diff --git a/src/models/commandrunner.ts b/src/models/commandrunner.ts
index 98150ccee..5b57a0c4d 100644
--- a/src/models/commandrunner.ts
+++ b/src/models/commandrunner.ts
@@ -304,6 +304,10 @@ class CommandRunner {
         GlobalModel.clientSettingsViewModel.showClientSettingsView();
     }
 
+    syncShellState() {
+        GlobalModel.submitCommand("sync", null, null, { nohist: "1" }, false);
+    }
+
     historyView(params: HistorySearchParams) {
         let kwargs = { nohist: "1" };
         kwargs["offset"] = String(params.offset);
diff --git a/src/models/model.ts b/src/models/model.ts
index ea0128bcf..ad65aa55f 100644
--- a/src/models/model.ts
+++ b/src/models/model.ts
@@ -1050,6 +1050,9 @@ class Model {
                 this.activeMainView.set("session");
                 this.deactivateScreenLines();
                 this.ws.watchScreen(newActiveSessionId, newActiveScreenId);
+                setTimeout(() => {
+                    GlobalCommandRunner.syncShellState();
+                }, 100);
             }
         } else {
             console.warn("unknown update", genUpdate);
diff --git a/waveshell/main-waveshell.go b/waveshell/main-waveshell.go
index 77f1511d0..d032b194a 100644
--- a/waveshell/main-waveshell.go
+++ b/waveshell/main-waveshell.go
@@ -61,15 +61,7 @@ func handleSingle() {
 		sender.SendErrorResponse(runPacket.ReqId, fmt.Errorf("run packets from server must have a CK: %v", err))
 	}
 	if runPacket.Detached {
-		cmd, startPk, err := shexec.RunCommandDetached(runPacket, sender)
-		if err != nil {
-			sender.SendErrorResponse(runPacket.ReqId, err)
-			return
-		}
-		sender.SendPacket(startPk)
-		sender.Close()
-		sender.WaitForDone()
-		cmd.DetachedWait(startPk)
+		sender.SendErrorResponse(runPacket.ReqId, fmt.Errorf("detached mode not supported"))
 		return
 	} else {
 		shexec.IgnoreSigPipe()
diff --git a/waveshell/pkg/cmdtail/cmdtail.go b/waveshell/pkg/cmdtail/cmdtail.go
deleted file mode 100644
index fed754ad4..000000000
--- a/waveshell/pkg/cmdtail/cmdtail.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,473 +0,0 @@
-// Copyright 2023, Command Line Inc.
-// SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
-
-package cmdtail
-
-import (
-	"encoding/base64"
-	"fmt"
-	"io"
-	"os"
-	"regexp"
-	"sync"
-	"time"
-
-	"github.com/fsnotify/fsnotify"
-	"github.com/wavetermdev/waveterm/waveshell/pkg/base"
-	"github.com/wavetermdev/waveterm/waveshell/pkg/packet"
-)
-
-const MaxDataBytes = 4096
-const FileTypePty = "ptyout"
-const FileTypeRun = "runout"
-
-type Tailer struct {
-	Lock      *sync.Mutex
-	WatchList map[base.CommandKey]CmdWatchEntry
-	Watcher   *fsnotify.Watcher
-	Sender    *packet.PacketSender
-	Gen       FileNameGenerator
-	Sessions  map[string]bool
-}
-
-type TailPos struct {
-	ReqId      string
-	Running    bool // an active tailer sending data
-	TailPtyPos int64
-	TailRunPos int64
-	Follow     bool
-}
-
-type CmdWatchEntry struct {
-	CmdKey     base.CommandKey
-	FilePtyLen int64
-	FileRunLen int64
-	Tails      []TailPos
-	Done       bool
-}
-
-type FileNameGenerator interface {
-	PtyOutFile(ck base.CommandKey) string
-	RunOutFile(ck base.CommandKey) string
-	SessionDir(sessionId string) string
-}
-
-func (w CmdWatchEntry) getTailPos(reqId string) (TailPos, bool) {
-	for _, pos := range w.Tails {
-		if pos.ReqId == reqId {
-			return pos, true
-		}
-	}
-	return TailPos{}, false
-}
-
-func (w *CmdWatchEntry) updateTailPos(reqId string, newPos TailPos) {
-	for idx, pos := range w.Tails {
-		if pos.ReqId == reqId {
-			w.Tails[idx] = newPos
-			return
-		}
-	}
-	w.Tails = append(w.Tails, newPos)
-}
-
-func (w *CmdWatchEntry) removeTailPos(reqId string) {
-	var newTails []TailPos
-	for _, pos := range w.Tails {
-		if pos.ReqId == reqId {
-			continue
-		}
-		newTails = append(newTails, pos)
-	}
-	w.Tails = newTails
-}
-
-func (pos TailPos) IsCurrent(entry CmdWatchEntry) bool {
-	return pos.TailPtyPos >= entry.FilePtyLen && pos.TailRunPos >= entry.FileRunLen
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) updateTailPos_nolock(cmdKey base.CommandKey, reqId string, pos TailPos) {
-	entry, found := t.WatchList[cmdKey]
-	if !found {
-		return
-	}
-	entry.updateTailPos(reqId, pos)
-	t.WatchList[cmdKey] = entry
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) removeTailPos(cmdKey base.CommandKey, reqId string) {
-	t.Lock.Lock()
-	defer t.Lock.Unlock()
-	t.removeTailPos_nolock(cmdKey, reqId)
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) removeTailPos_nolock(cmdKey base.CommandKey, reqId string) {
-	entry, found := t.WatchList[cmdKey]
-	if !found {
-		return
-	}
-	entry.removeTailPos(reqId)
-	t.WatchList[cmdKey] = entry
-	if len(entry.Tails) == 0 {
-		t.removeWatch_nolock(cmdKey)
-	}
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) removeWatch_nolock(cmdKey base.CommandKey) {
-	// delete from watchlist, remove watches
-	delete(t.WatchList, cmdKey)
-	t.Watcher.Remove(t.Gen.PtyOutFile(cmdKey))
-	t.Watcher.Remove(t.Gen.RunOutFile(cmdKey))
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) getEntryAndPos_nolock(cmdKey base.CommandKey, reqId string) (CmdWatchEntry, TailPos, bool) {
-	entry, found := t.WatchList[cmdKey]
-	if !found {
-		return CmdWatchEntry{}, TailPos{}, false
-	}
-	pos, found := entry.getTailPos(reqId)
-	if !found {
-		return CmdWatchEntry{}, TailPos{}, false
-	}
-	return entry, pos, true
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) addSessionWatcher(sessionId string) error {
-	t.Lock.Lock()
-	defer t.Lock.Unlock()
-
-	if t.Sessions[sessionId] {
-		return nil
-	}
-	sdir := t.Gen.SessionDir(sessionId)
-	err := t.Watcher.Add(sdir)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	t.Sessions[sessionId] = true
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) removeSessionWatcher(sessionId string) {
-	t.Lock.Lock()
-	defer t.Lock.Unlock()
-
-	if !t.Sessions[sessionId] {
-		return
-	}
-	sdir := t.Gen.SessionDir(sessionId)
-	t.Watcher.Remove(sdir)
-}
-
-func MakeTailer(sender *packet.PacketSender, gen FileNameGenerator) (*Tailer, error) {
-	rtn := &Tailer{
-		Lock:      &sync.Mutex{},
-		WatchList: make(map[base.CommandKey]CmdWatchEntry),
-		Sessions:  make(map[string]bool),
-		Sender:    sender,
-		Gen:       gen,
-	}
-	var err error
-	rtn.Watcher, err = fsnotify.NewWatcher()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	return rtn, nil
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) readDataFromFile(fileName string, pos int64, maxBytes int) ([]byte, error) {
-	fd, err := os.Open(fileName)
-	defer fd.Close()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	buf := make([]byte, maxBytes)
-	nr, err := fd.ReadAt(buf, pos)
-	if err != nil && err != io.EOF { // ignore EOF error
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	return buf[0:nr], nil
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) makeCmdDataPacket(entry CmdWatchEntry, pos TailPos) (*packet.CmdDataPacketType, error) {
-	dataPacket := packet.MakeCmdDataPacket(pos.ReqId)
-	dataPacket.CK = entry.CmdKey
-	dataPacket.PtyPos = pos.TailPtyPos
-	dataPacket.RunPos = pos.TailRunPos
-	if entry.FilePtyLen > pos.TailPtyPos {
-		ptyData, err := t.readDataFromFile(t.Gen.PtyOutFile(entry.CmdKey), pos.TailPtyPos, MaxDataBytes)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		dataPacket.PtyData64 = base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(ptyData)
-		dataPacket.PtyDataLen = len(ptyData)
-	}
-	if entry.FileRunLen > pos.TailRunPos {
-		runData, err := t.readDataFromFile(t.Gen.RunOutFile(entry.CmdKey), pos.TailRunPos, MaxDataBytes)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		dataPacket.RunData64 = base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(runData)
-		dataPacket.RunDataLen = len(runData)
-	}
-	return dataPacket, nil
-}
-
-// returns (data-packet, keepRunning)
-func (t *Tailer) runSingleDataTransfer(key base.CommandKey, reqId string) (*packet.CmdDataPacketType, bool, error) {
-	t.Lock.Lock()
-	entry, pos, foundPos := t.getEntryAndPos_nolock(key, reqId)
-	t.Lock.Unlock()
-	if !foundPos {
-		return nil, false, nil
-	}
-	dataPacket, dataErr := t.makeCmdDataPacket(entry, pos)
-
-	t.Lock.Lock()
-	defer t.Lock.Unlock()
-	entry, pos, foundPos = t.getEntryAndPos_nolock(key, reqId)
-	if !foundPos {
-		return nil, false, nil
-	}
-	// pos was updated between first and second get, throw out data-packet and re-run
-	if pos.TailPtyPos != dataPacket.PtyPos || pos.TailRunPos != dataPacket.RunPos {
-		return nil, true, nil
-	}
-	if dataErr != nil {
-		// error, so return error packet, and stop running
-		pos.Running = false
-		t.updateTailPos_nolock(key, reqId, pos)
-		return nil, false, dataErr
-	}
-	pos.TailPtyPos += int64(dataPacket.PtyDataLen)
-	pos.TailRunPos += int64(dataPacket.RunDataLen)
-	if pos.IsCurrent(entry) {
-		// we caught up, tail position equals file length
-		pos.Running = false
-	}
-	t.updateTailPos_nolock(key, reqId, pos)
-	return dataPacket, pos.Running, nil
-}
-
-// returns (removed)
-func (t *Tailer) checkRemove(cmdKey base.CommandKey, reqId string) bool {
-	t.Lock.Lock()
-	defer t.Lock.Unlock()
-	entry, pos, foundPos := t.getEntryAndPos_nolock(cmdKey, reqId)
-	if !foundPos {
-		return false
-	}
-	if !pos.IsCurrent(entry) {
-		return false
-	}
-	if !pos.Follow || entry.Done {
-		t.removeTailPos_nolock(cmdKey, reqId)
-		return true
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) RunDataTransfer(key base.CommandKey, reqId string) {
-	for {
-		dataPacket, keepRunning, err := t.runSingleDataTransfer(key, reqId)
-		if dataPacket != nil {
-			t.Sender.SendPacket(dataPacket)
-		}
-		if err != nil {
-			t.removeTailPos(key, reqId)
-			t.Sender.SendErrorResponse(reqId, err)
-			break
-		}
-		if !keepRunning {
-			removed := t.checkRemove(key, reqId)
-			if removed {
-				t.Sender.SendResponse(reqId, true)
-			}
-			break
-		}
-		time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
-	}
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) tryStartRun_nolock(entry CmdWatchEntry, pos TailPos) {
-	if pos.Running {
-		return
-	}
-	if pos.IsCurrent(entry) {
-		return
-	}
-	pos.Running = true
-	t.updateTailPos_nolock(entry.CmdKey, pos.ReqId, pos)
-	go t.RunDataTransfer(entry.CmdKey, pos.ReqId)
-}
-
-var updateFileRe = regexp.MustCompile("/([a-z0-9-]+)/([a-z0-9-]+)\\.(ptyout|runout)$")
-
-func (t *Tailer) updateFile(relFileName string) {
-	m := updateFileRe.FindStringSubmatch(relFileName)
-	if m == nil {
-		return
-	}
-	finfo, err := os.Stat(relFileName)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Sender.SendPacket(packet.FmtMessagePacket("error trying to stat file '%s': %v", relFileName, err))
-		return
-	}
-	cmdKey := base.MakeCommandKey(m[1], m[2])
-	t.Lock.Lock()
-	defer t.Lock.Unlock()
-	entry, foundEntry := t.WatchList[cmdKey]
-	if !foundEntry {
-		return
-	}
-	fileType := m[3]
-	if fileType == FileTypePty {
-		entry.FilePtyLen = finfo.Size()
-	} else if fileType == FileTypeRun {
-		entry.FileRunLen = finfo.Size()
-	}
-	t.WatchList[cmdKey] = entry
-	for _, pos := range entry.Tails {
-		t.tryStartRun_nolock(entry, pos)
-	}
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) Run() {
-	for {
-		select {
-		case event, ok := <-t.Watcher.Events:
-			if !ok {
-				return
-			}
-			if event.Op&fsnotify.Write == fsnotify.Write {
-				t.updateFile(event.Name)
-			}
-
-		case err, ok := <-t.Watcher.Errors:
-			if !ok {
-				return
-			}
-			// what to do with this error?  just send a message
-			t.Sender.SendPacket(packet.FmtMessagePacket("error in tailer: %v", err))
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) Close() error {
-	return t.Watcher.Close()
-}
-
-func max(v1 int64, v2 int64) int64 {
-	if v1 > v2 {
-		return v1
-	}
-	return v2
-}
-
-func (entry *CmdWatchEntry) fillFilePos(gen FileNameGenerator) {
-	ptyInfo, _ := os.Stat(gen.PtyOutFile(entry.CmdKey))
-	if ptyInfo != nil {
-		entry.FilePtyLen = ptyInfo.Size()
-	}
-	runoutInfo, _ := os.Stat(gen.RunOutFile(entry.CmdKey))
-	if runoutInfo != nil {
-		entry.FileRunLen = runoutInfo.Size()
-	}
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) KeyDone(key base.CommandKey) {
-	t.Lock.Lock()
-	defer t.Lock.Unlock()
-	entry, foundEntry := t.WatchList[key]
-	if !foundEntry {
-		return
-	}
-	entry.Done = true
-	var newTails []TailPos
-	for _, pos := range entry.Tails {
-		if pos.IsCurrent(entry) {
-			continue
-		}
-		newTails = append(newTails, pos)
-	}
-	entry.Tails = newTails
-	t.WatchList[key] = entry
-	if len(entry.Tails) == 0 {
-		t.removeWatch_nolock(key)
-	}
-	t.WatchList[key] = entry
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) RemoveWatch(pk *packet.UntailCmdPacketType) {
-	t.Lock.Lock()
-	defer t.Lock.Unlock()
-	t.removeTailPos_nolock(pk.CK, pk.ReqId)
-}
-
-func (t *Tailer) AddFileWatches_nolock(key base.CommandKey, ptyOnly bool) error {
-	ptyName := t.Gen.PtyOutFile(key)
-	runName := t.Gen.RunOutFile(key)
-	fmt.Printf("WATCH> add %s\n", ptyName)
-	err := t.Watcher.Add(ptyName)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if ptyOnly {
-		return nil
-	}
-	err = t.Watcher.Add(runName)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Watcher.Remove(ptyName) // best effort clean up
-		return err
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-// returns (up-to-date/done, error)
-func (t *Tailer) AddWatch(getPacket *packet.GetCmdPacketType) (bool, error) {
-	if err := getPacket.CK.Validate("getcmd"); err != nil {
-		return false, err
-	}
-	if getPacket.ReqId == "" {
-		return false, fmt.Errorf("getcmd, no reqid specified")
-	}
-	t.Lock.Lock()
-	defer t.Lock.Unlock()
-	key := getPacket.CK
-	entry, foundEntry := t.WatchList[key]
-	if !foundEntry {
-		// initialize entry, add watches
-		entry = CmdWatchEntry{CmdKey: key}
-		entry.fillFilePos(t.Gen)
-	}
-	pos, foundPos := entry.getTailPos(getPacket.ReqId)
-	if !foundPos {
-		// initialize a new tailpos
-		pos = TailPos{ReqId: getPacket.ReqId}
-	}
-	// update tailpos with new values from getpacket
-	pos.TailPtyPos = getPacket.PtyPos
-	pos.TailRunPos = getPacket.RunPos
-	pos.Follow = getPacket.Tail
-	// convert negative pos to positive
-	if pos.TailPtyPos < 0 {
-		pos.TailPtyPos = max(0, entry.FilePtyLen+pos.TailPtyPos) // + because negative
-	}
-	if pos.TailRunPos < 0 {
-		pos.TailRunPos = max(0, entry.FileRunLen+pos.TailRunPos) // + because negative
-	}
-	entry.updateTailPos(pos.ReqId, pos)
-	if !pos.Follow && pos.IsCurrent(entry) {
-		// don't add to t.WatchList, don't t.AddFileWatches_nolock, send rpc response
-		return true, nil
-	}
-	if !foundEntry {
-		err := t.AddFileWatches_nolock(key, getPacket.PtyOnly)
-		if err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-	}
-	t.WatchList[key] = entry
-	t.tryStartRun_nolock(entry, pos)
-	return false, nil
-}
diff --git a/waveshell/pkg/packet/packet.go b/waveshell/pkg/packet/packet.go
index 077e9e884..ff89de4d4 100644
--- a/waveshell/pkg/packet/packet.go
+++ b/waveshell/pkg/packet/packet.go
@@ -43,12 +43,10 @@ const (
 	DataEndPacketStr        = "dataend"
 	ResponsePacketStr       = "resp" // rpc-response
 	DonePacketStr           = "done"
-	CmdErrorPacketStr       = "cmderror" // command
 	MessagePacketStr        = "message"
 	GetCmdPacketStr         = "getcmd"    // rpc
 	UntailCmdPacketStr      = "untailcmd" // rpc
 	CdPacketStr             = "cd"        // rpc
-	CmdDataPacketStr        = "cmddata"   // rpc-response
 	RawPacketStr            = "raw"
 	SpecialInputPacketStr   = "sinput"         // command
 	CompGenPacketStr        = "compgen"        // rpc
@@ -90,7 +88,6 @@ func init() {
 	TypeStrToFactory[PingPacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(PingPacketType{})
 	TypeStrToFactory[ResponsePacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(ResponsePacketType{})
 	TypeStrToFactory[DonePacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(DonePacketType{})
-	TypeStrToFactory[CmdErrorPacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(CmdErrorPacketType{})
 	TypeStrToFactory[MessagePacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(MessagePacketType{})
 	TypeStrToFactory[CmdStartPacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(CmdStartPacketType{})
 	TypeStrToFactory[CmdDonePacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(CmdDonePacketType{})
@@ -98,7 +95,6 @@ func init() {
 	TypeStrToFactory[UntailCmdPacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(UntailCmdPacketType{})
 	TypeStrToFactory[InitPacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(InitPacketType{})
 	TypeStrToFactory[CdPacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(CdPacketType{})
-	TypeStrToFactory[CmdDataPacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(CmdDataPacketType{})
 	TypeStrToFactory[RawPacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(RawPacketType{})
 	TypeStrToFactory[SpecialInputPacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(SpecialInputPacketType{})
 	TypeStrToFactory[DataPacketStr] = reflect.TypeOf(DataPacketType{})
@@ -128,7 +124,6 @@ func init() {
 
 	var _ RpcResponsePacketType = (*CmdStartPacketType)(nil)
 	var _ RpcResponsePacketType = (*ResponsePacketType)(nil)
-	var _ RpcResponsePacketType = (*CmdDataPacketType)(nil)
 	var _ RpcResponsePacketType = (*StreamFileResponseType)(nil)
 	var _ RpcResponsePacketType = (*FileDataPacketType)(nil)
 	var _ RpcResponsePacketType = (*WriteFileReadyPacketType)(nil)
@@ -155,36 +150,6 @@ func MakePacket(packetType string) (PacketType, error) {
 	return rtn.Interface().(PacketType), nil
 }
 
-type CmdDataPacketType struct {
-	Type       string          `json:"type"`
-	RespId     string          `json:"respid"`
-	CK         base.CommandKey `json:"ck"`
-	PtyPos     int64           `json:"ptypos"`
-	PtyLen     int64           `json:"ptylen"`
-	RunPos     int64           `json:"runpos"`
-	RunLen     int64           `json:"runlen"`
-	PtyData64  string          `json:"ptydata64"`
-	PtyDataLen int             `json:"ptydatalen"`
-	RunData64  string          `json:"rundata64"`
-	RunDataLen int             `json:"rundatalen"`
-}
-
-func (*CmdDataPacketType) GetType() string {
-	return CmdDataPacketStr
-}
-
-func (p *CmdDataPacketType) GetResponseId() string {
-	return p.RespId
-}
-
-func (*CmdDataPacketType) GetResponseDone() bool {
-	return false
-}
-
-func MakeCmdDataPacket(reqId string) *CmdDataPacketType {
-	return &CmdDataPacketType{Type: CmdDataPacketStr, RespId: reqId}
-}
-
 type PingPacketType struct {
 	Type string `json:"type"`
 }
@@ -830,28 +795,6 @@ type BarePacketType struct {
 	Type string `json:"type"`
 }
 
-type CmdErrorPacketType struct {
-	Type  string          `json:"type"`
-	CK    base.CommandKey `json:"ck"`
-	Error string          `json:"error"`
-}
-
-func (*CmdErrorPacketType) GetType() string {
-	return CmdErrorPacketStr
-}
-
-func (p *CmdErrorPacketType) GetCK() base.CommandKey {
-	return p.CK
-}
-
-func (p *CmdErrorPacketType) String() string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("error[%s]", p.Error)
-}
-
-func MakeCmdErrorPacket(ck base.CommandKey, err error) *CmdErrorPacketType {
-	return &CmdErrorPacketType{Type: CmdErrorPacketStr, CK: ck, Error: err.Error()}
-}
-
 type WriteFilePacketType struct {
 	Type    string `json:"type"`
 	ReqId   string `json:"reqid"`
@@ -1074,10 +1017,6 @@ func SendPacket(w io.Writer, packet PacketType) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func SendCmdError(w io.Writer, ck base.CommandKey, err error) error {
-	return SendPacket(w, MakeCmdErrorPacket(ck, err))
-}
-
 type PacketSender struct {
 	Lock       *sync.Mutex
 	SendCh     chan PacketType
@@ -1197,10 +1136,6 @@ func (sender *PacketSender) SendPacket(pk PacketType) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (sender *PacketSender) SendCmdError(ck base.CommandKey, err error) error {
-	return sender.SendPacket(MakeCmdErrorPacket(ck, err))
-}
-
 func (sender *PacketSender) SendErrorResponse(reqId string, err error) error {
 	pk := MakeErrorResponsePacket(reqId, err)
 	return sender.SendPacket(pk)
@@ -1222,17 +1157,13 @@ type UnknownPacketReporter interface {
 type DefaultUPR struct{}
 
 func (DefaultUPR) UnknownPacket(pk PacketType) {
-	if pk.GetType() == CmdErrorPacketStr {
-		errPacket := pk.(*CmdErrorPacketType)
-		// at this point, just send the error packet to stderr rather than try to do something special
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[error] %s\n", errPacket.Error)
-	} else if pk.GetType() == RawPacketStr {
+	if pk.GetType() == RawPacketStr {
 		rawPacket := pk.(*RawPacketType)
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "%s\n", rawPacket.Data)
 	} else if pk.GetType() == CmdStartPacketStr {
 		return // do nothing
 	} else {
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[error] invalid packet received '%s'", AsExtType(pk))
+		wlog.Logf("[upr] invalid packet received '%s'", AsExtType(pk))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/waveshell/pkg/server/server.go b/waveshell/pkg/server/server.go
index d3729eb16..9fc098ce0 100644
--- a/waveshell/pkg/server/server.go
+++ b/waveshell/pkg/server/server.go
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ func (m *MServer) ProcessCommandPacket(pk packet.CommandPacketType) {
 	cproc := m.ClientMap[ck]
 	m.Lock.Unlock()
 	if cproc == nil {
-		m.Sender.SendCmdError(ck, fmt.Errorf("no client proc for ck '%s', pk=%s", ck, packet.AsString(pk)))
+		wlog.Logf("no client proc for ck %q, pk=%s", ck, packet.AsString(pk))
 		return
 	}
 	cproc.Input.SendPacket(pk)
diff --git a/waveshell/pkg/shexec/shexec.go b/waveshell/pkg/shexec/shexec.go
index 93446f5d5..817692bbe 100644
--- a/waveshell/pkg/shexec/shexec.go
+++ b/waveshell/pkg/shexec/shexec.go
@@ -1069,106 +1069,6 @@ func copyToCirFile(dest *cirfile.File, src io.Reader) error {
 	}
 }
 
-func (cmd *ShExecType) DetachedWait(startPacket *packet.CmdStartPacketType) {
-	// after Start(), any output/errors must go to DetachedOutput
-	// close stdin, redirect stdout/stderr to /dev/null, but wait for cmdstart packet to get sent
-	cmd.DetachedOutput.SendPacket(startPacket)
-	err := os.Stdin.Close()
-	if err != nil {
-		cmd.DetachedOutput.SendCmdError(cmd.CK, fmt.Errorf("cannot close stdin: %w", err))
-	}
-	err = unix.Dup2(int(cmd.RunnerOutFd.Fd()), int(os.Stdout.Fd()))
-	if err != nil {
-		cmd.DetachedOutput.SendCmdError(cmd.CK, fmt.Errorf("cannot dup2 stdin to runout: %w", err))
-	}
-	err = unix.Dup2(int(cmd.RunnerOutFd.Fd()), int(os.Stderr.Fd()))
-	if err != nil {
-		cmd.DetachedOutput.SendCmdError(cmd.CK, fmt.Errorf("cannot dup2 stdin to runout: %w", err))
-	}
-	ptyOutFile, err := cirfile.CreateCirFile(cmd.FileNames.PtyOutFile, cmd.MaxPtySize)
-	if err != nil {
-		cmd.DetachedOutput.SendCmdError(cmd.CK, fmt.Errorf("cannot open ptyout file '%s': %w", cmd.FileNames.PtyOutFile, err))
-		// don't return (command is already running)
-	}
-	ptyCopyDone := make(chan bool)
-	go func() {
-		// copy pty output to .ptyout file
-		defer close(ptyCopyDone)
-		defer ptyOutFile.Close()
-		copyErr := copyToCirFile(ptyOutFile, cmd.CmdPty)
-		if copyErr != nil {
-			cmd.DetachedOutput.SendCmdError(cmd.CK, fmt.Errorf("copying pty output to ptyout file: %w", copyErr))
-		}
-	}()
-	go func() {
-		// copy .stdin fifo contents to pty input
-		copyFifoErr := MakeAndCopyStdinFifo(cmd.CmdPty, cmd.FileNames.StdinFifo)
-		if copyFifoErr != nil {
-			cmd.DetachedOutput.SendCmdError(cmd.CK, fmt.Errorf("reading from stdin fifo: %w", copyFifoErr))
-		}
-	}()
-	donePacket := cmd.WaitForCommand()
-	cmd.DetachedOutput.SendPacket(donePacket)
-	<-ptyCopyDone
-	cmd.Close()
-}
-
-func RunCommandDetached(pk *packet.RunPacketType, sender *packet.PacketSender) (*ShExecType, *packet.CmdStartPacketType, error) {
-	sapi, err := shellapi.MakeShellApi(pk.ShellType)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, err
-	}
-	fileNames, err := base.GetCommandFileNames(pk.CK)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, err
-	}
-	runOutInfo, err := os.Stat(fileNames.RunnerOutFile)
-	if err == nil { // non-nil error will be caught by regular OpenFile below
-		// must have size 0
-		if runOutInfo.Size() != 0 {
-			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("cmdkey '%s' was already used (runout len=%d)", pk.CK, runOutInfo.Size())
-		}
-	}
-	cmdPty, cmdTty, err := pty.Open()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("opening new pty: %w", err)
-	}
-	pty.Setsize(cmdPty, GetWinsize(pk))
-	defer func() {
-		cmdTty.Close()
-	}()
-	cmd := MakeShExec(pk.CK, nil, sapi)
-	cmd.FileNames = fileNames
-	cmd.CmdPty = cmdPty
-	cmd.Detached = true
-	cmd.MaxPtySize = DefaultMaxPtySize
-	if pk.TermOpts != nil && pk.TermOpts.MaxPtySize > 0 {
-		cmd.MaxPtySize = base.BoundInt64(pk.TermOpts.MaxPtySize, MinMaxPtySize, MaxMaxPtySize)
-	}
-	cmd.RunnerOutFd, err = os.OpenFile(fileNames.RunnerOutFile, os.O_TRUNC|os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY|os.O_APPEND, 0600)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot open runout file '%s': %w", fileNames.RunnerOutFile, err)
-	}
-	cmd.DetachedOutput = packet.MakePacketSender(cmd.RunnerOutFd, nil)
-	ecmd, err := MakeDetachedExecCmd(pk, cmdTty)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, err
-	}
-	cmd.Cmd = ecmd
-	SetupSignalsForDetach()
-	err = ecmd.Start()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("starting command: %w", err)
-	}
-	for _, fd := range ecmd.ExtraFiles {
-		if fd != cmdTty {
-			fd.Close()
-		}
-	}
-	startPacket := cmd.MakeCmdStartPacket(pk.ReqId)
-	return cmd, startPacket, nil
-}
-
 func GetExitCode(err error) int {
 	if err == nil {
 		return 0
diff --git a/wavesrv/pkg/cmdrunner/cmdrunner.go b/wavesrv/pkg/cmdrunner/cmdrunner.go
index 0d674efb7..2d66c5ae2 100644
--- a/wavesrv/pkg/cmdrunner/cmdrunner.go
+++ b/wavesrv/pkg/cmdrunner/cmdrunner.go
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ func getEvalDepth(ctx context.Context) int {
 func SyncCommand(ctx context.Context, pk *scpacket.FeCommandPacketType) (scbus.UpdatePacket, error) {
 	ids, err := resolveUiIds(ctx, pk, R_Session|R_Screen|R_RemoteConnected)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("/run error: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("/sync error: %w", err)
 	}
 	runPacket := packet.MakeRunPacket()
 	runPacket.ReqId = uuid.New().String()
@@ -513,22 +513,21 @@ func SyncCommand(ctx context.Context, pk *scpacket.FeCommandPacketType) (scbus.U
 		SessionId: ids.SessionId,
 		ScreenId:  ids.ScreenId,
 		RemotePtr: ids.Remote.RemotePtr,
+		Ephemeral: true,
 	}
-	cmd, callback, err := remote.RunCommand(ctx, rcOpts, runPacket)
+	_, callback, err := remote.RunCommand(ctx, rcOpts, runPacket)
 	if callback != nil {
 		defer callback()
 	}
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	cmd.RawCmdStr = pk.GetRawStr()
-	update, err := addLineForCmd(ctx, "/sync", true, ids, cmd, "terminal", nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	update.AddUpdate(sstore.InteractiveUpdate(pk.Interactive))
-	scbus.MainUpdateBus.DoScreenUpdate(ids.ScreenId, update)
-	return nil, nil
+	update := scbus.MakeUpdatePacket()
+	update.AddUpdate(sstore.InfoMsgType{
+		InfoMsg:   "syncing state",
+		TimeoutMs: 2000,
+	})
+	return update, nil
 }
 
 func getRendererArg(pk *scpacket.FeCommandPacketType) (string, error) {
@@ -1178,7 +1177,8 @@ func deferWriteCmdStatus(ctx context.Context, cmd *sstore.CmdType, startTime tim
 	donePk.Ts = time.Now().UnixMilli()
 	donePk.ExitCode = exitCode
 	donePk.DurationMs = duration.Milliseconds()
-	update, err := sstore.UpdateCmdDoneInfo(context.Background(), ck, donePk, cmdStatus)
+	update := scbus.MakeUpdatePacket()
+	err := sstore.UpdateCmdDoneInfo(context.Background(), update, ck, donePk, cmdStatus)
 	if err != nil {
 		// nothing to do
 		log.Printf("error updating cmddoneinfo (in openai): %v\n", err)
@@ -2554,7 +2554,8 @@ func doOpenAICompletion(cmd *sstore.CmdType, opts *sstore.OpenAIOptsType, prompt
 		donePk.Ts = time.Now().UnixMilli()
 		donePk.ExitCode = exitCode
 		donePk.DurationMs = duration.Milliseconds()
-		update, err := sstore.UpdateCmdDoneInfo(context.Background(), ck, donePk, cmdStatus)
+		update := scbus.MakeUpdatePacket()
+		err := sstore.UpdateCmdDoneInfo(context.Background(), update, ck, donePk, cmdStatus)
 		if err != nil {
 			// nothing to do
 			log.Printf("error updating cmddoneinfo (in openai): %v\n", err)
@@ -2713,7 +2714,8 @@ func doOpenAIStreamCompletion(cmd *sstore.CmdType, clientId string, opts *sstore
 		donePk.Ts = time.Now().UnixMilli()
 		donePk.ExitCode = exitCode
 		donePk.DurationMs = duration.Milliseconds()
-		update, err := sstore.UpdateCmdDoneInfo(context.Background(), ck, donePk, cmdStatus)
+		update := scbus.MakeUpdatePacket()
+		err := sstore.UpdateCmdDoneInfo(context.Background(), update, ck, donePk, cmdStatus)
 		if err != nil {
 			// nothing to do
 			log.Printf("error updating cmddoneinfo (in openai): %v\n", err)
diff --git a/wavesrv/pkg/remote/remote.go b/wavesrv/pkg/remote/remote.go
index 07f61dec9..3304f3412 100644
--- a/wavesrv/pkg/remote/remote.go
+++ b/wavesrv/pkg/remote/remote.go
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import (
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"syscall"
 	"time"
 
@@ -160,17 +161,20 @@ type MShellProc struct {
 	InstallCancelFn    context.CancelFunc
 	InstallErr         error
 
-	RunningCmds      map[base.CommandKey]RunCmdType
+	RunningCmds      map[base.CommandKey]*RunCmdType
 	PendingStateCmds map[pendingStateKey]base.CommandKey // key=[remoteinstance name]
 	launcher         Launcher                            // for conditional launch method based on ssh library in use. remove once ssh library is stabilized
 	Client           *ssh.Client
 }
 
 type RunCmdType struct {
-	SessionId string
-	ScreenId  string
-	RemotePtr sstore.RemotePtrType
-	RunPacket *packet.RunPacketType
+	CK         base.CommandKey
+	SessionId  string
+	ScreenId   string
+	RemotePtr  sstore.RemotePtrType
+	RunPacket  *packet.RunPacketType
+	Ephemeral  bool
+	EphCancled atomic.Bool // only for Ephemeral commands, if true, then the command result should be discarded
 }
 
 type RemoteRuntimeState = sstore.RemoteRuntimeState
@@ -704,7 +708,7 @@ func MakeMShell(r *sstore.RemoteType) *MShellProc {
 		Status:           StatusDisconnected,
 		PtyBuffer:        buf,
 		InstallStatus:    StatusDisconnected,
-		RunningCmds:      make(map[base.CommandKey]RunCmdType),
+		RunningCmds:      make(map[base.CommandKey]*RunCmdType),
 		PendingStateCmds: make(map[pendingStateKey]base.CommandKey),
 		StateMap:         server.MakeShellStateMap(),
 		launcher:         LegacyLauncher{}, // for conditional launch method based on ssh library in use. remove once ssh library is stabilized
@@ -1928,6 +1932,8 @@ func makeTermOpts(runPk *packet.RunPacketType) sstore.TermOpts {
 }
 
 // returns (ok, currentPSC)
+// if ok is true, currentPSC will be nil
+// if ok is false, currentPSC will be the existing pending state command (not nil)
 func (msh *MShellProc) testAndSetPendingStateCmd(screenId string, rptr sstore.RemotePtrType, newCK *base.CommandKey) (bool, *base.CommandKey) {
 	key := pendingStateKey{ScreenId: screenId, RemotePtr: rptr}
 	msh.Lock.Lock()
@@ -1986,6 +1992,10 @@ type RunCommandOpts struct {
 
 	// set to true to skip creating the pty file (for restarted commands)
 	NoCreateCmdPtyFile bool
+
+	// this command will not go into the DB, and will not have a ptyout file created
+	// forces special packet handling (sets RunCommandType.Ephemeral)
+	Ephemeral bool
 }
 
 // returns (CmdType, allow-updates-callback, err)
@@ -2022,14 +2032,14 @@ func RunCommand(ctx context.Context, rcOpts RunCommandOpts, runPacket *packet.Ru
 		}
 		ok, existingPSC := msh.testAndSetPendingStateCmd(screenId, remotePtr, newPSC)
 		if !ok {
-			line, _, err := sstore.GetLineCmdByLineId(ctx, screenId, existingPSC.GetCmdId())
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot run command while a stateful command is still running: %v", err)
+			rct := msh.GetRunningCmd(*existingPSC)
+			if rct.Ephemeral {
+				// if the existing command is ephemeral, we cancel it and continue
+				rct.EphCancled.Store(true)
+			} else {
+				line, _, err := sstore.GetLineCmdByLineId(ctx, screenId, existingPSC.GetCmdId())
+				return nil, nil, makePSCLineError(*existingPSC, line, err)
 			}
-			if line == nil {
-				return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot run command while a stateful command is still running %s", *existingPSC)
-			}
-			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot run command while a stateful command (linenum=%d) is still running", line.LineNum)
 		}
 		if newPSC != nil {
 			defer func() {
@@ -2121,24 +2131,37 @@ func RunCommand(ctx context.Context, rcOpts RunCommandOpts, runPacket *packet.Ru
 		RunOut:     nil,
 		RtnState:   runPacket.ReturnState,
 	}
-	if !rcOpts.NoCreateCmdPtyFile {
+	if !rcOpts.NoCreateCmdPtyFile && !rcOpts.Ephemeral {
 		err = sstore.CreateCmdPtyFile(ctx, cmd.ScreenId, cmd.LineId, cmd.TermOpts.MaxPtySize)
 		if err != nil {
 			// TODO the cmd is running, so this is a tricky error to handle
 			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot create local ptyout file for running command: %v", err)
 		}
 	}
-	msh.AddRunningCmd(RunCmdType{
+	msh.AddRunningCmd(&RunCmdType{
+		CK:        runPacket.CK,
 		SessionId: sessionId,
 		ScreenId:  screenId,
 		RemotePtr: remotePtr,
 		RunPacket: runPacket,
+		Ephemeral: rcOpts.Ephemeral,
 	})
 
 	return cmd, func() { removeCmdWait(runPacket.CK) }, nil
 }
 
-func (msh *MShellProc) AddRunningCmd(rct RunCmdType) {
+// helper func to construct the proper error given what information we have
+func makePSCLineError(existingPSC base.CommandKey, line *sstore.LineType, lineErr error) error {
+	if lineErr != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot run command while a stateful command is still running: %v", lineErr)
+	}
+	if line == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot run command while a stateful command is still running %s", existingPSC)
+	}
+	return fmt.Errorf("cannot run command while a stateful command (linenum=%d) is still running", line.LineNum)
+}
+
+func (msh *MShellProc) AddRunningCmd(rct *RunCmdType) {
 	msh.Lock.Lock()
 	defer msh.Lock.Unlock()
 	msh.RunningCmds[rct.RunPacket.CK] = rct
@@ -2147,11 +2170,7 @@ func (msh *MShellProc) AddRunningCmd(rct RunCmdType) {
 func (msh *MShellProc) GetRunningCmd(ck base.CommandKey) *RunCmdType {
 	msh.Lock.Lock()
 	defer msh.Lock.Unlock()
-	rct, found := msh.RunningCmds[ck]
-	if !found {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return &rct
+	return msh.RunningCmds[ck]
 }
 
 func (msh *MShellProc) RemoveRunningCmd(ck base.CommandKey) {
@@ -2241,39 +2260,74 @@ func (msh *MShellProc) notifyHangups_nolock() {
 		scbus.MainUpdateBus.DoScreenUpdate(ck.GetGroupId(), update)
 		go pushNumRunningCmdsUpdate(&ck, -1)
 	}
-	msh.RunningCmds = make(map[base.CommandKey]RunCmdType)
+	msh.RunningCmds = make(map[base.CommandKey]*RunCmdType)
 	msh.PendingStateCmds = make(map[pendingStateKey]base.CommandKey)
 }
 
-func (msh *MShellProc) handleCmdDonePacket(donePk *packet.CmdDonePacketType) {
-	ctx, cancelFn := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
-	defer cancelFn()
-	// this will remove from RunningCmds and from PendingStateCmds
-	defer msh.RemoveRunningCmd(donePk.CK)
+// either fullstate or statediff will be set (not both) <- this is so the result is compatible with the sstore.UpdateRemoteState function
+// note that this function *does* touch the DB, if FinalStateDiff is set, will ensure that StateBase is written to DB
+func (msh *MShellProc) makeStatePtrFromFinalState(ctx context.Context, donePk *packet.CmdDonePacketType) (*sstore.ShellStatePtr, map[string]string, *packet.ShellState, *packet.ShellStateDiff, error) {
 	if donePk.FinalState != nil {
-		donePk.FinalState = stripScVarsFromState(donePk.FinalState)
+		finalState := stripScVarsFromState(donePk.FinalState)
+		feState := sstore.FeStateFromShellState(finalState)
+		statePtr := &sstore.ShellStatePtr{BaseHash: finalState.GetHashVal(false)}
+		return statePtr, feState, finalState, nil, nil
 	}
 	if donePk.FinalStateDiff != nil {
-		donePk.FinalStateDiff = stripScVarsFromStateDiff(donePk.FinalStateDiff)
+		stateDiff := stripScVarsFromStateDiff(donePk.FinalStateDiff)
+		feState, err := msh.getFeStateFromDiff(stateDiff)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, nil, nil, err
+		}
+		fullState := msh.StateMap.GetStateByHash(stateDiff.GetShellType(), stateDiff.BaseHash)
+		if fullState != nil {
+			sstore.StoreStateBase(ctx, fullState)
+		}
+		diffHashArr := append(([]string)(nil), donePk.FinalStateDiff.DiffHashArr...)
+		diffHashArr = append(diffHashArr, donePk.FinalStateDiff.GetHashVal(false))
+		statePtr := &sstore.ShellStatePtr{BaseHash: donePk.FinalStateDiff.BaseHash, DiffHashArr: diffHashArr}
+		return statePtr, feState, nil, stateDiff, nil
 	}
-	update, err := sstore.UpdateCmdDoneInfo(ctx, donePk.CK, donePk, sstore.CmdStatusDone)
-	if err != nil {
-		msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("*error updating cmddone: %v\n", err)
+	return nil, nil, nil, nil, nil
+}
+
+func (msh *MShellProc) handleCmdDonePacket(rct *RunCmdType, donePk *packet.CmdDonePacketType) {
+	if rct == nil {
+		log.Printf("cmddone packet received, but no running command found for it %q\n", donePk.CK)
 		return
 	}
-	screen, err := sstore.UpdateScreenFocusForDoneCmd(ctx, donePk.CK.GetGroupId(), donePk.CK.GetCmdId())
-	if err != nil {
-		msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("*error trying to update screen focus type: %v\n", err)
-		// fall-through (nothing to do)
+	// this will remove from RunningCmds and from PendingStateCmds
+	defer msh.RemoveRunningCmd(donePk.CK)
+	if rct.Ephemeral && rct.EphCancled.Load() {
+		// do nothing when an ephemeral command is canceled
+		return
 	}
-	if screen != nil {
-		update.AddUpdate(*screen)
+	ctx, cancelFn := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancelFn()
+	update := scbus.MakeUpdatePacket()
+	if !rct.Ephemeral {
+		// only update DB for non-ephemeral commands
+		err := sstore.UpdateCmdDoneInfo(ctx, update, donePk.CK, donePk, sstore.CmdStatusDone)
+		if err != nil {
+			msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("*error updating cmddone: %v\n", err)
+			return
+		}
+		screen, err := sstore.UpdateScreenFocusForDoneCmd(ctx, donePk.CK.GetGroupId(), donePk.CK.GetCmdId())
+		if err != nil {
+			msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("*error trying to update screen focus type: %v\n", err)
+			// fall-through (nothing to do)
+		}
+		if screen != nil {
+			update.AddUpdate(*screen)
+		}
 	}
-	rct := msh.GetRunningCmd(donePk.CK)
-	var statePtr *sstore.ShellStatePtr
-	if donePk.FinalState != nil && rct != nil {
-		feState := sstore.FeStateFromShellState(donePk.FinalState)
-		remoteInst, err := sstore.UpdateRemoteState(ctx, rct.SessionId, rct.ScreenId, rct.RemotePtr, feState, donePk.FinalState, nil)
+	// ephemeral commands *do* update the remote state
+	if donePk.FinalState != nil || donePk.FinalStateDiff != nil {
+		statePtr, feState, finalState, finalStateDiff, err := msh.makeStatePtrFromFinalState(ctx, donePk)
+		if err != nil {
+			msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("*error trying to read final command state: %v\n", err)
+		}
+		remoteInst, err := sstore.UpdateRemoteState(ctx, rct.SessionId, rct.ScreenId, rct.RemotePtr, feState, finalState, finalStateDiff)
 		if err != nil {
 			msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("*error trying to update remotestate: %v\n", err)
 			// fall-through (nothing to do)
@@ -2281,43 +2335,28 @@ func (msh *MShellProc) handleCmdDonePacket(donePk *packet.CmdDonePacketType) {
 		if remoteInst != nil {
 			update.AddUpdate(sstore.MakeSessionUpdateForRemote(rct.SessionId, remoteInst))
 		}
-		statePtr = &sstore.ShellStatePtr{BaseHash: donePk.FinalState.GetHashVal(false)}
-	} else if donePk.FinalStateDiff != nil && rct != nil {
-		feState, err := msh.getFeStateFromDiff(donePk.FinalStateDiff)
-		if err != nil {
-			msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("*error trying to update remotestate: %v\n", err)
-			// fall-through (nothing to do)
-		} else {
-			stateDiff := donePk.FinalStateDiff
-			fullState := msh.StateMap.GetStateByHash(stateDiff.GetShellType(), stateDiff.BaseHash)
-			if fullState != nil {
-				sstore.StoreStateBase(ctx, fullState)
-			}
-			remoteInst, err := sstore.UpdateRemoteState(ctx, rct.SessionId, rct.ScreenId, rct.RemotePtr, feState, nil, stateDiff)
+		// ephemeral commands *do not* update cmd state (there is no command)
+		if statePtr != nil && !rct.Ephemeral {
+			err = sstore.UpdateCmdRtnState(ctx, donePk.CK, *statePtr)
 			if err != nil {
-				msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("*error trying to update remotestate: %v\n", err)
+				msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("*error trying to update cmd rtnstate: %v\n", err)
 				// fall-through (nothing to do)
 			}
-			if remoteInst != nil {
-				update.AddUpdate(sstore.MakeSessionUpdateForRemote(rct.SessionId, remoteInst))
-			}
-			diffHashArr := append(([]string)(nil), donePk.FinalStateDiff.DiffHashArr...)
-			diffHashArr = append(diffHashArr, donePk.FinalStateDiff.GetHashVal(false))
-			statePtr = &sstore.ShellStatePtr{BaseHash: donePk.FinalStateDiff.BaseHash, DiffHashArr: diffHashArr}
-		}
-	}
-	if statePtr != nil {
-		err = sstore.UpdateCmdRtnState(ctx, donePk.CK, *statePtr)
-		if err != nil {
-			msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("*error trying to update cmd rtnstate: %v\n", err)
-			// fall-through (nothing to do)
 		}
 	}
 	scbus.MainUpdateBus.DoUpdate(update)
 }
 
-func (msh *MShellProc) handleCmdFinalPacket(finalPk *packet.CmdFinalPacketType) {
+func (msh *MShellProc) handleCmdFinalPacket(rct *RunCmdType, finalPk *packet.CmdFinalPacketType) {
+	if rct == nil {
+		// this is somewhat expected, since cmddone should have removed the running command
+		return
+	}
 	defer msh.RemoveRunningCmd(finalPk.CK)
+	if rct.Ephemeral {
+		// just remove the running command, but there is no DB state to update in this case
+		return
+	}
 	rtnCmd, err := sstore.GetCmdByScreenId(context.Background(), finalPk.CK.GetGroupId(), finalPk.CK.GetCmdId())
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Printf("error calling GetCmdById in handleCmdFinalPacket: %v\n", err)
@@ -2350,31 +2389,31 @@ func (msh *MShellProc) handleCmdFinalPacket(finalPk *packet.CmdFinalPacketType)
 	scbus.MainUpdateBus.DoUpdate(update)
 }
 
-// TODO notify FE about cmd errors
-func (msh *MShellProc) handleCmdErrorPacket(errPk *packet.CmdErrorPacketType) {
-	err := sstore.AppendCmdErrorPk(context.Background(), errPk)
-	if err != nil {
-		msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("cmderr> [remote %s] [error] adding cmderr: %v\n", msh.GetRemoteName(), err)
-		return
-	}
-}
-
 func (msh *MShellProc) ResetDataPos(ck base.CommandKey) {
 	msh.DataPosMap.Delete(ck)
 }
 
-func (msh *MShellProc) handleDataPacket(dataPk *packet.DataPacketType, dataPosMap *utilfn.SyncMap[base.CommandKey, int64]) {
+func (msh *MShellProc) handleDataPacket(rct *RunCmdType, dataPk *packet.DataPacketType, dataPosMap *utilfn.SyncMap[base.CommandKey, int64]) {
+	if rct == nil {
+		ack := makeDataAckPacket(dataPk.CK, dataPk.FdNum, 0, fmt.Errorf("no running cmd found"))
+		msh.ServerProc.Input.SendPacket(ack)
+		return
+	}
 	realData, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(dataPk.Data64)
 	if err != nil {
 		ack := makeDataAckPacket(dataPk.CK, dataPk.FdNum, 0, err)
 		msh.ServerProc.Input.SendPacket(ack)
 		return
 	}
+	if rct.Ephemeral {
+		ack := makeDataAckPacket(dataPk.CK, dataPk.FdNum, len(realData), nil)
+		msh.ServerProc.Input.SendPacket(ack)
+		return
+	}
 	var ack *packet.DataAckPacketType
 	if len(realData) > 0 {
 		dataPos := dataPosMap.Get(dataPk.CK)
-		rcmd := msh.GetRunningCmd(dataPk.CK)
-		update, err := sstore.AppendToCmdPtyBlob(context.Background(), rcmd.ScreenId, dataPk.CK.GetCmdId(), realData, dataPos)
+		update, err := sstore.AppendToCmdPtyBlob(context.Background(), rct.ScreenId, dataPk.CK.GetCmdId(), realData, dataPos)
 		if err != nil {
 			ack = makeDataAckPacket(dataPk.CK, dataPk.FdNum, 0, err)
 		} else {
@@ -2388,25 +2427,6 @@ func (msh *MShellProc) handleDataPacket(dataPk *packet.DataPacketType, dataPosMa
 	if ack != nil {
 		msh.ServerProc.Input.SendPacket(ack)
 	}
-	// log.Printf("data %s fd=%d len=%d eof=%v err=%v\n", dataPk.CK, dataPk.FdNum, len(realData), dataPk.Eof, dataPk.Error)
-}
-
-func (msh *MShellProc) makeHandleDataPacketClosure(dataPk *packet.DataPacketType, dataPosMap *utilfn.SyncMap[base.CommandKey, int64]) func() {
-	return func() {
-		msh.handleDataPacket(dataPk, dataPosMap)
-	}
-}
-
-func (msh *MShellProc) makeHandleCmdDonePacketClosure(donePk *packet.CmdDonePacketType) func() {
-	return func() {
-		msh.handleCmdDonePacket(donePk)
-	}
-}
-
-func (msh *MShellProc) makeHandleCmdFinalPacketClosure(finalPk *packet.CmdFinalPacketType) func() {
-	return func() {
-		msh.handleCmdFinalPacket(finalPk)
-	}
 }
 
 func sendScreenUpdates(screens []*sstore.ScreenType) {
@@ -2417,6 +2437,45 @@ func sendScreenUpdates(screens []*sstore.ScreenType) {
 	}
 }
 
+func (msh *MShellProc) processSinglePacket(pk packet.PacketType) {
+	if _, ok := pk.(*packet.DataAckPacketType); ok {
+		// TODO process ack (need to keep track of buffer size for sending)
+		// this is low priority though since most input is coming from keyboard and won't overflow this buffer
+		return
+	}
+	if dataPk, ok := pk.(*packet.DataPacketType); ok {
+		runCmdUpdateFn(dataPk.CK, func() {
+			rct := msh.GetRunningCmd(dataPk.CK)
+			msh.handleDataPacket(rct, dataPk, msh.DataPosMap)
+		})
+		go pushStatusIndicatorUpdate(&dataPk.CK, sstore.StatusIndicatorLevel_Output)
+		return
+	}
+	if donePk, ok := pk.(*packet.CmdDonePacketType); ok {
+		runCmdUpdateFn(donePk.CK, func() {
+			rct := msh.GetRunningCmd(donePk.CK)
+			msh.handleCmdDonePacket(rct, donePk)
+		})
+		return
+	}
+	if finalPk, ok := pk.(*packet.CmdFinalPacketType); ok {
+		runCmdUpdateFn(finalPk.CK, func() {
+			rct := msh.GetRunningCmd(finalPk.CK)
+			msh.handleCmdFinalPacket(rct, finalPk)
+		})
+		return
+	}
+	if msgPk, ok := pk.(*packet.MessagePacketType); ok {
+		msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("msg> [remote %s] [%s] %s\n", msh.GetRemoteName(), msgPk.CK, msgPk.Message)
+		return
+	}
+	if rawPk, ok := pk.(*packet.RawPacketType); ok {
+		msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("stderr> [remote %s] %s\n", msh.GetRemoteName(), rawPk.Data)
+		return
+	}
+	msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("MSH> [remote %s] unhandled packet %s\n", msh.GetRemoteName(), packet.AsString(pk))
+}
+
 func (msh *MShellProc) ProcessPackets() {
 	defer msh.WithLock(func() {
 		if msh.Status == StatusConnected {
@@ -2433,53 +2492,7 @@ func (msh *MShellProc) ProcessPackets() {
 		}
 	})
 	for pk := range msh.ServerProc.Output.MainCh {
-		if pk.GetType() == packet.DataPacketStr {
-			dataPk := pk.(*packet.DataPacketType)
-			runCmdUpdateFn(dataPk.CK, msh.makeHandleDataPacketClosure(dataPk, msh.DataPosMap))
-			go pushStatusIndicatorUpdate(&dataPk.CK, sstore.StatusIndicatorLevel_Output)
-			continue
-		}
-		if pk.GetType() == packet.DataAckPacketStr {
-			// TODO process ack (need to keep track of buffer size for sending)
-			// this is low priority though since most input is coming from keyboard and won't overflow this buffer
-			continue
-		}
-		if pk.GetType() == packet.CmdDataPacketStr {
-			dataPacket := pk.(*packet.CmdDataPacketType)
-			go msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("cmd-data> [remote %s] [%s] pty=%d run=%d\n", msh.GetRemoteName(), dataPacket.CK, dataPacket.PtyDataLen, dataPacket.RunDataLen)
-			go pushStatusIndicatorUpdate(&dataPacket.CK, sstore.StatusIndicatorLevel_Output)
-			continue
-		}
-		if pk.GetType() == packet.CmdDonePacketStr {
-			donePk := pk.(*packet.CmdDonePacketType)
-			runCmdUpdateFn(donePk.CK, msh.makeHandleCmdDonePacketClosure(donePk))
-			continue
-		}
-		if pk.GetType() == packet.CmdFinalPacketStr {
-			finalPk := pk.(*packet.CmdFinalPacketType)
-			runCmdUpdateFn(finalPk.CK, msh.makeHandleCmdFinalPacketClosure(finalPk))
-			continue
-		}
-		if pk.GetType() == packet.CmdErrorPacketStr {
-			msh.handleCmdErrorPacket(pk.(*packet.CmdErrorPacketType))
-			continue
-		}
-		if pk.GetType() == packet.MessagePacketStr {
-			msgPacket := pk.(*packet.MessagePacketType)
-			msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("msg> [remote %s] [%s] %s\n", msh.GetRemoteName(), msgPacket.CK, msgPacket.Message)
-			continue
-		}
-		if pk.GetType() == packet.RawPacketStr {
-			rawPacket := pk.(*packet.RawPacketType)
-			msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("stderr> [remote %s] %s\n", msh.GetRemoteName(), rawPacket.Data)
-			continue
-		}
-		if pk.GetType() == packet.CmdStartPacketStr {
-			startPk := pk.(*packet.CmdStartPacketType)
-			msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("start> [remote %s] reqid=%s (%p)\n", msh.GetRemoteName(), startPk.RespId, msh.ServerProc.Output)
-			continue
-		}
-		msh.WriteToPtyBuffer("MSH> [remote %s] unhandled packet %s\n", msh.GetRemoteName(), packet.AsString(pk))
+		msh.processSinglePacket(pk)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/wavesrv/pkg/sstore/dbops.go b/wavesrv/pkg/sstore/dbops.go
index e4d6685dd..8accfbf82 100644
--- a/wavesrv/pkg/sstore/dbops.go
+++ b/wavesrv/pkg/sstore/dbops.go
@@ -916,12 +916,12 @@ func UpdateCmdForRestart(ctx context.Context, ck base.CommandKey, ts int64, cmdP
 	})
 }
 
-func UpdateCmdDoneInfo(ctx context.Context, ck base.CommandKey, donePk *packet.CmdDonePacketType, status string) (*scbus.ModelUpdatePacketType, error) {
+func UpdateCmdDoneInfo(ctx context.Context, update *scbus.ModelUpdatePacketType, ck base.CommandKey, donePk *packet.CmdDonePacketType, status string) error {
 	if donePk == nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid cmddone packet")
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid cmddone packet")
 	}
 	if ck.IsEmpty() {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot update cmddoneinfo, empty ck")
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot update cmddoneinfo, empty ck")
 	}
 	screenId := ck.GetGroupId()
 	var rtnCmd *CmdType
@@ -944,15 +944,12 @@ func UpdateCmdDoneInfo(ctx context.Context, ck base.CommandKey, donePk *packet.C
 		return nil
 	})
 	if txErr != nil {
-		return nil, txErr
+		return txErr
 	}
 	if rtnCmd == nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("cmd data not found for ck[%s]", ck)
+		return fmt.Errorf("cmd data not found for ck[%s]", ck)
 	}
-
-	update := scbus.MakeUpdatePacket()
 	update.AddUpdate(*rtnCmd)
-
 	// Update in-memory screen indicator status
 	var indicator StatusIndicatorLevel
 	if rtnCmd.ExitCode == 0 {
@@ -960,15 +957,13 @@ func UpdateCmdDoneInfo(ctx context.Context, ck base.CommandKey, donePk *packet.C
 	} else {
 		indicator = StatusIndicatorLevel_Error
 	}
-
 	err := SetStatusIndicatorLevel_Update(ctx, update, screenId, indicator, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		// This is not a fatal error, so just log it
 		log.Printf("error setting status indicator level after done packet: %v\n", err)
 	}
 	IncrementNumRunningCmds_Update(update, screenId, -1)
-
-	return update, nil
+	return nil
 }
 
 func UpdateCmdRtnState(ctx context.Context, ck base.CommandKey, statePtr ShellStatePtr) error {
@@ -991,18 +986,6 @@ func UpdateCmdRtnState(ctx context.Context, ck base.CommandKey, statePtr ShellSt
 	return nil
 }
 
-func AppendCmdErrorPk(ctx context.Context, errPk *packet.CmdErrorPacketType) error {
-	if errPk == nil || errPk.CK.IsEmpty() {
-		return fmt.Errorf("invalid cmderror packet (no ck)")
-	}
-	screenId := errPk.CK.GetGroupId()
-	return WithTx(ctx, func(tx *TxWrap) error {
-		query := `UPDATE cmd SET runout = json_insert(runout, '$[#]', ?) WHERE screenid = ? AND lineid = ?`
-		tx.Exec(query, quickJson(errPk), screenId, lineIdFromCK(errPk.CK))
-		return nil
-	})
-}
-
 func ReInitFocus(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return WithTx(ctx, func(tx *TxWrap) error {
 		query := `UPDATE screen SET focustype = 'input'`