diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 0778faa5b1..76aea16d08 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -1733,6 +1733,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "serde_ini 0.2.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
  "serde_json 1.0.40 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
  "serde_yaml 0.8.9 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
+ "shellexpand 1.0.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
  "subprocess 0.1.18 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
  "surf 1.0.1 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
  "syntect 3.2.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
@@ -2646,6 +2647,11 @@ dependencies = [
  "winapi-build 0.1.1 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "shellexpand"
+version = "1.0.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "slab"
 version = "0.4.2"
@@ -3568,6 +3574,7 @@ dependencies = [
 "checksum serde_yaml 0.8.9 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "38b08a9a90e5260fe01c6480ec7c811606df6d3a660415808c3c3fa8ed95b582"
 "checksum shell-words 0.1.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "39acde55a154c4cd3ae048ac78cc21c25f3a0145e44111b523279113dce0d94a"
 "checksum shell32-sys 0.1.2 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "9ee04b46101f57121c9da2b151988283b6beb79b34f5bb29a58ee48cb695122c"
+"checksum shellexpand 1.0.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "de7a5b5a9142fd278a10e0209b021a1b85849352e6951f4f914735c976737564"
 "checksum slab 0.4.2 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "c111b5bd5695e56cffe5129854aa230b39c93a305372fdbb2668ca2394eea9f8"
 "checksum sluice 0.4.1 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "ec70d7c3b17c262d4a18f7291c6ce62bf47170915f3b795434d3c5c49a4e59b7"
 "checksum smallvec 0.6.10 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)" = "ab606a9c5e214920bb66c458cd7be8ef094f813f20fe77a54cc7dbfff220d4b7"
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 4b30972a44..906e8e2b21 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ battery = "0.7.4"
 textwrap = {version = "0.11.0", features = ["term_size"]}
 rawkey = {version = "0.1.2", optional = true }
 clipboard = {version = "0.5", optional = true }
+shellexpand = "1.0.0"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 pretty_assertions = "0.6.1"
diff --git a/src/cli.rs b/src/cli.rs
index 90bdc435b5..c3a2995744 100644
--- a/src/cli.rs
+++ b/src/cli.rs
@@ -58,12 +58,17 @@ fn load_plugin(path: &std::path::Path, context: &mut Context) -> Result<(), Shel
 
     let mut input = String::new();
     match reader.read_line(&mut input) {
-        Ok(_) => {
+        Ok(count) => {
+            trace!("processing response ({} bytes)", count);
+
             let response = serde_json::from_str::<JsonRpc<Result<Signature, ShellError>>>(&input);
             match response {
                 Ok(jrpc) => match jrpc.params {
                     Ok(params) => {
                         let fname = path.to_string_lossy();
+
+                        trace!("processing {:?}", params);
+
                         if params.is_filter {
                             let fname = fname.to_string();
                             let name = params.name.clone();
@@ -93,14 +98,18 @@ fn load_plugins_in_dir(path: &std::path::PathBuf, context: &mut Context) -> Resu
     let re_bin = Regex::new(r"^nu_plugin_[A-Za-z_]+$")?;
     let re_exe = Regex::new(r"^nu_plugin_[A-Za-z_]+\.(exe|bat)$")?;
 
+    trace!("Looking for plugins in {:?}", path);
+
     match std::fs::read_dir(path) {
         Ok(p) => {
             for entry in p {
                 let entry = entry?;
                 let filename = entry.file_name();
                 let f_name = filename.to_string_lossy();
+
                 if re_bin.is_match(&f_name) || re_exe.is_match(&f_name) {
                     let mut load_path = path.clone();
+                    trace!("Found {:?}", f_name);
                     load_path.push(f_name.to_string());
                     load_plugin(&load_path, context)?;
                 }
@@ -513,7 +522,9 @@ fn classify_command(
 
                     trace!(target: "nu::build_pipeline", "classifying {:?}", config);
 
-                    let args: hir::Call = config.parse_args(call, context.registry(), source)?;
+                    let args: hir::Call = config.parse_args(call, &context, source)?;
+
+                    trace!(target: "nu::build_pipeline", "args :: {}", args.debug(source));
 
                     Ok(ClassifiedCommand::Internal(InternalCommand {
                         command,
diff --git a/src/commands/classified.rs b/src/commands/classified.rs
index 28005ceb7a..926b08355f 100644
--- a/src/commands/classified.rs
+++ b/src/commands/classified.rs
@@ -122,10 +122,11 @@ impl InternalCommand {
             self.name_span.clone(),
             context.source_map.clone(),
             self.args,
-            source,
+            &source,
             objects,
         );
 
+        let result = trace_out_stream!(target: "nu::trace_stream::internal", source: &source, "output" = result);
         let mut result = result.values;
 
         let mut stream = VecDeque::new();
diff --git a/src/commands/command.rs b/src/commands/command.rs
index b498b5e66a..b11c0a5beb 100644
--- a/src/commands/command.rs
+++ b/src/commands/command.rs
@@ -422,6 +422,25 @@ pub enum CommandAction {
     LeaveShell,
 }
 
+impl ToDebug for CommandAction {
+    fn fmt_debug(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter, _source: &str) -> fmt::Result {
+        match self {
+            CommandAction::ChangePath(s) => write!(f, "action:change-path={}", s),
+            CommandAction::AddSpanSource(u, source) => {
+                write!(f, "action:add-span-source={}@{:?}", u, source)
+            }
+            CommandAction::Exit => write!(f, "action:exit"),
+            CommandAction::EnterShell(s) => write!(f, "action:enter-shell={}", s),
+            CommandAction::EnterValueShell(t) => {
+                write!(f, "action:enter-value-shell={:?}", t.debug())
+            }
+            CommandAction::PreviousShell => write!(f, "action:previous-shell"),
+            CommandAction::NextShell => write!(f, "action:next-shell"),
+            CommandAction::LeaveShell => write!(f, "action:leave-shell"),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum ReturnSuccess {
     Value(Tagged<Value>),
@@ -430,6 +449,16 @@ pub enum ReturnSuccess {
 
 pub type ReturnValue = Result<ReturnSuccess, ShellError>;
 
+impl ToDebug for ReturnValue {
+    fn fmt_debug(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter, source: &str) -> fmt::Result {
+        match self {
+            Err(err) => write!(f, "{}", err.debug(source)),
+            Ok(ReturnSuccess::Value(v)) => write!(f, "{:?}", v.debug()),
+            Ok(ReturnSuccess::Action(a)) => write!(f, "{}", a.debug(source)),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 impl From<Tagged<Value>> for ReturnValue {
     fn from(input: Tagged<Value>) -> ReturnValue {
         Ok(ReturnSuccess::Value(input))
@@ -469,7 +498,7 @@ pub trait WholeStreamCommand: Send + Sync {
         Signature {
             name: self.name().to_string(),
             positional: vec![],
-            rest_positional: true,
+            rest_positional: None,
             named: indexmap::IndexMap::new(),
             is_filter: true,
         }
@@ -491,7 +520,7 @@ pub trait PerItemCommand: Send + Sync {
         Signature {
             name: self.name().to_string(),
             positional: vec![],
-            rest_positional: true,
+            rest_positional: None,
             named: indexmap::IndexMap::new(),
             is_filter: true,
         }
diff --git a/src/commands/get.rs b/src/commands/get.rs
index 37dba702bb..cd8db615a7 100644
--- a/src/commands/get.rs
+++ b/src/commands/get.rs
@@ -22,33 +22,41 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for Get {
     ) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         args.process(registry, get)?.run()
     }
+
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
-        Signature::build("get").rest()
+        Signature::build("get").rest(SyntaxType::Member)
     }
 }
 
 fn get_member(path: &Tagged<String>, obj: &Tagged<Value>) -> Result<Tagged<Value>, ShellError> {
-    let mut current = obj;
+    let mut current = Some(obj);
     for p in path.split(".") {
-        match current.get_data_by_key(p) {
-            Some(v) => current = v,
-            None => {
+        if let Some(obj) = current {
+            current = match obj.get_data_by_key(p) {
+                Some(v) => Some(v),
+                None =>
                 // Before we give up, see if they gave us a path that matches a field name by itself
-                match obj.get_data_by_key(&path.item) {
-                    Some(v) => return Ok(v.clone()),
-                    None => {
-                        return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
-                            "Unknown column",
-                            "table missing column",
-                            path.span(),
-                        ));
+                {
+                    match obj.get_data_by_key(&path.item) {
+                        Some(v) => return Ok(v.clone()),
+                        None => {
+                            return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+                                "Unknown column",
+                                "table missing column",
+                                path.span(),
+                            ));
+                        }
                     }
                 }
             }
         }
     }
 
-    Ok(current.clone())
+    match current {
+        Some(v) => Ok(v.clone()),
+        None => Ok(Value::nothing().tagged(obj.tag)),
+    }
+    // Ok(current.clone())
 }
 
 pub fn get(
diff --git a/src/commands/mkdir.rs b/src/commands/mkdir.rs
index 895b46b320..5f92f1177b 100644
--- a/src/commands/mkdir.rs
+++ b/src/commands/mkdir.rs
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ impl PerItemCommand for Mkdir {
     }
 
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
-        Signature::build("mkdir").rest()
+        Signature::build("mkdir").rest(SyntaxType::Path)
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/commands/open.rs b/src/commands/open.rs
index 3f40a94020..4282da8eab 100644
--- a/src/commands/open.rs
+++ b/src/commands/open.rs
@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@ fn run(call_info: &CallInfo, shell_manager: &ShellManager) -> Result<OutputStrea
     {
         file => file,
     };
-    let path_str = path.as_string()?;
+    let path_buf = path.as_path()?;
+    let path_str = path_buf.display().to_string();
     let path_span = path.span();
     let name_span = call_info.name_span;
     let has_raw = call_info.args.has("raw");
diff --git a/src/commands/pick.rs b/src/commands/pick.rs
index bee63ecdf9..6c7fca8f25 100644
--- a/src/commands/pick.rs
+++ b/src/commands/pick.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for Pick {
     }
 
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
-        Signature::build("pick").rest()
+        Signature::build("pick").rest(SyntaxType::Any)
     }
 
     fn run(
diff --git a/src/commands/plugin.rs b/src/commands/plugin.rs
index 0b02b40f75..09eadc9734 100644
--- a/src/commands/plugin.rs
+++ b/src/commands/plugin.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ use crate::errors::ShellError;
 use crate::parser::registry;
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use derive_new::new;
+use log::trace;
 use serde::{self, Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::io::prelude::*;
 use std::io::BufReader;
@@ -64,6 +65,8 @@ pub fn filter_plugin(
     args: CommandArgs,
     registry: &CommandRegistry,
 ) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
+    trace!("filter_plugin :: {}", path);
+
     let args = args.evaluate_once(registry)?;
 
     let mut child = std::process::Command::new(path)
@@ -80,6 +83,8 @@ pub fn filter_plugin(
 
     let call_info = args.call_info.clone();
 
+    trace!("filtering :: {:?}", call_info);
+
     let stream = bos
         .chain(args.input.values)
         .chain(eos)
@@ -95,7 +100,14 @@ pub fn filter_plugin(
 
                 let request = JsonRpc::new("begin_filter", call_info.clone());
                 let request_raw = serde_json::to_string(&request).unwrap();
-                let _ = stdin.write(format!("{}\n", request_raw).as_bytes()); // TODO: Handle error
+                match stdin.write(format!("{}\n", request_raw).as_bytes()) {
+                    Ok(_) => {}
+                    Err(err) => {
+                        let mut result = VecDeque::new();
+                        result.push_back(Err(ShellError::unexpected(format!("{}", err))));
+                        return result;
+                    }
+                }
 
                 let mut input = String::new();
                 match reader.read_line(&mut input) {
@@ -140,7 +152,15 @@ pub fn filter_plugin(
                 let mut reader = BufReader::new(stdout);
 
                 let request: JsonRpc<std::vec::Vec<Value>> = JsonRpc::new("end_filter", vec![]);
-                let request_raw = serde_json::to_string(&request).unwrap();
+                let request_raw = match serde_json::to_string(&request) {
+                    Ok(req) => req,
+                    Err(err) => {
+                        let mut result = VecDeque::new();
+                        result.push_back(Err(ShellError::unexpected(format!("{}", err))));
+                        return result;
+                    }
+                };
+
                 let _ = stdin.write(format!("{}\n", request_raw).as_bytes()); // TODO: Handle error
 
                 let mut input = String::new();
diff --git a/src/commands/reject.rs b/src/commands/reject.rs
index 4fc60fecf8..92aff1cb2e 100644
--- a/src/commands/reject.rs
+++ b/src/commands/reject.rs
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for Reject {
     }
 
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
-        Signature::build("reject").rest()
+        Signature::build("reject").rest(SyntaxType::Member)
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/commands/sort_by.rs b/src/commands/sort_by.rs
index 1a8d74b03c..c726dbedc0 100644
--- a/src/commands/sort_by.rs
+++ b/src/commands/sort_by.rs
@@ -4,13 +4,19 @@ use crate::prelude::*;
 
 pub struct SortBy;
 
+#[derive(Deserialize)]
+pub struct SortByArgs {
+    rest: Vec<Tagged<String>>,
+    reverse: bool,
+}
+
 impl WholeStreamCommand for SortBy {
     fn run(
         &self,
         args: CommandArgs,
         registry: &CommandRegistry,
     ) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-        sort_by(args, registry)
+        args.process(registry, sort_by)?.run()
     }
 
     fn name(&self) -> &str {
@@ -18,30 +24,21 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SortBy {
     }
 
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
-        Signature::build("sort-by").switch("reverse")
+        Signature::build("sort-by")
+            .rest(SyntaxType::String)
+            .switch("reverse")
     }
 }
 
-fn sort_by(args: CommandArgs, registry: &CommandRegistry) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let args = args.evaluate_once(registry)?;
-    let (input, args) = args.parts();
+fn sort_by(
+    SortByArgs { reverse, rest }: SortByArgs,
+    mut context: RunnableContext,
+) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
+    Ok(OutputStream::new(async_stream_block! {
+        let mut vec = context.input.drain_vec().await;
 
-    let fields: Result<Vec<_>, _> = args
-        .positional
-        .iter()
-        .flatten()
-        .map(|a| a.as_string())
-        .collect();
-
-    let fields = fields?;
-
-    let output = input.values.collect::<Vec<_>>();
-
-    let reverse = args.has("reverse");
-    let output = output.map(move |mut vec| {
         let calc_key = |item: &Tagged<Value>| {
-            fields
-                .iter()
+            rest.iter()
                 .map(|f| item.get_data_by_key(f).map(|i| i.clone()))
                 .collect::<Vec<Option<Tagged<Value>>>>()
         };
@@ -49,10 +46,10 @@ fn sort_by(args: CommandArgs, registry: &CommandRegistry) -> Result<OutputStream
             vec.sort_by_cached_key(|item| std::cmp::Reverse(calc_key(item)));
         } else {
             vec.sort_by_cached_key(calc_key);
+        };
+
+        for item in vec {
+            yield item.into();
         }
-
-        vec.into_iter().collect::<VecDeque<_>>()
-    });
-
-    Ok(output.flatten_stream().from_input_stream())
+    }))
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/split_column.rs b/src/commands/split_column.rs
index fbccc89c6d..612d58ef64 100644
--- a/src/commands/split_column.rs
+++ b/src/commands/split_column.rs
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SplitColumn {
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
         Signature::build("split-column")
             .required("separator", SyntaxType::Any)
-            .rest()
+            .rest(SyntaxType::Member)
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/context.rs b/src/context.rs
index 48cc44be5c..0a69979d00 100644
--- a/src/context.rs
+++ b/src/context.rs
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ impl Context {
         name_span: Span,
         source_map: SourceMap,
         args: hir::Call,
-        source: Text,
+        source: &Text,
         input: InputStream,
     ) -> OutputStream {
         let command_args = self.command_args(args, input, source, source_map, name_span);
@@ -131,13 +131,13 @@ impl Context {
     fn call_info(
         &self,
         args: hir::Call,
-        source: Text,
+        source: &Text,
         source_map: SourceMap,
         name_span: Span,
     ) -> UnevaluatedCallInfo {
         UnevaluatedCallInfo {
             args,
-            source,
+            source: source.clone(),
             source_map,
             name_span,
         }
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ impl Context {
         &self,
         args: hir::Call,
         input: InputStream,
-        source: Text,
+        source: &Text,
         source_map: SourceMap,
         name_span: Span,
     ) -> CommandArgs {
diff --git a/src/errors.rs b/src/errors.rs
index cd1120dadc..84bb96f037 100644
--- a/src/errors.rs
+++ b/src/errors.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use ansi_term::Color;
 use derive_new::new;
 use language_reporting::{Diagnostic, Label, Severity};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use std::fmt;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Eq, PartialEq, Clone, Ord, PartialOrd, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum Description {
@@ -56,6 +57,12 @@ pub struct ShellError {
     cause: Option<Box<ProximateShellError>>,
 }
 
+impl ToDebug for ShellError {
+    fn fmt_debug(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter, source: &str) -> fmt::Result {
+        self.error.fmt_debug(f, source)
+    }
+}
+
 impl serde::de::Error for ShellError {
     fn custom<T>(msg: T) -> Self
     where
@@ -335,6 +342,7 @@ pub enum ProximateShellError {
         right: Tagged<String>,
     },
 }
+
 impl ProximateShellError {
     fn start(self) -> ShellError {
         ShellError {
@@ -344,6 +352,13 @@ impl ProximateShellError {
     }
 }
 
+impl ToDebug for ProximateShellError {
+    fn fmt_debug(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter, _source: &str) -> fmt::Result {
+        // TODO: Custom debug for inner spans
+        write!(f, "{:?}", self)
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct ShellDiagnostic {
     crate diagnostic: Diagnostic<Span>,
diff --git a/src/evaluate/evaluator.rs b/src/evaluate/evaluator.rs
index b58eac2202..9d768a46d9 100644
--- a/src/evaluate/evaluator.rs
+++ b/src/evaluate/evaluator.rs
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ crate fn evaluate_baseline_expr(
 ) -> Result<Tagged<Value>, ShellError> {
     match &expr.item {
         RawExpression::Literal(literal) => Ok(evaluate_literal(expr.copy_span(*literal), source)),
+        RawExpression::FilePath(path) => Ok(Value::path(path.clone()).tagged(expr.span())),
         RawExpression::Synthetic(hir::Synthetic::String(s)) => Ok(Value::string(s).tagged_unknown()),
         RawExpression::Variable(var) => evaluate_reference(var, scope, source),
         RawExpression::ExternalCommand(external) => evaluate_external(external, scope, source),
diff --git a/src/format/table.rs b/src/format/table.rs
index eb6babeae7..78a2708971 100644
--- a/src/format/table.rs
+++ b/src/format/table.rs
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ impl TableView {
             let mut current_col_max = 0;
             for row in 0..values.len() {
                 let value_length = entries[row][head].0.len();
-                if value_length > current_col_max {
+                if head > entries[row].len() && value_length > current_col_max {
                     current_col_max = value_length;
                 }
             }
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index cead5e2f83..74ad22a68e 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ pub use crate::commands::command::{CallInfo, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue};
 pub use crate::context::{SourceMap, SpanSource};
 pub use crate::env::host::BasicHost;
 pub use crate::object::base::OF64;
+pub use crate::parser::hir::SyntaxType;
 pub use crate::plugin::{serve_plugin, Plugin};
 pub use crate::utils::{AbsolutePath, RelativePath};
 pub use cli::cli;
diff --git a/src/object/base.rs b/src/object/base.rs
index 5b136b3d4c..b7088a59fd 100644
--- a/src/object/base.rs
+++ b/src/object/base.rs
@@ -335,6 +335,7 @@ impl Value {
         }
     }
 
+    // TODO: This is basically a legacy construct, I think
     pub fn data_descriptors(&self) -> Vec<String> {
         match self {
             Value::Primitive(_) => vec![],
@@ -599,6 +600,10 @@ impl Value {
         Value::Primitive(Primitive::String(s.into()))
     }
 
+    pub fn path(s: impl Into<PathBuf>) -> Value {
+        Value::Primitive(Primitive::Path(s.into()))
+    }
+
     pub fn bytes(s: impl Into<u64>) -> Value {
         Value::Primitive(Primitive::Bytes(s.into()))
     }
@@ -634,6 +639,18 @@ impl Value {
     }
 }
 
+impl Tagged<Value> {
+    crate fn as_path(&self) -> Result<PathBuf, ShellError> {
+        match self.item() {
+            Value::Primitive(Primitive::Path(path)) => Ok(path.clone()),
+            other => Err(ShellError::type_error(
+                "Path",
+                other.type_name().tagged(self.span()),
+            )),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 crate fn select_fields(obj: &Value, fields: &[String], tag: impl Into<Tag>) -> Tagged<Value> {
     let mut out = TaggedDictBuilder::new(tag);
 
diff --git a/src/object/types.rs b/src/object/types.rs
index 719a990ad0..9a29284cbf 100644
--- a/src/object/types.rs
+++ b/src/object/types.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ use crate::object::base as value;
 use crate::parser::hir;
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use log::trace;
-use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 pub trait ExtractType: Sized {
     fn extract(value: &Tagged<Value>) -> Result<Self, ShellError>;
@@ -196,9 +195,9 @@ impl ExtractType for std::path::PathBuf {
 
         match &value {
             Tagged {
-                item: Value::Primitive(Primitive::String(p)),
+                item: Value::Primitive(Primitive::Path(p)),
                 ..
-            } => Ok(PathBuf::from(p)),
+            } => Ok(p.clone()),
             other => Err(ShellError::type_error("Path", other.tagged_type_name())),
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/parser/hir.rs b/src/parser/hir.rs
index e323812d17..2148a179f4 100644
--- a/src/parser/hir.rs
+++ b/src/parser/hir.rs
@@ -11,16 +11,22 @@ use derive_new::new;
 use getset::Getters;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::fmt;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 use crate::evaluate::Scope;
 
-crate use self::baseline_parse::{baseline_parse_single_token, baseline_parse_token_as_string};
-crate use self::baseline_parse_tokens::{baseline_parse_next_expr, SyntaxType, TokensIterator};
+crate use self::baseline_parse::{
+    baseline_parse_single_token, baseline_parse_token_as_number, baseline_parse_token_as_path,
+    baseline_parse_token_as_string,
+};
+crate use self::baseline_parse_tokens::{baseline_parse_next_expr, TokensIterator};
 crate use self::binary::Binary;
 crate use self::external_command::ExternalCommand;
 crate use self::named::NamedArguments;
 crate use self::path::Path;
 
+pub use self::baseline_parse_tokens::SyntaxType;
+
 pub fn path(head: impl Into<Expression>, tail: Vec<Tagged<impl Into<String>>>) -> Path {
     Path::new(
         head.into(),
@@ -68,6 +74,8 @@ impl ToDebug for Call {
             write!(f, "{}", named.debug(source))?;
         }
 
+        write!(f, ")")?;
+
         Ok(())
     }
 }
@@ -81,6 +89,7 @@ pub enum RawExpression {
     Block(Vec<Expression>),
     List(Vec<Expression>),
     Path(Box<Path>),
+    FilePath(PathBuf),
     ExternalCommand(ExternalCommand),
 
     #[allow(unused)]
@@ -105,6 +114,7 @@ impl RawExpression {
         match self {
             RawExpression::Literal(literal) => literal.type_name(),
             RawExpression::Synthetic(synthetic) => synthetic.type_name(),
+            RawExpression::FilePath(..) => "filepath",
             RawExpression::Variable(..) => "variable",
             RawExpression::List(..) => "list",
             RawExpression::Binary(..) => "binary",
@@ -141,6 +151,10 @@ impl Expression {
         )
     }
 
+    crate fn file_path(path: impl Into<PathBuf>, outer: impl Into<Span>) -> Expression {
+        Tagged::from_simple_spanned_item(RawExpression::FilePath(path.into()), outer.into())
+    }
+
     crate fn bare(span: impl Into<Span>) -> Expression {
         Tagged::from_simple_spanned_item(RawExpression::Literal(Literal::Bare), span.into())
     }
@@ -170,7 +184,8 @@ impl Expression {
 impl ToDebug for Expression {
     fn fmt_debug(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter, source: &str) -> fmt::Result {
         match self.item() {
-            RawExpression::Literal(l) => write!(f, "{:?}", l),
+            RawExpression::Literal(l) => l.tagged(self.span()).fmt_debug(f, source),
+            RawExpression::FilePath(p) => write!(f, "{}", p.display()),
             RawExpression::Synthetic(Synthetic::String(s)) => write!(f, "{:?}", s),
             RawExpression::Variable(Variable::It(_)) => write!(f, "$it"),
             RawExpression::Variable(Variable::Other(s)) => write!(f, "${}", s.slice(source)),
diff --git a/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse.rs b/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse.rs
index 6813470640..a894f2bd7c 100644
--- a/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse.rs
+++ b/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+use crate::context::Context;
 use crate::parser::{hir, RawToken, Token};
 use crate::Text;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 pub fn baseline_parse_single_token(token: &Token, source: &Text) -> hir::Expression {
     match *token.item() {
@@ -15,6 +17,20 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_single_token(token: &Token, source: &Text) -> hir::Express
     }
 }
 
+pub fn baseline_parse_token_as_number(token: &Token, source: &Text) -> hir::Expression {
+    match *token.item() {
+        RawToken::Variable(span) if span.slice(source) == "it" => {
+            hir::Expression::it_variable(span, token.span())
+        }
+        RawToken::External(span) => hir::Expression::external_command(span, token.span()),
+        RawToken::Variable(span) => hir::Expression::variable(span, token.span()),
+        RawToken::Integer(int) => hir::Expression::int(int, token.span()),
+        RawToken::Size(int, unit) => hir::Expression::size(int, unit, token.span()),
+        RawToken::Bare => hir::Expression::bare(token.span()),
+        RawToken::String(span) => hir::Expression::string(span, token.span()),
+    }
+}
+
 pub fn baseline_parse_token_as_string(token: &Token, source: &Text) -> hir::Expression {
     match *token.item() {
         RawToken::Variable(span) if span.slice(source) == "it" => {
@@ -28,3 +44,32 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_token_as_string(token: &Token, source: &Text) -> hir::Expr
         RawToken::String(span) => hir::Expression::string(span, token.span()),
     }
 }
+
+pub fn baseline_parse_token_as_path(
+    token: &Token,
+    context: &Context,
+    source: &Text,
+) -> hir::Expression {
+    match *token.item() {
+        RawToken::Variable(span) if span.slice(source) == "it" => {
+            hir::Expression::it_variable(span, token.span())
+        }
+        RawToken::External(span) => hir::Expression::external_command(span, token.span()),
+        RawToken::Variable(span) => hir::Expression::variable(span, token.span()),
+        RawToken::Integer(_) => hir::Expression::bare(token.span()),
+        RawToken::Size(_, _) => hir::Expression::bare(token.span()),
+        RawToken::Bare => hir::Expression::file_path(
+            expand_path(token.span().slice(source), context),
+            token.span(),
+        ),
+        RawToken::String(span) => {
+            hir::Expression::file_path(expand_path(span.slice(source), context), token.span())
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn expand_path(string: &str, context: &Context) -> PathBuf {
+    let expanded = shellexpand::tilde_with_context(string, || context.shell_manager.homedir());
+
+    PathBuf::from(expanded.as_ref())
+}
diff --git a/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse_tokens.rs b/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse_tokens.rs
index d9891b2fca..248169bbb8 100644
--- a/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse_tokens.rs
+++ b/src/parser/hir/baseline_parse_tokens.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
+use crate::context::Context;
 use crate::errors::ShellError;
-use crate::parser::registry::CommandRegistry;
 use crate::parser::{
     hir,
-    hir::{baseline_parse_single_token, baseline_parse_token_as_string},
+    hir::{
+        baseline_parse_single_token, baseline_parse_token_as_number, baseline_parse_token_as_path,
+        baseline_parse_token_as_string,
+    },
     DelimitedNode, Delimiter, PathNode, RawToken, TokenNode,
 };
 use crate::{Span, Tag, Tagged, TaggedItem, Text};
@@ -12,8 +15,9 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 pub fn baseline_parse_tokens(
     token_nodes: &mut TokensIterator<'_>,
-    registry: &CommandRegistry,
+    context: &Context,
     source: &Text,
+    syntax_type: SyntaxType,
 ) -> Result<Vec<hir::Expression>, ShellError> {
     let mut exprs: Vec<hir::Expression> = vec![];
 
@@ -22,7 +26,7 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_tokens(
             break;
         }
 
-        let expr = baseline_parse_next_expr(token_nodes, registry, source, SyntaxType::Any)?;
+        let expr = baseline_parse_next_expr(token_nodes, context, source, syntax_type)?;
         exprs.push(expr);
     }
 
@@ -35,7 +39,10 @@ pub enum SyntaxType {
     Any,
     List,
     Literal,
+    String,
+    Member,
     Variable,
+    Number,
     Path,
     Binary,
     Block,
@@ -44,7 +51,7 @@ pub enum SyntaxType {
 
 pub fn baseline_parse_next_expr(
     tokens: &mut TokensIterator,
-    registry: &CommandRegistry,
+    context: &Context,
     source: &Text,
     syntax_type: SyntaxType,
 ) -> Result<hir::Expression, ShellError> {
@@ -56,7 +63,7 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_next_expr(
 
     match (syntax_type, next) {
         (SyntaxType::Path, TokenNode::Token(token)) => {
-            return Ok(baseline_parse_token_as_string(token, source))
+            return Ok(baseline_parse_token_as_path(token, context, source))
         }
 
         (SyntaxType::Path, token) => {
@@ -66,10 +73,50 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_next_expr(
             ))
         }
 
-        _ => {}
+        (SyntaxType::String, TokenNode::Token(token)) => {
+            return Ok(baseline_parse_token_as_string(token, source));
+        }
+
+        (SyntaxType::String, token) => {
+            return Err(ShellError::type_error(
+                "String",
+                token.type_name().simple_spanned(token.span()),
+            ))
+        }
+
+        (SyntaxType::Number, TokenNode::Token(token)) => {
+            return Ok(baseline_parse_token_as_number(token, source));
+        }
+
+        (SyntaxType::Number, token) => {
+            return Err(ShellError::type_error(
+                "Numeric",
+                token.type_name().simple_spanned(token.span()),
+            ))
+        }
+
+        // TODO: More legit member processing
+        (SyntaxType::Member, TokenNode::Token(token)) => {
+            return Ok(baseline_parse_token_as_string(token, source));
+        }
+
+        (SyntaxType::Member, token) => {
+            return Err(ShellError::type_error(
+                "member",
+                token.type_name().simple_spanned(token.span()),
+            ))
+        }
+
+        (SyntaxType::Any, _) => {}
+        (SyntaxType::List, _) => {}
+        (SyntaxType::Literal, _) => {}
+        (SyntaxType::Variable, _) => {}
+        (SyntaxType::Binary, _) => {}
+        (SyntaxType::Block, _) => {}
+        (SyntaxType::Boolean, _) => {}
     };
 
-    let first = baseline_parse_semantic_token(next, registry, source)?;
+    let first = baseline_parse_semantic_token(next, context, source)?;
 
     let possible_op = tokens.peek();
 
@@ -88,7 +135,7 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_next_expr(
                 op.span(),
             ))
         }
-        Some(token) => baseline_parse_semantic_token(token, registry, source)?,
+        Some(token) => baseline_parse_semantic_token(token, context, source)?,
     };
 
     // We definitely have a binary expression here -- let's see if we should coerce it into a block
@@ -176,13 +223,13 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_next_expr(
 
 pub fn baseline_parse_semantic_token(
     token: &TokenNode,
-    registry: &CommandRegistry,
+    context: &Context,
     source: &Text,
 ) -> Result<hir::Expression, ShellError> {
     match token {
         TokenNode::Token(token) => Ok(baseline_parse_single_token(token, source)),
         TokenNode::Call(_call) => unimplemented!(),
-        TokenNode::Delimited(delimited) => baseline_parse_delimited(delimited, registry, source),
+        TokenNode::Delimited(delimited) => baseline_parse_delimited(delimited, context, source),
         TokenNode::Pipeline(_pipeline) => unimplemented!(),
         TokenNode::Operator(_op) => unreachable!(),
         TokenNode::Flag(_flag) => Err(ShellError::unimplemented(
@@ -191,20 +238,24 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_semantic_token(
         TokenNode::Member(_span) => unreachable!(),
         TokenNode::Whitespace(_span) => unreachable!(),
         TokenNode::Error(error) => Err(*error.item.clone()),
-        TokenNode::Path(path) => baseline_parse_path(path, registry, source),
+        TokenNode::Path(path) => baseline_parse_path(path, context, source),
     }
 }
 
 pub fn baseline_parse_delimited(
     token: &Tagged<DelimitedNode>,
-    registry: &CommandRegistry,
+    context: &Context,
     source: &Text,
 ) -> Result<hir::Expression, ShellError> {
     match token.delimiter() {
         Delimiter::Brace => {
             let children = token.children();
-            let exprs =
-                baseline_parse_tokens(&mut TokensIterator::new(children), registry, source)?;
+            let exprs = baseline_parse_tokens(
+                &mut TokensIterator::new(children),
+                context,
+                source,
+                SyntaxType::Any,
+            )?;
 
             let expr = hir::RawExpression::Block(exprs);
             Ok(Tagged::from_simple_spanned_item(expr, token.span()))
@@ -212,8 +263,12 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_delimited(
         Delimiter::Paren => unimplemented!(),
         Delimiter::Square => {
             let children = token.children();
-            let exprs =
-                baseline_parse_tokens(&mut TokensIterator::new(children), registry, source)?;
+            let exprs = baseline_parse_tokens(
+                &mut TokensIterator::new(children),
+                context,
+                source,
+                SyntaxType::Any,
+            )?;
 
             let expr = hir::RawExpression::List(exprs);
             Ok(expr.tagged(Tag::unknown_origin(token.span())))
@@ -223,10 +278,10 @@ pub fn baseline_parse_delimited(
 
 pub fn baseline_parse_path(
     token: &Tagged<PathNode>,
-    registry: &CommandRegistry,
+    context: &Context,
     source: &Text,
 ) -> Result<hir::Expression, ShellError> {
-    let head = baseline_parse_semantic_token(token.head(), registry, source)?;
+    let head = baseline_parse_semantic_token(token.head(), context, source)?;
 
     let mut tail = vec![];
 
diff --git a/src/parser/hir/named.rs b/src/parser/hir/named.rs
index 5ce06fe6f5..f95896cbfb 100644
--- a/src/parser/hir/named.rs
+++ b/src/parser/hir/named.rs
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ impl ToDebug for NamedArguments {
         for (name, value) in &self.named {
             match value {
                 NamedValue::AbsentSwitch => continue,
-                NamedValue::PresentSwitch(span) => write!(f, " {}", span.slice(source))?,
+                NamedValue::PresentSwitch(span) => write!(f, " --{}", span.slice(source))?,
                 NamedValue::AbsentValue => continue,
                 NamedValue::Value(expr) => write!(f, " --{} {}", name, expr.debug(source))?,
             }
diff --git a/src/parser/parse/parser.rs b/src/parser/parse/parser.rs
index 2f060ca29b..a5afac756d 100644
--- a/src/parser/parse/parser.rs
+++ b/src/parser/parse/parser.rs
@@ -540,6 +540,8 @@ fn is_start_bare_char(c: char) -> bool {
         '@' => true,
         '*' => true,
         '?' => true,
+        '~' => true,
+        '+' => true,
         _ => false,
     }
 }
@@ -557,6 +559,8 @@ fn is_bare_char(c: char) -> bool {
         '*' => true,
         '?' => true,
         '=' => true,
+        '~' => true,
+        '+' => true,
         _ => false,
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/parser/parse_command.rs b/src/parser/parse_command.rs
index 9ae920d2c2..4d8204f16b 100644
--- a/src/parser/parse_command.rs
+++ b/src/parser/parse_command.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
+use crate::context::Context;
 use crate::errors::{ArgumentError, ShellError};
-use crate::parser::registry::{CommandRegistry, NamedType, PositionalType, Signature};
+use crate::parser::registry::{NamedType, PositionalType, Signature};
 use crate::parser::{baseline_parse_tokens, CallNode};
 use crate::parser::{
     hir::{self, NamedArguments},
@@ -10,7 +11,7 @@ use log::trace;
 
 pub fn parse_command(
     config: &Signature,
-    registry: &CommandRegistry,
+    context: &Context,
     call: &Tagged<CallNode>,
     source: &Text,
 ) -> Result<hir::Call, ShellError> {
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ pub fn parse_command(
             .collect()
     });
 
-    match parse_command_tail(&config, registry, children, source, call.span())? {
+    match parse_command_tail(&config, context, children, source, call.span())? {
         None => Ok(hir::Call::new(Box::new(head), None, None)),
         Some((positional, named)) => Ok(hir::Call::new(Box::new(head), positional, named)),
     }
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ fn parse_command_head(head: &TokenNode) -> Result<hir::Expression, ShellError> {
 
 fn parse_command_tail(
     config: &Signature,
-    registry: &CommandRegistry,
+    context: &Context,
     tail: Option<Vec<TokenNode>>,
     source: &Text,
     command_span: Span,
@@ -101,7 +102,7 @@ fn parse_command_tail(
                         }
 
                         let expr =
-                            hir::baseline_parse_next_expr(tail, registry, source, *syntax_type)?;
+                            hir::baseline_parse_next_expr(tail, context, source, *syntax_type)?;
 
                         tail.restart();
                         named.insert_mandatory(name, expr);
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@ fn parse_command_tail(
                         ));
                     }
 
-                    let expr = hir::baseline_parse_next_expr(tail, registry, source, *syntax_type)?;
+                    let expr = hir::baseline_parse_next_expr(tail, context, source, *syntax_type)?;
 
                     tail.restart();
                     named.insert_optional(name, Some(expr));
@@ -160,16 +161,17 @@ fn parse_command_tail(
             }
         }
 
-        let result = hir::baseline_parse_next_expr(tail, registry, source, arg.syntax_type())?;
+        let result = hir::baseline_parse_next_expr(tail, context, source, arg.syntax_type())?;
 
         positional.push(result);
     }
 
     trace_remaining("after positional", tail.clone(), source);
 
-    // TODO: Only do this if rest params are specified
-    let remainder = baseline_parse_tokens(tail, registry, source)?;
-    positional.extend(remainder);
+    if let Some(syntax_type) = config.rest_positional {
+        let remainder = baseline_parse_tokens(tail, context, source, syntax_type)?;
+        positional.extend(remainder);
+    }
 
     trace_remaining("after rest", tail.clone(), source);
 
@@ -180,6 +182,8 @@ fn parse_command_tail(
         positional => Some(positional),
     };
 
+    // TODO: Error if extra unconsumed positional arguments
+
     let named = match named {
         named if named.named.is_empty() => None,
         named => Some(named),
diff --git a/src/parser/registry.rs b/src/parser/registry.rs
index d7f41d4360..3d24e99214 100644
--- a/src/parser/registry.rs
+++ b/src/parser/registry.rs
@@ -74,8 +74,8 @@ pub struct Signature {
     pub name: String,
     #[new(default)]
     pub positional: Vec<PositionalType>,
-    #[new(value = "false")]
-    pub rest_positional: bool,
+    #[new(value = "None")]
+    pub rest_positional: Option<SyntaxType>,
     #[new(default)]
     pub named: IndexMap<String, NamedType>,
     #[new(value = "false")]
@@ -130,8 +130,8 @@ impl Signature {
         self
     }
 
-    pub fn rest(mut self) -> Signature {
-        self.rest_positional = true;
+    pub fn rest(mut self, ty: SyntaxType) -> Signature {
+        self.rest_positional = Some(ty);
         self
     }
 }
@@ -279,10 +279,10 @@ impl Signature {
     crate fn parse_args(
         &self,
         call: &Tagged<CallNode>,
-        registry: &CommandRegistry,
+        context: &Context,
         source: &Text,
     ) -> Result<hir::Call, ShellError> {
-        let args = parse_command(self, registry, call, source)?;
+        let args = parse_command(self, context, call, source)?;
 
         trace!("parsed args: {:?}", args);
 
diff --git a/src/plugins/add.rs b/src/plugins/add.rs
index 2634c14970..93c519212e 100644
--- a/src/plugins/add.rs
+++ b/src/plugins/add.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
-use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use nu::{
-    serve_plugin, CallInfo, Plugin, PositionalType, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue,
-    ShellError, Signature, Tagged, Value,
+    serve_plugin, CallInfo, Plugin, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue, ShellError, Signature,
+    SyntaxType, Tagged, Value,
 };
 
 struct Add {
@@ -43,17 +42,12 @@ impl Add {
 
 impl Plugin for Add {
     fn config(&mut self) -> Result<Signature, ShellError> {
-        Ok(Signature {
-            name: "add".to_string(),
-            positional: vec![
-                PositionalType::mandatory_any("Field"),
-                PositionalType::mandatory_any("Value"),
-            ],
-            is_filter: true,
-            named: IndexMap::new(),
-            rest_positional: true,
-        })
+        Ok(Signature::build("add")
+            .required("Field", SyntaxType::String)
+            .required("Value", SyntaxType::String)
+            .rest(SyntaxType::String).filter())
     }
+
     fn begin_filter(&mut self, call_info: CallInfo) -> Result<Vec<ReturnValue>, ShellError> {
         if let Some(args) = call_info.args.positional {
             match &args[0] {
diff --git a/src/plugins/binaryview.rs b/src/plugins/binaryview.rs
index 58ae9756a8..fb9c2213a2 100644
--- a/src/plugins/binaryview.rs
+++ b/src/plugins/binaryview.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,5 @@
 use crossterm::{cursor, terminal, Attribute, RawScreen};
-use indexmap::IndexMap;
-use nu::{
-    serve_plugin, CallInfo, NamedType, Plugin, ShellError, Signature, SpanSource, Tagged, Value,
-};
+use nu::{serve_plugin, CallInfo, Plugin, ShellError, Signature, SpanSource, Tagged, Value};
 use pretty_hex::*;
 
 struct BinaryView;
@@ -15,15 +12,7 @@ impl BinaryView {
 
 impl Plugin for BinaryView {
     fn config(&mut self) -> Result<Signature, ShellError> {
-        let mut named = IndexMap::new();
-        named.insert("lores".to_string(), NamedType::Switch);
-        Ok(Signature {
-            name: "binaryview".to_string(),
-            positional: vec![],
-            is_filter: false,
-            named,
-            rest_positional: false,
-        })
+        Ok(Signature::build("binaryview").switch("lores"))
     }
 
     fn sink(&mut self, call_info: CallInfo, input: Vec<Tagged<Value>>) {
diff --git a/src/plugins/edit.rs b/src/plugins/edit.rs
index 6e94c1c83f..902c038bc1 100644
--- a/src/plugins/edit.rs
+++ b/src/plugins/edit.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
-use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use nu::{
-    serve_plugin, CallInfo, Plugin, PositionalType, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue,
-    ShellError, Signature, Tagged, Value,
+    serve_plugin, CallInfo, Plugin, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue, ShellError, Signature,
+    SyntaxType, Tagged, Value,
 };
 
 struct Edit {
@@ -42,17 +41,12 @@ impl Edit {
 
 impl Plugin for Edit {
     fn config(&mut self) -> Result<Signature, ShellError> {
-        Ok(Signature {
-            name: "edit".to_string(),
-            positional: vec![
-                PositionalType::mandatory_any("Field"),
-                PositionalType::mandatory_any("Value"),
-            ],
-            is_filter: true,
-            named: IndexMap::new(),
-            rest_positional: true,
-        })
+        Ok(Signature::build("edit")
+            .required("Field", SyntaxType::String)
+            .required("Value", SyntaxType::String)
+            .filter())
     }
+
     fn begin_filter(&mut self, call_info: CallInfo) -> Result<Vec<ReturnValue>, ShellError> {
         if let Some(args) = call_info.args.positional {
             match &args[0] {
diff --git a/src/plugins/inc.rs b/src/plugins/inc.rs
index 173ced2fe1..ece83b7f21 100644
--- a/src/plugins/inc.rs
+++ b/src/plugins/inc.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
-use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use nu::{
-    serve_plugin, CallInfo, NamedType, Plugin, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue, ShellError,
-    Signature, Tagged, TaggedItem, Value,
+    serve_plugin, CallInfo, Plugin, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue, ShellError, Signature,
+    SyntaxType, Tagged, TaggedItem, Value,
 };
 
 enum Action {
@@ -116,19 +115,14 @@ impl Inc {
 
 impl Plugin for Inc {
     fn config(&mut self) -> Result<Signature, ShellError> {
-        let mut named = IndexMap::new();
-        named.insert("major".to_string(), NamedType::Switch);
-        named.insert("minor".to_string(), NamedType::Switch);
-        named.insert("patch".to_string(), NamedType::Switch);
-
-        Ok(Signature {
-            name: "inc".to_string(),
-            positional: vec![],
-            is_filter: true,
-            named,
-            rest_positional: true,
-        })
+        Ok(Signature::build("inc")
+            .switch("major")
+            .switch("minor")
+            .switch("patch")
+            .rest(SyntaxType::String)
+            .filter())
     }
+
     fn begin_filter(&mut self, call_info: CallInfo) -> Result<Vec<ReturnValue>, ShellError> {
         if call_info.args.has("major") {
             self.for_semver(SemVerAction::Major);
diff --git a/src/plugins/skip.rs b/src/plugins/skip.rs
index 8633c5e5db..6f78351fee 100644
--- a/src/plugins/skip.rs
+++ b/src/plugins/skip.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use nu::{
     serve_plugin, CallInfo, Plugin, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue, ShellError, Signature,
-    Tagged, Value,
+    SyntaxType, Tagged, Value,
 };
 
 struct Skip {
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ impl Plugin for Skip {
             positional: vec![],
             is_filter: true,
             named: IndexMap::new(),
-            rest_positional: true,
+            rest_positional: Some(SyntaxType::Number),
         })
     }
     fn begin_filter(&mut self, call_info: CallInfo) -> Result<Vec<ReturnValue>, ShellError> {
diff --git a/src/plugins/str.rs b/src/plugins/str.rs
index 679ede80a6..0656d5f780 100644
--- a/src/plugins/str.rs
+++ b/src/plugins/str.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
-use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use nu::{
-    serve_plugin, CallInfo, NamedType, Plugin, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue, ShellError,
-    Signature, Tagged, Value,
+    serve_plugin, CallInfo, Plugin, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue, ShellError, Signature,
+    SyntaxType, Tagged, Value,
 };
 use regex::Regex;
 
@@ -40,9 +39,11 @@ impl Str {
         let applied = match self.action.as_ref() {
             Some(Action::Downcase) => Value::string(input.to_ascii_lowercase()),
             Some(Action::Upcase) => Value::string(input.to_ascii_uppercase()),
-            Some(Action::ToInteger) => match input.trim().parse::<i64>() {
-                Ok(v) => Value::int(v),
-                Err(_) => Value::string(input),
+            Some(Action::ToInteger) => match input.trim() {
+                other => match other.parse::<i64>() {
+                    Ok(v) => Value::int(v),
+                    Err(_) => Value::string(input),
+                },
             },
             Some(Action::Replace(ref mode)) => match mode {
                 ReplaceAction::Direct => Value::string(self.first_param()),
@@ -138,9 +139,7 @@ impl Str {
                 Some(ref f) => {
                     let replacement = match value.item.get_data_by_path(value.tag(), f) {
                         Some(result) => self.strutils(result.map(|x| x.clone()))?,
-                        None => {
-                            return Err(ShellError::string("str could not find field to replace"))
-                        }
+                        None => return Ok(Tagged::from_item(Value::nothing(), value.tag)),
                     };
                     match value
                         .item
@@ -168,20 +167,14 @@ impl Str {
 
 impl Plugin for Str {
     fn config(&mut self) -> Result<Signature, ShellError> {
-        let mut named = IndexMap::new();
-        named.insert("downcase".to_string(), NamedType::Switch);
-        named.insert("upcase".to_string(), NamedType::Switch);
-        named.insert("to-int".to_string(), NamedType::Switch);
-        named.insert("replace".to_string(), NamedType::Switch);
-        named.insert("find-replace".to_string(), NamedType::Switch);
-
-        Ok(Signature {
-            name: "str".to_string(),
-            positional: vec![],
-            is_filter: true,
-            named,
-            rest_positional: true,
-        })
+        Ok(Signature::build("str")
+            .switch("downcase")
+            .switch("upcase")
+            .switch("to-int")
+            .switch("replace")
+            .switch("find-replace")
+            .rest(SyntaxType::Member)
+            .filter())
     }
 
     fn begin_filter(&mut self, call_info: CallInfo) -> Result<Vec<ReturnValue>, ShellError> {
diff --git a/src/plugins/sum.rs b/src/plugins/sum.rs
index 34cc59ec7b..1c983b1ad8 100644
--- a/src/plugins/sum.rs
+++ b/src/plugins/sum.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use nu::{
     serve_plugin, CallInfo, Plugin, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue, ShellError, Signature,
     Tag, Tagged, Value,
@@ -14,6 +13,7 @@ impl Sum {
 
     fn sum(&mut self, value: Tagged<Value>) -> Result<(), ShellError> {
         match value.item {
+            Value::Primitive(Primitive::Nothing) => Ok(()),
             Value::Primitive(Primitive::Int(i)) => {
                 match self.total {
                     Some(Tagged {
@@ -64,14 +64,9 @@ impl Sum {
 
 impl Plugin for Sum {
     fn config(&mut self) -> Result<Signature, ShellError> {
-        Ok(Signature {
-            name: "sum".to_string(),
-            positional: vec![],
-            is_filter: true,
-            named: IndexMap::new(),
-            rest_positional: true,
-        })
+        Ok(Signature::build("sum").filter())
     }
+
     fn begin_filter(&mut self, _: CallInfo) -> Result<Vec<ReturnValue>, ShellError> {
         Ok(vec![])
     }
diff --git a/src/plugins/sys.rs b/src/plugins/sys.rs
index c442f39f9d..00e4ca47d2 100644
--- a/src/plugins/sys.rs
+++ b/src/plugins/sys.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 use futures::executor::block_on;
 use futures::stream::StreamExt;
 use heim::{disk, memory, net};
-use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use nu::{
     serve_plugin, CallInfo, Plugin, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue, ShellError, Signature,
-    Tag, Tagged, TaggedDictBuilder, Value,
+    SyntaxType, Tag, Tagged, TaggedDictBuilder, Value,
 };
 use std::ffi::OsStr;
 
@@ -251,14 +250,9 @@ async fn sysinfo(tag: Tag) -> Vec<Tagged<Value>> {
 
 impl Plugin for Sys {
     fn config(&mut self) -> Result<Signature, ShellError> {
-        Ok(Signature {
-            name: "sys".to_string(),
-            positional: vec![],
-            is_filter: true,
-            named: IndexMap::new(),
-            rest_positional: true,
-        })
+        Ok(Signature::build("sys").rest(SyntaxType::Any))
     }
+
     fn begin_filter(&mut self, callinfo: CallInfo) -> Result<Vec<ReturnValue>, ShellError> {
         Ok(block_on(sysinfo(Tag::unknown_origin(callinfo.name_span)))
             .into_iter()
diff --git a/src/plugins/textview.rs b/src/plugins/textview.rs
index 238144cbe2..aefb09992f 100644
--- a/src/plugins/textview.rs
+++ b/src/plugins/textview.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 use crossterm::{cursor, terminal, RawScreen};
 use crossterm::{InputEvent, KeyEvent};
-use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use nu::{
     serve_plugin, CallInfo, Plugin, Primitive, ShellError, Signature, SourceMap, SpanSource,
     Tagged, Value,
@@ -27,13 +26,7 @@ impl TextView {
 
 impl Plugin for TextView {
     fn config(&mut self) -> Result<Signature, ShellError> {
-        Ok(Signature {
-            name: "textview".to_string(),
-            positional: vec![],
-            is_filter: false,
-            named: IndexMap::new(),
-            rest_positional: false,
-        })
+        Ok(Signature::build("textview"))
     }
 
     fn sink(&mut self, call_info: CallInfo, input: Vec<Tagged<Value>>) {
diff --git a/src/plugins/tree.rs b/src/plugins/tree.rs
index dcffa48eb8..9784e854c3 100644
--- a/src/plugins/tree.rs
+++ b/src/plugins/tree.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 use derive_new::new;
-use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use nu::{serve_plugin, CallInfo, Plugin, ShellError, Signature, Tagged, Value};
 use ptree::item::StringItem;
 use ptree::output::print_tree_with;
@@ -81,13 +80,7 @@ struct TreeViewer;
 
 impl Plugin for TreeViewer {
     fn config(&mut self) -> Result<Signature, ShellError> {
-        Ok(Signature {
-            name: "tree".to_string(),
-            positional: vec![],
-            is_filter: false,
-            named: IndexMap::new(),
-            rest_positional: true,
-        })
+        Ok(Signature::build("tree"))
     }
 
     fn sink(&mut self, _call_info: CallInfo, input: Vec<Tagged<Value>>) {
diff --git a/src/prelude.rs b/src/prelude.rs
index 9e1f7322f8..481d897576 100644
--- a/src/prelude.rs
+++ b/src/prelude.rs
@@ -32,6 +32,25 @@ macro_rules! trace_stream {
     }};
 }
 
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! trace_out_stream {
+    (target: $target:tt, source: $source:expr, $desc:tt = $expr:expr) => {{
+        if log::log_enabled!(target: $target, log::Level::Trace) {
+            use futures::stream::StreamExt;
+
+            let source = $source.clone();
+
+            let objects = $expr.values.inspect(move |o| {
+                trace!(target: $target, "{} = {}", $desc, o.debug(&source));
+            });
+
+            $crate::stream::OutputStream::new(objects)
+        } else {
+            $expr
+        }
+    }};
+}
+
 crate use crate::cli::MaybeOwned;
 crate use crate::commands::command::{
     CallInfo, CommandAction, CommandArgs, ReturnSuccess, ReturnValue, RunnableContext,
diff --git a/src/shell/filesystem_shell.rs b/src/shell/filesystem_shell.rs
index adeb551faf..1f2f945510 100644
--- a/src/shell/filesystem_shell.rs
+++ b/src/shell/filesystem_shell.rs
@@ -72,12 +72,16 @@ impl Shell for FilesystemShell {
         "filesystem".to_string()
     }
 
+    fn homedir(&self) -> Option<PathBuf> {
+        dirs::home_dir()
+    }
+
     fn ls(&self, args: EvaluatedWholeStreamCommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         let cwd = self.path();
         let mut full_path = PathBuf::from(self.path());
 
         match &args.nth(0) {
-            Some(Tagged { item: value, .. }) => full_path.push(Path::new(&value.as_string()?)),
+            Some(value) => full_path.push(Path::new(&value.as_path()?)),
             _ => {}
         }
 
@@ -176,7 +180,7 @@ impl Shell for FilesystemShell {
                 }
             },
             Some(v) => {
-                let target = v.as_string()?;
+                let target = v.as_path()?;
                 let path = PathBuf::from(self.path());
                 match dunce::canonicalize(path.join(target).as_path()) {
                     Ok(p) => p,
diff --git a/src/shell/shell.rs b/src/shell/shell.rs
index 1db76d699c..4157cacb68 100644
--- a/src/shell/shell.rs
+++ b/src/shell/shell.rs
@@ -7,9 +7,11 @@ use crate::context::SourceMap;
 use crate::errors::ShellError;
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use crate::stream::OutputStream;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 pub trait Shell: std::fmt::Debug {
     fn name(&self, source_map: &SourceMap) -> String;
+    fn homedir(&self) -> Option<PathBuf>;
     fn ls(&self, args: EvaluatedWholeStreamCommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError>;
     fn cd(&self, args: EvaluatedWholeStreamCommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError>;
     fn cp(&self, args: CopyArgs, name: Span, path: &str) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError>;
diff --git a/src/shell/shell_manager.rs b/src/shell/shell_manager.rs
index 49e8484ee2..1d58738fee 100644
--- a/src/shell/shell_manager.rs
+++ b/src/shell/shell_manager.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ use crate::shell::filesystem_shell::FilesystemShell;
 use crate::shell::shell::Shell;
 use crate::stream::OutputStream;
 use std::error::Error;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
@@ -102,16 +103,24 @@ impl ShellManager {
         self.set_path(self.path());
     }
 
+    pub fn homedir(&self) -> Option<PathBuf> {
+        let env = self.shells.lock().unwrap();
+
+        env[self.current_shell].homedir()
+    }
+
     pub fn ls(&self, args: EvaluatedWholeStreamCommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         let env = self.shells.lock().unwrap();
 
         env[self.current_shell].ls(args)
     }
+
     pub fn cd(&self, args: EvaluatedWholeStreamCommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         let env = self.shells.lock().unwrap();
 
         env[self.current_shell].cd(args)
     }
+
     pub fn cp(
         &self,
         args: CopyArgs,
diff --git a/src/shell/value_shell.rs b/src/shell/value_shell.rs
index c65a8833c1..3c4e78c8bf 100644
--- a/src/shell/value_shell.rs
+++ b/src/shell/value_shell.rs
@@ -69,6 +69,10 @@ impl Shell for ValueShell {
         )
     }
 
+    fn homedir(&self) -> Option<PathBuf> {
+        dirs::home_dir()
+    }
+
     fn ls(&self, _args: EvaluatedWholeStreamCommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         Ok(self
             .members()
diff --git a/src/utils.rs b/src/utils.rs
index 7a0527565e..6b4fc33f37 100644
--- a/src/utils.rs
+++ b/src/utils.rs
@@ -158,6 +158,7 @@ impl FileStructure {
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
+    use pretty_assertions::assert_eq;
 
     use super::{FileStructure, Res};
     use std::path::PathBuf;
diff --git a/tests/command_ls_tests.rs b/tests/command_ls_tests.rs
index 0cda5c93d8..6223709805 100644
--- a/tests/command_ls_tests.rs
+++ b/tests/command_ls_tests.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ fn ls_lists_regular_files() {
     nu!(
         output,
         cwd(&full_path),
-        "ls | get name | lines| split-column \".\" | get Column2 | str Column2 --to-int | sum | echo $it"
+        r#"ls | get name | lines | split-column "." | get Column2 | str Column2 --to-int | sum | echo $it"#
     );
 
     assert_eq!(output, "30");