diff --git a/cmd/backup.go b/cmd/backup.go
index 4b0c5fb..66b502a 100644
--- a/cmd/backup.go
+++ b/cmd/backup.go
@@ -41,12 +41,12 @@ func (bk backup) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	// prune old backups
 	if !bk.NoPrune {
 		defer logging.LogOperation(func() error {
-			return dis.Exporter().PruneExports(context.IOStream)
+			return dis.Exporter().PruneExports(context.Context, context.IOStream)
 		}, context.IOStream, "Pruning old backups")
 	}
 
 	// do the handling
-	err := dis.Exporter().MakeExport(context.IOStream, exporter.ExportTask{
+	err := dis.Exporter().MakeExport(context.Context, context.IOStream, exporter.ExportTask{
 		Dest:        bk.Positionals.Dest,
 		StagingOnly: bk.StagingOnly,
 
diff --git a/cmd/blind_update.go b/cmd/blind_update.go
index 8018505..29cb5c7 100644
--- a/cmd/blind_update.go
+++ b/cmd/blind_update.go
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ var errBlindUpdateFailed = exit.Error{
 
 func (bu blindUpdate) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	// find all the instances!
-	wissKIs, err := context.Environment.Instances().Load(bu.Positionals.Slug...)
+	wissKIs, err := context.Environment.Instances().Load(context.Context, bu.Positionals.Slug...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ func (bu blindUpdate) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 
 	// and do the actual blind_update!
 	return status.StreamGroup(context.IOStream, bu.Parallel, func(instance *wisski.WissKI, str stream.IOStream) error {
-		return instance.Drush().Update(str)
+		return instance.Drush().Update(context.Context, str)
 	}, wissKIs, status.SmartMessage(func(item *wisski.WissKI) string {
 		return fmt.Sprintf("blind_update %q", item.Slug)
 	}))
diff --git a/cmd/bootstrap.go b/cmd/bootstrap.go
index e4dc42d..ff0d20a 100644
--- a/cmd/bootstrap.go
+++ b/cmd/bootstrap.go
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func (bs cBootstrap) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 			return errBoostrapFailedToCopyExe.WithMessageF(err)
 		}
 
-		err = fsx.CopyFile(env, wdcliPath, exe)
+		err = fsx.CopyFile(context.Context, env, wdcliPath, exe)
 		if err != nil && err != fsx.ErrCopySameFile {
 			return errBoostrapFailedToCopyExe.WithMessageF(err)
 		}
diff --git a/cmd/cron.go b/cmd/cron.go
index 28e2cbd..7edebb5 100644
--- a/cmd/cron.go
+++ b/cmd/cron.go
@@ -33,14 +33,14 @@ func (cron) Description() wisski_distillery.Description {
 
 func (cr cron) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	// find all the instances!
-	wissKIs, err := context.Environment.Instances().Load(cr.Positionals.Slug...)
+	wissKIs, err := context.Environment.Instances().Load(context.Context, cr.Positionals.Slug...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// and do the actual blind_update!
 	return status.StreamGroup(context.IOStream, cr.Parallel, func(instance *wisski.WissKI, io stream.IOStream) error {
-		return instance.Drush().Cron(io)
+		return instance.Drush().Cron(context.Context, io)
 	}, wissKIs, status.SmartMessage(func(item *wisski.WissKI) string {
 		return fmt.Sprintf("cron %q", item.Slug)
 	}))
diff --git a/cmd/drupal_setting.go b/cmd/drupal_setting.go
index 1037f80..b8cef74 100644
--- a/cmd/drupal_setting.go
+++ b/cmd/drupal_setting.go
@@ -40,14 +40,14 @@ var errSettingSet = exit.Error{
 }
 
 func (ds setting) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
-	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(ds.Positionals.Slug)
+	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(context.Context, ds.Positionals.Slug)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	if ds.Positionals.Value == "" {
 		// get the setting
-		value, err := instance.Settings().Get(nil, ds.Positionals.Setting)
+		value, err := instance.Settings().Get(context.Context, nil, ds.Positionals.Setting)
 		if err != nil {
 			return errSettingGet.Wrap(err)
 		}
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ func (ds setting) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	}
 
 	// set the serialized value!
-	if err := instance.Settings().Set(nil, ds.Positionals.Setting, data); err != nil {
+	if err := instance.Settings().Set(context.Context, nil, ds.Positionals.Setting, data); err != nil {
 		return errSettingSet.Wrap(err)
 	}
 
diff --git a/cmd/drupal_user.go b/cmd/drupal_user.go
index 8a0ce3c..8d63388 100644
--- a/cmd/drupal_user.go
+++ b/cmd/drupal_user.go
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ var errPasswordsNotIdentical = exit.Error{
 }
 
 func (du duser) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
-	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(du.Positionals.Slug)
+	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(context.Context, du.Positionals.Slug)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ func (du duser) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 }
 
 func (du duser) login(context wisski_distillery.Context, instance *wisski.WissKI) error {
-	link, err := instance.Users().Login(nil, du.Positionals.User)
+	link, err := instance.Users().Login(context.Context, nil, du.Positionals.User)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ var errPasswordFound = exit.Error{
 func (du duser) checkCommonPassword(context wisski_distillery.Context, instance *wisski.WissKI) error {
 	users := instance.Users()
 
-	entities, err := users.All(nil)
+	entities, err := users.All(context.Context, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -121,19 +121,19 @@ func (du duser) checkCommonPassword(context wisski_distillery.Context, instance
 		},
 		PrefixAlign: true,
 		Handler: func(user wstatus.User, index int, writer io.Writer) error {
-			pv, err := users.GetPasswordValidator(string(user.Name))
+			pv, err := users.GetPasswordValidator(context.Context, string(user.Name))
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 			defer pv.Close()
 
-			return pv.CheckDictionary(context.Environment.Context(), writer)
+			return pv.CheckDictionary(context.Context, writer)
 		},
 	}, entities)
 }
 
 func (du duser) checkPasswordInteractive(context wisski_distillery.Context, instance *wisski.WissKI) error {
-	validator, err := instance.Users().GetPasswordValidator(du.Positionals.User)
+	validator, err := instance.Users().GetPasswordValidator(context.Context, du.Positionals.User)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ func (du duser) checkPasswordInteractive(context wisski_distillery.Context, inst
 			break
 		}
 
-		if validator.Check(candidate) {
+		if validator.Check(context.Context, candidate) {
 			context.Println("check passed")
 		} else {
 			context.Println("check did not pass")
@@ -180,5 +180,5 @@ func (du duser) resetPassword(context wisski_distillery.Context, instance *wissk
 		return errPasswordsNotIdentical
 	}
 
-	return instance.Users().SetPassword(nil, du.Positionals.User, passwd1)
+	return instance.Users().SetPassword(context.Context, nil, du.Positionals.User, passwd1)
 }
diff --git a/cmd/info.go b/cmd/info.go
index e8967b0..a7706f2 100644
--- a/cmd/info.go
+++ b/cmd/info.go
@@ -29,12 +29,12 @@ func (info) Description() wisski_distillery.Description {
 }
 
 func (i info) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
-	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(i.Positionals.Slug)
+	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(context.Context, i.Positionals.Slug)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	info, err := instance.Info().Information(false)
+	info, err := instance.Info().Information(context.Context, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/instance_lock.go b/cmd/instance_lock.go
index 76ec934..d65c806 100644
--- a/cmd/instance_lock.go
+++ b/cmd/instance_lock.go
@@ -46,20 +46,20 @@ var errNotUnlock = exit.Error{
 }
 
 func (l instanceLock) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
-	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(l.Positionals.Slug)
+	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(context.Context, l.Positionals.Slug)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	if l.Unlock {
-		if !instance.Locker().TryUnlock() {
+		if !instance.Locker().TryUnlock(context.Context) {
 			return errNotUnlock
 		}
 		context.Println("unlocked")
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	if !instance.Locker().TryLock() {
+	if !instance.Locker().TryLock(context.Context) {
 		return locker.Locked
 	}
 
diff --git a/cmd/ls.go b/cmd/ls.go
index 4722938..665cc45 100644
--- a/cmd/ls.go
+++ b/cmd/ls.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func (ls) Description() wisski_distillery.Description {
 }
 
 func (l ls) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
-	instances, err := context.Environment.Instances().Load(l.Positionals.Slug...)
+	instances, err := context.Environment.Instances().Load(context.Context, l.Positionals.Slug...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/make_mysql_account.go b/cmd/make_mysql_account.go
index 31daf2e..f099606 100644
--- a/cmd/make_mysql_account.go
+++ b/cmd/make_mysql_account.go
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func (mma makeMysqlAccount) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 		return errUnableToReadPassword.WithMessageF(err)
 	}
 
-	if err := dis.SQL().CreateSuperuser(username, password, false); err != nil {
+	if err := dis.SQL().CreateSuperuser(context.Context, username, password, false); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
diff --git a/cmd/mysql.go b/cmd/mysql.go
index 091997c..f8bc94e 100644
--- a/cmd/mysql.go
+++ b/cmd/mysql.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ func (mysql) Description() wisski_distillery.Description {
 }
 
 func (ms mysql) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
-	code, err := context.Environment.SQL().Shell(context.IOStream, ms.Positionals.Args...)
+	code, err := context.Environment.SQL().Shell(context.Context, context.IOStream, ms.Positionals.Args...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/pathbuilders.go b/cmd/pathbuilders.go
index 8a80b00..8b8f030 100644
--- a/cmd/pathbuilders.go
+++ b/cmd/pathbuilders.go
@@ -39,14 +39,14 @@ var errNoPathbuilder = exit.Error{
 func (pb pathbuilders) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 
 	// get the wisski
-	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(pb.Positionals.Slug)
+	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(context.Context, pb.Positionals.Slug)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// get all of the pathbuilders
 	if pb.Positionals.Name == "" {
-		names, err := instance.Pathbuilder().All(nil)
+		names, err := instance.Pathbuilder().All(context.Context, nil)
 		if err != nil {
 			return errPathbuilders.WithMessageF(err)
 		}
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func (pb pathbuilders) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	}
 
 	// get all the pathbuilders
-	xml, err := instance.Pathbuilder().Get(nil, pb.Positionals.Name)
+	xml, err := instance.Pathbuilder().Get(context.Context, nil, pb.Positionals.Name)
 	if xml == "" {
 		return errNoPathbuilder.WithMessageF(pb.Positionals.Name)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/prefixes.go b/cmd/prefixes.go
index dd7698c..b28421d 100644
--- a/cmd/prefixes.go
+++ b/cmd/prefixes.go
@@ -31,12 +31,12 @@ var errPrefixesGeneric = exit.Error{
 }
 
 func (p prefixes) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
-	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(p.Positionals.Slug)
+	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(context.Context, p.Positionals.Slug)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	prefixes, err := instance.Prefixes().All(nil)
+	prefixes, err := instance.Prefixes().All(context.Context, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return errPrefixesGeneric.Wrap(err)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/provision.go b/cmd/provision.go
index bc9a6c3..6a2d754 100644
--- a/cmd/provision.go
+++ b/cmd/provision.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func (p provision) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 
 	// check that it doesn't already exist
 	logging.LogMessage(context.IOStream, "Provisioning new WissKI instance %s", slug)
-	if exists, err := dis.Instances().Has(slug); err != nil || exists {
+	if exists, err := dis.Instances().Has(context.Context, slug); err != nil || exists {
 		return errProvisionAlreadyExists.WithMessageF(slug)
 	}
 
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ func (p provision) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 
 	// Store in the instances table!
 	if err := logging.LogOperation(func() error {
-		if err := instance.Bookkeeping().Save(); err != nil {
+		if err := instance.Bookkeeping().Save(context.Context); err != nil {
 			return errProvisionGeneric.WithMessageF(slug, err)
 		}
 
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func (p provision) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 		domain := instance.Domain()
 		for _, pc := range dis.Provisionable() {
 			logging.LogMessage(context.IOStream, "Provisioning %s resources", pc.Name())
-			err := pc.Provision(instance.Instance, domain)
+			err := pc.Provision(context.Context, instance.Instance, domain)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ func (p provision) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 
 	// run the provision script
 	if err := logging.LogOperation(func() error {
-		if err := instance.Provisioner().Provision(context.IOStream); err != nil {
+		if err := instance.Provisioner().Provision(context.Context, context.IOStream); err != nil {
 			return errProvisionGeneric.WithMessageF(slug, err)
 		}
 
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ func (p provision) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 
 	// start the container!
 	logging.LogMessage(context.IOStream, "Starting Container")
-	if err := instance.Barrel().Stack().Up(context.IOStream); err != nil {
+	if err := instance.Barrel().Stack().Up(context.Context, context.IOStream); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
diff --git a/cmd/purge.go b/cmd/purge.go
index cd34096..046c645 100644
--- a/cmd/purge.go
+++ b/cmd/purge.go
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func (p purge) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 
 	// load the instance (first via bookkeeping, then via defaults)
 	logging.LogMessage(context.IOStream, "Checking bookkeeping table")
-	instance, err := dis.Instances().WissKI(slug)
+	instance, err := dis.Instances().WissKI(context.Context, slug)
 	if err == instances.ErrWissKINotFound {
 		context.Println("Not found in bookkeeping table, assuming defaults")
 		instance, err = dis.Instances().Create(slug)
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func (p purge) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 
 	// remove docker stack
 	logging.LogMessage(context.IOStream, "Stopping and removing docker container")
-	if err := instance.Barrel().Stack().Down(context.IOStream); err != nil {
+	if err := instance.Barrel().Stack().Down(context.Context, context.IOStream); err != nil {
 		context.EPrintln(err)
 	}
 
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ func (p purge) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 		domain := instance.Domain()
 		for _, pc := range dis.Provisionable() {
 			logging.LogMessage(context.IOStream, "Purging %s resources", pc.Name())
-			err := pc.Purge(instance.Instance, domain)
+			err := pc.Purge(context.Context, instance.Instance, domain)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
@@ -98,13 +98,13 @@ func (p purge) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 
 	// remove from bookkeeping
 	logging.LogMessage(context.IOStream, "Removing instance from bookkeeping")
-	if err := instance.Bookkeeping().Delete(); err != nil {
+	if err := instance.Bookkeeping().Delete(context.Context); err != nil {
 		context.EPrintln(err)
 	}
 
 	// remove the filesystem
 	logging.LogMessage(context.IOStream, "Remove lock data")
-	if instance.Locker().TryUnlock() {
+	if instance.Locker().TryUnlock(context.Context) {
 		context.EPrintln("instance was not locked")
 	}
 
diff --git a/cmd/rebuild.go b/cmd/rebuild.go
index 8f40f06..6bcca35 100644
--- a/cmd/rebuild.go
+++ b/cmd/rebuild.go
@@ -40,14 +40,14 @@ func (rb rebuild) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	dis := context.Environment
 
 	// find the instances
-	wissKIs, err := dis.Instances().Load(rb.Positionals.Slug...)
+	wissKIs, err := dis.Instances().Load(context.Context, rb.Positionals.Slug...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// and do the actual rebuild
 	return status.StreamGroup(context.IOStream, rb.Parallel, func(instance *wisski.WissKI, io stream.IOStream) error {
-		return instance.Barrel().Build(io, true)
+		return instance.Barrel().Build(context.Context, io, true)
 	}, wissKIs, status.SmartMessage(func(item *wisski.WissKI) string {
 		return fmt.Sprintf("rebuild %q", item.Slug)
 	}))
diff --git a/cmd/reserve.go b/cmd/reserve.go
index eb0aa16..9bdb81f 100644
--- a/cmd/reserve.go
+++ b/cmd/reserve.go
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func (r reserve) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 
 	// check that it doesn't already exist
 	logging.LogMessage(context.IOStream, "Reserving new WissKI instance %s", slug)
-	if exists, err := dis.Instances().Has(slug); err != nil || exists {
+	if exists, err := dis.Instances().Has(context.Context, slug); err != nil || exists {
 		return errProvisionAlreadyExists.WithMessageF(slug)
 	}
 
@@ -66,13 +66,13 @@ func (r reserve) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	s := instance.Reserve().Stack()
 	{
 		if err := logging.LogOperation(func() error {
-			return s.Install(context.IOStream, component.InstallationContext{})
+			return s.Install(context.Context, context.IOStream, component.InstallationContext{})
 		}, context.IOStream, "Installing docker stack"); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
 		if err := logging.LogOperation(func() error {
-			return s.Update(context.IOStream, true)
+			return s.Update(context.Context, context.IOStream, true)
 		}, context.IOStream, "Updating docker stack"); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/cmd/server.go b/cmd/server.go
index 56bfc63..e09995d 100644
--- a/cmd/server.go
+++ b/cmd/server.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 
 	wisski_distillery "github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/cli"
+	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/pkg/cancel"
 	"github.com/tkw1536/goprogram/exit"
 )
 
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ var errServerListen = exit.Error{
 
 func (s server) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	dis := context.Environment
-	handler, err := dis.Control().Server(dis.Context(), context.IOStream)
+	handler, err := dis.Control().Server(context.Context, context.IOStream)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -47,14 +48,21 @@ func (s server) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	}
 
 	go func() {
-		<-dis.Context().Done()
+		<-context.Context.Done()
 		listener.Close()
 	}()
 
-	// and serve that listener
-	err = http.Serve(listener, http.StripPrefix(s.Prefix, handler))
-	if err == nil {
-		return nil
+	server := http.Server{
+		Handler: http.StripPrefix(s.Prefix, handler),
 	}
+
+	err, _ = cancel.WithContext(context.Context, func(start func()) error {
+		start()
+		return server.Serve(listener)
+	}, func() {
+		// gracefully shutdown server
+		context.Printf("shutting down server")
+		server.Shutdown(context.Context)
+	})
 	return errServerListen.Wrap(err)
 }
diff --git a/cmd/shell.go b/cmd/shell.go
index 3d2f667..4add972 100644
--- a/cmd/shell.go
+++ b/cmd/shell.go
@@ -38,12 +38,12 @@ var errShell = exit.Error{
 }
 
 func (sh shell) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
-	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(sh.Positionals.Slug)
+	instance, err := context.Environment.Instances().WissKI(context.Context, sh.Positionals.Slug)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	code, err := instance.Barrel().Shell(context.IOStream, sh.Positionals.Args...)
+	code, err := instance.Barrel().Shell(context.Context, context.IOStream, sh.Positionals.Args...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return errShell.WithMessageF(err)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/snapshot.go b/cmd/snapshot.go
index 0915c0b..20c9971 100644
--- a/cmd/snapshot.go
+++ b/cmd/snapshot.go
@@ -39,13 +39,13 @@ func (sn snapshot) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	dis := context.Environment
 
 	// find the instance!
-	instance, err := dis.Instances().WissKI(sn.Positionals.Slug)
+	instance, err := dis.Instances().WissKI(context.Context, sn.Positionals.Slug)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// do a snapshot of it!
-	err = dis.Exporter().MakeExport(context.IOStream, exporter.ExportTask{
+	err = dis.Exporter().MakeExport(context.Context, context.IOStream, exporter.ExportTask{
 		Dest:        sn.Positionals.Dest,
 		StagingOnly: sn.StagingOnly,
 
diff --git a/cmd/ssh.go b/cmd/ssh.go
index 38ee568..d551cf3 100644
--- a/cmd/ssh.go
+++ b/cmd/ssh.go
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ var errSSHListen = exit.Error{
 
 func (s ssh) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	dis := context.Environment
-	server, err := dis.SSH().Server(dis.Context(), s.PrivateKeyPath, context.IOStream)
+	server, err := dis.SSH().Server(context.Context, s.PrivateKeyPath, context.IOStream)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func (s ssh) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	}
 
 	go func() {
-		<-dis.Context().Done()
+		<-context.Context.Done()
 		listener.Close()
 	}()
 
diff --git a/cmd/status.go b/cmd/status.go
index 0515f67..5e9093c 100644
--- a/cmd/status.go
+++ b/cmd/status.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func (cStatus) Description() wisski_distillery.Description {
 }
 
 func (s cStatus) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
-	status, _, err := context.Environment.Info().Status(true)
+	status, _, err := context.Environment.Info().Status(context.Context, true)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/system_pause.go b/cmd/system_pause.go
index 1c7955e..eed48d7 100644
--- a/cmd/system_pause.go
+++ b/cmd/system_pause.go
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func (sp systempause) start(context wisski_distillery.Context, dis *dis.Distille
 
 		Handler: func(item component.Installable, index int, writer io.Writer) error {
 			io := stream.NewIOStream(writer, writer, stream.Null, 0)
-			return item.Stack(context.Environment.Environment).Up(io)
+			return item.Stack(context.Environment.Environment).Up(context.Context, io)
 		},
 	}, dis.Installable()); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ func (sp systempause) start(context wisski_distillery.Context, dis *dis.Distille
 	logging.LogMessage(context.IOStream, "Starting Up WissKIs")
 
 	// find the instances
-	wissKIs, err := dis.Instances().All()
+	wissKIs, err := dis.Instances().All(context.Context)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func (sp systempause) start(context wisski_distillery.Context, dis *dis.Distille
 
 		Handler: func(item *wisski.WissKI, index int, writer io.Writer) error {
 			io := stream.NewIOStream(writer, writer, stream.Null, 0)
-			return item.Barrel().Stack().Up(io)
+			return item.Barrel().Stack().Up(context.Context, io)
 		},
 	}, wissKIs); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ func (sp systempause) stop(context wisski_distillery.Context, dis *dis.Distiller
 	logging.LogMessage(context.IOStream, "Shutting Down WissKIs")
 
 	// find the instances
-	wissKIs, err := dis.Instances().All()
+	wissKIs, err := dis.Instances().All(context.Context)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func (sp systempause) stop(context wisski_distillery.Context, dis *dis.Distiller
 
 		Handler: func(item *wisski.WissKI, index int, writer io.Writer) error {
 			io := stream.NewIOStream(writer, writer, stream.Null, 0)
-			return item.Barrel().Stack().Down(io)
+			return item.Barrel().Stack().Down(context.Context, io)
 		},
 	}, wissKIs); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ func (sp systempause) stop(context wisski_distillery.Context, dis *dis.Distiller
 
 		Handler: func(item component.Installable, index int, writer io.Writer) error {
 			io := stream.NewIOStream(writer, writer, stream.Null, 0)
-			return item.Stack(context.Environment.Environment).Down(io)
+			return item.Stack(context.Environment.Environment).Down(context.Context, io)
 		},
 	}, dis.Installable()); err != nil {
 		return err
diff --git a/cmd/system_update.go b/cmd/system_update.go
index 2c6ceb7..2d5e13d 100644
--- a/cmd/system_update.go
+++ b/cmd/system_update.go
@@ -135,11 +135,11 @@ func (si systemupdate) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 				io := stream.NewIOStream(writer, writer, stream.Null, 0)
 				stack := item.Stack(context.Environment.Environment)
 
-				if err := stack.Install(io, item.Context(ctx)); err != nil {
+				if err := stack.Install(context.Context, io, item.Context(ctx)); err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
 
-				if err := stack.Update(io, true); err != nil {
+				if err := stack.Update(context.Context, io, true); err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
 
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ func (si systemupdate) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 					updated[item.ID()] = struct{}{}
 				}()
 
-				return ud.Update(io)
+				return ud.Update(context.Context, io)
 			},
 		}, dis.Installable())
 	}, context.IOStream, "Performing Stack Updates"); err != nil {
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ func (si systemupdate) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 					context.Println("Already updated")
 					return nil
 				}
-				return item.Update(context.IOStream)
+				return item.Update(context.Context, context.IOStream)
 			}, context.IOStream, "Updating Component: %s", name); err != nil {
 				return errBootstrapComponent.WithMessageF(name, err)
 			}
@@ -194,9 +194,9 @@ var errMustExecFailed = exit.Error{
 func (si systemupdate) mustExec(context wisski_distillery.Context, workdir string, exe string, argv ...string) error {
 	dis := context.Environment
 	if workdir == "" {
-		workdir = context.Environment.Config.DeployRoot
+		workdir = dis.Config.DeployRoot
 	}
-	code := dis.Still.Environment.Exec(context.IOStream, workdir, exe, argv...)
+	code := dis.Still.Environment.Exec(context.Context, context.IOStream, workdir, exe, argv...)
 	if code != 0 {
 		err := errMustExecFailed.WithMessageF(code)
 		err.ExitCode = exit.ExitCode(code)
diff --git a/cmd/update_prefix_config.go b/cmd/update_prefix_config.go
index 45f88c9..b4db4ee 100644
--- a/cmd/update_prefix_config.go
+++ b/cmd/update_prefix_config.go
@@ -37,14 +37,14 @@ var errPrefixUpdateFailed = exit.Error{
 func (upc updateprefixconfig) Run(context wisski_distillery.Context) error {
 	dis := context.Environment
 
-	wissKIs, err := dis.Instances().All()
+	wissKIs, err := dis.Instances().All(context.Context)
 	if err != nil {
 		return errPrefixUpdateFailed.Wrap(err)
 	}
 
 	return status.StreamGroup(context.IOStream, upc.Parallel, func(instance *wisski.WissKI, io stream.IOStream) error {
 		io.Println("reading prefixes")
-		err := instance.Prefixes().Update()
+		err := instance.Prefixes().Update(context.Context)
 		if err != nil {
 			return errPrefixUpdateFailed.Wrap(err)
 		}
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index f9c3a51..6603d02 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -12,12 +12,12 @@ require (
 	github.com/gorilla/mux v1.8.0
 	github.com/gorilla/websocket v1.5.0
 	github.com/pkg/errors v0.9.1
-	github.com/tkw1536/goprogram v0.1.1
+	github.com/tkw1536/goprogram v0.2.0
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.3.0
-	golang.org/x/exp v0.0.0-20221004215720-b9f4876ce741
-	golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20220929204114-8fcdb60fdcc0
-	gorm.io/driver/mysql v1.3.6
-	gorm.io/gorm v1.23.10
+	golang.org/x/exp v0.0.0-20221126150942-6ab00d035af9
+	golang.org/x/sync v0.1.0
+	gorm.io/driver/mysql v1.4.4
+	gorm.io/gorm v1.24.2
 )
 
 require (
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 99a1e4b..305234b 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -31,15 +31,21 @@ github.com/pkg/errors v0.9.1 h1:FEBLx1zS214owpjy7qsBeixbURkuhQAwrK5UwLGTwt4=
 github.com/pkg/errors v0.9.1/go.mod h1:bwawxfHBFNV+L2hUp1rHADufV3IMtnDRdf1r5NINEl0=
 github.com/tkw1536/goprogram v0.1.1 h1:gamK9OuRqoX2yQlA/nkgfVHHZWd/u2uUj6vJMYrYa70=
 github.com/tkw1536/goprogram v0.1.1/go.mod h1:Jqs0sTMzhrAGCX3JQrlEwQ0WRWQACCvuQQkaBDp65pE=
+github.com/tkw1536/goprogram v0.2.0 h1:qoa5Izgq5gfVggkAcOtCwpjz4oZv1KgDEJ8BHIK/djQ=
+github.com/tkw1536/goprogram v0.2.0/go.mod h1:Jqs0sTMzhrAGCX3JQrlEwQ0WRWQACCvuQQkaBDp65pE=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20220826181053-bd7e27e6170d/go.mod h1:IxCIyHEi3zRg3s0A5j5BB6A9Jmi73HwBIUl50j+osU4=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.3.0 h1:a06MkbcxBrEFc0w0QIZWXrH/9cCX6KJyWbBOIwAn+7A=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.3.0/go.mod h1:hebNnKkNXi2UzZN1eVRvBB7co0a+JxK6XbPiWVs/3J4=
 golang.org/x/exp v0.0.0-20221004215720-b9f4876ce741 h1:fGZugkZk2UgYBxtpKmvub51Yno1LJDeEsRp2xGD+0gY=
 golang.org/x/exp v0.0.0-20221004215720-b9f4876ce741/go.mod h1:cyybsKvd6eL0RnXn6p/Grxp8F5bW7iYuBgsNCOHpMYE=
+golang.org/x/exp v0.0.0-20221126150942-6ab00d035af9 h1:yZNXmy+j/JpX19vZkVktWqAo7Gny4PBWYYK3zskGpx4=
+golang.org/x/exp v0.0.0-20221126150942-6ab00d035af9/go.mod h1:CxIveKay+FTh1D0yPZemJVgC/95VzuuOLq5Qi4xnoYc=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20211112202133-69e39bad7dc2/go.mod h1:9nx3DQGgdP8bBQD5qxJ1jj9UTztislL4KSBs9R2vV5Y=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20220826154423-83b083e8dc8b/go.mod h1:YDH+HFinaLZZlnHAfSS6ZXJJ9M9t4Dl22yv3iI2vPwk=
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20220929204114-8fcdb60fdcc0 h1:cu5kTvlzcw1Q5S9f5ip1/cpiB4nXvw1XYzFPGgzLUOY=
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20220929204114-8fcdb60fdcc0/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJTE5uejpjVlOe/izrB70Jof72aM=
+golang.org/x/sync v0.1.0 h1:wsuoTGHzEhffawBOhz5CYhcrV4IdKZbEyZjBMuTp12o=
+golang.org/x/sync v0.1.0/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJTE5uejpjVlOe/izrB70Jof72aM=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20201119102817-f84b799fce68/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210320140829-1e4c9ba3b0c4/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210423082822-04245dca01da/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
@@ -59,6 +65,10 @@ golang.org/x/text v0.3.7/go.mod h1:u+2+/6zg+i71rQMx5EYifcz6MCKuco9NR6JIITiCfzQ=
 golang.org/x/tools v0.0.0-20180917221912-90fa682c2a6e/go.mod h1:n7NCudcB/nEzxVGmLbDWY5pfWTLqBcC2KZ6jyYvM4mQ=
 gorm.io/driver/mysql v1.3.6 h1:BhX1Y/RyALb+T9bZ3t07wLnPZBukt+IRkMn8UZSNbGM=
 gorm.io/driver/mysql v1.3.6/go.mod h1:sSIebwZAVPiT+27jK9HIwvsqOGKx3YMPmrA3mBJR10c=
+gorm.io/driver/mysql v1.4.4 h1:MX0K9Qvy0Na4o7qSC/YI7XxqUw5KDw01umqgID+svdQ=
+gorm.io/driver/mysql v1.4.4/go.mod h1:BCg8cKI+R0j/rZRQxeKis/forqRwRSYOR8OM3Wo6hOM=
 gorm.io/gorm v1.23.8/go.mod h1:l2lP/RyAtc1ynaTjFksBde/O8v9oOGIApu2/xRitmZk=
 gorm.io/gorm v1.23.10 h1:4Ne9ZbzID9GUxRkllxN4WjJKpsHx8YbKvekVdgyWh24=
 gorm.io/gorm v1.23.10/go.mod h1:DVrVomtaYTbqs7gB/x2uVvqnXzv0nqjB396B8cG4dBA=
+gorm.io/gorm v1.24.2 h1:9wR6CFD+G8nOusLdvkZelOEhpJVwwHzpQOUM+REd6U0=
+gorm.io/gorm v1.24.2/go.mod h1:DVrVomtaYTbqs7gB/x2uVvqnXzv0nqjB396B8cG4dBA=
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/backup.go b/internal/dis/component/backup.go
index 82bf9e2..69fdb0b 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/backup.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/backup.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package component
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"io"
 	"path/filepath"
 
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ type StagingContext interface {
 	// Passing the empty path creates the destination as a directory.
 	//
 	// It then allows op to fill the file.
-	AddDirectory(path string, op func() error) error
+	AddDirectory(path string, op func(context.Context) error) error
 
 	// CopyFile copies a file from src to dst.
 	CopyFile(dst, src string) error
@@ -61,12 +62,13 @@ type StagingContext interface {
 	// The op function must not retain file.
 	// The underlying file does not need to be closed.
 	// AddFile will not return before op has returned.
-	AddFile(path string, op func(file io.Writer) error) error
+	AddFile(path string, op func(ctx context.Context, file io.Writer) error) error
 }
 
 // NewStagingContext returns a new [StagingContext]
-func NewStagingContext(env environment.Environment, io stream.IOStream, path string, manifest chan<- string) StagingContext {
+func NewStagingContext(ctx context.Context, env environment.Environment, io stream.IOStream, path string, manifest chan<- string) StagingContext {
 	return &stagingContext{
+		ctx:      ctx,
 		env:      env,
 		io:       io,
 		path:     path,
@@ -76,6 +78,7 @@ func NewStagingContext(env environment.Environment, io stream.IOStream, path str
 
 // stagingContext implements [components.StagingContext]
 type stagingContext struct {
+	ctx      context.Context
 	env      environment.Environment // environment
 	io       stream.IOStream         // context the files are sent to
 	path     string                  // path to send files to
@@ -110,7 +113,12 @@ func (bc *stagingContext) resolve(path string) (dest string, err error) {
 	return filepath.Join(bc.path, path), nil
 }
 
-func (sc *stagingContext) AddDirectory(path string, op func() error) error {
+func (sc *stagingContext) AddDirectory(path string, op func(context.Context) error) error {
+	// check if we are already done
+	if err, ok := sc.ctxdone(); ok {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// resolve the path!
 	dst, err := sc.resolve(path)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -126,30 +134,43 @@ func (sc *stagingContext) AddDirectory(path string, op func() error) error {
 	sc.sendPath(path)
 
 	// and run the files!
-	return op()
+	return op(sc.ctx)
 }
 
 func (sc *stagingContext) CopyFile(dst, src string) error {
+	if err, ok := sc.ctxdone(); ok {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	dstPath, err := sc.resolve(dst)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	sc.sendPath(dst)
-	return fsx.CopyFile(sc.env, dstPath, src)
+	return fsx.CopyFile(sc.ctx, sc.env, dstPath, src)
 }
 
 func (sc *stagingContext) CopyDirectory(dst, src string) error {
+	if err, ok := sc.ctxdone(); ok {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	dstPath, err := sc.resolve(dst)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	return fsx.CopyDirectory(sc.env, dstPath, src, func(dst, src string) {
+	return fsx.CopyDirectory(sc.ctx, sc.env, dstPath, src, func(dst, src string) {
 		sc.sendPath(dst)
 	})
 }
 
-func (sc *stagingContext) AddFile(path string, op func(file io.Writer) error) error {
+func (sc *stagingContext) AddFile(path string, op func(ctx context.Context, file io.Writer) error) error {
+	// check if we're already done
+	if err, ok := sc.ctxdone(); ok {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// resolve the path!
 	dst, err := sc.resolve(path)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -167,5 +188,11 @@ func (sc *stagingContext) AddFile(path string, op func(file io.Writer) error) er
 	sc.sendPath(path)
 
 	// and do whatever they wanted to do
-	return op(file)
+	return op(sc.ctx, file)
+}
+
+func (sc *stagingContext) ctxdone() (err error, done bool) {
+	err = sc.ctx.Err()
+	done = (err != nil)
+	return
 }
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/control/home/home.go b/internal/dis/component/control/home/home.go
index 636c4b5..b338488 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/control/home/home.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/control/home/home.go
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@ type Home struct {
 
 func (*Home) Routes() []string { return []string{"/"} }
 
-func (home *Home) Handler(route string, context context.Context, io stream.IOStream) (http.Handler, error) {
-	home.updateRedirect(context, io)
-	home.updateInstances(context, io)
-	home.updateRender(context, io)
+func (home *Home) Handler(ctx context.Context, route string, io stream.IOStream) (http.Handler, error) {
+	home.updateRedirect(ctx, io)
+	home.updateInstances(ctx, io)
+	home.updateRender(ctx, io)
 	return home, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/control/home/public.go b/internal/dis/component/control/home/public.go
index e1186bc..57802a7 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/control/home/public.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/control/home/public.go
@@ -19,14 +19,27 @@ func (home *Home) updateInstances(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) {
 		for t := range timex.TickContext(ctx, home.RefreshInterval) {
 			io.Printf("[%s]: reloading instance list\n", t.Format(time.Stamp))
 
-			names, _ := home.instanceMap()
-			home.instanceNames.Set(names)
+			err := (func() error {
+				ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, home.RefreshInterval)
+				defer cancel()
+
+				names, err := home.instanceMap(ctx)
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+
+				home.instanceNames.Set(names)
+				return nil
+			})()
+			if err != nil {
+				io.EPrintf("error reloading instances: ", err.Error())
+			}
 		}
 	}()
 }
 
-func (home *Home) instanceMap() (map[string]struct{}, error) {
-	wissKIs, err := home.Instances.All()
+func (home *Home) instanceMap(ctx context.Context) (map[string]struct{}, error) {
+	wissKIs, err := home.Instances.All(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -41,10 +54,23 @@ func (home *Home) instanceMap() (map[string]struct{}, error) {
 func (home *Home) updateRender(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) {
 	go func() {
 		for t := range timex.TickContext(ctx, home.RefreshInterval) {
-			io.Printf("[%s]: reloading home render\n", t.Format(time.Stamp))
+			io.Printf("[%s]: reloading home render list\n", t.Format(time.Stamp))
 
-			bytes, _ := home.homeRender()
-			home.homeBytes.Set(bytes)
+			err := (func() error {
+				ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, home.RefreshInterval)
+				defer cancel()
+
+				bytes, err := home.homeRender(ctx)
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+
+				home.homeBytes.Set(bytes)
+				return nil
+			})()
+			if err != nil {
+				io.EPrintf("error reloading instances: ", err.Error())
+			}
 		}
 	}()
 }
@@ -53,7 +79,7 @@ func (home *Home) updateRender(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) {
 var homeHTMLStr string
 var homeTemplate = static.AssetsHomeHome.MustParseShared("home.html", homeHTMLStr)
 
-func (home *Home) homeRender() ([]byte, error) {
+func (home *Home) homeRender(ctx context.Context) ([]byte, error) {
 	var context HomeContext
 
 	// setup a couple of static things
@@ -61,7 +87,7 @@ func (home *Home) homeRender() ([]byte, error) {
 	context.SelfRedirect = home.Config.SelfRedirect.String()
 
 	// find all the WissKIs
-	wissKIs, err := home.Instances.All()
+	wissKIs, err := home.Instances.All(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -73,7 +99,7 @@ func (home *Home) homeRender() ([]byte, error) {
 		i := i
 		wissKI := instance
 		eg.Go(func() (err error) {
-			context.Instances[i], err = wissKI.Info().Information(false)
+			context.Instances[i], err = wissKI.Info().Information(ctx, false)
 			return
 		})
 	}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/control/home/redirect.go b/internal/dis/component/control/home/redirect.go
index 38d1f0f..ac6aad2 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/control/home/redirect.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/control/home/redirect.go
@@ -16,13 +16,27 @@ func (home *Home) updateRedirect(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) {
 		for t := range timex.TickContext(ctx, home.RefreshInterval) {
 			io.Printf("[%s]: reloading overrides\n", t.Format(time.Stamp))
 
-			redirect, _ := home.loadRedirect()
-			home.redirect.Set(&redirect)
+			err := (func() error {
+				ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, home.RefreshInterval)
+				defer cancel()
+
+				redirect, err := home.loadRedirect(ctx)
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+
+				home.redirect.Set(&redirect)
+				return nil
+			})()
+			if err != nil {
+				io.EPrintf("error reloading overrides: ", err.Error())
+			}
+
 		}
 	}()
 }
 
-func (home *Home) loadRedirect() (redirect Redirect, err error) {
+func (home *Home) loadRedirect(ctx context.Context) (redirect Redirect, err error) {
 	if redirect.Overrides == nil {
 		redirect.Overrides = make(map[string]string)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/control/info/components.go b/internal/dis/component/control/info/components.go
index 2e3bf1e..20db575 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/control/info/components.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/control/info/components.go
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ func (info *Info) ingredients(r *http.Request) (cp ingredientsContext, err error
 	cp.Time = time.Now().UTC()
 
 	// find the instance itself!
-	instance, err := info.Instances.WissKI(mux.Vars(r)["slug"])
+	instance, err := info.Instances.WissKI(r.Context(), mux.Vars(r)["slug"])
 	if err == instances.ErrWissKINotFound {
 		return cp, httpx.ErrNotFound
 	}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/control/info/index.go b/internal/dis/component/control/info/index.go
index c65e6ad..1188284 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/control/info/index.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/control/info/index.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package info
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"net/http"
 	"time"
 
@@ -25,18 +26,18 @@ type indexContext struct {
 }
 
 func (info *Info) index(r *http.Request) (idx indexContext, err error) {
-	idx.Distillery, idx.Instances, err = info.Status(true)
+	idx.Distillery, idx.Instances, err = info.Status(r.Context(), true)
 	return
 }
 
 // Status produces a new observation of the distillery, and a new information of all instances
 // The information on all instances is passed the given quick flag.
-func (info *Info) Status(QuickInformation bool) (target status.Distillery, information []status.WissKI, err error) {
+func (info *Info) Status(ctx context.Context, QuickInformation bool) (target status.Distillery, information []status.WissKI, err error) {
 	var group errgroup.Group
 
 	group.Go(func() error {
 		// list all the instances
-		all, err := info.Instances.All()
+		all, err := info.Instances.All(ctx)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ func (info *Info) Status(QuickInformation bool) (target status.Distillery, infor
 
 				// store the info for this group!
 				group.Go(func() (err error) {
-					information[i], err = instance.Info().Information(true)
+					information[i], err = instance.Info().Information(ctx, true)
 					return err
 				})
 			}
@@ -59,7 +60,9 @@ func (info *Info) Status(QuickInformation bool) (target status.Distillery, infor
 	})
 
 	// gather all the observations
-	var flags component.FetcherFlags
+	flags := component.FetcherFlags{
+		Context: ctx,
+	}
 	for _, o := range info.Fetchers {
 		o := o
 		group.Go(func() error {
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/control/info/info.go b/internal/dis/component/control/info/info.go
index 4ced25e..4d242d9 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/control/info/info.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/control/info/info.go
@@ -28,11 +28,11 @@ type Info struct {
 
 func (*Info) Routes() []string { return []string{"/dis/"} }
 
-func (info *Info) Handler(route string, context context.Context, io stream.IOStream) (handler http.Handler, err error) {
+func (info *Info) Handler(ctx context.Context, route string, io stream.IOStream) (handler http.Handler, err error) {
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
 	{
 		socket := &httpx.WebSocket{
-			Context:  context,
+			Context:  ctx,
 			Fallback: router,
 			Handler:  info.serveSocket,
 		}
@@ -82,12 +82,12 @@ func (info *Info) Handler(route string, context context.Context, io stream.IOStr
 		}
 
 		// get the instance
-		instance, err := info.Instances.WissKI(r.PostFormValue("slug"))
+		instance, err := info.Instances.WissKI(r.Context(), r.PostFormValue("slug"))
 		if err != nil {
 			return "", httpx.ErrNotFound
 		}
 
-		target, err := instance.Users().Login(nil, r.PostFormValue("user"))
+		target, err := instance.Users().Login(r.Context(), nil, r.PostFormValue("user"))
 		if err != nil {
 			return "", err
 		}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/control/info/instance.go b/internal/dis/component/control/info/instance.go
index 5d0ab4b..cd6a303 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/control/info/instance.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/control/info/instance.go
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ type instanceContext struct {
 
 func (info *Info) instance(r *http.Request) (is instanceContext, err error) {
 	// find the instance itself!
-	instance, err := info.Instances.WissKI(mux.Vars(r)["slug"])
+	instance, err := info.Instances.WissKI(r.Context(), mux.Vars(r)["slug"])
 	if err == instances.ErrWissKINotFound {
 		return is, httpx.ErrNotFound
 	}
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func (info *Info) instance(r *http.Request) (is instanceContext, err error) {
 	is.Instance = instance.Instance
 
 	// get some more info about the wisski
-	is.Info, err = instance.Info().Information(false)
+	is.Info, err = instance.Info().Information(r.Context(), false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return is, err
 	}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/control/info/socket.go b/internal/dis/component/control/info/socket.go
index 6ae16ad..cde427a 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/control/info/socket.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/control/info/socket.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package info
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"time"
 
@@ -14,14 +15,15 @@ import (
 type InstanceAction struct {
 	NumParams int
 
-	HandleInteractive func(info *Info, instance *wisski.WissKI, str stream.IOStream, params ...string) error
-	HandleResult      func(info *Info, instance *wisski.WissKI, params ...string) (value any, err error)
+	HandleInteractive func(ctx context.Context, info *Info, instance *wisski.WissKI, str stream.IOStream, params ...string) error
+	HandleResult      func(ctx context.Context, info *Info, instance *wisski.WissKI, params ...string) (value any, err error)
 }
 
 var socketInstanceActions = map[string]InstanceAction{
 	"snapshot": {
-		HandleInteractive: func(info *Info, instance *wisski.WissKI, str stream.IOStream, params ...string) error {
+		HandleInteractive: func(ctx context.Context, info *Info, instance *wisski.WissKI, str stream.IOStream, params ...string) error {
 			return info.Exporter.MakeExport(
+				ctx,
 				str,
 				exporter.ExportTask{
 					Dest:     "",
@@ -33,18 +35,18 @@ var socketInstanceActions = map[string]InstanceAction{
 		},
 	},
 	"rebuild": {
-		HandleInteractive: func(_ *Info, instance *wisski.WissKI, str stream.IOStream, params ...string) error {
-			return instance.Barrel().Build(str, true)
+		HandleInteractive: func(ctx context.Context, _ *Info, instance *wisski.WissKI, str stream.IOStream, params ...string) error {
+			return instance.Barrel().Build(ctx, str, true)
 		},
 	},
 	"update": {
-		HandleInteractive: func(_ *Info, instance *wisski.WissKI, str stream.IOStream, params ...string) error {
-			return instance.Drush().Update(str)
+		HandleInteractive: func(ctx context.Context, _ *Info, instance *wisski.WissKI, str stream.IOStream, params ...string) error {
+			return instance.Drush().Update(ctx, str)
 		},
 	},
 	"cron": {
-		HandleInteractive: func(_ *Info, instance *wisski.WissKI, str stream.IOStream, params ...string) error {
-			return instance.Drush().Cron(str)
+		HandleInteractive: func(ctx context.Context, _ *Info, instance *wisski.WissKI, str stream.IOStream, params ...string) error {
+			return instance.Drush().Cron(ctx, str)
 		},
 	},
 }
@@ -75,7 +77,7 @@ func (info *Info) handleInstanceAction(conn httpx.WebSocketConnection, action In
 	}
 
 	// resolve the instance
-	instance, err := info.Instances.WissKI(string(slug.Bytes))
+	instance, err := info.Instances.WissKI(conn.Context(), string(slug.Bytes))
 	if err != nil {
 		<-conn.WriteText("Instance not found")
 		return
@@ -110,7 +112,7 @@ func (info *Info) handleInstanceAction(conn httpx.WebSocketConnection, action In
 
 	// handle the interactive action
 	if action.HandleInteractive != nil {
-		err := action.HandleInteractive(info, instance, str, params...)
+		err := action.HandleInteractive(conn.Context(), info, instance, str, params...)
 		if err != nil {
 			str.EPrintln(err)
 			return
@@ -120,7 +122,7 @@ func (info *Info) handleInstanceAction(conn httpx.WebSocketConnection, action In
 
 	// handle the result computation
 	if action.HandleResult != nil {
-		result, err := action.HandleResult(info, instance, params...)
+		result, err := action.HandleResult(conn.Context(), info, instance, params...)
 		if err != nil {
 			str.Println("false")
 			return
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/control/server.go b/internal/dis/component/control/server.go
index a00ea8f..cd76650 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/control/server.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/control/server.go
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import (
 // The server may spawn background tasks, but these should be terminated once context closes.
 //
 // Logging messages are directed to io.
-func (control *Control) Server(context context.Context, io stream.IOStream) (*http.ServeMux, error) {
+func (control *Control) Server(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) (*http.ServeMux, error) {
 	// create a new mux
 	mux := http.NewServeMux()
 
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ func (control *Control) Server(context context.Context, io stream.IOStream) (*ht
 	for _, s := range control.Servables {
 		for _, route := range s.Routes() {
 			io.Printf("mounting %s\n", route)
-			handler, err := s.Handler(route, context, io)
+			handler, err := s.Handler(ctx, route, io)
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/control/static/static.go b/internal/dis/component/control/static/static.go
index 99a91bf..6899ca1 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/control/static/static.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/control/static/static.go
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ func (*Static) Routes() []string { return []string{"/static/"} }
 //go:embed dist
 var staticFS embed.FS
 
-func (static *Static) Handler(route string, context context.Context, io stream.IOStream) (http.Handler, error) {
+func (static *Static) Handler(ctx context.Context, route string, io stream.IOStream) (http.Handler, error) {
 	// take the filesystem
 	fs, err := fs.Sub(staticFS, "dist")
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/exporter/backup.go b/internal/dis/component/exporter/backup.go
index 46597d7..68044e9 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/exporter/backup.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/exporter/backup.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package exporter
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"path/filepath"
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@ type BackupDescription struct {
 }
 
 // New create a new Backup
-func (exporter *Exporter) NewBackup(io stream.IOStream, description BackupDescription) (backup Backup) {
+func (exporter *Exporter) NewBackup(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream, description BackupDescription) (backup Backup) {
 	backup.Description = description
 
 	// catch anything critical that happened during the snapshot
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ func (exporter *Exporter) NewBackup(io stream.IOStream, description BackupDescri
 	// do the create keeping track of time!
 	logging.LogOperation(func() error {
 		backup.StartTime = time.Now().UTC()
-		backup.run(io, exporter)
+		backup.run(ctx, io, exporter)
 		backup.EndTime = time.Now().UTC()
 
 		return nil
@@ -69,7 +70,7 @@ func (exporter *Exporter) NewBackup(io stream.IOStream, description BackupDescri
 	return
 }
 
-func (backup *Backup) run(ios stream.IOStream, exporter *Exporter) {
+func (backup *Backup) run(ctx context.Context, ios stream.IOStream, exporter *Exporter) {
 	// create a manifest
 	manifest, done := backup.handleManifest(backup.Description.Dest)
 	defer done()
@@ -93,6 +94,7 @@ func (backup *Backup) run(ios stream.IOStream, exporter *Exporter) {
 			Handler: func(bc component.Backupable, index int, writer io.Writer) error {
 				return bc.Backup(
 					component.NewStagingContext(
+						ctx,
 						exporter.Environment,
 						stream.NewIOStream(writer, writer, nil, 0),
 						filepath.Join(backup.Description.Dest, bc.BackupName()),
@@ -124,7 +126,7 @@ func (backup *Backup) run(ios stream.IOStream, exporter *Exporter) {
 		}
 
 		// list all instances
-		wissKIs, err := exporter.Instances.All()
+		wissKIs, err := exporter.Instances.All(ctx)
 		if err != nil {
 			backup.InstanceListErr = err
 			return nil
@@ -147,7 +149,7 @@ func (backup *Backup) run(ios stream.IOStream, exporter *Exporter) {
 
 				manifest <- dir
 
-				return exporter.NewSnapshot(instance, stream.NewIOStream(writer, writer, nil, 0), SnapshotDescription{
+				return exporter.NewSnapshot(ctx, instance, stream.NewIOStream(writer, writer, nil, 0), SnapshotDescription{
 					Dest: dir,
 				})
 			},
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/exporter/extras_bookkeeping.go b/internal/dis/component/exporter/extras_bookkeeping.go
index 026df1b..7f792bc 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/exporter/extras_bookkeeping.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/exporter/extras_bookkeeping.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package exporter
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 
@@ -19,8 +20,8 @@ func (Bookkeeping) SnapshotNeedsRunning() bool { return false }
 func (Bookkeeping) SnapshotName() string { return "bookkeeping.txt" }
 
 // Snapshot creates a snapshot of this instance
-func (*Bookkeeping) Snapshot(wisski models.Instance, context component.StagingContext) error {
-	return context.AddFile(".", func(file io.Writer) error {
+func (*Bookkeeping) Snapshot(wisski models.Instance, scontext component.StagingContext) error {
+	return scontext.AddFile(".", func(ctx context.Context, file io.Writer) error {
 		_, err := fmt.Fprintf(file, "%#v\n", wisski)
 		return err
 	})
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/exporter/extras_config.go b/internal/dis/component/exporter/extras_config.go
index 2ba25df..4387da1 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/exporter/extras_config.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/exporter/extras_config.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package exporter
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"path/filepath"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/dis/component"
@@ -15,13 +16,13 @@ func (*Config) BackupName() string {
 	return "config"
 }
 
-func (control *Config) Backup(context component.StagingContext) error {
+func (control *Config) Backup(scontext component.StagingContext) error {
 	files := control.backupFiles()
 
-	return context.AddDirectory("", func() error {
+	return scontext.AddDirectory("", func(ctx context.Context) error {
 		for _, src := range files {
 			name := filepath.Base(src)
-			if err := context.CopyFile(name, src); err != nil {
+			if err := scontext.CopyFile(name, src); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/exporter/extras_pathbuilders.go b/internal/dis/component/exporter/extras_pathbuilders.go
index 35c1297..315ae85 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/exporter/extras_pathbuilders.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/exporter/extras_pathbuilders.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package exporter
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"io"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/dis/component"
@@ -17,15 +18,15 @@ func (Pathbuilders) SnapshotNeedsRunning() bool { return true }
 
 func (Pathbuilders) SnapshotName() string { return "pathbuilders" }
 
-func (pbs *Pathbuilders) Snapshot(wisski models.Instance, context component.StagingContext) error {
-	return context.AddDirectory(".", func() error {
-		builders, err := pbs.Instances.Instance(wisski).Pathbuilder().GetAll(nil)
+func (pbs *Pathbuilders) Snapshot(wisski models.Instance, scontext component.StagingContext) error {
+	return scontext.AddDirectory(".", func(ctx context.Context) error {
+		builders, err := pbs.Instances.Instance(ctx, wisski).Pathbuilder().GetAll(ctx, nil)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
 		for name, bytes := range builders {
-			if err := context.AddFile(name+".xml", func(file io.Writer) error {
+			if err := scontext.AddFile(name+".xml", func(ctx context.Context, file io.Writer) error {
 				_, err := file.Write([]byte(bytes))
 				return err
 			}); err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/exporter/iface.go b/internal/dis/component/exporter/iface.go
index 37fa4c6..d04b29a 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/exporter/iface.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/exporter/iface.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package exporter
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"io"
 	"path/filepath"
 
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ type export interface {
 
 // MakeExport performs an export task as described by flags.
 // Output is directed to the provided io.
-func (exporter *Exporter) MakeExport(io stream.IOStream, task ExportTask) (err error) {
+func (exporter *Exporter) MakeExport(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream, task ExportTask) (err error) {
 	// extract parameters
 	Title := "Backup"
 	Slug := ""
@@ -95,11 +96,11 @@ func (exporter *Exporter) MakeExport(io stream.IOStream, task ExportTask) (err e
 		var sl export
 		if task.Instance == nil {
 			task.BackupDescription.Dest = stagingDir
-			backup := exporter.NewBackup(io, task.BackupDescription)
+			backup := exporter.NewBackup(ctx, io, task.BackupDescription)
 			sl = &backup
 		} else {
 			task.SnapshotDescription.Dest = stagingDir
-			snapshot := exporter.NewSnapshot(task.Instance, io, task.SnapshotDescription)
+			snapshot := exporter.NewSnapshot(ctx, task.Instance, io, task.SnapshotDescription)
 			sl = &snapshot
 		}
 
@@ -131,7 +132,7 @@ func (exporter *Exporter) MakeExport(io stream.IOStream, task ExportTask) (err e
 		// write out the log entry
 		entry.Path = stagingDir
 		entry.Packed = false
-		exporter.ExporterLogger.Add(entry)
+		exporter.ExporterLogger.Add(ctx, entry)
 
 		io.Printf("Wrote %s\n", stagingDir)
 		return nil
@@ -159,7 +160,7 @@ func (exporter *Exporter) MakeExport(io stream.IOStream, task ExportTask) (err e
 	logging.LogMessage(io, "Writing Log Entry")
 	entry.Path = archivePath
 	entry.Packed = true
-	exporter.ExporterLogger.Add(entry)
+	exporter.ExporterLogger.Add(ctx, entry)
 
 	// and we're done!
 	return nil
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/exporter/logger/logger.go b/internal/dis/component/exporter/logger/logger.go
index 7482cc5..805698a 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/exporter/logger/logger.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/exporter/logger/logger.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package logger
 
 import (
+	"context"
+
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/dis/component"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/dis/component/sql"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/models"
@@ -19,8 +21,8 @@ type Logger struct {
 // For retrieves (and prunes) the ExportLog.
 // Slug determines if entries for Backups (empty slug)
 // or a specific Instance (non-empty slug) are returned.
-func (log *Logger) For(slug string) (exports []models.Export, err error) {
-	exports, err = log.Log()
+func (log *Logger) For(ctx context.Context, slug string) (exports []models.Export, err error) {
+	exports, err = log.Log(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -31,9 +33,9 @@ func (log *Logger) For(slug string) (exports []models.Export, err error) {
 }
 
 // Log retrieves (and prunes) all entries in the snapshot log.
-func (log *Logger) Log() ([]models.Export, error) {
+func (log *Logger) Log(ctx context.Context) ([]models.Export, error) {
 	// query the table!
-	table, err := log.SQL.QueryTable(false, models.ExportTable)
+	table, err := log.SQL.QueryTable(ctx, false, models.ExportTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -63,9 +65,9 @@ func (log *Logger) Log() ([]models.Export, error) {
 }
 
 // AddToExportLog adds the provided export to the log.
-func (log *Logger) Add(export models.Export) error {
+func (log *Logger) Add(ctx context.Context, export models.Export) error {
 	// find the table
-	table, err := log.SQL.QueryTable(false, models.ExportTable)
+	table, err := log.SQL.QueryTable(ctx, false, models.ExportTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -79,7 +81,7 @@ func (log *Logger) Add(export models.Export) error {
 }
 
 // Fetch writes the SnapshotLog into the given observation
-func (logger *Logger) Fetch(flags component.FetcherFlags, target *status.Distillery) (err error) {
-	target.Backups, err = logger.For("")
+func (logger *Logger) Fetch(ctx context.Context, flags component.FetcherFlags, target *status.Distillery) (err error) {
+	target.Backups, err = logger.For(ctx, "")
 	return
 }
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/exporter/prune.go b/internal/dis/component/exporter/prune.go
index 120987f..dabae60 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/exporter/prune.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/exporter/prune.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package exporter
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"time"
 
@@ -14,7 +15,7 @@ func (exporter *Exporter) ShouldPrune(modtime time.Time) bool {
 }
 
 // Prune prunes all old exports
-func (exporter *Exporter) PruneExports(io stream.IOStream) error {
+func (exporter *Exporter) PruneExports(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) error {
 	sPath := exporter.ArchivePath()
 
 	// list all the files
@@ -50,6 +51,6 @@ func (exporter *Exporter) PruneExports(io stream.IOStream) error {
 	}
 
 	// prune the snapshot log!
-	_, err = exporter.ExporterLogger.Log()
+	_, err = exporter.ExporterLogger.Log(ctx)
 	return err
 }
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/exporter/snapshot.go b/internal/dis/component/exporter/snapshot.go
index b5442e7..5e88bc0 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/exporter/snapshot.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/exporter/snapshot.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package exporter
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"path/filepath"
@@ -44,10 +45,10 @@ type Snapshot struct {
 }
 
 // Snapshot creates a new snapshot of this instance into dest
-func (snapshots *Exporter) NewSnapshot(instance *wisski.WissKI, io stream.IOStream, desc SnapshotDescription) (snapshot Snapshot) {
+func (snapshots *Exporter) NewSnapshot(ctx context.Context, instance *wisski.WissKI, io stream.IOStream, desc SnapshotDescription) (snapshot Snapshot) {
 
 	logging.LogMessage(io, "Locking instance")
-	if !instance.Locker().TryLock() {
+	if !instance.Locker().TryLock(ctx) {
 		err := locker.Locked
 		io.EPrintln(err)
 		logging.LogMessage(io, "Aborting snapshot creation")
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ func (snapshots *Exporter) NewSnapshot(instance *wisski.WissKI, io stream.IOStre
 	}
 	defer func() {
 		logging.LogMessage(io, "Unlocking instance")
-		instance.Locker().Unlock()
+		instance.Locker().Unlock(ctx)
 	}()
 
 	// setup the snapshot
@@ -74,8 +75,8 @@ func (snapshots *Exporter) NewSnapshot(instance *wisski.WissKI, io stream.IOStre
 	logging.LogOperation(func() error {
 		snapshot.StartTime = time.Now().UTC()
 
-		snapshot.ErrWhitebox = snapshot.makeParts(io, snapshots, instance, false)
-		snapshot.ErrBlackbox = snapshot.makeParts(io, snapshots, instance, true)
+		snapshot.ErrWhitebox = snapshot.makeParts(ctx, io, snapshots, instance, false)
+		snapshot.ErrBlackbox = snapshot.makeParts(ctx, io, snapshots, instance, true)
 
 		snapshot.EndTime = time.Now().UTC()
 		return nil
@@ -85,16 +86,16 @@ func (snapshots *Exporter) NewSnapshot(instance *wisski.WissKI, io stream.IOStre
 	return
 }
 
-func (snapshot *Snapshot) makeParts(ios stream.IOStream, snapshots *Exporter, instance *wisski.WissKI, needsRunning bool) map[string]error {
+func (snapshot *Snapshot) makeParts(ctx context.Context, ios stream.IOStream, snapshots *Exporter, instance *wisski.WissKI, needsRunning bool) map[string]error {
 	if !needsRunning && !snapshot.Description.Keepalive {
 		stack := instance.Barrel().Stack()
 
 		logging.LogMessage(ios, "Stopping instance")
-		snapshot.ErrStop = stack.Down(ios)
+		snapshot.ErrStop = stack.Down(ctx, ios)
 
 		defer func() {
 			logging.LogMessage(ios, "Starting instance")
-			snapshot.ErrStart = stack.Up(ios)
+			snapshot.ErrStart = stack.Up(ctx, ios)
 		}()
 	}
 	// handle writing the manifest!
@@ -123,6 +124,7 @@ func (snapshot *Snapshot) makeParts(ios stream.IOStream, snapshots *Exporter, in
 			return sc.Snapshot(
 				instance.Instance,
 				component.NewStagingContext(
+					ctx,
 					snapshots.Environment,
 					stream.NewIOStream(writer, writer, nil, 0),
 					filepath.Join(snapshot.Description.Dest, sc.SnapshotName()),
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/fetcher.go b/internal/dis/component/fetcher.go
index 313e26f..1a9f9a7 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/fetcher.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/fetcher.go
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 package component
 
-import "github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/status"
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/status"
+)
 
 type DistilleryFetcher interface {
 	Component
@@ -11,4 +15,6 @@ type DistilleryFetcher interface {
 }
 
 // FetcherFlags describes options for a DistilleryFetcher
-type FetcherFlags struct{}
+type FetcherFlags struct {
+	Context context.Context
+}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/installable.go b/internal/dis/component/installable.go
index 33762f5..ef691b0 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/installable.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/installable.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package component
 
 import (
+	"context"
+
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/pkg/environment"
 	"github.com/tkw1536/goprogram/stream"
 )
@@ -40,5 +42,5 @@ type Updatable interface {
 	// It may send output to the provided stream.
 	//
 	// Updating should be idempotent, meaning running it multiple times must not break the existing system.
-	Update(stream stream.IOStream) error
+	Update(ctx context.Context, stream stream.IOStream) error
 }
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/instances/instances.go b/internal/dis/component/instances/instances.go
index e80f62f..cda119c 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/instances/instances.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/instances/instances.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package instances
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"path/filepath"
 
@@ -42,13 +43,13 @@ func (instances *Instances) use(wisski *wisski.WissKI) {
 
 // WissKI returns the WissKI with the provided slug, if it exists.
 // It the WissKI does not exist, returns ErrWissKINotFound.
-func (instances *Instances) WissKI(slug string) (wissKI *wisski.WissKI, err error) {
+func (instances *Instances) WissKI(ctx context.Context, slug string) (wissKI *wisski.WissKI, err error) {
 	sql := instances.SQL
-	if err := sql.WaitQueryTable(); err != nil {
+	if err := sql.WaitQueryTable(ctx); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	table, err := sql.QueryTable(false, models.InstanceTable)
+	table, err := sql.QueryTable(ctx, false, models.InstanceTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -72,8 +73,8 @@ func (instances *Instances) WissKI(slug string) (wissKI *wisski.WissKI, err erro
 
 // Instance is a convenience function to return an instance based on a model slug.
 // When the instance does not exist, returns nil.
-func (instances *Instances) Instance(instance models.Instance) *wisski.WissKI {
-	wissKI, err := instances.WissKI(instance.Slug)
+func (instances *Instances) Instance(ctx context.Context, instance models.Instance) *wisski.WissKI {
+	wissKI, err := instances.WissKI(ctx, instance.Slug)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -82,13 +83,13 @@ func (instances *Instances) Instance(instance models.Instance) *wisski.WissKI {
 
 // Has checks if a WissKI with the provided slug exists inside the database.
 // It does not perform any checks on the WissKI itself.
-func (instances *Instances) Has(slug string) (ok bool, err error) {
+func (instances *Instances) Has(ctx context.Context, slug string) (ok bool, err error) {
 	sql := instances.SQL
-	if err := sql.WaitQueryTable(); err != nil {
+	if err := sql.WaitQueryTable(ctx); err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
 
-	table, err := sql.QueryTable(false, models.InstanceTable)
+	table, err := sql.QueryTable(ctx, false, models.InstanceTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
@@ -103,37 +104,37 @@ func (instances *Instances) Has(slug string) (ok bool, err error) {
 // All returns all instances of the WissKI Distillery in consistent order.
 //
 // There is no guarantee that this order remains identical between different api releases; however subsequent invocations are guaranteed to return the same order.
-func (instances *Instances) All() ([]*wisski.WissKI, error) {
-	return instances.find(true, func(table *gorm.DB) *gorm.DB {
+func (instances *Instances) All(ctx context.Context) ([]*wisski.WissKI, error) {
+	return instances.find(ctx, true, func(table *gorm.DB) *gorm.DB {
 		return table
 	})
 }
 
 // WissKIs returns the WissKI instances with the provides slugs.
 // If a slug does not exist, it is omitted from the result.
-func (instances *Instances) WissKIs(slugs ...string) ([]*wisski.WissKI, error) {
-	return instances.find(true, func(table *gorm.DB) *gorm.DB {
+func (instances *Instances) WissKIs(ctx context.Context, slugs ...string) ([]*wisski.WissKI, error) {
+	return instances.find(ctx, true, func(table *gorm.DB) *gorm.DB {
 		return table.Where("slug IN ?", slugs)
 	})
 }
 
 // Load is like All, except that when no slugs are provided, it calls All.
-func (instances *Instances) Load(slugs ...string) ([]*wisski.WissKI, error) {
+func (instances *Instances) Load(ctx context.Context, slugs ...string) ([]*wisski.WissKI, error) {
 	if len(slugs) == 0 {
-		return instances.All()
+		return instances.All(ctx)
 	}
-	return instances.WissKIs(slugs...)
+	return instances.WissKIs(ctx, slugs...)
 }
 
 // find finds instances based on the provided query
-func (instances *Instances) find(order bool, query func(table *gorm.DB) *gorm.DB) (results []*wisski.WissKI, err error) {
+func (instances *Instances) find(ctx context.Context, order bool, query func(table *gorm.DB) *gorm.DB) (results []*wisski.WissKI, err error) {
 	sql := instances.SQL
-	if err := sql.WaitQueryTable(); err != nil {
+	if err := sql.WaitQueryTable(ctx); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	// open the bookkeeping table
-	table, err := sql.QueryTable(false, models.InstanceTable)
+	table, err := sql.QueryTable(ctx, false, models.InstanceTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/instances/runtime.go b/internal/dis/component/instances/runtime.go
index 554db5c..96f6864 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/instances/runtime.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/instances/runtime.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package instances
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"embed"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/pkg/unpack"
@@ -19,7 +20,7 @@ var errBootstrapFailedRuntime = exit.Error{
 var runtimeResources embed.FS
 
 // Update installs or updates runtime components needed by this component.
-func (instances *Instances) Update(stream stream.IOStream) error {
+func (instances *Instances) Update(ctx context.Context, stream stream.IOStream) error {
 	err := unpack.InstallDir(instances.Still.Environment, instances.Config.RuntimeDir(), "runtime", runtimeResources, func(dst, src string) {
 		stream.Printf("[copy]  %s\n", dst)
 	})
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/meta/provision.go b/internal/dis/component/meta/provision.go
index e05e304..1abe63b 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/meta/provision.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/meta/provision.go
@@ -1,14 +1,18 @@
 package meta
 
-import "github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/models"
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/models"
+)
 
 // Provision provisions new meta storage for this instance.
 // NOTE(twiesing): This is a no-op, because we implement Purge.
-func (meta *Meta) Provision(instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
+func (meta *Meta) Provision(ctx context.Context, instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
 // Purge purges the storage for the given instance.
-func (meta *Meta) Purge(instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
-	return meta.Storage(instance.Slug).Purge()
+func (meta *Meta) Purge(ctx context.Context, instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
+	return meta.Storage(instance.Slug).Purge(ctx)
 }
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/meta/storage.go b/internal/dis/component/meta/storage.go
index 095603b..c0a5321 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/meta/storage.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/meta/storage.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package meta
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 
@@ -24,8 +25,8 @@ type Storage struct {
 
 // Get retrieves metadata with the provided key and deserializes the first one into target.
 // If no metadatum exists, returns [ErrMetadatumNotSet].
-func (s Storage) Get(key Key, target any) error {
-	table, err := s.sql.QueryTable(true, models.MetadataTable)
+func (s Storage) Get(ctx context.Context, key Key, target any) error {
+	table, err := s.sql.QueryTable(ctx, true, models.MetadataTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -53,8 +54,8 @@ func (s Storage) Get(key Key, target any) error {
 // The function is intended to return a target for deserialization.
 //
 // When no metadatum exists, targets is not called, and nil error is returned.
-func (s Storage) GetAll(key Key, target func(index, total int) any) error {
-	table, err := s.sql.QueryTable(true, models.MetadataTable)
+func (s Storage) GetAll(ctx context.Context, key Key, target func(index, total int) any) error {
+	table, err := s.sql.QueryTable(ctx, true, models.MetadataTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -80,8 +81,8 @@ func (s Storage) GetAll(key Key, target func(index, total int) any) error {
 }
 
 // Delete deletes all metadata with the provided key.
-func (s Storage) Delete(key Key) error {
-	table, err := s.sql.QueryTable(true, models.MetadataTable)
+func (s Storage) Delete(ctx context.Context, key Key) error {
+	table, err := s.sql.QueryTable(ctx, true, models.MetadataTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -96,8 +97,8 @@ func (s Storage) Delete(key Key) error {
 
 // Set serializes value and stores it with the provided key.
 // Any other metadata with the same key is deleted.
-func (s Storage) Set(key Key, value any) error {
-	table, err := s.sql.QueryTable(true, models.MetadataTable)
+func (s Storage) Set(ctx context.Context, key Key, value any) error {
+	table, err := s.sql.QueryTable(ctx, true, models.MetadataTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -131,8 +132,8 @@ func (s Storage) Set(key Key, value any) error {
 
 // Set serializes values and stores them with the provided key.
 // Any other metadata with the same key is deleted.
-func (s Storage) SetAll(key Key, values ...any) error {
-	table, err := s.sql.QueryTable(true, models.MetadataTable)
+func (s Storage) SetAll(ctx context.Context, key Key, values ...any) error {
+	table, err := s.sql.QueryTable(ctx, true, models.MetadataTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -165,8 +166,8 @@ func (s Storage) SetAll(key Key, values ...any) error {
 }
 
 // Purge removes all metadata, regardless of key.
-func (s Storage) Purge() error {
-	table, err := s.sql.QueryTable(true, models.MetadataTable)
+func (s Storage) Purge(ctx context.Context) error {
+	table, err := s.sql.QueryTable(ctx, true, models.MetadataTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -181,22 +182,22 @@ func (s Storage) Purge() error {
 // TypedKey represents a convenience wrapper for a given with a given value.
 type TypedKey[Value any] Key
 
-func (f TypedKey[Value]) Get(s *Storage) (value Value, err error) {
-	err = s.Get(Key(f), &value)
+func (f TypedKey[Value]) Get(ctx context.Context, s *Storage) (value Value, err error) {
+	err = s.Get(ctx, Key(f), &value)
 	return
 }
 
-func (f TypedKey[Value]) GetOrSet(s *Storage, dflt Value) (value Value, err error) {
-	value, err = f.Get(s)
+func (f TypedKey[Value]) GetOrSet(ctx context.Context, s *Storage, dflt Value) (value Value, err error) {
+	value, err = f.Get(ctx, s)
 	if err == ErrMetadatumNotSet {
 		value = dflt
-		err = f.Set(s, value)
+		err = f.Set(ctx, s, value)
 	}
 	return
 }
 
-func (f TypedKey[Value]) GetAll(m *Storage) (values []Value, err error) {
-	err = m.GetAll(Key(f), func(index, total int) any {
+func (f TypedKey[Value]) GetAll(ctx context.Context, m *Storage) (values []Value, err error) {
+	err = m.GetAll(ctx, Key(f), func(index, total int) any {
 		if values == nil {
 			values = make([]Value, total)
 		}
@@ -205,14 +206,14 @@ func (f TypedKey[Value]) GetAll(m *Storage) (values []Value, err error) {
 	return values, err
 }
 
-func (f TypedKey[Value]) Set(m *Storage, value Value) error {
-	return m.Set(Key(f), value)
+func (f TypedKey[Value]) Set(ctx context.Context, m *Storage, value Value) error {
+	return m.Set(ctx, Key(f), value)
 }
 
-func (f TypedKey[Value]) SetAll(m *Storage, values ...Value) error {
-	return m.SetAll(Key(f), collection.AsAny(values)...)
+func (f TypedKey[Value]) SetAll(ctx context.Context, m *Storage, values ...Value) error {
+	return m.SetAll(ctx, Key(f), collection.AsAny(values)...)
 }
 
-func (f TypedKey[Value]) Delete(m *Storage) error {
-	return m.Delete(Key(f))
+func (f TypedKey[Value]) Delete(ctx context.Context, m *Storage) error {
+	return m.Delete(ctx, Key(f))
 }
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/provision.go b/internal/dis/component/provision.go
index eff75fd..98ebaed 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/provision.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/provision.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package component
 
 import (
+	"context"
+
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/models"
 )
 
@@ -10,9 +12,9 @@ type Provisionable interface {
 
 	// Provision provisions resources specific to the provided instance.
 	// Domain holds the full (unique) domain name of the given instance.
-	Provision(instance models.Instance, domain string) error
+	Provision(ctx context.Context, instance models.Instance, domain string) error
 
 	// Purge purges resources specific to the provided instance.
 	// Domain holds the full (unique) domain name of the given instance.
-	Purge(instance models.Instance, domain string) error
+	Purge(ctx context.Context, instance models.Instance, domain string) error
 }
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/resolver/prefixes.go b/internal/dis/component/resolver/prefixes.go
index 1e90b1a..9b6d0cc 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/resolver/prefixes.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/resolver/prefixes.go
@@ -9,20 +9,34 @@ import (
 )
 
 // updatePrefixes starts updating prefixes
-func (resolver *Resolver) updatePrefixes(io stream.IOStream, ctx context.Context) {
+func (resolver *Resolver) updatePrefixes(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) {
 	go func() {
 		for t := range timex.TickContext(ctx, resolver.RefreshInterval) {
 			io.Printf("[%s]: reloading prefixes\n", t.Format(time.Stamp))
-			prefixes, _ := resolver.AllPrefixes()
-			resolver.prefixes.Set(prefixes)
+
+			err := (func() (err error) {
+				ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, resolver.RefreshInterval)
+				defer cancel()
+
+				prefixes, err := resolver.AllPrefixes(ctx)
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+
+				resolver.prefixes.Set(prefixes)
+				return nil
+			})()
+			if err != nil {
+				io.EPrintf("error reloading prefixes: ", err.Error())
+			}
 		}
 	}()
 }
 
 // AllPrefixes returns a list of all prefixes from the server.
 // Prefixes may be cached on the server
-func (resolver *Resolver) AllPrefixes() (map[string]string, error) {
-	instances, err := resolver.Instances.All()
+func (resolver *Resolver) AllPrefixes(ctx context.Context) (map[string]string, error) {
+	instances, err := resolver.Instances.All(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -37,7 +51,7 @@ func (resolver *Resolver) AllPrefixes() (map[string]string, error) {
 
 		// failed to fetch prefixes for this particular instance
 		// => skip it!
-		prefixes, err := instance.Prefixes().AllCached()
+		prefixes, err := instance.Prefixes().AllCached(ctx)
 		if err != nil {
 			lastErr = err
 			continue
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/resolver/resolver.go b/internal/dis/component/resolver/resolver.go
index 51d019c..e6cccd9 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/resolver/resolver.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/resolver/resolver.go
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ type Resolver struct {
 
 func (resolver *Resolver) Routes() []string { return []string{"/go/", "/wisski/get/"} }
 
-func (resolver *Resolver) Handler(route string, context context.Context, io stream.IOStream) (http.Handler, error) {
+func (resolver *Resolver) Handler(ctx context.Context, route string, io stream.IOStream) (http.Handler, error) {
 	var err error
 	return resolver.handler.Get(func() (p wdresolve.ResolveHandler) {
 		p.TrustXForwardedProto = true
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func (resolver *Resolver) Handler(route string, context context.Context, io stre
 		}
 
 		// start updating prefixes
-		resolver.updatePrefixes(io, context)
+		resolver.updatePrefixes(ctx, io)
 
 		// resolve the prefixes
 		p.Resolver = resolvers.InOrder{
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/server.go b/internal/dis/component/server.go
index 62b4a39..c353883 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/server.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/server.go
@@ -15,5 +15,5 @@ type Servable interface {
 	Routes() []string
 
 	// Handler returns the handler for the requested route
-	Handler(route string, context context.Context, io stream.IOStream) (http.Handler, error)
+	Handler(ctx context.Context, route string, io stream.IOStream) (http.Handler, error)
 }
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/solr/solr.go b/internal/dis/component/solr/solr.go
index ea0a66b..2c23c59 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/solr/solr.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/solr/solr.go
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package solr
 
 import (
-	"context"
 	"embed"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"time"
@@ -15,8 +14,7 @@ type Solr struct {
 
 	BaseURL string // upstream solr url
 
-	PollContext  context.Context // context to abort polling with
-	PollInterval time.Duration   // duration to wait for during wait
+	PollInterval time.Duration // duration to wait for during wait
 }
 
 func (s *Solr) Path() string {
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/sql/backup.go b/internal/dis/component/sql/backup.go
index e654562..38a6685 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/sql/backup.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/sql/backup.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package sql
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"io"
 
@@ -14,10 +15,10 @@ func (*SQL) BackupName() string {
 }
 
 // Backup makes a backup of all SQL databases into the path dest.
-func (sql *SQL) Backup(context component.StagingContext) error {
-	return context.AddFile("", func(file io.Writer) error {
-		io := context.IO().Streams(file, nil, nil, 0).NonInteractive()
-		code, err := sql.Stack(sql.Environment).Exec(io, "sql", "mysqldump", "--all-databases")
+func (sql *SQL) Backup(scontext component.StagingContext) error {
+	return scontext.AddFile("", func(ctx context.Context, file io.Writer) error {
+		io := scontext.IO().Streams(file, nil, nil, 0).NonInteractive()
+		code, err := sql.Stack(sql.Environment).Exec(ctx, io, "sql", "mysqldump", "--all-databases")
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/sql/connect.go b/internal/dis/component/sql/connect.go
index 7d63f82..84e7fe4 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/sql/connect.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/sql/connect.go
@@ -40,20 +40,12 @@ func (sql *SQL) Exec(query string, args ...interface{}) error {
 	}
 }
 
-// WaitExec waits for the query interface to be able to connect to the database
-func (sql *SQL) WaitExec() error {
-	return timex.TickUntilFunc(func(time.Time) bool {
-		err := sql.Exec("select 1;")
-		return err == nil
-	}, sql.PollContext, sql.PollInterval)
-}
-
 //
 // ========== connection via gorm ==========
 //
 
 // QueryTable returns a gorm.DB to connect to the provided distillery database table
-func (sql *SQL) QueryTable(silent bool, table string) (*gorm.DB, error) {
+func (sql *SQL) QueryTable(ctx context.Context, silent bool, table string) (*gorm.DB, error) {
 	conn, err := sql.connect(sql.Config.DistilleryDatabase)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -79,7 +71,7 @@ func (sql *SQL) QueryTable(silent bool, table string) (*gorm.DB, error) {
 	}
 
 	// set the table
-	db = db.Table(table)
+	db = db.WithContext(ctx).Table(table)
 
 	// check that nothing went wrong
 	if db.Error != nil {
@@ -89,12 +81,12 @@ func (sql *SQL) QueryTable(silent bool, table string) (*gorm.DB, error) {
 }
 
 // WaitQueryTable waits for a connection to succeed via QueryTable
-func (sql *SQL) WaitQueryTable() error {
+func (sql *SQL) WaitQueryTable(ctx context.Context) error {
 	// TODO: Establish a convention on when to wait for this!
 	return timex.TickUntilFunc(func(time.Time) bool {
-		_, err := sql.QueryTable(true, models.InstanceTable)
+		_, err := sql.QueryTable(ctx, true, models.InstanceTable)
 		return err == nil
-	}, sql.PollContext, sql.PollInterval)
+	}, ctx, sql.PollInterval)
 }
 
 //
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/sql/provision.go b/internal/dis/component/sql/provision.go
index ba1a43f..d051967 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/sql/provision.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/sql/provision.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package sql
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"errors"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/models"
@@ -12,15 +13,15 @@ var errProvisionInvalidDatabaseParams = errors.New("Provision: Invalid parameter
 var errProvisionInvalidGrant = errors.New("Provision: Grant failed")
 
 // Provision provisions sql-specific resource for the given instance
-func (sql *SQL) Provision(instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
-	return sql.CreateDatabase(instance.SqlDatabase, instance.SqlUsername, instance.SqlPassword)
+func (sql *SQL) Provision(ctx context.Context, instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
+	return sql.CreateDatabase(ctx, instance.SqlDatabase, instance.SqlUsername, instance.SqlPassword)
 }
 
 // Purge purges sql-specific resources for the given instance
-func (sql *SQL) Purge(instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
+func (sql *SQL) Purge(ctx context.Context, instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
 	return errorx.First(
 		sql.PurgeDatabase(instance.SqlDatabase),
-		sql.PurgeUser(instance.SqlUsername),
+		sql.PurgeUser(ctx, instance.SqlUsername),
 	)
 }
 
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ func (sql *SQL) Purge(instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
 // It then generates a new user, with the name 'user' and the password 'password', that is then granted access to this database.
 //
 // Provision internally waits for the database to become available.
-func (sql *SQL) CreateDatabase(name, user, password string) error {
+func (sql *SQL) CreateDatabase(ctx context.Context, name, user, password string) error {
 
 	// NOTE(twiesing): We shouldn't use string concat to build sql queries.
 	// But the driver doesn't support using query params for this particular query.
@@ -43,14 +44,14 @@ func (sql *SQL) CreateDatabase(name, user, password string) error {
 	// Queries of the form "CREATE USER 'test'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY 'test'; FLUSH PRIVILEGES;" return error 1064 when using driver, but are fine with the shell.
 	// This should be fixed eventually, but I have no idea how.
 
-	if err := sql.unsafeWaitShell(); err != nil {
+	if err := sql.unsafeWaitShell(ctx); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	query := "CREATE DATABASE `" + name + "`;" +
 		"CREATE USER '" + user + "'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY '" + password + "';" +
 		"GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON `" + name + "`.* TO `" + user + "`@`%`; FLUSH PRIVILEGES;"
-	if !sql.unsafeQueryShell(query) {
+	if !sql.unsafeQueryShell(ctx, query) {
 		return errProvisionInvalidGrant
 	}
 
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ var errCreateSuperuserGrant = errors.New("CreateSuperUser: Grant failed")
 // It then grants this user superuser status in the database.
 //
 // CreateSuperuser internally waits for the database to become available.
-func (sql *SQL) CreateSuperuser(user, password string, allowExisting bool) error {
+func (sql *SQL) CreateSuperuser(ctx context.Context, user, password string, allowExisting bool) error {
 	// NOTE(twiesing): This function unsafely uses the shell directly to create a superuser.
 	// This is for two reasons:
 	// (1) this is used during bootstraping
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ func (sql *SQL) CreateSuperuser(user, password string, allowExisting bool) error
 		return errProvisionInvalidDatabaseParams
 	}
 
-	if err := sql.unsafeWaitShell(); err != nil {
+	if err := sql.unsafeWaitShell(ctx); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -85,7 +86,7 @@ func (sql *SQL) CreateSuperuser(user, password string, allowExisting bool) error
 
 	query := "CREATE USER " + IfNotExists + " '" + user + "'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY '" + password + "';" +
 		"GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* TO '" + user + "'@'%' WITH GRANT OPTION; FLUSH PRIVILEGES;"
-	if !sql.unsafeQueryShell(query) {
+	if !sql.unsafeQueryShell(ctx, query) {
 		return errCreateSuperuserGrant
 	}
 
@@ -95,14 +96,14 @@ func (sql *SQL) CreateSuperuser(user, password string, allowExisting bool) error
 var errPurgeUser = errors.New("PurgeUser: Failed to drop user")
 
 // SQLPurgeUser deletes the specified user from the database
-func (sql *SQL) PurgeUser(user string) error {
+func (sql *SQL) PurgeUser(ctx context.Context, user string) error {
 	if !sqle.IsSafeDatabaseSingleQuote(user) {
 		return errPurgeUser
 	}
 
 	query := "DROP USER IF EXISTS '" + user + "'@'%';" +
 		"FLUSH PRIVILEGES;"
-	if !sql.unsafeQueryShell(query) {
+	if !sql.unsafeQueryShell(ctx, query) {
 		return errPurgeUser
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/sql/snapshot.go b/internal/dis/component/sql/snapshot.go
index 195f910..118adc0 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/sql/snapshot.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/sql/snapshot.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package sql
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"io"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/dis/component"
@@ -12,19 +13,19 @@ func (*SQL) SnapshotNeedsRunning() bool { return false }
 
 func (*SQL) SnapshotName() string { return "sql" }
 
-func (sql *SQL) Snapshot(wisski models.Instance, context component.StagingContext) error {
-	return context.AddDirectory(".", func() error {
-		return context.AddFile(wisski.SqlDatabase+".sql", func(file io.Writer) error {
-			return sql.SnapshotDB(context.IO(), file, wisski.SqlDatabase)
+func (sql *SQL) Snapshot(wisski models.Instance, scontext component.StagingContext) error {
+	return scontext.AddDirectory(".", func(ctx context.Context) error {
+		return scontext.AddFile(wisski.SqlDatabase+".sql", func(ctx context.Context, file io.Writer) error {
+			return sql.SnapshotDB(ctx, scontext.IO(), file, wisski.SqlDatabase)
 		})
 	})
 }
 
 // SnapshotDB makes a backup of the sql database into dest.
-func (sql *SQL) SnapshotDB(io stream.IOStream, dest io.Writer, database string) error {
+func (sql *SQL) SnapshotDB(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream, dest io.Writer, database string) error {
 	io = io.Streams(dest, nil, nil, 0).NonInteractive()
 
-	code, err := sql.Stack(sql.Environment).Exec(io, "sql", "mysqldump", "--databases", database)
+	code, err := sql.Stack(sql.Environment).Exec(ctx, io, "sql", "mysqldump", "--databases", database)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/sql/sql.go b/internal/dis/component/sql/sql.go
index 8f4506c..e50e958 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/sql/sql.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/sql/sql.go
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package sql
 
 import (
-	"context"
 	"embed"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"time"
@@ -16,8 +15,7 @@ type SQL struct {
 
 	ServerURL string // upstream server url
 
-	PollContext  context.Context // context to abort polling with
-	PollInterval time.Duration   // duration to wait for during wait
+	PollInterval time.Duration // duration to wait for during wait
 
 	lazyNetwork lazy.Lazy[string]
 }
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/sql/update.go b/internal/dis/component/sql/update.go
index 63fe7c9..56cd059 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/sql/update.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/sql/update.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package sql
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"time"
@@ -16,22 +17,22 @@ import (
 // Shell runs a mysql shell with the provided databases.
 //
 // NOTE(twiesing): This command should not be used to connect to the database or execute queries except in known situations.
-func (sql *SQL) Shell(io stream.IOStream, argv ...string) (int, error) {
-	return sql.Stack(sql.Environment).Exec(io, "sql", "mysql", argv...)
+func (sql *SQL) Shell(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream, argv ...string) (int, error) {
+	return sql.Stack(sql.Environment).Exec(ctx, io, "sql", "mysql", argv...)
 }
 
 // unsafeWaitShell waits for a connection via the database shell to succeed
-func (sql *SQL) unsafeWaitShell() error {
+func (sql *SQL) unsafeWaitShell(ctx context.Context) error {
 	n := stream.FromNil()
 	return timex.TickUntilFunc(func(time.Time) bool {
-		code, err := sql.Shell(n, "-e", "select 1;")
+		code, err := sql.Shell(ctx, n, "-e", "select 1;")
 		return err == nil && code == 0
-	}, sql.PollContext, sql.PollInterval)
+	}, ctx, sql.PollInterval)
 }
 
 // unsafeQuery shell executes a raw database query.
-func (sql *SQL) unsafeQueryShell(query string) bool {
-	code, err := sql.Shell(stream.FromNil(), "-e", query)
+func (sql *SQL) unsafeQueryShell(ctx context.Context, query string) bool {
+	code, err := sql.Shell(ctx, stream.FromNil(), "-e", query)
 	return err == nil && code == 0
 }
 
@@ -43,18 +44,18 @@ var errSQLUnableToMigrate = exit.Error{
 }
 
 // Update initializes or updates the SQL database.
-func (sql *SQL) Update(io stream.IOStream) error {
+func (sql *SQL) Update(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) error {
 
 	// unsafely create the admin user!
 	{
-		if err := sql.unsafeWaitShell(); err != nil {
+		if err := sql.unsafeWaitShell(ctx); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 		logging.LogMessage(io, "Creating administrative user")
 		{
 			username := sql.Config.MysqlAdminUser
 			password := sql.Config.MysqlAdminPassword
-			if err := sql.CreateSuperuser(username, password, true); err != nil {
+			if err := sql.CreateSuperuser(ctx, username, password, true); err != nil {
 				return errSQLUnableToCreateUser
 			}
 		}
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ func (sql *SQL) Update(io stream.IOStream) error {
 
 	// wait for the database to come up
 	logging.LogMessage(io, "Waiting for database update to be complete")
-	sql.WaitQueryTable()
+	sql.WaitQueryTable(ctx)
 
 	tables := []struct {
 		name  string
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ func (sql *SQL) Update(io stream.IOStream) error {
 	return logging.LogOperation(func() error {
 		for _, table := range tables {
 			logging.LogMessage(io, "migrating %q table", table.name)
-			db, err := sql.QueryTable(false, table.table)
+			db, err := sql.QueryTable(ctx, false, table.table)
 			if err != nil {
 				return errSQLUnableToMigrate.WithMessageF(table.name, "unable to access table")
 			}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/ssh2/server_auth.go b/internal/dis/component/ssh2/server_auth.go
index afa1cf7..882139a 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/ssh2/server_auth.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/ssh2/server_auth.go
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func (ssh2 *SSH2) handleAuth(ctx ssh.Context, key ssh.PublicKey) bool {
 
 		// grab permissions for each instance
 		{
-			instances, err := ssh2.Instances.All()
+			instances, err := ssh2.Instances.All(ctx)
 			if err != nil {
 				return false
 			}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/stack.go b/internal/dis/component/stack.go
index 932051d..19264f5 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/stack.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/stack.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ package component
 import (
 	"bufio"
 	"bytes"
+	"context"
 	"io/fs"
 	"path/filepath"
 
@@ -33,9 +34,9 @@ var errStackUpdateBuild = errors.New("Stack.Update: Build returned non-zero exit
 // This does not have a direct 'docker compose' shell equivalent.
 //
 // See also Up.
-func (ds Stack) Update(io stream.IOStream, start bool) error {
+func (ds Stack) Update(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream, start bool) error {
 	{
-		code, err := ds.compose(io, "pull")
+		code, err := ds.compose(ctx, io, "pull")
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ func (ds Stack) Update(io stream.IOStream, start bool) error {
 	}
 
 	{
-		code, err := ds.compose(io, "build", "--pull")
+		code, err := ds.compose(ctx, io, "build", "--pull")
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ func (ds Stack) Update(io stream.IOStream, start bool) error {
 		}
 	}
 	if start {
-		return ds.Up(io)
+		return ds.Up(ctx, io)
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -63,8 +64,8 @@ var errStackUp = errors.New("Stack.Up: Up returned non-zero exit code")
 
 // Up creates and starts the containers in this Stack.
 // It is equivalent to 'docker compose up --remove-orphans --detach' on the shell.
-func (ds Stack) Up(io stream.IOStream) error {
-	code, err := ds.compose(io, "up", "--remove-orphans", "--detach")
+func (ds Stack) Up(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) error {
+	code, err := ds.compose(ctx, io, "up", "--remove-orphans", "--detach")
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ func (ds Stack) Up(io stream.IOStream) error {
 // It is equivalent to 'docker compose exec $service $executable $args...'.
 //
 // It returns the exit code of the process.
-func (ds Stack) Exec(io stream.IOStream, service, executable string, args ...string) (int, error) {
+func (ds Stack) Exec(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream, service, executable string, args ...string) (int, error) {
 	compose := []string{"exec"}
 	if io.StdinIsATerminal() {
 		compose = append(compose, "-ti")
@@ -86,14 +87,14 @@ func (ds Stack) Exec(io stream.IOStream, service, executable string, args ...str
 	compose = append(compose, service)
 	compose = append(compose, executable)
 	compose = append(compose, args...)
-	return ds.compose(io, compose...)
+	return ds.compose(ctx, io, compose...)
 }
 
 // Run runs a command in a running container with the given executable.
 // It is equivalent to 'docker compose run [--rm] $service $executable $args...'.
 //
 // It returns the exit code of the process.
-func (ds Stack) Run(io stream.IOStream, autoRemove bool, service, command string, args ...string) (int, error) {
+func (ds Stack) Run(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream, autoRemove bool, service, command string, args ...string) (int, error) {
 	compose := []string{"run"}
 	if autoRemove {
 		compose = append(compose, "--rm")
@@ -104,7 +105,7 @@ func (ds Stack) Run(io stream.IOStream, autoRemove bool, service, command string
 	compose = append(compose, service, command)
 	compose = append(compose, args...)
 
-	code, err := ds.compose(io, compose...)
+	code, err := ds.compose(ctx, io, compose...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return environment.ExecCommandError, nil
 	}
@@ -115,8 +116,8 @@ var errStackRestart = errors.New("Stack.Restart: Restart returned non-zero exit
 
 // Restart restarts all containers in this Stack.
 // It is equivalent to 'docker compose restart' on the shell.
-func (ds Stack) Restart(io stream.IOStream) error {
-	code, err := ds.compose(io, "restart")
+func (ds Stack) Restart(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) error {
+	code, err := ds.compose(ctx, io, "restart")
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -129,12 +130,12 @@ func (ds Stack) Restart(io stream.IOStream) error {
 var errStackPs = errors.New("Stack.Ps: Down returned non-zero exit code")
 
 // Ps returns the ids of the containers currently running
-func (ds Stack) Ps(io stream.IOStream) ([]string, error) {
+func (ds Stack) Ps(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) ([]string, error) {
 	// create a buffer
 	var buffer bytes.Buffer
 
 	// read the ids from the command!
-	code, err := ds.compose(io.Streams(&buffer, nil, nil, 0), "ps", "-q")
+	code, err := ds.compose(ctx, io.Streams(&buffer, nil, nil, 0), "ps", "-q")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -162,8 +163,8 @@ var errStackDown = errors.New("Stack.Down: Down returned non-zero exit code")
 
 // Down stops and removes all containers in this Stack.
 // It is equivalent to 'docker compose down -v' on the shell.
-func (ds Stack) Down(io stream.IOStream) error {
-	code, err := ds.compose(io, "down", "-v")
+func (ds Stack) Down(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) error {
+	code, err := ds.compose(ctx, io, "down", "-v")
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -177,7 +178,7 @@ func (ds Stack) Down(io stream.IOStream) error {
 //
 // NOTE(twiesing): Check if this can be replaced by an internal call to libcompose.
 // But probably not.
-func (ds Stack) compose(io stream.IOStream, args ...string) (int, error) {
+func (ds Stack) compose(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream, args ...string) (int, error) {
 	if ds.DockerExecutable == "" {
 		var err error
 		ds.DockerExecutable, err = ds.Env.LookPathAbs("docker")
@@ -185,7 +186,7 @@ func (ds Stack) compose(io stream.IOStream, args ...string) (int, error) {
 			return environment.ExecCommandError, err
 		}
 	}
-	return ds.Env.Exec(io, ds.Dir, ds.DockerExecutable, append([]string{"compose"}, args...)...), nil
+	return ds.Env.Exec(ctx, io, ds.Dir, ds.DockerExecutable, append([]string{"compose"}, args...)...), nil
 }
 
 // StackWithResources represents a Stack that can be automatically installed from a set of resources.
@@ -218,7 +219,7 @@ type InstallationContext map[string]string
 //
 // Installation is non-interactive, but will provide debugging output onto io.
 // InstallationContext
-func (is StackWithResources) Install(io stream.IOStream, context InstallationContext) error {
+func (is StackWithResources) Install(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream, context InstallationContext) error {
 	env := is.Stack.Env
 	if is.ContextPath != "" {
 		// setup the base files
@@ -277,7 +278,7 @@ func (is StackWithResources) Install(io stream.IOStream, context InstallationCon
 
 		// copy over file from context
 		io.Printf("[copy]    %s (from %s)\n", dst, src)
-		if err := fsx.CopyFile(env, dst, src); err != nil {
+		if err := fsx.CopyFile(ctx, env, dst, src); err != nil {
 			return errors.Wrapf(err, "Unable to copy file %s", src)
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/triplestore/backup.go b/internal/dis/component/triplestore/backup.go
index de90a32..01096b1 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/triplestore/backup.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/triplestore/backup.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package triplestore
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"io"
 
@@ -10,19 +11,17 @@ import (
 func (ts *Triplestore) BackupName() string { return "triplestore" }
 
 // Backup makes a backup of all Triplestore repositories databases into the path dest.
-func (ts *Triplestore) Backup(context component.StagingContext) error {
+func (ts *Triplestore) Backup(scontext component.StagingContext) error {
+	return scontext.AddDirectory("", func(ctx context.Context) error {
+		// list all the directories
+		repos, err := ts.listRepositories(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
 
-	// list all the directories
-	repos, err := ts.listRepositories()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	// then backup each file separatly
-	return context.AddDirectory("", func() error {
 		for _, repo := range repos {
-			if err := context.AddFile(repo.ID+".nq", func(file io.Writer) error {
-				_, err := ts.SnapshotDB(file, repo.ID)
+			if err := scontext.AddFile(repo.ID+".nq", func(ctx context.Context, file io.Writer) error {
+				_, err := ts.SnapshotDB(ctx, file, repo.ID)
 				return err
 			}); err != nil {
 				return err
@@ -32,8 +31,8 @@ func (ts *Triplestore) Backup(context component.StagingContext) error {
 	})
 }
 
-func (ts Triplestore) listRepositories() (repos []Repository, err error) {
-	res, err := ts.OpenRaw("GET", "/rest/repositories", nil, "", "application/json")
+func (ts Triplestore) listRepositories(ctx context.Context) (repos []Repository, err error) {
+	res, err := ts.OpenRaw(ctx, "GET", "/rest/repositories", nil, "", "application/json")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/triplestore/database.go b/internal/dis/component/triplestore/database.go
index 33b19cd..21f1e0f 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/triplestore/database.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/triplestore/database.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package triplestore
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"io"
 	"mime/multipart"
@@ -30,7 +31,7 @@ type TriplestoreUserAppSettings struct {
 //
 // When bodyName is non-empty, expect body to be a byte slice representing a multipart/form-data upload with the given name.
 // When bodyName is empty, simply marshal body as application/json
-func (ts Triplestore) OpenRaw(method, url string, body interface{}, bodyName string, accept string) (*http.Response, error) {
+func (ts Triplestore) OpenRaw(ctx context.Context, method, url string, body interface{}, bodyName string, accept string) (*http.Response, error) {
 	var reader io.Reader
 
 	var contentType string
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ func (ts Triplestore) OpenRaw(method, url string, body interface{}, bodyName str
 			DisableKeepAlives: true,
 		},
 	}
-	req, err := http.NewRequest(method, ts.BaseURL+url, reader)
+	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, method, ts.BaseURL+url, reader)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -86,23 +87,23 @@ func (ts Triplestore) OpenRaw(method, url string, body interface{}, bodyName str
 
 // Wait waits for the connection to the Triplestore to succeed.
 // This is achieved using a polling strategy.
-func (ts Triplestore) Wait() error {
+func (ts Triplestore) Wait(ctx context.Context) error {
 	n := stream.FromNil()
 	return timex.TickUntilFunc(func(time.Time) bool {
-		res, err := ts.OpenRaw("GET", "/rest/repositories", nil, "", "")
+		res, err := ts.OpenRaw(ctx, "GET", "/rest/repositories", nil, "", "")
 		n.EPrintf("[Triplestore.Wait]: %s\n", err)
 		if err != nil {
 			return false
 		}
 		defer res.Body.Close()
 		return true
-	}, ts.PollContext, ts.PollInterval)
+	}, ctx, ts.PollInterval)
 }
 
 // PurgeUser deletes the specified user from the triplestore.
 // When the user does not exist, returns no error.
-func (ts Triplestore) PurgeUser(user string) error {
-	res, err := ts.OpenRaw("DELETE", "/rest/security/users/"+user, nil, "", "")
+func (ts Triplestore) PurgeUser(ctx context.Context, user string) error {
+	res, err := ts.OpenRaw(ctx, "DELETE", "/rest/security/users/"+user, nil, "", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -114,8 +115,8 @@ func (ts Triplestore) PurgeUser(user string) error {
 
 // PurgeRepo deletes the specified repo from the triplestore.
 // When the repo does not exist, returns no error.
-func (ts Triplestore) PurgeRepo(repo string) error {
-	res, err := ts.OpenRaw("DELETE", "/rest/repositories/"+repo, nil, "", "")
+func (ts Triplestore) PurgeRepo(ctx context.Context, repo string) error {
+	res, err := ts.OpenRaw(ctx, "DELETE", "/rest/repositories/"+repo, nil, "", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/triplestore/provision.go b/internal/dis/component/triplestore/provision.go
index 47a5713..9b2c3c4 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/triplestore/provision.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/triplestore/provision.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package triplestore
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"context"
 	"net/http"
 
 	_ "embed"
@@ -20,19 +21,19 @@ var errTripleStoreFailedRepository = exit.Error{
 //go:embed create-repo.ttl
 var createRepoTTL []byte
 
-func (ts *Triplestore) Provision(instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
-	return ts.CreateRepository(instance.GraphDBRepository, domain, instance.GraphDBUsername, instance.GraphDBPassword)
+func (ts *Triplestore) Provision(ctx context.Context, instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
+	return ts.CreateRepository(ctx, instance.GraphDBRepository, domain, instance.GraphDBUsername, instance.GraphDBPassword)
 }
 
-func (ts *Triplestore) Purge(instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
+func (ts *Triplestore) Purge(ctx context.Context, instance models.Instance, domain string) error {
 	return errorx.First(
-		ts.PurgeRepo(instance.GraphDBRepository),
-		ts.PurgeUser(instance.GraphDBUsername),
+		ts.PurgeRepo(ctx, instance.GraphDBRepository),
+		ts.PurgeUser(ctx, instance.GraphDBUsername),
 	)
 }
 
-func (ts *Triplestore) CreateRepository(name, domain, user, password string) error {
-	if err := ts.Wait(); err != nil {
+func (ts *Triplestore) CreateRepository(ctx context.Context, name, domain, user, password string) error {
+	if err := ts.Wait(ctx); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ func (ts *Triplestore) CreateRepository(name, domain, user, password string) err
 
 	// do the create!
 	{
-		res, err := ts.OpenRaw("POST", "/rest/repositories", createRepo.Bytes(), "config", "")
+		res, err := ts.OpenRaw(ctx, "POST", "/rest/repositories", createRepo.Bytes(), "config", "")
 		if err != nil {
 			return errTripleStoreFailedRepository.WithMessageF(err)
 		}
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ func (ts *Triplestore) CreateRepository(name, domain, user, password string) err
 
 	// create the user and grant them access
 	{
-		res, err := ts.OpenRaw("POST", "/rest/security/users/"+user, TriplestoreUserPayload{
+		res, err := ts.OpenRaw(ctx, "POST", "/rest/security/users/"+user, TriplestoreUserPayload{
 			Password: password,
 			AppSettings: TriplestoreUserAppSettings{
 				DefaultInference:      true,
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/triplestore/snapshot.go b/internal/dis/component/triplestore/snapshot.go
index c2d395b..f2c90d4 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/triplestore/snapshot.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/triplestore/snapshot.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package triplestore
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"io"
 	"net/http"
 
@@ -13,10 +14,10 @@ func (Triplestore) SnapshotNeedsRunning() bool { return false }
 
 func (Triplestore) SnapshotName() string { return "triplestore" }
 
-func (ts *Triplestore) Snapshot(wisski models.Instance, context component.StagingContext) error {
-	return context.AddDirectory(".", func() error {
-		return context.AddFile(wisski.GraphDBRepository+".nq", func(file io.Writer) error {
-			_, err := ts.SnapshotDB(file, wisski.GraphDBRepository)
+func (ts *Triplestore) Snapshot(wisski models.Instance, scontext component.StagingContext) error {
+	return scontext.AddDirectory(".", func(ctx context.Context) error {
+		return scontext.AddFile(wisski.GraphDBRepository+".nq", func(ctx context.Context, file io.Writer) error {
+			_, err := ts.SnapshotDB(ctx, file, wisski.GraphDBRepository)
 			return err
 		})
 	})
@@ -25,8 +26,8 @@ func (ts *Triplestore) Snapshot(wisski models.Instance, context component.Stagin
 var errTSBackupWrongStatusCode = errors.New("Triplestore.Backup: Wrong status code")
 
 // SnapshotDB snapshots the provided repository into dst
-func (ts Triplestore) SnapshotDB(dst io.Writer, repo string) (int64, error) {
-	res, err := ts.OpenRaw("GET", "/repositories/"+repo+"/statements?infer=false", nil, "", "application/n-quads")
+func (ts Triplestore) SnapshotDB(ctx context.Context, dst io.Writer, repo string) (int64, error) {
+	res, err := ts.OpenRaw(ctx, "GET", "/repositories/"+repo+"/statements?infer=false", nil, "", "application/n-quads")
 	if err != nil {
 		return 0, err
 	}
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/triplestore/triplestore.go b/internal/dis/component/triplestore/triplestore.go
index fd75dc2..8631a4f 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/triplestore/triplestore.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/triplestore/triplestore.go
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package triplestore
 
 import (
-	"context"
 	"embed"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"time"
@@ -15,8 +14,7 @@ type Triplestore struct {
 
 	BaseURL string // upstream server url
 
-	PollContext  context.Context // context to abort polling with
-	PollInterval time.Duration   // duration to wait for during wait
+	PollInterval time.Duration // duration to wait for during wait
 }
 
 func (ts *Triplestore) Path() string {
diff --git a/internal/dis/component/triplestore/update.go b/internal/dis/component/triplestore/update.go
index d6aefb9..eff3c4e 100644
--- a/internal/dis/component/triplestore/update.go
+++ b/internal/dis/component/triplestore/update.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package triplestore
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
 
@@ -11,15 +12,15 @@ import (
 
 var errTriplestoreFailedSecurity = errors.New("failed to enable triplestore security: request did not succeed with HTTP 200 OK")
 
-func (ts Triplestore) Update(io stream.IOStream) error {
+func (ts Triplestore) Update(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) error {
 	logging.LogMessage(io, "Waiting for Triplestore")
-	if err := ts.Wait(); err != nil {
+	if err := ts.Wait(ctx); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	logging.LogMessage(io, "Resetting admin user password")
 	{
-		res, err := ts.OpenRaw("PUT", "/rest/security/users/"+ts.Config.TriplestoreAdminUser, TriplestoreUserPayload{
+		res, err := ts.OpenRaw(ctx, "PUT", "/rest/security/users/"+ts.Config.TriplestoreAdminUser, TriplestoreUserPayload{
 			Password: ts.Config.TriplestoreAdminPassword,
 			AppSettings: TriplestoreUserAppSettings{
 				DefaultInference:      true,
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ func (ts Triplestore) Update(io stream.IOStream) error {
 
 	logging.LogMessage(io, "Enabling Triplestore security")
 	{
-		res, err := ts.OpenRaw("POST", "/rest/security", true, "", "")
+		res, err := ts.OpenRaw(ctx, "POST", "/rest/security", true, "", "")
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("failed to enable triplestore security: %s", err)
 		}
diff --git a/internal/dis/distillery.go b/internal/dis/distillery.go
index 9f13cc2..6ce7893 100644
--- a/internal/dis/distillery.go
+++ b/internal/dis/distillery.go
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 package dis
 
 import (
-	"context"
+	"io"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
@@ -32,8 +32,8 @@ type Distillery struct {
 	// core holds the core of the distillery
 	component.Still
 
-	// internal context for the distillery
-	context context.Context
+	// Where interactive progress is displayed
+	Progress io.Writer
 
 	// Upstream holds information to connect to the various running
 	// distillery components.
@@ -54,11 +54,6 @@ type Upstream struct {
 	Solr        string
 }
 
-// Context returns a new Context belonging to this distillery
-func (dis *Distillery) Context() context.Context {
-	return dis.context
-}
-
 //
 // PUBLIC COMPONENT GETTERS
 //
@@ -110,17 +105,14 @@ func (dis *Distillery) allComponents() []initFunc {
 
 		manual(func(ts *triplestore.Triplestore) {
 			ts.BaseURL = "http://" + dis.Upstream.Triplestore
-			ts.PollContext = dis.Context()
 			ts.PollInterval = time.Second
 		}),
 		manual(func(sql *sql.SQL) {
 			sql.ServerURL = dis.Upstream.SQL
-			sql.PollContext = dis.Context()
 			sql.PollInterval = time.Second
 		}),
 		manual(func(s *solr.Solr) {
 			s.BaseURL = dis.Upstream.Solr
-			s.PollContext = dis.Context()
 			s.PollInterval = time.Second
 		}),
 
diff --git a/internal/dis/init.go b/internal/dis/init.go
index 6049d10..e8776e2 100644
--- a/internal/dis/init.go
+++ b/internal/dis/init.go
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ var errOpenConfig = exit.Error{
 // NewDistillery creates a new distillery from the provided flags
 func NewDistillery(params cli.Params, flags cli.Flags, req cli.Requirements) (dis *Distillery, err error) {
 	dis = &Distillery{
-		context: params.Context,
 		Still: component.Still{
 			Environment: new(environment.Native),
 		},
diff --git a/internal/phpx/php.go b/internal/phpx/php.go
index a830fee..830be92 100644
--- a/internal/phpx/php.go
+++ b/internal/phpx/php.go
@@ -1,18 +1,22 @@
 // Package phpx provides functionalities for interacting with PHP code
 package phpx
 
-import "github.com/tkw1536/goprogram/stream"
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"github.com/tkw1536/goprogram/stream"
+)
 
 // Executor represents anything that can spawn
 type Executor interface {
 	// Spawn spawns a new (independent) process executing code.
 	// It should return only once the execution terminates.
-	Spawn(str stream.IOStream, code string) error
+	Spawn(ctx context.Context, str stream.IOStream, code string) error
 }
 
 // SpawnFunc implements Executor
-type SpawnFunc func(str stream.IOStream, code string) error
+type SpawnFunc func(ctx context.Context, str stream.IOStream, code string) error
 
-func (sf SpawnFunc) Spawn(str stream.IOStream, code string) error {
-	return sf(str, code)
+func (sf SpawnFunc) Spawn(ctx context.Context, str stream.IOStream, code string) error {
+	return sf(ctx, str, code)
 }
diff --git a/internal/phpx/server.go b/internal/phpx/server.go
index d0ac88f..f7bebb7 100644
--- a/internal/phpx/server.go
+++ b/internal/phpx/server.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 
 	_ "embed"
 
+	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/pkg/cancel"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/pkg/lazy"
 	"github.com/tkw1536/goprogram/lib/collection"
 	"github.com/tkw1536/goprogram/lib/nobufio"
@@ -21,6 +22,9 @@ import (
 //
 // A server, once used, should be closed using the [Close] method.
 type Server struct {
+	// Context to use for the server
+	Context context.Context
+
 	// Executor is the executor used by this server.
 	// It may not be modified concurrently with other processes.
 	Executor Executor
@@ -35,8 +39,8 @@ type Server struct {
 
 	m sync.Mutex // prevents concurrent access on any of the methods
 
-	c context.Context // closed when server is finished
-
+	cancel context.CancelFunc
+	c      context.Context // closed when server is finished
 }
 
 func (server *Server) prepare() error {
@@ -57,7 +61,8 @@ func (server *Server) prepare() error {
 		}
 
 		// create a context to close the server
-		context, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		context, cancel := context.WithCancel(server.Context)
+		server.cancel = cancel
 
 		// start the shell process, which will close everything once done
 		go func() {
@@ -67,12 +72,12 @@ func (server *Server) prepare() error {
 				or.Close()
 				ow.Close()
 
-				cancel()
+				server.cancel()
 			}()
 
 			// start the server
 			io := stream.NewIOStream(ow, nil, ir, 0)
-			err := server.Executor.Spawn(io, serverPHP)
+			err := server.Executor.Spawn(server.c, io, serverPHP)
 			server.err.Set(ServerError{errClosed, err})
 		}()
 
@@ -91,7 +96,7 @@ func (server *Server) prepare() error {
 // as such any functions defined will remain in server memory.
 //
 // When an exception is thrown by the PHP Code, error is not nil, and dest remains unchanged.
-func (server *Server) MarshalEval(value any, code string) error {
+func (server *Server) MarshalEval(ctx context.Context, value any, code string) error {
 	if err := server.prepare(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -111,8 +116,11 @@ func (server *Server) MarshalEval(value any, code string) error {
 	// find a delimiter for the code, and then send
 	io.WriteString(server.in, input)
 
-	// read the next line (as a response)
-	data, err := nobufio.ReadLine(server.out)
+	data, err, _ := cancel.WithContext2(ctx, func(start func()) (string, error) {
+		return nobufio.ReadLine(server.out)
+	}, func() {
+		server.cancel()
+	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return ServerError{Message: errReceive, Err: err}
 	}
@@ -139,8 +147,8 @@ func (server *Server) MarshalEval(value any, code string) error {
 }
 
 // Eval is like [MarshalEval], but returns the value as an any
-func (server *Server) Eval(code string) (value any, err error) {
-	err = server.MarshalEval(&value, code)
+func (server *Server) Eval(ctx context.Context, code string) (value any, err error) {
+	err = server.MarshalEval(ctx, &value, code)
 	return
 }
 
@@ -148,7 +156,7 @@ func (server *Server) Eval(code string) (value any, err error) {
 // Arguments are sent to php using json Marshal, and are 'json_decode'd on the php side.
 //
 // Return values are received as in [MarshalEval].
-func (server *Server) MarshalCall(value any, function string, args ...any) error {
+func (server *Server) MarshalCall(ctx context.Context, value any, function string, args ...any) error {
 	// name of function to call
 	name := MarshalString(function)
 
@@ -172,12 +180,12 @@ func (server *Server) MarshalCall(value any, function string, args ...any) error
 	}
 
 	// and evaluate the code
-	return server.MarshalEval(value, code)
+	return server.MarshalEval(ctx, value, code)
 }
 
 // Call is like [MarshalCall] but returns the return value of the function as an any
-func (server *Server) Call(function string, args ...any) (value any, err error) {
-	err = server.MarshalCall(&value, function, args...)
+func (server *Server) Call(ctx context.Context, function string, args ...any) (value any, err error) {
+	err = server.MarshalCall(ctx, &value, function, args...)
 	return
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/build.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/build.go
index e9d1668..1975221 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/build.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/build.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package barrel
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/dis/component"
@@ -15,40 +16,40 @@ import (
 // Build builds or rebuilds the barel connected to this instance.
 //
 // It also logs the current time into the metadata belonging to this instance.
-func (barrel *Barrel) Build(stream stream.IOStream, start bool) error {
-	if !barrel.Locker.TryLock() {
+func (barrel *Barrel) Build(ctx context.Context, stream stream.IOStream, start bool) error {
+	if !barrel.Locker.TryLock(ctx) {
 		err := locker.Locked
 		return err
 	}
-	defer barrel.Locker.Unlock()
+	defer barrel.Locker.Unlock(ctx)
 
 	stack := barrel.Stack()
 
 	var context component.InstallationContext
 
 	{
-		err := stack.Install(stream, context)
+		err := stack.Install(ctx, stream, context)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
 	{
-		err := stack.Update(stream, start)
+		err := stack.Update(ctx, stream, start)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
 	// store the current last rebuild
-	return barrel.setLastRebuild()
+	return barrel.setLastRebuild(ctx)
 }
 
 // TODO: Move this to time.Time
 var lastRebuild = mstore.For[int64]("lastRebuild")
 
-func (barrel Barrel) LastRebuild() (t time.Time, err error) {
-	epoch, err := lastRebuild.Get(barrel.MStore)
+func (barrel Barrel) LastRebuild(ctx context.Context) (t time.Time, err error) {
+	epoch, err := lastRebuild.Get(ctx, barrel.MStore)
 	if err == meta.ErrMetadatumNotSet {
 		return t, nil
 	}
@@ -60,8 +61,8 @@ func (barrel Barrel) LastRebuild() (t time.Time, err error) {
 	return time.Unix(epoch, 0), nil
 }
 
-func (barrel *Barrel) setLastRebuild() error {
-	return lastRebuild.Set(barrel.MStore, time.Now().Unix())
+func (barrel *Barrel) setLastRebuild(ctx context.Context) error {
+	return lastRebuild.Set(ctx, barrel.MStore, time.Now().Unix())
 }
 
 type LastRebuildFetcher struct {
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ type LastRebuildFetcher struct {
 	Barrel *Barrel
 }
 
-func (lbr *LastRebuildFetcher) Fetch(flags ingredient.FetcherFlags, info *status.WissKI) (err error) {
-	info.LastRebuild, _ = lbr.Barrel.LastRebuild()
+func (lbr *LastRebuildFetcher) Fetch(ctx context.Context, flags ingredient.FetcherFlags, info *status.WissKI) (err error) {
+	info.LastRebuild, _ = lbr.Barrel.LastRebuild(ctx)
 	return
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/drush/cron.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/drush/cron.go
index 0aa816a..4a5c572 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/drush/cron.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/drush/cron.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package drush
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/phpx"
@@ -15,8 +16,8 @@ var errCronFailed = exit.Error{
 	ExitCode: exit.ExitGeneric,
 }
 
-func (drush *Drush) Cron(io stream.IOStream) error {
-	code, err := drush.Barrel.Shell(io, "/runtime/cron.sh")
+func (drush *Drush) Cron(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) error {
+	code, err := drush.Barrel.Shell(ctx, io, "/runtime/cron.sh")
 	if err != nil {
 		io.EPrintln(err)
 	}
@@ -29,9 +30,9 @@ func (drush *Drush) Cron(io stream.IOStream) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (drush *Drush) LastCron(server *phpx.Server) (t time.Time, err error) {
+func (drush *Drush) LastCron(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server) (t time.Time, err error) {
 	var timestamp int64
-	err = drush.PHP.EvalCode(server, &timestamp, `$val = \Drupal::state()->get('system.cron_last'); return $val; `)
+	err = drush.PHP.EvalCode(ctx, server, &timestamp, `$val = \Drupal::state()->get('system.cron_last'); return $val; `)
 	if err != nil {
 		return
 	}
@@ -49,6 +50,6 @@ func (lbr *LastCronFetcher) Fetch(flags ingredient.FetcherFlags, info *status.Wi
 		return
 	}
 
-	info.LastRebuild, _ = lbr.Drush.LastCron(flags.Server)
+	info.LastRebuild, _ = lbr.Drush.LastCron(flags.Context, flags.Server)
 	return
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/drush/update.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/drush/update.go
index bd5aea0..7766c64 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/drush/update.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/drush/update.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package drush
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/dis/component/meta"
@@ -18,8 +19,8 @@ var errBlindUpdateFailed = exit.Error{
 }
 
 // Update performs a blind drush update
-func (drush *Drush) Update(io stream.IOStream) error {
-	code, err := drush.Barrel.Shell(io, "/runtime/blind_update.sh")
+func (drush *Drush) Update(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) error {
+	code, err := drush.Barrel.Shell(ctx, io, "/runtime/blind_update.sh")
 	if err != nil {
 		return errBlindUpdateFailed.WithMessageF(drush.Slug, environment.ExecCommandError)
 	}
@@ -27,13 +28,13 @@ func (drush *Drush) Update(io stream.IOStream) error {
 		return errBlindUpdateFailed.WithMessageF(drush.Slug, code)
 	}
 
-	return drush.setLastUpdate()
+	return drush.setLastUpdate(ctx)
 }
 
 const lastUpdate = mstore.For[int64]("lastUpdate")
 
-func (drush *Drush) LastUpdate() (t time.Time, err error) {
-	epoch, err := lastUpdate.Get(drush.MStore)
+func (drush *Drush) LastUpdate(ctx context.Context) (t time.Time, err error) {
+	epoch, err := lastUpdate.Get(ctx, drush.MStore)
 	if err == meta.ErrMetadatumNotSet {
 		return t, nil
 	}
@@ -45,8 +46,8 @@ func (drush *Drush) LastUpdate() (t time.Time, err error) {
 	return time.Unix(epoch, 0), nil
 }
 
-func (drush *Drush) setLastUpdate() error {
-	return lastUpdate.Set(drush.MStore, time.Now().Unix())
+func (drush *Drush) setLastUpdate(ctx context.Context) error {
+	return lastUpdate.Set(ctx, drush.MStore, time.Now().Unix())
 }
 
 type LastUpdateFetcher struct {
@@ -56,6 +57,6 @@ type LastUpdateFetcher struct {
 }
 
 func (lbr *LastUpdateFetcher) Fetch(flags ingredient.FetcherFlags, info *status.WissKI) (err error) {
-	info.LastUpdate, err = lbr.Drush.LastUpdate()
+	info.LastUpdate, err = lbr.Drush.LastUpdate(flags.Context)
 	return
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/provisioner/provisioner.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/provisioner/provisioner.go
index ed03c55..4b64dcc 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/provisioner/provisioner.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/provisioner/provisioner.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package provisioner
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -19,10 +20,10 @@ type Provisioner struct {
 }
 
 // Provision provisions an instance, assuming that the required databases already exist.
-func (provision *Provisioner) Provision(io stream.IOStream) error {
+func (provision *Provisioner) Provision(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream) error {
 
 	// build the container
-	if err := provision.Barrel.Build(io, false); err != nil {
+	if err := provision.Barrel.Build(ctx, io, false); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ func (provision *Provisioner) Provision(io stream.IOStream) error {
 	// TODO: Move the provision script into the control plane!
 	provisionScript := "sudo PATH=$PATH -u www-data /bin/bash /provision_container.sh " + strings.Join(provisionParams, " ")
 
-	code, err := provision.Barrel.Stack().Run(io, true, "barrel", "/bin/bash", "-c", provisionScript)
+	code, err := provision.Barrel.Stack().Run(ctx, io, true, "barrel", "/bin/bash", "-c", provisionScript)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/running.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/running.go
index 95b0de9..2454ab9 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/running.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/running.go
@@ -1,14 +1,16 @@
 package barrel
 
 import (
+	"context"
+
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/status"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/wisski/ingredient"
 	"github.com/tkw1536/goprogram/stream"
 )
 
 // Running checks if this WissKI is currently running.
-func (barrel *Barrel) Running() (bool, error) {
-	ps, err := barrel.Stack().Ps(stream.FromNil())
+func (barrel *Barrel) Running(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
+	ps, err := barrel.Stack().Ps(ctx, stream.FromNil())
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
@@ -22,6 +24,6 @@ type RunningFetcher struct {
 }
 
 func (rf *RunningFetcher) Fetch(flags ingredient.FetcherFlags, info *status.WissKI) (err error) {
-	info.Running, err = rf.Barrel.Running()
+	info.Running, err = rf.Barrel.Running(flags.Context)
 	return
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/shell.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/shell.go
index 5cb8365..5e87514 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/shell.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/barrel/shell.go
@@ -1,8 +1,12 @@
 package barrel
 
-import "github.com/tkw1536/goprogram/stream"
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"github.com/tkw1536/goprogram/stream"
+)
 
 // Shell executes a shell command inside the instance.
-func (barrel *Barrel) Shell(io stream.IOStream, argv ...string) (int, error) {
-	return barrel.Stack().Exec(io, "barrel", "/bin/sh", append([]string{"/user_shell.sh"}, argv...)...)
+func (barrel *Barrel) Shell(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream, argv ...string) (int, error) {
+	return barrel.Stack().Exec(ctx, io, "barrel", "/bin/sh", append([]string{"/user_shell.sh"}, argv...)...)
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/bookkeeping/bookkeeping.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/bookkeeping/bookkeeping.go
index 51ed685..2cb30b3 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/bookkeeping/bookkeeping.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/bookkeeping/bookkeeping.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package bookkeeping
 
 import (
+	"context"
+
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/models"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/wisski/ingredient"
 )
@@ -11,8 +13,8 @@ type Bookkeeping struct {
 }
 
 // Save saves this instance in the bookkeeping table
-func (bk *Bookkeeping) Save() error {
-	sdb, err := bk.Malt.SQL.QueryTable(false, models.InstanceTable)
+func (bk *Bookkeeping) Save(ctx context.Context) error {
+	sdb, err := bk.Malt.SQL.QueryTable(ctx, false, models.InstanceTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -27,8 +29,8 @@ func (bk *Bookkeeping) Save() error {
 }
 
 // Delete deletes this instance from the bookkeeping table
-func (bk *Bookkeeping) Delete() error {
-	sdb, err := bk.Malt.SQL.QueryTable(false, models.InstanceTable)
+func (bk *Bookkeeping) Delete(ctx context.Context) error {
+	sdb, err := bk.Malt.SQL.QueryTable(ctx, false, models.InstanceTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/fetcher.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/fetcher.go
index 92e9c37..5ea09db 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/fetcher.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/fetcher.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package ingredient
 
 import (
+	"context"
+
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/phpx"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/status"
 )
@@ -15,6 +17,7 @@ type WissKIFetcher interface {
 
 // FetcherFlags describes options for a WissKIFetcher
 type FetcherFlags struct {
-	Quick  bool
-	Server *phpx.Server
+	Context context.Context
+	Quick   bool
+	Server  *phpx.Server
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/info/info.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/info/info.go
index 3774766..5383ce1 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/info/info.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/info/info.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package info
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/status"
@@ -21,10 +22,11 @@ type Info struct {
 
 // Information fetches information about this WissKI.
 // TODO: Rework this to be able to determine what kind of information is available.
-func (wisski *Info) Information(quick bool) (info status.WissKI, err error) {
+func (wisski *Info) Information(ctx context.Context, quick bool) (info status.WissKI, err error) {
 	// setup flags
 	flags := ingredient.FetcherFlags{
-		Quick: quick,
+		Quick:   quick,
+		Context: ctx,
 	}
 
 	// potentially setup a new server
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/info/snapshots.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/info/snapshots.go
index 91d8506..5b1806d 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/info/snapshots.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/info/snapshots.go
@@ -16,6 +16,6 @@ func (lbr *SnapshotsFetcher) Fetch(flags ingredient.FetcherFlags, info *status.W
 		return
 	}
 
-	info.Snapshots, _ = lbr.Snapshots()
+	info.Snapshots, _ = lbr.Snapshots(flags.Context)
 	return
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/locker/lock.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/locker/lock.go
index 94014d1..46ca1b3 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/locker/lock.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/locker/lock.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package locker
 
 import (
+	"context"
+
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/models"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/wisski/ingredient"
 	"github.com/tkw1536/goprogram/exit"
@@ -17,8 +19,8 @@ var Locked = exit.Error{
 }
 
 // TryLock attemps to lock this WissKI and returns if it suceeded
-func (lock *Locker) TryLock() bool {
-	table, err := lock.Malt.SQL.QueryTable(true, models.LockTable)
+func (lock *Locker) TryLock(ctx context.Context) bool {
+	table, err := lock.Malt.SQL.QueryTable(ctx, true, models.LockTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false
 	}
@@ -29,8 +31,8 @@ func (lock *Locker) TryLock() bool {
 
 // TryUnlock attempts to unlock this WissKI and reports if it succeeded.
 // An unlock can only
-func (lock *Locker) TryUnlock() bool {
-	table, err := lock.Malt.SQL.QueryTable(true, models.LockTable)
+func (lock *Locker) TryUnlock(ctx context.Context) bool {
+	table, err := lock.Malt.SQL.QueryTable(ctx, true, models.LockTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false
 	}
@@ -39,6 +41,6 @@ func (lock *Locker) TryUnlock() bool {
 }
 
 // Unlock unlocks this WissKI, ignoring any error.
-func (lock *Locker) Unlock() {
-	lock.TryUnlock()
+func (lock *Locker) Unlock(ctx context.Context) {
+	lock.TryUnlock(ctx)
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/locker/locked.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/locker/locked.go
index c485f26..5718f76 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/locker/locked.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/locker/locked.go
@@ -1,14 +1,17 @@
 package locker
 
 import (
+	"context"
+
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/models"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/status"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/wisski/ingredient"
 )
 
 // Locked checks if this WissKI is currently locked.
-func (lock *Locker) Locked() (locked bool) {
-	table, err := lock.SQL.QueryTable(true, models.LockTable)
+// If an error occurs, the instance is considered not locked.
+func (lock *Locker) Locked(ctx context.Context) (locked bool) {
+	table, err := lock.SQL.QueryTable(ctx, true, models.LockTable)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false
 	}
@@ -19,6 +22,6 @@ func (lock *Locker) Locked() (locked bool) {
 }
 
 func (locker *Locker) Fetch(flags ingredient.FetcherFlags, info *status.WissKI) (err error) {
-	info.Locked = locker.Locked()
+	info.Locked = locker.Locked(flags.Context)
 	return
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/mstore/mstore.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/mstore/mstore.go
index 7f75cb8..b95009f 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/mstore/mstore.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/mstore/mstore.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package mstore
 
 import (
+	"context"
+
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/dis/component/meta"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/wisski/ingredient"
 )
@@ -14,26 +16,26 @@ type MStore struct {
 // For is a Store for the provided value
 type For[Value any] meta.TypedKey[Value]
 
-func (f For[Value]) Get(m *MStore) (value Value, err error) {
-	return meta.TypedKey[Value](f).Get(m.Storage)
+func (f For[Value]) Get(ctx context.Context, m *MStore) (value Value, err error) {
+	return meta.TypedKey[Value](f).Get(ctx, m.Storage)
 }
 
-func (f For[Value]) GetAll(m *MStore) (values []Value, err error) {
-	return meta.TypedKey[Value](f).GetAll(m.Storage)
+func (f For[Value]) GetAll(ctx context.Context, m *MStore) (values []Value, err error) {
+	return meta.TypedKey[Value](f).GetAll(ctx, m.Storage)
 }
 
-func (f For[Value]) GetOrSet(m *MStore, dflt Value) (value Value, err error) {
-	return meta.TypedKey[Value](f).GetOrSet(m.Storage, dflt)
+func (f For[Value]) GetOrSet(ctx context.Context, m *MStore, dflt Value) (value Value, err error) {
+	return meta.TypedKey[Value](f).GetOrSet(ctx, m.Storage, dflt)
 }
 
-func (f For[Value]) Set(m *MStore, value Value) error {
-	return meta.TypedKey[Value](f).Set(m.Storage, value)
+func (f For[Value]) Set(ctx context.Context, m *MStore, value Value) error {
+	return meta.TypedKey[Value](f).Set(ctx, m.Storage, value)
 }
 
-func (f For[Value]) SetAll(m *MStore, values ...Value) error {
-	return meta.TypedKey[Value](f).SetAll(m.Storage, values...)
+func (f For[Value]) SetAll(ctx context.Context, m *MStore, values ...Value) error {
+	return meta.TypedKey[Value](f).SetAll(ctx, m.Storage, values...)
 }
 
-func (f For[Value]) Delete(m *MStore) error {
-	return m.Storage.Delete(meta.Key(f))
+func (f For[Value]) Delete(ctx context.Context, m *MStore) error {
+	return m.Storage.Delete(ctx, meta.Key(f))
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/pathbuilder.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/pathbuilder.go
index e160ade..823d444 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/pathbuilder.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/pathbuilder.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package extras
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	_ "embed"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/phpx"
@@ -22,8 +23,8 @@ var pathbuilderPHP string
 // All returns the ids of all pathbuilders in consistent order.
 //
 // server is the server to fetch the pathbuilders from, any may be nil.
-func (pathbuilder *Pathbuilder) All(server *phpx.Server) (ids []string, err error) {
-	err = pathbuilder.PHP.ExecScript(server, &ids, pathbuilderPHP, "all_list")
+func (pathbuilder *Pathbuilder) All(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server) (ids []string, err error) {
+	err = pathbuilder.PHP.ExecScript(ctx, server, &ids, pathbuilderPHP, "all_list")
 	slices.Sort(ids)
 	return
 }
@@ -32,16 +33,16 @@ func (pathbuilder *Pathbuilder) All(server *phpx.Server) (ids []string, err erro
 // If it does not exist, it returns the empty string and nil error.
 //
 // server is the server to fetch the pathbuilders from, any may be nil.
-func (pathbuilder *Pathbuilder) Get(server *phpx.Server, id string) (xml string, err error) {
-	err = pathbuilder.PHP.ExecScript(server, &xml, pathbuilderPHP, "one_xml", id)
+func (pathbuilder *Pathbuilder) Get(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server, id string) (xml string, err error) {
+	err = pathbuilder.PHP.ExecScript(ctx, server, &xml, pathbuilderPHP, "one_xml", id)
 	return
 }
 
 // GetAll returns all pathbuilders serialized as xml
 //
 // server is the server to fetch the pathbuilders from, any may be nil.
-func (pathbuilder *Pathbuilder) GetAll(server *phpx.Server) (pathbuilders map[string]string, err error) {
-	err = pathbuilder.PHP.ExecScript(server, &pathbuilders, pathbuilderPHP, "all_xml")
+func (pathbuilder *Pathbuilder) GetAll(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server) (pathbuilders map[string]string, err error) {
+	err = pathbuilder.PHP.ExecScript(ctx, server, &pathbuilders, pathbuilderPHP, "all_xml")
 	return
 }
 
@@ -50,6 +51,6 @@ func (pathbuilder *Pathbuilder) Fetch(flags ingredient.FetcherFlags, info *statu
 		return
 	}
 
-	info.Pathbuilders, _ = pathbuilder.GetAll(flags.Server)
+	info.Pathbuilders, _ = pathbuilder.GetAll(flags.Context, flags.Server)
 	return
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/prefixes.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/prefixes.go
index 0c0db5c..4e7c4ef 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/prefixes.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/prefixes.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package extras
 
 import (
 	"bufio"
+	"context"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -37,8 +38,8 @@ var listURIPrefixesPHP string
 //
 // server is an optional server to fetch prefixes from.
 // server may be nil.
-func (prefixes *Prefixes) All(server *phpx.Server) ([]string, error) {
-	uris, err := prefixes.database(server)
+func (prefixes *Prefixes) All(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server) ([]string, error) {
+	uris, err := prefixes.database(ctx, server)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -51,9 +52,9 @@ func (prefixes *Prefixes) All(server *phpx.Server) ([]string, error) {
 	return append(uris, uris2...), nil
 }
 
-func (wisski *Prefixes) database(server *phpx.Server) (prefixes []string, err error) {
+func (wisski *Prefixes) database(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server) (prefixes []string, err error) {
 	// get all the ugly prefixes
-	err = wisski.PHP.ExecScript(server, &prefixes, listURIPrefixesPHP, "list_prefixes")
+	err = wisski.PHP.ExecScript(ctx, server, &prefixes, listURIPrefixesPHP, "list_prefixes")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -143,28 +144,28 @@ func (wisski *Prefixes) filePrefixes() (prefixes []string, err error) {
 var prefix = mstore.For[string]("prefix")
 
 // Prefixes returns the cached prefixes from the given instance
-func (wisski *Prefixes) AllCached() (results []string, err error) {
-	return prefix.GetAll(wisski.MStore)
+func (wisski *Prefixes) AllCached(ctx context.Context) (results []string, err error) {
+	return prefix.GetAll(ctx, wisski.MStore)
 }
 
 // Update updates the cached prefixes of this instance
-func (wisski *Prefixes) Update() error {
-	prefixes, err := wisski.All(nil)
+func (wisski *Prefixes) Update(ctx context.Context) error {
+	prefixes, err := wisski.All(ctx, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	return prefix.SetAll(wisski.MStore, prefixes...)
+	return prefix.SetAll(ctx, wisski.MStore, prefixes...)
 }
 
 func (prefixes *Prefixes) Fetch(flags ingredient.FetcherFlags, info *status.WissKI) (err error) {
 	info.NoPrefixes = prefixes.NoPrefix()
 	if flags.Quick {
 		// quick mode: grab only the cached prefixes
-		info.Prefixes, _ = prefixes.AllCached()
+		info.Prefixes, _ = prefixes.AllCached(flags.Context)
 	} else {
 		// slow mode: grab the fresh prefixes from the server
 		// TODO: Do we want to update them while we are at it?
-		info.Prefixes, _ = prefixes.All(flags.Server)
+		info.Prefixes, _ = prefixes.All(flags.Context, flags.Server)
 	}
 	return
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/settings.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/settings.go
index 168d709..6c1267f 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/settings.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/settings.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package extras
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	_ "embed"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/phpx"
@@ -17,11 +18,11 @@ type Settings struct {
 //go:embed settings.php
 var settingsPHP string
 
-func (settings *Settings) Get(server *phpx.Server, key string) (value any, err error) {
-	err = settings.PHP.ExecScript(server, &value, settingsPHP, "get_setting", key)
+func (settings *Settings) Get(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server, key string) (value any, err error) {
+	err = settings.PHP.ExecScript(ctx, server, &value, settingsPHP, "get_setting", key)
 	return
 }
 
-func (settings *Settings) Set(server *phpx.Server, key string, value any) error {
-	return settings.PHP.ExecScript(server, nil, settingsPHP, "set_setting", key, value)
+func (settings *Settings) Set(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server, key string, value any) error {
+	return settings.PHP.ExecScript(ctx, server, nil, settingsPHP, "set_setting", key, value)
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/stats.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/stats.go
index cddf312..208aa52 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/stats.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/extras/stats.go
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 package extras
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	_ "embed"
-	"log"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/phpx"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/status"
@@ -20,11 +20,8 @@ type Stats struct {
 var statsPHP string
 
 // Get fetches all statistics from the server
-func (stats *Stats) Get(server *phpx.Server) (data status.Statistics, err error) {
-	err = stats.PHP.ExecScript(server, &data, statsPHP, "export_statistics")
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Println(err)
-	}
+func (stats *Stats) Get(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server) (data status.Statistics, err error) {
+	err = stats.PHP.ExecScript(ctx, server, &data, statsPHP, "export_statistics")
 	return
 }
 
@@ -33,6 +30,6 @@ func (stats *Stats) Fetch(flags ingredient.FetcherFlags, info *status.WissKI) (e
 		return
 	}
 
-	info.Statistics, _ = stats.Get(flags.Server)
+	info.Statistics, _ = stats.Get(flags.Context, flags.Server)
 	return
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/php.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/php.go
index 11ba7cd..edb9dcf 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/php.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/php.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package php
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/phpx"
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ type PHP struct {
 // It's arguments are encoded as json using [json.Marshal] and decoded within php.
 //
 // The return value of the function is again marshaled with json and returned to the caller.
-func (php *PHP) ExecScript(server *phpx.Server, value any, code string, entrypoint string, args ...any) (err error) {
+func (php *PHP) ExecScript(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server, value any, code string, entrypoint string, args ...any) (err error) {
 	if server == nil {
 		server = php.NewServer()
 		if err != nil {
@@ -38,15 +39,15 @@ func (php *PHP) ExecScript(server *phpx.Server, value any, code string, entrypoi
 	}
 
 	if code != "" {
-		if err := server.MarshalEval(nil, strings.TrimPrefix(code, "<?php")); err != nil {
+		if err := server.MarshalEval(ctx, nil, strings.TrimPrefix(code, "<?php")); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
-	return server.MarshalCall(value, entrypoint, args...)
+	return server.MarshalCall(ctx, value, entrypoint, args...)
 }
 
-func (php *PHP) EvalCode(server *phpx.Server, value any, code string) (err error) {
+func (php *PHP) EvalCode(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server, value any, code string) (err error) {
 	if server == nil {
 		server = php.NewServer()
 		if err != nil {
@@ -55,5 +56,5 @@ func (php *PHP) EvalCode(server *phpx.Server, value any, code string) (err error
 		defer server.Close()
 	}
 
-	return server.MarshalEval(value, code)
+	return server.MarshalEval(ctx, value, code)
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/server.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/server.go
index 6c81a89..ea79094 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/server.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/server.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package php
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	_ "embed"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/phpx"
@@ -14,11 +15,12 @@ import (
 // See [PHPServer].
 func (php *PHP) NewServer() *phpx.Server {
 	return &phpx.Server{
+		Context:  context.Background(),
 		Executor: phpx.SpawnFunc(php.spawn),
 	}
 }
 
-func (php *PHP) spawn(str stream.IOStream, code string) error {
-	_, err := php.Barrel.Shell(str, "-c", shellescape.QuoteCommand([]string{"drush", "php:eval", code}))
+func (php *PHP) spawn(ctx context.Context, str stream.IOStream, code string) error {
+	_, err := php.Barrel.Shell(ctx, str, "-c", shellescape.QuoteCommand([]string{"drush", "php:eval", code}))
 	return err
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/users/password.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/users/password.go
index 1c67c9e..49ec789 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/users/password.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/users/password.go
@@ -15,11 +15,11 @@ import (
 
 var errGetValidator = errors.New("GetPasswordValidator: Unknown Error")
 
-func (u *Users) GetPasswordValidator(username string) (pv PasswordValidator, err error) {
+func (u *Users) GetPasswordValidator(ctx context.Context, username string) (pv PasswordValidator, err error) {
 	server := u.PHP.NewServer()
 
 	var hash string
-	err = u.PHP.ExecScript(server, &hash, usersPHP, "get_password_hash", username)
+	err = u.PHP.ExecScript(ctx, server, &hash, usersPHP, "get_password_hash", username)
 	if err != nil {
 		server.Close()
 		return pv, err
@@ -46,9 +46,9 @@ func (pv PasswordValidator) Close() error {
 	return pv.server.Close()
 }
 
-func (pv PasswordValidator) Check(password string) bool {
+func (pv PasswordValidator) Check(ctx context.Context, password string) bool {
 	var result phpx.Boolean
-	err := pv.server.MarshalCall(&result, "check_password_hash", password, string(pv.hash))
+	err := pv.server.MarshalCall(ctx, &result, "check_password_hash", password, string(pv.hash))
 	if err != nil {
 		return false
 	}
@@ -65,10 +65,10 @@ func (cpe CommonPasswordError) Error() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%q from %q", cpe.Password.Password, cpe.Password.Source)
 }
 
-func (pv PasswordValidator) CheckDictionary(context context.Context, writer io.Writer) error {
+func (pv PasswordValidator) CheckDictionary(ctx context.Context, writer io.Writer) error {
 	var counter int
 
-	if pv.Check(pv.username) {
+	if pv.Check(ctx, pv.username) {
 		if writer != nil {
 			counter++
 			fmt.Fprintln(writer, counter)
@@ -76,10 +76,10 @@ func (pv PasswordValidator) CheckDictionary(context context.Context, writer io.W
 		return errPasswordUsername
 	}
 	for candidate := range CommonPasswords() {
-		if context.Err() != nil {
+		if ctx.Err() != nil {
 			continue
 		}
-		result := pv.Check(candidate.Password)
+		result := pv.Check(ctx, candidate.Password)
 		if writer != nil {
 			counter++
 			fmt.Fprintln(writer, counter)
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ func (pv PasswordValidator) CheckDictionary(context context.Context, writer io.W
 		}
 	}
 
-	return context.Err()
+	return ctx.Err()
 }
 
 //go:embed passwords
diff --git a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/users/users.go b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/users/users.go
index 8d81e01..b73d75c 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/users/users.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/ingredient/php/users/users.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package users
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	_ "embed"
 	"errors"
 	"net/url"
@@ -21,19 +22,19 @@ type Users struct {
 var usersPHP string
 
 // All returns all known usernames
-func (u *Users) All(server *phpx.Server) (users []status.User, err error) {
-	err = u.PHP.ExecScript(server, &users, usersPHP, "list_users")
+func (u *Users) All(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server) (users []status.User, err error) {
+	err = u.PHP.ExecScript(ctx, server, &users, usersPHP, "list_users")
 	return
 }
 
 var errLoginUnknownError = errors.New("Login: Unknown Error")
 
 // Login generates a login link for the user with the given username
-func (u *Users) Login(server *phpx.Server, username string) (dest *url.URL, err error) {
+func (u *Users) Login(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server, username string) (dest *url.URL, err error) {
 
 	// generate a (relative) link
 	var path string
-	err = u.PHP.ExecScript(server, &path, usersPHP, "get_login_link", username)
+	err = u.PHP.ExecScript(ctx, server, &path, usersPHP, "get_login_link", username)
 
 	// if something went wrong, return
 	if err != nil {
@@ -57,9 +58,9 @@ func (u *Users) Login(server *phpx.Server, username string) (dest *url.URL, err
 var errSetPassword = errors.New("SetPassword: Unknown Error")
 
 // SetPassword sets the password for a given user
-func (u *Users) SetPassword(server *phpx.Server, username, password string) error {
+func (u *Users) SetPassword(ctx context.Context, server *phpx.Server, username, password string) error {
 	var ok bool
-	err := u.PHP.ExecScript(server, &ok, usersPHP, "set_user_password", username, password)
+	err := u.PHP.ExecScript(ctx, server, &ok, usersPHP, "set_user_password", username, password)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -74,6 +75,6 @@ func (u *Users) Fetch(flags ingredient.FetcherFlags, info *status.WissKI) (err e
 		return
 	}
 
-	info.Users, _ = u.All(flags.Server)
+	info.Users, _ = u.All(flags.Context, flags.Server)
 	return
 }
diff --git a/internal/wisski/liquid/snapshots.go b/internal/wisski/liquid/snapshots.go
index cd1ce8a..fb464b6 100644
--- a/internal/wisski/liquid/snapshots.go
+++ b/internal/wisski/liquid/snapshots.go
@@ -1,10 +1,14 @@
 package liquid
 
-import "github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/models"
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/models"
+)
 
 // Snapshots returns the list of snapshots of this WissKI
 // NOTE(twiesing): Not entirely sure where this should go.
 // It's not that this is
-func (liquid *Liquid) Snapshots() (snapshots []models.Export, err error) {
-	return liquid.Malt.ExporterLog.For(liquid.Slug)
+func (liquid *Liquid) Snapshots(ctx context.Context) (snapshots []models.Export, err error) {
+	return liquid.Malt.ExporterLog.For(ctx, liquid.Slug)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/cancel/context.go b/pkg/cancel/context.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed28d1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/cancel/context.go
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+package cancel
+
+import (
+	"context"
+)
+
+// WithContext executes f and returns the returns the return value and nil.
+//
+// If the context is closed before f returns, invokes cancel and returns f(), ctx.Err().
+//
+// In general, WithContext always waits for f() to return even if cancel was called.
+// As a special case if a closed context is passed, f is not invoked.
+//
+// allowcancel must be called by f exactly once, as soon as the cancel function may be invoked.
+func WithContext[T any](ctx context.Context, f func(allowcancel func()) T, cancel func()) (t T, err error) {
+	t, _, err = WithContext2(ctx, func(start func()) (T, struct{}) {
+		return f(start), struct{}{}
+	}, cancel)
+	return
+}
+
+// WithContext2 is exactly like WithContext, but takes a function returning two parameters.
+func WithContext2[T1, T2 any](ctx context.Context, f func(start func()) (T1, T2), cancel func()) (t1 T1, t2 T2, err error) {
+	// context is already closed, don't even try invoking it.
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return t1, t2, err
+	}
+
+	cancelable := make(chan struct{}, 1)
+
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		defer close(done)
+		defer close(cancelable)
+
+		t1, t2 = f(func() {
+			cancelable <- struct{}{}
+		})
+	}()
+
+	select {
+	case <-done:
+		// the function has exited regularly
+		// nothing to be done
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+
+		// context was cancelled
+		<-cancelable
+		cancel()
+
+		// still wait for it to be done!
+		<-done
+		err = ctx.Err()
+	}
+	return
+}
diff --git a/pkg/cancel/copy.go b/pkg/cancel/copy.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af1d0dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/cancel/copy.go
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+package cancel
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"io"
+	"time"
+)
+
+type SetDeadline interface {
+	SetDeadline(t time.Time)
+}
+
+type SetReadDeadline interface {
+	SetReadDeadline(t time.Time) error
+}
+
+type SetWriteDeadline interface {
+	SetWriteDeadline(t time.Time) error
+}
+
+// Copy reads from src, and copies to dst.
+//
+// If the context is closed before src is closed, attempts to close the underlying reader and writer.
+func Copy(ctx context.Context, dst io.Writer, src io.Reader) (written int64, err error) {
+
+	// if the context has a deadline, the propanate that deadline to the underyling file.
+	// this might cause the read call to not block.
+	if deadline, ok := ctx.Deadline(); ok {
+		var zero time.Time
+
+		if file, ok := src.(SetReadDeadline); ok {
+			file.SetReadDeadline(deadline)
+			defer file.SetReadDeadline(zero)
+		} else if file, ok := src.(SetDeadline); ok {
+			file.SetDeadline(deadline)
+			defer file.SetDeadline(zero)
+		}
+
+		if file, ok := dst.(SetWriteDeadline); ok {
+			file.SetWriteDeadline(deadline)
+			defer file.SetWriteDeadline(zero)
+		} else if file, ok := dst.(SetDeadline); ok {
+			file.SetDeadline(deadline)
+			defer file.SetDeadline(zero)
+		}
+	}
+
+	written, err, _ = WithContext2(ctx, func(start func()) (int64, error) {
+		start()
+		return io.Copy(dst, src)
+	}, func() {
+		if closer, ok := src.(io.Closer); ok {
+			closer.Close()
+		}
+	})
+	return written, err
+}
diff --git a/pkg/environment/environment.go b/pkg/environment/environment.go
index ebb7c76..992ed5e 100644
--- a/pkg/environment/environment.go
+++ b/pkg/environment/environment.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ type Environment interface {
 	DialContext(context context.Context, network, address string) (net.Conn, error)
 
 	Executable() (string, error)
-	Exec(io stream.IOStream, workdir string, exe string, argv ...string) int
+	Exec(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream, workdir string, exe string, argv ...string) int
 	LookPathAbs(name string) (string, error)
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/environment/globals.go b/pkg/environment/globals.go
index f334193..f7a47f3 100644
--- a/pkg/environment/globals.go
+++ b/pkg/environment/globals.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package environment
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"context"
 	"io"
 	"io/fs"
 	"os"
@@ -64,6 +65,6 @@ func ReadFile(env Environment, path string) ([]byte, error) {
 }
 
 // MustExec is like Exec, except that it returns true if the command exited successfully, and else false.
-func MustExec(env Environment, io stream.IOStream, workdir string, exe string, argv ...string) bool {
-	return env.Exec(io, workdir, exe, argv...) == 0
+func MustExec(ctx context.Context, env Environment, io stream.IOStream, workdir string, exe string, argv ...string) bool {
+	return env.Exec(ctx, io, workdir, exe, argv...) == 0
 }
diff --git a/pkg/environment/native_exec.go b/pkg/environment/native_exec.go
index 1f6b536..a0506a6 100644
--- a/pkg/environment/native_exec.go
+++ b/pkg/environment/native_exec.go
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 package environment
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"os/exec"
 
+	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/pkg/cancel"
 	"github.com/tkw1536/goprogram/stream"
 )
 
@@ -10,7 +12,7 @@ import (
 //
 // If the command executes, it's exit code will be returned.
 // If the command can not be executed, returns [ExecCommandError].
-func (*Native) Exec(io stream.IOStream, workdir string, exe string, argv ...string) int {
+func (*Native) Exec(ctx context.Context, io stream.IOStream, workdir string, exe string, argv ...string) int {
 	// setup the command
 	cmd := exec.Command(exe, argv...)
 	cmd.Dir = workdir
@@ -18,8 +20,27 @@ func (*Native) Exec(io stream.IOStream, workdir string, exe string, argv ...stri
 	cmd.Stdout = io.Stdout
 	cmd.Stderr = io.Stderr
 
-	// run it
-	err := cmd.Run()
+	// run the process in a cancelable fashion
+	err, cErr := cancel.WithContext(ctx, func(cancelable func()) error {
+		// start the process
+		err := cmd.Start()
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		// allow it to be cancellable
+		cancelable()
+
+		// and wait for the rest of the process
+		return cmd.Wait()
+	}, func() {
+		if cmd.Process != nil {
+			cmd.Process.Kill()
+		}
+	})
+	if err == nil {
+		err = cErr
+	}
 
 	// non-zero exit
 	if err, ok := err.(*exec.ExitError); ok {
diff --git a/pkg/fsx/copy.go b/pkg/fsx/copy.go
index 9e69a8a..ae34171 100644
--- a/pkg/fsx/copy.go
+++ b/pkg/fsx/copy.go
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 package fsx
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"errors"
-	"io"
 	"io/fs"
 	"path/filepath"
 
+	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/pkg/cancel"
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/pkg/environment"
 )
 
@@ -15,7 +16,12 @@ var ErrCopySameFile = errors.New("src and dst must be different")
 // When src points to a symbolic link, will copy the symbolic link.
 //
 // When dst and src are the same file, returns ErrCopySameFile.
-func CopyFile(env environment.Environment, dst, src string) error {
+// When ctx is closed, the file is not copied.
+func CopyFile(ctx context.Context, env environment.Environment, dst, src string) error {
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	if SameFile(env, src, dst) {
 		return ErrCopySameFile
 	}
@@ -41,13 +47,17 @@ func CopyFile(env environment.Environment, dst, src string) error {
 	defer dstFile.Close()
 
 	// and do the copy!
-	_, err = io.Copy(dstFile, srcFile)
+	_, err = cancel.Copy(ctx, dstFile, srcFile)
 	return err
 }
 
 // CopyLink copies a link from src to dst.
 // If dst already exists, it is deleted and then re-created.
-func CopyLink(env environment.Environment, dst, src string) error {
+func CopyLink(ctx context.Context, env environment.Environment, dst, src string) error {
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// if they're the same file that is an error
 	if SameFile(env, dst, src) {
 		return ErrCopySameFile
@@ -73,12 +83,13 @@ func CopyLink(env environment.Environment, dst, src string) error {
 var ErrDstFile = errors.New("dst is a file")
 
 // CopyDirectory copies the directory src to dst recursively.
+// Copying is aborted when ctx is closed.
 //
 // Existing files and directories are overwritten.
 // When a directory already exists, additional files are not deleted.
 //
 // onCopy, when not nil, is called for each file or directory being copied.
-func CopyDirectory(env environment.Environment, dst, src string, onCopy func(dst, src string)) error {
+func CopyDirectory(ctx context.Context, env environment.Environment, dst, src string, onCopy func(dst, src string)) error {
 	// sanity checks
 	if SameFile(env, src, dst) {
 		return ErrCopySameFile
@@ -88,10 +99,16 @@ func CopyDirectory(env environment.Environment, dst, src string, onCopy func(dst
 	}
 
 	return env.WalkDir(src, func(path string, d fs.DirEntry, err error) error {
+		// someone previously returned an error
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
+		// context was closed
+		if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
 		// determine the real target path
 		var relpath string
 		relpath, err = filepath.Rel(src, path)
@@ -113,12 +130,12 @@ func CopyDirectory(env environment.Environment, dst, src string, onCopy func(dst
 
 		// if we have a symbolic link, copy the link!
 		if info.Mode()&fs.ModeSymlink != 0 {
-			return CopyLink(env, dst, path)
+			return CopyLink(ctx, env, dst, path)
 		}
 
 		// if we got a file, we should copy it normally
 		if !d.IsDir() {
-			return CopyFile(env, dst, path)
+			return CopyFile(ctx, env, dst, path)
 		}
 
 		// create the directory, but ignore an error if the directory already exists.
diff --git a/program.go b/program.go
index d74a313..2150cce 100644
--- a/program.go
+++ b/program.go
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 package wisski_distillery
 
 import (
+	"context"
+	"os"
+	"os/signal"
 	"os/user"
 
 	"github.com/FAU-CDI/wisski-distillery/internal/bootstrap"
@@ -21,6 +24,7 @@ type Program = goprogram.Program[wdcliEnv, wdcliParameters, wdCliFlags, wdcliReq
 type Command = goprogram.Command[wdcliEnv, wdcliParameters, wdCliFlags, wdcliRequirements]
 type Context = goprogram.Context[wdcliEnv, wdcliParameters, wdCliFlags, wdcliRequirements]
 type Arguments = goprogram.Arguments[wdCliFlags]
+type ContextCleanupFunc = goprogram.ContextCleanupFunc[wdcliEnv, wdcliParameters, wdCliFlags, wdcliRequirements]
 type Description = goprogram.Description[wdCliFlags, wdcliRequirements]
 
 // an error when nor arguments are provided.
@@ -49,6 +53,14 @@ func NewProgram() Program {
 			return nil
 		},
 
+		NewContext: func(params *wdcliParameters, parent context.Context) (context.Context, ContextCleanupFunc, error) {
+			if params == nil {
+				return parent, nil, nil
+			}
+			ctx, stop := signal.NotifyContext(parent, os.Interrupt)
+			return ctx, func(context *Context) { stop() }, nil
+		},
+
 		NewEnvironment: func(params wdcliParameters, context Context) (e wdcliEnv, err error) {
 			return dis.NewDistillery(params, context.Args.Flags, context.Description.Requirements)
 		},