diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1c1360b3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+*.json
+*.pyc
+__pycache__
+*.exe
+*.dll
+*.log
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..17415550e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# Red - Discord Bot v3
+
+**This is alpha. Regular use is not recommended.
+There will not be any effort not to break current installations.**
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/cogs/audio/__init__.py b/cogs/audio/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c8fe46fd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cogs/audio/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+from .audio import Audio
+
+
+def setup(bot):
+    bot.add_cog(Audio(bot))
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/cogs/audio/audio.py b/cogs/audio/audio.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bdd984bbc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cogs/audio/audio.py
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+from discord.ext import commands
+from discord import FFmpegPCMAudio, PCMVolumeTransformer
+import os
+import youtube_dl
+import discord
+
+
+# Just a little experimental audio cog not meant for final release
+
+
+class Audio:
+    """Audio commands"""
+
+    def __init__(self, bot):
+        self.bot = bot
+
+    @commands.command()
+    async def local(self, ctx, *, filename: str):
+        """Play mp3"""
+        if ctx.author.voice is None:
+            await ctx.send("Join a voice channel first!")
+            return
+
+        if ctx.guild.voice_client:
+            if ctx.guild.voice_client.channel != ctx.author.voice.channel:
+                await ctx.guild.voice_client.disconnect()
+        path = os.path.join("cogs", "audio", "songs", filename + ".mp3")
+        if not os.path.isfile(path):
+            await ctx.send("Let's play a file that exists pls")
+            return
+        player = PCMVolumeTransformer(FFmpegPCMAudio(path), volume=1)
+        voice = await ctx.author.voice.channel.connect()
+        voice.play(player)
+        await ctx.send("{} is playing a song...".format(ctx.author))
+
+    @commands.command()
+    async def play(self, ctx, url: str):
+        """Play youtube url"""
+        url = url.strip("<").strip(">")
+        if ctx.author.voice is None:
+            await ctx.send("Join a voice channel first!")
+            return
+        elif "youtube.com" not in url.lower():
+            await ctx.send("Youtube links pls")
+            return
+
+        if ctx.guild.voice_client:
+            if ctx.guild.voice_client.channel != ctx.author.voice.channel:
+                await ctx.guild.voice_client.disconnect()
+        yt = YoutubeSource(url)
+        player = PCMVolumeTransformer(yt, volume=1)
+        voice = await ctx.author.voice.channel.connect()
+        voice.play(player)
+        await ctx.send("{} is playing a song...".format(ctx.author))
+
+    @commands.command()
+    async def stop(self, ctx):
+        """Stops the music and disconnects"""
+        if ctx.guild.voice_client:
+            ctx.guild.voice_client.source.cleanup()
+            await ctx.guild.voice_client.disconnect()
+        else:
+            await ctx.send("I'm not even connected to a voice channel!", delete_after=2)
+        await ctx.message.delete()
+
+    @commands.command()
+    async def pause(self, ctx):
+        """Pauses the music"""
+        if ctx.guild.voice_client:
+            ctx.guild.voice_client.pause()
+            await ctx.send("👌", delete_after=2)
+        else:
+            await ctx.send("I'm not even connected to a voice channel!", delete_after=2)
+        await ctx.message.delete()
+
+    @commands.command()
+    async def resume(self, ctx):
+        """Resumes the music"""
+        if ctx.guild.voice_client:
+            ctx.guild.voice_client.resume()
+            await ctx.send("👌", delete_after=2)
+        else:
+            await ctx.send("I'm not even connected to a voice channel!", delete_after=2)
+        await ctx.message.delete()
+
+    @commands.command(hidden=True)
+    async def volume(self, ctx, n: float):
+        """Sets the volume"""
+        if ctx.guild.voice_client:
+            ctx.guild.voice_client.source.volume = n
+            await ctx.send("Volume set.", delete_after=2)
+        else:
+            await ctx.send("I'm not even connected to a voice channel!", delete_after=2)
+        await ctx.message.delete()
+
+    def __unload(self):
+        for vc in self.bot.voice_clients:
+            if vc.source:
+                vc.source.cleanup()
+            self.bot.loop.create_task(vc.disconnect())
+
+
+class YoutubeSource(discord.FFmpegPCMAudio):
+    def __init__(self, url):
+        opts = {
+            'format': 'webm[abr>0]/bestaudio/best',
+            'prefer_ffmpeg': True,
+            'quiet': True
+        }
+        ytdl = youtube_dl.YoutubeDL(opts)
+        self.info = ytdl.extract_info(url, download=False)
+        super().__init__(self.info['url'])
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/__init__.py b/core/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..849681040
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+from .owner import Owner
+
+def setup(bot):
+    bot.add_cog(Owner(bot))
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/bot.py b/core/bot.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3b9dbb318
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/bot.py
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+from discord.ext import commands
+from collections import Counter
+from core.utils.helpers import JsonGuildDB
+import os
+
+
+class Red(commands.Bot):
+    def __init__(self, cli_flags, **kwargs):
+        self._shutdown_mode = None
+        self.db = JsonGuildDB("core/data/settings.json",
+                              autosave=True,
+                              create_dirs=True)
+
+        def prefix_manager(bot, message):
+            global_prefix = self.db.get_global("prefix", [])
+            if message.guild is None:
+                return global_prefix
+            server_prefix = self.db.get(message.guild, "prefix", [])
+            return server_prefix if server_prefix else global_prefix
+
+        # Priority: args passed > cli flags > db
+        if "command_prefix" not in kwargs:
+            if cli_flags.prefix:
+                kwargs["command_prefix"] = lambda bot, message: cli_flags.prefix
+            else:
+                kwargs["command_prefix"] = None
+
+        if kwargs["command_prefix"] is None:
+            kwargs["command_prefix"] = prefix_manager
+
+        self.counter = Counter()
+        self.uptime = None
+        super().__init__(**kwargs)
+
+    async def is_owner(self, user, allow_coowners=True):
+        if allow_coowners:
+            if user.id in self.settings.coowners:
+                return True
+        return await super().is_owner(user)
+
+    async def send_cmd_help(self, ctx):
+        if ctx.invoked_subcommand:
+            pages = await self.formatter.format_help_for(ctx, ctx.invoked_subcommand)
+            for page in pages:
+                await ctx.send(page)
+        else:
+            pages = await self.formatter.format_help_for(ctx, ctx.command)
+            for page in pages:
+                await ctx.send(page)
+
+    async def logout(self, *, restart=False):
+        """Gracefully quits Red with exit code 0
+
+        If restart is True, the exit code will be 26 instead
+        Upon receiving that exit code, the launcher restarts Red"""
+        self._shutdown_mode = not restart
+        await super().logout()
+
+    def list_packages(self):
+        """Lists packages present in the cogs the folder"""
+        return os.listdir("cogs")
diff --git a/core/db.py b/core/db.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4e061332f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/db.py
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+import asyncio
+import functools
+import json
+import os
+from uuid import uuid4
+
+DEFAULT_JSON_SETTINGS = {
+                         "indent": 4,
+                         "sort_keys": True,
+                         "separators": (',', ' : ')
+                        }
+
+
+class JSONAutosave:
+    def __init__(self, interval=5, **settings):
+        self.interval = interval
+        self._queue = {}
+        self._lock = asyncio.Lock()
+        self._json_settings = settings.pop("json_settings",
+                                           DEFAULT_JSON_SETTINGS)
+        self.loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+        self.task = self.loop.create_task(self._process_queue())
+
+    def add_to_queue(self, path, data):
+        self._queue[path] = data
+
+    async def _process_queue(self):
+        try:
+            while True:
+                print("looping")
+                queue = self._queue.copy()
+                self._queue = {}
+                for path, data in queue.items():
+                    with await self._lock:
+                        func = functools.partial(self._save_json, path, data)
+                        try:
+                            await self.loop.run_in_executor(None, func)
+                        except Exception as e:
+                            print(e) # Proper logging here
+
+                await asyncio.sleep(self.interval)
+        except asyncio.CancelledError:
+            pass
+
+    def _save_json(self, path, data):
+        print("Saving " + path)
+        path, _ = os.path.splitext(path)
+        tmp_file = "{}-{}.tmp".format(path, uuid4().fields[0])
+        with open(tmp_file, encoding="utf-8", mode="w") as f:
+            json.dump(data, f, **self._json_settings)
+        os.replace(tmp_file, path)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/events.py b/core/events.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1bc224f41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/events.py
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+import discord
+import traceback
+import datetime
+import logging
+from discord.ext import commands
+from core.utils.chat_formatting import inline
+
+log = logging.getLogger("red")
+
+
+def init_events(bot):
+
+    @bot.event
+    async def on_connect():
+        if bot.uptime is None:
+            print("Connected to Discord. Getting ready...")
+
+    @bot.event
+    async def on_ready():
+        if bot.uptime is None:
+            bot.uptime = datetime.datetime.utcnow()
+            print("Loading cogs...")
+            # load the packages at this point
+            total_channels = len([c for c in bot.get_all_channels()])
+            total_users = len(set([m for m in bot.get_all_members()]))
+            print("Ready and operational on {} servers.\n"
+                  "".format(len(bot.guilds)))
+
+    @bot.event
+    async def on_command_error(error, ctx):
+        if isinstance(error, commands.MissingRequiredArgument):
+            await bot.send_cmd_help(ctx)
+        elif isinstance(error, commands.BadArgument):
+            await bot.send_cmd_help(ctx)
+        elif isinstance(error, commands.DisabledCommand):
+            await ctx.send("That command is disabled.")
+        elif isinstance(error, commands.CommandInvokeError):
+            # Need to test if the following still works
+            """
+            no_dms = "Cannot send messages to this user"
+            is_help_cmd = ctx.command.qualified_name == "help"
+            is_forbidden = isinstance(error.original, discord.Forbidden)
+            if is_help_cmd and is_forbidden and error.original.text == no_dms:
+                msg = ("I couldn't send the help message to you in DM. Either"
+                       " you blocked me or you disabled DMs in this server.")
+                await ctx.send(msg)
+                return
+            """
+            log.exception("Exception in command '{}'"
+                          "".format(ctx.command.qualified_name),
+                          exc_info=error.original)
+            message = ("Error in command '{}'. Check your console or "
+                       "logs for details."
+                       "".format(ctx.command.qualified_name))
+            exception_log = ("Exception in command '{}'\n"
+                             "".format(ctx.command.qualified_name))
+            exception_log += "".join(traceback.format_exception(type(error),
+                                     error, error.__traceback__))
+            bot._last_exception = exception_log
+            await ctx.send(inline(message))
+        elif isinstance(error, commands.CommandNotFound):
+            pass
+        elif isinstance(error, commands.CheckFailure):
+            await ctx.send("⛔")
+        elif isinstance(error, commands.NoPrivateMessage):
+            await ctx.send("That command is not available in DMs.")
+        elif isinstance(error, commands.CommandOnCooldown):
+            await ctx.send("This command is on cooldown. "
+                           "Try again in {:.2f}s"
+                           "".format(error.retry_after))
+        else:
+            log.exception(type(error).__name__, exc_info=error)
+
+    @bot.event
+    async def on_message(message):
+        bot.counter["messages_read"] += 1
+        await bot.process_commands(message)
+
+    @bot.event
+    async def on_resumed():
+        bot.counter["sessions_resumed"] += 1
+
+    @bot.event
+    async def on_command(command):
+        bot.counter["processed_commands"] += 1
diff --git a/core/global_checks.py b/core/global_checks.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7df92f7e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/global_checks.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+def init_global_checks(bot):
+
+    @bot.check
+    async def global_perms(ctx):
+        if await bot.is_owner(ctx.author):
+            return True
+
+        if bot.db.get_global("whitelist", []):
+            return ctx.author.id in bot.db.get_global("whitelist", [])
+
+        return ctx.author.id not in bot.db.get_global("blacklist", [])
+
+    @bot.check
+    async def local_perms(ctx):
+        if await bot.is_owner(ctx.author):
+            return True
+        elif ctx.message.guild is None:
+            return True
+        guild_perms = bot.db.get_all(ctx.guild, {})
+        local_blacklist = guild_perms.get("blacklist", [])
+        local_whitelist = guild_perms.get("whitelist", [])
+
+        if local_whitelist:
+            return ctx.author.id in local_whitelist
+
+        return ctx.author.id not in local_blacklist
+
+    @bot.check
+    async def bots(ctx):
+        return not ctx.author.bot
diff --git a/core/interactive_config.py b/core/interactive_config.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e69de29bb
diff --git a/core/json_flusher.py b/core/json_flusher.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8788469ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/json_flusher.py
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+import asyncio
+import logging
+from core.json_io import JsonIO, PRETTY
+
+# This is where individual cogs can queue low priority writes to files
+#
+# Only the last queued write to a file actually gets executed.
+# This helps considerably in reducing the total writes (especially in poorly
+# coded cogs that would otherwise hammer the system with them)
+#
+# The flusher is used by the DB helpers in autosave mode
+#
+# The JSONFlusher class is supposed to be instanced only once, at boot
+
+log = logging.getLogger("red")
+_flusher = None
+
+
+class JSONFlusher(JsonIO):
+    def __init__(self, interval=5, **settings):
+        self.interval = interval
+        self._queue = {}
+        self._lock = asyncio.Lock()
+        self._json_settings = settings.pop("json_settings", PRETTY)
+        self._loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+        self.task = self._loop.create_task(self._process_queue())
+
+    def add_to_queue(self, path, data):
+        """Schedules a json file for later write
+
+        Calling this function multiple times with the same path will
+        result in only the last one getting scheduled"""
+        self._queue[path] = data
+
+    def remove_from_queue(self, path):
+        """Removes json file from the writing queue"""
+        try:
+            del self._queue[path]
+        except:
+            pass
+
+    async def _process_queue(self):
+        try:
+            while True:
+                queue = self._queue.copy()
+                self._queue = {}
+                for path, data in queue.items():
+                    with await self._lock:
+                        try:
+                            await self._threadsafe_save_json(path,
+                                                             data,
+                                                             self._json_settings)
+                        except Exception as e:
+                            log.critical("Flusher failed to write: {}"
+                                         "".format(e))
+                await asyncio.sleep(self.interval)
+        except asyncio.CancelledError:
+            if self._queue:
+                log.warning("Flusher interrupted with "
+                            "non-empty queue")
+            else:
+                log.debug("Flusher shutting down.")
+
+
+def init_flusher():
+    """Instances the flusher and initializes its task"""
+    global _flusher
+    _flusher = JSONFlusher()
+
+
+def get_flusher():
+    """Returns the global flusher instance"""
+    if _flusher is None:
+        raise RuntimeError("The flusher has not been initialized.")
+    return _flusher
diff --git a/core/json_io.py b/core/json_io.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..18b8e8a61
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/json_io.py
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+import functools
+import json
+import os
+import asyncio
+import logging
+from uuid import uuid4
+
+# This is basically our old DataIO, except that it's now threadsafe
+# and just a base for much more elaborate classes
+
+
+log = logging.getLogger("red")
+
+PRETTY = {"indent": 4, "sort_keys": True, "separators": (',', ' : ')}
+MINIFIED = {"sort_keys": True, "separators": (',', ':')}
+
+
+class JsonIO:
+    """Basic functions for atomic saving / loading of json files
+
+    This is inherited by the flusher and db helpers"""
+
+    def _save_json(self, path, data, settings=PRETTY):
+        log.debug("Saving file {}".format(path))
+        filename, _ = os.path.splitext(path)
+        tmp_file = "{}-{}.tmp".format(filename, uuid4().fields[0])
+        with open(tmp_file, encoding="utf-8", mode="w") as f:
+            json.dump(data, f, **settings)
+        os.replace(tmp_file, path)
+
+    async def _threadsafe_save_json(self, path, data, settings=PRETTY):
+        loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+        func = functools.partial(self._save_json, path, data, settings)
+        await loop.run_in_executor(None, func)
+
+    def _load_json(self, path):
+        log.debug("Reading file {}".format(path))
+        with open(path, encoding='utf-8', mode="r") as f:
+            data = json.load(f)
+        return data
+
+    async def _threadsafe_load_json(self, path):
+        loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+        func = functools.partial(self._load_json, path)
+        task = loop.run_in_executor(None, func)
+        return await asyncio.wait_for(task)
diff --git a/core/owner.py b/core/owner.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3bf017869
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/owner.py
@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+from discord.ext import commands
+from core.utils import checks
+from core.utils.chat_formatting import box
+import asyncio
+import importlib
+import os
+import discord
+
+
+class Owner:
+    """All owner-only commands that relate to debug bot operations."""
+
+    def __init__(self, bot):
+        self.bot = bot
+
+    @commands.command()
+    @checks.is_owner()
+    async def load(self, ctx, *, cog_name: str):
+        """Loads a package"""
+        if not cog_name.startswith("cogs."):
+            cog_name = "cogs." + cog_name
+        self.bot.load_extension(cog_name)
+        await ctx.send("Done.")
+
+    @commands.group()
+    @checks.is_owner()
+    async def unload(self, ctx, *, cog_name: str):
+        """Unloads a package"""
+        if not cog_name.startswith("cogs."):
+            cog_name = "cogs." + cog_name
+        if cog_name in self.bot.extensions:
+            self.bot.unload_extension(cog_name)
+            await ctx.send("Done.")
+        else:
+            await ctx.send("That extension is not loaded.")
+
+    @commands.command(name="reload")
+    @checks.is_owner()
+    async def _reload(self, ctx, *, cog_name: str):
+        """Reloads a package"""
+        if not cog_name.startswith("cogs."):
+            cog_name = "cogs." + cog_name
+        self.refresh_modules(cog_name)
+        self.bot.unload_extension(cog_name)
+        self.bot.load_extension(cog_name)
+        await ctx.send("Done.")
+
+    def refresh_modules(self, module):
+        """Interally reloads modules so that changes are detected"""
+        module = module.replace(".", os.sep)
+        for root, dirs, files in os.walk(module):
+            for name in files:
+                if name.endswith(".py"):
+                    path = os.path.join(root, name)
+                    path, _ = os.path.splitext(path)
+                    path = ".".join(path.split(os.sep))
+                    print("Reloading " + path)
+                    m = importlib.import_module(path)
+                    importlib.reload(m)
+
+    @commands.command(hidden=True)
+    @checks.is_owner()
+    async def debug(self, ctx, *, code):
+        """Evaluates code"""
+        author = ctx.message.author
+        channel = ctx.message.channel
+
+        code = code.strip('` ')
+        result = None
+
+        global_vars = globals().copy()
+        global_vars['bot'] = self.bot
+        global_vars['ctx'] = ctx
+        global_vars['message'] = ctx.message
+        global_vars['author'] = ctx.message.author
+        global_vars['channel'] = ctx.message.channel
+        global_vars['guild'] = ctx.message.guild
+
+        try:
+            result = eval(code, global_vars, locals())
+        except Exception as e:
+            await ctx.send('```py\n{}: {}```'.format(type(e).__name__, str(e)),)
+            return
+
+        if asyncio.iscoroutine(result):
+            result = await result
+
+        result = str(result)
+
+        if ctx.message.guild is not None:
+            token = ctx.bot.http.token
+            r = "[EXPUNGED]"
+            result = result.replace(token, r)
+            result = result.replace(token.lower(), r)
+            result = result.replace(token.upper(), r)
+
+        await ctx.send(box(result, lang="py"))
+
+    @commands.command(hidden=True)
+    @checks.is_owner()
+    async def mock(self, ctx, user: discord.Member, *, command):
+        """Runs a command as if it was issued by a different user
+
+        The prefix must not be entered"""
+        # Since we have stateful objects now this might be pretty bad
+        # Sorry Danny
+        old_author = ctx.author
+        old_content = ctx.message.content
+        ctx.message.author = user
+        ctx.message.content = ctx.prefix + command
+
+        await self.bot.process_commands(ctx.message)
+
+        ctx.message.author = old_author
+        ctx.message.content = old_content
diff --git a/core/settings.py b/core/settings.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..08fcbe179
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/settings.py
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+import argparse
+
+# Do we even need a Settings class this time? To be decided
+
+
+class Settings:
+    def __init__(self):
+        args = {}
+        self.coowners = []
+
+    def can_login(self):
+        """Used on start to determine if Red is setup enough to login"""
+        raise NotImplementedError
+
+
+def parse_cli_flags():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Red - Discord Bot")
+    parser.add_argument("--owner", help="ID of the owner. Only who hosts "
+                                        "Red should be owner, this has "
+                                        "security implications")
+    parser.add_argument("--prefix", "-p", action="append",
+                        help="Global prefix. Can be multiple")
+    parser.add_argument("--no-prompt",
+                        action="store_true",
+                        help="Disables console inputs. Features requiring "
+                             "console interaction could be disabled as a "
+                             "result")
+    parser.add_argument("--no-cogs",
+                        action="store_true",
+                        help="Starts Red with no cogs loaded, only core")
+    parser.add_argument("--self-bot",
+                        action='store_true',
+                        help="Specifies if Red should log in as selfbot")
+    parser.add_argument("--not-bot",
+                        action='store_true',
+                        help="Specifies if the token used belongs to a bot "
+                             "account.")
+    parser.add_argument("--dry-run",
+                        action="store_true",
+                        help="Makes Red quit with code 0 just before the "
+                             "login. This is useful for testing the boot "
+                             "process.")
+    parser.add_argument("--debug",
+                        action="store_true",
+                        help="Sets the loggers level as debug")
+    parser.add_argument("--dev",
+                        action="store_true",
+                        help="Enables developer mode")
+
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    if args.prefix:
+        args.prefix = sorted(args.prefix, reverse=True)
+    else:
+        args.prefix = []
+
+    return args
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/utils/__init__.py b/core/utils/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e69de29bb
diff --git a/core/utils/chat_formatting.py b/core/utils/chat_formatting.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5b7a5bde3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/utils/chat_formatting.py
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+def error(text):
+    return "\N{NO ENTRY SIGN} {}".format(text)
+
+
+def warning(text):
+    return "\N{WARNING SIGN} {}".format(text)
+
+
+def info(text):
+    return "\N{INFORMATION SOURCE} {}".format(text)
+
+
+def question(text):
+    return "\N{BLACK QUESTION MARK ORNAMENT} {}".format(text)
+
+
+def bold(text):
+    return "**{}**".format(text)
+
+
+def box(text, lang=""):
+    ret = "```{}\n{}\n```".format(lang, text)
+    return ret
+
+
+def inline(text):
+    return "`{}`".format(text)
+
+
+def italics(text):
+    return "*{}*".format(text)
+
+
+def pagify(text, delims=["\n"], *, escape=True, shorten_by=8,
+           page_length=2000):
+    """DOES NOT RESPECT MARKDOWN BOXES OR INLINE CODE"""
+    in_text = text
+    if escape:
+        num_mentions = text.count("@here") + text.count("@everyone")
+        shorten_by += num_mentions
+    page_length -= shorten_by
+    while len(in_text) > page_length:
+        closest_delim = max([in_text.rfind(d, 0, page_length)
+                             for d in delims])
+        closest_delim = closest_delim if closest_delim != -1 else page_length
+        if escape:
+            to_send = escape_mass_mentions(in_text[:closest_delim])
+        else:
+            to_send = in_text[:closest_delim]
+        yield to_send
+        in_text = in_text[closest_delim:]
+
+    if escape:
+        yield escape_mass_mentions(in_text)
+    else:
+        yield in_text
+
+
+def strikethrough(text):
+    return "~~{}~~".format(text)
+
+
+def underline(text):
+    return "__{}__".format(text)
+
+
+def escape(text, *, mass_mentions=False, formatting=False):
+    if mass_mentions:
+        text = text.replace("@everyone", "@\u200beveryone")
+        text = text.replace("@here", "@\u200bhere")
+    if formatting:
+        text = (text.replace("`", "\\`")
+                    .replace("*", "\\*")
+                    .replace("_", "\\_")
+                    .replace("~", "\\~"))
+    return text
diff --git a/core/utils/checks.py b/core/utils/checks.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ac612f464
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/utils/checks.py
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+from discord.ext import commands
+
+
+def is_owner(**kwargs):
+    async def check(ctx):
+        return await ctx.bot.is_owner(ctx.author, **kwargs)
+    return commands.check(check)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/utils/helpers.py b/core/utils/helpers.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3d4dea118
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/utils/helpers.py
@@ -0,0 +1,200 @@
+import os
+import discord
+from collections import defaultdict
+from core.json_io import JsonIO
+from core import json_flusher
+
+
+GLOBAL_KEY = '__global__'
+SENTINEL = object()
+
+
+class JsonDB(JsonIO):
+    """
+    A DB-like helper class to streamline the saving of json files
+
+    Parameters:
+
+    file_path: str
+      The path of the json file you want to create / access
+    create_dirs: bool=False
+      If True, it will create any missing directory leading to
+      the file you want to create
+    autosave: bool=False
+      If True, any change to the "database" will be queued to the
+      flusher and scheduled for a later write
+    default_value: Optional=None
+      Same behaviour as a defaultdict
+    """
+    def __init__(self, file_path, **kwargs):
+        create_dirs = kwargs.pop("create_dirs", False)
+        default_value = kwargs.pop("default_value", SENTINEL)
+        self.autosave = kwargs.pop("autosave", False)
+        self.path = file_path
+        self._flusher = json_flusher.get_flusher()
+
+        file_exists = os.path.isfile(file_path)
+
+        if create_dirs and not file_exists:
+            path, _ = os.path.split(file_path)
+            if path:
+                try:
+                    os.makedirs(path)
+                except FileExistsError:
+                    pass
+
+        if file_exists:
+            # Might be worth looking into threadsafe ways for very large files
+            self._data = self._load_json(file_path)
+        else:
+            self._data = {}
+            self._save()
+
+        if default_value is not SENTINEL:
+            def _get_default():
+                return default_value
+            self._data = defaultdict(_get_default, self._data)
+
+    def set(self, key, value):
+        """Sets a DB's entry"""
+        self._data[key] = value
+        if self.autosave:
+            self._flusher.add_to_queue(self.path, self._data)
+
+    def get(self, key, default=None):
+        """Returns a DB's entry"""
+        return self._data.get(key, default)
+
+    def remove(self, key):
+        """Removes a DB's entry"""
+        del self._data[key]
+        if self.autosave:
+            self._flusher.add_to_queue(self.path, self._data)
+
+    def pop(self, key, default=None):
+        """Removes and returns a DB's entry"""
+        return self._data.pop(key, default)
+
+    def wipe(self):
+        """Wipes DB"""
+        self._data = {}
+        if self.autosave:
+            self._flusher.add_to_queue(self.path, self._data)
+
+    def all(self):
+        """Returns all DB's data"""
+        return self._data
+
+    def _save(self):
+        """Using this should be avoided. Let's stick to threadsafe saves"""
+        self._save_json(self.path, self._data)
+
+    async def save(self):
+        self._flusher.remove_from_queue(self.path)
+        await self._threadsafe_save_json(self.path, self._data)
+
+    def __contains__(self, key):
+        return key in self._data
+
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        return self._data[key]
+
+    def __len__(self):
+        return len(self._data)
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return "<{} {}>".format(self.__class__.__name__, self._data)
+
+
+class JsonGuildDB(JsonDB):
+    """
+    A DB-like helper class to streamline the saving of json files
+    This is a variant of JsonDB that allows for guild specific data
+    Global data is still allowed with dedicated methods
+
+    Same parameters as JsonDB
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+
+    def set(self, guild, key, value):
+        """Sets a guild's entry"""
+        if not isinstance(guild, discord.Guild):
+            raise TypeError('Can only set guild data')
+        if str(guild.id) not in self._data:
+            self._data[str(guild.id)] = {}
+        self._data[str(guild.id)][key] = value
+        if self.autosave:
+            self._flusher.add_to_queue(self.path, self._data)
+
+    def get(self, guild, key, default=None):
+        """Returns a guild's entry"""
+        if not isinstance(guild, discord.Guild):
+            raise TypeError('Can only get guild data')
+        if str(guild.id) not in self._data:
+            return default
+        return self._data[str(guild.id)].get(key, default)
+
+    def remove(self, guild, key):
+        """Removes a guild's entry"""
+        if not isinstance(guild, discord.Guild):
+            raise TypeError('Can only remove guild data')
+        if str(guild.id) not in self._data:
+            raise KeyError('Guild data is not present')
+        del self._data[str(guild.id)][key]
+        if self.autosave:
+            self._flusher.add_to_queue(self.path, self._data)
+
+    def pop(self, guild, key, default=None):
+        """Removes and returns a guild's entry"""
+        if not isinstance(guild, discord.Guild):
+            raise TypeError('Can only remove guild data')
+        return self._data.get(str(guild.id), {}).pop(key, default)
+        if self.autosave:
+            self._flusher.add_to_queue(self.path, self._data)
+
+    def get_all(self, guild, default):
+        """Returns all entries of a guild"""
+        if not isinstance(guild, discord.Guild):
+            raise TypeError('Can only get guild data')
+        return self._data.get(str(guild.id), default)
+
+    def remove_all(self, guild):
+        """Removes all entries of a guild"""
+        if not isinstance(guild, discord.Guild):
+            raise TypeError('Can only remove guilds')
+        super().remove(str(guild.id))
+        if self.autosave:
+            self._flusher.add_to_queue(self.path, self._data)
+
+    def set_global(self, key, value):
+        """Sets a global value"""
+        if GLOBAL_KEY not in self._data:
+            self._data[GLOBAL_KEY] = {}
+        self._data[GLOBAL_KEY][key] = value
+        if self.autosave:
+            self._flusher.add_to_queue(self.path, self._data)
+
+    def get_global(self, key, default=None):
+        """Gets a global value"""
+        if GLOBAL_KEY not in self._data:
+            self._data[GLOBAL_KEY] = {}
+
+        return self._data[GLOBAL_KEY].get(key, default)
+
+    def remove_global(self, key):
+        """Removes a global value"""
+        if GLOBAL_KEY not in self._data:
+            self._data[GLOBAL_KEY] = {}
+        del self._data[key]
+        if self.autosave:
+            self._flusher.add_to_queue(self.path, self._data)
+
+    def pop_global(self, key, default=None):
+        """Removes and returns a global value"""
+        if GLOBAL_KEY not in self._data:
+            self._data[GLOBAL_KEY] = {}
+        return self._data.pop(key, default)
+        if self.autosave:
+            self._flusher.add_to_queue(self.path, self._data)
diff --git a/launcher.py b/launcher.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e69de29bb
diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a40543a64
--- /dev/null
+++ b/main.py
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+from core.bot import Red
+from core.global_checks import init_global_checks
+from core.events import init_events
+from core.json_flusher import init_flusher
+from core.settings import parse_cli_flags
+import logging.handlers
+import logging
+import os
+import sys
+
+#
+#               Red - Discord Bot v3
+#
+#         Made by Twentysix, improved by many
+#
+
+
+def init_loggers(cli_flags):
+    dpy_logger = logging.getLogger("discord")
+    dpy_logger.setLevel(logging.WARNING)
+    console = logging.StreamHandler()
+    console.setLevel(logging.WARNING)
+    dpy_logger.addHandler(console)
+
+    logger = logging.getLogger("red")
+
+    red_format = logging.Formatter(
+        '%(asctime)s %(levelname)s %(module)s %(funcName)s %(lineno)d: '
+        '%(message)s',
+        datefmt="[%d/%m/%Y %H:%M]")
+
+    stdout_handler = logging.StreamHandler(sys.stdout)
+    stdout_handler.setFormatter(red_format)
+
+    if cli_flags.debug:
+        os.environ['PYTHONASYNCIODEBUG'] = '1'
+        logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+    else:
+        logger.setLevel(logging.WARNING)
+
+    fhandler = logging.handlers.RotatingFileHandler(
+        filename='red.log', encoding='utf-8', mode='a',
+        maxBytes=10**7, backupCount=5)
+    fhandler.setFormatter(red_format)
+
+    logger.addHandler(fhandler)
+    logger.addHandler(stdout_handler)
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    cli_flags = parse_cli_flags()
+    init_loggers(cli_flags)
+    init_flusher()
+    description = "Red v3 - Alpha"
+    red = Red(cli_flags, description=description, pm_help=None)
+    init_global_checks(red)
+    init_events(red)
+    red.load_extension('core')
+    if cli_flags.dev:
+        pass # load dev cog here?
+    red.run(os.environ['RED_TOKEN'], bot=not cli_flags.not_bot)