diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataRaw.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataRaw.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fd676859
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataRaw.java
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+package io.xpipe.api;
+
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceInfo;
+
+import java.io.InputStream;
+
+public interface DataRaw extends DataSource {
+
+    DataSourceInfo.Raw getInfo();
+
+    InputStream open();
+
+    byte[] readAll();
+
+    byte[] read(int maxBytes);
+}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataSource.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataSource.java
index 7c227189..d2936876 100644
--- a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataSource.java
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataSource.java
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package io.xpipe.api;
 import io.xpipe.api.impl.DataSourceImpl;
 import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceConfig;
 import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceId;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceReference;
 import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceType;
 
 import java.io.InputStream;
@@ -10,14 +11,22 @@ import java.net.URL;
 import java.util.Map;
 
 /**
- * Represents a reference to an XPipe data source.
+ * Represents a reference to a data source that is managed by X-Pipe.
  *
  * The actual data is only queried when required and is not cached.
  * Therefore, the queried data is always up-to-date at the point of calling a method that queries the data.
+ *
+ * As soon a data source reference is created, the data source is locked
+ * within X-Pipe to prevent concurrent modification and the problems that can arise from it.
+ * By default, the lock is held until the calling program terminates and prevents
+ * other applications from modifying the data source in any way.
+ * To unlock the data source earlier, you can make use the {@link #unlock()} method.
  */
 public interface DataSource {
 
     /**
+     * NOT YET IMPLEMENTED!
+     *
      * Creates a new supplier data source that will be interpreted as the generated data source.
      * In case this program should be a data source generator, this method has to be called at
      * least once to register that it actually generates a data source.
@@ -29,28 +38,49 @@ public interface DataSource {
      *
      * @return the generator data source
      */
+    @Deprecated
     static DataSource supplySource() {
         return null;
     }
 
     /**
-     * Wrapper for {@link #get(DataSourceId)}.
+     * Wrapper for {@link #get(DataSourceReference)}.
      *
      * @throws IllegalArgumentException if {@code id} is not a valid data source id
      */
-    static DataSource get(String id) {
-        return get(DataSourceId.fromString(id));
+    static DataSource getById(String id) {
+        return get(DataSourceReference.id(id));
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Wrapper for {@link #get(DataSourceReference)} using the latest reference.
+     */
+    static DataSource getLatest() {
+        return get(DataSourceReference.latest());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Wrapper for {@link #get(DataSourceReference)} using a name reference.
+     */
+    static DataSource getByName(String name) {
+        return get(DataSourceReference.name(name));
     }
 
     /**
      * Retrieves a reference to the given data source.
      *
-     * @param id the data source id
-     * @return a reference to the data source that can be used to access the underlying data source
+     * @param ref the data source reference
      */
-    static DataSource get(DataSourceId id) {
-        return null;
-        //return DataSourceImpl.get(id);
+    static DataSource get(DataSourceReference ref) {
+        return DataSourceImpl.get(ref);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Releases the lock held by this program for this data source such
+     * that other applications can modify the data source again.
+     */
+    static void unlock() {
+        throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
     }
 
     static DataSource wrap(InputStream in, String type, Map<String, String> configOptions) {
@@ -110,4 +140,31 @@ public interface DataSource {
     default DataTable asTable() {
         throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Data source is not a table");
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Attempts to cast this object to a {@link DataStructure}.
+     *
+     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the data source is not a structure
+     */
+    default DataStructure asStructure() {
+        throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Data source is not a structure");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Attempts to cast this object to a {@link DataText}.
+     *
+     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the data source is not a text
+     */
+    default DataText asText() {
+        throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Data source is not a text");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Attempts to cast this object to a {@link DataRaw}.
+     *
+     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if the data source is not raw
+     */
+    default DataRaw asRaw() {
+        throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Data source is not raw");
+    }
 }
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataStructure.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataStructure.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c4b8d8dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataStructure.java
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+package io.xpipe.api;
+
+import io.xpipe.core.data.node.DataStructureNode;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceInfo;
+
+public interface DataStructure extends DataSource {
+
+    DataSourceInfo.Structure getInfo();
+
+    DataStructureNode read();
+}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataTable.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataTable.java
index 33af114a..7a3e6df2 100644
--- a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataTable.java
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataTable.java
@@ -2,28 +2,16 @@ package io.xpipe.api;
 
 import io.xpipe.core.data.node.ArrayNode;
 import io.xpipe.core.data.node.TupleNode;
-import io.xpipe.core.data.type.TupleType;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceInfo;
 
-import java.util.OptionalInt;
 import java.util.stream.Stream;
 
 public interface DataTable extends Iterable<TupleNode>, DataSource {
 
-    /**
-     * @see DataSource#supplySource()
-     */
-    static DataTable supplySource() {
-        return null;
-    }
+    DataSourceInfo.Table getInfo();
 
     Stream<TupleNode> stream();
 
-    int getRowCount();
-
-    OptionalInt getRowCountIfPresent();
-
-    TupleType getDataType();
-
     ArrayNode readAll();
 
     ArrayNode read(int maxRows);
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataTableAccumulator.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataTableAccumulator.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..821f5073
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataTableAccumulator.java
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+package io.xpipe.api;
+
+import io.xpipe.core.data.node.DataStructureNodeAcceptor;
+import io.xpipe.core.data.node.TupleNode;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceId;
+
+/**
+ * An accumulator for table data.
+ *
+ * This class can be used to construct new table data sources by
+ * accumulating the rows using {@link #add(TupleNode)} or {@link #acceptor()} and then calling
+ * {@link #finish(DataSourceId)} to complete the construction process and create a new data source.
+ */
+public interface DataTableAccumulator {
+
+    /**
+     * Finishes the construction process and returns the data source reference.
+     *
+     * @param id the data source id to assign
+     */
+    DataTable finish(DataSourceId id);
+
+    void add(TupleNode row);
+
+    DataStructureNodeAcceptor<TupleNode> acceptor();
+
+    int getCurrentRows();
+}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataText.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataText.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..386a4b67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/DataText.java
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+package io.xpipe.api;
+
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceInfo;
+
+import java.util.List;
+
+public interface DataText extends DataSource, Iterable<String> {
+
+    DataSourceInfo.Text getInfo();
+
+    List<String> readAllLines();
+
+    List<String> readLines(int maxLines);
+
+    String readAll();
+
+    String read(int maxCharacters);
+}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeClientException.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeClientException.java
deleted file mode 100644
index ed376dcf..00000000
--- a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeClientException.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,19 +0,0 @@
-package io.xpipe.api;
-
-public class XPipeClientException extends RuntimeException {
-
-    public XPipeClientException() {
-    }
-
-    public XPipeClientException(String message) {
-        super(message);
-    }
-
-    public XPipeClientException(String message, Throwable cause) {
-        super(message, cause);
-    }
-
-    public XPipeClientException(Throwable cause) {
-        super(cause);
-    }
-}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeConnectException.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeConnectException.java
deleted file mode 100644
index 90ed5104..00000000
--- a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeConnectException.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,19 +0,0 @@
-package io.xpipe.api;
-
-public class XPipeConnectException extends RuntimeException {
-
-    public XPipeConnectException() {
-    }
-
-    public XPipeConnectException(String message) {
-        super(message);
-    }
-
-    public XPipeConnectException(String message, Throwable cause) {
-        super(message, cause);
-    }
-
-    public XPipeConnectException(Throwable cause) {
-        super(cause);
-    }
-}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeDataStructureSource.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeDataStructureSource.java
deleted file mode 100644
index 6ef52c23..00000000
--- a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeDataStructureSource.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,8 +0,0 @@
-package io.xpipe.api;
-
-import io.xpipe.core.data.node.DataStructureNode;
-
-public interface XPipeDataStructureSource {
-
-    DataStructureNode read();
-}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeDataTableBuilder.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeDataTableBuilder.java
deleted file mode 100644
index 8f99cb96..00000000
--- a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeDataTableBuilder.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-package io.xpipe.api;
-
-import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceId;
-
-public abstract class XPipeDataTableBuilder {
-
-    private DataSourceId id;
-
-    public abstract void write();
-
-    public abstract void commit();
-}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeException.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeException.java
deleted file mode 100644
index d5b62beb..00000000
--- a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeException.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-package io.xpipe.api;
-
-public class XPipeException extends RuntimeException {
-
-    public XPipeException() {
-    }
-
-    public XPipeException(String message) {
-        super(message);
-    }
-
-    public XPipeException(String message, Throwable cause) {
-        super(message, cause);
-    }
-
-    public XPipeException(Throwable cause) {
-        super(cause);
-    }
-
-    public XPipeException(String message, Throwable cause, boolean enableSuppression, boolean writableStackTrace) {
-        super(message, cause, enableSuppression, writableStackTrace);
-    }
-}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeServerException.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeServerException.java
deleted file mode 100644
index 137e5bbb..00000000
--- a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeServerException.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,19 +0,0 @@
-package io.xpipe.api;
-
-public class XPipeServerException extends RuntimeException {
-
-    public XPipeServerException() {
-    }
-
-    public XPipeServerException(String message) {
-        super(message);
-    }
-
-    public XPipeServerException(String message, Throwable cause) {
-        super(message, cause);
-    }
-
-    public XPipeServerException(Throwable cause) {
-        super(cause);
-    }
-}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeApiConnector.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/connector/XPipeApiConnector.java
similarity index 96%
rename from api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeApiConnector.java
rename to api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/connector/XPipeApiConnector.java
index 1bca846a..9fc3f456 100644
--- a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/XPipeApiConnector.java
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/connector/XPipeApiConnector.java
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package io.xpipe.api;
+package io.xpipe.api.connector;
 
 import io.xpipe.beacon.*;
 import io.xpipe.core.util.JacksonHelper;
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ public abstract class XPipeApiConnector extends BeaconConnector {
             var socket = constructSocket();
             handle(socket);
         } catch (Throwable ce) {
-            throw new XPipeException(ce);
+            throw new RuntimeException(ce);
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataRawImpl.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataRawImpl.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..abef43fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataRawImpl.java
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+package io.xpipe.api.impl;
+
+import io.xpipe.api.DataRaw;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceConfig;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceId;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceInfo;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceType;
+
+import java.io.InputStream;
+
+public class DataRawImpl extends DataSourceImpl implements DataRaw {
+
+    private final DataSourceInfo.Raw info;
+
+    public DataRawImpl(DataSourceId sourceId, DataSourceConfig sourceConfig, DataSourceInfo.Raw info) {
+        super(sourceId, sourceConfig);
+        this.info = info;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public DataSourceInfo.Raw getInfo() {
+        return info;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public InputStream open() {
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public byte[] readAll() {
+        return new byte[0];
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public byte[] read(int maxBytes) {
+        return new byte[0];
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public DataSourceType getType() {
+        return DataSourceType.RAW;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public DataRaw asRaw() {
+        return this;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataSourceImpl.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataSourceImpl.java
index bcb70917..57068120 100644
--- a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataSourceImpl.java
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataSourceImpl.java
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 package io.xpipe.api.impl;
 
 import io.xpipe.api.DataSource;
-import io.xpipe.api.XPipeApiConnector;
+import io.xpipe.api.connector.XPipeApiConnector;
 import io.xpipe.beacon.BeaconClient;
 import io.xpipe.beacon.ClientException;
 import io.xpipe.beacon.ConnectorException;
 import io.xpipe.beacon.ServerException;
-import io.xpipe.beacon.exchange.InfoExchange;
+import io.xpipe.beacon.exchange.QueryDataSourceExchange;
 import io.xpipe.beacon.exchange.StoreResourceExchange;
 import io.xpipe.beacon.exchange.StoreStreamExchange;
 import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceConfig;
@@ -24,9 +24,26 @@ public abstract class DataSourceImpl implements DataSource {
         new XPipeApiConnector() {
             @Override
             protected void handle(BeaconClient sc) throws ClientException, ServerException, ConnectorException {
-                var req = InfoExchange.Request.builder().ref(ds).build();
-                InfoExchange.Response res = performSimpleExchange(sc, req);
-
+                var req = QueryDataSourceExchange.Request.builder().ref(ds).build();
+                QueryDataSourceExchange.Response res = performSimpleExchange(sc, req);
+                switch (res.getInfo().getType()) {
+                    case TABLE -> {
+                        var data = res.getInfo().asTable();
+                        source[0] = new DataTableImpl(res.getId(), res.getConfig().getConfig(), data);
+                    }
+                    case STRUCTURE -> {
+                        var info = res.getInfo().asStructure();
+                        source[0] = new DataStructureImpl(res.getId(), res.getConfig().getConfig(), info);
+                    }
+                    case TEXT -> {
+                        var info = res.getInfo().asText();
+                        source[0] = new DataTextImpl(res.getId(), res.getConfig().getConfig(), info);
+                    }
+                    case RAW -> {
+                        var info = res.getInfo().asRaw();
+                        source[0] = new DataRawImpl(res.getId(), res.getConfig().getConfig(), info);
+                    }
+                }
             }
         }.execute();
         return source[0];
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataStructureImpl.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataStructureImpl.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8e2e624a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataStructureImpl.java
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+package io.xpipe.api.impl;
+
+import io.xpipe.api.DataStructure;
+import io.xpipe.core.data.node.DataStructureNode;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceConfig;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceId;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceInfo;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceType;
+
+public class DataStructureImpl extends DataSourceImpl implements DataStructure {
+
+    private final DataSourceInfo.Structure info;
+
+    public DataStructureImpl(DataSourceId sourceId, DataSourceConfig sourceConfig, DataSourceInfo.Structure info) {
+        super(sourceId, sourceConfig);
+        this.info = info;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public DataSourceType getType() {
+        return DataSourceType.STRUCTURE;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public DataStructure asStructure() {
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public DataSourceInfo.Structure getInfo() {
+        return info;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public DataStructureNode read() {
+        return null;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataTableAccumulatorImpl.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataTableAccumulatorImpl.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..56993373
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataTableAccumulatorImpl.java
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+package io.xpipe.api.impl;
+
+import io.xpipe.api.DataTable;
+import io.xpipe.api.DataTableAccumulator;
+import io.xpipe.core.data.node.DataStructureNodeAcceptor;
+import io.xpipe.core.data.node.TupleNode;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceId;
+
+public class DataTableAccumulatorImpl implements DataTableAccumulator {
+
+    @Override
+    public DataTable finish(DataSourceId id) {
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void add(TupleNode row) {
+
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public DataStructureNodeAcceptor<TupleNode> acceptor() {
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public int getCurrentRows() {
+        return 0;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataTableImpl.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataTableImpl.java
index 36ab9ef5..66efcc92 100644
--- a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataTableImpl.java
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataTableImpl.java
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 package io.xpipe.api.impl;
 
 import io.xpipe.api.DataTable;
-import io.xpipe.api.XPipeApiConnector;
+import io.xpipe.api.connector.XPipeApiConnector;
 import io.xpipe.beacon.BeaconClient;
 import io.xpipe.beacon.ClientException;
 import io.xpipe.beacon.ConnectorException;
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import io.xpipe.beacon.ServerException;
 import io.xpipe.core.data.node.ArrayNode;
 import io.xpipe.core.data.node.DataStructureNode;
 import io.xpipe.core.data.node.TupleNode;
-import io.xpipe.core.data.type.TupleType;
 import io.xpipe.core.data.typed.TypedAbstractReader;
 import io.xpipe.core.data.typed.TypedDataStreamParser;
 import io.xpipe.core.data.typed.TypedReusableDataStructureNodeReader;
@@ -27,12 +26,10 @@ import java.util.stream.StreamSupport;
 
 public class DataTableImpl extends DataSourceImpl implements DataTable {
 
-    private final DataSourceId id;
     private final DataSourceInfo.Table info;
 
-    public DataTableImpl(DataSourceId id, DataSourceConfig sourceConfig, DataSourceInfo.Table info) {
+    DataTableImpl(DataSourceId id, DataSourceConfig sourceConfig, DataSourceInfo.Table info) {
         super(id, sourceConfig);
-        this.id = id;
         this.info = info;
     }
 
@@ -41,40 +38,21 @@ public class DataTableImpl extends DataSourceImpl implements DataTable {
         return this;
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public DataSourceInfo.Table getInfo() {
+        return info;
+    }
+
     public Stream<TupleNode> stream() {
         return StreamSupport.stream(
                 Spliterators.spliteratorUnknownSize(iterator(), Spliterator.ORDERED), false);
     }
 
-    @Override
-    public DataSourceId getId() {
-        return id;
-    }
-
     @Override
     public DataSourceType getType() {
         return DataSourceType.TABLE;
     }
 
-    @Override
-    public int getRowCount() {
-        if (info.getRowCount() == -1) {
-            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Row count is unknown");
-        }
-
-        return info.getRowCount();
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public OptionalInt getRowCountIfPresent() {
-        return info.getRowCount() != -1 ? OptionalInt.of(info.getRowCount()) : OptionalInt.empty();
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public TupleType getDataType() {
-        return info.getDataType();
-    }
-
     @Override
     public ArrayNode readAll() {
         return read(Integer.MAX_VALUE);
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataTextImpl.java b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataTextImpl.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..390c00eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/src/main/java/io/xpipe/api/impl/DataTextImpl.java
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+package io.xpipe.api.impl;
+
+import io.xpipe.api.DataText;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceConfig;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceId;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceInfo;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceType;
+
+import java.util.Iterator;
+import java.util.List;
+
+public class DataTextImpl extends DataSourceImpl implements DataText {
+
+    private final DataSourceInfo.Text info;
+
+    public DataTextImpl(DataSourceId sourceId, DataSourceConfig sourceConfig, DataSourceInfo.Text info) {
+        super(sourceId, sourceConfig);
+        this.info = info;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public DataSourceType getType() {
+        return DataSourceType.TEXT;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public DataText asText() {
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public DataSourceInfo.Text getInfo() {
+        return info;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public List<String> readAllLines() {
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public List<String> readLines(int maxLines) {
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public String readAll() {
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public String read(int maxCharacters) {
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public Iterator<String> iterator() {
+        return null;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/api/src/main/java/module-info.java b/api/src/main/java/module-info.java
index a8fe12e9..8b4fd89d 100644
--- a/api/src/main/java/module-info.java
+++ b/api/src/main/java/module-info.java
@@ -3,4 +3,5 @@ module io.xpipe.api {
     requires io.xpipe.beacon;
 
     exports io.xpipe.api;
+    exports io.xpipe.api.connector;
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/beacon/src/main/java/io/xpipe/beacon/BeaconConfig.java b/beacon/src/main/java/io/xpipe/beacon/BeaconConfig.java
index 5b870b18..d748918f 100644
--- a/beacon/src/main/java/io/xpipe/beacon/BeaconConfig.java
+++ b/beacon/src/main/java/io/xpipe/beacon/BeaconConfig.java
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ public class BeaconConfig {
 
 
 
-    private static final String BEACON_PORT_PROP = "io.xpipe.beacon.port";
-    private static final int DEFAULT_PORT = 21721;
+    public static final String BEACON_PORT_PROP = "io.xpipe.beacon.port";
+    public static final int DEFAULT_PORT = 21721;
 
     public static int getUsedPort() {
         if (System.getProperty(BEACON_PORT_PROP) != null) {
diff --git a/beacon/src/main/java/io/xpipe/beacon/exchange/InfoExchange.java b/beacon/src/main/java/io/xpipe/beacon/exchange/QueryDataSourceExchange.java
similarity index 58%
rename from beacon/src/main/java/io/xpipe/beacon/exchange/InfoExchange.java
rename to beacon/src/main/java/io/xpipe/beacon/exchange/QueryDataSourceExchange.java
index 94a9ec68..7fd5da0b 100644
--- a/beacon/src/main/java/io/xpipe/beacon/exchange/InfoExchange.java
+++ b/beacon/src/main/java/io/xpipe/beacon/exchange/QueryDataSourceExchange.java
@@ -2,30 +2,28 @@ package io.xpipe.beacon.exchange;
 
 import io.xpipe.beacon.message.RequestMessage;
 import io.xpipe.beacon.message.ResponseMessage;
-import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceConfigInstance;
-import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceInfo;
-import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceReference;
+import io.xpipe.core.source.*;
 import io.xpipe.core.store.DataStore;
 import lombok.Builder;
 import lombok.NonNull;
 import lombok.Value;
 import lombok.extern.jackson.Jacksonized;
 
-public class InfoExchange implements MessageExchange<InfoExchange.Request, InfoExchange.Response> {
+public class QueryDataSourceExchange implements MessageExchange<QueryDataSourceExchange.Request, QueryDataSourceExchange.Response> {
 
     @Override
     public String getId() {
-        return "info";
+        return "queryDataSource";
     }
 
     @Override
-    public Class<InfoExchange.Request> getRequestClass() {
-        return InfoExchange.Request.class;
+    public Class<QueryDataSourceExchange.Request> getRequestClass() {
+        return QueryDataSourceExchange.Request.class;
     }
 
     @Override
-    public Class<InfoExchange.Response> getResponseClass() {
-        return InfoExchange.Response.class;
+    public Class<QueryDataSourceExchange.Response> getResponseClass() {
+        return QueryDataSourceExchange.Response.class;
     }
 
     @Jacksonized
@@ -40,11 +38,15 @@ public class InfoExchange implements MessageExchange<InfoExchange.Request, InfoE
     @Builder
     @Value
     public static class Response implements ResponseMessage {
+        @NonNull
+        DataSourceId id;
         @NonNull
         DataSourceInfo info;
         @NonNull
         DataStore store;
         @NonNull
+        DataSourceDescriptor<?> descriptor;
+        @NonNull
         DataSourceConfigInstance config;
     }
 }
diff --git a/beacon/src/main/java/module-info.java b/beacon/src/main/java/module-info.java
index b2c306b8..b19af2e1 100644
--- a/beacon/src/main/java/module-info.java
+++ b/beacon/src/main/java/module-info.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ module io.xpipe.beacon {
             ReadPreparationExchange,
             ReadExecuteExchange,
             DialogExchange,
-            InfoExchange,
+            QueryDataSourceExchange,
             PreStoreExchange,
             EditPreparationExchange,
             EditExecuteExchange,
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/DataSourceConfig.java b/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/DataSourceConfig.java
index f4b26fd4..35e08531 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/DataSourceConfig.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/DataSourceConfig.java
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import java.util.List;
 @Builder
 @Jacksonized
 public class DataSourceConfig {
-    String description;
 
     @Singular
     List<Option> options;
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/DataSourceInfo.java b/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/DataSourceInfo.java
index 6249900f..099cc480 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/DataSourceInfo.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/DataSourceInfo.java
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@ import io.xpipe.core.data.type.TupleType;
 import lombok.EqualsAndHashCode;
 import lombok.Value;
 
+import java.nio.ByteOrder;
+import java.nio.charset.Charset;
+import java.util.OptionalInt;
+
 /**
  * A data source info instances contains all required
  * essential information of a specific data source type.
@@ -34,12 +38,86 @@ public abstract class DataSourceInfo {
             this.rowCount = rowCount;
         }
 
+        public OptionalInt getRowCountIfPresent() {
+            return getRowCount() != -1 ? OptionalInt.of(getRowCount()) : OptionalInt.empty();
+        }
+
         @Override
         public DataSourceType getType() {
             return DataSourceType.TABLE;
         }
     }
 
+    @EqualsAndHashCode(callSuper = false)
+    @Value
+    @JsonTypeName("structure")
+    public static class Structure extends DataSourceInfo {
+
+        @JsonCreator
+        public Structure() {
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public DataSourceType getType() {
+            return DataSourceType.STRUCTURE;
+        }
+    }
+
+    @EqualsAndHashCode(callSuper = false)
+    @Value
+    @JsonTypeName("text")
+    public static class Text extends DataSourceInfo {
+        Charset encoding;
+
+        @JsonCreator
+        public Text(Charset encoding) {
+            this.encoding = encoding;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public DataSourceType getType() {
+            return DataSourceType.TEXT;
+        }
+    }
+
+
+    @EqualsAndHashCode(callSuper = false)
+    @Value
+    @JsonTypeName("raw")
+    public static class Raw extends DataSourceInfo {
+        int byteCount;
+        ByteOrder byteOrder;
+
+        @JsonCreator
+        public Raw(int byteCount, ByteOrder byteOrder) {
+            this.byteCount = byteCount;
+            this.byteOrder = byteOrder;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public DataSourceType getType() {
+            return DataSourceType.RAW;
+        }
+    }
+
+
+    @EqualsAndHashCode(callSuper = false)
+    @Value
+    @JsonTypeName("archive")
+    public static class Archive extends DataSourceInfo {
+        int contentCount;
+
+        @JsonCreator
+        public Archive(int contentCount) {
+            this.contentCount = contentCount;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public DataSourceType getType() {
+            return null;
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Casts this instance to a table info.
      */
@@ -50,4 +128,37 @@ public abstract class DataSourceInfo {
 
         return (Table) this;
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Casts this instance to a structure info.
+     */
+    public Structure asStructure() {
+        if (!getType().equals(DataSourceType.STRUCTURE)) {
+            throw new IllegalStateException("Not a structure");
+        }
+
+        return (Structure) this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Casts this instance to a text info.
+     */
+    public Text asText() {
+        if (!getType().equals(DataSourceType.TEXT)) {
+            throw new IllegalStateException("Not a text");
+        }
+
+        return (Text) this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Casts this instance to a raw info.
+     */
+    public Raw asRaw() {
+        if (!getType().equals(DataSourceType.RAW)) {
+            throw new IllegalStateException("Not raw");
+        }
+
+        return (Raw) this;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/DataSourceReference.java b/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/DataSourceReference.java
index 14c55b1a..b3a0bb6d 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/DataSourceReference.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/DataSourceReference.java
@@ -6,15 +6,56 @@ import lombok.Value;
 
 import java.util.Objects;
 
+/**
+ * Represents a reference to an X-Pipe data source.
+ * Using {@link DataSourceReference} instances instead of {@link DataSourceId}
+ * instances is mainly done for user convenience purposes.
+ *
+ * While a {@link DataSourceId} represents a unique and canonical identifier for an X-Pipe data source,
+ * there also exist easier and shorter ways to address a data source.
+ * This convenience comes at the price of ambiguity and instability for other types of references.
+ */
 public interface DataSourceReference {
 
-    static DataSourceReference empty() {
-        return new Empty();
+    /**
+     * Creates a reference that always refers to the latest data source.
+     *
+     * @see Latest
+     */
+    static DataSourceReference latest() {
+        return new Latest();
     }
 
-    public static DataSourceReference parse(String s) {
+    /**
+     * Creates a reference using only the data source name.
+     *
+     * @see Name
+     */
+    static DataSourceReference name(String name) {
+        return new Name(name);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Convenience method for {@link #id(DataSourceId)}
+     *
+     * @see DataSourceId#fromString(String)
+     */
+    static DataSourceReference id(String id) {
+        return new Id(DataSourceId.fromString(id));
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a reference by using a canonical data source id.
+     *
+     * @see Id
+     */
+    static DataSourceReference id(DataSourceId id) {
+        return new Id(id);
+    }
+
+    static DataSourceReference parse(String s) {
         if (s == null || s.trim().length() == 0) {
-            return new Empty();
+            return new Latest();
         }
 
         if (s.contains(":")) {
@@ -27,15 +68,23 @@ public interface DataSourceReference {
     enum Type {
         ID,
         NAME,
-        EMPTY
+        LATEST
     }
 
     Type getType();
     DataSourceId getId();
     String getName();
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the internal string representation of this reference.
+     */
     String toRefString();
+
     String toString();
 
+    /**
+     * A wrapper class for {@link DataSourceId} instances.
+     */
     @Value
     @AllArgsConstructor
     static class Id implements DataSourceReference {
@@ -81,6 +130,11 @@ public interface DataSourceReference {
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Using only the data source name allows for a shorthand way of referring to data sources.
+     * This works as long there are no two different data sources with the same name in different collections.
+     * If this name reference is ambiguous, the data source referral fails.
+     */
     @Value
     @AllArgsConstructor
     static class Name implements DataSourceReference {
@@ -126,7 +180,12 @@ public interface DataSourceReference {
         }
     }
 
-    static class Empty implements DataSourceReference {
+    /**
+     * Specifying the latest reference allows the user to always address the latest data source.
+     * Data source referral this way is unstable however as adding or
+     * removing data sources might change the referral behaviour and is therefore not recommended.
+     */
+    static class Latest implements DataSourceReference {
 
         @Override
         public String toRefString() {
@@ -135,7 +194,7 @@ public interface DataSourceReference {
 
         @Override
         public String toString() {
-            return "none";
+            return "latest";
         }
 
         @Override
@@ -151,7 +210,7 @@ public interface DataSourceReference {
 
         @Override
         public Type getType() {
-            return Type.EMPTY;
+            return Type.LATEST;
         }
 
         @Override
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/TextDataSourceDescriptor.java b/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/TextDataSourceDescriptor.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7ddfb486
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/TextDataSourceDescriptor.java
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+package io.xpipe.core.source;
+
+import io.xpipe.core.store.DataStore;
+
+public class TextDataSourceDescriptor<DS extends DataStore> implements DataSourceDescriptor<DS>  {
+
+    @Override
+    public DataSourceInfo determineInfo(DS store) throws Exception {
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public DataSourceType getType() {
+        return DataSourceType.TEXT;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/TextReadConnection.java b/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/TextReadConnection.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c42f699e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/TextReadConnection.java
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+package io.xpipe.core.source;
+
+import java.nio.charset.Charset;
+
+public interface TextReadConnection extends DataSourceConnection {
+
+    Charset getEncoding();
+}
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/TextWriteConnection.java b/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/TextWriteConnection.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..58ac2fb7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/src/main/java/io/xpipe/core/source/TextWriteConnection.java
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+package io.xpipe.core.source;
+
+import java.io.OutputStream;
+
+public interface TextWriteConnection extends DataSourceConnection {
+
+    OutputStream getOutputStream();
+}
diff --git a/core/src/test/java/io/xpipe/core/test/DataSourceReferenceTest.java b/core/src/test/java/io/xpipe/core/test/DataSourceReferenceTest.java
index 4f8bd363..a3d183ec 100644
--- a/core/src/test/java/io/xpipe/core/test/DataSourceReferenceTest.java
+++ b/core/src/test/java/io/xpipe/core/test/DataSourceReferenceTest.java
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ public class DataSourceReferenceTest {
 
     @Test
     public void parseValidParameters() {
-        Assertions.assertEquals(DataSourceReference.parse(" ").getType(), DataSourceReference.Type.EMPTY);
-        Assertions.assertEquals(DataSourceReference.parse(null).getType(), DataSourceReference.Type.EMPTY);
+        Assertions.assertEquals(DataSourceReference.parse(" ").getType(), DataSourceReference.Type.LATEST);
+        Assertions.assertEquals(DataSourceReference.parse(null).getType(), DataSourceReference.Type.LATEST);
 
         Assertions.assertEquals(DataSourceReference.parse("abc").getType(), DataSourceReference.Type.NAME);
         Assertions.assertEquals(DataSourceReference.parse(" abc_ d e").getName(), "abc_ d e");
diff --git a/extension/build.gradle b/extension/build.gradle
index 051cb572..2a872eeb 100644
--- a/extension/build.gradle
+++ b/extension/build.gradle
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ plugins {
 apply from: "$rootDir/deps/java.gradle"
 apply from: "$rootDir/deps/javafx.gradle"
 apply from: "$rootDir/deps/richtextfx.gradle"
+apply from: "$rootDir/deps/preferencesfx.gradle"
 apply from: "$rootDir/deps/jackson.gradle"
 apply from: "$rootDir/deps/commons.gradle"
 apply from: "$rootDir/deps/lombok.gradle"
@@ -26,4 +27,5 @@ repositories {
 dependencies {
     implementation project(':core')
     implementation project(':fxcomps')
+    implementation group: 'com.dlsc.preferencesfx', name: 'preferencesfx-core', version: '11.8.0'
 }
diff --git a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/SupportedApplicationProvider.java b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/SupportedApplicationProvider.java
index cdbb0041..6f477f20 100644
--- a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/SupportedApplicationProvider.java
+++ b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/SupportedApplicationProvider.java
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 package io.xpipe.extension;
 
-import io.xpipe.core.source.DataSourceId;
 import javafx.beans.value.ObservableValue;
 import javafx.scene.layout.Region;
 
@@ -13,13 +12,7 @@ public interface SupportedApplicationProvider {
         APPLICATION
     }
 
-    Region createTableRetrieveInstructions(ObservableValue<DataSourceId> id);
-
-    Region createStructureRetrieveInstructions(ObservableValue<DataSourceId> id);
-
-    Region createTextRetrieveInstructions(ObservableValue<DataSourceId> id);
-
-    Region createRawRetrieveInstructions(ObservableValue<DataSourceId> id);
+    Region createRetrieveInstructions(DataSourceProvider provider, ObservableValue<String> id);
 
     String getId();
 
diff --git a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/Translatable.java b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/Translatable.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f8d5e6e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/Translatable.java
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+package io.xpipe.extension;
+
+import javafx.beans.binding.StringBinding;
+import javafx.beans.binding.StringExpression;
+import javafx.beans.value.ObservableValue;
+import javafx.collections.FXCollections;
+import javafx.collections.ObservableList;
+import javafx.util.StringConverter;
+
+public interface Translatable {
+
+    static <T extends Translatable> StringConverter<T> stringConverter() {
+        return new StringConverter<>() {
+            @Override public String toString(T t) {
+                return t == null ? null : t.toTranslatedString();
+            }
+
+            @Override public T fromString(String string) {
+                throw new AssertionError();
+            }
+        };
+    }
+
+    static <T extends Translatable> StringExpression asTranslatedString(ObservableValue<T> observableValue) {
+        return new StringBinding() {
+            {
+                super.bind(observableValue);
+            }
+
+            @Override
+            public void dispose() {
+                super.unbind(observableValue);
+            }
+
+            @Override
+            protected String computeValue() {
+                final T value = observableValue.getValue();
+                return (value == null) ? "null" : value.toTranslatedString();
+            }
+
+            @Override
+            public ObservableList<ObservableValue<?>> getDependencies() {
+                return FXCollections.singletonObservableList(observableValue);
+            }
+        };
+    }
+
+    String toTranslatedString();
+}
diff --git a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/comp/CodeSnippet.java b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/comp/CodeSnippet.java
index 13b7a5ad..ce601689 100644
--- a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/comp/CodeSnippet.java
+++ b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/comp/CodeSnippet.java
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@ import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 
 public record CodeSnippet(List<CodeSnippet.Line> lines) {
 
+    public String toString() {
+        return getRawString();
+    }
+
     public String getRawString() {
         return lines.stream().map(line -> line.elements().stream()
                 .map(Element::text).collect(Collectors.joining()))
diff --git a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/comp/CodeSnippetComp.java b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/comp/CodeSnippetComp.java
index 1379f019..4437c9b0 100644
--- a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/comp/CodeSnippetComp.java
+++ b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/comp/CodeSnippetComp.java
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package io.xpipe.extension.comp;
 import io.xpipe.fxcomps.Comp;
 import io.xpipe.fxcomps.CompStructure;
 import io.xpipe.fxcomps.util.PlatformUtil;
+import javafx.beans.property.SimpleBooleanProperty;
 import javafx.beans.value.ObservableValue;
 import javafx.scene.control.Button;
 import javafx.scene.control.Label;
@@ -23,8 +24,13 @@ public class CodeSnippetComp extends Comp<CompStructure<StackPane>> {
     private final ObservableValue<Boolean> showLineNumbers;
     private final ObservableValue<CodeSnippet> value;
 
+    public CodeSnippetComp(boolean showLineNumbers, ObservableValue<CodeSnippet> value) {
+        this.showLineNumbers = new SimpleBooleanProperty(showLineNumbers);
+        this.value = PlatformUtil.wrap(value);
+    }
+
     public CodeSnippetComp(ObservableValue<Boolean> showLineNumbers, ObservableValue<CodeSnippet> value) {
-        this.showLineNumbers = showLineNumbers;
+        this.showLineNumbers = PlatformUtil.wrap(showLineNumbers);
         this.value = PlatformUtil.wrap(value);
     }
 
@@ -88,10 +94,7 @@ public class CodeSnippetComp extends Comp<CompStructure<StackPane>> {
         lineNumbers.getStyleClass().add("line-numbers");
         fillArea(lineNumbers, s);
         value.addListener((c,o,n) -> {
-            PlatformUtil.runLaterIfNeeded(() -> {
-                fillArea(lineNumbers, s);
-                s.setMaxHeight(5);
-            });
+            fillArea(lineNumbers, s);
         });
 
         var spacer = new Region();
@@ -103,7 +106,7 @@ public class CodeSnippetComp extends Comp<CompStructure<StackPane>> {
             content.getChildren().add(0, lineNumbers);
             content.getChildren().add(1, spacer);
         }
-        PlatformUtil.wrap(showLineNumbers).addListener((c,o,n) -> {
+        showLineNumbers.addListener((c,o,n) -> {
             if (n) {
                 content.getChildren().add(0, lineNumbers);
                 content.getChildren().add(1, spacer);
diff --git a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/event/TrackEvent.java b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/event/TrackEvent.java
index 48d37c49..8bf5a4c4 100644
--- a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/event/TrackEvent.java
+++ b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/event/TrackEvent.java
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import lombok.Getter;
 import lombok.Singular;
 
 import java.time.Instant;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Map;
 
 @Builder
@@ -18,6 +19,16 @@ public class TrackEvent {
             return this;
         }
 
+        public TrackEventBuilder copy() {
+            var copy = builder();
+            copy.category = category;
+            copy.message = message;
+            copy.tags$key = new ArrayList<>(tags$key);
+            copy.tags$value = new ArrayList<>(tags$value);
+            copy.type = type;
+            return copy;
+        }
+
         public void handle() {
             build().handle();
         }
@@ -35,6 +46,10 @@ public class TrackEvent {
         return builder().type("info").message(message);
     }
 
+    public static TrackEventBuilder withWarn(String message) {
+        return builder().type("warn").message(message);
+    }
+
     public static TrackEventBuilder withTrace(String message) {
         return builder().type("trace").message(message);
     }
@@ -55,6 +70,10 @@ public class TrackEvent {
         return builder().type("debug").message(message);
     }
 
+    public static void debug(String cat, String message) {
+        builder().category(cat).type("debug").message(message).build().handle();
+    }
+
     public static void debug(String message) {
         builder().type("debug").message(message).build().handle();
     }
@@ -63,6 +82,10 @@ public class TrackEvent {
         builder().type("trace").message(message).build().handle();
     }
 
+    public static void info(String cat, String message) {
+        builder().category(cat).type("info").message(message).build().handle();
+    }
+
     public static void trace(String cat, String message) {
         builder().category(cat).type("trace").message(message).build().handle();
     }
diff --git a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsChoiceValue.java b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsChoiceValue.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5fcf6b6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsChoiceValue.java
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+package io.xpipe.extension.prefs;
+
+import io.xpipe.extension.I18n;
+import io.xpipe.extension.Translatable;
+
+public interface PrefsChoiceValue extends Translatable {
+
+    @Override
+    default String toTranslatedString() {
+        return I18n.get(getId());
+    }
+
+    String getId();
+}
diff --git a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsChoiceValueModule.java b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsChoiceValueModule.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6de1015e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsChoiceValueModule.java
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+package io.xpipe.extension.prefs;
+
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.core.JsonGenerator;
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.core.JsonParser;
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.DeserializationContext;
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.JsonDeserializer;
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.JsonSerializer;
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.SerializerProvider;
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.module.SimpleModule;
+
+import java.io.IOException;
+import java.util.List;
+
+public class PrefsChoiceValueModule extends SimpleModule {
+
+    @Override
+    public void setupModule(SetupContext context) {
+        addSerializer(PrefsChoiceValue.class, new PrefsChoiceValueSerializer());
+        addDeserializer(PrefsChoiceValue.class, new PrefsChoiceValueDeserializer());
+
+        context.addSerializers(_serializers);
+        context.addDeserializers(_deserializers);
+    }
+
+    public static class PrefsChoiceValueSerializer extends JsonSerializer<PrefsChoiceValue> {
+
+        @Override
+        public void serialize(PrefsChoiceValue value, JsonGenerator jgen, SerializerProvider provider)
+                throws IOException {
+            jgen.writeString(value.getId());
+        }
+    }
+
+    public static class PrefsChoiceValueDeserializer extends JsonDeserializer<PrefsChoiceValue> {
+
+        @Override
+        public PrefsChoiceValue deserialize(JsonParser p, DeserializationContext ctxt) throws IOException {
+            var id = p.getValueAsString();
+            Class<? extends PrefsChoiceValue> clazz = (Class<? extends PrefsChoiceValue>) ctxt.getContextualType().getRawClass();
+            try {
+                var list = (List<? extends PrefsChoiceValue>) clazz.getDeclaredField("SUPPORTED").get(null);
+                return list.stream().filter(v -> v.getId().equals(id)).findAny().orElse(null);
+            } catch (IllegalAccessException e) {
+                e.printStackTrace();
+            } catch (NoSuchFieldException e) {
+                e.printStackTrace();
+            }
+            return null;
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsHandler.java b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsHandler.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..22d8e955
--- /dev/null
+++ b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsHandler.java
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+package io.xpipe.extension.prefs;
+
+import com.dlsc.preferencesfx.model.Setting;
+
+import java.util.List;
+
+public interface PrefsHandler {
+
+    void addSetting(List<String> category, String group, Setting<?,?> setting);
+}
diff --git a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsProvider.java b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsProvider.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ac35cc90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsProvider.java
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+package io.xpipe.extension.prefs;
+
+public interface PrefsProvider {
+
+    void addPrefs(PrefsHandler handler);
+}
diff --git a/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsProviders.java b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsProviders.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6b6ae462
--- /dev/null
+++ b/extension/src/main/java/io/xpipe/extension/prefs/PrefsProviders.java
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+package io.xpipe.extension.prefs;
+
+import java.util.ServiceLoader;
+import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.stream.Collectors;
+
+public class PrefsProviders {
+
+    private static Set<PrefsProvider> ALL;
+
+    public static void init(ModuleLayer layer) {
+        if (ALL == null) {
+            ALL = ServiceLoader.load(layer, PrefsProvider.class).stream()
+                    .map(ServiceLoader.Provider::get).collect(Collectors.toSet());
+        }
+    }
+
+    public static Set<PrefsProvider> getAll() {
+        return ALL;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/extension/src/main/java/module-info.java b/extension/src/main/java/module-info.java
index a0dabd7a..3f9a637d 100644
--- a/extension/src/main/java/module-info.java
+++ b/extension/src/main/java/module-info.java
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.Module;
 import io.xpipe.extension.DataSourceProvider;
 import io.xpipe.extension.SupportedApplicationProvider;
+import io.xpipe.extension.prefs.PrefsChoiceValueModule;
 
 module io.xpipe.extension {
     requires io.xpipe.core;
@@ -13,12 +15,18 @@ module io.xpipe.extension {
     exports io.xpipe.extension;
     exports io.xpipe.extension.comp;
     exports io.xpipe.extension.event;
+    exports io.xpipe.extension.prefs;
 
     uses DataSourceProvider;
     uses SupportedApplicationProvider;
     uses io.xpipe.extension.I18n;
     uses io.xpipe.extension.event.EventHandler;
+    uses io.xpipe.extension.prefs.PrefsProvider;
 
+    provides Module with PrefsChoiceValueModule;
+
+    requires com.dlsc.preferencesfx;
+    requires com.dlsc.formsfx;
     requires java.desktop;
     requires org.fxmisc.richtext;
     requires org.fxmisc.flowless;
@@ -26,4 +34,5 @@ module io.xpipe.extension {
     requires org.fxmisc.wellbehavedfx;
     requires org.reactfx;
     requires org.kordamp.ikonli.javafx;
+    requires com.fasterxml.jackson.databind;
 }
\ No newline at end of file