diff --git a/cli/app/backup.go b/cli/app/backup.go
index 6b9454d7..60514178 100644
--- a/cli/app/backup.go
+++ b/cli/app/backup.go
@@ -66,13 +66,10 @@ var appBackupCommand = &cli.Command{
 
 		sourceAndExec := fmt.Sprintf("%s; %s", sourceCmd, execCmd)
 		cmd := exec.Command("bash", "-c", sourceAndExec)
-		output, err := cmd.Output()
-		if err != nil {
+		if err := internal.RunCmd(cmd); err != nil {
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		fmt.Print(string(output))
-
 		return nil
 	},
 	BashComplete: func(c *cli.Context) {
diff --git a/cli/app/check.go b/cli/app/check.go
index ba4a3457..06b6e05c 100644
--- a/cli/app/check.go
+++ b/cli/app/check.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ var appCheckCommand = &cli.Command{
 			logrus.Fatalf("%s is missing %s", app.Path, missingEnvVars)
 		}
 
-		logrus.Info("All necessary environment variables defined")
+		logrus.Infof("all necessary environment variables defined for '%s'", app.Name)
 
 		return nil
 	},
diff --git a/cli/app/cp.go b/cli/app/cp.go
index 48bd808c..72a29562 100644
--- a/cli/app/cp.go
+++ b/cli/app/cp.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"strings"
 
+	"coopcloud.tech/abra/cli/formatter"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/cli/internal"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/client"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/config"
@@ -55,11 +56,13 @@ var appCpCommand = &cli.Command{
 			service = parsedSrc[0]
 			srcPath = parsedSrc[1]
 			dstPath = dst
+			logrus.Debugf("assuming transfer is coming FROM the container")
 		} else if len(parsedDst) == 2 {
 			service = parsedDst[0]
 			dstPath = parsedDst[1]
 			srcPath = src
 			isToContainer = true // <src> <container:dst>
+			logrus.Debugf("assuming transfer is going TO the container")
 		}
 
 		appFiles, err := config.LoadAppFiles("")
@@ -90,6 +93,8 @@ var appCpCommand = &cli.Command{
 		}
 		container := containers[0]
 
+		logrus.Debugf("retrieved '%s' as target container on '%s'", formatter.ShortenID(container.ID), app.Server)
+
 		if isToContainer {
 			if _, err := os.Stat(srcPath); err != nil {
 				logrus.Fatalf("'%s' does not exist?", srcPath)
diff --git a/cli/app/logs.go b/cli/app/logs.go
index e099cec8..ae71cc61 100644
--- a/cli/app/logs.go
+++ b/cli/app/logs.go
@@ -73,8 +73,10 @@ var appLogsCommand = &cli.Command{
 
 		serviceName := c.Args().Get(1)
 		if serviceName == "" {
+			logrus.Debug("tailing logs for all app services")
 			stackLogs(app.StackName(), cl)
 		}
+		logrus.Debugf("tailing logs for '%s'", serviceName)
 
 		service := fmt.Sprintf("%s_%s", app.StackName(), serviceName)
 		filters := filters.NewArgs()
diff --git a/cli/app/new.go b/cli/app/new.go
index 0f99a42c..556e3fbb 100644
--- a/cli/app/new.go
+++ b/cli/app/new.go
@@ -197,6 +197,7 @@ func action(c *cli.Context) error {
 	if len(sanitisedAppName) > 45 {
 		logrus.Fatalf("'%s' cannot be longer than 45 characters", sanitisedAppName)
 	}
+	logrus.Debugf("'%s' sanitised as '%s' for new app", newAppName, sanitisedAppName)
 
 	if err := config.CopyAppEnvSample(recipe.Name, newAppName, newAppServer); err != nil {
 		logrus.Fatal(err)
diff --git a/cli/app/ps.go b/cli/app/ps.go
index d840802d..39db3e8f 100644
--- a/cli/app/ps.go
+++ b/cli/app/ps.go
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ var appPsCommand = &cli.Command{
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		tableCol := []string{"ID", "Image", "Command", "Created", "Status", "Ports", "Names"}
+		tableCol := []string{"id", "image", "command", "created", "status", "ports", "names"}
 		table := abraFormatter.CreateTable(tableCol)
 
 		for _, container := range containers {
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ var appPsCommand = &cli.Command{
 				abraFormatter.HumanDuration(container.Created),
 				container.Status,
 				formatter.DisplayablePorts(container.Ports),
-				strings.Join(container.Names, ","),
+				strings.Join(container.Names, ", "),
 			}
 			table.Append(tableRow)
 		}
diff --git a/cli/app/remove.go b/cli/app/remove.go
index 30accbc7..900614ce 100644
--- a/cli/app/remove.go
+++ b/cli/app/remove.go
@@ -39,13 +39,13 @@ var appRemoveCommand = &cli.Command{
 		if !internal.Force {
 			response := false
 			prompt := &survey.Confirm{
-				Message: fmt.Sprintf("About to delete %s, are you sure", app.Name),
+				Message: fmt.Sprintf("about to delete %s, are you sure?", app.Name),
 			}
 			if err := survey.AskOne(prompt, &response); err != nil {
 				logrus.Fatal(err)
 			}
 			if !response {
-				logrus.Fatal("User aborted app removal")
+				logrus.Fatal("user aborted app removal")
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ var appRemoveCommand = &cli.Command{
 			var secretNamesToRemove []string
 			if !internal.Force {
 				secretsPrompt := &survey.MultiSelect{
-					Message: "Which secrets do you want to remove?",
+					Message: "which secrets do you want to remove?",
 					Options: secretNames,
 					Default: secretNames,
 				}
@@ -103,10 +103,10 @@ var appRemoveCommand = &cli.Command{
 				if err != nil {
 					logrus.Fatal(err)
 				}
-				logrus.Info(fmt.Sprintf("Secret: %s removed", name))
+				logrus.Info(fmt.Sprintf("secret: %s removed", name))
 			}
 		} else {
-			logrus.Info("No secrets to remove")
+			logrus.Info("no secrets to remove")
 		}
 
 		volumeListOKBody, err := cl.VolumeList(ctx, fs)
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ var appRemoveCommand = &cli.Command{
 				var removeVols []string
 				if !internal.Force {
 					volumesPrompt := &survey.MultiSelect{
-						Message: "Which volumes do you want to remove?",
+						Message: "which volumes do you want to remove?",
 						Options: vols,
 						Default: vols,
 					}
@@ -138,20 +138,20 @@ var appRemoveCommand = &cli.Command{
 					if err != nil {
 						logrus.Fatal(err)
 					}
-					logrus.Info(fmt.Sprintf("Volume %s removed", vol))
+					logrus.Info(fmt.Sprintf("volume %s removed", vol))
 				}
 			} else {
-				logrus.Info("No volumes were removed")
+				logrus.Info("no volumes were removed")
 			}
 		} else {
-			logrus.Info("No volumes to remove")
+			logrus.Info("no volumes to remove")
 		}
 
 		err = os.Remove(app.Path)
 		if err != nil {
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
-		logrus.Info(fmt.Sprintf("File: %s removed", app.Path))
+		logrus.Info(fmt.Sprintf("file: %s removed", app.Path))
 
 		return nil
 	},
diff --git a/cli/app/restore.go b/cli/app/restore.go
index af15658c..d4fd7661 100644
--- a/cli/app/restore.go
+++ b/cli/app/restore.go
@@ -70,13 +70,10 @@ var appRestoreCommand = &cli.Command{
 
 		sourceAndExec := fmt.Sprintf("%s; %s", sourceCmd, execCmd)
 		cmd := exec.Command("bash", "-c", sourceAndExec)
-		output, err := cmd.Output()
-		if err != nil {
+		if err := internal.RunCmd(cmd); err != nil {
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		fmt.Print(string(output))
-
 		return nil
 	},
 }
diff --git a/cli/app/rollback.go b/cli/app/rollback.go
index ec7edab7..abdc7712 100644
--- a/cli/app/rollback.go
+++ b/cli/app/rollback.go
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ var appRollbackCommand = &cli.Command{
 		// display table of existing state and expected state and prompt
 		// run the deployment with this target version!
 
+		logrus.Fatal("command not implemented yet, coming soon TM")
+
 		return nil
 	},
 }
diff --git a/cli/app/secret.go b/cli/app/secret.go
index 8200b674..0d131af9 100644
--- a/cli/app/secret.go
+++ b/cli/app/secret.go
@@ -83,13 +83,13 @@ var appSecretGenerateCommand = &cli.Command{
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
 
-		tableCol := []string{"Name", "Value"}
+		tableCol := []string{"name", "value"}
 		table := abraFormatter.CreateTable(tableCol)
 		for name, val := range secretVals {
 			table.Append([]string{name, val})
 		}
 		table.Render()
-		logrus.Warn("these secrets are not shown again, please take note of them *now*")
+		logrus.Warn("generated secrets are not shown again, please take note of them *now*")
 
 		return nil
 	},
diff --git a/cli/app/version.go b/cli/app/version.go
index e5bd916e..4b1d8214 100644
--- a/cli/app/version.go
+++ b/cli/app/version.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ func getImagePath(image string) (string, error) {
 	if strings.Contains(path, "library") {
 		path = strings.Split(path, "/")[1]
 	}
+	logrus.Debugf("parsed '%s' from '%s'", path, image)
 	return path, nil
 }
 
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ var appVersionCommand = &cli.Command{
 			}(app.Server, label)
 		}
 
-		tableCol := []string{"Name", "Image", "Version", "Digest"}
+		tableCol := []string{"name", "image", "version", "digest"}
 		table := abraFormatter.CreateTable(tableCol)
 
 		statuses := make(map[string]stack.StackStatus)
diff --git a/cli/app/volume.go b/cli/app/volume.go
index cb562ef2..fe281df8 100644
--- a/cli/app/volume.go
+++ b/cli/app/volume.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import (
 
 var appVolumeListCommand = &cli.Command{
 	Name:    "list",
-	Usage:   "list volumes associated with an app",
+	Usage:   "List volumes associated with an app",
 	Aliases: []string{"ls"},
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ var appVolumeListCommand = &cli.Command{
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		table := abraFormatter.CreateTable([]string{"DRIVER", "VOLUME NAME"})
+		table := abraFormatter.CreateTable([]string{"driver", "volume name"})
 		var volTable [][]string
 		for _, volume := range volumeList {
 			volRow := []string{
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ var appVolumeListCommand = &cli.Command{
 
 var appVolumeRemoveCommand = &cli.Command{
 	Name:    "remove",
-	Usage:   "remove volume(s) associated with an app",
+	Usage:   "Remove volume(s) associated with an app",
 	Aliases: []string{"rm"},
 	Flags: []cli.Flag{
 		internal.ForceFlag,
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ var appVolumeRemoveCommand = &cli.Command{
 		var volumesToRemove []string
 		if !internal.Force {
 			volumesPrompt := &survey.MultiSelect{
-				Message: "Which volumes do you want to remove?",
+				Message: "which volumes do you want to remove?",
 				Options: volumeNames,
 				Default: volumeNames,
 			}
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ var appVolumeRemoveCommand = &cli.Command{
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		logrus.Info("Volumes removed successfully.")
+		logrus.Info("volumes removed successfully")
 
 		return nil
 	},
diff --git a/cli/cli.go b/cli/cli.go
index a2750d2d..53edc88b 100644
--- a/cli/cli.go
+++ b/cli/cli.go
@@ -68,8 +68,18 @@ func RunApp(version, commit string) {
 			},
 		},
 	}
+
 	app.EnableBashCompletion = true
 
+	app.Before = func(c *cli.Context) error {
+		if Debug {
+			logrus.SetLevel(logrus.DebugLevel)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	logrus.Debugf("Flying abra version '%s', commit '%s', enjoy the ride", version, commit)
+
 	if err := app.Run(os.Args); err != nil {
 		logrus.Fatal(err)
 	}
diff --git a/cli/formatter/formatter.go b/cli/formatter/formatter.go
index 3e233b2c..68ac0285 100644
--- a/cli/formatter/formatter.go
+++ b/cli/formatter/formatter.go
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ func HumanDuration(timestamp int64) string {
 	return units.HumanDuration(now.Sub(date)) + " ago"
 }
 
+// CreateTable prepares a table layout for output.
 func CreateTable(columns []string) *tablewriter.Table {
 	table := tablewriter.NewWriter(os.Stdout)
 	table.SetHeader(columns)
diff --git a/cli/internal/command.go b/cli/internal/command.go
index 70924c7e..e3d69fd6 100644
--- a/cli/internal/command.go
+++ b/cli/internal/command.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"os/exec"
 )
 
+// RunCmd runs a shell command and streams stdout/stderr in real-time.
 func RunCmd(cmd *exec.Cmd) error {
 	r, err := cmd.StdoutPipe()
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/cli/internal/validate.go b/cli/internal/validate.go
index 091fd57e..2a26fce5 100644
--- a/cli/internal/validate.go
+++ b/cli/internal/validate.go
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ func ValidateRecipe(c *cli.Context) recipe.Recipe {
 		logrus.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("validated '%s' as recipe argument", recipeName)
+
 	return recipe
 }
 
@@ -39,6 +41,8 @@ func ValidateApp(c *cli.Context) config.App {
 		logrus.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("validated '%s' as app argument", appName)
+
 	return app
 }
 
@@ -50,5 +54,7 @@ func ValidateDomain(c *cli.Context) string {
 		ShowSubcommandHelpAndError(c, errors.New("no domain provided"))
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("validated '%s' as domain argument", domainName)
+
 	return domainName
 }
diff --git a/cli/recipe/lint.go b/cli/recipe/lint.go
index 4fe0ec0a..01215410 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/lint.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/lint.go
@@ -77,16 +77,16 @@ var recipeLintCommand = &cli.Command{
 			}
 		}
 
-		tableCol := []string{"Rule", "Satisfied"}
+		tableCol := []string{"rule", "satisfied"}
 		table := formatter.CreateTable(tableCol)
-		table.Append([]string{"Compose files have the expected version", strconv.FormatBool(expectedVersion)})
-		table.Append([]string{"Environment configuration is provided", strconv.FormatBool(envSampleProvided)})
-		table.Append([]string{"Recipe contains a service named 'app'", strconv.FormatBool(serviceNamedApp)})
-		table.Append([]string{"Traefik routing enabled on at least one service", strconv.FormatBool(traefikEnabled)})
-		table.Append([]string{"All services have a healthcheck enabled", strconv.FormatBool(healthChecksForAllServices)})
-		table.Append([]string{"All images are using a tag", strconv.FormatBool(allImagesTagged)})
-		table.Append([]string{"No usage of unstable 'latest' tags", strconv.FormatBool(noUnstableTags)})
-		table.Append([]string{"All tags are using a semver-like format", strconv.FormatBool(semverLikeTags)})
+		table.Append([]string{"compose files have the expected version", strconv.FormatBool(expectedVersion)})
+		table.Append([]string{"environment configuration is provided", strconv.FormatBool(envSampleProvided)})
+		table.Append([]string{"recipe contains a service named 'app'", strconv.FormatBool(serviceNamedApp)})
+		table.Append([]string{"traefik routing enabled on at least one service", strconv.FormatBool(traefikEnabled)})
+		table.Append([]string{"all services have a healthcheck enabled", strconv.FormatBool(healthChecksForAllServices)})
+		table.Append([]string{"all images are using a tag", strconv.FormatBool(allImagesTagged)})
+		table.Append([]string{"no usage of unstable 'latest' tags", strconv.FormatBool(noUnstableTags)})
+		table.Append([]string{"all tags are using a semver-like format", strconv.FormatBool(semverLikeTags)})
 		table.Render()
 
 		return nil
diff --git a/cli/recipe/list.go b/cli/recipe/list.go
index 919c3db1..1b8ddab6 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/list.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/list.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ var recipeListCommand = &cli.Command{
 		recipes := catl.Flatten()
 		sort.Sort(catalogue.ByRecipeName(recipes))
 
-		tableCol := []string{"Name", "Category", "Status"}
+		tableCol := []string{"name", "category", "status"}
 		table := formatter.CreateTable(tableCol)
 
 		for _, recipe := range recipes {
diff --git a/cli/recipe/new.go b/cli/recipe/new.go
index ea02e6e2..f487e574 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/new.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/new.go
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import (
 
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/cli/internal"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/config"
-	"github.com/go-git/go-git/v5"
+	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/git"
 	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/urfave/cli/v2"
 )
@@ -28,10 +28,8 @@ var recipeNewCommand = &cli.Command{
 		}
 
 		url := fmt.Sprintf("%s/example.git", config.REPOS_BASE_URL)
-		_, err := git.PlainClone(directory, false, &git.CloneOptions{URL: url, Tags: git.AllTags})
-		if err != nil {
-			logrus.Fatal(err)
-			return nil
+		if err := git.Clone(directory, url); err != nil {
+			return err
 		}
 
 		gitRepo := path.Join(config.APPS_DIR, recipe.Name, ".git")
@@ -39,6 +37,7 @@ var recipeNewCommand = &cli.Command{
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 			return nil
 		}
+		logrus.Debugf("removed git repo in '%s'", gitRepo)
 
 		toParse := []string{
 			path.Join(config.APPS_DIR, recipe.Name, "README.md"),
@@ -71,7 +70,7 @@ var recipeNewCommand = &cli.Command{
 		}
 
 		logrus.Infof(
-			"New recipe '%s' created in %s, happy hacking!\n",
+			"new recipe '%s' created in %s, happy hacking!\n",
 			recipe.Name, path.Join(config.APPS_DIR, recipe.Name),
 		)
 
diff --git a/cli/recipe/sync.go b/cli/recipe/sync.go
index 99d259f7..1e23e3ef 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/sync.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/sync.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ the versioning metadata of up-and-running containers are.
 		}
 
 		if !hasAppService {
-			logrus.Fatal(fmt.Sprintf("No 'app' service defined in '%s', cannot proceed", recipe.Name))
+			logrus.Fatal(fmt.Sprintf("no 'app' service defined in '%s'", recipe.Name))
 		}
 
 		for _, service := range recipe.Config.Services {
@@ -44,17 +44,20 @@ the versioning metadata of up-and-running containers are.
 			if err != nil {
 				logrus.Fatal(err)
 			}
+			logrus.Debugf("detected image '%s' for service '%s'", img, service.Name)
 
 			digest, err := client.GetTagDigest(img)
 			if err != nil {
 				logrus.Fatal(err)
 			}
+			logrus.Debugf("retrieved digest '%s' for '%s'", digest, img)
 
 			tag := img.(reference.NamedTagged).Tag()
 			label := fmt.Sprintf("coop-cloud.${STACK_NAME}.%s.version=%s-%s", service.Name, tag, digest)
 			if err := recipe.UpdateLabel(service.Name, label); err != nil {
 				logrus.Fatal(err)
 			}
+			logrus.Debugf("added label '%s' to service '%s'", label, service.Name)
 		}
 
 		return nil
diff --git a/cli/recipe/upgrade.go b/cli/recipe/upgrade.go
index 2200684f..aad91f0e 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/upgrade.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/upgrade.go
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ This is step 1 of upgrading a recipe. Step 2 is running "abra recipe sync
 			if err != nil {
 				logrus.Fatal(err)
 			}
+			logrus.Debugf("read '%s' from the recipe catalogue for '%s'", catlVersions, service.Name)
 
 			img, err := reference.ParseNormalizedNamed(service.Image)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ This is step 1 of upgrading a recipe. Step 2 is running "abra recipe sync
 			if err != nil {
 				logrus.Fatal(err)
 			}
+			logrus.Debugf("retrieved '%s' from remote registry for '%s'", regVersions, image)
 
 			if strings.Contains(image, "library") {
 				// ParseNormalizedNamed prepends 'library' to images like nginx:<tag>,
@@ -61,6 +63,7 @@ This is step 1 of upgrading a recipe. Step 2 is running "abra recipe sync
 
 			semverLikeTag := true
 			if !tagcmp.IsParsable(img.(reference.NamedTagged).Tag()) {
+				logrus.Debugf("'%s' not considered semver-like", img.(reference.NamedTagged).Tag())
 				semverLikeTag = false
 			}
 
@@ -68,6 +71,7 @@ This is step 1 of upgrading a recipe. Step 2 is running "abra recipe sync
 			if err != nil && semverLikeTag {
 				logrus.Fatal(err)
 			}
+			logrus.Debugf("parsed '%s' for '%s'", tag, service.Name)
 
 			var compatible []tagcmp.Tag
 			for _, regVersion := range regVersions {
@@ -81,10 +85,12 @@ This is step 1 of upgrading a recipe. Step 2 is running "abra recipe sync
 				}
 			}
 
+			logrus.Debugf("detected potential upgradable tags '%s' for '%s'", compatible, service.Name)
+
 			sort.Sort(tagcmp.ByTagDesc(compatible))
 
 			if len(compatible) == 0 && semverLikeTag {
-				logrus.Info(fmt.Sprintf("No new versions available for '%s', '%s' is the latest", image, tag))
+				logrus.Info(fmt.Sprintf("no new versions available for '%s', '%s' is the latest", image, tag))
 				continue // skip on to the next tag and don't update any compose files
 			}
 
@@ -101,11 +107,13 @@ This is step 1 of upgrading a recipe. Step 2 is running "abra recipe sync
 				}
 			}
 
-			msg := fmt.Sprintf("Which tag would you like to upgrade to? (service: %s, tag: %s)", service.Name, tag)
+			logrus.Debugf("detected compatible upgradable tags '%s' for '%s'", compatibleStrings, service.Name)
+
+			msg := fmt.Sprintf("upgrade to which tag? (service: %s, tag: %s)", service.Name, tag)
 			if !tagcmp.IsParsable(img.(reference.NamedTagged).Tag()) {
 				tag := img.(reference.NamedTagged).Tag()
-				logrus.Warning(fmt.Sprintf("Unable to determine versioning semantics of '%s', listing all tags...", tag))
-				msg = fmt.Sprintf("Which tag would you like to upgrade to? (service: %s, tag: %s)", service.Name, tag)
+				logrus.Warning(fmt.Sprintf("unable to determine versioning semantics of '%s', listing all tags", tag))
+				msg = fmt.Sprintf("upgrade to which tag? (service: %s, tag: %s)", service.Name, tag)
 				compatibleStrings = []string{}
 				for _, regVersion := range regVersions {
 					compatibleStrings = append(compatibleStrings, regVersion.Name)
@@ -124,6 +132,7 @@ This is step 1 of upgrading a recipe. Step 2 is running "abra recipe sync
 			if err := recipe.UpdateTag(image, upgradeTag); err != nil {
 				logrus.Fatal(err)
 			}
+			logrus.Debugf("tag updated from '%s' to '%s' for '%s'", image, upgradeTag, recipe.Name)
 		}
 
 		return nil
diff --git a/cli/server/add.go b/cli/server/add.go
index 77bca81f..c2652e4f 100644
--- a/cli/server/add.go
+++ b/cli/server/add.go
@@ -62,10 +62,12 @@ All communication between Abra and the server will use this SSH connection.
 
 		for _, context := range contexts {
 			if context.Name == domainName {
-				logrus.Fatalf("Server at '%s' already exists?", domainName)
+				logrus.Fatalf("server at '%s' already exists?", domainName)
 			}
 		}
 
+		logrus.Debugf("creating context with domain '%s', username '%s' and port '%s'", domainName, username, port)
+
 		if err := client.CreateContext(domainName, username, port); err != nil {
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -77,11 +79,12 @@ All communication between Abra and the server will use this SSH connection.
 		}
 
 		if _, err := cl.Info(ctx); err != nil {
-			logrus.Fatalf("Unable to make a connection to '%s'?", domainName)
+			logrus.Fatalf("unable to make a connection to '%s'?", domainName)
 			logrus.Debug(err)
 		}
 
-		logrus.Infof("Server at '%s' has been added", domainName)
+		logrus.Debugf("remote connection to '%s' is definitely up", domainName)
+		logrus.Infof("server at '%s' has been added", domainName)
 
 		return nil
 	},
diff --git a/cli/server/init.go b/cli/server/init.go
index 413bd535..99c43dae 100644
--- a/cli/server/init.go
+++ b/cli/server/init.go
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ var serverInitCommand = &cli.Command{
 	HideHelp:  true,
 	ArgsUsage: "<domain>",
 	Description: `
-Initialise swarm mode on the target <server>.
+Initialise swarm mode on the target <domain>.
 
 This initialisation explicitly chooses the "single host swarm" mode which uses
 the default IPv4 address as the advertising address. This can be re-configured
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ later for more advanced use cases.
 				return d.DialContext(ctx, "udp", "95.216.24.230:53")
 			},
 		}
+		logrus.Debugf("created DNS resolver via 95.216.24.230")
 
 		ctx := context.Background()
 		ips, err := resolver.LookupIPAddr(ctx, domainName)
@@ -64,11 +65,13 @@ later for more advanced use cases.
 		if _, err := cl.SwarmInit(ctx, initReq); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		logrus.Debugf("initialised swarm on '%s'", domainName)
 
 		netOpts := types.NetworkCreate{Driver: "overlay", Scope: "swarm"}
 		if _, err := cl.NetworkCreate(ctx, "proxy", netOpts); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		logrus.Debug("swarm overlay network 'proxy' created")
 
 		return nil
 	},
diff --git a/cli/server/list.go b/cli/server/list.go
index f25526bc..c810dbcc 100644
--- a/cli/server/list.go
+++ b/cli/server/list.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ var serverListCommand = &cli.Command{
 		if err != nil {
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
+
 		tableColumns := []string{"Name", "Connection"}
 		table := formatter.CreateTable(tableColumns)
 		defer table.Render()
@@ -30,8 +31,8 @@ var serverListCommand = &cli.Command{
 		if err != nil {
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
-		for _, serverName := range serverNames {
 
+		for _, serverName := range serverNames {
 			var row []string
 			for _, ctx := range contexts {
 				endpoint, err := client.GetContextEndpoint(ctx)
@@ -47,9 +48,8 @@ var serverListCommand = &cli.Command{
 				row = []string{serverName, "UNKNOWN"}
 			}
 			table.Append(row)
-
 		}
-		return nil
 
+		return nil
 	},
 }
diff --git a/cli/server/new.go b/cli/server/new.go
index 152501c7..384ca645 100644
--- a/cli/server/new.go
+++ b/cli/server/new.go
@@ -79,12 +79,14 @@ environment variable or otherwise passing the "--env/-e" flag.
 		}
 
 		if hetznerCloudAPIToken == "" {
-			logrus.Fatal("Hetzner Cloud API token is missing, cannot continue")
+			logrus.Fatal("Hetzner Cloud API token is missing")
 		}
 
 		ctx := context.Background()
 		client := hcloud.NewClient(hcloud.WithToken(hetznerCloudAPIToken))
 
+		logrus.Debugf("successfully created hetzner cloud API client")
+
 		var sshKeys []*hcloud.SSHKey
 		for _, sshKey := range c.StringSlice("ssh-keys") {
 			sshKey, _, err := client.SSHKey.GetByName(ctx, sshKey)
@@ -106,13 +108,17 @@ environment variable or otherwise passing the "--env/-e" flag.
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
+		logrus.Debugf("new server '%s' created", name)
+
 		tableColumns := []string{"Name", "IPv4", "Root Password"}
 		table := formatter.CreateTable(tableColumns)
+
 		if len(sshKeys) > 0 {
 			table.Append([]string{name, res.Server.PublicNet.IPv4.IP.String(), "N/A (using SSH keys)"})
 		} else {
 			table.Append([]string{name, res.Server.PublicNet.IPv4.IP.String(), res.RootPassword})
 		}
+
 		table.Render()
 
 		return nil
@@ -182,13 +188,14 @@ environment variable or otherwise passing the "--env/-e" flag.
 		}
 
 		if capsulAPIToken == "" {
-			logrus.Fatal("Capsul API token is missing, cannot continue")
+			logrus.Fatal("Capsul API token is missing")
 		}
 
-		// yep, the response time is quite slow, something to fix Capsul side
+		// yep, the response time is quite slow, something to fix on the Capsul side
 		client := &http.Client{Timeout: 20 * time.Second}
 
 		capsulCreateURL := fmt.Sprintf("https://%s/api/capsul/create", capsulInstance)
+		logrus.Debugf("using '%s' as capsul create url", capsulCreateURL)
 		values := map[string]string{
 			"name":      name,
 			"size":      capsulType,
@@ -230,6 +237,7 @@ environment variable or otherwise passing the "--env/-e" flag.
 		if err := json.NewDecoder(res.Body).Decode(&resp); err != nil {
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
+		logrus.Debugf("capsul created with ID: '%s'", resp.ID)
 
 		tableColumns := []string{"Name", "ID"}
 		table := formatter.CreateTable(tableColumns)
diff --git a/cli/server/remove.go b/cli/server/remove.go
index 4d18cd66..3e0149d8 100644
--- a/cli/server/remove.go
+++ b/cli/server/remove.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ internal bookkeeping so that it is not managed any more.
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		logrus.Infof("Server at '%s' has been forgotten", domainName)
+		logrus.Infof("server at '%s' has been forgotten", domainName)
 
 		return nil
 	},
diff --git a/cli/upgrade.go b/cli/upgrade.go
index c43b0e45..a7f89743 100644
--- a/cli/upgrade.go
+++ b/cli/upgrade.go
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ var UpgradeCommand = &cli.Command{
 	Usage: "Upgrade abra",
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		cmd := exec.Command("bash", "-c", "curl -s https://install.abra.coopcloud.tech | bash")
+		logrus.Debugf("attempting to run '%s'", cmd)
 		if err := internal.RunCmd(cmd); err != nil {
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
diff --git a/pkg/app/app.go b/pkg/app/app.go
index c995d16a..e9036bae 100644
--- a/pkg/app/app.go
+++ b/pkg/app/app.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/client/stack"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/config"
 	apiclient "github.com/docker/docker/client"
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
 // Get retrieves an app
@@ -22,6 +23,8 @@ func Get(appName string) (config.App, error) {
 		return config.App{}, err
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("retrieved '%s' for '%s'", app, appName)
+
 	return app, nil
 }
 
@@ -51,6 +54,14 @@ func DeployedVersions(ctx context.Context, cl *apiclient.Client, app config.App)
 		}
 	}
 
+	deployed := len(services) > 0
+
+	if deployed {
+		logrus.Debugf("detected '%s' as deployed versions of '%s'", appSpec, app.Name)
+	} else {
+		logrus.Debugf("detected '%s' as not deployed", app.Name)
+	}
+
 	return appSpec, len(services) > 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -58,11 +69,17 @@ func DeployedVersions(ctx context.Context, cl *apiclient.Client, app config.App)
 func ParseVersionLabel(label string) (string, string) {
 	// versions may look like v4.2-abcd or v4.2-alpine-abcd
 	idx := strings.LastIndex(label, "-")
-	return label[:idx], label[idx+1:]
+	version := label[:idx]
+	digest := label[idx+1:]
+	logrus.Debugf("parsed '%s' as version from '%s'", version, label)
+	logrus.Debugf("parsed '%s' as digest from '%s'", digest, label)
+	return version, digest
 }
 
 // ParseVersionName parses a $STACK_NAME_$SERVICE_NAME service label.
 func ParseServiceName(label string) string {
 	idx := strings.LastIndex(label, "_")
-	return label[idx+1:]
+	serviceName := label[idx+1:]
+	logrus.Debugf("parsed '%s' as service name from '%s'", serviceName, label)
+	return serviceName
 }
diff --git a/pkg/catalogue/catalogue.go b/pkg/catalogue/catalogue.go
index 585dd5f5..97ab4db4 100644
--- a/pkg/catalogue/catalogue.go
+++ b/pkg/catalogue/catalogue.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/config"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/web"
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
 // RecipeCatalogueURL is the only current recipe catalogue available.
@@ -76,6 +77,8 @@ func (r RecipeMeta) LatestVersion() string {
 		version = tag
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("choosing '%s' as latest version of '%s'", version, r.Name)
+
 	return version
 }
 
@@ -88,9 +91,11 @@ type RecipeCatalogue map[Name]RecipeMeta
 // Flatten converts AppCatalogue to slice
 func (r RecipeCatalogue) Flatten() []RecipeMeta {
 	recipes := make([]RecipeMeta, 0, len(r))
+
 	for name := range r {
 		recipes = append(recipes, r[name])
 	}
+
 	return recipes
 }
 
@@ -117,9 +122,11 @@ func recipeCatalogueFSIsLatest() (bool, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
+
 	info, err := os.Stat(config.APPS_JSON)
 	if err != nil {
 		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			logrus.Debugf("no recipe catalogue found in file system cache")
 			return false, nil
 		}
 		return false, err
@@ -129,9 +136,12 @@ func recipeCatalogueFSIsLatest() (bool, error) {
 	remoteModifiedTime := parsed.Unix()
 
 	if localModifiedTime < remoteModifiedTime {
+		logrus.Debug("file system cached recipe catalogue is out-of-date")
 		return false, nil
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debug("file system cached recipe catalogue is up-to-date")
+
 	return true, nil
 }
 
@@ -145,12 +155,14 @@ func ReadRecipeCatalogue() (RecipeCatalogue, error) {
 	}
 
 	if !recipeFSIsLatest {
+		logrus.Debugf("reading recipe catalogue from web to get latest")
 		if err := readRecipeCatalogueWeb(&recipes); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		return recipes, nil
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("reading recipe catalogue from file system cache to get latest")
 	if err := readRecipeCatalogueFS(&recipes); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -164,9 +176,13 @@ func readRecipeCatalogueFS(target interface{}) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(recipesJSONFS, &target); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+
+	logrus.Debugf("read recipe catalogue from file system cache in '%s'", config.APPS_JSON)
+
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -185,6 +201,8 @@ func readRecipeCatalogueWeb(target interface{}) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("read recipe catalogue from web at '%s'", RecipeCatalogueURL)
+
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -211,6 +229,8 @@ func VersionsOfService(recipe, serviceName string) ([]string, error) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("detected versions '%s' for '%s'", strings.Join(versions, ", "), recipe)
+
 	return versions, nil
 }
 
@@ -226,9 +246,12 @@ func GetRecipeMeta(recipeName string) (RecipeMeta, error) {
 		err := fmt.Errorf("recipe '%s' does not exist?", recipeName)
 		return RecipeMeta{}, err
 	}
+
 	if err := recipe.EnsureExists(recipeName); err != nil {
 		return RecipeMeta{}, err
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("recipe metadata retrieved for '%s'", recipeName)
+
 	return recipeMeta, nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/client/client.go b/pkg/client/client.go
index b25aeb44..6708a731 100644
--- a/pkg/client/client.go
+++ b/pkg/client/client.go
@@ -48,5 +48,7 @@ func New(contextName string) (*client.Client, error) {
 		logrus.Fatalf("unable to create Docker client: %s", err)
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("created client for '%s'", contextName)
+
 	return cl, nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/client/context.go b/pkg/client/context.go
index cebd3732..5422f876 100644
--- a/pkg/client/context.go
+++ b/pkg/client/context.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/context/docker"
 	contextStore "github.com/docker/cli/cli/context/store"
 	"github.com/moby/term"
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
 type Context = contextStore.Metadata
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ func CreateContext(contextName string, user string, port string) error {
 	if err := createContext(contextName, host); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	logrus.Debugf("created the '%s' context", contextName)
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -36,13 +38,16 @@ func createContext(name string, host string) error {
 		Endpoints: make(map[string]interface{}),
 		Name:      name,
 	}
+
 	contextTLSData := contextStore.ContextTLSData{
 		Endpoints: make(map[string]contextStore.EndpointTLSData),
 	}
+
 	dockerEP, dockerTLS, err := getDockerEndpointMetadataAndTLS(host)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+
 	contextMetadata.Endpoints[docker.DockerEndpoint] = dockerEP
 	if dockerTLS != nil {
 		contextTLSData.Endpoints[docker.DockerEndpoint] = *dockerTLS
@@ -51,9 +56,11 @@ func createContext(name string, host string) error {
 	if err := s.CreateOrUpdate(contextMetadata); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+
 	if err := s.ResetTLSMaterial(name, &contextTLSData); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -61,6 +68,7 @@ func DeleteContext(name string) error {
 	if name == "default" {
 		return errors.New("context 'default' cannot be removed")
 	}
+
 	if _, err := GetContext(name); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -81,6 +89,7 @@ func GetContext(contextName string) (contextStore.Metadata, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return contextStore.Metadata{}, err
 	}
+
 	return ctx, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/compose/compose.go b/pkg/compose/compose.go
index 9c71c6be..0ad60a09 100644
--- a/pkg/compose/compose.go
+++ b/pkg/compose/compose.go
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ func UpdateTag(pattern, image, tag string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("considering '%s' config(s) for tag update", strings.Join(composeFiles, ", "))
+
 	for _, composeFile := range composeFiles {
 		opts := stack.Deploy{Composefiles: []string{composeFile}}
 		emptyEnv := make(map[string]string)
@@ -35,7 +37,7 @@ func UpdateTag(pattern, image, tag string) error {
 
 			img, _ := reference.ParseNormalizedNamed(service.Image)
 			if err != nil {
-				logrus.Fatal(err)
+				return err
 			}
 
 			composeImage := reference.Path(img)
@@ -47,16 +49,20 @@ func UpdateTag(pattern, image, tag string) error {
 			}
 			composeTag := img.(reference.NamedTagged).Tag()
 
+			logrus.Debugf("parsed '%s' from '%s'", composeTag, service.Image)
+
 			if image == composeImage {
 				bytes, err := ioutil.ReadFile(composeFile)
 				if err != nil {
-					logrus.Fatal(err)
+					return err
 				}
 
 				old := fmt.Sprintf("%s:%s", composeImage, composeTag)
 				new := fmt.Sprintf("%s:%s", composeImage, tag)
 				replacedBytes := strings.Replace(string(bytes), old, new, -1)
 
+				logrus.Debugf("updating '%s' to '%s' in '%s'", old, new, compose.Filename)
+
 				if err := ioutil.WriteFile(compose.Filename, []byte(replacedBytes), 0644); err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
@@ -74,6 +80,8 @@ func UpdateLabel(pattern, serviceName, label string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("considering '%s' config(s) for label update", strings.Join(composeFiles, ", "))
+
 	for _, composeFile := range composeFiles {
 		opts := stack.Deploy{Composefiles: []string{composeFile}}
 		emptyEnv := make(map[string]string)
@@ -104,6 +112,9 @@ func UpdateLabel(pattern, serviceName, label string) error {
 
 				old := fmt.Sprintf("coop-cloud.${STACK_NAME}.%s.version=%s", service.Name, value)
 				replacedBytes := strings.Replace(string(bytes), old, label, -1)
+
+				logrus.Debugf("updating '%s' to '%s' in '%s'", old, label, compose.Filename)
+
 				if err := ioutil.WriteFile(compose.Filename, []byte(replacedBytes), 0644); err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
diff --git a/pkg/config/app.go b/pkg/config/app.go
index 3d6b65ed..9bdd1321 100644
--- a/pkg/config/app.go
+++ b/pkg/config/app.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	loader "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/client/stack"
 	stack "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/client/stack"
 	composetypes "github.com/docker/cli/cli/compose/types"
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
 // Type aliases to make code hints easier to understand
@@ -93,10 +94,14 @@ func readAppEnvFile(appFile AppFile, name AppName) (App, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return App{}, fmt.Errorf("env file for '%s' couldn't be read: %s", name, err.Error())
 	}
+
+	logrus.Debugf("read env '%s' from '%s'", env, appFile.Path)
+
 	app, err := newApp(env, name, appFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return App{}, fmt.Errorf("env file for '%s' has issues: %s", name, err.Error())
 	}
+
 	return app, nil
 }
 
@@ -108,6 +113,7 @@ func newApp(env AppEnv, name string, appFile AppFile) (App, error) {
 	if !ok {
 		return App{}, errors.New("missing TYPE variable")
 	}
+
 	return App{
 		Name:   name,
 		Domain: domain,
@@ -131,6 +137,9 @@ func LoadAppFiles(servers ...string) (AppFiles, error) {
 			}
 		}
 	}
+
+	logrus.Debugf("collecting metadata from '%v' servers: '%s'", len(servers), servers)
+
 	for _, server := range servers {
 		serverDir := path.Join(ABRA_SERVER_FOLDER, server)
 		files, err := getAllFilesInDirectory(serverDir)
@@ -157,16 +166,19 @@ func GetApp(apps AppFiles, name AppName) (App, error) {
 	if !exists {
 		return App{}, fmt.Errorf("cannot find app with name '%s'", name)
 	}
+
 	app, err := readAppEnvFile(appFile, name)
 	if err != nil {
 		return App{}, err
 	}
+
 	return app, nil
 }
 
 // GetApps returns a slice of Apps with their env files read from a given slice of AppFiles
 func GetApps(appFiles AppFiles) ([]App, error) {
 	var apps []App
+
 	for name := range appFiles {
 		app, err := GetApp(appFiles, name)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -174,14 +186,17 @@ func GetApps(appFiles AppFiles) ([]App, error) {
 		}
 		apps = append(apps, app)
 	}
+
 	return apps, nil
 }
 
+// GetAppNames retrieves a list of app names.
 func GetAppNames() ([]string, error) {
 	appFiles, err := LoadAppFiles("")
 	if err != nil {
 		return []string{}, err
 	}
+
 	apps, err := GetApps(appFiles)
 	if err != nil {
 		return []string{}, err
@@ -213,6 +228,8 @@ func CopyAppEnvSample(appType, appName, server string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("copied '%s' to '%s'", envSamplePath, appEnvPath)
+
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -240,6 +257,8 @@ func GetAppStatuses(appFiles AppFiles) (map[string]string, error) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("retrieved app statuses: '%s'", statuses)
+
 	return statuses, nil
 }
 
@@ -261,6 +280,9 @@ func GetAppComposeFiles(recipe string, appEnv AppEnv) ([]string, error) {
 		path := fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s/%s", APPS_DIR, recipe, file)
 		composeFiles = append(composeFiles, path)
 	}
+
+	logrus.Debugf("retrieved '%s' configs for '%s'", strings.Join(composeFiles, ", "), recipe)
+
 	return composeFiles, nil
 }
 
@@ -272,5 +294,8 @@ func GetAppComposeConfig(recipe string, opts stack.Deploy, appEnv AppEnv) (*comp
 	if err != nil {
 		return &composetypes.Config{}, err
 	}
+
+	logrus.Debugf("retrieved '%s' for '%s'", compose, recipe)
+
 	return compose, nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/config/env.go b/pkg/config/env.go
index 4e400929..8550c769 100644
--- a/pkg/config/env.go
+++ b/pkg/config/env.go
@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@ var APPS_JSON = path.Join(ABRA_DIR, "apps.json")
 var APPS_DIR = path.Join(ABRA_DIR, "apps")
 var REPOS_BASE_URL = "https://git.coopcloud.tech/coop-cloud"
 
+// GetServers retrieves all servers.
 func (a AppFiles) GetServers() []string {
 	var unique []string
+
 	servers := make(map[string]struct{})
 	for _, appFile := range a {
 		if _, ok := servers[appFile.Server]; !ok {
@@ -29,33 +31,48 @@ func (a AppFiles) GetServers() []string {
 			unique = append(unique, appFile.Server)
 		}
 	}
+
+	logrus.Debugf("retrieved servers: '%s'", unique)
+
 	return unique
 }
 
+// ReadEnv loads an app envivornment into a map.
 func ReadEnv(filePath string) (AppEnv, error) {
 	var envFile AppEnv
+
 	envFile, err := godotenv.Read(filePath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+
+	logrus.Debugf("read '%s' from '%s'", envFile, filePath)
+
 	return envFile, nil
 }
 
+// ReadServerNames retrieves all server names.
 func ReadServerNames() ([]string, error) {
 	serverNames, err := getAllFoldersInDirectory(ABRA_SERVER_FOLDER)
+
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+
+	logrus.Debugf("read '%s' from '%s'", strings.Join(serverNames, ","), ABRA_SERVER_FOLDER)
+
 	return serverNames, nil
 }
 
 // getAllFilesInDirectory returns filenames of all files in directory
 func getAllFilesInDirectory(directory string) ([]fs.FileInfo, error) {
 	var realFiles []fs.FileInfo
+
 	files, err := ioutil.ReadDir(directory)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+
 	for _, file := range files {
 		// Follow any symlinks
 		filePath := path.Join(directory, file.Name())
@@ -71,14 +88,15 @@ func getAllFilesInDirectory(directory string) ([]fs.FileInfo, error) {
 				realFiles = append(realFiles, file)
 			}
 		}
-
 	}
+
 	return realFiles, nil
 }
 
 // getAllFoldersInDirectory returns both folder and symlink paths
 func getAllFoldersInDirectory(directory string) ([]string, error) {
 	var folders []string
+
 	files, err := ioutil.ReadDir(directory)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -86,6 +104,7 @@ func getAllFoldersInDirectory(directory string) ([]string, error) {
 	if len(files) == 0 {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("directory is empty: '%s'", directory)
 	}
+
 	for _, file := range files {
 		// Check if file is directory or symlink
 		if file.IsDir() || file.Mode()&fs.ModeSymlink != 0 {
@@ -99,12 +118,14 @@ func getAllFoldersInDirectory(directory string) ([]string, error) {
 			}
 		}
 	}
+
 	return folders, nil
 }
 
 // EnsureAbraDirExists checks for the abra config folder and throws error if not
 func EnsureAbraDirExists() error {
 	if _, err := os.Stat(ABRA_DIR); os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		logrus.Debugf("'%s' does not exist, creating it", ABRA_DIR)
 		if err := os.Mkdir(ABRA_DIR, 0777); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -112,6 +133,7 @@ func EnsureAbraDirExists() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// ReadAbraShEnvVars reads env vars from an abra.sh recipe file.
 func ReadAbraShEnvVars(abraSh string) (map[string]string, error) {
 	envVars := make(map[string]string)
 
@@ -137,5 +159,7 @@ func ReadAbraShEnvVars(abraSh string) (map[string]string, error) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("read '%s' from '%s'", envVars, abraSh)
+
 	return envVars, nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/git/clone.go b/pkg/git/clone.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6e1121d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/git/clone.go
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+package git
+
+import (
+	"os"
+
+	"github.com/go-git/go-git/v5"
+	"github.com/go-git/go-git/v5/plumbing"
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+// Clone runs a git clone which accounts for different default branches.
+func Clone(dir, url string) error {
+	if _, err := os.Stat(dir); os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		logrus.Debugf("'%s' does not exist, attempting to git clone from '%s'", dir, url)
+		_, err := git.PlainClone(dir, false, &git.CloneOptions{URL: url, Tags: git.AllTags})
+		if err != nil {
+			logrus.Debugf("cloning from default branch failed, attempting from main branch")
+			// try with main branch because Git is being a Git
+			_, err := git.PlainClone(dir, false, &git.CloneOptions{
+				URL:           url,
+				Tags:          git.AllTags,
+				ReferenceName: plumbing.ReferenceName("refs/heads/main"),
+			})
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	logrus.Debugf("'%s' has been git cloned successfully", dir)
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/pkg/recipe/recipe.go b/pkg/recipe/recipe.go
index 433b7158..8d3ae2bb 100644
--- a/pkg/recipe/recipe.go
+++ b/pkg/recipe/recipe.go
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ package recipe
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"os"
 	"path"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
@@ -11,9 +10,11 @@ import (
 	loader "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/client/stack"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/compose"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/config"
+	gitPkg "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/git"
 	composetypes "github.com/docker/cli/cli/compose/types"
 	"github.com/go-git/go-git/v5"
 	"github.com/go-git/go-git/v5/plumbing"
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
 // Recipe represents a recipe.
@@ -65,23 +66,10 @@ func Get(recipeName string) (Recipe, error) {
 // EnsureExists checks whether a recipe has been cloned locally or not.
 func EnsureExists(recipe string) error {
 	recipeDir := path.Join(config.ABRA_DIR, "apps", strings.ToLower(recipe))
-
-	if _, err := os.Stat(recipeDir); os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		url := fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s.git", config.REPOS_BASE_URL, recipe)
-		_, err := git.PlainClone(recipeDir, false, &git.CloneOptions{URL: url, Tags: git.AllTags})
-		if err != nil {
-			// try with main branch because Git is being a Git
-			_, err := git.PlainClone(recipeDir, false, &git.CloneOptions{
-				URL:           url,
-				Tags:          git.AllTags,
-				ReferenceName: plumbing.ReferenceName("refs/heads/main"),
-			})
-			if err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-		}
+	url := fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s.git", config.REPOS_BASE_URL, recipe)
+	if err := gitPkg.Clone(recipeDir, url); err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
-
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -99,6 +87,8 @@ func EnsureVersion(recipeName, version string) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("read '%s' as tags for recipe '%s'", tags, recipeName)
+
 	var tagRef plumbing.ReferenceName
 	if err := tags.ForEach(func(ref *plumbing.Reference) (err error) {
 		if ref.Name().Short() == version {
@@ -123,5 +113,7 @@ func EnsureVersion(recipeName, version string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("successfully checked '%s' out to '%s' in '%s'", recipeName, tagRef, recipeDir)
+
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/secret/pass.go b/pkg/secret/pass.go
index 3f058aa3..5025dde7 100644
--- a/pkg/secret/pass.go
+++ b/pkg/secret/pass.go
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ func PassInsertSecret(secretValue, secretName, appName, server string) error {
 		secretValue, server, appName, secretName,
 	)
 
+	logrus.Debugf("attempting to run '%s'", cmd)
+
 	if err := exec.Command("bash", "-c", cmd).Run(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -39,6 +41,8 @@ func PassRmSecret(secretName, appName, server string) error {
 		server, appName, secretName,
 	)
 
+	logrus.Debugf("attempting to run '%s'", cmd)
+
 	if err := exec.Command("bash", "-c", cmd).Run(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/secret/secret.go b/pkg/secret/secret.go
index e8437c11..22c0e01b 100644
--- a/pkg/secret/secret.go
+++ b/pkg/secret/secret.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/client"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/config"
 	"github.com/schultz-is/passgen"
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
 // secretValue represents a parsed `SECRET_FOO=v1 # length=bar` env var config
@@ -33,6 +34,8 @@ func GeneratePasswords(count, length uint) ([]string, error) {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("generated '%s'", strings.Join(passwords, ", "))
+
 	return passwords, nil
 }
 
@@ -50,17 +53,24 @@ func GeneratePassphrases(count uint) ([]string, error) {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("generated '%s'", strings.Join(passphrases, ", "))
+
 	return passphrases, nil
 }
 
+// ReadSecretEnvVars reads secret env vars from an app env var config.
 func ReadSecretEnvVars(appEnv config.AppEnv) map[string]string {
 	secretEnvVars := make(map[string]string)
+
 	for envVar := range appEnv {
 		regex := regexp.MustCompile(`^SECRET.*VERSION.*`)
 		if string(regex.Find([]byte(envVar))) != "" {
 			secretEnvVars[envVar] = appEnv[envVar]
 		}
 	}
+
+	logrus.Debugf("read '%s' as secrets from '%s'", secretEnvVars, appEnv)
+
 	return secretEnvVars
 }
 
@@ -68,7 +78,9 @@ func ReadSecretEnvVars(appEnv config.AppEnv) map[string]string {
 func ParseSecretEnvVarName(secretEnvVar string) string {
 	withoutPrefix := strings.TrimPrefix(secretEnvVar, "SECRET_")
 	withoutSuffix := strings.TrimSuffix(withoutPrefix, "_VERSION")
-	return strings.ToLower(withoutSuffix)
+	name := strings.ToLower(withoutSuffix)
+	logrus.Debugf("parsed '%s' as name from '%s'", name, secretEnvVar)
+	return name
 }
 
 // TODO: should probably go in the config/app package?
@@ -76,7 +88,9 @@ func ParseGeneratedSecretName(secret string, appEnv config.App) string {
 	name := fmt.Sprintf("%s_", appEnv.StackName())
 	withoutAppName := strings.TrimPrefix(secret, name)
 	idx := strings.LastIndex(withoutAppName, "_")
-	return withoutAppName[:idx]
+	parsed := withoutAppName[:idx]
+	logrus.Debugf("parsed '%s' as name from '%s'", parsed, secret)
+	return parsed
 }
 
 // TODO: should probably go in the config/app package?
@@ -85,19 +99,23 @@ func ParseSecretEnvVarValue(secret string) (secretValue, error) {
 	if len(values) == 0 {
 		return secretValue{}, fmt.Errorf("unable to parse '%s'", secret)
 	}
+
 	if len(values) == 1 {
 		return secretValue{Version: values[0], Length: 0}, nil
-	} else {
-		split := strings.Split(values[1], "=")
-		parsed := split[len(split)-1]
-		stripped := strings.ReplaceAll(parsed, " ", "")
-		length, err := strconv.Atoi(stripped)
-		if err != nil {
-			return secretValue{}, err
-		}
-		version := strings.ReplaceAll(values[0], " ", "")
-		return secretValue{Version: version, Length: length}, nil
 	}
+
+	split := strings.Split(values[1], "=")
+	parsed := split[len(split)-1]
+	stripped := strings.ReplaceAll(parsed, " ", "")
+	length, err := strconv.Atoi(stripped)
+	if err != nil {
+		return secretValue{}, err
+	}
+	version := strings.ReplaceAll(values[0], " ", "")
+
+	logrus.Debugf("parsed version '%s' and length '%s' from '%s'", version, length, secret)
+
+	return secretValue{Version: version, Length: length}, nil
 }
 
 // GenerateSecrets generates secrets locally and sends them to a remote server for storage.
@@ -114,6 +132,7 @@ func GenerateSecrets(secretEnvVars map[string]string, appName, server string) (m
 				return
 			}
 			secretRemoteName := fmt.Sprintf("%s_%s_%s", appName, secretName, secretValue.Version)
+			logrus.Debugf("attempting to generate and store '%s' on '%s'", secretRemoteName, server)
 			if secretValue.Length > 0 {
 				passwords, err := GeneratePasswords(1, uint(secretValue.Length))
 				if err != nil {
@@ -147,5 +166,7 @@ func GenerateSecrets(secretEnvVars map[string]string, appName, server string) (m
 		}
 	}
 
+	logrus.Debugf("generated and stored '%s' on '%s'", secrets, server)
+
 	return secrets, nil
 }