pragma-ade.com/luatex/schemas/context-job.rng'
-    write_nl("")
-end
-
-function xmllog.stop_run()
-    write_nl("</job>")
-end
-
-function xmllog.start_page_number()
-    write_nl(format("<p real='%s' page='%s' sub='%s'", texcount.realpageno, texcount.userpageno, texcount.subpageno))
-end
-
-function xmllog.stop_page_number()
-    write("/>")
-    write_nl("")
-end
+-- there may be scripts out there using this:
 
-function xmllog.report_output_pages(p,b)
-    write_nl(format("<v k='pages' v='%s'/>", p))
-    write_nl(format("<v k='bytes' v='%s'/>", b))
-    write_nl("")
-end
-
-function xmllog.report_output_log()
-    -- nothing
-end
+local simple = logs.reporter("comment")
 
-function xmllog.report_tex_stat(k,v)
-    write_nl("log","<v k='"..k.."'>"..tostring(v).."</v>")
-end
-
-local nesting = 0
-
-function xmllog.show_open(name)
-    nesting = nesting + 1
-    write_nl(format("<f l='%s' n='%s'>",nesting,name))
-end
+logs.simple     = simple
+logs.simpleline = simple
 
-function xmllog.show_close(name)
-    write("</f> ")
-    nesting = nesting - 1
-end
-
-function xmllog.show_load(name)
-    write_nl(format("<f l='%s' n='%s'/>",nesting+1,name))
-end
-
--- initialization
-
-if tex and (tex.jobname or tex.formatname) then
-    -- todo: this can be set in mtxrun ... or maybe we should just forget about this alternative format
-    if (os.getenv("mtx.directives.logmethod") or os.getenv("mtx_directives_logmethod")) == "xml" then
-        logs.setmethod('xml')
-    else
-        logs.setmethod('tex')
-    end
-else
-    logs.setmethod('nop')
-end
+-- obsolete
 
--- logging in runners -> these are actually the nop loggers
+function logs.setprogram  () end -- obsolete
+function logs.extendbanner() end -- obsolete
+function logs.reportlines () end -- obsolete
+function logs.reportbanner() end -- obsolete
+function logs.reportline  () end -- obsolete
+function logs.simplelines () end -- obsolete
+function logs.help        () end -- obsolete
 
-local name, banner = 'report', 'context'
+-- applications
 
-function noplog.report(category,fmt,...) -- todo: fmt,s
-    if fmt then
-        write_nl(format("%s | %s: %s",name,category,format(fmt,...)))
-    elseif category then
-        write_nl(format("%s | %s",name,category))
-    else
-        write_nl(format("%s |",name))
+local function reportlines(t,str)
+    if str then
+        for line in gmatch(str,"(.-)[\n\r]") do
+            t.report(line)
+        end
     end
 end
 
-noplog.status = noplog.report -- just to be sure, never used
-
-function noplog.simple(fmt,...) -- todo: fmt,s
-    if fmt then
-        write_nl(format("%s | %s",name,format(fmt,...)))
-    else
-        write_nl(format("%s |",name))
+local function reportbanner(t)
+    local banner = t.banner
+    if banner then
+        t.report(banner)
+        t.report()
     end
 end
 
-if utilities then
-    utilities.report = function(...) logs.simple(...) end
-end
-
-function logs.setprogram(newname,newbanner)
-    name, banner = newname, newbanner
-end
-
-function logs.extendbanner(newbanner)
-    banner = banner .. " | ".. newbanner
-end
-
-function logs.reportlines(str) -- todo: <lines></lines>
-    for line in gmatch(str,"(.-)[\n\r]") do
-        logs.report(line)
+local function reporthelp(t,...)
+    local helpinfo = t.helpinfo
+    if type(helpinfo) == "string" then
+        reportlines(t,helpinfo)
+    elseif type(helpinfo) == "table" then
+        local tags = { ... }
+        for i=1,#tags do
+            reportlines(t,t.helpinfo[tags[i]])
+            if i < #tags then
+                t.report()
+            end
+        end
     end
 end
 
-function logs.reportline() -- for scripts too
-    logs.report()
-end
-
-function logs.simpleline()
-    logs.report()
+local function reportinfo(t)
+    t.report()
+    reportlines(t,moreinfo)
 end
 
-function logs.simplelines(str) -- todo: <lines></lines>
-    for line in gmatch(str,"(.-)[\n\r]") do
-        logs.simple(line)
-    end
+function logs.application(t)
+    t.name     = t.name   or "unknown"
+    t.banner   = t.banner
+    t.report   = logs.reporter(t.name)
+    t.help     = function(...) reportbanner(t) ; reporthelp(t,...) ; reportinfo(t) end
+    t.identify = function() reportbanner(t) end
+    return t
 end
 
-function logs.reportbanner() -- for scripts too
-    logs.report(banner)
-end
-
-function logs.help(message,option)
-    logs.reportbanner()
-    logs.reportline()
-    logs.reportlines(message)
-    if option ~= "nomoreinfo" then
-        logs.reportline()
-        logs.reportlines(moreinfo)
-    end
-end
+-- somewhat special
 
 -- logging to a file
 
@@ -5281,7 +5340,7 @@ end
 function logs.system(whereto,process,jobname,category,...)
     local message = format("%s %s => %s => %s => %s\r",os.date("%d/%m/%y %H:%m:%S"),process,jobname,category,format(...))
     for i=1,10 do
-        local f = io.open(whereto,"a")
+        local f = io.open(whereto,"a") -- we can consider keepint the file open
         if f then
             f:write(message)
             f:close()
@@ -5292,30 +5351,24 @@ function logs.system(whereto,process,jobname,category,...)
     end
 end
 
--- bonus
-
-function logs.fatal(where,...)
-    logs.report(where,"fatal error: %s, aborting now",format(...))
-    os.exit()
-end
-
+local report_system = logs.reporter("system","logs")
 
 function logs.obsolete(old,new)
     local o = loadstring("return " .. new)()
     if type(o) == "function" then
         return function(...)
-            logs.report("system","function %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
+            report_system("function %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
             loadstring(old .. "=" .. new  .. " return ".. old)()(...)
         end
     elseif type(o) == "table" then
         local t, m = { }, { }
         m.__index = function(t,k)
-            logs.report("system","table %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
+            report_system("table %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
             m.__index, m.__newindex = o, o
             return o[k]
         end
         m.__newindex = function(t,k,v)
-            logs.report("system","table %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
+            report_system("table %s is obsolete, use %s",old,new)
             m.__index, m.__newindex = o, o
             o[k] = v
         end
@@ -5327,6 +5380,10 @@ function logs.obsolete(old,new)
     end
 end
 
+if utilities then
+    utilities.report = report_system
+end
+
 if tex and tex.error then
     function logs.texerrormessage(...) -- for the moment we put this function here
         tex.error(format(...), { })
@@ -5361,7 +5418,7 @@ local getmetatable, setmetatable, rawset, type = getmetatable, setmetatable, raw
 
 local trace_namespaces = false  trackers.register("system.namespaces", function(v) trace_namespaces = v end)
 
-local report_system = logs.new("system")
+local report_system = logs.new("system","protection")
 
 namespaces       = namespaces or { }
 local namespaces = namespaces
@@ -5530,7 +5587,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['luat-env'] = {
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_lua = logs.new("resolvers","lua")
 
 local allocate, mark = utilities.storage.allocate, utilities.storage.mark
 
@@ -5754,14 +5811,14 @@ function environment.luafilechunk(filename,silent) -- used for loading lua bytec
     if fullname and fullname ~= "" then
         local data = environment.loadedluacode(fullname)
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("loading file %s%s", fullname, not data and " failed" or "")
+            report_lua("loading file %s%s", fullname, not data and " failed" or "")
         elseif not silent then
             texio.write("<",data and "+ " or "- ",fullname,">")
         end
         return data
     else
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("unknown file %s", filename)
+            report_lua("unknown file %s", filename)
         end
         return nil
     end
@@ -5781,7 +5838,7 @@ function environment.loadluafile(filename, version)
     local fullname = (lucname and environment.luafile(lucname)) or ""
     if fullname ~= "" then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("loading %s", fullname)
+            report_lua("loading %s", fullname)
         end
         chunk = loadfile(fullname) -- this way we don't need a file exists check
     end
@@ -5799,7 +5856,7 @@ function environment.loadluafile(filename, version)
                 return true
             else
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("version mismatch for %s: lua=%s, luc=%s", filename, v, version)
+                    report_lua("version mismatch for %s: lua=%s, luc=%s", filename, v, version)
                 end
                 environment.loadluafile(filename)
             end
@@ -5810,12 +5867,12 @@ function environment.loadluafile(filename, version)
     fullname = (luaname and environment.luafile(luaname)) or ""
     if fullname ~= "" then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("loading %s", fullname)
+            report_lua("loading %s", fullname)
         end
         chunk = loadfile(fullname) -- this way we don't need a file exists check
         if not chunk then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("unknown file %s", filename)
+                report_lua("unknown file %s", filename)
             end
         else
             assert(chunk)()
@@ -5844,7 +5901,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['lxml-tab'] = {
 
 local trace_entities = false  trackers.register("xml.entities", function(v) trace_entities = v end)
 
-local report_xml = logs.new("xml")
+local report_xml = logs and logs.new("xml","core") or function(...) print(format(...)) end
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>The parser used here is inspired by the variant discussed in the lua book, but
@@ -6518,7 +6575,7 @@ function xml.is_valid(root)
     return root and not root.error
 end
 
-xml.errorhandler = (logs and logs.report) or (input and logs.report) or print
+xml.errorhandler = report
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>We cannot load an <l n='lpeg'/> from a filehandle so we need to load
@@ -7069,7 +7126,7 @@ local trace_lpath    = false  if trackers then trackers.register("xml.path",
 local trace_lparse   = false  if trackers then trackers.register("xml.parse",   function(v) trace_lparse = v end) end
 local trace_lprofile = false  if trackers then trackers.register("xml.profile", function(v) trace_lpath  = v trace_lparse = v trace_lprofile = v end) end
 
-local report_lpath = logs.new("lpath")
+local report_lpath = logs.new("xml","lpath")
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>We've now arrived at an interesting part: accessing the tree using a subset
@@ -7951,9 +8008,9 @@ local function traced_apply(list,parsed,nofparsed,order)
     if trace_lparse then
         lshow(parsed)
     end
-    report_lpath("collecting : %s",parsed.pattern)
-    report_lpath(" root tags : %s",tagstostring(list))
-    report_lpath("     order : %s",order or "unset")
+    report_lpath("collecting: %s",parsed.pattern)
+    report_lpath("root tags : %s",tagstostring(list))
+    report_lpath("order     : %s",order or "unset")
     local collected = list
     for i=1,nofparsed do
         local pi = parsed[i]
@@ -9224,7 +9281,7 @@ local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   functi
 local trace_detail     = false  trackers.register("resolvers.details",    function(v) trace_detail     = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_initialization = logs.new("resolvers","initialization")
 
 local ostype, osname, ossetenv, osgetenv = os.type, os.name, os.setenv, os.getenv
 
@@ -9245,7 +9302,7 @@ kpse = { original = kpse }
 
 setmetatable(kpse, {
     __index = function(kp,name)
-        report_resolvers("fatal error: kpse library is accessed (key: %s)",name)
+        report_initialization("fatal error: kpse library is accessed (key: %s)",name)
         os.exit()
     end
 } )
@@ -9329,13 +9386,13 @@ do
                         if lfs.chdir(p) then
                             local pp = lfs.currentdir()
                             if trace_locating and p ~= pp then
-                                report_resolvers("following symlink '%s' to '%s'",p,pp)
+                                report_initialization("following symlink '%s' to '%s'",p,pp)
                             end
                             ownpath = pp
                             lfs.chdir(olddir)
                         else
                             if trace_locating then
-                                report_resolvers("unable to check path '%s'",p)
+                                report_initialization("unable to check path '%s'",p)
                             end
                             ownpath =  p
                         end
@@ -9346,9 +9403,9 @@ do
         end
         if not ownpath or ownpath == "" then
             ownpath = "."
-            report_resolvers("forcing fallback ownpath .")
+            report_initialization("forcing fallback ownpath .")
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("using ownpath '%s'",ownpath)
+            report_initialization("using ownpath '%s'",ownpath)
         end
     end
 
@@ -9375,7 +9432,7 @@ do
         ossetenv('SELFAUTODIR',    file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/.."))
         ossetenv('SELFAUTOPARENT', file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/../.."))
     else
-        report_resolvers("error: unable to locate ownpath")
+        report_initialization("error: unable to locate ownpath")
         os.exit()
     end
 
@@ -9461,7 +9518,7 @@ local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_expansions = logs.new("resolvers","expansions")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -9524,7 +9581,7 @@ local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
-        report_resolvers("expanding variable '%s'",str)
+        report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
     end
     local t, ok, done = newlist or { }, false, false
     local n = #t
@@ -9550,7 +9607,7 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpeggi
     end
     if trace_expansions then
         for k=1,#t do
-            report_resolvers("% 4i: %s",k,t[k])
+            report_expansions("% 4i: %s",k,t[k])
         end
     end
     return t
@@ -9585,7 +9642,7 @@ function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
         homedir = lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir or "")
         if homedir == string.char(127) or homedir == "" or not lfs.isdir(homedir) then
             if trace_expansions then
-                report_resolvers("no home dir set, ignoring dependent paths")
+                report_expansions("no home dir set, ignoring dependent paths")
             end
             function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
                 if find(str,"~") then
@@ -9655,9 +9712,9 @@ local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path
                     end
                 end
                 if trace_expansions then
-                    report_resolvers("splitting path specification '%s'",str)
+                    report_expansions("splitting path specification '%s'",str)
                     for k=1,noffound do
-                        report_resolvers("% 4i: %s",k,found[k])
+                        report_expansions("% 4i: %s",k,found[k])
                     end
                 end
                 cache[str] = found
@@ -9742,7 +9799,7 @@ end
 
 function resolvers.scanfiles(path,branch)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("scanning path '%s', branch '%s'",path, branch or path)
+        report_expansions("scanning path '%s', branch '%s'",path, branch or path)
     end
     local realpath = resolvers.resolve(path) -- no shortcut
     local files, n, m, r = scan({ },realpath .. '/',"",0,0,0)
@@ -9751,7 +9808,7 @@ function resolvers.scanfiles(path,branch)
     files.__directories__   = m
     files.__remappings__    = r
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("%s files found on %s directories with %s uppercase remappings",n,m,r)
+        report_expansions("%s files found on %s directories with %s uppercase remappings",n,m,r)
     end
     return files
 end
@@ -10080,8 +10137,8 @@ local mkdirs, isdir = dir.mkdirs, lfs.isdir
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 local trace_cache    = false  trackers.register("resolvers.cache",    function(v) trace_cache    = v end)
 
-local report_cache     = logs.new("cache")
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_caches    = logs.new("resolvers","caches")
+local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers","caching")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -10141,7 +10198,7 @@ local function identify()
                         if not caches.ask or io.ask(format("\nShould I create the cache path %s?",cachepath), "no", { "yes", "no" }) == "yes" then
                             mkdirs(cachepath)
                             if isdir(cachepath) and file.is_writable(cachepath) then
-                                report_cache("created: %s",cachepath)
+                                report_caches("created: %s",cachepath)
                                 writable = cachepath
                                 readables[#readables+1] = cachepath
                             end
@@ -10175,10 +10232,10 @@ local function identify()
     -- Some extra checking. If we have no writable or readable path then we simply
     -- quit.
     if not writable then
-        report_cache("fatal error: there is no valid writable cache path defined")
+        report_caches("fatal error: there is no valid writable cache path defined")
         os.exit()
     elseif #readables == 0 then
-        report_cache("fatal error: there is no valid readable cache path defined")
+        report_caches("fatal error: there is no valid readable cache path defined")
         os.exit()
     end
     -- why here
@@ -10200,9 +10257,9 @@ local function identify()
     -- end
     if trace_cache then
         for i=1,#readables do
-            report_cache("using readable path '%s' (order %s)",readables[i],i)
+            report_caches("using readable path '%s' (order %s)",readables[i],i)
         end
-        report_cache("using writable path '%s'",writable)
+        report_caches("using writable path '%s'",writable)
     end
     identify = function()
         return writable, readables
@@ -10237,7 +10294,7 @@ function caches.hashed(tree)
     tree = lower(tree)
     local hash = md5.hex(tree)
     if trace_cache or trace_locating then
-        report_cache("hashing tree %s, hash %s",tree,hash)
+        report_caches("hashing tree %s, hash %s",tree,hash)
     end
     return hash
 end
@@ -10463,7 +10520,7 @@ trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_methods = v end)
 trackers.register("resolvers.methods",  function(v) trace_methods = v end)
 
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_methods = logs.new("resolvers","methods")
 
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
@@ -10505,41 +10562,41 @@ local function methodhandler(what,first,...) -- filename can be nil or false
             local resolver = namespace and namespace[scheme]
             if resolver then
                 if trace_methods then
-                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, scheme=%s, argument=%s",what,how,scheme,first)
+                    report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, scheme=%s, argument=%s",what,how,scheme,first)
                 end
                 return resolver(specification,...)
             else
                 resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
                 if resolver then
                     if trace_methods then
-                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default, argument=%s",what,how,first)
+                        report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default, argument=%s",what,how,first)
                     end
                     return resolver(specification,...)
                 elseif trace_methods then
-                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, no handler",what,how)
+                    report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, no handler",what,how)
                 end
             end
         elseif how == "tag" then
             local resolver = namespace and namespace[first]
             if resolver then
                 if trace_methods then
-                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, tag=%s",what,how,first)
+                    report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, tag=%s",what,how,first)
                 end
                 return resolver(...)
             else
                 resolver = namespace.default or namespace.file
                 if resolver then
                     if trace_methods then
-                        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default",what,how)
+                        report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, default",what,how)
                     end
                     return resolver(...)
                 elseif trace_methods then
-                    report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, unknown",what,how)
+                    report_methods("resolver: method=%s, how=%s, unknown",what,how)
                 end
             end
         end
     else
-        report_resolvers("resolver: method=%s, unknown",what)
+        report_methods("resolver: method=%s, unknown",what)
     end
 end
 
@@ -10610,7 +10667,7 @@ local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   functi
 local trace_detail     = false  trackers.register("resolvers.details",    function(v) trace_detail     = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_resolving = logs.new("resolvers","resolving")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -10712,7 +10769,7 @@ end
 function resolvers.newinstance() -- todo: all vars will become lowercase and alphanum only
 
      if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("creating instance")
+        report_resolving("creating instance")
      end
 
     local environment, variables, expansions, order = allocate(), allocate(), allocate(), allocate()
@@ -10830,9 +10887,9 @@ local function reportcriticalvariables()
         for i=1,#resolvers.criticalvars do
             local k = resolvers.criticalvars[i]
             local v = resolvers.getenv(k) or "unknown" -- this one will not resolve !
-            report_resolvers("variable '%s' set to '%s'",k,v)
+            report_resolving("variable '%s' set to '%s'",k,v)
         end
-        report_resolvers()
+        report_resolving()
     end
     reportcriticalvariables = function() end
 end
@@ -10856,17 +10913,17 @@ local function identify_configuration_files()
             if lfs.isfile(realname) then
                 specification[#specification+1] = filename
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("found configuration file '%s'",realname)
+                    report_resolving("found configuration file '%s'",realname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("unknown configuration file '%s'",realname)
+                report_resolving("unknown configuration file '%s'",realname)
             end
         end
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers()
+            report_resolving()
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("configuration files already identified")
+        report_resolving("configuration files already identified")
     end
 end
 
@@ -10886,8 +10943,8 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                 data = data and data.content
                 if data then
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("loading configuration file '%s'",filename)
-                        report_resolvers()
+                        report_resolving("loading configuration file '%s'",filename)
+                        report_resolving()
                     end
                     local variables = data.variables or { }
                     local warning = false
@@ -10897,7 +10954,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                             initializesetter(filename,k,v)
                         elseif variables[k] == nil then
                             if trace_locating and not warning then
-                                report_resolvers("variables like '%s' in configuration file '%s' should move to the 'variables' subtable",
+                                report_resolving("variables like '%s' in configuration file '%s' should move to the 'variables' subtable",
                                     k,resolvers.resolve(filename))
                                 warning = true
                             end
@@ -10910,7 +10967,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                         local cnfspec = variables["TEXMFCNF"]
                         if cnfspec then
                             if trace_locating then
-                                report_resolvers("reloading configuration due to TEXMF redefinition")
+                                report_resolving("reloading configuration due to TEXMF redefinition")
                             end
                             -- we push the value into the main environment (osenv) so
                             -- that it takes precedence over the default one and therefore
@@ -10929,13 +10986,13 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
 
                 else
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("skipping configuration file '%s' (no content)",filename)
+                        report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no content)",filename)
                     end
                     setups[pathname] = { }
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -10943,7 +11000,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
             end
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("warning: no lua configuration files found")
+        report_resolving("warning: no lua configuration files found")
     end
 end
 
@@ -10979,19 +11036,19 @@ local function locate_file_databases()
                 end
                 if trace_locating then
                     if runtime then
-                        report_resolvers("locating list of '%s' (runtime)",path)
+                        report_resolving("locating list of '%s' (runtime)",path)
                     else
-                        report_resolvers("locating list of '%s' (cached)",path)
+                        report_resolving("locating list of '%s' (cached)",path)
                     end
                 end
                 methodhandler('locators',stripped)
             end
         end
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers()
+            report_resolving()
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("no texmf paths are defined (using TEXMF)")
+        report_resolving("no texmf paths are defined (using TEXMF)")
     end
 end
 
@@ -11002,7 +11059,7 @@ local function generate_file_databases()
         methodhandler('generators',hash.name)
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers()
+        report_resolving()
     end
 end
 
@@ -11014,11 +11071,11 @@ local function save_file_databases() -- will become cachers
             local content = instance.files[cachename]
             caches.collapsecontent(content)
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("saving tree '%s'",cachename)
+                report_resolving("saving tree '%s'",cachename)
             end
             caches.savecontent(cachename,"files",content)
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("not saving runtime tree '%s'",cachename)
+            report_resolving("not saving runtime tree '%s'",cachename)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -11043,7 +11100,7 @@ function resolvers.appendhash(type,name,cache)
     -- safeguard ... tricky as it's actually a bug when seen twice
     if not instance.hashed[name] then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("hash '%s' appended",name)
+            report_resolving("hash '%s' appended",name)
         end
         insert(instance.hashes, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
         instance.hashed[name] = cache
@@ -11054,7 +11111,7 @@ function resolvers.prependhash(type,name,cache)
     -- safeguard ... tricky as it's actually a bug when seen twice
     if not instance.hashed[name] then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("hash '%s' prepended",name)
+            report_resolving("hash '%s' prepended",name)
         end
         insert(instance.hashes, 1, { type = type, name = name, cache = cache } )
         instance.hashed[name] = cache
@@ -11287,9 +11344,9 @@ function isreadable(name)
     local readable = lfs.isfile(name) -- not file.is_readable(name) asit can be a dir
     if trace_detail then
         if readable then
-            report_resolvers("file '%s' is readable",name)
+            report_resolving("file '%s' is readable",name)
         else
-            report_resolvers("file '%s' is not readable", name)
+            report_resolving("file '%s' is not readable", name)
         end
     end
     return readable
@@ -11303,7 +11360,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
     for k=1,#names do
         local fname = names[k]
         if trace_detail then
-            report_resolvers("checking name '%s'",fname)
+            report_resolving("checking name '%s'",fname)
         end
         local bname = filebasename(fname)
         local dname = filedirname(fname)
@@ -11319,7 +11376,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
             local files = blobpath and instance.files[blobpath]
             if files then
                 if trace_detail then
-                    report_resolvers("deep checking '%s' (%s)",blobpath,bname)
+                    report_resolving("deep checking '%s' (%s)",blobpath,bname)
                 end
                 local blobfile = files[bname]
                 if not blobfile then
@@ -11339,7 +11396,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                             local search = filejoin(blobroot,blobfile,bname)
                             local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,blobfile,bname)
                             if trace_detail then
-                                report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
+                                report_resolving("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                             end
                             noffiles = noffiles + 1
                             filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
@@ -11353,7 +11410,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                                 local search = filejoin(blobroot,vv,bname)
                                 local result = methodhandler('concatinators',hash.type,blobroot,vv,bname)
                                 if trace_detail then
-                                    report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
+                                    report_resolving("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                                 end
                                 noffiles = noffiles + 1
                                 filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
@@ -11362,7 +11419,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                     end
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("no match in '%s' (%s)",blobpath,bname)
+                report_resolving("no match in '%s' (%s)",blobpath,bname)
             end
         end
     end
@@ -11403,7 +11460,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         stamp = filename .. "--" .. askedformat
         if instance.found[stamp] then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("remembered file '%s'",filename)
+                report_resolving("remembered file '%s'",filename)
             end
             resolvers.registerintrees(filename) -- for tracing used files
             return instance.found[stamp]
@@ -11412,7 +11469,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
     if not dangerous[askedformat] then
         if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_detail then
-                report_resolvers("file '%s' found directly",filename)
+                report_resolving("file '%s' found directly",filename)
             end
             if stamp then
                 instance.found[stamp] = { filename }
@@ -11422,13 +11479,13 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
     end
     if find(filename,'%*') then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("checking wildcard '%s'", filename)
+            report_resolving("checking wildcard '%s'", filename)
         end
         result = resolvers.findwildcardfiles(filename) -- we can use th elocal
     elseif file.is_qualified_path(filename) then
         if isreadable(filename) then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("qualified name '%s'", filename)
+                report_resolving("qualified name '%s'", filename)
             end
             result = { filename }
         else
@@ -11441,7 +11498,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                         forcedname = filename .. "." .. s
                         if isreadable(forcedname) then
                             if trace_locating then
-                                report_resolvers("no suffix, forcing format filetype '%s'", s)
+                                report_resolving("no suffix, forcing format filetype '%s'", s)
                             end
                             result, ok = { forcedname }, true
                             break
@@ -11494,7 +11551,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 -- end
             end
             if not ok and trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("qualified name '%s'", filename)
+                report_resolving("qualified name '%s'", filename)
             end
         end
     else
@@ -11513,13 +11570,13 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                     wantedfiles[#wantedfiles+1] = forcedname
                     filetype = resolvers.formatofsuffix(forcedname)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("forcing filetype '%s'",filetype)
+                        report_resolving("forcing filetype '%s'",filetype)
                     end
                 end
             else
                 filetype = resolvers.formatofsuffix(filename)
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("using suffix based filetype '%s'",filetype)
+                    report_resolving("using suffix based filetype '%s'",filetype)
                 end
             end
         else
@@ -11533,7 +11590,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
             end
             filetype = askedformat
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("using given filetype '%s'",filetype)
+                report_resolving("using given filetype '%s'",filetype)
             end
         end
         local typespec = resolvers.variableofformat(filetype)
@@ -11541,7 +11598,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
         if not pathlist or #pathlist == 0 then
             -- no pathlist, access check only / todo == wildcard
             if trace_detail then
-                report_resolvers("checking filename '%s', filetype '%s', wanted files '%s'",filename, filetype or '?',concat(wantedfiles," | "))
+                report_resolving("checking filename '%s', filetype '%s', wanted files '%s'",filename, filetype or '?',concat(wantedfiles," | "))
             end
             for k=1,#wantedfiles do
                 local fname = wantedfiles[k]
@@ -11569,7 +11626,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                 end
             end
             if trace_detail then
-                report_resolvers("checking filename '%s'",filename)
+                report_resolving("checking filename '%s'",filename)
             end
             for k=1,#pathlist do
                 local path = pathlist[k]
@@ -11581,7 +11638,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                     -- compare list entries with permitted pattern -- /xx /xx//
                     local expression = makepathexpression(pathname)
                     if trace_detail then
-                        report_resolvers("using pattern '%s' for path '%s'",expression,pathname)
+                        report_resolving("using pattern '%s' for path '%s'",expression,pathname)
                     end
                     for k=1,#filelist do
                         local fl = filelist[k]
@@ -11593,16 +11650,16 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                             done = true
                             if allresults then
                                 if trace_detail then
-                                    report_resolvers("match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s', continue scanning",expression,f,d)
+                                    report_resolving("match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s', continue scanning",expression,f,d)
                                 end
                             else
                                 if trace_detail then
-                                    report_resolvers("match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s', quit scanning",expression,f,d)
+                                    report_resolving("match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s', quit scanning",expression,f,d)
                                 end
                                 break
                             end
                         elseif trace_detail then
-                            report_resolvers("no match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s'",expression,f,d)
+                            report_resolving("no match to '%s' in hash for file '%s' and path '%s'",expression,f,d)
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -11619,7 +11676,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,askedformat,allresults) -- todo :
                                     local fname = filejoin(ppname,w)
                                     if isreadable(fname) then
                                         if trace_detail then
-                                            report_resolvers("found '%s' by scanning",fname)
+                                            report_resolving("found '%s' by scanning",fname)
                                         end
                                         result[#result+1] = fname
                                         done = true
@@ -11824,7 +11881,7 @@ end
 
 local function report(str)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers(str) -- has already verbose
+        report_resolving(str) -- has already verbose
     else
         print(str)
     end
@@ -12219,7 +12276,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-fil'] = {
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_files = logs.new("resolvers","files")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -12233,11 +12290,11 @@ function locators.file(specification)
     local realname = resolvers.resolve(name) -- no shortcut
     if realname and realname ~= '' and lfs.isdir(realname) then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("file locator '%s' found as '%s'",name,realname)
+            report_files("file locator '%s' found as '%s'",name,realname)
         end
         resolvers.appendhash('file',name,true) -- cache
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("file locator '%s' not found",name)
+        report_files("file locator '%s' not found",name)
     end
 end
 
@@ -12260,12 +12317,12 @@ function finders.file(specification,filetype)
     local foundname = resolvers.findfile(filename,filetype)
     if foundname and foundname ~= "" then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("file finder: '%s' found",filename)
+            report_files("file finder: '%s' found",filename)
         end
         return foundname
     else
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("file finder: %s' not found",filename)
+            report_files("file finder: %s' not found",filename)
         end
         return finders.notfound()
     end
@@ -12286,13 +12343,13 @@ function openers.file(specification,filetype)
         local f = io.open(filename,"r")
         if f then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' opened",filename)
+                report_files("file opener, '%s' opened",filename)
             end
             return openers.helpers.textopener("file",filename,f)
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("file opener, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_files("file opener, '%s' not found",filename)
     end
     return openers.notfound()
 end
@@ -12304,7 +12361,7 @@ function loaders.file(specification,filetype)
         if f then
             logs.show_load(filename)
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' loaded",filename)
+                report_files("file loader, '%s' loaded",filename)
             end
             local s = f:read("*a")
             if checkgarbage then
@@ -12317,7 +12374,7 @@ function loaders.file(specification,filetype)
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("file loader, '%s' not found",filename)
+        report_files("file loader, '%s' not found",filename)
     end
     return loaders.notfound()
 end
@@ -12358,11 +12415,11 @@ containers          = containers or { }
 local containers    = containers
 containers.usecache = true
 
-local report_cache = logs.new("cache")
+local report_containers = logs.new("resolvers","containers")
 
 local function report(container,tag,name)
     if trace_cache or trace_containers then
-        report_cache("container: %s, tag: %s, name: %s",container.subcategory,tag,name or 'invalid')
+        report_containers("container: %s, tag: %s, name: %s",container.subcategory,tag,name or 'invalid')
     end
 end
 
@@ -12480,7 +12537,7 @@ local format, lower, gsub, find = string.format, string.lower, string.gsub, stri
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_mounts = logs.new("resolvers","mounts")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -12505,7 +12562,7 @@ function resolvers.automount(usecache)
                             -- skip
                         elseif find(line,"^zip://") then
                             if trace_locating then
-                                report_resolvers("mounting %s",line)
+                                report_mounts("mounting %s",line)
                             end
                             table.insert(resolvers.automounted,line)
                             resolvers.usezipfile(line)
@@ -12585,7 +12642,7 @@ local format, find, match = string.format, string.find, string.match
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_zip = logs.new("resolvers","zip")
 
 -- zip:///oeps.zip?name=bla/bla.tex
 -- zip:///oeps.zip?tree=tex/texmf-local
@@ -12638,9 +12695,9 @@ function resolvers.locators.zip(specification)
     local zipfile = archive and archive ~= "" and zip.openarchive(archive) -- tricky, could be in to be initialized tree
     if trace_locating then
         if zipfile then
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' found",archive)
+            report_zip("locator, archive '%s' found",archive)
         else
-            report_resolvers("zip locator, archive '%s' not found",archive)
+            report_zip("locator, archive '%s' not found",archive)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -12648,7 +12705,7 @@ end
 function resolvers.hashers.zip(specification)
     local archive = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("loading zip file '%s'",archive)
+        report_zip("loading file '%s'",archive)
     end
     resolvers.usezipfile(specification.original)
 end
@@ -12671,25 +12728,25 @@ function resolvers.finders.zip(specification)
             local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, archive '%s' found",archive)
+                    report_zip("finder, archive '%s' found",archive)
                 end
                 local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     dfile = zfile:close()
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' found",queryname)
+                        report_zip("finder, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
                     return specification.original
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip finder, file '%s' not found",queryname)
+                    report_zip("finder, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip finder, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
+                report_zip("finder, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip finder, '%s' not found",original)
+        report_zip("finder, '%s' not found",original)
     end
     return resolvers.finders.notfound()
 end
@@ -12704,24 +12761,24 @@ function resolvers.openers.zip(specification)
             local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, archive '%s' opened",archive)
+                    report_zip("opener, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
                 local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' found",queryname)
+                        report_zip("opener, file '%s' found",queryname)
                     end
                     return resolvers.openers.helpers.textopener('zip',original,dfile)
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip opener, file '%s' not found",queryname)
+                    report_zip("opener, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip opener, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
+                report_zip("opener, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip opener, '%s' not found",original)
+        report_zip("opener, '%s' not found",original)
     end
     return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
@@ -12736,27 +12793,27 @@ function resolvers.loaders.zip(specification)
             local zfile = zip.openarchive(archive)
             if zfile then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, archive '%s' opened",archive)
+                    report_zip("loader, archive '%s' opened",archive)
                 end
                 local dfile = zfile:open(queryname)
                 if dfile then
                     logs.show_load(original)
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' loaded",original)
+                        report_zip("loader, file '%s' loaded",original)
                     end
                     local s = dfile:read("*all")
                     dfile:close()
                     return true, s, #s
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("zip loader, file '%s' not found",queryname)
+                    report_zip("loader, file '%s' not found",queryname)
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip loader, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
+                report_zip("loader, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
             end
         end
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip loader, '%s' not found",original)
+        report_zip("loader, '%s' not found",original)
     end
     return resolvers.openers.notfound()
 end
@@ -12772,7 +12829,7 @@ function resolvers.usezipfile(archive)
         if z then
             local tree = url.query(specification.query).tree or ""
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("zip registering, registering archive '%s'",archive)
+                report_zip("registering, registering archive '%s'",archive)
             end
             statistics.starttiming(resolvers.instance)
             resolvers.prependhash('zip',archive)
@@ -12781,10 +12838,10 @@ function resolvers.usezipfile(archive)
             instance.files[archive] = resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
             statistics.stoptiming(resolvers.instance)
         elseif trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("zip registering, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
+            report_zip("registering, unknown archive '%s'",archive)
         end
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip registering, '%s' not found",archive)
+        report_zip("registering, '%s' not found",archive)
     end
 end
 
@@ -12796,7 +12853,7 @@ function resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
         filter = format("^%s/(.+)/(.-)$",tree)
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("zip registering, using filter '%s'",filter)
+        report_zip("registering, using filter '%s'",filter)
     end
     local register, n = resolvers.registerfile, 0
     for i in z:files() do
@@ -12813,7 +12870,7 @@ function resolvers.registerzipfile(z,tree)
             n = n + 1
         end
     end
-    report_resolvers("zip registering, %s files registered",n)
+    report_zip("registering, %s files registered",n)
     return files
 end
 
@@ -12836,7 +12893,7 @@ local find, gsub, format = string.find, string.gsub, string.format
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_trees = logs.new("resolvers","trees")
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
@@ -12874,18 +12931,18 @@ function resolvers.locators.tree(specification)
     local name = specification.filename
     if name ~= '' and lfs.isdir(name) then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' found",name)
+            report_trees("locator '%s' found",name)
         end
         resolvers.appendhash('tree',name,false) -- don't cache
     elseif trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("tree locator '%s' not found",name)
+        report_trees("locator '%s' not found",name)
     end
 end
 
 function resolvers.hashers.tree(specification)
     local name = specification.filename
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("analysing tree '%s'",name)
+        report_trees("analysing '%s'",name)
     end
     resolvers.methodhandler("hashers",name)
 end
@@ -12981,7 +13038,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-lua'] = {
 
 local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v) trace_locating = v end)
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_libraries = logs.new("resolvers","libraries")
 
 local gsub, insert = string.gsub, table.insert
 local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
@@ -13013,7 +13070,7 @@ local function thepath(...)
     local t = { ... } t[#t+1] = "?.lua"
     local path = file.join(unpack(t))
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("! appending '%s' to 'package.path'",path)
+        report_libraries("! appending '%s' to 'package.path'",path)
     end
     return path
 end
@@ -13035,11 +13092,11 @@ local function loaded(libpaths,name,simple)
         local libpath = libpaths[i]
         local resolved = gsub(libpath,"%?",simple)
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
-            report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.path': '%s' => '%s'",simple,libpath,resolved)
+            report_libraries("! checking for '%s' on 'package.path': '%s' => '%s'",simple,libpath,resolved)
         end
         if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.path': '%s'",name,resolved)
+                report_libraries("! lib '%s' located via 'package.path': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
             return loadfile(resolved)
         end
@@ -13048,17 +13105,17 @@ end
 
 package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
     if trace_locating then -- mode detail
-        report_resolvers("! locating '%s'",name)
+        report_libraries("! locating '%s'",name)
     end
     for i=1,#libformats do
         local format = libformats[i]
         local resolved = resolvers.findfile(name,format) or ""
         if trace_locating then -- mode detail
-            report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'libformat path': '%s'",name,format)
+            report_libraries("! checking for '%s' using 'libformat path': '%s'",name,format)
         end
         if resolved ~= "" then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via environment: '%s'",name,resolved)
+                report_libraries("! lib '%s' located via environment: '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
             return loadfile(resolved)
         end
@@ -13081,11 +13138,11 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
             local path = paths[p]
             local resolved = file.join(path,libname)
             if trace_locating then -- mode detail
-                report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'clibformat path': '%s'",libname,path)
+                report_libraries("! checking for '%s' using 'clibformat path': '%s'",libname,path)
             end
             if file.is_readable(resolved) then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'clibformat': '%s'",libname,resolved)
+                    report_libraries("! lib '%s' located via 'clibformat': '%s'",libname,resolved)
                 end
                 return package.loadlib(resolved,name)
             end
@@ -13095,28 +13152,28 @@ package.loaders[2] = function(name) -- was [#package.loaders+1]
         local libpath = clibpaths[i]
         local resolved = gsub(libpath,"?",simple)
         if trace_locating then -- more detail
-            report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' on 'package.cpath': '%s'",simple,libpath)
+            report_libraries("! checking for '%s' on 'package.cpath': '%s'",simple,libpath)
         end
         if file.is_readable(resolved) then
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located via 'package.cpath': '%s'",name,resolved)
+                report_libraries("! lib '%s' located via 'package.cpath': '%s'",name,resolved)
             end
             return package.loadlib(resolved,name)
         end
     end
     -- just in case the distribution is messed up
     if trace_loading then -- more detail
-        report_resolvers("! checking for '%s' using 'luatexlibs': '%s'",name)
+        report_libraries("! checking for '%s' using 'luatexlibs': '%s'",name)
     end
     local resolved = resolvers.findfile(file.basename(name),'luatexlibs') or ""
     if resolved ~= "" then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("! lib '%s' located by basename via environment: '%s'",name,resolved)
+            report_libraries("! lib '%s' located by basename via environment: '%s'",name,resolved)
         end
         return loadfile(resolved)
     end
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers('? unable to locate lib: %s',name)
+        report_libraries('? unable to locate lib: %s',name)
     end
 --  return "unable to locate " .. name
 end
@@ -13153,48 +13210,48 @@ local trace_locating = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating", function(v
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
-local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
+local report_scripts = logs.new("resolvers","scripts")
 
 function resolvers.updatescript(oldname,newname) -- oldname -> own.name, not per se a suffix
     local scriptpath = "scripts/context/lua"
     newname = file.addsuffix(newname,"lua")
     local oldscript = resolvers.cleanpath(oldname)
     if trace_locating then
-        report_resolvers("to be replaced old script %s", oldscript)
+        report_scripts("to be replaced old script %s", oldscript)
     end
     local newscripts = resolvers.findfiles(newname) or { }
     if #newscripts == 0 then
         if trace_locating then
-            report_resolvers("unable to locate new script")
+            report_scripts("unable to locate new script")
         end
     else
         for i=1,#newscripts do
             local newscript = resolvers.cleanpath(newscripts[i])
             if trace_locating then
-                report_resolvers("checking new script %s", newscript)
+                report_scripts("checking new script %s", newscript)
             end
             if oldscript == newscript then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("old and new script are the same")
+                    report_scripts("old and new script are the same")
                 end
             elseif not find(newscript,scriptpath) then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("new script should come from %s",scriptpath)
+                    report_scripts("new script should come from %s",scriptpath)
                 end
             elseif not (find(oldscript,file.removesuffix(newname).."$") or find(oldscript,newname.."$")) then
                 if trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("invalid new script name")
+                    report_scripts("invalid new script name")
                 end
             else
                 local newdata = io.loaddata(newscript)
                 if newdata then
                     if trace_locating then
-                        report_resolvers("old script content replaced by new content")
+                        report_scripts("old script content replaced by new content")
                     end
                     io.savedata(oldscript,newdata)
                     break
                 elseif trace_locating then
-                    report_resolvers("unable to load new script")
+                    report_scripts("unable to load new script")
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -13216,6 +13273,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['data-tmf'] = {
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
+local report_tds = logs.new("resolvers","tds")
+
 --  =  <<
 --  ?  ??
 --  <  +=
@@ -13236,11 +13295,11 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         local newpath = file.join(newtree,"bin")
 
         if not lfs.isdir(newtree) then
-            logs.simple("no '%s' under tree %s",texos,tree)
+            report_tds("no '%s' under tree %s",texos,tree)
             os.exit()
         end
         if not lfs.isdir(newpath) then
-            logs.simple("no '%s/bin' under tree %s",texos,tree)
+            report_tds("no '%s/bin' under tree %s",texos,tree)
             os.exit()
         end
 
@@ -13264,9 +13323,9 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         setenv('TEXMFCNF',       resolvers.luacnfspec, not resolve)
         setenv("PATH",           newpath .. io.pathseparator .. getenv("PATH"))
 
-        logs.simple("changing from root '%s' to '%s'",oldroot,newroot)
-        logs.simple("prepending '%s' to binary path",newpath)
-        logs.simple()
+        report_tds("changing from root '%s' to '%s'",oldroot,newroot)
+        report_tds("prepending '%s' to binary path",newpath)
+        report_tds()
     end
 end
 
@@ -13291,6 +13350,8 @@ resolvers.listers = resolvers.listers or { }
 
 local resolvers = resolvers
 
+local report_lists = logs.new("resolvers","lists")
+
 local function tabstr(str)
     if type(str) == 'table' then
         return concat(str," | ")
@@ -13319,11 +13380,11 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
     local exp = table.fastcopy(expansions)
     for key, value in table.sortedpairs(configured) do
         if key ~= "" and (pattern == "" or find(upper(key),pattern)) then
-            logs.simple(key)
-            logs.simple("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
-            logs.simple("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
-            logs.simple("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            logs.simple("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists(key)
+            report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
+            report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
+            report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = table.fastcopy(env)
@@ -13477,6 +13538,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['luat-fmt'] = {
 
 local format = string.format
 
+local report_format = logs.new("resolvers","formats")
+
 -- helper for mtxrun
 
 local quoted = string.quoted
@@ -13501,7 +13564,7 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
     if path ~= "" then
         lfs.chdir(path)
     end
-    logs.simple("format path: %s",lfs.currentdir())
+    report_format("format path: %s",lfs.currentdir())
     -- check source file
     local texsourcename = file.addsuffix(name,"mkiv")
     local fulltexsourcename = resolvers.findfile(texsourcename,"tex") or ""
@@ -13510,11 +13573,11 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
         fulltexsourcename = resolvers.findfile(texsourcename,"tex") or ""
     end
     if fulltexsourcename == "" then
-        logs.simple("no tex source file with name: %s (mkiv or tex)",name)
+        report_format("no tex source file with name: %s (mkiv or tex)",name)
         lfs.chdir(olddir)
         return
     else
-        logs.simple("using tex source file: %s",fulltexsourcename)
+        report_format("using tex source file: %s",fulltexsourcename)
     end
     local texsourcepath = dir.expandname(file.dirname(fulltexsourcename)) -- really needed
     -- check specification
@@ -13525,7 +13588,7 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
         fullspecificationname = resolvers.findfile(specificationname,"tex") or ""
     end
     if fullspecificationname == "" then
-        logs.simple("unknown stub specification: %s",specificationname)
+        report_format("unknown stub specification: %s",specificationname)
         lfs.chdir(olddir)
         return
     end
@@ -13536,39 +13599,39 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
     if type(usedlualibs) == "string" then
         usedluastub = file.join(file.dirname(fullspecificationname),usedlualibs)
     elseif type(usedlualibs) == "table" then
-        logs.simple("using stub specification: %s",fullspecificationname)
+        report_format("using stub specification: %s",fullspecificationname)
         local texbasename = file.basename(name)
         local luastubname = file.addsuffix(texbasename,"lua")
         local lucstubname = file.addsuffix(texbasename,"luc")
         -- pack libraries in stub
-        logs.simple("creating initialization file: %s",luastubname)
+        report_format("creating initialization file: %s",luastubname)
         utilities.merger.selfcreate(usedlualibs,specificationpath,luastubname)
         -- compile stub file (does not save that much as we don't use this stub at startup any more)
         local strip = resolvers.booleanvariable("LUACSTRIP", true)
         if utilities.lua.compile(luastubname,lucstubname) and lfs.isfile(lucstubname) then
-            logs.simple("using compiled initialization file: %s",lucstubname)
+            report_format("using compiled initialization file: %s",lucstubname)
             usedluastub = lucstubname
         else
-            logs.simple("using uncompiled initialization file: %s",luastubname)
+            report_format("using uncompiled initialization file: %s",luastubname)
             usedluastub = luastubname
         end
     else
-        logs.simple("invalid stub specification: %s",fullspecificationname)
+        report_format("invalid stub specification: %s",fullspecificationname)
         lfs.chdir(olddir)
         return
     end
     -- generate format
     local command = format("luatex --ini %s --lua=%s %s %sdump",primaryflags(),quoted(usedluastub),quoted(fulltexsourcename),os.platform == "unix" and "\\\\" or "\\")
-    logs.simple("running command: %s\n",command)
+    report_format("running command: %s\n",command)
     os.spawn(command)
     -- remove related mem files
     local pattern = file.removesuffix(file.basename(usedluastub)).."-*.mem"
- -- logs.simple("removing related mplib format with pattern '%s'", pattern)
+ -- report_format("removing related mplib format with pattern '%s'", pattern)
     local mp = dir.glob(pattern)
     if mp then
         for i=1,#mp do
             local name = mp[i]
-            logs.simple("removing related mplib format %s", file.basename(name))
+            report_format("removing related mplib format %s", file.basename(name))
             os.remove(name)
         end
     end
@@ -13585,7 +13648,7 @@ function environment.run_format(name,data,more)
         end
         fmtname = resolvers.cleanpath(fmtname)
         if fmtname == "" then
-            logs.simple("no format with name: %s",name)
+            report_format("no format with name: %s",name)
         else
             local barename = file.removesuffix(name) -- expanded name
             local luaname = file.addsuffix(barename,"luc")
@@ -13593,11 +13656,11 @@ function environment.run_format(name,data,more)
                 luaname = file.addsuffix(barename,"lua")
             end
             if not lfs.isfile(luaname) then
-                logs.simple("using format name: %s",fmtname)
-                logs.simple("no luc/lua with name: %s",barename)
+                report_format("using format name: %s",fmtname)
+                report_format("no luc/lua with name: %s",barename)
             else
                 local command = format("luatex %s --fmt=%s --lua=%s %s %s",primaryflags(),quoted(barename),quoted(luaname),quoted(data),more ~= "" and quoted(more) or "")
-                logs.simple("running command: %s",command)
+                report_format("running command: %s",command)
                 os.spawn(command)
             end
         end
@@ -13750,8 +13813,6 @@ if not resolvers then
     os.exit()
 end
 
-logs.setprogram('MTXrun',"TDS Runner Tool 1.30")
-
 if environment.arguments["verbose"] then
     trackers.enable("resolvers.locating")
 end
@@ -13764,10 +13825,7 @@ if trackspec then
     trackers.enable(trackspec)
 end
 
-runners  = runners  or { } -- global
-messages = messages or { }
-
-messages.help = [[
+local helpinfo = [[
 --script              run an mtx script (lua prefered method) (--noquotes), no script gives list
 --execute             run a script or program (texmfstart method) (--noquotes)
 --resolve             resolve prefixed arguments
@@ -13819,6 +13877,19 @@ messages.help = [[
 --pattern=str         filter variables
 ]]
 
+local application = logs.application {
+    name     = "mtxrun",
+    banner   = "ConTeXt TDS Runner Tool 1.30",
+    helpinfo = helpinfo,
+}
+
+local report = application.report
+
+local verbose = environment.argument("verbose")
+
+messages = messages or { } -- for the mo
+
+runners = runners  or { } -- global
 
 runners.applications = {
     ["lua"] = "luatex --luaonly",
@@ -13872,17 +13943,16 @@ end
 
 function runners.prepare()
     local checkname = environment.argument("ifchanged")
-    local verbose = environment.argument("verbose")
     if type(checkname) == "string" and checkname ~= "" then
         local oldchecksum = file.loadchecksum(checkname)
         local newchecksum = file.checksum(checkname)
         if oldchecksum == newchecksum then
             if verbose then
-                logs.simple("file '%s' is unchanged",checkname)
+                report("file '%s' is unchanged",checkname)
             end
             return "skip"
         elseif verbose then
-            logs.simple("file '%s' is changed, processing started",checkname)
+            report("file '%s' is changed, processing started",checkname)
         end
         file.savechecksum(checkname)
     end
@@ -13892,17 +13962,17 @@ function runners.prepare()
         if oldname and newname and oldname ~= "" and newname ~= "" then
             if not file.needs_updating(oldname,newname) then
                 if verbose then
-                    logs.simple("file '%s' and '%s' have same age",oldname,newname)
+                    report("file '%s' and '%s' have same age",oldname,newname)
                 end
                 return "skip"
             elseif verbose then
-                logs.simple("file '%s' is older than '%s'",oldname,newname)
+                report("file '%s' is older than '%s'",oldname,newname)
             end
         end
     end
     local runpath = environment.argument("path")
     if type(runpath) == "string" and not lfs.chdir(runpath) then
-        logs.simple("unable to change to path '%s'",runpath)
+        report("unable to change to path '%s'",runpath)
         return "error"
     end
     runners.prepare = function() end
@@ -13961,11 +14031,11 @@ function runners.execute_script(fullname,internal,nosplit)
                         result = binary .. " " .. result
                     end
                     local command = result .. " " .. environment.reconstructcommandline(environment.arguments_after,noquote)
-                    if logs.verbose then
-                        logs.simpleline()
-                        logs.simple("executing: %s",command)
-                        logs.simpleline()
-                        logs.simpleline()
+                    if verbose then
+                        report()
+                        report("executing: %s",command)
+                        report()
+                        report()
                         io.flush()
                     end
                     -- no os.exec because otherwise we get the wrong return value
@@ -13980,9 +14050,9 @@ function runners.execute_script(fullname,internal,nosplit)
                                     return false
                                 end
                             end
-                            logs.simpleline()
-                            logs.simple("This script needs '%s' which seems not to be installed.",binary)
-                            logs.simpleline()
+                            report()
+                            report("This script needs '%s' which seems not to be installed.",binary)
+                            report()
                         end
                         return false
                     end
@@ -14007,10 +14077,10 @@ function runners.execute_program(fullname)
             environment.initializearguments(after)
             fullname = fullname:gsub("^bin:","")
             local command = fullname .. " " .. (environment.reconstructcommandline(after or "",noquote) or "")
-            logs.simpleline()
-            logs.simple("executing: %s",command)
-            logs.simpleline()
-            logs.simpleline()
+            report()
+            report("executing: %s",command)
+            report()
+            report()
             io.flush()
             local code = os.exec(command) -- (fullname,unpack(after)) does not work / maybe spawn
             return code == 0
@@ -14042,18 +14112,18 @@ function runners.handle_stubs(create)
             if create then
                 if windows then
                     io.savedata(file.join(stubpath,base..".bat"),string.format(windows_stub,name))
-                    logs.simple("windows stub for '%s' created",base)
+                    report("windows stub for '%s' created",base)
                 end
                 if unix then
                     io.savedata(file.join(stubpath,base),string.format(unix_stub,name))
-                    logs.simple("unix stub for '%s' created",base)
+                    report("unix stub for '%s' created",base)
                 end
             else
                 if windows and (os.remove(file.join(stubpath,base..'.bat')) or os.remove(file.join(stubpath,base..'.cmd'))) then
-                    logs.simple("windows stub for '%s' removed", base)
+                    report("windows stub for '%s' removed", base)
                 end
                 if unix and (os.remove(file.join(stubpath,base)) or os.remove(file.join(stubpath,base..'.sh'))) then
-                    logs.simple("unix stub for '%s' removed",base)
+                    report("unix stub for '%s' removed",base)
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -14078,12 +14148,12 @@ function runners.locate_platform()
 end
 
 function runners.report_location(result)
-    if logs.verbose then
-        logs.simpleline()
+    if verbose then
+        reportline()
         if result and result ~= "" then
-            logs.simple(result)
+            report(result)
         else
-            logs.simple("not found")
+            report("not found")
         end
     else
         io.write(result)
@@ -14095,11 +14165,11 @@ function runners.edit_script(filename) -- we assume that gvim is present on most
     local rest = resolvers.resolve(filename)
     if rest ~= "" then
         local command = editor .. " " .. rest
-        if logs.verbose then
-            logs.simpleline()
-            logs.simple("starting editor: %s",command)
-            logs.simple_line()
-            logs.simple_line()
+        if verbose then
+            report()
+            report("starting editor: %s",command)
+            report()
+            report()
         end
         os.launch(command)
     end
@@ -14148,7 +14218,7 @@ function runners.launch_file(filename)
         pattern = filename
     end
     if not pattern or pattern == "" then
-        logs.simple("provide name or --pattern=")
+        report("provide name or --pattern=")
     else
         local t = resolvers.findfiles(pattern)
         if not t or #t == 0 then
@@ -14160,15 +14230,15 @@ function runners.launch_file(filename)
         if t and #t > 0 then
             if environment.arguments["all"] then
                 for _, v in pairs(t) do
-                    logs.simple("launching %s", v)
+                    report("launching %s", v)
                     resolvers.launch(v)
                 end
             else
-                logs.simple("launching %s", t[1])
+                report("launching %s", t[1])
                 resolvers.launch(t[1])
             end
         else
-            logs.simple("no match for %s", pattern)
+            report("no match for %s", pattern)
         end
     end
 end
@@ -14239,7 +14309,7 @@ function runners.execute_ctx_script(filename,...)
     local fullname = runners.find_mtx_script(filename) or ""
     if file.extname(fullname) == "cld" then
         -- handy in editors where we force --autopdf
-        logs.simple("running cld script: %s",filename)
+        report("running cld script: %s",filename)
         table.insert(arguments,1,fullname)
         table.insert(arguments,"--autopdf")
         fullname = runners.find_mtx_script("context") or ""
@@ -14270,8 +14340,8 @@ function runners.execute_ctx_script(filename,...)
                 runners.load_script_session(loadname)
             end
             filename = environment.files[1]
-            if logs.verbose then
-                logs.simple("using script: %s\n",fullname)
+            if verbose then
+                report("using script: %s\n",fullname)
             end
             environment.ownscript = fullname
             dofile(fullname)
@@ -14306,24 +14376,23 @@ function runners.execute_ctx_script(filename,...)
                     end
                 end
                 if #valid > 0 then
-                    logs.reportbanner()
-                    logs.reportline()
-                    logs.simple("no script name given, known scripts:")
-                    logs.simple()
+                    application.identify()
+                    report("no script name given, known scripts:")
+                    report()
                     for k=1,#valid do
                         local v = valid[k]
-                        logs.simple("%-12s  %4s  %s",v[1],v[2],v[3])
+                        report("%-12s  %4s  %s",v[1],v[2],v[3])
                     end
                 end
             else
-                logs.simple("no script name given")
+                report("no script name given")
             end
         else
             filename = file.addsuffix(filename,"lua")
             if file.is_qualified_path(filename) then
-                logs.simple("unknown script '%s'",filename)
+                report("unknown script '%s'",filename)
             else
-                logs.simple("unknown script '%s' or 'mtx-%s'",filename,filename)
+                report("unknown script '%s' or 'mtx-%s'",filename,filename)
             end
         end
         return false
@@ -14331,9 +14400,9 @@ function runners.execute_ctx_script(filename,...)
 end
 
 function runners.prefixes()
-    logs.reportbanner()
-    logs.reportline()
-    logs.simple(table.concat(resolvers.allprefixes(true)," "))
+    application.identify()
+    report()
+    report(table.concat(resolvers.allprefixes(true)," "))
 end
 
 function runners.timedrun(filename) -- just for me
@@ -14385,7 +14454,7 @@ if environment.argument("usekpse") or environment.argument("forcekpse") or is_mk
         local t = os.clock()
         local k = kpse.original.new("luatex",progname)
         local dummy = k:find_file("mtxrun.lua") -- so that we're initialized
-        logs.simple("kpse fallback with progname '%s' initialized in %s seconds",progname,os.clock()-t)
+        report("kpse fallback with progname '%s' initialized in %s seconds",progname,os.clock()-t)
         kpse_initialized = function() return k end
         return k
     end
@@ -14432,11 +14501,11 @@ else
 
     function runners.loadbase(...)
         if not resolvers.load(...) then
-            logs.simple("forcing cache reload")
+            report("forcing cache reload")
             instance.renewcache = true
             trackers.enable("resolvers.locating")
             if not resolvers.load(...) then
-                logs.simple("the resolver databases are not present or outdated")
+                report("the resolver databases are not present or outdated")
             end
         end
     end
@@ -14595,8 +14664,8 @@ elseif environment.argument("find-path") then
 
     resolvers.load()
     local path = resolvers.findpath(filename, instance.my_format)
-    if logs.verbose then
-        logs.simple(path)
+    if verbose then
+        report(path)
     else
         print(path)
     end
@@ -14651,7 +14720,7 @@ elseif environment.argument("format-path") then
     -- luatools: runners.execute_ctx_script("mtx-base","--format-path",filename)
 
     resolvers.load()
-    logs.simple(caches.getwritablepath("format"))
+    report(caches.getwritablepath("format"))
 
 elseif environment.argument("pattern") then
 
@@ -14695,7 +14764,7 @@ elseif environment.argument("help") and filename=='base' then
 
 elseif environment.argument("help") or filename=='help' or filename == "" then
 
-    logs.help(messages.help)
+    application.help()
 
 elseif filename:find("^bin:") then
 
@@ -14729,9 +14798,9 @@ else
 
 end
 
-if logs.verbose then
-    logs.simpleline()
-    logs.simple("runtime: %0.3f seconds",os.runtime())
+if verbose then
+    report()
+    report("runtime: %0.3f seconds",os.runtime())
 end
 
 if os.type ~= "windows" then