diff --git a/AUTHORS b/AUTHORS
index dad7087f..046934ff 100644
--- a/AUTHORS
+++ b/AUTHORS
@@ -52,8 +52,5 @@ mes/module/srfi/srfi-16.scm
 Srfi-26 from Guile
 mes/module/srfi/srfi-26.scm
 
-Sxml bits from Guile
-mes/module/sxml/xpath.scm
-
 GNU FDL in texinfo from GNU
 doc/fdl-1.3.texi
diff --git a/GNUmakefile b/GNUmakefile
index b3d3fac5..07377307 100644
--- a/GNUmakefile
+++ b/GNUmakefile
@@ -18,13 +18,19 @@
 
 GUILE_FLAGS:=--no-auto-compile -L . -L module -C . -C module
 
-include .config.make
+cleaning_p:=$(filter clean%, $(MAKECMDGOALS))
 
-.config.make:
+ifndef cleaning_p
+ifndef config.make
+config.make:=.config.make
+include $(config.make)
+$(config.make):
 	./configure --prefix=$(prefix)
+endif
+endif
 
-PHONY_TARGETS:= all all-go build check clean clean-go default doc help install install-info man\
-gcc mes src/mes mes-gcc mes-tcc
+PHONY_TARGETS:= all all-go build check clean clean-go default dist doc help install\
+install-info man gcc mes ${top_builddest}src/mes mes-gcc mes-tcc generate-ChangeLog
 
 .PHONY: $(PHONY_TARGETS)
 
@@ -64,10 +70,10 @@ clean-go:
 check:
 	./check.sh
 
-install: src/mes
+install: ${top_builddest}src/mes
 	./install.sh
 
-.config.make: ./configure
+$(config.make): configure
 
 seed: all-go mes-gcc mes-tcc
 ifdef TCC
@@ -86,14 +92,15 @@ endif
            $(MESCC_TOOLS_SEED)/libs
 	cd $(MESCC_TOOLS_SEED) && MES_PREFIX=$(PWD) ./bootstrap.sh
 
-doc/version.texi: doc/mes.texi GNUmakefile
+${top_builddest}doc/version.texi: doc/mes.texi GNUmakefile
+	@mkdir -p $(@D)
 	(set `LANG= date -r $< +'%d %B %Y'`;\
 	echo "@set UPDATED $$1 $$2 $$3"; \
 	echo "@set UPDATED-MONTH $$2 $$3"; \
 	echo "@set EDITION $(VERSION)"; \
 	echo "@set VERSION $(VERSION)") > $@
 
-doc: doc/version.texi
+doc: ${top_builddest}doc/version.texi
 ifdef MAKEINFO
 doc: info
 else
@@ -106,32 +113,66 @@ else
 $(warning skipping man: no help2man)
 endif
 
-info: doc/mes.info
+info: ${top_builddest}doc/mes.info
 
-doc/mes.info: doc/mes.texi doc/version.texi GNUmakefile
-	$(MAKEINFO) -o $@ -I doc $<
+${top_builddest}doc/mes.info: doc/mes.texi ${top_builddest}doc/version.texi GNUmakefile
+	$(MAKEINFO) -o $@ -I ${top_builddest}doc -I doc $<
 
 install-info: info
 
-man: doc/mes.1 doc/mescc.1
+man: ${top_builddest}doc/mes.1 ${top_builddest}doc/mescc.1
 
-src/mes: build
+${top_builddest}src/mes: build
 
-doc/mes.1: src/mes
-	MES_ARENA=10000000 ./pre-inst-env $(HELP2MAN) $< > $@
+${top_builddest}doc/mes.1: ${top_builddest}src/mes
+	MES_ARENA=10000000 ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env $(HELP2MAN) $(<F) > $@
 
-doc/mescc.1: src/mes scripts/mescc
-	MES_ARENA=10000000 ./pre-inst-env $(HELP2MAN) $< > $@
+${top_builddest}doc/mescc.1: ${top_builddest}src/mes ${top_builddest}scripts/mescc
+	MES_ARENA=10000000 ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env $(HELP2MAN) $(<F) > $@
 
-html: mes/index.html
+html: ${top_builddest}mes/index.html
 
-mes/index.html: doc/mes.texi
-	$(MAKEINFO) --html -o doc/mes $<
+${top_builddest}mes/index.html: doc/mes.texi
+	$(MAKEINFO) --html -o ${top_builddest}doc/mes $<
 
-pdf: doc/mes.pdf
+pdf: ${top_builddest}doc/mes.pdf
 
-doc/mes.pdf: doc/mes.texi
-	$(MAKEINFO) --pdf -o doc/mes.pdf $<
+${top_builddest}doc/mes.pdf: doc/mes.texi
+	$(MAKEINFO) --pdf -I ${top_builddest}/doc -o doc/mes.pdf $<
+
+###  dist
+COMMIT=$(shell test -d .git && (git describe --dirty 2>/dev/null) || cat .tarball-version)
+TARBALL_VERSION=$(COMMIT:v%=%)
+TARBALL_DIR:=$(PACKAGE)-$(TARBALL_VERSION)
+TARBALL:=${top_builddest}$(TARBALL_DIR).tar.gz
+
+${top_builddest}.tarball-version:
+	echo $(COMMIT) > $@
+
+GIT_ARCHIVE_HEAD:=git archive HEAD --
+GIT_LS_FILES:=git ls-files
+ifeq ($(wildcard .git),)
+GIT_ARCHIVE_HEAD:=tar -cf-
+GIT_LS_FILES:=find
+endif
+
+dist: $(TARBALL)
+
+tree-clean-p:
+	test ! -d .git || git diff --exit-code > /dev/null
+	test ! -d .git || git diff --cached --exit-code > /dev/null
+	@echo commit:$(COMMIT)
+
+generate-ChangeLog:
+	$(PERL) build-aux/gitlog-to-changelog --srcdir=${srcdir} > ChangeLog
+
+$(TARBALL): ${top_builddest}.tarball-version | generate-ChangeLog
+	($(GIT_LS_FILES)\
+	    --exclude=$(TARBALL_DIR);\
+	    echo $^ | tr ' ' '\n')\
+	    | GZIP=-n tar --sort=name --mtime=@0 --owner=0 --group=0 --numeric-owner\
+	    --transform=s,^,$(TARBALL_DIR)/,S -T- -czf $@
+	git checkout ChangeLog
 
 define HELP_TOP
 Usage: make [OPTION]... [TARGET]...
@@ -139,7 +180,8 @@ Usage: make [OPTION]... [TARGET]...
 Targets:
   all             update everything
   all-go          update .go files
-  cc              update src/mes.gcc-out
+  gcc             update src/mes.gcc-out
+  dist            update $(TARBALL)
   doc             update documentation
   mes-gcc         update src/mes.mes-gcc-out
   mes-tcc         update src/mes.mes-tcc-out
diff --git a/build-aux/GNUmakefile.in b/build-aux/GNUmakefile.in
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4916b99c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/build-aux/GNUmakefile.in
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+# Mes --- Maxwell Equations of Software
+# Copyright © 2018 Jan (janneke) Nieuwenhuizen <janneke@gnu.org>
+#
+# This file is part of Mes.
+#
+# Mes is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+# under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or (at
+# your option) any later version.
+#
+# Mes is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+# WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+PHONY_TARGETS:= all all-go build check clean clean-go default dist doc help install\
+install-info man gcc mes src/mes mes-gcc mes-tcc
+.PHONY: $(PHONY_TARGETS)
+
+default: all
+
+$(PHONY_TARGETS):
+	$(MAKE) -C $(srcdir) $@
+
+include .config.make
+config.make:=$(PWD)/.config.make
+include $(srcdir)/build-aux/export.make
diff --git a/build-aux/build-cc.sh b/build-aux/build-cc.sh
index 97f16c0d..1fbbce5d 100755
--- a/build-aux/build-cc.sh
+++ b/build-aux/build-cc.sh
@@ -20,36 +20,16 @@
 
 set -e
 
-if [ -n "$BUILD_DEBUG" ]; then
-    set -x
-fi
+. build-aux/config.sh
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
-export CC CFLAGS CPPFLAGS
-export CC_CFLAGS CC_CPPFLAGS
-
-CC=${CC-gcc}
-CC_CFLAGS=${CC_CFLAGS-"
---std=gnu99
--O0
--g
-"}
-
-CC_CPPFLAGS=${CC_CPPFLAGS-"
--D VERSION=\"$VERSION\"
--D MODULEDIR=\"$moduledir\"
--D PREFIX=\"$prefix\"
--I src
--I lib
--I include
-"}
-
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/gc.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/lib.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/math.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/mes.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/posix.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/reader.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/vector.c
+trace "SNARF gc.c"     build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/gc.c
+trace "SNARF lib.c"    build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/lib.c
+trace "SNARF math.c"   build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/math.c
+trace "SNARF mes.c"    build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/mes.c
+trace "SNARF posix.c"  build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/posix.c
+trace "SNARF reader.c" build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/reader.c
+trace "SNARF vector.c" build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/vector.c
 
 ARCHDIR=1 NOLINK=1 sh build-aux/cc.sh lib/libmes
 sh build-aux/cc.sh src/mes
diff --git a/build-aux/build-cc32.sh b/build-aux/build-cc32.sh
index 3df24aa9..e4412215 100755
--- a/build-aux/build-cc32.sh
+++ b/build-aux/build-cc32.sh
@@ -20,56 +20,28 @@
 
 set -e
 
-if [ -n "$BUILD_DEBUG" ]; then
-    set -x
-fi
+. build-aux/config.sh
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
-moduledir=${moduledir-${datadir}${datadir:+/}module}
-export CC32 TCC CPPFLAGS
-export CC32 TCC CC32_CPPFLAGS CC32_CFLAGS
+LIBC=${LIBC-c}
 
-CC32=${CC32-$(command -v i686-unknown-linux-gnu-gcc)}
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/gc.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/lib.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/math.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/mes.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/posix.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/reader.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/vector.c
+##moduledir=${moduledir-${datadir}${datadir:+/}module}
 
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/gc.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/lib.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/math.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/mes.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/posix.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/reader.c
-build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/vector.c
+# trace "SNARF gc.c"     build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/gc.c
+# trace "SNARF lib.c"    build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/lib.c
+# trace "SNARF math.c"   build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/math.c
+# trace "SNARF mes.c"    build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/mes.c
+# trace "SNARF posix.c"  build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/posix.c
+# trace "SNARF reader.c" build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/reader.c
+# trace "SNARF vector.c" build-aux/mes-snarf.scm src/vector.c
 
-CC32_CPPFLAGS=${CC32_CPPFLAGS-"
--D VERSION=\"$VERSION\"
--D MODULEDIR=\"$moduledir\"
--D PREFIX=\"$prefix\"
--I src
--I lib
--I include
-"}
-
-CC32_CFLAGS=${CC32_CFLAGS-"
--std=gnu99
--O0
--fno-builtin
--fno-stack-protector
--g
--m32
--nostdinc
--nostdlib
--Wno-discarded-qualifiers
--Wno-int-to-pointer-cast
--Wno-pointer-to-int-cast
--Wno-pointer-sign
--Wno-int-conversion
--Wno-incompatible-pointer-types
-"}
+trace "MSNARF gc.c"     build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/gc.c
+trace "MSNARF lib.c"    build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/lib.c
+trace "MSNARF math.c"   build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/math.c
+trace "MSNARF mes.c"    build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/mes.c
+trace "MSNARF posix.c"  build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/posix.c
+trace "MSNARF reader.c" build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/reader.c
+trace "MSNARF vector.c" build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/vector.c
 
 ARCHDIR=1 NOLINK=1 sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh lib/linux/crt0
 ARCHDIR=1 NOLINK=1 sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh lib/linux/crt1
@@ -83,12 +55,12 @@ ARCHDIR=1 NOLINK=1 sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh lib/libtcc1
 ARCHDIR=1 NOLINK=1 sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh lib/libc+gnu
 ARCHDIR=1 NOLINK=1 sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh lib/libg
 
-sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/main
-sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/hello
-sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/argv
-sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/malloc
-sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/micro-mes
-sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/tiny-mes
-sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/mini-mes
+# sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/main
+# sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/hello
+# sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/argv
+# sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/malloc
+# sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/micro-mes
+# sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/tiny-mes
+# sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh scaffold/mini-mes
 
 sh build-aux/cc32-mes.sh src/mes
diff --git a/build-aux/build-guile.sh b/build-aux/build-guile.sh
index b14aa12a..15af30f3 100755
--- a/build-aux/build-guile.sh
+++ b/build-aux/build-guile.sh
@@ -18,9 +18,7 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-if [ "$V" = 2 ]; then
-    set -x
-fi
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
 export GUILE
 export GUILE_AUTO_COMPILE
@@ -58,14 +56,10 @@ if [ "$GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION" = "2.0" ]; then
 fi
 
 GUILE_AUTO_COMPILE=0
-[ -z "$V" -o "$V" = 1 ] && LOG='build.log' || LOG=/dev/stdout
 
 for i in $SCM_FILES $SCRIPTS; do
-    go=${i%%.scm}.go
+    go=${top_builddest}${i%%.scm}.go
     if [ $i -nt $go ]; then
-        [ -z "$V" -o "$V" = 1 ] && echo "  GUILEC $i" || true
-        [ "$V" = 1 ] && set -x
-        $GUILE_TOOLS compile -L ${abs}module -L ${abs}/build-aux -L ${abs}scripts -o $go $i >>$LOG
-        { [ "$V" = 1 ] && set +x || true; } > /dev/null 2>&1
+        trace "GUILEC $i" $GUILE_TOOLS compile -L ${abs}module -L ${abs}/build-aux -L ${abs}scripts -o $go $i
     fi
 done
diff --git a/build-aux/build-mes.sh b/build-aux/build-mes.sh
index 1461fdc1..5668a1f3 100755
--- a/build-aux/build-mes.sh
+++ b/build-aux/build-mes.sh
@@ -18,82 +18,62 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-if [ -n "$BUILD_DEBUG" ]; then
-    set -x
-fi
-
-export BLOOD_ELF GUILE HEX2 M1 MES MESCC
-export M1FLAGS HEX2FLAGS PREPROCESS
-export MES_SEED MES_ARENA
+. build-aux/config.sh
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
 GUILE=${GUILE-guile}
 if [ -z "$GUILE" -o "$GUILE" = "true" ] || ! command -v $GUILE > /dev/null; then
     GUILE=src/mes
 fi
 
-HEX2=${HEX2-hex2}
-M1=${M1-M1}
-BLOOD_ELF=${BLOOD_ELF-blood-elf}
-MES_SEED=${MES_SEED-../mes-seed}
-MESCC=${MESCC-$(command -v mescc)}
-[ -z "$MESCC" ] && MESCC=scripts/mescc
+[ -z "$MESCC" ] && MESCC=${top_builddest}scripts/mescc
 MES=${MES-$(command -v mes)}
-[ -z "$MES" ] && MES=src/mes
+[ -z "$MES" ] && MES=${top_builddest}src/mes
 
 set -e
 
-M1FLAGS=${M1FLAGS-"
---LittleEndian
---Architecture 1
-"}
-HEX2FLAGS=${HEX2FLAGS-"
---LittleEndian
---Architecture 1
---BaseAddress 0x1000000
-"}
-
 if [ -d "$MES_SEED" ]; then
-    $M1\
+    trace "M1 crt1.S" $M1\
         $M1FLAGS\
         -f lib/x86-mes/x86.M1\
         -f $MES_SEED/x86-mes/crt1.S\
-        -o lib/x86-mes/crt1.o
-    $M1\
+        -o ${top_builddest}lib/x86-mes/crt1.o
+    trace "M1 libc.S" $M1\
         $M1FLAGS\
         -f lib/x86-mes/x86.M1\
         -f $MES_SEED/x86-mes/libc.S\
-        -o lib/x86-mes/libc.o
-    $M1\
+        -o ${top_builddest}lib/x86-mes/libc.o
+    trace "M1 mes.S" $M1\
         --LittleEndian\
         --Architecture 1\
         -f lib/x86-mes/x86.M1\
         -f $MES_SEED/x86-mes/mes.S\
-        -o src/mes.o
-    $BLOOD_ELF\
+        -o ${top_builddest}src/mes.o
+    trace "BLOOD_ELF mes.S" $BLOOD_ELF\
         -f lib/x86-mes/x86.M1\
         -f $MES_SEED/x86-mes/mes.S\
         -f $MES_SEED/x86-mes/libc.S\
-        -o src/mes.S.blood-elf
-    $M1\
+        -o ${top_builddest}src/mes.S.blood-elf
+    trace "M1 mes.blood-elf" $M1\
         --LittleEndian\
         --Architecture 1\
-        -f src/mes.S.blood-elf\
-        -o src/mes.o.blood-elf
-    $HEX2\
+        -f ${top_builddest}src/mes.S.blood-elf\
+        -o ${top_builddest}src/mes.o.blood-elf
+    trace "HEX2 mes.o" $HEX2\
         $HEX2FLAGS\
         -f lib/x86-mes/elf32-header.hex2\
-        -f lib/x86-mes/crt1.o\
-        -f lib/x86-mes/libc.o\
-        -f src/mes.o\
-        -f src/mes.o.blood-elf\
+        -f ${top_builddest}lib/x86-mes/crt1.o\
+        -f ${top_builddest}lib/x86-mes/libc.o\
+        -f ${top_builddest}src/mes.o\
+        -f ${top_builddest}src/mes.o.blood-elf\
         --exec_enable\
-        -o src/mes.seed-out
-    cp src/mes.seed-out src/mes
-    $M1\
+        -o ${top_builddest}src/mes.seed-out
+    cp ${top_builddest}src/mes.seed-out ${top_builddest}src/mes
+    trace "M1 libc+tcc.S" $M1\
         $M1FLAGS\
         -f lib/x86-mes/x86.M1\
         -f $MES_SEED/x86-mes/libc+tcc.S\
-        -o lib/x86-mes/libc+tcc.o
+        -o ${top_builddest}lib/x86-mes/libc+tcc.o
 fi
 
 PREPROCESS=1
@@ -118,13 +98,13 @@ ARCHDIR=1 NOLINK=1 bash build-aux/cc-mes.sh lib/libc+gnu
 [ -n "$SEED" ] && exit 0
 
 MES_ARENA=${MES_ARENA-100000000}
-bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/gc.c
-bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/lib.c
-bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/math.c
-bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/mes.c
-bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/posix.c
-bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/reader.c
-bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/vector.c
+trace "MSNARF gc.c"     ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/gc.c
+trace "MSNARF lib.c"    ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/lib.c
+trace "MSNARF math.c"   ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/math.c
+trace "MSNARF mes.c"    ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/mes.c
+trace "MSNARF posix.c"  ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/posix.c
+trace "MSNARF reader.c" ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/reader.c
+trace "MSNARF vector.c" ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash build-aux/mes-snarf.scm --mes src/vector.c
 
 echo MES_ARENA=$MES_ARENA
 bash build-aux/cc-mes.sh scaffold/main
@@ -137,4 +117,4 @@ bash build-aux/cc-mes.sh scaffold/malloc
 ##sh build-aux/cc-mes.sh scaffold/tiny-mes
 # bash build-aux/cc-mes.sh scaffold/mini-mes
 bash build-aux/cc-mes.sh src/mes
-cp src/mes.mes-out src/mes
+cp ${top_builddest}src/mes.mes-out ${top_builddest}src/mes
diff --git a/build-aux/cc-mes.sh b/build-aux/cc-mes.sh
index 079212f1..5e9bf973 100755
--- a/build-aux/cc-mes.sh
+++ b/build-aux/cc-mes.sh
@@ -18,33 +18,17 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-if [ -n "$BUILD_DEBUG" ]; then
-    set -x
-fi
+set -e
 
-export BLOOD_ELF GUILE HEX2 M1 MES MESCC
-export M1FLAGS HEX2FLAGS PREPROCESS
+. build-aux/config.sh
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
-HEX2=${HEX2-hex2}
-M1=${M1-M1}
-BLOOD_ELF=${BLOOD_ELF-blood-elf}
 MESCC=${MESCC-$(command -v mescc)}
 [ -z "$MESCC" ] && MESCC=scripts/mescc
 MES=${MES-$(command -v mes)}
-[ -z "$MES" ] && MES=src/mes
+[ -z "$MES" ] && MES=${top_builddest}src/mes
 
-MES_CPPFLAGS=${MES_CPPFLAGS-"
--D VERSION=\"$VERSION\"
--D MODULEDIR=\"$moduledir\"
--D PREFIX=\"$prefix\"
--I src
--I lib
--I include
-"}
-MES_CCFLAGS=${MES_CCFLAGS-"
-"}
-
-if [ -n "$BUILD_DEBUG" ]; then
+if [ "$V" = 2 ]; then
     MES_CFLAGS="$MES_CFLAGS -v"
 fi
 
@@ -53,30 +37,31 @@ c=$1
 set -e
 
 if [ -z "$ARCHDIR" ]; then
-    o="$c"
+    o="${top_builddest}$c"
+    d=${top_builddest}${c%%/*}
     p="mes-"
 else
     b=${c##*/}
-    d=${c%%/*}
-    o="$d/x86-mes/$b"
-    mkdir -p $d/x86-mes
+    d=${top_builddest}${c%%/*}/x86-mes
+    o="$d/$b"
 fi
+mkdir -p $d
 
 if [ -n "$PREPROCESS" ]; then
-    ./pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CPPFLAGS $MES_CFLAGS -E -o "$o.E" "$c".c
-    ./pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CFLAGS -S "$o".E
-    ./pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CFLAGS -c -o "$o".${p}o "$o".S
+    trace "MESCPP $c.c" ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CPPFLAGS $MES_CFLAGS -E -o "$o.E" "$c".c
+    trace "MESCC $c.E" ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CFLAGS -S "$o".E
+    trace "MESAS $c.S" ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CFLAGS -c -o "$o".${p}o "$o".S
     if [ -z "$NOLINK" ]; then
-        ./pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CFLAGS -o "$o".${p}out "$o".${p}o $MES_LIBS
+        trace "MESLD $c.o" ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CFLAGS -o "$o".${p}out "$o".${p}o $MES_LIBS
     fi
 elif [ -n "$COMPILE" ]; then
-    ./pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CPPFLAGS $MES_CFLAGS -S -o "$o.S" "$c".c
-    ./pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CFLAGS -c -o "$o".${p}o "$o".S
+    trace "MESCC $c.c" trace "MESCC $c.c" ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CPPFLAGS $MES_CFLAGS -S -o "$o.S" "$c".c
+    trace "MESAS $c.S" ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CFLAGS -c -o "$o".${p}o "$o".S
     if [ -z "$NOLINK" ]; then
-        ./pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CFLAGS -o "$o".${p}out "$o".${p}o $MES_LIBS
+        trace "MESLD $c.o" ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CFLAGS -o "$o".${p}out "$o".${p}o $MES_LIBS
     fi
 elif [ -z "$NOLINK" ]; then
-    ./pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CPPFLAGS $MES_CFLAGS -o "$o".${p}out "$c".c $MES_LIBS
+    trace "MESLD $c.c" ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CPPFLAGS $MES_CFLAGS -o "$o".${p}out "$c".c $MES_LIBS
 else
-    ./pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CPPFLAGS $MES_CFLAGS -c -o "$o".${p}o "$c".c
+   trace "MESCC $c.c" ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env bash $MESCC $MES_CPPFLAGS $MES_CFLAGS -c -o "$o".${p}o "$c".c
 fi
diff --git a/build-aux/cc.sh b/build-aux/cc.sh
index d0d4eedf..fcd468f3 100755
--- a/build-aux/cc.sh
+++ b/build-aux/cc.sh
@@ -20,38 +20,23 @@
 
 set -e
 
-if [ -n "$BUILD_DEBUG" ]; then
-    set -x
-fi
-
-CC_CPPFLAGS=${CC_CPPFLAGS-"
--D VERSION=\"$VERSION\"
--D MODULEDIR=\"$moduledir\"
--D PREFIX=\"$prefix\"
--I src
--I lib
--I include
-"}
-
-CC_CFLAGS=${CC_CFLAGS-"
---std=gnu99
--O0
--g
-"}
+. build-aux/trace.sh
+. build-aux/config.sh
 
 c=$1
 
 if [ -z "$ARCHDIR" ]; then
-    o="$c"
+    o="${top_builddest}$c"
+    d=${top_builddest}${c%%/*}
     p="gcc-"
 else
     b=${c##*/}
-    d=${c%/*}
-    o="$d/gcc/$b"
-    mkdir -p $d/gcc
+    d=${top_builddest}${c%/*}/gcc
+    o="$d/$b"
 fi
+mkdir -p $d
 
-$CC\
+trace "CC $c.c" $CC\
     -c\
     $CC_CPPFLAGS\
     $CPPFLAGS\
@@ -63,12 +48,12 @@ $CC\
     "$c".c
 
 if [ -z "$NOLINK" ]; then
-    $CC\
+    trace "CCLD "$o".${p}out" $CC\
         $CC_CPPFLAGS\
         $CPPFLAGS\
         $CC_CFLAGS\
         $CFLAGS\
         -o "$o".${p}out\
         "$o".${p}o\
-        lib/gcc/libmes.o
+        ${top_builddest}lib/gcc/libmes.o
 fi
diff --git a/build-aux/cc32-mes.sh b/build-aux/cc32-mes.sh
index 2ac327d9..b51e3791 100755
--- a/build-aux/cc32-mes.sh
+++ b/build-aux/cc32-mes.sh
@@ -20,30 +20,8 @@
 
 set -e
 
-if [ -n "$BUILD_DEBUG" ]; then
-    set -x
-fi
-
-CC32_CPPFLAGS=${CC32_CPPFLAGS-"
--D VERSION=\"$VERSION\"
--D MODULEDIR=\"$moduledir\"
--D PREFIX=\"$prefix\"
--I src
--I lib
--I include
-"}
-
-CC32_CFLAGS=${CC32_CFLAGS-"
--std=gnu99
--O0
--fno-builtin
--fno-stack-protector
--g
--m32
--nostdinc
--nostdlib
-"}
-LIBC=${LIBC-c}
+. build-aux/config.sh
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
 a=mes-gcc
 if [ "$CC32" = "$TCC" ]; then
@@ -53,22 +31,23 @@ fi
 arch=x86-$a
 
 if [ -n "$LIBC" ]; then
-    CC32LIBS="lib/$arch/lib$LIBC.o"
+    CC32LIBS="${top_builddest}lib/$arch/lib$LIBC.o"
 fi
 
 c=$1
 
 if [ -z "$ARCHDIR" ]; then
-    o="$c"
+    o="${top_builddest}$c"
+    d=${top_builddest}${c%%/*}
     p="$a-"
 else
     b=${c##*/}
-    d=${c%%/*}
-    o="$d/$arch/$b"
-    mkdir -p $d/$arch
+    d=${top_builddest}${c%%/*}/$arch
+    o="$d/$b"
 fi
+mkdir -p $d
 
-$CC32\
+trace "CC32 $c.c" $CC32\
     -c\
     $CC32_CPPFLAGS\
     $CC32_CFLAGS\
@@ -76,11 +55,11 @@ $CC32\
     "$c".c
 
 if [ -z "$NOLINK" ]; then
-    $CC32\
+    trace "CCLD32 $c.c" $CC32\
         $CC32_CPPFLAGS\
         $CC32_CFLAGS\
         -o "$o".${p}out\
-        lib/$arch/crt1.o\
+        ${top_builddest}lib/$arch/crt1.o\
         "$o".${p}o\
         $CC32LIBS
 fi
diff --git a/build-aux/check-boot.sh b/build-aux/check-boot.sh
index 8d29f43c..d4687ce8 100755
--- a/build-aux/check-boot.sh
+++ b/build-aux/check-boot.sh
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+set -e
+
+. build-aux/config.sh
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
 export GUILE MES
 MES=${MES-./src/mes}
@@ -27,8 +31,6 @@ if ! command -v $GUILE > /dev/null; then
     GUILE=true
 fi
 
-set -e
-
 tests="
 
 00-zero.scm
@@ -116,16 +118,18 @@ for i in $tests; do
         echo ' [SKIP]'
         continue;
     fi
-    $GUILE -L module -C module -L . <(echo '(use-modules (mes guile))'; cat scaffold/boot/$i) >& /dev/null
+    trace "TEST $i.guile" $GUILE -L module -C ${builddest}/module -L . <(echo '(use-modules (mes guile))'; cat scaffold/boot/$i)
     x=$(
-        if [ -z "${i/5[0-9]-*/}" ]; then
-            cat scaffold/boot/$i | MES_BOOT=boot-00.scm $MES 2>&1;
+        if [ "$MES" = guile ]; then
+            true
+        elif [ -z "${i/5[0-9]-*/}" ]; then
+            cat scaffold/boot/$i | MES_BOOT=${srcdir}/boot-00.scm $MES 2>&1;
         elif [ -z "${i/6[0-9]-*/}" ]; then
-            cat scaffold/boot/$i | MES_BOOT=boot-01.scm $MES 2>&1;
+            cat scaffold/boot/$i | MES_BOOT=${srcdir}/boot-01.scm $MES 2>&1;
         else
-            MES_BOOT=scaffold/boot/$i $MES 2>&1;
+            MES_BOOT=${srcdir}/scaffold/boot/$i $MES 2>&1;
         fi
      ) \
         && echo ' [PASS]' \
-        || (r=$?; echo ' [FAIL]'; echo -e "$x"; echo scaffold/boot/$i; exit $r)
+        || (r=$?; echo ' [FAIL]'; echo -e "$x"; echo ${top_builddest}scaffold/boot/$i; exit $r)
 done
diff --git a/build-aux/check-mes.sh b/build-aux/check-mes.sh
index 0d5aaffb..c41a30cc 100755
--- a/build-aux/check-mes.sh
+++ b/build-aux/check-mes.sh
@@ -18,9 +18,10 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-export BASH
-export GUILE MES MES_ARENA
-export BUILD_DEBUG
+set -e
+
+. build-aux/config.sh
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
 if [ "$MES" = guile ]; then
     mes=guile-
@@ -30,8 +31,6 @@ GUILE=${GUILE-guile}
 MES=${MES-src/mes}
 MES_ARENA=${MES_ARENA-100000000}
 
-set -e
-
 tests="
 tests/boot.test
 tests/read.test
@@ -61,10 +60,7 @@ tests/match.test
 tests/psyntax.test
 "
 
-slow_or_broken="
-tests/peg.test
-"
-
+mkdir -p ${top_builddest}tests
 set +e
 fail=0
 total=0
@@ -73,7 +69,7 @@ for t in $tests; do
         echo $t: [SKIP];
         continue
     fi
-    ./pre-inst-env sh "$t" &> $t.${mes}log
+    ${top_builddir}/pre-inst-env sh "$t" &> ${top_builddest}$t.${mes}log
     r=$?
     total=$((total+1))
     if [ $r = 0 ]; then
diff --git a/build-aux/check-mescc.sh b/build-aux/check-mescc.sh
index 0f9d294a..b7244dad 100755
--- a/build-aux/check-mescc.sh
+++ b/build-aux/check-mescc.sh
@@ -18,18 +18,12 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-if [ -n "$BUILD_DEBUG" ]; then
-    set -x
-fi
-
-export BLOOD_ELF GUILE HEX2 M1 MES MESCC
-export M1FLAGS HEX2FLAGS PREPROCESS
-export MES_ARENA MES_PREFIX MES_SEED
-export BUILD_DEBUG
-export LIBC CC32LIBS MES_LIBS
+set -e
+. build-aux/config.sh
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
 MES=${MES-src/mes}
-MESCC=${MESCC-scripts/mescc}
+[ -z "$MESCC" ] && MESCC=${top_builddest}scripts/mescc
 GUILE=${GUILE-guile}
 MES_PREFIX=${MES_PREFIX-mes}
 
@@ -38,9 +32,9 @@ M1=${M1-M1}
 BLOOD_ELF=${BLOOD_ELF-blood-elf}
 MES_SEED=${MES_SEED-../mes-seed}
 MESCC=${MESCC-$(command -v mescc)}
-[ -z "$MESCC" ] && MESCC=scripts/mescc
+[ -z "$MESCC" ] && MESCC=${top_builddest}scripts/mescc
 MES=${MES-$(command -v mes)}
-[ -z "$MES" ] && MES=src/mes
+[ -z "$MES" ] && MES=${top_builddest}src/mes
 
 if ! command -v $GUILE > /dev/null; then
     GUILE=true
@@ -158,6 +152,7 @@ expect=$(echo $broken | wc -w)
 pass=0
 fail=0
 total=0
+mkdir -p ${top_builddest}scaffold/tests
 for t in $tests; do
     if [ -z "${t/[012][0-9]-*/}" ]; then
         LIBC=c-mini
@@ -172,7 +167,7 @@ for t in $tests; do
         LIBC=c
         MES_LIBS=
     fi
-    sh build-aux/test.sh "scaffold/tests/$t" &> scaffold/tests/"$t".log
+    sh build-aux/test.sh "scaffold/tests/$t" &> ${top_builddest}scaffold/tests/"$t".log
     r=$?
     total=$((total+1))
     if [ $r = 0 ]; then
@@ -278,18 +273,20 @@ broken="$broken
 #42_function_pointer     ; f* functions
 #49_bracket_evaluation   ; float
 
+
 LIBC=c+gnu
 MES_LIBS="-l c+gnu"
 
 expect=$(echo $broken | wc -w)
 ARGS="arg1 arg2 arg3 arg4 arg5"
 export ARGS
+mkdir -p ${top_builddest}scaffold/tinycc
 for t in $tests; do
     if [ ! -f scaffold/tinycc/"$t.c" ]; then
         echo ' [SKIP]'
         continue;
     fi
-    sh build-aux/test.sh "scaffold/tinycc/$t" &> scaffold/tinycc/"$t".log
+    sh build-aux/test.sh "scaffold/tinycc/$t" &> ${top_builddest}scaffold/tinycc/"$t".log
     r=$?
     total=$((total+1))
     if [ $r = 0 ]; then
diff --git a/build-aux/config.sh b/build-aux/config.sh
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b14948e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/build-aux/config.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+# GNU Mes --- Maxwell Equations of Software
+# Copyright © 2018 Jan (janneke) Nieuwenhuizen <janneke@gnu.org>
+#
+# This file is part of GNU Mes.
+#
+# GNU Mes is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+# under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or (at
+# your option) any later version.
+#
+# GNU Mes is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+# WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with GNU Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+top_builddir=${top_builddir-.}
+
+if [ "$V" = 2 ]; then
+    echo $0
+    echo top_builddest=${top_builddest}
+    echo top_builddir=${top_builddir}
+fi
+
+export CC
+export CC CFLAGS
+export CC32
+export CC_CFLAGS
+export CC_CFLAGS
+export CC_CPPFLAGS
+export CC_CPPFLAGS
+export CFLAGS
+export CPPFLAGS
+export CPPFLAGS
+export GUILE
+export HEX2
+export HEX2FLAGS
+export LIBC
+export M1
+export M1FLAGS
+export MES
+export MES_CFLAGS
+export MES_LIBS
+export TCC
+
+export MES_DEBUG
+export MES_SEED
+export MES_ARENA
+export COMPILE
+export PREPROCESS
+export V
+
+export abs_top_builddir
+export abs_top_srcdir
+export datadir
+export moduledir
+export prefix
+export srcdir
+export top_builddest
+export top_builddir
+
+MESCC=${MESCC-mescc}
+BLOOD_ELF=${BLOOD_ELF-blood-elf}
+HEX2=${HEX2-hex2}
+M1=${M1-M1}
+
+CC_CPPFLAGS=${CC_CPPFLAGS-"
+-D 'VERSION=\"$VERSION\"'
+-D 'MODULEDIR=\"$moduledir\"'
+-D 'PREFIX=\"$prefix\"'
+-D boo
+-I ${top_builddest}src
+-I src
+-I lib
+-I include
+"}
+
+CC_CFLAGS=${CC_CFLAGS-"
+--std=gnu99
+-O0
+-g
+"}
+
+CC32_CPPFLAGS=${CC32_CPPFLAGS-"
+-D 'VERSION=\"$VERSION\"'
+-D 'MODULEDIR=\"$moduledir\"'
+-D 'PREFIX=\"$prefix\"'
+-I ${top_builddest}src
+-I src
+-I lib
+-I include
+"}
+
+CC32_CFLAGS=${CC32_CFLAGS-"
+-std=gnu99
+-O0
+-fno-builtin
+-fno-stack-protector
+-g
+-m32
+-nostdinc
+-nostdlib
+-Wno-discarded-qualifiers
+-Wno-int-to-pointer-cast
+-Wno-pointer-to-int-cast
+-Wno-pointer-sign
+-Wno-int-conversion
+-Wno-incompatible-pointer-types
+"}
+
+MES_CPPFLAGS=${MES_CPPFLAGS-"
+-D 'VERSION=\"$VERSION\"'
+-D 'MODULEDIR=\"$moduledir\"'
+-D 'PREFIX=\"$prefix\"'
+-I ${top_builddest}src
+-I src
+-I lib
+-I include
+"}
+
+MES_CFLAGS=${MES_CFLAGS-"
+"}
+
+MES_CFLAGS=${MES_CFLAGS-"
+"}
+
+M1FLAGS=${M1FLAGS-"
+--LittleEndian
+--Architecture 1
+"}
+
+HEX2FLAGS=${HEX2FLAGS-"
+--LittleEndian
+--Architecture 1
+--BaseAddress 0x1000000
+"}
diff --git a/build-aux/export.make b/build-aux/export.make
index afc0de2b..50f49f75 100644
--- a/build-aux/export.make
+++ b/build-aux/export.make
@@ -1,5 +1,16 @@
-ifdef BUILD_DEBUG
-export BUILD_DEBUG
+export PACKAGE
+export VERSION
+
+export abs_top_builddir
+export abs_top_srcdir
+export top_builddest
+export top_builddir
+export config.make
+export srcdir
+
+
+ifdef V
+export V
 endif
 
 ifdef DESTDIR
@@ -18,10 +29,6 @@ ifdef mandir
 export mandir
 endif
 
-ifdef VERSION
-export VERSION
-endif
-
 ifdef ARCH
 export ARCH
 endif
diff --git a/build-aux/mes-snarf.scm b/build-aux/mes-snarf.scm
index 7379e16c..ca796499 100755
--- a/build-aux/mes-snarf.scm
+++ b/build-aux/mes-snarf.scm
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ exec ${GUILE-guile} --no-auto-compile -L $(dirname $0) -C $(dirname $0) -e '(mes
 (mes-use-module (srfi srfi-9))
 (mes-use-module (srfi srfi-26))
 
-(format (current-error-port) "mes-snarf[~a]...\n" %scheme)
+(when (and=> (getenv "V") (lambda (v) (> (string->number v) 1)))
+  (format (current-error-port) "mes-snarf[~a]...\n" %scheme))
 
 (define (char->char from to char)
   (if (eq? char from) to char))
@@ -209,7 +210,7 @@ exec ${GUILE-guile} --no-auto-compile -L $(dirname $0) -C $(dirname $0) -e '(mes
          (functions (filter (negate internal?) functions))
          (symbols (snarf-symbols string))
          (base-name (basename file-name ".c"))
-         (dir (or (getenv "OUT") (dirname file-name)))
+         (dir (string-append (or (getenv "top_builddest") "") (dirname file-name)))
          (base-name (string-append dir "/" base-name))
          (base-name (if %gcc? base-name
                         (string-append base-name ".mes")))
@@ -234,6 +235,7 @@ exec ${GUILE-guile} --no-auto-compile -L $(dirname $0) -C $(dirname $0) -e '(mes
     (list header source environment symbols.h symbols.i symbol-names.i)))
 
 (define (file-write file)
+  (system* "mkdir" "-p" (dirname (file.name file)))
   (with-output-to-file (file.name file) (lambda () (display (file.content file)))))
 
 (define (main args)
diff --git a/build-aux/pre-inst-env.in b/build-aux/pre-inst-env.in
index 6ad5835b..7aab6b74 100644
--- a/build-aux/pre-inst-env.in
+++ b/build-aux/pre-inst-env.in
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#!/bin/sh
+#! @BASH@
 
 # Mes --- Maxwell Equations of Software
 # Copyright © 2018 Jan (janneke) Nieuwenhuizen <janneke@gnu.org>
@@ -18,19 +18,29 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-abs_top_srcdir="$(cd "@abs_top_srcdir@" > /dev/null; pwd -P)"
-abs_top_builddir="$(cd "@abs_top_builddir@" > /dev/null; pwd -P)"
+top_builddest="@top_builddest@"
+abs_top_srcdir="@abs_top_srcdir@"
+abs_top_builddir="@abs_top_builddir@"
 
 MES_PREFIX=mes
 export MES_PREFIX
 
 GUILE_LOAD_COMPILED_PATH="$abs_top_builddir/module${GUILE_LOAD_COMPILED_PATH:+:}$GUILE_LOAD_COMPILED_PATH"
 GUILE_LOAD_PATH="$abs_top_srcdir/module${GUILE_LOAD_PATH:+:}$GUILE_LOAD_PATH"
+if [ -n "$top_builddest" ]; then
+    GUILE_LOAD_PATH="$abs_top_buildir/module:$GUILE_LOAD_PATH"
+fi
 export GUILE_LOAD_COMPILED_PATH GUILE_LOAD_PATH
 
-PATH="$abs_top_builddir/scripts:$PATH"
+PATH="$abs_top_builddir/scripts:$abs_top_builddir/src:$abs_top_builddir/build-aux:$PATH"
 export PATH
 
+MES=${MES-${top_builddest}src/mes}
+export MES
+
+GUIX_PACKAGE_PATH="$abs_top_srcdir/guix${GUIX_PACKAGE_PATH:+:}$GUIX_PACKAGE_PATH"
+export GUIX_PACKAGE_PATH
+
 LANG=
 LC_ALL=
 
diff --git a/build-aux/test.sh b/build-aux/test.sh
index 7845fcc0..2fc590e1 100755
--- a/build-aux/test.sh
+++ b/build-aux/test.sh
@@ -18,39 +18,38 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-if [ -n "$BUILD_DEBUG" ]; then
-    set -x
-fi
+set -e
+. build-aux/config.sh
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
 MES_ARENA=100000000
 
-export LIBC MES_LIBS
-
 GUILE=${GUILE-$MES}
 DIFF=${DIFF-$(command -v diff)}
-[ -z "$DIFF" ] && DIFF="sh scripts/diff.scm"
+[ -z "$DIFF" ] && DIFF="sh ${top_builddest}scripts/diff.scm"
 
 t=${1-scaffold/tests/t}
-rm -f "$t".mes-out
+o="${top_builddest}$t"
+rm -f "$o".mes-out
 shift
 
 set -e
 
-rm -f "$t".gcc-out
+rm -f "$o".gcc-out
 if [ -n "$CC" ]; then
     sh build-aux/cc.sh "$t"
 
     r=0
     [ -f "$t".exit ] && r=$(cat "$t".exit)
     set +e
-    "$t".gcc-out $ARGS > "$t".gcc-stdout
+    "$o".gcc-out $ARGS > "$o".gcc-stdout
     m=$?
-    cat "$t".gcc-stdout
+    cat "$o".gcc-stdout
     set -e
 
     [ $m = $r ]
     if [ -f "$t".expect ]; then
-        $DIFF -ub "$t".expect "$t".gcc-stdout;
+        $DIFF -ub "$t".expect "$o".gcc-stdout;
     fi
 fi
 
@@ -61,29 +60,29 @@ if [ -n "$CC32" ]; then
     r=0
     [ -f "$t".exit ] && r=$(cat "$t".exit)
     set +e
-    "$t".mes-gcc-out $ARGS > "$t".mes-gcc-stdout
+    "$o".mes-gcc-out $ARGS > "$o".mes-gcc-stdout
     m=$?
     cat "$t".mes-gcc-stdout
     set -e
 
     [ $m = $r ]
     if [ -f "$t".expect ]; then
-        $DIFF -ub "$t".expect "$t".mes-gcc-stdout;
+        $DIFF -ub "$t".expect "$o".mes-gcc-stdout;
     fi
 fi
 
-rm -f "$t".mes-out
+rm -f "$o".mes-out
 sh build-aux/cc-mes.sh "$t"
 
 r=0
 [ -f "$t".exit ] && r=$(cat "$t".exit)
 set +e
-"$t".mes-out $ARGS > "$t".mes-stdout
+"$o".mes-out $ARGS > "$o".mes-stdout
 m=$?
-cat "$t".mes-stdout
+cat "$o".mes-stdout
 set -e
 
 [ $m = $r ]
 if [ -f "$t".expect ]; then
-    $DIFF -ub "$t".expect "$t".mes-stdout;
+    $DIFF -ub "$t".expect "$o".mes-stdout;
 fi
diff --git a/build-aux/trace.sh b/build-aux/trace.sh
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7c275eac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/build-aux/trace.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+# GNU Mes --- Maxwell Equations of Software
+# Copyright © 2018 Jan (janneke) Nieuwenhuizen <janneke@gnu.org>
+#
+# This file is part of GNU Mes.
+#
+# GNU Mes is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+# under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or (at
+# your option) any later version.
+#
+# GNU Mes is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+# WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with GNU Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+if [ -z "$V" -o "$V0" = 0 ]; then
+    function trace () {
+        echo "  $1"
+        shift
+        eval "$@" $LOG
+    }
+    LOG=" >>${top_builddest}build.log 2>&1"
+fi
+if [ "$V" = 1 ]; then
+    function trace () {
+        shift
+        echo "$@"
+        eval "$@ $LOG"
+    }
+    LOG=" >>${top_builddest}build.log 2>&1"
+fi
+if [ "$V" = 2 ]; then
+    set -x
+    function trace () {
+        shift
+        eval "$@"
+    }
+fi
diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
index 1da79e9c..bfb9ec63 100755
--- a/build.sh
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -18,82 +18,30 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-if [ -n "$BUILD_DEBUG" ]; then
-    set -x
-fi
+. build-aux/config.sh
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
-# dash does not export foo=${foo-bar} for some values
-export prefix datadir moduledir
-export CC CC32 TCC GUILE MESCC MES_SEED
-export MES_ARENA MES_DEBUG
-export CPPFLAGS CFLAGS C32FLAGS MESCCFLAGS
-export BUILD_DEBUG
-
-CC=${CC-$(command -v gcc)}
-CC32=${CC32-$(command -v i686-unknown-linux-gnu-gcc)}
-MESCC=${MESCC-$(command -v mescc)}
 MES_SEED=${MES_SEED-../mes-seed}
 GUILE=${GUILE-$(command -v guile)}
 MES_ARENA=${MES_ARENA-100000000}
-MES_DEBUG=${MES_DEBUG-1}
 
-prefix=${prefix-/usr/local}
-datadir=${datadir-$prefix/share/mes}
-moduledir=${moduledir-${datadir}${datadir:+/}module}
-set -e
-
-CC_CPPFLAGS=${CC_CPPFLAGS-"
--D VERSION=\"$VERSION\"
--D MODULEDIR=\"$moduledir\"
--D PREFIX=\"$prefix\"
--I src
--I lib
--I include
-"}
-CC32_CPPFLAGS=${CC_CPPFLAGS-CC32_CPPFLAGS}
-CC_CFLAGS=${CC_CFLAGS-"
---std=gnu99
--O0
--g
-"}
-CC32_FLAGS=${CC32_FLAGS-"
---std=gnu99
--O0
--fno-stack-protector
--g
--m32
--nostdinc
--nostdlib
-"}
-MES_CFLAGS=${MES_CFLAGS-"
-"}
-M1FLAGS=${M1FLAGS-"
---LittleEndian
---Architecture 1
-"}
-HEX2FLAGS=${HEX2FLAGS-"
---LittleEndian
---Architecture 1
---BaseAddress 0x1000000
-"}
-
-if [ -n "$GUILE" ]; then
+if [ -n "$GUILE" -a "$GUILE" != true ]; then
     sh build-aux/build-guile.sh
 fi
 
 if [ -n "$CC" ]; then
     sh build-aux/build-cc.sh
-    cp src/mes.gcc-out src/mes
+    cp ${top_builddest}src/mes.gcc-out ${top_builddest}src/mes
 fi
 
 if [ -n "$CC32" ]; then
     sh build-aux/build-cc32.sh
-    cp src/mes.mes-gcc-out src/mes
+    cp ${top_builddest}src/mes.mes-gcc-out ${top_builddest}src/mes
 fi
 
 if [ -n "$TCC" ]; then
     CC32=$TCC sh build-aux/build-cc32.sh
-    cp src/mes.mes-tcc-out src/mes
+    cp ${top_builddest}src/mes.mes-tcc-out ${top_builddest}src/mes
 fi
 
 sh build-aux/build-mes.sh
diff --git a/check.sh b/check.sh
index 75f6d5fd..60df21f7 100755
--- a/check.sh
+++ b/check.sh
@@ -18,9 +18,10 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with Mes.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-export CC32
-export GUILE MES MES_ARENA
-export BUILD_DEBUG
+set -e
+
+. build-aux/config.sh
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
 GUILE=${GUILE-guile}
 MES=${MES-src/mes}
@@ -33,6 +34,6 @@ fi
 set -e
 
 [ "$GUILE" != true ] && MES=guile bash build-aux/check-mes.sh
-bash build-aux/check-mes.sh
+[ "$MES" != guile ] && bash build-aux/check-mes.sh
 bash build-aux/check-boot.sh
 bash build-aux/check-mescc.sh
diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 74e2f4b8..48c425d4 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
 # -*- scheme -*-
 unset LANG LC_ALL
 guile=$(command -v ${GUILE-guile})
-if $(command -v ${GUIX-guix}); then
+guix=$(command -v ${GUIX-guix})
+if [ -n "$guix" ] ; then
     install="guix environment -l guix.scm"
 else
     install="sudo apt-get install guile-2.2-dev"
@@ -134,7 +135,9 @@ exec ${guile} -L . --no-auto-compile -e '(configure)' -s "$0" ${1+"$@"}
 
 (define* (make-dep name #:optional (version '(0))
                    #:key optional? (version-option "--version") (commands (list name)) file-name)
-  (make-depedency name version optional? version-option commands file-name))
+  (let* ((env-var (getenv (name->shell-name name)))
+         (commands (if env-var (cons env-var commands) commands)))
+   (make-depedency name version optional? version-option commands file-name)))
 
 (define (find-dep name deps)
   (find (compose (cut equal? <> name) dependency-name) deps))
@@ -145,7 +148,10 @@ exec ${guile} -L . --no-auto-compile -e '(configure)' -s "$0" ${1+"$@"}
 (define (variable-name dependency)
   (and=>
    (dependency-name dependency)
-   (compose string-upcase (cut string-replace-char <> #\- #\_))))
+   name->shell-name))
+
+(define (name->shell-name name)
+  (string-upcase (string-replace-char name #\- #\_)))
 
 (define (version->string version)
   ((->string '.) version))
@@ -278,16 +284,6 @@ Some influential environment variables:
   TINYCC_SEED       location of tinycc-seed
 " PACKAGE VERSION (getenv "prefix")))
 
-(define* (substitute file-name pairs
-                     #:key (target (if (string-suffix? ".in" file-name)
-                                       (string-drop-right file-name 3) target)))
-  (with-output-to-file target
-    (lambda _
-      (display
-       (fold (lambda (o result)
-               (regexp-substitute/global #f (car o) result 'pre (cdr o) 'post))
-             (with-input-from-file file-name read-string) pairs)))))
-
 (define (main args)
   (let* ((prefix "/usr/local")
          (infodir "${prefix}/share/info")
@@ -296,9 +292,11 @@ Some influential environment variables:
 
          (srcdir (dirname (car (command-line))))
          (abs-top-srcdir (canonicalize-path srcdir))
-         (builddir (getcwd))
-         (abs-top-builddir (canonicalize-path builddir))
-
+         (abs-top-builddir (canonicalize-path (getcwd)))
+         (top-builddir (if (equal? srcdir ".") "."
+                           abs-top-builddir))
+         (top-builddest (if (equal? srcdir ".") ""
+                        (string-append abs-top-builddir "/")))
 
          (options (parse-opts args))
 
@@ -320,14 +318,20 @@ Some influential environment variables:
          (disable-silent-rules? (option-ref options 'disable-silent-rules #f))
          (vars (filter (cut string-index <> #\=) (option-ref options '() '())))
          (help? (option-ref options 'help #f)))
+    (define (srcdir-relative file-name)
+      (if (equal? srcdir ".") file-name
+          (string-append srcdir "/" file-name)))
     (when help?
       (print-help)
       (exit 0))
     (set! %verbose? (option-ref options 'verbose #f))
     (for-each (lambda (v) (apply setenv (string-split v #\=))) vars)
-    (let* ((mes-seed (or (getenv "MES_SEED") "../mes-seed"))
-           (tinycc-seed (or (getenv "TINYCC_SEED") "../tinycc-seed"))
-           (mescc-tools-seed (or (getenv "MESCC_TOOLS_SEED") "../mescc-tools-seed"))
+    (let* ((mes-seed (or (getenv "MES_SEED")
+                         (srcdir-relative "../mes-seed")))
+           (tinycc-seed (or (getenv "TINYCC_SEED")
+                            (srcdir-relative "../tinycc-seed")))
+           (mescc-tools-seed (or (getenv "MESCC_TOOLS_SEED")
+                                 (srcdir-relative "../mescc-tools-seed")))
            (deps (fold (lambda (program results)
                          (cons (check-program-version program) results))
                        '()
@@ -348,7 +352,7 @@ Some influential environment variables:
                              (make-dep "M1" '(0 3))
                              (make-dep "blood-elf" '(0 1))
                              (make-dep "hex2" '(0 3))
-                             (make-dep "tcc" '(0 9 26) #:optional? #t)
+                             (make-dep "tcc" '(0 9 26) #:optional? #t #:version-option "-v")
                              (make-dep "makeinfo" '(5) #:optional? #t)
                              (make-dep "help2man" '(1 47) #:optional? #t)
                              (make-dep "perl" '(5) #:optional? #t)
@@ -365,6 +369,18 @@ Some influential environment variables:
                        deps))
            (missing (filter (conjoin (negate dependency-file-name)
                                      (negate dependency-optional?)) deps)))
+
+      (define* (substitute file-name pairs
+                           #:key (target (if (string-suffix? ".in" file-name)
+                                             (string-drop-right file-name 3) file-name)))
+        (system* "mkdir" "-p" (dirname target))
+        (with-output-to-file target
+          (lambda _
+            (display
+             (fold (lambda (o result)
+                     (regexp-substitute/global #f (car o) result 'pre (cdr o) 'post))
+                   (with-input-from-file file-name read-string) pairs)))))
+
       (when (and (not (member arch '("i686" "x86_64"))) (not with-courage?))
         (stderr "platform not supported: ~a, try --with-courage\n" arch)
         (exit 1))
@@ -377,7 +393,7 @@ Some influential environment variables:
           ;; Debian wants to run `make clean' from a tarball
           (and (zero? (system* "git" "init"))
                (zero? (system* "git" "add" "."))
-               (zero? (system* "git" "commit" "-m" "Import mes")))))
+               (zero? (system* "git" "commit" "--allow-empty" "-m" "Import mes")))))
       (with-output-to-file ".config.make"
         (lambda _
           (stdout "PACKAGE:=~a\n" PACKAGE)
@@ -385,7 +401,12 @@ Some influential environment variables:
 
           (stdout "build:=~a\n" build-type)
           (stdout "host:=~a\n" host-type)
-          (stdout "srcdir:=.\n")
+          (stdout "srcdir:=~a\n" srcdir)
+          (stdout "top_builddest:=~a\n" top-builddest)
+          (stdout "top_builddir:=~a\n" top-builddir)
+          (stdout "abs_top_builddir:=~a\n" abs-top-builddir)
+          (stdout "abs_top_srcdir:=~a\n" abs-top-srcdir)
+          (stdout "srcdir:=~a\n" srcdir)
           (stdout "prefix:=~a\n" (gulp-pipe (string-append "echo " prefix)))
           (stdout "infodir:=~a\n" infodir)
           (stdout "mandir:=~a\n" mandir)
@@ -417,8 +438,11 @@ Some influential environment variables:
                       "MES_CFLAGS"
                       ))))
 
-      (let ((pairs `(("@abs_top_srcdir@" . ,abs-top-srcdir)
+      (let ((pairs `(("@srcdir@" . ,abs-top-srcdir)
+                     ("@abs_top_srcdir@" . ,abs-top-srcdir)
                      ("@abs_top_builddir@" . ,abs-top-builddir)
+                     ("@top_builddir@" . ,top-builddir)
+                     ("@top_builddest@" . ,top-builddest)
                      ("@BASH@" . ,(file-name "bash" deps))
                      ("@GUILE@" . ,(file-name "guile" deps))
                      ("@guile_site_dir@" . ,guile-site-dir)
@@ -426,20 +450,27 @@ Some influential environment variables:
                      ("@VERSION@" . ,VERSION)
                      ("mes/module/" . ,(string-append moduledir "/")))))
         (for-each (lambda (o)
-                    (substitute o pairs)
-                    (chmod (string-drop-right o 3) #o755))
+                    (let* ((src (srcdir-relative o))
+                           (target (string-drop-right o 3))
+                           (target (if (not (string-prefix? "build-aux/" target)) target
+                                       (string-drop target (string-length "build-aux/")))))
+                      (substitute src pairs #:target target)))
                   '(
                     "build-aux/pre-inst-env.in"
                     "mes/module/mes/boot-0.scm.in"
                     "scripts/mescc.in"
-                    )))
-      (chmod "build-aux/pre-inst-env" #o755)
-      (rename-file "build-aux/pre-inst-env" "pre-inst-env")
+                    ))
+        (when (not (equal? srcdir "."))
+          (substitute (string-append srcdir "/build-aux/GNUmakefile.in")
+                      pairs
+                      #:target "GNUmakefile")
+          (system (string-append "cd mes/module/mes && ln -sf " abs-top-srcdir "/mes/module/mes/*.mes ."))))
+      (chmod "pre-inst-env" #o755)
       (chmod "scripts/mescc" #o755)
       (let ((make (and=> (file-name "make" deps) basename)))
         (format (current-output-port)
-               "\nRun:
+                "\nRun:
   ~a            to build mes
   ~a help       for help on other targets\n"
-               (or make "./build.sh")
-               (or make "./build.sh"))))))
+                (or make "./build.sh")
+                (or make "./build.sh"))))))
diff --git a/configure.sh b/configure.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..bcefb121
--- /dev/null
+++ b/configure.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+#! /bin/sh
+
+set -e
+
+VERSION=0.17
+
+# parse --prefix=prefix
+cmdline=$(echo "$@")
+p=${cmdline##*--prefix=}
+p=${p% *}
+p=${p% -*}
+prefix=${p-${prefix}}
+if [ -z "$prefix" ]; then
+   prefix=/usr/local
+fi
+
+. build-aux/trace.sh
+
+BASH=${BASH-$(command -v bash)}
+GUILE=${GUILE-$(command -v guile)} || true
+
+srcdir=${srcdir-.}
+top_builddest=${top_builddest-}
+top_builddir=${top_builddest-.}
+abs_top_srcdir=${abs_top_srcdir-$PWD}
+abs_top_builddir=${abs_top_srcdir-$abs_top_builddir}
+
+if [ -z "$GUILE" -o "$GUILE" = true ]; then
+    GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION=${GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION-2.2}
+else
+    GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION=${GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION-$(guile -c '(display (effective-version))')}
+fi
+datadir=${datadir-$prefix/share}
+docdir=${docdir-$datadir/doc/mes-$VERSION}
+infodir=${infodir-$datadir/info}
+mandir=${mandir-$datadir/man}
+moduledir=${moduledir-$datadir/mes/module}
+guile_site_dir=${guile_site_dir-$prefix/share/guile/site/$GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION}
+guile_site_ccache_dir=${guile_site_ccache_dir-$prefix/lib/guile/$GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION/site-ccache}
+
+sed \
+    -e s,"@srcdir@,$srcdir,"\
+    -e s,"@abs_top_srcdir@,$abs_top_srcdir,"\
+    -e s,"@abs_top_builddir@,$abs_top_builddir,"\
+    -e s,"@top_builddir@,$top_builddir,"\
+    -e s,"@top_builddest@,$top_builddest,"\
+    -e s,"@BASH@,$BASH,"\
+    -e s,"@GUILE@,$GUILE,"\
+    -e s,"@guile_site_dir@,$guile_site_dir,"\
+    -e s,"@guile_site_ccache_dir@,$guile_site_ccache_dir,"\
+    -e s,"@VERSION@,$VERSION,"\
+    -e s,"mes/module/,$moduledir,"\
+    build-aux/pre-inst-env.in\
+    > pre-inst-env
+
+chmod +x pre-inst-env
+
+sed \
+    -e s,"@srcdir@,$srcdir,"\
+    -e s,"@abs_top_srcdir@,$abs_top_srcdir,"\
+    -e s,"@abs_top_builddir@,$abs_top_builddir,"\
+    -e s,"@top_builddir@,$top_builddir,"\
+    -e s,"@top_builddest@,$top_builddest,"\
+    -e s,"@BASH@,$BASH,"\
+    -e s,"@GUILE@,$GUILE,"\
+    -e s,"@guile_site_dir@,$guile_site_dir,"\
+    -e s,"@guile_site_ccache_dir@,$guile_site_ccache_dir,"\
+    -e s,"@VERSION@,$VERSION,"\
+    -e s,"mes/module/,$moduledir,"\
+    mes/module/mes/boot-0.scm.in\
+    > mes/module/mes/boot-0.scm
+
+sed \
+    -e s,"@srcdir@,$srcdir,"\
+    -e s,"@abs_top_srcdir@,$abs_top_srcdir,"\
+    -e s,"@abs_top_builddir@,$abs_top_builddir,"\
+    -e s,"@top_builddir@,$top_builddir,"\
+    -e s,"@top_builddest@,$top_builddest,"\
+    -e s,"@BASH@,$BASH,"\
+    -e s,"@GUILE@,$GUILE,"\
+    -e s,"@guile_site_dir@,$guile_site_dir,"\
+    -e s,"@guile_site_ccache_dir@,$guile_site_ccache_dir,"\
+    -e s,"@VERSION@,$VERSION,"\
+    -e s,"mes/module/,$moduledir,"\
+    scripts/mescc.in\
+    > scripts/mescc
+
+chmod +x scripts/mescc
+
+if [ "$srcdir" != . ]; then
+    mkdir -p mes/module/mes
+    { cd mes/module/mes; ln -sf $abs_top_srcdir/mes/module/mes/*.mes .; }
+fi
+
+cat <<EOF
+Run:
+  prefix=$prefix ./build.sh      to build mes
+  prefix=$prefix ./check.sh      to check mes
+  prefix=$prefix ./install.sh    to install mes
+EOF
diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 95aef6de..5901c19f 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -1,21 +1,29 @@
 #! /bin/sh
 
 set -e
-if [ -n "$BUILD_DEBUG" ]; then
-    set -x
-fi
+
+. build-aux/trace.sh
 
 # use bash or lose if pipes fail
 [ -n "$BASH" ] && set -o pipefail
 
 SHELL=${SHELL-$(command -v sh)}
 prefix=${prefix-/usr/local}
+top_builddest=${top_builddest-}
+top_builddir=${top_buildir-.}
+abs_top_srcdir=${abs_top_srcdir-$PWD}
+abs_top_builddir=${abs_top_builddir-$PWD}
 
 MES_PREFIX=${MES_PREFIX-$prefix/share/mes}
 MES_SEED=${MES_SEED-../MES-SEED}
 TINYCC_SEED=${TINYCC_SEED-../TINYCC-SEED}
 
-GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION=${GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION-$(guile -c '(display (effective-version))')}
+GUILE=${GUILE-$(command -v guile)} || true
+if [ -z "$GUILE" -o "$GUILE" = true ]; then
+    GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION=${GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION-2.2}
+else
+    GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION=${GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION-$(guile -c '(display (effective-version))')}
+fi
 bindir=${bindir-$prefix/bin}
 datadir=${datadir-$prefix/share/mes}
 docdir=${docdir-$prefix/share/doc/mes}
@@ -26,28 +34,26 @@ guile_site_dir=${guile_site_dir-$prefix/share/guile/site/$GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSIO
 guile_site_ccache_dir=${guile_site_ccache_dir-$prefix/lib/guile/$GUILE_EFFECTIVE_VERSION/site-ccache}
 
 mkdir -p $DESTDIR$bindir
-cp src/mes $DESTDIR$bindir/mes
-cp scripts/mescc $DESTDIR$bindir/mescc
+cp ${top_builddest}src/mes $DESTDIR$bindir/mes
+cp ${top_builddest}scripts/mescc $DESTDIR$bindir/mescc
 
 sed \
     -e "s,^#! /bin/sh,#! $SHELL," \
     scripts/diff.scm > $DESTDIR$bindir/diff.scm
 chmod -w+x $DESTDIR$bindir/diff.scm
 
-
 mkdir -p $docdir
 
 if [ -n "$PERL" -a -n "$GIT" ]\
        && $PERL -v > /dev/null\
        && $GIT --status > /dev/null; then
-    $PERL build-aux/gitlog-to-changelog --srcdir=. > ChangeLog
+    $PERL build-aux/gitlog-to-changelog --srcdir=. > ${top_builddest}ChangeLog
 fi
 
 cp\
     AUTHORS\
     BOOTSTRAP\
     COPYING\
-    ChangeLog\
     HACKING\
     INSTALL\
     NEWS\
@@ -60,28 +66,36 @@ else
     cp ChangeLog $DESTDIR$docdir
 fi
 
+if [ -f ${top_builddest}ChangeLog ]; then
+    cp ${top_builddest}ChangeLog $docdir
+else
+    cp ChangeLog $docdir
+fi
+
+mkdir -p $DESTDIR$MES_PREFIX
 tar -cf- include lib | tar -xf- -C $DESTDIR$MES_PREFIX
 tar -cf- scaffold --exclude='*.gcc*' --exclude='*.mes*' | tar -xf- -C $DESTDIR$MES_PREFIX
+tar -cf- ${top_builddest}lib | tar -xf- -C $DESTDIR$MES_PREFIX
 tar -cf- --exclude='*.go' module | tar -xf- -C $DESTDIR$MES_PREFIX
 tar -cf- -C mes module | tar -xf- -C $DESTDIR$MES_PREFIX
 
 mkdir -p $DESTDIR$guile_site_dir
 mkdir -p $DESTDIR$guile_site_ccache_dir
 tar -cf- -C module --exclude='*.go' . | tar -xf- -C $DESTDIR$guile_site_dir
-tar -cf- -C module --exclude='*.scm' . | tar -xf- -C $DESTDIR$guile_site_ccache_dir
+tar -cf- -C ${top_builddest}module --exclude='*.scm' . | tar -xf- -C $DESTDIR$guile_site_ccache_dir
 
-if [ -f doc/mes.info ]; then
-    mkdir -p $DESTDIR$prefix/share/info
-    tar -cf- doc/mes.info* doc/images | tar -xf- --strip-components=1 -C $DESTDIR$infodir
-    install-info --info-dir=$DESTDIR$prefix/share/info doc/mes.info
+if [ -f ${top_builddest}doc/mes.info ]; then
+    mkdir -p $DESTDIR$infodir
+    tar -cf- ${top_builddest}doc/mes.info* doc/images | tar -xf- --strip-components=1 -C $DESTDIR$infodir
+    install-info --info-dir=$DESTDIR$infodir ${top_builddest}doc/mes.info
 fi
 
-if [ -f doc/mes.1 ]; then
+if [ -f ${top_builddest}doc/mes.1 ]; then
     mkdir -p $DESTDIR$mandir/man1
-    cp doc/mes.1 $DESTDIR$mandir/man1/
+    cp ${top_builddest}doc/mes.1 $DESTDIR$mandir/man1/
 fi
 
-if [ -f doc/mescc.1 ]; then
+if [ -f ${top_builddest}doc/mescc.1 ]; then
     mkdir -p $DESTDIR$mandir/man1
-    cp doc/mescc.1 $DESTDIR$mandir/man1/
+    cp ${top_builddest}doc/mescc.1 $DESTDIR$mandir/man1/
 fi
diff --git a/mes/module/mes/boot-0.scm.in b/mes/module/mes/boot-0.scm.in
index a27566e4..96bf72d7 100644
--- a/mes/module/mes/boot-0.scm.in
+++ b/mes/module/mes/boot-0.scm.in
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@
 (mes-use-module (mes posix))
 
 (define-macro (include-from-path file)
-  (let loop ((path (cons* %moduledir "module" (string-split (or (getenv "GUILE_LOAD_PATH")) #\:))))
+  (let loop ((path (cons* %moduledir "@srcdir@/module" (string-split (or (getenv "GUILE_LOAD_PATH")) #\:))))
     (cond ((and=> (getenv "MES_DEBUG") (compose (lambda (o) (> o 2)) string->number))
            (core:display-error (string-append "include-from-path: " file " [PATH:" (string-join path ":") "]\n")))
           ((and=> (getenv "MES_DEBUG") (compose (lambda (o) (> o 1)) string->number))
diff --git a/module/mescc/mescc.scm b/module/mescc/mescc.scm
index b384b90e..711bac6d 100644
--- a/module/mescc/mescc.scm
+++ b/module/mescc/mescc.scm
@@ -212,8 +212,11 @@
   (arch-find options (string-append "lib" o ext)))
 
 (define* (arch-find options file-name)
-  (let* ((path (cons (prefix-file options "lib")
-                     (filter-map (multi-opt 'library-dir) options)))
+  (let* ((top-builddest (or (getenv "top_builddest") ""))
+         (builddir-lib (string-append top-builddest "lib"))
+         (path (cons* builddir-lib
+                      (prefix-file options "lib")
+                      (filter-map (multi-opt 'library-dir) options)))
          (arch-file-name (string-append "x86-mes/" file-name))
          (verbose? (option-ref options 'verbose #f)))
     (when verbose?
diff --git a/scripts/mescc.in b/scripts/mescc.in
index aa876329..bfeb2e4e 100755
--- a/scripts/mescc.in
+++ b/scripts/mescc.in
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 #! @BASH@
 # -*-scheme-*-
-if [ -n "$BUILD_DEBUG" ]; then
+if [ "$V" = 2 ]; then
     set -x
 fi
 prefix=${prefix-@prefix@}
 MES_PREFIX=${MES_PREFIX-$prefix/share/mes}
 export MES_PREFIX
 mes_p=$(command -v mes)
+mescc=$(command -v $0)
 
 guile_site_dir=${guile_site_dir-@guile_site_dir@}
 GUILE_LOAD_PATH=$guile_site_dir:$GUILE_LOAD_PATH
@@ -16,10 +17,10 @@ if [ '(' -z "$mes_p" -a -z "$MES" ')' -o "$MES" = "guile" -o "$MES" = "mes.guile
     GUILE_LOAD_COMPILED_PATH=$guile_site_ccache_dir:$GUILE_LOAD_COMPILED_PATH
     GUILE_AUTO_COMPILE=${GUILE_AUTO_COMPILE-0}
     export GUILE_AUTO_COMPILE
-    exec ${GUILE-guile} -L $guile_site_dir -e '(mescc)' -s "$0" "$@"
+    exec ${GUILE-guile} -L $guile_site_dir -e '(mescc)' -s "$mescc" "$@"
 else
     MES=${MES-$(dirname $0)/mes}
-    exec ${MES-mes} -e '(mescc)' -s $0 "$@"
+    exec ${MES-${top_builddest}mes} -e '(mescc)' -s "$mescc" "$@"
 fi
 !#
 
@@ -66,7 +67,8 @@ fi
  (guile
   (define-macro (mes-use-module . rest) #t)))
 
-(format (current-error-port) "mescc[~a]...\n" %scheme)
+(when (and=> (getenv "V") (lambda (v) (> (string->number v) 1)))
+  (format (current-error-port) "mescc[~a]...\n" %scheme))
 
 (define (parse-opts args)
   (let* ((option-spec
diff --git a/src/mes.c b/src/mes.c
index 0eef233a..9059122b 100644
--- a/src/mes.c
+++ b/src/mes.c
@@ -2268,9 +2268,10 @@ load_env (SCM a) ///((internal))
       strcpy (prefix, p);
       g_stdin = load_boot (prefix, boot, "MODULEDIR");
     }
-  if (g_stdin < 0)
+  if (g_stdin < 0 && getenv ("top_builddest"))
     {
-      strcpy (prefix, "mes/module/mes/");
+      strcpy (prefix, getenv ("top_builddest"));
+      strcpy (prefix + strlen (prefix), "mes/module/mes/");
       g_stdin = load_boot (prefix, boot, ".");
     }
   if (g_stdin < 0)