diff --git a/cmd/basecoin/cmd.go b/cmd/basecoin/cmd.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 750b44b174..0000000000
--- a/cmd/basecoin/cmd.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,226 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"github.com/urfave/cli"
-)
-
-var (
-	startCmd = cli.Command{
-		Name:      "start",
-		Usage:     "Start basecoin",
-		ArgsUsage: "",
-		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			return cmdStart(c)
-		},
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			addrFlag,
-			eyesFlag,
-			dirFlag,
-			inProcTMFlag,
-			chainIDFlag,
-			ibcPluginFlag,
-			counterPluginFlag,
-		},
-	}
-
-	sendTxCmd = cli.Command{
-		Name:      "sendtx",
-		Usage:     "Broadcast a basecoin SendTx",
-		ArgsUsage: "",
-		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			return cmdSendTx(c)
-		},
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			nodeFlag,
-			chainIDFlag,
-
-			fromFlag,
-
-			amountFlag,
-			coinFlag,
-			gasFlag,
-			feeFlag,
-			seqFlag,
-
-			toFlag,
-		},
-	}
-
-	appTxCmd = cli.Command{
-		Name:      "apptx",
-		Usage:     "Broadcast a basecoin AppTx",
-		ArgsUsage: "",
-		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			return cmdAppTx(c)
-		},
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			nodeFlag,
-			chainIDFlag,
-
-			fromFlag,
-
-			amountFlag,
-			coinFlag,
-			gasFlag,
-			feeFlag,
-			seqFlag,
-
-			nameFlag,
-			dataFlag,
-		},
-		Subcommands: []cli.Command{
-			counterTxCmd,
-		},
-	}
-
-	counterTxCmd = cli.Command{
-		Name:  "counter",
-		Usage: "Craft a transaction to the counter plugin",
-		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			return cmdCounterTx(c)
-		},
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			validFlag,
-		},
-	}
-
-	ibcCmd = cli.Command{
-		Name:  "ibc",
-		Usage: "Send a transaction to the interblockchain (ibc) plugin",
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			nodeFlag,
-			chainIDFlag,
-
-			fromFlag,
-
-			amountFlag,
-			coinFlag,
-			gasFlag,
-			feeFlag,
-			seqFlag,
-
-			nameFlag,
-			dataFlag,
-		},
-		Subcommands: []cli.Command{
-			ibcRegisterTxCmd,
-			ibcUpdateTxCmd,
-			ibcPacketTxCmd,
-		},
-	}
-
-	ibcRegisterTxCmd = cli.Command{
-		Name:  "register",
-		Usage: "Register a blockchain via IBC",
-		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			return cmdIBCRegisterTx(c)
-		},
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			ibcChainIDFlag,
-			ibcGenesisFlag,
-		},
-	}
-
-	ibcUpdateTxCmd = cli.Command{
-		Name:  "update",
-		Usage: "Update the latest state of a blockchain via IBC",
-		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			return cmdIBCUpdateTx(c)
-		},
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			ibcHeaderFlag,
-			ibcCommitFlag,
-		},
-	}
-
-	ibcPacketTxCmd = cli.Command{
-		Name:  "packet",
-		Usage: "Send a new packet via IBC",
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-		//
-		},
-		Subcommands: []cli.Command{
-			ibcPacketCreateTx,
-			ibcPacketPostTx,
-		},
-	}
-
-	ibcPacketCreateTx = cli.Command{
-		Name:  "create",
-		Usage: "Create an egress IBC packet",
-		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			return cmdIBCPacketCreateTx(c)
-		},
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			ibcFromFlag,
-			ibcToFlag,
-			ibcTypeFlag,
-			ibcPayloadFlag,
-			ibcSequenceFlag,
-		},
-	}
-
-	ibcPacketPostTx = cli.Command{
-		Name:  "post",
-		Usage: "Deliver an IBC packet to another chain",
-		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			return cmdIBCPacketPostTx(c)
-		},
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			ibcFromFlag,
-			ibcHeightFlag,
-			ibcPacketFlag,
-			ibcProofFlag,
-		},
-	}
-
-	queryCmd = cli.Command{
-		Name:      "query",
-		Usage:     "Query the merkle tree",
-		ArgsUsage: "<key>",
-		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			return cmdQuery(c)
-		},
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			nodeFlag,
-		},
-	}
-
-	accountCmd = cli.Command{
-		Name:      "account",
-		Usage:     "Get details of an account",
-		ArgsUsage: "<address>",
-		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			return cmdAccount(c)
-		},
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			nodeFlag,
-		},
-	}
-
-	blockCmd = cli.Command{
-		Name:      "block",
-		Usage:     "Get the header and commit of a block",
-		ArgsUsage: "<height>",
-		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			return cmdBlock(c)
-		},
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			nodeFlag,
-		},
-	}
-
-	verifyCmd = cli.Command{
-		Name:  "verify",
-		Usage: "Verify the IAVL proof",
-		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-			return cmdVerify(c)
-		},
-		Flags: []cli.Flag{
-			proofFlag,
-			keyFlag,
-			valueFlag,
-			rootFlag,
-		},
-	}
-)
diff --git a/cmd/basecoin/commands/counter.go b/cmd/basecoin/commands/counter.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..83f98218cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/basecoin/commands/counter.go
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+package commands
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin/plugins/counter"
+	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin/types"
+	wire "github.com/tendermint/go-wire"
+	"github.com/urfave/cli"
+)
+
+var (
+	CounterTxCmd = cli.Command{
+		Name:  "counter",
+		Usage: "Craft a transaction to the counter plugin",
+		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+			return cmdCounterTx(c)
+		},
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			ValidFlag,
+		},
+	}
+
+	CounterPluginFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
+		Name:  "counter-plugin",
+		Usage: "Enable the counter plugin",
+	}
+)
+
+func init() {
+	RegisterTxPlugin(CounterTxCmd)
+	RegisterStartPlugin(CounterPluginFlag,
+		func() types.Plugin { return counter.New("counter") })
+}
+
+func cmdCounterTx(c *cli.Context) error {
+	valid := c.Bool("valid")
+	parent := c.Parent()
+
+	counterTx := counter.CounterTx{
+		Valid: valid,
+		Fee: types.Coins{
+			{
+				Denom:  parent.String("coin"),
+				Amount: int64(parent.Int("fee")),
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	fmt.Println("CounterTx:", string(wire.JSONBytes(counterTx)))
+
+	data := wire.BinaryBytes(counterTx)
+	name := "counter"
+
+	return AppTx(parent, name, data)
+}
diff --git a/cmd/basecoin/flags.go b/cmd/basecoin/commands/flags.go
similarity index 72%
rename from cmd/basecoin/flags.go
rename to cmd/basecoin/commands/flags.go
index c724d8be48..0ca74962ce 100644
--- a/cmd/basecoin/flags.go
+++ b/cmd/basecoin/commands/flags.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package main
+package commands
 
 import (
 	"github.com/urfave/cli"
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@ import (
 
 // start flags
 var (
-	addrFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	AddrFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "address",
 		Value: "tcp://0.0.0.0:46658",
 		Usage: "Listen address",
 	}
 
-	eyesFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	EyesFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "eyes",
 		Value: "local",
 		Usage: "MerkleEyes address, or 'local' for embedded",
@@ -21,98 +21,93 @@ var (
 	// TODO: move to config file
 	// eyesCacheSizePtr := flag.Int("eyes-cache-size", 10000, "MerkleEyes db cache size, for embedded")
 
-	dirFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	DirFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "dir",
 		Value: ".",
 		Usage: "Root directory",
 	}
 
-	inProcTMFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
+	InProcTMFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
 		Name:  "in-proc",
 		Usage: "Run Tendermint in-process with the App",
 	}
 
-	ibcPluginFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
+	IbcPluginFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
 		Name:  "ibc-plugin",
 		Usage: "Enable the ibc plugin",
 	}
-
-	counterPluginFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
-		Name:  "counter-plugin",
-		Usage: "Enable the counter plugin",
-	}
 )
 
 // tx flags
 
 var (
-	nodeFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	NodeFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "node",
 		Value: "tcp://localhost:46657",
 		Usage: "Tendermint RPC address",
 	}
 
-	toFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	ToFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "to",
 		Value: "",
 		Usage: "Destination address for the transaction",
 	}
 
-	amountFlag = cli.IntFlag{
+	AmountFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "amount",
 		Value: 0,
 		Usage: "Amount of coins to send in the transaction",
 	}
 
-	fromFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	FromFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "from",
 		Value: "priv_validator.json",
 		Usage: "Path to a private key to sign the transaction",
 	}
 
-	seqFlag = cli.IntFlag{
+	SeqFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "sequence",
 		Value: 0,
 		Usage: "Sequence number for the account",
 	}
 
-	coinFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	CoinFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "coin",
 		Value: "blank",
 		Usage: "Specify a coin denomination",
 	}
 
-	gasFlag = cli.IntFlag{
+	GasFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "gas",
 		Value: 0,
 		Usage: "The amount of gas for the transaction",
 	}
 
-	feeFlag = cli.IntFlag{
+	FeeFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "fee",
 		Value: 0,
 		Usage: "The transaction fee",
 	}
 
-	dataFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	DataFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "data",
 		Value: "",
 		Usage: "Data to send with the transaction",
 	}
 
-	nameFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	NameFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "name",
 		Value: "",
 		Usage: "Plugin to send the transaction to",
 	}
 
-	chainIDFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	ChainIDFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "chain_id",
 		Value: "test_chain_id",
 		Usage: "ID of the chain for replay protection",
 	}
 
-	validFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
+	ValidFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
 		Name:  "valid",
 		Usage: "Set valid field in CounterTx",
 	}
@@ -120,73 +115,73 @@ var (
 
 // ibc flags
 var (
-	ibcChainIDFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	IbcChainIDFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "chain_id",
 		Usage: "ChainID for the new blockchain",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	ibcGenesisFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	IbcGenesisFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "genesis",
 		Usage: "Genesis file for the new blockchain",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	ibcHeaderFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	IbcHeaderFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "header",
 		Usage: "Block header for an ibc update",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	ibcCommitFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	IbcCommitFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "commit",
 		Usage: "Block commit for an ibc update",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	ibcFromFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	IbcFromFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "from",
 		Usage: "Source ChainID",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	ibcToFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	IbcToFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "to",
 		Usage: "Destination ChainID",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	ibcTypeFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	IbcTypeFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "type",
 		Usage: "IBC packet type (eg. coin)",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	ibcPayloadFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	IbcPayloadFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "payload",
 		Usage: "IBC packet payload",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	ibcPacketFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	IbcPacketFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "packet",
 		Usage: "hex-encoded IBC packet",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	ibcProofFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	IbcProofFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "proof",
 		Usage: "hex-encoded proof of IBC packet from source chain",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	ibcSequenceFlag = cli.IntFlag{
+	IbcSequenceFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "sequence",
 		Usage: "sequence number for IBC packet",
 		Value: 0,
 	}
 
-	ibcHeightFlag = cli.IntFlag{
+	IbcHeightFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "height",
 		Usage: "Height the packet became egress in source chain",
 		Value: 0,
@@ -195,25 +190,25 @@ var (
 
 // proof flags
 var (
-	proofFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	ProofFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "proof",
 		Usage: "hex-encoded IAVL proof",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	keyFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	KeyFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "key",
 		Usage: "key to the IAVL tree",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	valueFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	ValueFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "value",
 		Usage: "value in the IAVL tree",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
-	rootFlag = cli.StringFlag{
+	RootFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "root",
 		Usage: "root hash of the IAVL tree",
 		Value: "",
diff --git a/cmd/basecoin/ibc.go b/cmd/basecoin/commands/ibc.go
similarity index 62%
rename from cmd/basecoin/ibc.go
rename to cmd/basecoin/commands/ibc.go
index 83d27d0bfd..39f5aef8d4 100644
--- a/cmd/basecoin/ibc.go
+++ b/cmd/basecoin/commands/ibc.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package main
+package commands
 
 import (
 	"encoding/hex"
@@ -16,6 +16,98 @@ import (
 	tmtypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 )
 
+var (
+	IbcCmd = cli.Command{
+		Name:  "ibc",
+		Usage: "Send a transaction to the interblockchain (ibc) plugin",
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			NodeFlag,
+			ChainIDFlag,
+
+			FromFlag,
+
+			AmountFlag,
+			CoinFlag,
+			GasFlag,
+			FeeFlag,
+			SeqFlag,
+
+			NameFlag,
+			DataFlag,
+		},
+		Subcommands: []cli.Command{
+			IbcRegisterTxCmd,
+			IbcUpdateTxCmd,
+			IbcPacketTxCmd,
+		},
+	}
+
+	IbcRegisterTxCmd = cli.Command{
+		Name:  "register",
+		Usage: "Register a blockchain via IBC",
+		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+			return cmdIBCRegisterTx(c)
+		},
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			IbcChainIDFlag,
+			IbcGenesisFlag,
+		},
+	}
+
+	IbcUpdateTxCmd = cli.Command{
+		Name:  "update",
+		Usage: "Update the latest state of a blockchain via IBC",
+		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+			return cmdIBCUpdateTx(c)
+		},
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			IbcHeaderFlag,
+			IbcCommitFlag,
+		},
+	}
+
+	IbcPacketTxCmd = cli.Command{
+		Name:  "packet",
+		Usage: "Send a new packet via IBC",
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+		//
+		},
+		Subcommands: []cli.Command{
+			IbcPacketCreateTx,
+			IbcPacketPostTx,
+		},
+	}
+
+	IbcPacketCreateTx = cli.Command{
+		Name:  "create",
+		Usage: "Create an egress IBC packet",
+		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+			return cmdIBCPacketCreateTx(c)
+		},
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			IbcFromFlag,
+			IbcToFlag,
+			IbcTypeFlag,
+			IbcPayloadFlag,
+			IbcSequenceFlag,
+		},
+	}
+
+	IbcPacketPostTx = cli.Command{
+		Name:  "post",
+		Usage: "Deliver an IBC packet to another chain",
+		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+			return cmdIBCPacketPostTx(c)
+		},
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			IbcFromFlag,
+			IbcHeightFlag,
+			IbcPacketFlag,
+			IbcProofFlag,
+		},
+	}
+)
+
 func cmdIBCRegisterTx(c *cli.Context) error {
 	chainID := c.String("chain_id")
 	genesisFile := c.String("genesis")
@@ -40,15 +132,15 @@ func cmdIBCRegisterTx(c *cli.Context) error {
 	}{ibcTx}))
 	name := "IBC"
 
-	return appTx(parent, name, data)
+	return AppTx(parent, name, data)
 }
 
 func cmdIBCUpdateTx(c *cli.Context) error {
-	headerBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(stripHex(c.String("header")))
+	headerBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(StripHex(c.String("header")))
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.New(cmn.Fmt("Header (%v) is invalid hex: %v", c.String("header"), err))
 	}
-	commitBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(stripHex(c.String("commit")))
+	commitBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(StripHex(c.String("commit")))
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.New(cmn.Fmt("Commit (%v) is invalid hex: %v", c.String("commit"), err))
 	}
@@ -75,14 +167,14 @@ func cmdIBCUpdateTx(c *cli.Context) error {
 	}{ibcTx}))
 	name := "IBC"
 
-	return appTx(c.Parent(), name, data)
+	return AppTx(c.Parent(), name, data)
 }
 
 func cmdIBCPacketCreateTx(c *cli.Context) error {
 	fromChain, toChain := c.String("from"), c.String("to")
 	packetType := c.String("type")
 
-	payloadBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(stripHex(c.String("payload")))
+	payloadBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(StripHex(c.String("payload")))
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.New(cmn.Fmt("Payload (%v) is invalid hex: %v", c.String("payload"), err))
 	}
@@ -108,17 +200,17 @@ func cmdIBCPacketCreateTx(c *cli.Context) error {
 		ibc.IBCTx `json:"unwrap"`
 	}{ibcTx}))
 
-	return appTx(c.Parent().Parent(), "IBC", data)
+	return AppTx(c.Parent().Parent(), "IBC", data)
 }
 
 func cmdIBCPacketPostTx(c *cli.Context) error {
 	fromChain, fromHeight := c.String("from"), c.Int("height")
 
-	packetBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(stripHex(c.String("packet")))
+	packetBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(StripHex(c.String("packet")))
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.New(cmn.Fmt("Packet (%v) is invalid hex: %v", c.String("packet"), err))
 	}
-	proofBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(stripHex(c.String("proof")))
+	proofBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(StripHex(c.String("proof")))
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.New(cmn.Fmt("Proof (%v) is invalid hex: %v", c.String("proof"), err))
 	}
@@ -146,7 +238,7 @@ func cmdIBCPacketPostTx(c *cli.Context) error {
 		ibc.IBCTx `json:"unwrap"`
 	}{ibcTx}))
 
-	return appTx(c.Parent().Parent(), "IBC", data)
+	return AppTx(c.Parent().Parent(), "IBC", data)
 }
 
 func getIBCSequence(c *cli.Context) (uint64, error) {
diff --git a/cmd/basecoin/query.go b/cmd/basecoin/commands/query.go
similarity index 73%
rename from cmd/basecoin/query.go
rename to cmd/basecoin/commands/query.go
index 01b293d118..4237075267 100644
--- a/cmd/basecoin/query.go
+++ b/cmd/basecoin/commands/query.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package main
+package commands
 
 import (
 	"encoding/hex"
@@ -14,6 +14,58 @@ import (
 	tmtypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 )
 
+var (
+	QueryCmd = cli.Command{
+		Name:      "query",
+		Usage:     "Query the merkle tree",
+		ArgsUsage: "<key>",
+		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+			return cmdQuery(c)
+		},
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			NodeFlag,
+		},
+	}
+
+	AccountCmd = cli.Command{
+		Name:      "account",
+		Usage:     "Get details of an account",
+		ArgsUsage: "<address>",
+		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+			return cmdAccount(c)
+		},
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			NodeFlag,
+		},
+	}
+
+	BlockCmd = cli.Command{
+		Name:      "block",
+		Usage:     "Get the header and commit of a block",
+		ArgsUsage: "<height>",
+		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+			return cmdBlock(c)
+		},
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			NodeFlag,
+		},
+	}
+
+	VerifyCmd = cli.Command{
+		Name:  "verify",
+		Usage: "Verify the IAVL proof",
+		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+			return cmdVerify(c)
+		},
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			ProofFlag,
+			KeyFlag,
+			ValueFlag,
+			RootFlag,
+		},
+	}
+)
+
 func cmdQuery(c *cli.Context) error {
 	if len(c.Args()) != 1 {
 		return errors.New("query command requires an argument ([key])")
@@ -23,7 +75,7 @@ func cmdQuery(c *cli.Context) error {
 	if isHex(keyString) {
 		// convert key to bytes
 		var err error
-		key, err = hex.DecodeString(stripHex(keyString))
+		key, err = hex.DecodeString(StripHex(keyString))
 		if err != nil {
 			return errors.New(cmn.Fmt("Query key (%v) is invalid hex: %v", keyString, err))
 		}
@@ -55,7 +107,7 @@ func cmdAccount(c *cli.Context) error {
 	if len(c.Args()) != 1 {
 		return errors.New("account command requires an argument ([address])")
 	}
-	addrHex := stripHex(c.Args()[0])
+	addrHex := StripHex(c.Args()[0])
 
 	// convert destination address to bytes
 	addr, err := hex.DecodeString(addrHex)
@@ -123,7 +175,7 @@ func cmdVerify(c *cli.Context) error {
 	var err error
 	key := []byte(keyString)
 	if isHex(keyString) {
-		key, err = hex.DecodeString(stripHex(keyString))
+		key, err = hex.DecodeString(StripHex(keyString))
 		if err != nil {
 			return errors.New(cmn.Fmt("Key (%v) is invalid hex: %v", keyString, err))
 		}
@@ -131,18 +183,18 @@ func cmdVerify(c *cli.Context) error {
 
 	value := []byte(valueString)
 	if isHex(valueString) {
-		value, err = hex.DecodeString(stripHex(valueString))
+		value, err = hex.DecodeString(StripHex(valueString))
 		if err != nil {
 			return errors.New(cmn.Fmt("Value (%v) is invalid hex: %v", valueString, err))
 		}
 	}
 
-	root, err := hex.DecodeString(stripHex(c.String("root")))
+	root, err := hex.DecodeString(StripHex(c.String("root")))
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.New(cmn.Fmt("Root (%v) is invalid hex: %v", c.String("root"), err))
 	}
 
-	proofBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(stripHex(c.String("proof")))
+	proofBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(StripHex(c.String("proof")))
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.New(cmn.Fmt("Proof (%v) is invalid hex: %v", c.String("proof"), err))
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/basecoin/start.go b/cmd/basecoin/commands/start.go
similarity index 74%
rename from cmd/basecoin/start.go
rename to cmd/basecoin/commands/start.go
index 4a68a0c175..90e701afd8 100644
--- a/cmd/basecoin/start.go
+++ b/cmd/basecoin/commands/start.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package main
+package commands
 
 import (
 	"errors"
@@ -19,14 +19,45 @@ import (
 	tmtypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 
 	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin/app"
-	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin/plugins/counter"
 	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin/plugins/ibc"
+	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin/types"
 )
 
 var config cfg.Config
 
 const EyesCacheSize = 10000
 
+var StartCmd = cli.Command{
+	Name:      "start",
+	Usage:     "Start basecoin",
+	ArgsUsage: "",
+	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+		return cmdStart(c)
+	},
+	Flags: []cli.Flag{
+		AddrFlag,
+		EyesFlag,
+		DirFlag,
+		InProcTMFlag,
+		ChainIDFlag,
+		IbcPluginFlag,
+		// CounterPluginFlag,
+	},
+}
+
+type plugin struct {
+	name string
+	init func() types.Plugin
+}
+
+var plugins = []plugin{}
+
+// RegisterStartPlugin is used to add another
+func RegisterStartPlugin(flag cli.BoolFlag, init func() types.Plugin) {
+	StartCmd.Flags = append(StartCmd.Flags, flag)
+	plugins = append(plugins, plugin{name: flag.GetName(), init: init})
+}
+
 func cmdStart(c *cli.Context) error {
 
 	// Connect to MerkleEyes
@@ -43,14 +74,15 @@ func cmdStart(c *cli.Context) error {
 
 	// Create Basecoin app
 	basecoinApp := app.NewBasecoin(eyesCli)
-
-	if c.Bool("counter-plugin") {
-		basecoinApp.RegisterPlugin(counter.New("counter"))
-	}
-
 	if c.Bool("ibc-plugin") {
 		basecoinApp.RegisterPlugin(ibc.New())
+	}
 
+	// loop through all registered plugins and enable if desired
+	for _, p := range plugins {
+		if c.Bool(p.name) {
+			basecoinApp.RegisterPlugin(p.init())
+		}
 	}
 
 	// If genesis file exists, set key-value options
diff --git a/cmd/basecoin/tx.go b/cmd/basecoin/commands/tx.go
similarity index 77%
rename from cmd/basecoin/tx.go
rename to cmd/basecoin/commands/tx.go
index 3057572086..43d36c81d7 100644
--- a/cmd/basecoin/tx.go
+++ b/cmd/basecoin/commands/tx.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package main
+package commands
 
 import (
 	"encoding/hex"
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/urfave/cli"
 
-	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin/plugins/counter"
 	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin/types"
 
 	cmn "github.com/tendermint/go-common"
@@ -17,6 +16,63 @@ import (
 	tmtypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 )
 
+var (
+	SendTxCmd = cli.Command{
+		Name:      "sendtx",
+		Usage:     "Broadcast a basecoin SendTx",
+		ArgsUsage: "",
+		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+			return cmdSendTx(c)
+		},
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			NodeFlag,
+			ChainIDFlag,
+
+			FromFlag,
+
+			AmountFlag,
+			CoinFlag,
+			GasFlag,
+			FeeFlag,
+			SeqFlag,
+
+			ToFlag,
+		},
+	}
+
+	AppTxCmd = cli.Command{
+		Name:      "apptx",
+		Usage:     "Broadcast a basecoin AppTx",
+		ArgsUsage: "",
+		Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+			return cmdAppTx(c)
+		},
+		Flags: []cli.Flag{
+			NodeFlag,
+			ChainIDFlag,
+
+			FromFlag,
+
+			AmountFlag,
+			CoinFlag,
+			GasFlag,
+			FeeFlag,
+			SeqFlag,
+
+			NameFlag,
+			DataFlag,
+		},
+		// Subcommands are dynamically registered with plugins as needed
+		Subcommands: []cli.Command{},
+	}
+)
+
+// RegisterTxPlugin is used to add another subcommand and create a custom
+// apptx encoding.  Look at counter.go for an example
+func RegisterTxPlugin(cmd cli.Command) {
+	AppTxCmd.Subcommands = append(AppTxCmd.Subcommands, cmd)
+}
+
 func cmdSendTx(c *cli.Context) error {
 	toHex := c.String("to")
 	fromFile := c.String("from")
@@ -26,7 +82,7 @@ func cmdSendTx(c *cli.Context) error {
 	chainID := c.String("chain_id")
 
 	// convert destination address to bytes
-	to, err := hex.DecodeString(stripHex(toHex))
+	to, err := hex.DecodeString(StripHex(toHex))
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.New("To address is invalid hex: " + err.Error())
 	}
@@ -73,10 +129,10 @@ func cmdAppTx(c *cli.Context) error {
 		data, _ = hex.DecodeString(dataString)
 	}
 	name := c.String("name")
-	return appTx(c, name, data)
+	return AppTx(c, name, data)
 }
 
-func appTx(c *cli.Context, name string, data []byte) error {
+func AppTx(c *cli.Context, name string, data []byte) error {
 	fromFile := c.String("from")
 	amount := int64(c.Int("amount"))
 	coin := c.String("coin")
@@ -111,28 +167,6 @@ func appTx(c *cli.Context, name string, data []byte) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func cmdCounterTx(c *cli.Context) error {
-	valid := c.Bool("valid")
-	parent := c.Parent()
-
-	counterTx := counter.CounterTx{
-		Valid: valid,
-		Fee: types.Coins{
-			{
-				Denom:  parent.String("coin"),
-				Amount: int64(parent.Int("fee")),
-			},
-		},
-	}
-
-	fmt.Println("CounterTx:", string(wire.JSONBytes(counterTx)))
-
-	data := wire.BinaryBytes(counterTx)
-	name := "counter"
-
-	return appTx(parent, name, data)
-}
-
 // broadcast the transaction to tendermint
 func broadcastTx(c *cli.Context, tx types.Tx) ([]byte, error) {
 	tmResult := new(ctypes.TMResult)
diff --git a/cmd/basecoin/utils.go b/cmd/basecoin/commands/utils.go
similarity index 97%
rename from cmd/basecoin/utils.go
rename to cmd/basecoin/commands/utils.go
index b005f3306c..04ac83ae26 100644
--- a/cmd/basecoin/utils.go
+++ b/cmd/basecoin/commands/utils.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package main
+package commands
 
 import (
 	"encoding/hex"
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func isHex(s string) bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-func stripHex(s string) string {
+func StripHex(s string) string {
 	if isHex(s) {
 		return s[2:]
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/basecoin/main.go b/cmd/basecoin/main.go
index 31dcb83525..536dc61879 100644
--- a/cmd/basecoin/main.go
+++ b/cmd/basecoin/main.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package main
 import (
 	"os"
 
+	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin/cmd/basecoin/commands"
 	"github.com/urfave/cli"
 )
 
@@ -12,14 +13,14 @@ func main() {
 	app.Usage = "basecoin [command] [args...]"
 	app.Version = "0.1.0"
 	app.Commands = []cli.Command{
-		startCmd,
-		sendTxCmd,
-		appTxCmd,
-		ibcCmd,
-		queryCmd,
-		verifyCmd,
-		blockCmd,
-		accountCmd,
+		commands.StartCmd,
+		commands.SendTxCmd,
+		commands.AppTxCmd,
+		commands.IbcCmd,
+		commands.QueryCmd,
+		commands.VerifyCmd,
+		commands.BlockCmd,
+		commands.AccountCmd,
 	}
 	app.Run(os.Args)
 }
diff --git a/cmd/paytovote/main.go b/cmd/paytovote/main.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 7c7715d992..0000000000
--- a/cmd/paytovote/main.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,53 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"flag"
-
-	"github.com/tendermint/abci/server"
-	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin/app"
-	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin/plugins/counter"
-	cmn "github.com/tendermint/go-common"
-	eyes "github.com/tendermint/merkleeyes/client"
-)
-
-func main() {
-	addrPtr := flag.String("address", "tcp://0.0.0.0:46658", "Listen address")
-	eyesPtr := flag.String("eyes", "local", "MerkleEyes address, or 'local' for embedded")
-	genFilePath := flag.String("genesis", "", "Genesis file, if any")
-	flag.Parse()
-
-	// Connect to MerkleEyes
-	eyesCli, err := eyes.NewClient(*eyesPtr)
-	if err != nil {
-		cmn.Exit("connect to MerkleEyes: " + err.Error())
-	}
-
-	// Create Basecoin app
-	app := app.NewBasecoin(eyesCli)
-
-	// add plugins
-	// TODO: add some more, like the cool voting app
-	counter := counter.New("counter")
-	app.RegisterPlugin(counter)
-
-	// If genesis file was specified, set key-value options
-	if *genFilePath != "" {
-		err := app.LoadGenesis(*genFilePath)
-		if err != nil {
-			cmn.Exit(cmn.Fmt("%+v", err))
-		}
-	}
-
-	// Start the listener
-	svr, err := server.NewServer(*addrPtr, "socket", app)
-	if err != nil {
-		cmn.Exit("create listener: " + err.Error())
-	}
-
-	// Wait forever
-	cmn.TrapSignal(func() {
-		// Cleanup
-		svr.Stop()
-	})
-
-}