diff --git a/Readme.md b/Readme.md
index e0d032e..63d0b30 100644
--- a/Readme.md
+++ b/Readme.md
@@ -43,12 +43,17 @@ Use the `func` function from the stdlib:
 In this case, `(form_to_be_evaluated)` will not be evaluated until the function is called.
 
 ### Control flow
-See `stdlib/control_flow.go`. We have if and while forms:
+See `stdlib/control_flow.go`. We have if, while, and progn forms:
 `(if (cond) (then) (else))`
 `(when (cond) (form1)....... (formN))`
-
+`(progn (form1)..... (formN))`
+If and While should be self explanatory. For those new to LISP, the rough idea of progn is to evaluate a sequence of N forms and return the result of the final one.
 We also have functioning implementations of map and reduce in the stdlib (incomplete)
 
+## Comments
+The standard delimiter for comments is ;
+any characters after a semicolon will be ignored until end of line
+
 ## How to build
 ### Compiling/Installation
 - For now simply run `go install cmd/...` for each utility you wish to use. If you have GOPATH and GOBIN set it should be usable from PATH
@@ -69,9 +74,14 @@ We also have functioning implementations of map and reduce in the stdlib (incomp
 * one can write arbitrary shs script into `.shsrc` including function and variable declarations
 * of note are the following variables
     - `SH_LOGGING` Sets the log level (from 0 to 3)
-    - `SHS_SH_PROMPT` Sets the prompt
+    - `SHS_STATIC_PROMPT` Sets the prompt
     - `SH_HIST_FILE` Sets the history file
-    - `SH_DEBUG_MODE` Adds additional debug output for the lexer
+    - `SH_DEBUG_MODE` Adds additional debug output for the lexer (high clutter)
+* additionally, the repl will evaluate any function you define as `_SH_PROMPT` before the shell prompt
+    - if defined, the function will be evaluated before printing the prompt
+    - the function will be given 0 arguments
+    - if the function does not return a string, its output will be discarded
+    - afterwards, the repl will print the values in `SHS_STATIC_PROMPT`
 Here is an example of a shs configuration file:
 ```lisp
 (export GOPATH (concat HOME     "/go"))
@@ -80,6 +90,8 @@ Here is an example of a shs configuration file:
 (export GIT_TERMINAL_PROMPT 1)
 (export SH_HIST_FILE (concat HOME "/.shs_hist"))
 (export SH_LOGGING 0)
+(export SHS_STATIC_PROMPT ">")
+(func _SH_PROMPT () (concat (?) ($ basename ($ pwd)) "\n"))
 ```
 
 ## Contributing
diff --git a/ast/eval.go b/ast/eval.go
index 0f6cc98..e82a89b 100644
--- a/ast/eval.go
+++ b/ast/eval.go
@@ -19,12 +19,14 @@ package ast
 
 import "gitlab.com/whom/shs/log"
 
-/* determines whether or not to execute a system call
+/* determines whether or not to execute a system binary
  * when a function cannot be found in the functable
  * (use case: shell)
- * ExecFunc determines the name of the system call function to fetch
  */
 var ExecWhenFuncUndef = false
+
+/* name of the command used to execute a system binary
+ */
 var ExecFunc = "l"
 
 /* Runs through an AST of tokens
@@ -61,6 +63,8 @@ func (in *Token) Eval(funcs FuncTable, vars VarTable, cnvtUndefVars bool) *Token
                     "eval")
                 return nil
             }
+        } else {
+            res.Next = in.Next
         }
 
     case LIST:
diff --git a/ast/func_table.go b/ast/func_table.go
index b70f758..b939e0c 100644
--- a/ast/func_table.go
+++ b/ast/func_table.go
@@ -19,18 +19,35 @@ package ast
 
 import "gitlab.com/whom/shs/log"
 
+/* expected function header for any stdlib function
+ */
 type Operation func(*Token, VarTable, FuncTable) *Token
 
+/* holds a stdlib function along with relevant metadata
+ */
 type Function struct {
+    // go function that list of args are passed to
     Function    Operation
+
+    // name of function
     Name        string
+
+    // number of times user has called this function
     TimesCalled int
-    Args        int // TODO: Make this a list of expected types (TAGs)
+
+    // number of args required
+    Args        int
 }
 
+/* holds a mapping of key to function
+ * passed to eval and into function calls
+ * initialized by repl at startup
+ */
 type FuncTable *map[string]*Function
 
-// TODO: Currently only checks arg list length
+/* validates an individual call of a function
+ * makes sure correct arguments are passed in
+ */
 func (f Function) ParseFunction(args *Token) bool {
     // handle infinite args
     if f.Args < 0 {
@@ -52,6 +69,9 @@ func (f Function) ParseFunction(args *Token) bool {
     return true
 }
 
+/* handles a call to a function
+ * calls ParseFunction and increments TimesCalled
+ */
 func (f Function) CallFunction(args *Token, vt VarTable, ft FuncTable) *Token {
     if !f.ParseFunction(args) {
         log.Log(log.ERR,
@@ -64,6 +84,8 @@ func (f Function) CallFunction(args *Token, vt VarTable, ft FuncTable) *Token {
     return f.Function(args, vt, ft)
 }
 
+/* searches for function mapped to argument in FuncTable
+ */
 func GetFunction(arg string, table FuncTable) *Function {
     target, ok := (*table)[arg]
     if !ok {
@@ -75,3 +97,18 @@ func GetFunction(arg string, table FuncTable) *Function {
 
     return target
 }
+
+
+/* returns list of all functions in table
+ */
+func ListFuncs(ft FuncTable) []string {
+    keys := make([]string, len(*ft))
+    i := 0
+
+    for k := range *ft {
+        keys[i] = k
+        i++
+    }
+
+    return keys
+}
diff --git a/ast/lex.go b/ast/lex.go
index 532f32a..3031cab 100644
--- a/ast/lex.go
+++ b/ast/lex.go
@@ -22,8 +22,12 @@ import (
     "unicode"
 )
 
+// all delimiters that work on strings
 const string_delims string = "\"'`"
 
+/* takes a line of user input
+ * returns an unsimplified tree of tokens
+ */
 func Lex(input string) *Token {
     ret := lex(input)
     if ret == nil {
@@ -121,6 +125,17 @@ func lex(input string) *Token {
         return -2
     }
 
+    // returns the end of the string OR the end of the line
+    matchLineEnd := func(start int) int {
+        for i := start; i < len(input); i++ {
+            if input[i] == '\n' {
+                return i
+            }
+        }
+
+        return len(input)
+    }
+
     needs_alloc := false
     start_pos := 0
     for i := 0; i < len(input); i++ {
@@ -137,13 +152,18 @@ func lex(input string) *Token {
             is_str = true
             needs_alloc = true
 
-        case ' ':
+        case ' ', '\n', '\t', '\v', '\f', '\r':
             if i == start_pos {
                 start_pos += 1
                 continue
             }
 
             needs_alloc = true
+
+        // comment case
+        case ';':
+            start_pos = i + 1
+            i = matchLineEnd(start_pos)
         }
 
         if needs_alloc {
@@ -185,6 +205,7 @@ error:
     return nil
 }
 
+// returns true if a string could contain an int or float
 func StrIsNumber(arg string) bool {
     dotCount := 0
 
diff --git a/ast/print.go b/ast/print.go
index 944b698..ea5251c 100644
--- a/ast/print.go
+++ b/ast/print.go
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 package ast
 
 import (
+    "fmt"
     "strings"
 )
 
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@ loop:
         constructor.WriteString(iter.FmtToken())
     }
 
-    println(constructor.String())
+    fmt.Printf(constructor.String() + "\n")
     goto loop
 }
 
diff --git a/ast/token.go b/ast/token.go
index 367cd42..b9ba0ca 100644
--- a/ast/token.go
+++ b/ast/token.go
@@ -19,7 +19,11 @@ package ast
 
 import "fmt"
 
+/* token_t is a tag that declares the type of the
+ * datum contained in a token
+ */
 type Token_t int
+
 const (
     LIST      Token_t = iota
     STRING    Token_t = iota
@@ -31,6 +35,9 @@ const (
     FALSE     string = "F"
 )
 
+/* Contains a parsed lexeme
+ * and a pointer to the next parsed lexeme in the same scope
+ */
 type Token struct {
     Next *Token
     Tag Token_t
diff --git a/ast/tokenstack.go b/ast/tokenstack.go
index 9f7360b..136ccae 100644
--- a/ast/tokenstack.go
+++ b/ast/tokenstack.go
@@ -17,16 +17,23 @@
 
 package ast
 
+/* primitive stack type for tokens
+ * useful for iterative algorithms on tokens
+ */
 type TokenStack struct {
     buffer []*Token
     capacity int
 }
 
+/* push token onto stack
+ */
 func (s *TokenStack) Push(v *Token) {
     s.capacity++
     s.buffer = append(s.buffer, v)
 }
 
+/* pop token off stack
+ */
 func (s *TokenStack) Pop() *Token {
     if s.capacity <= 0 {
         return nil
diff --git a/ast/var_table.go b/ast/var_table.go
index 7037e4a..f597eee 100644
--- a/ast/var_table.go
+++ b/ast/var_table.go
@@ -26,11 +26,19 @@ import (
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/log"
 )
 
-// Trigger this if you are using this for a shell
+/* defines whether or not to synchronize tokens wiht os environment vars
+ * will not sync non stringable tokens
+ */
 var SyncTablesWithOSEnviron = false
 
+/* mapping of key to token.
+ */
 type VarTable *map[string]*Token
 
+/* retrieve the token cooresponding to a given key
+ * if SyncTablesWithOSEnviron is true and no token exists for a key
+ * os Environment variables will be searched for the key
+ */
 func GetVar(arg string, vt VarTable) *Token {
     val, ok := (*vt)[arg]
     if !ok {
@@ -55,8 +63,10 @@ func GetVar(arg string, vt VarTable) *Token {
     return val
 }
 
-// TODO: this could be much more optimal
-// probably a stdlib thing
+/* adds a key->token mapping to the table
+ * if SyncTablesWithOSEnviron is true, will also add value to os environment
+ * will not do so for non stringable tokens
+ */
 func SetVar(variable string, value *Token, vt VarTable) {
     (*vt)[variable] = value
     if SyncTablesWithOSEnviron && 
@@ -73,22 +83,21 @@ func SetVar(variable string, value *Token, vt VarTable) {
     }
 }
 
-// Library represents variables defined in inner scope
-// It is assumed library is ordered from innermost scope to outermost scope
-func GetVarFromTables(arg string, library []VarTable) *Token {
-    var res *Token
-    res = nil
-    for i := 0; i < len(library); i += 1 {
-        res = GetVar(arg, library[i])
-        if res != nil {
-            // TODO: Log scope res was found in?
-            break
-        }
+/* lists all vars in tables
+ */
+func ListVars(vt VarTable) []string {
+    keys := make([]string, len(*vt))
+    i := 0
+    for k := range *vt {
+        keys[i] = k
     }
 
-    return res
+    return keys
 }
 
+/* if SyncTablesWithOSEnviron is true 
+ * function will put ever environment variable into VarTable
+ */
 func InitVarTable(table VarTable) {
     if !SyncTablesWithOSEnviron {
         return
@@ -122,6 +131,9 @@ func DeleteVarTable(table VarTable) {
     }
 }
 
+/* removes var from vartable
+ * if SyncTablesWithOSENviron is true, also unsets environment variable
+ */
 func RemoveVar(arg string, table VarTable) {
     if SyncTablesWithOSEnviron {
         err := os.Unsetenv(arg)
diff --git a/cmd/shs_repl.go b/cmd/shs.go
similarity index 60%
rename from cmd/shs_repl.go
rename to cmd/shs.go
index ea6007c..3379c7c 100644
--- a/cmd/shs_repl.go
+++ b/cmd/shs.go
@@ -18,11 +18,13 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+    "os"
     "fmt"
     "strconv"
-    "github.com/chzyer/readline"
+    "github.com/peterh/liner"
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/ast"
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/log"
+    "gitlab.com/whom/shs/util"
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/config"
 )
 
@@ -30,6 +32,22 @@ const (
     def_prompt  string = "λ "
 )
 
+
+// useful for when input contains escape sequences
+// not checking delims cause thats up to the user who defines their prompts
+func parseString(in string) string {
+    in = "\"" + in + "\""
+    out, err := strconv.Unquote(in)
+    if err != nil {
+        log.Log(log.ERR,
+            "Couldnt parse (pre?)prompt",
+            "init")
+        return ""
+    }
+
+    return out
+}
+
 func setLogLvl(vars ast.VarTable) {
     var loglvl string
 
@@ -54,6 +72,7 @@ func main() {
     var prompt string
     var debug string
     var hist string
+    no_hist := false
 
     ast.SyncTablesWithOSEnviron = true
     ast.ExecWhenFuncUndef = true
@@ -67,34 +86,62 @@ func main() {
     hist_t := ast.GetVar("SH_HIST_FILE", vars)
     if hist_t != nil {
         hist = hist_t.Value()
+    } else {
+        no_hist = true
     }
 
-    prompt_t := ast.GetVar("SHS_SH_PROMPT", vars)
+    dyn_prompt := ast.GetFunction("_SH_PROMPT", funcs)
+    if dyn_prompt == nil || dyn_prompt.Args != 0 {
+        dyn_prompt = nil
+    }
+
+    prompt_t := ast.GetVar("SHS_STATIC_PROMPT", vars)
     if prompt_t != nil {
-        prompt = prompt_t.Value()
+        prompt = parseString(prompt_t.Value())
     } else {
         prompt = def_prompt
     }
 
-    rl, err := readline.NewEx(&readline.Config{
-        Prompt: prompt,
-        HistoryFile: hist,
-        InterruptPrompt: "^C",
+    line := liner.NewLiner()
+    defer line.Close()
+
+    line.SetCtrlCAborts(true)
+    line.SetCompleter(func(line string) (c []string) {
+        return util.ShellCompleter(line, vars, funcs)
     })
 
-    defer rl.Close()
-    if err != nil {
-        log.Log(log.ERR, "Couldnt initialize readline: " + err.Error(), "repl")
-        return
+    var histFile *os.File
+    var err error
+    if !no_hist {
+        histFile, err = os.Open(hist)
+        if err == nil {
+            line.ReadHistory(histFile)
+        } else {
+            log.Log(log.ERR,
+                "couldnt read history: " + err.Error(),
+                "repl")
+        }
+        defer histFile.Close()
     }
 
     for {
         setLogLvl(vars)
-        text, err := rl.Readline()
-        if err != nil {
-            log.Log(log.ERR, "couldnt read user input: " + err.Error(), "repl")
+        var prePrompt string
+        if dyn_prompt != nil {
+            p_tok := dyn_prompt.CallFunction(nil, vars, funcs)
+            if p_tok != nil && p_tok.Tag == ast.STRING {
+                prePrompt = parseString(p_tok.Value())
+            }
         }
 
+        fmt.Printf(prePrompt)
+        text, err := line.Prompt(prompt)
+        if err != nil && err != liner.ErrPromptAborted{
+            log.Log(log.ERR, "couldnt read user input: " + err.Error(), "repl")
+            continue
+        }
+
+        line.AppendHistory(text)
         userInput := ast.Lex(text)
         if userInput == nil {
             // errors handled in Lex
diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index 6ce7d51..fc8eda3 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -18,14 +18,16 @@
 package config
 
 import (
-    "os"
-    "io"
-    "bufio"
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/log"
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/ast"
+    "gitlab.com/whom/shs/util"
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/stdlib"
 )
 
+/* creates new VarTable and FuncTable
+ * reads a configuration file
+ * executes contents and returns tables
+ */
 func InitFromConfig(configFile string) (ast.VarTable, ast.FuncTable) {
     funcs := stdlib.GenFuncTable()
     vars := &map[string]*ast.Token{}
@@ -35,32 +37,10 @@ func InitFromConfig(configFile string) (ast.VarTable, ast.FuncTable) {
     p := ast.GetVar("HOME", vars)
     configFile = p.Value() + "/" + configFile
 
-    cfile, err := os.Open(configFile)
-    if err != nil {
-        log.Log(log.DEBUG,
-            "unable to open config file: " + err.Error(),
-            "config")
-        return vars, funcs
-    }
-
-    r := bufio.NewReader(cfile)
-    text, err := r.ReadString('\n')
-    for err != io.EOF {
-        if err != nil {
-            log.Log(log.ERR,
-                "unable to read from config file: " + err.Error(),
-                "config")
-            break
-        }
-
-        // Eval lines in config
-        ast.Lex(text).Eval(funcs, vars, false)
-        text, err = r.ReadString('\n')
-    }
+    util.LoadScript(configFile, vars, funcs)
 
     log.Log(log.DEBUG,
         "config file fully evaluated",
         "config")
-    cfile.Close()
     return vars, funcs
 }
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 125370b..2b85407 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -2,4 +2,7 @@ module gitlab.com/whom/shs
 
 go 1.14
 
-require github.com/chzyer/readline v0.0.0-20180603132655-2972be24d48e // indirect
+require (
+	github.com/chzyer/readline v0.0.0-20180603132655-2972be24d48e // indirect
+	github.com/peterh/liner v1.2.0 // indirect
+)
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 454fe40..285b298 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -1,2 +1,6 @@
 github.com/chzyer/readline v0.0.0-20180603132655-2972be24d48e h1:fY5BOSpyZCqRo5OhCuC+XN+r/bBCmeuuJtjz+bCNIf8=
 github.com/chzyer/readline v0.0.0-20180603132655-2972be24d48e/go.mod h1:nSuG5e5PlCu98SY8svDHJxuZscDgtXS6KTTbou5AhLI=
+github.com/mattn/go-runewidth v0.0.3 h1:a+kO+98RDGEfo6asOGMmpodZq4FNtnGP54yps8BzLR4=
+github.com/mattn/go-runewidth v0.0.3/go.mod h1:LwmH8dsx7+W8Uxz3IHJYH5QSwggIsqBzpuz5H//U1FU=
+github.com/peterh/liner v1.2.0 h1:w/UPXyl5GfahFxcTOz2j9wCIHNI+pUPr2laqpojKNCg=
+github.com/peterh/liner v1.2.0/go.mod h1:CRroGNssyjTd/qIG2FyxByd2S8JEAZXBl4qUrZf8GS0=
diff --git a/log/logger.go b/log/logger.go
index 5f3d773..2d736e6 100644
--- a/log/logger.go
+++ b/log/logger.go
@@ -29,16 +29,23 @@ const (
 
 var logLevel int64
 
+/* Set the log level from 0 to 4
+ * currently only 0, 1, and 2 are used.
+ */
 func SetLogLvl(lvl int64) {
     if lvl < 4 && lvl > 0 {
         logLevel = lvl
     }
 }
 
+/* get current log level as int
+ */
 func GetLogLvl() int64 {
     return logLevel
 }
 
+/* writes a message to the log
+ */
 func Log(lvl int, msg, context string) {
     if int64(lvl) > logLevel {
         return
diff --git a/stdlib/arith.go b/stdlib/arith.go
index 7a61754..d516551 100644
--- a/stdlib/arith.go
+++ b/stdlib/arith.go
@@ -29,7 +29,40 @@ import (
 // perhaps we simply write out arithmetic routines that operate on the strings
 // then we need not worry about storage length.
 
-func add(in *ast.Token, a ast.VarTable, f ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes 1 argument (must be a string)
+ * will attempt to cast it to a number.
+ * will return nil if cast fails
+ *
+ * Example: (number "3.4")
+ */
+func NumCast(in *ast.Token, a ast.VarTable, f ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+    in = in.Eval(f, a, false)
+    if in.Tag != ast.STRING {
+        log.Log(log.ERR,
+            "only a string can successfully be cast to a number",
+            "number_cast")
+        return nil
+    }
+
+    if !ast.StrIsNumber(in.Value()) {
+        log.Log(log.ERR,
+            "string failed number cast",
+            "number_cast")
+        return nil
+    }
+
+    out := in.Copy()
+    out.Tag = ast.NUMBER
+    return out
+}
+
+/* adds N number arguments
+ * takes N arguments
+ * returns the sum, or nil if improper arguments were given
+ *
+ * Example: (+ 1 2)
+ */
+func Add(in *ast.Token, a ast.VarTable, f ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     var res float64
 
     in = in.Eval(f, a, false)
@@ -71,7 +104,12 @@ func add(in *ast.Token, a ast.VarTable, f ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return t
 }
 
-func sub(in *ast.Token, a ast.VarTable, f ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* subtract N args from the final arg
+ * takes N args, returns nil if improper args given
+ *
+ * Example: (- 2 1)
+ */
+func Sub(in *ast.Token, a ast.VarTable, f ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     var res float64
     var sub float64
 
@@ -121,7 +159,12 @@ func sub(in *ast.Token, a ast.VarTable, f ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return t
 }
 
-func mult(in *ast.Token, a ast.VarTable, f ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* multiplies N arguments
+ * returns nil if an improper argument is given
+ *
+ * Example: (* 1 2)
+ */
+func Mult(in *ast.Token, a ast.VarTable, f ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     res := 1.0
 
     in = in.Eval(f, a, false)
@@ -163,7 +206,13 @@ func mult(in *ast.Token, a ast.VarTable, f ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return t
 }
 
-func div(in *ast.Token, a ast.VarTable, f ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* divide N arguments
+ * the first argument is divided by each subsequent argument in order
+ * returns nil if an improper argument is given
+ *
+ * Example (/ 25 5)
+ */
+func Div(in *ast.Token, a ast.VarTable, f ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     var res float64
 
     in = in.Eval(f, a, false)
diff --git a/stdlib/bool.go b/stdlib/bool.go
index 328c4e7..d6b07e6 100644
--- a/stdlib/bool.go
+++ b/stdlib/bool.go
@@ -23,7 +23,35 @@ import (
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/ast"
 )
 
-func not(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes one argument, must be a string
+ * attempts to cast to bool (T or F are valid values)
+ * returns nil on failure
+ *
+ * Example: (bool "F")
+ */
+func BoolCast(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+    in = in.Eval(ft, vt, false)
+    if in.Tag == ast.LIST || in.Tag == ast.NUMBER {
+        log.Log(log.ERR,
+            "only strings successfully cast to bool",
+            "bool cast")
+        return nil
+    }
+
+    body := in.Value()
+    if body != ast.TRUE && body != ast.FALSE {
+        log.Log(log.ERR,
+            "cast to bool failed",
+            "bool cast")
+        return nil
+    }
+
+    res := &ast.Token{ Tag: ast.BOOL }
+    res.Set(body)
+    return res
+}
+
+func Not(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     in = in.Eval(ft, vt, false)
 
     if in.Tag != ast.BOOL {
@@ -41,7 +69,7 @@ func not(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return t
 }
 
-func eq(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+func Eq(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     out := ast.TRUE
 
     in = in.Eval(ft, vt, false)
@@ -123,7 +151,7 @@ func eq(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return t
 }
 
-func lt(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+func Lt(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     out := ast.TRUE
     second := in.Next
 
@@ -146,7 +174,7 @@ func lt(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return t
 }
 
-func gt(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+func Gt(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     out := ast.TRUE
     second := in.Next
 
@@ -169,14 +197,14 @@ func gt(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return t
 }
 
-func ne(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
-    return not(eq(in, vt, ft), vt, ft)
+func Ne(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+    return Not(Eq(in, vt, ft), vt, ft)
 }
 
-func gte(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
-    return not(lt(in, vt, ft), vt, ft)
+func Gte(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+    return Not(Lt(in, vt, ft), vt, ft)
 }
 
-func lte(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
-    return not(gt(in, vt, ft), vt, ft)
+func Lte(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+    return Not(Gt(in, vt, ft), vt, ft)
 }
diff --git a/stdlib/call.go b/stdlib/call.go
index 4359503..99e0647 100644
--- a/stdlib/call.go
+++ b/stdlib/call.go
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ import (
 )
 
 var bgProcs = make([]*exec.Cmd, 0)
-var LastExitCode int
 var sigs = []os.Signal{
     os.Interrupt,
     syscall.SIGTERM,
@@ -40,8 +39,17 @@ var sigs = []os.Signal{
     syscall.SIGCONT,
 }
 
+/* Exit code of last run process
+ */
+var LastExitCode int
 
-func call(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes n arguments (list of tokens generated by lexing a shell command)
+ * Evaluates arguments, but does not err on undefined symbols (note the last arg to Eval(...))
+ * Executes shell command and returns nil
+ *
+ * Example (l vim file.txt)
+ */
+func Call(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     in = in.Eval(ft, vt, true)
     if in == nil {
         return nil
@@ -74,9 +82,10 @@ func call(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     } else {
         cmd = exec.Command(path)
     }
+    cmd.Env = os.Environ()
+    cmd.Stdin  = os.Stdin
     cmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
     cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
-    cmd.Stdin  = os.Stdin
 
     signalChan := make(chan os.Signal, 2)
     signal.Notify(signalChan, sigs...)
@@ -99,7 +108,12 @@ func call(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return nil
 }
 
-func bgcall(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Starts a call in the background
+ * Takes n args (a shell command not delimited by string delimiters)
+ *
+ * Example: (bg vim file.txt)
+ */
+func Bgcall(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     if in == nil {
         return nil
     }
@@ -143,7 +157,14 @@ func bgcall(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return nil
 }
 
-func fg(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* brings last BG'ed process into the foreground
+ * returns nil
+ *
+ * Example:
+ *    (bg vim file.txt)
+ *    (fg)
+ */
+func Fg(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     if len(bgProcs) < 1 {
         return nil
     }
@@ -173,7 +194,16 @@ func fg(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return nil
 }
 
-func jobs(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, fg ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes 0 args
+ * returns a string containing info about current jobs
+ * returns total jobs as well as their PIDs and place in the bg queue
+ *
+ * Example:
+ *    (bg ping google.com)
+ *    (bg .........)
+ *    (jobs)
+ */
+func Jobs(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, fg ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     ret := &ast.Token{
         Tag: ast.LIST,
     }
@@ -197,7 +227,12 @@ func jobs(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, fg ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return ret
 }
 
-func read_cmd(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* calls a command (blocks until completion)
+ * captures stdout and returns it as a string
+ *
+ * Example: ($ echo hello world)
+ */
+func ReadCmd(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     in = in.Eval(ft, vt, true)
 
     if in == nil {
@@ -254,19 +289,37 @@ func read_cmd(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
         }
     }
 
+    output := out.String()
+    olen := len(output)
+    if olen > 0 && output[olen - 1] == '\n' {
+        output = output[:olen - 1]
+    }
+
     ret := &ast.Token{Tag: ast.STRING}
-    ret.Set(out.String())
+    ret.Set(output)
     return ret
 
 }
 
-func get_exit(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes 0 arguments
+ * returns the exit code of the last executed program
+ *
+ * Example:
+ *     (sudo apt update)
+ *     (?) <- gets exit code
+ */
+func GetExit(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     ret := &ast.Token{Tag: ast.NUMBER}
     ret.Set(fmt.Sprintf("%d", LastExitCode))
     return ret
 }
 
-func kill(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* takes an argument (pid of process to be killed)
+ * calls Process.Kill() on it
+ * do not use this if you already have a native implementation
+ * (this function not added to functable in stdlib.go)
+ */
+func Kill(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     in = in.Eval(ft, vt, true)
 
     if in.Tag == ast.LIST {
diff --git a/stdlib/control_flow.go b/stdlib/control_flow.go
index 5889e33..0238ff5 100644
--- a/stdlib/control_flow.go
+++ b/stdlib/control_flow.go
@@ -22,9 +22,29 @@ import (
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/log"
 )
 
-/* return one evaluated form or another based on the boolean statement
+/* eval N forms. return the last one
+ *
+ * Example:
+ *     (progn (print "hello") (print "world") (+ 1 2))
+ *     This example will print "hello world" to stdout and return 3
  */
-func shs_if(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+func ShsProgn(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+    var res *ast.Token
+    for iter := in; iter != nil; iter = iter.Next {
+        res = iter.Eval(ft, vt, false)
+    }
+
+    return res
+}
+
+/* return one evaluated form or another based on the boolean statement
+ * arg 1 is a boolean cond, arg 2 is evaluated if the cond is true, arg 3 is evaluated if cond is not true
+ * in total it takes 3 arguments
+ *
+ * Example:
+ *    (if (eq (number "3") 3) (print "test passed") (print "test failed"))
+ */
+func ShsIf(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     cond := in
     t := cond.Next
     f := t.Next
@@ -55,8 +75,14 @@ func shs_if(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
 }
 
 /* continually eval n forms while element #1 evals to T
+ * has rather progn like behavior in that it returns the result of the last form to be evaluated
+ *
+ * Example: 
+ *     (export cond F)
+ *     (while cond (export cond T) (print "will only be printed once") (+ 1 2))
+ *     loop will iter one time, print "will only be printed once" and return 3
  */
-func shs_while(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+func ShsWhile(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     cond := in
     forms := in.Next
     in.Next = nil
diff --git a/stdlib/filesys.go b/stdlib/filesys.go
index 6504221..182cdca 100644
--- a/stdlib/filesys.go
+++ b/stdlib/filesys.go
@@ -46,7 +46,14 @@ func AbsPath(arg string) string {
     return arg
 }
 
-func cd(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes one arg, returns nil
+ * changes directory to the path in the arg
+ * fails if arg is not stringable
+ *
+ * Example:
+ *     (cd (concat HOME "/go"))
+ */
+func Cd(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     in = in.Eval(ft, vt, true)
 
     if in == nil {
@@ -68,11 +75,19 @@ func cd(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return nil
 }
 
-func fexists(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes one arg, returns a bool
+ * Returns true if arg is a filepath that exists
+ * returns nil if arg is not a string type
+ *
+ * Example:
+ *    (touch test)
+ *    (fexists test)
+ */
+func Fexists(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     in = in.Eval(ft, vt, false)
-    if in == nil || (in.Tag != ast.NUMBER && in.Tag != ast.STRING) {
+    if in == nil || in.Tag != ast.STRING {
         log.Log(log.ERR, 
-            "argument to fexists must be a string or number",
+            "argument to fexists must be a string",
             "fexists")
         return nil
     }
@@ -92,9 +107,16 @@ func fexists(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return ret
 }
 
-func fread(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes one arg, returns a string
+ * Returns contents of file in arg
+ * returns nil if file doesnt exist
+ *
+ * Example:
+ *    (fread (concat HOME ".shsrc"))
+ */
+func Fread(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     in = in.Eval(ft, vt, false)
-    exists := fexists(in, vt, ft) // some waste, extra use of Eval
+    exists := Fexists(in, vt, ft) // some waste, extra use of Eval
     if exists == nil || exists.Tag != ast.BOOL || exists.Value() == ast.FALSE {
         log.Log(log.ERR,
             "error calling fexists or file doesnt exist",
@@ -116,7 +138,14 @@ func fread(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return ret
 }
 
-func fwrite(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes two arguments a filepath and a string
+ * CLOBBERS FILE CONTENTS
+ * Returns nil
+ *
+ * Example:
+ *     (fwrite "test" "one two three")
+ */
+func Fwrite(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     in = in.Eval(ft, vt, false)
     if in == nil || in.Tag == ast.SYMBOL || in.Tag == ast.LIST {
         log.Log(log.ERR,
@@ -146,7 +175,14 @@ func fwrite(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return nil
 }
 
-func fappend(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes two arguments a filepath and a string
+ * DOES NOT CLOBBER FILE CONTENTS
+ * Returns nil
+ *
+ * Example:
+ *     (fwrite "test" "one two three")
+ */
+func Fappend(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     in = in.Eval(ft, vt, false)
     if in == nil || in.Tag == ast.SYMBOL || in.Tag == ast.LIST {
         log.Log(log.ERR,
@@ -163,7 +199,7 @@ func fappend(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
         return nil
     }
 
-    exists := fexists(in, vt, ft)
+    exists := Fexists(in, vt, ft)
     if exists.Value() == ast.FALSE {
         log.Log(log.ERR,
             "file "+in.Value()+" does not exist",
diff --git a/stdlib/funcs.go b/stdlib/funcs.go
index 93de50d..63f3130 100644
--- a/stdlib/funcs.go
+++ b/stdlib/funcs.go
@@ -22,7 +22,17 @@ import (
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/log"
 )
 
-func decl_func(input *ast.Token, vars ast.VarTable, funcs ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes 3 arguments: name, list of arg names, and logic form
+ * DOES NOT EVALUATE THE LOGIC FORM
+ * adds an anonymous function to the FuncTable under the name specified
+ * anonymous function will expect the args declared in arg2 and expand them in arg3
+ * Then evaluates and returns result of arg3. This constitutes a function call
+ *
+ * Example:
+ *     (func foo (x) (print x))
+ *     (foo 4) -> prints 4
+ */
+func DeclFunc(input *ast.Token, vars ast.VarTable, funcs ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     name := input
     if name.Tag != ast.SYMBOL {
         log.Log(log.ERR,
@@ -60,30 +70,34 @@ func decl_func(input *ast.Token, vars ast.VarTable, funcs ast.FuncTable) *ast.To
 
     ASTSYNCSTATE := ast.SyncTablesWithOSEnviron
     inner := func(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
-        temp := in.Eval(ft, vt, false)
-        if temp == nil {
-            log.Log(log.ERR,
-                "error parsing arguments",
-                name.Value())
-            return nil
-        }
-
-        ast.SyncTablesWithOSEnviron = false
-        key_iter := args.Expand()
-        val_iter := temp
-
-        for key_iter != nil {
-            if val_iter == nil {
+        var temp *ast.Token
+        if numArgs != 0 || in != nil {
+            temp = in.Eval(ft, vt, false)
+            if temp == nil {
                 log.Log(log.ERR,
-                    "Not enough arguments supplied",
+                    "error parsing arguments",
                     name.Value())
+                return nil
             }
 
-            ast.SetVar(key_iter.Value(), val_iter, vt)
-            key_iter = key_iter.Next
-            val_iter = val_iter.Next
+            ast.SyncTablesWithOSEnviron = false
+            key_iter := args.Expand()
+            val_iter := temp
+
+            for key_iter != nil {
+                if val_iter == nil {
+                    log.Log(log.ERR,
+                        "Not enough arguments supplied",
+                        name.Value())
+                }
+
+                ast.SetVar(key_iter.Value(), val_iter, vt)
+                key_iter = key_iter.Next
+                val_iter = val_iter.Next
+            }
         }
 
+        // maybe we actually should put the inner scope var into the env
         ast.SyncTablesWithOSEnviron = ASTSYNCSTATE
         ret := form.Eval(ft, vt, false)
         ast.SyncTablesWithOSEnviron = false
diff --git a/stdlib/list.go b/stdlib/list.go
index ac20d28..cec7d80 100644
--- a/stdlib/list.go
+++ b/stdlib/list.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ import (
  * retuns a sequence of elements (list contents)
  * in event a not-list is passed in, returns the arg.
  */
-func expand(input *ast.Token, vars ast.VarTable, funcs ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+func Expand(input *ast.Token, vars ast.VarTable, funcs ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     if input.Tag != ast.LIST {
         log.Log(log.DEBUG, "expand called on not a list", "expand")
         return input
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func expand(input *ast.Token, vars ast.VarTable, funcs ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token
  * Arg one is a list, next args are appended
  * if no args are a list, a list is made from all args
  */
-func l_append(input *ast.Token, vars ast.VarTable, funcs ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+func L_append(input *ast.Token, vars ast.VarTable, funcs ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     src := input
 
     if input.Tag != ast.LIST {
diff --git a/stdlib/stdlib.go b/stdlib/stdlib.go
index 5ad08a5..83749c2 100644
--- a/stdlib/stdlib.go
+++ b/stdlib/stdlib.go
@@ -22,202 +22,234 @@ import (
     "fmt"
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/log"
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/ast"
+    "gitlab.com/whom/shs/util"
 )
 
+/* Makes a FuncTable from all functions in the stdlib
+ * add your function here if you are extending the standard library
+ */
 func GenFuncTable() ast.FuncTable {
     var stdlib ast.FuncTable
     stdlib = &map[string]*ast.Function{
         "if": &ast.Function{
-            Function: shs_if,
+            Function:  ShsIf,
             Name:       "if",
             TimesCalled:   0,
             Args:          3,
         },
 
         "while": &ast.Function{
-            Function: shs_while,
+            Function:  ShsWhile,
             Name:       "while",
             TimesCalled:      0,
             Args:            -1,
         },
 
-        "eval": &ast.Function{
-            Function:   eval,
-            Name:     "eval",
-            TimesCalled:   0,
-            Args:         -1,
+        "progn": &ast.Function{
+            Function:   ShsProgn,
+            Name:    "shs_progn",
+            TimesCalled:       0,
+            Args:             -1,
         },
 
         "func": &ast.Function{
-            Function: decl_func,
+            Function:  DeclFunc,
             Name:   "decl_func",
             TimesCalled:      0,
             Args:             3,
         },
 
         "export": &ast.Function{
-            Function: export,
+            Function: Export,
             Name:   "export",
             TimesCalled:   0,
             Args:          2,
         },
 
-       "input": &ast.Function{
-            Function:  input,
+        "input": &ast.Function{
+            Function:  Input,
             Name:    "input",
             TimesCalled:   0,
             Args:          1,
         },
 
-        "...": &ast.Function{
-            Function: expand,
+        "load": &ast.Function{
+            Function:    Load,
+            Name:      "load",
+            TimesCalled:    0,
+            Args:           1,
+        },
+
+        "bool": &ast.Function{
+            Function:  BoolCast,
+            Name:        "bool",
+            TimesCalled:      0,
+            Args:             1,
+        },
+
+        "string": &ast.Function{
+            Function:  StrCast,
+            Name:     "string",
+            TimesCalled:     0,
+            Args:            1,
+        },
+
+        "number": &ast.Function{
+            Function:  NumCast,
+            Name:     "number",
+            TimesCalled:     0,
+            Args:            1,
+        },
+
+       "...": &ast.Function{
+            Function: Expand,
             Name:      "...",
             TimesCalled:   0,
             Args:          1,
         },
 
         "append": &ast.Function{
-            Function: l_append,
+            Function: L_append,
             Name:     "append",
             TimesCalled:     0,
             Args:           -1,
         },
 
         "exit": &ast.Function{
-            Function: exit_shell,
+            Function:  ExitShell,
             Name:         "exit",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              0,
         },
 
         "eq": &ast.Function{
-            Function:         eq,
+            Function:         Eq,
             Name:           "==",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              2,
         },
 
         "ne": &ast.Function{
-            Function:         ne,
+            Function:         Ne,
             Name:           "!=",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              2,
         },
 
         "<": &ast.Function{
-            Function:         lt,
+            Function:         Lt,
             Name:            "<",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              2,
         },
 
         ">": &ast.Function{
-            Function:         gt,
+            Function:         Gt,
             Name:            ">",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              2,
         },
 
         "<=": &ast.Function{
-            Function:        lte,
+            Function:        Lte,
             Name:           "<=",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              2,
         },
 
         ">=": &ast.Function{
-            Function:        gte,
+            Function:        Gte,
             Name:           ">=",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              2,
         },
 
         "!": &ast.Function{
-            Function:        not,
+            Function:        Not,
             Name:            "!",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              1,
         },
 
         "+": &ast.Function{
-            Function:      add,
+            Function:      Add,
             Name:        "add",
             TimesCalled:     0,
             Args:           -1,
         },
 
         "-": &ast.Function{
-            Function:      sub,
+            Function:      Sub,
             Name:        "sub",
             TimesCalled:     0,
             Args:           -1,
         },
 
         "*": &ast.Function{
-            Function:     mult,
+            Function:     Mult,
             Name:       "mult",
             TimesCalled:     0,
             Args:           -1,
         },
 
         "/": &ast.Function{
-            Function:      div,
+            Function:      Div,
             Name:        "div",
             TimesCalled:     0,
             Args:           -1,
         },
 
         "cd": &ast.Function{
-            Function:       cd,
+            Function:       Cd,
             Name:  "changedir",
             TimesCalled:     0,
             Args:            1,
         },
 
         "concat": &ast.Function{
-            Function:   concat,
+            Function:   Concat,
             Name:"concatenate",
             TimesCalled:     0,
             Args:           -1,
         },
 
         "print": &ast.Function{
-            Function:print_str,
+            Function: PrintStr,
             Name:      "print",
             TimesCalled:     0,
             Args:            1,
         },
 
         "l": &ast.Function{
-            Function:     call,
+            Function:     Call,
             Name:       "call",
             TimesCalled:     0,
             Args:           -1,
         },
 
         "bg": &ast.Function{
-            Function:        bgcall,
+            Function:        Bgcall,
             Name: "background call",
             TimesCalled:          0,
             Args:                -1,
         },
 
         "fg": &ast.Function{
-            Function:       fg,
+            Function:       Fg,
             Name: "foreground",
             TimesCalled:     0,
             Args:            0,
         },
 
         "$": &ast.Function{
-            Function: read_cmd,
+            Function:  ReadCmd,
             Name:   "read cmd",
             TimesCalled:     0,
             Args:           -1,
         },
 
         "?": &ast.Function{
-            Function:   get_exit,
+            Function:    GetExit,
             Name:"get exit code",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              0,
@@ -234,42 +266,42 @@ func GenFuncTable() ast.FuncTable {
         */
 
         "jobs": &ast.Function{
-            Function:       jobs,
+            Function:       Jobs,
             Name:    "list jobs",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              0,
         },
 
         "info": &ast.Function{
-            Function:    sh_info,
+            Function:     ShInfo,
             Name:   "Shell Info",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              1,
         },
 
         "fexists": &ast.Function{
-            Function:    fexists,
+            Function:    Fexists,
             Name:  "file exists",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              1,
         },
 
         "fread": &ast.Function{
-            Function:      fread,
+            Function:      Fread,
             Name:    "read file",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              1,
         },
 
         "fwrite": &ast.Function{
-            Function:     fwrite,
+            Function:     Fwrite,
             Name:   "write file",
             TimesCalled:       0,
             Args:              2,
         },
 
         "fappend": &ast.Function{
-            Function:     fappend,
+            Function:     Fappend,
             Name:"append to file",
             TimesCalled:        0,
             Args:               2,
@@ -279,12 +311,22 @@ func GenFuncTable() ast.FuncTable {
     return stdlib
 }
 
-func exit_shell(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* takes no args
+ * exits shell when called
+ *
+ * Example: (exit)
+ */
+func ExitShell(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     os.Exit(0)
     return nil // I hope execution doesnt get here
 }
 
-func sh_info(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* takes one arg, doesnt evaluate it
+ * returns type or metadata
+ * 
+ * Example: (info append)
+ */
+func ShInfo(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     switch in.Tag {
     case ast.BOOL:
         fmt.Printf("BOOL LITERAL\nValue: %s\n", in.Value())
@@ -314,11 +356,14 @@ func sh_info(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return nil
 }
 
-func eval(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
-    return in.Eval(ft, vt, false)
-}
-
-func input(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes 1 arg, uses it as a prompt
+ * errs if prompt is not a string or number
+ * gets a line from stdin
+ * returns it as a string
+ *
+ * Example: (print (input))
+ */
+func Input(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     in = in.Eval(ft, vt, false)
     if in.Tag != ast.STRING && in.Tag != ast.NUMBER {
         log.Log(log.ERR,
@@ -337,3 +382,23 @@ func input(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     ret.Set(output)
     return ret
 }
+
+/* Takes 1 arg, returns nil
+ * if arg is a valid existing file than load will execute it as a script
+ *
+ * Example: (load "myscript.shs")
+ */
+func Load(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+    in = in.Eval(ft, vt, true)
+    if in.Tag != ast.STRING {
+        log.Log(log.ERR,
+            "argument to load must be a string",
+            "load")
+        return nil
+    }
+
+    bp := in.Value()
+    bp = AbsPath(bp)
+    util.LoadScript(bp, vt, ft)
+    return nil
+}
diff --git a/stdlib/string.go b/stdlib/string.go
index b8321d7..3cae616 100644
--- a/stdlib/string.go
+++ b/stdlib/string.go
@@ -19,11 +19,16 @@ package stdlib
 
 import (
     "fmt"
+    "strconv"
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/ast"
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/log"
 )
 
-func concat(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Concatenates N stringables
+ *
+ * Example: (concat "hello" " " "world")
+ */
+func Concat(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     in = in.Eval(ft, vt, false)
 
     var res string
@@ -42,7 +47,38 @@ func concat(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     return t
 }
 
-func print_str(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
-    fmt.Println(in.Eval(ft, vt, false))
+/* Takes 1 argument, returns its value as a string
+ * works on lists too.
+ *
+ * Example: (string 1) -> 1.0
+ */
+func StrCast(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+    body := in.Eval(ft, vt, false).String()
+    res := &ast.Token{ Tag: ast.STRING }
+    res.Set(body)
+    return res
+}
+
+/* Takes one arg, returns nil
+ * Prints a string to stdout
+ * Unquotes string so user can add escaped chars like \n, \t, etc
+ *
+ * Example: (print "Line: \n, Tab: \t")
+ */
+func PrintStr(in *ast.Token, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+    body := in.Eval(ft, vt, false).String()
+    if body[0] != body[len(body)-1] && body[0] != '"' {
+        body = "`" + body + "`"
+    }
+
+    text, err := strconv.Unquote(body)
+    if err != nil {
+        log.Log(log.ERR,
+            "error unquoting string",
+            "print")
+        return nil
+    }
+
+    fmt.Printf(text + "\n")
     return nil
 }
diff --git a/stdlib/vars.go b/stdlib/vars.go
index 6aed9f9..52938f2 100644
--- a/stdlib/vars.go
+++ b/stdlib/vars.go
@@ -22,7 +22,15 @@ import (
     "gitlab.com/whom/shs/log"
 )
 
-func export(input *ast.Token, vars ast.VarTable, funcs ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
+/* Takes 2 args, a name and a value
+ * Exports a varable
+ * both args are evaluated
+ *
+ * Example:
+ *    (export hw (concat "hello" " " "world"))
+ *    (print hw)
+ */
+func Export(input *ast.Token, vars ast.VarTable, funcs ast.FuncTable) *ast.Token {
     name := input
 
     form := name.Next.Eval(funcs, vars, false)
diff --git a/util/scripts.go b/util/scripts.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3d2115b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/util/scripts.go
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+/*   SHS: Syntactically Homogeneous Shell
+ *   Copyright (C) 2019  Aidan Hahn
+ *
+ *   This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *   it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ *   the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ *   (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ *   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *   GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *   You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ *   along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package util
+
+import (
+    "os"
+    "io/ioutil"
+    "gitlab.com/whom/shs/log"
+    "gitlab.com/whom/shs/ast"
+)
+
+/* Opens a file and lexes+evaluates the contents
+ */
+func LoadScript(path string, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) {
+    scriptFile, err := os.Open(path)
+    if err != nil {
+        log.Log(log.ERR,
+            "unable to open script: " + err.Error(),
+            "util")
+        return
+    }
+
+    var body []byte
+    body, err = ioutil.ReadFile(path)
+    scriptFile.Close()
+    if err != nil {
+        log.Log(log.ERR,
+            "unable to read script: " + err.Error(),
+            "util")
+        return
+    }
+
+    set := ast.Lex(string(body))
+    for iter := set; iter != nil; iter = iter.Next {
+        iter.Eval(ft, vt, false)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/util/shell_complete.go b/util/shell_complete.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6e3289
--- /dev/null
+++ b/util/shell_complete.go
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+/*   SHS: Syntactically Homogeneous Shell
+ *   Copyright (C) 2019  Aidan Hahn
+ *
+ *   This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *   it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ *   the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ *   (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ *   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *   GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *   You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ *   along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package util
+
+import (
+    "strings"
+    "io/ioutil"
+    "gitlab.com/whom/shs/log"
+    "gitlab.com/whom/shs/ast"
+)
+
+/* gathers completions for the last word in a given line
+ * shell wraps this in a lambda that passes in the vt and ft
+ * I suppose it could be more optimal. Fix if it bothers you
+ */
+func ShellCompleter(line string, vt ast.VarTable, ft ast.FuncTable) []string {
+    var head, tail string
+
+    idx := strings.LastIndex(line, " ")
+    if idx > 0 {
+        head = line[:idx+1]
+        tail = line[idx+1:]
+    } else {
+        head = ""
+        tail = line
+    }
+
+    dir, path, tok := getPathBase(tail)
+    compSource := []string{}
+
+    if !path {
+        dir = "."
+    } else {
+        line = tok
+    }
+
+    fobjs, err := ioutil.ReadDir(dir)
+    if err != nil {
+        log.Log(log.DEBUG,
+            "couldnt read dir " + dir + ": " + err.Error(),
+            "complete")
+        if path {
+            return nil
+        }
+    } else {
+        for _, f := range fobjs {
+            compSource = append(compSource, dir + "/" + f.Name())
+        }
+    }
+
+    if !path {
+        compSource = append(compSource, ast.ListVars(vt)...)
+        compSource = append(compSource, ast.ListFuncs(ft)...)
+    }
+
+    completions := []string{}
+    for _, i := range compSource {
+        if strings.HasPrefix(i, tail) {
+            completions = append(completions, head + i)
+        }
+    }
+
+    return completions
+}
+
+// returns everything up to the last '/'
+// as well as whether or not a / was found
+// and finally the token after the last /
+func getPathBase(in string) (string, bool, string) {
+    if in == "" {
+        return "", false, ""
+    }
+
+    isPath := false
+
+    i := len(in) - 1
+    for i > 0 {
+        if in[i] == '/' {
+            isPath = true
+            break
+        }
+
+        i -= 1
+    }
+
+    return in[:i], isPath, in[i+1:]
+}