diff --git a/config-joey.hs b/config-joey.hs
index a11e1d8..2971c1a 100644
--- a/config-joey.hs
+++ b/config-joey.hs
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import qualified Propellor.Property.Grub as Grub
 import qualified Propellor.Property.Obnam as Obnam
 import qualified Propellor.Property.Gpg as Gpg
 import qualified Propellor.Property.Chroot as Chroot
+import qualified Propellor.Property.Systemd as Systemd
 import qualified Propellor.Property.HostingProvider.DigitalOcean as DigitalOcean
 import qualified Propellor.Property.HostingProvider.CloudAtCost as CloudAtCost
 import qualified Propellor.Property.HostingProvider.Linode as Linode
@@ -80,10 +81,17 @@ clam = standardSystem "clam.kitenet.net" Unstable "amd64"
 	! Ssh.listenPort 80
 	! Ssh.listenPort 443
 
-	& Chroot.provisioned testChroot
+	! Chroot.provisioned testChroot
+	& Systemd.persistentJournal
+	& Systemd.nspawned meow
+	
+meow :: Systemd.Container
+meow = Systemd.container "meow" (Chroot.debootstrapped (System (Debian Unstable) "amd64") mempty)
+	& Apt.serviceInstalledRunning "uptimed"
+	& alias "meow.kitenet.net"
 	
 testChroot :: Chroot.Chroot
-testChroot = Chroot.chroot "/tmp/chroot" (System (Debian Unstable) "amd64")
+testChroot = Chroot.debootstrapped (System (Debian Unstable) "amd64") mempty "/tmp/chroot"
 	& File.hasContent "/foo" ["hello"]
 
 orca :: Host
diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index d6dc615..74a34b7 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ propellor (1.0.0) UNRELEASED; urgency=medium
   * DigitalOcean.distroKernel property now reboots into the distribution
     kernel when necessary.
   * Avoid outputting color setting sequences when not run on a terminal.
-  * Run remote propellor --spin with a controlling terminal.
   * Docker code simplified by using `docker exec`; needs docker 1.3.1.
   * Docker containers are now a separate data type, cannot be included
     in the main host list, and are instead passed to
diff --git a/propellor.cabal b/propellor.cabal
index f45900c..e40b6e6 100644
--- a/propellor.cabal
+++ b/propellor.cabal
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ Library
     Propellor.Property.Ssh
     Propellor.Property.Sudo
     Propellor.Property.Systemd
+    Propellor.Property.Systemd.Core
     Propellor.Property.Tor
     Propellor.Property.User
     Propellor.Property.HostingProvider.CloudAtCost
diff --git a/src/Propellor/CmdLine.hs b/src/Propellor/CmdLine.hs
index 466b60f..142efa1 100644
--- a/src/Propellor/CmdLine.hs
+++ b/src/Propellor/CmdLine.hs
@@ -85,8 +85,8 @@ defaultMain hostlist = do
 	go _ (Edit field context) = editPrivData field context
 	go _ ListFields = listPrivDataFields hostlist
 	go _ (AddKey keyid) = addKey keyid
+	go _ c@(ChrootChain _ _ _ _) = Chroot.chain hostlist c
 	go _ (DockerChain hn cid) = Docker.chain hostlist hn cid
-	go _ (ChrootChain hn loc) = Chroot.chain hostlist hn loc
 	go _ (DockerInit hn) = Docker.init hn
 	go _ (GitPush fin fout) = gitPushHelper fin fout
 	go _ (Update _) = forceConsole >> fetchFirst (onlyprocess update)
diff --git a/src/Propellor/Property/Chroot.hs b/src/Propellor/Property/Chroot.hs
index 798330b..7246e7e 100644
--- a/src/Propellor/Property/Chroot.hs
+++ b/src/Propellor/Property/Chroot.hs
@@ -1,12 +1,17 @@
 module Propellor.Property.Chroot (
 	Chroot(..),
-	chroot,
+	debootstrapped,
 	provisioned,
+	-- * Internal use
+	provisioned',
+	propigateChrootInfo,
+	propellChroot,
 	chain,
 ) where
 
 import Propellor
 import qualified Propellor.Property.Debootstrap as Debootstrap
+import qualified Propellor.Property.Systemd.Core as Systemd
 import qualified Propellor.Shim as Shim
 import Utility.SafeCommand
 
@@ -14,21 +19,33 @@ import qualified Data.Map as M
 import Data.List.Utils
 import System.Posix.Directory
 
-data Chroot = Chroot FilePath System Host
+data Chroot = Chroot FilePath System BuilderConf Host
+	deriving (Show)
+
+data BuilderConf
+	= UsingDeboostrap Debootstrap.DebootstrapConfig
+	deriving (Show)
 
 instance Hostlike Chroot where
-	(Chroot l s h) & p = Chroot l s (h & p)
-	(Chroot l s h) &^ p = Chroot l s (h &^ p)
-	getHost (Chroot _ _ h) = h
+	(Chroot l s c h) & p = Chroot l s c (h & p)
+	(Chroot l s c h) &^ p = Chroot l s c (h &^ p)
+	getHost (Chroot _ _ _ h) = h
 
--- | Defines a Chroot at the given location, containing the specified
--- System. Properties can be added to configure the Chroot.
+-- | Defines a Chroot at the given location, built with debootstrap.
 --
--- > chroot "/srv/chroot/ghc-dev" (System (Debian Unstable) "amd64")
--- >    & Apt.installed ["build-essential", "ghc", "haskell-platform"]
+-- Properties can be added to configure the Chroot.
+--
+-- > debootstrapped (System (Debian Unstable) "amd64") Debootstrap.BuildD "/srv/chroot/ghc-dev"
+-- >    & Apt.installed ["ghc", "haskell-platform"]
 -- >	& ...
-chroot :: FilePath -> System -> Chroot
-chroot location system = Chroot location system (Host location [] mempty)
+debootstrapped :: System -> Debootstrap.DebootstrapConfig -> FilePath -> Chroot
+debootstrapped system conf location = case system of
+	(System (Debian _) _) -> mk
+	(System (Ubuntu _) _) -> mk
+  where
+	h = Host location [] mempty
+	mk = Chroot location system (UsingDeboostrap conf) h
+		& os system
 
 -- | Ensures that the chroot exists and is provisioned according to its
 -- properties.
@@ -36,35 +53,36 @@ chroot location system = Chroot location system (Host location [] mempty)
 -- Reverting this property removes the chroot. Note that it does not ensure
 -- that any processes that might be running inside the chroot are stopped.
 provisioned :: Chroot -> RevertableProperty
-provisioned c@(Chroot loc system _) = RevertableProperty
-	(propigateChrootInfo c (go "exists" setup))
+provisioned c = provisioned' (propigateChrootInfo c) c False
+
+provisioned' :: (Property -> Property) -> Chroot -> Bool -> RevertableProperty
+provisioned' propigator c@(Chroot loc system builderconf _) systemdonly = RevertableProperty
+	(propigator $ go "exists" setup)
 	(go "removed" teardown)
   where
 	go desc a = property (chrootDesc c desc) $ ensureProperties [a]
 
-	setup = provisionChroot c `requires` built
+	setup = propellChroot c (inChrootProcess c) systemdonly
+		`requires` toProp built
 	
-	built = case system of
-		(System (Debian _) _) -> debootstrap
-		(System (Ubuntu _) _) -> debootstrap
+	built = case (system, builderconf) of
+		((System (Debian _) _), UsingDeboostrap cf) -> debootstrap cf
+		((System (Ubuntu _) _), UsingDeboostrap cf) -> debootstrap cf
 
-	debootstrap = toProp (Debootstrap.built loc system [])
+	debootstrap = Debootstrap.built loc system
 
-	teardown = undefined
+	teardown = toProp (revert built)
 
 propigateChrootInfo :: Chroot -> Property -> Property
 propigateChrootInfo c p = propigateInfo c p (<> chrootInfo c)
 
 chrootInfo :: Chroot -> Info
-chrootInfo (Chroot loc _ h) =
+chrootInfo (Chroot loc _ _ h) =
 	mempty { _chrootinfo = mempty { _chroots = M.singleton loc h } }
 
 -- | Propellor is run inside the chroot to provision it.
---
--- Strange and wonderful tricks let the host's /usr/local/propellor
--- be used inside the chroot, without needing to install anything.
-provisionChroot :: Chroot -> Property
-provisionChroot c@(Chroot loc _ _) = property (chrootDesc c "provisioned") $ do
+propellChroot :: Chroot -> ([String] -> CreateProcess) -> Bool -> Property
+propellChroot c@(Chroot loc _ _ _) mkproc systemdonly = property (chrootDesc c "provisioned") $ do
 	let d = localdir </> shimdir c
 	let me = localdir </> "propellor"
 	shim <- liftIO $ ifM (doesDirectoryExist d)
@@ -89,42 +107,50 @@ provisionChroot c@(Chroot loc _ _) = property (chrootDesc c "provisioned") $ do
 	
 	chainprovision shim = do
 		parenthost <- asks hostName
-		let p = inChrootProcess c
+		cmd <- liftIO $ toChain parenthost c systemdonly
+		let p = mkproc
 			[ shim
 			, "--continue"
-			, show $ toChain parenthost c
+			, show cmd
 			]
 		liftIO $ withHandle StdoutHandle createProcessSuccess p
 			processChainOutput
 
-toChain :: HostName -> Chroot -> CmdLine
-toChain parenthost (Chroot loc _ _) = ChrootChain parenthost loc
+toChain :: HostName -> Chroot -> Bool -> IO CmdLine
+toChain parenthost (Chroot loc _ _ _) systemdonly = do
+	onconsole <- isConsole <$> mkMessageHandle
+	return $ ChrootChain parenthost loc systemdonly onconsole
 
-chain :: [Host] -> HostName -> FilePath -> IO ()
-chain hostlist hn loc = case findHostNoAlias hostlist hn of
-	Nothing -> errorMessage ("cannot find host " ++ hn)
-	Just parenthost -> case M.lookup loc (_chroots $ _chrootinfo $ hostInfo parenthost) of
-		Nothing -> errorMessage ("cannot find chroot " ++ loc ++ " on host " ++ hn)
-		Just h -> go h
+chain :: [Host] -> CmdLine -> IO ()
+chain hostlist (ChrootChain hn loc systemdonly onconsole) = 
+	case findHostNoAlias hostlist hn of
+		Nothing -> errorMessage ("cannot find host " ++ hn)
+		Just parenthost -> case M.lookup loc (_chroots $ _chrootinfo $ hostInfo parenthost) of
+			Nothing -> errorMessage ("cannot find chroot " ++ loc ++ " on host " ++ hn)
+			Just h -> go h
   where
 	go h = do
 		changeWorkingDirectory localdir
-		forceConsole
+		when onconsole forceConsole
 		onlyProcess (provisioningLock loc) $ do
-			r <- runPropellor h $ ensureProperties $ hostProperties h
+			r <- runPropellor h $ ensureProperties $
+				if systemdonly
+					then [Systemd.installed]
+					else hostProperties h
 			putStrLn $ "\n" ++ show r
+chain _ _ = errorMessage "bad chain command"
 
 inChrootProcess :: Chroot -> [String] -> CreateProcess
-inChrootProcess (Chroot loc _ _) cmd = proc "chroot" (loc:cmd)
+inChrootProcess (Chroot loc _ _ _) cmd = proc "chroot" (loc:cmd)
 
 provisioningLock :: FilePath -> FilePath
 provisioningLock containerloc = "chroot" </> mungeloc containerloc ++ ".lock"
 
 shimdir :: Chroot -> FilePath
-shimdir (Chroot loc _ _) = "chroot" </> mungeloc loc ++ ".shim"
+shimdir (Chroot loc _ _ _) = "chroot" </> mungeloc loc ++ ".shim"
 
 mungeloc :: FilePath -> String
 mungeloc = replace "/" "_"
 
 chrootDesc :: Chroot -> String -> String
-chrootDesc (Chroot loc _ _) desc = "chroot " ++ loc ++ " " ++ desc
+chrootDesc (Chroot loc _ _ _) desc = "chroot " ++ loc ++ " " ++ desc
diff --git a/src/Propellor/Property/Debootstrap.hs b/src/Propellor/Property/Debootstrap.hs
index 5f521c3..0611e73 100644
--- a/src/Propellor/Property/Debootstrap.hs
+++ b/src/Propellor/Property/Debootstrap.hs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 module Propellor.Property.Debootstrap (
 	Url,
+	DebootstrapConfig(..),
 	built,
 	installed,
 	programPath,
@@ -15,9 +16,31 @@ import Data.List
 import Data.Char
 import Control.Exception
 import System.Posix.Directory
+import System.Posix.Files
 
 type Url = String
 
+-- | A monoid for debootstrap configuration. 
+-- mempty is a default debootstrapped system.
+data DebootstrapConfig
+	= DefaultConfig
+	| MinBase
+	| BuilddD
+	| DebootstrapParam String
+	| DebootstrapConfig :+ DebootstrapConfig
+	deriving (Show)
+
+instance Monoid DebootstrapConfig where
+        mempty  = DefaultConfig
+        mappend = (:+)
+
+toParams :: DebootstrapConfig -> [CommandParam]
+toParams DefaultConfig = []
+toParams MinBase = [Param "--variant=minbase"]
+toParams BuilddD = [Param "--variant=buildd"]
+toParams (DebootstrapParam p) = [Param p]
+toParams (c1 :+ c2) = toParams c1 <> toParams c2
+
 -- | Builds a chroot in the given directory using debootstrap.
 --
 -- The System can be any OS and architecture that debootstrap
@@ -28,8 +51,8 @@ type Url = String
 --
 -- Note that reverting this property does not stop any processes
 -- currently running in the chroot.
-built :: FilePath -> System -> [CommandParam] -> RevertableProperty
-built target system@(System _ arch) extraparams =
+built :: FilePath -> System -> DebootstrapConfig -> RevertableProperty
+built target system@(System _ arch) config =
 	RevertableProperty setup teardown
   where
 	setup = check (unpopulated target <||> ispartial) setupprop
@@ -41,10 +64,15 @@ built target system@(System _ arch) extraparams =
 
 	setupprop = property ("debootstrapped " ++ target) $ liftIO $ do
 		createDirectoryIfMissing True target
+		-- Don't allow non-root users to see inside the chroot,
+		-- since doing so can allow them to do various attacks
+		-- including hard link farming suid programs for later
+		-- exploitation.
+		modifyFileMode target (removeModes [otherReadMode, otherExecuteMode, otherWriteMode])
 		suite <- case extractSuite system of
 			Nothing -> errorMessage $ "don't know how to debootstrap " ++ show system
 			Just s -> pure s
-		let params = extraparams ++
+		let params = toParams config ++
 			[ Param $ "--arch=" ++ arch
 			, Param suite
 			, Param target
diff --git a/src/Propellor/Property/Systemd.hs b/src/Propellor/Property/Systemd.hs
index be08a84..b50194f 100644
--- a/src/Propellor/Property/Systemd.hs
+++ b/src/Propellor/Property/Systemd.hs
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 module Propellor.Property.Systemd (
-	installed,
+	module Propellor.Property.Systemd.Core,
+	started,
+	stopped,
+	enabled,
+	disabled,
 	persistentJournal,
+	Container,
 	container,
 	nspawned,
 ) where
@@ -8,44 +13,69 @@ module Propellor.Property.Systemd (
 import Propellor
 import qualified Propellor.Property.Chroot as Chroot
 import qualified Propellor.Property.Apt as Apt
+import qualified Propellor.Property.File as File
+import Propellor.Property.Systemd.Core
 import Utility.SafeCommand
+import Utility.FileMode
 
 import Data.List.Utils
 
+type ServiceName = String
+
 type MachineName = String
 
-type NspawnParam = CommandParam
-
-data Container = Container MachineName System [CommandParam] Host
+data Container = Container MachineName Chroot.Chroot Host
 
 instance Hostlike Container where
-        (Container n s ps h) & p = Container n s ps (h & p)
-        (Container n s ps h) &^ p = Container n s ps (h &^ p)
-        getHost (Container _ _ _ h) = h
+        (Container n c h) & p = Container n c (h & p)
+        (Container n c h) &^ p = Container n c (h &^ p)
+        getHost (Container _ _ h) = h
 
--- dbus is only a Recommends of systemd, but is needed for communication
--- from the systemd inside a container to the one outside, so make sure it
--- gets installed.
-installed :: Property
-installed = Apt.installed ["systemd", "dbus"]
+-- | Starts a systemd service.
+started :: ServiceName -> Property
+started n = trivial $ cmdProperty "systemctl" ["start", n]
+	`describe` ("service " ++ n ++ " started")
 
--- | Sets up persistent storage of the journal.
+-- | Stops a systemd service.
+stopped :: ServiceName -> Property
+stopped n = trivial $ cmdProperty "systemctl" ["stop", n]
+	`describe` ("service " ++ n ++ " stopped")
+
+-- | Enables a systemd service.
+enabled :: ServiceName -> Property
+enabled n = trivial $ cmdProperty "systemctl" ["enable", n]
+	`describe` ("service " ++ n ++ " enabled")
+
+-- | Disables a systemd service.
+disabled :: ServiceName -> Property
+disabled n = trivial $ cmdProperty "systemctl" ["disable", n]
+	`describe` ("service " ++ n ++ " disabled")
+
+-- | Enables persistent storage of the journal.
 persistentJournal :: Property
 persistentJournal = check (not <$> doesDirectoryExist dir) $ 
-	combineProperties "persistent systetemd journal"
+	combineProperties "persistent systemd journal"
 		[ cmdProperty "install" ["-d", "-g", "systemd-journal", dir]
 		, cmdProperty "setfacl" ["-R", "-nm", "g:adm:rx,d:g:adm:rx", dir]
+		, started "systemd-journal-flush"
 		]
 		`requires` Apt.installed ["acl"]
   where
 	dir = "/var/log/journal"
 
--- | Defines a container with a given machine name, containing the specified
--- System. Properties can be added to configure the Container.
+-- | Defines a container with a given machine name.
 --
--- > container "webserver" (System (Debian Unstable) "amd64") []
-container :: MachineName -> System -> [NspawnParam] -> Container
-container name system ps = Container name system ps (Host name [] mempty)
+-- Properties can be added to configure the Container.
+--
+-- > container "webserver" (Chroot.debootstrapped (System (Debian Unstable) "amd64") mempty)
+-- >    & Apt.installedRunning "apache2"
+-- >    & ...
+container :: MachineName -> (FilePath -> Chroot.Chroot) -> Container
+container name mkchroot = Container name c h
+	& os system
+  where
+	c@(Chroot.Chroot _ system _ _) = mkchroot (containerDir name)
+	h = Host name [] mempty
 
 -- | Runs a container using systemd-nspawn.
 --
@@ -62,42 +92,82 @@ container name system ps = Container name system ps (Host name [] mempty)
 -- Reverting this property stops the container, removes the systemd unit,
 -- and deletes the chroot and all its contents.
 nspawned :: Container -> RevertableProperty
-nspawned c@(Container name system _ h) = RevertableProperty setup teardown
+nspawned c@(Container name (Chroot.Chroot loc system builderconf _) h) =
+	RevertableProperty setup teardown
   where
-	-- TODO after container is running, use nsenter to enter it
-	-- and run propellor to finish provisioning.
-	setup = toProp (nspawnService c)
-		`requires` toProp chrootprovisioned
+	setup = combineProperties ("nspawned " ++ name) $
+		map toProp steps ++ [containerprovisioned]
+	teardown = combineProperties ("not nspawned " ++ name) $
+		map (toProp . revert) (reverse steps)
+	steps =
+		[ enterScript c
+		, chrootprovisioned
+		, nspawnService c
+		]
 
-	teardown = toProp (revert (chrootprovisioned))
-		`requires` toProp (revert (nspawnService c))
+	-- Chroot provisioning is run in systemd-only mode,
+	-- which sets up the chroot and ensures systemd and dbus are
+	-- installed, but does not handle the other provisions.
+	chrootprovisioned = Chroot.provisioned'
+		(Chroot.propigateChrootInfo chroot) chroot True
 
-	-- When provisioning the chroot, pass a version of the Host
-	-- that only has the Property of systemd being installed.
-	-- This is to avoid starting any daemons in the chroot,
-	-- which would not run in the container's namespace.
-	chrootprovisioned = Chroot.provisioned $
-		Chroot.Chroot (containerDir name) system $
-			h { hostProperties = [installed] }
+	-- Use nsenter to enter container and and run propellor to
+	-- finish provisioning.
+	containerprovisioned = Chroot.propellChroot chroot
+		(enterContainerProcess c) False
+
+	chroot = Chroot.Chroot loc system builderconf h
 
 nspawnService :: Container -> RevertableProperty
-nspawnService (Container name _ ps _) = RevertableProperty setup teardown
+nspawnService (Container name _ _) = RevertableProperty setup teardown
   where
 	service = nspawnServiceName name
 	servicefile = "/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants" </> service
 
 	setup = check (not <$> doesFileExist servicefile) $
-		combineProperties ("container running " ++ service)
-			[ cmdProperty "systemctl" ["enable", service]
-			, cmdProperty "systemctl" ["start", service]
+		started service
+			`requires` enabled service
+
+	teardown = check (doesFileExist servicefile) $
+		disabled service
+			`requires` stopped service
+
+-- | Installs a "enter-machinename" script that root can use to run a
+-- command inside the container.
+--
+-- This uses nsenter to enter the container, by looking up the pid of the
+-- container's init process and using its namespace.
+enterScript :: Container -> RevertableProperty
+enterScript c@(Container name _ _) = RevertableProperty setup teardown
+  where
+	setup = combineProperties ("generated " ++ enterScriptFile c)
+		[ scriptfile `File.hasContent`
+			[ "#!/bin/sh"
+			, "# Generated by propellor"
+			, "pid=\"$(machinectl show " ++ shellEscape name ++ " -p Leader | cut -d= -f2)\" || true"
+			, "if [ -n \"$pid\" ]; then"
+			, "\tnsenter -p -u -n -i -m -t \"$pid\" \"$@\""
+			, "else"
+			, "\techo container not running >&2"
+			, "\texit 1"
+			, "fi"
 			]
+		, scriptfile `File.mode` combineModes (readModes ++ executeModes)
+		]
+	teardown = File.notPresent scriptfile
+	scriptfile = enterScriptFile c
 
-	-- TODO adjust execStart line to reflect ps
+enterScriptFile :: Container -> FilePath
+enterScriptFile (Container name _ _ ) = "/usr/local/bin/enter-" ++ mungename name
 
-	teardown = undefined
+enterContainerProcess :: Container -> [String] -> CreateProcess
+enterContainerProcess = proc . enterScriptFile
 
-nspawnServiceName :: MachineName -> String
+nspawnServiceName :: MachineName -> ServiceName
 nspawnServiceName name = "systemd-nspawn@" ++ name ++ ".service"
 
 containerDir :: MachineName -> FilePath
-containerDir name = "/var/lib/container" ++ replace "/" "_" name
+containerDir name = "/var/lib/container" </> mungename name
+
+mungename :: MachineName -> String
+mungename = replace "/" "_"
diff --git a/src/Propellor/Property/Systemd/Core.hs b/src/Propellor/Property/Systemd/Core.hs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..441717e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Propellor/Property/Systemd/Core.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+module Propellor.Property.Systemd.Core where
+
+import Propellor
+import qualified Propellor.Property.Apt as Apt
+
+-- dbus is only a Recommends of systemd, but is needed for communication
+-- from the systemd inside a container to the one outside, so make sure it
+-- gets installed.
+installed :: Property
+installed = Apt.installed ["systemd", "dbus"]
diff --git a/src/Propellor/Types.hs b/src/Propellor/Types.hs
index 56eafc6..a6c5aaf 100644
--- a/src/Propellor/Types.hs
+++ b/src/Propellor/Types.hs
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ data CmdLine
 	| Update HostName
 	| DockerInit HostName
 	| DockerChain HostName String
-	| ChrootChain HostName FilePath
+	| ChrootChain HostName FilePath Bool Bool
 	| GitPush Fd Fd
 	deriving (Read, Show, Eq)