diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/capitalize.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/capitalize.rs
index 113baaa63e..b6024286a1 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/capitalize.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/capitalize.rs
@@ -8,9 +8,8 @@ use nu_protocol::{
 use nu_source::Tag;
 use nu_value_ext::ValueExt;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -45,18 +44,20 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (Arguments { rest }, input) = args.process()?;
-
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arguments {
+            column_paths: params.rest_args()?,
+        })
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
                 ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
                         Box::new(move |old| action(old, old.tag())),
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/case/mod.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/case/mod.rs
index a5003862e2..8d572deb33 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/case/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/case/mod.rs
@@ -16,26 +16,28 @@ pub use pascal_case::SubCommand as PascalCase;
 pub use screaming_snake_case::SubCommand as ScreamingSnakeCase;
 pub use snake_case::SubCommand as SnakeCase;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub fn operate<F>(args: CommandArgs, case_operation: &'static F) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError>
 where
     F: Fn(&str) -> String + Send + Sync + 'static,
 {
-    let (Arguments { rest }, input) = args.process()?;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arguments {
+            column_paths: params.rest_args()?,
+        })
+    })?;
 
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
                 ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, v.tag(), &case_operation)?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
                         Box::new(move |old| action(old, old.tag(), &case_operation)),
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/collect.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/collect.rs
index f11f71d080..47dc014595 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/collect.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/collect.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,16 @@ use nu_source::Tagged;
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
 
+struct Arguments {
+    separator: Option<Tagged<String>>,
+}
+
+impl Arguments {
+    pub fn separator(&self) -> &str {
+        self.separator.as_ref().map_or("", |sep| &sep.item)
+    }
+}
+
 impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
     fn name(&self) -> &str {
         "str collect"
@@ -38,15 +48,18 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 
 pub fn collect(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
     let tag = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
-    //let (SubCommandArgs { separator }, input) = args.process()?;
-    let args = args.evaluate_once()?;
-    let separator: Option<Result<Tagged<String>, ShellError>> = args.opt(0);
-    let input = args.input;
-    let separator = if let Some(separator) = separator {
-        separator?.item
-    } else {
-        "".into()
-    };
+
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arguments {
+            separator: if let Some(arg) = params.opt(0) {
+                Some(arg?)
+            } else {
+                None
+            },
+        })
+    })?;
+
+    let separator = options.separator();
 
     let strings: Vec<Result<String, ShellError>> = input.map(|value| value.as_string()).collect();
     let strings: Result<Vec<_>, _> = strings.into_iter().collect::<Result<_, _>>();
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/contains.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/contains.rs
index 9116a03da5..674b8293dd 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/contains.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/contains.rs
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ use nu_protocol::{
 use nu_source::{Tag, Tagged};
 use nu_value_ext::ValueExt;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
     pattern: Tagged<String>,
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
     insensitive: bool,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -57,28 +56,27 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (
-        Arguments {
-            pattern,
-            rest,
-            insensitive,
-        },
-        input,
-    ) = args.process()?;
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arc::new(Arguments {
+            pattern: params.req(0)?,
+            insensitive: params.has_flag("insensitive"),
+            column_paths: params.rest(1)?,
+        }))
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
-                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &pattern, insensitive, v.tag())?)
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
+                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &options, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
-                    let pattern = pattern.clone();
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
+                    let options = options.clone();
+
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
-                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &pattern, insensitive, old.tag())),
+                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &options, old.tag())),
                     )?;
                 }
 
@@ -90,16 +88,19 @@ fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
 
 fn action(
     input: &Value,
-    pattern: &str,
-    insensitive: bool,
+    Arguments {
+        ref pattern,
+        insensitive,
+        ..
+    }: &Arguments,
     tag: impl Into<Tag>,
 ) -> Result<Value, ShellError> {
     match &input.value {
         UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::String(s)) => {
-            let contains = if insensitive {
+            let contains = if *insensitive {
                 s.to_lowercase().contains(&pattern.to_lowercase())
             } else {
-                s.contains(pattern)
+                s.contains(&pattern.item)
             };
 
             Ok(UntaggedValue::boolean(contains).into_value(tag))
@@ -118,9 +119,9 @@ fn action(
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::ShellError;
-    use super::{action, SubCommand};
+    use super::{action, Arguments, SubCommand};
     use nu_protocol::UntaggedValue;
-    use nu_source::Tag;
+    use nu_source::{Tag, TaggedItem};
     use nu_test_support::value::string;
 
     #[test]
@@ -133,44 +134,64 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn string_contains_other_string_case_sensitive() {
         let word = string("Cargo.tomL");
-        let pattern = ".tomL";
-        let insensitive = false;
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::boolean(true).into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, &pattern, insensitive, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        let options = Arguments {
+            pattern: String::from(".tomL").tagged_unknown(),
+            insensitive: false,
+            column_paths: vec![],
+        };
+
+        let expected = UntaggedValue::boolean(true).into_untagged_value();
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+
         assert_eq!(actual, expected);
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn string_does_not_contain_other_string_case_sensitive() {
         let word = string("Cargo.tomL");
-        let pattern = "Lomt.";
-        let insensitive = false;
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::boolean(false).into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, &pattern, insensitive, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        let options = Arguments {
+            pattern: String::from("Lomt.").tagged_unknown(),
+            insensitive: false,
+            column_paths: vec![],
+        };
+
+        let expected = UntaggedValue::boolean(false).into_untagged_value();
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+
         assert_eq!(actual, expected);
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn string_contains_other_string_case_insensitive() {
         let word = string("Cargo.ToMl");
-        let pattern = ".TOML";
-        let insensitive = true;
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::boolean(true).into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, &pattern, insensitive, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        let options = Arguments {
+            pattern: String::from(".TOML").tagged_unknown(),
+            insensitive: true,
+            column_paths: vec![],
+        };
+
+        let expected = UntaggedValue::boolean(true).into_untagged_value();
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+
         assert_eq!(actual, expected);
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn string_does_not_contain_other_string_case_insensitive() {
         let word = string("Cargo.tOml");
-        let pattern = "lomt.";
-        let insensitive = true;
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::boolean(false).into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, &pattern, insensitive, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        let options = Arguments {
+            pattern: String::from("lomt.").tagged_unknown(),
+            insensitive: true,
+            column_paths: vec![],
+        };
+
+        let expected = UntaggedValue::boolean(false).into_untagged_value();
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+
         assert_eq!(actual, expected);
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/downcase.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/downcase.rs
index f350a486ee..82df78c616 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/downcase.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/downcase.rs
@@ -8,9 +8,8 @@ use nu_protocol::{
 use nu_source::Tag;
 use nu_value_ext::ValueExt;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -45,18 +44,20 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (Arguments { rest }, input) = args.process()?;
-
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arguments {
+            column_paths: params.rest_args()?,
+        })
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
                 ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
                         Box::new(move |old| action(old, old.tag())),
@@ -102,9 +103,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn downcases() {
         let word = string("ANDRES");
-        let expected = string("andres");
 
         let actual = action(&word, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(actual, expected);
+        assert_eq!(actual, string("andres"));
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/ends_with.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/ends_with.rs
index 45d4cf95a1..da7d334d34 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/ends_with.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/ends_with.rs
@@ -8,12 +8,12 @@ use nu_protocol::{
 use nu_source::{Tag, Tagged};
 use nu_value_ext::ValueExt;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
+pub struct SubCommand;
+
 struct Arguments {
     pattern: Tagged<String>,
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
-pub struct SubCommand;
 
 impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
     fn name(&self) -> &str {
@@ -47,22 +47,26 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (Arguments { pattern, rest }, input) = args.process()?;
-
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arc::new(Arguments {
+            pattern: params.req(0)?,
+            column_paths: params.rest(1)?,
+        }))
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
-                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &pattern, v.tag())?)
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
+                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &options.pattern, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
-                    let pattern = pattern.clone();
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
+                    let options = options.clone();
+
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
-                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &pattern, old.tag())),
+                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &options.pattern, old.tag())),
                     )?;
                 }
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/find_replace.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/find_replace.rs
index 2fd9266b35..e9f4e5485d 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/find_replace.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/find_replace.rs
@@ -9,12 +9,11 @@ use nu_source::{Tag, Tagged};
 use nu_value_ext::ValueExt;
 use regex::Regex;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
+    all: bool,
     find: Tagged<String>,
     replace: Tagged<String>,
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
-    all: bool,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -59,35 +58,31 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
     }
 }
 
-#[derive(Clone)]
-struct FindReplace(String, String);
+struct FindReplace<'a>(&'a str, &'a str);
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (
-        Arguments {
-            find,
-            replace,
-            rest,
-            all,
-        },
-        input,
-    ) = args.process()?;
-    let options = FindReplace(find.item, replace.item);
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arc::new(Arguments {
+            all: params.has_flag("all"),
+            find: params.req(0)?,
+            replace: params.req(1)?,
+            column_paths: params.rest(2)?,
+        }))
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
-                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &options, v.tag(), all)?)
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
+                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &options, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
                     let options = options.clone();
 
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
-                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &options, old.tag(), all)),
+                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &options, old.tag())),
                     )?;
                 }
 
@@ -99,29 +94,27 @@ fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
 
 fn action(
     input: &Value,
-    options: &FindReplace,
+    Arguments {
+        find, replace, all, ..
+    }: &Arguments,
     tag: impl Into<Tag>,
-    all: bool,
 ) -> Result<Value, ShellError> {
     match &input.value {
         UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::String(s)) => {
-            let find = &options.0;
-            let replacement = &options.1;
+            let FindReplace(find, replacement) = FindReplace(&find, &replace);
+            let regex = Regex::new(find);
 
-            let regex = Regex::new(find.as_str());
-
-            let out = match regex {
+            Ok(match regex {
                 Ok(re) => {
-                    if all {
-                        UntaggedValue::string(re.replace_all(s, replacement.as_str()).to_owned())
+                    if *all {
+                        UntaggedValue::string(re.replace_all(s, replacement).to_owned())
                     } else {
-                        UntaggedValue::string(re.replace(s, replacement.as_str()).to_owned())
+                        UntaggedValue::string(re.replace(s, replacement).to_owned())
                     }
                 }
                 Err(_) => UntaggedValue::string(s),
-            };
-
-            Ok(out.into_value(tag))
+            }
+            .into_value(tag))
         }
         other => {
             let got = format!("got {}", other.type_name());
@@ -137,8 +130,8 @@ fn action(
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::ShellError;
-    use super::{action, FindReplace, SubCommand};
-    use nu_source::Tag;
+    use super::{action, Arguments, SubCommand};
+    use nu_source::{Tag, TaggedItem};
     use nu_test_support::value::string;
 
     #[test]
@@ -151,11 +144,15 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn can_have_capture_groups() {
         let word = string("Cargo.toml");
-        let expected = string("Carga.toml");
-        let all = false;
-        let find_replace_options = FindReplace("Cargo.(.+)".to_string(), "Carga.$1".to_string());
 
-        let actual = action(&word, &find_replace_options, Tag::unknown(), all).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(actual, expected);
+        let options = Arguments {
+            find: String::from("Cargo.(.+)").tagged_unknown(),
+            replace: String::from("Carga.$1").tagged_unknown(),
+            column_paths: vec![],
+            all: false,
+        };
+
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(actual, string("Carga.toml"));
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/from.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/from.rs
index 34b167821e..6f8172345b 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/from.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/from.rs
@@ -14,12 +14,10 @@ use std::iter;
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
     decimals: Option<Tagged<u64>>,
-    #[serde(rename(deserialize = "group-digits"))]
     group_digits: bool,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
@@ -39,15 +37,6 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
                 "decimal digits to which to round",
                 Some('d'),
             )
-        /*
-        FIXME: this isn't currently supported because of num_format being out of date. Once it's updated, re-enable this
-        .switch(
-            "group-digits",
-            // TODO according to system localization
-            "group digits, currently by thousand with commas",
-            Some('g'),
-        )
-        */
     }
 
     fn usage(&self) -> &str {
@@ -80,23 +69,28 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (
-        Arguments {
-            decimals,
-            group_digits,
-            rest: column_paths,
-        },
-        input,
-    ) = args.process()?;
-    let digits = decimals.map(|tagged| tagged.item);
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arguments {
+            decimals: if let Some(arg) = params.get_flag("decimals") {
+                Some(arg?)
+            } else {
+                None
+            },
+            group_digits: false,
+            column_paths: params.rest_args()?,
+        })
+    })?;
+
+    let digits = options.decimals.as_ref().map(|tagged| tagged.item);
+    let group_digits = options.group_digits;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
                 ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, v.tag(), digits, group_digits)?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
-                for path in &column_paths {
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
                         Box::new(move |old| action(old, old.tag(), digits, group_digits)),
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/index_of.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/index_of.rs
index f98b90628e..1d959e4d1c 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/index_of.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/index_of.rs
@@ -8,12 +8,11 @@ use nu_protocol::{
 use nu_source::{Tag, Tagged};
 use nu_value_ext::{as_string, ValueExt};
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
-    pattern: Tagged<String>,
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
-    range: Option<Value>,
     end: bool,
+    pattern: Tagged<String>,
+    range: Option<Value>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -91,33 +90,32 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (
-        Arguments {
-            pattern,
-            rest,
-            range,
-            end,
-        },
-        input,
-    ) = args.process()?;
-    let range = range.unwrap_or_else(|| {
-        UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::String("".to_string())).into_untagged_value()
-    });
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arc::new(Arguments {
+            pattern: params.req(0)?,
+            range: if let Some(arg) = params.get_flag("range") {
+                Some(arg?)
+            } else {
+                None
+            },
+            end: params.has_flag("end"),
+            column_paths: params.rest(1)?,
+        }))
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
-                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &pattern, &range, end, v.tag())?)
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
+                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &options, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
-                    let range = range.clone();
-                    let pattern = pattern.clone();
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
+                    let options = options.clone();
+
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
-                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &pattern, &range, end, old.tag())),
+                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &options, old.tag())),
                     )?;
                 }
 
@@ -129,29 +127,38 @@ fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
 
 fn action(
     input: &Value,
-    pattern: &str,
-    range: &Value,
-    end: bool,
+    Arguments {
+        ref pattern,
+        range,
+        end,
+        ..
+    }: &Arguments,
     tag: impl Into<Tag>,
 ) -> Result<Value, ShellError> {
+    let tag = tag.into();
+
+    let range = match range {
+        Some(range) => range.clone(),
+        None => UntaggedValue::string("").into_value(&tag),
+    };
+
     let r = process_range(&input, &range)?;
+
     match &input.value {
         UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::String(s)) => {
             let start_index = r.0 as usize;
             let end_index = r.1 as usize;
 
-            if end {
-                if let Some(result) = s[start_index..end_index].rfind(pattern) {
+            if *end {
+                if let Some(result) = s[start_index..end_index].rfind(&**pattern) {
                     Ok(UntaggedValue::int(result + start_index).into_value(tag))
                 } else {
-                    let not_found = -1;
-                    Ok(UntaggedValue::int(not_found).into_value(tag))
+                    Ok(UntaggedValue::int(-1).into_value(tag))
                 }
-            } else if let Some(result) = s[start_index..end_index].find(pattern) {
+            } else if let Some(result) = s[start_index..end_index].find(&**pattern) {
                 Ok(UntaggedValue::int(result + start_index).into_value(tag))
             } else {
-                let not_found = -1;
-                Ok(UntaggedValue::int(not_found).into_value(tag))
+                Ok(UntaggedValue::int(-1).into_value(tag))
             }
         }
         other => {
@@ -159,7 +166,7 @@ fn action(
             Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
                 "value is not string",
                 got,
-                tag.into().span,
+                tag.span,
             ))
         }
     }
@@ -234,10 +241,9 @@ fn process_range(input: &Value, range: &Value) -> Result<IndexOfOptionalBounds,
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::ShellError;
-    use super::{action, SubCommand};
-    use nu_protocol::{Primitive, UntaggedValue};
-    use nu_source::Tag;
-    use nu_test_support::value::string;
+    use super::{action, Arguments, SubCommand};
+    use nu_source::{Tag, TaggedItem};
+    use nu_test_support::value::{int, string};
 
     #[test]
     fn examples_work_as_expected() -> Result<(), ShellError> {
@@ -249,76 +255,90 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn returns_index_of_substring() {
         let word = string("Cargo.tomL");
-        let pattern = ".tomL";
-        let end = false;
-        let index_of_bounds =
-            UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::String("".to_string())).into_untagged_value();
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::Int(5.into())).into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, &pattern, &index_of_bounds, end, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(actual, expected);
+        let options = Arguments {
+            pattern: String::from(".tomL").tagged_unknown(),
+            range: Some(string("")),
+            column_paths: vec![],
+            end: false,
+        };
+
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(actual, int(5));
     }
     #[test]
     fn index_of_does_not_exist_in_string() {
         let word = string("Cargo.tomL");
-        let pattern = "Lm";
-        let end = false;
-        let index_of_bounds =
-            UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::String("".to_string())).into_untagged_value();
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::Int((-1).into())).into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, &pattern, &index_of_bounds, end, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(actual, expected);
+        let options = Arguments {
+            pattern: String::from("Lm").tagged_unknown(),
+            range: Some(string("")),
+            column_paths: vec![],
+            end: false,
+        };
+
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(actual, int(-1));
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn returns_index_of_next_substring() {
         let word = string("Cargo.Cargo");
-        let pattern = "Cargo";
-        let end = false;
-        let index_of_bounds =
-            UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::String("1,".to_string())).into_untagged_value();
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::Int(6.into())).into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, &pattern, &index_of_bounds, end, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(actual, expected);
+        let options = Arguments {
+            pattern: String::from("Cargo").tagged_unknown(),
+            range: Some(string("1,")),
+            column_paths: vec![],
+            end: false,
+        };
+
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(actual, int(6));
     }
+
     #[test]
     fn index_does_not_exist_due_to_end_index() {
         let word = string("Cargo.Banana");
-        let pattern = "Banana";
-        let end = false;
-        let index_of_bounds =
-            UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::String(",5".to_string())).into_untagged_value();
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::Int((-1).into())).into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, &pattern, &index_of_bounds, end, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(actual, expected);
+        let options = Arguments {
+            pattern: String::from("Banana").tagged_unknown(),
+            range: Some(string(",5")),
+            column_paths: vec![],
+            end: false,
+        };
+
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(actual, int(-1));
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn returns_index_of_nums_in_middle_due_to_index_limit_from_both_ends() {
         let word = string("123123123");
-        let pattern = "123";
-        let end = false;
-        let index_of_bounds =
-            UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::String("2,6".to_string())).into_untagged_value();
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::Int(3.into())).into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, &pattern, &index_of_bounds, end, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(actual, expected);
+        let options = Arguments {
+            pattern: String::from("123").tagged_unknown(),
+            range: Some(string("2,6")),
+            column_paths: vec![],
+            end: false,
+        };
+
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(actual, int(3));
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn index_does_not_exists_due_to_strict_bounds() {
         let word = string("123456");
-        let pattern = "1";
-        let end = false;
-        let index_of_bounds =
-            UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::String("2,4".to_string())).into_untagged_value();
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::Int((-1).into())).into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, &pattern, &index_of_bounds, end, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(actual, expected);
+        let options = Arguments {
+            pattern: String::from("1").tagged_unknown(),
+            range: Some(string("2,4")),
+            column_paths: vec![],
+            end: false,
+        };
+
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(actual, int(-1));
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/length.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/length.rs
index fdb05b8912..d9a07009e5 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/length.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/length.rs
@@ -8,9 +8,8 @@ use nu_protocol::{
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
@@ -53,17 +52,20 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (Arguments { rest }, input) = args.process()?;
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arguments {
+            column_paths: params.rest_args()?,
+        })
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
                 ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
                         Box::new(move |old| action(old, old.tag())),
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/lpad.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/lpad.rs
index 54610d692b..d3342eb684 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/lpad.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/lpad.rs
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ use nu_protocol::{
 use nu_source::{Tag, Tagged};
 use nu_value_ext::ValueExt;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
     length: Tagged<usize>,
     character: Tagged<String>,
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -78,30 +77,27 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (
-        Arguments {
-            length,
-            character,
-            rest,
-        },
-        input,
-    ) = args.process()?;
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arc::new(Arguments {
+            length: params.req_named("length")?,
+            character: params.req_named("character")?,
+            column_paths: params.rest_args()?,
+        }))
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            let len = length.item;
-            let character = character.item.clone();
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
-                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, len, character, v.tag())?)
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
+                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &options, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
-                    let str_clone = character.clone();
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
+                    let options = options.clone();
+
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
-                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, len, str_clone, old.tag())),
+                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &options, old.tag())),
                     )?;
                 }
 
@@ -113,19 +109,20 @@ fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
 
 fn action(
     input: &Value,
-    length: usize,
-    character: String,
+    Arguments {
+        character, length, ..
+    }: &Arguments,
     tag: impl Into<Tag>,
 ) -> Result<Value, ShellError> {
     match &input.value {
         UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::String(s)) => {
-            if length < s.len() {
+            if **length < s.len() {
                 Ok(
-                    UntaggedValue::string(s.chars().take(length).collect::<String>())
+                    UntaggedValue::string(s.chars().take(**length).collect::<String>())
                         .into_value(tag),
                 )
             } else {
-                let mut res = character.repeat(length - s.chars().count());
+                let mut res = character.repeat(**length - s.chars().count());
                 res += s.as_ref();
                 Ok(UntaggedValue::string(res).into_value(tag))
             }
@@ -143,10 +140,10 @@ fn action(
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
-    use super::{action, SubCommand};
+    use super::{action, Arguments, SubCommand};
     use nu_errors::ShellError;
     use nu_protocol::UntaggedValue;
-    use nu_source::Tag;
+    use nu_source::{Tag, TaggedItem};
     use nu_test_support::value::string;
 
     #[test]
@@ -159,22 +156,32 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn left_pad_with_zeros() {
         let word = string("123");
-        let pad_char = '0'.to_string();
-        let pad_len = 10;
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::string("0000000123").into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, pad_len, pad_char, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        let options = Arguments {
+            character: String::from("0").tagged_unknown(),
+            length: 10_usize.tagged_unknown(),
+            column_paths: vec![],
+        };
+
+        let expected = UntaggedValue::string("0000000123").into_untagged_value();
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+
         assert_eq!(actual, expected);
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn left_pad_but_truncate() {
         let word = string("123456789");
-        let pad_char = '0'.to_string();
-        let pad_len = 3;
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::string("123").into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, pad_len, pad_char, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        let options = Arguments {
+            character: String::from("0").tagged_unknown(),
+            length: 3_usize.tagged_unknown(),
+            column_paths: vec![],
+        };
+
+        let expected = UntaggedValue::string("123").into_untagged_value();
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+
         assert_eq!(actual, expected);
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/reverse.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/reverse.rs
index 9870388557..8642ff2cb8 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/reverse.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/reverse.rs
@@ -8,9 +8,8 @@ use nu_protocol::{
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
@@ -43,17 +42,20 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (Arguments { rest }, input) = args.process()?;
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arguments {
+            column_paths: params.rest_args()?,
+        })
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
                 ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
                         Box::new(move |old| action(old, old.tag())),
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/rpad.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/rpad.rs
index c304490413..f0848a1d8a 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/rpad.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/rpad.rs
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ use nu_protocol::{
 use nu_source::{Tag, Tagged};
 use nu_value_ext::ValueExt;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
     length: Tagged<usize>,
     character: Tagged<String>,
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -78,30 +77,27 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (
-        Arguments {
-            length,
-            character,
-            rest,
-        },
-        input,
-    ) = args.process()?;
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arc::new(Arguments {
+            length: params.req_named("length")?,
+            character: params.req_named("character")?,
+            column_paths: params.rest_args()?,
+        }))
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            let len = length.item;
-            let character = character.item.clone();
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
-                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, len, character, v.tag())?)
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
+                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &options, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
-                    let str_clone = character.clone();
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
+                    let options = options.clone();
+
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
-                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, len, str_clone, old.tag())),
+                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &options, old.tag())),
                     )?;
                 }
 
@@ -113,20 +109,21 @@ fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
 
 fn action(
     input: &Value,
-    length: usize,
-    character: String,
+    Arguments {
+        length, character, ..
+    }: &Arguments,
     tag: impl Into<Tag>,
 ) -> Result<Value, ShellError> {
     match &input.value {
         UntaggedValue::Primitive(Primitive::String(s)) => {
-            if length < s.len() {
+            if **length < s.len() {
                 Ok(
-                    UntaggedValue::string(s.chars().take(length).collect::<String>())
+                    UntaggedValue::string(s.chars().take(**length).collect::<String>())
                         .into_value(tag),
                 )
             } else {
                 let mut res = s.to_string();
-                res += character.repeat(length - s.chars().count()).as_str();
+                res += character.repeat(**length - s.chars().count()).as_str();
                 Ok(UntaggedValue::string(res).into_value(tag))
             }
         }
@@ -143,10 +140,10 @@ fn action(
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
-    use super::{action, SubCommand};
+    use super::{action, Arguments, SubCommand};
     use nu_errors::ShellError;
     use nu_protocol::UntaggedValue;
-    use nu_source::Tag;
+    use nu_source::{Tag, TaggedItem};
     use nu_test_support::value::string;
 
     #[test]
@@ -159,22 +156,32 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn right_pad_with_zeros() {
         let word = string("123");
-        let pad_char = '0'.to_string();
-        let pad_len = 10;
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::string("1230000000").into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, pad_len, pad_char, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        let options = Arguments {
+            character: String::from("0").tagged_unknown(),
+            length: 10_usize.tagged_unknown(),
+            column_paths: vec![],
+        };
+
+        let expected = UntaggedValue::string("1230000000").into_untagged_value();
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+
         assert_eq!(actual, expected);
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn right_pad_but_truncate() {
         let word = string("123456789");
-        let pad_char = '0'.to_string();
-        let pad_len = 3;
-        let expected = UntaggedValue::string("123").into_untagged_value();
 
-        let actual = action(&word, pad_len, pad_char, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+        let options = Arguments {
+            character: String::from("0").tagged_unknown(),
+            length: 3_usize.tagged_unknown(),
+            column_paths: vec![],
+        };
+
+        let expected = UntaggedValue::string("123").into_untagged_value();
+        let actual = action(&word, &options, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
+
         assert_eq!(actual, expected);
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/starts_with.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/starts_with.rs
index 1440924096..dfd038647b 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/starts_with.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/starts_with.rs
@@ -8,12 +8,12 @@ use nu_protocol::{
 use nu_source::{Tag, Tagged};
 use nu_value_ext::ValueExt;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
+pub struct SubCommand;
+
 struct Arguments {
     pattern: Tagged<String>,
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
-pub struct SubCommand;
 
 impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
     fn name(&self) -> &str {
@@ -47,22 +47,26 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (Arguments { pattern, rest }, input) = args.process()?;
-
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arc::new(Arguments {
+            pattern: params.req(0)?,
+            column_paths: params.rest(1)?,
+        }))
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
-                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &pattern, v.tag())?)
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
+                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &options.pattern, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
-                    let pattern = pattern.clone();
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
+                    let options = options.clone();
+
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
-                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &pattern, old.tag())),
+                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &options.pattern, old.tag())),
                     )?;
                 }
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/substring.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/substring.rs
index 3cae367277..247d7ca1de 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/substring.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/substring.rs
@@ -11,10 +11,9 @@ use nu_value_ext::{as_string, ValueExt};
 use std::cmp::Ordering;
 use std::convert::TryInto;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
     range: Value,
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -90,24 +89,28 @@ struct SubstringText(String, String);
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
     let name = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
 
-    let (Arguments { range, rest }, input) = args.process()?;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arguments {
+            range: params.req(0)?,
+            column_paths: params.rest(1)?,
+        })
+    })?;
 
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
-    let options = process_arguments(range, name)?.into();
+    let indexes = Arc::new(process_arguments(&options, name)?.into());
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
-                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &options, v.tag())?)
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
+                ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &indexes, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
-                    let options = options.clone();
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
+                    let indexes = indexes.clone();
 
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
-                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &options, old.tag())),
+                        Box::new(move |old| action(old, &indexes, old.tag())),
                     )?;
                 }
 
@@ -174,10 +177,13 @@ fn action(input: &Value, options: &Substring, tag: impl Into<Tag>) -> Result<Val
     }
 }
 
-fn process_arguments(range: Value, name: impl Into<Tag>) -> Result<(isize, isize), ShellError> {
+fn process_arguments(
+    options: &Arguments,
+    name: impl Into<Tag>,
+) -> Result<(isize, isize), ShellError> {
     let name = name.into();
 
-    let search = match &range.value {
+    let search = match &options.range.value {
         UntaggedValue::Table(indexes) => {
             if indexes.len() > 2 {
                 Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/to_datetime.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/to_datetime.rs
index 355e88ee6d..d27e95ab0d 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/to_datetime.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/to_datetime.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use crate::prelude::*;
+use crate::utils::arguments::arguments;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
 use nu_protocol::{
@@ -10,12 +11,11 @@ use nu_value_ext::ValueExt;
 
 use chrono::{DateTime, FixedOffset, Local, LocalResult, Offset, TimeZone, Utc};
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
     timezone: Option<Tagged<String>>,
     offset: Option<Tagged<i16>>,
     format: Option<Tagged<String>>,
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 // In case it may be confused with chrono::TimeZone
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
                 Some('f'),
             )
             .rest(
-                SyntaxShape::ColumnPath,
+                SyntaxShape::Any,
                 "optionally convert text into datetime by column paths",
             )
     }
@@ -127,55 +127,62 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 struct DatetimeFormat(String);
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (
-        Arguments {
-            timezone,
-            offset,
-            format,
-            rest,
-        },
-        input,
-    ) = args.process()?;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        let (column_paths, _) = arguments(&mut params.rest_args()?)?;
 
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+        Ok(Arguments {
+            timezone: if let Some(arg) = params.get_flag("timezone") {
+                Some(arg?)
+            } else {
+                None
+            },
+            offset: if let Some(arg) = params.get_flag("offset") {
+                Some(arg?)
+            } else {
+                None
+            },
+            format: if let Some(arg) = params.get_flag("format") {
+                Some(arg?)
+            } else {
+                None
+            },
+            column_paths,
+        })
+    })?;
 
     // if zone-offset is specified, then zone will be neglected
     let zone_options = if let Some(Tagged {
         item: zone_offset,
-        tag: _tag,
-    }) = offset
+        tag,
+    }) = &options.offset
     {
         Some(Tagged {
-            item: Zone::new(zone_offset),
-            tag: _tag,
+            item: Zone::new(*zone_offset),
+            tag: tag.into(),
         })
-    } else if let Some(Tagged {
-        item: zone,
-        tag: _tag,
-    }) = timezone
-    {
+    } else if let Some(Tagged { item: zone, tag }) = &options.timezone {
         Some(Tagged {
-            item: Zone::from_string(zone),
-            tag: _tag,
+            item: Zone::from_string(zone.clone()),
+            tag: tag.into(),
         })
     } else {
         None
     };
 
-    let format_options = if let Some(Tagged { item: fmt, .. }) = format {
-        Some(DatetimeFormat(fmt))
+    let format_options = if let Some(Tagged { item: fmt, .. }) = &options.format {
+        Some(DatetimeFormat(fmt.to_string()))
     } else {
         None
     };
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
                 ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, &zone_options, &format_options, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
                     let zone_options = zone_options.clone();
                     let format_options = format_options.clone();
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/to_decimal.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/to_decimal.rs
index 10363b858e..defc41c615 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/to_decimal.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/to_decimal.rs
@@ -11,9 +11,8 @@ use nu_value_ext::ValueExt;
 use bigdecimal::BigDecimal;
 use std::str::FromStr;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -48,18 +47,20 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (Arguments { rest }, input) = args.process()?;
-
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arguments {
+            column_paths: params.rest_args()?,
+        })
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
                 ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
                         Box::new(move |old| action(old, old.tag())),
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/to_integer.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/to_integer.rs
index 538dd8fcbe..10f7dc5a37 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/to_integer.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/to_integer.rs
@@ -3,17 +3,18 @@ use crate::utils::arguments::arguments;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
 use nu_protocol::ShellTypeName;
-use nu_protocol::{Primitive, ReturnSuccess, Signature, SyntaxShape, UntaggedValue, Value};
+use nu_protocol::{
+    ColumnPath, Primitive, ReturnSuccess, Signature, SyntaxShape, UntaggedValue, Value,
+};
 use nu_source::{Tag, Tagged};
 use nu_value_ext::ValueExt;
 
 use num_bigint::BigInt;
 use num_traits::Num;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
-    rest: Vec<Value>,
     radix: Option<Tagged<u32>>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -67,19 +68,29 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (Arguments { mut rest, radix }, input) = args.process()?;
-    let (column_paths, _) = arguments(&mut rest)?;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        let (column_paths, _) = arguments(&mut params.rest_args()?)?;
 
-    let radix = radix.map(|r| r.item).unwrap_or(10);
+        Ok(Arguments {
+            radix: if let Some(arg) = params.get_flag("radix") {
+                Some(arg?)
+            } else {
+                None
+            },
+            column_paths,
+        })
+    })?;
+
+    let radix = options.radix.as_ref().map(|r| r.item).unwrap_or(10);
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
                 ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, v.tag(), radix)?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
                         Box::new(move |old| action(old, old.tag(), radix)),
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/trim/mod.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/trim/mod.rs
index 3d8e6c0580..cd42ae3d2c 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/trim/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/trim/mod.rs
@@ -14,25 +14,31 @@ pub use trim_both_ends::SubCommand as Trim;
 pub use trim_left::SubCommand as TrimLeft;
 pub use trim_right::SubCommand as TrimRight;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
-    #[serde(rename(deserialize = "char"))]
-    char_: Option<Tagged<char>>,
+    character: Option<Tagged<char>>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub fn operate<F>(args: CommandArgs, trim_operation: &'static F) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError>
 where
     F: Fn(&str, Option<char>) -> String + Send + Sync + 'static,
 {
-    let (Arguments { rest, char_ }, input) = args.process()?;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arc::new(Arguments {
+            character: if let Some(arg) = params.get_flag("char") {
+                Some(arg?)
+            } else {
+                None
+            },
+            column_paths: params.rest_args()?,
+        }))
+    })?;
 
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
-    let to_trim = char_.map(|tagged| tagged.item);
+    let to_trim = options.character.as_ref().map(|tagged| tagged.item);
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
                 ReturnSuccess::value(action(
                     &v,
                     v.tag(),
@@ -43,7 +49,7 @@ where
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
                         Box::new(move |old| {
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/upcase.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/upcase.rs
index 8d31a748c2..e41c8f5f64 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/upcase.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/str_/upcase.rs
@@ -8,9 +8,8 @@ use nu_protocol::{
 use nu_source::Tag;
 use nu_value_ext::ValueExt;
 
-#[derive(Deserialize)]
 struct Arguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    column_paths: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 pub struct SubCommand;
@@ -45,18 +44,20 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for SubCommand {
 }
 
 fn operate(args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
-    let (Arguments { rest }, input) = args.process()?;
-
-    let column_paths: Vec<_> = rest;
+    let (options, input) = args.extract(|params| {
+        Ok(Arguments {
+            column_paths: params.rest_args()?,
+        })
+    })?;
 
     Ok(input
         .map(move |v| {
-            if column_paths.is_empty() {
+            if options.column_paths.is_empty() {
                 ReturnSuccess::value(action(&v, v.tag())?)
             } else {
                 let mut ret = v;
 
-                for path in &column_paths {
+                for path in &options.column_paths {
                     ret = ret.swap_data_by_column_path(
                         path,
                         Box::new(move |old| action(old, old.tag())),
@@ -102,9 +103,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn upcases() {
         let word = string("andres");
-        let expected = string("ANDRES");
 
         let actual = action(&word, Tag::unknown()).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(actual, expected);
+        assert_eq!(actual, string("ANDRES"));
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-engine/src/command_args.rs b/crates/nu-engine/src/command_args.rs
index 88b546482a..cd79eb54b5 100644
--- a/crates/nu-engine/src/command_args.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-engine/src/command_args.rs
@@ -78,23 +78,27 @@ impl std::fmt::Debug for CommandArgs {
 
 impl CommandArgs {
     pub fn evaluate_once(self) -> Result<EvaluatedWholeStreamCommandArgs, ShellError> {
-        let ctx = EvaluationContext::from_args(&self);
-        let host = self.host.clone();
-        let ctrl_c = self.ctrl_c.clone();
-        let configs = self.configs.clone();
-        let shell_manager = self.shell_manager.clone();
+        let ctx = EvaluationContext::new(
+            self.scope,
+            self.host,
+            self.current_errors,
+            self.ctrl_c,
+            self.configs,
+            self.shell_manager,
+            Arc::new(Mutex::new(std::collections::HashMap::new())),
+        );
+
         let input = self.input;
         let call_info = self.call_info.evaluate(&ctx)?;
-        let scope = self.scope.clone();
 
         Ok(EvaluatedWholeStreamCommandArgs::new(
-            host,
-            ctrl_c,
-            configs,
-            shell_manager,
+            ctx.host,
+            ctx.ctrl_c,
+            ctx.configs,
+            ctx.shell_manager,
             call_info,
             input,
-            scope,
+            ctx.scope,
         ))
     }
 
@@ -112,6 +116,15 @@ impl CommandArgs {
         (self.input, new_context)
     }
 
+    pub fn extract<T>(
+        self,
+        f: impl FnOnce(&EvaluatedCommandArgs) -> Result<T, ShellError>,
+    ) -> Result<(T, InputStream), ShellError> {
+        let evaluated_args = self.evaluate_once()?;
+
+        Ok((f(&evaluated_args.args)?, evaluated_args.input))
+    }
+
     pub fn process<'de, T: Deserialize<'de>>(self) -> Result<(T, InputStream), ShellError> {
         let args = self.evaluate_once()?;
         let call_info = args.call_info.clone();
@@ -205,6 +218,13 @@ impl EvaluatedCommandArgs {
             .map(|x| FromValue::from_value(x))
     }
 
+    pub fn req_named<T: FromValue>(&self, name: &str) -> Result<T, ShellError> {
+        self.call_info
+            .args
+            .expect_get(name)
+            .and_then(|x| FromValue::from_value(x))
+    }
+
     pub fn has_flag(&self, name: &str) -> bool {
         self.call_info.args.has(name)
     }
@@ -229,6 +249,10 @@ impl EvaluatedCommandArgs {
         }
     }
 
+    pub fn rest_args<T: FromValue>(&self) -> Result<Vec<T>, ShellError> {
+        self.rest(0)
+    }
+
     pub fn rest<T: FromValue>(&self, starting_pos: usize) -> Result<Vec<T>, ShellError> {
         let mut output = vec![];
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-engine/src/env/host.rs b/crates/nu-engine/src/env/host.rs
index 9e6fe84e1c..d914453830 100644
--- a/crates/nu-engine/src/env/host.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-engine/src/env/host.rs
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@ pub trait Host: Debug + Send {
     fn is_external_cmd(&self, cmd_name: &str) -> bool;
 }
 
+impl Default for Box<dyn Host> {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Box::new(BasicHost)
+    }
+}
+
 impl Host for Box<dyn Host> {
     fn stdout(&mut self, out: &str) {
         (**self).stdout(out)
diff --git a/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluation_context.rs b/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluation_context.rs
index 7a72ccfcb0..e4c524aacf 100644
--- a/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluation_context.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-engine/src/evaluation_context.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ use parking_lot::Mutex;
 use std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool;
 use std::{path::Path, sync::Arc};
 
-#[derive(Clone)]
+#[derive(Clone, Default)]
 pub struct EvaluationContext {
     pub scope: Scope,
     pub host: Arc<parking_lot::Mutex<Box<dyn Host>>>,
@@ -28,6 +28,26 @@ pub struct EvaluationContext {
 }
 
 impl EvaluationContext {
+    pub fn new(
+        scope: Scope,
+        host: Arc<parking_lot::Mutex<Box<dyn Host>>>,
+        current_errors: Arc<Mutex<Vec<ShellError>>>,
+        ctrl_c: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+        configs: Arc<Mutex<ConfigHolder>>,
+        shell_manager: ShellManager,
+        windows_drives_previous_cwd: Arc<Mutex<std::collections::HashMap<String, String>>>,
+    ) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            scope,
+            host,
+            current_errors,
+            ctrl_c,
+            configs,
+            shell_manager,
+            windows_drives_previous_cwd,
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn from_args(args: &CommandArgs) -> EvaluationContext {
         EvaluationContext {
             scope: args.scope.clone(),
diff --git a/crates/nu-engine/src/from_value.rs b/crates/nu-engine/src/from_value.rs
index a0de716dd3..f3a0a7f531 100644
--- a/crates/nu-engine/src/from_value.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-engine/src/from_value.rs
@@ -40,6 +40,12 @@ impl FromValue for num_bigint::BigInt {
         }
     }
 }
+impl FromValue for Tagged<u64> {
+    fn from_value(v: &Value) -> Result<Self, ShellError> {
+        let tag = v.tag.clone();
+        v.as_u64().map(|s| s.tagged(tag))
+    }
+}
 
 impl FromValue for u64 {
     fn from_value(v: &Value) -> Result<Self, ShellError> {
@@ -47,6 +53,34 @@ impl FromValue for u64 {
     }
 }
 
+impl FromValue for Tagged<u32> {
+    fn from_value(v: &Value) -> Result<Self, ShellError> {
+        let tag = v.tag.clone();
+        v.as_u32().map(|s| s.tagged(tag))
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromValue for Tagged<i16> {
+    fn from_value(v: &Value) -> Result<Self, ShellError> {
+        let tag = v.tag.clone();
+        v.as_i16().map(|s| s.tagged(tag))
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromValue for Tagged<usize> {
+    fn from_value(v: &Value) -> Result<Self, ShellError> {
+        let tag = v.tag.clone();
+        v.as_usize().map(|s| s.tagged(tag))
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromValue for Tagged<char> {
+    fn from_value(v: &Value) -> Result<Self, ShellError> {
+        let tag = v.tag.clone();
+        v.as_char().map(|c| c.tagged(tag))
+    }
+}
+
 impl FromValue for usize {
     fn from_value(v: &Value) -> Result<Self, ShellError> {
         v.as_usize()
diff --git a/crates/nu-engine/src/shell/shell_manager.rs b/crates/nu-engine/src/shell/shell_manager.rs
index a408a377df..e6f68dc955 100644
--- a/crates/nu-engine/src/shell/shell_manager.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-engine/src/shell/shell_manager.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicUsize, Ordering};
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
-#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+#[derive(Clone, Default, Debug)]
 pub struct ShellManager {
     pub current_shell: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
     pub shells: Arc<Mutex<Vec<Box<dyn Shell + Send>>>>,
diff --git a/crates/nu-protocol/src/call_info.rs b/crates/nu-protocol/src/call_info.rs
index e2bbbd2515..81e2831a66 100644
--- a/crates/nu-protocol/src/call_info.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-protocol/src/call_info.rs
@@ -80,6 +80,16 @@ impl EvaluatedArgs {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Gets the corresponding Value for the named argument given, error if not possible
+    pub fn expect_get(&self, name: &str) -> Result<&Value, ShellError> {
+        match &self.named {
+            None => Err(ShellError::unimplemented("Better error: expect_get")),
+            Some(named) => named
+                .get(name)
+                .ok_or_else(|| ShellError::unimplemented("Better error: expect_get")),
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Iterates over the positional arguments
     pub fn positional_iter(&self) -> PositionalIter<'_> {
         match &self.positional {
diff --git a/crates/nu-protocol/src/value.rs b/crates/nu-protocol/src/value.rs
index 9d8f7da7f7..8e6d494aaa 100644
--- a/crates/nu-protocol/src/value.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-protocol/src/value.rs
@@ -429,6 +429,14 @@ impl Value {
         matches!(&self.value, UntaggedValue::Primitive(_))
     }
 
+    /// View the Value as char, if possible
+    pub fn as_char(&self) -> Result<char, ShellError> {
+        match &self.value {
+            UntaggedValue::Primitive(primitive) => primitive.as_char(self.tag.span),
+            _ => Err(ShellError::type_error("char", self.spanned_type_name())),
+        }
+    }
+
     /// View the Value as unsigned size, if possible
     pub fn as_usize(&self) -> Result<usize, ShellError> {
         match &self.value {
@@ -453,7 +461,15 @@ impl Value {
         }
     }
 
-    /// View the Value as signed 64-bit, if possible
+    /// View the Value as unsigned 32-bit, if possible
+    pub fn as_u32(&self) -> Result<u32, ShellError> {
+        match &self.value {
+            UntaggedValue::Primitive(primitive) => primitive.as_u32(self.tag.span),
+            _ => Err(ShellError::type_error("integer", self.spanned_type_name())),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// View the Value as signed 32-bit, if possible
     pub fn as_i32(&self) -> Result<i32, ShellError> {
         match &self.value {
             UntaggedValue::Primitive(primitive) => primitive.as_i32(self.tag.span),
@@ -461,6 +477,14 @@ impl Value {
         }
     }
 
+    /// View the Value as signed 16-bit, if possible
+    pub fn as_i16(&self) -> Result<i16, ShellError> {
+        match &self.value {
+            UntaggedValue::Primitive(primitive) => primitive.as_i16(self.tag.span),
+            _ => Err(ShellError::type_error("integer", self.spanned_type_name())),
+        }
+    }
+
     /// View the Value as boolean, if possible
     pub fn as_bool(&self) -> Result<bool, ShellError> {
         match &self.value {
diff --git a/crates/nu-protocol/src/value/primitive.rs b/crates/nu-protocol/src/value/primitive.rs
index c89107c39f..12832d16c4 100644
--- a/crates/nu-protocol/src/value/primitive.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-protocol/src/value/primitive.rs
@@ -60,6 +60,27 @@ pub enum Primitive {
 }
 
 impl Primitive {
+    /// Converts a primitive value to a char, if possible. Uses a span to build an error if the conversion isn't possible.
+    pub fn as_char(&self, span: Span) -> Result<char, ShellError> {
+        match self {
+            Primitive::String(s) => {
+                if s.len() > 1 {
+                    return Err(ShellError::type_error(
+                        "char",
+                        self.type_name().spanned(span),
+                    ));
+                }
+                s.chars()
+                    .next()
+                    .ok_or_else(|| ShellError::type_error("char", self.type_name().spanned(span)))
+            }
+            other => Err(ShellError::type_error(
+                "char",
+                other.type_name().spanned(span),
+            )),
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Converts a primitive value to a u64, if possible. Uses a span to build an error if the conversion isn't possible.
     pub fn as_usize(&self, span: Span) -> Result<usize, ShellError> {
         match self {
@@ -108,6 +129,7 @@ impl Primitive {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Converts a primitive value to a i64, if possible. Uses a span to build an error if the conversion isn't possible.
     pub fn as_i64(&self, span: Span) -> Result<i64, ShellError> {
         match self {
             Primitive::Int(int) => int.to_i64().ok_or_else(|| {
@@ -131,6 +153,30 @@ impl Primitive {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Converts a primitive value to a u32, if possible. Uses a span to build an error if the conversion isn't possible.
+    pub fn as_u32(&self, span: Span) -> Result<u32, ShellError> {
+        match self {
+            Primitive::Int(int) => int.to_u32().ok_or_else(|| {
+                ShellError::range_error(
+                    ExpectedRange::U32,
+                    &format!("{}", int).spanned(span),
+                    "converting an integer into a unsigned 32-bit integer",
+                )
+            }),
+            Primitive::Decimal(decimal) => decimal.to_u32().ok_or_else(|| {
+                ShellError::range_error(
+                    ExpectedRange::U32,
+                    &format!("{}", decimal).spanned(span),
+                    "converting a decimal into a unsigned 32-bit integer",
+                )
+            }),
+            other => Err(ShellError::type_error(
+                "number",
+                other.type_name().spanned(span),
+            )),
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn as_i32(&self, span: Span) -> Result<i32, ShellError> {
         match self {
             Primitive::Int(int) => int.to_i32().ok_or_else(|| {
@@ -154,6 +200,29 @@ impl Primitive {
         }
     }
 
+    pub fn as_i16(&self, span: Span) -> Result<i16, ShellError> {
+        match self {
+            Primitive::Int(int) => int.to_i16().ok_or_else(|| {
+                ShellError::range_error(
+                    ExpectedRange::I16,
+                    &format!("{}", int).spanned(span),
+                    "converting an integer into a signed 16-bit integer",
+                )
+            }),
+            Primitive::Decimal(decimal) => decimal.to_i16().ok_or_else(|| {
+                ShellError::range_error(
+                    ExpectedRange::I16,
+                    &format!("{}", decimal).spanned(span),
+                    "converting a decimal into a signed 16-bit integer",
+                )
+            }),
+            other => Err(ShellError::type_error(
+                "number",
+                other.type_name().spanned(span),
+            )),
+        }
+    }
+
     // FIXME: This is a bad name, but no other way to differentiate with our own Duration.
     pub fn into_chrono_duration(self, span: Span) -> Result<chrono::Duration, ShellError> {
         match self {