diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0c9c303..105d5be 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Bash it
 
-**Bash it** is a mash up of my own bash commands and scripts, other bash stuff I have found. 
+**Bash it** is a mash up of my own bash commands and scripts, other bash stuff I have found.
 
 (And a shameless ripoff of [oh-my-zsh](https://github.com/robbyrussell/oh-my-zsh). :)
 
@@ -13,18 +13,19 @@
 3. Edit your `~/.bash_profile` file in order to customize bash-it.
 
 **NOTE:**
-The install script will also prompt you asking if you use [Jekyll](https://github.com/mojombo/jekyll). 
+The install script will also prompt you asking if you use [Jekyll](https://github.com/mojombo/jekyll).
 This is to set up the `.jekyllconfig` file, which stores info necessary to use the Jekyll plugin.
 
 
 ## Help Screens
 
 ```
-bash-it (will show all the help commands)
-aliases-help
-rails-help
-git-help
-plugins-help
+bash-it show aliases        # shows installed and available aliases
+bash-it show completions    # shows installed and available completions
+bash-it show plugins        # shows installed and available plugins
+bash-it help aliases        # shows help for installed aliases
+bash-it help completions    # shows help for installed completions
+bash-it help plugins        # shows help for installed plugins
 ```
 
 ## Your Custom scripts, aliases, and functions
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@
 
 I think everyone has their own custom scripts accumulated over time.  And so, following in the footsteps of oh-my-zsh, bash it is a framework for easily customizing your bash shell. Everyone's got a custom toolbox, so let's start making them even better, **as a community!**
 
-Send me a pull request and I'll merge it as long as it looks good. If you change an existing command, please give an explanation why. That will help a lot when I merge your changes in. 
+Send me a pull request and I'll merge it as long as it looks good. If you change an existing command, please give an explanation why. That will help a lot when I merge your changes in.
 
 Thanks, and happing bashing!
 
diff --git a/aliases/available/bundler.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/bundler.aliases.bash
index a7756be..fc20f4f 100644
--- a/aliases/available/bundler.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/bundler.aliases.bash
@@ -1,21 +1,9 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
+cite 'about-alias'
+about-alias 'ruby bundler'
 
 # Bundler Commands
-alias be="bundle exec"
-alias bi="bundle install"
-alias bl="bundle list"
-alias bu="bundle update"
-alias bp="bundle package"
-
-
-function bundler-help() {
-  echo "Bundler Aliases Usage"
-  echo
-  echo "  be          = bundle exec"
-  echo "  bi          = bundle install"
-  echo "  bl          = bundle list"
-  echo "  bu          = bundle update"
-  echo "  bp          = bundle package"
-  echo
-}
-
+alias be='bundle exec'
+alias bi='bundle install'
+alias bl='bundle list'
+alias bu='bundle update'
+alias bp='bundle package'
diff --git a/aliases/available/emacs.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/emacs.aliases.bash
index a133984..ffdb9f3 100644
--- a/aliases/available/emacs.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/emacs.aliases.bash
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
+cite 'about-alias'
+about-alias 'emacs editor'
 
 case $OSTYPE in
   linux*)
@@ -6,6 +7,6 @@
     alias e='emacsclient -n'
     ;;
   darwin*)
-    alias em="open -a emacs"
+    alias em='open -a emacs'
     ;;
 esac
diff --git a/aliases/available/general.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/general.aliases.bash
index 660a8ca..3e87e2d 100644
--- a/aliases/available/general.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/general.aliases.bash
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
+cite about-alias
+about-alias 'general aliases'
 
 # List directory contents
 alias sl=ls
@@ -27,20 +28,20 @@
 alias edit="$EDITOR"
 alias pager="$PAGER"
 
-alias q="exit"
+alias q='exit'
 
 alias irc="$IRC_CLIENT"
 
-alias rb="ruby"
+alias rb='ruby'
 
 # Pianobar can be found here: http://github.com/PromyLOPh/pianobar/
 
-alias piano="pianobar"
+alias piano='pianobar'
 
 alias ..='cd ..'         # Go up one directory
 alias ...='cd ../..'     # Go up two directories
 alias ....='cd ../../..' # Go up two directories
-alias -- -="cd -"        # Go back
+alias -- -='cd -'        # Go back
 
 # Shell History
 alias h='history'
@@ -53,30 +54,4 @@
 
 # Directory
 alias	md='mkdir -p'
-alias	rd=rmdir
-
-function aliases-help() {
-echo "Generic Alias Usage"
-echo
-echo "  sl      = ls"
-echo "  ls      = ls -G"
-echo "  la      = ls -AF"
-echo "  ll      = ls -al"
-echo "  l       = ls -a"
-echo "  c/k/cls = clear"
-echo "  ..      = cd .."
-echo "  ...     = cd ../.."
-echo "  -       = cd -"
-echo "  h       = history"
-echo "  md      = mkdir -p"
-echo "  rd      = rmdir"
-echo "  editor  = $EDITOR"
-echo "  pager   = $PAGER"
-echo "  piano   = pianobar"
-echo "  q       = exit"
-echo "  irc     = $IRC_CLIENT"
-echo "  md      = mkdir -p"
-echo "  rd      = rmdir"
-echo "  rb      = ruby"
-echo
-}
+alias	rd='rmdir'
diff --git a/aliases/available/git.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/git.aliases.bash
index abfa996..bbac313 100644
--- a/aliases/available/git.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/git.aliases.bash
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
+cite 'about-alias'
+about-alias 'common git abbreviations'
 
 # Aliases
 alias gcl='git clone'
@@ -38,36 +39,3 @@
     alias gd='git diff'
     ;;
 esac
-
-
-
-function git-help() {
-  echo "Git Custom Aliases Usage"
-  echo
-  echo "  gcl	  = git clone"
-  echo "  g       = git"
-  echo "  get 	  = git"
-  echo "  ga      = git add"
-  echo "  gall	  = git add ."
-  echo "  gst/gs  = git status"
-  echo "  gss	  = git status -s"
-  echo "  gl      = git pull"
-  echo "  gup     = git fetch && git rebase"
-  echo "  gp      = git push"
-  echo "  gd      = git diff | mate"
-  echo "  gdv     = git diff -w \"$@\" | vim -R -"
-  echo "  gc      = git commit -v"
-  echo "  gca     = git commit -v -a"
-  echo "  gci 	  = git commit --interactive"
-  echo "  gb      = git branch"
-  echo "  gba     = git branch -a"
-  echo "  gcount  = git shortlog -sn"
-  echo "  gcp     = git cherry-pick"
-  echo "  gco     = git checkout"
-  echo "  gexport = git git archive --format zip --output"
-  echo "  gdel    = git branch -D"
-  echo "  gpo     = git push origin"
-  echo "  gmu     = git fetch origin -v; git fetch upstream -v; git merge upstream/master"
-  echo "  gll     = git log --graph --pretty=oneline --abbrev-commit"
-  echo
-}
diff --git a/aliases/available/heroku.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/heroku.aliases.bash
index 7bc1dbe..a749d42 100644
--- a/aliases/available/heroku.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/heroku.aliases.bash
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
+cite 'about-alias'
+about-alias 'heroku task abbreviations'
 
 # heroku
 alias h='heroku'
@@ -31,26 +32,3 @@
 alias hca='heroku config:add'
 alias hcr='heroku config:remove'
 alias hcc='heroku config:clear'
-
-function heroku-help() {
-  echo "Heroku Aliases Usage"
-  echo
-  echo "  h           = heroku"
-  echo "  hl          = heroku list"
-  echo "  hi          = heroku info"
-  echo "  ho          = heroku open"
-  echo "  hd          = heroku dynos"
-  echo "  hw          = heroku workers"
-  echo "  hr          = heroku rake"
-  echo "  hcon        = heroku console"
-  echo "  hnew        = heroku create"
-  echo "  hrestart    = heroku restart"
-  echo "  hlog        = heroku logs"
-  echo "  hon         = heroku maintenance:on"
-  echo "  hoff        = heroku maintenance:off"
-  echo "  hc          = heroku config"
-  echo "  hca         = heroku config:add"
-  echo "  hcr         = heroku config:remove"
-  echo "  hcc         = heroku config:clear"
-  echo
-}
diff --git a/aliases/available/hg.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/hg.aliases.bash
index 245c529..eea819f 100644
--- a/aliases/available/hg.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/hg.aliases.bash
@@ -1,14 +1,6 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
+cite 'about-alias'
+about-alias 'mercurial abbreviations'
 
 alias hs='hg status'
 alias hsum='hg summary'
 alias hcm='hg commit -m'
-
-function hg-help() {
-  echo "Mercurial Alias Help"
-  echo
-  echo "  hs    = hg status"
-  echo "  hsum  = hg summary"
-  echo "  hcm   = hg commit -m"
-  echo
-}
diff --git a/aliases/available/homebrew.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/homebrew.aliases.bash
index 051081d..b8f1481 100644
--- a/aliases/available/homebrew.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/homebrew.aliases.bash
@@ -1,24 +1,13 @@
 # Some aliases for Homebrew
 
-alias bup="brew update && brew upgrade"
-alias bout="brew outdated"
-alias bin="brew install"
-alias brm="brew uninstall"
-alias bls="brew list"
-alias bsr="brew search"
-alias binf="brew info"
-alias bdr="brew doctor"
+cite 'about-alias'
+about-alias 'homebrew abbreviations'
 
-function brew-help() {
-  echo "Homebrew Alias Usage"
-  echo
-  echo "bup  = brew update && brew upgrade"
-  echo "bout = brew outdated"
-  echo "bin  = brew install"
-  echo "brm  = brew uninstall"
-  echo "bls  = brew list"
-  echo "bsr  = brew search"
-  echo "binf = brew info"
-  echo "bdr  = brew doctor"
-  echo
-}
+alias bup='brew update && brew upgrade'
+alias bout='brew outdated'
+alias bin='brew install'
+alias brm='brew uninstall'
+alias bls='brew list'
+alias bsr='brew search'
+alias binf='brew info'
+alias bdr='brew doctor'
diff --git a/aliases/available/maven.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/maven.aliases.bash
index 349f9d8..4cd89d2 100644
--- a/aliases/available/maven.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/maven.aliases.bash
@@ -1,22 +1,11 @@
-alias mci="mvn clean install"
-alias mi="mvn install"
-alias mrprep="mvn release:prepare"
-alias mrperf="mvn release:perform"
-alias mrrb="mvn release:rollback"
-alias mdep="mvn dependency:tree"
-alias mpom="mvn help:effective-pom"
-alias mcisk="mci -Dmaven.test.skip=true"
+cite 'about-alias'
+about-alias 'maven abbreviations'
 
-function maven-help() {
-  echo "Maven Custom Aliases Usage"
-  echo
-  echo "  mci    = mvn clean install"
-  echo "  mi     = mvn install"
-  echo "  mrprep = mvn release:prepare"
-  echo "  mrperf = mvn release:perform"
-  echo "  mrrb   = mvn release:rollback"
-  echo "  mdep   = mvn dependency:tree"
-  echo "  mpom   = mvn help:effective-pom"
-  echo "  mcisk  = mvn clean install -Dmaven.test.skip=true"  
-  echo
-}
+alias mci='mvn clean install'
+alias mi='mvn install'
+alias mrprep='mvn release:prepare'
+alias mrperf='mvn release:perform'
+alias mrrb='mvn release:rollback'
+alias mdep='mvn dependency:tree'
+alias mpom='mvn help:effective-pom'
+alias mcisk='mci -Dmaven.test.skip=true'
diff --git a/aliases/available/osx.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/osx.aliases.bash
index 008b67c..2d749de 100644
--- a/aliases/available/osx.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/osx.aliases.bash
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
+cite 'about-alias'
+about-alias 'osx-specific aliases'
 
 # Desktop Programs
 alias fireworks="open -a '/Applications/Adobe Fireworks CS3/Adobe Fireworks CS3.app'"
diff --git a/aliases/available/rails.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/rails.aliases.bash
index 1d7b310..ae664bf 100644
--- a/aliases/available/rails.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/rails.aliases.bash
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
+cite 'about-alias'
+about-alias 'rails abbreviations'
 
 # Rails Commands
 alias r='rails'
@@ -19,24 +20,3 @@
 alias restart='touch tmp/restart.txt'  # restart passenger
 alias devlog='tail -f log/development.log'
 alias taild='tail -f log/development.log' # tail dev log
-
-function rails-help() {
-  echo "Rails Aliases Usage"
-  echo
-  echo "  r           = rails"
-  echo "  rg          = rails generate"
-  echo "  rs/ss       = rails server"
-  echo "  ts          = thin server"
-  echo "  rc/sc       = rails console"
-  echo "  rn          = rails new"
-  echo "  rd          = rails dbconsole"
-  echo "  rp          = rails plugin"
-  echo "  ra          = rails application"
-  echo "  rd          = rails destroy"
-  echo "  restartapp  = touch tmp/restart.txt"
-  echo "  restart     = touch tmp/restart.txt"
-  echo "  devlog      = tail -f log/development.log"
-  echo "  taild       = tail -f log/development.log"
-  echo
-}
-
diff --git a/aliases/available/textmate.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/textmate.aliases.bash
index 897c7d3..f0f69e4 100644
--- a/aliases/available/textmate.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/textmate.aliases.bash
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
+cite 'about-alias'
+about-alias 'textmate abbreviations'
 
 case $OSTYPE in
   darwin*)
diff --git a/aliases/available/todo.txt-cli.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/todo.txt-cli.aliases.bash
index ce27716..5bf35d0 100644
--- a/aliases/available/todo.txt-cli.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/todo.txt-cli.aliases.bash
@@ -1,19 +1,8 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
+cite 'about-alias'
+about-alias 'todo.txt-cli abbreviations'
 
 alias tls="$TODO ls"
 alias ta="$TODO a"
 alias trm="$TODO rm"
 alias tdo="$TODO do"
 alias tpri="$TODO pri"
-
-todo-help() {
-	echo
-	echo "todo.txt-cli Custom Aliases Usage"
-	echo
-	echo " tls  = $TODO ls"
-	echo " ta   = $TODO add"
-	echo " trm  = $TODO rm"
-	echo " tdo  = $TODO do"
-	echo " tpri = $TODO pri"
-	echo
-}
diff --git a/aliases/available/vim.aliases.bash b/aliases/available/vim.aliases.bash
index c156ffd..c14f32b 100644
--- a/aliases/available/vim.aliases.bash
+++ b/aliases/available/vim.aliases.bash
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
+cite 'about-alias'
+about-alias 'vim abbreviations'
 
 alias v='mvim --remote-tab'
diff --git a/bash_it.sh b/bash_it.sh
index 693c024..226213f 100755
--- a/bash_it.sh
+++ b/bash_it.sh
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@
 # Load composure first, so we support function metadata
 source "${BASH_IT}/lib/composure.sh"
 
+# support 'plumbing' metadata
+cite _about _param _example _group _author _version
+
 # Load colors first so they can be use in base theme
 source "${BASH_IT}/themes/colors.theme.bash"
 source "${BASH_IT}/themes/base.theme.bash"
@@ -72,23 +75,3 @@
 then
   . $HOME/.jekyllconfig
 fi
-
-
-#
-# Custom Help
-
-function bash-it() {
-  echo "Welcome to Bash It!"
-  echo
-  echo "Here is a list of commands you can use to get help screens for specific pieces of Bash it:"
-  echo
-  echo "  rails-help                  list out all aliases you can use with rails."
-  echo "  git-help                    list out all aliases you can use with git."
-  echo "  todo-help                   list out all aliases you can use with todo.txt-cli"
-  echo "  brew-help                   list out all aliases you can use with Homebrew"
-  echo "  aliases-help                generic list of aliases."
-  echo "  plugins-help                list out all functions you have installed with bash-it"
-  echo "  bash-it-plugins             summarize bash-it plugins, and their installation status"
-  echo "  reference <function name>   detailed help for a specific function"
-  echo
-}
diff --git a/lib/helpers.bash b/lib/helpers.bash
index dfd64b0..e1787fe 100644
--- a/lib/helpers.bash
+++ b/lib/helpers.bash
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 # Helper function loading various enable-able files
 function _load_bash_it_files() {
-  file_type="$1"
-  if [ ! -d "${BASH_IT}/${file_type}/enabled" ]
+  subdirectory="$1"
+  if [ ! -d "${BASH_IT}/${subdirectory}/enabled" ]
   then
     continue
   fi
-  FILES="${BASH_IT}/${file_type}/enabled/*.bash"
+  FILES="${BASH_IT}/${subdirectory}/enabled/*.bash"
   for config_file in $FILES
   do
     if [ -e "${config_file}" ]; then
@@ -29,106 +29,285 @@
   _load_bash_it_files "plugins"
 }
 
-bash-it-plugins ()
+bash-it ()
 {
-    about 'summarizes available bash_it plugins'
-    group 'lib'
+    about 'bash-it help and maintenance'
+    param '1: verb [one of: help | show | enable | disable ]'
+    param '2: component type [one of: alias(es) | completion(s) | plugin(s) ]'
+    param '3: specific component [optional]'
+    example '$ bash-it show plugins'
+    example '$ bash-it help aliases'
+    example '$ bash-it enable plugin git'
+    example '$ bash-it disable alias hg'
+    typeset verb=${1:-}
+    shift
+    typeset component=${1:-}
+    shift
+    typeset func
+    case $verb in
+         show)
+             func=_bash-it-$component;;
+         enable)
+             func=_enable-$component;;
+         disable)
+             func=_disable-$component;;
+         help)
+             func=_help-$component;;
+         *)
+             reference bash-it
+             return;;
+    esac
+
+    # pluralize component if necessary
+    if ! _is_function $func; then
+        if _is_function ${func}s; then
+            func=${func}s
+        else
+            if _is_function ${func}es; then
+                func=${func}es
+            else
+                echo "oops! $component is not a valid option!"
+                reference bash-it
+                return
+            fi
+        fi
+    fi
+    $func $*
+}
+
+_is_function ()
+{
+    _about 'sets $? to true if parameter is the name of a function'
+    _param '1: name of alleged function'
+    _group 'lib'
+    [ -n "$(type -a $1 2>/dev/null | grep 'is a function')" ]
+}
+
+_bash-it-aliases ()
+{
+    _about 'summarizes available bash_it aliases'
+    _group 'lib'
+
+    _bash-it-describe "aliases" "an" "alias" "Alias"
+}
+
+_bash-it-completions ()
+{
+    _about 'summarizes available bash_it completions'
+    _group 'lib'
+
+    _bash-it-describe "completion" "a" "completion" "Completion"
+}
+
+_bash-it-plugins ()
+{
+    _about 'summarizes available bash_it plugins'
+    _group 'lib'
+
+    _bash-it-describe "plugins" "a" "plugin" "Plugin"
+}
+
+_bash-it-describe ()
+{
+    _about 'summarizes available bash_it components'
+    _param '1: subdirectory'
+    _param '2: preposition'
+    _param '3: file_type'
+    _param '4: column_header'
+    _example '$ _bash-it-describe "plugins" "a" "plugin" "Plugin"'
+    
+    subdirectory="$1"
+    preposition="$2"
+    file_type="$3"
+    column_header="$4"
 
     typeset f
     typeset enabled
-    printf "%-20s%-10s%s\n" 'Plugin' 'Enabled?' 'Description'
-    for f in $BASH_IT/plugins/available/*.bash
+    printf "%-20s%-10s%s\n" "$column_header" 'Enabled?' 'Description'
+    for f in $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/available/*.bash
     do
-        if [ -e $BASH_IT/plugins/enabled/$(basename $f) ]; then
+        if [ -e $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/enabled/$(basename $f) ]; then
             enabled='x'
         else
             enabled=' '
         fi
-        printf "%-20s%-10s%s\n" "$(basename $f | cut -d'.' -f1)" "  [$enabled]" "$(cat $f | metafor about-plugin)"
+        printf "%-20s%-10s%s\n" "$(basename $f | cut -d'.' -f1)" "  [$enabled]" "$(cat $f | metafor about-$file_type)"
     done
-    printf '\n%s\n' 'to enable a plugin, do:'
-    printf '%s\n' '$ enable-plugin  <plugin name> -or- $ enable-plugin all'
-    printf '\n%s\n' 'to disable a plugin, do:'
-    printf '%s\n' '$ disable-plugin <plugin name> -or- $ disable-plugin all'
+    printf '\n%s\n' "to enable $preposition $file_type, do:"
+    printf '%s\n' "$ bash-it enable $file_type  <$file_type name> -or- $ bash-it enable $file_type all"
+    printf '\n%s\n' "to disable $preposition $file_type, do:"
+    printf '%s\n' "$ bash-it disable $file_type <$file_type name> -or- $ bash-it disable $file_type all"
 }
 
-disable-plugin ()
+_disable-plugin ()
 {
-    about 'disables bash_it plugin'
-    param '1: plugin name'
-    example '$ disable-plugin rvm'
-    group 'lib'
+    _about 'disables bash_it plugin'
+    _param '1: plugin name'
+    _example '$ disable-plugin rvm'
+    _group 'lib'
 
-    if [ -z "$1" ]; then
-        reference disable-plugin
+    _disable-thing "plugins" "plugin" $1
+}
+
+_disable-alias ()
+{
+    _about 'disables bash_it alias'
+    _param '1: alias name'
+    _example '$ disable-alias git'
+    _group 'lib'
+
+    _disable-thing "aliases" "alias" $1
+}
+
+_disable-completion ()
+{
+    _about 'disables bash_it completion'
+    _param '1: completion name'
+    _example '$ disable-completion git'
+    _group 'lib'
+
+    _disable-thing "completion" "completion" $1
+}
+
+_disable-thing ()
+{
+    _about 'disables a bash_it component'
+    _param '1: subdirectory'
+    _param '2: file_type'
+    _param '3: file_entity'
+    _example '$ _disable-thing "plugins" "plugin" "ssh"'
+    
+    subdirectory="$1"
+    file_type="$2"
+    file_entity="$3"
+
+    if [ -z "$file_entity" ]; then
+        reference "disable-$file_type"
         return
     fi
 
-    if [ "$1" = "all" ]; then
-        typeset f plugin
-        for f in $BASH_IT/plugins/available/*.bash
+    if [ "$file_entity" = "all" ]; then
+        typeset f $file_type
+        for f in $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/available/*.bash
         do
             plugin=$(basename $f)
-            if [ -e $BASH_IT/plugins/enabled/$plugin ]; then
-                rm $BASH_IT/plugins/enabled/$(basename $plugin)
+            if [ -e $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/enabled/$plugin ]; then
+                rm $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/enabled/$(basename $plugin)
             fi
         done
     else
-        typeset plugin=$(command ls $BASH_IT/plugins/enabled/$1.*bash 2>/dev/null | head -1)
-        if [ ! -h $plugin ]; then
-            printf '%s\n' 'sorry, that does not appear to be an enabled plugin.'
+        typeset plugin=$(command ls $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/enabled/$file_entity.*bash 2>/dev/null | head -1)
+        if [ -z "$plugin" ]; then
+            printf '%s\n' "sorry, that does not appear to be an enabled $file_type."
             return
         fi
-        rm $BASH_IT/plugins/enabled/$(basename $plugin)
+        rm $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/enabled/$(basename $plugin)
     fi
 
-    printf '%s\n' "$1 disabled."
+    printf '%s\n' "$file_entity disabled."
 }
 
-enable-plugin ()
+_enable-plugin ()
 {
-    about 'enables bash_it plugin'
-    param '1: plugin name'
-    example '$ enable-plugin rvm'
-    group 'lib'
+    _about 'enables bash_it plugin'
+    _param '1: plugin name'
+    _example '$ enable-plugin rvm'
+    _group 'lib'
 
-    if [ -z "$1" ]; then
-        reference enable-plugin
+    _enable-thing "plugins" "plugin" $1
+}
+
+_enable-alias ()
+{
+    _about 'enables bash_it alias'
+    _param '1: alias name'
+    _example '$ enable-alias git'
+    _group 'lib'
+
+    _enable-thing "aliases" "alias" $1
+}
+
+_enable-completion ()
+{
+    _about 'enables bash_it completion'
+    _param '1: completion name'
+    _example '$ enable-completion git'
+    _group 'lib'
+
+    _enable-thing "completion" "completion" $1
+}
+
+_enable-thing ()
+{
+    cite _about _param _example
+    _about 'enables a bash_it component'
+    _param '1: subdirectory'
+    _param '2: file_type'
+    _param '3: file_entity'
+    _example '$ _enable-thing "plugins" "plugin" "ssh"'	
+	
+    subdirectory="$1"
+    file_type="$2"
+    file_entity="$3"
+
+    if [ -z "$file_entity" ]; then
+        reference "enable-$file_type"
         return
     fi
 
-    if [ "$1" = "all" ]; then
-        typeset f plugin
-        for f in $BASH_IT/plugins/available/*.bash
+    if [ "$file_entity" = "all" ]; then
+        typeset f $file_type
+        for f in $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/available/*.bash
         do
             plugin=$(basename $f)
-            if [ ! -h $BASH_IT/plugins/enabled/$plugin ]; then
-                ln -s $BASH_IT/plugins/available/$plugin $BASH_IT/plugins/enabled/$plugin
+            if [ ! -h $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/enabled/$plugin ]; then
+                ln -s $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/available/$plugin $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/enabled/$plugin
             fi
         done
     else
-        typeset plugin=$(command ls $BASH_IT/plugins/available/$1.*bash 2>/dev/null | head -1)
+        typeset plugin=$(command ls $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/available/$file_entity.*bash 2>/dev/null | head -1)
         if [ -z "$plugin" ]; then
-            printf '%s\n' 'sorry, that does not appear to be an available plugin.'
+            printf '%s\n' "sorry, that does not appear to be an available $file_type."
             return
         fi
 
         plugin=$(basename $plugin)
-        if [ -e $BASH_IT/plugins/enabled/$plugin ]; then
-            printf '%s\n' "$1 is already enabled."
+        if [ -e $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/enabled/$plugin ]; then
+            printf '%s\n' "$file_entity is already enabled."
             return
         fi
 
-        ln -s $BASH_IT/plugins/available/$plugin $BASH_IT/plugins/enabled/$plugin
+        ln -s $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/available/$plugin $BASH_IT/$subdirectory/enabled/$plugin
     fi
 
-    printf '%s\n' "$1 enabled."
+    printf '%s\n' "$file_entity enabled."
 }
 
-plugins-help ()
+_help-aliases()
 {
-    about 'summarize all functions defined by enabled bash-it plugins'
-    group 'lib'
+    _about 'shows help for all aliases, or a specific alias group'
+    _param '1: optional alias group'
+    _example '$ alias-help'
+    _example '$ alias-help git'
+
+    if [ -n "$1" ]; then
+        cat $BASH_IT/aliases/available/$1.aliases.bash | metafor alias | sed "s/$/'/"
+    else
+        typeset f
+        for f in $BASH_IT/aliases/enabled/*
+        do
+            typeset file=$(basename $f)
+            printf '\n\n%s:\n' "${file%%.*}"
+            # metafor() strips trailing quotes, restore them with sed..
+            cat $f | metafor alias | sed "s/$/'/"
+        done
+    fi
+}
+
+_help-plugins()
+{
+    _about 'summarize all functions defined by enabled bash-it plugins'
+    _group 'lib'
 
     # display a brief progress message...
     printf '%s' 'please wait, building help...'