diff --git a/src/kiwi/parser.py b/src/kiwi/parser.py
index 01c869f..a54bb05 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/parser.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/parser.py
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ class Parser:
         def get_args(self):
             if self.__args is None:
                 # parse args if needed
-                self.__args = self.__parser.parse_args()
+                self.__args, unknowns = self.__parser.parse_known_args()
+                self.__args.unknowns = unknowns
 
             return self.__args
 
diff --git a/src/kiwi/runner.py b/src/kiwi/runner.py
index d84cca1..026f25b 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/runner.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/runner.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import logging
 
 # local
 from . import subcommands
-from .config import LoadedConfig
 from .parser import Parser
 
 
@@ -13,7 +12,6 @@ class Runner:
     class __Runner:
         """Singleton type"""
 
-        __parser = None
         __commands = []
 
         def __init__(self):
@@ -22,10 +20,11 @@ class Runner:
                 cmd = getattr(subcommands, className)
                 self.__commands.append(cmd())
 
-        def run(self, command=None):
+        def run(self, command=None, args=None):
             """run the desired subcommand"""
 
-            args = Parser().get_args()
+            if args is None:
+                args = Parser().get_args()
 
             if command is None:
                 command = args.command
@@ -36,7 +35,7 @@ class Runner:
                     logging.debug(f"Running '{cmd}' with args: {args}")
 
                     try:
-                        result = cmd.run(self, LoadedConfig.get(), args)
+                        result = cmd.run(self, args)
 
                     except KeyboardInterrupt:
                         print()
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/_subcommand.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/_subcommand.py
index 34c6aae..9566443 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/_subcommand.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/_subcommand.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # system
 import logging
+import os
 
 # local
 from .utils.project import Projects
@@ -16,7 +17,9 @@ class SubCommand:
     # command parser
     _sub_parser = None
 
-    def __init__(self, name, add_parser=True, **kwargs):
+    _action = None
+
+    def __init__(self, name, action='', add_parser=True, **kwargs):
         self.__name = name
         if add_parser:
             self._sub_parser = Parser().get_subparsers().add_parser(
@@ -24,26 +27,38 @@ class SubCommand:
                 **kwargs
             )
 
+        if not action:
+            # default action string
+            self._action = f"Running '{str(self)}' for"
+        else:
+            self._action = action
+
     def __str__(self):
         return self.__name
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
-        """actually run command with this dir's config and parsed CLI args"""
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
         pass
 
+    def run(self, runner, args):
+        """actually run command with parsed CLI args"""
+
+        # run for entire instance
+        logging.info(f"{self._action} kiwi-config instance at '{os.getcwd()}'")
+        return self._run_instance(runner, args)
+
 
 class ProjectCommand(SubCommand):
     """this command concerns a project in current instance"""
 
-    def __init__(self, name, num_projects, add_parser=True, **kwargs):
+    def __init__(self, name, num_projects, action='', add_parser=True, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(
-            name, add_parser=add_parser,
+            name, action=action, add_parser=add_parser,
             **kwargs
         )
 
-        projects = "a project"
-
-        if not num_projects == 1:
+        if num_projects == 1:
+            projects = "a project"
+        else:
             projects = "project(s)"
 
         self._sub_parser.add_argument(
@@ -51,19 +66,41 @@ class ProjectCommand(SubCommand):
             help=f"select {projects} in this instance"
         )
 
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
+        # default: run for all enabled projects
+        return self._run_projects(runner, args, Projects.from_dir().filter_enabled())
+
+    def _run_projects(self, runner, args, projects):
+        pass
+
+    def run(self, runner, args):
+        projects = Projects.from_args(args)
+
+        if not projects.empty():
+            # project(s) given
+            logging.info(f"{self._action} projects {projects}")
+            return self._run_projects(runner, args, projects)
+
+        else:
+            return super().run(runner, args)
+
 
 class ServiceCommand(ProjectCommand):
     """this command concerns service(s) in a project"""
 
-    def __init__(self, name, num_projects, num_services, add_parser=True, **kwargs):
+    def __init__(self, name, num_projects, num_services, action='', add_parser=True, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(
-            name, num_projects=num_projects, add_parser=add_parser,
+            name, num_projects=num_projects, action=action, add_parser=add_parser,
             **kwargs
         )
 
-        services = "a service"
+        if (isinstance(num_projects, str) and num_projects == '*') \
+                or (isinstance(num_projects, int) and num_projects > 1):
+            logging.warning(f"Invalid choice for project count: {num_projects}")
 
-        if not num_services == 1:
+        if num_services == 1:
+            services = "a service"
+        else:
             services = "service(s)"
 
         self._sub_parser.add_argument(
@@ -71,52 +108,25 @@ class ServiceCommand(ProjectCommand):
             help=f"select {services} in a project"
         )
 
-
-class FlexCommand(ServiceCommand):
-    """this command concerns the entire instance, a whole project or just service(s) in a project"""
-
-    __action = None
-
-    def __init__(self, name, action='', add_parser=True, **kwargs):
-        super().__init__(
-            name, num_projects='?', num_services='*', add_parser=add_parser,
-            **kwargs
-        )
-
-        if not action:
-            # default action string
-            self.__action = f"Running '{str(self)}' for"
-        else:
-            self.__action = action
-
-    def _run_instance(self, runner, config, args):
+    def _run_projects(self, runner, args, projects):
         result = True
 
-        for project in Projects.from_args(args):
-            args.projects = project.get_name()
-            result &= runner.run(str(self))
+        # default: run without services for all given
+        for project in projects:
+            result &= self._run_services(runner, args, project, [])
 
         return result
 
-    def _run_project(self, runner, config, args):
-        return self._run_services(runner, config, args, [])
-
-    def _run_services(self, runner, config, args, services):
+    def _run_services(self, runner, args, project, services):
         pass
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
-        projects = Projects.from_args(args)
-        if not projects:
-            # no project given, run for entire instance
-            logging.info(f"{self.__action} this instance")
-            return self._run_instance(runner, config, args)
+    def run(self, runner, args):
+        if 'services' in args and args.services:
+            project = Projects.from_args(args)[0]
 
-        project = projects[0]
-        if args is None or 'services' not in args or not args.services:
-            # no services given, run for whole project
-            logging.info(f"{self.__action} project '{project.get_name()}'")
-            return self._run_project(runner, config, args)
+            # run for service(s) inside project
+            logging.info(f"{self._action} project '{project.get_name()}', services {args.services}")
+            return self._run_services(runner, args, project, args.services)
 
-        # run for service(s) inside project
-        logging.info(f"{self.__action} services {args.services} in project '{project.get_name()}'")
-        return self._run_services(runner, config, args, args.services)
+        else:
+            return super().run(runner, args)
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/build.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/build.py
index d53c50d..5676c17 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/build.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/build.py
@@ -1,19 +1,20 @@
 # local
-from ._subcommand import FlexCommand
+from ._subcommand import ServiceCommand
 from .utils.dockercommand import DockerCommand
 
 
-class BuildCommand(FlexCommand):
+class BuildCommand(ServiceCommand):
     """kiwi build"""
 
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
-            'build', "Building images for",
+            'build', num_projects='?', num_services='*',
+            action="Building images for",
             description="Build images for the whole instance, a project or service(s) inside a project"
         )
 
-    def _run_services(self, runner, config, args, services):
-        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(
-            config, args, ['build', '--pull', *services]
-        )
+    def _run_services(self, runner, args, project, services):
+        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(project, [
+            'build', '--pull', *services
+        ])
         return True
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/cmd.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/cmd.py
index 3182f11..f08c6dc 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/cmd.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/cmd.py
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+# system
+import logging
+
 # local
 from ._subcommand import ProjectCommand
 from .utils.dockercommand import DockerCommand
@@ -9,19 +12,32 @@ class CmdCommand(ProjectCommand):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
             'cmd', num_projects=1,
+            action="Running docker-compose in",
             description="Run raw docker-compose command in a project"
         )
 
-        # command string after docker-compose
+        # command for docker-compose
         self._sub_parser.add_argument(
             'compose_cmd', metavar='cmd', type=str,
-            help="runs `docker-compose <cmd>`"
+            help="command for 'docker-compose'"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
-        import shlex
+        # arguments for docker-compose command
+        self._sub_parser.add_argument(
+            'compose_args', metavar='arg', nargs='*', type=str,
+            help="arguments for 'docker-compose' commands"
+        )
+
+    def _run_projects(self, runner, args, projects):
+        if args.unknowns:
+            args.compose_args = [*args.compose_args, *args.unknowns]
+            args.unknowns = []
+
+            logging.debug(f"Updated args: {args}")
 
         # run with split compose_cmd argument
-        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(config, args, shlex.split(args.compose_cmd))
+        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(projects[0], [
+            args.compose_cmd, *args.compose_args
+        ])
 
         return True
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/conf.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/conf.py
index 7656f07..b3d511f 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/conf.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/conf.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from .utils.rootkit import Rootkit, prefix_path_mnt
 
 # parent
 from .._constants import CONF_DIRECTORY_NAME
+from ..config import LoadedConfig
 
 
 class ConfCopyCommand(SubCommand):
@@ -21,22 +22,20 @@ class ConfCopyCommand(SubCommand):
             description="Synchronize all config files to target directory"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
         conf_dirs = [
             project.conf_dir_name()
-            for project in Projects.all()
-            if project.is_enabled()
+            for project in Projects.from_dir().filter_enabled()
         ]
 
         if conf_dirs:
             # add target directory
-            conf_dirs.append(config['runtime:storage'])
+            conf_dirs.append(LoadedConfig.get()['runtime:storage'])
             logging.info(f"Sync directories: {conf_dirs}")
 
-            Rootkit('rsync').run(
-                config, args, ['rsync', '-r', *prefix_path_mnt(conf_dirs)],
-                stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
-            )
+            Rootkit('rsync').run([
+                'rsync', '-r', *prefix_path_mnt(conf_dirs)
+            ], stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL)
 
         return True
 
@@ -50,14 +49,13 @@ class ConfPurgeCommand(SubCommand):
             description="Remove all config files in target directory"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
-        conf_target = f"{config['runtime:storage']}/{CONF_DIRECTORY_NAME}"
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
+        conf_target = f"{LoadedConfig.get()['runtime:storage']}/{CONF_DIRECTORY_NAME}"
         logging.info(f"Purging directories: {conf_target}")
 
-        Rootkit().run(
-            config, args, ['rm', '-rf', prefix_path_mnt(conf_target)],
-            stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
-        )
+        Rootkit().run([
+            'rm', '-rf', prefix_path_mnt(conf_target)
+        ], stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL)
 
         return True
 
@@ -71,12 +69,12 @@ class ConfCleanCommand(SubCommand):
             description="Cleanly sync all configs to target folder, relaunch affected projects"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
         result = True
 
         affected_projects = [
             project.conf_dir_name()
-            for project in Projects.all()
+            for project in Projects.from_dir()
             if project.has_configs()
         ]
 
@@ -93,4 +91,4 @@ class ConfCleanCommand(SubCommand):
             args.projects = project_name
             result &= runner.run('up')
 
-        return result
\ No newline at end of file
+        return result
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/disable.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/disable.py
index 29b4f88..f2e9362 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/disable.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/disable.py
@@ -9,11 +9,12 @@ class DisableCommand(ProjectCommand):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
             'disable', num_projects='+',
+            action="Disabling",
             description="Disable whole project(s) in this instance"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
+    def _run_projects(self, runner, args, projects):
         return all([
             project.disable()
-            for project in Projects.from_args(args)
+            for project in projects
         ])
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/down.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/down.py
index ebb4a4c..286f65f 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/down.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/down.py
@@ -1,40 +1,42 @@
 # local
-from ._subcommand import FlexCommand
+from ._subcommand import ServiceCommand
 from .utils.dockercommand import DockerCommand
 from .utils.misc import are_you_sure
 
 
-class DownCommand(FlexCommand):
+class DownCommand(ServiceCommand):
     """kiwi down"""
 
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
-            'down', "Bringing down",
+            'down', num_projects='?', num_services='*',
+            action="Bringing down",
             description="Bring down the whole instance, a project or service(s) inside a project"
         )
 
-    def _run_instance(self, runner, config, args):
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
         if are_you_sure([
             "This will bring down the entire instance.",
             "",
             "This may not be what you intended, because:",
             " - Bringing down the instance stops ALL services in here",
         ]):
-            return super()._run_instance(runner, config, args)
+            return super()._run_instance(runner, args)
 
         return False
 
-    def _run_project(self, runner, config, args):
-        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(
-            config, args, ['down']
-        )
+    def _run_projects(self, runner, args, projects):
+        for project in projects:
+            DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(project, [
+                'down'
+            ])
         return True
 
-    def _run_services(self, runner, config, args, services):
-        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(
-            config, args, ['stop', *services]
-        )
-        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(
-            config, args, ['rm', '-f', *services]
-        )
+    def _run_services(self, runner, args, project, services):
+        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(project, [
+            'stop', *services
+        ])
+        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(project, [
+            'rm', '-f', *services
+        ])
         return True
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/enable.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/enable.py
index 9392b95..9432bdf 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/enable.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/enable.py
@@ -9,11 +9,12 @@ class EnableCommand(ProjectCommand):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
             'enable', num_projects='+',
+            action="Enabling",
             description="Enable whole project(s) in this instance"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
+    def _run_projects(self, runner, args, projects):
         return all([
             project.enable()
-            for project in Projects.from_args(args)
+            for project in projects
         ])
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/init.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/init.py
index a637c79..53ed9e3 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/init.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/init.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from ._subcommand import SubCommand
 
 # parent (display purposes only)
 from .._constants import KIWI_CONF_NAME
+from ..config import DefaultConfig, LoadedConfig
 
 
 def user_input(config, key, prompt):
@@ -40,12 +41,12 @@ class InitCommand(SubCommand):
             help=f"use default values even if {KIWI_CONF_NAME} is present"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
         logging.info(f"Initializing '{KIWI_CONF_NAME}' in '{os.getcwd()}'")
+        config = LoadedConfig.get()
 
         # check force switch
         if args.force and os.path.isfile(KIWI_CONF_NAME):
-            from ..config import DefaultConfig
 
             logging.warning(f"Overwriting existing '{KIWI_CONF_NAME}'!")
             config = DefaultConfig.get()
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/list.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/list.py
index 6e4cd9f..df8068c 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/list.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/list.py
@@ -1,84 +1,75 @@
 # system
 import logging
 import os
-import subprocess
 import yaml
 
 # local
-from ._subcommand import FlexCommand
-from .utils.dockercommand import DockerCommand
-from .utils.project import Projects
+from ._subcommand import ServiceCommand
+from .utils.project import Project, Projects
 
 
 def _print_list(strings):
-    if isinstance(strings, list):
+    if isinstance(strings, str):
+        print(f" - {strings}")
+
+    elif isinstance(strings, Project):
+        _print_list(strings.get_name())
+
+    elif isinstance(strings, list):
         for string in strings:
-            print(f" - {string}")
+            _print_list(string)
 
-    elif isinstance(strings, str):
-        _print_list(strings.strip().split('\n'))
-
-    elif isinstance(strings, bytes):
-        _print_list(str(strings, 'utf-8'))
+    else:
+        _print_list(list(strings))
 
 
-class ListCommand(FlexCommand):
+class ListCommand(ServiceCommand):
     """kiwi list"""
 
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
-            'list', "Listing",
+            'list', num_projects='?', num_services='*',
+            action="Listing",
             description="List projects in this instance, services inside a project or service(s) inside a project"
         )
 
-    def _run_instance(self, runner, config, args):
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
         print(f"kiwi-config instance at '{os.getcwd()}'")
         print("#########")
-        projects = Projects.all()
+        projects = Projects.from_dir()
 
-        enableds = [
-            project.get_name()
-            for project in projects
-            if project.is_enabled()
-        ]
-
-        if enableds:
+        enabled_projects = projects.filter_enabled()
+        if not enabled_projects.empty():
             print(f"Enabled projects:")
-            _print_list(enableds)
+            _print_list(enabled_projects)
 
-        disableds = [
-            project.get_name()
-            for project in projects
-            if project.is_disabled()
-        ]
-
-        if disableds:
+        disabled_projects = projects.filter_disabled()
+        if not disabled_projects.empty():
             print(f"Disabled projects:")
-            _print_list(disableds)
+            _print_list(disabled_projects)
 
         return True
 
-    def _run_project(self, runner, config, args):
-        project = Projects.from_args(args)[0]
-
+    def _run_projects(self, runner, args, projects):
+        project = projects[0]
         if not project.exists():
-            logging.error(f"Project '{project.get_name()}' not found")
+            logging.warning(f"Project '{project.get_name()}' not found")
             return False
 
         print(f"Services in project '{project.get_name()}':")
         print("#########")
 
-        ps = DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(
-            config, args, ['config', '--services'],
-            stdout=subprocess.PIPE
-        )
+        with open(project.compose_file_name(), 'r') as stream:
+            try:
+                docker_compose_yml = yaml.safe_load(stream)
+                _print_list(docker_compose_yml['services'].keys())
+
+            except yaml.YAMLError as exc:
+                logging.error(exc)
 
-        _print_list(ps.stdout)
         return True
 
-    def _run_services(self, runner, config, args, services):
-        project = Projects.from_args(args)[0]
-
+    def _run_services(self, runner, args, project, services):
         if not project.exists():
             logging.error(f"Project '{project.get_name()}' not found")
             return False
@@ -91,10 +82,13 @@ class ListCommand(FlexCommand):
                 docker_compose_yml = yaml.safe_load(stream)
 
                 for service_name in services:
-                    print(yaml.dump(
-                        {service_name: docker_compose_yml['services'][service_name]},
-                        default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False
-                    ).strip())
+                    try:
+                        print(yaml.dump(
+                            {service_name: docker_compose_yml['services'][service_name]},
+                            default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False
+                        ).strip())
+                    except KeyError:
+                        logging.error(f"Service '{service_name}' not found")
 
                 return True
 
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/logs.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/logs.py
index a60122f..280a966 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/logs.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/logs.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ class LogsCommand(ServiceCommand):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
             'logs', num_projects=1, num_services='*',
+            action="Showing logs of",
             description="Show logs of a project or service(s) of a project"
         )
 
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ class LogsCommand(ServiceCommand):
             help="output appended data as log grows"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
+    def _run_services(self, runner, args, project, services):
         # include timestamps
         compose_cmd = ['logs', '-t']
 
@@ -27,13 +28,13 @@ class LogsCommand(ServiceCommand):
             compose_cmd = [*compose_cmd, '-f', '--tail=10']
 
         # append if one or more services are given
-        if args.services:
+        if services:
             compose_cmd = [*compose_cmd, *args.services]
 
         # use 'less' viewer if output will be static
         if args.follow:
-            DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(config, args, compose_cmd)
+            DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(project, compose_cmd)
         else:
-            DockerCommand('docker-compose').run_less(config, args, compose_cmd)
+            DockerCommand('docker-compose').run_less(project, compose_cmd)
 
         return True
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/net.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/net.py
index 6c007f8..e83f513 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/net.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/net.py
@@ -7,16 +7,18 @@ from ._subcommand import SubCommand
 from .utils.dockercommand import DockerCommand
 from .utils.misc import are_you_sure
 
+# parent
+from ..config import LoadedConfig
 
-def _find_net(config, args):
-    ps = DockerCommand('docker').run(
-        config, args, ['network', 'ls', '--filter', f"name={config['network:name']}", '--format', '{{.Name}}'],
-        stdout=subprocess.PIPE
-    )
+
+def _find_net(net_name):
+    ps = DockerCommand('docker').run(None, [
+        'network', 'ls', '--filter', f"name={net_name}", '--format', '{{.Name}}'
+    ], stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
 
     net_found = str(ps.stdout, 'utf-8').strip()
 
-    return net_found == config['network:name']
+    return net_found == net_name
 
 
 class NetUpCommand(SubCommand):
@@ -25,30 +27,31 @@ class NetUpCommand(SubCommand):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
             'net-up',
+            action="Creating the local network hub",
             description="Create the local network hub for this instance"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
-        if _find_net(config, args):
-            logging.info(f"Network '{config['network:name']}' already exists")
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
+        config = LoadedConfig.get()
+        net_name = config['network:name']
+        net_cidr = config['network:cidr']
+
+        if _find_net(net_name):
+            logging.info(f"Network '{net_name}' already exists")
             return True
 
         try:
-            DockerCommand('docker').run(
-                config, args,
-                [
-                    'network', 'create',
-                    '--driver', 'bridge',
-                    '--internal',
-                    '--subnet', config['network:cidr'],
-                    config['network:name']
-                ],
-                check=True, stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
-            )
-            logging.info(f"Network '{config['network:name']}' created")
+            DockerCommand('docker').run(None, [
+                'network', 'create',
+                '--driver', 'bridge',
+                '--internal',
+                '--subnet', net_cidr,
+                net_name
+            ], check=True, stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL)
+            logging.info(f"Network '{net_name}' created")
 
         except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
-            logging.error(f"Error creating network '{config['network:name']}'")
+            logging.error(f"Error creating network '{net_name}'")
             return False
 
         return True
@@ -63,25 +66,26 @@ class NetDownCommand(SubCommand):
             description="Remove the local network hub for this instance"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
-        if not _find_net(config, args):
-            logging.info(f"Network '{config['network:name']}' does not exist")
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
+        net_name = LoadedConfig.get()['network:name']
+
+        if not _find_net(net_name):
+            logging.info(f"Network '{net_name}' does not exist")
             return True
 
         try:
             if are_you_sure("This will bring down this instance's hub network!"):
                 if runner.run('down'):
-                    DockerCommand('docker').run(
-                        config, args,
-                        ['network', 'rm', config['network:name']],
-                        check=True, stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
-                    )
-                    logging.info(f"Network '{config['network:name']}' removed")
+                    DockerCommand('docker').run(None, [
+                        'network', 'rm', net_name
+                    ], check=True, stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL)
+
+                    logging.info(f"Network '{net_name}' removed")
             else:
                 return False
 
         except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
-            logging.error(f"Error removing network '{config['network:name']}'")
+            logging.error(f"Error removing network '{net_name}'")
             return False
 
         return True
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/new.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/new.py
index 913f134..e92142c 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/new.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/new.py
@@ -17,12 +17,12 @@ class NewCommand(ProjectCommand):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
             'new', num_projects='+',
+            action="Creating",
             description="Create new empty project(s) in this instance"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
+    def _run_projects(self, runner, args, projects):
         result = True
-        projects = Projects.from_args(args)
 
         for project in projects:
             if project.exists():
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ class NewCommand(ProjectCommand):
 
             else:
                 logging.info(f"Creating project '{project.get_name()}'")
-                os.mkdir(project.enabled_dir_name())
+                os.mkdir(project.disabled_dir_name())
                 shutil.copy(DEFAULT_DOCKER_COMPOSE_NAME, project.compose_file_name())
 
         return result
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/pull.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/pull.py
index 019c007..debe467 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/pull.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/pull.py
@@ -1,19 +1,20 @@
 # local
-from ._subcommand import FlexCommand
+from ._subcommand import ServiceCommand
 from .utils.dockercommand import DockerCommand
 
 
-class PullCommand(FlexCommand):
+class PullCommand(ServiceCommand):
     """kiwi pull"""
 
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
-            'pull', "Pulling images for",
+            'pull', num_projects='?', num_services='*',
+            action="Pulling images for",
             description="Pull images for the whole instance, a project or service(s) inside a project"
         )
 
-    def _run_services(self, runner, config, args, services):
-        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(
-            config, args, ['pull', '--ignore-pull-failures', *services]
-        )
+    def _run_services(self, runner, args, project, services):
+        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(project, [
+            'pull', '--ignore-pull-failures', *services
+        ])
         return True
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/push.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/push.py
index f0b00ad..b026b1b 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/push.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/push.py
@@ -1,19 +1,20 @@
 # local
-from ._subcommand import FlexCommand
+from ._subcommand import ServiceCommand
 from .utils.dockercommand import DockerCommand
 
 
-class PushCommand(FlexCommand):
+class PushCommand(ServiceCommand):
     """kiwi push"""
 
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
-            'push', "Pushing images for",
+            'push', num_projects='?', num_services='*',
+            action="Pushing images for",
             description="Push images for the whole instance, a project or service(s) inside a project"
         )
 
-    def _run_services(self, runner, config, args, services):
-        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(
-            config, args, ['push', *services]
-        )
+    def _run_services(self, runner, args, project, services):
+        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(project, [
+            'push', *services
+        ])
         return True
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/sh.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/sh.py
index 7e3d31e..c945d42 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/sh.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/sh.py
@@ -6,19 +6,21 @@ import subprocess
 from ._subcommand import ServiceCommand
 from .utils.dockercommand import DockerCommand
 
+# parent
+from ..config import LoadedConfig
 
-def _service_has_executable(config, args, compose_cmd, exe_name):
+
+def _service_has_executable(project, service, exe_name):
     """
-    Test if container (as of compose_cmd array) has an executable exe_name in its PATH.
+    Test if service in project has an executable exe_name in its PATH.
     Requires /bin/sh and which.
     """
 
     try:
         # test if desired shell exists
-        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(
-            config, args, [*compose_cmd, '/bin/sh', '-c', f"which {exe_name}"],
-            check=True, stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
-        )
+        DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(project, [
+            'exec', service, '/bin/sh', '-c', f"which {exe_name}"
+        ], check=True, stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL)
         return True
 
     except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
@@ -26,13 +28,14 @@ def _service_has_executable(config, args, compose_cmd, exe_name):
         return False
 
 
-def _find_shell(config, args, compose_cmd):
-    """find first working shell (provided by config and args) in container (as of compose_cmd array)"""
+def _find_shell(args, project, service):
+    """find first working shell (provided by config and args) in service in project"""
 
     # builtin shells: as a last resort, fallback to '/bin/sh' and 'sh'
     shells = ['/bin/sh', 'sh']
 
     # load favorite shells from config
+    config = LoadedConfig.get()
     if config['runtime:shells']:
         shells = [*config['runtime:shells'], *shells]
 
@@ -44,7 +47,7 @@ def _find_shell(config, args, compose_cmd):
 
     # actually try shells
     for i, shell in enumerate(shells):
-        if _service_has_executable(config, args, compose_cmd, shell):
+        if _service_has_executable(project, service, shell):
             # found working shell
             logging.debug(f"Using shell '{shell}'")
             return shell
@@ -82,15 +85,15 @@ class ShCommand(ServiceCommand):
             help="shell to spawn"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
-        compose_cmd = ['exec', args.services[0]]
-        shell = _find_shell(config, args, compose_cmd)
+    def _run_services(self, runner, args, project, services):
+        service = services[0]
+        shell = _find_shell(args, project, service)
 
         if shell is not None:
             # spawn shell
-            DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(
-                config, args, [*compose_cmd, shell]
-            )
+            DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(project, [
+                'exec', service, shell
+            ])
             return True
 
         return False
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/show.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/show.py
index 4448734..99834df 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/show.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/show.py
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 # local
 from ._subcommand import SubCommand
 
+# parent
+from ..config import LoadedConfig
+
 
 class ShowCommand(SubCommand):
     """kiwi show"""
@@ -11,6 +14,6 @@ class ShowCommand(SubCommand):
             description="Show effective kiwi.yml"
         )
 
-    def run(self, runner, config, args):
-        print(config)
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
+        print(LoadedConfig.get())
         return True
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/up.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/up.py
index 0f958cd..ae4261d 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/up.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/up.py
@@ -1,28 +1,29 @@
 # local
-from ._subcommand import FlexCommand
+from ._subcommand import ServiceCommand
 from .utils.dockercommand import DockerCommand
 
 
-class UpCommand(FlexCommand):
+class UpCommand(ServiceCommand):
     """kiwi up"""
 
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
-            'up', "Bringing up",
+            'up', num_projects='?', num_services='*',
+            action="Bringing up",
             description="Bring up the whole instance, a project or service(s) inside a project"
         )
 
-    def _run_instance(self, runner, config, args):
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
         if runner.run('conf-copy'):
-            return super()._run_instance(runner, config, args)
+            return super()._run_instance(runner, args)
 
         return False
 
-    def _run_services(self, runner, config, args, services):
+    def _run_services(self, runner, args, project, services):
         if runner.run('net-up'):
-            DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(
-                config, args, ['up', '-d', *services]
-            )
+            DockerCommand('docker-compose').run(project, [
+                'up', '-d', *services
+            ])
             return True
 
         return False
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/update.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/update.py
index cfac6fe..ccb58a3 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/update.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/update.py
@@ -1,18 +1,19 @@
 # local
-from ._subcommand import FlexCommand
+from ._subcommand import ServiceCommand
 from .utils.misc import are_you_sure
 
 
-class UpdateCommand(FlexCommand):
+class UpdateCommand(ServiceCommand):
     """kiwi update"""
 
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(
-            'update', "Updating",
+            'update',  num_projects='?', num_services='*',
+            action="Updating",
             description="Update the whole instance, a project or service(s) inside a project"
         )
 
-    def _run_instance(self, runner, config, args):
+    def _run_instance(self, runner, args):
         if are_you_sure([
             "This will update the entire instance at once.",
             "",
@@ -20,12 +21,14 @@ class UpdateCommand(FlexCommand):
             " - Updates may take a long time",
             " - Updates may break beloved functionality",
         ]):
-            return super()._run_instance(runner, config, args)
+            return super()._run_instance(runner, args)
 
         return False
 
-    def _run_services(self, runner, config, args, services):
-        result = runner.run('build')
+    def _run_services(self, runner, args, project, services):
+        result = True
+
+        result &= runner.run('build')
         result &= runner.run('pull')
         result &= runner.run('conf-copy')
         result &= runner.run('down')
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/dockercommand.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/dockercommand.py
index 5863f1d..ea2cc2f 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/dockercommand.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/dockercommand.py
@@ -5,21 +5,16 @@ import subprocess
 
 # local
 from .executable import Executable
-from .project import Projects
 
 # parent
 from ..._constants import CONF_DIRECTORY_NAME
-from ...parser import Parser
 from ...config import LoadedConfig
 
 
-def _update_kwargs(**kwargs):
-    config = LoadedConfig.get()
-    projects = Projects.from_args(Parser().get_args())
-
-    # project given in args: command affects a project in this instance
-    if projects:
-        project = projects[0]
+def _update_kwargs(project, **kwargs):
+    # enabled project given: command affects a project in this instance
+    if project is not None and project.is_enabled():
+        config = LoadedConfig.get()
 
         # execute command in project directory
         kwargs['cwd'] = project.dir_name()
@@ -58,19 +53,15 @@ class DockerCommand(Executable):
             except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
                 raise PermissionError("Cannot access docker, please get into the docker group or run as root!")
 
-    def run(self, config, args, process_args, **kwargs):
-        kwargs = _update_kwargs(**kwargs)
-
+    def run(self, project, process_args, **kwargs):
         # equivalent to 'super().run' but agnostic of nested class construct
         return super().__getattr__("run")(
-            process_args, config,
-            **kwargs
+            process_args,
+            **_update_kwargs(project, **kwargs)
         )
 
-    def run_less(self, config, args, process_args, **kwargs):
-        kwargs = _update_kwargs(**kwargs)
-
+    def run_less(self, project, process_args, **kwargs):
         return super().__getattr__("run_less")(
-            process_args, config,
-            **kwargs
+            process_args,
+            **_update_kwargs(project, **kwargs)
         )
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/executable.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/executable.py
index 4b7fecb..7f2a537 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/executable.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/executable.py
@@ -3,18 +3,22 @@ import logging
 import os
 import subprocess
 
+# parent
+from ...config import LoadedConfig
 
-def _update_kwargs(config, **kwargs):
-    if config is not None:
-        # ensure there is an environment
-        if 'env' not in kwargs:
-            kwargs['env'] = {}
 
-        # add common environment from config
-        if config['runtime:env'] is not None:
-            kwargs['env'].update(config['runtime:env'])
+def _update_kwargs(**kwargs):
+    config = LoadedConfig.get()
 
-        logging.debug(f"kwargs updated: {kwargs}")
+    # ensure there is an environment
+    if 'env' not in kwargs:
+        kwargs['env'] = {}
+
+    # add common environment from config
+    if config['runtime:env'] is not None:
+        kwargs['env'].update(config['runtime:env'])
+
+    logging.debug(f"kwargs updated: {kwargs}")
 
     return kwargs
 
@@ -48,28 +52,24 @@ class Executable:
             logging.debug(f"Executable cmd{cmd}, kwargs{kwargs}")
             return cmd
 
-        def run(self, process_args, config=None, **kwargs):
-            kwargs = _update_kwargs(config, **kwargs)
-
+        def run(self, process_args, **kwargs):
             return subprocess.run(
-                self.__build_cmd(process_args, **kwargs),
+                self.__build_cmd(process_args, **_update_kwargs(**kwargs)),
                 **kwargs
             )
 
-        def Popen(self, process_args, config=None, **kwargs):
-            kwargs = _update_kwargs(config, **kwargs)
-
+        def Popen(self, process_args, **kwargs):
             return subprocess.Popen(
-                self.__build_cmd(process_args, **kwargs),
+                self.__build_cmd(process_args, **_update_kwargs(**kwargs)),
                 **kwargs
             )
 
-        def run_less(self, process_args, config=None, **kwargs):
+        def run_less(self, process_args, **kwargs):
             kwargs['stdout'] = subprocess.PIPE
             kwargs['stderr'] = subprocess.DEVNULL
 
             process = self.Popen(
-                process_args, config,
+                process_args,
                 **kwargs
             )
 
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/project.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/project.py
index b248abe..d371d83 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/project.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/project.py
@@ -11,6 +11,20 @@ class Project:
     def __init__(self, name):
         self.__name = name
 
+    @classmethod
+    def from_file_name(cls, file_name):
+        if os.path.isdir(file_name):
+            config = LoadedConfig.get()
+
+            if file_name.endswith(config['markers:disabled']):
+                file_name = file_name[:-len(config['markers:disabled'])]
+
+            if file_name.endswith(config['markers:project']):
+                file_name = file_name[:-len(config['markers:project'])]
+                return cls(file_name)
+
+        return None
+
     def get_name(self):
         return self.__name
 
@@ -78,40 +92,41 @@ class Project:
         return True
 
 
-def _extract_project_name(file_name):
-    config = LoadedConfig.get()
-    enabled_suffix = config['markers:project']
-    disabled_suffix = f"{enabled_suffix}{config['markers:disabled']}"
-
-    if os.path.isdir(file_name):
-        # all subdirectories
-        if file_name.endswith(enabled_suffix):
-            # enabled projects
-            return file_name[:-len(enabled_suffix)]
-
-        elif file_name.endswith(disabled_suffix):
-            # disabled projects
-            return file_name[:-len(disabled_suffix)]
-
-    return None
-
-
 class Projects:
     __projects = None
 
-    def __init__(self, names):
-        self.__projects = [
-            Project(name)
-            for name in names if isinstance(name, str)
-        ]
-
     def __getitem__(self, item):
         return self.__projects[item]
 
+    def __str__(self):
+        return str([
+            project.get_name()
+            for project
+            in self.__projects
+        ])
+
     @classmethod
-    def all(cls):
-        return cls([
-            _extract_project_name(file_name)
+    def from_names(cls, project_names):
+        result = cls()
+        result.__projects = [
+            Project(name)
+            for name in project_names if isinstance(name, str)
+        ]
+        return result
+
+    @classmethod
+    def from_projects(cls, projects):
+        result = cls()
+        result.__projects = [
+            project
+            for project in projects if isinstance(project, Project)
+        ]
+        return result
+
+    @classmethod
+    def from_dir(cls):
+        return cls.from_projects([
+            Project.from_file_name(file_name)
             for file_name in os.listdir()
         ])
 
@@ -119,9 +134,39 @@ class Projects:
     def from_args(cls, args):
         if args is not None and 'projects' in args:
             if isinstance(args.projects, list) and args.projects:
-                return cls(args.projects)
+                return cls.from_names(args.projects)
 
             elif isinstance(args.projects, str):
-                return cls([args.projects])
+                return cls.from_names([args.projects])
 
-        return []
+        return cls()
+
+    def empty(self):
+        return not self.__projects
+
+    def filter_exists(self):
+        result = Projects()
+        result.__projects = [
+            project
+            for project in self.__projects
+            if project.exists()
+        ]
+        return result
+
+    def filter_enabled(self):
+        result = Projects()
+        result.__projects = [
+            project
+            for project in self.__projects
+            if project.is_enabled()
+        ]
+        return result
+
+    def filter_disabled(self):
+        result = Projects()
+        result.__projects = [
+            project
+            for project in self.__projects
+            if project.is_disabled()
+        ]
+        return result
diff --git a/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/rootkit.py b/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/rootkit.py
index b3686c7..7f890eb 100644
--- a/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/rootkit.py
+++ b/src/kiwi/subcommands/utils/rootkit.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ def _prefix_path(prefix, path):
     if isinstance(path, str):
         abs_path = os.path.abspath(path)
         return os.path.realpath(f"{prefix}/{abs_path}")
+
     elif isinstance(path, list):
         return [_prefix_path(prefix, p) for p in path]
 
@@ -36,55 +37,43 @@ class Rootkit:
         def __init__(self, image_tag=None):
             self.__image_tag = image_tag
 
-        def __exists(self, config, args):
-            ps = DockerCommand('docker').run(
-                config, args, [
-                    'images',
-                    '--filter', f"reference={_image_name(self.__image_tag)}",
-                    '--format', '{{.Repository}}:{{.Tag}}'
-                ],
-                stdout=subprocess.PIPE
-            )
+        def __exists(self):
+            ps = DockerCommand('docker').run(None, [
+                'images',
+                '--filter', f"reference={_image_name(self.__image_tag)}",
+                '--format', '{{.Repository}}:{{.Tag}}'
+            ], stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
 
             return str(ps.stdout, 'utf-8').strip() == _image_name(self.__image_tag)
 
-        def __build_image(self, config, args):
-            if self.__exists(config, args):
+        def __build_image(self):
+            if self.__exists():
                 logging.info(f"Using image {_image_name(self.__image_tag)}")
             else:
                 if self.__image_tag is None:
                     logging.info(f"Pulling image {_image_name(self.__image_tag)}")
-                    DockerCommand('docker').run(
-                        config, args, ['pull', _image_name(self.__image_tag)],
-                        stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
-                    )
+                    DockerCommand('docker').run(None, [
+                        'pull', _image_name(self.__image_tag)
+                    ], stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL)
 
                 else:
                     logging.info(f"Building image {_image_name(self.__image_tag)}")
-                    DockerCommand('docker').run(
-                        config, args,
-                        [
-                            'build',
-                            '-t', _image_name(self.__image_tag),
-                            '-f', f"{IMAGES_DIRECTORY_NAME}/{self.__image_tag}.Dockerfile",
-                            f"{IMAGES_DIRECTORY_NAME}"
-                        ],
-                        stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
-                    )
+                    DockerCommand('docker').run(None, [
+                        'build',
+                        '-t', _image_name(self.__image_tag),
+                        '-f', f"{IMAGES_DIRECTORY_NAME}/{self.__image_tag}.Dockerfile",
+                        f"{IMAGES_DIRECTORY_NAME}"
+                    ], stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL)
 
-        def run(self, config, args, process_args, **kwargs):
-            self.__build_image(config, args)
-            DockerCommand('docker').run(
-                config, args,
-                [
-                    'run', '--rm',
-                    '-v', '/:/mnt',
-                    '-u', 'root',
-                    _image_name(self.__image_tag),
-                    *process_args
-                ],
-                **kwargs
-            )
+        def run(self, process_args, **kwargs):
+            self.__build_image()
+            DockerCommand('docker').run(None, [
+                'run', '--rm',
+                '-v', '/:/mnt',
+                '-u', 'root',
+                _image_name(self.__image_tag),
+                *process_args
+            ], **kwargs)
 
     __image_tag = None
     __instances = {}