diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index c484cbd..2b8d7bd 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ Note: Breaking changes between versions are indicated by "💥".
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+- [Improvement] Move ``-r/--root`` option to parent command level
 - [Bugfix] Fix course about page visibility
 - [Improvement] Print gunicorn access logs in the console
 - 💥[Improvement] Get rid of the `indexcourses` and `portainer` command (#269)
diff --git a/docs/local.rst b/docs/local.rst
index 4a87e52..5a1334a 100644
--- a/docs/local.rst
+++ b/docs/local.rst
@@ -5,7 +5,12 @@ Local deployment
 
 This method is for deploying Open edX locally on a single server, where docker images are orchestrated with `docker-compose <https://docs.docker.com/compose/overview/>`_.
 
-In the following, environment and data files will be generated in a user-specific project folder which will be referred to as the "**project root**". On Linux, the default project root is ``~/.local/share/tutor``. An alternative project root can be defined by passing the ``--root=...`` option to most commands, or define the ``TUTOR_ROOT=...`` environment variable.
+In the following, environment and data files will be generated in a user-specific project folder which will be referred to as the "**project root**". On Linux, the default project root is ``~/.local/share/tutor``. An alternative project root can be defined by passing the ``--root=...`` option to the ``tutor`` command, or define the ``TUTOR_ROOT=...`` environment variable::
+    
+    tutor --root=/path/to/tutorroot run ...
+    # Or equivalently:
+    export TUTOR_ROOT=/path/to/tutorroot
+    tutor run ...
 
 Main commands
 -------------
diff --git a/tutor/commands/android.py b/tutor/commands/android.py
index dbf047a..97b4adf 100644
--- a/tutor/commands/android.py
+++ b/tutor/commands/android.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import click
 from .. import config as tutor_config
 from .. import env as tutor_env
 from .. import fmt
-from .. import opts
 from .. import utils
 
 
@@ -18,31 +17,31 @@ def build():
 
 
 @click.command(help="Build the application in debug mode")
-@opts.root
-def debug(root):
-    docker_run(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def debug(context):
+    docker_run(context.root)
     fmt.echo_info(
         "The debuggable APK file is available in {}".format(
-            tutor_env.data_path(root, "android")
+            tutor_env.data_path(context.root, "android")
         )
     )
 
 
 @click.command(help="Build the application in release mode")
-@opts.root
-def release(root):
-    docker_run(root, "./gradlew", "assembleProdRelease")
+@click.pass_obj
+def release(context):
+    docker_run(context.root, "./gradlew", "assembleProdRelease")
     fmt.echo_info(
         "The production APK file is available in {}".format(
-            tutor_env.data_path(root, "android")
+            tutor_env.data_path(context.root, "android")
         )
     )
 
 
 @click.command(help="Pull the docker image")
-@opts.root
-def pullimage(root):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def pullimage(context):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
     utils.execute("docker", "pull", config["DOCKER_IMAGE_ANDROID"])
 
 
diff --git a/tutor/commands/cli.py b/tutor/commands/cli.py
index 8769ea8..9f02e50 100755
--- a/tutor/commands/cli.py
+++ b/tutor/commands/cli.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #! /usr/bin/env python3
 import sys
 
+import appdirs
 import click
 import click_repl
 
@@ -18,9 +19,15 @@ from .. import exceptions
 from .. import fmt
 
 
+# pylint: disable=too-few-public-methods
+class Context:
+    def __init__(self, root):
+        self.root = root
+
+
 def main():
     try:
-        cli()
+        cli()  # pylint: disable=no-value-for-parameter
     except exceptions.TutorError as e:
         fmt.echo_error("Error: {}".format(e.args[0]))
         sys.exit(1)
@@ -28,8 +35,18 @@ def main():
 
 @click.group(context_settings={"help_option_names": ["-h", "--help", "help"]})
 @click.version_option(version=__version__)
-def cli():
-    pass
+@click.option(
+    "-r",
+    "--root",
+    envvar="TUTOR_ROOT",
+    default=appdirs.user_data_dir(appname="tutor"),
+    show_default=True,
+    type=click.Path(resolve_path=True),
+    help="Root project directory (environment variable: TUTOR_ROOT)",
+)
+@click.pass_context
+def cli(context, root):
+    context.obj = Context(root)
 
 
 @click.command(help="Print this help", name="help")
diff --git a/tutor/commands/config.py b/tutor/commands/config.py
index b0b6ae5..3270272 100644
--- a/tutor/commands/config.py
+++ b/tutor/commands/config.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from .. import env
 from .. import exceptions
 from .. import fmt
 from .. import interactive as interactive_config
-from .. import opts
+from .. import serialize
 
 
 @click.group(
@@ -17,14 +17,24 @@ def config_command():
     pass
 
 
+class YamlParamType(click.ParamType):
+    name = "yaml"
+
+    def convert(self, value, param, ctx):
+        try:
+            k, v = value.split("=")
+        except ValueError:
+            self.fail("'{}' is not of the form 'key=value'.".format(value), param, ctx)
+        return k, serialize.parse(v)
+
+
 @click.command(help="Create and save configuration interactively")
-@opts.root
 @click.option("-i", "--interactive", is_flag=True, help="Run interactively")
 @click.option(
     "-s",
     "--set",
     "set_",
-    type=opts.YamlParamType(),
+    type=YamlParamType(),
     multiple=True,
     metavar="KEY=VAL",
     help="Set a configuration value (can be used multiple times)",
@@ -35,28 +45,31 @@ def config_command():
     multiple=True,
     help="Remove a configuration value (can be used multiple times)",
 )
-def save(root, interactive, set_, unset):
-    config, defaults = interactive_config.load_all(root, interactive=interactive)
+@click.pass_obj
+def save(context, interactive, set_, unset):
+    config, defaults = interactive_config.load_all(
+        context.root, interactive=interactive
+    )
     if set_:
         tutor_config.merge(config, dict(set_), force=True)
     for key in unset:
         config.pop(key, None)
-    tutor_config.save(root, config)
+    tutor_config.save(context.root, config)
     tutor_config.merge(config, defaults)
-    env.save(root, config)
+    env.save(context.root, config)
 
 
 @click.command(help="Print the project root")
-@opts.root
-def printroot(root):
-    click.echo(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def printroot(context):
+    click.echo(context.root)
 
 
 @click.command(help="Print a configuration value")
-@opts.root
 @click.argument("key")
-def printvalue(root, key):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def printvalue(context, key):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
     try:
         fmt.echo(config[key])
     except KeyError:
diff --git a/tutor/commands/dev.py b/tutor/commands/dev.py
index 32f6857..901f867 100644
--- a/tutor/commands/dev.py
+++ b/tutor/commands/dev.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ import click
 
 from .. import env as tutor_env
 from .. import fmt
-from .. import opts
 from .. import utils
 
 
@@ -11,53 +10,72 @@ def dev():
     pass
 
 
+edx_platform_path_option = click.option(
+    "-P",
+    "--edx-platform-path",
+    envvar="TUTOR_EDX_PLATFORM_PATH",
+    type=click.Path(exists=True, dir_okay=True, resolve_path=True),
+    help="Mount a local edx-platform from the host (environment variable: TUTOR_EDX_PLATFORM_PATH)",
+)
+
+edx_platform_development_settings_option = click.option(
+    "-S",
+    "--edx-platform-settings",
+    envvar="TUTOR_EDX_PLATFORM_SETTINGS",
+    default="tutor.development",
+    help="Mount a local edx-platform from the host (environment variable: TUTOR_EDX_PLATFORM_PATH)",
+)
+
+
 @click.command(
     help="Run a command in one of the containers",
     context_settings={"ignore_unknown_options": True},
 )
-@opts.root
-@opts.edx_platform_path
-@opts.edx_platform_development_settings
+@edx_platform_path_option
+@edx_platform_development_settings_option
 @click.argument("service")
 @click.argument("command", default=None, required=False)
 @click.argument("args", nargs=-1)
-def run(root, edx_platform_path, edx_platform_settings, service, command, args):
+@click.pass_obj
+def run(context, edx_platform_path, edx_platform_settings, service, command, args):
     run_command = [service]
     if command:
         run_command.append(command)
     if args:
         run_command += args
-    docker_compose_run(root, edx_platform_path, edx_platform_settings, *run_command)
+    docker_compose_run(
+        context.root, edx_platform_path, edx_platform_settings, *run_command
+    )
 
 
 @click.command(
     help="Exec a command in a running container",
     context_settings={"ignore_unknown_options": True},
 )
-@opts.root
 @click.argument("service")
 @click.argument("command")
 @click.argument("args", nargs=-1)
-def execute(root, service, command, args):
+@click.pass_obj
+def execute(context, service, command, args):
     exec_command = ["exec", service, command]
     if args:
         exec_command += args
-    docker_compose(root, *exec_command)
+    docker_compose(context.root, *exec_command)
 
 
 @click.command(help="Run a development server")
-@opts.root
-@opts.edx_platform_path
-@opts.edx_platform_development_settings
+@edx_platform_path_option
+@edx_platform_development_settings_option
 @click.argument("service", type=click.Choice(["lms", "cms"]))
-def runserver(root, edx_platform_path, edx_platform_settings, service):
+@click.pass_obj
+def runserver(context, edx_platform_path, edx_platform_settings, service):
     port = service_port(service)
 
     fmt.echo_info(
         "The {} service will be available at http://localhost:{}".format(service, port)
     )
     docker_compose_run(
-        root,
+        context.root,
         edx_platform_path,
         edx_platform_settings,
         "-p",
@@ -71,9 +89,9 @@ def runserver(root, edx_platform_path, edx_platform_settings, service):
 
 
 @click.command(help="Stop a running development platform")
-@opts.root
-def stop(root):
-    docker_compose(root, "rm", "--stop", "--force")
+@click.pass_obj
+def stop(context):
+    docker_compose(context.root, "rm", "--stop", "--force")
 
 
 def docker_compose_run(root, edx_platform_path, edx_platform_settings, *command):
diff --git a/tutor/commands/images.py b/tutor/commands/images.py
index a92b84b..67a61f4 100644
--- a/tutor/commands/images.py
+++ b/tutor/commands/images.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import click
 from .. import config as tutor_config
 from .. import env as tutor_env
 from .. import images
-from .. import opts
 from .. import plugins
 
 BASE_IMAGE_NAMES = ["openedx", "forum", "android"]
@@ -21,7 +20,6 @@ def images_command():
     short_help="Build docker images",
     help="Build the docker images necessary for an Open edX platform.",
 )
-@opts.root
 @click.argument("image", nargs=-1)
 @click.option(
     "--no-cache", is_flag=True, help="Do not use cache when building the image"
@@ -32,10 +30,11 @@ def images_command():
     multiple=True,
     help="Set build-time docker ARGS in the form 'myarg=value'. This option may be specified multiple times.",
 )
-def build(root, image, no_cache, build_arg):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def build(context, image, no_cache, build_arg):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
     for i in image:
-        build_image(root, config, i, no_cache, build_arg)
+        build_image(context.root, config, i, no_cache, build_arg)
 
 
 def build_image(root, config, image, no_cache, build_arg):
@@ -77,10 +76,10 @@ def build_image(root, config, image, no_cache, build_arg):
 
 
 @click.command(short_help="Pull images from the Docker registry")
-@opts.root
 @click.argument("image", nargs=-1)
-def pull(root, image):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def pull(context, image):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
     for i in image:
         pull_image(config, i)
 
@@ -101,15 +100,15 @@ def pull_image(config, image):
 
 
 @click.command(short_help="Push images to the Docker registry")
-@opts.root
 @click.argument("image", nargs=-1)
-def push(root, image):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def push(context, image):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
     for i in image:
-        push_image(root, config, i)
+        push_image(config, i)
 
 
-def push_image(root, config, image):
+def push_image(config, image):
     # Push base images
     for img in BASE_IMAGE_NAMES:
         if image in [img, "all"]:
diff --git a/tutor/commands/k8s.py b/tutor/commands/k8s.py
index 2cbd33d..4c8258e 100644
--- a/tutor/commands/k8s.py
+++ b/tutor/commands/k8s.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ from .. import config as tutor_config
 from .. import env as tutor_env
 from .. import fmt
 from .. import interactive as interactive_config
-from .. import opts
 from .. import scripts
 from .. import utils
 
@@ -15,11 +14,11 @@ def k8s():
 
 
 @click.command(help="Configure and run Open edX from scratch")
-@opts.root
 @click.option("-I", "--non-interactive", is_flag=True, help="Run non-interactively")
-def quickstart(root, non_interactive):
+@click.pass_obj
+def quickstart(context, non_interactive):
     click.echo(fmt.title("Interactive platform configuration"))
-    config = interactive_config.update(root, interactive=(not non_interactive))
+    config = interactive_config.update(context.root, interactive=(not non_interactive))
     if config["ACTIVATE_HTTPS"] and not config["WEB_PROXY"]:
         fmt.echo_alert(
             "Potentially invalid configuration: ACTIVATE_HTTPS=true WEB_PROXY=false\n"
@@ -28,21 +27,21 @@ def quickstart(root, non_interactive):
             " more information."
         )
     click.echo(fmt.title("Updating the current environment"))
-    tutor_env.save(root, config)
+    tutor_env.save(context, config)
     click.echo(fmt.title("Starting the platform"))
-    start.callback(root)
+    start.callback()
     click.echo(fmt.title("Database creation and migrations"))
-    init.callback(root)
+    init.callback()
 
 
 @click.command(help="Run all configured Open edX services")
-@opts.root
-def start(root):
+@click.pass_obj
+def start(context):
     # Create namespace
     utils.kubectl(
         "apply",
         "--kustomize",
-        tutor_env.pathjoin(root),
+        tutor_env.pathjoin(context.root),
         "--wait",
         "--selector",
         "app.kubernetes.io/component=namespace",
@@ -51,29 +50,29 @@ def start(root):
     utils.kubectl(
         "apply",
         "--kustomize",
-        tutor_env.pathjoin(root),
+        tutor_env.pathjoin(context.root),
         "--wait",
         "--selector",
         "app.kubernetes.io/component=volume",
     )
     # Create everything else
-    utils.kubectl("apply", "--kustomize", tutor_env.pathjoin(root))
+    utils.kubectl("apply", "--kustomize", tutor_env.pathjoin(context.root))
 
 
 @click.command(help="Stop a running platform")
-@opts.root
-def stop(root):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def stop(context):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
     utils.kubectl(
         "delete", *resource_selector(config), "deployments,services,ingress,configmaps"
     )
 
 
 @click.command(help="Reboot an existing platform")
-@opts.root
-def reboot(root):
-    stop.callback(root)
-    start.callback(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def reboot(context):
+    stop.callback()
+    start.callback()
 
 
 def resource_selector(config, *selectors):
@@ -87,24 +86,28 @@ def resource_selector(config, *selectors):
 
 
 @click.command(help="Completely delete an existing platform")
-@opts.root
 @click.option("-y", "--yes", is_flag=True, help="Do not ask for confirmation")
-def delete(root, yes):
+@click.pass_obj
+def delete(context, yes):
     if not yes:
         click.confirm(
             "Are you sure you want to delete the platform? All data will be removed.",
             abort=True,
         )
     utils.kubectl(
-        "delete", "-k", tutor_env.pathjoin(root), "--ignore-not-found=true", "--wait"
+        "delete",
+        "-k",
+        tutor_env.pathjoin(context.root),
+        "--ignore-not-found=true",
+        "--wait",
     )
 
 
 @click.command(help="Initialise all applications")
-@opts.root
-def init(root):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    runner = K8sScriptRunner(root, config)
+@click.pass_obj
+def init(context):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    runner = K8sScriptRunner(context.root, config)
     for service in ["mysql", "elasticsearch", "mongodb"]:
         if runner.is_activated(service):
             wait_for_pod_ready(config, service)
@@ -112,7 +115,6 @@ def init(root):
 
 
 @click.command(help="Create an Open edX user and interactively set their password")
-@opts.root
 @click.option("--superuser", is_flag=True, help="Make superuser")
 @click.option("--staff", is_flag=True, help="Make staff user")
 @click.option(
@@ -122,9 +124,10 @@ def init(root):
 )
 @click.argument("name")
 @click.argument("email")
-def createuser(root, superuser, staff, password, name, email):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    runner = K8sScriptRunner(root, config)
+@click.pass_obj
+def createuser(context, superuser, staff, password, name, email):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    runner = K8sScriptRunner(context.root, config)
     runner.check_service_is_activated("lms")
     command = scripts.create_user_command(
         superuser, staff, name, email, password=password
@@ -133,31 +136,31 @@ def createuser(root, superuser, staff, password, name, email):
 
 
 @click.command(help="Import the demo course")
-@opts.root
-def importdemocourse(root):
+@click.pass_obj
+def importdemocourse(context):
     fmt.echo_info("Importing demo course")
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    runner = K8sScriptRunner(root, config)
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    runner = K8sScriptRunner(context.root, config)
     scripts.import_demo_course(runner)
 
 
 @click.command(name="exec", help="Execute a command in a pod of the given application")
-@opts.root
 @click.argument("service")
 @click.argument("command")
-def exec_command(root, service, command):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def exec_command(context, service, command):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
     kubectl_exec(config, service, command, attach=True)
 
 
 @click.command(help="View output from containers")
-@opts.root
 @click.option("-c", "--container", help="Print the logs of this specific container")
 @click.option("-f", "--follow", is_flag=True, help="Follow log output")
 @click.option("--tail", type=int, help="Number of lines to show from each container")
 @click.argument("service")
-def logs(root, container, follow, tail, service):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def logs(context, container, follow, tail, service):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
 
     command = ["logs"]
     selectors = ["app.kubernetes.io/name=" + service] if service else []
diff --git a/tutor/commands/local.py b/tutor/commands/local.py
index 82ba132..b766f34 100644
--- a/tutor/commands/local.py
+++ b/tutor/commands/local.py
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ from .. import config as tutor_config
 from .. import env as tutor_env
 from .. import fmt
 from .. import interactive as interactive_config
-from .. import opts
 from .. import scripts
 from .. import utils
 
@@ -20,48 +19,48 @@ def local():
 
 
 @click.command(help="Configure and run Open edX from scratch")
-@opts.root
 @click.option("-I", "--non-interactive", is_flag=True, help="Run non-interactively")
 @click.option(
     "-p", "--pullimages", "pullimages_", is_flag=True, help="Update docker images"
 )
-def quickstart(root, non_interactive, pullimages_):
+@click.pass_obj
+def quickstart(context, non_interactive, pullimages_):
     click.echo(fmt.title("Interactive platform configuration"))
-    config = interactive_config.update(root, interactive=(not non_interactive))
+    config = interactive_config.update(context.root, interactive=(not non_interactive))
     click.echo(fmt.title("Updating the current environment"))
-    tutor_env.save(root, config)
+    tutor_env.save(context.root, config)
     click.echo(fmt.title("Stopping any existing platform"))
-    stop.callback(root, [])
+    stop.callback([])
     click.echo(fmt.title("HTTPS certificates generation"))
-    https_create.callback(root)
+    https_create.callback()
     if pullimages_:
         click.echo(fmt.title("Docker image updates"))
-        pullimages.callback(root)
+        pullimages.callback()
     click.echo(fmt.title("Starting the platform in detached mode"))
-    start.callback(root, True, [])
+    start.callback(True, [])
     click.echo(fmt.title("Database creation and migrations"))
-    init.callback(root)
+    init.callback()
     echo_platform_info(config)
 
 
 @click.command(help="Update docker images")
-@opts.root
-def pullimages(root):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    docker_compose(root, config, "pull")
+@click.pass_obj
+def pullimages(context):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    docker_compose(context.root, config, "pull")
 
 
 @click.command(help="Run all or a selection of configured Open edX services")
-@opts.root
 @click.option("-d", "--detach", is_flag=True, help="Start in daemon mode")
 @click.argument("services", metavar="service", nargs=-1)
-def start(root, detach, services):
+@click.pass_obj
+def start(context, detach, services):
     command = ["up", "--remove-orphans"]
     if detach:
         command.append("-d")
 
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    docker_compose(root, config, *command, *services)
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    docker_compose(context.root, config, *command, *services)
 
 
 def echo_platform_info(config):
@@ -82,23 +81,22 @@ def echo_platform_info(config):
 
 
 @click.command(help="Stop a running platform")
-@opts.root
 @click.argument("services", metavar="service", nargs=-1)
-def stop(root, services):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    docker_compose(root, config, "rm", "--stop", "--force", *services)
+@click.pass_obj
+def stop(context, services):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    docker_compose(context.root, config, "rm", "--stop", "--force", *services)
 
 
 @click.command(
     short_help="Reboot an existing platform",
     help="This is more than just a restart: with reboot, the platform is fully stopped before being restarted again",
 )
-@opts.root
 @click.option("-d", "--detach", is_flag=True, help="Start in daemon mode")
 @click.argument("services", metavar="service", nargs=-1)
-def reboot(root, detach, services):
-    stop.callback(root, services)
-    start.callback(root, detach, services)
+def reboot(detach, services):
+    stop.callback(services)
+    start.callback(detach, services)
 
 
 @click.command(
@@ -108,10 +106,10 @@ restart all services. Note that this performs a 'docker-compose restart', so new
 may not be taken into account. It is useful for reloading settings, for instance. To
 fully stop the platform, use the 'reboot' command.""",
 )
-@opts.root
 @click.argument("service")
-def restart(root, service):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def restart(context, service):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
     command = ["restart"]
     if service == "openedx":
         if config["ACTIVATE_LMS"]:
@@ -120,19 +118,19 @@ def restart(root, service):
             command += ["cms", "cms_worker"]
     elif service != "all":
         command += [service]
-    docker_compose(root, config, *command)
+    docker_compose(context.root, config, *command)
 
 
 @click.command(
     help="Run a command in one of the containers",
     context_settings={"ignore_unknown_options": True},
 )
-@opts.root
 @click.option("--entrypoint", help="Override the entrypoint of the image")
 @click.argument("service")
 @click.argument("command", default=None, required=False)
 @click.argument("args", nargs=-1)
-def run(root, entrypoint, service, command, args):
+@click.pass_obj
+def run(context, entrypoint, service, command, args):
     run_command = ["run", "--rm"]
     if entrypoint:
         run_command += ["--entrypoint", entrypoint]
@@ -141,31 +139,31 @@ def run(root, entrypoint, service, command, args):
         run_command.append(command)
     if args:
         run_command += args
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    docker_compose(root, config, *run_command)
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    docker_compose(context.root, config, *run_command)
 
 
 @click.command(
     help="Exec a command in a running container",
     context_settings={"ignore_unknown_options": True},
 )
-@opts.root
 @click.argument("service")
 @click.argument("command")
 @click.argument("args", nargs=-1)
-def execute(root, service, command, args):
+@click.pass_obj
+def execute(context, service, command, args):
     exec_command = ["exec", service, command]
     if args:
         exec_command += args
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    docker_compose(root, config, *exec_command)
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    docker_compose(context.root, config, *exec_command)
 
 
 @click.command(help="Initialise all applications")
-@opts.root
-def init(root):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    runner = ScriptRunner(root, config)
+@click.pass_obj
+def init(context):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    runner = ScriptRunner(context.root, config)
     scripts.initialise(runner)
 
 
@@ -179,12 +177,12 @@ that is convenient when developing new plugins. Ex:
     tutor local hook discovery discovery hooks discovery init""",
     name="hook",
 )
-@opts.root
 @click.argument("service")
 @click.argument("path", nargs=-1)
-def run_hook(root, service, path):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    runner = ScriptRunner(root, config)
+@click.pass_obj
+def run_hook(context, service, path):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    runner = ScriptRunner(context.root, config)
     fmt.echo_info(
         "Running '{}' hook in '{}' container...".format(".".join(path), service)
     )
@@ -197,8 +195,8 @@ def https():
 
 
 @click.command(help="Create https certificates", name="create")
-@opts.root
-def https_create(root):
+@click.pass_obj
+def https_create(context):
     """
     Note: there are a couple issues with https certificate generation.
     1. Certificates are generated and renewed by using port 80, which is not necessarily open.
@@ -206,8 +204,8 @@ def https_create(root):
         b. It may be occupied by an external web server
     2. On certificate renewal, nginx is not reloaded
     """
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    runner = ScriptRunner(root, config)
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    runner = ScriptRunner(context.root, config)
     if not config["ACTIVATE_HTTPS"]:
         fmt.echo_info("HTTPS is not activated: certificate generation skipped")
         return
@@ -230,7 +228,7 @@ See the official certbot documentation for your platform: https://certbot.eff.or
 
     utils.docker_run(
         "--volume",
-        "{}:/etc/letsencrypt/".format(tutor_env.data_path(root, "letsencrypt")),
+        "{}:/etc/letsencrypt/".format(tutor_env.data_path(context.root, "letsencrypt")),
         "-p",
         "80:80",
         "--entrypoint=sh",
@@ -242,9 +240,9 @@ See the official certbot documentation for your platform: https://certbot.eff.or
 
 
 @click.command(help="Renew https certificates", name="renew")
-@opts.root
-def https_renew(root):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def https_renew(context):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
     if not config["ACTIVATE_HTTPS"]:
         fmt.echo_info("HTTPS is not activated: certificate renewal skipped")
         return
@@ -261,7 +259,7 @@ See the official certbot documentation for your platform: https://certbot.eff.or
         return
     docker_run = [
         "--volume",
-        "{}:/etc/letsencrypt/".format(tutor_env.data_path(root, "letsencrypt")),
+        "{}:/etc/letsencrypt/".format(tutor_env.data_path(context.root, "letsencrypt")),
         "-p",
         "80:80",
         "certbot/certbot:latest",
@@ -271,23 +269,22 @@ See the official certbot documentation for your platform: https://certbot.eff.or
 
 
 @click.command(help="View output from containers")
-@opts.root
 @click.option("-f", "--follow", is_flag=True, help="Follow log output")
 @click.option("--tail", type=int, help="Number of lines to show from each container")
 @click.argument("service", nargs=-1)
-def logs(root, follow, tail, service):
+@click.pass_obj
+def logs(context, follow, tail, service):
     command = ["logs"]
     if follow:
         command += ["--follow"]
     if tail is not None:
         command += ["--tail", str(tail)]
     command += service
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    docker_compose(root, config, *command)
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    docker_compose(context.root, config, *command)
 
 
 @click.command(help="Create an Open edX user and interactively set their password")
-@opts.root
 @click.option("--superuser", is_flag=True, help="Make superuser")
 @click.option("--staff", is_flag=True, help="Make staff user")
 @click.option(
@@ -297,9 +294,10 @@ def logs(root, follow, tail, service):
 )
 @click.argument("name")
 @click.argument("email")
-def createuser(root, superuser, staff, password, name, email):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    runner = ScriptRunner(root, config)
+@click.pass_obj
+def createuser(context, superuser, staff, password, name, email):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    runner = ScriptRunner(context.root, config)
     runner.check_service_is_activated("lms")
     command = scripts.create_user_command(
         superuser, staff, name, email, password=password
@@ -308,10 +306,10 @@ def createuser(root, superuser, staff, password, name, email):
 
 
 @click.command(help="Import the demo course")
-@opts.root
-def importdemocourse(root):
-    config = tutor_config.load(root)
-    runner = ScriptRunner(root, config)
+@click.pass_obj
+def importdemocourse(context):
+    config = tutor_config.load(context.root)
+    runner = ScriptRunner(context.root, config)
     fmt.echo_info("Importing demo course")
     scripts.import_demo_course(runner)
 
diff --git a/tutor/commands/plugins.py b/tutor/commands/plugins.py
index f15bee7..c0806a9 100644
--- a/tutor/commands/plugins.py
+++ b/tutor/commands/plugins.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import click
 from .. import config as tutor_config
 from .. import env as tutor_env
 from .. import fmt
-from .. import opts
 from .. import plugins
 
 
@@ -22,47 +21,57 @@ def plugins_command():
 
 
 @click.command(name="list", help="List installed plugins")
-@opts.root
-def list_command(root):
-    config = tutor_config.load_user(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def list_command(context):
+    config = tutor_config.load_user(context.root)
     for name, _ in plugins.iter_installed():
         status = "" if plugins.is_enabled(config, name) else " (disabled)"
         print("{plugin}{status}".format(plugin=name, status=status))
 
 
 @click.command(help="Enable a plugin")
-@opts.root
 @click.argument("plugin_names", metavar="plugin", nargs=-1)
-def enable(root, plugin_names):
-    config = tutor_config.load_user(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def enable(context, plugin_names):
+    config = tutor_config.load_user(context.root)
     for plugin in plugin_names:
         plugins.enable(config, plugin)
         fmt.echo_info("Plugin {} enabled".format(plugin))
-    tutor_config.save(root, config)
+    tutor_config.save(context.root, config)
     fmt.echo_info(
         "You should now re-generate your environment with `tutor config save`."
     )
 
 
 @click.command(help="Disable a plugin")
-@opts.root
 @click.argument("plugin_names", metavar="plugin", nargs=-1)
-def disable(root, plugin_names):
-    config = tutor_config.load_user(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def disable(context, plugin_names):
+    config = tutor_config.load_user(context.root)
     for plugin in plugin_names:
         plugins.disable(config, plugin)
 
-        plugin_dir = tutor_env.pathjoin(root, "plugins", plugin)
+        plugin_dir = tutor_env.pathjoin(context.root, "plugins", plugin)
         if os.path.exists(plugin_dir):
             shutil.rmtree(plugin_dir)
         fmt.echo_info("Plugin {} disabled".format(plugin))
 
-    tutor_config.save(root, config)
+    tutor_config.save(context.root, config)
     fmt.echo_info(
         "You should now re-generate your environment with `tutor config save`."
     )
 
 
+def iter_extra_plugin_commands():
+    """
+    TODO document this. Merge with plugins.iter_commands? It's good to keepo
+    click-related stuff outside of the plugins module.
+    """
+    for plugin_name, command in plugins.iter_commands():
+        command.name = plugin_name
+        yield command
+
+
 plugins_command.add_command(list_command)
 plugins_command.add_command(enable)
 plugins_command.add_command(disable)
diff --git a/tutor/commands/webui.py b/tutor/commands/webui.py
index 9a016ef..c3a2f2b 100644
--- a/tutor/commands/webui.py
+++ b/tutor/commands/webui.py
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ import click
 # Note: it is important that this module does not depend on config, such that
 # the web ui can be launched even where there is no configuration.
 from .. import fmt
-from .. import opts
 from .. import env as tutor_env
 from .. import serialize
 
@@ -24,7 +23,6 @@ def webui():
 
 
 @click.command(help="Start the web UI")
-@opts.root
 @click.option(
     "-p",
     "--port",
@@ -36,15 +34,16 @@ def webui():
 @click.option(
     "-h", "--host", default="0.0.0.0", show_default=True, help="Host address to listen"
 )
-def start(root, port, host):
-    check_gotty_binary(root)
+@click.pass_obj
+def start(context, port, host):
+    check_gotty_binary(context.root)
     fmt.echo_info("Access the Tutor web UI at http://{}:{}".format(host, port))
     while True:
-        config = load_config(root)
+        config = load_config(context.root)
         user = config["user"]
         password = config["password"]
         command = [
-            gotty_path(root),
+            gotty_path(context.root),
             "--permit-write",
             "--address",
             host,
@@ -66,7 +65,7 @@ def start(root, port, host):
             try:
                 p.wait(timeout=2)
             except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
-                new_config = load_config(root)
+                new_config = load_config(context.root)
                 if new_config != config:
                     click.echo(
                         "WARNING configuration changed. Tutor web UI is now going to restart. Reload this page to continue."
@@ -77,7 +76,6 @@ def start(root, port, host):
 
 
 @click.command(help="Configure authentication")
-@opts.root
 @click.option("-u", "--user", prompt="User name", help="Authentication user name")
 @click.option(
     "-p",
@@ -87,12 +85,13 @@ def start(root, port, host):
     confirmation_prompt=True,
     help="Authentication password",
 )
-def configure(root, user, password):
-    save_config(root, {"user": user, "password": password})
+@click.pass_obj
+def configure(context, user, password):
+    save_config(context.root, {"user": user, "password": password})
     fmt.echo_info(
         "The web UI configuration has been updated. "
         "If at any point you wish to reset your username and password, "
-        "just delete the following file:\n\n    {}".format(config_path(root))
+        "just delete the following file:\n\n    {}".format(config_path(context.root))
     )
 
 
diff --git a/tutor/config.py b/tutor/config.py
index 7c2a224..04688d7 100644
--- a/tutor/config.py
+++ b/tutor/config.py
@@ -185,7 +185,9 @@ def check_existing_config(root):
     """
     if not os.path.exists(config_path(root)):
         raise exceptions.TutorError(
-            "Project root does not exist. Make sure to generate the initial configuration with `tutor config save --interactive` or `tutor config quickstart` prior to running other commands."
+            "Project root does not exist. Make sure to generate the initial "
+            "configuration with `tutor config save --interactive` or `tutor config "
+            "quickstart` prior to running other commands."
         )
     env.check_is_up_to_date(root)
 
diff --git a/tutor/opts.py b/tutor/opts.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 09015a5..0000000
--- a/tutor/opts.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,42 +0,0 @@
-import appdirs
-import click
-
-from . import serialize
-
-
-root = click.option(
-    "-r",
-    "--root",
-    envvar="TUTOR_ROOT",
-    default=appdirs.user_data_dir(appname="tutor"),
-    show_default=True,
-    type=click.Path(resolve_path=True),
-    help="Root project directory (environment variable: TUTOR_ROOT)",
-)
-
-edx_platform_path = click.option(
-    "-P",
-    "--edx-platform-path",
-    envvar="TUTOR_EDX_PLATFORM_PATH",
-    type=click.Path(exists=True, dir_okay=True, resolve_path=True),
-    help="Mount a local edx-platform from the host (environment variable: TUTOR_EDX_PLATFORM_PATH)",
-)
-
-edx_platform_development_settings = click.option(
-    "-S",
-    "--edx-platform-settings",
-    envvar="TUTOR_EDX_PLATFORM_SETTINGS",
-    default="tutor.development",
-    help="Mount a local edx-platform from the host (environment variable: TUTOR_EDX_PLATFORM_PATH)",
-)
-
-
-class YamlParamType(click.ParamType):
-    name = "yaml"
-
-    def convert(self, value, param, ctx):
-        try:
-            k, v = value.split("=")
-        except ValueError:
-            self.fail("'{}' is not of the form 'key=value'.".format(value), param, ctx)
-        return k, serialize.parse(v)
diff --git a/tutor/plugins.py b/tutor/plugins.py
index 0448b07..79b6515 100644
--- a/tutor/plugins.py
+++ b/tutor/plugins.py
@@ -156,3 +156,15 @@ def iter_hooks(config, hook_name):
 
 def iter_templates(config):
     yield from Plugins.instance(config).iter_templates()
+
+
+def iter_commands():
+    """
+    TODO doesn't this slow down the cli? (we need to import all plugins)
+    Also, do we really need the `config` argument? Do we want to make it possible for disabled plugins to be loaded?
+    TODO document this
+    """
+    for plugin_name, plugin in iter_installed():
+        command = getattr(plugin, "command", None)
+        if command:
+            yield plugin_name, command