diff --git a/src/autocomplete.cpp b/src/autocomplete.cpp
index 0452435..985dbc1 100644
--- a/src/autocomplete.cpp
+++ b/src/autocomplete.cpp
@@ -9,12 +9,12 @@
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <iostream>
 
-void dropshell::autocomplete(const std::vector<std::string> &args)
+bool dropshell::autocomplete(const std::vector<std::string> &args)
 {
     if (args.size() < 3) // dropshell autocomplete ???
     {
         autocomplete_list_commands();
-        return;
+        return true;
     }
 
     ASSERT(args.size() >= 3);
@@ -27,23 +27,23 @@ void dropshell::autocomplete(const std::vector<std::string> &args)
         std::filesystem::directory_iterator dir_iter(std::filesystem::current_path());
         for (const auto& entry : dir_iter) 
             std::cout << entry.path().filename().string() << std::endl;        
-        return;
+        return true;
     }
 
 
     std::string noargcmds[] = {"templates","autocomplete_list_servers","autocomplete_list_services","autocomplete_list_commands"};
     if (std::find(std::begin(noargcmds), std::end(noargcmds), cmd) != std::end(noargcmds))
-        return;
+        return true;
 
     if (!dropshell::gConfig().is_config_set())
-        return; // can't help without working config.
+        return false; // can't help without working config.
 
     if (args.size()==3) // we have the command but nothing else.  dropshell autocomplete command <server>
     {
         auto servers = dropshell::get_configured_servers();
         for (const auto& server : servers) 
-        std::cout << server.name << std::endl;
-        return;
+            std::cout << server.name << std::endl;
+        return true;
     }
 
     if (args.size()==4) // we have the command and the server.  dropshell autocomplete command server <service>
@@ -55,13 +55,13 @@ void dropshell::autocomplete(const std::vector<std::string> &args)
             auto templates = dropshell::gTemplateManager().get_template_list();
             for (const auto& t : templates)
                 std::cout << t << std::endl;
-            return;
+            return true;
         }
 
         auto services = dropshell::get_server_services_info(server);
         for (const auto& service : services) 
             std::cout << service.service_name << std::endl;
-        return;
+        return true;
     }
 
     if (args.size()==5) // we have the command and the server and the service.  dropshell autocomplete command server service_name <command?>
@@ -73,17 +73,17 @@ void dropshell::autocomplete(const std::vector<std::string> &args)
             std::set<std::string> backups = dropshell::list_backups(server_name, service_name);
             for (auto backup : backups) 
                 std::cout << backup << std::endl;
-            return;
+            return true;
         }
 
-        return; // no more autocompletion possible - don't know what the argument is for.
+        return false; // no more autocompletion possible - don't know what the argument is for.
     }
 
     // args>5 - no more autocompletion possible - don't know what the argument is for.
-    return; // catch-all.
+    return false; // catch-all.
 }
 
-void dropshell::autocomplete_list_commands()
+bool dropshell::autocomplete_list_commands()
 {
     std::set<std::string> commands;
     dropshell::get_all_used_commands(commands);
@@ -100,5 +100,6 @@ void dropshell::autocomplete_list_commands()
     for (const auto& command : commands) {
         std::cout << command << std::endl;
     }
+    return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/autocomplete.hpp b/src/autocomplete.hpp
index 5bd1f6f..8b30147 100644
--- a/src/autocomplete.hpp
+++ b/src/autocomplete.hpp
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@
 
 namespace dropshell {
 
-    void autocomplete(const std::vector<std::string> &args);
+    bool autocomplete(const std::vector<std::string> &args);
 
-    void autocomplete_list_commands();
+    bool autocomplete_list_commands();
 
 } // namespace dropshell
 
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index b528dbc..49f2a87 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ extern const std::string RELEASE_DATE;
 extern const std::string AUTHOR;
 extern const std::string LICENSE;
 
-void print_help() {
+bool print_help() {
     std::cout << std::endl;
     maketitle("DropShell version " + VERSION);
     std::cout << std::endl;
@@ -40,14 +40,17 @@ void print_help() {
     std::cout << std::endl;
     std::cout << std::endl;
     std::cout << "Service commands: (if no service is specified, all services for the server are affected)" << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "  install SERVER [SERVICE]     Install/reinstall/update service(s). Non-destructive." << std::endl;
     std::cout << "  list [SERVER] [SERVICE]      List status/details of all servers/server/service." << std::endl;
     std::cout << "  edit [SERVER] [SERVICE]      Edit the configuration of dropshell/server/service." << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "  COMMAND SERVER [SERVICE]     Run a command on service(s)." << std::endl;
     std::cout << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "Standard commands: install, uninstall, backup, restore, start, stop" << std::endl;
+    std::cout << "  install SERVER [SERVICE]     Install/reinstall/update service(s). Safe/non-destructive." << std::endl;
+    std::cout << "  uninstall SERVER [SERVICE]   Uninstalls the service on the remote server. Leaves data intact." << std::endl;
+    std::cout << "  nuke SERVER SERVICE          Nuke the service on the remote server, deleting all remote data." << std::endl;
     std::cout << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "  ssh     SERVER [SERVICE]     Launch an interactive shell on a server or service" << std::endl;
+    std::cout << "  COMMAND SERVER [SERVICE]     Run a command on service(s), e.g." << std::endl;
+    std::cout << "                                  backup, restore, start, stop, logs" << std::endl;
+    std::cout << std::endl;
+    std::cout << "  ssh     SERVER SERVICE       Launch an interactive shell on a server or service" << std::endl;
     std::cout << std::endl;
     std::cout << "Creation commands: (apply to the first local config directory)"<<std::endl;
     std::cout << "  create-template TEMPLATE" << std::endl;
@@ -59,6 +62,7 @@ void print_help() {
         std::cout << std::endl;
         std::cout << "Other commands available once initialised." << std::endl;
     }
+    return true;
 }
 
 
@@ -115,32 +119,27 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
         if (gConfig().is_config_set()) 
             gTemplateManager().load_sources();
 
-        if (argc < 2) {
-            print_help();
-            return 0;
-        }
-        std::string cmd = argv[1];
-        std::vector<std::string> argvec;
-        for (int i=0; i<argc; i++) 
-            argvec.push_back(argv[i]);
+        if (argc < 2) 
+            return print_help() ? 0 : 1;
 
+        std::string cmd = argv[1];
 
         if (cmd == "autocomplete") {
-            autocomplete(argvec);
-            return 0;
+            std::vector<std::string> argvec;
+            for (int i=0; i<argc; i++) 
+                argvec.push_back(argv[i]);
+            return autocomplete(argvec) ? 0 : 1;
         }
 
-        if (cmd == "help" || cmd == "-h" || cmd == "--help" || cmd== "h" || cmd=="halp") {
-            print_help();
-            return 0;
-        }
+        if (cmd == "help" || cmd == "-h" || cmd == "--help" || cmd== "h" || cmd=="halp") 
+            return print_help() ? 0 : 1;
 
         if (cmd == "edit" && argc < 3) {
             if (!gConfig().is_config_set())
                gConfig().save_config(false);
 
             std::string config_file = localfile::dropshell_json();
-            if (!edit_file(config_file) || !std::filesystem::exists(config_file))
+            if (!service_runner::edit_file(config_file) || !std::filesystem::exists(config_file))
                 return die("Error: Failed to edit config file.");
 
             gConfig().load_config();
@@ -190,62 +189,65 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
 
         if (cmd == "create-template") {
             if (argc < 3) return die("Error: create-template requires a template name");
-            gTemplateManager().create_template(argv[2]);
-            return 0;
+            return (gTemplateManager().create_template(argv[2])) ? 0 : 1;
         }
 
         if (cmd == "create-server") {
             if (argc < 3) return die("Error: create-server requires a server name");
-            create_server(argv[2]);
-            return 0;
+            return (create_server(argv[2])) ? 0 : 1;
         }
 
         if (cmd == "create-service") {
             if (argc < 5) return die("Error: not enough arguments.\ndropshell create-service server template service");
-            create_service(argv[2], argv[3], argv[4]);
-            return 0;
+            return (create_service(argv[2], argv[3], argv[4])) ? 0 : 1;
         }
 
          if (cmd == "ssh" && argc < 4) {
             if (argc < 3) return die("Error: ssh requires a server name and optionally service name");
-            interactive_ssh(argv[2], "bash");
+            service_runner::interactive_ssh(argv[2], "bash");
             return 0;
         }
 
         if (cmd == "edit" && argc < 4) {
             ASSERT_MSG(argc>=3, "Error: logic error!");
-            edit_server(safearg(argc,argv,2));
+            service_runner::edit_server(safearg(argc,argv,2));
             return 0;
         }
 
         // handle running a command. 
         std::set<std::string> commands;
         get_all_used_commands(commands);
-        commands.merge(std::set<std::string>{"ssh","edit","_allservicesstatus"}); // handled by service_runner, but not in template_shell_commands.
-        for (const auto& command : commands) {
-            if (cmd == command) {
-                ServerAndServices server_and_services;
-                if (!getCLIServices(safearg(argc, argv, 2), safearg(argc, argv, 3), server_and_services)) {
-                    std::cerr << "Error: " << command << " command requires server name and optionally service name" << std::endl;
-                    return 1;
-                }
+        commands.merge(std::set<std::string>{"ssh","edit","_allservicesstatus","fullnuke"}); // handled by service_runner, but not in template_shell_commands.
 
-                for (const auto& service_info : server_and_services.servicelist) {
+        if (commands.count(cmd)) {
+            std::set<std::string> safe_commands = {"nuke", "fullnuke"};
+            if (safe_commands.count(cmd) && argc < 4) 
+                return die("Error: "+cmd+" requires a server name and service name. For safety, can't run on all services.");
+
+            // get all the services to run the command on.
+            ServerAndServices server_and_services;
+            if (!getCLIServices(safearg(argc, argv, 2), safearg(argc, argv, 3), server_and_services)) 
+                return die("Error: "+cmd+" command requires server name and optionally service name");
+
+            // run the command on each service.
+            for (const auto& service_info : server_and_services.servicelist) {
+                if (!SIvalid(service_info))
+                    std::cerr<<"Error: Unable to get service information."<<std::endl;
+                else {
                     service_runner runner(server_and_services.server_name, service_info.service_name);
-                    if (!runner.isValid()) {
-                        std::cerr << "Error: Failed to initialize service" << std::endl;
-                        return 1;
-                    }
+                    if (!runner.isValid()) 
+                        return die("Error: Failed to initialize service");
+                    
                     std::vector<std::string> additional_args;
                     for (int i=4; i<argc; i++)
                         additional_args.push_back(argv[i]);
-                    if (!runner.run_command(command, additional_args)) {
-                        std::cerr << command +" failed." << std::endl;
-                        return 1;
-                    }
+                    if (!runner.run_command(cmd, additional_args)) 
+                        return die(cmd+" failed on service "+service_info.service_name);
                 }
-                return 0;
             }
+
+            // success!
+            return 0;
         }
 
         // Unknown command
diff --git a/src/server_env_manager.cpp b/src/server_env_manager.cpp
index 979f8d3..4fe3060 100644
--- a/src/server_env_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/server_env_manager.cpp
@@ -112,13 +112,19 @@ std::string server_env_manager::construct_ssh_cmd(bool allocateTTY) const {
 
 sCommand server_env_manager::construct_standard_command_run_cmd(const std::string &service_name, const std::string &command, std::vector<std::string> args, bool silent) const
 {
+    if (command.empty())
+        return sCommand();
+
     std::string remote_service_template_path = remotepath::service_template(mServerName,service_name);
     std::string remote_service_config_path = remotepath::service_config(mServerName,service_name);
 
     std::string script_path = remote_service_template_path + "/" + command + ".sh";
 
     std::map<std::string, std::string> env_vars;
-    get_all_service_env_vars(mServerName, service_name, env_vars);
+    if (!get_all_service_env_vars(mServerName, service_name, env_vars)) {
+        std::cerr << "Error: Failed to get all service env vars for " << service_name << std::endl;
+        return sCommand();
+    }
 
     std::string argstr = "";
     for (const auto& arg : args) {
@@ -126,6 +132,10 @@ sCommand server_env_manager::construct_standard_command_run_cmd(const std::strin
     }
 
     sCommand scommand(remote_service_template_path, "bash " + quote(script_path) + argstr + (silent ? " > /dev/null 2>&1" : ""), env_vars);
+
+    if (scommand.empty())
+        std::cerr << "Error: Failed to construct command for " << service_name << " " << command << std::endl;
+
     return scommand;
 }
 
@@ -161,9 +171,21 @@ bool server_env_manager::check_remote_items_exist(const std::vector<std::string>
     return true;
 }
 
+bool EXITSTATUSCHECK(int ret) {
+    return (ret != -1 && WIFEXITED(ret) && (WEXITSTATUS(ret) == 0)); // ret is -1 if the command failed to execute.
+}
+
 bool server_env_manager::execute_ssh_command(const sCommand& command, bool allocateTTY) const {
     std::string full_cmd = construct_ssh_cmd(allocateTTY) + " " + (allocateTTY ? halfquote(command.construct_rawcmd()) : quote(command.construct_safecmd()));
-    return (system(full_cmd.c_str()) == 0);
+    int ret = system(full_cmd.c_str());
+    if (ret == -1) {
+        std::cerr << "Error: Failed to execute command: " << full_cmd << std::endl;
+        // system() failed to execute
+        return false;
+    } else {
+        // Check if the command exited normally and with status 0
+        return EXITSTATUSCHECK(ret);
+    }
 }
 
 bool server_env_manager::execute_ssh_command_and_capture_output(const sCommand& command, std::string &output, bool allocateTTY) const
@@ -175,6 +197,8 @@ bool server_env_manager::execute_ssh_command_and_capture_output(const sCommand&
 bool server_env_manager::run_remote_template_command(const std::string &service_name, const std::string &command, std::vector<std::string> args, bool silent) const
 {
     sCommand scommand = construct_standard_command_run_cmd(service_name, command, args, silent);
+    if (scommand.get_command_to_run().empty())
+        return false;
     bool allocateTTY = (command=="ssh");
     return execute_ssh_command(scommand, allocateTTY);
 }
@@ -182,21 +206,23 @@ bool server_env_manager::run_remote_template_command(const std::string &service_
 bool server_env_manager::run_remote_template_command_and_capture_output(const std::string &service_name, const std::string &command, std::vector<std::string> args, std::string &output, bool silent) const
 {
     sCommand scommand = construct_standard_command_run_cmd(service_name, command, args, silent);
+    if (scommand.get_command_to_run().empty())
+        return false;
     bool allocateTTY = (command=="ssh");
     return execute_ssh_command_and_capture_output(scommand, output, allocateTTY);
 }
 
 bool server_env_manager::execute_local_command(const sCommand& command) {
-    auto status = system(command.construct_safecmd().c_str());
-    if ( WIFEXITED(status) ) {
-        int returned = WEXITSTATUS(status);
-        return (returned == 0);
-    }
-    return false;
+    if (command.get_command_to_run().empty())
+        return false;
+    int ret = system(command.construct_safecmd().c_str());
+    return EXITSTATUSCHECK(ret);
 }
 
 bool server_env_manager::execute_local_command_interactive(const sCommand &command)
 {
+    if (command.get_command_to_run().empty())
+        return false;
     std::string full_command = command.construct_rawcmd(); // Get the command string
 
     pid_t pid = fork();
@@ -217,23 +243,20 @@ bool server_env_manager::execute_local_command_interactive(const sCommand &comma
         // If execvp returns, it means an error occurred
         perror("execvp failed");
         exit(EXIT_FAILURE); // Exit child process on error
-
     } else {
         // Parent process
-        int status;
+        int ret;
         // Wait for the child process to complete
-        waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+        waitpid(pid, &ret, 0);
 
-        if (WIFEXITED(status)) {
-            return (WEXITSTATUS(status) == 0);
-        }
-        return false; // Child terminated abnormally
+        return EXITSTATUSCHECK(ret);
     }
-
 }
 
 bool server_env_manager::execute_local_command_and_capture_output(const sCommand& command, std::string &output)
 {
+    if (command.get_command_to_run().empty())
+        return false;
     std::string full_cmd = command.construct_safecmd() + " 2>&1";
     FILE *pipe = popen(full_cmd.c_str(), "r");
     if (!pipe) {
@@ -243,17 +266,15 @@ bool server_env_manager::execute_local_command_and_capture_output(const sCommand
     while (fgets(buffer, sizeof(buffer), pipe) != nullptr) {
         output += buffer;
     }
-    int status = pclose(pipe);
-    if ( WIFEXITED(status) ) {
-        int returned = WEXITSTATUS(status);
-        return (returned == 0);
-    }
-    return false;
+    int ret = pclose(pipe);
+    return EXITSTATUSCHECK(ret);
 }
 
 
 std::string sCommand::construct_safecmd() const
 {
+    if (mCmd.empty())
+        return "";
     std::string to_encode;
 
     for (const auto& env_var : mVars) {
@@ -272,6 +293,9 @@ std::string sCommand::construct_safecmd() const
 
 std::string sCommand::construct_rawcmd() const
 {
+    if (mCmd.empty())
+        return "";
+
     std::string rawcmd;
     if (!mDir.empty())
         rawcmd = "cd " + quote(mDir) + " && ";
@@ -288,6 +312,8 @@ std::string sCommand::construct_rawcmd() const
 
 std::string makesafecmd(const std::string &command)
 {
+    if (command.empty())
+        return "";
     std::string encoded = base64_encode(dequote(trim(command)));
     std::string commandstr = "echo " + encoded + " | base64 -d | bash";
     return commandstr;
diff --git a/src/server_env_manager.hpp b/src/server_env_manager.hpp
index 8e1ac20..d25d58d 100644
--- a/src/server_env_manager.hpp
+++ b/src/server_env_manager.hpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class sCommand {
             mDir(directory_to_run_in), mCmd(command_to_run), mVars(env_vars) {}
         sCommand(std::string command_to_run) : 
             mDir(""), mCmd(command_to_run), mVars({}) {}
-
+        sCommand() : mDir(""), mCmd(""), mVars({}) {}
 
         std::string get_directory_to_run_in() const { return mDir; }
         std::string get_command_to_run() const { return mCmd; }
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ class sCommand {
         std::string construct_safecmd() const;
         std::string construct_rawcmd() const;
 
+        bool empty() const { return mCmd.empty(); }
+
     private:
         std::string mDir;
         std::string mCmd;
@@ -64,6 +66,7 @@ class server_env_manager {
         std::string get_SSH_PORT() const { return get_variable("SSH_PORT"); }
         std::string get_DROPSHELL_DIR() const { return get_variable("DROPSHELL_DIR"); }
         bool is_valid() const { return mValid; }
+        std::string get_server_name() const { return mServerName; }
 
 // helper functions
     public:
diff --git a/src/servers.cpp b/src/servers.cpp
index 579b9a4..551fa45 100644
--- a/src/servers.cpp
+++ b/src/servers.cpp
@@ -174,14 +174,14 @@ void show_server_details(const std::string& server_name) {
     } // end of list services
 } // end of show_server_details
 
-void create_server(const std::string &server_name)
+bool create_server(const std::string &server_name)
 {
     // 1. check if server name already exists
     std::string server_existing_dir = localpath::server(server_name);
     if (!server_existing_dir.empty()) {
         std::cerr << "Error: Server name already exists: " << server_name << std::endl;
         std::cerr << "Current server path: " << server_existing_dir << std::endl;
-        return;
+        return false;
     }
 
     // 2. create a new directory in the user config directory
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ void create_server(const std::string &server_name)
     if (lsdp.empty() || lsdp[0].empty()) {
         std::cerr << "Error: Local server definition path not found" << std::endl;
         std::cerr << "Run 'dropshell edit' to configure DropShell" << std::endl;
-        return;
+        return false;
     }
     std::string server_dir = lsdp[0] + "/" + server_name;
     std::filesystem::create_directory(server_dir);
@@ -214,6 +214,7 @@ void create_server(const std::string &server_name)
     std::cout << "2) test ssh is working:           dropshell ssh " << server_name << std::endl;
     std::cout << "3) install dropshell-agent:       dropshell install " << server_name << " dropshell-agent" << std::endl;
     std::cout << std::endl;
+    return true;
 }
 
 void get_all_used_commands(std::set<std::string> &commands)
diff --git a/src/servers.hpp b/src/servers.hpp
index 2a40400..4afbf66 100644
--- a/src/servers.hpp
+++ b/src/servers.hpp
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ namespace dropshell {
     void list_servers();
     void show_server_details(const std::string& server_name);
 
-    void create_server(const std::string& server_name);
+    bool create_server(const std::string& server_name);
    
     void get_all_used_commands(std::set<std::string> &commands);
 
diff --git a/src/service_runner.cpp b/src/service_runner.cpp
index 16b687b..08a802e 100644
--- a/src/service_runner.cpp
+++ b/src/service_runner.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ service_runner::service_runner(const std::string& server_name, const std::string
         return;
 
     mServiceInfo = get_service_info(server_name, service_name);
+    if (mServiceInfo.service_name.empty())
+        return;
+
     mService = mServiceInfo.service_name;
     
     mValid = !mServiceInfo.local_template_path.empty();
@@ -144,7 +147,7 @@ bool service_runner::uninstall() {
     return true;
 }
 
-bool service_runner::nuke()
+bool service_runner::nuke(bool silent)
 {
     maketitle("Nuking " + mService + " (" + mServiceInfo.template_name + ") on " + mServer);
 
@@ -156,10 +159,22 @@ bool service_runner::nuke()
     else 
     {
         // try uninstalling.
-        mServerEnv.run_remote_template_command(mService, "uninstall", {});
-        mServerEnv.run_remote_template_command(mService, "nuke", {});
+        if (gTemplateManager().template_command_exists(mServiceInfo.template_name, "uninstall"))
+            if (!mServerEnv.run_remote_template_command(mService, "uninstall", {}))
+                std::cerr << "Warning: Uninstall script failed, but continuing with directory removal" << std::endl;
 
-        std::string rm_cmd = "rm -rf " + quote(remotepath::service(mServer, mService));
+        // try nuke script.
+        if (gTemplateManager().template_command_exists(mServiceInfo.template_name, "nuke"))
+            if (!mServerEnv.run_remote_template_command(mService, "nuke", {}))
+                std::cerr << "Warning: Nuke script failed, but continuing with directory removal" << std::endl;
+
+        // try rm -rf.
+        std::string remotedir = remotepath::service(mServer, mService);
+        std::string remoteparentdir = get_parent(remotedir);
+        std::string remotechilddir = get_child(remotedir);
+
+        std::string cmd = quote("rm -rf /parent/"+remotechilddir);
+        std::string rm_cmd = "docker run --rm -v "+quote(remoteparentdir)+":/parent debian bash -c "+cmd;
         if (!mServerEnv.execute_ssh_command(rm_cmd)) {
             std::cerr << "Failed to remove service directory" << std::endl;
             return false;
@@ -167,24 +182,37 @@ bool service_runner::nuke()
     }
 
     std::cout << "Service " << mService << " successfully nuked from " << mServer << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "Now deleteing local files..." << std::endl;
-    std::string local_service_path = localpath::service(mServer,mService);
-    if (local_service_path.empty() || !fs::exists(local_service_path)) {
-        std::cerr << "Error: Service directory not found: " << local_service_path << std::endl;
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        std::string rm_cmd = "rm -rf " + quote(local_service_path);
-        if (!mServerEnv.execute_local_command(rm_cmd)) {
-            std::cerr << "Failed to remove service directory" << std::endl;
-            return false;
-        }
-    }
 
-    std::cout << "Service " << mService << " successfully nuked from " << mServer << std::endl;
+    if (!silent) {
+        std::cout << "There's nothing left on the remote server." << std::endl;
+        std::cout << "You can remove the local files with:" << std::endl;
+        std::cout << "   rm -rf " << localpath::service(mServer,mService) << std::endl;
+    }
     return true;
 }
 
+bool service_runner::fullnuke()
+{
+    if (!nuke(true))
+    {
+        std::cerr << "Warning: Nuke script failed, aborting fullnuke!" << std::endl;
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    std::string local_service_path = mServiceInfo.local_service_path;
+    if (local_service_path.empty() || !fs::exists(local_service_path)) {
+        std::cerr << "Error: Service directory not found: " << local_service_path << std::endl;
+        return false;
+    }  
+    
+    std::string rm_cmd = "rm -rf " + quote(local_service_path);
+    if (!mServerEnv.execute_local_command(rm_cmd)) {
+        std::cerr << "Failed to remove service directory" << std::endl;
+        return false;
+    }
+    
+    return true;
+}
 
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -207,6 +235,15 @@ bool service_runner::run_command(const std::string& command, std::vector<std::st
         return true;
     }
 
+    if (command == "fullnuke") 
+        return fullnuke();
+
+    if (command == "nuke") 
+    {
+        std::cout << "Nuking " << mService << " (" << mServiceInfo.template_name << ") on " << mServer << std::endl;
+        return nuke();
+    }
+
     if (!gTemplateManager().template_command_exists(mServiceInfo.template_name, command)) {
         std::cout << "No command script for " << mServiceInfo.template_name << " : " << command << std::endl;
         return true; // nothing to run.
@@ -220,25 +257,25 @@ bool service_runner::run_command(const std::string& command, std::vector<std::st
     
     // Check if service directory exists
     if (!mServerEnv.check_remote_dir_exists(remotepath::service(mServer, mService))) {
+        std::cerr << "Error: Service is not installed: " << mService << std::endl;
         return false;
     }
     
     // Check if command script exists
     if (!mServerEnv.check_remote_file_exists(script_path)) {
+        std::cerr << "Error: Remote command script not found: " << script_path << std::endl;
         return false;
     }
 
     // Check if env file exists
     if (!mServerEnv.check_remote_file_exists(remotefile::service_env(mServer, mService))) {
+        std::cerr << "Error: Service config file not found: " << remotefile::service_env(mServer, mService) << std::endl;
         return false;
     }
 
     if (command == "uninstall") 
         return uninstall();
 
-    if (command == "nuke") 
-        return nuke();
-
     if (command == "ssh") {
         interactive_ssh_service();
         return true;
@@ -379,7 +416,7 @@ std::string service_runner::healthmark()
     return HealthStatus2String(status);
 }
 
-void interactive_ssh(const std::string & server_name, const std::string & command) {
+void service_runner::interactive_ssh(const std::string & server_name, const std::string & command) {
     std::string serverpath = localpath::server(server_name);
     if (serverpath.empty()) {
         std::cerr << "Error: Server not found: " << server_name << std::endl;
@@ -409,7 +446,7 @@ void interactive_ssh(const std::string & server_name, const std::string & comman
     exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 }
 
-void edit_server(const std::string &server_name)
+void service_runner::edit_server(const std::string &server_name)
 {
     std::string serverpath = localpath::server(server_name);
     if (serverpath.empty()) {
@@ -432,7 +469,7 @@ void edit_server(const std::string &server_name)
         std::cout << aftertext.str() << std::endl;
 }
 
-bool edit_file(const std::string &file_path)
+bool service_runner::edit_file(const std::string &file_path)
 {
     // make sure parent directory exists.
     std::string parent_dir = get_parent(file_path);
@@ -491,6 +528,12 @@ bool service_runner::restore(std::string backup_file, bool silent)
     }
 
     std::string local_backups_dir = gConfig().get_local_backup_path();
+
+    if (backup_file == "latest") {
+        // get the latest backup file from the server
+        backup_file = get_latest_backup_file(mServer, mService);
+    }
+
     std::string local_backup_file_path = (std::filesystem::path(local_backups_dir) / backup_file).string();
 
     if (! std::filesystem::exists(local_backup_file_path)) {
@@ -520,14 +563,6 @@ bool service_runner::restore(std::string backup_file, bool silent)
     std::cout << "Restoring " << nicedate << " backup of " << backup_template_name << " taken from "<<backup_server_name<<", onto "<<mServer<<"/"<<mService<<std::endl;
     std::cout << std::endl;
     std::cout << "*** ALL DATA FOR "<<mServer<<"/"<<mService<<" WILL BE OVERWRITTEN! ***"<<std::endl;
-    std::cout << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "Are you sure you want to continue? (y/n)" << std::endl;
-    char confirm;
-    std::cin >> confirm;
-    if (confirm != 'y') {
-        std::cout << "Restore cancelled." << std::endl;
-        return false;
-    }
 
     // run the restore script
     std::cout << "OK, here goes..." << std::endl;
@@ -556,8 +591,10 @@ bool service_runner::restore(std::string backup_file, bool silent)
             std::cerr << "Failed to copy backup file from server" << std::endl;
             return false;
         }
-        mServerEnv.run_remote_template_command(mService, "restore", {remote_backup_file_path}, silent);
-    }
+
+        cRemoteTempFolder remote_temp_folder(mServerEnv);
+        mServerEnv.run_remote_template_command(mService, "restore", {remote_backup_file_path, remote_temp_folder.path()}, silent);
+    } // dtor of remote_temp_folder will clean up the temp folder on the server
 
     // healthcheck the service
     std::cout << "3) Healthchecking service..." << std::endl;
@@ -652,20 +689,22 @@ bool service_runner::backup(bool silent) {
     // assert that the backup filename is valid - -_- appears exactly 3 times in local_backup_file_path.
     ASSERT(3 == count_substring(magic_string, local_backup_file_path));
 
-    // Run backup script
-    if (!mServerEnv.run_remote_template_command(mService, command, {remote_backup_file_path}, silent)) {
-        std::cerr << "Backup script failed on remote server: " << remote_backup_file_path << std::endl;
-        return false;
-    }
+    {   // Run backup script
+        cRemoteTempFolder remote_temp_folder(mServerEnv);
+        if (!mServerEnv.run_remote_template_command(mService, command, {remote_backup_file_path, remote_temp_folder.path()}, silent)) {
+            std::cerr << "Backup script failed on remote server: " << remote_backup_file_path << std::endl;
+            return false;
+        }
 
-    // Copy backup file from server to local
-    std::string scp_cmd = "scp -P " + mServerEnv.get_SSH_PORT() + " " + 
-                         mServerEnv.get_SSH_USER() + "@" + mServerEnv.get_SSH_HOST() + ":" + 
-                         quote(remote_backup_file_path) + " " + quote(local_backup_file_path) + (silent ? " > /dev/null 2>&1" : "");
-    if (!mServerEnv.execute_local_command(scp_cmd)) {
-        std::cerr << "Failed to copy backup file from server" << std::endl;
-        return false;
-    }
+        // Copy backup file from server to local
+        std::string scp_cmd = "scp -P " + mServerEnv.get_SSH_PORT() + " " + 
+                            mServerEnv.get_SSH_USER() + "@" + mServerEnv.get_SSH_HOST() + ":" + 
+                            quote(remote_backup_file_path) + " " + quote(local_backup_file_path) + (silent ? " > /dev/null 2>&1" : "");
+        if (!mServerEnv.execute_local_command(scp_cmd)) {
+            std::cerr << "Failed to copy backup file from server" << std::endl;
+            return false;
+        }
+    } // dtor of remote_temp_folder will clean up the temp folder on the server
 
     if (!silent) {
         std::cout << "Backup created successfully. Restore with:"<<std::endl;
@@ -674,6 +713,73 @@ bool service_runner::backup(bool silent) {
     return true;
 }
 
+cRemoteTempFolder::cRemoteTempFolder(const server_env_manager &server_env) : mServerEnv(server_env)
+{
+    std::string p = remotepath::temp_files(server_env.get_server_name()) + "/" + random_alphanumeric_string(10);
+    std::string mkdir_cmd = "mkdir -p " + quote(p);
+    if (!server_env.execute_ssh_command(mkdir_cmd)) 
+        std::cerr << "Failed to create temp directory on server" << std::endl;
+    else 
+        mPath = p;
+}
 
 
-} // namespace dropshell 
\ No newline at end of file
+cRemoteTempFolder::~cRemoteTempFolder()
+{
+    std::string rm_cmd = "rm -rf " + quote(mPath);
+    mServerEnv.execute_ssh_command(rm_cmd);
+}
+
+std::string cRemoteTempFolder::path() const
+{
+    return mPath;
+}
+
+// Helper function to get the latest backup file for a given server and service
+std::string service_runner::get_latest_backup_file(const std::string& server, const std::string& service) {
+    std::string local_backups_dir = gConfig().get_local_backup_path();
+    if (local_backups_dir.empty() || !std::filesystem::exists(local_backups_dir)) {
+        std::cerr << "Error: Local backups directory not found: " << local_backups_dir << std::endl;
+        return "";
+    }
+
+    // Get the template name for this service
+    LocalServiceInfo info = get_service_info(server, service);
+    if (info.template_name.empty()) {
+        std::cerr << "Error: Could not determine template name for service: " << service << std::endl;
+        return "";
+    }
+
+    // Build the expected prefix for backup files
+    std::string prefix = server + magic_string + info.template_name + magic_string + service + magic_string;
+    std::string latest_file;
+    std::string latest_datetime;
+
+    std::cout << "Looking for backup files in " << local_backups_dir << std::endl;
+
+    for (const auto& entry : std::filesystem::directory_iterator(local_backups_dir)) {
+        if (!entry.is_regular_file()) continue;
+        std::string filename = entry.path().filename().string();
+        if (filename.rfind(prefix, 0) == 0) { // starts with prefix
+            // Extract the datetime part
+            size_t dt_start = prefix.size();
+            size_t dt_end = filename.find(".tgz", dt_start);
+            if (dt_end == std::string::npos) continue;
+            std::string datetime = filename.substr(dt_start, dt_end - dt_start);
+            std::cout << "Found backup file: " << filename << " with datetime: " << datetime << std::endl;
+            if (datetime > latest_datetime) {
+                latest_datetime = datetime;
+                latest_file = filename;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (latest_file.empty()) {
+        std::cerr << "Error: No backup files found for " << server << ", " << service << std::endl;
+    }
+
+    std::cout << "Latest backup file: " << latest_file << std::endl;
+    return latest_file;
+}
+
+} // namespace dropshell
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/service_runner.hpp b/src/service_runner.hpp
index d67adbe..88b66d7 100644
--- a/src/service_runner.hpp
+++ b/src/service_runner.hpp
@@ -56,10 +56,6 @@ class service_runner {
         std::string healthtick();
         std::string healthmark();
 
-        // get the status of all services on the server
-        static std::map<std::string, ServiceStatus> get_all_services_status(std::string server_name);
-        static std::string HealthStatus2String(HealthStatus status);
-
     private:    
         // install the service over ssh, using the credentials from server.env (via server_env.hpp), by:
         // 1. check if the server_name exists, and the service_name refers to a valid template
@@ -82,7 +78,8 @@ class service_runner {
         bool restore(std::string backup_file, bool silent=false);
 
         // nuke the service
-        bool nuke();
+        bool nuke(bool silent=false); // nukes all data for this service on the remote server
+        bool fullnuke(); // nuke all data for this service on the remote server, and then nukes all the local service definitionfiles
 
         // launch an interactive ssh session on a server or service
         // replaces the current dropshell process with the ssh process
@@ -91,6 +88,16 @@ class service_runner {
         // edit the service configuration file
         void edit_service_config();
 
+
+    public:
+        // utility functions
+        static std::string get_latest_backup_file(const std::string& server, const std::string& service);
+        static void interactive_ssh(const std::string & server_name, const std::string & command);
+        static void edit_server(const std::string & server_name);
+        static bool edit_file(const std::string & file_path);
+        static std::map<std::string, ServiceStatus> get_all_services_status(std::string server_name);
+        static std::string HealthStatus2String(HealthStatus status);
+
     private:
         std::string mServer;
         server_env_manager mServerEnv;
@@ -102,11 +109,15 @@ class service_runner {
     public:
 };
 
-
-// other utility routines (not specific to service_runner)
-void interactive_ssh(const std::string & server_name, const std::string & command);
-void edit_server(const std::string & server_name);
-bool edit_file(const std::string & file_path);
+    class cRemoteTempFolder {
+        public:
+            cRemoteTempFolder(const server_env_manager & server_env); // create a temp folder on the remote server
+            ~cRemoteTempFolder(); // delete the temp folder on the remote server
+            std::string path() const; // get the path to the temp folder on the remote server
+        private:
+            std::string mPath;
+            const server_env_manager & mServerEnv;
+    };
 
 } // namespace dropshell
 
diff --git a/src/services.cpp b/src/services.cpp
index 52d72ad..3285c1f 100644
--- a/src/services.cpp
+++ b/src/services.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,13 @@ namespace fs = std::filesystem;
 
 namespace dropshell {   
 
+    bool SIvalid(const LocalServiceInfo& service_info) {
+        return !service_info.service_name.empty() && 
+               !service_info.template_name.empty() && 
+               !service_info.local_service_path.empty() && 
+               !service_info.local_template_path.empty();
+    }
+
 std::vector<LocalServiceInfo> get_server_services_info(const std::string& server_name) {
     std::vector<LocalServiceInfo> services;
 
@@ -64,7 +71,8 @@ LocalServiceInfo get_service_info(const std::string &server_name, const std::str
 
     // now set the template name and path.
     std::map<std::string, std::string> variables;
-    get_all_service_env_vars(server_name, service_name, variables);
+    if (!get_all_service_env_vars(server_name, service_name, variables))
+        return LocalServiceInfo();
  
     // confirm TEMPLATE is defined.
     auto it = variables.find("TEMPLATE");
@@ -207,10 +215,16 @@ bool create_service(const std::string &server_name, const std::string &template_
 
 
 
-void get_all_service_env_vars(const std::string &server_name, const std::string &service_name, std::map<std::string, std::string> & all_env_vars)
+bool get_all_service_env_vars(const std::string &server_name, const std::string &service_name, std::map<std::string, std::string> & all_env_vars)
 {
     all_env_vars.clear();
 
+    if (localpath::service(server_name, service_name).empty() || !fs::exists(localpath::service(server_name, service_name)))
+    {
+        std::cerr << "Error: Service not found: " << service_name << std::endl;
+        return false;
+    }
+
     // add in some handy variables.
     all_env_vars["CONFIG_PATH"] = remotepath::service_config(server_name,service_name);
     all_env_vars["SERVER"] = server_name;
@@ -247,13 +261,22 @@ void get_all_service_env_vars(const std::string &server_name, const std::string
         std::cerr << "The TEMPLATE variable is required to determine the template name." << std::endl;
         std::cerr << "Please check the service.env file and the .template_info.env file in:" << std::endl;
         std::cerr << "    " << localpath::service(server_name, service_name) << std::endl << std::endl;
-        return;
+        return false;
     }
     template_info tinfo = gTemplateManager().get_template_info(it->second);
-    if (tinfo.is_set()) 
-        load_env_file(tinfo.local_template_path()/"_default.env");
-    else
+    if (!tinfo.is_set()) {
         std::cerr << "Error: Template '" << it->second << "' not found" << std::endl;
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    std::string default_env_file = tinfo.local_template_path()/"_default.env";
+    if (!fs::exists(default_env_file)) {
+        std::cerr << "Error: Template default env file '" << default_env_file << "' not found" << std::endl;
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    load_env_file(default_env_file);
+    return true;
 }
 
 } // namespace dropshell
diff --git a/src/services.hpp b/src/services.hpp
index c6b8bb6..447cc12 100644
--- a/src/services.hpp
+++ b/src/services.hpp
@@ -15,13 +15,15 @@ namespace dropshell {
         std::string local_template_path;
     };
     
+    bool SIvalid(const LocalServiceInfo& service_info);
+    
     std::vector<LocalServiceInfo> get_server_services_info(const std::string& server_name);
 
     LocalServiceInfo get_service_info(const std::string& server_name, const std::string& service_name);
     std::set<std::string> get_used_commands(const std::string& server_name, const std::string& service_name);
 
     // get all env vars for a given service
-    void get_all_service_env_vars(const std::string& server_name, const std::string& service_name, std::map<std::string, std::string> & all_env_vars);
+    bool get_all_service_env_vars(const std::string& server_name, const std::string& service_name, std::map<std::string, std::string> & all_env_vars);
 
     // list all backups for a given service (across all servers)
     std::set<std::string> list_backups(const std::string& server_name, const std::string& service_name);
diff --git a/src/templates.cpp b/src/templates.cpp
index a58123b..1a94f5e 100644
--- a/src/templates.cpp
+++ b/src/templates.cpp
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@
         return source->template_command_exists(template_name, command);
     }
 
-    void template_manager::create_template(const std::string &template_name) const
+    bool template_manager::create_template(const std::string &template_name) const
     {
         // 1. Create a new directory in the user templates directory
         std::vector<std::string> local_server_definition_paths = gConfig().get_local_server_definition_paths();
@@ -176,20 +176,20 @@
         if (local_server_definition_paths.empty()) {
             std::cerr << "Error: No local server definition paths found" << std::endl;
             std::cerr << "Run 'dropshell edit' to configure DropShell" << std::endl;
-            return;
+            return false;
         }
 
         auto info = get_template_info(template_name);
         if (info.is_set()) {
             std::cerr << "Error: Template '" << template_name << "' already exists at " << info.locationID() << std::endl;
-            return;
+            return false;
         }
 
         auto local_template_paths = gConfig().get_template_local_paths();
         if (local_template_paths.empty()) {
             std::cerr << "Error: No local template paths found" << std::endl;
             std::cerr << "Run 'dropshell edit' to add one to the DropShell config" << std::endl;
-            return;
+            return false;
         }
         std::string new_template_path = local_template_paths[0] + "/" + template_name;
         
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@
         auto example_info = gTemplateManager().get_template_info("example-nginx");
         if (!example_info.is_set()) {
             std::cerr << "Error: Example template not found" << std::endl;
-            return;
+            return false;
         }
         std::string example_template_path = example_info.local_template_path();
                 
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@
         std::string service_env_path = new_template_path + "/config/.template_info.env";
         if (!replace_line_in_file(service_env_path, search_string, replacement_line)) {
             std::cerr << "Error: Failed to replace TEMPLATE= line in the .template_info.env file" << std::endl;
-            return;
+            return false;
         }
 
         // 3. Print out the README.txt file and the path
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@
 
         std::cout << std::endl;
         std::cout << "Template '" << template_name << "' created at " << new_template_path << std::endl;
-        test_template(new_template_path);
+        return test_template(new_template_path);
     }
 
     void template_manager::load_sources()
diff --git a/src/templates.hpp b/src/templates.hpp
index 867d9f8..89986b4 100644
--- a/src/templates.hpp
+++ b/src/templates.hpp
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class template_manager {
         template_info get_template_info(const std::string& template_name) const;
 
         bool template_command_exists(const std::string& template_name,const std::string& command) const;
-        void create_template(const std::string& template_name) const;
+        bool create_template(const std::string& template_name) const;
         static bool test_template(const std::string& template_path);
 
         void list_templates() const;
diff --git a/src/utils/directories.cpp b/src/utils/directories.cpp
index 32c9e61..3e43780 100644
--- a/src/utils/directories.cpp
+++ b/src/utils/directories.cpp
@@ -136,6 +136,12 @@ namespace remotepath {
         return (dsp.empty() ? "" : (dsp + "/backups"));
     }
 
+    std::string temp_files(const std::string &server_name)
+    {
+        std::string dsp = DROPSHELL_DIR(server_name);
+        return (dsp.empty() ? "" : (dsp + "/temp_files"));
+    }
+
     std::string service_env(const std::string &server_name, const std::string &service_name) 
     {
         std::string service_path = service_config(server_name, service_name);
@@ -147,11 +153,18 @@ namespace remotepath {
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Utility functions
 
-std::string get_parent(const std::string &path)
+std::string get_parent(const std::filesystem::path path)
 {
     if (path.empty())
         return std::string();
-    return fs::path(path).parent_path().string();
+    return path.parent_path().string();
+}
+
+std::string get_child(const std::filesystem::path path)
+{
+    if (path.empty())
+        return std::string();
+    return path.filename().string();
 }
 
 } // namespace dropshell
diff --git a/src/utils/directories.hpp b/src/utils/directories.hpp
index 54022e2..860f52c 100644
--- a/src/utils/directories.hpp
+++ b/src/utils/directories.hpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #define DIRECTORIES_HPP
 
 #include <string>
+#include <filesystem>
 
 namespace dropshell {
 
@@ -62,6 +63,7 @@ namespace dropshell {
     // remote paths
     // DROPSHELL_DIR
     //   |-- backups
+    //   |-- temp_files
     //   |-- services
     //       |-- service name
     //           |-- config
@@ -83,12 +85,14 @@ namespace dropshell {
         std::string service_config(const std::string &server_name, const std::string &service_name);
         std::string service_template(const std::string &server_name, const std::string &service_name);
         std::string backups(const std::string &server_name);
+        std::string temp_files(const std::string &server_name);
     } // namespace remotepath
 
     //------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     // utility functions
-    std::string get_parent(const std::string &path);
-
+    std::string get_parent(const std::filesystem::path path);
+    std::string get_child(const std::filesystem::path path);
 } // namespace dropshell
 
+
 #endif // DIRECTORIES_HPP
diff --git a/src/utils/utils.cpp b/src/utils/utils.cpp
index d892ae9..c8a32e7 100644
--- a/src/utils/utils.cpp
+++ b/src/utils/utils.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <filesystem>
 #include <regex>
+#include <random>
+
 namespace dropshell {
 
 void maketitle(const std::string& title) {
@@ -292,6 +294,18 @@ std::string replace_with_environment_variables_like_bash(std::string str) {
     return result;
 }
 
+std::string random_alphanumeric_string(int length)
+{
+    static std::mt19937 generator(std::random_device{}());
+    static const std::string chars = "0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz";
+    std::uniform_int_distribution<> distribution(0, chars.size() - 1);
+    std::string random_string;
+    for (int i = 0; i < length; ++i) {
+        random_string += chars[distribution(generator)];
+    }
+    
+    return random_string;
+}
 
 std::string requote(std::string str) {
     return quote(trim(dequote(trim(str))));
diff --git a/src/utils/utils.hpp b/src/utils/utils.hpp
index ab8ce7e..91c5869 100644
--- a/src/utils/utils.hpp
+++ b/src/utils/utils.hpp
@@ -38,4 +38,6 @@ int count_substring(const std::string &substring, const std::string &text);
 
 std::string replace_with_environment_variables_like_bash(std::string str);
 
+std::string random_alphanumeric_string(int length);
+
 } // namespace dropshell 
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/templates/caddy/backup.sh b/templates/caddy/backup.sh
index 9d38bcf..810b024 100644
--- a/templates/caddy/backup.sh
+++ b/templates/caddy/backup.sh
@@ -4,9 +4,7 @@ _check_required_env_vars
 
 _stop_container "$CONTAINER_NAME"
 
-if ! autobackup volume=$DATA_VOLUME volume=$CONFIG_VOLUME $1 $2; then
-    _die "Failed to create backup"
-fi
+autobackup "$1" "$2" "volume=$DATA_VOLUME" "volume=$CONFIG_VOLUME" || _die "Failed to create backup"
 
 _start_container "$CONTAINER_NAME"
 
diff --git a/templates/caddy/install.sh b/templates/caddy/install.sh
index 706067d..1ad9eba 100644
--- a/templates/caddy/install.sh
+++ b/templates/caddy/install.sh
@@ -2,9 +2,7 @@
 source "${AGENT_PATH}/_common.sh"
 _check_required_env_vars "CONTAINER_NAME" "IMAGE_REGISTRY" "IMAGE_REPO" "IMAGE_TAG" "DATA_VOLUME" "CONFIG_VOLUME" "CONFIG_PATH"
 
-if ! autocreate volume=$DATA_VOLUME volume=$CONFIG_VOLUME; then
-    _die "Failed to autocreate volumes and paths"
-fi
+autocreate "volume=$DATA_VOLUME" "volume=$CONFIG_VOLUME" || _die "Failed to autocreate volumes $DATA_VOLUME and $CONFIG_VOLUME"
 
 _check_docker_installed || _die "Docker test failed, aborting installation..."
 
diff --git a/templates/caddy/nuke.sh b/templates/caddy/nuke.sh
index 02f0814..5495b27 100644
--- a/templates/caddy/nuke.sh
+++ b/templates/caddy/nuke.sh
@@ -8,8 +8,6 @@ _check_required_env_vars
 # any docker volumes and any custom local data folders.
 
 
-if ! autonuke volume=$DATA_VOLUME volume=$CONFIG_VOLUME; then
-    _die "Failed to nuke"
-fi
+autonuke "volume=$DATA_VOLUME" "volume=$CONFIG_VOLUME" || _die "Failed to nuke"
 
 echo "Nuking of ${CONTAINER_NAME} complete."
diff --git a/templates/caddy/restore.sh b/templates/caddy/restore.sh
index cfc10ba..e5c7993 100644
--- a/templates/caddy/restore.sh
+++ b/templates/caddy/restore.sh
@@ -9,9 +9,7 @@ _check_required_env_vars
 bash ./uninstall.sh || _die "Failed to uninstall service before restore"
 
 # restore data from backup file
-if ! autorestore volume=$DATA_VOLUME volume=$CONFIG_VOLUME "$1" "$2"; then
-    _die "Failed to restore data from backup file"
-fi
+autorestore "$1" "$2" "volume=$DATA_VOLUME" "volume=$CONFIG_VOLUME" || _die "Failed to restore data from backup file"
 
 # reinstall service
 bash ./install.sh || _die "Failed to reinstall service after restore"
diff --git a/templates/dropshell-agent/shared/_autocommands.sh b/templates/dropshell-agent/shared/_autocommands.sh
index c181ccb..c338757 100644
--- a/templates/dropshell-agent/shared/_autocommands.sh
+++ b/templates/dropshell-agent/shared/_autocommands.sh
@@ -1,27 +1,99 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
+MYID=$(id -u)
+MYGRP=$(id -g)
 
-_autocommandrun() {
+_autocommandrun_volume() {
     command="$1"
-    key="$2"
-    value="$3"
+    volume_name="$2"
 
-    # only passed through if command is backup or restore.
-    backup_file="$4"
-    temp_path="$5"
-    
-    case "$key" in
-        volume)
-            echo "Volume: $value"
+    case "$command" in
+        create)
+            echo "Creating volume ${volume_name}"
+            docker volume create ${volume_name}
             ;;
-        path)
-            echo "Path: $value"
+        nuke)
+            echo "Nuking volume ${volume_name}"
+            docker volume rm ${volume_name}
             ;;
-        file)
-            echo "File: $value"
+        backup)
+            local backup_folder="$3"
+            echo "Backing up volume ${volume_name}"
+            docker run --rm -v ${volume_name}:/volume -v ${backup_folder}:/backup debian bash -c "tar -czvf /backup/backup.tgz -C /volume . && chown -R $MYID:$MYGRP /backup"
             ;;
-        *)
-            _die "Unknown key $key passed to auto${command}. We only support volume, path and file."
+        restore)
+            local backup_folder="$3"
+            echo "Restoring volume ${volume_name}"
+            docker volume rm ${volume_name}
+            docker volume create ${volume_name}
+            docker run --rm -v ${volume_name}:/volume -v ${backup_folder}:/backup debian bash -c "tar -xzvf /backup/backup.tgz -C /volume --strip-components=1"
+            ;;
+    esac
+}   
+
+_autocommandrun_path() {
+    command="$1"
+    path="$2"
+
+    case "$command" in
+        create)
+            echo "Creating path ${path}"
+            mkdir -p ${path}
+            ;;
+        nuke)
+            echo "Nuking path ${path}"
+            PATHPARENT=$(dirname ${path})
+            PATHCHILD=$(basename ${path})
+            if [ -d "${PATHPARENT}/${PATHCHILD}" ]; then
+                docker run --rm -v ${PATHPARENT}:/volume debian bash -c "rm -rf /volume/${PATHCHILD}" || echo "Failed to nuke path ${path}"
+            else
+                echo "Path ${path} does not exist - nothing to nuke"
+            fi
+            ;;
+        backup)
+            local backup_folder="$3"
+            echo "Backing up path ${path}"
+            if [ -d "${path}" ]; then
+                docker run --rm -v ${path}:/path -v ${backup_folder}:/backup debian bash -c "tar -czvf /backup/backup.tgz -C /path . && chown -R $MYID:$MYGRP /backup"
+            else
+                echo "Path ${path} does not exist - nothing to backup"
+            fi
+            ;;
+        restore)
+            local backup_folder="$3"
+            echo "Restoring path ${path}"
+            tar -xzvf ${backup_folder}/backup.tgz -C ${path} --strip-components=1
+            ;;
+    esac
+}
+
+_autocommandrun_file() {
+    command="$1"
+    value="$2"
+
+    case "$command" in
+        create)
+            ;;
+        nuke)
+            rm -f ${value}
+            ;;
+        backup)
+            local backup_folder="$3"
+            echo "Backing up file ${value}"
+
+            FILEPARENT=$(dirname ${value})
+            FILENAME=$(basename ${value})
+            if [ -f "${FILEPARENT}/${FILENAME}" ]; then
+                docker run --rm-v ${FILEPARENT}:/volume -v ${backup_folder}:/backup debian bash -c "cp /volume/${FILENAME} /backup/${FILENAME} && chown -R $MYID:$MYGRP /backup"
+            else
+                echo "File ${value} does not exist - nothing to backup"
+            fi
+            ;;
+        restore)
+            local backup_folder="$3"
+            echo "Restoring file ${value}"
+            local filename=$(basename ${value})
+            cp ${backup_folder}/${filename} ${value}
             ;;
     esac
 }
@@ -35,19 +107,22 @@ _autocommandparse() {
     # value is the path or volume name.
 
     # we iterate over the key=value arguments, and for each we call:
-    #    autorun <command> <key> <value> <backup_file> <temp_path>
+    #    autorun <command> <backupfile> <key> <value>
 
     local command="$1"
     shift
 
+    local temp_path="$1"
+    shift
+
+    echo "autocommandparse: command=$command temp_path=$temp_path"
+
     # Extract the backup file and temp path (last two arguments)
     local args=("$@")
     local arg_count=${#args[@]}
-    local backup_file="${args[$arg_count-2]}"
-    local temp_path="${args[$arg_count-1]}"
     
     # Process all key=value pairs
-    for ((i=0; i<$arg_count-2; i++)); do
+    for ((i=0; i<$arg_count; i++)); do
         local pair="${args[$i]}"
         
         # Skip if not in key=value format
@@ -57,30 +132,81 @@ _autocommandparse() {
         
         local key="${pair%%=*}"
         local value="${pair#*=}"
-        
+
+        # create backup folder unique to key/value.
+        local bfolder="${key}_${value}"
+
+        # remove any non-alphanumeric characters, that aren't dash or underscore from the bfile
+        targetpath=""
+        if [ ! "$temp_path" == "-" ]; then
+            bfolder=$(echo "$bfolder" | tr -cd '[:alnum:]_-')
+            mkdir -p ${temp_path}/${bfolder}
+            targetpath="${temp_path}/${bfolder}"
+        fi
+
         # Key must be one of volume, path or file
-        _autocommandrun "$command" "$key" "$value" "$backup_file" "$temp_path"
+        case "$key" in
+            volume)
+                _autocommandrun_volume "$command" "$value" "$targetpath"
+                ;;
+            path)
+                _autocommandrun_path "$command" "$value" "$targetpath"
+                ;;
+            file)
+                _autocommandrun_file "$command" "$value" "$targetpath"
+                ;;
+            *)
+                _die "Unknown key $key passed to auto${command}. We only support volume, path and file."
+                ;;
+        esac
     done
 }
 
 
 autocreate() {
-    _autocommandparse create "$@" "-" "-"
+    _autocommandparse create "-" "$@"
 }
 
 
 autonuke() {
-    _autocommandparse nuke "$@" "-" "-"
+    _autocommandparse nuke "-" "$@"
 }
 
 
 autobackup() {
-    _autocommandparse backup "$@"
+    local backup_file="$1"
+    shift
+    local temp_path="$1"    
+    shift
+
+    [ -f "$backup_file" ] && _die "Backup file $backup_file already exists"
+    [ -d "$temp_path" ] || _die "Temp path $temp_path does not exist"
+
+    local backup_temp_path="$temp_path/backup"
+
+    mkdir -p "$backup_temp_path"
+    echo "_autocommandparse [backup] [$backup_temp_path] [$@]"
+    _autocommandparse backup "$backup_temp_path" "$@"
+
+    tar zcvf "$backup_file" -C "$backup_temp_path" .
 }
 
 
 autorestore() {
-    _autocommandparse restore "$@"
+    local backup_file="$1"
+    shift
+    local temp_path="$1"
+    shift
+
+    [ -f "$backup_file" ] || _die "Backup file $backup_file does not exist"
+    [ -d "$temp_path" ] || _die "Temp path $temp_path does not exist"
+
+    local restore_temp_path="$temp_path/restore"
+
+    mkdir -p "$restore_temp_path"
+    tar zxvf "$backup_file" -C "$restore_temp_path" --strip-components=1
+
+    _autocommandparse restore "$restore_temp_path" "$@"
 }
 
 
diff --git a/templates/example-nginx/backup.sh b/templates/example-nginx/backup.sh
index 104ce1f..46e9593 100644
--- a/templates/example-nginx/backup.sh
+++ b/templates/example-nginx/backup.sh
@@ -5,6 +5,6 @@ _check_required_env_vars "LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER"
 # Nginx Example Backup Script
 # hot backup is fine for nginx website content.
 
-autobackup "path=${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}" $1 $2 || _die "Failed to create backup"
+autobackup "$1" "$2" "path=${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}" || _die "Failed to create backup"
 
 echo "Backup complete"
diff --git a/templates/example-nginx/install.sh b/templates/example-nginx/install.sh
index e93687b..d0270a9 100644
--- a/templates/example-nginx/install.sh
+++ b/templates/example-nginx/install.sh
@@ -5,11 +5,7 @@ _check_required_env_vars "LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER" "IMAGE_REGISTRY" "IMAGE_REPO" "IMAG
 # Nginx Example Install Script
 
 # Ensure local data folder exists
-if [ ! -d "${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}" ]; then
-    echo "Creating local data folder ${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}..."
-    mkdir -p "${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}"
-    chmod 777 "${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}"
-fi
+autocreate "path=${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}"
 
 echo "Checking Docker installation..."
 _check_docker_installed || _die "Docker test failed, aborting installation..."
diff --git a/templates/example-nginx/nuke.sh b/templates/example-nginx/nuke.sh
index dddb809..09ae539 100644
--- a/templates/example-nginx/nuke.sh
+++ b/templates/example-nginx/nuke.sh
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ _check_required_env_vars "LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER" "CONTAINER_NAME"
 # Call uninstall script first
 ./uninstall.sh
 
-echo "Removing local data folder ${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}..."
-rm -rf $LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER || _die "Failed to remove local data folder ${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}"
+autonuke "path=${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}" || _die "Failed to nuke ${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}"
 
 echo "Nuke complete for service ${CONTAINER_NAME}."
diff --git a/templates/example-nginx/restore.sh b/templates/example-nginx/restore.sh
index c6f6902..fca14ee 100644
--- a/templates/example-nginx/restore.sh
+++ b/templates/example-nginx/restore.sh
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ BACKUP_FILE="$1"
 echo "Uninstalling service before restore..."
 bash ./uninstall.sh || _die "Failed to uninstall service before restore"
 
-autorestore "path=${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}" $1 $2 || _die "Failed to restore data folder from backup"
+autorestore "$1" "$2" "path=${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}" || _die "Failed to restore data folder from backup"
 
 echo "Restore complete. Reinstalling service..."
 bash ./install.sh || _die "Failed to reinstall service after restore"
diff --git a/templates/simple-object-storage/backup.sh b/templates/simple-object-storage/backup.sh
index 5d7f145..56dad4c 100644
--- a/templates/simple-object-storage/backup.sh
+++ b/templates/simple-object-storage/backup.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 source "${AGENT_PATH}/_common.sh"
-_check_required_env_vars
+_check_required_env_vars "VOLUME_NAME"
 
 # Simple Object Storage Backup Script
 # Creates a backup tarball of the volume contents.
@@ -8,6 +8,6 @@ _check_required_env_vars
 
 
 # HOT backup is fine for simple-object-storage
-autobackup "volume=${VOLUME_NAME}" $1 $2 || _die "Failed to create backup"
+autobackup "$1" "$2" "volume=${VOLUME_NAME}" || _die "Failed to create backup"
 
 echo "Backup complete: ${BACKUP_FILE}"
diff --git a/templates/simple-object-storage/install.sh b/templates/simple-object-storage/install.sh
index cb79fff..f0fc364 100644
--- a/templates/simple-object-storage/install.sh
+++ b/templates/simple-object-storage/install.sh
@@ -5,8 +5,6 @@ _check_required_env_vars
 # Simple Object Storage Install Script
 # Pulls image, creates volume/config, starts container.
 
-
-
 autocreate "volume=${VOLUME_NAME}"
 
 # check can pull image on remote host and exit if fails
diff --git a/templates/simple-object-storage/nuke.sh b/templates/simple-object-storage/nuke.sh
index 00053df..9caebee 100644
--- a/templates/simple-object-storage/nuke.sh
+++ b/templates/simple-object-storage/nuke.sh
@@ -6,4 +6,6 @@ _check_required_env_vars
 # Removes container AND volume.
 
 
-autonuke "volume=${VOLUME_NAME}"
+autonuke "volume=${VOLUME_NAME}" || _die "Failed to nuke volume ${VOLUME_NAME}"
+
+echo "Nuke complete for service ${CONTAINER_NAME}." 
diff --git a/templates/simple-object-storage/restore.sh b/templates/simple-object-storage/restore.sh
index 01d0989..20c47ec 100644
--- a/templates/simple-object-storage/restore.sh
+++ b/templates/simple-object-storage/restore.sh
@@ -12,9 +12,7 @@ bash ./uninstall.sh || _die "Failed to uninstall service before restore"
 
 echo "Restoring data for ${CONTAINER_NAME} from ${BACKUP_FILE}..."
 
-if ! autorestore "volume=${VOLUME_NAME}" "$1" "$2"; then
-    _die "Failed to restore data from backup file"
-fi
+autorestore "$1" "$2" "volume=${VOLUME_NAME}" || _die "Failed to restore data from backup file"
 
 echo "Restore complete. Reinstalling service..."
 
diff --git a/templates/squashkiwi/backup.sh b/templates/squashkiwi/backup.sh
index e3b4a8d..028fdad 100644
--- a/templates/squashkiwi/backup.sh
+++ b/templates/squashkiwi/backup.sh
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ _check_required_env_vars "CONTAINER_NAME" "LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER"
 # Stop container before backup
 _stop_container "$CONTAINER_NAME"
 
-autobackup "path=${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}" $1 $2 || _die "Failed to create backup"
+autobackup "$1" "$2" "path=${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}" || _die "Failed to create backup"
 
 # Start container after backup
 _start_container "$CONTAINER_NAME"
diff --git a/templates/squashkiwi/config/service.env b/templates/squashkiwi/config/service.env
index 4e40a47..e9a710a 100644
--- a/templates/squashkiwi/config/service.env
+++ b/templates/squashkiwi/config/service.env
@@ -2,5 +2,5 @@
 # (can also override anything in the _basic.env file in the template to make it specific to this server)
 
 HOST_PORT=80
-LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER="${HOME}/.sk"
+LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER="/home/dropshell/example-squashkiwi"
 IMAGE_TAG="latest"
diff --git a/templates/squashkiwi/nuke.sh b/templates/squashkiwi/nuke.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d3e4cc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/squashkiwi/nuke.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+source "${AGENT_PATH}/_common.sh"
+_check_required_env_vars "LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER"
+
+autonuke "path=${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}" || _die "Failed to nuke ${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}"
+
+echo "Nuke of ${CONTAINER_NAME} complete"
+
diff --git a/templates/squashkiwi/restore.sh b/templates/squashkiwi/restore.sh
index 78744ca..2623a49 100644
--- a/templates/squashkiwi/restore.sh
+++ b/templates/squashkiwi/restore.sh
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ _check_required_env_vars "CONTAINER_NAME" "LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER"
 # # Stop container before backup
 bash ./uninstall.sh || _die "Failed to uninstall service before restore"
 
-autorestore "path=${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}" $1 $2 || _die "Failed to restore data folder from backup"
+autorestore "$1" "$2" "path=${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER}" || _die "Failed to restore data folder from backup"
 
 # reinstall service
 bash ./install.sh || _die "Failed to reinstall service after restore"
diff --git a/templates/squashkiwi/uninstall.sh b/templates/squashkiwi/uninstall.sh
index 41f87f8..f324a25 100644
--- a/templates/squashkiwi/uninstall.sh
+++ b/templates/squashkiwi/uninstall.sh
@@ -12,8 +12,5 @@ _remove_container $CONTAINER_NAME || _die "Failed to remove container ${CONTAINE
 _is_container_running && _die "Couldn't stop existing container"
 _is_container_exists && _die "Couldn't remove existing container"
 
-# remove the image
-docker rmi "$IMAGE_REGISTRY/$IMAGE_REPO:$IMAGE_TAG" || echo "Failed to remove image $IMAGE_REGISTRY/$IMAGE_REPO:$IMAGE_TAG"
-
 echo "Uninstallation of ${CONTAINER_NAME} complete."
 echo "Local data folder ${LOCAL_DATA_FOLDER} still in place."
diff --git a/templates/test_template.sh b/templates/test_template.sh
index afd38d1..4c86cc3 100755
--- a/templates/test_template.sh
+++ b/templates/test_template.sh
@@ -1,23 +1,49 @@
 #!/bin/bash
-# default config should always work for localhost
-
 SCRIPT_DIR=$(dirname "$0")
-TEMPLATE="$1"
 
-# make sure TEMPLATE doesn't end with a /
-TEMPLATE=$(basename "$TEMPLATE")
+# default config should always work for localhost
 
 function die() {
     echo "$1"
     exit 1
 }
 
-function title() {
-    echo "----------------------------------------"
-    echo "$1"
-    echo "----------------------------------------"
+function dashes() {
+    for ((i=0; i<$1; i++)); do
+        echo -n "-"
+    done
+    echo ""
 }
 
+function centerprint() {
+    # print $1 centered
+    local width=$2
+    local padding=$(( (width - ${#1}) / 2 ))    
+    for ((i=0; i<$padding; i++)); do
+        echo -n " "
+    done
+
+    echo "$1"
+}
+
+function title() {
+    # determine terminal width    
+    TERMINAL_WIDTH=$(tput cols)
+
+    echo " "
+    dashes $TERMINAL_WIDTH
+    centerprint "$1" $TERMINAL_WIDTH
+    dashes $TERMINAL_WIDTH
+}
+
+# do we have the first argument?
+if [ -z "$1" ]; then
+    echo "Usage: $0 <template>"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+TEMPLATE=$(basename "$1")
+
 if [ ! -d "$SCRIPT_DIR/$TEMPLATE" ]; then
     echo "Local Template $TEMPLATE does not exist"
     exit 1
@@ -27,16 +53,6 @@ fi
 
 title "Checking template $TEMPLATE"
 
-
-HASH1=$(ds hash "$SCRIPT_DIR/$TEMPLATE")
-HASH2=$(ds hash "/opt/dropshell/templates/$TEMPLATE")
-
-if [ "$HASH1" != "$HASH2" ]; then
-    echo "Template $TEMPLATE is out of date"
-    echo "Need to run build.sh, and install locally."
-    exit 1
-fi
-
 SERVICE_NAME="test-$TEMPLATE"
 
 title "Creating service"
@@ -58,7 +74,7 @@ title "Backing up service"
 ds backup localhost $SERVICE_NAME || die "Failed to backup service"
 
 title "Restoring service"
-ds restore localhost $SERVICE_NAME || die "Failed to restore service"
+ds restore localhost $SERVICE_NAME latest || die "Failed to restore service"
 
 title "Checking status"
 ds status localhost $SERVICE_NAME || die "Failed to check status"
@@ -70,4 +86,8 @@ title "Listing services"
 ds list localhost || die "Failed to list services"
 
 
-
+# change to green font
+echo -e "\033[32m"
+title "ALL TESTS PASSED FOR $TEMPLATE"
+echo -e "\033[0m"
+echo " "