diff --git a/server/src/engine/fractal/drivers.rs b/server/src/engine/fractal/drivers.rs
index 2a41e2e8..6a633660 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/fractal/drivers.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/fractal/drivers.rs
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 use {
     super::util,
     crate::engine::{
+        error::RuntimeResult,
         storage::v1::{data_batch::DataBatchPersistDriver, RawFSInterface},
         txn::gns::GNSTransactionDriverAnyFS,
     },
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ use {
 pub(super) struct FractalGNSDriver<Fs: RawFSInterface> {
     #[allow(unused)]
     status: util::Status,
-    txn_driver: Mutex<GNSTransactionDriverAnyFS<Fs>>,
+    pub(super) txn_driver: Mutex<GNSTransactionDriverAnyFS<Fs>>,
 }
 
 impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> FractalGNSDriver<Fs> {
@@ -72,6 +73,9 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> FractalModelDriver<Fs> {
     pub fn batch_driver(&self) -> &Mutex<DataBatchPersistDriver<Fs>> {
         &self.batch_driver
     }
+    pub fn close(self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+        self.batch_driver.into_inner().close()
+    }
 }
 
 /// Model hooks
diff --git a/server/src/engine/fractal/mgr.rs b/server/src/engine/fractal/mgr.rs
index 99375c2c..0307c549 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/fractal/mgr.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/fractal/mgr.rs
@@ -24,14 +24,13 @@
  *
 */
 
-use crate::engine::storage::v1::LocalFS;
-
 use {
     super::ModelUniqueID,
     crate::{
         engine::{
             core::model::{delta::DataDelta, Model},
             data::uuid::Uuid,
+            storage::v1::LocalFS,
         },
         util::os,
     },
@@ -228,7 +227,7 @@ impl FractalMgr {
 
 // services
 impl FractalMgr {
-    const GENERAL_EXECUTOR_WINDOW: u64 = 5;
+    const GENERAL_EXECUTOR_WINDOW: u64 = 5 * 60;
     /// The high priority executor service runs in the background to take care of high priority tasks and take any
     /// appropriate action. It will exclusively own the high priority queue since it is the only broker that is
     /// allowed to perform HP tasks
@@ -239,57 +238,77 @@ impl FractalMgr {
         mut sigterm: broadcast::Receiver<()>,
     ) {
         loop {
-            let Task { threshold, task } = tokio::select! {
+            let task = tokio::select! {
                 task = receiver.recv() => {
                     match task {
                         Some(t) => t,
                         None => {
-                            info!("exiting fhp executor service because all tasks closed");
+                            info!("fhp: exiting executor service because all tasks closed");
                             break;
                         }
                     }
                 }
                 _ = sigterm.recv() => {
-                    info!("exited fhp executor service");
+                    info!("fhp: finishing pending tasks");
+                    while let Ok(task) = receiver.try_recv() {
+                        let global = global.clone();
+                        tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || self.hp_executor(global, task)).await.unwrap()
+                    }
+                    info!("fhp: exited executor service");
                     break;
                 }
             };
-            // TODO(@ohsayan): check threshold and update hooks
-            match task {
-                CriticalTask::WriteBatch(model_id, observed_size) => {
-                    let mdl_drivers = global.get_state().get_mdl_drivers().read();
-                    let Some(mdl_driver) = mdl_drivers.get(&model_id) else {
-                        // because we maximize throughput, the model driver may have been already removed but this task
-                        // was way behind in the queue
-                        continue;
-                    };
-                    let res = global._namespace().with_model(
-                        (model_id.space(), model_id.model()),
-                        |model| {
+            let global = global.clone();
+            tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || self.hp_executor(global, task))
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+        }
+    }
+    fn hp_executor(
+        &'static self,
+        global: super::Global,
+        Task { threshold, task }: Task<CriticalTask>,
+    ) {
+        // TODO(@ohsayan): check threshold and update hooks
+        match task {
+            CriticalTask::WriteBatch(model_id, observed_size) => {
+                info!("fhp: {model_id} has reached cache capacity. writing to disk");
+                let mdl_drivers = global.get_state().get_mdl_drivers().read();
+                let Some(mdl_driver) = mdl_drivers.get(&model_id) else {
+                    // because we maximize throughput, the model driver may have been already removed but this task
+                    // was way behind in the queue
+                    return;
+                };
+                let res =
+                    global
+                        ._namespace()
+                        .with_model((model_id.space(), model_id.model()), |model| {
                             if model.get_uuid() != model_id.uuid() {
                                 // once again, throughput maximization will lead to, in extremely rare cases, this
                                 // branch returning. but it is okay
                                 return Ok(());
                             }
                             Self::try_write_model_data_batch(model, observed_size, mdl_driver)
-                        },
-                    );
-                    match res {
-                        Ok(()) => {}
-                        Err(_) => {
-                            log::error!(
-                                "Error writing data batch for model {}. Retrying...",
-                                model_id.uuid()
-                            );
-                            // enqueue again for retrying
-                            self.hp_dispatcher
-                                .send(Task::with_threshold(
-                                    CriticalTask::WriteBatch(model_id, observed_size),
-                                    threshold - 1,
-                                ))
-                                .unwrap();
+                        });
+                match res {
+                    Ok(()) => {
+                        if observed_size != 0 {
+                            info!("fhp: completed maintenance task for {model_id}, synced={observed_size}")
                         }
                     }
+                    Err(_) => {
+                        log::error!(
+                            "fhp: error writing data batch for model {}. Retrying...",
+                            model_id.uuid()
+                        );
+                        // enqueue again for retrying
+                        self.hp_dispatcher
+                            .send(Task::with_threshold(
+                                CriticalTask::WriteBatch(model_id, observed_size),
+                                threshold - 1,
+                            ))
+                            .unwrap();
+                    }
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -307,37 +326,21 @@ impl FractalMgr {
         loop {
             tokio::select! {
                 _ = sigterm.recv() => {
-                    info!("exited flp executor service");
+                    info!("flp: finishing any pending maintenance tasks");
+                    let global = global.clone();
+                    tokio::task::spawn_blocking(|| self.general_executor_model_maintenance(global)).await.unwrap();
+                    info!("flp: exited executor service");
                     break;
                 },
                 _ = tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_secs(Self::GENERAL_EXECUTOR_WINDOW)) => {
-                    let mdl_drivers = global.get_state().get_mdl_drivers().read();
-                    for (model_id, driver) in mdl_drivers.iter() {
-                        let mut observed_len = 0;
-                        let res = global._namespace().with_model((model_id.space(), model_id.model()), |model| {
-                            if model.get_uuid() != model_id.uuid() {
-                                // once again, throughput maximization will lead to, in extremely rare cases, this
-                                // branch returning. but it is okay
-                                return Ok(());
-                            }
-                            // mark that we're taking these deltas
-                            observed_len = model.delta_state().__fractal_take_full_from_data_delta(super::FractalToken::new());
-                            Self::try_write_model_data_batch(model, observed_len, driver)
-                        });
-                        match res {
-                            Ok(()) => {}
-                            Err(_) => {
-                                // this failure is *not* good, so we want to promote this to a critical task
-                                self.hp_dispatcher.send(Task::new(CriticalTask::WriteBatch(model_id.clone(), observed_len))).unwrap()
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
+                    let global = global.clone();
+                    tokio::task::spawn_blocking(|| self.general_executor_model_maintenance(global)).await.unwrap()
                 }
                 task = lpq.recv() => {
                     let Task { threshold, task } = match task {
                         Some(t) => t,
                         None => {
-                            info!("exiting flp executor service because all tasks closed");
+                            info!("flp: exiting executor service because all tasks closed");
                             break;
                         }
                     };
@@ -362,6 +365,45 @@ impl FractalMgr {
             }
         }
     }
+    fn general_executor_model_maintenance(&'static self, global: super::Global) {
+        let mdl_drivers = global.get_state().get_mdl_drivers().read();
+        for (model_id, driver) in mdl_drivers.iter() {
+            let mut observed_len = 0;
+            let res =
+                global
+                    ._namespace()
+                    .with_model((model_id.space(), model_id.model()), |model| {
+                        if model.get_uuid() != model_id.uuid() {
+                            // once again, throughput maximization will lead to, in extremely rare cases, this
+                            // branch returning. but it is okay
+                            return Ok(());
+                        }
+                        // mark that we're taking these deltas
+                        observed_len = model
+                            .delta_state()
+                            .__fractal_take_full_from_data_delta(super::FractalToken::new());
+                        Self::try_write_model_data_batch(model, observed_len, driver)
+                    });
+            match res {
+                Ok(()) => {
+                    if observed_len != 0 {
+                        info!(
+                            "flp: completed maintenance task for {model_id}, synced={observed_len}"
+                        )
+                    }
+                }
+                Err(_) => {
+                    // this failure is *not* good, so we want to promote this to a critical task
+                    self.hp_dispatcher
+                        .send(Task::new(CriticalTask::WriteBatch(
+                            model_id.clone(),
+                            observed_len,
+                        )))
+                        .unwrap()
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 // util
diff --git a/server/src/engine/fractal/mod.rs b/server/src/engine/fractal/mod.rs
index c23854a1..6cc37f0f 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/fractal/mod.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/fractal/mod.rs
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ use {
     },
     crate::engine::error::RuntimeResult,
     parking_lot::{Mutex, RwLock},
-    std::{collections::HashMap, mem::MaybeUninit},
+    std::{collections::HashMap, fmt, mem::MaybeUninit},
     tokio::sync::mpsc::unbounded_channel,
 };
 
@@ -240,15 +240,17 @@ impl Global {
     }
     pub unsafe fn unload_all(self) {
         // TODO(@ohsayan): handle errors
-        self.namespace_txn_driver()
-            .lock()
-            .__journal_mut()
-            .__append_journal_close_and_close()
-            .unwrap();
-        for (_, driver) in self.get_state().mdl_driver.write().iter_mut() {
-            driver.batch_driver().lock().close().unwrap();
+        let GlobalState {
+            gns_driver,
+            mdl_driver,
+            ..
+        } = Self::__gref_raw().assume_init_read();
+        let gns_driver = gns_driver.txn_driver.into_inner().into_inner();
+        let mdl_drivers = mdl_driver.into_inner();
+        gns_driver.close().unwrap();
+        for (_, driver) in mdl_drivers {
+            driver.close().unwrap();
         }
-        core::ptr::drop_in_place(Self::__gref_raw().as_mut_ptr());
     }
 }
 
@@ -302,6 +304,12 @@ pub struct ModelUniqueID {
     uuid: Uuid,
 }
 
+impl fmt::Display for ModelUniqueID {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        write!(f, "model-{}@{}", self.model(), self.space())
+    }
+}
+
 impl ModelUniqueID {
     /// Create a new unique model ID
     pub fn new(space: &str, model: &str, uuid: Uuid) -> Self {
diff --git a/server/src/engine/fractal/test_utils.rs b/server/src/engine/fractal/test_utils.rs
index 152e057a..d3211ee9 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/fractal/test_utils.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/fractal/test_utils.rs
@@ -146,9 +146,6 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> GlobalInstanceLike for TestGlobal<Fs> {
 impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> Drop for TestGlobal<Fs> {
     fn drop(&mut self) {
         let mut txn_driver = self.txn_driver.lock();
-        txn_driver
-            .__journal_mut()
-            .__append_journal_close_and_close()
-            .unwrap();
+        txn_driver.__journal_mut().__close_mut().unwrap();
     }
 }
diff --git a/server/src/engine/idx/mtchm/mod.rs b/server/src/engine/idx/mtchm/mod.rs
index e1e8bc6b..da78271b 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/idx/mtchm/mod.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/idx/mtchm/mod.rs
@@ -108,6 +108,12 @@ impl CHTRuntimeLog {
     }
 }
 
+impl Drop for CHTRuntimeLog {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        let _ = self.data;
+    }
+}
+
 pub struct Node<C: Config> {
     branch: [Atomic<Self>; <DefConfig as Config>::BRANCH_MX],
 }
diff --git a/server/src/engine/mod.rs b/server/src/engine/mod.rs
index 30b0130a..8e367b2e 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/mod.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/mod.rs
@@ -197,11 +197,10 @@ pub async fn start(
     tokio::select! {
         _ = endpoint_handles.listen() => {}
         _ = termsig => {
-            info!("received terminate signal");
+            info!("received terminate signal. waiting for inflight tasks to complete ...");
         }
     }
     drop(signal);
-    info!("waiting for inflight tasks to complete ...");
     endpoint_handles.finish().await;
     info!("waiting for fractal engine to exit ...");
     let (hp_handle, lp_handle) = tokio::join!(fractal_handle.hp_handle, fractal_handle.lp_handle);
diff --git a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/batch_jrnl/mod.rs b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/batch_jrnl/mod.rs
index 36f147b5..2013acbf 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/batch_jrnl/mod.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/batch_jrnl/mod.rs
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ pub fn reinit<Fs: RawFSInterface>(
     // restore
     let mut restore_driver = DataBatchRestoreDriver::new(f)?;
     restore_driver.read_data_batch_into_model(model)?;
-    DataBatchPersistDriver::new(restore_driver.into_file(), false)
+    DataBatchPersistDriver::new(restore_driver.into_file()?, false)
 }
 
 /// Create a new batch journal
diff --git a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/batch_jrnl/persist.rs b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/batch_jrnl/persist.rs
index c29e3486..ee355690 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/batch_jrnl/persist.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/batch_jrnl/persist.rs
@@ -63,16 +63,12 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> DataBatchPersistDriver<Fs> {
             file.fsynced_write(&[MARKER_BATCH_REOPEN])?;
         }
         Ok(Self {
-            f: SDSSFileTrackedWriter::new(file),
+            f: SDSSFileTrackedWriter::new(file)?,
         })
     }
-    pub fn close(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
-        if self
-            .f
-            .inner_file()
-            .fsynced_write(&[MARKER_BATCH_CLOSED])
-            .is_ok()
-        {
+    pub fn close(self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+        let mut slf = self.f.into_inner_file()?;
+        if slf.fsynced_write(&[MARKER_BATCH_CLOSED]).is_ok() {
             return Ok(());
         } else {
             return Err(StorageError::DataBatchCloseError.into());
@@ -123,11 +119,9 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> DataBatchPersistDriver<Fs> {
                         self.encode_row_data(model, &irm, &row_data)?;
                     }
                 }
-                // fsync now; we're good to go
-                self.f.fsync_all()?;
                 i += 1;
             }
-            return self.append_batch_summary(observed_len, inconsistent_reads);
+            return self.append_batch_summary_and_sync(observed_len, inconsistent_reads);
         };
         match exec() {
             Ok(()) => Ok(()),
@@ -155,26 +149,28 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> DataBatchPersistDriver<Fs> {
         col_cnt: usize,
     ) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         self.f
-            .unfsynced_write(&[MARKER_ACTUAL_BATCH_EVENT, pk_tag.value_u8()])?;
+            .write_unfsynced(&[MARKER_ACTUAL_BATCH_EVENT, pk_tag.value_u8()])?;
         let observed_len_bytes = observed_len.u64_bytes_le();
-        self.f.unfsynced_write(&observed_len_bytes)?;
+        self.f.write_unfsynced(&observed_len_bytes)?;
         self.f
-            .unfsynced_write(&schema_version.value_u64().to_le_bytes())?;
-        self.f.unfsynced_write(&col_cnt.u64_bytes_le())?;
+            .write_unfsynced(&schema_version.value_u64().to_le_bytes())?;
+        self.f.write_unfsynced(&col_cnt.u64_bytes_le())?;
         Ok(())
     }
-    /// Append a summary of this batch
-    fn append_batch_summary(
+    /// Append a summary of this batch and most importantly, **sync everything to disk**
+    fn append_batch_summary_and_sync(
         &mut self,
         observed_len: usize,
         inconsistent_reads: usize,
     ) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         // [0xFD][actual_commit][checksum]
-        self.f.unfsynced_write(&[MARKER_END_OF_BATCH])?;
+        self.f.write_unfsynced(&[MARKER_END_OF_BATCH])?;
         let actual_commit = (observed_len - inconsistent_reads).u64_bytes_le();
-        self.f.unfsynced_write(&actual_commit)?;
+        self.f.write_unfsynced(&actual_commit)?;
         let cs = self.f.reset_and_finish_checksum().to_le_bytes();
-        self.f.inner_file().fsynced_write(&cs)?;
+        self.f.untracked_write(&cs)?;
+        // IMPORTANT: now that all data has been written, we need to actually ensure that the writes pass through the cache
+        self.f.sync_writes()?;
         Ok(())
     }
     /// Attempt to fix the batch journal
@@ -184,8 +180,7 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> DataBatchPersistDriver<Fs> {
             attempt to append 0xFF to the part of the file where a corruption likely occurred, marking
             it recoverable
         */
-        let f = self.f.inner_file();
-        if f.fsynced_write(&[MARKER_RECOVERY_EVENT]).is_ok() {
+        if self.f.untracked_write(&[MARKER_RECOVERY_EVENT]).is_ok() {
             return Ok(());
         }
         Err(StorageError::DataBatchRecoveryFailStageOne.into())
@@ -203,7 +198,7 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> DataBatchPersistDriver<Fs> {
                     pk.read_uint()
                 }
                 .to_le_bytes();
-                buf.unfsynced_write(&data)?;
+                buf.write_unfsynced(&data)?;
             }
             TagUnique::Str | TagUnique::Bin => {
                 let slice = unsafe {
@@ -211,8 +206,8 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> DataBatchPersistDriver<Fs> {
                     pk.read_bin()
                 };
                 let slice_l = slice.len().u64_bytes_le();
-                buf.unfsynced_write(&slice_l)?;
-                buf.unfsynced_write(slice)?;
+                buf.write_unfsynced(&slice_l)?;
+                buf.write_unfsynced(slice)?;
             }
             TagUnique::Illegal => unsafe {
                 // UNSAFE(@ohsayan): a pk can't be constructed with illegal
@@ -225,7 +220,7 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> DataBatchPersistDriver<Fs> {
     fn encode_cell(&mut self, value: &Datacell) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         let mut buf = vec![];
         cell::encode(&mut buf, value);
-        self.f.unfsynced_write(&buf)?;
+        self.f.write_unfsynced(&buf)?;
         Ok(())
     }
     /// Encode row data
@@ -241,7 +236,7 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> DataBatchPersistDriver<Fs> {
                     self.encode_cell(cell)?;
                 }
                 None if field_name.as_ref() == mdl.p_key() => {}
-                None => self.f.unfsynced_write(&[0])?,
+                None => self.f.write_unfsynced(&[0])?,
             }
         }
         Ok(())
@@ -249,9 +244,9 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> DataBatchPersistDriver<Fs> {
     /// Write the change type and txnid
     fn write_batch_item_common_row_data(&mut self, delta: &DataDelta) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         let change_type = [delta.change().value_u8()];
-        self.f.unfsynced_write(&change_type)?;
+        self.f.write_unfsynced(&change_type)?;
         let txn_id = delta.data_version().value_u64().to_le_bytes();
-        self.f.unfsynced_write(&txn_id)?;
+        self.f.write_unfsynced(&txn_id)?;
         Ok(())
     }
 }
diff --git a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/batch_jrnl/restore.rs b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/batch_jrnl/restore.rs
index 1454735b..963be39f 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/batch_jrnl/restore.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/batch_jrnl/restore.rs
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ impl<F: RawFSInterface> DataBatchRestoreDriver<F> {
             f: SDSSFileTrackedReader::new(f)?,
         })
     }
-    pub fn into_file(self) -> SDSSFileIO<F> {
+    pub fn into_file(self) -> RuntimeResult<SDSSFileIO<F>> {
         self.f.into_inner_file()
     }
     pub(in crate::engine::storage::v1) fn read_data_batch_into_model(
@@ -312,11 +312,7 @@ impl<F: RawFSInterface> DataBatchRestoreDriver<F> {
         let actual_checksum = self.f.__reset_checksum();
         // find hardcoded checksum
         let mut hardcoded_checksum = [0; sizeof!(u64)];
-        self.f
-            .inner_file()
-            .read_to_buffer(&mut hardcoded_checksum)?;
-        // move file cursor ahead
-        self.f.__cursor_ahead_by(sizeof!(u64));
+        self.f.untracked_read(&mut hardcoded_checksum)?;
         if actual_checksum == u64::from_le_bytes(hardcoded_checksum) {
             Ok(actual_commit)
         } else {
@@ -414,7 +410,9 @@ impl<F: RawFSInterface> DataBatchRestoreDriver<F> {
         )))
     }
     fn attempt_recover_data_batch(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
-        if let Ok(MARKER_RECOVERY_EVENT) = self.f.inner_file().read_byte() {
+        let mut buf = [0u8; 1];
+        self.f.untracked_read(&mut buf)?;
+        if let [MARKER_RECOVERY_EVENT] = buf {
             return Ok(());
         }
         Err(StorageError::DataBatchRestoreCorruptedBatch.into())
diff --git a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/journal.rs b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/journal.rs
index 9e200bd6..0f28ecef 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/journal.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/journal.rs
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface, TA> JournalWriter<Fs, TA> {
             &JournalEntryMetadata::new(id, EventSourceMarker::DRIVER_REOPENED, 0, 0).encoded(),
         )
     }
-    pub fn __append_journal_close_and_close(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+    pub fn __close_mut(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         self.closed = true;
         let id = self._incr_id() as u128;
         self.log_file.fsynced_write(
@@ -431,9 +431,8 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface, TA> JournalWriter<Fs, TA> {
         )?;
         Ok(())
     }
-    #[cfg(test)]
-    pub fn append_journal_close_and_close(mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
-        self.__append_journal_close_and_close()
+    pub fn close(mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+        self.__close_mut()
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/loader.rs b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/loader.rs
index feb5ecba..b44b2000 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/loader.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/loader.rs
@@ -70,26 +70,36 @@ impl SEInitState {
                 &gns,
             )
         }?;
-        if is_new {
-            std::fs::create_dir(DATA_DIR).inherit_set_dmsg("creating data directory")?;
-        }
         let mut model_drivers = ModelDrivers::new();
-        if !is_new {
-            // this is an existing instance, so read in all data
-            for (space_name, space) in gns.spaces().read().iter() {
-                let space_uuid = space.get_uuid();
-                for (model_name, model) in space.models().read().iter() {
-                    let path =
-                        Self::model_path(space_name, space_uuid, model_name, model.get_uuid());
-                    let persist_driver = batch_jrnl::reinit(&path, model).inherit_set_dmsg(
-                        format!("failed to restore model data from journal in `{path}`"),
-                    )?;
-                    let _ = model_drivers.insert(
-                        ModelUniqueID::new(space_name, model_name, model.get_uuid()),
-                        FractalModelDriver::init(persist_driver),
-                    );
+        let mut driver_guard = || {
+            if is_new {
+                std::fs::create_dir(DATA_DIR).inherit_set_dmsg("creating data directory")?;
+            }
+            if !is_new {
+                // this is an existing instance, so read in all data
+                for (space_name, space) in gns.spaces().read().iter() {
+                    let space_uuid = space.get_uuid();
+                    for (model_name, model) in space.models().read().iter() {
+                        let path =
+                            Self::model_path(space_name, space_uuid, model_name, model.get_uuid());
+                        let persist_driver = batch_jrnl::reinit(&path, model).inherit_set_dmsg(
+                            format!("failed to restore model data from journal in `{path}`"),
+                        )?;
+                        let _ = model_drivers.insert(
+                            ModelUniqueID::new(space_name, model_name, model.get_uuid()),
+                            FractalModelDriver::init(persist_driver),
+                        );
+                    }
                 }
             }
+            RuntimeResult::Ok(())
+        };
+        if let Err(e) = driver_guard() {
+            gns_txn_driver.close().unwrap();
+            for (_, driver) in model_drivers {
+                driver.close().unwrap();
+            }
+            return Err(e);
         }
         Ok(SEInitState::new(
             GNSTransactionDriverAnyFS::new(gns_txn_driver),
diff --git a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/memfs.rs b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/memfs.rs
index 697ef903..d7d5ade5 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/memfs.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/memfs.rs
@@ -28,8 +28,9 @@ use {
     crate::engine::{
         error::RuntimeResult,
         storage::v1::rw::{
-            FileOpen, RawFSInterface, RawFileInterface, RawFileInterfaceExt, RawFileInterfaceRead,
-            RawFileInterfaceWrite, RawFileInterfaceWriteExt,
+            FileOpen, RawFSInterface, RawFileInterface, RawFileInterfaceBufferedWriter,
+            RawFileInterfaceExt, RawFileInterfaceRead, RawFileInterfaceWrite,
+            RawFileInterfaceWriteExt,
         },
         sync::cell::Lazy,
     },
@@ -119,7 +120,7 @@ impl RawFSInterface for VirtualFS {
                 c.fw_write_all(&data)?;
             }
             FileOpen::Existing(mut e) => {
-                e.fw_truncate_to(0)?;
+                e.fwext_truncate_to(0)?;
                 e.fw_write_all(&data)?;
             }
         }
@@ -386,16 +387,24 @@ fn with_file<T>(fpath: &str, mut f: impl FnMut(&VFile) -> RuntimeResult<T>) -> R
 }
 
 impl RawFileInterface for VFileDescriptor {
-    type Reader = Self;
-    type Writer = Self;
-    fn into_buffered_reader(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::Reader> {
+    type BufReader = Self;
+    type BufWriter = Self;
+    fn into_buffered_reader(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::BufReader> {
         Ok(self)
     }
-    fn into_buffered_writer(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::Writer> {
+    fn downgrade_reader(r: Self::BufReader) -> RuntimeResult<Self> {
+        Ok(r)
+    }
+    fn into_buffered_writer(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::BufWriter> {
         Ok(self)
     }
+    fn downgrade_writer(w: Self::BufWriter) -> RuntimeResult<Self> {
+        Ok(w)
+    }
 }
 
+impl RawFileInterfaceBufferedWriter for VFileDescriptor {}
+
 impl RawFileInterfaceRead for VFileDescriptor {
     fn fr_read_exact(&mut self, buf: &mut [u8]) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         with_file_mut(&self.0, |file| {
@@ -434,10 +443,10 @@ impl RawFileInterfaceWrite for VFileDescriptor {
 }
 
 impl RawFileInterfaceWriteExt for VFileDescriptor {
-    fn fw_fsync_all(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+    fn fwext_fsync_all(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         with_file(&self.0, |_| Ok(()))
     }
-    fn fw_truncate_to(&mut self, to: u64) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+    fn fwext_truncate_to(&mut self, to: u64) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         with_file_mut(&self.0, |file| {
             if !file.write {
                 return Err(
@@ -532,10 +541,10 @@ impl RawFileInterfaceWrite for NullFile {
     }
 }
 impl RawFileInterfaceWriteExt for NullFile {
-    fn fw_fsync_all(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+    fn fwext_fsync_all(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         Ok(())
     }
-    fn fw_truncate_to(&mut self, _: u64) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+    fn fwext_truncate_to(&mut self, _: u64) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         Ok(())
     }
 }
@@ -553,12 +562,20 @@ impl RawFileInterfaceExt for NullFile {
     }
 }
 impl RawFileInterface for NullFile {
-    type Reader = Self;
-    type Writer = Self;
-    fn into_buffered_reader(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::Reader> {
+    type BufReader = Self;
+    type BufWriter = Self;
+    fn into_buffered_reader(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::BufReader> {
         Ok(self)
     }
-    fn into_buffered_writer(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::Writer> {
+    fn downgrade_reader(r: Self::BufReader) -> RuntimeResult<Self> {
+        Ok(r)
+    }
+    fn into_buffered_writer(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::BufWriter> {
         Ok(self)
     }
+    fn downgrade_writer(w: Self::BufWriter) -> RuntimeResult<Self> {
+        Ok(w)
+    }
 }
+
+impl RawFileInterfaceBufferedWriter for NullFile {}
diff --git a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/rw.rs b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/rw.rs
index 72028842..5f29b828 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/rw.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/rw.rs
@@ -101,17 +101,28 @@ pub trait RawFSInterface {
 }
 
 /// A file (well, probably) that can be used for RW operations along with advanced write and extended operations (such as seeking)
-pub trait RawFileInterface
+pub trait RawFileInterface: Sized
 where
     Self: RawFileInterfaceRead
         + RawFileInterfaceWrite
         + RawFileInterfaceWriteExt
         + RawFileInterfaceExt,
 {
-    type Reader: RawFileInterfaceRead + RawFileInterfaceExt;
-    type Writer: RawFileInterfaceWrite + RawFileInterfaceExt;
-    fn into_buffered_reader(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::Reader>;
-    fn into_buffered_writer(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::Writer>;
+    type BufReader: RawFileInterfaceBufferedReader;
+    type BufWriter: RawFileInterfaceBufferedWriter;
+    fn into_buffered_reader(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::BufReader>;
+    fn downgrade_reader(r: Self::BufReader) -> RuntimeResult<Self>;
+    fn into_buffered_writer(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::BufWriter>;
+    fn downgrade_writer(w: Self::BufWriter) -> RuntimeResult<Self>;
+}
+
+pub trait RawFileInterfaceBufferedReader: RawFileInterfaceRead + RawFileInterfaceExt {}
+impl<R: RawFileInterfaceRead + RawFileInterfaceExt> RawFileInterfaceBufferedReader for R {}
+
+pub trait RawFileInterfaceBufferedWriter: RawFileInterfaceWrite + RawFileInterfaceExt {
+    fn sync_write_cache(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+        Ok(())
+    }
 }
 
 /// A file interface that supports read operations
@@ -138,8 +149,8 @@ impl<W: Write> RawFileInterfaceWrite for W {
 
 /// A file interface that supports advanced write operations
 pub trait RawFileInterfaceWriteExt {
-    fn fw_fsync_all(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()>;
-    fn fw_truncate_to(&mut self, to: u64) -> RuntimeResult<()>;
+    fn fwext_fsync_all(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()>;
+    fn fwext_truncate_to(&mut self, to: u64) -> RuntimeResult<()>;
 }
 
 /// A file interface that supports advanced file operations
@@ -206,21 +217,37 @@ impl RawFSInterface for LocalFS {
 }
 
 impl RawFileInterface for File {
-    type Reader = BufReader<Self>;
-    type Writer = BufWriter<Self>;
-    fn into_buffered_reader(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::Reader> {
+    type BufReader = BufReader<Self>;
+    type BufWriter = BufWriter<Self>;
+    fn into_buffered_reader(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::BufReader> {
         Ok(BufReader::new(self))
     }
-    fn into_buffered_writer(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::Writer> {
+    fn downgrade_reader(r: Self::BufReader) -> RuntimeResult<Self> {
+        Ok(r.into_inner())
+    }
+    fn into_buffered_writer(self) -> RuntimeResult<Self::BufWriter> {
         Ok(BufWriter::new(self))
     }
+    fn downgrade_writer(mut w: Self::BufWriter) -> RuntimeResult<Self> {
+        w.flush()?; // TODO(@ohsayan): handle rare case where writer does panic
+        let (w, _) = w.into_parts();
+        Ok(w)
+    }
+}
+
+impl RawFileInterfaceBufferedWriter for BufWriter<File> {
+    fn sync_write_cache(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+        self.flush()?;
+        self.get_mut().sync_all()?;
+        Ok(())
+    }
 }
 
 impl RawFileInterfaceWriteExt for File {
-    fn fw_fsync_all(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+    fn fwext_fsync_all(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         cvt(self.sync_all())
     }
-    fn fw_truncate_to(&mut self, to: u64) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+    fn fwext_truncate_to(&mut self, to: u64) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         cvt(self.set_len(to))
     }
 }
@@ -270,40 +297,44 @@ impl<F: LocalFSFile> RawFileInterfaceExt for F {
 }
 
 pub struct SDSSFileTrackedWriter<Fs: RawFSInterface> {
-    f: SDSSFileIO<Fs>,
+    f: SDSSFileIO<Fs, <Fs::File as RawFileInterface>::BufWriter>,
     cs: SCrc,
 }
 
 impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> SDSSFileTrackedWriter<Fs> {
-    pub fn new(f: SDSSFileIO<Fs>) -> Self {
-        Self { f, cs: SCrc::new() }
+    pub fn new(f: SDSSFileIO<Fs>) -> RuntimeResult<Self> {
+        Ok(Self {
+            f: f.into_buffered_sdss_writer()?,
+            cs: SCrc::new(),
+        })
     }
-    pub fn unfsynced_write(&mut self, block: &[u8]) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+    pub fn write_unfsynced(&mut self, block: &[u8]) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+        self.untracked_write(block)
+            .map(|_| self.cs.recompute_with_new_var_block(block))
+    }
+    pub fn untracked_write(&mut self, block: &[u8]) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         match self.f.unfsynced_write(block) {
-            Ok(()) => {
-                self.cs.recompute_with_new_var_block(block);
-                Ok(())
-            }
+            Ok(()) => Ok(()),
             e => e,
         }
     }
-    pub fn fsync_all(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
-        self.f.fsync_all()
+    pub fn sync_writes(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+        self.f.f.sync_write_cache()
     }
     pub fn reset_and_finish_checksum(&mut self) -> u64 {
         let mut scrc = SCrc::new();
         core::mem::swap(&mut self.cs, &mut scrc);
         scrc.finish()
     }
-    pub fn inner_file(&mut self) -> &mut SDSSFileIO<Fs> {
-        &mut self.f
+    pub fn into_inner_file(self) -> RuntimeResult<SDSSFileIO<Fs>> {
+        self.f.downgrade_writer()
     }
 }
 
 /// [`SDSSFileLenTracked`] simply maintains application level length and checksum tracking to avoid frequent syscalls because we
 /// do not expect (even though it's very possible) users to randomly modify file lengths while we're reading them
 pub struct SDSSFileTrackedReader<Fs: RawFSInterface> {
-    f: SDSSFileIO<Fs>,
+    f: SDSSFileIO<Fs, <Fs::File as RawFileInterface>::BufReader>,
     len: u64,
     pos: u64,
     cs: SCrc,
@@ -314,6 +345,7 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> SDSSFileTrackedReader<Fs> {
     pub fn new(mut f: SDSSFileIO<Fs>) -> RuntimeResult<Self> {
         let len = f.file_length()?;
         let pos = f.retrieve_cursor()?;
+        let f = f.into_buffered_sdss_reader()?;
         Ok(Self {
             f,
             len,
@@ -331,11 +363,23 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> SDSSFileTrackedReader<Fs> {
         self.remaining() >= v
     }
     pub fn read_into_buffer(&mut self, buf: &mut [u8]) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+        self.untracked_read(buf)
+            .map(|_| self.cs.recompute_with_new_var_block(buf))
+    }
+    pub fn read_byte(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<u8> {
+        let mut buf = [0u8; 1];
+        self.read_into_buffer(&mut buf).map(|_| buf[0])
+    }
+    pub fn __reset_checksum(&mut self) -> u64 {
+        let mut crc = SCrc::new();
+        core::mem::swap(&mut crc, &mut self.cs);
+        crc.finish()
+    }
+    pub fn untracked_read(&mut self, buf: &mut [u8]) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         if self.remaining() >= buf.len() as u64 {
             match self.f.read_to_buffer(buf) {
                 Ok(()) => {
                     self.pos += buf.len() as u64;
-                    self.cs.recompute_with_new_var_block(buf);
                     Ok(())
                 }
                 Err(e) => return Err(e),
@@ -344,23 +388,8 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> SDSSFileTrackedReader<Fs> {
             Err(SysIOError::from(std::io::ErrorKind::InvalidInput).into())
         }
     }
-    pub fn read_byte(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<u8> {
-        let mut buf = [0u8; 1];
-        self.read_into_buffer(&mut buf).map(|_| buf[0])
-    }
-    pub fn __reset_checksum(&mut self) -> u64 {
-        let mut crc = SCrc::new();
-        core::mem::swap(&mut crc, &mut self.cs);
-        crc.finish()
-    }
-    pub fn inner_file(&mut self) -> &mut SDSSFileIO<Fs> {
-        &mut self.f
-    }
-    pub fn into_inner_file(self) -> SDSSFileIO<Fs> {
-        self.f
-    }
-    pub fn __cursor_ahead_by(&mut self, sizeof: usize) {
-        self.pos += sizeof as u64;
+    pub fn into_inner_file(self) -> RuntimeResult<SDSSFileIO<Fs>> {
+        self.f.downgrade_reader()
     }
     pub fn read_block<const N: usize>(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<[u8; N]> {
         if !self.has_left(N as _) {
@@ -376,8 +405,8 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> SDSSFileTrackedReader<Fs> {
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug)]
-pub struct SDSSFileIO<Fs: RawFSInterface> {
-    f: Fs::File,
+pub struct SDSSFileIO<Fs: RawFSInterface, F = <Fs as RawFSInterface>::File> {
+    f: F,
     _fs: PhantomData<Fs>,
 }
 
@@ -408,42 +437,60 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> SDSSFileIO<Fs> {
             }
         }
     }
+    pub fn into_buffered_sdss_reader(
+        self,
+    ) -> RuntimeResult<SDSSFileIO<Fs, <Fs::File as RawFileInterface>::BufReader>> {
+        self.f.into_buffered_reader().map(SDSSFileIO::_new)
+    }
+    pub fn into_buffered_sdss_writer(
+        self,
+    ) -> RuntimeResult<SDSSFileIO<Fs, <Fs::File as RawFileInterface>::BufWriter>> {
+        self.f.into_buffered_writer().map(SDSSFileIO::_new)
+    }
 }
 
-impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> SDSSFileIO<Fs> {
-    pub fn _new(f: Fs::File) -> Self {
+impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> SDSSFileIO<Fs, <Fs::File as RawFileInterface>::BufReader> {
+    pub fn downgrade_reader(self) -> RuntimeResult<SDSSFileIO<Fs, Fs::File>> {
+        let me = <Fs::File as RawFileInterface>::downgrade_reader(self.f)?;
+        Ok(SDSSFileIO::_new(me))
+    }
+}
+
+impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> SDSSFileIO<Fs, <Fs::File as RawFileInterface>::BufWriter> {
+    pub fn downgrade_writer(self) -> RuntimeResult<SDSSFileIO<Fs>> {
+        let me = <Fs::File as RawFileInterface>::downgrade_writer(self.f)?;
+        Ok(SDSSFileIO::_new(me))
+    }
+}
+
+impl<Fs: RawFSInterface, F> SDSSFileIO<Fs, F> {
+    pub fn _new(f: F) -> Self {
         Self {
             f,
             _fs: PhantomData,
         }
     }
-    pub fn unfsynced_write(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
-        self.f.fw_write_all(data)
-    }
-    pub fn fsync_all(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
-        self.f.fw_fsync_all()?;
-        Ok(())
-    }
-    pub fn fsynced_write(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
-        self.f.fw_write_all(data)?;
-        self.f.fw_fsync_all()
-    }
+}
+
+impl<Fs: RawFSInterface, F: RawFileInterfaceRead> SDSSFileIO<Fs, F> {
     pub fn read_to_buffer(&mut self, buffer: &mut [u8]) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         self.f.fr_read_exact(buffer)
     }
+}
+
+impl<Fs: RawFSInterface, F: RawFileInterfaceExt> SDSSFileIO<Fs, F> {
+    pub fn retrieve_cursor(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<u64> {
+        self.f.fext_cursor()
+    }
     pub fn file_length(&self) -> RuntimeResult<u64> {
         self.f.fext_file_length()
     }
     pub fn seek_from_start(&mut self, by: u64) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
         self.f.fext_seek_ahead_from_start_by(by)
     }
-    pub fn retrieve_cursor(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<u64> {
-        self.f.fext_cursor()
-    }
-    pub fn read_byte(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<u8> {
-        let mut r = [0; 1];
-        self.read_to_buffer(&mut r).map(|_| r[0])
-    }
+}
+
+impl<Fs: RawFSInterface, F: RawFileInterfaceRead + RawFileInterfaceExt> SDSSFileIO<Fs, F> {
     pub fn load_remaining_into_buffer(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<Vec<u8>> {
         let len = self.file_length()? - self.retrieve_cursor()?;
         let mut buf = vec![0; len as usize];
@@ -451,3 +498,20 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> SDSSFileIO<Fs> {
         Ok(buf)
     }
 }
+
+impl<Fs: RawFSInterface, F: RawFileInterfaceWrite> SDSSFileIO<Fs, F> {
+    pub fn unfsynced_write(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+        self.f.fw_write_all(data)
+    }
+}
+
+impl<Fs: RawFSInterface, F: RawFileInterfaceWrite + RawFileInterfaceWriteExt> SDSSFileIO<Fs, F> {
+    pub fn fsync_all(&mut self) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+        self.f.fwext_fsync_all()?;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+    pub fn fsynced_write(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> RuntimeResult<()> {
+        self.f.fw_write_all(data)?;
+        self.f.fwext_fsync_all()
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/tests/batch.rs b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/tests/batch.rs
index 4dd654e8..a0e6ad1e 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/tests/batch.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/tests/batch.rs
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ fn open_batch_data(fpath: &str, mdl: &Model) -> DataBatchPersistDriver<VirtualFS
         FileOpen::Existing((f, _header)) => {
             let mut dbr = DataBatchRestoreDriver::new(f).unwrap();
             dbr.read_data_batch_into_model(mdl).unwrap();
-            DataBatchPersistDriver::new(dbr.into_file(), false)
+            DataBatchPersistDriver::new(dbr.into_file().unwrap(), false)
         }
     }
     .unwrap()
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ fn empty_multi_open_reopen() {
         ),
     );
     for _ in 0..100 {
-        let mut writer = open_batch_data("empty_multi_open_reopen.db-btlog", &mdl);
+        let writer = open_batch_data("empty_multi_open_reopen.db-btlog", &mdl);
         writer.close().unwrap();
     }
 }
diff --git a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/tests/tx.rs b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/tests/tx.rs
index 17dae70d..ba814378 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/storage/v1/tests/tx.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/storage/v1/tests/tx.rs
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ fn first_boot_second_readonly() {
         let mut log = open_log("testtxn.log", &db1)?;
         db1.txn_set(0, 20, &mut log)?;
         db1.txn_set(9, 21, &mut log)?;
-        log.append_journal_close_and_close()
+        log.close()
     };
     x().unwrap();
     // backup original data
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ fn first_boot_second_readonly() {
     let empty_db2 = Database::new();
     open_log("testtxn.log", &empty_db2)
         .unwrap()
-        .append_journal_close_and_close()
+        .close()
         .unwrap();
     assert_eq!(original_data, empty_db2.copy_data());
 }
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ fn oneboot_mod_twoboot_mod_thirdboot_read() {
         for i in 0..10 {
             db1.txn_set(i, 1, &mut log)?;
         }
-        log.append_journal_close_and_close()
+        log.close()
     };
     x().unwrap();
     let bkp_db1 = db1.copy_data();
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ fn oneboot_mod_twoboot_mod_thirdboot_read() {
             let current_val = db2.data.borrow()[i];
             db2.txn_set(i, current_val + i as u8, &mut log)?;
         }
-        log.append_journal_close_and_close()
+        log.close()
     };
     x().unwrap();
     let bkp_db2 = db2.copy_data();
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ fn oneboot_mod_twoboot_mod_thirdboot_read() {
     // third boot
     let db3 = Database::new();
     let log = open_log("duatxn.db-tlog", &db3).unwrap();
-    log.append_journal_close_and_close().unwrap();
+    log.close().unwrap();
     assert_eq!(bkp_db2, db3.copy_data());
     assert_eq!(
         db3.copy_data(),
diff --git a/server/src/engine/txn/gns/mod.rs b/server/src/engine/txn/gns/mod.rs
index 9befe0a1..09f33f5c 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/txn/gns/mod.rs
+++ b/server/src/engine/txn/gns/mod.rs
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ impl<Fs: RawFSInterface> GNSTransactionDriverAnyFS<Fs> {
     pub fn new(journal: JournalWriter<Fs, GNSAdapter>) -> Self {
         Self { journal }
     }
+    pub fn into_inner(self) -> JournalWriter<Fs, GNSAdapter> {
+        self.journal
+    }
     pub fn __journal_mut(&mut self) -> &mut JournalWriter<Fs, GNSAdapter> {
         &mut self.journal
     }
diff --git a/server/src/main.rs b/server/src/main.rs
index c6dc512b..bed3a748 100644
--- a/server/src/main.rs
+++ b/server/src/main.rs
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ fn main() {
     match runtime.block_on(async move { engine::start(config, global).await }) {
         Ok(()) => {
             engine::finish(g);
+            info!("finished all pending tasks. Goodbye!");
         }
         Err(e) => {
             error!("{e}");