diff --git a/cli/app/backup.go b/cli/app/backup.go
index a44609a2..5c3e1029 100644
--- a/cli/app/backup.go
+++ b/cli/app/backup.go
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import (
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/autocomplete"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/client"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/log"
-	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 	"github.com/urfave/cli"
 )
 
@@ -47,8 +46,7 @@ var appBackupListCommand = cli.Command{
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
 
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
-		if err := r.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
@@ -94,24 +92,23 @@ var appBackupDownloadCommand = cli.Command{
 	BashComplete: autocomplete.AppNameComplete,
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
 
-		if err := r.EnsureExists(); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.EnsureExists(); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
 		if !internal.Chaos {
-			if err := r.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 
 			if !internal.Offline {
-				if err := r.EnsureUpToDate(); err != nil {
+				if err := app.Recipe.EnsureUpToDate(); err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
 			}
 
-			if err := r.EnsureLatest(); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureLatest(); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
@@ -165,24 +162,23 @@ var appBackupCreateCommand = cli.Command{
 	BashComplete: autocomplete.AppNameComplete,
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
 
-		if err := r.EnsureExists(); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.EnsureExists(); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
 		if !internal.Chaos {
-			if err := r.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 
 			if !internal.Offline {
-				if err := r.EnsureUpToDate(); err != nil {
+				if err := app.Recipe.EnsureUpToDate(); err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
 			}
 
-			if err := r.EnsureLatest(); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureLatest(); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
@@ -224,24 +220,23 @@ var appBackupSnapshotsCommand = cli.Command{
 	BashComplete: autocomplete.AppNameComplete,
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
 
-		if err := r.EnsureExists(); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.EnsureExists(); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
 		if !internal.Chaos {
-			if err := r.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 
 			if !internal.Offline {
-				if err := r.EnsureUpToDate(); err != nil {
+				if err := app.Recipe.EnsureUpToDate(); err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
 			}
 
-			if err := r.EnsureLatest(); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureLatest(); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/cli/app/check.go b/cli/app/check.go
index fe87298e..b5eca951 100644
--- a/cli/app/check.go
+++ b/cli/app/check.go
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import (
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/autocomplete"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/formatter"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/log"
-	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 	"github.com/urfave/cli"
 )
 
@@ -37,8 +36,7 @@ ${FOO:<default>} syntax). "check" does not confirm or deny this for you.`,
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
 
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
-		if err := r.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/cli/app/cmd.go b/cli/app/cmd.go
index 33cec9a8..ee230c3d 100644
--- a/cli/app/cmd.go
+++ b/cli/app/cmd.go
@@ -60,8 +60,7 @@ Example:
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
 
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
-		if err := r.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
@@ -71,7 +70,7 @@ Example:
 
 		hasCmdArgs, parsedCmdArgs := parseCmdArgs(c.Args(), internal.LocalCmd)
 
-		abraSh := path.Join(config.RECIPES_DIR, app.Recipe, "abra.sh")
+		abraSh := path.Join(config.RECIPES_DIR, app.Recipe.Name, "abra.sh")
 		if _, err := os.Stat(abraSh); err != nil {
 			if os.IsNotExist(err) {
 				log.Fatalf("%s does not exist for %s?", abraSh, app.Name)
@@ -85,7 +84,7 @@ Example:
 			}
 
 			cmdName := c.Args().Get(1)
-			if err := internal.EnsureCommand(abraSh, app.Recipe, cmdName); err != nil {
+			if err := internal.EnsureCommand(abraSh, app.Recipe.Name, cmdName); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 
@@ -123,7 +122,7 @@ Example:
 			targetServiceName := c.Args().Get(1)
 
 			cmdName := c.Args().Get(2)
-			if err := internal.EnsureCommand(abraSh, app.Recipe, cmdName); err != nil {
+			if err := internal.EnsureCommand(abraSh, app.Recipe.Name, cmdName); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 
diff --git a/cli/app/deploy.go b/cli/app/deploy.go
index 10744056..9d3bc950 100644
--- a/cli/app/deploy.go
+++ b/cli/app/deploy.go
@@ -58,12 +58,11 @@ recipes.
 			log.Fatal("cannot use <version> and --chaos together")
 		}
 
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
-		if err := r.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		if err := lint.LintForErrors(r); err != nil {
+		if err := lint.LintForErrors(app.Recipe); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
@@ -87,7 +86,7 @@ recipes.
 		if specificVersion != "" {
 			version = specificVersion
 			log.Debugf("choosing %s as version to deploy", version)
-			if err := r.EnsureVersion(version); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureVersion(version); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
@@ -116,14 +115,14 @@ recipes.
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
-			versions, err := recipe.GetRecipeCatalogueVersions(app.Recipe, catl)
+			versions, err := recipe.GetRecipeCatalogueVersions(app.Recipe.Name, catl)
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 
 			if len(versions) == 0 && !internal.Chaos {
 				log.Warn("no published versions in catalogue, trying local recipe repository")
-				recipeVersions, err := r.GetRecipeVersions(internal.Offline)
+				recipeVersions, err := app.Recipe.GetRecipeVersions(internal.Offline)
 				if err != nil {
 					log.Warn(err)
 				}
@@ -137,11 +136,11 @@ recipes.
 			if len(versions) > 0 && !internal.Chaos {
 				version = versions[len(versions)-1]
 				log.Debugf("choosing %s as version to deploy", version)
-				if err := r.EnsureVersion(version); err != nil {
+				if err := app.Recipe.EnsureVersion(version); err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
 			} else {
-				head, err := git.GetRecipeHead(app.Recipe)
+				head, err := git.GetRecipeHead(app.Recipe.Name)
 				if err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
@@ -153,7 +152,7 @@ recipes.
 		if internal.Chaos {
 			log.Warnf("chaos mode engaged")
 			var err error
-			version, err = r.ChaosVersion()
+			version, err = app.Recipe.ChaosVersion()
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
@@ -168,7 +167,7 @@ recipes.
 			app.Env[k] = v
 		}
 
-		composeFiles, err := r.GetComposeFiles(app.Env)
+		composeFiles, err := app.Recipe.GetComposeFiles(app.Env)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -186,7 +185,7 @@ recipes.
 		}
 
 		appPkg.ExposeAllEnv(stackName, compose, app.Env)
-		appPkg.SetRecipeLabel(compose, stackName, app.Recipe)
+		appPkg.SetRecipeLabel(compose, stackName, app.Recipe.Name)
 		appPkg.SetChaosLabel(compose, stackName, internal.Chaos)
 		appPkg.SetChaosVersionLabel(compose, stackName, version)
 		appPkg.SetUpdateLabel(compose, stackName, app.Env)
diff --git a/cli/app/list.go b/cli/app/list.go
index 422461e3..0ddea59f 100644
--- a/cli/app/list.go
+++ b/cli/app/list.go
@@ -16,28 +16,34 @@ import (
 	"github.com/urfave/cli"
 )
 
-var status bool
-var statusFlag = &cli.BoolFlag{
-	Name:        "status, S",
-	Usage:       "Show app deployment status",
-	Destination: &status,
-}
+var (
+	status     bool
+	statusFlag = &cli.BoolFlag{
+		Name:        "status, S",
+		Usage:       "Show app deployment status",
+		Destination: &status,
+	}
+)
 
-var recipeFilter string
-var recipeFlag = &cli.StringFlag{
-	Name:        "recipe, r",
-	Value:       "",
-	Usage:       "Show apps of a specific recipe",
-	Destination: &recipeFilter,
-}
+var (
+	recipeFilter string
+	recipeFlag   = &cli.StringFlag{
+		Name:        "recipe, r",
+		Value:       "",
+		Usage:       "Show apps of a specific recipe",
+		Destination: &recipeFilter,
+	}
+)
 
-var listAppServer string
-var listAppServerFlag = &cli.StringFlag{
-	Name:        "server, s",
-	Value:       "",
-	Usage:       "Show apps of a specific server",
-	Destination: &listAppServer,
-}
+var (
+	listAppServer     string
+	listAppServerFlag = &cli.StringFlag{
+		Name:        "server, s",
+		Value:       "",
+		Usage:       "Show apps of a specific server",
+		Destination: &listAppServer,
+	}
+)
 
 type appStatus struct {
 	Server       string `json:"server"`
@@ -130,7 +136,7 @@ can take some time.
 				}
 			}
 
-			if app.Recipe == recipeFilter || recipeFilter == "" {
+			if app.Recipe.Name == recipeFilter || recipeFilter == "" {
 				if recipeFilter != "" {
 					// only count server if matches filter
 					totalServersCount++
@@ -177,7 +183,7 @@ can take some time.
 
 					var newUpdates []string
 					if version != "unknown" {
-						updates, err := recipe.GetRecipeCatalogueVersions(app.Recipe, catl)
+						updates, err := recipe.GetRecipeCatalogueVersions(app.Recipe.Name, catl)
 						if err != nil {
 							log.Fatal(err)
 						}
@@ -214,7 +220,7 @@ can take some time.
 				}
 
 				appStats.Server = app.Server
-				appStats.Recipe = app.Recipe
+				appStats.Recipe = app.Recipe.Name
 				appStats.AppName = app.Name
 				appStats.Domain = app.Domain
 
diff --git a/cli/app/logs.go b/cli/app/logs.go
index 346e4ed3..c0682033 100644
--- a/cli/app/logs.go
+++ b/cli/app/logs.go
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import (
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/autocomplete"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/client"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/log"
-	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/upstream/stack"
 	"github.com/docker/docker/api/types"
 	containerTypes "github.com/docker/docker/api/types/container"
@@ -38,9 +37,8 @@ var appLogsCommand = cli.Command{
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
 		stackName := app.StackName()
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
 
-		if err := r.EnsureExists(); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.EnsureExists(); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/cli/app/new.go b/cli/app/new.go
index 7ee1fde5..5978f39e 100644
--- a/cli/app/new.go
+++ b/cli/app/new.go
@@ -66,21 +66,20 @@ var appNewCommand = cli.Command{
 	},
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipe(c)
-		r := recipePkg.Get2(recipe.Name)
 
 		if !internal.Chaos {
-			if err := r.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
+			if err := recipe.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 			if !internal.Offline {
-				if err := r.EnsureUpToDate(); err != nil {
+				if err := recipe.EnsureUpToDate(); err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
 			}
 			if c.Args().Get(1) == "" {
 				var version string
 
-				recipeVersions, err := r.GetRecipeVersions(internal.Offline)
+				recipeVersions, err := recipe.GetRecipeVersions(internal.Offline)
 				if err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
@@ -93,16 +92,16 @@ var appNewCommand = cli.Command{
 						version = tag
 					}
 
-					if err := r.EnsureVersion(version); err != nil {
+					if err := recipe.EnsureVersion(version); err != nil {
 						log.Fatal(err)
 					}
 				} else {
-					if err := r.EnsureLatest(); err != nil {
+					if err := recipe.EnsureLatest(); err != nil {
 						log.Fatal(err)
 					}
 				}
 			} else {
-				if err := r.EnsureVersion(c.Args().Get(1)); err != nil {
+				if err := recipe.EnsureVersion(c.Args().Get(1)); err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
 			}
@@ -120,7 +119,7 @@ var appNewCommand = cli.Command{
 		log.Debugf("%s sanitised as %s for new app", internal.Domain, sanitisedAppName)
 
 		if err := appPkg.TemplateAppEnvSample(
-			r,
+			recipe,
 			internal.Domain,
 			internal.NewAppServer,
 			internal.Domain,
@@ -131,17 +130,17 @@ var appNewCommand = cli.Command{
 		var secrets AppSecrets
 		var secretTable *jsontable.JSONTable
 		if internal.Secrets {
-			sampleEnv, err := r.SampleEnv()
+			sampleEnv, err := recipe.SampleEnv()
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 
-			composeFiles, err := r.GetComposeFiles(sampleEnv)
+			composeFiles, err := recipe.GetComposeFiles(sampleEnv)
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 
-			secretsConfig, err := secret.ReadSecretsConfig(r.SampleEnvPath, composeFiles, appPkg.StackName(internal.Domain))
+			secretsConfig, err := secret.ReadSecretsConfig(recipe.SampleEnvPath, composeFiles, appPkg.StackName(internal.Domain))
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
@@ -231,7 +230,7 @@ func createSecrets(cl *dockerClient.Client, secretsConfig map[string]secret.Secr
 }
 
 // ensureDomainFlag checks if the domain flag was used. if not, asks the user for it/
-func ensureDomainFlag(recipe recipePkg.Recipe, server string) error {
+func ensureDomainFlag(recipe recipePkg.Recipe2, server string) error {
 	if internal.Domain == "" && !internal.NoInput {
 		prompt := &survey.Input{
 			Message: "Specify app domain",
diff --git a/cli/app/ps.go b/cli/app/ps.go
index c6e62705..6e485bd5 100644
--- a/cli/app/ps.go
+++ b/cli/app/ps.go
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ var appPsCommand = cli.Command{
 	BashComplete: autocomplete.AppNameComplete,
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
 
 		cl, err := client.New(app.Server)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -54,7 +53,7 @@ var appPsCommand = cli.Command{
 		statuses, err := appPkg.GetAppStatuses([]appPkg.App{app}, true)
 		if statusMeta, ok := statuses[app.StackName()]; ok {
 			if _, exists := statusMeta["chaos"]; !exists {
-				if err := r.EnsureVersion(deployedVersion); err != nil {
+				if err := app.Recipe.EnsureVersion(deployedVersion); err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
 			}
diff --git a/cli/app/restore.go b/cli/app/restore.go
index 5f3c30ce..b31cc097 100644
--- a/cli/app/restore.go
+++ b/cli/app/restore.go
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import (
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/autocomplete"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/client"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/log"
-	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 	"github.com/urfave/cli"
 )
 
@@ -33,8 +32,7 @@ var appRestoreCommand = cli.Command{
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
 
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
-		if err := r.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/cli/app/rollback.go b/cli/app/rollback.go
index da4ba251..ae65346d 100644
--- a/cli/app/rollback.go
+++ b/cli/app/rollback.go
@@ -58,12 +58,11 @@ recipes.
 			log.Fatal("cannot use <version> and --chaos together")
 		}
 
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
-		if err := r.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		if err := lint.LintForErrors(r); err != nil {
+		if err := lint.LintForErrors(app.Recipe); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
@@ -88,14 +87,14 @@ recipes.
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		versions, err := recipe.GetRecipeCatalogueVersions(app.Recipe, catl)
+		versions, err := recipe.GetRecipeCatalogueVersions(app.Recipe.Name, catl)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
 		if len(versions) == 0 && !internal.Chaos {
 			log.Warn("no published versions in catalogue, trying local recipe repository")
-			recipeVersions, err := r.GetRecipeVersions(internal.Offline)
+			recipeVersions, err := app.Recipe.GetRecipeVersions(internal.Offline)
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Warn(err)
 			}
@@ -165,7 +164,7 @@ recipes.
 		}
 
 		if !internal.Chaos {
-			if err := r.EnsureVersion(chosenDowngrade); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureVersion(chosenDowngrade); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
@@ -173,7 +172,7 @@ recipes.
 		if internal.Chaos {
 			log.Warn("chaos mode engaged")
 			var err error
-			chosenDowngrade, err = r.ChaosVersion()
+			chosenDowngrade, err = app.Recipe.ChaosVersion()
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
@@ -188,7 +187,7 @@ recipes.
 			app.Env[k] = v
 		}
 
-		composeFiles, err := r.GetComposeFiles(app.Env)
+		composeFiles, err := app.Recipe.GetComposeFiles(app.Env)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -204,7 +203,7 @@ recipes.
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 		appPkg.ExposeAllEnv(stackName, compose, app.Env)
-		appPkg.SetRecipeLabel(compose, stackName, app.Recipe)
+		appPkg.SetRecipeLabel(compose, stackName, app.Recipe.Name)
 		appPkg.SetChaosLabel(compose, stackName, internal.Chaos)
 		appPkg.SetChaosVersionLabel(compose, stackName, chosenDowngrade)
 		appPkg.SetUpdateLabel(compose, stackName, app.Env)
diff --git a/cli/app/secret.go b/cli/app/secret.go
index 9618742c..28554979 100644
--- a/cli/app/secret.go
+++ b/cli/app/secret.go
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ import (
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/client"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/formatter"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/log"
-	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/secret"
 	"github.com/docker/docker/api/types"
 	dockerClient "github.com/docker/docker/client"
@@ -57,8 +56,7 @@ var appSecretGenerateCommand = cli.Command{
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
 
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
-		if err := r.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
@@ -72,7 +70,7 @@ var appSecretGenerateCommand = cli.Command{
 			internal.ShowSubcommandHelpAndError(c, err)
 		}
 
-		composeFiles, err := r.GetComposeFiles(app.Env)
+		composeFiles, err := app.Recipe.GetComposeFiles(app.Env)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -248,29 +246,28 @@ Example:
 `,
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
 
-		if err := r.EnsureExists(); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.EnsureExists(); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
 		if !internal.Chaos {
-			if err := r.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 
 			if !internal.Offline {
-				if err := r.EnsureUpToDate(); err != nil {
+				if err := app.Recipe.EnsureUpToDate(); err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
 			}
 
-			if err := r.EnsureLatest(); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureLatest(); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
 
-		composeFiles, err := r.GetComposeFiles(app.Env)
+		composeFiles, err := app.Recipe.GetComposeFiles(app.Env)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -357,24 +354,23 @@ var appSecretLsCommand = cli.Command{
 	BashComplete: autocomplete.AppNameComplete,
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		app := internal.ValidateApp(c)
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
 
-		if err := r.EnsureExists(); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.EnsureExists(); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
 		if !internal.Chaos {
-			if err := r.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 
 			if !internal.Offline {
-				if err := r.EnsureUpToDate(); err != nil {
+				if err := app.Recipe.EnsureUpToDate(); err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
 			}
 
-			if err := r.EnsureLatest(); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureLatest(); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/cli/app/upgrade.go b/cli/app/upgrade.go
index 6a8e4712..d1cb5101 100644
--- a/cli/app/upgrade.go
+++ b/cli/app/upgrade.go
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import (
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/envfile"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/lint"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/log"
-	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 	recipePkg "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 	stack "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/upstream/stack"
 	"coopcloud.tech/tagcmp"
@@ -64,13 +63,11 @@ recipes.
 			log.Fatal("cannot use <version> and --chaos together")
 		}
 
-		r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
-		if err := r.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
+		if err := app.Recipe.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		r2 := recipePkg.Get2(app.Recipe)
-		if err := lint.LintForErrors(r2); err != nil {
+		if err := lint.LintForErrors(app.Recipe); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
@@ -95,14 +92,14 @@ recipes.
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		versions, err := recipePkg.GetRecipeCatalogueVersions(app.Recipe, catl)
+		versions, err := recipePkg.GetRecipeCatalogueVersions(app.Recipe.Name, catl)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
 		if len(versions) == 0 && !internal.Chaos {
 			log.Warn("no published versions in catalogue, trying local recipe repository")
-			recipeVersions, err := r2.GetRecipeVersions(internal.Offline)
+			recipeVersions, err := app.Recipe.GetRecipeVersions(internal.Offline)
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Warn(err)
 			}
@@ -192,7 +189,7 @@ recipes.
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
 				if parsedVersion.IsGreaterThan(parsedDeployedVersion) && parsedVersion.IsLessThan(parsedChosenUpgrade) {
-					note, err := internal.GetReleaseNotes(app.Recipe, version)
+					note, err := internal.GetReleaseNotes(app.Recipe.Name, version)
 					if err != nil {
 						return err
 					}
@@ -204,7 +201,7 @@ recipes.
 		}
 
 		if !internal.Chaos {
-			if err := r.EnsureVersion(chosenUpgrade); err != nil {
+			if err := app.Recipe.EnsureVersion(chosenUpgrade); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
@@ -212,7 +209,7 @@ recipes.
 		if internal.Chaos {
 			log.Warn("chaos mode engaged")
 			var err error
-			chosenUpgrade, err = r.ChaosVersion()
+			chosenUpgrade, err = app.Recipe.ChaosVersion()
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
@@ -227,7 +224,7 @@ recipes.
 			app.Env[k] = v
 		}
 
-		composeFiles, err := r.GetComposeFiles(app.Env)
+		composeFiles, err := app.Recipe.GetComposeFiles(app.Env)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -243,7 +240,7 @@ recipes.
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 		appPkg.ExposeAllEnv(stackName, compose, app.Env)
-		appPkg.SetRecipeLabel(compose, stackName, app.Recipe)
+		appPkg.SetRecipeLabel(compose, stackName, app.Recipe.Name)
 		appPkg.SetChaosLabel(compose, stackName, internal.Chaos)
 		appPkg.SetChaosVersionLabel(compose, stackName, chosenUpgrade)
 		appPkg.SetUpdateLabel(compose, stackName, app.Env)
diff --git a/cli/app/version.go b/cli/app/version.go
index 4c5b4667..4ef6469f 100644
--- a/cli/app/version.go
+++ b/cli/app/version.go
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ var appVersionCommand = cli.Command{
 			log.Fatalf("failed to determine version of deployed %s", app.Name)
 		}
 
-		recipeMeta, err := recipe.GetRecipeMeta(app.Recipe, internal.Offline)
+		recipeMeta, err := recipe.GetRecipeMeta(app.Recipe.Name, internal.Offline)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
diff --git a/cli/internal/deploy.go b/cli/internal/deploy.go
index 9262fd32..cbca45f4 100644
--- a/cli/internal/deploy.go
+++ b/cli/internal/deploy.go
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ func NewVersionOverview(app appPkg.App, currentVersion, newVersion, releaseNotes
 		server = "local"
 	}
 
-	table.Append([]string{server, app.Recipe, deployConfig, app.Domain, currentVersion, newVersion})
+	table.Append([]string{server, app.Recipe.Name, deployConfig, app.Domain, currentVersion, newVersion})
 	table.Render()
 
 	if releaseNotes != "" && newVersion != "" {
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ func GetReleaseNotes(recipeName, version string) (string, error) {
 // the commands string must have the following format:
 // "<service> <command> <arguments>|<service> <command> <arguments>|... "
 func PostCmds(cl *dockerClient.Client, app appPkg.App, commands string) error {
-	abraSh := path.Join(config.RECIPES_DIR, app.Recipe, "abra.sh")
+	abraSh := path.Join(config.RECIPES_DIR, app.Recipe.Name, "abra.sh")
 	if _, err := os.Stat(abraSh); err != nil {
 		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
 			return fmt.Errorf(fmt.Sprintf("%s does not exist for %s?", abraSh, app.Name))
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func PostCmds(cl *dockerClient.Client, app appPkg.App, commands string) error {
 		}
 		log.Infof("running post-command '%s %s' in container %s", cmdName, parsedCmdArgs, targetServiceName)
 
-		if err := EnsureCommand(abraSh, app.Recipe, cmdName); err != nil {
+		if err := EnsureCommand(abraSh, app.Recipe.Name, cmdName); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ func DeployOverview(app appPkg.App, version, message string) error {
 		server = "local"
 	}
 
-	table.Append([]string{server, app.Recipe, deployConfig, app.Domain, version})
+	table.Append([]string{server, app.Recipe.Name, deployConfig, app.Domain, version})
 	table.Render()
 
 	if NoInput {
diff --git a/cli/internal/validate.go b/cli/internal/validate.go
index 92a0ba3a..ab111864 100644
--- a/cli/internal/validate.go
+++ b/cli/internal/validate.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 // ValidateRecipe ensures the recipe arg is valid.
-func ValidateRecipe(c *cli.Context) recipe.Recipe {
+func ValidateRecipe(c *cli.Context) recipe.Recipe2 {
 	recipeName := c.Args().First()
 
 	if recipeName == "" && !NoInput {
@@ -57,7 +57,12 @@ func ValidateRecipe(c *cli.Context) recipe.Recipe {
 		ShowSubcommandHelpAndError(c, errors.New("no recipe name provided"))
 	}
 
-	chosenRecipe, err := recipe.Get(recipeName, Offline)
+	chosenRecipe := recipe.Get2(recipeName)
+	err := chosenRecipe.EnsureExists()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	_, err = chosenRecipe.GetComposeConfig(nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		if c.Command.Name == "generate" {
 			if strings.Contains(err.Error(), "missing a compose") {
diff --git a/cli/recipe/lint.go b/cli/recipe/lint.go
index cc73a8a3..4de8be2d 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/lint.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/lint.go
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import (
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/formatter"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/lint"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/log"
-	recipePkg "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 	"github.com/urfave/cli"
 )
 
@@ -29,8 +28,7 @@ var recipeLintCommand = cli.Command{
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipe(c)
 
-		r := recipePkg.Get2(recipe.Name)
-		if err := r.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
+		if err := recipe.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
@@ -47,7 +45,7 @@ var recipeLintCommand = cli.Command{
 				}
 
 				skipped := false
-				if rule.Skip(r) {
+				if rule.Skip(recipe) {
 					skipped = true
 				}
 
@@ -58,7 +56,7 @@ var recipeLintCommand = cli.Command{
 
 				satisfied := false
 				if !skipped {
-					ok, err := rule.Function(r)
+					ok, err := rule.Function(recipe)
 					if err != nil {
 						log.Warn(err)
 					}
diff --git a/cli/recipe/release.go b/cli/recipe/release.go
index f639d9f0..90069570 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/release.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/release.go
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ import (
 	gitPkg "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/git"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/log"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
-	recipePkg "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 	"coopcloud.tech/tagcmp"
 	"github.com/AlecAivazis/survey/v2"
 	"github.com/distribution/reference"
@@ -63,14 +62,13 @@ your SSH keys configured on your account.
 	BashComplete: autocomplete.RecipeNameComplete,
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipe(c)
-		r := recipePkg.Get2(recipe.Name)
 
-		imagesTmp, err := getImageVersions(r)
+		imagesTmp, err := getImageVersions(recipe)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		mainApp, err := internal.GetMainAppImage(r)
+		mainApp, err := internal.GetMainAppImage(recipe)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -92,45 +90,45 @@ your SSH keys configured on your account.
 		}
 
 		if tagString != "" {
-			if err := createReleaseFromTag(r, tagString, mainAppVersion); err != nil {
+			if err := createReleaseFromTag(recipe, tagString, mainAppVersion); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
 
-		tags, err := r.Tags()
+		tags, err := recipe.Tags()
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
 		if tagString == "" && (!internal.Major && !internal.Minor && !internal.Patch) {
 			var err error
-			tagString, err = getLabelVersion(r, false)
+			tagString, err = getLabelVersion(recipe, false)
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
 
-		isClean, err := gitPkg.IsClean(r.Dir)
+		isClean, err := gitPkg.IsClean(recipe.Dir)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
 		if !isClean {
 			log.Infof("%s currently has these unstaged changes 👇", recipe.Name)
-			if err := gitPkg.DiffUnstaged(r.Dir); err != nil {
+			if err := gitPkg.DiffUnstaged(recipe.Dir); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
 
 		if len(tags) > 0 {
 			logrus.Warnf("previous git tags detected, assuming this is a new semver release")
-			if err := createReleaseFromPreviousTag(tagString, mainAppVersion, r, tags); err != nil {
+			if err := createReleaseFromPreviousTag(tagString, mainAppVersion, recipe, tags); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		} else {
 			log.Warnf("no tag specified and no previous tag available for %s, assuming this is the initial release", recipe.Name)
 
-			if err := createReleaseFromTag(r, tagString, mainAppVersion); err != nil {
+			if err := createReleaseFromTag(recipe, tagString, mainAppVersion); err != nil {
 				if cleanUpErr := cleanUpTag(tagString, recipe.Name); err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(cleanUpErr)
 				}
diff --git a/cli/recipe/sync.go b/cli/recipe/sync.go
index 1d2e2897..10710af8 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/sync.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/sync.go
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import (
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/config"
 	gitPkg "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/git"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/log"
-	recipePkg "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 	"coopcloud.tech/tagcmp"
 	"github.com/AlecAivazis/survey/v2"
 	"github.com/go-git/go-git/v5"
@@ -45,21 +44,20 @@ local file system.
 	BashComplete: autocomplete.RecipeNameComplete,
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipe(c)
-		r := recipePkg.Get2(recipe.Name)
 
-		mainApp, err := internal.GetMainAppImage(r)
+		mainApp, err := internal.GetMainAppImage(recipe)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
-		imagesTmp, err := getImageVersions(r)
+		imagesTmp, err := getImageVersions(recipe)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
 		mainAppVersion := imagesTmp[mainApp]
 
-		tags, err := r.Tags()
+		tags, err := recipe.Tags()
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -194,20 +192,20 @@ likely to change.
 		mainService := "app"
 		label := fmt.Sprintf("coop-cloud.${STACK_NAME}.version=%s", nextTag)
 		if !internal.Dry {
-			if err := r.UpdateLabel("compose.y*ml", mainService, label); err != nil {
+			if err := recipe.UpdateLabel("compose.y*ml", mainService, label); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		} else {
 			log.Infof("dry run: not syncing label %s for recipe %s", nextTag, recipe.Name)
 		}
 
-		isClean, err := gitPkg.IsClean(r.Dir)
+		isClean, err := gitPkg.IsClean(recipe.Dir)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 		if !isClean {
 			log.Infof("%s currently has these unstaged changes 👇", recipe.Name)
-			if err := gitPkg.DiffUnstaged(r.Dir); err != nil {
+			if err := gitPkg.DiffUnstaged(recipe.Dir); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/cli/recipe/upgrade.go b/cli/recipe/upgrade.go
index f49ec182..0887bfbe 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/upgrade.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/upgrade.go
@@ -73,8 +73,7 @@ You may invoke this command in "wizard" mode and be prompted for input:
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipe(c)
 
-		r := recipePkg.Get2(recipe.Name)
-		if err := r.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
+		if err := recipe.Ensure(internal.Chaos, internal.Offline); err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
@@ -97,7 +96,7 @@ You may invoke this command in "wizard" mode and be prompted for input:
 		versionsPresent := false
 		recipeDir := path.Join(config.RECIPES_DIR, recipe.Name)
 		versionsPath := path.Join(recipeDir, "versions")
-		var servicePins = make(map[string]imgPin)
+		servicePins := make(map[string]imgPin)
 		if _, err := os.Stat(versionsPath); err == nil {
 			log.Debugf("found versions file for %s", recipe.Name)
 			file, err := os.Open(versionsPath)
@@ -130,7 +129,7 @@ You may invoke this command in "wizard" mode and be prompted for input:
 			log.Debugf("did not find versions file for %s", recipe.Name)
 		}
 
-		config, err := r.GetComposeConfig(nil)
+		config, err := recipe.GetComposeConfig(nil)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -299,7 +298,7 @@ You may invoke this command in "wizard" mode and be prompted for input:
 				}
 			}
 			if upgradeTag != "skip" {
-				ok, err := r.UpdateTag(image, upgradeTag)
+				ok, err := recipe.UpdateTag(image, upgradeTag)
 				if err != nil {
 					log.Fatal(err)
 				}
diff --git a/cli/updater/updater.go b/cli/updater/updater.go
index 04906247..a6721a8b 100644
--- a/cli/updater/updater.go
+++ b/cli/updater/updater.go
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@ func upgrade(cl *dockerclient.Client, stackName, recipeName,
 
 	app := appPkg.App{
 		Name:   stackName,
-		Recipe: recipeName,
+		Recipe: recipe.Get2(recipeName),
 		Server: SERVER,
 		Env:    env,
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/app/app.go b/pkg/app/app.go
index 09618341..e7c42e79 100644
--- a/pkg/app/app.go
+++ b/pkg/app/app.go
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func GetApps(appFiles AppFiles, recipeFilter string) ([]App, error) {
 		}
 
 		if recipeFilter != "" {
-			if app.Recipe == recipeFilter {
+			if app.Recipe.Name == recipeFilter {
 				apps = append(apps, app)
 			}
 		} else {
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ func GetApps(appFiles AppFiles, recipeFilter string) ([]App, error) {
 // App reprents an app with its env file read into memory
 type App struct {
 	Name   AppName
-	Recipe string
+	Recipe recipe.Recipe2
 	Domain string
 	Env    envfile.AppEnv
 	Server string
@@ -161,14 +161,13 @@ func (a App) Filters(appendServiceNames, exactMatch bool, services ...string) (f
 		return filters, nil
 	}
 
-	r := recipe.Get2(a.Recipe)
-	composeFiles, err := r.GetComposeFiles(a.Env)
+	composeFiles, err := a.Recipe.GetComposeFiles(a.Env)
 	if err != nil {
 		return filters, err
 	}
 
 	opts := stack.Deploy{Composefiles: composeFiles}
-	compose, err := GetAppComposeConfig(a.Recipe, opts, a.Env)
+	compose, err := GetAppComposeConfig(a.Recipe.Name, opts, a.Env)
 	if err != nil {
 		return filters, err
 	}
@@ -207,7 +206,7 @@ func (a ByServerAndRecipe) Len() int      { return len(a) }
 func (a ByServerAndRecipe) Swap(i, j int) { a[i], a[j] = a[j], a[i] }
 func (a ByServerAndRecipe) Less(i, j int) bool {
 	if a[i].Server == a[j].Server {
-		return strings.ToLower(a[i].Recipe) < strings.ToLower(a[j].Recipe)
+		return strings.ToLower(a[i].Recipe.Name) < strings.ToLower(a[j].Recipe.Name)
 	}
 	return strings.ToLower(a[i].Server) < strings.ToLower(a[j].Server)
 }
@@ -218,7 +217,7 @@ type ByRecipe []App
 func (a ByRecipe) Len() int      { return len(a) }
 func (a ByRecipe) Swap(i, j int) { a[i], a[j] = a[j], a[i] }
 func (a ByRecipe) Less(i, j int) bool {
-	return strings.ToLower(a[i].Recipe) < strings.ToLower(a[j].Recipe)
+	return strings.ToLower(a[i].Recipe.Name) < strings.ToLower(a[j].Recipe.Name)
 }
 
 // ByName sort a slice of Apps
@@ -250,9 +249,9 @@ func ReadAppEnvFile(appFile AppFile, name AppName) (App, error) {
 func NewApp(env envfile.AppEnv, name string, appFile AppFile) (App, error) {
 	domain := env["DOMAIN"]
 
-	recipe, exists := env["RECIPE"]
+	recipeName, exists := env["RECIPE"]
 	if !exists {
-		recipe, exists = env["TYPE"]
+		recipeName, exists = env["TYPE"]
 		if !exists {
 			return App{}, fmt.Errorf("%s is missing the TYPE env var?", name)
 		}
@@ -261,7 +260,7 @@ func NewApp(env envfile.AppEnv, name string, appFile AppFile) (App, error) {
 	return App{
 		Name:   name,
 		Domain: domain,
-		Recipe: recipe,
+		Recipe: recipe.Get2(recipeName),
 		Env:    env,
 		Server: appFile.Server,
 		Path:   appFile.Path,
@@ -318,14 +317,13 @@ func GetAppServiceNames(appName string) ([]string, error) {
 		return serviceNames, err
 	}
 
-	r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
-	composeFiles, err := r.GetComposeFiles(app.Env)
+	composeFiles, err := app.Recipe.GetComposeFiles(app.Env)
 	if err != nil {
 		return serviceNames, err
 	}
 
 	opts := stack.Deploy{Composefiles: composeFiles}
-	compose, err := GetAppComposeConfig(app.Recipe, opts, app.Env)
+	compose, err := GetAppComposeConfig(app.Recipe.Name, opts, app.Env)
 	if err != nil {
 		return serviceNames, err
 	}
@@ -512,8 +510,7 @@ func ExposeAllEnv(stackName string, compose *composetypes.Config, appEnv envfile
 func CheckEnv(app App) ([]envfile.EnvVar, error) {
 	var envVars []envfile.EnvVar
 
-	r := recipe.Get2(app.Recipe)
-	envSample, err := r.SampleEnv()
+	envSample, err := app.Recipe.SampleEnv()
 	if err != nil {
 		return envVars, err
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/app/app_test.go b/pkg/app/app_test.go
index 23828143..d5b07058 100644
--- a/pkg/app/app_test.go
+++ b/pkg/app/app_test.go
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ func TestGetApp(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestGetComposeFiles(t *testing.T) {
-	offline := true
-	r, err := recipe.Get("abra-test-recipe", offline)
+	r := recipe.Get2("abra-test-recipe")
+	err := r.EnsureExists()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -95,8 +95,8 @@ func TestGetComposeFiles(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestGetComposeFilesError(t *testing.T) {
-	offline := true
-	r, err := recipe.Get("abra-test-recipe", offline)
+	r := recipe.Get2("abra-test-recipe")
+	err := r.EnsureExists()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/envfile/envfile_test.go b/pkg/envfile/envfile_test.go
index 6dc47136..2ba67b76 100644
--- a/pkg/envfile/envfile_test.go
+++ b/pkg/envfile/envfile_test.go
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ func TestReadEnv(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestReadAbraShEnvVars(t *testing.T) {
-	offline := true
-	r, err := recipe.Get("abra-test-recipe", offline)
+	r := recipe.Get2("abra-test-recipe")
+	err := r.EnsureExists()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -85,8 +85,8 @@ func TestReadAbraShEnvVars(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestReadAbraShCmdNames(t *testing.T) {
-	offline := true
-	r, err := recipe.Get("abra-test-recipe", offline)
+	r := recipe.Get2("abra-test-recipe")
+	err := r.EnsureExists()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -110,8 +110,8 @@ func TestReadAbraShCmdNames(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCheckEnv(t *testing.T) {
-	offline := true
-	r, err := recipe.Get("abra-test-recipe", offline)
+	r := recipe.Get2("abra-test-recipe")
+	err := r.EnsureExists()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ func TestCheckEnv(t *testing.T) {
 
 	app := appPkg.App{
 		Name:   "test-app",
-		Recipe: r.Name,
+		Recipe: recipe.Get2(r.Name),
 		Domain: "example.com",
 		Env:    envSample,
 		Path:   "example.com.env",
@@ -144,8 +144,8 @@ func TestCheckEnv(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCheckEnvError(t *testing.T) {
-	offline := true
-	r, err := recipe.Get("abra-test-recipe", offline)
+	r := recipe.Get2("abra-test-recipe")
+	err := r.EnsureExists()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ func TestCheckEnvError(t *testing.T) {
 
 	app := appPkg.App{
 		Name:   "test-app",
-		Recipe: r.Name,
+		Recipe: recipe.Get2(r.Name),
 		Domain: "example.com",
 		Env:    envSample,
 		Path:   "example.com.env",
@@ -180,8 +180,8 @@ func TestCheckEnvError(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestEnvVarCommentsRemoved(t *testing.T) {
-	offline := true
-	r, err := recipe.Get("abra-test-recipe", offline)
+	r := recipe.Get2("abra-test-recipe")
+	err := r.EnsureExists()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -212,14 +212,13 @@ func TestEnvVarCommentsRemoved(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestEnvVarModifiersIncluded(t *testing.T) {
-	offline := true
-	r, err := recipe.Get("abra-test-recipe", offline)
+	r := recipe.Get2("abra-test-recipe")
+	err := r.EnsureExists()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	r2 := recipe.Get2(r.Name)
-	envSample, modifiers, err := envfile.ReadEnvWithModifiers(r2.SampleEnvPath)
+	envSample, modifiers, err := envfile.ReadEnvWithModifiers(r.SampleEnvPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/test/test.go b/pkg/test/test.go
index a9f2593a..d0860aef 100644
--- a/pkg/test/test.go
+++ b/pkg/test/test.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	appPkg "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/app"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/envfile"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/log"
+	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ var ExpectedAppEnv = envfile.AppEnv{
 
 var ExpectedApp = appPkg.App{
 	Name:   AppName,
-	Recipe: ExpectedAppEnv["RECIPE"],
+	Recipe: recipe.Get2(ExpectedAppEnv["RECIPE"]),
 	Domain: ExpectedAppEnv["DOMAIN"],
 	Env:    ExpectedAppEnv,
 	Path:   ExpectedAppFile.Path,