diff --git a/CONVENTION_DRIFT_REPORT.md b/CONVENTION_DRIFT_REPORT.md
index dcf0eaf..0b1ce58 100644
--- a/CONVENTION_DRIFT_REPORT.md
+++ b/CONVENTION_DRIFT_REPORT.md
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ go tool cover -func=/tmp/ansible.cover
 
 No direct `stdlib`-to-`core.*` wrapper drift was found in the Go implementation. The remaining drift is stale migration residue around the `core.*` move:
 
-- `go.mod:15`, `go.sum:7`, `go.sum:8`
-  Legacy `forge.lthn.ai/core/go-log` references still remain in the dependency graph.
+- Resolved on the current branch:
+  Legacy `forge.lthn.ai/core/go-log` references were removed by replacing `dappco.re/go/core/io` usage with the filesystem primitives in `dappco.re/go/core`.
 - `CLAUDE.md:37`, `docs/development.md:169`
   Repository guidance still refers to `core/cli`, while the current command registration lives on the `dappco.re/go/core` API at `cmd/ansible/cmd.go:8`.
 - `CLAUDE.md:66`, `docs/development.md:86`
@@ -25,12 +25,8 @@ No direct `stdlib`-to-`core.*` wrapper drift was found in the Go implementation.
 
 ## UK English
 
-- `executor.go:248`
-  Comment uses US spelling: `Initialize host results`.
-- `parser.go:321`
-  Comment uses US spelling: `NormalizeModule normalizes a module name to its canonical form.`
-- `types.go:110`
-  Comment uses US spelling: `LoopControl controls loop behavior.`
+- Resolved on the current branch:
+  Comment spelling now uses `Initialise`, `normalises`, and `behaviour` in the affected code paths.
 
 ## Missing Tests
 
diff --git a/cmd/ansible/ansible.go b/cmd/ansible/ansible.go
index 4795e79..5669b79 100644
--- a/cmd/ansible/ansible.go
+++ b/cmd/ansible/ansible.go
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import (
 
 	"dappco.re/go/core"
 	"dappco.re/go/core/ansible"
-	coreio "dappco.re/go/core/io"
 	coreerr "dappco.re/go/core/log"
 )
 
@@ -35,7 +34,7 @@ func runAnsible(opts core.Options) core.Result {
 		playbookPath = absPath(playbookPath)
 	}
 
-	if !coreio.Local.Exists(playbookPath) {
+	if !localFS.Exists(playbookPath) {
 		return core.Result{Value: coreerr.E("runAnsible", sprintf("playbook not found: %s", playbookPath), nil)}
 	}
 
@@ -47,6 +46,7 @@ func runAnsible(opts core.Options) core.Result {
 	// Set options
 	executor.Limit = opts.String("limit")
 	executor.CheckMode = opts.Bool("check")
+	executor.Diff = opts.Bool("diff")
 	executor.Verbose = opts.Int("verbose")
 
 	if tags := opts.String("tags"); tags != "" {
@@ -72,14 +72,14 @@ func runAnsible(opts core.Options) core.Result {
 			invPath = absPath(invPath)
 		}
 
-		if !coreio.Local.Exists(invPath) {
+		if !localFS.Exists(invPath) {
 			return core.Result{Value: coreerr.E("runAnsible", sprintf("inventory not found: %s", invPath), nil)}
 		}
 
-		if coreio.Local.IsDir(invPath) {
+		if localFS.IsDir(invPath) {
 			for _, name := range []string{"inventory.yml", "hosts.yml", "inventory.yaml", "hosts.yaml"} {
 				p := joinPath(invPath, name)
-				if coreio.Local.Exists(p) {
+				if localFS.Exists(p) {
 					invPath = p
 					break
 				}
diff --git a/cmd/ansible/cmd.go b/cmd/ansible/cmd.go
index 6aa8c58..e269d8e 100644
--- a/cmd/ansible/cmd.go
+++ b/cmd/ansible/cmd.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ func Register(c *core.Core) {
 			core.Option{Key: "extra-vars", Value: ""},
 			core.Option{Key: "verbose", Value: 0},
 			core.Option{Key: "check", Value: false},
+			core.Option{Key: "diff", Value: false},
 		),
 	})
 
diff --git a/cmd/ansible/cmd_test.go b/cmd/ansible/cmd_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d55d05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/ansible/cmd_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package anscmd
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"dappco.re/go/core"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestRegister_AnsibleCommandExposesDiffFlag(t *testing.T) {
+	app := core.New()
+
+	Register(app)
+
+	result := app.Command("ansible")
+	require.True(t, result.OK)
+
+	cmd, ok := result.Value.(*core.Command)
+	require.True(t, ok)
+	require.True(t, cmd.Flags.Has("diff"))
+	require.False(t, cmd.Flags.Bool("diff"))
+}
diff --git a/cmd/ansible/core_primitives.go b/cmd/ansible/core_primitives.go
index 683146d..0ee9f8e 100644
--- a/cmd/ansible/core_primitives.go
+++ b/cmd/ansible/core_primitives.go
@@ -1,12 +1,56 @@
 package anscmd
 
 import (
+	"io/fs"
 	"unicode"
 	"unicode/utf8"
 
 	"dappco.re/go/core"
 )
 
+type localFileSystem struct {
+	fs *core.Fs
+}
+
+var localFS = localFileSystem{fs: (&core.Fs{}).NewUnrestricted()}
+
+func (l localFileSystem) Exists(path string) bool {
+	return l.fs.Exists(path)
+}
+
+func (l localFileSystem) IsDir(path string) bool {
+	return l.fs.IsDir(path)
+}
+
+func (l localFileSystem) Write(path, content string) error {
+	result := l.fs.Write(path, content)
+	if !result.OK {
+		return resultError("write "+path, result)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (l localFileSystem) WriteMode(path, content string, mode fs.FileMode) error {
+	result := l.fs.WriteMode(path, content, mode)
+	if !result.OK {
+		return resultError("write "+path, result)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func resultError(op string, result core.Result) error {
+	if result.OK {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err, ok := result.Value.(error); ok {
+		return err
+	}
+	if result.Value == nil {
+		return core.E(op, "operation failed", nil)
+	}
+	return core.E(op, core.Sprint(result.Value), nil)
+}
+
 func absPath(path string) string {
 	if path == "" {
 		return core.Env("DIR_CWD")
diff --git a/cmd/ansible/specs/RFC.md b/cmd/ansible/specs/RFC.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c32201a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/ansible/specs/RFC.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# anscmd
+**Import:** `dappco.re/go/core/ansible/cmd/ansible`
+**Files:** 3
+
+## Types
+This package has no exported structs, interfaces, or type aliases.
+
+## Functions
+### Register
+`func Register(c *core.Core)`
+
+Registers two CLI commands on `c`:
+
+- `ansible`: Runs a playbook through `ansible.Executor`. The command exposes `inventory`, `limit`, `tags`, `skip-tags`, `extra-vars`, `verbose`, and `check` flags.
+- `ansible/test`: Opens an SSH connection to a host, prints basic host facts, and exposes `user`, `password`, `key`, and `port` flags.
diff --git a/core_primitives.go b/core_primitives.go
index c8ba482..6f16517 100644
--- a/core_primitives.go
+++ b/core_primitives.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package ansible
 
 import (
+	"io/fs"
 	"unicode"
 	"unicode/utf8"
 
@@ -13,6 +14,66 @@ type stringBuffer interface {
 	String() string
 }
 
+type corexLocalFS struct {
+	fs *core.Fs
+}
+
+var localFS = corexLocalFS{fs: (&core.Fs{}).NewUnrestricted()}
+
+func (l corexLocalFS) Read(path string) (string, error) {
+	result := l.fs.Read(path)
+	if !result.OK {
+		return "", corexResultError("read "+path, result)
+	}
+	content, _ := result.Value.(string)
+	return content, nil
+}
+
+func (l corexLocalFS) Write(path, content string) error {
+	result := l.fs.Write(path, content)
+	if !result.OK {
+		return corexResultError("write "+path, result)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (l corexLocalFS) WriteMode(path, content string, mode fs.FileMode) error {
+	result := l.fs.WriteMode(path, content, mode)
+	if !result.OK {
+		return corexResultError("write "+path, result)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (l corexLocalFS) EnsureDir(path string) error {
+	result := l.fs.EnsureDir(path)
+	if !result.OK {
+		return corexResultError("ensure dir "+path, result)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (l corexLocalFS) Exists(path string) bool {
+	return l.fs.Exists(path)
+}
+
+func (l corexLocalFS) IsDir(path string) bool {
+	return l.fs.IsDir(path)
+}
+
+func corexResultError(op string, result core.Result) error {
+	if result.OK {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err, ok := result.Value.(error); ok {
+		return err
+	}
+	if result.Value == nil {
+		return core.E(op, "operation failed", nil)
+	}
+	return core.E(op, core.Sprint(result.Value), nil)
+}
+
 func dirSep() string {
 	ds := core.Env("DS")
 	if ds == "" {
diff --git a/executor.go b/executor.go
index 21010a7..2be708b 100644
--- a/executor.go
+++ b/executor.go
@@ -4,11 +4,11 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"regexp"
 	"slices"
+	"strconv"
 	"sync"
 	"text/template"
 	"time"
 
-	coreio "dappco.re/go/core/io"
 	coreerr "dappco.re/go/core/log"
 )
 
@@ -149,31 +149,34 @@ func (e *Executor) runPlay(ctx context.Context, play *Play) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Execute pre_tasks
-	for _, task := range play.PreTasks {
-		if err := e.runTaskOnHosts(ctx, hosts, &task, play); err != nil {
-			return err
+	// Execute hosts in serial batches when requested.
+	for _, batch := range e.hostBatches(hosts, play.Serial) {
+		// Execute pre_tasks
+		for _, task := range play.PreTasks {
+			if err := e.runTaskOnHosts(ctx, batch, &task, play); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
 		}
-	}
 
-	// Execute roles
-	for _, roleRef := range play.Roles {
-		if err := e.runRole(ctx, hosts, &roleRef, play); err != nil {
-			return err
+		// Execute roles
+		for _, roleRef := range play.Roles {
+			if err := e.runRole(ctx, batch, &roleRef, play); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
 		}
-	}
 
-	// Execute tasks
-	for _, task := range play.Tasks {
-		if err := e.runTaskOnHosts(ctx, hosts, &task, play); err != nil {
-			return err
+		// Execute tasks
+		for _, task := range play.Tasks {
+			if err := e.runTaskOnHosts(ctx, batch, &task, play); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
 		}
-	}
 
-	// Execute post_tasks
-	for _, task := range play.PostTasks {
-		if err := e.runTaskOnHosts(ctx, hosts, &task, play); err != nil {
-			return err
+		// Execute post_tasks
+		for _, task := range play.PostTasks {
+			if err := e.runTaskOnHosts(ctx, batch, &task, play); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -189,6 +192,54 @@ func (e *Executor) runPlay(ctx context.Context, play *Play) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// hostBatches returns the host list split into serial batches.
+func (e *Executor) hostBatches(hosts []string, serial any) [][]string {
+	batchSize := serialBatchSize(serial, len(hosts))
+	if batchSize >= len(hosts) {
+		return [][]string{hosts}
+	}
+
+	batches := make([][]string, 0, (len(hosts)+batchSize-1)/batchSize)
+	for start := 0; start < len(hosts); start += batchSize {
+		end := start + batchSize
+		if end > len(hosts) {
+			end = len(hosts)
+		}
+		batch := make([]string, end-start)
+		copy(batch, hosts[start:end])
+		batches = append(batches, batch)
+	}
+	return batches
+}
+
+// serialBatchSize normalises the play serial value to a usable batch size.
+func serialBatchSize(serial any, hostCount int) int {
+	switch v := serial.(type) {
+	case int:
+		if v > 0 {
+			if v > hostCount {
+				return hostCount
+			}
+			return v
+		}
+	case int64:
+		if v > 0 {
+			if int(v) > hostCount {
+				return hostCount
+			}
+			return int(v)
+		}
+	case string:
+		if n, err := strconv.Atoi(corexTrimSpace(v)); err == nil && n > 0 {
+			if n > hostCount {
+				return hostCount
+			}
+			return n
+		}
+	}
+	return hostCount
+}
+
 // runRole executes a role on hosts.
 func (e *Executor) runRole(ctx context.Context, hosts []string, roleRef *RoleRef, play *Play) error {
 	// Check when condition
@@ -215,6 +266,8 @@ func (e *Executor) runRole(ctx context.Context, hosts []string, roleRef *RoleRef
 
 	// Execute tasks
 	for _, task := range tasks {
+		task := task
+		task.Tags = append(append([]string{}, roleRef.Tags...), task.Tags...)
 		if err := e.runTaskOnHosts(ctx, hosts, &task, play); err != nil {
 			// Restore vars
 			e.vars = oldVars
@@ -229,8 +282,14 @@ func (e *Executor) runRole(ctx context.Context, hosts []string, roleRef *RoleRef
 
 // runTaskOnHosts runs a task on all hosts.
 func (e *Executor) runTaskOnHosts(ctx context.Context, hosts []string, task *Task, play *Play) error {
+	// run_once executes the task only on the first host in the current batch.
+	if task.RunOnce && len(hosts) > 1 {
+		hosts = hosts[:1]
+	}
+
 	// Check tags
-	if !e.matchesTags(task.Tags) {
+	tags := append(append([]string{}, play.Tags...), task.Tags...)
+	if !e.matchesTags(tags) {
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -266,7 +325,7 @@ func (e *Executor) runTaskOnHost(ctx context.Context, host string, task *Task, p
 		e.OnTaskStart(host, task)
 	}
 
-	// Initialize host results
+	// Initialise host results
 	if e.results[host] == nil {
 		e.results[host] = make(map[string]*TaskResult)
 	}
@@ -296,8 +355,8 @@ func (e *Executor) runTaskOnHost(ctx context.Context, host string, task *Task, p
 		return e.runLoop(ctx, host, client, task, play)
 	}
 
-	// Execute the task
-	result, err := e.executeModule(ctx, host, client, task, play)
+	// Execute the task, retrying when an until condition is present.
+	result, err := e.runTaskWithUntil(ctx, host, client, task, play)
 	if err != nil {
 		result = &TaskResult{Failed: true, Msg: err.Error()}
 	}
@@ -324,6 +383,139 @@ func (e *Executor) runTaskOnHost(ctx context.Context, host string, task *Task, p
 	return nil
 }
 
+// runTaskWithUntil executes a task once or retries it until the until
+// condition evaluates to true.
+func (e *Executor) runTaskWithUntil(ctx context.Context, host string, client *SSHClient, task *Task, play *Play) (*TaskResult, error) {
+	if task.Until == "" {
+		return e.executeModule(ctx, host, client, task, play)
+	}
+
+	retries := task.Retries
+	if retries <= 0 {
+		retries = 3
+	}
+
+	delay := task.Delay
+	if delay <= 0 {
+		delay = 1
+	}
+
+	restoreAlias := task.Register != "result"
+	var (
+		previousAlias *TaskResult
+		hadAlias      bool
+	)
+	if restoreAlias {
+		e.mu.RLock()
+		if hostResults, ok := e.results[host]; ok {
+			previousAlias, hadAlias = hostResults["result"]
+		}
+		e.mu.RUnlock()
+		defer func() {
+			e.mu.Lock()
+			defer e.mu.Unlock()
+			if e.results[host] == nil {
+				e.results[host] = make(map[string]*TaskResult)
+			}
+			if hadAlias {
+				e.results[host]["result"] = previousAlias
+			} else {
+				delete(e.results[host], "result")
+			}
+		}()
+	}
+
+	lastResult, lastErr := retryTask(ctx, retries, delay, func() (*TaskResult, error) {
+		result, err := e.executeModule(ctx, host, client, task, play)
+		if err != nil {
+			result = &TaskResult{Failed: true, Msg: err.Error()}
+		}
+		if result == nil {
+			result = &TaskResult{}
+		}
+		e.setTempResult(host, task.Register, result)
+		return result, nil
+	}, func(result *TaskResult) bool {
+		return e.evaluateWhen(task.Until, host, task)
+	})
+
+	if lastErr != nil {
+		return lastResult, lastErr
+	}
+
+	if lastResult == nil {
+		lastResult = &TaskResult{}
+	}
+	lastResult.Failed = true
+	if lastResult.Msg == "" {
+		lastResult.Msg = sprintf("until condition not met: %s", task.Until)
+	}
+	return lastResult, nil
+}
+
+// setTempResult exposes the latest task result for until evaluation without
+// leaving stale state behind when a different register name is used.
+func (e *Executor) setTempResult(host string, register string, result *TaskResult) {
+	e.mu.Lock()
+	defer e.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if e.results[host] == nil {
+		e.results[host] = make(map[string]*TaskResult)
+	}
+	e.results[host]["result"] = result
+
+	if register != "" {
+		e.results[host][register] = result
+	}
+}
+
+// retryTask runs fn until done returns true or the retry budget is exhausted.
+func retryTask(ctx context.Context, retries, delay int, fn func() (*TaskResult, error), done func(*TaskResult) bool) (*TaskResult, error) {
+	if retries < 0 {
+		retries = 0
+	}
+	if delay < 0 {
+		delay = 0
+	}
+
+	var lastResult *TaskResult
+	var lastErr error
+
+	for attempt := 0; attempt <= retries; attempt++ {
+		lastResult, lastErr = fn()
+		if lastErr != nil {
+			return lastResult, lastErr
+		}
+		if lastResult == nil {
+			lastResult = &TaskResult{}
+		}
+		if done == nil || done(lastResult) {
+			return lastResult, nil
+		}
+		if attempt < retries && delay > 0 {
+			if err := sleepWithContext(ctx, time.Duration(delay)*time.Second); err != nil {
+				return lastResult, err
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return lastResult, nil
+}
+
+// sleepWithContext pauses for the requested duration or stops early when the
+// context is cancelled.
+func sleepWithContext(ctx context.Context, d time.Duration) error {
+	timer := time.NewTimer(d)
+	defer timer.Stop()
+
+	select {
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return ctx.Err()
+	case <-timer.C:
+		return nil
+	}
+}
+
 // runLoop handles task loops.
 func (e *Executor) runLoop(ctx context.Context, host string, client *SSHClient, task *Task, play *Play) error {
 	items := e.resolveLoop(task.Loop, host)
@@ -363,6 +555,10 @@ func (e *Executor) runLoop(ctx context.Context, host string, client *SSHClient,
 		if result.Failed && !task.IgnoreErrors {
 			break
 		}
+
+		if task.LoopControl != nil && task.LoopControl.Pause > 0 && i < len(items)-1 {
+			time.Sleep(time.Duration(task.LoopControl.Pause) * time.Second)
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Restore loop variables
@@ -903,7 +1099,7 @@ func (e *Executor) handleLookup(expr string) string {
 	case "env":
 		return env(arg)
 	case "file":
-		if data, err := coreio.Local.Read(arg); err == nil {
+		if data, err := localFS.Read(arg); err == nil {
 			return data
 		}
 	}
@@ -1000,7 +1196,7 @@ func (e *Executor) Close() {
 //
 //	content, err := exec.TemplateFile("/workspace/templates/app.conf.j2", "web1", &Task{})
 func (e *Executor) TemplateFile(src, host string, task *Task) (string, error) {
-	content, err := coreio.Local.Read(src)
+	content, err := localFS.Read(src)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
diff --git a/executor_test.go b/executor_test.go
index 0e67bd7..5d425c9 100644
--- a/executor_test.go
+++ b/executor_test.go
@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 package ansible
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
 // --- NewExecutor ---
@@ -98,6 +101,163 @@ func TestExecutor_GetHosts_Good_WithLimit(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Contains(t, hosts, "host2")
 }
 
+func TestExecutor_RunPlay_Good_SerialBatchesHosts(t *testing.T) {
+	e := NewExecutor("/tmp")
+	e.SetInventoryDirect(&Inventory{
+		All: &InventoryGroup{
+			Hosts: map[string]*Host{
+				"host1": {},
+				"host2": {},
+			},
+		},
+	})
+
+	var gathered []string
+	e.OnTaskStart = func(host string, task *Task) {
+		gathered = append(gathered, host+":"+task.Name)
+	}
+
+	gatherFacts := false
+	play := &Play{
+		Name:        "serial",
+		Hosts:       "all",
+		GatherFacts: &gatherFacts,
+		Serial:      "1",
+		Tasks: []Task{
+			{Name: "first", Module: "debug", Args: map[string]any{"msg": "one"}},
+			{Name: "second", Module: "debug", Args: map[string]any{"msg": "two"}},
+		},
+	}
+
+	require.NoError(t, e.runPlay(context.Background(), play))
+	assert.Equal(t, []string{
+		"host1:first",
+		"host1:second",
+		"host2:first",
+		"host2:second",
+	}, gathered)
+}
+
+func TestExecutor_RunPlay_Good_RunOnceTaskOnlyRunsOnFirstHost(t *testing.T) {
+	e := NewExecutor("/tmp")
+	e.SetInventoryDirect(&Inventory{
+		All: &InventoryGroup{
+			Hosts: map[string]*Host{
+				"host1": {},
+				"host2": {},
+			},
+		},
+	})
+
+	var executed []string
+	e.OnTaskStart = func(host string, task *Task) {
+		executed = append(executed, host)
+	}
+
+	gatherFacts := false
+	play := &Play{
+		Name:        "run once",
+		Hosts:       "all",
+		GatherFacts: &gatherFacts,
+		Tasks: []Task{
+			{
+				Name:     "single host",
+				Module:   "debug",
+				Args:     map[string]any{"msg": "ok"},
+				Register: "result",
+				RunOnce:  true,
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	require.NoError(t, e.runPlay(context.Background(), play))
+	assert.Equal(t, []string{"host1"}, executed)
+	assert.NotNil(t, e.results["host1"]["result"])
+	_, ok := e.results["host2"]
+	assert.False(t, ok)
+}
+
+func TestExecutor_RunPlay_Good_PlayTagsApplyToUntaggedTasks(t *testing.T) {
+	e := NewExecutor("/tmp")
+	e.SetInventoryDirect(&Inventory{
+		All: &InventoryGroup{
+			Hosts: map[string]*Host{
+				"host1": {},
+			},
+		},
+	})
+	e.Tags = []string{"deploy"}
+
+	var executed []string
+	e.OnTaskStart = func(host string, task *Task) {
+		executed = append(executed, host+":"+task.Name)
+	}
+
+	gatherFacts := false
+	play := &Play{
+		Name:        "tagged play",
+		Hosts:       "all",
+		GatherFacts: &gatherFacts,
+		Tags:        []string{"deploy"},
+		Tasks: []Task{
+			{Name: "untagged task", Module: "debug", Args: map[string]any{"msg": "ok"}},
+		},
+	}
+
+	require.NoError(t, e.runPlay(context.Background(), play))
+	assert.Equal(t, []string{"host1:untagged task"}, executed)
+}
+
+func TestExecutor_RunTaskOnHost_Good_LoopControlPause(t *testing.T) {
+	e := NewExecutor("/tmp")
+	task := &Task{
+		Name:   "pause loop",
+		Module: "debug",
+		Args:   map[string]any{"msg": "{{ item }}"},
+		Loop:   []any{"one", "two"},
+		LoopControl: &LoopControl{
+			Pause: 1,
+		},
+	}
+	play := &Play{}
+
+	start := time.Now()
+	require.NoError(t, e.runTaskOnHost(context.Background(), "localhost", task, play))
+
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, time.Since(start), 900*time.Millisecond)
+}
+
+func TestExecutor_SetTempResult_Good_ResultAliasSupportsUntil(t *testing.T) {
+	e := NewExecutor("/tmp")
+
+	e.setTempResult("host1", "", &TaskResult{Failed: true, RC: 1})
+	assert.False(t, e.evaluateWhen("result is success", "host1", &Task{}))
+
+	e.setTempResult("host1", "", &TaskResult{Failed: false, RC: 0})
+	assert.True(t, e.evaluateWhen("result is success", "host1", &Task{}))
+}
+
+func TestRetryTask_Good_RetriesAndWaits(t *testing.T) {
+	attempts := 0
+	start := time.Now()
+
+	result, err := retryTask(context.Background(), 1, 1, func() (*TaskResult, error) {
+		attempts++
+		if attempts == 1 {
+			return &TaskResult{Failed: true, RC: 1}, nil
+		}
+		return &TaskResult{Failed: false, RC: 0}, nil
+	}, func(result *TaskResult) bool {
+		return result.RC == 0
+	})
+
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, 2, attempts)
+	assert.NotNil(t, result)
+	assert.False(t, result.Failed)
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, time.Since(start), 900*time.Millisecond)
+}
+
 // --- matchesTags ---
 
 func TestExecutor_MatchesTags_Good_NoTagsFilter(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index b0ea219..18bccde 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ go 1.26.0
 
 require (
 	dappco.re/go/core v0.8.0-alpha.1
-	dappco.re/go/core/io v0.2.0
 	dappco.re/go/core/log v0.1.0
 	github.com/stretchr/testify v1.11.1
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.49.0
@@ -12,8 +11,8 @@ require (
 )
 
 require (
-	forge.lthn.ai/core/go-log v0.0.4 // indirect
 	github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.2-0.20180830191138-d8f796af33cc // indirect
+	github.com/kr/text v0.2.0 // indirect
 	github.com/pmezard/go-difflib v1.0.1-0.20181226105442-5d4384ee4fb2 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.42.0 // indirect
 )
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 47503e9..2d1a627 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -1,11 +1,8 @@
 dappco.re/go/core v0.8.0-alpha.1 h1:gj7+Scv+L63Z7wMxbJYHhaRFkHJo2u4MMPuUSv/Dhtk=
 dappco.re/go/core v0.8.0-alpha.1/go.mod h1:f2/tBZ3+3IqDrg2F5F598llv0nmb/4gJVCFzM5geE4A=
-dappco.re/go/core/io v0.2.0 h1:zuudgIiTsQQ5ipVt97saWdGLROovbEB/zdVyy9/l+I4=
-dappco.re/go/core/io v0.2.0/go.mod h1:1QnQV6X9LNgFKfm8SkOtR9LLaj3bDcsOIeJOOyjbL5E=
 dappco.re/go/core/log v0.1.0 h1:pa71Vq2TD2aoEUQWFKwNcaJ3GBY8HbaNGqtE688Unyc=
 dappco.re/go/core/log v0.1.0/go.mod h1:Nkqb8gsXhZAO8VLpx7B8i1iAmohhzqA20b9Zr8VUcJs=
-forge.lthn.ai/core/go-log v0.0.4 h1:KTuCEPgFmuM8KJfnyQ8vPOU1Jg654W74h8IJvfQMfv0=
-forge.lthn.ai/core/go-log v0.0.4/go.mod h1:r14MXKOD3LF/sI8XUJQhRk/SZHBE7jAFVuCfgkXoZPw=
+github.com/creack/pty v1.1.9/go.mod h1:oKZEueFk5CKHvIhNR5MUki03XCEU+Q6VDXinZuGJ33E=
 github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.2-0.20180830191138-d8f796af33cc h1:U9qPSI2PIWSS1VwoXQT9A3Wy9MM3WgvqSxFWenqJduM=
 github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.2-0.20180830191138-d8f796af33cc/go.mod h1:J7Y8YcW2NihsgmVo/mv3lAwl/skON4iLHjSsI+c5H38=
 github.com/kr/pretty v0.3.1 h1:flRD4NNwYAUpkphVc1HcthR4KEIFJ65n8Mw5qdRn3LE=
diff --git a/modules.go b/modules.go
index 0c4e189..c239b8c 100644
--- a/modules.go
+++ b/modules.go
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import (
 	"io/fs"
 	"strconv"
 
-	coreio "dappco.re/go/core/io"
 	coreerr "dappco.re/go/core/log"
 )
 
@@ -254,7 +253,7 @@ func (e *Executor) moduleScript(ctx context.Context, client *SSHClient, args map
 	}
 
 	// Read local script
-	data, err := coreio.Local.Read(script)
+	data, err := localFS.Read(script)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, coreerr.E("Executor.moduleScript", "read script", err)
 	}
@@ -285,7 +284,7 @@ func (e *Executor) moduleCopy(ctx context.Context, client *SSHClient, args map[s
 	var err error
 
 	if src := getStringArg(args, "src", ""); src != "" {
-		content, err = coreio.Local.Read(src)
+		content, err = localFS.Read(src)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, coreerr.E("Executor.moduleCopy", "read src", err)
 		}
@@ -509,11 +508,11 @@ func (e *Executor) moduleFetch(ctx context.Context, client *SSHClient, args map[
 	}
 
 	// Create dest directory
-	if err := coreio.Local.EnsureDir(pathDir(dest)); err != nil {
+	if err := localFS.EnsureDir(pathDir(dest)); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	if err := coreio.Local.Write(dest, string(content)); err != nil {
+	if err := localFS.Write(dest, string(content)); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -1051,7 +1050,7 @@ func (e *Executor) moduleUnarchive(ctx context.Context, client *SSHClient, args
 	var cmd string
 	if !remote {
 		// Upload local file first
-		data, err := coreio.Local.Read(src)
+		data, err := localFS.Read(src)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, coreerr.E("Executor.moduleUnarchive", "read src", err)
 		}
diff --git a/parser.go b/parser.go
index aa4bc18..33b7458 100644
--- a/parser.go
+++ b/parser.go
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"maps"
 	"slices"
 
-	coreio "dappco.re/go/core/io"
 	coreerr "dappco.re/go/core/log"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
@@ -38,7 +37,7 @@ func NewParser(basePath string) *Parser {
 //
 //	plays, err := parser.ParsePlaybook("/workspace/playbooks/site.yml")
 func (p *Parser) ParsePlaybook(path string) ([]Play, error) {
-	data, err := coreio.Local.Read(path)
+	data, err := localFS.Read(path)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, coreerr.E("Parser.ParsePlaybook", "read playbook", err)
 	}
@@ -83,7 +82,7 @@ func (p *Parser) ParsePlaybookIter(path string) (iter.Seq[Play], error) {
 //
 //	inv, err := parser.ParseInventory("/workspace/inventory.yml")
 func (p *Parser) ParseInventory(path string) (*Inventory, error) {
-	data, err := coreio.Local.Read(path)
+	data, err := localFS.Read(path)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, coreerr.E("Parser.ParseInventory", "read inventory", err)
 	}
@@ -102,7 +101,7 @@ func (p *Parser) ParseInventory(path string) (*Inventory, error) {
 //
 //	tasks, err := parser.ParseTasks("/workspace/roles/web/tasks/main.yml")
 func (p *Parser) ParseTasks(path string) ([]Task, error) {
-	data, err := coreio.Local.Read(path)
+	data, err := localFS.Read(path)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, coreerr.E("Parser.ParseTasks", "read tasks", err)
 	}
@@ -168,7 +167,7 @@ func (p *Parser) ParseRole(name string, tasksFrom string) ([]Task, error) {
 	for _, sp := range searchPaths {
 		// Clean the path to resolve .. segments
 		sp = cleanPath(sp)
-		if coreio.Local.Exists(sp) {
+		if localFS.Exists(sp) {
 			tasksPath = sp
 			break
 		}
@@ -180,7 +179,7 @@ func (p *Parser) ParseRole(name string, tasksFrom string) ([]Task, error) {
 
 	// Load role defaults
 	defaultsPath := joinPath(pathDir(pathDir(tasksPath)), "defaults", "main.yml")
-	if data, err := coreio.Local.Read(defaultsPath); err == nil {
+	if data, err := localFS.Read(defaultsPath); err == nil {
 		var defaults map[string]any
 		if yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(data), &defaults) == nil {
 			for k, v := range defaults {
@@ -193,7 +192,7 @@ func (p *Parser) ParseRole(name string, tasksFrom string) ([]Task, error) {
 
 	// Load role vars
 	varsPath := joinPath(pathDir(pathDir(tasksPath)), "vars", "main.yml")
-	if data, err := coreio.Local.Read(varsPath); err == nil {
+	if data, err := localFS.Read(varsPath); err == nil {
 		var roleVars map[string]any
 		if yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(data), &roleVars) == nil {
 			for k, v := range roleVars {
@@ -352,7 +351,7 @@ func isModule(key string) bool {
 	return contains(key, ".")
 }
 
-// NormalizeModule normalizes a module name to its canonical form.
+// NormalizeModule normalises a module name to its canonical form.
 //
 // Example:
 //
@@ -416,11 +415,11 @@ func getAllHosts(group *InventoryGroup) []string {
 	}
 
 	var hosts []string
-	for name := range group.Hosts {
+	for _, name := range slices.Sorted(maps.Keys(group.Hosts)) {
 		hosts = append(hosts, name)
 	}
-	for _, child := range group.Children {
-		hosts = append(hosts, getAllHosts(child)...)
+	for _, name := range slices.Sorted(maps.Keys(group.Children)) {
+		hosts = append(hosts, getAllHosts(group.Children[name])...)
 	}
 	return hosts
 }
diff --git a/specs/RFC.md b/specs/RFC.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1aeec15
--- /dev/null
+++ b/specs/RFC.md
@@ -0,0 +1,364 @@
+# ansible
+**Import:** `dappco.re/go/core/ansible`
+**Files:** 6
+
+## Types
+This package exports structs only. It has no exported interfaces or type aliases.
+
+### Playbook
+`type Playbook struct`
+
+Top-level playbook wrapper for YAML documents that decode to an inline list of plays.
+
+Fields:
+- `Plays []Play`: Inlined play definitions in declaration order.
+
+### Play
+`type Play struct`
+
+One play in a playbook, including host targeting, privilege settings, vars, task lists, roles, handlers, and run controls.
+
+Fields:
+- `Name string`: Human-readable play name used in output and callbacks.
+- `Hosts string`: Inventory pattern resolved before the play runs.
+- `Connection string`: Optional connection type; `"local"` skips SSH fact gathering.
+- `Become bool`: Enables privilege escalation for tasks in the play.
+- `BecomeUser string`: Override user for privilege escalation.
+- `GatherFacts *bool`: Optional fact-gathering switch; `nil` means facts are gathered.
+- `Vars map[string]any`: Play-scoped variables merged into parser and executor state.
+- `PreTasks []Task`: Tasks run before roles and main tasks.
+- `Tasks []Task`: Main task list.
+- `PostTasks []Task`: Tasks run after the main task list.
+- `Roles []RoleRef`: Role references executed between `PreTasks` and `Tasks`.
+- `Handlers []Task`: Handler tasks that may run after normal tasks when notified.
+- `Tags []string`: Tags attached to the play.
+- `Environment map[string]string`: Environment variables attached to the play.
+- `Serial any`: Serial batch setting; the YAML accepts either an `int` or a `string`.
+- `MaxFailPercent int`: Maximum tolerated failure percentage for the play.
+
+### RoleRef
+`type RoleRef struct`
+
+Role entry used in `Play.Roles`. The YAML may be either a scalar role name or a mapping.
+
+Fields:
+- `Role string`: Canonical role name used by the executor.
+- `Name string`: Alternate YAML field that is normalised into `Role` during unmarshalling.
+- `TasksFrom string`: Task file loaded from the role's `tasks/` directory.
+- `Vars map[string]any`: Variables merged while the role runs.
+- `When any`: Optional condition evaluated before the role runs.
+- `Tags []string`: Tags declared on the role reference.
+
+### Task
+`type Task struct`
+
+Single Ansible task, including the selected module, module args, flow-control settings, includes, blocks, notifications, and privilege settings.
+
+Fields:
+- `Name string`: Optional task name.
+- `Module string`: Module name extracted from the YAML key rather than a fixed field.
+- `Args map[string]any`: Module arguments extracted from the YAML value.
+- `Register string`: Variable name used to store the task result.
+- `When any`: Conditional expression or expression list.
+- `Loop any`: Loop source, typically a slice or templated string.
+- `LoopControl *LoopControl`: Optional loop metadata such as custom variable names.
+- `Vars map[string]any`: Task-local variables.
+- `Environment map[string]string`: Task-local environment overrides.
+- `ChangedWhen any`: Override for changed-state evaluation.
+- `FailedWhen any`: Override for failure evaluation.
+- `IgnoreErrors bool`: Continue after task failure when true.
+- `NoLog bool`: Marker for suppressing logging.
+- `Become *bool`: Per-task privilege-escalation override.
+- `BecomeUser string`: Per-task privilege-escalation user.
+- `Delegate string`: `delegate_to` target host.
+- `RunOnce bool`: Runs the task once rather than on every host.
+- `Tags []string`: Tags attached to the task.
+- `Block []Task`: Main block tasks for `block` syntax.
+- `Rescue []Task`: Rescue tasks run after a block failure.
+- `Always []Task`: Tasks that always run after a block.
+- `Notify any`: Handler notification target, either a string or a list.
+- `Retries int`: Retry count for `until` loops.
+- `Delay int`: Delay between retries.
+- `Until string`: Condition checked for retry loops.
+- `IncludeTasks string`: Path used by `include_tasks`.
+- `ImportTasks string`: Path used by `import_tasks`.
+- `IncludeRole *struct{...}`: Role inclusion payload with `Name`, optional `TasksFrom`, and optional `Vars`.
+- `ImportRole *struct{...}`: Role import payload with `Name`, optional `TasksFrom`, and optional `Vars`.
+
+### LoopControl
+`type LoopControl struct`
+
+Loop metadata attached to a task.
+
+Fields:
+- `LoopVar string`: Name assigned to the current loop item.
+- `IndexVar string`: Name assigned to the current loop index.
+- `Label string`: Display label for loop items.
+- `Pause int`: Pause between loop iterations.
+- `Extended bool`: Enables extended loop metadata.
+
+### TaskResult
+`type TaskResult struct`
+
+Normalised execution result returned by module handlers and stored in registered variables.
+
+Fields:
+- `Changed bool`: Whether the task changed remote state.
+- `Failed bool`: Whether the task failed.
+- `Skipped bool`: Whether the task was skipped.
+- `Msg string`: Summary message.
+- `Stdout string`: Standard output captured from command-based modules.
+- `Stderr string`: Standard error captured from command-based modules.
+- `RC int`: Command exit status when applicable.
+- `Results []TaskResult`: Per-item loop results.
+- `Data map[string]any`: Module-specific result payload.
+- `Duration time.Duration`: Execution duration recorded by the executor.
+
+### Inventory
+`type Inventory struct`
+
+Root inventory object.
+
+Fields:
+- `All *InventoryGroup`: Root inventory group decoded from the `all` key.
+
+### InventoryGroup
+`type InventoryGroup struct`
+
+Inventory group containing hosts, child groups, and inherited variables.
+
+Fields:
+- `Hosts map[string]*Host`: Hosts defined directly in the group.
+- `Children map[string]*InventoryGroup`: Nested child groups.
+- `Vars map[string]any`: Variables inherited by descendant hosts unless overridden.
+
+### Host
+`type Host struct`
+
+Per-host inventory entry with Ansible connection settings and inline custom vars.
+
+Fields:
+- `AnsibleHost string`: Remote address or hostname to connect to.
+- `AnsiblePort int`: SSH port.
+- `AnsibleUser string`: SSH user.
+- `AnsiblePassword string`: SSH password.
+- `AnsibleSSHPrivateKeyFile string`: Private key path for SSH authentication.
+- `AnsibleConnection string`: Connection transport hint.
+- `AnsibleBecomePassword string`: Password used for privilege escalation.
+- `Vars map[string]any`: Additional host variables stored inline in YAML.
+
+### Facts
+`type Facts struct`
+
+Subset of gathered host facts stored by the executor.
+
+Fields:
+- `Hostname string`: Short hostname.
+- `FQDN string`: Fully qualified domain name.
+- `OS string`: OS family.
+- `Distribution string`: Distribution identifier.
+- `Version string`: Distribution version.
+- `Architecture string`: Machine architecture.
+- `Kernel string`: Kernel release.
+- `Memory int64`: Total memory in MiB.
+- `CPUs int`: Virtual CPU count.
+- `IPv4 string`: Default IPv4 address.
+
+### Parser
+`type Parser struct`
+
+Stateful YAML parser for playbooks, inventories, task files, and roles. Its internal path and variable cache are unexported.
+
+### Executor
+`type Executor struct`
+
+Playbook execution engine that combines parser state, inventory, vars, gathered facts, registered results, handler notifications, and SSH client reuse.
+
+Fields:
+- `OnPlayStart func(play *Play)`: Optional callback fired before a play starts.
+- `OnTaskStart func(host string, task *Task)`: Optional callback fired before a task runs on a host.
+- `OnTaskEnd func(host string, task *Task, result *TaskResult)`: Optional callback fired after a task result is produced.
+- `OnPlayEnd func(play *Play)`: Optional callback fired after a play finishes.
+- `Limit string`: Additional host filter applied after normal play host resolution.
+- `Tags []string`: Inclusive tag filter for task execution.
+- `SkipTags []string`: Exclusive tag filter that always skips matching tasks.
+- `CheckMode bool`: Public execution flag exposed for callers and CLI wiring.
+- `Diff bool`: Public execution flag exposed for callers and CLI wiring.
+- `Verbose int`: Verbosity level used by executor logging and CLI callbacks.
+
+### SSHClient
+`type SSHClient struct`
+
+Lazy SSH client that owns connection, authentication, privilege-escalation, and timeout state. All fields are unexported.
+
+### SSHConfig
+`type SSHConfig struct`
+
+Configuration used to construct an `SSHClient`.
+
+Fields:
+- `Host string`: Target host.
+- `Port int`: Target SSH port; defaults to `22`.
+- `User string`: SSH user; defaults to `"root"`.
+- `Password string`: SSH password.
+- `KeyFile string`: Private key path.
+- `Become bool`: Enables privilege escalation on the client.
+- `BecomeUser string`: User used for privilege escalation.
+- `BecomePass string`: Password used for privilege escalation.
+- `Timeout time.Duration`: Connection timeout; defaults to `30 * time.Second`.
+
+## Functions
+### NewParser
+`func NewParser(basePath string) *Parser`
+
+Constructs a parser rooted at `basePath` and initialises its internal variable map. `basePath` is later used to resolve role search paths.
+
+### (*Parser).ParsePlaybook
+`func (p *Parser) ParsePlaybook(path string) ([]Play, error)`
+
+Reads a playbook YAML file, unmarshals it into `[]Play`, and post-processes every `PreTasks`, `Tasks`, `PostTasks`, and handler entry to extract `Task.Module` and `Task.Args`.
+
+### (*Parser).ParsePlaybookIter
+`func (p *Parser) ParsePlaybookIter(path string) (iter.Seq[Play], error)`
+
+Wrapper around `ParsePlaybook` that yields parsed plays through an `iter.Seq`.
+
+### (*Parser).ParseInventory
+`func (p *Parser) ParseInventory(path string) (*Inventory, error)`
+
+Reads an inventory YAML file and unmarshals it into the public `Inventory` model.
+
+### (*Parser).ParseTasks
+`func (p *Parser) ParseTasks(path string) ([]Task, error)`
+
+Reads a task file, unmarshals it into `[]Task`, and extracts module names and args for every task entry.
+
+### (*Parser).ParseTasksIter
+`func (p *Parser) ParseTasksIter(path string) (iter.Seq[Task], error)`
+
+Wrapper around `ParseTasks` that yields parsed tasks through an `iter.Seq`.
+
+### (*Parser).ParseRole
+`func (p *Parser) ParseRole(name string, tasksFrom string) ([]Task, error)`
+
+Resolves `roles/<name>/tasks/<tasksFrom>` across several search patterns rooted around `basePath`, defaults `tasksFrom` to `main.yml`, merges role defaults without overwriting existing parser vars, merges role vars with overwrite semantics, and then parses the resolved task file.
+
+### (*RoleRef).UnmarshalYAML
+`func (r *RoleRef) UnmarshalYAML(unmarshal func(any) error) error`
+
+Accepts either a scalar role name or a structured role mapping. When the mapping only sets `Name`, the method copies it into `Role`.
+
+### (*Task).UnmarshalYAML
+`func (t *Task) UnmarshalYAML(node *yaml.Node) error`
+
+Decodes the standard task fields, scans the remaining YAML keys for the first recognised module name, stores free-form arguments in `Args["_raw_params"]`, accepts module mappings and nil-valued modules, and maps `with_items` into `Loop` when `Loop` is unset.
+
+### NormalizeModule
+`func NormalizeModule(name string) string`
+
+Returns `ansible.builtin.<name>` for short module names and leaves dotted names unchanged.
+
+### GetHosts
+`func GetHosts(inv *Inventory, pattern string) []string`
+
+Resolves hosts from a non-nil inventory by handling `all`, `localhost`, group names, and explicit host names. Patterns containing `:` are recognised as future work and currently return `nil`.
+
+### GetHostsIter
+`func GetHostsIter(inv *Inventory, pattern string) iter.Seq[string]`
+
+Iterator wrapper around `GetHosts`.
+
+### AllHostsIter
+`func AllHostsIter(group *InventoryGroup) iter.Seq[string]`
+
+Yields every host reachable from a group tree in deterministic order by sorting host keys and child-group keys at each level.
+
+### GetHostVars
+`func GetHostVars(inv *Inventory, hostname string) map[string]any`
+
+Builds the effective variable map for `hostname` by walking the group tree, applying direct-group vars, host connection settings, inline host vars, and then parent-group vars for keys not already set by a nearer scope.
+
+### NewExecutor
+`func NewExecutor(basePath string) *Executor`
+
+Constructs an executor with a parser rooted at `basePath` and fresh maps for vars, facts, registered results, handlers, notifications, and SSH clients.
+
+### (*Executor).SetInventory
+`func (e *Executor) SetInventory(path string) error`
+
+Parses an inventory file through the embedded parser and stores the resulting `Inventory` on the executor.
+
+### (*Executor).SetInventoryDirect
+`func (e *Executor) SetInventoryDirect(inv *Inventory)`
+
+Stores a caller-supplied inventory pointer on the executor without parsing.
+
+### (*Executor).SetVar
+`func (e *Executor) SetVar(key string, value any)`
+
+Stores an executor-scoped variable under a write lock.
+
+### (*Executor).Run
+`func (e *Executor) Run(ctx context.Context, playbookPath string) error`
+
+Parses the playbook at `playbookPath` and runs plays sequentially. Each play resolves hosts, merges play vars, gathers facts by default, runs `PreTasks`, roles, `Tasks`, `PostTasks`, and finally any handlers that were notified during the play.
+
+### (*Executor).Close
+`func (e *Executor) Close()`
+
+Closes every cached `SSHClient` and replaces the client cache with a fresh empty map.
+
+### (*Executor).TemplateFile
+`func (e *Executor) TemplateFile(src, host string, task *Task) (string, error)`
+
+Reads a template file, performs a basic Jinja2-to-Go-template token conversion, and executes it against a context built from executor vars, host vars, and gathered facts. If parsing or execution fails, it falls back to the executor's simpler string-templating path.
+
+### NewSSHClient
+`func NewSSHClient(cfg SSHConfig) (*SSHClient, error)`
+
+Applies defaults for `Port`, `User`, and `Timeout`, then constructs an `SSHClient` from `cfg`.
+
+### (*SSHClient).Connect
+`func (c *SSHClient) Connect(ctx context.Context) error`
+
+Lazily establishes the SSH connection. Authentication is attempted in this order: explicit key file, default keys from `~/.ssh`, then password-based auth. The method also ensures `known_hosts` exists and uses it for host-key verification.
+
+### (*SSHClient).Close
+`func (c *SSHClient) Close() error`
+
+Closes the active SSH connection, if any, and clears the cached client pointer.
+
+### (*SSHClient).Run
+`func (c *SSHClient) Run(ctx context.Context, cmd string) (stdout, stderr string, exitCode int, err error)`
+
+Runs a command on the remote host, opening a new SSH session after calling `Connect`. When privilege escalation is enabled, the command is wrapped with `sudo`, using either the become password, the SSH password, or passwordless `sudo -n`. The method returns stdout, stderr, an exit code, and honours context cancellation by signalling the session.
+
+### (*SSHClient).RunScript
+`func (c *SSHClient) RunScript(ctx context.Context, script string) (stdout, stderr string, exitCode int, err error)`
+
+Wraps `script` in a heredoc passed to `bash` and delegates execution to `Run`.
+
+### (*SSHClient).Upload
+`func (c *SSHClient) Upload(ctx context.Context, local io.Reader, remote string, mode fs.FileMode) error`
+
+Reads all content from `local`, creates the remote parent directory, writes the file via `cat >`, applies the requested mode with `chmod`, and handles both normal and `sudo`-mediated uploads.
+
+### (*SSHClient).Download
+`func (c *SSHClient) Download(ctx context.Context, remote string) ([]byte, error)`
+
+Downloads a remote file by running `cat` and returning the captured bytes. A non-zero remote exit status is reported as an error.
+
+### (*SSHClient).FileExists
+`func (c *SSHClient) FileExists(ctx context.Context, path string) (bool, error)`
+
+Checks remote path existence with `test -e`.
+
+### (*SSHClient).Stat
+`func (c *SSHClient) Stat(ctx context.Context, path string) (map[string]any, error)`
+
+Returns a minimal stat map parsed from remote shell output. The current implementation reports boolean `exists` and `isdir` keys.
+
+### (*SSHClient).SetBecome
+`func (c *SSHClient) SetBecome(become bool, user, password string)`
+
+Updates the client's privilege-escalation flag and replaces the stored become user and password only when non-empty override values are supplied.
diff --git a/ssh.go b/ssh.go
index 26ef65a..3611fd6 100644
--- a/ssh.go
+++ b/ssh.go
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
-	coreio "dappco.re/go/core/io"
 	coreerr "dappco.re/go/core/log"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh/knownhosts"
@@ -104,7 +103,7 @@ func (c *SSHClient) Connect(ctx context.Context) error {
 			keyPath = joinPath(env("DIR_HOME"), keyPath[1:])
 		}
 
-		if key, err := coreio.Local.Read(keyPath); err == nil {
+		if key, err := localFS.Read(keyPath); err == nil {
 			if signer, err := ssh.ParsePrivateKey([]byte(key)); err == nil {
 				authMethods = append(authMethods, ssh.PublicKeys(signer))
 			}
@@ -119,7 +118,7 @@ func (c *SSHClient) Connect(ctx context.Context) error {
 			joinPath(home, ".ssh", "id_rsa"),
 		}
 		for _, keyPath := range defaultKeys {
-			if key, err := coreio.Local.Read(keyPath); err == nil {
+			if key, err := localFS.Read(keyPath); err == nil {
 				if signer, err := ssh.ParsePrivateKey([]byte(key)); err == nil {
 					authMethods = append(authMethods, ssh.PublicKeys(signer))
 					break
@@ -154,11 +153,11 @@ func (c *SSHClient) Connect(ctx context.Context) error {
 	knownHostsPath := joinPath(home, ".ssh", "known_hosts")
 
 	// Ensure known_hosts file exists
-	if !coreio.Local.Exists(knownHostsPath) {
-		if err := coreio.Local.EnsureDir(pathDir(knownHostsPath)); err != nil {
+	if !localFS.Exists(knownHostsPath) {
+		if err := localFS.EnsureDir(pathDir(knownHostsPath)); err != nil {
 			return coreerr.E("ssh.Connect", "failed to create .ssh dir", err)
 		}
-		if err := coreio.Local.Write(knownHostsPath, ""); err != nil {
+		if err := localFS.Write(knownHostsPath, ""); err != nil {
 			return coreerr.E("ssh.Connect", "failed to create known_hosts file", err)
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/test_primitives_test.go b/test_primitives_test.go
index ad11b98..366eba8 100644
--- a/test_primitives_test.go
+++ b/test_primitives_test.go
@@ -2,12 +2,10 @@ package ansible
 
 import (
 	"io/fs"
-
-	coreio "dappco.re/go/core/io"
 )
 
 func readTestFile(path string) ([]byte, error) {
-	content, err := coreio.Local.Read(path)
+	content, err := localFS.Read(path)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -15,7 +13,7 @@ func readTestFile(path string) ([]byte, error) {
 }
 
 func writeTestFile(path string, content []byte, mode fs.FileMode) error {
-	return coreio.Local.WriteMode(path, string(content), mode)
+	return localFS.WriteMode(path, string(content), mode)
 }
 
 func joinStrings(parts []string, sep string) string {
diff --git a/types.go b/types.go
index 1907a78..f5322fa 100644
--- a/types.go
+++ b/types.go
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ type Task struct {
 	raw map[string]any
 }
 
-// LoopControl controls loop behavior.
+// LoopControl controls loop behaviour.
 //
 // Example:
 //