diff --git a/docs/index.rst b/docs/index.rst
index 20b03e5..4ed5a47 100644
--- a/docs/index.rst
+++ b/docs/index.rst
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ and use the ``run_in_actor()`` method:
 
 What's going on?
 
-- an initial *actor* is started with ``tractor.run()`` and told to execute
+- an initial *actor* is started with ``trio.run()`` and told to execute
   its main task_: ``main()``
 
 - inside ``main()`` an actor is *spawned* using an ``ActorNusery`` and is told
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ Here is a similar example using the latter method:
 
 .. literalinclude:: ../examples/actor_spawning_and_causality_with_daemon.py
 
-The ``rpc_module_paths`` `kwarg` above is a list of module path
+The ``enable_modules`` `kwarg` above is a list of module path
 strings that will be loaded and made accessible for execution in the
 remote actor through a call to ``Portal.run()``. For now this is
 a simple mechanism to restrict the functionality of the remote
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ find an actor's socket address by name use the ``find_actor()`` function:
 .. literalinclude:: ../examples/service_discovery.py
 
 The ``name`` value you should pass to ``find_actor()`` is the one you passed as the
-*first* argument to either ``tractor.run()`` or ``ActorNursery.start_actor()``.
+*first* argument to either ``trio.run()`` or ``ActorNursery.start_actor()``.
 
 
 Running actors standalone
@@ -472,7 +472,17 @@ need to hop into a debugger. You just need to pass the existing
 
 .. code:: python
 
-    tractor.run(main, arbiter_addr=('192.168.0.10', 1616))
+    import trio
+    import tractor
+
+    async def main():
+
+        async with tractor.open_root_actor(
+            arbiter_addr=('192.168.0.10', 1616)
+        ):
+            await trio.sleep_forever()
+
+    trio.run(main)
 
 
 Choosing a process spawning backend
@@ -480,7 +490,7 @@ Choosing a process spawning backend
 ``tractor`` is architected to support multiple actor (sub-process)
 spawning backends. Specific defaults are chosen based on your system
 but you can also explicitly select a backend of choice at startup
-via a ``start_method`` kwarg to ``tractor.run()``.
+via a ``start_method`` kwarg to ``tractor.open_nursery()``.
 
 Currently the options available are:
 
@@ -536,13 +546,14 @@ main python module of the program:
 .. code:: python
 
     # application/__main__.py
+    import trio
     import tractor
     import multiprocessing
     from . import tractor_app
 
     if __name__ == '__main__':
         multiprocessing.freeze_support()
-        tractor.run(tractor_app.main)
+        trio.run(tractor_app.main)
 
 And execute as::
 
diff --git a/examples/__main__.py b/examples/__main__.py
index c3f7add..66a1bf8 100644
--- a/examples/__main__.py
+++ b/examples/__main__.py
@@ -16,4 +16,4 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
     # temporary dir and name it test_example.py. We import that script
     # module here and invoke it's ``main()``.
     from . import test_example
-    test_example.tractor.run(test_example.main, start_method='spawn')
+    test_example.trio.run(test_example.main)
diff --git a/examples/a_trynamic_first_scene.py b/examples/a_trynamic_first_scene.py
index dca59c2..1d53125 100644
--- a/examples/a_trynamic_first_scene.py
+++ b/examples/a_trynamic_first_scene.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import trio
 import tractor
 
 _this_module = __name__
@@ -40,4 +41,4 @@ async def main():
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main)
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/actor_spawning_and_causality.py b/examples/actor_spawning_and_causality.py
index ca793f1..119726d 100644
--- a/examples/actor_spawning_and_causality.py
+++ b/examples/actor_spawning_and_causality.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import trio
 import tractor
 
 
@@ -23,4 +24,4 @@ async def main():
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main)
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/actor_spawning_and_causality_with_daemon.py b/examples/actor_spawning_and_causality_with_daemon.py
index 1ab0f88..b052871 100644
--- a/examples/actor_spawning_and_causality_with_daemon.py
+++ b/examples/actor_spawning_and_causality_with_daemon.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import trio
 import tractor
 
 
@@ -16,7 +17,7 @@ async def main():
         portal = await n.start_actor(
             'frank',
             # enable the actor to run funcs from this current module
-            rpc_module_paths=[__name__],
+            enable_modules=[__name__],
         )
 
         print(await portal.run(movie_theatre_question))
@@ -30,4 +31,4 @@ async def main():
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main)
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/asynchronous_generators.py b/examples/asynchronous_generators.py
index 47ee136..99b0a13 100644
--- a/examples/asynchronous_generators.py
+++ b/examples/asynchronous_generators.py
@@ -14,12 +14,15 @@ async def stream_forever():
 
 
 async def main():
+
     # stream for at most 1 seconds
     with trio.move_on_after(1) as cancel_scope:
+
         async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
+
             portal = await n.start_actor(
-                f'donny',
-                rpc_module_paths=[__name__],
+                'donny',
+                enable_modules=[__name__],
             )
 
             # this async for loop streams values from the above
@@ -34,4 +37,4 @@ async def main():
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main)
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/debugging/multi_daemon_subactors.py b/examples/debugging/multi_daemon_subactors.py
index c37b879..c506de4 100644
--- a/examples/debugging/multi_daemon_subactors.py
+++ b/examples/debugging/multi_daemon_subactors.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ async def breakpoint_forever():
 
 async def name_error():
     "Raise a ``NameError``"
-    getattr(doggypants)
+    getattr(doggypants)  # noqa
 
 
 async def main():
diff --git a/examples/debugging/multi_nested_subactors_error_up_through_nurseries.py b/examples/debugging/multi_nested_subactors_error_up_through_nurseries.py
index e754599..f9adb25 100644
--- a/examples/debugging/multi_nested_subactors_error_up_through_nurseries.py
+++ b/examples/debugging/multi_nested_subactors_error_up_through_nurseries.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import tractor
 
 async def name_error():
     "Raise a ``NameError``"
-    getattr(doggypants)
+    getattr(doggypants)  # noqa
 
 
 async def breakpoint_forever():
diff --git a/examples/debugging/multi_subactor_root_errors.py b/examples/debugging/multi_subactor_root_errors.py
index 8a7fa43..6c69618 100644
--- a/examples/debugging/multi_subactor_root_errors.py
+++ b/examples/debugging/multi_subactor_root_errors.py
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
+import trio
 import tractor
 
 
 async def name_error():
     "Raise a ``NameError``"
-    getattr(doggypants)
+    getattr(doggypants)  # noqa
 
 
 async def spawn_error():
@@ -32,7 +33,9 @@ async def main():
         - root actor should then fail on assert
         - program termination
     """
-    async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
+    async with tractor.open_nursery(
+        debug_mode=True,
+    ) as n:
 
         # spawn both actors
         portal = await n.run_in_actor(
@@ -54,4 +57,4 @@ async def main():
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main, debug_mode=True)
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/debugging/multi_subactors.py b/examples/debugging/multi_subactors.py
index 0d5ee83..259d526 100644
--- a/examples/debugging/multi_subactors.py
+++ b/examples/debugging/multi_subactors.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ async def breakpoint_forever():
 
 async def name_error():
     "Raise a ``NameError``"
-    getattr(doggypants)
+    getattr(doggypants)  # noqa
 
 
 async def spawn_error():
@@ -36,7 +36,9 @@ async def main():
     `-python -m tractor._child --uid ('spawn_error', '52ee14a5 ...)
        `-python -m tractor._child --uid ('name_error', '3391222c ...)
     """
-    async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
+    async with tractor.open_nursery(
+        debug_mode=True,
+    ) as n:
 
         # Spawn both actors, don't bother with collecting results
         # (would result in a different debugger outcome due to parent's
@@ -47,4 +49,4 @@ async def main():
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main, debug_mode=True)
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/debugging/root_actor_breakpoint.py b/examples/debugging/root_actor_breakpoint.py
index bd4dcb1..5c858d4 100644
--- a/examples/debugging/root_actor_breakpoint.py
+++ b/examples/debugging/root_actor_breakpoint.py
@@ -4,12 +4,16 @@ import tractor
 
 async def main():
 
-    await trio.sleep(0.1)
+    async with tractor.open_root_actor(
+        debug_mode=True,
+    ):
 
-    await tractor.breakpoint()
+        await trio.sleep(0.1)
 
-    await trio.sleep(0.1)
+        await tractor.breakpoint()
+
+        await trio.sleep(0.1)
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main, debug_mode=True)
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/debugging/root_actor_breakpoint_forever.py b/examples/debugging/root_actor_breakpoint_forever.py
index 0332ab6..3536a75 100644
--- a/examples/debugging/root_actor_breakpoint_forever.py
+++ b/examples/debugging/root_actor_breakpoint_forever.py
@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
+import trio
 import tractor
 
 
 async def main():
 
-    while True:
-        await tractor.breakpoint()
+    async with tractor.open_root_actor(
+        debug_mode=True,
+    ):
+        while True:
+            await tractor.breakpoint()
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main, debug_mode=True)
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/debugging/root_actor_error.py b/examples/debugging/root_actor_error.py
index 7486699..fab4633 100644
--- a/examples/debugging/root_actor_error.py
+++ b/examples/debugging/root_actor_error.py
@@ -1,9 +1,13 @@
+import trio
 import tractor
 
 
 async def main():
-    assert 0
+    async with tractor.open_root_actor(
+        debug_mode=True,
+    ):
+        assert 0
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main, debug_mode=True)
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/debugging/root_cancelled_but_child_is_in_tty_lock.py b/examples/debugging/root_cancelled_but_child_is_in_tty_lock.py
index d0a1649..16f92b8 100644
--- a/examples/debugging/root_cancelled_but_child_is_in_tty_lock.py
+++ b/examples/debugging/root_cancelled_but_child_is_in_tty_lock.py
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
+import trio
 import tractor
 
 
 async def name_error():
     "Raise a ``NameError``"
-    getattr(doggypants)
+    getattr(doggypants)  # noqa
 
 
 async def spawn_until(depth=0):
@@ -37,7 +38,10 @@ async def main():
        └─ python -m tractor._child --uid ('name_error', '6c2733b8 ...)
 
     """
-    async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
+    async with tractor.open_nursery(
+        debug_mode=True,
+        loglevel='warning'
+    ) as n:
 
         # spawn both actors
         portal = await n.run_in_actor(
@@ -58,4 +62,4 @@ async def main():
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main, debug_mode=True, loglevel='warning')
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/debugging/subactor_breakpoint.py b/examples/debugging/subactor_breakpoint.py
index d880404..bcc304d 100644
--- a/examples/debugging/subactor_breakpoint.py
+++ b/examples/debugging/subactor_breakpoint.py
@@ -12,7 +12,9 @@ async def breakpoint_forever():
 
 async def main():
 
-    async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
+    async with tractor.open_nursery(
+        debug_mode=True,
+    ) as n:
 
         portal = await n.run_in_actor(
             breakpoint_forever,
@@ -21,4 +23,4 @@ async def main():
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main, debug_mode=True, loglevel='debug')
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/debugging/subactor_error.py b/examples/debugging/subactor_error.py
index 86bb7ca..e38c161 100644
--- a/examples/debugging/subactor_error.py
+++ b/examples/debugging/subactor_error.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import trio
 import tractor
 
 
@@ -6,11 +7,13 @@ async def name_error():
 
 
 async def main():
-    async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
+    async with tractor.open_nursery(
+        debug_mode=True,
+    ) as n:
 
         portal = await n.run_in_actor(name_error)
         await portal.result()
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main, debug_mode=True)
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/full_fledged_streaming_service.py b/examples/full_fledged_streaming_service.py
index 126eed9..31eff62 100644
--- a/examples/full_fledged_streaming_service.py
+++ b/examples/full_fledged_streaming_service.py
@@ -68,10 +68,11 @@ async def aggregate(seed):
 # this is the main actor and *arbiter*
 async def main():
     # a nursery which spawns "actors"
-    async with tractor.open_nursery() as nursery:
+    async with tractor.open_nursery(
+        arbiter_addr=('127.0.0.1', 1616)
+    ) as nursery:
 
         seed = int(1e3)
-        import time
         pre_start = time.time()
 
         portal = await nursery.start_actor(
@@ -100,4 +101,4 @@ async def main():
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    final_stream = tractor.run(main, arbiter_addr=('127.0.0.1', 1616))
+    final_stream = trio.run(main)
diff --git a/examples/parallelism/_concurrent_futures_primes.py b/examples/parallelism/_concurrent_futures_primes.py
index 81ae23d..7246b86 100644
--- a/examples/parallelism/_concurrent_futures_primes.py
+++ b/examples/parallelism/_concurrent_futures_primes.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ PRIMES = [
     115797848077099,
     1099726899285419]
 
+
 def is_prime(n):
     if n < 2:
         return False
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@ def is_prime(n):
             return False
     return True
 
+
 def main():
     with concurrent.futures.ProcessPoolExecutor() as executor:
         start = time.time()
@@ -33,6 +35,7 @@ def main():
 
         print(f'processing took {time.time() - start} seconds')
 
+
 if __name__ == '__main__':
 
     start = time.time()
diff --git a/examples/parallelism/concurrent_actors_primes.py b/examples/parallelism/concurrent_actors_primes.py
index a2aec90..a7a7396 100644
--- a/examples/parallelism/concurrent_actors_primes.py
+++ b/examples/parallelism/concurrent_actors_primes.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Demonstration of the prime number detector example from the
 
 https://docs.python.org/3/library/concurrent.futures.html#processpoolexecutor-example
 
-This uses no extra threads, fancy semaphores or futures; all we need 
+This uses no extra threads, fancy semaphores or futures; all we need
 is ``tractor``'s channels.
 
 """
diff --git a/examples/remote_error_propagation.py b/examples/remote_error_propagation.py
index 0999d39..aa2a73b 100644
--- a/examples/remote_error_propagation.py
+++ b/examples/remote_error_propagation.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import trio
 import tractor
 
 
@@ -11,7 +12,7 @@ async def main():
         for i in range(3):
             real_actors.append(await n.start_actor(
                 f'actor_{i}',
-                rpc_module_paths=[__name__],
+                enable_modules=[__name__],
             ))
 
         # start one actor that will fail immediately
@@ -24,6 +25,6 @@ async def main():
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     try:
         # also raises
-        tractor.run(main)
+        trio.run(main)
     except tractor.RemoteActorError:
         print("Look Maa that actor failed hard, hehhh!")
diff --git a/examples/service_discovery.py b/examples/service_discovery.py
index 9088986..858f7f1 100644
--- a/examples/service_discovery.py
+++ b/examples/service_discovery.py
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
+import trio
 import tractor
 
 tractor.log.get_console_log("INFO")
 
+
 async def main(service_name):
 
     async with tractor.open_nursery() as an:
@@ -17,4 +19,4 @@ async def main(service_name):
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    tractor.run(main, 'some_actor_name')
+    trio.run(main, 'some_actor_name')
diff --git a/tests/test_cancellation.py b/tests/test_cancellation.py
index eadcb44..da181c6 100644
--- a/tests/test_cancellation.py
+++ b/tests/test_cancellation.py
@@ -47,7 +47,9 @@ def test_remote_error(arb_addr, args_err):
     args, errtype = args_err
 
     async def main():
-        async with tractor.open_nursery() as nursery:
+        async with tractor.open_nursery(
+            arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+        ) as nursery:
 
             portal = await nursery.run_in_actor(
                 assert_err, name='errorer', **args
@@ -62,7 +64,7 @@ def test_remote_error(arb_addr, args_err):
                 raise
 
     with pytest.raises(tractor.RemoteActorError) as excinfo:
-        tractor.run(main, arbiter_addr=arb_addr)
+        trio.run(main)
 
     # ensure boxed error is correct
     assert excinfo.value.type == errtype
@@ -73,7 +75,9 @@ def test_multierror(arb_addr):
     more then one actor errors.
     """
     async def main():
-        async with tractor.open_nursery() as nursery:
+        async with tractor.open_nursery(
+            arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+        ) as nursery:
 
             await nursery.run_in_actor(assert_err, name='errorer1')
             portal2 = await nursery.run_in_actor(assert_err, name='errorer2')
@@ -90,7 +94,7 @@ def test_multierror(arb_addr):
         # from both subactors
 
     with pytest.raises(trio.MultiError):
-        tractor.run(main, arbiter_addr=arb_addr)
+        trio.run(main)
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('delay', (0, 0.5))
@@ -103,7 +107,10 @@ def test_multierror_fast_nursery(arb_addr, start_method, num_subactors, delay):
     to test failure during an ongoing spawning.
     """
     async def main():
-        async with tractor.open_nursery() as nursery:
+        async with tractor.open_nursery(
+            arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+        ) as nursery:
+
             for i in range(num_subactors):
                 await nursery.run_in_actor(
                     assert_err,
@@ -112,7 +119,7 @@ def test_multierror_fast_nursery(arb_addr, start_method, num_subactors, delay):
                 )
 
     with pytest.raises(trio.MultiError) as exc_info:
-        tractor.run(main, arbiter_addr=arb_addr)
+        trio.run(main)
 
     assert exc_info.type == tractor.MultiError
     err = exc_info.value
@@ -134,10 +141,12 @@ def test_cancel_single_subactor(arb_addr, mechanism):
     async def spawn_actor():
         """Spawn an actor that blocks indefinitely.
         """
-        async with tractor.open_nursery() as nursery:
+        async with tractor.open_nursery(
+            arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+        ) as nursery:
 
             portal = await nursery.start_actor(
-                'nothin', rpc_module_paths=[__name__],
+                'nothin', enable_modules=[__name__],
             )
             assert (await portal.run(do_nothing)) is None
 
@@ -148,10 +157,10 @@ def test_cancel_single_subactor(arb_addr, mechanism):
                 raise mechanism
 
     if mechanism == 'nursery_cancel':
-        tractor.run(spawn_actor, arbiter_addr=arb_addr)
+        trio.run(spawn_actor)
     else:
         with pytest.raises(mechanism):
-            tractor.run(spawn_actor, arbiter_addr=arb_addr)
+            trio.run(spawn_actor)
 
 
 async def stream_forever():
@@ -229,7 +238,7 @@ async def test_some_cancels_all(num_actors_and_errs, start_method, loglevel):
             for i in range(num_actors):
                 dactor_portals.append(await n.start_actor(
                     f'deamon_{i}',
-                    rpc_module_paths=[__name__],
+                    enable_modules=[__name__],
                 ))
 
             func, kwargs = ria_func
@@ -395,7 +404,7 @@ def test_cancel_via_SIGINT(
                 await trio.sleep_forever()
 
     with pytest.raises(KeyboardInterrupt):
-        tractor.run(main)
+        trio.run(main)
 
 
 @no_windows
@@ -430,8 +439,7 @@ def test_cancel_via_SIGINT_other_task(
                 os.kill(pid, signal.SIGINT)
 
     with pytest.raises(KeyboardInterrupt):
-        tractor.run(main)
-
+        trio.run(main)
 
 async def spin_for(period=3):
     "Sync sleep."
@@ -470,4 +478,4 @@ def test_cancel_while_childs_child_in_sync_sleep(
                 assert 0
 
     with pytest.raises(AssertionError):
-        tractor.run(main)
+        trio.run(main)
diff --git a/tests/test_discovery.py b/tests/test_discovery.py
index af03ce6..383608e 100644
--- a/tests/test_discovery.py
+++ b/tests/test_discovery.py
@@ -20,8 +20,11 @@ async def test_reg_then_unreg(arb_addr):
     assert actor.is_arbiter
     assert len(actor._registry) == 1  # only self is registered
 
-    async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
-        portal = await n.start_actor('actor', rpc_module_paths=[__name__])
+    async with tractor.open_nursery(
+        arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+    ) as n:
+
+        portal = await n.start_actor('actor', enable_modules=[__name__])
         uid = portal.channel.uid
 
         async with tractor.get_arbiter(*arb_addr) as aportal:
@@ -66,7 +69,7 @@ async def say_hello_use_wait(other_actor):
 
 @tractor_test
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('func', [say_hello, say_hello_use_wait])
-async def test_trynamic_trio(func, start_method):
+async def test_trynamic_trio(func, start_method, arb_addr):
     """Main tractor entry point, the "master" process (for now
     acts as the "director").
     """
@@ -119,74 +122,78 @@ async def spawn_and_check_registry(
     remote_arbiter: bool = False,
     with_streaming: bool = False,
 ) -> None:
-    actor = tractor.current_actor()
 
-    if remote_arbiter:
-        assert not actor.is_arbiter
+    async with tractor.open_root_actor(
+        arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+    ):
+        async with tractor.get_arbiter(*arb_addr) as portal:
+            # runtime needs to be up to call this
+            actor = tractor.current_actor()
 
-    async with tractor.get_arbiter(*arb_addr) as portal:
+            if remote_arbiter:
+                assert not actor.is_arbiter
 
-        if actor.is_arbiter:
+            if actor.is_arbiter:
 
-            async def get_reg():
-                return actor._registry
+                async def get_reg():
+                    return actor._registry
 
-            extra = 1  # arbiter is local root actor
-        else:
-            get_reg = partial(portal.run_from_ns, 'self', 'get_registry')
-            extra = 2  # local root actor + remote arbiter
+                extra = 1  # arbiter is local root actor
+            else:
+                get_reg = partial(portal.run_from_ns, 'self', 'get_registry')
+                extra = 2  # local root actor + remote arbiter
 
-        # ensure current actor is registered
-        registry = await get_reg()
-        assert actor.uid in registry
+            # ensure current actor is registered
+            registry = await get_reg()
+            assert actor.uid in registry
 
-        try:
-            async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
-                async with trio.open_nursery() as trion:
+            try:
+                async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
+                    async with trio.open_nursery() as trion:
+
+                        portals = {}
+                        for i in range(3):
+                            name = f'a{i}'
+                            if with_streaming:
+                                portals[name] = await n.start_actor(
+                                    name=name, enable_modules=[__name__])
+
+                            else:  # no streaming
+                                portals[name] = await n.run_in_actor(
+                                    trio.sleep_forever, name=name)
+
+                        # wait on last actor to come up
+                        async with tractor.wait_for_actor(name):
+                            registry = await get_reg()
+                            for uid in n._children:
+                                assert uid in registry
+
+                        assert len(portals) + extra == len(registry)
 
-                    portals = {}
-                    for i in range(3):
-                        name = f'a{i}'
                         if with_streaming:
-                            portals[name] = await n.start_actor(
-                                name=name, enable_modules=[__name__])
+                            await trio.sleep(0.1)
 
-                        else:  # no streaming
-                            portals[name] = await n.run_in_actor(
-                                trio.sleep_forever, name=name)
+                            pts = list(portals.values())
+                            for p in pts[:-1]:
+                                trion.start_soon(stream_from, p)
 
-                    # wait on last actor to come up
-                    async with tractor.wait_for_actor(name):
-                        registry = await get_reg()
-                        for uid in n._children:
-                            assert uid in registry
+                            # stream for 1 sec
+                            trion.start_soon(cancel, use_signal, 1)
 
-                    assert len(portals) + extra == len(registry)
+                            last_p = pts[-1]
+                            await stream_from(last_p)
 
-                    if with_streaming:
-                        await trio.sleep(0.1)
+                        else:
+                            await cancel(use_signal)
 
-                        pts = list(portals.values())
-                        for p in pts[:-1]:
-                            trion.start_soon(stream_from, p)
+            finally:
+                with trio.CancelScope(shield=True):
+                    await trio.sleep(0.5)
 
-                        # stream for 1 sec
-                        trion.start_soon(cancel, use_signal, 1)
-
-                        last_p = pts[-1]
-                        await stream_from(last_p)
-
-                    else:
-                        await cancel(use_signal)
-
-        finally:
-            with trio.CancelScope(shield=True):
-                await trio.sleep(0.5)
-
-                # all subactors should have de-registered
-                registry = await get_reg()
-                assert len(registry) == extra
-                assert actor.uid in registry
+                    # all subactors should have de-registered
+                    registry = await get_reg()
+                    assert len(registry) == extra
+                    assert actor.uid in registry
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('use_signal', [False, True])
@@ -201,7 +208,7 @@ def test_subactors_unregister_on_cancel(
     deregistering themselves with the arbiter.
     """
     with pytest.raises(KeyboardInterrupt):
-        tractor.run(
+        trio.run(
             partial(
                 spawn_and_check_registry,
                 arb_addr,
@@ -209,7 +216,6 @@ def test_subactors_unregister_on_cancel(
                 remote_arbiter=False,
                 with_streaming=with_streaming,
             ),
-            arbiter_addr=arb_addr
         )
 
 
@@ -227,7 +233,7 @@ def test_subactors_unregister_on_cancel_remote_daemon(
     tree) arbiter.
     """
     with pytest.raises(KeyboardInterrupt):
-        tractor.run(
+        trio.run(
             partial(
                 spawn_and_check_registry,
                 arb_addr,
@@ -235,8 +241,6 @@ def test_subactors_unregister_on_cancel_remote_daemon(
                 remote_arbiter=True,
                 with_streaming=with_streaming,
             ),
-            # XXX: required to use remote daemon!
-            arbiter_addr=arb_addr
         )
 
 
@@ -258,49 +262,52 @@ async def close_chans_before_nursery(
     else:
         entries_at_end = 1
 
-    async with tractor.get_arbiter(*arb_addr) as aportal:
-        try:
-            get_reg = partial(aportal.run_from_ns, 'self', 'get_registry')
+    async with tractor.open_root_actor(
+        arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+    ):
+        async with tractor.get_arbiter(*arb_addr) as aportal:
+            try:
+                get_reg = partial(aportal.run_from_ns, 'self', 'get_registry')
 
-            async with tractor.open_nursery() as tn:
-                portal1 = await tn.start_actor(
-                    name='consumer1', enable_modules=[__name__])
-                portal2 = await tn.start_actor(
-                    'consumer2', enable_modules=[__name__])
+                async with tractor.open_nursery() as tn:
+                    portal1 = await tn.start_actor(
+                        name='consumer1', enable_modules=[__name__])
+                    portal2 = await tn.start_actor(
+                        'consumer2', enable_modules=[__name__])
 
-                # TODO: compact this back as was in last commit once
-                # 3.9+, see https://github.com/goodboy/tractor/issues/207
-                async with portal1.open_stream_from(stream_forever) as agen1:
-                    async with portal2.open_stream_from(
-                        stream_forever
-                    ) as agen2:
-                        async with trio.open_nursery() as n:
-                            n.start_soon(streamer, agen1)
-                            n.start_soon(cancel, use_signal, .5)
-                            try:
-                                await streamer(agen2)
-                            finally:
-                                # Kill the root nursery thus resulting in
-                                # normal arbiter channel ops to fail during
-                                # teardown. It doesn't seem like this is
-                                # reliably triggered by an external SIGINT.
-                                # tractor.current_actor()._root_nursery.cancel_scope.cancel()
+                    # TODO: compact this back as was in last commit once
+                    # 3.9+, see https://github.com/goodboy/tractor/issues/207
+                    async with portal1.open_stream_from(stream_forever) as agen1:
+                        async with portal2.open_stream_from(
+                            stream_forever
+                        ) as agen2:
+                            async with trio.open_nursery() as n:
+                                n.start_soon(streamer, agen1)
+                                n.start_soon(cancel, use_signal, .5)
+                                try:
+                                    await streamer(agen2)
+                                finally:
+                                    # Kill the root nursery thus resulting in
+                                    # normal arbiter channel ops to fail during
+                                    # teardown. It doesn't seem like this is
+                                    # reliably triggered by an external SIGINT.
+                                    # tractor.current_actor()._root_nursery.cancel_scope.cancel()
 
-                                # XXX: THIS IS THE KEY THING that happens
-                                # **before** exiting the actor nursery block
+                                    # XXX: THIS IS THE KEY THING that happens
+                                    # **before** exiting the actor nursery block
 
-                                # also kill off channels cuz why not
-                                await agen1.aclose()
-                                await agen2.aclose()
-        finally:
-            with trio.CancelScope(shield=True):
-                await trio.sleep(1)
+                                    # also kill off channels cuz why not
+                                    await agen1.aclose()
+                                    await agen2.aclose()
+            finally:
+                with trio.CancelScope(shield=True):
+                    await trio.sleep(1)
 
-                # all subactors should have de-registered
-                registry = await get_reg()
-                assert portal1.channel.uid not in registry
-                assert portal2.channel.uid not in registry
-                assert len(registry) == entries_at_end
+                    # all subactors should have de-registered
+                    registry = await get_reg()
+                    assert portal1.channel.uid not in registry
+                    assert portal2.channel.uid not in registry
+                    assert len(registry) == entries_at_end
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('use_signal', [False, True])
@@ -314,15 +321,13 @@ def test_close_channel_explicit(
     results in subactor(s) deregistering from the arbiter.
     """
     with pytest.raises(KeyboardInterrupt):
-        tractor.run(
+        trio.run(
             partial(
                 close_chans_before_nursery,
                 arb_addr,
                 use_signal,
                 remote_arbiter=False,
             ),
-            # XXX: required to use remote daemon!
-            arbiter_addr=arb_addr
         )
 
 
@@ -338,13 +343,11 @@ def test_close_channel_explicit_remote_arbiter(
     results in subactor(s) deregistering from the arbiter.
     """
     with pytest.raises(KeyboardInterrupt):
-        tractor.run(
+        trio.run(
             partial(
                 close_chans_before_nursery,
                 arb_addr,
                 use_signal,
                 remote_arbiter=True,
             ),
-            # XXX: required to use remote daemon!
-            arbiter_addr=arb_addr
         )
diff --git a/tests/test_local.py b/tests/test_local.py
index 60e875b..016df3f 100644
--- a/tests/test_local.py
+++ b/tests/test_local.py
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ async def test_no_arbitter():
     """An arbitter must be established before any nurseries
     can be created.
 
-    (In other words ``tractor.run`` must be used instead of ``trio.run`` as is
-    done by the ``pytest-trio`` plugin.)
+    (In other words ``tractor.open_root_actor()`` must be engaged at
+    some point?)
     """
     with pytest.raises(RuntimeError):
         with tractor.open_nursery():
@@ -49,7 +49,8 @@ async def test_self_is_registered_localportal(arb_addr):
         assert isinstance(portal, tractor._portal.LocalPortal)
 
         with trio.fail_after(0.2):
-            sockaddr = await portal.run_from_ns('self', 'wait_for_actor', name='root')
+            sockaddr = await portal.run_from_ns(
+                    'self', 'wait_for_actor', name='root')
             assert sockaddr[0] == arb_addr
 
 
@@ -59,15 +60,19 @@ def test_local_actor_async_func(arb_addr):
     nums = []
 
     async def print_loop():
-        # arbiter is started in-proc if dne
-        assert tractor.current_actor().is_arbiter
 
-        for i in range(10):
-            nums.append(i)
-            await trio.sleep(0.1)
+        async with tractor.open_root_actor(
+            arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+        ):
+            # arbiter is started in-proc if dne
+            assert tractor.current_actor().is_arbiter
+
+            for i in range(10):
+                nums.append(i)
+                await trio.sleep(0.1)
 
     start = time.time()
-    tractor.run(print_loop, arbiter_addr=arb_addr)
+    trio.run(print_loop)
 
     # ensure the sleeps were actually awaited
     assert time.time() - start >= 1
diff --git a/tests/test_multi_program.py b/tests/test_multi_program.py
index 12ca3ef..e7a3ac5 100644
--- a/tests/test_multi_program.py
+++ b/tests/test_multi_program.py
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 """
-Multiple python programs invoking ``tractor.run()``
+Multiple python programs invoking the runtime.
 """
 import platform
 import time
 
 import pytest
+import trio
 import tractor
 from conftest import (
     tractor_test,
@@ -45,8 +46,13 @@ async def test_cancel_remote_arbiter(daemon, arb_addr):
 def test_register_duplicate_name(daemon, arb_addr):
 
     async def main():
-        assert not tractor.current_actor().is_arbiter
-        async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
+
+        async with tractor.open_nursery(
+            arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+        ) as n:
+
+            assert not tractor.current_actor().is_arbiter
+
             p1 = await n.start_actor('doggy')
             p2 = await n.start_actor('doggy')
 
@@ -57,4 +63,4 @@ def test_register_duplicate_name(daemon, arb_addr):
 
     # run it manually since we want to start **after**
     # the other "daemon" program
-    tractor.run(main, arbiter_addr=arb_addr)
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/tests/test_pubsub.py b/tests/test_pubsub.py
index 0d4c62d..a548537 100644
--- a/tests/test_pubsub.py
+++ b/tests/test_pubsub.py
@@ -46,8 +46,9 @@ async def pubber(get_topics, seed=10):
 
 
 async def subs(
-    which, pub_actor_name, seed=10,
-    portal=None,
+    which,
+    pub_actor_name,
+    seed=10,
     task_status=trio.TASK_STATUS_IGNORED,
 ):
     if len(which) == 1:
@@ -61,7 +62,9 @@ async def subs(
             return isinstance(i, int)
 
     # TODO: https://github.com/goodboy/tractor/issues/207
-    async with tractor.find_actor(pub_actor_name) as portal:
+    async with tractor.wait_for_actor(pub_actor_name) as portal:
+        assert portal
+
         async with portal.open_stream_from(
             pubber,
             topics=which,
@@ -164,7 +167,10 @@ def test_multi_actor_subs_arbiter_pub(
 
     async def main():
 
-        async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
+        async with tractor.open_nursery(
+            arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+            enable_modules=[__name__],
+        ) as n:
 
             name = 'root'
 
@@ -172,7 +178,7 @@ def test_multi_actor_subs_arbiter_pub(
                 # start the publisher as a daemon
                 master_portal = await n.start_actor(
                     'streamer',
-                    rpc_module_paths=[__name__],
+                    enable_modules=[__name__],
                 )
 
             even_portal = await n.run_in_actor(
@@ -232,7 +238,6 @@ def test_multi_actor_subs_arbiter_pub(
                 assert 'even' not in get_topics()
 
             await odd_portal.cancel_actor()
-            await trio.sleep(2)
 
             if pub_actor == 'arbiter':
                 while get_topics():
@@ -242,11 +247,7 @@ def test_multi_actor_subs_arbiter_pub(
             else:
                 await master_portal.cancel_actor()
 
-    tractor.run(
-        main,
-        arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
-        rpc_module_paths=[__name__],
-    )
+    trio.run(main)
 
 
 def test_single_subactor_pub_multitask_subs(
@@ -255,11 +256,14 @@ def test_single_subactor_pub_multitask_subs(
 ):
     async def main():
 
-        async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
+        async with tractor.open_nursery(
+            arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+            enable_modules=[__name__],
+        ) as n:
 
             portal = await n.start_actor(
                 'streamer',
-                rpc_module_paths=[__name__],
+                enable_modules=[__name__],
             )
             async with tractor.wait_for_actor('streamer'):
                 # block until 2nd actor is initialized
@@ -283,8 +287,4 @@ def test_single_subactor_pub_multitask_subs(
 
             await portal.cancel_actor()
 
-    tractor.run(
-        main,
-        arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
-        rpc_module_paths=[__name__],
-    )
+    trio.run(main)
diff --git a/tests/test_rpc.py b/tests/test_rpc.py
index 2a2b406..6d15896 100644
--- a/tests/test_rpc.py
+++ b/tests/test_rpc.py
@@ -74,11 +74,15 @@ def test_rpc_errors(arb_addr, to_call, testdir):
         remote_err = inside_err
 
     async def main():
-        actor = tractor.current_actor()
-        assert actor.is_arbiter
 
         # spawn a subactor which calls us back
-        async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
+        async with tractor.open_nursery(
+            arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+            enable_modules=exposed_mods.copy(),
+        ) as n:
+
+            actor = tractor.current_actor()
+            assert actor.is_arbiter
             await n.run_in_actor(
                 sleep_back_actor,
                 actor_name=subactor_requests_to,
@@ -90,15 +94,11 @@ def test_rpc_errors(arb_addr, to_call, testdir):
                 func_name=funcname,
                 exposed_mods=exposed_mods,
                 func_defined=True if func_defined else False,
-                rpc_module_paths=subactor_exposed_mods,
+                enable_modules=subactor_exposed_mods,
             )
 
     def run():
-        tractor.run(
-            main,
-            arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
-            rpc_module_paths=exposed_mods.copy(),
-        )
+        trio.run(main)
 
     # handle both parameterized cases
     if exposed_mods and func_defined:
diff --git a/tests/test_spawning.py b/tests/test_spawning.py
index fb1e1be..f9eeb16 100644
--- a/tests/test_spawning.py
+++ b/tests/test_spawning.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 """
 Spawning basics
 """
-from functools import partial
 
 import pytest
 import trio
@@ -12,41 +11,50 @@ from conftest import tractor_test
 data_to_pass_down = {'doggy': 10, 'kitty': 4}
 
 
-async def spawn(is_arbiter, data):
+async def spawn(is_arbiter, data, arb_addr):
     namespaces = [__name__]
 
     await trio.sleep(0.1)
-    actor = tractor.current_actor()
-    assert actor.is_arbiter == is_arbiter
-    data == data_to_pass_down
 
-    if actor.is_arbiter:
-        async with tractor.open_nursery() as nursery:
-            # forks here
-            portal = await nursery.run_in_actor(
-                spawn,
-                is_arbiter=False,
-                name='sub-actor',
-                data=data,
-                rpc_module_paths=namespaces,
-            )
+    async with tractor.open_root_actor(
+        arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+    ):
 
-            assert len(nursery._children) == 1
-            assert portal.channel.uid in tractor.current_actor()._peers
-            # be sure we can still get the result
-            result = await portal.result()
-            assert result == 10
-            return result
-    else:
-        return 10
+        actor = tractor.current_actor()
+        assert actor.is_arbiter == is_arbiter
+        data = data_to_pass_down
+
+        if actor.is_arbiter:
+
+            async with tractor.open_nursery(
+            ) as nursery:
+
+                # forks here
+                portal = await nursery.run_in_actor(
+                    spawn,
+                    is_arbiter=False,
+                    name='sub-actor',
+                    data=data,
+                    arb_addr=arb_addr,
+                    enable_modules=namespaces,
+                )
+
+                assert len(nursery._children) == 1
+                assert portal.channel.uid in tractor.current_actor()._peers
+                # be sure we can still get the result
+                result = await portal.result()
+                assert result == 10
+                return result
+        else:
+            return 10
 
 
 def test_local_arbiter_subactor_global_state(arb_addr):
-    result = tractor.run(
-        partial(spawn, data=data_to_pass_down),
+    result = trio.run(
+        spawn,
         True,
-        name='arbiter',
-        arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+        data_to_pass_down,
+        arb_addr,
     )
     assert result == 10
 
@@ -67,7 +75,7 @@ async def test_movie_theatre_convo(start_method):
         portal = await n.start_actor(
             'frank',
             # enable the actor to run funcs from this current module
-            rpc_module_paths=[__name__],
+            enable_modules=[__name__],
         )
 
         print(await portal.run(movie_theatre_question))
@@ -121,19 +129,20 @@ def test_loglevel_propagated_to_subactor(
     level = 'critical'
 
     async def main():
-        async with tractor.open_nursery() as tn:
+        async with tractor.open_nursery(
+            name='arbiter',
+            loglevel=level,
+            start_method=start_method,
+            arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+
+        ) as tn:
             await tn.run_in_actor(
                 check_loglevel,
                 level=level,
             )
 
-    tractor.run(
-        main,
-        name='arbiter',
-        loglevel=level,
-        start_method=start_method,
-        arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
-    )
+    trio.run(main)
+
     # ensure subactor spits log message on stderr
     captured = capfd.readouterr()
     assert 'yoyoyo' in captured.err
diff --git a/tests/test_streaming.py b/tests/test_streaming.py
index 9aba327..8d8169e 100644
--- a/tests/test_streaming.py
+++ b/tests/test_streaming.py
@@ -50,14 +50,24 @@ async def context_stream(ctx, sequence):
     assert cs.cancelled_caught
 
 
-async def stream_from_single_subactor(stream_func):
+async def stream_from_single_subactor(
+    arb_addr,
+    start_method,
+    stream_func,
+):
     """Verify we can spawn a daemon actor and retrieve streamed data.
     """
-    async with tractor.find_actor('streamerd') as portals:
+    # only one per host address, spawns an actor if None
+
+    async with tractor.open_nursery(
+        arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
+        start_method=start_method,
+    ) as nursery:
+
+        async with tractor.find_actor('streamerd') as portals:
+
+            if not portals:
 
-        if not portals:
-            # only one per host address, spawns an actor if None
-            async with tractor.open_nursery() as nursery:
                 # no brokerd actor found
                 portal = await nursery.start_actor(
                     'streamerd',
@@ -101,13 +111,13 @@ async def stream_from_single_subactor(stream_func):
 def test_stream_from_single_subactor(arb_addr, start_method, stream_func):
     """Verify streaming from a spawned async generator.
     """
-    tractor.run(
+    trio.run(
         partial(
             stream_from_single_subactor,
+            arb_addr,
+            start_method,
             stream_func=stream_func,
         ),
-        arbiter_addr=arb_addr,
-        start_method=start_method,
     )
 
 
@@ -208,9 +218,10 @@ async def a_quadruple_example():
         return result_stream
 
 
-async def cancel_after(wait):
-    with trio.move_on_after(wait):
-        return await a_quadruple_example()
+async def cancel_after(wait, arb_addr):
+    async with tractor.open_root_actor(arbiter_addr=arb_addr):
+        with trio.move_on_after(wait):
+            return await a_quadruple_example()
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='module')
@@ -222,7 +233,7 @@ def time_quad_ex(arb_addr, ci_env, spawn_backend):
 
     timeout = 7 if platform.system() in ('Windows', 'Darwin') else 4
     start = time.time()
-    results = tractor.run(cancel_after, timeout, arbiter_addr=arb_addr)
+    results = trio.run(cancel_after, timeout, arb_addr)
     diff = time.time() - start
     assert results
     return results, diff
@@ -249,7 +260,7 @@ def test_not_fast_enough_quad(
     """
     results, diff = time_quad_ex
     delay = max(diff - cancel_delay, 0)
-    results = tractor.run(cancel_after, delay, arbiter_addr=arb_addr)
+    results = trio.run(cancel_after, delay, arb_addr)
     system = platform.system()
     if system in ('Windows', 'Darwin') and results is not None:
         # In CI envoirments it seems later runs are quicker then the first
diff --git a/tractor/_trionics.py b/tractor/_trionics.py
index 4674bd9..dcf7aa5 100644
--- a/tractor/_trionics.py
+++ b/tractor/_trionics.py
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ class ActorNursery:
         name: Optional[str] = None,
         bind_addr: Tuple[str, int] = _default_bind_addr,
         rpc_module_paths: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+        enable_modules: List[str] = None,
         loglevel: str = None,  # set log level per subactor
         **kwargs,  # explicit args to ``fn``
     ) -> Portal:
@@ -131,7 +132,9 @@ class ActorNursery:
 
         portal = await self.start_actor(
             name,
-            rpc_module_paths=[mod_path] + (rpc_module_paths or []),
+            enable_modules=[mod_path] + (
+                enable_modules or rpc_module_paths or []
+            ),
             bind_addr=bind_addr,
             loglevel=loglevel,
             # use the run_in_actor nursery
@@ -366,7 +369,6 @@ async def open_nursery(
                 async with _open_and_supervise_one_cancels_all_nursery(
                     actor
                 ) as anursery:
-
                     yield anursery
 
         else:  # sub-nursery case