diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index f60c1aa..6d0368f 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -6,13 +6,9 @@ HOST=127.0.0.1
 AT_ENDPOINT=/ussd/africastalking
 
 #PostgreSQL
-DB_HOST=localhost
-DB_USER=postgres
-DB_PASSWORD=strongpass
-DB_NAME=urdt_ussd
-DB_PORT=5432
-DB_SSLMODE=disable
-DB_TIMEZONE=Africa/Nairobi
+DB_CONN=postgres://postgres:strongpass@localhost:5432/urdt_ussd
+#DB_TIMEZONE=Africa/Nairobi
+#DB_SCHEMA=vise
 
 #External API Calls
 CUSTODIAL_URL_BASE=http://localhost:5003
diff --git a/cmd/africastalking/main.go b/cmd/africastalking/main.go
index fd8b0b0..72d3944 100644
--- a/cmd/africastalking/main.go
+++ b/cmd/africastalking/main.go
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ import (
 	"git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/initializers"
 	"git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/internal/handlers"
 	"git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/internal/http/at"
-	httpserver "git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/internal/http/at"
 	"git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/internal/storage"
 	"git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/remote"
 	"git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/internal/args"
@@ -36,21 +35,23 @@ var (
 func init() {
 	initializers.LoadEnvVariables()
 }
+
 func main() {
 	config.LoadConfig()
 
-	var dbDir string
+	var connStr string
 	var resourceDir string
 	var size uint
 	var database string
 	var engineDebug bool
 	var host string
 	var port uint
+	var err error
 	var gettextDir string
 	var langs args.LangVar
-	flag.StringVar(&dbDir, "dbdir", ".state", "database dir to read from")
+
 	flag.StringVar(&resourceDir, "resourcedir", path.Join("services", "registration"), "resource dir")
-	flag.StringVar(&database, "db", "gdbm", "database to be used")
+	flag.StringVar(&connStr, "c", "", "connection string")
 	flag.BoolVar(&engineDebug, "d", false, "use engine debug output")
 	flag.UintVar(&size, "s", 160, "max size of output")
 	flag.StringVar(&host, "h", initializers.GetEnv("HOST", "127.0.0.1"), "http host")
@@ -59,7 +60,16 @@ func main() {
 	flag.Var(&langs, "language", "add symbol resolution for language")
 	flag.Parse()
 
-	logg.Infof("start command", "build", build, "dbdir", dbDir, "resourcedir", resourceDir, "outputsize", size)
+	if connStr != "" {
+		connStr = config.DbConn
+	}
+	connData, err := storage.ToConnData(connStr)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "connstr err: %v", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	logg.Infof("start command", "build", build, "conn", connData, "resourcedir", resourceDir, "outputsize", size)
 
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, "Database", database)
@@ -83,14 +93,13 @@ func main() {
 		cfg.EngineDebug = true
 	}
 
-	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(dbDir, resourceDir)
-	rs, err := menuStorageService.GetResource(ctx)
+	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(connData, resourceDir)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
-	err = menuStorageService.EnsureDbDir()
+	rs, err := menuStorageService.GetResource(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
 		os.Exit(1)
@@ -136,7 +145,7 @@ func main() {
 
 	rp := &at.ATRequestParser{}
 	bsh := handlers.NewBaseSessionHandler(cfg, rs, stateStore, userdataStore, rp, hl)
-	sh := httpserver.NewATSessionHandler(bsh)
+	sh := at.NewATSessionHandler(bsh)
 
 	mux := http.NewServeMux()
 	mux.Handle(initializers.GetEnv("AT_ENDPOINT", "/"), sh)
diff --git a/cmd/async/main.go b/cmd/async/main.go
index 66a4dd0..dc293e6 100644
--- a/cmd/async/main.go
+++ b/cmd/async/main.go
@@ -48,20 +48,21 @@ func (p *asyncRequestParser) GetInput(r any) ([]byte, error) {
 func main() {
 	config.LoadConfig()
 
+	var connStr string
 	var sessionId string
-	var dbDir string
 	var resourceDir string
 	var size uint
 	var database string
 	var engineDebug bool
 	var host string
 	var port uint
+	var err error
 	var gettextDir string
 	var langs args.LangVar
+
 	flag.StringVar(&sessionId, "session-id", "075xx2123", "session id")
-	flag.StringVar(&dbDir, "dbdir", ".state", "database dir to read from")
 	flag.StringVar(&resourceDir, "resourcedir", path.Join("services", "registration"), "resource dir")
-	flag.StringVar(&database, "db", "gdbm", "database to be used")
+	flag.StringVar(&connStr, "c", "", "connection string")
 	flag.BoolVar(&engineDebug, "d", false, "use engine debug output")
 	flag.UintVar(&size, "s", 160, "max size of output")
 	flag.StringVar(&host, "h", initializers.GetEnv("HOST", "127.0.0.1"), "http host")
@@ -70,7 +71,16 @@ func main() {
 	flag.Var(&langs, "language", "add symbol resolution for language")
 	flag.Parse()
 
-	logg.Infof("start command", "dbdir", dbDir, "resourcedir", resourceDir, "outputsize", size, "sessionId", sessionId)
+	if connStr != "" {
+		connStr = config.DbConn
+	}
+	connData, err := storage.ToConnData(connStr)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "connstr err: %v", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	logg.Infof("start command", "conn", connData, "resourcedir", resourceDir, "outputsize", size, "sessionId", sessionId)
 
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, "Database", database)
@@ -95,18 +105,18 @@ func main() {
 		cfg.EngineDebug = true
 	}
 
-	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(dbDir, resourceDir)
+	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(connData, resourceDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
 	rs, err := menuStorageService.GetResource(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
-	err = menuStorageService.EnsureDbDir()
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
-		os.Exit(1)
-	}
 
 	userdataStore, err := menuStorageService.GetUserdataDb(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/cmd/http/main.go b/cmd/http/main.go
index c47447a..8e65232 100644
--- a/cmd/http/main.go
+++ b/cmd/http/main.go
@@ -38,18 +38,19 @@ func init() {
 func main() {
 	config.LoadConfig()
 
-	var dbDir string
+	var connStr string
 	var resourceDir string
 	var size uint
 	var database string
 	var engineDebug bool
 	var host string
 	var port uint
+	var err error
 	var gettextDir string
 	var langs args.LangVar
-	flag.StringVar(&dbDir, "dbdir", ".state", "database dir to read from")
+
 	flag.StringVar(&resourceDir, "resourcedir", path.Join("services", "registration"), "resource dir")
-	flag.StringVar(&database, "db", "gdbm", "database to be used")
+	flag.StringVar(&connStr, "c", "", "connection string")
 	flag.BoolVar(&engineDebug, "d", false, "use engine debug output")
 	flag.UintVar(&size, "s", 160, "max size of output")
 	flag.StringVar(&host, "h", initializers.GetEnv("HOST", "127.0.0.1"), "http host")
@@ -58,7 +59,16 @@ func main() {
 	flag.Var(&langs, "language", "add symbol resolution for language")
 	flag.Parse()
 
-	logg.Infof("start command", "dbdir", dbDir, "resourcedir", resourceDir, "outputsize", size)
+	if connStr != "" {
+		connStr = config.DbConn
+	}
+	connData, err := storage.ToConnData(connStr)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "connstr err: %v", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	logg.Infof("start command", "conn", connData, "resourcedir", resourceDir, "outputsize", size)
 
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, "Database", database)
@@ -83,19 +93,14 @@ func main() {
 		cfg.EngineDebug = true
 	}
 
-	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(dbDir, resourceDir)
+	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(connData, resourceDir)
+	
 	rs, err := menuStorageService.GetResource(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
-	err = menuStorageService.EnsureDbDir()
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
-		os.Exit(1)
-	}
-
 	userdataStore, err := menuStorageService.GetUserdataDb(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
diff --git a/cmd/main.go b/cmd/main.go
index a61176d..3939c9d 100644
--- a/cmd/main.go
+++ b/cmd/main.go
@@ -33,23 +33,35 @@ func init() {
 func main() {
 	config.LoadConfig()
 
-	var dbDir string
+	var connStr string
 	var size uint
 	var sessionId string
 	var database string
 	var engineDebug bool
+	var resourceDir string
+	var err error
 	var gettextDir string
 	var langs args.LangVar
+
+	flag.StringVar(&resourceDir, "resourcedir", scriptDir, "resource dir")
 	flag.StringVar(&sessionId, "session-id", "075xx2123", "session id")
-	flag.StringVar(&database, "db", "gdbm", "database to be used")
-	flag.StringVar(&dbDir, "dbdir", ".state", "database dir to read from")
+	flag.StringVar(&connStr, "c", "", "connection string")
 	flag.BoolVar(&engineDebug, "d", false, "use engine debug output")
 	flag.UintVar(&size, "s", 160, "max size of output")
 	flag.StringVar(&gettextDir, "gettext", "", "use gettext translations from given directory")
 	flag.Var(&langs, "language", "add symbol resolution for language")
 	flag.Parse()
 
-	logg.Infof("start command", "dbdir", dbDir, "outputsize", size)
+	if connStr != "" {
+		connStr = config.DbConn
+	}
+	connData, err := storage.ToConnData(connStr)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "connstr err: %v", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	logg.Infof("start command", "conn", connData, "outputsize", size)
 
 	if len(langs.Langs()) == 0 {
 		langs.Set(config.DefaultLanguage)
@@ -76,18 +88,12 @@ func main() {
 		MenuSeparator: menuSeparator,
 	}
 
-	resourceDir := scriptDir
-	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(dbDir, resourceDir)
+	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(connData, resourceDir)
+	
 	if gettextDir != "" {
 		menuStorageService = menuStorageService.WithGettext(gettextDir, langs.Langs())
 	}
 
-	err = menuStorageService.EnsureDbDir()
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
-		os.Exit(1)
-	}
-
 	rs, err := menuStorageService.GetResource(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
diff --git a/cmd/ssh/main.go b/cmd/ssh/main.go
index ae046a5..51023e5 100644
--- a/cmd/ssh/main.go
+++ b/cmd/ssh/main.go
@@ -14,7 +14,10 @@ import (
 	"git.defalsify.org/vise.git/engine"
 	"git.defalsify.org/vise.git/logging"
 
+	"git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/config"
+	"git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/initializers"
 	"git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/internal/ssh"
+	"git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/internal/storage"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -26,25 +29,49 @@ var (
 	build = "dev"
 )
 
+func init() {
+	initializers.LoadEnvVariables()
+}
+
 func main() {
-	var dbDir string
+	config.LoadConfig()
+
+	var connStr string
+	var authConnStr string
 	var resourceDir string
 	var size uint
 	var engineDebug bool
 	var stateDebug bool
 	var host string
 	var port uint
-	flag.StringVar(&dbDir, "dbdir", ".state", "database dir to read from")
+	flag.StringVar(&connStr, "c", "", "connection string")
+	flag.StringVar(&authConnStr, "authdb", "", "auth connection string")
 	flag.StringVar(&resourceDir, "resourcedir", path.Join("services", "registration"), "resource dir")
-	flag.BoolVar(&engineDebug, "engine-debug", false, "use engine debug output")
-	flag.BoolVar(&stateDebug, "state-debug", false, "use engine debug output")
+	flag.BoolVar(&engineDebug, "d", false, "use engine debug output")
 	flag.UintVar(&size, "s", 160, "max size of output")
-	flag.StringVar(&host, "h", "127.0.0.1", "http host")
-	flag.UintVar(&port, "p", 7122, "http port")
+	flag.StringVar(&host, "h", "127.0.0.1", "socket host")
+	flag.UintVar(&port, "p", 7122, "socket port")
 	flag.Parse()
 
+	if connStr == "" {
+		connStr = config.DbConn
+	}
+	if authConnStr == "" {
+		authConnStr = connStr
+	}
+	connData, err := storage.ToConnData(connStr)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "connstr err: %v", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+	authConnData, err := storage.ToConnData(authConnStr)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "auth connstr err: %v", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
 	sshKeyFile := flag.Arg(0)
-	_, err := os.Stat(sshKeyFile)
+	_, err = os.Stat(sshKeyFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "cannot open ssh server private key file: %v\n", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
@@ -57,7 +84,7 @@ func main() {
 	logg.WarnCtxf(ctx, "!!!!! Do not expose to internet and only use with tunnel!")
 	logg.WarnCtxf(ctx, "!!!!! (See ssh -L <...>)")
 
-	logg.Infof("start command", "dbdir", dbDir, "resourcedir", resourceDir, "outputsize", size, "keyfile", sshKeyFile, "host", host, "port", port)
+	logg.Infof("start command", "conn", connData, "authconn", authConnData, "resourcedir", resourceDir, "outputsize", size, "keyfile", sshKeyFile, "host", host, "port", port)
 
 	pfp := path.Join(scriptDir, "pp.csv")
 
@@ -73,7 +100,7 @@ func main() {
 		cfg.EngineDebug = true
 	}
 
-	authKeyStore, err := ssh.NewSshKeyStore(ctx, dbDir)
+	authKeyStore, err := ssh.NewSshKeyStore(ctx, authConnData.String())
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "keystore file open error: %v", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
@@ -92,10 +119,10 @@ func main() {
 	signal.Notify(cterm, os.Interrupt, syscall.SIGTERM)
 
 	runner := &ssh.SshRunner{
-		Cfg:         cfg,
-		Debug:       engineDebug,
-		FlagFile:    pfp,
-		DbDir:       dbDir,
+		Cfg: cfg,
+		Debug: engineDebug,
+		FlagFile: pfp,
+		Conn: connData,
 		ResourceDir: resourceDir,
 		SrvKeyFile:  sshKeyFile,
 		Host:        host,
diff --git a/common/storage.go b/common/storage.go
index d37bce3..2960578 100644
--- a/common/storage.go
+++ b/common/storage.go
@@ -23,17 +23,17 @@ type StorageServices interface {
 	GetPersister(ctx context.Context) (*persist.Persister, error)
 	GetUserdataDb(ctx context.Context) (db.Db, error)
 	GetResource(ctx context.Context) (resource.Resource, error)
-	EnsureDbDir() error
 }
 
 type StorageService struct {
 	svc *storage.MenuStorageService
 }
 
-func NewStorageService(dbDir string) *StorageService {
-	return &StorageService{
-		svc: storage.NewMenuStorageService(dbDir, ""),
+func NewStorageService(conn storage.ConnData) (*StorageService, error) {
+	svc := &StorageService{
+		svc: storage.NewMenuStorageService(conn, ""),
 	}
+	return svc, nil
 }
 
 func(ss *StorageService) GetPersister(ctx context.Context) (*persist.Persister, error) {
@@ -47,7 +47,3 @@ func(ss *StorageService) GetUserdataDb(ctx context.Context) (db.Db, error) {
 func(ss *StorageService) GetResource(ctx context.Context) (resource.Resource, error) {
 	return nil, errors.New("not implemented")
 }
-
-func(ss *StorageService) EnsureDbDir() error {
-	return ss.svc.EnsureDbDir()
-}
diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index 02fdaab..4b43b42 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ var (
 	VoucherTransfersURL string
 	VoucherDataURL      string
 	CheckAliasURL       string
+	DbConn		string
 	DefaultLanguage	    string
 	Languages	[]string
 )
@@ -69,14 +70,20 @@ func setBase() error {
 	dataURLBase = initializers.GetEnv("DATA_URL_BASE", "http://localhost:5006")
 	BearerToken = initializers.GetEnv("BEARER_TOKEN", "")
 
-	_, err = url.JoinPath(custodialURLBase, "/foo")
+	_, err = url.Parse(custodialURLBase)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	_, err = url.JoinPath(dataURLBase, "/bar")
+	_, err = url.Parse(dataURLBase)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func setConn() error {
+	DbConn = initializers.GetEnv("DB_CONN", "")
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -86,6 +93,10 @@ func LoadConfig() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	err = setConn()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	err = setLanguage()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
diff --git a/devtools/store/dump/main.go b/devtools/store/dump/main.go
index dfb9089..c84a134 100644
--- a/devtools/store/dump/main.go
+++ b/devtools/store/dump/main.go
@@ -37,23 +37,34 @@ func formatItem(k []byte, v []byte) (string, error) {
 func main() {
 	config.LoadConfig()
 
-	var dbDir string
+	var connStr string
 	var sessionId string
 	var database string
 	var engineDebug bool
+	var err error
 
 	flag.StringVar(&sessionId, "session-id", "075xx2123", "session id")
-	flag.StringVar(&database, "db", "gdbm", "database to be used")
-	flag.StringVar(&dbDir, "dbdir", ".state", "database dir to read from")
+	flag.StringVar(&connStr, "c", ".state", "connection string")
 	flag.BoolVar(&engineDebug, "d", false, "use engine debug output")
 	flag.Parse()
 
+	if connStr != "" {
+		connStr = config.DbConn
+	}
+	connData, err := storage.ToConnData(config.DbConn)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "connstr err: %v", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	logg.Infof("start command", "conn", connData)
+
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, "SessionId", sessionId)
 	ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, "Database", database)
 
 	resourceDir := scriptDir
-	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(dbDir, resourceDir)
+	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(connData, resourceDir)
 
 	store, err := menuStorageService.GetUserdataDb(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/devtools/store/generate/main.go b/devtools/store/generate/main.go
index b9e2aed..749f340 100644
--- a/devtools/store/generate/main.go
+++ b/devtools/store/generate/main.go
@@ -28,24 +28,35 @@ func init() {
 func main() {
 	config.LoadConfig()
 
-	var dbDir string
+	var connStr string
 	var sessionId string
 	var database string
 	var engineDebug bool
+	var err error
 
 	flag.StringVar(&sessionId, "session-id", "075xx2123", "session id")
-	flag.StringVar(&database, "db", "gdbm", "database to be used")
-	flag.StringVar(&dbDir, "dbdir", ".state", "database dir to read from")
+	flag.StringVar(&connStr, "c", "", "connection string")
 	flag.BoolVar(&engineDebug, "d", false, "use engine debug output")
 	flag.Parse()
 
+	if connStr != "" {
+		connStr = config.DbConn
+	}
+	connData, err := storage.ToConnData(config.DbConn)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "connstr err: %v", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	logg.Infof("start command", "conn", connData)
+
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, "SessionId", sessionId)
 	ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, "Database", database)
 
 	resourceDir := scriptDir
-	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(dbDir, resourceDir)
-
+	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(connData, resourceDir)
+	
 	store, err := menuStorageService.GetUserdataDb(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
diff --git a/internal/ssh/ssh.go b/internal/ssh/ssh.go
index 1831ebe..8209187 100644
--- a/internal/ssh/ssh.go
+++ b/internal/ssh/ssh.go
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ func NewAuther(ctx context.Context, keyStore *SshKeyStore) *auther {
 }
 
 func(a *auther) Check(conn ssh.ConnMetadata, pubKey ssh.PublicKey) (*ssh.Permissions, error) {
+	logg.TraceCtxf(a.Ctx, "looking for publickey", "pubkey", fmt.Sprintf("%x", pubKey))
 	va, err := a.keyStore.Get(a.Ctx, pubKey)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -71,6 +72,20 @@ func(a *auther) Get(k []byte) (string, error) {
 	return v, nil
 }
 
+type SshRunner struct {
+	Ctx context.Context
+	Cfg engine.Config
+	FlagFile string
+	Conn storage.ConnData
+	ResourceDir string
+	Debug bool
+	SrvKeyFile string
+	Host string
+	Port uint
+	wg sync.WaitGroup
+	lst net.Listener
+}
+
 func(s *SshRunner) serve(ctx context.Context, sessionId string, ch ssh.NewChannel, en engine.Engine) error {
 	if ch == nil {
 		return errors.New("nil channel")
@@ -128,32 +143,13 @@ func(s *SshRunner) serve(ctx context.Context, sessionId string, ch ssh.NewChanne
 	return nil
 }
 
-type SshRunner struct {
-	Ctx context.Context
-	Cfg engine.Config
-	FlagFile string
-	DbDir string
-	ResourceDir string
-	Debug bool
-	SrvKeyFile string
-	Host string
-	Port uint
-	wg sync.WaitGroup
-	lst net.Listener
-}
-
 func(s *SshRunner) Stop() error {
 	return s.lst.Close()
 }
 
 func(s *SshRunner) GetEngine(sessionId string) (engine.Engine, func(), error) {
 	ctx := s.Ctx
-	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(s.DbDir, s.ResourceDir)
-
-	err := menuStorageService.EnsureDbDir()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, err
-	}
+	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(s.Conn, s.ResourceDir)
 
 	rs, err := menuStorageService.GetResource(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -208,6 +204,7 @@ func(s *SshRunner) GetEngine(sessionId string) (engine.Engine, func(), error) {
 
 // adapted example from crypto/ssh package, NewServerConn doc
 func(s *SshRunner) Run(ctx context.Context, keyStore *SshKeyStore) {
+	s.Ctx = ctx
 	running := true
 
 	// TODO: waitgroup should probably not be global
diff --git a/internal/storage/parse.go b/internal/storage/parse.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bb25627
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/storage/parse.go
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+package storage
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"net/url"
+	"path"
+)
+
+const (
+	DBTYPE_MEM = iota
+	DBTYPE_GDBM
+	DBTYPE_POSTGRES
+)
+
+type ConnData struct {
+	typ int
+	str string
+}
+
+func (cd *ConnData) DbType() int {
+	return cd.typ
+}
+
+func (cd *ConnData) String() string {
+	return cd.str
+}
+
+func probePostgres(s string) (string, bool) {
+	v, err := url.Parse(s)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	if v.Scheme != "postgres" {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	return s, true
+}
+
+func probeGdbm(s string) (string, bool) {
+	if !path.IsAbs(s) {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	s = path.Clean(s)
+	return s, true
+}
+
+func ToConnData(connStr string) (ConnData, error) {
+	var o ConnData
+
+	if connStr == "" {
+		return o, nil
+	}
+
+	v, ok := probePostgres(connStr)
+	if ok {
+		o.typ = DBTYPE_POSTGRES
+		o.str = v
+		return o, nil
+	}
+
+	v, ok = probeGdbm(connStr)
+	if ok {
+		o.typ = DBTYPE_GDBM
+		o.str = v
+		return o, nil
+	}
+
+	return o, fmt.Errorf("invalid connection string: %s", connStr)
+}
diff --git a/internal/storage/parse_test.go b/internal/storage/parse_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e18e57c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/storage/parse_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+package storage
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestParseConnStr(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := ToConnData("postgres://foo:bar@localhost:5432/baz")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)	
+	}
+	_, err = ToConnData("/foo/bar")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)	
+	}
+	_, err = ToConnData("/foo/bar/")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)	
+	}
+	_, err = ToConnData("foo/bar")
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected error")
+	}
+	_, err = ToConnData("http://foo/bar")
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected error")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/storage/storageservice.go b/internal/storage/storageservice.go
index 8e6b695..2e093a5 100644
--- a/internal/storage/storageservice.go
+++ b/internal/storage/storageservice.go
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import (
 	"git.defalsify.org/vise.git/logging"
 	"git.defalsify.org/vise.git/persist"
 	"git.defalsify.org/vise.git/resource"
-	"git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/initializers"
 	gdbmstorage "git.grassecon.net/urdt/ussd/internal/storage/db/gdbm"
 )
 
@@ -25,11 +24,10 @@ type StorageService interface {
 	GetPersister(ctx context.Context) (*persist.Persister, error)
 	GetUserdataDb(ctx context.Context) db.Db
 	GetResource(ctx context.Context) (resource.Resource, error)
-	EnsureDbDir() error
 }
 
 type MenuStorageService struct {
-	dbDir         string
+	conn ConnData
 	resourceDir   string
 	poResource    resource.Resource
 	resourceStore db.Db
@@ -37,29 +35,45 @@ type MenuStorageService struct {
 	userDataStore db.Db
 }
 
-func buildConnStr() string {
-	host := initializers.GetEnv("DB_HOST", "localhost")
-	user := initializers.GetEnv("DB_USER", "postgres")
-	password := initializers.GetEnv("DB_PASSWORD", "")
-	dbName := initializers.GetEnv("DB_NAME", "")
-	port := initializers.GetEnv("DB_PORT", "5432")
-
-	connString := fmt.Sprintf(
-		"postgres://%s:%s@%s:%s/%s",
-		user, password, host, port, dbName,
-	)
-	logg.Debugf("pg conn string", "conn", connString)
-
-	return connString
-}
-
-func NewMenuStorageService(dbDir string, resourceDir string) *MenuStorageService {
+func NewMenuStorageService(conn ConnData, resourceDir string) *MenuStorageService {
 	return &MenuStorageService{
-		dbDir:       dbDir,
+		conn: conn,
 		resourceDir: resourceDir,
 	}
 }
 
+func (ms *MenuStorageService) getOrCreateDb(ctx context.Context, existingDb db.Db, section string) (db.Db, error) {
+	var newDb db.Db
+	var err error
+
+	if existingDb != nil {
+		return existingDb, nil
+	}
+
+
+	connStr := ms.conn.String()
+	dbTyp := ms.conn.DbType()
+	if dbTyp == DBTYPE_POSTGRES {
+		newDb = postgres.NewPgDb()
+	} else if dbTyp == DBTYPE_GDBM {
+		err = ms.ensureDbDir()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		connStr = path.Join(connStr, section)
+		newDb = gdbmstorage.NewThreadGdbmDb()
+	} else {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unsupported connection string: '%s'\n", ms.conn.String())
+	}
+	logg.DebugCtxf(ctx, "connecting to db", "conn", connStr)
+	err = newDb.Connect(ctx, connStr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return newDb, nil
+}
+
 // WithGettext triggers use of gettext for translation of templates and menus.
 //
 // The first language in `lns` will be used as default language, to resolve node keys to 
@@ -82,36 +96,6 @@ func (ms *MenuStorageService) WithGettext(path string, lns []lang.Language) *Men
 	return ms
 }
 
-func (ms *MenuStorageService) getOrCreateDb(ctx context.Context, existingDb db.Db, fileName string) (db.Db, error) {
-	database, ok := ctx.Value("Database").(string)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to select the database")
-	}
-
-	if existingDb != nil {
-		return existingDb, nil
-	}
-
-	var newDb db.Db
-	var err error
-
-	if database == "postgres" {
-		newDb = postgres.NewPgDb()
-		connStr := buildConnStr()
-		err = newDb.Connect(ctx, connStr)
-	} else {
-		newDb = gdbmstorage.NewThreadGdbmDb()
-		storeFile := path.Join(ms.dbDir, fileName)
-		err = newDb.Connect(ctx, storeFile)
-	}
-
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return newDb, nil
-}
-
 func (ms *MenuStorageService) GetPersister(ctx context.Context) (*persist.Persister, error) {
 	stateStore, err := ms.GetStateStore(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -166,8 +150,8 @@ func (ms *MenuStorageService) GetStateStore(ctx context.Context) (db.Db, error)
 	return ms.stateStore, nil
 }
 
-func (ms *MenuStorageService) EnsureDbDir() error {
-	err := os.MkdirAll(ms.dbDir, 0700)
+func (ms *MenuStorageService) ensureDbDir() error {
+	err := os.MkdirAll(ms.conn.String(), 0700)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("state dir create exited with error: %v\n", err)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/testutil/TestEngine.go b/internal/testutil/engine.go
similarity index 82%
rename from internal/testutil/TestEngine.go
rename to internal/testutil/engine.go
index 3fcb307..2372ce9 100644
--- a/internal/testutil/TestEngine.go
+++ b/internal/testutil/engine.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"path"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"time"
 
 	"git.defalsify.org/vise.git/engine"
@@ -27,7 +28,6 @@ var (
 func TestEngine(sessionId string) (engine.Engine, func(), chan bool) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, "SessionId", sessionId)
-	ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, "Database", "gdbm")
 	pfp := path.Join(scriptDir, "pp.csv")
 
 	var eventChannel = make(chan bool)
@@ -39,37 +39,40 @@ func TestEngine(sessionId string) (engine.Engine, func(), chan bool) {
 		FlagCount:  uint32(128),
 	}
 
-	dbDir := ".test_state"
-	resourceDir := scriptDir
-	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(dbDir, resourceDir)
-
-	err := menuStorageService.EnsureDbDir()
+	connStr, err := filepath.Abs(".test_state/state.gdbm")
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "connstr err: %v", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
+	conn, err := storage.ToConnData(connStr)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "connstr parse err: %v", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+	resourceDir := scriptDir
+	menuStorageService := storage.NewMenuStorageService(conn, resourceDir)
 
 	rs, err := menuStorageService.GetResource(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "resource error: %v", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
 	pe, err := menuStorageService.GetPersister(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "persister error: %v", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
 	userDataStore, err := menuStorageService.GetUserdataDb(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "userdb error: %v", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
 	dbResource, ok := rs.(*resource.DbResource)
 	if !ok {
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, err.Error())
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "dbresource cast error")
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/testutil/engine_test.go b/internal/testutil/engine_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f747468
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/testutil/engine_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+package testutil
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestCreateEngine(t *testing.T) {
+	o, clean, eventC := TestEngine("foo")
+	defer clean()
+	defer func() {
+		<-eventC
+		close(eventC)
+	}()
+	_ = o
+}
diff --git a/internal/testutil/testservice/TestAccountService.go b/internal/testutil/testservice/accountservice.go
similarity index 100%
rename from internal/testutil/testservice/TestAccountService.go
rename to internal/testutil/testservice/accountservice.go
diff --git a/menutraversal_test/menu_traversal_test.go b/menutraversal_test/menu_traversal_test.go
index 6b6b3da..52e2273 100644
--- a/menutraversal_test/menu_traversal_test.go
+++ b/menutraversal_test/menu_traversal_test.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"log"
 	"math/rand"
 	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"regexp"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -17,7 +18,6 @@ import (
 
 var (
 	testData  = driver.ReadData()
-	testStore = ".test_state"
 	sessionID string
 	src       = rand.NewSource(42)
 	g         = rand.New(src)
@@ -25,6 +25,11 @@ var (
 
 var groupTestFile = flag.String("test-file", "group_test.json", "The test file to use for running the group tests")
 
+func testStore() string {
+	v, _ :=  filepath.Abs(".test_state/state.gdbm")
+	return v
+}
+
 func GenerateSessionId() string {
 	uu := uuid.NewGenWithOptions(uuid.WithRandomReader(g))
 	v, err := uu.NewV4()
@@ -81,8 +86,8 @@ func extractSendAmount(response []byte) string {
 func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	sessionID = GenerateSessionId()
 	defer func() {
-		if err := os.RemoveAll(testStore); err != nil {
-			log.Fatalf("Failed to delete state store %s: %v", testStore, err)
+		if err := os.RemoveAll(testStore()); err != nil {
+			log.Fatalf("Failed to delete state store %s: %v", testStore(), err)
 		}
 	}()
 	m.Run()