diff --git a/cic/attachment.py b/cic/attachment.py
index bc41ceb..ce63df2 100644
--- a/cic/attachment.py
+++ b/cic/attachment.py
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ logg = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 class Attachment(Data):
 
-    def __init__(self, path='.'):
+    def __init__(self, path='.', writer=None):
         super(Attachment, self).__init__()
         self.contents = {}
         self.path = path
+        self.writer = writer
         self.attachment_path = os.path.join(self.path, 'attachments')
 
 
@@ -43,6 +44,17 @@ class Attachment(Data):
         return self.contents
 
 
+    def process(self, token_address=None, writer=None):
+        if writer == None:
+            writer = self.writer
+
+        for k in self.contents.keys():
+            f = open(self.contents[k], 'rb')
+            v = f.read()
+            f.close()
+            logg.debug('writing {}'.format(k))
+            writer.write(k, v)
+
     def __str__(self):
         s = ''
         for i in range(len(self.contents)):
diff --git a/cic/cmd/export.py b/cic/cmd/export.py
index c4ff411..ccd0dfe 100644
--- a/cic/cmd/export.py
+++ b/cic/cmd/export.py
@@ -22,14 +22,32 @@ def validate_args(args):
     pass
 
 
+def init_writers_from_config(config):
+    w = {
+            'meta': None,
+            'attachment': None,
+            'proof': None,
+        }
+    for v in w.keys():
+        k = 'CIC_CORE_{}_WRITER'.format(v.upper())
+        (d, c) = config.get(k).rsplit('.', maxsplit=1)
+        m = importlib.import_module(d)
+        o = getattr(m, c)
+        w[v] = o
+        
+    return w
+    
+
 def execute(config, eargs):
     modname = 'cic.ext.{}'.format(eargs.target)
     cmd_mod = importlib.import_module(modname)
 
+    writers = init_writers_from_config(config)
+
     ct = Token(path=eargs.directory)
-    cm = Meta(path=eargs.directory)
-    ca = Attachment(path=eargs.directory)
-    cp = Proof(path=eargs.directory, attachments=ca)
+    cm = Meta(path=eargs.directory, writer=writers['meta'])
+    ca = Attachment(path=eargs.directory, writer=writers['attachment'])
+    cp = Proof(path=eargs.directory, attachments=ca, writer=writers['proof'])
     cn = Network(path=eargs.directory)
 
     ct.load()
@@ -38,6 +56,7 @@ def execute(config, eargs):
     ca.load()
     cn.load()
 
-    ref = cn.reference(eargs.target)
+    ref = cn.resource(eargs.target)
+    chain_spec = cn.chain_spec(eargs.target)
     logg.debug('found reference {} for target {}'.format(ref, eargs.target))
-    getattr(cmd_mod, 'new')(ref, cp, signer_hint=eargs.signer)
+    getattr(cmd_mod, 'new')(chain_spec, ref, cp, signer_hint=eargs.signer)
diff --git a/cic/cmd/init.py b/cic/cmd/init.py
index 0425a2a..0ad3eea 100644
--- a/cic/cmd/init.py
+++ b/cic/cmd/init.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ logg = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
 def process_args(argparser):
-    argparser.add_argument('--target', action='append', type=str, help='initialize network specification file with target')
+    argparser.add_argument('--target', action='append', type=str, default=[], help='initialize network specification file with target')
     argparser.add_argument('--name', type=str, help='token name')
     argparser.add_argument('--symbol', type=str, help='token symbol')
     argparser.add_argument('--precision', type=str, help='token unit precision')
diff --git a/cic/config.py b/cic/config.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/cic/data/config/config.ini b/cic/data/config/config.ini
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..41feedb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cic/data/config/config.ini
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+[cic_core]
+meta_writer = cic.output.KVWriter
+attachment_writer = cic.output.KVWriter
+proof_writer = cic.output.KVWriter
diff --git a/cic/data/network_template_v0.json b/cic/data/network_template_v0.json
index f8404c7..741c09c 100644
--- a/cic/data/network_template_v0.json
+++ b/cic/data/network_template_v0.json
@@ -1,14 +1,23 @@
 {
-	"token": {
-		"reference": null,
-		"key_account": null
+	"chain_spec": {
+		"arch": null, 
+		"fork": null,
+		"network_id": null,
+		"common_name": null,
+		"extra": {}
 	},
-	"token_index": {
-		"reference": null,
-		"key_account": null
-	},
-	"address_declarator": {
-		"reference": null,
-		"key_account": null
+	"contents": {
+		"token": {
+			"reference": null,
+			"key_account": null
+		},
+		"token_index": {
+			"reference": null,
+			"key_account": null
+		},
+		"address_declarator": {
+			"reference": null,
+			"key_account": null
+		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/cic/ext/eth/__init__.py b/cic/ext/eth/__init__.py
index 3585ee6..a949dc3 100644
--- a/cic/ext/eth/__init__.py
+++ b/cic/ext/eth/__init__.py
@@ -134,7 +134,6 @@ class CICEth:
         if writer == None:
             writer = self.outputs_writer
 
-        logg.debug('ZZZZZZZZ token details {}'.format(self.token_details))
         (args, args_types, positions) = self.__order_args()
 
         enc = ABIContractEncoder()
@@ -212,6 +211,7 @@ class CICEth:
 
         results = []
         for proof in self.proof.get():
+            k = 'address_declarator_' + proof
             o = c.add_declaration(contract_address, signer_address, self.token_address, proof, tx_format=self.tx_format)
             r = None
             if self.rpc != None:
@@ -220,8 +220,10 @@ class CICEth:
                 r = o[1]
             else:
                 r = o
-            self.add_outputs('address_declarator', r)
+            self.add_outputs(k, r)
             results.append(r)
+            if writer != None:
+                writer.write(k, r.encode('utf-8'))
 
         return results
 
@@ -249,5 +251,5 @@ class CICEth:
         return self.token_address
 
 
-def new(resources, proof, signer_hint=None):
-    return CICEth(resources, proof, signer=None)
+def new(chain_spec, resources, proof, signer_hint=None):
+    return CICEth(chain_spec, resources, proof, signer=None)
diff --git a/cic/meta.py b/cic/meta.py
index 8457803..82cb978 100644
--- a/cic/meta.py
+++ b/cic/meta.py
@@ -16,11 +16,12 @@ from .base import (
 
 class Meta(Data):
 
-    def __init__(self, path='.'):
+    def __init__(self, path='.', writer=None):
         super(Meta, self).__init__()
         self.name = None
         self.contact = {}
         self.path = path
+        self.writer = writer
         self.meta_path = os.path.join(self.path, 'meta.json')
 
 
@@ -64,9 +65,12 @@ class Meta(Data):
 
     
     def process(self, token_address=None, writer=None):
+        if writer == None:
+            writer = self.writer
+
         k = self.reference(token_address)
         v = json.dumps(self.asdict())
-        writer.write(k, v)
+        writer.write(k, v.encode('utf-8'))
 
         return (k, v)
 
diff --git a/cic/network.py b/cic/network.py
index 481b54f..f21fed7 100644
--- a/cic/network.py
+++ b/cic/network.py
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 import os
 import json
 
+# external imports
+from chainlib.chain import ChainSpec
+
 # local imports
 from .base import (
         Data,
@@ -39,28 +42,34 @@ class Network(Data):
         f = open(network_template_file_path)
         o_part = json.load(f)
         f.close() 
- 
+
         f = open(self.network_path, 'w')
         o = {'resources': {}}
        
         for v in self.targets:
             o['resources'][v] = o_part
-            json.dump(o, f)
+
+        json.dump(o, f)
         f.close()
 
 
-    def reference(self, k):
-        v = self.references.get(k)
+    def resource(self, k):
+        v = self.resources.get(k)
         if v  == None:
             raise AttributeError('no defined reference for {}'.format(k))
         return v
 
 
+    def chain_spec(self, k):
+        v = self.resource(k)
+        return ChainSpec.from_dict(v['chain_spec'])
+
+
     def __str__(self):
         s = ''
         for k in self.resources.keys():
-            for kk in self.resources[k].keys():
-                v = self.resources[k][kk]
+            for kk in self.resources[k]['contents'].keys():
+                v = self.resources[k]['contents'][kk]
                 if v == None:
                     v = ''
                 s += '{}.{} = {}\n'.format(k, kk, v)
diff --git a/cic/output.py b/cic/output.py
index c74acba..3673cf9 100644
--- a/cic/output.py
+++ b/cic/output.py
@@ -1,8 +1,21 @@
 # standard imports
 import os
+import sys
 
 
-class KVWriter:
+class OutputWriter:
+
+    def write(self, k, v):
+        raise NotImplementedError()
+
+
+class StdoutWriter:
+
+    def write(self, k, v):
+        sys.stdout.write('{}\t{}\n'.format(k, v))
+
+
+class KVWriter(OutputWriter):
 
     def __init__(self, path):
         os.stat(path)
@@ -11,6 +24,6 @@ class KVWriter:
 
     def write(self, k, v):
         fp = os.path.join(self.path, str(k))
-        f = open(fp, 'w')
+        f = open(fp, 'wb')
         f.write(v)
         f.close()
diff --git a/cic/processor.py b/cic/processor.py
index 74afd93..bac2a46 100644
--- a/cic/processor.py
+++ b/cic/processor.py
@@ -6,10 +6,13 @@ logg = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 class Processor:
     
-    def __init__(self, metadata=None, outputs_writer=None, extensions=[]):
+    def __init__(self, outputs_writer=None, metadata=None, attachment=None, extensions=[]):
         self.token_address = None
-        self.metadata = metadata
         self.extensions = extensions
+        self.cores = {
+            'metadata': metadata,
+            'attachment': attachment,
+                }
         self.outputs = []
         self.__outputs_writer = outputs_writer
 
@@ -18,15 +21,6 @@ class Processor:
         return self.__outputs_writer
 
 
-    def can_process(self):
-        return self.token_address != None
-
-
-    def process_metadata(self, writer=None):
-        if not self.can_process():
-            raise RuntimeError('incomplete processing state for metadata')
-
-
     def get_outputs(self):
         outputs = []
         for ext in self.extensions:
@@ -38,13 +32,14 @@ class Processor:
     def process(self):
         tasks = [
             'metadata',
+            'attachment',
             ]
 
         for ext in self.extensions:
             token_address = ext.process()
 
             for task in tasks:
-                a = getattr(self, task)
+                a = self.cores.get(task)
                 if a == None:
                     logg.debug('skipping missing task receiver "{}"'.format(task))
                     continue
diff --git a/cic/proof.py b/cic/proof.py
index ca6d3cf..ea42271 100644
--- a/cic/proof.py
+++ b/cic/proof.py
@@ -16,11 +16,12 @@ logg = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 class Proof(Data):
 
-    def __init__(self, path='.', attachments=None):
+    def __init__(self, path='.', attachments=None, writer=None):
         super(Proof, self).__init__()
         self.namespace = 'ge'
         self.description = None
         self.path = path
+        self.writer = writer
         self.extra_attachments = attachments
         self.attachments = {}
         self.proof_path = os.path.join(self.path, 'proof.json')
diff --git a/cic/runnable/cic_cmd.py b/cic/runnable/cic_cmd.py
index 4a9a1d0..85c9c13 100644
--- a/cic/runnable/cic_cmd.py
+++ b/cic/runnable/cic_cmd.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import sys
 import importlib
 
 # external imports
+import chainlib.cli
 import cic.cmd.init as cmd_init
 import cic.cmd.show as cmd_show
 import cic.cmd.export as cmd_export
@@ -15,11 +16,10 @@ logg = logging.getLogger()
 
 script_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))
 data_dir = os.path.join(script_dir, '..', 'data')
+base_config_dir = os.path.join(data_dir, 'config')
 schema_dir = os.path.join(script_dir, '..', 'schema')
 
-argparser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='CIC cli tool for generating and publishing tokens')
-argparser.add_argument('-v', help='be verbose', action='store_true')
-argparser.add_argument('-vv', help='be more verbose', action='store_true')
+argparser = chainlib.cli.ArgumentParser(env=os.environ, description='CIC cli tool for generating and publishing tokens')
 
 sub = argparser.add_subparsers()
 sub.dest = 'command'
@@ -31,11 +31,7 @@ sub_export = sub.add_parser('export', help='export cic data directory state to a
 cmd_export.process_args(sub_export)
 
 args = argparser.parse_args(sys.argv[1:])
-
-if args.v == True:
-    logging.getLogger().setLevel(logging.INFO)
-elif args.vv == True:
-    logging.getLogger().setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+config = chainlib.cli.Config.from_args(args, base_config_dir=base_config_dir)
 
 if args.command == None:
     logg.critical('Subcommand missing')
@@ -45,7 +41,6 @@ modname = 'cic.cmd.{}'.format(args.command)
 logg.debug('using module {}'.format(modname))
 cmd_mod = importlib.import_module(modname)
 
-config = None
 
 def main():
     #try:
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 80a70b8..4da6a4f 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -1,2 +1,4 @@
 funga>=0.5.0a1,<0.6.0
 cic-types>=0.2.0a1,<=0.2.0
+confini>=0.4.2rc3,<0.5.0
+chainlib>=0.0.10a1,<0.1.0
diff --git a/tests/base_cic.py b/tests/base_cic.py
index 666ea9e..6f18faa 100644
--- a/tests/base_cic.py
+++ b/tests/base_cic.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class TestCICBase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.outputs_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp()
         self.outputs_writer = KVWriter(self.outputs_dir)
-        self.core_processor = Processor(self.token_address, outputs_writer=self.outputs_writer)
+        self.core_processor = Processor(outputs_writer=self.outputs_writer)
 
         self.resources = {
                 'token': {
diff --git a/tests/eth/base_eth.py b/tests/eth/base_eth.py
index eb7fed0..ba6009b 100644
--- a/tests/eth/base_eth.py
+++ b/tests/eth/base_eth.py
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ class TestCICEthBase(EthTesterCase):
         self.proofs = Proof(proof_dir, attachments=attach)
         self.proofs.load()
 
-        d = tempfile.mkdtemp()
-        self.outputs_writer = KVWriter(d)
+        self.outputs_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp()
+        self.outputs_writer = KVWriter(self.outputs_dir)
 
 
 class TestCICEthTokenBase(TestCICEthBase):
diff --git a/tests/eth/test_eth_offline.py b/tests/eth/test_eth_offline.py
index cf32768..35d2364 100644
--- a/tests/eth/test_eth_offline.py
+++ b/tests/eth/test_eth_offline.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # standard imports
 import unittest
 import logging
+import os
 
 # local imports
 from cic.ext.eth import CICEth
@@ -18,7 +19,8 @@ class TestCICEthOffline(TestCICEthBase):
     def setUp(self):
         super(TestCICEthOffline, self).setUp()
         self.adapter = CICEth(self.chain_spec, self.resources, self.proofs)
-        self.core_processor = Processor(outputs_writer=self.outputs_writer, extensions=[self.adapter])
+        self.first_proof = self.proofs.get()[0]
+        #self.core_processor = Processor(outputs_writer=self.outputs_writer, extensions=[self.adapter])
 
 
     def test_offline_token_index(self):
@@ -31,11 +33,28 @@ class TestCICEthOffline(TestCICEthBase):
     def test_offline_address_declarator(self):
         self.adapter.token_address = self.token_address
         self.adapter.process_address_declarator()
-        self.assertEqual(self.adapter.outputs[0][0], 'address_declarator')
+        first_proof = self.proofs.get()[0]
+        self.assertEqual(self.adapter.outputs[0][0], 'address_declarator_' + self.first_proof)
         self.assertEqual(self.adapter.outputs[0][1][:8], 'ae47ece0')
         self.assertEqual(len(self.adapter.outputs),  3)
 
 
+    def test_offline_writer(self):
+        self.adapter.outputs_writer = self.outputs_writer
+        self.adapter.token_address = self.token_address
+        self.adapter.process_address_declarator()
+        self.assertEqual(self.adapter.outputs[0][0], 'address_declarator_' + self.first_proof)
+        self.assertEqual(self.adapter.outputs[0][1][:8], 'ae47ece0')
+        self.assertEqual(len(self.adapter.outputs),  3)
+
+        proofs = self.proofs.get()
+        for i, v in enumerate(self.adapter.outputs):
+            fp = os.path.join(self.outputs_dir, v[0])
+            f = open(fp, 'rb')
+            r = f.read()
+            f.close()
+            self.assertEqual(r.decode('utf-8'), v[1])
+
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     unittest.main()
diff --git a/tests/test_output.py b/tests/test_output.py
index 6d7db69..cae84bb 100644
--- a/tests/test_output.py
+++ b/tests/test_output.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ logg = logging.getLogger()
 class TestCICOutput(TestCICBase):
 
     def test_output_file(self):
-        self.outputs_writer.write('foo', 'bar')
+        self.outputs_writer.write('foo', b'bar')
         fp = os.path.join(self.outputs_dir, 'foo')
         f = open(fp, 'r')
         v = f.read()
diff --git a/tests/test_processor.py b/tests/test_processor.py
index 146e2ae..3fbd8b2 100644
--- a/tests/test_processor.py
+++ b/tests/test_processor.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from hexathon import strip_0x
         
 # local imports
 from cic.processor import Processor
+from cic.attachment import Attachment
 from cic.meta import Meta
 
 # test imports
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ class MockExt:
 
 class TestCICProcessor(TestCICBase):
 
-    def test_processor(self):
+    def test_processor_meta(self):
         fp = os.path.join(test_data_dir, 'proof')
         m = Meta(fp)
         m.load()
@@ -47,7 +48,20 @@ class TestCICProcessor(TestCICBase):
         o = json.load(f)
         f.close()
         self.assertEqual(m.asdict(), o)
-        
+    
+
+    def test_processor_attachment(self):
+        fp = os.path.join(test_data_dir, 'proof')
+        m = Attachment(fp)
+        m.load()
+
+        mock_ext = MockExt(self.token_address)
+        p = Processor(attachment=m, outputs_writer=self.outputs_writer, extensions=[mock_ext])
+        p.process()
+
+        for k in list(m.contents.keys()):
+            fp = os.path.join(self.outputs_dir, k)
+            os.stat(fp)
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     unittest.main()