diff --git a/make.project/clean.sh b/make.project/clean.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..cee5d2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/make.project/clean.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+# clean the slate
+echo
+echo "Deleting ${dir_stage}"
+rm -Rfv ${dir_stage}
+
+echo
+echo "Deleting ${dir_stage}"
+rm -Rfv ${dir_logs}
diff --git a/make.project/purge_artifacts.sh b/make.project/purge_artifacts.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..c3d7d7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/make.project/purge_artifacts.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+rm -Rfv ${dir_artifacts}
+rm -Rfv ${dir_sysroot}
+mkdir -p ${dir_artifacts}
+mkdir -p ${dir_sysroot}
diff --git a/project_config.sh b/project_config.sh
index 2060ab6..6784e19 100755
--- a/project_config.sh
+++ b/project_config.sh
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 # set all vars to export automatically
 set -a
 
+echo "Loading project_config.sh...."
+
 #
 ## Shared Variables
 #
diff --git a/rex.project/x86_64/components/binutils.bash b/rex.project/x86_64/components/binutils.bash
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9e6b730
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rex.project/x86_64/components/binutils.bash
@@ -0,0 +1,311 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# desc:
+# stages, builds, installs
+
+# make variables persist in subprocesses for logging function
+set -a
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Configuration:
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# the name of this application
+APPNAME="binutils"
+
+# the version of this application
+#VERSION="2.25"
+VERSION="2.40"
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Variables and functions sourced from Environment:
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# assert_zero()
+# Checks if $1 is 0.  If non-0 value, halts the execution of the script.
+#
+# LOGS_ROOT
+# The parent directory where logs from this project will go.
+#
+# TEMP_STAGE_DIR
+# The parent directory of where source archives are extracted to.
+
+# register mode selections
+ARGUMENT_LIST=(
+    "stage"
+    "build_pass1"
+    "install_pass1"
+    "pass1"
+    "build_pass2"
+    "install_pass2"
+    "pass2"
+    "help"
+)
+
+# modes to associate with switches
+# assumes you want nothing done unless you ask for it.
+MODE_STAGE=false
+MODE_BUILD_PASS1=false
+MODE_INSTALL_PASS1=false
+MODE_PASS1=false
+MODE_BUILD_PASS2=false
+MODE_INSTALL_PASS2=false
+MODE_PASS2=false
+MODE_HELP=false
+
+# the file to log to
+LOGFILE="${APPNAME}.log"
+
+# ISO 8601 variation
+TIMESTAMP="$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H:%M:%S)"
+
+# the path where logs are written to
+# note: LOGS_ROOT is sourced from environment
+LOG_DIR="${dir_logs}/${APPNAME}-${TIMESTAMP}"
+
+# the path where the source will be located when complete
+# note: TEMP_STAGE_DIR is sourced from environment
+T_SOURCE_DIR="${TEMP_STAGE_DIR}/${APPNAME}"
+
+# read defined arguments
+opts=$(getopt \
+    --longoptions "$(printf "%s," "${ARGUMENT_LIST[@]}")" \
+    --name "$APPNAME" \
+    --options "" \
+    -- "$@"
+)
+
+# sourced from environment
+TEMP_STAGE_DIR=${TEMP_STAGE_DIR}
+whoami
+ls -l ${TEMP_STAGE_DIR}/../ | grep ${TEMP_STAGE_DIR}
+mkdir -p ${TEMP_STAGE_DIR}
+
+# process supplied arguments into flags that enable execution modes
+eval set --$opts
+while [[ $# -gt 0 ]]; do
+    case "$1" in
+        --stage)
+            MODE_STAGE=true
+            shift 1
+            ;;
+        --build_pass1)
+            MODE_BUILD_PASS1=true
+            shift 1
+            ;;
+        --install_pass1)
+            MODE_INSTALL_PASS1=true
+            shift 1
+            ;;
+        --pass1)
+            MODE_PASS1=true
+            shift 1
+            ;;
+        --build_pass2)
+            MODE_BUILD_PASS2=true
+            shift 1
+            ;;
+        --install_pass2)
+            MODE_INSTALL_PASS2=true
+            shift 1
+            ;;
+        --pass2)
+            MODE_PASS2=true
+            shift 1
+            ;;
+        --help)
+            MODE_HELP=true
+            shift 1
+            ;;
+        *)
+            break
+            ;;
+    esac
+done
+
+# print to stdout, print to log
+logprint() {
+	mkdir -p "${LOG_DIR}"
+	echo "[$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H:%M:%S)] [${APPNAME}] $1" \
+	| tee -a "${LOG_DIR}/${LOGFILE}"
+}
+
+# Tell the user we're alive...
+logprint "Initializing the ${APPNAME} utility..."
+
+# when the stage mode is enabled, this will execute
+mode_stage() {
+	logprint "Starting stage of ${APPNAME}..."
+
+	logprint "Removing any pre-existing staging for ${APPNAME}."
+	rm -Rf "${T_SOURCE_DIR}"*
+
+	logprint "Extracting ${APPNAME}-${VERSION} source archive to ${TEMP_STAGE_DIR}"
+	tar xf "${SOURCES_DIR}/${APPNAME}-${VERSION}.tar."* -C "${TEMP_STAGE_DIR}" \
+	|| $( logprint "Couldn't locate source tarball.  Did you run \`make download_sources\`?" \
+	&& assert_zero 127 )
+
+	logprint "Extraction complete...Renaming directory "
+	# conditionally rename if it needs it
+	stat "${T_SOURCE_DIR}-"* && mv "${T_SOURCE_DIR}-"* "${T_SOURCE_DIR}" 
+	assert_zero $?
+
+	logprint "Staging operation complete."
+}
+
+# when the build_pass1 mode is enabled, this will execute
+mode_build_pass1() {
+	logprint "Starting build of ${APPNAME}..."
+	
+	logprint "Entering build dir."	
+	pushd "${T_SOURCE_DIR}"
+	
+	# sourced from environment:  checks $? -- aborts script execution if non-zero
+	assert_zero $?
+
+	mkdir -p build
+	pushd build
+	assert_zero $?
+	
+	logprint "Configuring binutils pass1..."
+	../configure \
+		--prefix=${CROSSTOOLS_DIR} \
+		--with-sysroot=${T_SYSROOT} \
+		--target=${T_TRIPLET} \
+		--disable-nls \
+		--disable-werror
+	assert_zero $?
+	
+	logprint "Compiling..."
+	make
+	assert_zero $?
+
+	logprint "Build operation complete."
+}
+
+mode_build_pass2() {
+	logprint "Starting build of ${APPNAME}..."
+	
+	logprint "Entering build dir."	
+	pushd "${T_SOURCE_DIR}"
+	
+	# sourced from environment:  checks $? -- aborts script execution if non-zero
+	assert_zero $?
+
+	logprint "Entering build subdir"
+	mkdir -p build
+	pushd build
+	assert_zero $?
+	
+	# might be wrong, check if --enable-64-bit-bfd is needed on 64-bit targets
+	logprint "Configuring binutils pass2..."
+	../configure \
+		--prefix=/usr \
+		--build=$(../config.guess) \
+		--host=${T_TRIPLET} \
+		--disable-nls \
+		--enable-shared \
+		--disable-werror \
+		--enable-64-bit-bfd
+	assert_zero $?
+	
+	logprint "Compiling..."
+	make -j1
+	assert_zero $?
+
+	logprint "Build operation complete."
+}
+
+mode_install_pass1() {
+	logprint "Starting install of ${APPNAME}..."
+	pushd "${T_SOURCE_DIR}/build"
+	assert_zero $?
+	
+	make -j1 install
+	assert_zero $?
+	
+	logprint "Install operation complete."
+}
+
+mode_install_pass2() {
+	logprint "Starting install of ${APPNAME}..."
+	pushd "${T_SOURCE_DIR}/build"
+	assert_zero $?
+	
+	make -j1 DESTDIR=${T_SYSROOT} install
+	assert_zero $?
+	
+	logprint "Clean up items..."
+	logprint "Applying hotfix for libctf.so / host zlib bug"
+	install -vm755 libctf/.libs/libctf.so.0.0.0 ${T_SYSROOT}/usr/lib
+	assert_zero $?
+	
+	logprint "Install operation complete."
+}
+
+mode_help() {
+	echo "${APPNAME} [ --stage ] [ --build_pass1 ] [ --install_pass1 ] [ --pass1 ] [ --build_pass2 ] [ --install_pass2 ] [ --pass2 ][ --help ]"
+	exit 0
+}
+
+# MODE_PASS1 is a meta toggle for all pass1 modes.  Modes will always 
+# run in the correct order.
+if [ "$MODE_PASS1" = "true" ]; then
+	MODE_STAGE=true
+	MODE_BUILD_PASS1=true
+	MODE_INSTALL_PASS1=true
+fi
+
+if [ "$MODE_PASS2" = "true" ]; then
+	MODE_STAGE=true
+	MODE_BUILD_PASS2=true
+	MODE_INSTALL_PASS2=true
+fi
+
+# if no options were selected, then show help and exit
+if \
+	[ "$MODE_HELP" != "true" ] && \
+	[ "$MODE_STAGE" != "true" ] && \
+	[ "$MODE_BUILD_PASS1" != "true" ] && \
+	[ "$MODE_INSTALL_PASS1" != "true" ] && \
+	[ "$MODE_BUILD_PASS2" != "true" ] && \
+	[ "$MODE_INSTALL_PASS2" != "true" ]
+then
+	logprint "No option selected during execution."
+	mode_help
+fi
+
+# if help was supplied at all, show help and exit
+if [ "$MODE_HELP" = "true" ]; then
+	logprint "Help option selected.  Printing options and exiting."
+	mode_help
+fi
+
+if [ "$MODE_STAGE" = "true" ]; then
+	logprint "Staging option selected."
+	mode_stage
+	assert_zero $?
+fi
+
+if [ "$MODE_BUILD_PASS1" = "true" ]; then
+	logprint "Build of PASS1 selected."
+	mode_build_pass1
+	assert_zero $?
+fi
+
+if [ "$MODE_INSTALL_PASS1" = "true" ]; then
+	logprint "Install of PASS1 selected."
+	mode_install_pass1
+	assert_zero $?
+fi
+
+if [ "$MODE_BUILD_PASS2" = "true" ]; then
+	logprint "Build of PASS2 selected."
+	mode_build_pass2
+	assert_zero $?
+fi
+
+if [ "$MODE_INSTALL_PASS2" = "true" ]; then
+	logprint "Install of PASS2 selected."
+	mode_install_pass2
+	assert_zero $?
+fi
+
+logprint "Execution of ${APPNAME} completed."
diff --git a/rex.project/x86_64/components/check_dependencies.bash b/rex.project/x86_64/components/check_dependencies.bash
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..32ce616
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rex.project/x86_64/components/check_dependencies.bash
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Simple script to list version numbers of critical development tools
+export LC_ALL=C
+
+echo
+echo "Checking bash..."
+bash --version | head -n1 | cut -d" " -f2-4
+
+echo
+echo "Checking /bin/sh path"
+MYSH=$(readlink -f /bin/sh)
+echo "/bin/sh -> $MYSH"
+echo $MYSH | grep -q bash || echofail "/bin/sh does not point to bash"
+unset MYSH
+
+echo
+echo "Checking binutils..."
+echo -n "Binutils: "; ld --version | head -n1 | cut -d" " -f3-
+bison --version | head -n1
+
+echo
+echo "Checking yacc..."
+if [ -h /usr/bin/yacc ]; then
+  echo "/usr/bin/yacc -> `readlink -f /usr/bin/yacc`";
+elif [ -x /usr/bin/yacc ]; then
+cat > /usr/bin/yacc << "EOF"
+#!/bin/sh
+# Begin /usr/bin/yacc
+
+/usr/bin/bison -y $*
+
+# End /usr/bin/yacc
+EOF
+chmod 755 /usr/bin/yacc
+else
+  echofail "yacc not found"
+fi
+
+
+
+echo
+echo -n "Coreutils: "; chown --version | head -n1 | cut -d")" -f2
+diff --version | head -n1
+find --version | head -n1
+gawk --version | head -n1
+
+if [ -h /usr/bin/awk ]; then
+  echo "/usr/bin/awk -> `readlink -f /usr/bin/awk`";
+elif [ -x /usr/bin/awk ]; then
+  echo awk is `/usr/bin/awk --version | head -n1`
+else
+  echofail "awk not found"
+fi
+
+echo
+echo "Checking GCC..."
+gcc --version | head -n1
+
+echo
+echo "Checking G++..."
+g++ --version | head -n1
+
+echo
+echo "Checking grep..."
+grep --version | head -n1
+
+echo
+echo "Checking gzip..."
+gzip --version | head -n1
+
+echo
+echo "Checking /proc/version..."
+cat /proc/version
+
+echo
+echo "Checking m4..."
+m4 --version | head -n1
+
+echo
+echo "Checking make..."
+make --version | head -n1
+
+echo
+echo "Checking patch..."
+patch --version | head -n1
+
+echo
+echo "Checking perl..."
+echo Perl `perl -V:version`
+
+echo
+echo "Checking python..."
+python3 --version
+
+echo
+echo "Checking sed..."
+sed --version | head -n1
+
+echo
+echo "Checking tar..."
+tar --version | head -n1
+
+echo
+echo "Checking makeinfo..."
+makeinfo --version | head -n1
+retVal=${PIPESTATUS[0]}
+
+if [ $retVal -ne 0 ]; then
+	echofail "Could not check makeinfo version...(yum -y install texinfo)"
+fi
+
+echo
+echo "Checking xz..."
+xz --version | head -n1
+
+
+pushd /tmp
+rm -fv dummy*
+echo
+echo "Testing compiler..."
+echo 'int main(){}' > dummy.c || echofail "failed to generate /tmp/dummy.c"
+g++ -o dummy dummy.c || echofail "failed to compile /tmp/dummy.c"
+./dummy || echofail "could not execute test program"
+
+if [ -x dummy ];  then 
+	rm -fv dummy*
+	echo "g++ compilation OK"
+else
+	rm -fv dummy*
+	echofail "g++ compilation failed"
+fi
+
+
+echo
+
diff --git a/rex.project/x86_64/components/create_sysroot_dirs.bash b/rex.project/x86_64/components/create_sysroot_dirs.bash
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..0470f2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rex.project/x86_64/components/create_sysroot_dirs.bash
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+mkdir -pv ${dir_sysroot}/{etc,var} ${dir_sysroot}/usr/{bin,lib,sbin} || echofail "Creating sysroot directories..."
+
+for i in bin lib sbin; do
+  ln -sv usr/$i ${dir_sysroot}/$i || echofail "Creating sysroot symlinks for bin,lib,sbin"
+done
+
+case $(uname -m) in
+  x86_64) 
+	mkdir -pv ${dir_sysroot}/lib64 || echofail "Creating /lib64"
+	;;
+esac
+
+mkdir -v ${TEMP_STAGE_DIR} || echofail "Creating ${TEMP_STAGE_DIR}"
diff --git a/rex.project/x86_64/environments/stage1.env.bash b/rex.project/x86_64/environments/stage1.env.bash
index bd44698..3a8eae4 100755
--- a/rex.project/x86_64/environments/stage1.env.bash
+++ b/rex.project/x86_64/environments/stage1.env.bash
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 set -a
 
+source ./project_config.sh
+
 TERM=xterm-256color
 COLORTERM=truecolor
-PATH=
-LANG=C
-PATH=/usr/lib64/ccache:/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/sbin
+LC_ALL=C
 
 function echofail() {
 	echo
@@ -12,3 +12,57 @@ function echofail() {
 	echo
 	exit 1
 }
+
+# keeps talking about T_SYSROOT as $LFS
+# wants $LFS path to be a mount
+# needs to be set for any user including root
+
+#2.6
+# sourced from project_config
+T_SYSROOT=${dir_sysroot}
+LFS=${T_SYSROOT}
+
+# 4.3 we skip user and group creation, it's expected to be done before
+# you start if you want a different user than you're running as
+# == after that, configure the rex unit for dir creation to use that user
+
+if [ "$(id -u)" -ne 0 ]; then 
+	echo "Not running as root." 
+fi
+
+# 4.4
+
+# The set +h command turns off bash's hash function, which affects caching of paths for executables
+set +h
+
+# ensures newly created files and directories are only writable by their owner, but are readable and executable by anyone
+umask 022
+
+# sets a comptabile machine name description for use when building crosstools that isn't going to be what the host system is using
+# $LFS_TGT is what LFS uses for this
+T_TRIPLET=x86_64-dhl-linux-gnu
+
+PATH=${T_SYSROOT}/tools/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/sbin
+
+# prevents some configure scripts from looking in the wrong place for config.site 
+CONFIG_SITE=${T_SYSROOT}/usr/share/config.site
+
+# 4.5
+MAKEFLAGS="-j$(nproc)"
+
+# where the cross-compiler gets installed ($LFS/tools)
+CROSSTOOLS_DIR=${T_SYSROOT}/xtools
+TEMP_STAGE_DIR=${T_SYSROOT}/source_stage
+# from project_config
+SOURCES_DIR=${dir_sources}
+
+# fail the unit in the event of a non-zero value passed
+# used primarily to check exit codes on previous commands
+# also a great convenient place to add in a "press any key to continue"
+assert_zero() {
+	if [[ "$1" -eq 0 ]]; then 
+		return
+	else
+		exit $1
+	fi
+}
diff --git a/rex.project/x86_64/plans/stage1.plan b/rex.project/x86_64/plans/stage1.plan
index b55ad29..7c467c5 100644
--- a/rex.project/x86_64/plans/stage1.plan
+++ b/rex.project/x86_64/plans/stage1.plan
@@ -10,6 +10,16 @@
 			"name":			"check dependencies",
 			"dependencies":	[ null ],
 			"comment":		"LFS 11.3-systemd-rc1 Ch. 2.2"
+		},
+		{
+			"name":			"creating T_SYSROOT dirs",
+			"dependencies":	[ null ],
+			"comment":		"LFS 11.3-systemd-rc1 Ch. 4.2"
+		},
+		{
+			"name":			"binutils pass 1",
+			"dependencies":	[ null ],
+			"comment":		"LFS 11.3-systemd-rc1 Ch. 5.2"
 		}
 	]
 }
diff --git a/rex.project/x86_64/units/stage1.units b/rex.project/x86_64/units/stage1.units
index de748b2..8e75a42 100644
--- a/rex.project/x86_64/units/stage1.units
+++ b/rex.project/x86_64/units/stage1.units
@@ -29,6 +29,42 @@
         "rectify":      			false,
         "rectifier":    			"",
         "active":       			true,
+        "required":     			true,
+		"set_user_context": 		true,
+        "user":         			"root",
+        "group":        			"root",
+		"supply_environment":		true,
+        "environment":  			"environments/stage1.env.bash"
+    },
+    {
+        "name":         			"creating T_SYSROOT dirs",
+        "target":       			"components/create_sysroot_dirs.bash",
+		"is_shell_command":			true,
+		"shell_definition":			"bash",
+		"force_pty":				true,
+		"set_working_directory":	false,
+		"working_directory":		"",
+        "rectify":      			false,
+        "rectifier":    			"",
+        "active":       			true,
+        "required":     			true,
+		"set_user_context": 		true,
+        "user":         			"phanes",
+        "group":        			"phanes",
+		"supply_environment":		true,
+        "environment":  			"environments/stage1.env.bash"
+    },
+    {
+        "name":         			"binutils pass 1",
+        "target":       			"components/binutils.bash --pass1",
+		"is_shell_command":			true,
+		"shell_definition":			"bash",
+		"force_pty":				true,
+		"set_working_directory":	false,
+		"working_directory":		"",
+        "rectify":      			false,
+        "rectifier":    			"",
+        "active":       			true,
         "required":     			true,
 		"set_user_context": 		true,
         "user":         			"phanes",