diff --git a/doc/plugins.md b/doc/plugins.md
index 0235d803..541d091d 100644
--- a/doc/plugins.md
+++ b/doc/plugins.md
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ Cv plugins are PHP files which register event listeners.
 ```php
 // FILE: /etc/cv/plugin/hello-command.php
 use Civi\Cv\Cv;
+use Civi\Cv\Command\CvCommand;
 use CvDeps\Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
+use CvDeps\Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use CvDeps\Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 use CvDeps\Symfony\Component\Console\Command\Command;
 
@@ -16,15 +18,15 @@ if (empty($CV_PLUGIN['protocol']) || $CV_PLUGIN['protocol'] > 1) {
 }
 
 Cv::dispatcher()->addListener('cv.app.commands', function($e) {
-  $e['commands'][] = new class extends Command {
-    protected function configure() {
-      $this->setName('hello')->setDescription('Say a greeting');
-    }
-    protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-      $output->writeln('Hello there!');
+
+  $e['commands'][] = (new CvCommand('hello'))
+    ->setDescription('Say a greeting')
+    ->addArgument('name', InputArgument::REQUIRED, 'Name of the person to greet')
+    ->setCode(function($input, $output) {
+      $output->writeln('Hello, ' . $input->getArgument('name'));
       return 0;
-    }
-  };
+    });
+
 });
 ```
 
diff --git a/lib/README.md b/lib/README.md
index 5f79d6ce..3ce8352f 100644
--- a/lib/README.md
+++ b/lib/README.md
@@ -78,11 +78,13 @@ For more info about `$options`, see the docblocks.
 
 ## Experimental API
 
-Other classes are included, but their contracts are subject to change.
-
-A particularly interesting one is `BootTrait`.  This requires `symfony/console`, and it is used by most `cv` subcommands
-to achieve common behaviors:
-
-1. `BootTrait` defines certain CLI options (`--level`, `--user`, `--hostname`, etc).
-2. `BootTrait` automatically decides between `Bootstrap.php` and `CmsBootstrap.php`.
-3. `BootTrait` passes CLI options through to `Bootstrap.php` or `CmsBootstrap.php`.
+Other classes are included, but their contracts are subject to change. These
+include higher-level helpers for building Symfony Console apps that incorporate
+Civi bootstrap behaviors.
+
+* `BootTrait` has previously suggested as an experimentally available API
+  (circa v0.3.44).  It changed significantly (circa v0.3.56), where
+  `configureBootOptions()` was replaced by  `$bootOptions`, `mergeDefaultBootDefinition()`,
+  and `mergeBootDefinition()`.
+* As an alternative, consider the classes `BaseApplication` and `CvCommand` if you aim
+  to build a tool using Symfony Console and Cv Lib.
diff --git a/lib/src/BaseApplication.php b/lib/src/BaseApplication.php
index 9c4c668f..dcc881e0 100644
--- a/lib/src/BaseApplication.php
+++ b/lib/src/BaseApplication.php
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 namespace Civi\Cv;
 
 use Civi\Cv\Util\AliasFilter;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\CvArgvInput;
 use LesserEvil\ShellVerbosityIsEvil;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
@@ -24,6 +25,8 @@ public static function main(string $name, ?string $binDir, array $argv) {
 
     try {
       $application = new static($name);
+      Cv::ioStack()->replace('app', $application);
+      $application->configure();
       $argv = AliasFilter::filter($argv);
       $result = $application->run(new CvArgvInput($argv), Cv::ioStack()->current('output'));
     }
@@ -38,8 +41,7 @@ public static function main(string $name, ?string $binDir, array $argv) {
     exit($result);
   }
 
-  public function __construct($name = 'UNKNOWN', $version = 'UNKNOWN') {
-    parent::__construct($name, $version);
+  public function configure() {
     $this->setCatchExceptions(TRUE);
     $this->setAutoExit(FALSE);
 
@@ -66,6 +68,12 @@ protected function getDefaultInputDefinition() {
     $definition = parent::getDefaultInputDefinition();
     $definition->addOption(new InputOption('cwd', NULL, InputOption::VALUE_REQUIRED, 'If specified, use the given directory as working directory.'));
     $definition->addOption(new InputOption('site-alias', NULL, InputOption::VALUE_REQUIRED, 'Load site connection data based on its alias'));
+
+    $c = new class() {
+      use BootTrait;
+    };
+    $c->mergeDefaultBootDefinition($definition);
+
     return $definition;
   }
 
diff --git a/lib/src/Command/CvCommand.php b/lib/src/Command/CvCommand.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d6bc5616
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/src/Command/CvCommand.php
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+<?php
+namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
+
+use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\OptionCallbackTrait;
+use Symfony\Component\Console\Command\Command;
+use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
+use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
+
+/**
+ * `CvCommand` is a Symfony `Command` with support for bootstrapping CiviCRM/CMS.
+ *
+ * - From end-user POV, the command accepts options like --user, --level, --hostname.
+ * - From dev POV, the command allows you to implement `execute()` method without needing to
+ *   explicitly boot Civi.
+ * - From dev POV, you may fine-tune command by changing the $bootOptions / getBootOptions().
+ */
+class CvCommand extends Command {
+
+  use OptionCallbackTrait;
+  use BootTrait;
+
+  public function mergeApplicationDefinition($mergeArgs = TRUE) {
+    parent::mergeApplicationDefinition($mergeArgs);
+    $this->mergeBootDefinition($this->getDefinition());
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @param \Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface $input
+   * @param \Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface $output
+   */
+  protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
+    $this->autoboot($input, $output);
+    parent::initialize($input, $output);
+    $this->runOptionCallbacks($input, $output);
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/lib/src/Cv.php b/lib/src/Cv.php
index bb5e4915..26e30db9 100644
--- a/lib/src/Cv.php
+++ b/lib/src/Cv.php
@@ -79,6 +79,13 @@ public static function ioStack(): IOStack {
     return static::$instances[__FUNCTION__];
   }
 
+  /**
+   * @return \CvDeps\Symfony\Component\Console\Application|\Symfony\Component\Console\Application
+   */
+  public static function app() {
+    return static::ioStack()->current('app');
+  }
+
   /**
    * @return \CvDeps\Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface|\Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface
    */
diff --git a/lib/src/Util/BootTrait.php b/lib/src/Util/BootTrait.php
index c3baf46f..2db48498 100644
--- a/lib/src/Util/BootTrait.php
+++ b/lib/src/Util/BootTrait.php
@@ -16,13 +16,70 @@
  */
 trait BootTrait {
 
-  public function configureBootOptions($defaultLevel = 'full|cms-full') {
-    $this->addOption('level', NULL, InputOption::VALUE_REQUIRED, 'Bootstrap level (none,classloader,settings,full,cms-only,cms-full)', $defaultLevel);
-    $this->addOption('hostname', NULL, InputOption::VALUE_REQUIRED, 'Hostname (for a multisite system)');
-    $this->addOption('test', 't', InputOption::VALUE_NONE, 'Bootstrap the test database (CIVICRM_UF=UnitTests)');
-    $this->addOption('user', 'U', InputOption::VALUE_REQUIRED, 'CMS user');
+  /**
+   * Describe the expected bootstrap behaviors for this command.
+   *
+   * - For most commands, you will want to automatically boot CiviCRM/CMS.
+   *   The default implementation will do this.
+   * - For some special commands (e.g. core-installer or PHP-script-runner), you may
+   *   want more fine-grained control over when/how the system boots.
+   *
+   * @var array
+   */
+  protected $bootOptions = [
+    // Whether to automatically boot Civi during `initialize()` phase.
+    'auto' => TRUE,
+
+    // Default boot level.
+    'default' => 'full|cms-full',
+
+    // List of all boot levels that are allowed in this command.
+    'allow' => ['full|cms-full', 'full', 'cms-full', 'settings', 'classloader', 'cms-only', 'none'],
+  ];
+
+  /**
+   * @internal
+   */
+  public function mergeDefaultBootDefinition($definition, $defaultLevel = 'full|cms-full') {
+    // If we were only dealing with built-in/global commands, then these options could be defined at the command-level.
+    // However, we also have extension-based commands. The system will boot before we have a chance to discover them.
+    // By putting these options at the application level, we ensure they will be defined+used.
+    $definition->addOption(new InputOption('level', NULL, InputOption::VALUE_REQUIRED, 'Bootstrap level (none,classloader,settings,full,cms-only,cms-full)', $defaultLevel));
+    $definition->addOption(new InputOption('hostname', NULL, InputOption::VALUE_REQUIRED, 'Hostname (for a multisite system)'));
+    $definition->addOption(new InputOption('test', 't', InputOption::VALUE_NONE, 'Bootstrap the test database (CIVICRM_UF=UnitTests)'));
+    $definition->addOption(new InputOption('user', 'U', InputOption::VALUE_REQUIRED, 'CMS user'));
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @internal
+   */
+  public function mergeBootDefinition($definition) {
+    $bootOptions = $this->getBootOptions();
+    $definition->getOption('level')->setDefault($bootOptions['default']);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Evaluate the $bootOptions.
+   *
+   * - If we've already booted, do nothing.
+   * - If the configuration looks reasonable and if we haven't booted yet, then boot().
+   * - If the configuration looks unreasonable, then abort.
+   */
+  protected function autoboot(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): void {
+    $bootOptions = $this->getBootOptions();
+    if (!in_array($input->getOption('level'), $bootOptions['allow'])) {
+      throw new \LogicException(sprintf("Command called with with level (%s) but only accepts levels (%s)",
+        $input->getOption('level'), implode(', ', $bootOptions['allow'])));
+    }
+
+    if (!$this->isBooted() && ($bootOptions['auto'] ?? TRUE)) {
+      $this->boot($input, $output);
+    }
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Start CiviCRM and/or CMS. Respect options like --user and --level.
+   */
   public function boot(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
     $logger = $this->bootLogger($output);
     $logger->debug('Start');
@@ -290,4 +347,33 @@ private function bootLogger(OutputInterface $output): InternalLogger {
     return new SymfonyConsoleLogger('BootTrait', $output);
   }
 
+  /**
+   * @return bool
+   */
+  protected function isBooted() {
+    return defined('CIVICRM_DSN');
+  }
+
+  protected function assertBooted() {
+    if (!$this->isBooted()) {
+      throw new \Exception("Error: This command requires bootstrapping, but the system does not appear to be bootstrapped. Perhaps you set --level=none?");
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @return array{auto: bool, default: string, allow: string[]}
+   */
+  public function getBootOptions(): array {
+    return $this->bootOptions;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @param array{auto: bool, default: string, allow: string[]} $bootOptions
+   * @return $this
+   */
+  public function setBootOptions(array $bootOptions) {
+    $this->bootOptions = array_merge($this->bootOptions, $bootOptions);
+    return $this;
+  }
+
 }
diff --git a/lib/src/Util/IOStack.php b/lib/src/Util/IOStack.php
index 08f85e56..a8e734b1 100644
--- a/lib/src/Util/IOStack.php
+++ b/lib/src/Util/IOStack.php
@@ -21,16 +21,19 @@ class IOStack {
    *
    * @param \Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface $input
    * @param \Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface $output
+   * @param \Symfony\Component\Console\Application|null $app
    * @return scalar
    *   Internal identifier for the stack-frame. ID formatting is not guaranteed.
    */
-  public function push(\Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface $input, \Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface $output) {
+  public function push(\Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface $input, \Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface $output, ?\Symfony\Component\Console\Application $app = NULL) {
     ++static::$id;
+    $app = $app ?: ($this->stack[0]['app'] ?? NULL);
     array_unshift($this->stack, [
       'id' => static::$id,
       'input' => $input,
       'output' => $output,
       'io' => new SymfonyStyle($input, $output),
+      'app' => $app,
     ]);
     return static::$id;
   }
@@ -68,6 +71,10 @@ public function get($id, string $property) {
     return NULL;
   }
 
+  public function replace($property, $value) {
+    $this->stack[0][$property] = $value;
+  }
+
   public function reset() {
     $this->stack = [];
   }
diff --git a/lib/src/Util/OptionalOption.php b/lib/src/Util/OptionalOption.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..38bf8c92
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/src/Util/OptionalOption.php
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace Civi\Cv\Util;
+
+class OptionalOption {
+
+  /**
+   * Parse an option's data. This is for options where the default behavior
+   * (of total omission) differs from the activated behavior
+   * (of an active but unspecified option).
+   *
+   * Example, suppose we want these interpretations:
+   *   cv en         ==> Means "--refresh=auto"; see $omittedDefault
+   *   cv en -r      ==> Means "--refresh=yes"; see $activeDefault
+   *   cv en -r=yes  ==> Means "--refresh=yes"
+   *   cv en -r=no   ==> Means "--refresh=no"
+   *
+   * @param \CvDeps\Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface|\Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface $input
+   * @param array $rawNames
+   *   Ex: array('-r', '--refresh').
+   * @param string $omittedDefault
+   *   Value to use if option is completely omitted.
+   * @param string $activeDefault
+   *   Value to use if option is activated without data.
+   * @return string
+   */
+  public static function parse($input, $rawNames, $omittedDefault, $activeDefault) {
+    $value = NULL;
+    foreach ($rawNames as $rawName) {
+      if ($input->hasParameterOption($rawName)) {
+        if (NULL === $input->getParameterOption($rawName)) {
+          return $activeDefault;
+        }
+        else {
+          return $input->getParameterOption($rawName);
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    return $omittedDefault;
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/src/Command/AngularHtmlListCommand.php b/src/Command/AngularHtmlListCommand.php
index b191577e..9ced3f51 100644
--- a/src/Command/AngularHtmlListCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/AngularHtmlListCommand.php
@@ -1,15 +1,13 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class AngularHtmlListCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class AngularHtmlListCommand extends CvCommand {
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
   /**
@@ -34,11 +32,9 @@ protected function configure() {
   cv ang:html:list crmUi/*
   cv ang:html:list \';(tabset|wizard)\\.html;\'
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
     if (!$input->getOption('user')) {
       $output->getErrorOutput()->writeln("<comment>For a full list, try passing --user=[username].</comment>");
     }
diff --git a/src/Command/AngularHtmlShowCommand.php b/src/Command/AngularHtmlShowCommand.php
index 41801d2c..fed17693 100644
--- a/src/Command/AngularHtmlShowCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/AngularHtmlShowCommand.php
@@ -2,15 +2,12 @@
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
 use Civi\Cv\Util\Process;
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class AngularHtmlShowCommand extends BaseCommand {
-
-  use BootTrait;
+class AngularHtmlShowCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   /**
    * @param string|null $name
@@ -38,11 +35,9 @@ protected function configure() {
   cv ang:html:show crmMailing/BlockMailing.html --diff | colordiff
   cv ang:html:show "~/crmMailing/BlockMailing.html"
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
     if (!$input->getOption('user')) {
       $output->getErrorOutput()->writeln("<comment>For a full list, try passing --user=[username].</comment>");
     }
diff --git a/src/Command/AngularModuleListCommand.php b/src/Command/AngularModuleListCommand.php
index 5bc51f57..73dbe08c 100644
--- a/src/Command/AngularModuleListCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/AngularModuleListCommand.php
@@ -1,15 +1,13 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class AngularModuleListCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class AngularModuleListCommand extends CvCommand {
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
   /**
@@ -36,11 +34,9 @@ protected function configure() {
   cv ang:module:list \'/crmMail/\' --user=admin --columns=extDir,css
   cv ang:module:list --columns=name,js,css --out=json-pretty
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
     if (!$input->getOption('user')) {
       $output->getErrorOutput()->writeln("<comment>For a full list, try passing --user=[username].</comment>");
     }
diff --git a/src/Command/Api4Command.php b/src/Command/Api4Command.php
index 1c796304..40e0b37c 100644
--- a/src/Command/Api4Command.php
+++ b/src/Command/Api4Command.php
@@ -3,16 +3,14 @@
 
 use Civi\Cv\Encoder;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\Api4ArgParser;
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class Api4Command extends BaseCommand {
+class Api4Command extends CvCommand {
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
   /**
@@ -122,7 +120,6 @@ protected function configure() {
 
 NOTE: To change the default output format, set CV_OUTPUT.
 ");
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
@@ -131,8 +128,6 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
     $I = '<info>';
     $_I = '</info>';
 
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-
     if (!function_exists('civicrm_api4')) {
       throw new \RuntimeException("Please enable APIv4 before running APIv4 commands.");
     }
diff --git a/src/Command/ApiBatchCommand.php b/src/Command/ApiBatchCommand.php
index 59d9ad9d..8c0bdc71 100644
--- a/src/Command/ApiBatchCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/ApiBatchCommand.php
@@ -1,14 +1,11 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class ApiBatchCommand extends BaseCommand {
-
-  use BootTrait;
+class ApiBatchCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   /**
    * @var array
@@ -56,7 +53,6 @@ protected function configure() {
 * Each line of input is a JSON document, listing a batch of API requests.
 * Each line of output is a JSON document, listing a batch of API responses.
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
@@ -64,7 +60,6 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
       // Other formats may not work with the fgets() loop.
       throw new \Exception("api:batch only supports JSON dialog");
     }
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
 
     $addDefault = function($v) {
       $this->defaults = \CRM_Utils_Array::crmArrayMerge($v, $this->defaults);
diff --git a/src/Command/ApiCommand.php b/src/Command/ApiCommand.php
index 14e15e72..6713afb2 100644
--- a/src/Command/ApiCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/ApiCommand.php
@@ -2,16 +2,14 @@
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
 use Civi\Cv\Encoder;
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class ApiCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class ApiCommand extends CvCommand {
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
   /**
@@ -47,7 +45,6 @@ protected function configure() {
 
 TIP: To display a full backtrace of any errors, pass "-vv" (very verbose).
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
@@ -56,8 +53,6 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
     $I = '<info>';
     $_I = '</info>';
 
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-
     list($entity, $action) = explode('.', $input->getArgument('Entity.action'));
     $params = $this->parseParams($input);
 
diff --git a/src/Command/BaseCommand.php b/src/Command/BaseCommand.php
deleted file mode 100644
index 2647d191..00000000
--- a/src/Command/BaseCommand.php
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,111 +0,0 @@
-<?php
-namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
-
-use Civi\Cv\Encoder;
-use Civi\Cv\Util\OptionCallbackTrait;
-use Symfony\Component\Console\Command\Command;
-use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
-use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
-
-class BaseCommand extends Command {
-
-  use OptionCallbackTrait;
-
-  /**
-   * @param \Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface $input
-   * @param \Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface $output
-   */
-  protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
-    parent::initialize($input, $output);
-    $this->runOptionCallbacks($input, $output);
-  }
-
-  protected function assertBooted() {
-    if (!$this->isBooted()) {
-      throw new \Exception("Error: This command requires bootstrapping, but the system does not appear to be bootstrapped. Perhaps you set --level=none?");
-    }
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Execute an API call. If it fails, display a formatted error.
-   *
-   * Note: If there is an error, we still return it softly so that the
-   * command can exit gracefully.
-   *
-   * @param \Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface $input
-   * @param \Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface $output
-   * @param $entity
-   * @param $action
-   * @param $params
-   * @return mixed
-   */
-  protected function callApiSuccess(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output, $entity, $action, $params) {
-    $this->assertBooted();
-    $params['debug'] = 1;
-    if (!isset($params['version'])) {
-      $params['version'] = 3;
-    }
-    $output->writeln("Calling $entity $action API", OutputInterface::VERBOSITY_DEBUG);
-    $result = \civicrm_api($entity, $action, $params);
-    if (!empty($result['is_error']) || $output->isDebug()) {
-      $data = array(
-        'entity' => $entity,
-        'action' => $action,
-        'params' => $params,
-        'result' => $result,
-      );
-      if (!empty($result['is_error'])) {
-        $output->getErrorOutput()->writeln("<error>Error: API Call Failed</error>: "
-          . Encoder::encode($data, 'pretty'));
-      }
-      else {
-        $output->writeln("API success" . Encoder::encode($data, 'pretty'),
-          OutputInterface::VERBOSITY_DEBUG);
-      }
-    }
-    return $result;
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Parse an option's data. This is for options where the default behavior
-   * (of total omission) differs from the activated behavior
-   * (of an active but unspecified option).
-   *
-   * Example, suppose we want these interpretations:
-   *   cv en         ==> Means "--refresh=auto"; see $omittedDefault
-   *   cv en -r      ==> Means "--refresh=yes"; see $activeDefault
-   *   cv en -r=yes  ==> Means "--refresh=yes"
-   *   cv en -r=no   ==> Means "--refresh=no"
-   *
-   * @param \Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface $input
-   * @param array $rawNames
-   *   Ex: array('-r', '--refresh').
-   * @param string $omittedDefault
-   *   Value to use if option is completely omitted.
-   * @param string $activeDefault
-   *   Value to use if option is activated without data.
-   * @return string
-   */
-  public function parseOptionalOption(InputInterface $input, $rawNames, $omittedDefault, $activeDefault) {
-    $value = NULL;
-    foreach ($rawNames as $rawName) {
-      if ($input->hasParameterOption($rawName)) {
-        if (NULL === $input->getParameterOption($rawName)) {
-          return $activeDefault;
-        }
-        else {
-          return $input->getParameterOption($rawName);
-        }
-      }
-    }
-    return $omittedDefault;
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * @return bool
-   */
-  protected function isBooted() {
-    return defined('CIVICRM_DSN');
-  }
-
-}
diff --git a/src/Command/BootCommand.php b/src/Command/BootCommand.php
index 11a8b82a..60dc8df1 100644
--- a/src/Command/BootCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/BootCommand.php
@@ -1,24 +1,18 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class BootCommand extends BaseCommand {
-
-  use BootTrait;
+class BootCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   protected function configure() {
     $this
       ->setName('php:boot')
       ->setDescription('Generate PHP bootstrap code');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-
     switch ($input->getOption('level')) {
       case 'classloader':
         $code = sprintf('require_once  %s . "/CRM/Core/ClassLoader.php";', var_export(rtrim($GLOBALS["civicrm_root"], '/'), 1))
diff --git a/src/Command/CliCommand.php b/src/Command/CliCommand.php
index 9dca5f27..1d24a05d 100644
--- a/src/Command/CliCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/CliCommand.php
@@ -6,24 +6,18 @@
 // **********************
 
 use Civi\Cv\Application;
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class CliCommand extends BaseCommand {
-
-  use BootTrait;
+class CliCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   protected function configure() {
     $this
       ->setName('cli')
       ->setDescription('Load interactive command line');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-
     $cv = new Application();
     $sh = new \Psy\Shell();
     $sh->addCommands($cv->createCommands());
diff --git a/src/Command/CoreCheckReqCommand.php b/src/Command/CoreCheckReqCommand.php
index d9836efc..033db002 100644
--- a/src/Command/CoreCheckReqCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/CoreCheckReqCommand.php
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class CoreCheckReqCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class CoreCheckReqCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   use SetupCommandTrait;
   use DebugDispatcherTrait;
@@ -35,7 +35,10 @@ protected function configure() {
 Example: Show warnings and errors
 $ cv core:check-req -we
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions('none');
+  }
+
+  public function getBootOptions(): array {
+    return ['default' => 'none', 'allow' => ['none']];
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
diff --git a/src/Command/CoreInstallCommand.php b/src/Command/CoreInstallCommand.php
index 76166030..96e6bc24 100644
--- a/src/Command/CoreInstallCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/CoreInstallCommand.php
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
 use Civi\Cv\Encoder;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\OptionalOption;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\SetupCommandTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\DebugDispatcherTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
@@ -9,7 +10,7 @@
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Question\ChoiceQuestion;
 
-class CoreInstallCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class CoreInstallCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   use SetupCommandTrait;
   use DebugDispatcherTrait;
@@ -49,7 +50,10 @@ protected function configure() {
 $ cv core:install --model=extras.opt-in.versionCheck=1
 $ cv core:install -m extras.opt-in.versionCheck=1
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions('none');
+  }
+
+  public function getBootOptions(): array {
+    return ['default' => 'none', 'allow' => ['none']];
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
@@ -57,7 +61,7 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
 
     $debugMode = FALSE;
 
-    $debugEvent = $this->parseOptionalOption($input, ['--debug-event'], NULL, '');
+    $debugEvent = OptionalOption::parse($input, ['--debug-event'], NULL, '');
     if ($debugEvent !== NULL) {
       $eventNames = $this->findEventNames($setup->getDispatcher(), $debugEvent);
       $this->printEventListeners($output, $setup->getDispatcher(), $eventNames);
diff --git a/src/Command/CoreUninstallCommand.php b/src/Command/CoreUninstallCommand.php
index d6563fca..858b23b7 100644
--- a/src/Command/CoreUninstallCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/CoreUninstallCommand.php
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
+use Civi\Cv\Util\OptionalOption;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\SetupCommandTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\DebugDispatcherTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
@@ -9,7 +10,7 @@
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Question\ConfirmationQuestion;
 
-class CoreUninstallCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class CoreUninstallCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   use SetupCommandTrait;
   use DebugDispatcherTrait;
@@ -28,13 +29,16 @@ protected function configure() {
 TIP: If you have a special system configuration, it may help to pass the same
 options for "core:uninstall" as the preceding "core:install".
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions('none');
+  }
+
+  public function getBootOptions(): array {
+    return ['default' => 'none', 'allow' => ['none']];
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
     $setup = $this->bootSetupSubsystem($input, $output);
 
-    $debugEvent = $this->parseOptionalOption($input, ['--debug-event'], NULL, '');
+    $debugEvent = OptionalOption::parse($input, ['--debug-event'], NULL, '');
     if ($debugEvent !== NULL) {
       $eventNames = $this->findEventNames($setup->getDispatcher(), $debugEvent);
       $this->printEventListeners($output, $setup->getDispatcher(), $eventNames);
diff --git a/src/Command/DebugContainerCommand.php b/src/Command/DebugContainerCommand.php
index 2d2fba3b..87673a99 100644
--- a/src/Command/DebugContainerCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/DebugContainerCommand.php
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\Relativizer;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
@@ -12,9 +11,8 @@
 use Symfony\Component\DependencyInjection\Definition;
 use Symfony\Component\DependencyInjection\Reference;
 
-class DebugContainerCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class DebugContainerCommand extends CvCommand {
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
   protected function configure() {
@@ -33,14 +31,15 @@ protected function configure() {
 NOTE: By default, internal services are not displayed. However, some flags will enable display of
 internal services (eg `--all`, `--tag=XXX`, or `-v`).
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
-  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
+  protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
     define('CIVICRM_CONTAINER_CACHE', 'never');
     $output->getErrorOutput()->writeln('<comment>The debug command ignores the container cache.</comment>');
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
+    parent::initialize($input, $output);
+  }
 
+  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
     $c = $this->getInspectableContainer($input);
 
     $filterPat = $input->getArgument('name');
diff --git a/src/Command/DebugDispatcherCommand.php b/src/Command/DebugDispatcherCommand.php
index 1bbb6192..4ca7f609 100644
--- a/src/Command/DebugDispatcherCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/DebugDispatcherCommand.php
@@ -1,15 +1,13 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\DebugDispatcherTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class DebugDispatcherCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class DebugDispatcherCommand extends CvCommand {
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use DebugDispatcherTrait;
 
   protected function configure() {
@@ -27,14 +25,15 @@ protected function configure() {
   cv debug:event-dispatcher actionSchedule.getMappings
   cv debug:event-dispatcher /^actionSchedule/
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
-  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
+  protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
     define('CIVICRM_CONTAINER_CACHE', 'never');
     $output->getErrorOutput()->writeln('<comment>The debug command ignores the container cache.</comment>');
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
+    parent::initialize($input, $output);
+  }
 
+  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
     $container = \Civi::container();
 
     /*
diff --git a/src/Command/EditCommand.php b/src/Command/EditCommand.php
index 6e5f3549..9b2375b9 100644
--- a/src/Command/EditCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/EditCommand.php
@@ -9,13 +9,10 @@
 use Civi\Cv\Config;
 use Civi\Cv\Encoder;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\CliEditor;
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class EditCommand extends BaseCommand {
-
-  use BootTrait;
+class EditCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   /**
    * @var \Civi\Cv\Util\CliEditor
@@ -26,7 +23,6 @@ protected function configure() {
     $this
       ->setName('vars:edit')
       ->setDescription('Edit configuration values for this build');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   public function __construct($name = NULL) {
@@ -47,8 +43,6 @@ public function __construct($name = NULL) {
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-
     $config = Config::read();
     $oldSiteData = empty($config['sites'][CIVICRM_SETTINGS_PATH]) ? array() : $config['sites'][CIVICRM_SETTINGS_PATH];
     $oldJson = Encoder::encode($oldSiteData, 'json-pretty');
diff --git a/src/Command/EvalCommand.php b/src/Command/EvalCommand.php
index 69e9d0fb..81bdb571 100644
--- a/src/Command/EvalCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/EvalCommand.php
@@ -2,15 +2,13 @@
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
 use Civi\Cv\Encoder;
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class EvalCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class EvalCommand extends CvCommand {
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
   protected function configure() {
@@ -37,12 +35,9 @@ protected function configure() {
 
 NOTE: To change the default output format, set CV_OUTPUT.
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-
     if ($input->getOption('out') === 'auto') {
       $hasReturn = preg_match('/^\s*return[ \t\r\n]/', $input->getArgument('code'))
         || preg_match('/[;\{]\s*return[ \t\r\n]/', $input->getArgument('code'));
diff --git a/src/Command/ExtensionDisableCommand.php b/src/Command/ExtensionDisableCommand.php
index abc058a3..8f17c070 100644
--- a/src/Command/ExtensionDisableCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/ExtensionDisableCommand.php
@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
+use Civi\Cv\Util\ExtensionTrait;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\VerboseApi;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class ExtensionDisableCommand extends BaseExtensionCommand {
+class ExtensionDisableCommand extends CvCommand {
+
+  use ExtensionTrait;
 
   /**
    * @param string|null $name
@@ -34,12 +38,10 @@ protected function configure() {
   This subcommand does not output parseable data. For parseable output,
   consider using `cv api extension.disable`.
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-    list ($foundKeys, $missingKeys) = $this->parseKeys($input, $output);
+    [$foundKeys, $missingKeys] = $this->parseKeys($input, $output);
 
     // Uninstall what's recognized or what looks like an ext key.
     $disableKeys = array_merge($foundKeys, preg_grep('/\./', $missingKeys));
@@ -52,7 +54,7 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
       $output->writeln("<info>Disabling extension \"$key\"</info>");
     }
 
-    $result = $this->callApiSuccess($input, $output, 'Extension', 'disable', array(
+    $result = VerboseApi::callApi3Success('Extension', 'disable', array(
       'keys' => $disableKeys,
     ));
     return empty($result['is_error']) ? 0 : 1;
diff --git a/src/Command/ExtensionDownloadCommand.php b/src/Command/ExtensionDownloadCommand.php
index f5820af6..105f0591 100644
--- a/src/Command/ExtensionDownloadCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/ExtensionDownloadCommand.php
@@ -1,15 +1,19 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
+use Civi\Cv\Util\ExtensionTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\Filesystem;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\HeadlessDownloader;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\VerboseApi;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Question\ChoiceQuestion;
 
-class ExtensionDownloadCommand extends BaseExtensionCommand {
+class ExtensionDownloadCommand extends CvCommand {
+
+  use ExtensionTrait;
 
   /**
    * @param string|null $name
@@ -56,8 +60,7 @@ protected function configure() {
   This subcommand does not output parseable data. For parseable output,
   consider using `cv api extension.install`.
 ');
-    parent::configureRepoOptions();
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
+    $this->configureRepoOptions();
   }
 
   protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
@@ -65,18 +68,15 @@ protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
       $input->setOption('level', 'none');
       $input->setOption('no-install', TRUE);
     }
-    parent::initialize($input, $output);
-  }
-
-  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $fs = new Filesystem();
-
     if ($extRepoUrl = $this->parseRepoUrl($input)) {
       global $civicrm_setting;
       $civicrm_setting['Extension Preferences']['ext_repo_url'] = $extRepoUrl;
     }
+    parent::initialize($input, $output);
+  }
 
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
+  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
+    $fs = new Filesystem();
 
     if ($input->getOption('to') && !$fs->isAbsolutePath($input->getOption('to'))) {
       throw new \RuntimeException("The --to argument requires an absolute path.");
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
     while (TRUE) {
       if ($refresh === 'yes' && $this->isBooted()) {
         $output->writeln("<info>Refreshing extension cache</info>");
-        $result = $this->callApiSuccess($input, $output, 'Extension', 'refresh', array(
+        $result = VerboseApi::callApi3Success('Extension', 'refresh', array(
           'local' => FALSE,
           'remote' => TRUE,
         ));
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
         }
       }
 
-      list ($downloads, $errors) = $this->parseDownloads($input);
+      [$downloads, $errors] = $this->parseDownloads($input);
       if ($refresh == 'auto' && !empty($errors)) {
         $output->writeln("<info>Extension cache does not contain requested item(s)</info>");
         $refresh = 'yes';
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
           else {
             $output->writeln("<info>Downloading extension \"$key\" ($url)</info>");
             $this->assertBooted();
-            $result = $this->callApiSuccess($input, $output, 'Extension', 'download', array(
+            $result = VerboseApi::callApi3Success('Extension', 'download', array(
               'key' => $key,
               'url' => $url,
               'install' => !$input->getOption('no-install'),
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
 
         case 'install':
           $output->writeln("<info>Found extension \"$key\". Enabling.</info>");
-          $result = $this->callApiSuccess($input, $output, 'Extension', 'enable', array(
+          $result = VerboseApi::callApi3Success('Extension', 'enable', array(
             'key' => $key,
           ));
           break;
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ protected function parseDownloads(InputInterface $input) {
       $origExpr = $keyOrName;
       $url = NULL;
       if (strpos($keyOrName, '@') !== FALSE) {
-        list ($keyOrName, $url) = explode('@', $keyOrName, 2);
+        [$keyOrName, $url] = explode('@', $keyOrName, 2);
       }
 
       if (empty($keyOrName) && !empty($url)) {
diff --git a/src/Command/ExtensionEnableCommand.php b/src/Command/ExtensionEnableCommand.php
index 0de3bba5..73e618e6 100644
--- a/src/Command/ExtensionEnableCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/ExtensionEnableCommand.php
@@ -1,12 +1,16 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
+use Civi\Cv\Util\ExtensionTrait;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\VerboseApi;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class ExtensionEnableCommand extends BaseExtensionCommand {
+class ExtensionEnableCommand extends CvCommand {
+
+  use ExtensionTrait;
 
   /**
    * @param string|null $name
@@ -37,19 +41,16 @@ protected function configure() {
   This subcommand does not output parseable data. For parseable output,
   consider using `cv api extension.install`.
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-
     // Refresh extensions if (a) ---refresh enabled or (b) there's a cache-miss.
     $refresh = $input->getOption('refresh') ? 'yes' : 'auto';
-    // $refresh = $this->parseOptionalOption($input, array('--refresh', '-r'), 'auto', 'yes');
+    // $refresh = OptionalOption::parse(array('--refresh', '-r'), 'auto', 'yes');
     while (TRUE) {
       if ($refresh === 'yes') {
         $output->writeln("<info>Refreshing extension cache</info>");
-        $result = $this->callApiSuccess($input, $output, 'Extension', 'refresh', array(
+        $result = VerboseApi::callApi3Success('Extension', 'refresh', array(
           'local' => TRUE,
           'remote' => FALSE,
         ));
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
         }
       }
 
-      list ($foundKeys, $missingKeys) = $this->parseKeys($input, $output);
+      [$foundKeys, $missingKeys] = $this->parseKeys($input, $output);
       if ($refresh == 'auto' && !empty($missingKeys)) {
         $output->writeln("<info>Extension cache does not contain requested item(s)</info>");
         $refresh = 'yes';
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
       $output->writeln("<info>Enabling extension \"$key\"</info>");
     }
 
-    $result = $this->callApiSuccess($input, $output, 'Extension', 'install', array(
+    $result = VerboseApi::callApi3Success('Extension', 'install', array(
       'keys' => $foundKeys,
     ));
     return empty($result['is_error']) ? 0 : 1;
diff --git a/src/Command/ExtensionListCommand.php b/src/Command/ExtensionListCommand.php
index b5577451..09e6a63d 100644
--- a/src/Command/ExtensionListCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/ExtensionListCommand.php
@@ -3,15 +3,18 @@
 
 use Civi\Cv\Cv;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\ArrayUtil;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\ExtensionTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\Relativizer;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\VerboseApi;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class ExtensionListCommand extends BaseExtensionCommand {
+class ExtensionListCommand extends CvCommand {
 
+  use ExtensionTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
   /**
@@ -56,11 +59,15 @@ protected function configure() {
   include a unique long name ("org.example.foobar") and a unique short
   name ("foobar"). However, short names are not strongly guaranteed.
 ');
-    parent::configureRepoOptions();
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
+    $this->configureRepoOptions();
   }
 
   protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
+    if ($extRepoUrl = $this->parseRepoUrl($input)) {
+      global $civicrm_setting;
+      $civicrm_setting['Extension Preferences']['ext_repo_url'] = $extRepoUrl;
+    }
+
     parent::initialize($input, $output);
 
     // We apply different defaults for the 'columns' list depending on the output medium.
@@ -82,14 +89,7 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
       ? (OutputInterface::OUTPUT_NORMAL | OutputInterface::VERBOSITY_NORMAL)
       : (OutputInterface::OUTPUT_NORMAL | OutputInterface::VERBOSITY_VERBOSE);
 
-    list($local, $remote) = $this->parseLocalRemote($input);
-
-    if ($extRepoUrl = $this->parseRepoUrl($input)) {
-      global $civicrm_setting;
-      $civicrm_setting['Extension Preferences']['ext_repo_url'] = $extRepoUrl;
-    }
-
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
+    [$local, $remote] = $this->parseLocalRemote($input);
 
     if ($remote) {
       $output->writeln("<info>Using extension feed \"" . \CRM_Extension_System::singleton()->getBrowser()->getRepositoryUrl() . "\"</info>", $wo);
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
 
     if ($input->getOption('refresh')) {
       $output->writeln("<info>Refreshing extensions</info>", $wo);
-      $result = $this->callApiSuccess($input, $output, 'Extension', 'refresh', array(
+      $result = VerboseApi::callApi3Success('Extension', 'refresh', array(
         'local' => $local,
         'remote' => $remote,
       ));
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ protected function getRemoteInfos() {
    */
   protected function find($input) {
     $regex = $input->getArgument('regex');
-    list($local, $remote) = $this->parseLocalRemote($input);
+    [$local, $remote] = $this->parseLocalRemote($input);
 
     if ($input->getOption('installed')) {
       $statusFilter = array('installed');
diff --git a/src/Command/ExtensionUninstallCommand.php b/src/Command/ExtensionUninstallCommand.php
index 839ab593..161db433 100644
--- a/src/Command/ExtensionUninstallCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/ExtensionUninstallCommand.php
@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
+use Civi\Cv\Util\ExtensionTrait;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\VerboseApi;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class ExtensionUninstallCommand extends BaseExtensionCommand {
+class ExtensionUninstallCommand extends CvCommand {
+
+  use ExtensionTrait;
 
   /**
    * @param string|null $name
@@ -34,12 +38,10 @@ protected function configure() {
   This subcommand does not output parseable data. For parseable output,
   consider using `cv api extension.uninstall`.
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-    list ($foundKeys, $missingKeys) = $this->parseKeys($input, $output);
+    [$foundKeys, $missingKeys] = $this->parseKeys($input, $output);
 
     // Uninstall what's recognized or what looks like an ext key.
     $uninstallKeys = array_merge($foundKeys, preg_grep('/\./', $missingKeys));
@@ -52,14 +54,14 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
       $output->writeln("<info>Uninstalling extension \"$key\"</info>");
     }
 
-    $result = $this->callApiSuccess($input, $output, 'Extension', 'disable', array(
+    $result = VerboseApi::callApi3Success('Extension', 'disable', array(
       'keys' => $uninstallKeys,
     ));
     if (!empty($result['is_error'])) {
       return 1;
     }
 
-    $result = $this->callApiSuccess($input, $output, 'Extension', 'uninstall', array(
+    $result = VerboseApi::callApi3Success('Extension', 'uninstall', array(
       'keys' => $uninstallKeys,
     ));
     return empty($result['is_error']) ? 0 : 1;
diff --git a/src/Command/ExtensionUpgradeDbCommand.php b/src/Command/ExtensionUpgradeDbCommand.php
index 41f87295..5fbbfd81 100644
--- a/src/Command/ExtensionUpgradeDbCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/ExtensionUpgradeDbCommand.php
@@ -1,10 +1,14 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
+use Civi\Cv\Util\ExtensionTrait;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\VerboseApi;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class ExtensionUpgradeDbCommand extends BaseExtensionCommand {
+class ExtensionUpgradeDbCommand extends CvCommand {
+
+  use ExtensionTrait;
 
   /**
    * @param string|null $name
@@ -31,15 +35,16 @@ protected function configure() {
   This command is now deprecated. Use "cv upgrade:db" to perform upgrades
   for core and/or extensions.
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
-  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
+  protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
     $output->writeln("<error>WARNING: \"ext:upgrade-db\" is deprecated. Use the main \"updb\" command instead.</error>");
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
+    parent::initialize($input, $output);
+  }
 
+  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
     $output->writeln("<info>Applying database upgrades from extensions</info>");
-    $result = $this->callApiSuccess($input, $output, 'Extension', 'upgrade', array());
+    $result = VerboseApi::callApi3Success('Extension', 'upgrade', array());
     if (!empty($result['is_error'])) {
       return 1;
     }
diff --git a/src/Command/FillCommand.php b/src/Command/FillCommand.php
index fb332d27..2199d163 100644
--- a/src/Command/FillCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/FillCommand.php
@@ -4,14 +4,11 @@
 use Civi\Cv\Config;
 use Civi\Cv\Encoder;
 use Civi\Cv\SiteConfigReader;
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class FillCommand extends BaseCommand {
-
-  use BootTrait;
+class FillCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   protected $fields;
 
@@ -25,7 +22,6 @@ protected function configure() {
       ->setName('vars:fill')
       ->setDescription('Generate a configuration file for any missing site data')
       ->addOption('file', NULL, InputOption::VALUE_REQUIRED, 'Read existing configuration from a file');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   public function __construct($name = NULL) {
@@ -59,7 +55,6 @@ public function __construct($name = NULL) {
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
     if (!$input->getOption('file')) {
       $reader = new SiteConfigReader(CIVICRM_SETTINGS_PATH);
       $liveData = $reader->compile(array('buildkit', 'home', 'active'));
diff --git a/src/Command/FlushCommand.php b/src/Command/FlushCommand.php
index b522a90a..d38e1ed1 100644
--- a/src/Command/FlushCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/FlushCommand.php
@@ -1,14 +1,12 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\VerboseApi;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class FlushCommand extends BaseCommand {
-
-  use BootTrait;
+class FlushCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   protected function configure() {
     $this
@@ -19,13 +17,17 @@ protected function configure() {
       ->setHelp('
 Flush system caches
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
-  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
+  protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
     // The main reason we have this as separate command -- so we can ignore
     // stale class-references that might be retained by the container cache.
     define('CIVICRM_CONTAINER_CACHE', 'never');
+
+    parent::initialize($input, $output);
+  }
+
+  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
     $this->boot($input, $output);
 
     $params = array();
@@ -34,7 +36,7 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
     }
 
     $output->writeln("<info>Flushing system caches</info>");
-    $result = $this->callApiSuccess($input, $output, 'System', 'flush', $params);
+    $result = VerboseApi::callApi3Success('System', 'flush', $params);
     return empty($result['is_error']) ? 0 : 1;
   }
 
diff --git a/src/Command/HttpCommand.php b/src/Command/HttpCommand.php
index c79b78ce..e7ccc5a5 100644
--- a/src/Command/HttpCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/HttpCommand.php
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
+use Civi\Cv\Util\ExtensionTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\UrlCommandTrait;
 use GuzzleHttp\Client;
@@ -9,8 +10,9 @@
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class HttpCommand extends BaseExtensionCommand {
+class HttpCommand extends CvCommand {
 
+  use ExtensionTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
   use UrlCommandTrait;
 
@@ -43,12 +45,9 @@ protected function configure() {
       enabling the extension. The extra I/O may influence some scripted
       use-cases.
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-
     $method = $input->getOption('request');
     $data = $this->parseRequestData($input);
     $headers = $this->parseRequestHeaders($input);
diff --git a/src/Command/PathCommand.php b/src/Command/PathCommand.php
index 20348d85..1eef6dd9 100644
--- a/src/Command/PathCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/PathCommand.php
@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
+use Civi\Cv\Util\ExtensionTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class PathCommand extends BaseExtensionCommand {
+class PathCommand extends CvCommand {
 
+  use ExtensionTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
   /**
@@ -55,12 +57,9 @@ protected function configure() {
 Example: Lookup multiple items
   cv path -x cividiscount/info.xml -x flexmailer/info.xml -d \'[civicrm.root]/civicrm-version.php\'
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-
     if (!$input->getOption('ext') && !$input->getOption('config') && !$input->getOption('dynamic')) {
       $output->getErrorOutput()->writeln("<error>No paths specified. Must use -x, -c, or -d. (See also: cv path -h)</error>");
       return 1;
diff --git a/src/Command/PipeCommand.php b/src/Command/PipeCommand.php
index 25d4140f..6d64eb72 100644
--- a/src/Command/PipeCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/PipeCommand.php
@@ -1,14 +1,11 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class PipeCommand extends BaseCommand {
-
-  use BootTrait;
+class PipeCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   /**
    * @param string|null $name
@@ -46,12 +43,9 @@ protected function configure() {
     // Tempting to add separate CLI flags that map to 'connection-flags', but this seems easier given that:
     // 1. The existing flags have different meanings (eg (v)erbose vs (v)ersion).
     // 2. The connection-flags are owned by civicrm-core.git. Don't want to update this whenever there's a new one.
-
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
     if (!is_callable(['Civi', 'pipe'])) {
       fwrite(STDERR, "This version of CiviCRM does not include Civi::pipe() support.\n");
       return 1;
diff --git a/src/Command/ScriptCommand.php b/src/Command/ScriptCommand.php
index 08e58f01..df20c771 100644
--- a/src/Command/ScriptCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/ScriptCommand.php
@@ -2,14 +2,11 @@
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
 use Civi\Cv\Util\Filesystem;
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class ScriptCommand extends BaseCommand {
-
-  use BootTrait;
+class ScriptCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   protected function configure() {
     $this
@@ -18,7 +15,10 @@ protected function configure() {
       ->setDescription('Execute a PHP script')
       ->addArgument('script', InputArgument::REQUIRED)
       ->addArgument('scriptArguments', InputArgument::IS_ARRAY, 'Optional arguments to pass to the script as $argv');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
+  }
+
+  public function getBootOptions(): array {
+    return ['auto' => FALSE] + parent::getBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
diff --git a/src/Command/SettingGetCommand.php b/src/Command/SettingGetCommand.php
index 36cbe2c7..cf7e0458 100644
--- a/src/Command/SettingGetCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/SettingGetCommand.php
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\SettingTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
@@ -9,9 +8,8 @@
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class SettingGetCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class SettingGetCommand extends CvCommand {
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
   use SettingTrait;
 
@@ -68,12 +66,9 @@ protected function configure() {
     {$C}cv setting:get --scope={$_C}{$I}contact{$_I}{$C} --user={$_C}{$I}admin{$_I}     (admin's contact)
     {$C}cv setting:get --scope={$_C}{$I}contact:201{$_I}              (contact #201)
 ");
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-
     $filter = $this->createSettingFilter($input->getArgument('name'));
 
     $result = [];
diff --git a/src/Command/SettingRevertCommand.php b/src/Command/SettingRevertCommand.php
index 489a3e92..722210c9 100644
--- a/src/Command/SettingRevertCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/SettingRevertCommand.php
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\SettingTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
@@ -9,9 +8,8 @@
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class SettingRevertCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class SettingRevertCommand extends CvCommand {
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
   use SettingTrait;
 
@@ -59,11 +57,9 @@ protected function configure() {
     {$C}cv setting:revert --scope={$_C}{$I}contact{$_I}{$C} --user={$_C}{$I}admin{$_I}     (admin's contact)
     {$C}cv setting:revert --scope={$_C}{$I}contact:201{$_I}              (contact #201)
 ");
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
     $errorOutput = is_callable([$output, 'getErrorOutput']) ? $output->getErrorOutput() : $output;
 
     $filter = $this->createSettingFilter($input->getArgument('name'));
diff --git a/src/Command/SettingSetCommand.php b/src/Command/SettingSetCommand.php
index 4db84c66..cd717a0c 100644
--- a/src/Command/SettingSetCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/SettingSetCommand.php
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\SettingTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputArgument;
@@ -9,9 +8,8 @@
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class SettingSetCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class SettingSetCommand extends CvCommand {
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
   use SettingTrait;
 
@@ -82,7 +80,6 @@ protected function configure() {
     {$C}cv setting:set --scope={$_C}{$I}contact{$_I}{$C} --user={$_C}{$I}admin{$_I}               (admin's contact)
     {$C}cv setting:set --scope={$_C}{$I}contact:201{$_I}                        (contact #201)
 ");
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
@@ -91,7 +88,6 @@ protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
     $I = '<info>';
     $_I = '</info>';
 
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
     $errorOutput = is_callable([$output, 'getErrorOutput']) ? $output->getErrorOutput() : $output;
 
     $result = [];
diff --git a/src/Command/ShowCommand.php b/src/Command/ShowCommand.php
index a598aa2f..2f5eea5f 100644
--- a/src/Command/ShowCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/ShowCommand.php
@@ -2,14 +2,12 @@
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
 use Civi\Cv\SiteConfigReader;
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class ShowCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class ShowCommand extends CvCommand {
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
   protected function configure() {
@@ -17,11 +15,9 @@ protected function configure() {
       ->setName('vars:show')
       ->setDescription('Show the configuration of the local CiviCRM installation')
       ->configureOutputOptions();
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
     $reader = new SiteConfigReader(CIVICRM_SETTINGS_PATH);
     $data = $reader->compile(array('buildkit', 'home', 'active'));
     $this->sendResult($input, $output, $data);
diff --git a/src/Command/SqlCliCommand.php b/src/Command/SqlCliCommand.php
index f43b259b..367af698 100644
--- a/src/Command/SqlCliCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/SqlCliCommand.php
@@ -3,14 +3,11 @@
 
 use Civi\Cv\Util\Datasource;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\Process;
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class SqlCliCommand extends BaseCommand {
-
-  use BootTrait;
+class SqlCliCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   protected function configure() {
     $this
@@ -38,7 +35,6 @@ protected function configure() {
   #ENV[FOO]    Produces the numerical value of FOO (or fails)
   !ENV[FOO]    Produces the raw, unescaped string version of FOO
 ");
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
@@ -48,8 +44,6 @@ protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-
     $datasource = new Datasource();
     $datasource->loadFromCiviDSN($this->pickDsn($input->getOption('target')));
 
diff --git a/src/Command/UpgradeCommand.php b/src/Command/UpgradeCommand.php
index cbf3e877..ca5b87a9 100644
--- a/src/Command/UpgradeCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/UpgradeCommand.php
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class UpgradeCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class UpgradeCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
diff --git a/src/Command/UpgradeDbCommand.php b/src/Command/UpgradeDbCommand.php
index c1f98f89..87be5804 100644
--- a/src/Command/UpgradeDbCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/UpgradeDbCommand.php
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\ConsoleQueueRunner;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
@@ -11,9 +10,8 @@
 /**
  * Command for asking CiviCRM for the appropriate tarball to download.
  */
-class UpgradeDbCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class UpgradeDbCommand extends CvCommand {
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
   protected function configure() {
@@ -34,7 +32,6 @@ protected function configure() {
   cv upgrade:db --dry-run
   cv upgrade:db --retry
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   /**
@@ -52,15 +49,13 @@ protected function configure() {
   protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
     $this->input = $input;
     $this->output = $output;
-    parent::initialize($input, $output);
-  }
-
-  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
     if (!defined('CIVICRM_UPGRADE_ACTIVE')) {
       define('CIVICRM_UPGRADE_ACTIVE', 1);
     }
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
+    parent::initialize($input, $output);
+  }
 
+  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
     if (!ini_get('safe_mode')) {
       set_time_limit(0);
     }
diff --git a/src/Command/UpgradeDlCommand.php b/src/Command/UpgradeDlCommand.php
index 7b1c7e62..d9482348 100644
--- a/src/Command/UpgradeDlCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/UpgradeDlCommand.php
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 /**
  * Command for asking CiviCRM for the appropriate tarball to download.
  */
-class UpgradeDlCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class UpgradeDlCommand extends CvCommand {
 
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
diff --git a/src/Command/UpgradeGetCommand.php b/src/Command/UpgradeGetCommand.php
index 56f358a3..5f4ff0ee 100644
--- a/src/Command/UpgradeGetCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/UpgradeGetCommand.php
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
@@ -10,11 +9,10 @@
 /**
  * Command for asking CiviCRM for the appropriate tarball to download.
  */
-class UpgradeGetCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class UpgradeGetCommand extends CvCommand {
   const DEFAULT_CHECK_URL = "https://upgrade.civicrm.org/check";
   // const DEFAULT_CHECK_URL = "http://civicrm-upgrade-manager.l/check";
 
-  use BootTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
 
   /**
@@ -39,7 +37,10 @@ protected function configure() {
   vars       the site variables from cv vars:show
   error      only appears if there is an error
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
+  }
+
+  public function getBootOptions(): array {
+    return ['auto' => FALSE] + parent::getBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
diff --git a/src/Command/UpgradeReportCommand.php b/src/Command/UpgradeReportCommand.php
index eaf9b367..366fcc2a 100644
--- a/src/Command/UpgradeReportCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/UpgradeReportCommand.php
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 /**
  * Command for asking CiviCRM for the appropriate tarball to download.
  */
-class UpgradeReportCommand extends BaseCommand {
+class UpgradeReportCommand extends CvCommand {
   const DEFAULT_REPORT_URL = 'https://upgrade.civicrm.org/report';
 
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
diff --git a/src/Command/UrlCommand.php b/src/Command/UrlCommand.php
index b712836a..a5a74936 100644
--- a/src/Command/UrlCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/UrlCommand.php
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
 use Civi\Cv\Encoder;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\ExtensionTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\Process;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\StructuredOutputTrait;
 use Civi\Cv\Util\UrlCommandTrait;
@@ -9,8 +10,9 @@
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class UrlCommand extends BaseExtensionCommand {
+class UrlCommand extends CvCommand {
 
+  use ExtensionTrait;
   use StructuredOutputTrait;
   use UrlCommandTrait;
 
@@ -66,24 +68,20 @@ protected function configure() {
       enabling the extension. The extra I/O may influence some scripted
       use-cases.
 ');
-    $this->configureBootOptions();
   }
 
   protected function initialize(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
-    parent::initialize($input, $output);
     if ($input->getFirstArgument() === 'open') {
       $input->setOption('open', TRUE);
     }
-  }
-
-  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
     if (in_array($input->getOption('out'), Encoder::getTabularFormats())
     && !in_array($input->getOption('out'), Encoder::getFormats())) {
       $input->setOption('tabular', TRUE);
     }
+    parent::initialize($input, $output);
+  }
 
-    $this->boot($input, $output);
-
+  protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int {
     $rows = $this->createUrls($input, $output);
 
     if ($input->getOption('open')) {
diff --git a/src/Command/BaseExtensionCommand.php b/src/Util/ExtensionTrait.php
similarity index 96%
rename from src/Command/BaseExtensionCommand.php
rename to src/Util/ExtensionTrait.php
index efab304d..ead85905 100644
--- a/src/Command/BaseExtensionCommand.php
+++ b/src/Util/ExtensionTrait.php
@@ -1,14 +1,11 @@
 <?php
-namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
+namespace Civi\Cv\Util;
 
-use Civi\Cv\Util\BootTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
 
-class BaseExtensionCommand extends BaseCommand {
-
-  use BootTrait;
+trait ExtensionTrait {
 
   /**
    * Register CLI options for filtering the extension feed, such as "--dev" or "--filter-ver".
@@ -46,6 +43,7 @@ public function parseRepoUrl(InputInterface $input) {
 
   /**
    * @param \Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface $input
+   * @param Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface $output
    * @return array
    *   Array(0=>$keys, 1=>$errors).
    */
diff --git a/src/Util/OptionCallbackTrait.php b/src/Util/OptionCallbackTrait.php
index 0b7742e4..7295faf9 100644
--- a/src/Util/OptionCallbackTrait.php
+++ b/src/Util/OptionCallbackTrait.php
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ abstract public function getDefinition();
    * @param string $name
    *   The name of the option to
    * @param callable $callback
+   *   Function(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface, $output, string $optionName)
    * @return $this
    */
   public function addOptionCallback($name, $callback) {
diff --git a/src/Util/SetupCommandTrait.php b/src/Util/SetupCommandTrait.php
index 6126be06..e7022d0a 100644
--- a/src/Util/SetupCommandTrait.php
+++ b/src/Util/SetupCommandTrait.php
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
  * civicrm-setup framework.
  */
 trait SetupCommandTrait {
-  use BootTrait;
 
   /**
    * Register any CLI options which affect the initialization of the
diff --git a/src/Util/StructuredOutputTrait.php b/src/Util/StructuredOutputTrait.php
index f9fd553e..66064542 100644
--- a/src/Util/StructuredOutputTrait.php
+++ b/src/Util/StructuredOutputTrait.php
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ protected function configureOutputOptions($config = []) {
    * @see Encoder::getFormats
    */
   protected function sendResult(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output, $result) {
-    $flat = $this->parseOptionalOption($input, ['--flat'], FALSE, '.');
+    $flat = OptionalOption::parse($input, ['--flat'], FALSE, '.');
     if ($flat !== FALSE) {
       $result = ArrayUtil::implodeTree($flat, $result);
     }
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ protected function sendTable(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output, $re
       return;
     }
 
-    $flat = $this->parseOptionalOption($input, ['--flat'], FALSE, '.');
+    $flat = OptionalOption::parse($input, ['--flat'], FALSE, '.');
     if ($flat !== FALSE) {
       $filtered = ArrayUtil::filterColumns($records, $columns);
       $flattened = ArrayUtil::implodeTree($flat, $filtered);
diff --git a/src/Util/VerboseApi.php b/src/Util/VerboseApi.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..475e774b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Util/VerboseApi.php
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+<?php
+namespace Civi\Cv\Util;
+
+use Civi\Cv\Encoder;
+use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
+
+class VerboseApi {
+
+  /**
+   * Execute an API call. If it fails, display a formatted error.
+   *
+   * Note: If there is an error, we still return it softly so that the
+   * command can exit gracefully.
+   *
+   * @param $entity
+   * @param $action
+   * @param $params
+   * @return mixed
+   */
+  public static function callApi3Success($entity, $action, $params) {
+    $output = \Civi\Cv\Cv::output();
+    $params['debug'] = 1;
+    if (!isset($params['version'])) {
+      $params['version'] = 3;
+    }
+    $output->writeln("Calling $entity $action API", OutputInterface::VERBOSITY_DEBUG);
+    $result = \civicrm_api($entity, $action, $params);
+    if (!empty($result['is_error']) || $output->isDebug()) {
+      $data = array(
+        'entity' => $entity,
+        'action' => $action,
+        'params' => $params,
+        'result' => $result,
+      );
+      if (!empty($result['is_error'])) {
+        $output->getErrorOutput()->writeln("<error>Error: API Call Failed</error>: "
+          . Encoder::encode($data, 'pretty'));
+      }
+      else {
+        $output->writeln("API success" . Encoder::encode($data, 'pretty'),
+          OutputInterface::VERBOSITY_DEBUG);
+      }
+    }
+    return $result;
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/tests/Command/BaseCommandTest.php b/tests/Command/BaseCommandTest.php
deleted file mode 100644
index 808b5a0e..00000000
--- a/tests/Command/BaseCommandTest.php
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,50 +0,0 @@
-<?php
-namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
-
-use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\ArgvInput;
-use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputOption;
-
-/**
- * @group std
- */
-class BaseCommandTest extends \Civi\Cv\CivilTestCase {
-
-  public function refreshExamples() {
-    $cases = array();
-    $cases[] = array(
-      array('examplecmd'),
-      'auto',
-    );
-    $cases[] = array(
-      array('examplecmd', '-r'),
-      'yes',
-    );
-    $cases[] = array(
-      array('examplecmd', '--refresh'),
-      'yes',
-    );
-    $cases[] = array(
-      array('examplecmd', '--refresh=maybe'),
-      'maybe',
-    );
-    $cases[] = array(
-      array('examplecmd', '--refresh=no'),
-      'no',
-    );
-    return $cases;
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * @param array $inputArgv
-   * @param string $expectValue
-   * @dataProvider refreshExamples
-   */
-  public function testParseOptionalOption($inputArgv, $expectValue) {
-    $c = new BaseCommand('ext:example');
-    $c->addOption('refresh', array('r'), InputOption::VALUE_OPTIONAL, 'auto');
-
-    $input = new ArgvInput($inputArgv, $c->getDefinition());
-    $this->assertEquals($expectValue, $c->parseOptionalOption($input, array('-r', '--refresh'), 'auto', 'yes'));
-  }
-
-}
diff --git a/tests/Command/BaseExtensionCommandTest.php b/tests/Command/BaseExtensionCommandTest.php
index 83bc2bbc..26f4a81a 100644
--- a/tests/Command/BaseExtensionCommandTest.php
+++ b/tests/Command/BaseExtensionCommandTest.php
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 <?php
 namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
 
+use Civi\Cv\Util\ExtensionTrait;
 use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\ArgvInput;
 
 /**
@@ -36,7 +37,9 @@ public function repoOptionExamples() {
    * @dataProvider repoOptionExamples
    */
   public function testParseRepo($inputArgv, $expectUrl) {
-    $c = new BaseExtensionCommand('ext:example');
+    $c = new class('ext:example') extends CvCommand {
+      use ExtensionTrait;
+    };
     $c->configureRepoOptions();
 
     $input = new ArgvInput($inputArgv, $c->getDefinition());
diff --git a/tests/Plugin/FluentHelloPluginTest.php b/tests/Plugin/FluentHelloPluginTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6bc843d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Plugin/FluentHelloPluginTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+<?php
+namespace Civi\Cv\Plugin;
+
+/**
+ * @group std
+ */
+class FluentHelloPluginTest extends \Civi\Cv\CivilTestCase {
+
+  public function setUp(): void {
+    parent::setUp();
+  }
+
+  protected function cv($command) {
+    $process = parent::cv($command);
+    $process->setEnv(['CV_PLUGIN_PATH' => preg_replace(';\.php$;', '', __FILE__)]);
+    return $process;
+  }
+
+  public function testRun() {
+    $output = $this->cvOk('hello:normal');
+    $this->assertMatchesRegularExpression('/Hey-yo world via parameter.*Hey-yo world via StyleInterface/s', $output);
+  }
+
+  public function testRunWithName() {
+    $output = $this->cvOk('hello:normal Alice');
+    $this->assertMatchesRegularExpression('/Hey-yo Alice via parameter.*Hey-yo Alice via StyleInterface/s', $output);
+  }
+
+  public function testRun_noboot() {
+    $output = $this->cvOk('hello:noboot');
+    $this->assertMatchesRegularExpression('/Hey-yo world via parameter.*Hey-yo world via StyleInterface/s', $output);
+  }
+
+  public function testRunWithName_noboot() {
+    $output = $this->cvOk('hello:noboot Bob');
+    $this->assertMatchesRegularExpression('/Hey-yo Bob via parameter.*Hey-yo Bob via StyleInterface/s', $output);
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/tests/Plugin/FluentHelloPluginTest/hello.php b/tests/Plugin/FluentHelloPluginTest/hello.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b4bef8bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Plugin/FluentHelloPluginTest/hello.php
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+<?php
+
+use Civi\Cv\Cv;
+use Civi\Cv\Command\CvCommand;
+use CvDeps\Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
+use CvDeps\Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
+
+if (empty($CV_PLUGIN['protocol']) || $CV_PLUGIN['protocol'] > 1) {
+  die("Expect CV_PLUGIN API v1");
+}
+
+if (!preg_match(';^[\w_-]+$;', $CV_PLUGIN['appName'])) {
+  throw new \RuntimeException("Invalid CV_PLUGIN[appName]" . json_encode($CV_PLUGIN['appName']));
+}
+
+if (!preg_match(';^([0-9x\.]+(-[\w-]+)?|UNKNOWN)$;', $CV_PLUGIN['appVersion'])) {
+  throw new \RuntimeException("Invalid CV_PLUGIN[appVersion]: " . json_encode($CV_PLUGIN['appVersion']));
+}
+
+if ($CV_PLUGIN['name'] !== 'hello') {
+  throw new \RuntimeException("Invalid CV_PLUGIN[name]");
+}
+if (realpath($CV_PLUGIN['file']) !== realpath(__FILE__)) {
+  throw new \RuntimeException("Invalid CV_PLUGIN[file]");
+}
+
+Cv::dispatcher()->addListener('*.app.boot', function ($e) {
+  Cv::io()->writeln("Hey-yo during initial bootstrap!");
+});
+
+Cv::dispatcher()->addListener('cv.app.commands', function ($e) {
+
+  $e['commands'][] = (new CvCommand('hello:normal'))
+    ->setDescription('Say a greeting')
+    ->addArgument('name')
+    ->setCode(function($input, $output) {
+      // ASSERT: With setCode(), it's OK to use un-hinted inputs.
+      if ($input->getArgument('name') !== Cv::input()->getArgument('name')) {
+        throw new \RuntimeException("Argument \"name\" is inconsistent!");
+      }
+      if (!Civi\Core\Container::isContainerBooted()) {
+        throw new \LogicException("Container should have been booted by CvCommand!");
+      }
+      $name = $input->getArgument('name') ?: 'world';
+      $output->writeln("Hey-yo $name via parameter!");
+      Cv::io()->writeln("Hey-yo $name via StyleInterface!");
+      return 0;
+    });
+
+  $e['commands'][] = (new CvCommand('hello:noboot'))
+    ->setDescription('Say a greeting')
+    ->addArgument('name')
+    ->setBootOptions(['auto' => FALSE])
+    ->setCode(function(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output) {
+      // ASSERT: With setCode(), it's OK to use hinted inputs.
+      if ($input->getArgument('name') !== Cv::input()->getArgument('name')) {
+        throw new \RuntimeException("Argument \"name\" is inconsistent!");
+      }
+      if (class_exists('Civi\Core\Container')) {
+        throw new \LogicException("Container should not have been booted by CvCommand!");
+      }
+      $name = $input->getArgument('name') ?: 'world';
+      $output->writeln("Hey-yo $name via parameter!");
+      Cv::io()->writeln("Hey-yo $name via StyleInterface!");
+      return 0;
+    });
+
+});
diff --git a/tests/Util/OptionalOptionTest.php b/tests/Util/OptionalOptionTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2f8f9c0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Util/OptionalOptionTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+<?php
+namespace Civi\Cv\Command;
+
+use Civi\Cv\Cv;
+use Civi\Cv\Util\OptionalOption;
+use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\ArgvInput;
+use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\NullOutput;
+
+/**
+ * @group std
+ */
+class OptionalOptionTest extends \Civi\Cv\CivilTestCase {
+
+  public function refreshExamples() {
+    $cases = array();
+    $cases[] = array(
+      array('examplecmd'),
+      'auto',
+    );
+    $cases[] = array(
+      array('examplecmd', '-r'),
+      'yes',
+    );
+    $cases[] = array(
+      array('examplecmd', '--refresh'),
+      'yes',
+    );
+    $cases[] = array(
+      array('examplecmd', '--refresh=maybe'),
+      'maybe',
+    );
+    $cases[] = array(
+      array('examplecmd', '--refresh=no'),
+      'no',
+    );
+    return $cases;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @param array $inputArgv
+   * @param string $expectValue
+   * @dataProvider refreshExamples
+   */
+  public function testParse($inputArgv, $expectValue) {
+    Cv::ioStack()->push(...$this->createInputOutput($inputArgv));
+    try {
+      $this->assertEquals($expectValue, OptionalOption::parse(Cv::input(), ['-r', '--refresh'], 'auto', 'yes'));
+    }
+    finally {
+      Cv::ioStack()->pop();
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @return array
+   *   [0 => InputInterface, 1 => OutputInterface]
+   */
+  protected function createInputOutput(array $argv = NULL): array {
+    $input = new ArgvInput($argv);
+    $input->setInteractive(FALSE);
+    $output = new NullOutput();
+    return [$input, $output];
+  }
+
+}