dropshell release 2025.0518.2236

.

source/src/commands/backupdata.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <cstring>
+#include <iostream>
+#include <sstream>
+#include <filesystem>
+
+#include "utils/output.hpp"
+#include "utils/assert.hpp"
+#include "utils/utils.hpp"
+#include "command_registry.hpp"
+#include "config.hpp"
+#include "services.hpp"
+#include "servers.hpp"
+#include "server_env_manager.hpp"
+#include "templates.hpp"
+#include "utils/directories.hpp"
+#include "shared_commands.hpp"
+
+namespace dropshell
+{
+
+    int backupdata_handler(const CommandContext &ctx);
+
+    static std::vector<std::string> backupdata_name_list = {"backupdata", "bd", "backup", "bup"};
+
+    // Static registration
+    struct BackupDataCommandRegister
+    {
+        BackupDataCommandRegister()
+        {
+            CommandRegistry::instance().register_command({backupdata_name_list,
+                                                          backupdata_handler,
+                                                          shared_commands::std_autocomplete_allowall,
+                                                          false, // hidden
+                                                          true,  // requires_config
+                                                          true,  // requires_install
+                                                          2,     // min_args (after command)
+                                                          2,     // max_args (after command)
+                                                          "backupdata SERVER SERVICE",
+                                                          "Backup data for a service on a server.",
+                                                          // heredoc
+                                                          R"(
+                backupdata SERVER SERVICE     Backup data for a service on a server.
+                backupdata SERVER all         Backup data for all services on a server.
+
+                Note: This command will not create any data or configuration.
+                It will simply backup the data on the remote server, saving it to a local file.
+                Restore the data with restore.
+            )"});
+        }
+    } backupdata_command_register;
+
+    namespace shared_commands
+    {
+
+        bool backupdata_service(const std::string &server, const std::string &service)
+        {
+            server_env_manager server_env(server);
+            if (!server_env.is_valid())
+            {
+                error << "Server " << server << " is not valid" << std::endl;
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            LocalServiceInfo sinfo = get_service_info(server, service);
+            if (!SIvalid(sinfo))
+            {
+                error << "Service " << service << " is not valid" << std::endl;
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            const std::string command = "backup";
+
+            if (!gTemplateManager().template_command_exists(sinfo.template_name, command))
+            {
+                info << service << " has no data to backup" << std::endl;
+                debug << "(no backup script for " << sinfo.template_name << ")" << std::endl;
+                return true; // nothing to back up.
+            }
+
+            // Check if basic installed stuff is in place.
+            std::string remote_service_template_path = remotepath::service_template(server, service);
+            std::string remote_command_script_file = remote_service_template_path + "/" + command + ".sh";
+            std::string remote_service_config_path = remotepath::service_config(server, service);
+            if (!server_env.check_remote_items_exist({remotepath::service(server, service),
+                                                      remote_command_script_file,
+                                                      remotefile::service_env(server, service)}))
+            {
+                error << "Error: Required service directories not found on remote server" << std::endl;
+                info << "Is the service installed?" << std::endl;
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            // Create backups directory on server if it doesn't exist
+            std::string remote_backups_dir = remotepath::backups(server);
+            debug << "Remote backups directory on " << server << ": " << remote_backups_dir << std::endl;
+            std::string mkdir_cmd = "mkdir -p " + quote(remote_backups_dir);
+            if (!execute_ssh_command(server_env.get_SSH_INFO(), sCommand("", mkdir_cmd, {}), cMode::Defaults))
+            {
+                error << "Failed to create backups directory on server" << std::endl;
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            // Create backups directory locally if it doesn't exist
+            std::string local_backups_dir = gConfig().get_local_backup_path();
+            if (local_backups_dir.empty())
+            {
+                error << "Error: Local backups directory not found" << std::endl;
+                info << "Run 'dropshell edit' to configure DropShell" << std::endl;
+                return false;
+            }
+            if (!std::filesystem::exists(local_backups_dir))
+                std::filesystem::create_directories(local_backups_dir);
+
+            // Get current datetime for backup filename
+            shared_commands::cBackupFileName backup_filename_construction(server, service, sinfo.template_name);
+            if (!backup_filename_construction.is_valid())
+            {
+                error << "Invalid backup filename" << std::endl;
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            // Construct backup filename
+            std::string backup_filename = backup_filename_construction.get_filename();
+            std::string remote_backup_file_path = remote_backups_dir + "/" + backup_filename;
+            std::string local_backup_file_path = (std::filesystem::path(local_backups_dir) / backup_filename).string();
+
+            // 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), "Invalid backup filename");
+
+            { // Run backup script
+                shared_commands::cRemoteTempFolder remote_temp_folder(server_env);
+                if (!server_env.run_remote_template_command(service, command, {}, false, {{"BACKUP_FILE", remote_backup_file_path}, {"TEMP_DIR", remote_temp_folder.path()}}))
+                {
+                    error << "Backup script failed on remote server: " << remote_backup_file_path << std::endl;
+                    return false;
+                }
+
+                // Copy backup file from server to local
+                if (!shared_commands::scp_file_from_remote(server_env, remote_backup_file_path, local_backup_file_path, false))
+                {
+                    error << "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
+
+            info << "Backup created successfully. Restore with:" << std::endl;
+            info << "   dropshell restore " << server << " " << service << " " << backup_filename << std::endl;
+            return true;
+        }
+    } // namespace shared_commands
+
+    int backupdata_handler(const CommandContext &ctx)
+    {
+        ASSERT(ctx.args.size() == 2, "Invalid number of arguments");
+
+        std::string server = safearg(ctx.args, 0);
+        std::string service = safearg(ctx.args, 1);
+
+        if (service == "all")
+        {
+            // backup all services on the server
+            maketitle("Backing up data for all services on " + server);
+            bool okay = true;
+            std::vector<LocalServiceInfo> services = get_server_services_info(server);
+            for (const LocalServiceInfo &si : services)
+                okay &= shared_commands::backupdata_service(server, si.service_name);
+            return okay ? 0 : 1;
+        }
+
+        return shared_commands::backupdata_service(server, service) ? 0 : 1;
+    }
+
+} // namespace dropshell

source/src/commands/colours.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+#include "command_registry.hpp"
+#include "config.hpp"
+#include "utils/output.hpp"
+#include "utils/assert.hpp"
+
+namespace dropshell {
+
+void colours_autocomplete(const CommandContext& ctx) {}
+int colours_handler(const CommandContext& ctx)
+{
+    info << "Colours:" << std::endl;
+    debug <<   "Debug Example:   The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." << std::endl;
+    info <<    "Info Example:    The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." << std::endl;
+    warning << "Warning Example: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." << std::endl;
+    error <<   "Error Example:   The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." << std::endl;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static std::vector<std::string> colours_name_list={"colours","c","--colours","-c"};
+
+// Static registration
+struct ColoursCommandRegister {
+    ColoursCommandRegister() {
+        CommandRegistry::instance().register_command({
+            colours_name_list,
+            colours_handler,
+            colours_autocomplete,
+            true, // hidden
+            false, // requires_config
+            false, // requires_install
+            0,     // min_args (after command)
+            0,     // max_args (after command)
+            "colours",
+            "Show the colours used by dropshell.",
+            // heredoc
+            R"(
+            Show the colours used by dropshell.
+            )"
+        });
+    }
+} colours_command_register;
+
+
+} // namespace dropshell

source/src/commands/create-service.cpp

@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ namespace dropshell
 {
 
     int create_service_handler(const CommandContext &ctx);
-    bool create_service(const std::string &server_name, const std::string &template_name, const std::string &service_name, bool silent);
     void create_service_autocomplete(const CommandContext &ctx);
 
     static std::vector<std::string> create_service_name_list = {"create-service"};
@@ -45,7 +44,7 @@ namespace dropshell
         std::string service = safearg(ctx.args, 1);
         std::string template_name = safearg(ctx.args, 2);
 
-        return create_service(server, template_name, service, false) ? 0 : 1;
+        return shared_commands::create_service(server, template_name, service) ? 0 : 1;
     }
 
     void create_service_autocomplete(const CommandContext &ctx)
@@ -58,12 +57,15 @@ namespace dropshell
             {
                 std::set<std::string> templates = gTemplateManager().get_template_list();
                 for (const auto &template_name : templates)
-                    std::cout << template_name << std::endl;
+                    rawout << template_name << std::endl;
             }
         }
     }
 
-    bool create_service(const std::string &server_name, const std::string &template_name, const std::string &service_name, bool silent)
+    namespace shared_commands
+    {
+
+    bool create_service(const std::string &server_name, const std::string &template_name, const std::string &service_name)
     {
         if (server_name.empty() || template_name.empty() || service_name.empty())
             return false;
@@ -72,44 +74,34 @@ namespace dropshell
 
         if (service_dir.empty())
         {
-            if (!silent)
+            error << "Couldn't locate server " << server_name << " in any config directory" << std::endl;
-            {
+            info << "Please check the server name is correct and try again" << std::endl;
-                std::cerr << "Error: Couldn't locate server " << server_name << " in any config directory" << std::endl;
+            info << "You can list all servers with 'dropshell servers'" << std::endl;
-                std::cerr << "Please check the server name is correct and try again" << std::endl;
+            info << "You can create a new server with 'dropshell create-server " << server_name << "'" << std::endl;
-                std::cerr << "You can list all servers with 'dropshell servers'" << std::endl;
-                std::cerr << "You can create a new server with 'dropshell create-server " << server_name << "'" << std::endl;
-            }
             return false;
         }
 
         if (std::filesystem::exists(service_dir))
         {
-            if (!silent)
+            error << "Service already exists: " << service_name << std::endl;
-            {
+            debug << "Current service path: " << service_dir << std::endl;
-                std::cerr << "Error: Service already exists: " << service_name << std::endl;
-                std::cerr << "Current service path: " << service_dir << std::endl;
-            }
             return false;
         }
 
         template_info tinfo = gTemplateManager().get_template_info(template_name);
         if (!tinfo.is_set())
         {
-            if (!silent)
+            error << "Template '" << template_name << "' not found" << std::endl;
-            {
+            info << "Please check the template name is correct and try again" << std::endl;
-                std::cerr << "Error: Template '" << template_name << "' not found" << std::endl;
+            info << "You can list all templates with 'dropshell templates'" << std::endl;
-                std::cerr << "Please check the template name is correct and try again" << std::endl;
+            info << "You can create a new template with 'dropshell create-template " << template_name << "'" << std::endl;
-                std::cerr << "You can list all templates with 'dropshell templates'" << std::endl;
-                std::cerr << "You can create a new template with 'dropshell create-template " << template_name << "'" << std::endl;
-            }
             return false;
         }
 
         // check template is all good.
         if (!gTemplateManager().test_template(tinfo.local_template_path()))
         {
-            if (!silent)
+            error << "Template '" << template_name << "' is not valid" << std::endl;
-                std::cerr << "Error: Template '" << template_name << "' is not valid" << std::endl;
             return false;
         }
 
@@ -119,15 +111,14 @@ namespace dropshell
         // copy the template config files to the service directory
         recursive_copy(tinfo.local_template_path() / "config", service_dir);
 
-        if (!silent)
+        info << "Service " << service_name << " created successfully" << std::endl;
-        {
+        info << std::endl;
-            std::cout << "Service " << service_name << " created successfully" << std::endl;
+        info << "To complete the installation, please:" << std::endl;
-            std::cout << std::endl;
+        info << "1. edit the service config file:  dropshell edit " << server_name << " " << service_name << std::endl;
-            std::cout << "To complete the installation, please:" << std::endl;
+        info << "2. install the remote service:    dropshell install " << server_name << " " << service_name << std::endl;
-            std::cout << "1. edit the service config file:  dropshell edit " << server_name << " " << service_name << std::endl;
-            std::cout << "2. install the remote service:    dropshell install " << server_name << " " << service_name << std::endl;
-        }
         return true;
     }
 
+    } // namespace shared_commands
+
 } // namespace dropshell

source/src/commands/edit.cpp

@@ -66,13 +66,13 @@ bool edit_file(const std::string &file_path, bool has_bb64)
         // Check if stdin is connected to a terminal if EDITOR is not set
         editor_cmd = "nano -w " + quote(file_path);
     } else {
-        std::cerr << "Error: Standard input is not a terminal and EDITOR environment variable is not set." << std::endl;
+        error << "Standard input is not a terminal and EDITOR environment variable is not set." << std::endl;
-        std::cerr << "Try setting the EDITOR environment variable (e.g., export EDITOR=nano) or run in an interactive terminal." << std::endl;
+        info << "Try setting the EDITOR environment variable (e.g., export EDITOR=nano) or run in an interactive terminal." << std::endl;
-        std::cerr << "You can manually edit the file at: " << file_path << std::endl;
+        info << "You can manually edit the file at: " << file_path << std::endl;
         return false;
     }
 
-    std::cout << "Editing file: " << file_path << std::endl;
+    info << "Editing file: " << file_path << std::endl;
 
     if (has_bb64) {
         return execute_local_command("", editor_cmd, {}, nullptr, cMode::Interactive);
@@ -119,14 +119,14 @@ int edit_server(const std::string &server_name)
     std::string config_file = localfile::server_json(server_name);
 
     if (!edit_file(config_file, true)) {
-        std::cerr << "Error: Failed to edit server config" << std::endl;
+        error << "Failed to edit server config" << std::endl;
-        std::cerr << "You can manually edit this file at: " << config_file << std::endl;
+        info << "You can manually edit this file at: " << config_file << std::endl;
         return 1;
     }
 
-    std::cout << "If you have changed DROPSHELL_DIR, you should manually move the files to the new location NOW." << std::endl
+    info << "If you have changed DROPSHELL_DIR, you should manually move the files to the new location NOW." << std::endl;
-              << "You can ssh in to the remote server with:  dropshell ssh "<<server_name<< std::endl
+    info << "You can ssh in to the remote server with:  dropshell ssh "<<server_name<< std::endl;
-              << "Once moved, reinstall all services with:   dropshell install " << server_name << std::endl;
+    info << "Once moved, reinstall all services with:   dropshell install " << server_name << std::endl;
     return 0;
 }
 
@@ -138,12 +138,12 @@ int edit_service_config(const std::string &server, const std::string &service)
     std::string config_file = localfile::service_env(server, service);
     if (!std::filesystem::exists(config_file))
     {
-        std::cerr << "Error: Service config file not found: " << config_file << std::endl;
+        error << "Service config file not found: " << config_file << std::endl;
         return 1;
     }
 
     if (edit_file(config_file, true) && std::filesystem::exists(config_file))
-        std::cout << "To apply your changes, run:\n   dropshell install " + server + " " + service << std::endl;
+        info << "To apply your changes, run:\n   dropshell install " + server + " " + service << std::endl;
     return 0;
 }
 
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ int edit_handler(const CommandContext& ctx) {
         return 0;
     }
 
-    std::cout << "Edit handler called with " << ctx.args.size() << " args\n";
+    info << "Edit handler called with " << ctx.args.size() << " args\n";
     return -1;
 }
 

source/src/commands/health.cpp

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ namespace dropshell
     {
         if (ctx.args.size() < 1)
         {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Server name is required" << std::endl;
+            error << "Server name is required" << std::endl;
             return 1;
         }
 

source/src/commands/help.cpp

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ void help_autocomplete(const CommandContext& ctx) {
     if (ctx.args.size() == 1) {
         // list all commands
         for (const auto& cmd : CommandRegistry::instance().list_primary_commands(false)) {
-            std::cout << cmd << std::endl;
+            rawout << cmd << std::endl;
         }
     }
     return;
@@ -58,13 +58,13 @@ void show_command(const std::string& cmd) {
     const auto& cmd_info = CommandRegistry::instance().find_command(cmd); 
     if (!cmd_info) 
     {
-        std::cout << "Unknown command: " << cmd << std::endl;
+        error << "Unknown command: " << cmd << std::endl;
         return;
     }
 
-    std::cout << "  ";
+    info << "  ";
-    print_left_aligned(cmd_info->help_usage, 32);
+    info << left_align(cmd_info->help_usage, 32);
-    std::cout << cmd_info->help_description << std::endl;
+    info << cmd_info->help_description << std::endl;
 }
 
 extern const std::string VERSION;
@@ -77,28 +77,26 @@ int show_command_help(const std::string& cmd) {
     const auto& cmd_info = CommandRegistry::instance().find_command(cmd); 
     if (!cmd_info) 
     {
-        std::cout << "Unknown command: " << cmd << std::endl;
+        error << "Unknown command: " << cmd << std::endl;
         return 1;
     }
+    info << "Command " << cmd << " usage:" << std::endl;
+    info << "  ";
+    info << left_align(cmd_info->help_usage, 32);
+    info << cmd_info->help_description << std::endl;
 
-    std::cout << std::endl;
+    info << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "Usage: " << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "  ";
-    print_left_aligned(cmd_info->help_usage, 30);
-    std::cout << cmd_info->help_description << std::endl;
 
-    std::cout << std::endl;
+    info << "  Equivalent names: ";
-
-    std::cout << "  Equivalent names: ";
     bool first = true;
     for (const auto& name : cmd_info->names) {
-        if (!first) std::cout << ", ";
+        if (!first) info << ", ";
-        std::cout << name;
+        info << name;
         first = false;
     }
-    std::cout << std::endl << std::endl;
+    info << std::endl;
     
-    std::cout << cmd_info->full_help << std::endl << std::endl;
+    info << cmd_info->full_help << std::endl << std::endl;
 
     return 0;
 }
@@ -108,12 +106,12 @@ int help_handler(const CommandContext& ctx) {
     if (ctx.args.size() > 0)
         return show_command_help(ctx.args[0]);
 
-    std::cout << std::endl;
+    info << std::endl;
     maketitle("DropShell version " + VERSION);
-    std::cout << std::endl;
+    info << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "A tool for managing remote servers, by " << AUTHOR << std::endl;
+    info << "A tool for managing remote servers, by " << AUTHOR << std::endl;
-    std::cout << std::endl;
+    info << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "dropshell ..." << std::endl;
+    info << "dropshell ..." << std::endl;
 
     show_command("help");
     show_command("edit");
@@ -136,56 +134,6 @@ int help_handler(const CommandContext& ctx) {
     return 0;
 }
 
-// void show_command(const std::string& cmd) { 
-//     const auto& cmd_info = CommandRegistry::instance().find_command(cmd); 
-//     if (cmd_info) { 
-//         std::cout << "  " << cmd_info->help_usage 
-//         << std::string(' ', std::min(1,(int)(30-cmd_info->help_usage.length())))
-//         << cmd_info->help_description << std::endl; 
-//     } 
-// }
-
-// bool print_help() {
-//     std::cout << std::endl;
-//     maketitle("DropShell version " + VERSION);
-//     std::cout << std::endl;
-//     std::cout << "A tool for managing server configurations" << std::endl;
-//     std::cout << std::endl;
-//     std::cout << "dropshell ..." << std::endl;
-//     show_command("help");
-//     show_command("edit");
-
-//     if (gConfig().is_config_set()) {
-//     std::cout << "  templates      List all available templates" << std::endl;
-//     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 << "  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 << 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, deleting ALL local and remote data." << std::endl;
-//     std::cout << 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;
-//     std::cout << "  create-server   SERVER" << std::endl;
-//     std::cout << "  create-service  SERVER TEMPLATE SERVICE" << std::endl;
-//     }
-//     else {
-//         show_command("help");
-//         show_command("edit");
-//         std::cout << std::endl;
-//         std::cout << "Other commands available once initialised." << std::endl;
-//     }
-//     return true;
-// }
-
 
 
 } // namespace dropshell

source/src/commands/install.cpp

@@ -53,11 +53,13 @@ namespace dropshell
         }
     } install_command_register;
 
+    namespace shared_commands
+    {
 
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         // install service over ssh : SHARED COMMAND
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    bool install_service(const std::string &server, const std::string &service, bool silent)
+        bool install_service(const std::string &server, const std::string &service)
         {
             LocalServiceInfo service_info = get_service_info(server, service);
             if (!SIvalid(service_info))
@@ -104,7 +106,7 @@ namespace dropshell
             debug << "Copying: [LOCAL] " << tinfo.local_template_path() << std::endl
                   << std::string(8, ' ') << "[REMOTE] " << remotepath::service_template(server, service) << "/" << std::endl;
             if (!shared_commands::rsync_tree_to_remote(tinfo.local_template_path().string(), remotepath::service_template(server, service),
-                                  server_env, silent))
+                                                       server_env, false))
             {
                 std::cerr << "Failed to copy template files using rsync" << std::endl;
                 return false;
@@ -114,7 +116,7 @@ namespace dropshell
             debug << "Copying: [LOCAL] " << localpath::service(server, service) << std::endl
                   << std::string(8, ' ') << "[REMOTE] " << remotepath::service_config(server, service) << std::endl;
             if (!shared_commands::rsync_tree_to_remote(localpath::service(server, service), remotepath::service_config(server, service),
-                                  server_env, silent))
+                                                       server_env, false))
             {
                 std::cerr << "Failed to copy service files using rsync" << std::endl;
                 return false;
@@ -123,7 +125,7 @@ namespace dropshell
             // Run install script
             {
                 info << "Running " << service_info.template_name << " install script on " << server << "..." << std::endl;
-            server_env.run_remote_template_command(service, "install", {}, silent, {});
+                server_env.run_remote_template_command(service, "install", {}, false, {});
             }
 
             // print health tick
@@ -131,6 +133,7 @@ namespace dropshell
             return true;
         }
 
+    } // namespace shared_commands
 
     // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     // update_dropshell
@@ -305,14 +308,15 @@ namespace dropshell
         info << "done." << std::endl;
 
         // add in bb64. We can't use execute_remote_command() here, as that relies on bb64 which we're installing!
-        info << "Installing bb64 on " << server << "..." << std::endl << std::flush;
+        info << "Installing bb64 on " << server << "..." << std::endl
+             << std::flush;
 
         std::string remote_cmd =
             "ssh -p " + server_env.get_SSH_INFO().port + " " + server_env.get_SSH_INFO().user + "@" + server_env.get_SSH_INFO().host +
             " 'mkdir -p " + quote(agent_path) + " && curl -fsSL \"https://gitea.jde.nz/public/bb64/releases/download/latest/install.sh\" | bash -s -- " +
             quote(agent_path) + " " + quote("$(id -u " + server_env.get_SSH_USER() + "):$(id -g " + server_env.get_SSH_USER() + ")") + "'";
 
-        //std::cout << "Executing: " << remote_cmd << std::endl;
+        // std::cout << "Executing: " << remote_cmd << std::endl;
         if (!execute_local_command("", remote_cmd, {}, nullptr, cMode::Silent))
             error << "Failed to download bb64 to " << agent_path << " on remote server." << std::endl;
         else
@@ -362,7 +366,7 @@ namespace dropshell
             std::vector<LocalServiceInfo> services = get_server_services_info(server);
             for (const auto &service : services)
             {
-                if (!install_service(server, service.service_name, false))
+                if (!shared_commands::install_service(server, service.service_name))
                     okay = false;
             }
             return okay ? 0 : 1;
@@ -370,7 +374,7 @@ namespace dropshell
         else
         { // install the specific service.
             std::string service = safearg(ctx.args, 1);
-            return install_service(server, service, false) ? 0 : 1;
+            return shared_commands::install_service(server, service) ? 0 : 1;
         }
     }
 

source/src/commands/list.cpp

@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ void show_server_details(const std::string& server_name) {
         info << std::string(40, '-') << std::endl;
         
         // Try to connect to the server
-        std::string cmd = "ssh -o ConnectTimeout=5 " + ssh_user + "@" + ssh_address + " -p " + ssh_port + " 'echo connected' 2>/dev/null";
+        std::string cmd = "ssh -o ConnectTimeout=5 " + ssh_user + "@" + ssh_address + " -p " + ssh_port + " 'true' 2>/dev/null";
         int result = system(cmd.c_str());
         if (result == 0) {
             info << "Status: Online" << std::endl;

source/src/commands/nuke.cpp

@@ -10,16 +10,18 @@
 
 #include "utils/assert.hpp"
 
-namespace dropshell {
+namespace dropshell
+{
 
-int nuke_handler(const CommandContext& ctx);
+    int nuke_handler(const CommandContext &ctx);
-static std::vector<std::string> nuke_name_list={"nuke"};
+    static std::vector<std::string> nuke_name_list = {"nuke"};
 
-// Static registration
+    // Static registration
-struct NukeCommandRegister {
+    struct NukeCommandRegister
-    NukeCommandRegister() {
+    {
-        CommandRegistry::instance().register_command({
+        NukeCommandRegister()
-            nuke_name_list,
+        {
+            CommandRegistry::instance().register_command({nuke_name_list,
                                                           nuke_handler,
                                                           shared_commands::std_autocomplete,
                                                           false, // hidden
@@ -41,13 +43,15 @@ struct NukeCommandRegister {
             both on the dropshell host and on the remote server.
 
             Use with caution!
-            )"
+            )"});
-        });
         }
-} nuke_command_register;
+    } nuke_command_register;
 
-int nuke_one(std::string server, std::string service)
+    namespace shared_commands
-{
+    {
+
+        bool nuke_service(const std::string &server, const std::string &service)
+        {
             server_env_manager server_env(server);
 
             // step 1 - nuke on remote server.
@@ -57,7 +61,7 @@ int nuke_one(std::string server, std::string service)
 
                 service_info = get_service_info(server, service);
                 if (!SIvalid(service_info))
-            std::cerr << "Warning: Invalid service: " << service << std::endl;
+                    error << "Invalid service: " << service << std::endl;
 
                 if (server_env.check_remote_dir_exists(remotepath::service(server, service)))
                 {
@@ -65,53 +69,54 @@ int nuke_one(std::string server, std::string service)
                     // otherwise just uninstall.
                     if (gTemplateManager().template_command_exists(service_info.template_name, "nuke"))
                     {
-                std::cout << "Running nuke script for " << service << " on " << server << std::endl;
+                        info << "Running nuke script for " << service << " on " << server << std::endl;
                         if (!server_env.run_remote_template_command(service, "nuke", {}, false, {}))
-                    std::cerr << "Warning: Failed to run nuke script: " << service << std::endl;
+                            warning << "Failed to run nuke script: " << service << std::endl;
                     }
                     else
                     {
-                std::cout << "No nuke script found for " << service << " on " << server << std::endl;
+                        info << "No nuke script found for " << service << " on " << server << std::endl;
-                std::cout << "Running uninstall script instead and will clean directories." << std::endl;
+                        info << "Running uninstall script instead and will clean directories." << std::endl;
                         if (!server_env.run_remote_template_command(service, "uninstall", {}, false, {}))
-                    std::cerr << "Warning: Failed to uninstall service: " << service << std::endl;
+                            warning << "Failed to uninstall service: " << service << std::endl;
                     }
 
                     // Remove the service directory from the server, running in a docker container as root.
                     if (server_env.remove_remote_dir(remotepath::service(server, service), true))
                     {
                         ASSERT(!server_env.check_remote_dir_exists(remotepath::service(server, service)), "Service directory still found on server after uninstall");
-                std::cout << "Remote service directory removed: " << remotepath::service(server, service) << std::endl;
+                        info << "Remote service directory removed: " << remotepath::service(server, service) << std::endl;
                     }
                     else
-                std::cerr << "Warning: Failed to remove remote service directory" << std::endl;
+                        warning << "Failed to remove remote service directory" << std::endl;
                 }
                 else
-            std::cerr << "Warning: Service not found on remote server: " << remotepath::service(server, service) << std::endl;
+                    warning << "Service not found on remote server: " << remotepath::service(server, service) << std::endl;
             }
             else
-        std::cerr << "Warning: Can't nuke the remote service as the server is invalid: " << server << std::endl;
+                warning << "Can't nuke the remote service as the server is invalid: " << server << std::endl;
 
             // step 2 - nuke the local service directory.
             std::string local_service_path = localpath::service(server, service);
             if (local_service_path.empty() || !std::filesystem::exists(local_service_path))
             {
-        std::cerr << "Warning: Local service directory not found: " << local_service_path << std::endl;
+                warning << "Local service directory not found: " << local_service_path << std::endl;
             }
             else
             {
                 auto itemsdeleted = std::filesystem::remove_all(local_service_path);
                 if (itemsdeleted == 0)
-            std::cerr << "Error: Failed to remove local service directory" << std::endl;
+                    error << "Failed to remove local service directory" << std::endl;
             }
 
-    std::cout << "Nuked service " << service << " on server " << server << std::endl;
+            info << "Nuked service " << service << " on server " << server << std::endl;
 
-    return 0;
+            return true;
-}
+        }
+    } // namespace shared_commands
 
-int nuke_handler(const CommandContext &ctx)
+    int nuke_handler(const CommandContext &ctx)
-{
+    {
         ASSERT(ctx.args.size() == 2, "Usage: nuke SERVER SERVICE|all (requires 2 args - you supplied " + std::to_string(ctx.args.size()) + ")");
         ASSERT(gConfig().is_config_set(), "No configuration found. Please run 'dropshell config' to set up your configuration.");
 
@@ -126,24 +131,24 @@ int nuke_handler(const CommandContext &ctx)
             std::string server_path = localpath::server(server);
             if (server_path.empty())
             {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Server not found: " << server << std::endl;
+                error << "Server not found: " << server << std::endl;
                 return 1;
             }
 
-        for (const auto& entry : std::filesystem::directory_iterator(server_path))
+            for (const auto &entry : std::filesystem::directory_iterator(server_path))
             {
                 if (entry.is_directory() && entry.path().filename().string().find(".") != 0)
                 {
                     std::string service_name = entry.path().filename().string();
-                rval |= nuke_one(server, service_name);
+                    rval |= (shared_commands::nuke_service(server, service_name) ? 0 : 1);
                 }
             }
             return rval;
         }
         else
         {
-        return nuke_one(server, service);
+            return (shared_commands::nuke_service(server, service) ? 0 : 1);
+        }
     }
-}
 
 } // namespace dropshell

source/src/commands/restoredata.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,251 @@
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <cstring>
+#include <iostream>
+#include <sstream>
+#include <filesystem>
+
+#include "utils/output.hpp"
+#include "utils/assert.hpp"
+#include "utils/utils.hpp"
+#include "command_registry.hpp"
+#include "config.hpp"
+#include "services.hpp"
+#include "servers.hpp"
+#include "server_env_manager.hpp"
+#include "templates.hpp"
+#include "utils/directories.hpp"
+#include "shared_commands.hpp"
+
+namespace dropshell
+{
+
+    int restoredata_handler(const CommandContext &ctx);
+
+    void restoredata_autocomplete(const CommandContext &ctx);
+
+    static std::vector<std::string> restoredata_name_list = {"restoredata", "rd", "restore", "rest"};
+
+    // Static registration
+    struct RestoreDataCommandRegister
+    {
+        RestoreDataCommandRegister()
+        {
+            CommandRegistry::instance().register_command({restoredata_name_list,
+                                                          restoredata_handler,
+                                                          restoredata_autocomplete,
+                                                          false, // hidden
+                                                          true,  // requires_config
+                                                          true,  // requires_install
+                                                          3,     // min_args (after command)
+                                                          3,     // max_args (after command)
+                                                          "restoredata SERVER SERVICE BACKUP_FILE|latest",
+                                                          "Restore data for a service on a server, overwriting the existing data.",
+                                                          // heredoc
+                                                          R"(
+                restoredata SERVER SERVICE BACKUP_FILE     Restore data to a service on a server. Destructive.
+                restoredata SERVER SERVICE latest          Restore the latest backup for the given service.
+
+                Note: This command will not create any service configuration, you need
+                      to have a valid service installed first.
+                      The backup file must be in the local backups directory.
+
+                WARNING: This will permanently overwrite the service's data on the remote server!
+            )"});
+        }
+    } restoredata_command_register;
+
+
+    std::vector<shared_commands::cBackupFileName> get_backup_files(const std::string &server, const std::string &match_service = "", const std::string &match_template_name = "")
+    {
+        std::string local_backups_dir = gConfig().get_local_backup_path();
+        if (local_backups_dir.empty() || !std::filesystem::exists(local_backups_dir))
+        {
+            error << "Error: Local backups directory not found: " << local_backups_dir << std::endl;
+            return {};
+        }
+
+        std::vector<shared_commands::cBackupFileName> backups;
+        for (const auto &entry : std::filesystem::directory_iterator(local_backups_dir))
+        {
+            if (!entry.is_regular_file())
+                continue;
+            std::string filename = entry.path().filename().string();
+            shared_commands::cBackupFileName backup_details(filename);
+            if (backup_details.is_valid())
+                if (match_service.empty() || backup_details.get_service() == match_service)
+                    if (match_template_name.empty() || backup_details.get_template_name() == match_template_name)
+                        backups.push_back(backup_details);
+        }
+
+        // sort backups by datetime
+        std::sort(backups.begin(), backups.end(), [](const shared_commands::cBackupFileName &a, const shared_commands::cBackupFileName &b)
+                  { return a.get_datetime() > b.get_datetime(); });
+
+        return backups;
+    }
+
+
+    int restoredata_handler(const CommandContext &ctx)
+    {
+        ASSERT(ctx.args.size() == 3, "Invalid number of arguments");
+        std::string server = ctx.args[0];
+        std::string service = ctx.args[1];
+        std::string backup_arg = ctx.args[2];
+
+        server_env_manager server_env(server);
+        if (!server_env.is_valid())
+        {
+            error << "Server " << server << " is not valid" << std::endl;
+            return 1;
+        }
+        LocalServiceInfo service_info = get_service_info(server, service);
+        if (!SIvalid(service_info))
+        {
+            error << "Service " << service << " is not valid" << std::endl;
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        std::optional<shared_commands::cBackupFileName> backup_details;
+        if (backup_arg == "latest")
+        { // special case.
+            std::vector<shared_commands::cBackupFileName> backups = get_backup_files(server, service, service_info.template_name); // this service only (and also match template in case something changed there!).
+            if (backups.empty())
+            {
+                error << "No backups found for " << server << "/" << service << std::endl;
+                debug << "Template also has to match with the service template: " << service_info.template_name << std::endl;
+                return 1;
+            }
+            backup_details = backups[0];
+        } else {
+            backup_details = shared_commands::cBackupFileName(backup_arg);
+            if (!backup_details->is_valid())
+            {
+                error << "Invalid backup file: " << backup_arg << std::endl;
+                return 1;
+            }
+        }
+
+        ASSERT(backup_details.has_value() && backup_details->is_valid(), "Invalid backup file.");
+
+        std::string local_backups_dir = gConfig().get_local_backup_path();
+        if (local_backups_dir.empty() || !std::filesystem::exists(local_backups_dir))
+        {
+            error << "Error: Local backups directory not found: " << local_backups_dir << std::endl;
+            return 1;
+        }
+        std::string local_backup_file_path = (std::filesystem::path(local_backups_dir) / backup_details->get_filename()).string();
+        if (!std::filesystem::exists(local_backup_file_path))
+        {
+            error << "Error: Backup file not found at " << local_backup_file_path << std::endl;
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        if (backup_details->get_template_name() != service_info.template_name)
+        {
+            error << "Error: Backup template does not match service template. Can't restore." << std::endl;
+            debug << "Backup template:  " << backup_details->get_template_name() << std::endl;
+            debug << "Service template: " << service_info.template_name << std::endl;
+            debug << "Backup file:      " << local_backup_file_path << std::endl;
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        info << "Restoring " << backup_details->get_datetime() << " backup of " << backup_details->get_service() << " taken from " << backup_details->get_server() << ", onto " << server << "/" << service << std::endl;
+        info << std::endl;
+        warning << "*** ALL DATA FOR " << server << "/" << service << " WILL BE OVERWRITTEN! ***" << std::endl;
+
+        // run the restore script
+        info << "OK, here goes..." << std::endl;
+
+        { // backup existing service
+            info << "1) Backing up old service... " << std::endl;
+            if (!shared_commands::backupdata_service(server, service))
+            {
+                error << "Error: Backup failed, restore aborted." << std::endl;
+                error << "You can try using   dropshell install " << server << " " << service << "   to install the service afresh." << std::endl;
+                error << "Otherwise, stop the service, create and initialise a new one, then restore to that." << std::endl;
+                return 1;
+            }
+            info << "Backup complete." << std::endl;
+        }
+
+        { // nuke the old service
+            info << "2) Nuking old service..." << std::endl;
+            if (!shared_commands::nuke_service(server, service))
+                return 1;
+        }
+
+        { // create the new service
+            info << "3) Creating new service..." << std::endl;
+            if (!shared_commands::create_service(server, service_info.template_name, service))
+                return 1;
+        }
+
+        { // installing fresh service
+            info << "4) Install of fresh service..." << std::endl;
+            if (!shared_commands::install_service(server, service))
+                return 1;
+        }
+
+        { // restore service from backup
+            info << "5) Restoring service data from backup..." << std::endl;
+            std::string remote_backups_dir = remotepath::backups(server);
+            std::string remote_backup_file_path = remote_backups_dir + "/" + backup_details->get_filename();
+
+            // Copy backup file from local to server
+            if (!shared_commands::scp_file_to_remote(server_env, local_backup_file_path, remote_backup_file_path, false))
+            {
+                error << "Failed to copy backup file from local to server" << std::endl;
+                return 1;
+            }
+
+            shared_commands::cRemoteTempFolder remote_temp_folder(server_env);
+            server_env.run_remote_template_command(service, "restore", {}, false, {{"BACKUP_FILE", remote_backup_file_path}, {"TEMP_DIR", remote_temp_folder.path()}});
+        } // dtor of remote_temp_folder will clean up the temp folder on the server
+
+
+
+        { // healthcheck the service
+            info << "5) Healthchecking service..." << std::endl;
+            std::string green_tick = "\033[32m✓\033[0m";
+            std::string red_cross = "\033[31m✗\033[0m";
+            bool healthy = (server_env.run_remote_template_command(service, "status", {}, false, {}));
+            info << (healthy ? green_tick : red_cross) << " Service is " << (healthy ? "healthy" : "NOT healthy") << std::endl;
+        }
+
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+
+
+    void restoredata_autocomplete(const CommandContext &ctx)
+    {
+        shared_commands::std_autocomplete(ctx);
+        if (ctx.args.size() == 2) // next arg is the backup file
+        {
+            std::string server = ctx.args[0];
+            std::string service = ctx.args[1];
+
+            LocalServiceInfo service_info = get_service_info(server, service);
+            if (!SIvalid(service_info))
+            {
+                error << "Service " << service << " is not valid" << std::endl;
+                return;
+            }
+            std::string template_name = service_info.template_name;
+
+            std::vector<shared_commands::cBackupFileName> backups = get_backup_files(server, "", template_name); // any service, but must match template.
+
+            // print most recent backup for each {host,service} pair
+            std::map<std::string, std::string> unique_backups;
+            for (const auto &backup : backups)
+            {
+                std::string key = backup.get_server() + "-" + backup.get_service();
+                if (unique_backups.find(key) == unique_backups.end())
+                    unique_backups[key] = backup.get_filename();                
+            }
+            for (const auto &[key, value] : unique_backups)
+                rawout << value << std::endl;
+        }
+    }
+
+} // namespace dropshell

source/src/commands/shared_commands.cpp

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include "directories.hpp"
 #include "services.hpp"
 #include "servers.hpp"
+#include "utils/output.hpp"
 
 namespace dropshell
 {
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ namespace dropshell
                 std::vector<ServerInfo> servers = get_configured_servers();
                 for (const auto &server : servers)
                 {
-                std::cout << server.name << std::endl;
+                    rawout << server.name << std::endl;
                 }
             }
             else if (ctx.args.size() == 1)
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ namespace dropshell
                 std::vector<LocalServiceInfo> services = get_server_services_info(ctx.args[0]);
                 for (const auto &service : services)
                 {
-                std::cout << service.service_name << std::endl;
+                    rawout << service.service_name << std::endl;
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ namespace dropshell
         {
             std_autocomplete(ctx);
             if (ctx.args.size() == 1)
-            std::cout << "all" << std::endl;
+                rawout << "all" << std::endl;
         }
 
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -88,7 +89,7 @@ namespace dropshell
             std::string p = remotepath::temp_files(server_env.get_server_name()) + "/" + random_alphanumeric_string(10);
             std::string mkdir_cmd = "mkdir -p " + quote(p);
             if (!execute_ssh_command(server_env.get_SSH_INFO(), sCommand("", mkdir_cmd, {}), cMode::Silent))
-            std::cerr << "Failed to create temp directory on server" << std::endl;
+                error << "Failed to create temp directory on server" << std::endl;
             else
                 mPath = p;
         }
@@ -114,14 +115,12 @@ namespace dropshell
             server_env_manager env(server_name);
             if (!env.is_valid())
             {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Invalid server environment" << std::endl;
+                error << "Invalid server environment" << std::endl;
                 return status;
             }
 
             std::string output;
-        if (!execute_ssh_command(env.get_SSH_INFO(), sCommand(remotepath::agent(server_name), 
+            if (!execute_ssh_command(env.get_SSH_INFO(), sCommand(remotepath::agent(server_name), "./_allservicesstatus.sh", {{"HOST_NAME", server_name}, {"SERVER", server_name}, {"AGENT_PATH", remotepath::agent(server_name)}}),
-            "./_allservicesstatus.sh", 
-            {{"HOST_NAME", server_name}, {"SERVER", server_name}, {"AGENT_PATH", remotepath::agent(server_name)}}), 
                                      cMode::CaptureOutput | cMode::Silent,
                                      &output))
                 return status;
@@ -166,8 +165,6 @@ namespace dropshell
             return status;
         }
 
-
-
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         // healthtick : SHARED COMMAND
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -206,7 +203,6 @@ namespace dropshell
                 return ":error:";
         }
 
-
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         // is_healthy : SHARED COMMAND
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -215,7 +211,7 @@ namespace dropshell
             server_env_manager env(server);
             if (!env.is_valid())
             {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Server service not initialized" << std::endl;
+                error << "Server service not initialized" << std::endl;
                 return HealthStatus::ERROR;
             }
 
@@ -236,7 +232,6 @@ namespace dropshell
             return HealthStatus::HEALTHY;
         }
 
-
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         // healthmark : SHARED COMMAND
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -246,6 +241,91 @@ namespace dropshell
             return HealthStatus2String(status);
         }
 
+        // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        // cBackupFileName : SHARED CLASS
+        // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        cBackupFileName::cBackupFileName(const std::string &server, const std::string &service, const std::string &template_name)
+        {
+            mServer = server;
+            mService = service;
+            mTemplateName = template_name;
+            // Get current datetime for backup filename
+            auto now = std::chrono::system_clock::now();
+            auto time = std::chrono::system_clock::to_time_t(now);
+            std::stringstream datetime;
+            datetime << std::put_time(std::localtime(&time), "%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S");
+            mDatetime = datetime.str();
+        }
+
+        cBackupFileName::cBackupFileName(const std::string &filename)
+        {
+            // Parse the filename according to the format:
+            // server + magic_string() + template_name + magic_string() + service + magic_string() + datetime + ".tgz"
+            std::string name = filename;
+            if (name.size() > 4 && name.substr(name.size() - 4) == ".tgz")
+                name = name.substr(0, name.size() - 4);
+            std::string sep = magic_string();
+            size_t first = name.find(sep);
+            size_t second = name.find(sep, first + sep.size());
+            size_t third = name.find(sep, second + sep.size());
+            if (first == std::string::npos || second == std::string::npos || third == std::string::npos)
+            {
+                mServer = mService = mTemplateName = mDatetime = "";
+                return;
+            }
+            mServer = name.substr(0, first);
+            mTemplateName = name.substr(first + sep.size(), second - (first + sep.size()));
+            mService = name.substr(second + sep.size(), third - (second + sep.size()));
+            mDatetime = name.substr(third + sep.size());
+        }
+
+        std::string cBackupFileName::get_filename() const
+        {
+            return mServer + magic_string() + mTemplateName + magic_string() + mService + magic_string() + mDatetime + ".tgz";
+        }
+
+        std::string cBackupFileName::get_server() const { return mServer; }
+        std::string cBackupFileName::get_service() const { return mService; }
+        std::string cBackupFileName::get_template_name() const { return mTemplateName; }
+        std::string cBackupFileName::get_datetime() const { return mDatetime; }
+
+        bool cBackupFileName::is_valid() const
+        {
+            // All fields must be non-empty, and none may contain the magic string
+            return !mServer.empty() && !mService.empty() && !mTemplateName.empty() && !mDatetime.empty() &&
+                   !has_magic_string(mServer) && !has_magic_string(mService) && !has_magic_string(mTemplateName);
+        }
+
+        // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        // scp_file_to_remote : SHARED COMMAND
+        // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        bool scp_file_to_remote(const server_env_manager &server_env, const std::string &local_path, const std::string &remote_path, bool silent)
+        {
+            if (!server_env.is_valid())
+            {
+                error << "Invalid server environment" << std::endl;
+                return false;
+            }
+            ASSERT(!remote_path.empty() && !local_path.empty(), "Remote or local path not specified. Can't scp.");
+            std::string scp_cmd = "scp -P " + server_env.get_SSH_PORT() + " " + quote(local_path) + " " + server_env.get_SSH_USER() + "@" + server_env.get_SSH_HOST() + ":" + quote(remote_path) + (silent ? " > /dev/null 2>&1" : "");
+            return execute_local_command("", scp_cmd, {}, nullptr, (silent ? cMode::Silent : cMode::Defaults));
+        }
+
+        // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        // scp_file_from_remote : SHARED COMMAND
+        // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        bool scp_file_from_remote(const server_env_manager &server_env, const std::string &remote_path, const std::string &local_path, bool silent)
+        {
+            if (!server_env.is_valid())
+            {
+                error << "Invalid server environment" << std::endl;
+                return false;
+            }
+            ASSERT(!remote_path.empty() && !local_path.empty(), "Remote or local path not specified. Can't scp.");
+            std::string scp_cmd = "scp -P " + server_env.get_SSH_PORT() + " " + server_env.get_SSH_USER() + "@" + server_env.get_SSH_HOST() + ":" + quote(remote_path) + " " + quote(local_path) + (silent ? " > /dev/null 2>&1" : "");
+            return execute_local_command("", scp_cmd, {}, nullptr, (silent ? cMode::Silent : cMode::Defaults));
+        }
+
     } // namespace shared_commands
 
 } // namespace dropshell

source/src/commands/shared_commands.hpp

@@ -57,6 +57,44 @@ namespace dropshell
     void std_autocomplete(const CommandContext &ctx);
     void std_autocomplete_allowall(const CommandContext &ctx);
 
+    class cBackupFileName
+    {
+    public:
+        cBackupFileName(const std::string &server, const std::string &service, const std::string &template_name);
+        cBackupFileName(const std::string &filename);
+
+        std::string get_filename() const;
+        std::string get_server() const;
+        std::string get_service() const;
+        std::string get_template_name() const;
+        std::string get_datetime() const;
+
+        bool is_valid() const;
+
+    private:
+        std::string mServer;
+        std::string mService;
+        std::string mTemplateName;
+        std::string mDatetime;
+    };
+
+    bool scp_file_to_remote(const server_env_manager &server_env, const std::string &local_path, const std::string &remote_path, bool silent);
+    bool scp_file_from_remote(const server_env_manager &server_env, const std::string &remote_path, const std::string &local_path, bool silent);
+
+    // defined in backupdata.cpp, used by restoredata.cpp.
+    bool backupdata_service(const std::string& server, const std::string& service);
+
+    // defined in uninstall.cpp
+    bool uninstall_service(const std::string &server, const std::string &service);
+
+    // defined in nuke.cpp
+    bool nuke_service(const std::string &server, const std::string &service);
+
+    // defined in install.cpp
+    bool install_service(const std::string &server, const std::string &service);
+
+    // defined in create-service.cpp
+    bool create_service(const std::string &server_name, const std::string &template_name, const std::string &service_name);
 
     } // namespace shared_commands
 } // namespace dropshell

source/src/commands/ssh.cpp

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ namespace dropshell
         server_env_manager server_env(server);
         if (!server_env.is_valid())
         {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Server " << server << " is not valid" << std::endl;
+            error << "Server " << server << " is not valid" << std::endl;
             return false;
         }
         execute_ssh_command(server_env.get_SSH_INFO(), sCommand(remotepath::DROPSHELL_DIR(server), "ls --color && bash", {}), cMode::Interactive);
@@ -57,26 +57,26 @@ namespace dropshell
         server_env_manager server_env(server);
         if (!server_env.is_valid())
         {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Server " << server << " is not valid" << std::endl;
+            error << "Server " << server << " is not valid" << std::endl;
             return false;
         }
 
         LocalServiceInfo sinfo = get_service_info(server, service);
         if (!SIvalid(sinfo))
         {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Service " << service << " is not valid" << std::endl;
+            error << "Service " << service << " is not valid" << std::endl;
             return false;
         }
 
         if (!gTemplateManager().has_template(sinfo.template_name))
         {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Template " << sinfo.template_name << " is not valid" << std::endl;
+            error << "Template " << sinfo.template_name << " is not valid" << std::endl;
             return false;
         }
 
         if (!gTemplateManager().template_command_exists(sinfo.template_name, "ssh"))
         {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Template " << sinfo.template_name << " does not have an ssh command" << std::endl;
+            error << "Template " << sinfo.template_name << " does not have an ssh command" << std::endl;
             return false;
         }
 
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ namespace dropshell
     {
         if (ctx.args.size() < 1)
         {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Server name is required" << std::endl;
+            error << "Server name is required" << std::endl;
             return 1;
         }
 

source/src/commands/start.cpp

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "server_env_manager.hpp"
 #include "services.hpp"
 #include "servers.hpp"
+#include "utils/output.hpp"
 
 namespace dropshell
 {
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ namespace dropshell
         server_env_manager server_env(server);
         if (!server_env.is_valid())
         {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Server " << server << " is not valid" << std::endl;
+            error << "Server " << server << " is not valid" << std::endl;
             return false;
         }
 
@@ -55,10 +56,10 @@ namespace dropshell
 
         if (started)
         {
-            std::cout << "Service " << service << " on server " << server << " started." << std::endl;
+            info << "Service " << service << " on server " << server << " started." << std::endl;
             return true;
         }
-        std::cerr << "Error: Failed to start service " << service << " on server " << server << std::endl;
+        error << "Failed to start service " << service << " on server " << server << std::endl;
         return false;
     }
 

source/src/commands/stop.cpp

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "server_env_manager.hpp"
 #include "services.hpp"
 #include "servers.hpp"
+#include "utils/output.hpp"
 
 namespace dropshell
 {
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ namespace dropshell
         server_env_manager server_env(server);
         if (!server_env.is_valid())
         {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Server " << server << " is not valid" << std::endl;
+            error << "Server " << server << " is not valid" << std::endl;
             return false;
         }
 
@@ -55,10 +56,10 @@ namespace dropshell
 
         if (stopped)
         {
-            std::cout << "Service " << service << " on server " << server << " stopped." << std::endl;
+            info << "Service " << service << " on server " << server << " stopped." << std::endl;
             return true;
         }
-        std::cerr << "Error: Failed to stop service " << service << " on server " << server << std::endl;
+        error << "Failed to stop service " << service << " on server " << server << std::endl;
         return false;
     }
 
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ namespace dropshell
     {
         if (ctx.args.size() < 2)
         {
-            std::cerr << "Error: Server name and service name are both required" << std::endl;
+            error << "Server name and service name are both required" << std::endl;
             return 1;
         }
 

source/src/commands/uninstall.cpp

@@ -41,51 +41,49 @@ namespace dropshell
         }
     } uninstall_command_register;
 
-    bool uninstall_service(const std::string &server, const std::string &service, bool silent = false)
+    namespace shared_commands {
+        bool uninstall_service(const std::string &server, const std::string &service)
         {
-        if (!silent)
             maketitle("Uninstalling " + service + " on " + server);
 
             server_env_manager server_env(server);
             if (!server_env.is_valid())
             {
-            std::cerr << "Invalid server: " << server << std::endl;
+                error << "Invalid server: " << server << std::endl;
                 return false; // should never hit this.
             }
 
             // 2. Check if service directory exists on server
             if (!server_env.check_remote_dir_exists(remotepath::service(server, service)))
             {
-            std::cerr << "Service is not installed: " << service << std::endl;
+                error << "Service is not installed: " << service << std::endl;
                 return true; // Nothing to uninstall
             }
 
             // 3. Run uninstall script if it exists
             std::string uninstall_script = remotepath::service_template(server, service) + "/uninstall.sh";
-        if (!server_env.run_remote_template_command(service, "uninstall", {}, silent, {}))
+            if (!server_env.run_remote_template_command(service, "uninstall", {}, false, {}))
-            if (!silent)
+                warning << "Uninstall script failed, but continuing with directory removal" << std::endl;
-                std::cerr << "Warning: Uninstall script failed, but continuing with directory removal" << std::endl;
 
             // 4. Remove the service directory from the server, running in a docker container as root.
-        if (server_env.remove_remote_dir(remotepath::service(server, service), silent))
+            if (server_env.remove_remote_dir(remotepath::service(server, service), false))
             {
                 ASSERT(!server_env.check_remote_dir_exists(remotepath::service(server, service)), "Service directory still found on server after uninstall");
-            if (!silent)
+                info << "Removed remote service directory " << remotepath::service(server, service) << std::endl;
-                std::cout << "Removed remote service directory " << remotepath::service(server, service) << std::endl;
             }
-        else if (!silent)
+            else
-            std::cerr << "Warning: Failed to remove remote service directory" << std::endl;
+                warning << "Failed to remove remote service directory" << std::endl;
 
-        if (!silent)
+            info << "Completed service " << service << " uninstall on " << server << std::endl;
-            std::cout << "Completed service " << service << " uninstall on " << server << std::endl;
             return true;
         }
+    } // namespace shared_commands
 
     int uninstall_handler(const CommandContext &ctx)
     {
         if (ctx.args.size() < 1)
         {
-            std::cerr << "Error: uninstall requires a server and a service (or all)" << std::endl;
+            error << "uninstall requires a server and a service (or all)" << std::endl;
             return 1;
         }
 
@@ -98,14 +96,14 @@ namespace dropshell
             std::vector<LocalServiceInfo> services = get_server_services_info(server);
             for (const auto &service : services)
             {
-                if (!uninstall_service(server, service.service_name))
+                if (!shared_commands::uninstall_service(server, service.service_name))
                     okay = false;
             }
             return okay ? 0 : 1;
         }
 
         std::string service = safearg(ctx.args, 1);
-        return uninstall_service(server, service) ? 0 : 1;
+        return shared_commands::uninstall_service(server, service) ? 0 : 1;
     }
 
 } // namespace dropshell

source/src/config.cpp

@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@
 #include "utils/json.hpp"
 #include <filesystem>
 #include "utils/execute.hpp"
+#include "output.hpp"
+
+
 namespace dropshell {
 
 
@@ -150,7 +153,7 @@ std::vector<std::string> config::get_local_server_definition_paths() {
         if (path.is_string() && !path.empty())
             paths.push_back(path);
         else
-            std::cerr << "Warning: Invalid server definition path: " << path << std::endl;
+            warning << "Invalid server definition path: " << path << std::endl;
     }
     return paths;
 }

source/src/main.cpp

@@ -50,33 +50,33 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
             return 0;
         }
 
-        const CommandInfo* info = CommandRegistry::instance().find_command(ctx.command);
+        const CommandInfo* cmdinfo = CommandRegistry::instance().find_command(ctx.command);
-        if (!info) {
+        if (!cmdinfo) {
-            std::cerr << "Unknown command: " << ctx.command << std::endl;
+            error << "Unknown command: " << ctx.command << std::endl;
             return 1;
         }
-        if (info->requires_config && !gConfig().is_config_set()) {
+        if (cmdinfo->requires_config && !gConfig().is_config_set()) {
-            std::cerr << "Valid dropshell configuration required for command: " << ctx.command << std::endl;
+            error << "Valid dropshell configuration required for command: " << ctx.command << std::endl;
-            std::cerr << "Please run 'dropshell edit' to set up the dropshell configuration." << std::endl;
+            info << "Please run 'dropshell edit' to set up the dropshell configuration." << std::endl;
             return 1;
         }
-        if (info->requires_install && !gConfig().is_agent_installed()) {
+        if (cmdinfo->requires_install && !gConfig().is_agent_installed()) {
-            std::cerr << "Dropshell agent not installed for command: " << ctx.command << std::endl;
+            error << "Dropshell agent not installed for command: " << ctx.command << std::endl;
-            std::cerr << "Please run 'dropshell install' to install the local dropshell agent." << std::endl;
+            info << "Please run 'dropshell install' to install the local dropshell agent." << std::endl;
             return 1;
         }
 
         int arg_count = ctx.args.size();
-        if (arg_count < info->min_args || (info->max_args != -1 && arg_count > info->max_args)) {
+        if (arg_count < cmdinfo->min_args || (cmdinfo->max_args != -1 && arg_count > cmdinfo->max_args)) {
-            std::cerr << "Invalid number of arguments for command: " << ctx.command << std::endl;
+            error << "Invalid number of arguments for command: " << ctx.command << std::endl;
-            std::cerr << "(" << ctx.args.size() << " args provided, " << ctx.command << " requires " << (info->min_args) << " to " << (info->max_args) << " args)" << std::endl;
+            debug << "(" << ctx.args.size() << " args provided, " << ctx.command << " requires " << (cmdinfo->min_args) << " to " << (cmdinfo->max_args) << " args)" << std::endl;
-            std::cerr << "Usage: " << std::endl;
+            info << "Usage: " << std::endl;
-            std::cerr << "  ";
+            info << "  ";
-            print_left_aligned(info->help_usage,30);
+            info << left_align(cmdinfo->help_usage,30);
-            std::cout << info->help_description << std::endl;
+            info << cmdinfo->help_description << std::endl;
             return 1;
         }
-        return info->handler(ctx);
+        return cmdinfo->handler(ctx);
 
     }
     catch (const std::exception& e) {
@@ -116,13 +116,6 @@ bool getCLIServices(const std::string & arg2, const std::string & arg3,
     return true;
 }
 
-void printversion() {
-    maketitle("DropShell version " + VERSION);
-    std::cout << "Release date: " << RELEASE_DATE << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "Author:       " << AUTHOR << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "License:      " << LICENSE << std::endl;
-}
-
 auto command_match = [](const std::string& cmd_list, int argc, char* argv[]) -> bool {
     std::istringstream iss(cmd_list);
     std::string cmd_item;

source/src/service_runner.cpp

@@ -91,7 +91,6 @@ namespace fs = std::filesystem;
 
 namespace dropshell {
 
-static const std::string magic_string = "-_-";
 
 service_runner::service_runner(const std::string& server_name, const std::string& service_name) : 
     mServerEnv(server_name), mServer(server_name), mService(service_name), mValid(false)
@@ -122,12 +121,12 @@ bool service_runner::nuke(bool silent)
 
     std::string remote_service_path = remotepath::service(mServer, mService);
 
-    std::cout << "Service " << mService << " successfully nuked from " << mServer << std::endl;
+    info << "Service " << mService << " successfully nuked from " << mServer << std::endl;
 
     if (!silent) {
-        std::cout << "There's nothing left on the remote server." << std::endl;
+        info << "There's nothing left on the remote server." << std::endl;
-        std::cout << "You can remove the local files with:" << std::endl;
+        info << "You can remove the local files with:" << std::endl;
-        std::cout << "   rm -rf " << localpath::service(mServer,mService) << std::endl;
+        info << "   rm -rf " << localpath::service(mServer,mService) << std::endl;
     }
     return true;
 }
@@ -136,19 +135,19 @@ bool service_runner::fullnuke()
 {
     if (!nuke(true))
     {
-        std::cerr << "Warning: Nuke script failed, aborting fullnuke!" << std::endl;
+        warning << "Nuke script failed, aborting." << 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;
+        error << "Service directory not found: " << local_service_path << std::endl;
         return false;
     }  
     
     std::string rm_cmd = "rm -rf " + quote(local_service_path);
     if (!execute_local_command("", rm_cmd, {}, nullptr, cMode::Silent)) {
-        std::cerr << "Failed to remove service directory" << std::endl;
+        error << "Failed to remove service directory" << std::endl;
         return false;
     }
     
@@ -298,7 +297,7 @@ bool service_runner::restore(std::string backup_file, bool silent)
     }
 
     // split the backup filename into parts based on the magic string
-    std::vector<std::string> parts = dropshell::split(backup_file, magic_string);
+    std::vector<std::string> parts = dropshell::split(backup_file, "-_-");
     if (parts.size() != 4) {
         std::cerr << "Error: Backup file format is incompatible, - in one of the names?" << std::endl;
         return false;
@@ -383,12 +382,6 @@ bool service_runner::restore(std::string backup_file, bool silent)
 }
 
 
-bool name_breaks_backups(std::string name)
-{
-    // if name contains -_-, return true
-    return name.find("-_-") != std::string::npos;
-}
-
 // backup the service over ssh, using the credentials from server.env (via server_env.hpp)
 // 1. run backup.sh on the server
 // 2. create a backup file with format server-service-datetime.tgz
@@ -452,17 +445,18 @@ bool service_runner::backup(bool silent) {
     std::stringstream datetime;
     datetime << std::put_time(std::localtime(&time), "%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S");
     
-    if (name_breaks_backups(mServer)) {std::cerr << "Error: Server name contains invalid character sequence ( -_- ) that would break backup naming scheme" << std::endl; return 1;}
-    if (name_breaks_backups(mService)) {std::cerr << "Error: Service name contains invalid character sequence ( -_- ) that would break backup naming scheme" << std::endl; return 1;}
-    if (name_breaks_backups(service_info.template_name)) {std::cerr << "Error: Service template name contains invalid character sequence ( -_- ) that would break backup naming scheme" << std::endl; return 1;}
-
     // Construct backup filename
-    std::string backup_filename = mServer + magic_string + service_info.template_name + magic_string + mService + magic_string + datetime.str() + ".tgz";
+    shared_commands::cBackupFileName backup_filename_construction(mServer, mService, service_info.template_name);
+    if (!backup_filename_construction.is_valid()) {
+        std::cerr << "Invalid backup filename" << std::endl;
+        return false;
+    }
+    std::string backup_filename = backup_filename_construction.get_filename();
     std::string remote_backup_file_path = remote_backups_dir + "/" + backup_filename;
     std::string local_backup_file_path = (std::filesystem::path(local_backups_dir) / backup_filename).string();
 
     // 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), "Invalid backup filename");
+    ASSERT(3 == count_substring("-_-", local_backup_file_path), "Invalid backup filename");
 
     {   // Run backup script
         shared_commands::cRemoteTempFolder remote_temp_folder(mServerEnv);
@@ -501,7 +495,7 @@ std::string service_runner::get_latest_backup_file(const std::string& server, co
     }
 
     // Build the expected prefix for backup files
-    std::string prefix = server + magic_string + info.template_name + magic_string + service + magic_string;
+    std::string prefix = server + "-_-" + info.template_name + "-_-" + service + "-_-";
     std::string latest_file;
     std::string latest_datetime;
 

source/src/services.cpp

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ std::vector<LocalServiceInfo> get_server_services_info(const std::string& server
                     if (!service.local_service_path.empty()) 
                         services.push_back(service);
                     else 
-                        std::cerr << "Warning: Failed to get service info for " << dirname << " on server " << server_name << std::endl;
+                        warning << "Failed to get service info for " << dirname << " on server " << server_name << std::endl;
                 }
             } // end of for 
     }
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ bool get_all_service_env_vars(const std::string &server_name, const std::string
             all_env_vars.merge(env_vars);
         }
         else
-            std::cout << "Warning: Expected environment file not found: " << file << std::endl;
+            warning << "Expected environment file not found: " << file << std::endl;
     };
 
     // Load environment files
@@ -198,11 +198,10 @@ bool get_all_service_env_vars(const std::string &server_name, const std::string
     // determine template name.
     auto it = all_env_vars.find("TEMPLATE");
     if (it == all_env_vars.end()) {
-        std::cerr << std::endl << std::endl;
+        error << "TEMPLATE variable not defined in service " << service_name << " on server " << server_name << std::endl;
-        std::cerr << "Error: TEMPLATE variable not defined in service " << service_name << " on server " << server_name << std::endl;
+        info << "The TEMPLATE variable is required to determine the template name." << std::endl;
-        std::cerr << "The TEMPLATE variable is required to determine the template name." << std::endl;
+        info << "Please check the service.env file and the .template_info.env file in:" << std::endl;
-        std::cerr << "Please check the service.env file and the .template_info.env file in:" << std::endl;
+        info << "    " << localpath::service(server_name, service_name) << std::endl << std::endl;
-        std::cerr << "    " << localpath::service(server_name, service_name) << std::endl << std::endl;
         return false;
     }
     template_info tinfo = gTemplateManager().get_template_info(it->second);

source/src/utils/directories.cpp

@@ -1,10 +1,13 @@
 #include "directories.hpp"
 #include "config.hpp"
 #include "server_env_manager.hpp"
+#include "output.hpp"
+
 #include <iostream>
 #include <string>
 #include <filesystem>
 
+
 namespace fs = std::filesystem;
 
 namespace dropshell {
@@ -78,7 +81,7 @@ namespace localpath {
                 std::filesystem::path homedir_path(homedir);
                 return fs::canonical(homedir_path).string();
             }
-            std::cerr << "Warning: Couldn't determine user directory" << std::endl;
+            warning << "Couldn't determine user directory" << std::endl;
             return std::string();
         }
 } // namespace localpath

source/src/utils/output.cpp

@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ namespace dropshell
     constexpr const char *GREY = "\033[90m";
     constexpr const char *RESET = "\033[0m";
     constexpr const char *DEBUG_COLOUR = "\033[36m";   // Cyan
-    constexpr const char *INFO_COLOUR = "\033[32m";    // Green
+    // constexpr const char *INFO_COLOUR = "\033[32m";    // Green
+    constexpr const char *INFO_COLOUR = "\033[37m";    // White
     constexpr const char *WARNING_COLOUR = "\033[33m"; // Yellow
     constexpr const char *ERROR_COLOUR = "\033[31m";   // Red
 
@@ -77,6 +78,9 @@ namespace dropshell
     std::ostream &warning = warning_stream;
     std::ostream &error = error_stream;
 
+    std::ostream &rawout = std::cout;
+    std::ostream &rawerr = std::cerr;
+
     std::ostream &colourstream(sColour colour)
     {
         switch (colour)

source/src/utils/output.hpp

@@ -56,6 +56,9 @@ extern std::ostream& info;
 extern std::ostream& warning;
 extern std::ostream& error;
 
+extern std::ostream& rawout;
+extern std::ostream& rawerr;
+
 // Enum for colours
 enum class sColour {
     RESET,

source/src/utils/tableprint.cpp

@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 #include <iostream>
 #include <map>
 
+#include "output.hpp"
+
 enum kTextColors {
     kTextColor_Default,
     kTextColor_Red,
@@ -32,7 +34,7 @@ const std::map<std::string, coloredText> kReplacements = {
     {":tick:", {"+", kTextColor_Green}},
     {":cross:", {"x", kTextColor_Red}},
     {":warning:", {"!", kTextColor_Yellow}},
-    {":info:", {"i", kTextColor_Blue}},
+    {":dropshell::info:", {"i", kTextColor_Blue}},
     {":check:", {"+", kTextColor_Green}},
     {":x:", {"x", kTextColor_Red}},
     {":error:", {"!", kTextColor_Red}},
@@ -115,12 +117,12 @@ std::string width_print_centered(std::string str,int width, std::string rowcolor
     oss << rowcolor << std::string(lpad, ' ') << process_cell(str, rowcolor) << 
         std::string(rpad, ' ') << "\033[0m";
 
-    // std::cout << "str = "<<str <<std::endl;
+    // dropshell::info << "str = "<<str <<std::endl;
-    // std::cout << "width = "<<width <<std::endl;
+    // dropshell::info << "width = "<<width <<std::endl;
-    // std::cout << "padding = "<<padding <<std::endl;
+    // dropshell::info << "padding = "<<padding <<std::endl;
-    // std::cout << "get_visible_length(str) = "<<get_visible_length(str) <<std::endl;
+    // dropshell::info << "get_visible_length(str) = "<<get_visible_length(str) <<std::endl;
-    // std::cout << "get_codepoints(str) = "<<get_codepoints(str) <<std::endl;
+    // dropshell::info << "get_codepoints(str) = "<<get_codepoints(str) <<std::endl;
-    // std::cout << "oss.str() = ["<<oss.str() <<"]"<<std::endl;
+    // dropshell::info << "oss.str() = ["<<oss.str() <<"]"<<std::endl;
 
     return oss.str();
 }
@@ -195,98 +197,105 @@ void tableprint::print() {
 
     // Print title if it exists
     if (!title.empty()) {
-        std::cout << "\033[90m"; // Dark grey color for borders
+        dropshell::info << "\033[90m"; // Dark grey color for borders
-        std::cout << "+";
+        dropshell::info << "+";
         for (size_t i = 0; i < rows[0].size(); ++i) {
-            std::cout << std::string(col_widths[i] + 2, '-');
+            dropshell::info << std::string(col_widths[i] + 2, '-');
-            if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) std::cout << "-";
+            if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) dropshell::info << "-";
         }
-        std::cout << "+" << std::endl;
+        dropshell::info << "+" << std::endl;
         
-        std::cout << "|"; // White color for title
+        dropshell::info << "\033[90m"; // Dark grey color for borders
+        dropshell::info << "|"; // White color for title
         size_t title_width = 0;
         for (size_t width : col_widths) {
             title_width += width + 2; // +2 for padding
         }
         title_width += col_widths.size() - 1; // Add space for vertical borders
 
-        std::cout << width_print_centered(title,title_width,"\033[1;37m");
+        dropshell::info << width_print_centered(title,title_width,"\033[1;37m");
-        std::cout << "\033[90m|" << std::endl;
+        dropshell::info << "\033[90m|" << std::endl;
         
         // Use └─┴─┘ for bottom of title box to connect with table
-        std::cout << "+";
+        dropshell::info << "\033[90m"; // Dark grey color for borders
+        dropshell::info << "+";
         for (size_t i = 0; i < rows[0].size(); ++i) {
-            std::cout << std::string(col_widths[i] + 2, '-');
+            dropshell::info << std::string(col_widths[i] + 2, '-');
-            if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) std::cout << "-";
+            if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) dropshell::info << "-";
         }
-        std::cout << "+" << std::endl;
+        dropshell::info << "+" << std::endl;
     } else {
         // Print top border if no title
-        std::cout << "\033[90m"; // Dark grey color for borders
+        dropshell::info << "\033[90m"; // Dark grey color for borders
-        std::cout << "+";
+        dropshell::info << "+";
         for (size_t i = 0; i < rows[0].size(); ++i) {
-            std::cout << std::string(col_widths[i] + 2, '-');
+            dropshell::info << std::string(col_widths[i] + 2, '-');
-            if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) std::cout << "+";
+            if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) dropshell::info << "+";
         }
-        std::cout << "+" << std::endl;
+        dropshell::info << "+" << std::endl;
     }
 
     // Print header
-    std::cout << "|";
+    dropshell::info << "\033[90m"; // Dark grey color for borders
+    dropshell::info << "|";
     for (size_t i = 0; i < rows[0].size(); ++i) {
-        std::cout << width_print_centered(rows[0][i],col_widths[i]+2,"\033[1;36m");
+        dropshell::info << width_print_centered(rows[0][i],col_widths[i]+2,"\033[1;36m");
         if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) {
-            std::cout << "\033[90m|\033[1;36m"; // Border color then back to cyan
+            dropshell::info << "\033[90m|\033[1;36m"; // Border color then back to cyan
         } else {
-            std::cout << "\033[90m|"; // Just border color for last column
+            dropshell::info << "\033[90m|"; // Just border color for last column
         }
     }
-    std::cout << std::endl;
+    dropshell::info << std::endl;
 
     // Print header separator
     if (!mCompact) {
-        std::cout << "+";
+        dropshell::info << "\033[90m"; // Dark grey color for borders
+        dropshell::info << "+";
         for (size_t i = 0; i < rows[0].size(); ++i) {
             for (size_t j = 0; j < col_widths[i] + 2; ++j) {
-                std::cout << "-";
+                dropshell::info << "-";
             }
-            if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) std::cout << "+";
+            if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) dropshell::info << "+";
         }
-        std::cout << "+" << std::endl;
+        dropshell::info << "+" << std::endl;
     }
 
     // Print rows
     for (size_t row_idx = 1; row_idx < rows.size(); ++row_idx) {
         const auto& row = rows[row_idx];
-        std::cout << "|";
+        dropshell::info << "\033[90m"; // Dark grey color for borders
+        dropshell::info << "|";
         for (size_t i = 0; i < row.size(); ++i) {
             // Set the appropriate color for the row
             std::string rowcolor = (row_idx % 2 == 1) ? "\033[38;5;142m" : "\033[38;5;250m";
-            std::cout << width_print_left(row[i],col_widths[i]+2,rowcolor);
+            dropshell::info << width_print_left(row[i],col_widths[i]+2,rowcolor);
-            std::cout << "\033[90m" << "|";
+            dropshell::info << "\033[90m" << "|";
         }
-        std::cout << std::endl;
+        dropshell::info << std::endl;
 
         // Print row separator if not the last row
         if (row_idx < rows.size() - 1 && !mCompact) {
-            std::cout << "+";
+            dropshell::info << "\033[90m"; // Dark grey color for borders
+            dropshell::info << "+";
             for (size_t i = 0; i < rows[0].size(); ++i) {
                 for (size_t j = 0; j < col_widths[i] + 2; ++j) {
-                    std::cout << "-";
+                    dropshell::info << "-";
                 }
-                if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) std::cout << "+";
+                if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) dropshell::info << "+";
             }
-            std::cout << "+" << std::endl;
+            dropshell::info << "+" << std::endl;
         }
     }
 
     // Print bottom border
-    std::cout << "+";
+    dropshell::info << "\033[90m"; // Dark grey color for borders
+    dropshell::info << "+";
     for (size_t i = 0; i < rows[0].size(); ++i) {
         for (size_t j = 0; j < col_widths[i] + 2; ++j) {
-            std::cout << "-";
+            dropshell::info << "-";
         }
-        if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) std::cout << "+";
+        if (i < rows[0].size() - 1) dropshell::info << "+";
     }
-    std::cout << "+" << "\033[0m" << std::endl; // Reset color
+    dropshell::info << "+" << "\033[0m" << std::endl; // Reset color
 } 

source/src/utils/utils.cpp

@@ -10,6 +10,16 @@
 
 namespace dropshell {
 
+std::string magic_string() {
+    return "-_-";
+}
+
+bool has_magic_string(std::string name)
+{
+    return name.find(magic_string()) != std::string::npos;
+}
+
+
 void maketitle(const std::string& title, sColour colour) {
     colourstream(colour) << std::string(title.length() + 4, '-') << std::endl;
     colourstream(colour) << "| " << title << " |" << std::endl;
@@ -334,20 +344,6 @@ std::string safearg(int argc, char *argv[], int index)
     return argv[index];
 }
 
-
-void print_left_aligned(const std::string & str, int width) {
-    std::cout << left_align(str, width);
-}
-
-void print_centered(const std::string & str, int width) {
-    std::cout << center_align(str, width);
-}
-
-void print_right_aligned(const std::string & str, int width) {
-    std::cout << right_align(str, width);
-}
-
-
 std::string left_align(const std::string & str, int width) {
     if (static_cast<int>(str.size()) >= width)
         return str;

source/src/utils/utils.hpp

@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ void maketitle(const std::string& title, sColour colour=sColour::INFO);
 
 bool replace_line_in_file(const std::string& file_path, const std::string& search_string, const std::string& replacement_line);
 
+std::string magic_string();
+bool has_magic_string(std::string name);
 
 // utility functions
 std::string trim(std::string str);
@@ -47,10 +49,6 @@ int die(const std::string & msg);
 std::string safearg(int argc, char *argv[], int index);
 std::string safearg(const std::vector<std::string> & args, int index);
 
-void print_left_aligned(const std::string & str, int width);
-void print_centered(const std::string & str, int width);
-void print_right_aligned(const std::string & str, int width);
-
 std::string left_align(const std::string & str, int width);
 std::string right_align(const std::string & str, int width);
 std::string center_align(const std::string & str, int width);