diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_backup.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_backup.go
index d8f2a3509..86bde9dbb 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_backup.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_backup.go
@@ -16,13 +16,15 @@ import (
 type CmdBackup struct {
 	Parent string `short:"p" long:"parent"    description:"use this parent snapshot (default: last snapshot in repo that has the same target)"`
 	Force  bool   `short:"f" long:"force" description:"Force re-reading the target. Overrides the \"parent\" flag"`
+
+	global *GlobalOptions
 }
 
 func init() {
 	_, err := parser.AddCommand("backup",
 		"save file/directory",
 		"The backup command creates a snapshot of a file or directory",
-		&CmdBackup{})
+		&CmdBackup{global: &globalOpts})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
@@ -97,8 +99,8 @@ func (cmd CmdBackup) Usage() string {
 	return "DIR/FILE [DIR/FILE] [...]"
 }
 
-func newScanProgress() *restic.Progress {
-	if disableProgress() {
+func (cmd CmdBackup) newScanProgress() *restic.Progress {
+	if !cmd.global.ShowProgress() {
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -113,8 +115,8 @@ func newScanProgress() *restic.Progress {
 	return p
 }
 
-func newArchiveProgress(todo restic.Stat) *restic.Progress {
-	if disableProgress() {
+func (cmd CmdBackup) newArchiveProgress(todo restic.Stat) *restic.Progress {
+	if !cmd.global.ShowProgress() {
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -213,7 +215,7 @@ func (cmd CmdBackup) Execute(args []string) error {
 		target = append(target, d)
 	}
 
-	s, err := OpenRepo()
+	s, err := cmd.global.OpenRepository()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -232,7 +234,7 @@ func (cmd CmdBackup) Execute(args []string) error {
 			return fmt.Errorf("invalid id %q: %v", cmd.Parent, err)
 		}
 
-		verbosePrintf("found parent snapshot %v\n", parentSnapshotID.Str())
+		cmd.global.Printf("found parent snapshot %v\n", parentSnapshotID.Str())
 	}
 
 	// Find last snapshot to set it as parent, if not already set
@@ -243,13 +245,13 @@ func (cmd CmdBackup) Execute(args []string) error {
 		}
 
 		if parentSnapshotID != nil {
-			verbosePrintf("using parent snapshot %v\n", parentSnapshotID)
+			cmd.global.Printf("using parent snapshot %v\n", parentSnapshotID)
 		}
 	}
 
-	verbosePrintf("scan %v\n", target)
+	cmd.global.Printf("scan %v\n", target)
 
-	stat, err := restic.Scan(target, newScanProgress())
+	stat, err := restic.Scan(target, cmd.newScanProgress())
 
 	// TODO: add filter
 	// arch.Filter = func(dir string, fi os.FileInfo) bool {
@@ -264,12 +266,12 @@ func (cmd CmdBackup) Execute(args []string) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	_, id, err := arch.Snapshot(newArchiveProgress(stat), target, parentSnapshotID)
+	_, id, err := arch.Snapshot(cmd.newArchiveProgress(stat), target, parentSnapshotID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	verbosePrintf("snapshot %s saved\n", id.Str())
+	cmd.global.Printf("snapshot %s saved\n", id.Str())
 
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_cache.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_cache.go
index dfbe52227..26a6b7970 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_cache.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_cache.go
@@ -6,13 +6,15 @@ import (
 	"github.com/restic/restic"
 )
 
-type CmdCache struct{}
+type CmdCache struct {
+	global *GlobalOptions
+}
 
 func init() {
 	_, err := parser.AddCommand("cache",
 		"manage cache",
 		"The cache command creates and manages the local cache",
-		&CmdCache{})
+		&CmdCache{global: &globalOpts})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
@@ -27,12 +29,12 @@ func (cmd CmdCache) Execute(args []string) error {
 	// 	return fmt.Errorf("wrong number of parameters, Usage: %s", cmd.Usage())
 	// }
 
-	s, err := OpenRepo()
+	s, err := cmd.global.OpenRepository()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	cache, err := restic.NewCache(s, mainOpts.CacheDir)
+	cache, err := restic.NewCache(s, cmd.global.CacheDir)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_cat.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_cat.go
index 65e60c51f..65345cfe7 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_cat.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_cat.go
@@ -14,13 +14,15 @@ import (
 	"github.com/restic/restic/repository"
 )
 
-type CmdCat struct{}
+type CmdCat struct {
+	global *GlobalOptions
+}
 
 func init() {
 	_, err := parser.AddCommand("cat",
 		"dump something",
 		"The cat command dumps data structures or data from a repository",
-		&CmdCat{})
+		&CmdCat{global: &globalOpts})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
@@ -35,7 +37,7 @@ func (cmd CmdCat) Execute(args []string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("type or ID not specified, Usage: %s", cmd.Usage())
 	}
 
-	s, err := OpenRepo()
+	s, err := cmd.global.OpenRepository()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_dump.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_dump.go
index 7e7a54293..bf5f8db86 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_dump.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_dump.go
@@ -15,13 +15,15 @@ import (
 	"github.com/restic/restic/repository"
 )
 
-type CmdDump struct{}
+type CmdDump struct {
+	global *MainOptions
+}
 
 func init() {
 	_, err := parser.AddCommand("dump",
 		"dump data structures",
 		"The dump command dumps data structures from a repository as JSON documents",
-		&CmdDump{})
+		&CmdDump{global: &mainOpts})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
@@ -102,7 +104,7 @@ func (cmd CmdDump) Execute(args []string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("type not specified, Usage: %s", cmd.Usage())
 	}
 
-	repo, err := OpenRepo()
+	repo, err := cmd.global.OpenRepository()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_find.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_find.go
index 932d596cf..c1a56ebc6 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_find.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_find.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ type CmdFind struct {
 
 	oldest, newest time.Time
 	pattern        string
+	global         *GlobalOptions
 }
 
 var timeFormats = []string{
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ func init() {
 	_, err := parser.AddCommand("find",
 		"find a file/directory",
 		"The find command searches for files or directories in snapshots",
-		&CmdFind{})
+		&CmdFind{global: &globalOpts})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
@@ -156,7 +157,7 @@ func (c CmdFind) Execute(args []string) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	s, err := OpenRepo()
+	s, err := c.global.OpenRepository()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_fsck.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_fsck.go
index 1f84a3b6e..17a0608ce 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_fsck.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_fsck.go
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ type CmdFsck struct {
 	Orphaned       bool   `short:"o" long:"orphaned"        description:"Check for orphaned blobs"`
 	RemoveOrphaned bool   `short:"r" long:"remove-orphaned" description:"Remove orphaned blobs (implies -o)"`
 
+	global *GlobalOptions
+
 	// lists checking for orphaned blobs
 	o_data  *backend.IDSet
 	o_trees *backend.IDSet
@@ -28,13 +30,13 @@ func init() {
 	_, err := parser.AddCommand("fsck",
 		"check the repository",
 		"The fsck command check the integrity and consistency of the repository",
-		&CmdFsck{})
+		&CmdFsck{global: &globalOpts})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
 }
 
-func fsckFile(opts CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, IDs []backend.ID) (uint64, error) {
+func fsckFile(global CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, IDs []backend.ID) (uint64, error) {
 	debug.Log("restic.fsckFile", "checking file %v", IDs)
 	var bytes uint64
 
@@ -50,7 +52,7 @@ func fsckFile(opts CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, IDs []backend.ID) (uint
 		bytes += uint64(length - crypto.Extension)
 		debug.Log("restic.fsck", "  blob found in pack %v\n", packID)
 
-		if opts.CheckData {
+		if global.CheckData {
 			// load content
 			_, err := repo.LoadBlob(pack.Data, id)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -69,16 +71,16 @@ func fsckFile(opts CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, IDs []backend.ID) (uint
 		}
 
 		// if orphan check is active, record storage id
-		if opts.o_data != nil {
+		if global.o_data != nil {
 			debug.Log("restic.fsck", "  recording blob %v as used\n", id)
-			opts.o_data.Insert(id)
+			global.o_data.Insert(id)
 		}
 	}
 
 	return bytes, nil
 }
 
-func fsckTree(opts CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, id backend.ID) error {
+func fsckTree(global CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, id backend.ID) error {
 	debug.Log("restic.fsckTree", "checking tree %v", id.Str())
 
 	tree, err := restic.LoadTree(repo, id)
@@ -87,9 +89,9 @@ func fsckTree(opts CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, id backend.ID) error {
 	}
 
 	// if orphan check is active, record storage id
-	if opts.o_trees != nil {
+	if global.o_trees != nil {
 		// add ID to list
-		opts.o_trees.Insert(id)
+		global.o_trees.Insert(id)
 	}
 
 	var firstErr error
@@ -123,7 +125,7 @@ func fsckTree(opts CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, id backend.ID) error {
 			}
 
 			debug.Log("restic.fsckTree", "check file %v (%v)", node.Name, id.Str())
-			bytes, err := fsckFile(opts, repo, node.Content)
+			bytes, err := fsckFile(global, repo, node.Content)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
@@ -140,7 +142,7 @@ func fsckTree(opts CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, id backend.ID) error {
 			// record id
 			seenIDs.Insert(node.Subtree)
 
-			err = fsckTree(opts, repo, node.Subtree)
+			err = fsckTree(global, repo, node.Subtree)
 			if err != nil {
 				firstErr = err
 				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "%v\n", err)
@@ -158,7 +160,7 @@ func fsckTree(opts CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, id backend.ID) error {
 	return firstErr
 }
 
-func fsckSnapshot(opts CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, id backend.ID) error {
+func fsckSnapshot(global CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, id backend.ID) error {
 	debug.Log("restic.fsck", "checking snapshot %v\n", id)
 
 	sn, err := restic.LoadSnapshot(repo, id)
@@ -166,7 +168,7 @@ func fsckSnapshot(opts CmdFsck, repo *repository.Repository, id backend.ID) erro
 		return fmt.Errorf("loading snapshot %v failed: %v", id, err)
 	}
 
-	err = fsckTree(opts, repo, sn.Tree)
+	err = fsckTree(global, repo, sn.Tree)
 	if err != nil {
 		debug.Log("restic.fsck", "  checking tree %v for snapshot %v\n", sn.Tree, id)
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "snapshot %v:\n  error for tree %v:\n    %v\n", id, sn.Tree, err)
@@ -188,7 +190,7 @@ func (cmd CmdFsck) Execute(args []string) error {
 		cmd.Orphaned = true
 	}
 
-	s, err := OpenRepo()
+	s, err := cmd.global.OpenRepository()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_init.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_init.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1e75ee5f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_init.go
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+
+	"github.com/restic/restic/repository"
+)
+
+type CmdInit struct {
+	global *GlobalOptions
+}
+
+func (cmd CmdInit) Execute(args []string) error {
+	if cmd.global.Repo == "" {
+		return errors.New("Please specify repository location (-r)")
+	}
+
+	if cmd.global.password == "" {
+		cmd.global.password = cmd.global.ReadPasswordTwice(
+			"enter password for new backend: ",
+			"enter password again: ")
+	}
+
+	be, err := create(cmd.global.Repo)
+	if err != nil {
+		cmd.global.Exitf(1, "creating backend at %s failed: %v\n", cmd.global.Repo, err)
+	}
+
+	s := repository.New(be)
+	err = s.Init(cmd.global.password)
+	if err != nil {
+		cmd.global.Exitf(1, "creating key in backend at %s failed: %v\n", cmd.global.Repo, err)
+	}
+
+	cmd.global.Printf("created restic backend %v at %s\n", s.Config.ID[:10], cmd.global.Repo)
+	cmd.global.Printf("\n")
+	cmd.global.Printf("Please note that knowledge of your password is required to access\n")
+	cmd.global.Printf("the repository. Losing your password means that your data is\n")
+	cmd.global.Printf("irrecoverably lost.\n")
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func init() {
+	_, err := parser.AddCommand("init",
+		"create repository",
+		"The init command creates a new repository",
+		&CmdInit{global: &globalOpts})
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_key.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_key.go
index 86e390eef..a110357aa 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_key.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_key.go
@@ -9,19 +9,21 @@ import (
 	"github.com/restic/restic/repository"
 )
 
-type CmdKey struct{}
+type CmdKey struct {
+	global *GlobalOptions
+}
 
 func init() {
 	_, err := parser.AddCommand("key",
 		"manage keys",
 		"The key command manages keys (passwords) of a repository",
-		&CmdKey{})
+		&CmdKey{global: &globalOpts})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
 }
 
-func listKeys(s *repository.Repository) error {
+func (cmd CmdKey) listKeys(s *repository.Repository) error {
 	tab := NewTable()
 	tab.Header = fmt.Sprintf(" %-10s  %-10s  %-10s  %s", "ID", "User", "Host", "Created")
 	tab.RowFormat = "%s%-10s  %-10s  %-10s  %s"
@@ -56,23 +58,20 @@ func listKeys(s *repository.Repository) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func getNewPassword() (string, error) {
+func (cmd CmdKey) getNewPassword() (string, error) {
 	newPassword := os.Getenv("RESTIC_NEWPASSWORD")
 
 	if newPassword == "" {
-		newPassword = readPassword("enter password for new key: ")
-		newPassword2 := readPassword("enter password again: ")
-
-		if newPassword != newPassword2 {
-			return "", errors.New("passwords do not match")
-		}
+		newPassword = cmd.global.ReadPasswordTwice(
+			"enter password for new key: ",
+			"enter password again: ")
 	}
 
 	return newPassword, nil
 }
 
-func addKey(repo *repository.Repository) error {
-	newPassword, err := getNewPassword()
+func (cmd CmdKey) addKey(repo *repository.Repository) error {
+	newPassword, err := cmd.getNewPassword()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -87,7 +86,7 @@ func addKey(repo *repository.Repository) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func deleteKey(repo *repository.Repository, name string) error {
+func (cmd CmdKey) deleteKey(repo *repository.Repository, name string) error {
 	if name == repo.KeyName() {
 		return errors.New("refusing to remove key currently used to access repository")
 	}
@@ -101,8 +100,8 @@ func deleteKey(repo *repository.Repository, name string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func changePassword(repo *repository.Repository) error {
-	newPassword, err := getNewPassword()
+func (cmd CmdKey) changePassword(repo *repository.Repository) error {
+	newPassword, err := cmd.getNewPassword()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -131,25 +130,25 @@ func (cmd CmdKey) Execute(args []string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("wrong number of arguments, Usage: %s", cmd.Usage())
 	}
 
-	s, err := OpenRepo()
+	s, err := cmd.global.OpenRepository()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	switch args[0] {
 	case "list":
-		return listKeys(s)
+		return cmd.listKeys(s)
 	case "add":
-		return addKey(s)
+		return cmd.addKey(s)
 	case "rm":
 		id, err := backend.Find(s.Backend(), backend.Key, args[1])
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
-		return deleteKey(s, id)
+		return cmd.deleteKey(s, id)
 	case "passwd":
-		return changePassword(s)
+		return cmd.changePassword(s)
 	}
 
 	return nil
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_list.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_list.go
index 641d72c2e..4d5cf0ab1 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_list.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_list.go
@@ -10,14 +10,15 @@ import (
 )
 
 type CmdList struct {
-	w io.Writer
+	w      io.Writer
+	global *GlobalOptions
 }
 
 func init() {
 	_, err := parser.AddCommand("list",
 		"lists data",
 		"The list command lists structures or data of a repository",
-		&CmdList{})
+		&CmdList{global: &globalOpts})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ func (cmd CmdList) Execute(args []string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("type not specified, Usage: %s", cmd.Usage())
 	}
 
-	s, err := OpenRepo()
+	s, err := cmd.global.OpenRepository()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_ls.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_ls.go
index 1f75b515c..59144befc 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_ls.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_ls.go
@@ -10,13 +10,15 @@ import (
 	"github.com/restic/restic/repository"
 )
 
-type CmdLs struct{}
+type CmdLs struct {
+	global *GlobalOptions
+}
 
 func init() {
 	_, err := parser.AddCommand("ls",
 		"list files",
 		"The ls command lists all files and directories in a snapshot",
-		&CmdLs{})
+		&CmdLs{global: &globalOpts})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
@@ -67,7 +69,7 @@ func (cmd CmdLs) Execute(args []string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("wrong number of arguments, Usage: %s", cmd.Usage())
 	}
 
-	s, err := OpenRepo()
+	s, err := cmd.global.OpenRepository()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go
index cd91228e6..183798932 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go
@@ -8,13 +8,15 @@ import (
 	"github.com/restic/restic"
 )
 
-type CmdRestore struct{}
+type CmdRestore struct {
+	global *GlobalOptions
+}
 
 func init() {
 	_, err := parser.AddCommand("restore",
 		"restore a snapshot",
 		"The restore command restores a snapshot to a directory",
-		&CmdRestore{})
+		&CmdRestore{global: &globalOpts})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
@@ -29,7 +31,7 @@ func (cmd CmdRestore) Execute(args []string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("wrong number of arguments, Usage: %s", cmd.Usage())
 	}
 
-	s, err := OpenRepo()
+	s, err := cmd.global.OpenRepository()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -41,7 +43,7 @@ func (cmd CmdRestore) Execute(args []string) error {
 
 	id, err := restic.FindSnapshot(s, args[0])
 	if err != nil {
-		errx(1, "invalid id %q: %v", args[0], err)
+		cmd.global.Exitf(1, "invalid id %q: %v", args[0], err)
 	}
 
 	target := args[1]
@@ -81,7 +83,7 @@ func (cmd CmdRestore) Execute(args []string) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	verbosePrintf("restoring %s to %s\n", res.Snapshot(), target)
+	cmd.global.Printf("restoring %s to %s\n", res.Snapshot(), target)
 
 	err = res.RestoreTo(target)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_snapshots.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_snapshots.go
index 3703884b2..f1f8ba31e 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_snapshots.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_snapshots.go
@@ -71,13 +71,15 @@ func reltime(t time.Time) string {
 	}
 }
 
-type CmdSnapshots struct{}
+type CmdSnapshots struct {
+	global *GlobalOptions
+}
 
 func init() {
 	_, err := parser.AddCommand("snapshots",
 		"show snapshots",
 		"The snapshots command lists all snapshots stored in a repository",
-		&CmdSnapshots{})
+		&CmdSnapshots{global: &globalOpts})
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
@@ -92,7 +94,7 @@ func (cmd CmdSnapshots) Execute(args []string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("wrong number of arguments, usage: %s", cmd.Usage())
 	}
 
-	s, err := OpenRepo()
+	s, err := cmd.global.OpenRepository()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/restic/global.go b/cmd/restic/global.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2f7ffe27e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/restic/global.go
@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"net/url"
+	"os"
+
+	"github.com/jessevdk/go-flags"
+	"github.com/restic/restic/backend"
+	"github.com/restic/restic/backend/local"
+	"github.com/restic/restic/backend/sftp"
+	"github.com/restic/restic/repository"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh/terminal"
+)
+
+var version = "compiled manually"
+
+type GlobalOptions struct {
+	Repo     string `short:"r" long:"repo"                      description:"Repository directory to backup to/restore from"`
+	CacheDir string `          long:"cache-dir"                 description:"Directory to use as a local cache"`
+	Quiet    bool   `short:"q" long:"quiet"     default:"false" description:"Do not output comprehensive progress report"`
+
+	password string
+	stdout   io.Writer
+}
+
+var globalOpts = GlobalOptions{stdout: os.Stdout}
+var parser = flags.NewParser(&globalOpts, flags.Default)
+
+func (o GlobalOptions) Printf(format string, args ...interface{}) {
+	if o.Quiet {
+		return
+	}
+
+	_, err := fmt.Fprintf(o.stdout, format, args...)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "unable to write to stdout: %v\n", err)
+		os.Exit(100)
+	}
+}
+
+func (o GlobalOptions) ShowProgress() bool {
+	if o.Quiet {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	if !terminal.IsTerminal(int(os.Stdout.Fd())) {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
+func (o GlobalOptions) Warnf(format string, args ...interface{}) {
+	_, err := fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, format, args...)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "unable to write to stderr: %v\n", err)
+		os.Exit(100)
+	}
+}
+
+func (o GlobalOptions) Exitf(exitcode int, format string, args ...interface{}) {
+	if format[len(format)-1] != '\n' {
+		format += "\n"
+	}
+
+	o.Warnf(format, args...)
+	os.Exit(exitcode)
+}
+
+func (o GlobalOptions) ReadPassword(prompt string) string {
+	fmt.Fprint(os.Stderr, prompt)
+	pw, err := terminal.ReadPassword(int(os.Stdin.Fd()))
+	if err != nil {
+		o.Exitf(2, "unable to read password: %v", err)
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr)
+
+	return string(pw)
+}
+
+func (o GlobalOptions) ReadPasswordTwice(prompt1, prompt2 string) string {
+	pw1 := o.ReadPassword(prompt1)
+	pw2 := o.ReadPassword(prompt2)
+	if pw1 != pw2 {
+		o.Exitf(1, "passwords do not match")
+	}
+
+	return pw1
+}
+
+func (o GlobalOptions) OpenRepository() (*repository.Repository, error) {
+	if o.Repo == "" {
+		return nil, errors.New("Please specify repository location (-r)")
+	}
+
+	be, err := open(o.Repo)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	s := repository.New(be)
+
+	if o.password == "" {
+		o.password = o.ReadPassword("enter password for repository: ")
+	}
+
+	err = s.SearchKey(o.password)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to open repo: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	return s, nil
+}
+
+// Open the backend specified by URI.
+// Valid formats are:
+// * /foo/bar -> local repository at /foo/bar
+// * sftp://user@host/foo/bar -> remote sftp repository on host for user at path foo/bar
+// * sftp://host//tmp/backup -> remote sftp repository on host at path /tmp/backup
+func open(u string) (backend.Backend, error) {
+	url, err := url.Parse(u)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if url.Scheme == "" {
+		return local.Open(url.Path)
+	}
+
+	args := []string{url.Host}
+	if url.User != nil && url.User.Username() != "" {
+		args = append(args, "-l")
+		args = append(args, url.User.Username())
+	}
+	args = append(args, "-s")
+	args = append(args, "sftp")
+	return sftp.Open(url.Path[1:], "ssh", args...)
+}
+
+// Create the backend specified by URI.
+func create(u string) (backend.Backend, error) {
+	url, err := url.Parse(u)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if url.Scheme == "" {
+		return local.Create(url.Path)
+	}
+
+	args := []string{url.Host}
+	if url.User != nil && url.User.Username() != "" {
+		args = append(args, "-l")
+		args = append(args, url.User.Username())
+	}
+	args = append(args, "-s")
+	args = append(args, "sftp")
+	return sftp.Create(url.Path[1:], "ssh", args...)
+}
diff --git a/cmd/restic/integration_helpers_test.go b/cmd/restic/integration_helpers_test.go
index c93f2ed77..ee025f955 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/integration_helpers_test.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/integration_helpers_test.go
@@ -177,11 +177,11 @@ type testEnvironment struct {
 }
 
 func configureRestic(t testing.TB, cache, repo string) {
-	mainOpts.CacheDir = cache
-	mainOpts.Repo = repo
-	mainOpts.Quiet = true
+	globalOpts.CacheDir = cache
+	globalOpts.Repo = repo
+	globalOpts.Quiet = true
 
-	mainOpts.password = TestPassword
+	globalOpts.password = TestPassword
 }
 
 func cleanupTempdir(t testing.TB, tempdir string) {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/integration_test.go b/cmd/restic/integration_test.go
index 143824bc5..d61432b6a 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/integration_test.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/integration_test.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func cmdInit(t testing.TB) {
 	cmd := &CmdInit{}
 	OK(t, cmd.Execute(nil))
 
-	t.Logf("repository initialized at %v", mainOpts.Repo)
+	t.Logf("repository initialized at %v", globalOpts.Repo)
 }
 
 func cmdBackup(t testing.TB, target []string, parentID backend.ID) {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/main.go b/cmd/restic/main.go
index 812b57d67..8669ae8d6 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/main.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/main.go
@@ -1,209 +1,23 @@
 package main
 
 import (
-	"errors"
-	"fmt"
-	"net/url"
 	"os"
 	"runtime"
 
-	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh/terminal"
-
 	"github.com/jessevdk/go-flags"
-	"github.com/restic/restic/backend"
-	"github.com/restic/restic/backend/local"
-	"github.com/restic/restic/backend/sftp"
 	"github.com/restic/restic/debug"
-	"github.com/restic/restic/repository"
 )
 
-var version = "compiled manually"
-
-var mainOpts struct {
-	Repo     string `short:"r" long:"repo"                      description:"Repository directory to backup to/restore from"`
-	CacheDir string `          long:"cache-dir"                 description:"Directory to use as a local cache"`
-	Quiet    bool   `short:"q" long:"quiet"     default:"false" description:"Do not output comprehensive progress report"`
-
-	password string
-}
-
-var parser = flags.NewParser(&mainOpts, flags.Default)
-
-func errx(code int, format string, data ...interface{}) {
-	if len(format) > 0 && format[len(format)-1] != '\n' {
-		format += "\n"
-	}
-	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, format, data...)
-	os.Exit(code)
-}
-
-func readPassword(prompt string) string {
-	fmt.Fprint(os.Stderr, prompt)
-	pw, err := terminal.ReadPassword(int(os.Stdin.Fd()))
-	if err != nil {
-		errx(2, "unable to read password: %v", err)
-	}
-	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr)
-
-	return string(pw)
-}
-
-func disableProgress() bool {
-	if mainOpts.Quiet {
-		return true
-	}
-
-	if !terminal.IsTerminal(int(os.Stdout.Fd())) {
-		return true
-	}
-
-	return false
-}
-
-func silenceRequested() bool {
-	if mainOpts.Quiet {
-		return true
-	}
-
-	return false
-}
-
-func verbosePrintf(format string, args ...interface{}) {
-	if silenceRequested() {
-		return
-	}
-
-	fmt.Printf(format, args...)
-}
-
-type CmdInit struct{}
-
-func (cmd CmdInit) Execute(args []string) error {
-	if mainOpts.Repo == "" {
-		return errors.New("Please specify repository location (-r)")
-	}
-
-	if mainOpts.password == "" {
-		pw := readPassword("enter password for new backend: ")
-		pw2 := readPassword("enter password again: ")
-
-		if pw != pw2 {
-			errx(1, "passwords do not match")
-		}
-
-		mainOpts.password = pw
-	}
-
-	be, err := create(mainOpts.Repo)
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "creating backend at %s failed: %v\n", mainOpts.Repo, err)
-		os.Exit(1)
-	}
-
-	s := repository.New(be)
-	err = s.Init(mainOpts.password)
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "creating key in backend at %s failed: %v\n", mainOpts.Repo, err)
-		os.Exit(1)
-	}
-
-	verbosePrintf("created restic backend %v at %s\n", s.Config.ID[:10], mainOpts.Repo)
-	verbosePrintf("\n")
-	verbosePrintf("Please note that knowledge of your password is required to access\n")
-	verbosePrintf("the repository. Losing your password means that your data is\n")
-	verbosePrintf("irrecoverably lost.\n")
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-// Open the backend specified by URI.
-// Valid formats are:
-// * /foo/bar -> local repository at /foo/bar
-// * sftp://user@host/foo/bar -> remote sftp repository on host for user at path foo/bar
-// * sftp://host//tmp/backup -> remote sftp repository on host at path /tmp/backup
-func open(u string) (backend.Backend, error) {
-	url, err := url.Parse(u)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	if url.Scheme == "" {
-		return local.Open(url.Path)
-	}
-
-	args := []string{url.Host}
-	if url.User != nil && url.User.Username() != "" {
-		args = append(args, "-l")
-		args = append(args, url.User.Username())
-	}
-	args = append(args, "-s")
-	args = append(args, "sftp")
-	return sftp.Open(url.Path[1:], "ssh", args...)
-}
-
-// Create the backend specified by URI.
-func create(u string) (backend.Backend, error) {
-	url, err := url.Parse(u)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	if url.Scheme == "" {
-		return local.Create(url.Path)
-	}
-
-	args := []string{url.Host}
-	if url.User != nil && url.User.Username() != "" {
-		args = append(args, "-l")
-		args = append(args, url.User.Username())
-	}
-	args = append(args, "-s")
-	args = append(args, "sftp")
-	return sftp.Create(url.Path[1:], "ssh", args...)
-}
-
-func OpenRepo() (*repository.Repository, error) {
-	if mainOpts.Repo == "" {
-		return nil, errors.New("Please specify repository location (-r)")
-	}
-
-	be, err := open(mainOpts.Repo)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	s := repository.New(be)
-
-	if mainOpts.password == "" {
-		mainOpts.password = readPassword("enter password for repository: ")
-	}
-
-	err = s.SearchKey(mainOpts.password)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to open repo: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	return s, nil
-}
-
 func init() {
 	// set GOMAXPROCS to number of CPUs
 	runtime.GOMAXPROCS(runtime.NumCPU())
-
-	_, err := parser.AddCommand("init",
-		"create repository",
-		"The init command creates a new repository",
-		&CmdInit{})
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
 }
 
 func main() {
 	// defer profile.Start(profile.MemProfileRate(100000), profile.ProfilePath(".")).Stop()
 	// defer profile.Start(profile.CPUProfile, profile.ProfilePath(".")).Stop()
-	mainOpts.Repo = os.Getenv("RESTIC_REPOSITORY")
-	mainOpts.password = os.Getenv("RESTIC_PASSWORD")
+	globalOpts.Repo = os.Getenv("RESTIC_REPOSITORY")
+	globalOpts.password = os.Getenv("RESTIC_PASSWORD")
 
 	debug.Log("restic", "main %#v", os.Args)