diff --git a/behave/features/addchannels-pkgcheckout.feature b/behave/features/addchannels-pkgcheckout.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4e4c908a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/addchannels-pkgcheckout.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+Feature: `osc addchannels` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "checkout test:factory test-pkgA"
+     And I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}/test:factory/test-pkgA"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to package 'test:factory/test-pkgA'
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels --enable-all`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels --enable-all"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to package 'test:factory/test-pkgA' options: enable-all
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels --skip-disabled`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels --skip-disabled"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to package 'test:factory/test-pkgA' options: skip-disabled
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/addchannels-prjcheckout.feature b/behave/features/addchannels-prjcheckout.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..44ecf1fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/addchannels-prjcheckout.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+Feature: `osc addchannels` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "checkout test:factory"
+     And I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}/test:factory"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to project 'test:factory'
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels --enable-all`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels --enable-all"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to project 'test:factory' options: enable-all
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels --skip-disabled`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels --skip-disabled"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to project 'test:factory' options: skip-disabled
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/addchannels-project-package.feature b/behave/features/addchannels-project-package.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ccb74008
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/addchannels-project-package.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+Feature: `osc addchannels` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels <project> <package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels test:factory test-pkgA"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to package 'test:factory/test-pkgA'
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels <project>/<package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels test:factory/test-pkgA"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to package 'test:factory/test-pkgA'
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels <project> <package> --enable-all`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels test:factory test-pkgA --enable-all"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to package 'test:factory/test-pkgA' options: enable-all
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels <project> <package> --skip-disabled`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels test:factory test-pkgA --skip-disabled"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to package 'test:factory/test-pkgA' options: skip-disabled
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/addchannels-project.feature b/behave/features/addchannels-project.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2e9bc83b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/addchannels-project.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+Feature: `osc addchannels` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels <project>`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels test:factory"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to project 'test:factory'
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels <project> --enable-all`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels test:factory --enable-all"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to project 'test:factory' options: enable-all
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addchannels <project> --skip-disabled`
+    When I execute osc with args "addchannels test:factory --skip-disabled"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding channels to project 'test:factory' options: skip-disabled
+        """
+
diff --git a/behave/features/addcontainers-pkgcheckout.feature b/behave/features/addcontainers-pkgcheckout.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cdd2830c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/addcontainers-pkgcheckout.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+Feature: `osc addcontainers` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "checkout test:factory test-pkgA"
+     And I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}/test:factory/test-pkgA"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addcontainers`
+    When I execute osc with args "addcontainers"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding containers to package 'test:factory/test-pkgA'
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addcontainers --extend-package-names`
+    When I execute osc with args "addcontainers --extend-package-names"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding containers to package 'test:factory/test-pkgA' options: extend-package-names
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/addcontainers-prjcheckout.feature b/behave/features/addcontainers-prjcheckout.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ba8ae44d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/addcontainers-prjcheckout.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+Feature: `osc addcontainers` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "checkout test:factory"
+     And I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}/test:factory"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addcontainers`
+    When I execute osc with args "addcontainers"
+    Then the exit code is 1
+     And stderr is
+        """
+        Directory '{context.osc.temp}/test:factory' is not a working copy of a package
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/addcontainers-project-package.feature b/behave/features/addcontainers-project-package.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..70a475b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/addcontainers-project-package.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+Feature: `osc addcontainers` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addcontainers <project> <package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "addcontainers test:factory test-pkgA"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding containers to package 'test:factory/test-pkgA'
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addcontainers <project>/<package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "addcontainers test:factory/test-pkgA"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding containers to package 'test:factory/test-pkgA'
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc addcontainers <project> <package> --extend-package-names`
+    When I execute osc with args "addcontainers test:factory test-pkgA --extend-package-names"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Adding containers to package 'test:factory/test-pkgA' options: extend-package-names
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/develproject-pkgcheckout.feature b/behave/features/develproject-pkgcheckout.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..49af6d0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/develproject-pkgcheckout.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+Feature: `osc develproject` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "checkout test:factory test-pkgA"
+     And I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}/test:factory/test-pkgA"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc develproject`
+    When I execute osc with args "develproject"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        test:devel/test-pkgA
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/develproject-prjcheckout.feature b/behave/features/develproject-prjcheckout.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..17881377
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/develproject-prjcheckout.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+Feature: `osc develproject` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "checkout test:factory"
+     And I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}/test:factory"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc develproject`
+    When I execute osc with args "develproject"
+    Then the exit code is 1
+     And stderr is
+        """
+        Directory '{context.osc.temp}/test:factory' is not a working copy of a package
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/develproject-project-package.feature b/behave/features/develproject-project-package.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..92ec9b03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/develproject-project-package.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+Feature: `osc develproject` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc develproject`
+    When I execute osc with args "develproject test:factory test-pkgA"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        test:devel/test-pkgA
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc develproject`
+    When I execute osc with args "develproject test:factory test-pkgB"
+    Then the exit code is 1
+     And stderr is
+        """
+        Package test:factory/test-pkgB has no devel project
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc develproject`
+    When I execute osc with args "develproject test:factory/test-pkgB"
+    Then the exit code is 1
+     And stderr is
+        """
+        Package test:factory/test-pkgB has no devel project
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/develproject-project.feature b/behave/features/develproject-project.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..547f9782
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/develproject-project.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+Feature: `osc develproject` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc develproject`
+    When I execute osc with args "develproject test:factory"
+    Then the exit code is 1
+     And stderr is
+        """
+        *** Error: Please specify a package
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/enablechannels-pkgcheckout.feature b/behave/features/enablechannels-pkgcheckout.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d11916b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/enablechannels-pkgcheckout.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+Feature: `osc enablechannels` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "checkout test:factory test-pkgA"
+     And I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}/test:factory/test-pkgA"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc enablechannels`
+    When I execute osc with args "enablechannels"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Enabling channels in package 'test:factory/test-pkgA'
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/enablechannels-prjcheckout.feature b/behave/features/enablechannels-prjcheckout.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..457b42a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/enablechannels-prjcheckout.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+Feature: `osc enablechannels` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "checkout test:factory"
+     And I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}/test:factory"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc enablechannels`
+    When I execute osc with args "enablechannels"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Enabling channels in project 'test:factory'
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/enablechannels-project-package.feature b/behave/features/enablechannels-project-package.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..142b9555
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/enablechannels-project-package.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+Feature: `osc enablechannels` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc enablechannels <project> <package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "enablechannels test:factory test-pkgA"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Enabling channels in package 'test:factory/test-pkgA'
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc enablechannels <project>/<package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "enablechannels test:factory/test-pkgA"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Enabling channels in package 'test:factory/test-pkgA'
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/enablechannels-project.feature b/behave/features/enablechannels-project.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2df78504
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/enablechannels-project.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+Feature: `osc enablechannels` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc enablechannels <project>`
+    When I execute osc with args "enablechannels test:factory"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Enabling channels in project 'test:factory'
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/environment.py b/behave/features/environment.py
index 4650ddf7..93fa77df 100644
--- a/behave/features/environment.py
+++ b/behave/features/environment.py
@@ -20,8 +20,9 @@ def before_scenario(context, scenario):
 def after_scenario(context, scenario):
     if "destructive" in scenario.tags:
         # start a new container after a destructive test
-        context.podman.kill()
-        context.podman = podman.Podman()
+        # we must use an existing podman instance defined in `before_all` due to context attribute life-cycle:
+        # https://behave.readthedocs.io/en/stable/context_attributes.html
+        context.podman.restart()
     context.osc.clear()
     common.check_exit_code(context)
 
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ def before_all(context):
     # absolute path to .../behave/fixtures
     context.fixtures = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "fixtures")
 
-    context.podman = podman.Podman()
+    context.podman = podman.Podman(context)
     context.osc = osc.Osc(context)
 
 
diff --git a/behave/features/setdevelproject-pkgcheckout.feature b/behave/features/setdevelproject-pkgcheckout.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..40efb702
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/setdevelproject-pkgcheckout.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+Feature: `osc setdevelproject` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "checkout test:factory test-pkgA"
+     And I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}/test:factory/test-pkgA"
+
+
+@destructive
+Scenario: Run `osc setdevelproject <devel_project>`
+    When I execute osc with args "setdevelproject test:devel"
+    Then the exit code is 0
+     And stdout is
+        """
+        Setting devel project of package 'test:factory/test-pkgA' to package 'test:devel/test-pkgA'
+        Sending meta data...
+        Done.
+        """
+
+
+@destructive
+Scenario: Run `osc setdevelproject <devel_project> <devel_package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "setdevelproject test:devel test-pkgA"
+    Then the exit code is 0
+     And stdout is
+        """
+        Setting devel project of package 'test:factory/test-pkgA' to package 'test:devel/test-pkgA'
+        Sending meta data...
+        Done.
+        """
+
+
+@destructive
+Scenario: Run `osc setdevelproject <devel_project>/<devel_package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "setdevelproject test:devel/test-pkgA"
+    Then the exit code is 0
+     And stdout is
+        """
+        Setting devel project of package 'test:factory/test-pkgA' to package 'test:devel/test-pkgA'
+        Sending meta data...
+        Done.
+        """
+
+
+@destructive
+Scenario: Run `osc setdevelproject --unset`
+   Given I execute osc with args "setdevelproject test:devel"
+    When I execute osc with args "setdevelproject --unset"
+    Then the exit code is 0
+     And stdout is
+        """
+        Unsetting devel project from package 'test:factory/test-pkgA'
+        Sending meta data...
+        Done.
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/setdevelproject-prjcheckout.feature b/behave/features/setdevelproject-prjcheckout.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..40e58eed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/setdevelproject-prjcheckout.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+Feature: `osc setdevelproject` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "checkout test:factory"
+     And I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}/test:factory"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc setdevelproject <devel_project>`
+    When I execute osc with args "setdevelproject devel"
+    Then the exit code is 1
+     And stderr is
+        """
+        Directory '{context.osc.temp}/test:factory' is not a working copy of a package
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/setdevelproject-project-package.feature b/behave/features/setdevelproject-project-package.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dd9b4032
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/setdevelproject-project-package.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+Feature: `osc setdevelproject` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+
+
+@destructive
+Scenario: Run `osc setdevelproject <project> <package> <devel_project>`
+    When I execute osc with args "setdevelproject test:factory test-pkgA test:devel"
+    Then the exit code is 0
+     And stdout is
+        """
+        Setting devel project of package 'test:factory/test-pkgA' to package 'test:devel/test-pkgA'
+        Sending meta data...
+        Done.
+        """
+
+
+@destructive
+Scenario: Run `osc setdevelproject <project> <package> <devel_project> <devel_package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "setdevelproject test:factory test-pkgB test:devel test-pkgA"
+    Then the exit code is 0
+     And stdout is
+        """
+        Setting devel project of package 'test:factory/test-pkgB' to package 'test:devel/test-pkgA'
+        Sending meta data...
+        Done.
+        """
+
+
+@destructive
+Scenario: Run `osc setdevelproject  <project>/<package> <devel_project>/<devel_package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "setdevelproject test:factory/test-pkgB test:devel/test-pkgA"
+    Then the exit code is 0
+     And stdout is
+        """
+        Setting devel project of package 'test:factory/test-pkgB' to package 'test:devel/test-pkgA'
+        Sending meta data...
+        Done.
+        """
+
+
+@destructive
+Scenario: Run `osc setdevelproject <project> <package> --unset`
+    When I execute osc with args "setdevelproject test:factory test-pkgA --unset"
+    Then the exit code is 0
+     And stdout is
+        """
+        Unsetting devel project from package 'test:factory/test-pkgA'
+        Sending meta data...
+        Done.
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/setlinkrev-project-package.feature b/behave/features/setlinkrev-project-package.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6dbcb4a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/setlinkrev-project-package.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+Feature: `osc setlinkrev` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "linkpac test:factory/test-pkgA home:Admin --force"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc setlinkrev <project> <package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "setlinkrev home:Admin test-pkgA"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Set link revision of package home:Admin/test-pkgA to 3
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc setlinkrev <project>/<package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "setlinkrev home:Admin/test-pkgA"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Set link revision of package home:Admin/test-pkgA to 3
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc setlinkrev <project> <package> --revision`
+    When I execute osc with args "setlinkrev home:Admin test-pkgA --revision=2"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Set link revision of package home:Admin/test-pkgA to 2
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc setlinkrev <project> <package> --unset`
+    When I execute osc with args "setlinkrev home:Admin test-pkgA --unset"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Removed link revision from package home:Admin/test-pkgA
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/setlinkrev-project.feature b/behave/features/setlinkrev-project.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dab5dfbd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/setlinkrev-project.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+Feature: `osc setlinkrev` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "linkpac test:factory/test-pkgA home:Admin --force"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc setlinkrev <project>`
+    When I execute osc with args "setlinkrev home:Admin"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Set link revision of package home:Admin/test-pkgA to 3
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc setlinkrev <project> --revision`
+    When I execute osc with args "setlinkrev home:Admin --revision=2"
+    Then the exit code is 2
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc setlinkrev <project> --unset`
+   Given I execute osc with args "setlinkrev home:Admin test-pkgA --revision=2"
+     And stdout is
+        """
+        Set link revision of package home:Admin/test-pkgA to 2
+        """
+    When I execute osc with args "setlinkrev home:Admin --unset"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        Removed link revision from package home:Admin/test-pkgA
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/showlinked-pkgcheckout.feature b/behave/features/showlinked-pkgcheckout.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5fced7af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/showlinked-pkgcheckout.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+Feature: `osc showlinked` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "checkout test:factory/test-pkgA"
+     And I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}/test:factory/test-pkgA"
+     And I execute osc with args "linkpac test:factory/test-pkgA home:Admin --force"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc showlinked`
+    When I execute osc with args "showlinked"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        home:Admin/test-pkgA
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/showlinked-prjcheckout.feature b/behave/features/showlinked-prjcheckout.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8753ac77
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/showlinked-prjcheckout.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+Feature: `osc showlinked` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "checkout test:factory"
+     And I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}/test:factory"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc showlinked`
+    When I execute osc with args "showlinked"
+    Then the exit code is 1
+     And stderr is
+        """
+        Directory '{context.osc.temp}/test:factory' is not a working copy of a package
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/showlinked-project-package.feature b/behave/features/showlinked-project-package.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..141206b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/behave/features/showlinked-project-package.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+Feature: `osc showlinked` command
+
+
+# common steps for all scenarios
+Background:
+   Given I set working directory to "{context.osc.temp}"
+     And I execute osc with args "linkpac test:factory/test-pkgA home:Admin --force"
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc showlinked <project> <package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "showlinked test:factory test-pkgA"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        home:Admin/test-pkgA
+        """
+
+
+Scenario: Run `osc showlinked <project>/<package>`
+    When I execute osc with args "showlinked test:factory/test-pkgA"
+    Then stdout is
+        """
+        home:Admin/test-pkgA
+        """
diff --git a/behave/features/steps/common.py b/behave/features/steps/common.py
index 4f2c7644..04bc520d 100644
--- a/behave/features/steps/common.py
+++ b/behave/features/steps/common.py
@@ -6,6 +6,13 @@ import subprocess
 import behave
 
 
+def debug(context, *args):
+    if not context.config.userdata.get("DEBUG", False):
+        return
+    msg = " ".join((str(i).strip() for i in args))
+    print(f"DEBUG: {msg}")
+
+
 def makedirs(path):
     try:
         os.makedirs(path)
@@ -62,16 +69,14 @@ def run_in_context(context, cmd, can_fail=False, **run_args):
         env["PATH"] = path.replace("$PATH", env["PATH"])
         run_args["env"] = env
 
-    if context.config.userdata.get("DEBUG", False):
-        print(f"DEBUG: command: {cmd}")
+    debug(context, "Running command:", cmd)
 
     context.cmd_exitcode, context.cmd_stdout, context.cmd_stderr = run(cmd, **run_args)
     context.cmd_exitcode_checked = False
 
-    if context.config.userdata.get("DEBUG", False):
-        print(f"DEBUG: exit code: {context.cmd_exitcode}")
-        print(f"DEBUG: stdout: {context.cmd_stdout}")
-        print(f"DEBUG: stderr: {context.cmd_stderr}")
+    debug(context, "> return code:", context.cmd_exitcode)
+    debug(context, "> stdout:", context.cmd_stdout)
+    debug(context, "> stderr:", context.cmd_stderr)
 
     if not can_fail and context.cmd_exitcode != 0:
         raise AssertionError('Running command "%s" failed: %s' % (cmd, context.cmd_exitcode))
@@ -93,8 +98,8 @@ def step_impl(context, text):
 
 @behave.step("stdout is")
 def step_impl(context):
-    expected = context.text.format(context=context).rstrip().split('\n')
-    found = context.cmd_stdout.rstrip().split('\n')
+    expected = context.text.format(context=context).rstrip().split("\n")
+    found = context.cmd_stdout.rstrip().split("\n")
 
     if found == expected:
         return
@@ -104,6 +109,19 @@ def step_impl(context):
     raise AssertionError(f"Stdout is not:\n{expected_str}\n\nActual stdout:\n{found_str}")
 
 
+@behave.step("stderr is")
+def step_impl(context):
+    expected = context.text.format(context=context).rstrip().split("\n")
+    found = context.cmd_stderr.rstrip().split("\n")
+
+    if found == expected:
+        return
+
+    expected_str = "\n".join(expected)
+    found_str = "\n".join(found)
+    raise AssertionError(f"Stderr is not:\n{expected_str}\n\nActual stderr:\n{found_str}")
+
+
 @behave.step('I set working directory to "{path}"')
 def step_impl(context, path):
     path = path.format(context=context)
@@ -183,7 +201,15 @@ def step_impl(context, path, mode):
 @behave.step("the exit code is {exitcode}")
 def the_exit_code_is(context, exitcode):
     if context.cmd_exitcode != int(exitcode):
-        raise AssertionError(f"Command has exited with code {context.cmd_exitcode}: {context.cmd}")
+        lines = [
+            f"Command has exited with code {context.cmd_exitcode}: {context.cmd}",
+            "> stdout:",
+            context.cmd_stdout.strip(),
+            "",
+            "> stderr:",
+            context.cmd_stderr.strip(),
+        ]
+        raise AssertionError("\n".join(lines))
     context.cmd_exitcode_checked = True
 
 
diff --git a/behave/features/steps/osc.py b/behave/features/steps/osc.py
index 95972b99..86a03f47 100644
--- a/behave/features/steps/osc.py
+++ b/behave/features/steps/osc.py
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 import os
+import re
 import shutil
 import tempfile
 import time
 
 import behave
 
+from steps.common import debug
 from steps.common import run_in_context
 
 
@@ -14,6 +16,7 @@ class Osc:
             raise RuntimeError("context doesn't have 'podman' object set")
 
         self.context = context
+        debug(self.context, "Osc.__init__()")
         self.temp = None
         self.clear()
 
@@ -24,6 +27,7 @@ class Osc:
             pass
 
     def clear(self):
+        debug(self.context, "Osc.clear()")
         if self.temp:
             shutil.rmtree(self.temp)
         self.temp = tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="osc_behave_")
@@ -54,6 +58,8 @@ def step_impl(context, args):
     cmd = context.osc.get_cmd() + [args]
     cmd = " ".join(cmd)
     run_in_context(context, cmd, can_fail=True)
+    # remove InsecureRequestWarning that is irrelevant to the tests
+    context.cmd_stderr = re.sub(r"^.*InsecureRequestWarning.*\n  warnings.warn\(\n", "", context.cmd_stderr)
 
 
 @behave.step('I wait for osc results for "{project}" "{package}"')
diff --git a/behave/features/steps/podman.py b/behave/features/steps/podman.py
index 4bafaa6a..ae9bc5ff 100644
--- a/behave/features/steps/podman.py
+++ b/behave/features/steps/podman.py
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 import subprocess
 
+from steps.common import debug
+
 
 class Podman:
-    def __init__(self):
+    def __init__(self, context):
+        self.context = context
+        debug(context, "Podman.__init__()")
         self.container_id = None
-        self.run()
-        self.wait_on_systemd()
-        self.port = self.get_port()
+        self.start()
 
     def __del__(self):
         try:
@@ -16,6 +18,7 @@ class Podman:
 
     def _run(self, args, check=True):
         cmd = ["podman"] + args
+        debug(self.context, "Running command:", cmd)
         proc = subprocess.run(
             cmd,
             stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
@@ -23,9 +26,13 @@ class Podman:
             encoding="utf-8",
             check=check,
         )
+        debug(self.context, "> return code:", proc.returncode)
+        debug(self.context, "> stdout:", proc.stdout)
+        debug(self.context, "> stderr:", proc.stderr)
         return proc
 
-    def run(self):
+    def start(self):
+        debug(self.context, "Podman.start()")
         args = [
             "run",
             "--name", "obs-server-behave",
@@ -41,14 +48,22 @@ class Podman:
         proc = self._run(args)
         lines = proc.stdout.strip().splitlines()
         self.container_id = lines[-1]
+        self.wait_on_systemd()
+        self.port = self.get_port()
 
     def kill(self):
         if not self.container_id:
             return
+        debug(self.context, "Podman.kill()")
         args = ["kill", self.container_id]
         self._run(args)
         self.container_id = None
 
+    def restart(self):
+        debug(self.context, "Podman.restart()")
+        self.kill()
+        self.start()
+
     def wait_on_systemd(self):
         args = [
             "exec",
@@ -65,4 +80,4 @@ class Podman:
             if line.startswith("443/tcp"):
                 # return <port> from: "443/tcp -> 0.0.0.0:<port>"
                 return line.split(":")[-1]
-        return None
+        raise RuntimeError(f"Could not determine port of container {self.container_id}")
diff --git a/osc/_private/__init__.py b/osc/_private/__init__.py
index 14976d5e..fd1b6337 100644
--- a/osc/_private/__init__.py
+++ b/osc/_private/__init__.py
@@ -3,5 +3,12 @@
 #
 # The cherry-picked imports will be the supported API.
 
+from .api_source import add_channels
+from .api_source import add_containers
+from .api_source import enable_channels
+from .api_source import get_linked_packages
+from .api_source import release
+from .common import print_msg
+from .common import format_msg_project_package_options
 from .package import ApiPackage
 from .request import forward_request
diff --git a/osc/_private/api.py b/osc/_private/api.py
index 9fe29cc3..801ed37f 100644
--- a/osc/_private/api.py
+++ b/osc/_private/api.py
@@ -33,6 +33,31 @@ def get(apiurl, path, query=None):
     return root
 
 
+def post(apiurl, path, query=None):
+    """
+    Send a POST request to OBS.
+
+    :param apiurl: OBS apiurl.
+    :type  apiurl: str
+    :param path: URL path segments.
+    :type  path: list(str)
+    :param query: URL query values.
+    :type  query: dict(str, str)
+    :returns: Parsed XML root.
+    :rtype:   xml.etree.ElementTree.Element
+    """
+    assert apiurl
+    assert path
+
+    if not isinstance(path, (list, tuple)):
+        raise TypeError("Argument `path` expects a list of strings")
+
+    url = osc_core.makeurl(apiurl, path, query)
+    with osc_connection.http_POST(url) as f:
+        root = osc_core.ET.parse(f).getroot()
+    return root
+
+
 def find_nodes(root, root_name, node_name):
     """
     Find nodes with given `node_name`.
diff --git a/osc/_private/api_source.py b/osc/_private/api_source.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3af47b63
--- /dev/null
+++ b/osc/_private/api_source.py
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+from . import api
+from .common import format_msg_project_package_options
+from .common import print_msg
+from .. import oscerr
+
+
+def add_channels(apiurl, project, package=None, enable_all=False, skip_disabled=False, print_to="debug"):
+    if all((enable_all, skip_disabled)):
+        raise oscerr.OscValueError("Options 'enable_all' and 'skip_disabled' are mutually exclusive")
+
+    msg = format_msg_project_package_options(
+        "Adding channels to",
+        project,
+        package,
+        enable_all=enable_all,
+        skip_disabled=skip_disabled,
+    )
+    print_msg(msg, print_to=print_to)
+
+    url_path = ["source", project]
+    if package:
+        url_path += [package]
+
+    url_query = {"cmd": "addchannels"}
+    if enable_all:
+        url_query["mode"] = "enable_all"
+    if skip_disabled:
+        url_query["mode"] = "skip_disabled"
+
+    return api.post(apiurl, url_path, url_query)
+
+
+def add_containers(apiurl, project, package, extend_package_names=False, print_to="debug"):
+    msg = format_msg_project_package_options(
+        "Adding containers to",
+        project,
+        package,
+        extend_package_names=extend_package_names,
+    )
+    print_msg(msg, print_to=print_to)
+
+    url_path = ["source", project, package]
+
+    url_query = {"cmd": "addcontainers"}
+    if extend_package_names:
+        url_query["extend_package_names"] = "1"
+
+    return api.post(apiurl, url_path, url_query)
+
+
+def enable_channels(apiurl, project, package=None, print_to="debug"):
+    msg = format_msg_project_package_options(
+        "Enabling channels in",
+        project,
+        package,
+    )
+    print_msg(msg, print_to=print_to)
+
+    url_path = ["source", project]
+    if package:
+        url_path += [package]
+
+    if package:
+        url_query = {"cmd": "enablechannel"}
+    else:
+        url_query = {"cmd": "modifychannels", "mode": "enable_all"}
+
+    return api.post(apiurl, url_path, url_query)
+
+
+def get_linked_packages(apiurl, project, package):
+    url_path = ["source", project, package]
+    url_query = {"cmd": "showlinked"}
+    root = api.post(apiurl, url_path, url_query)
+
+    result = []
+    nodes = api.find_nodes(root, "collection", "package")
+    for node in nodes:
+        item = {
+            "project": node.get("project"),
+            "name": node.get("name"),
+        }
+        result.append(item)
+    return result
+
+
+def release(
+    apiurl,
+    project,
+    package,
+    repository,
+    target_project,
+    target_repository,
+    set_release_to=None,
+    delayed=False,
+    print_to="debug",
+):
+    msg = format_msg_project_package_options(
+        "Releasing",
+        project,
+        package,
+        target_project,
+        target_package=None,
+        repository=repository,
+        dest_repository=target_repository,
+        delayed=delayed,
+    )
+    print_msg(msg, print_to=print_to)
+
+    url_path = ["source", project]
+    if package:
+        url_path += [package]
+
+    url_query = {"cmd": "release"}
+    if repository:
+        url_query["repository"] = repository
+    if target_project:
+        url_query["target_project"] = target_project
+    if target_repository:
+        url_query["target_repository"] = target_repository
+    if set_release_to:
+        url_query["setrelease"] = set_release_to
+    if not delayed:
+        url_query["nodelay"] = "1"
+
+    return api.post(apiurl, url_path, url_query)
diff --git a/osc/_private/common.py b/osc/_private/common.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6704830d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/osc/_private/common.py
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+import sys
+
+
+def print_msg(msg, print_to="debug"):
+    from .. import conf
+
+    if print_to is None:
+        return
+    elif print_to == "debug":
+        if conf.config["debug"]:
+            print(f"DEBUG: {msg}", file=sys.stderr)
+    elif print_to == "stdout":
+        print(msg)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"Invalid value of the 'output' option: {output}")
+
+
+def format_msg_project_package_options(
+    msg,
+    project=None,
+    package=None,
+    dest_project=None,
+    dest_package=None,
+    repository=None,
+    dest_repository=None,
+    **options,
+):
+    """
+    Format msg, project, package, dest_project, dest_package and options into a meaningful message
+    that can be printed out directly or as a debug message.
+    """
+    if project and not package:
+        msg += f" project '{project}'"
+    else:
+        msg += f" package '{project}/{package}'"
+
+    if repository:
+        msg += f" repository '{repository}'"
+
+    if any([dest_project, dest_package, dest_repository]):
+        msg += " to"
+
+    if dest_project and not dest_package:
+        msg += f" project '{dest_project}'"
+    elif dest_project and dest_package:
+        msg += f" package '{dest_project}/{dest_package}'"
+
+    if dest_repository:
+        msg += f" repository '{dest_repository}'"
+
+    msg_options = [key.replace("_", "-") for key, value in options.items() if value]
+    if msg_options:
+        msg_options.sort()
+        msg_options_str = ", ".join(msg_options)
+        msg += f" options: {msg_options_str}"
+
+    return msg
diff --git a/osc/commandline.py b/osc/commandline.py
index fc97cdf9..360d5091 100644
--- a/osc/commandline.py
+++ b/osc/commandline.py
@@ -48,6 +48,87 @@ def get_parser():
     return osc.argparser
 
 
+def pop_project_package_from_args(args, default_project=None, default_package=None, package_is_optional=False):
+    """
+    Get project and package from given `args`.
+
+    :param args: List of command-line arguments.
+                 WARNING: `args` gets modified in this function call!
+    :type  args: list(str)
+    :param default_project: Used if project cannot be retrieved from `args`.
+                            Resolved from the current working copy if set to '.'.
+    :type  default_project: str
+    :param default_package: Used if package cannot be retrieved from `args`.
+                            Resolved from the current working copy if set to '.'.
+    :type  default_package: str
+    :param package_is_optional: Whether to error out when package name cannot be retrieved.
+    :type  package_is_optional: bool
+    :returns: Project name and package name.
+    :rtype:   tuple(str)
+    """
+    assert isinstance(args, list)
+    path = Path.cwd()
+
+    used_default_project = False
+    try:
+        project = args.pop(0)
+    except IndexError:
+        if not default_project:
+            raise oscerr.OscValueError("Please specify a project")
+        project = default_project
+        used_default_project = True
+
+    if not isinstance(project, str):
+        raise TypeError(f"Project should be 'str', found: {type(project).__name__}")
+
+    package = None
+
+    if project == "/":
+        # no project name (to support listing all projects via `osc ls /`)
+        project = None
+    elif project and "/" in project:
+        # project/package
+        if project.count("/") != 1:
+            raise oscerr.OscValueError(f"Argument doesn't match the '<project>/<package>' pattern: {project}")
+        project, package = project.split("/")
+
+    if project == ".":
+        # project name taken from the working copy
+        store = osc_store.Store(path)
+        project = store.project
+
+    if package is None:
+        try:
+            package = args.pop(0)
+        except IndexError:
+            if not package_is_optional and not used_default_project:
+                # package is not optional and it wasn't specified together with the project
+                raise oscerr.OscValueError("Please specify a package")
+
+            if default_package:
+                package = default_package
+            else:
+                if package_is_optional:
+                    return project, None
+                raise oscerr.OscValueError("Please specify a package")
+
+        if not isinstance(package, str):
+            raise TypeError(f"Package should be 'str', found: {type(package).__name__}")
+
+    if package == ".":
+        # package name taken from the working copy
+        try:
+            store = osc_store.Store(path)
+            store.assert_is_package()
+            package = store.package
+        except oscerr.NoWorkingCopy:
+            if not package_is_optional:
+                raise
+            package = None
+
+    return project, package
+
+
 class Osc(cmdln.Cmdln):
     """
     openSUSE commander is a command-line interface to the Open Build Service.
@@ -514,28 +595,16 @@ class Osc(cmdln.Cmdln):
             osc addcontainers [PROJECT PACKAGE]
         """
 
-        args = slash_split(args)
         apiurl = self.get_api_url()
-        localdir = Path.cwd()
-        project = package = None
-        if not args:
-            if is_package_dir(localdir):
-                project = store_read_project(localdir)
-                package = store_read_package(localdir)
-        elif len(args) == 2:
-            project = self._process_project_name(args[0])
-            package = args[1]
 
-        if project is None or package is None:
-            raise oscerr.WrongArgs('Either specify project and package or call it from a package working copy')
+        args = list(args)
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+            args, default_project=".", default_package=".", package_is_optional=False
+        )
 
-        query = {'cmd': 'addcontainers'}
-        if opts.extend_package_names:
-            query['extend_package_names'] = '1'
-
-        print("Add containers...")
-        url = makeurl(apiurl, ['source', project, package], query=query)
-        f = http_POST(url)
+        _private.add_containers(
+            apiurl, project, package, extend_package_names=opts.extend_package_names, print_to="stdout"
+        )
 
     @cmdln.option('-s', '--skip-disabled', action='store_true',
                         help='Skip disabled channels. Otherwise the source gets added, but not the repositories.')
@@ -554,36 +623,19 @@ class Osc(cmdln.Cmdln):
         Examples:
             osc addchannels [PROJECT [PACKAGE]]
         """
-
-        args = slash_split(args)
         apiurl = self.get_api_url()
-        localdir = Path.cwd()
-        channel = None
-        if not args:
-            if is_project_dir(localdir) or is_package_dir(localdir):
-                project = store_read_project(localdir)
-            elif is_package_dir(localdir):
-                project = store_read_project(localdir)
-                channel = store_read_package(localdir)
-            else:
-                raise oscerr.WrongArgs('Either specify project [package] or call it from a project/package working copy')
-        else:
-            project = self._process_project_name(args[0])
 
-        query = {'cmd': 'addchannels'}
+        args = list(args)
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+            args, default_project=".", default_package=".", package_is_optional=True
+        )
 
         if opts.enable_all and opts.skip_disabled:
-            raise oscerr.WrongOptions('--enable-all and --skip-disabled options are mutually exclusive')
-        elif opts.enable_all:
-            query['mode'] = 'enable_all'
-        elif opts.skip_disabled:
-            query['mode'] = 'skip_disabled'
+            self.argparse_error("Options '--enable-all' and '--skip-disabled' are mutually exclusive")
 
-        print("Looking for channels...")
-        url = makeurl(apiurl, ['source', project], query=query)
-        if channel:
-            url = makeurl(apiurl, ['source', project, channel], query=query)
-        f = http_POST(url)
+        _private.add_channels(
+            apiurl, project, package, enable_all=opts.enable_all, skip_disabled=opts.skip_disabled, print_to="stdout"
+        )
 
     @cmdln.alias('enablechannel')
     def do_enablechannels(self, subcmd, opts, *args):
@@ -595,37 +647,16 @@ class Osc(cmdln.Cmdln):
         The command can be used to enable a specific one or all channels of a project.
 
         Examples:
-            osc enablechannels [PROJECT [CHANNEL_PACKAGE]]
+            osc enablechannels [PROJECT [PACKAGE]]
         """
-
-        args = slash_split(args)
         apiurl = self.get_api_url()
-        localdir = Path.cwd()
-        channel = None
-        if not args:
-            if is_project_dir(localdir):
-                project = store_read_project(localdir)
-            elif is_package_dir(localdir):
-                project = store_read_project(localdir)
-                channel = store_read_package(localdir)
-            else:
-                raise oscerr.WrongArgs('Either specify project [package] or call it from a project/package working copy')
-        else:
-            project = self._process_project_name(args[0])
-            if len(args) > 1:
-                channel = args[1]
 
-        query = {}
-        if channel:
-            query['cmd'] = 'enablechannel'
-        else:
-            query = {'cmd': 'modifychannels', 'mode': 'enable_all'}
+        args = list(args)
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+            args, default_project=".", default_package=".", package_is_optional=True
+        )
 
-        print("Enable channel(s)...")
-        url = makeurl(apiurl, ['source', project], query=query)
-        if channel:
-            url = makeurl(apiurl, ['source', project, channel], query=query)
-        f = http_POST(url)
+        _private.enable_channels(apiurl, project, package, print_to="stdout")
 
     @cmdln.option('-f', '--force', action='store_true',
                         help='force generation of new patchinfo file, do not update existing one.')
@@ -711,28 +742,22 @@ class Osc(cmdln.Cmdln):
         Print the devel project / package of a package
 
         Examples:
-            osc develproject PRJ PKG
-            osc develproject
+            osc develproject [PROJECT PACKAGE]
         """
-        args = slash_split(args)
         apiurl = self.get_api_url()
 
-        if len(args) == 0:
-            project = store_read_project(Path.cwd())
-            package = store_read_package(Path.cwd())
-        elif len(args) == 2:
-            project = self._process_project_name(args[0])
-            package = args[1]
-        else:
-            raise oscerr.WrongArgs('need Project and Package')
+        args = list(args)
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+            args, default_project=".", default_package=".", package_is_optional=False
+        )
 
-        devprj, devpkg = show_devel_project(apiurl, project, package)
-        if devprj is None:
-            print('%s / %s has no devel project' % (project, package))
-        elif devpkg and devpkg != package:
-            print("%s %s" % (devprj, devpkg))
-        else:
-            print(devprj)
+        devel_project, devel_package = show_devel_project(apiurl, project, package)
+
+        if not devel_project:
+            print(f"Package {project}/{package} has no devel project", file=sys.stderr)
+            sys.exit(1)
+
+        print(f"{devel_project}/{devel_package}")
 
     @cmdln.alias('ca')
     def do_cleanassets(self, subcmd, opts, *args):
@@ -757,29 +782,41 @@ class Osc(cmdln.Cmdln):
         """Set the devel project / package of a package
 
         Examples:
-            osc setdevelproject [PRJ PKG] DEVPRJ [DEVPKG]
+            osc setdevelproject [PROJECT PACKAGE] DEVEL_PROJECT [DEVEL_PACKAGE]
         """
-        args = slash_split(args)
         apiurl = self.get_api_url()
 
-        devprj, devpkg = None, None
-        if len(args) == 3 or len(args) == 4:
-            project, package = self._process_project_name(args[0]), args[1]
-            devprj = self._process_project_name(args[2])
-            if len(args) == 4:
-                devpkg = args[3]
-        elif len(args) >= 1 and len(args) <= 2:
-            project, package = store_read_project(Path.cwd()), store_read_package(Path.cwd())
-            devprj = self._process_project_name(args[0])
-            if len(args) == 2:
-                devpkg = args[1]
+        args = list(args)
+        if opts.unset:
+            project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+                args, default_project=".", default_package=".", package_is_optional=False
+            )
+            devel_project = None
+            devel_package = None
         else:
-            if opts.unset:
-                project, package = store_read_project(Path.cwd()), store_read_package(Path.cwd())
-            else:
-                raise oscerr.WrongArgs('need at least DEVPRJ (and possibly DEVPKG)')
+            args_backup = args.copy()
 
-        set_devel_project(apiurl, project, package, devprj, devpkg)
+            try:
+                # try this sequence first: project package devel_project [devel_package]
+                project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(args, package_is_optional=False)
+                devel_project, devel_package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+                    args, default_package=package, package_is_optional=True
+                )
+            except oscerr.OscValueError:
+                # then read project and package from working copy and try devel_project [devel_package]
+                args = args_backup.copy()
+                project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+                    [], default_project=".", default_package=".", package_is_optional=False
+                )
+                devel_project, devel_package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+                    args, default_package=package, package_is_optional=True
+                )
+
+        if args:
+            args_str = ", ".join(args)
+            self.argparse_error(f"Unknown arguments: {args_str}")
+
+        set_devel_project(apiurl, project, package, devel_project, devel_package, print_to="stdout")
 
     def do_showlinked(self, subcmd, opts, *args):
         """
@@ -789,24 +826,16 @@ class Osc(cmdln.Cmdln):
             osc showlinked [PROJECT PACKAGE]
         """
 
-        args = slash_split(args)
         apiurl = self.get_api_url()
-        localdir = Path.cwd()
-        project = package = None
-        if len(args) == 2:
-            project = self._process_project_name(args[0])
-            package = args[1]
-        elif is_package_dir(localdir):
-            project = store_read_project(localdir)
-            package = store_read_package(localdir)
-        else:
-            raise oscerr.WrongArgs('Either specify project and package or call it from a package working copy')
 
-        url = makeurl(apiurl, ['source', project, package], query={'cmd': 'showlinked'})
-        f = http_POST(url)
-        root = ET.parse(f).getroot()
-        for node in root.findall('package'):
-            print(node.get('project') + " " + node.get('name'))
+        args = list(args)
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+            args, default_project=".", default_package=".", package_is_optional=False
+        )
+
+        linked_packages = _private.get_linked_packages(apiurl, project, package)
+        for pkg in linked_packages:
+            print(f"{pkg['project']}/{pkg['name']}")
 
     @cmdln.option('-c', '--create', action='store_true',
                         help='Create a new token')
@@ -2744,27 +2773,28 @@ Please submit there instead, or use --nodevelproject to force direct submission.
             osc setlinkrev PROJECT [PACKAGE]
         """
 
-        args = slash_split(args)
         apiurl = self.get_api_url()
-        package = None
+
         rev = parseRevisionOption(opts.revision)[0] or ''
         if opts.unset:
             rev = None
 
+        args = list(args)
         if not args:
             p = Package(Path.cwd())
             project = p.prjname
             package = p.name
-            apiurl = p.apiurl
+            assert apiurl == p.apiurl
             if not p.islink():
                 sys.exit('Local directory is no checked out source link package, aborting')
-        elif len(args) == 2:
-            project = self._process_project_name(args[0])
-            package = args[1]
-        elif len(args) == 1:
-            project = self._process_project_name(args[0])
         else:
-            self.argparse_error("Incorrect number of arguments.")
+            project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+                args, default_project=".", default_package=".", package_is_optional=True
+            )
+
+        if opts.revision and not package:
+            # It is highly unlikely that all links for all packages in a project should be set to the same revision.
+            self.argparse_error("The --revision option requires to specify a package")
 
         if package:
             packages = [package]
@@ -2772,12 +2802,18 @@ Please submit there instead, or use --nodevelproject to force direct submission.
             packages = meta_get_packagelist(apiurl, project)
 
         for p in packages:
-            rev = set_link_rev(apiurl, project, p, revision=rev,
-                               expand=not opts.use_plain_revision)
+            try:
+                rev = set_link_rev(apiurl, project, p, revision=rev, expand=not opts.use_plain_revision)
+            except HTTPError as e:
+                if e.code != 404:
+                    raise
+                print(f"WARNING: Package {project}/{p} has no link", file=sys.stderr)
+                continue
+
             if rev is None:
-                print('removed revision from link')
+                print(f"Removed link revision from package {project}/{p}")
             else:
-                print('set revision to %s for package %s' % (rev, p))
+                print(f"Set link revision of package {project}/{p} to {rev}")
 
     def do_linktobranch(self, subcmd, opts, *args):
         """
@@ -3100,51 +3136,26 @@ Please submit there instead, or use --nodevelproject to force direct submission.
         It requires defined release targets set to trigger="manual".
 
         usage:
-            osc release [ SOURCEPROJECT [ SOURCEPACKAGE ] ]
+            osc release [PROJECT [PACKAGE]]
         """
-
-        args = slash_split(args)
         apiurl = self.get_api_url()
 
-        source_project = source_package = None
+        args = list(args)
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+            args, default_project=".", default_package=".", package_is_optional=True
+        )
 
-        if len(args) > 2:
-            raise oscerr.WrongArgs('Too many arguments.')
-
-        if len(args) == 0:
-            if is_package_dir(Path.cwd()):
-                source_project = store_read_project(Path.cwd())
-                source_package = store_read_package(Path.cwd())
-            elif is_project_dir(Path.cwd()):
-                source_project = store_read_project(Path.cwd())
-            else:
-                raise oscerr.WrongArgs('Too few arguments.')
-        if len(args) > 0:
-            source_project = self._process_project_name(args[0])
-        if len(args) > 1:
-            source_package = args[1]
-
-        query = {'cmd': 'release'}
-        if opts.target_project:
-            query["target_project"] = opts.target_project
-        if opts.target_repository:
-            query["target_repository"] = opts.target_repository
-        if opts.repo:
-            query["repository"] = opts.repo
-        if opts.set_release:
-            query["setrelease"] = opts.set_release
-        if opts.no_delay:
-            query["nodelay"] = "1"
-        baseurl = ['source', source_project]
-        if source_package:
-            baseurl.append(source_package)
-        url = makeurl(apiurl, baseurl, query=query)
-        f = http_POST(url)
-        while True:
-            buf = f.read(16384)
-            if not buf:
-                break
-            sys.stdout.write(decode_it(buf))
+        _private.release(
+            apiurl,
+            project=project,
+            package=package,
+            repository=opts.repo,
+            target_project=opts.target_project,
+            target_repository=opts.target_repository,
+            set_release_to=opts.set_release,
+            delayed=not opts.no_delay,
+            print_to="stdout",
+        )
 
     @cmdln.option('-m', '--message', metavar='TEXT',
                   help='specify message TEXT')
@@ -6827,30 +6838,12 @@ Please submit there instead, or use --nodevelproject to force direct submission.
             osc log (inside working copy)
             osc log remote_project [remote_package]
         """
-
-        args = slash_split(args)
         apiurl = self.get_api_url()
 
-        if len(args) == 0:
-            wd = Path.cwd()
-            if is_project_dir(wd) or is_package_dir(wd):
-                project = store_read_project(wd)
-                if is_project_dir(wd):
-                    package = "_project"
-                else:
-                    package = store_read_package(wd)
-            else:
-                raise oscerr.NoWorkingCopy("Error: \"%s\" is not an osc working copy." % os.path.abspath(wd))
-        elif len(args) < 1:
-            raise oscerr.WrongArgs('Too few arguments (required none or two)')
-        elif len(args) > 2:
-            raise oscerr.WrongArgs('Too many arguments (required none or two)')
-        elif len(args) == 1:
-            project = self._process_project_name(args[0])
-            package = "_project"
-        else:
-            project = self._process_project_name(args[0])
-            package = args[1]
+        args = list(args)
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+            args, default_project=".", default_package=".", package_is_optional=True
+        )
 
         rev, rev_upper = parseRevisionOption(opts.revision)
         if rev and not checkRevision(project, package, rev, apiurl, opts.meta):
diff --git a/osc/core.py b/osc/core.py
index 1a8479e8..a1d41d1e 100644
--- a/osc/core.py
+++ b/osc/core.py
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ except ImportError:
     distro = None
 
 from . import __version__
+from . import _private
 from . import conf
 from . import meter
 from . import oscerr
@@ -3688,7 +3689,21 @@ def show_devel_project(apiurl, prj, pac):
         return node.get('project'), node.get('package', None)
 
 
-def set_devel_project(apiurl, prj, pac, devprj=None, devpac=None):
+def set_devel_project(apiurl, prj, pac, devprj=None, devpac=None, print_to="debug"):
+    if devprj:
+        msg = "Setting devel project of"
+    else:
+        msg = "Unsetting devel project from"
+
+    msg = _private.format_msg_project_package_options(
+        msg,
+        prj,
+        pac,
+        devprj,
+        devpac,
+    )
+    _private.print_msg(msg, print_to=print_to)
+
     meta = show_package_meta(apiurl, prj, pac)
     root = ET.fromstring(b''.join(meta))
     node = root.find('devel')
@@ -6866,6 +6881,9 @@ def print_jobhistory(apiurl: str, prj: str, current_package: str, repository: st
 def get_commitlog(
     apiurl: str, prj: str, package: str, revision, format="text", meta=False, deleted=False, revision_upper=None
 ):
+    if package is None:
+        package = "_project"
+
     query = {}
     if deleted:
         query['deleted'] = 1
diff --git a/tests/test_commandline.py b/tests/test_commandline.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fc65b2f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_commandline.py
@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+import os
+import shutil
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+
+from osc.commandline import pop_project_package_from_args
+from osc.oscerr import NoWorkingCopy, OscValueError
+from osc.store import Store
+
+
+class TestPopProjectPackageFromArgs(unittest.TestCase):
+    def _write_store(self, project=None, package=None):
+        store = Store(self.tmpdir, check=False)
+        if project:
+            store.project = project
+            store.is_project = True
+        if package:
+            store.package = package
+            store.is_project = False
+            store.is_package = True
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.tmpdir = tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="osc_test")
+        os.chdir(self.tmpdir)
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        try:
+            shutil.rmtree(self.tmpdir)
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+
+    def test_explicit_project_and_package(self):
+        args = ["project", "package", "another-arg"]
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(args)
+        self.assertEqual(project, "project")
+        self.assertEqual(package, "package")
+        self.assertEqual(args, ["another-arg"])
+
+    def test_defaults(self):
+        args = ["project"]
+        self.assertRaises(OscValueError, pop_project_package_from_args, args, default_package="default-package")
+
+        args = ["project"]
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+            args, default_package="default-package", package_is_optional=True
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(project, "project")
+        self.assertEqual(package, "default-package")
+        self.assertEqual(args, [])
+
+        args = []
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+            args, default_project="default-project", default_package="default-package"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(project, "default-project")
+        self.assertEqual(package, "default-package")
+        self.assertEqual(args, [])
+
+        args = []
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+            args, default_project="default-project", default_package="default-package", package_is_optional=True
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(project, "default-project")
+        self.assertEqual(package, "default-package")
+        self.assertEqual(args, [])
+
+    def test_slash_separator(self):
+        args = ["project/package", "another-arg"]
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(args)
+        self.assertEqual(project, "project")
+        self.assertEqual(package, "package")
+        self.assertEqual(args, ["another-arg"])
+
+        args = ["project/", "another-arg"]
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(args)
+        self.assertEqual(project, "project")
+        self.assertEqual(package, "")
+        self.assertEqual(args, ["another-arg"])
+
+    def test_no_working_copy(self):
+        args = [".", "."]
+        self.assertRaises(NoWorkingCopy, pop_project_package_from_args, args)
+
+        args = [".", "package"]
+        self.assertRaises(NoWorkingCopy, pop_project_package_from_args, args)
+
+        args = ["project", "."]
+        self.assertRaises(NoWorkingCopy, pop_project_package_from_args, args)
+
+    def test_project_and_package_from_project_working_copy(self):
+        self._write_store("store_project")
+
+        args = [".", ".", "another-arg"]
+        self.assertRaises(NoWorkingCopy, pop_project_package_from_args, args)
+
+        args = ["."]
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(args, package_is_optional=True)
+        self.assertEqual(project, "store_project")
+        self.assertEqual(package, None)
+        self.assertEqual(args, [])
+
+        args = []
+        self.assertRaises(NoWorkingCopy, pop_project_package_from_args, args, default_project=".", default_package=".")
+
+        args = []
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+            args, default_project=".", default_package=".", package_is_optional=True
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(project, "store_project")
+        self.assertEqual(package, None)
+        self.assertEqual(args, [])
+
+    def test_project_and_package_from_package_working_copy(self):
+        self._write_store("store_project", "store_package")
+
+        args = [".", ".", "another-arg"]
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(args)
+        self.assertEqual(project, "store_project")
+        self.assertEqual(package, "store_package")
+        self.assertEqual(args, ["another-arg"])
+
+        args = ["."]
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(args, package_is_optional=True)
+        self.assertEqual(project, "store_project")
+        self.assertEqual(package, None)
+        self.assertEqual(args, [])
+
+        args = []
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(args, default_project=".", default_package=".")
+        self.assertEqual(project, "store_project")
+        self.assertEqual(package, "store_package")
+        self.assertEqual(args, [])
+
+        args = []
+        project, package = pop_project_package_from_args(
+            args, default_project=".", default_package=".", package_is_optional=True
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(project, "store_project")
+        self.assertEqual(package, "store_package")
+        self.assertEqual(args, [])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()