diff --git a/core/lib/annotation_exporter.js b/core/lib/annotation_exporter.js
index 4f4cb426a..fdeeb31bc 100644
--- a/core/lib/annotation_exporter.js
+++ b/core/lib/annotation_exporter.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ const glob = require('glob');
 const fs = require('fs-extra');
 const _ = require('lodash');
 const mp = require('./markdown_parser');
+const logger = require('./log');
 
 const annotations_exporter = function (pl) {
 
@@ -18,9 +19,7 @@ const annotations_exporter = function (pl) {
     try {
       oldAnnotations = fs.readFileSync(path.resolve(paths.source.annotations, 'annotations.js'), 'utf8');
     } catch (ex) {
-      if (pl.config.debug) {
-        console.log('annotations.js file missing from ' + paths.source.annotations + '. This may be expected.');
-      }
+      logger.debug(`annotations.js file missing from ${paths.source.annotations}. This may be expected if you do not use annotations or are using markdown.`);
       return [];
     }
 
@@ -31,8 +30,7 @@ const annotations_exporter = function (pl) {
     try {
       var oldAnnotationsJSON = JSON.parse(oldAnnotations);
     } catch (ex) {
-      console.log('There was an error parsing JSON for ' + paths.source.annotations + 'annotations.js');
-      console.log(ex);
+      logger.error(`There was an error parsing JSON for ${paths.source.annotations}annotations.js`);
       return [];
     }
     return oldAnnotationsJSON.comments;
diff --git a/core/lib/asset_copy.js b/core/lib/asset_copy.js
index 9ac0d7a3c..1e512a96a 100644
--- a/core/lib/asset_copy.js
+++ b/core/lib/asset_copy.js
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 const _ = require('lodash');
 const path = require('path');
 const process = require('process');
+const logger = require('./log');
 
 let copy = require('recursive-copy'); // eslint-disable-line prefer-const
 let chokidar = require('chokidar'); // eslint-disable-line prefer-const
@@ -40,9 +41,7 @@ const asset_copier = () => {
       dest,
       options
     ).on(copy.events.COPY_FILE_COMPLETE, () => {
-      if (options.debug) {
-        console.log(`Moved ${p} to ${dest}`);
-      }
+      logger.debug(`Moved ${p} to ${dest}`);
       options.emitter.emit('patternlab-asset-change', {
         file: p,
         dest: dest
@@ -70,9 +69,7 @@ const asset_copier = () => {
 
       //if we want to watch files, do so, otherwise just copy each file
       if (options.watch) {
-        if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-          console.log(`Pattern Lab is watching ${path.resolve(basePath, dir.source)} for changes`);
-        }
+        logger.info(`Pattern Lab is watching ${path.resolve(basePath, dir.source)} for changes`);
 
         if (patternlab.watchers[key]) {
           patternlab.watchers[key].close();
@@ -130,9 +127,7 @@ const asset_copier = () => {
 
       _.each(globalPaths, (globalPath) => {
 
-        if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-          console.log(`Pattern Lab is watching ${globalPath} for changes`);
-        }
+        logger.info(`Pattern Lab is watching ${globalPath} for changes`);
 
         if (patternlab.watchers[globalPath]) {
           patternlab.watchers[globalPath].close();
@@ -180,9 +175,8 @@ const asset_copier = () => {
         )
       );
       _.each(patternWatches, (patternWatchPath) => {
-        if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-          console.log(`Pattern Lab is watching ${patternWatchPath} for changes`);
-        }
+
+        logger.info(`Pattern Lab is watching ${patternWatchPath} for changes`);
 
         const patternWatcher = chokidar.watch(
           path.resolve(patternWatchPath),
diff --git a/core/lib/json_copy.js b/core/lib/json_copy.js
index 84c9e249d..17bbd9af9 100644
--- a/core/lib/json_copy.js
+++ b/core/lib/json_copy.js
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 "use strict";
 
-const plutils = require('./utilities');
+const logger = require('./log');
 const json_copy = (data, callee) => {
   try {
     return JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(data));
   } catch (e) {
     //this is unlikely to be hit due to the passed in data already being loaded using JSON parsers
-    plutils.error(`JSON provided by ${callee} is invalid and cannot be copied`);
-    return {};
+    logger.warning(`JSON provided by ${callee} is invalid and cannot be copied`);
+    throw (e);
   }
 };
 
diff --git a/core/lib/lineage_hunter.js b/core/lib/lineage_hunter.js
index 7c61be98d..7bcd4a19f 100644
--- a/core/lib/lineage_hunter.js
+++ b/core/lib/lineage_hunter.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 'use strict';
 const extend = require("util")._extend;
+const logger = require('./log');
 
 const lineage_hunter = function () {
 
@@ -119,9 +120,8 @@ const lineage_hunter = function () {
             const patternReverseStateIndex = patternStateCascade.indexOf(lineageRPattern.patternState);
             if (lineageRPattern.patternState === '' || (patternStateIndex < patternReverseStateIndex)) {
 
-              if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-                console.log('Found a lower common denominator pattern state: ' + pattern.patternState + ' on ' + pattern.patternPartial + '. Setting reverse lineage pattern ' + lineageRPattern.patternPartial + ' from ' + (lineageRPattern.patternState === '' ? '<<blank>>' : lineageRPattern.patternState));
-              }
+              const oldState = lineageRPattern.patternState === '' ? '<<blank>>' : lineageRPattern.patternState;
+              logger.info(`Found a lower common denominator pattern state: ${pattern.patternState} on ${pattern.patternPartial}. Setting reverse lineage pattern ${lineageRPattern.patternPartial} from ${oldState}`);
 
               lineageRPattern.patternState = pattern.patternState;
 
diff --git a/core/lib/list_item_hunter.js b/core/lib/list_item_hunter.js
index 7ffe450de..846ecc7d8 100644
--- a/core/lib/list_item_hunter.js
+++ b/core/lib/list_item_hunter.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ const list_item_hunter = function () {
   const smh = require('./style_modifier_hunter');
   const jsonCopy = require('./json_copy');
   const Pattern = require('./object_factory').Pattern;
+  const logger = require('./log');
 
   const pattern_assembler = new pa();
   const style_modifier_hunter = new smh();
@@ -19,9 +20,7 @@ const list_item_hunter = function () {
     if (matches !== null) {
       matches.forEach(function (liMatch) {
 
-        if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-          console.log('found listItem of size ' + liMatch + ' inside ' + pattern.patternPartial);
-        }
+        logger.debug(`found listItem of size ${liMatch} inside ${pattern.patternPartial}`);
 
         //find the boundaries of the block
         const loopNumberString = liMatch.split('.')[1].split('}')[0].trim();
@@ -32,9 +31,8 @@ const list_item_hunter = function () {
         const repeatedBlockTemplate = [];
         let repeatedBlockHtml = '';
         for (let i = 0; i < items.indexOf(loopNumberString); i++) {
-          if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-            console.log('list item(s) in pattern', pattern.patternPartial, 'adding', patternBlock, 'to repeatedBlockTemplate');
-          }
+
+          logger.debug(`list item(s) in pattern ${pattern.patternPartial}, adding ${patternBlock} to repeatedBlockTemplate`);
           repeatedBlockTemplate.push(patternBlock);
         }
 
@@ -43,8 +41,8 @@ const list_item_hunter = function () {
         try {
           listData = jsonCopy(patternlab.listitems, 'config.paths.source.data listitems');
         } catch (err) {
-          console.log('There was an error parsing JSON for ' + pattern.relPath);
-          console.log(err);
+          logger.warning(`There was an error parsing JSON for ${pattern.relPath}`);
+          logger.warning(err);
         }
 
         listData = _.merge(listData, pattern.listitems);
@@ -64,8 +62,8 @@ const list_item_hunter = function () {
             globalData = jsonCopy(patternlab.data, 'config.paths.source.data global data');
             localData = jsonCopy(pattern.jsonFileData, `${pattern.patternPartial} data`);
           } catch (err) {
-            console.log('There was an error parsing JSON for ' + pattern.relPath);
-            console.log(err);
+            logger.warning(`There was an error parsing JSON for ${pattern.relPath}`);
+            logger.warning(err);
           }
 
           let allData = _.merge(globalData, localData);
@@ -89,8 +87,8 @@ const list_item_hunter = function () {
                 cleanPartialPattern = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(partialPattern));
                 cleanPartialPattern = jsonCopy(partialPattern, `partial pattern ${partialName}`);
               } catch (err) {
-                console.log('There was an error parsing JSON for ' + pattern.relPath);
-                console.log(err);
+                logger.warning(`There was an error parsing JSON for ${pattern.relPath}`);
+                logger.warning(err);
               }
 
               //if we retrieved a pattern we should make sure that its extendedTemplate is reset. looks to fix #356
diff --git a/core/lib/utilities.js b/core/lib/log.js
similarity index 86%
rename from core/lib/utilities.js
rename to core/lib/log.js
index 6c88dac90..661cf6a05 100644
--- a/core/lib/utilities.js
+++ b/core/lib/log.js
@@ -31,9 +31,17 @@ const log = Object.assign({
  */
 const debug = log.debug.bind(log);
 
+/**
+ * @func info
+ * @desc Coloured info log
+ * @param  {*} msg - The variadic messages to log out.
+ * @return {void}
+ */
+const info = log.info.bind(log);
+
 /**
  * @func warning
- * @desc Coloured error log
+ * @desc Coloured warning log
  * @param  {*} e - The variadic messages to log out.
  * @return {void}
  */
@@ -62,6 +70,7 @@ const reportError = function (message) {
 
 module.exports = {
   debug,
+  info,
   warning,
   error,
   log,
diff --git a/core/lib/markdown_parser.js b/core/lib/markdown_parser.js
index 68fcfa68d..68ab4c42d 100644
--- a/core/lib/markdown_parser.js
+++ b/core/lib/markdown_parser.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 const md = require('markdown-it')();
 const yaml = require('js-yaml');
+const logger = require('./log');
 
 const markdown_parser = function () {
 
@@ -36,8 +37,8 @@ const markdown_parser = function () {
         returnObject.markdown = md.render(block);
       }
     } catch (ex) {
-      console.log(ex);
-      console.log('error parsing markdown block', block);
+      logger.warning(ex);
+      logger.warning(`error parsing markdown block ${block}`);
       return undefined;
     }
 
diff --git a/core/lib/parameter_hunter.js b/core/lib/parameter_hunter.js
index f236f5e31..f6e59e405 100644
--- a/core/lib/parameter_hunter.js
+++ b/core/lib/parameter_hunter.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ const parameter_hunter = function () {
   const smh = require('./style_modifier_hunter');
   const style_modifier_hunter = new smh();
   const pattern_assembler = new pa();
+  const logger = require('./log');
 
   /**
    * This function is really to accommodate the lax JSON-like syntax allowed by
@@ -49,10 +50,9 @@ const parameter_hunter = function () {
    *   * Return paramStringWellFormed.
    *
    * @param {string} pString
-   * @param {object} patternlab
    * @returns {string} paramStringWellFormed
    */
-  function paramToJson(pString, patternlab) {
+  function paramToJson(pString) {
     let colonPos = -1;
     const keys = [];
     let paramString = pString; // to not reassign param
@@ -67,10 +67,7 @@ const parameter_hunter = function () {
       paramStringWellFormed = JSON.stringify(JSON.parse(pString));
       return paramStringWellFormed;
     } catch (err) {
-      //todo this might be a good candidate for a different log level, should we implement that someday
-      if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-        console.log(`Not valid JSON found for passed pattern parameter ${pString} will attempt to parse manually...`);
-      }
+      logger.debug(`Not valid JSON found for passed pattern parameter ${pString} will attempt to parse manually...`);
     }
 
     //replace all escaped double-quotes with escaped unicode
@@ -256,15 +253,13 @@ const parameter_hunter = function () {
         //if we retrieved a pattern we should make sure that its extendedTemplate is reset. looks to fix #190
         partialPattern.extendedTemplate = partialPattern.template;
 
-        if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-          console.log('found patternParameters for ' + partialName);
-        }
+        logger.debug(`found patternParameters for ${partialName}`);
 
         //strip out the additional data, convert string to JSON.
         const leftParen = pMatch.indexOf('(');
         const rightParen = pMatch.lastIndexOf(')');
         const paramString = '{' + pMatch.substring(leftParen + 1, rightParen) + '}';
-        const paramStringWellFormed = paramToJson(paramString, patternlab);
+        const paramStringWellFormed = paramToJson(paramString);
 
         let paramData = {};
         let globalData = {};
@@ -275,8 +270,8 @@ const parameter_hunter = function () {
           globalData = jsonCopy(patternlab.data, 'config.paths.source.data global data');
           localData = jsonCopy(pattern.jsonFileData || {}, `pattern ${pattern.patternPartial} data`);
         } catch (err) {
-          console.log('There was an error parsing JSON for ' + pattern.relPath);
-          console.log(err);
+          logger.warning(`There was an error parsing JSON for ${pattern.relPath}`);
+          logger.warning(err);
         }
 
         // resolve any pattern links that might be present
diff --git a/core/lib/pattern_assembler.js b/core/lib/pattern_assembler.js
index 701ef908d..ff9f36295 100644
--- a/core/lib/pattern_assembler.js
+++ b/core/lib/pattern_assembler.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ const Pattern = require('./object_factory').Pattern;
 const CompileState = require('./object_factory').CompileState;
 const pph = require('./pseudopattern_hunter');
 const mp = require('./markdown_parser');
-const plutils = require('./utilities');
+const logger = require('./log');
 const patternEngines = require('./pattern_engines');
 const lh = require('./lineage_hunter');
 const lih = require('./list_item_hunter');
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ const pattern_assembler = function () {
         return patternlab.patterns[i];
       }
     }
-    plutils.warning('Could not find pattern referenced with partial syntax ' + partialName + '. This can occur when a pattern was renamed, moved, or no longer exists but it still called within a different template somewhere.');
+    logger.warning('Could not find pattern referenced with partial syntax ' + partialName + '. This can occur when a pattern was renamed, moved, or no longer exists but it still called within a different template somewhere.');
     return undefined;
   }
 
@@ -103,9 +103,7 @@ const pattern_assembler = function () {
     // if the pattern is new, we must register it with various data structures!
     if (isNew) {
 
-      if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-        console.log('found new pattern ' + pattern.patternPartial);
-      }
+      logger.debug(`found new pattern ${pattern.patternPartial}`);
 
       // do global registration
       if (pattern.isPattern) {
@@ -182,20 +180,15 @@ const pattern_assembler = function () {
           currentPattern.links = markdownObject.links;
         }
       } else {
-        if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-          console.log('error processing markdown for ' + currentPattern.patternPartial);
-        }
-      }
-
-      if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-        console.log('found pattern-specific markdown for ' + currentPattern.patternPartial);
+        logger.warning(`error processing markdown for ${currentPattern.patternPartial}`);
       }
+      logger.debug(`found pattern-specific markdown for  ${currentPattern.patternPartial}`);
     }
     catch (err) {
       // do nothing when file not found
       if (err.code !== 'ENOENT') {
-        console.log('there was an error setting pattern keys after markdown parsing of the companion file for pattern ' + currentPattern.patternPartial);
-        console.log(err);
+        logger.warning(`'there was an error setting pattern keys after markdown parsing of the companion file for pattern ${currentPattern.patternPartial}`);
+        logger.warning(err);
       }
     }
   }
@@ -248,15 +241,15 @@ const pattern_assembler = function () {
 
     var relativeDepth = (relPath.match(/\w(?=\\)|\w(?=\/)/g) || []).length;
     if (relativeDepth > 2) {
-      console.log('');
-      plutils.warning('Warning:');
-      plutils.warning('A pattern file: ' + relPath + ' was found greater than 2 levels deep from ' + patternlab.config.paths.source.patterns + '.');
-      plutils.warning('It\'s strongly suggested to not deviate from the following structure under _patterns/');
-      plutils.warning('[patternType]/[patternSubtype]/[patternName].[patternExtension]');
-      console.log('');
-      plutils.warning('While Pattern Lab may still function, assets may 404 and frontend links may break. Consider yourself warned. ');
-      plutils.warning('Read More: http://patternlab.io/docs/pattern-organization.html');
-      console.log('');
+      logger.warning('');
+      logger.warning('Warning:');
+      logger.warning('A pattern file: ' + relPath + ' was found greater than 2 levels deep from ' + patternlab.config.paths.source.patterns + '.');
+      logger.warning('It\'s strongly suggested to not deviate from the following structure under _patterns/');
+      logger.warning('[patternType]/[patternSubtype]/[patternName].[patternExtension]');
+      logger.warning('');
+      logger.warning('While Pattern Lab may still function, assets may 404 and frontend links may break. Consider yourself warned. ');
+      logger.warning('Read More: http://patternlab.io/docs/pattern-organization.html');
+      logger.warning('');
     }
 
     //check if the found file is a top-level markdown file
@@ -282,7 +275,7 @@ const pattern_assembler = function () {
       } catch (err) {
         // no file exists, meaning it's a pattern markdown file
         if (err.code !== 'ENOENT') {
-          console.log(err);
+          logger.warning(err);
         }
       }
     }
@@ -312,36 +305,32 @@ const pattern_assembler = function () {
     //look for a json file for this template
     try {
       var jsonFilename = path.resolve(patternsPath, currentPattern.subdir, currentPattern.fileName);
-      const configData = dataLoader.loadDataFromFile(jsonFilename, fs);
+      const patternData = dataLoader.loadDataFromFile(jsonFilename, fs);
 
-      if (configData) {
-        currentPattern.jsonFileData = configData;
-        if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-          console.log('processPatternIterative: found pattern-specific config data for ' + currentPattern.patternPartial);
-        }
+      if (patternData) {
+        currentPattern.jsonFileData = patternData;
+        logger.debug(`found pattern-specific data for ${currentPattern.patternPartial}`);
       }
     }
     catch (err) {
-      console.log('There was an error parsing sibling JSON for ' + currentPattern.relPath);
-      console.log(err);
+      logger.warning(`There was an error parsing sibling JSON for ${currentPattern.relPath}`);
+      logger.warning(err);
     }
 
     //look for a listitems.json file for this template
     try {
       var listJsonFileName = path.resolve(patternsPath, currentPattern.subdir, currentPattern.fileName + ".listitems");
-      const listItemsConfig = dataLoader.loadDataFromFile(listJsonFileName, fs);
+      const listItemsData = dataLoader.loadDataFromFile(listJsonFileName, fs);
 
-      if (listItemsConfig) {
-        currentPattern.listitems = listItemsConfig;
+      if (listItemsData) {
+        logger.debug(`found pattern-specific listitems data for ${currentPattern.patternPartial}`);
+        currentPattern.listitems = listItemsData;
         buildListItems(currentPattern);
-        if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-          console.log('found pattern-specific listitems config for ' + currentPattern.patternPartial);
-        }
       }
     }
     catch (err) {
-      console.log('There was an error parsing sibling listitem JSON for ' + currentPattern.relPath);
-      console.log(err);
+      logger.warning(`There was an error parsing sibling listitem JSON for ${currentPattern.relPath}`);
+      logger.warning(err);
     }
 
     //look for a markdown file for this template
@@ -382,7 +371,7 @@ const pattern_assembler = function () {
       //find any pattern parameters that may be in the current pattern
       pattern.parameteredPartials = pattern.findPartialsWithPatternParameters();
       return pattern;
-    }).catch(plutils.reportError('There was an error in processPatternIterative():'));
+    }).catch(logger.reportError('There was an error in processPatternIterative():'));
   }
 
   function processPatternRecursive(file, patternlab) {
@@ -447,9 +436,7 @@ const pattern_assembler = function () {
     var style_modifier_hunter = new smh(),
       parameter_hunter = new ph();
 
-    if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-      console.log('found partials for ' + currentPattern.patternPartial);
-    }
+    logger.debug(`found partials for ${currentPattern.patternPartial}`);
 
     // determine if the template contains any pattern parameters. if so they
     // must be immediately consumed
@@ -513,18 +500,15 @@ const pattern_assembler = function () {
             var fullLink = patternlab.data.link[linkPatternPartial];
             if (fullLink) {
               fullLink = path.normalize(fullLink).replace(/\\/g, '/');
-              if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-                console.log('expanded data link from ' + dataLink + ' to ' + fullLink + ' inside ' + key);
-              }
+
+              logger.debug(`expanded data link from ${dataLink} to ${fullLink} inside ${key}`);
 
               //also make sure our global replace didn't mess up a protocol
               fullLink = fullLink.replace(/:\//g, '://');
               dataObjAsString = dataObjAsString.replace('link.' + linkPatternPartial, fullLink);
             }
           } else {
-            if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-              console.log('pattern not found for', dataLink, 'inside', key);
-            }
+            logger.warning(`pattern not found for ${dataLink} inside ${key}`);
           }
         }
       }
@@ -534,8 +518,8 @@ const pattern_assembler = function () {
     try {
       dataObj = JSON.parse(dataObjAsString);
     } catch (err) {
-      console.log('There was an error parsing JSON for ' + key);
-      console.log(err);
+      logger.warning(`There was an error parsing JSON for ${key}`);
+      logger.warning(err);
     }
 
     return dataObj;
diff --git a/core/lib/pattern_engines.js b/core/lib/pattern_engines.js
index 8b825ed29..b6e013a91 100644
--- a/core/lib/pattern_engines.js
+++ b/core/lib/pattern_engines.js
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@
 'use strict';
 const {existsSync, lstatSync, readdirSync} = require('fs');
 const path = require('path');
-const chalk = require('chalk');
 const engineMatcher = /^patternengine-node-(.*)$/;
 const scopeMatch = /^@(.*)$/;
 const isDir = fPath => lstatSync(fPath).isDirectory();
+const logger = require('./log');
 
 const enginesDirectories = [{
   displayName: 'the core',
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ const enginesDirectories = [{
 function isEngineModule(filePath) {
   const baseName = path.basename(filePath);
   const engineMatch = baseName.match(engineMatcher);
-  
+
   if (engineMatch) { return engineMatch[1]; }
   return false;
 }
@@ -43,12 +43,12 @@ function isScopedPackage(filePath) {
  * @return {Array<Engine>} An array of engine objects
  */
 function resolveEngines(dir) {
-  
+
   // Guard against non-existent directories.
   if (!existsSync(dir)) {
     return []; // Silence is golden …
   }
-  
+
   /**
    * @name walk
    * @desc Traverse the given path and gather possible engines
@@ -57,14 +57,14 @@ function resolveEngines(dir) {
    * @return {Array<Engine>} - The final array of engines
    */
   const walk = (fPath, engines) => {
-  
+
     /**
      * @name dirList
      * @desc A list of all directories in the given path
      * @type {Array<string>}
      */
     const dirList = readdirSync(fPath).filter(p => isDir(path.join(fPath, p)));
-  
+
     /**
      * @name e
      * @desc For the current dir get all engines
@@ -76,10 +76,10 @@ function resolveEngines(dir) {
         return {
           name: isEngineModule(engine),
           modulePath: path.join(fPath, engine)
-        }
+        };
       })
     );
-    
+
     /**
      * 1. Flatten all engines from inner recursions and current dir
      * 2. Filter the dirList for scoped packages
@@ -92,12 +92,12 @@ function resolveEngines(dir) {
         .map(scope => walk(path.join(fPath, scope), e)) // 3
     );
   };
-  
+
   return walk(dir, []);
 }
 
 function findEngineModulesInDirectory(dir) {
-  const foundEngines = resolveEngines(dir)
+  const foundEngines = resolveEngines(dir);
   return foundEngines;
 }
 
@@ -117,27 +117,23 @@ function findEngineModulesInDirectory(dir) {
 // methods and properites below should therefore be on its prototype.
 
 const PatternEngines = Object.create({
-  
+
   loadAllEngines: function (patternLabConfig) {
     var self = this;
-    
+
     // Try to load engines! We scan for engines at each path specified above. This
     // function is kind of a big deal.
     enginesDirectories.forEach(function (engineDirectory) {
       const enginesInThisDir = findEngineModulesInDirectory(engineDirectory.path);
-      if (patternLabConfig.debug) {
-        console.log(chalk.bold(`Loading engines from ${engineDirectory.displayName}...\n`));
-      }
-  
+
+      logger.debug(`Loading engines from ${engineDirectory.displayName}...`);
+
       // find all engine-named things in this directory and try to load them,
       // unless it's already been loaded.
       enginesInThisDir.forEach(function (engineDiscovery) {
         let errorMessage;
         const successMessage = "good to go";
-        if (patternLabConfig.debug) {
-          chalk.green(successMessage);
-        }
-  
+
         try {
           // Give it a try! load 'er up. But not if we already have,
           // of course.  Also pass the pattern lab config object into
@@ -157,23 +153,18 @@ const PatternEngines = Object.create({
           errorMessage = err.message;
         } finally {
           // report on the status of the engine, one way or another!
-          if (patternLabConfig.debug) {
-            console.log(`  ${engineDiscovery.name}:`, errorMessage ? chalk.red(errorMessage) : successMessage);
-          }
+          logger.info(`Pattern Engine ${engineDiscovery.name}: ${errorMessage ? errorMessage : successMessage}`);
         }
       });
-      console.log('');
     });
-    
+
     // Complain if for some reason we haven't loaded any engines.
     if (Object.keys(self).length === 0) {
-      throw new Error('No engines loaded! Something is seriously wrong.');
-    }
-    if (patternLabConfig.debug) {
-      console.log(chalk.bold('Done loading engines.\n'));
+      logger.error('No engines loaded! Something is seriously wrong.');
     }
+    logger.debug(`Done loading engines`);
   },
-  
+
   getEngineNameForPattern: function (pattern) {
     // avoid circular dependency by putting this in here. TODO: is this slow?
     const of = require('./object_factory');
@@ -182,7 +173,7 @@ const PatternEngines = Object.create({
       const engineNames = Object.keys(this);
       for (let i = 0; i < engineNames.length; i++) {
         const engine = this[engineNames[i]];
-  
+
         if (Array.isArray(engine.engineFileExtension)) {
           if (engine.engineFileExtension.includes(pattern.fileExtension)) {
             return engine.engineName;
@@ -195,12 +186,12 @@ const PatternEngines = Object.create({
         }
       }
     }
-    
+
     // otherwise, assume it's a plain mustache template string and act
     // accordingly
     return 'mustache';
   },
-  
+
   getEngineForPattern: function (pattern) {
     if (pattern.isPseudoPattern) {
       return this.getEngineForPattern(pattern.basePattern);
@@ -209,7 +200,7 @@ const PatternEngines = Object.create({
       return this[engineName];
     }
   },
-  
+
   // combine all found engines into a single array of supported extensions
   getSupportedFileExtensions: function () {
     const engineNames = Object.keys(PatternEngines);
@@ -218,19 +209,19 @@ const PatternEngines = Object.create({
     });
     return [].concat.apply([], allEnginesExtensions);
   },
-  
+
   isFileExtensionSupported: function (fileExtension) {
     const supportedExtensions = PatternEngines.getSupportedFileExtensions();
     return (supportedExtensions.lastIndexOf(fileExtension) !== -1);
   },
-  
+
   // given a filename, return a boolean: whether or not the filename indicates
   // that the file is pseudopattern JSON
   isPseudoPatternJSON: function (filename) {
     const extension = path.extname(filename);
     return (extension === '.json' && filename.indexOf('~') > -1);
   },
-  
+
   // takes a filename string, not a full path; a basename (plus extension)
   // ignore _underscored patterns, dotfiles, and anything not recognized by a
   // loaded pattern engine. Pseudo-pattern .json files ARE considered to be
@@ -242,7 +233,7 @@ const PatternEngines = Object.create({
       (extension === '.json' && !PatternEngines.isPseudoPatternJSON(filename))) {
       return false;
     }
-  
+
     // not a hidden pattern, let's dig deeper
     const supportedPatternFileExtensions = PatternEngines.getSupportedFileExtensions();
     return (supportedPatternFileExtensions.lastIndexOf(extension) !== -1 ||
diff --git a/core/lib/patternlab.js b/core/lib/patternlab.js
index 3240ba908..55ecbb78a 100644
--- a/core/lib/patternlab.js
+++ b/core/lib/patternlab.js
@@ -14,13 +14,12 @@ const diveSync = require('diveSync');
 const dive = require('dive');
 const _ = require('lodash');
 const path = require('path');
-const chalk = require('chalk');
 const cleanHtml = require('js-beautify').html;
 const inherits = require('util').inherits;
 const pm = require('./plugin_manager');
 const packageInfo = require('../../package.json');
 const dataLoader = require('./data_loader')();
-const plutils = require('./utilities');
+const logger = require('./log');
 const jsonCopy = require('./json_copy');
 const PatternGraph = require('./pattern_graph').PatternGraph;
 const pa = require('./pattern_assembler');
@@ -41,19 +40,24 @@ let serve = require('./serve'); // eslint-disable-line
 const pattern_assembler = new pa();
 const lineage_hunter = new lh();
 
-//register our log events
-plutils.log.on('error', msg => console.log(msg));
-plutils.log.on('debug', msg => console.log(msg));
-plutils.log.on('warning', msg => console.log(msg));
-plutils.log.on('info', msg => console.log(msg));
-
 const patternEngines = require('./pattern_engines');
 const EventEmitter = require('events').EventEmitter;
 
+function PatternLabEventEmitter() {
+  EventEmitter.call(this);
+}
+inherits(PatternLabEventEmitter, EventEmitter);
+
 class PatternLab {
   constructor(config) {
     // Either use the config we were passed, or load one up from the config file ourselves
     this.config = config || fs.readJSONSync(path.resolve(__dirname, '../../patternlab-config.json'));
+
+    //register our log events
+    this.registerLogger(config.logLevel);
+
+    logger.info(`Pattern Lab Node v${packageInfo.version}`);
+
     // Load up engines please
     this.engines = patternEngines;
     this.engines.loadAllEngines(config);
@@ -71,10 +75,70 @@ class PatternLab {
     this.watchers = {};
 
     // Verify correctness of configuration (?)
-    checkConfiguration(this);
+    this.checkConfiguration(this);
 
     // TODO: determine if this is the best place to wire up plugins
-    initializePlugins(this);
+    this.initializePlugins(this);
+  }
+
+  checkConfiguration(patternlab) {
+
+    //default the output suffixes if not present
+    const outputFileSuffixes = {
+      rendered: '.rendered',
+      rawTemplate: '',
+      markupOnly: '.markup-only'
+    };
+
+    if (!patternlab.config.outputFileSuffixes) {
+      logger.warning('');
+      logger.warning('Configuration key [outputFileSuffixes] not found, and defaulted to the following:');
+      logger.info(outputFileSuffixes);
+      logger.warning('Since Pattern Lab Node Core 2.3.0 this configuration option is required. Suggest you add it to your patternlab-config.json file.');
+      logger.warning('');
+    }
+    patternlab.config.outputFileSuffixes = _.extend(outputFileSuffixes, patternlab.config.outputFileSuffixes);
+
+    if (typeof patternlab.config.paths.source.patternlabFiles === 'string') {
+      logger.warning('');
+      logger.warning(`Configuration key [paths.source.patternlabFiles] inside patternlab-config.json was found as the string '${patternlab.config.paths.source.patternlabFiles}'`);
+      logger.warning('Since Pattern Lab Node Core 3.0.0 this key is an object. Suggest you update this key following this issue: https://github.com/pattern-lab/patternlab-node/issues/683.');
+      logger.warning('');
+    }
+
+    if (typeof patternlab.config.debug === 'boolean') {
+      logger.warning('');
+      logger.warning(`Configuration key [debug] inside patternlab-config.json was found. As of Pattern Lab Node Core 3.0.0 this key is replaced with a new key, [logLevel]. This is a string with possible values ['debug', 'info', 'warning', 'error', 'quiet'].`);
+      logger.warning(`Turning on 'info', 'warning', and 'error' levels by default, unless [logLevel] is present. If that is the case, [debug] has no effect.`);
+      logger.warning('');
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Finds and calls the main method of any found plugins.
+   * @param patternlab - global data store
+   */
+  //todo, move this to plugin_manager
+  initializePlugins(patternlab) {
+
+    if (!patternlab.config.plugins) { return; }
+
+    const plugin_manager = new pm(patternlab.config, path.resolve(__dirname, '../../patternlab-config.json'));
+    const foundPlugins = plugin_manager.detect_plugins();
+
+    if (foundPlugins && foundPlugins.length > 0) {
+
+      for (let i = 0; i < foundPlugins.length; i++) {
+
+        const pluginKey = foundPlugins[i];
+
+        logger.info(`Found plugin: ${pluginKey}`);
+        logger.info(`Attempting to load and initialize plugin.`);
+
+        const plugin = plugin_manager.load_plugin(pluginKey);
+        plugin(patternlab);
+      }
+    }
   }
 
   buildGlobalData() {
@@ -86,18 +150,20 @@ class PatternLab {
 
     // data.json
     try {
-      this.data = buildPatternData(paths.source.data, fs);
+      this.data = buildPatternData(paths.source.data, fs); // eslint-disable-line no-use-before-define
     } catch (ex) {
-      plutils.error('missing or malformed' + paths.source.data + 'data.json  Pattern Lab may not work without this file.');
+      logger.error('missing or malformed' + paths.source.data + 'data.json  Pattern Lab may not work without this file.');
       this.data = {};
     }
+
     // listitems.json
     try {
       this.listitems = fs.readJSONSync(path.resolve(paths.source.data, 'listitems.json'));
     } catch (ex) {
-      plutils.warning('WARNING: missing or malformed ' + paths.source.data + 'listitems.json file.  Pattern Lab may not work without this file.');
+      logger.warning('WARNING: missing or malformed ' + paths.source.data + 'listitems.json file.  Pattern Lab may not work without this file.');
       this.listitems = {};
     }
+
     // load up all the necessary files from pattern lab that apply to every template
     try {
       this.header = fs.readFileSync(path.resolve(paths.source.patternlabFiles['general-header']), 'utf8');
@@ -106,8 +172,8 @@ class PatternLab {
       this.patternSectionSubType = fs.readFileSync(path.resolve(paths.source.patternlabFiles.patternSectionSubtype), 'utf8');
       this.viewAll = fs.readFileSync(path.resolve(paths.source.patternlabFiles.viewall), 'utf8');
     } catch (ex) {
-      console.log(ex);
-      plutils.error('\nERROR: missing an essential file from ' + paths.source.patternlabFiles + '. Pattern Lab won\'t work without this file.\n');
+      logger.info(ex);
+      logger.error('\nERROR: missing an essential file from ' + paths.source.patternlabFiles + '. Pattern Lab won\'t work without this file.\n');
 
       // GTP: it seems increasingly naughty as we refactor to just unilaterally do this here,
       // but whatever. For now.
@@ -132,9 +198,7 @@ class PatternLab {
 
   setCacheBust() {
     if (this.config.cacheBust) {
-      if (this.config.debug) {
-        console.log('setting cacheBuster value for frontend assets.');
-      }
+      logger.debug('setting cacheBuster value for frontend assets.');
       this.cacheBuster = new Date().getTime();
     } else {
       this.cacheBuster = 0;
@@ -171,8 +235,8 @@ class PatternLab {
       this.userHead = headPattern.extendedTemplate;
     }
     catch (ex) {
-      plutils.error('\nWARNING: Could not find the user-editable header template, currently configured to be at ' + path.join(this.config.paths.source.meta, '_00-head.mustache') + '. Your configured path may be incorrect (check this.config.paths.source.meta in your config file), the file may have been deleted, or it may have been left in the wrong place during a migration or update.\n');
-      if (this.config.debug) { console.log(ex); }
+      logger.warning(`Could not find the user-editable header template, currently configured to be at ${path.join(this.config.paths.source.meta, '_00-head.ext')}. Your configured path may be incorrect (check this.config.paths.source.meta in your config file), the file may have been deleted, or it may have been left in the wrong place during a migration or update.`);
+      logger.warning(ex);
 
       // GTP: it seems increasingly naughty as we refactor to just unilaterally do this here,
       // but whatever. For now.
@@ -194,8 +258,8 @@ class PatternLab {
       this.userFoot = footPattern.extendedTemplate;
     }
     catch (ex) {
-      plutils.error('\nWARNING: Could not find the user-editable footer template, currently configured to be at ' + path.join(this.config.paths.source.meta, '_01-foot.mustache') + '. Your configured path may be incorrect (check this.config.paths.source.meta in your config file), the file may have been deleted, or it may have been left in the wrong place during a migration or update.\n');
-      if (this.config.debug) { console.log(ex); }
+      logger.error(`Could not find the user-editable footer template, currently configured to be at ${path.join(this.config.paths.source.meta, '_01-foot.ext')}. Your configured path may be incorrect (check this.config.paths.source.meta in your config file), the file may have been deleted, or it may have been left in the wrong place during a migration or update.`);
+      logger.warning(ex);
 
       // GTP: it seems increasingly naughty as we refactor to just unilaterally do this here,
       // but whatever. For now.
@@ -210,7 +274,7 @@ class PatternLab {
     return this.package.version;
   }
   logVersion() {
-    console.log(this.package.version);
+    logger.info(this.package.version);
   }
   getSupportedTemplateExtensions() {
     return this.engines.getSupportedFileExtensions();
@@ -247,6 +311,32 @@ class PatternLab {
     //write the compiled template to the public patterns directory
     outputFiles.forEach(outFile => fs.outputFileSync(outFile.path, outFile.content));
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Binds console logging to different levels
+   *
+   * @param {string} logLevel
+   * @memberof PatternLab
+   */
+  registerLogger(logLevel) {
+    if (logLevel === undefined) {
+      logger.log.on('info', msg => console.info(msg));
+      logger.log.on('warning', msg => console.info(msg));
+      logger.log.on('error', msg => console.info(msg));
+    } else {
+      if (logLevel === 'quiet') { return; }
+      switch (logLevel) {
+        case 'debug':
+          logger.log.on('debug', msg => console.info(msg));
+        case 'info':
+          logger.log.on('info', msg => console.info(msg));
+        case 'warning':
+          logger.log.on('warning', msg => console.info(msg));
+        case 'error':
+          logger.log.on('error', msg => console.info(msg));
+      }
+    }
+  }
 }
 
 //bootstrap update notifier
@@ -275,7 +365,7 @@ function processAllPatternsIterative(patterns_dir, patternlab) {
       (err, file) => {
         //log any errors
         if (err) {
-          console.log('error in processAllPatternsIterative():', err);
+          logger.info('error in processAllPatternsIterative():', err);
           return;
         }
 
@@ -311,7 +401,7 @@ function processAllPatternsRecursive(patterns_dir, patternlab) {
     function (err, file) {
       //log any errors
       if (err) {
-        console.log(err);
+        logger.info(err);
         return;
       }
       pattern_assembler.process_pattern_recursive(path.relative(patterns_dir, file), patternlab);
@@ -319,59 +409,6 @@ function processAllPatternsRecursive(patterns_dir, patternlab) {
   );
 }
 
-function checkConfiguration(patternlab) {
-  //default the output suffixes if not present
-  const outputFileSuffixes = {
-    rendered: '.rendered',
-    rawTemplate: '',
-    markupOnly: '.markup-only'
-  };
-
-  if (!patternlab.config.outputFileSuffixes) {
-    plutils.warning('Configuration Object "outputFileSuffixes" not found, and defaulted to the following:');
-    console.log(outputFileSuffixes);
-    plutils.warning('Since Pattern Lab Node Core 2.3.0 this configuration option is required. Suggest you add it to your patternlab-config.json file.');
-    console.log();
-  }
-  patternlab.config.outputFileSuffixes = _.extend(outputFileSuffixes, patternlab.config.outputFileSuffixes);
-
-  if (typeof patternlab.config.paths.source.patternlabFiles === 'string') {
-    plutils.warning(`Configuration key [paths.source.patternlabFiles] inside patternlab-config.json was found as the string '${patternlab.config.paths.source.patternlabFiles}'`);
-    plutils.warning('Since Pattern Lab Node Core 3.0.0 this key is an object. Suggest you update this key following this issue: https://github.com/pattern-lab/patternlab-node/issues/683.');
-  }
-
-}
-
-/**
- * Finds and calls the main method of any found plugins.
- * @param patternlab - global data store
- */
-
-//todo, move this to plugin_manager
-function initializePlugins(patternlab) {
-
-  if (!patternlab.config.plugins) { return; }
-
-  const plugin_manager = new pm(patternlab.config, path.resolve(__dirname, '../../patternlab-config.json'));
-  const foundPlugins = plugin_manager.detect_plugins();
-
-  if (foundPlugins && foundPlugins.length > 0) {
-
-    for (let i = 0; i < foundPlugins.length; i++) {
-
-      const pluginKey = foundPlugins[i];
-
-      if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-        console.log('Found plugin: ', pluginKey);
-        console.log('Attempting to load and initialize plugin.');
-      }
-
-      const plugin = plugin_manager.load_plugin(pluginKey);
-      plugin(patternlab);
-    }
-  }
-}
-
 /**
  * Installs a given plugin. Assumes it has already been pulled down via npm
  * @param pluginName - the name of the plugin
@@ -385,92 +422,64 @@ function installPlugin(pluginName) {
   plugin_manager.install_plugin(pluginName);
 }
 
-function PatternLabEventEmitter() {
-  EventEmitter.call(this);
-}
-inherits(PatternLabEventEmitter, EventEmitter);
-
 const patternlab_engine = function (config) {
   const patternlab = new PatternLab(config);
   const paths = patternlab.config.paths;
 
   function help() {
 
-    console.log('');
-
-    console.log('|=======================================|');
-    plutils.debug('     Pattern Lab Node Help v' + patternlab.package.version);
-    console.log('|=======================================|');
-
-    console.log('');
-    console.log('Command Line Interface - usually consumed by an edition');
-    console.log('');
-
-    plutils.debug(' patternlab:build');
-    console.log('   > Compiles the patterns and frontend, outputting to config.paths.public');
-    console.log('');
-
-    plutils.debug(' patternlab:patternsonly');
-    console.log('   > Compiles the patterns only, outputting to config.paths.public');
-    console.log('');
-
-    plutils.debug(' patternlab:version');
-    console.log('   > Return the version of patternlab-node you have installed');
-    console.log('');
-
-    plutils.debug(' patternlab:help');
-    console.log('   > Get more information about patternlab-node, pattern lab in general, and where to report issues.');
-    console.log('');
-
-    plutils.debug(' patternlab:liststarterkits');
-    console.log('   > Returns a url with the list of available starterkits hosted on the Pattern Lab organization Github account');
-    console.log('');
-
-    plutils.debug(' patternlab:loadstarterkit');
-    console.log('   > Load a starterkit into config.paths.source/*');
-    console.log('   > NOTE: Overwrites existing content, and only cleans out existing directory if --clean=true argument is passed.');
-    console.log('   > NOTE: In most cases, `npm install starterkit-name` will precede this call.');
-    console.log('   > arguments:');
-    console.log('      -- kit ');
-    console.log('      > the name of the starter kit to load');
-    console.log('      -- clean ');
-    console.log('      > removes all files from config.paths.source/ prior to load');
-    console.log('   > example (gulp):');
-    console.log('    `gulp patternlab:loadstarterkit --kit=starterkit-mustache-demo`');
-    console.log('');
-
-    console.log('===============================');
-    console.log('');
-    console.log('Visit http://patternlab.io/ for more info about Pattern Lab');
-    console.log('Visit https://github.com/pattern-lab/patternlab-node/issues to open an issue.');
-    console.log('Visit https://github.com/pattern-lab/patternlab-node/wiki to view the changelog, roadmap, and other info.');
-    console.log('');
-    console.log('===============================');
+    logger.info('');
+
+    logger.info('|=======================================|');
+    logger.debug('     Pattern Lab Node Help v' + patternlab.package.version);
+    logger.info('|=======================================|');
+
+    logger.info('');
+    logger.info('API - usually consumed by an edition');
+    logger.info('');
+
+    logger.debug(' patternlab:build');
+    logger.info('   > Compiles the patterns and frontend, outputting to config.paths.public');
+    logger.info('');
+
+    logger.debug(' patternlab:patternsonly');
+    logger.info('   > Compiles the patterns only, outputting to config.paths.public');
+    logger.info('');
+
+    logger.debug(' patternlab:version');
+    logger.info('   > Return the version of patternlab-node you have installed');
+    logger.info('');
+
+    logger.debug(' patternlab:help');
+    logger.info('   > Get more information about patternlab-node, pattern lab in general, and where to report issues.');
+    logger.info('');
+
+    logger.debug(' patternlab:liststarterkits');
+    logger.info('   > Returns a url with the list of available starterkits hosted on the Pattern Lab organization Github account');
+    logger.info('');
+
+    logger.debug(' patternlab:loadstarterkit');
+    logger.info('   > Load a starterkit into config.paths.source/*');
+    logger.info('   > NOTE: Overwrites existing content, and only cleans out existing directory if --clean=true argument is passed.');
+    logger.info('   > NOTE: In most cases, `npm install starterkit-name` will precede this call.');
+    logger.info('   > arguments:');
+    logger.info('      -- kit ');
+    logger.info('      > the name of the starter kit to load');
+    logger.info('      -- clean ');
+    logger.info('      > removes all files from config.paths.source/ prior to load');
+    logger.info('   > example (gulp):');
+    logger.info('    `gulp patternlab:loadstarterkit --kit=starterkit-mustache-demo`');
+    logger.info('');
+
+    logger.info('===============================');
+    logger.info('');
+    logger.info('Visit http://patternlab.io/ for more info about Pattern Lab');
+    logger.info('Visit https://github.com/pattern-lab/patternlab-node/issues to open an issue.');
+    logger.info('Visit https://github.com/pattern-lab/patternlab-node/wiki to view the changelog, roadmap, and other info.');
+    logger.info('');
+    logger.info('===============================');
   }
 
-  function printDebug() {
-    // A replacer function to pass to stringify below; this is here to prevent
-    // the debug output from blowing up into a massive fireball of circular
-    // references. This happens specifically with the Handlebars engine. Remove
-    // if you like 180MB log files.
-    function propertyStringReplacer(key, value) {
-      if (key === 'engine' && value && value.engineName) {
-        return '{' + value.engineName + ' engine object}';
-      }
-      return value;
-    }
-
-    // GTP: this commented out now on the advice of Brian, because we think nobody looks at it,
-    // and it causes problems.
-    //debug file can be written by setting flag on patternlab-config.json
-    // if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-    //   console.log('writing patternlab debug file to ./patternlab.json');
-    //   fs.outputFileSync('./patternlab.json', JSON.stringify(patternlab, propertyStringReplacer, 3));
-    // }
-  }
-
-
-
   function renderSinglePattern(pattern, head) {
     // Pattern does not need to be built and recompiled more than once
     if (!pattern.isPattern || pattern.compileState === CompileState.CLEAN) {
@@ -494,8 +503,8 @@ const patternlab_engine = function (config) {
     try {
       allData = jsonCopy(patternlab.data, 'config.paths.source.data global data');
     } catch (err) {
-      console.log('There was an error parsing JSON for ' + pattern.relPath);
-      console.log(err);
+      logger.info('There was an error parsing JSON for ' + pattern.relPath);
+      logger.info(err);
     }
     allData = _.merge(allData, pattern.jsonFileData);
     allData.cacheBuster = patternlab.cacheBuster;
@@ -552,8 +561,8 @@ const patternlab_engine = function (config) {
     try {
       allFooterData = jsonCopy(patternlab.data, 'config.paths.source.data global data');
     } catch (err) {
-      console.log('There was an error parsing JSON for ' + pattern.relPath);
-      console.log(err);
+      logger.info('There was an error parsing JSON for ' + pattern.relPath);
+      logger.info(err);
     }
     allFooterData = _.merge(allFooterData, pattern.jsonFileData);
     allFooterData.patternLabFoot = footerPartial;
@@ -569,7 +578,7 @@ const patternlab_engine = function (config) {
 
     // Allows serializing the compile state
     patternlab.graph.node(pattern).compileState = pattern.compileState = CompileState.CLEAN;
-    plutils.log.info("Built pattern: " + pattern.patternPartial);
+    logger.info("Built pattern: " + pattern.patternPartial);
 
     return Promise.resolve(true);
   }
@@ -595,7 +604,7 @@ const patternlab_engine = function (config) {
 
   function cleanBuildDirectory(incrementalBuildsEnabled) {
     if (incrementalBuildsEnabled) {
-      plutils.log.info("Incremental builds enabled.");
+      logger.log.info("Incremental builds enabled.");
     } else {
       // needs to be done BEFORE processing patterns
       fs.removeSync(paths.public.patterns);
@@ -606,26 +615,19 @@ const patternlab_engine = function (config) {
   function buildPatterns(deletePatternDir) {
     patternlab.events.emit('patternlab-build-pattern-start', patternlab);
 
-    if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-      console.log(
-        chalk.bold('\n====[ Pattern Lab / Node'),
-        `- v${packageInfo.version}`,
-        chalk.bold(']====\n')
-      );
-    }
-
     //
     // CHECK INCREMENTAL BUILD GRAPH
     //
     const graph = patternlab.graph = loadPatternGraph(deletePatternDir);
     const graphNeedsUpgrade = !PatternGraph.checkVersion(graph);
     if (graphNeedsUpgrade) {
-      plutils.log.info("Due to an upgrade, a complete rebuild is required and the public/patterns directory was deleted. " +
+      logger.log.info("Due to an upgrade, a complete rebuild is required and the public/patterns directory was deleted. " +
                        "Incremental build is available again on the next successful run.");
 
       // Ensure that the freshly built graph has the latest version again.
       patternlab.graph.upgradeVersion();
     }
+
     // Flags
     patternlab.incrementalBuildsEnabled = !(deletePatternDir || graphNeedsUpgrade);
 
@@ -683,7 +685,7 @@ const patternlab_engine = function (config) {
         // When the graph was loaded from file, some patterns might have been moved/deleted between runs
         // so the graph data become out of sync
         patternlab.graph.sync().forEach(n => {
-          plutils.log.info("[Deleted/Moved] " + n);
+          logger.log.info("[Deleted/Moved] " + n);
         });
 
         // TODO Find created or deleted files
@@ -708,14 +710,14 @@ const patternlab_engine = function (config) {
           PatternGraph.storeToFile(patternlab);
           if (patternlab.config.exportToGraphViz) {
             PatternGraph.exportToDot(patternlab, "dependencyGraph.dot");
-            plutils.log.info(`Exported pattern graph to ${path.join(config.paths.public.root, "dependencyGraph.dot")}`);
+            logger.log.info(`Exported pattern graph to ${path.join(config.paths.public.root, "dependencyGraph.dot")}`);
           }
 
           //export patterns if necessary
           pattern_exporter.export_patterns(patternlab);
         });
     }).catch((err) => {
-      console.log('Error in buildPatterns():', err);
+      logger.info('Error in buildPatterns():', err);
     });
   }
 
@@ -747,7 +749,7 @@ const patternlab_engine = function (config) {
      */
     build: function (callback, options) {
       if (patternlab && patternlab.isBusy) {
-        console.log('Pattern Lab is busy building a previous run - returning early.');
+        logger.info('Pattern Lab is busy building a previous run - returning early.');
         return Promise.resolve();
       }
       patternlab.isBusy = true;
@@ -772,7 +774,6 @@ const patternlab_engine = function (config) {
           return Promise.resolve();
         });
 
-        printDebug();
         patternlab.isBusy = false;
         callback();
       });
@@ -796,12 +797,11 @@ const patternlab_engine = function (config) {
      */
     patternsonly: function (callback, options) {
       if (patternlab && patternlab.isBusy) {
-        console.log('Pattern Lab is busy building a previous run - returning early.');
+        logger.info('Pattern Lab is busy building a previous run - returning early.');
         return Promise.resolve();
       }
       patternlab.isBusy = true;
       return buildPatterns(options.cleanPublic).then(() => {
-        printDebug();
         patternlab.isBusy = false;
         callback();
       });
diff --git a/core/lib/plugin_manager.js b/core/lib/plugin_manager.js
index e636dd4a5..6aa92c9dc 100644
--- a/core/lib/plugin_manager.js
+++ b/core/lib/plugin_manager.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 const plugin_manager = function (config, configPath) {
   const path = require('path');
   const fs = require('fs-extra');
-  const util = require('./utilities');
+  const logger = require('./log');
 
   /**
    * Loads a plugin
@@ -25,12 +25,12 @@ const plugin_manager = function (config, configPath) {
       const pluginPath = path.resolve(
         path.join(process.cwd(), 'node_modules', pluginName)
       );
-      console.log('Attempting to load plugin from', pluginPath);
+      logger.debug(`Attempting to load plugin from ${pluginPath}`);
       try {
         var pluginDirStats = fs.statSync(pluginPath);
       } catch (ex) {
-        util.error(pluginName + ' not found, please use npm to install it first.');
-        util.error(pluginName + ' not loaded.');
+        logger.warning(`${pluginName} not found, use npm to install it first.`);
+        logger.warning(`${pluginName} not loaded.`);
         return;
       }
       const pluginPathDirExists = pluginDirStats.isDirectory();
@@ -63,13 +63,12 @@ const plugin_manager = function (config, configPath) {
         //write config entry back
         fs.outputFileSync(path.resolve(configPath), JSON.stringify(diskConfig, null, 2));
 
-        util.debug('Plugin ' + pluginName + ' installed.');
-
-        //todo, tell them how to uninstall or disable
-
+        logger.info('Plugin ' + pluginName + ' installed.');
+        logger.info('Plugin configration added to patternlab-config.json.');
       }
     } catch (ex) {
-      console.log(ex);
+      logger.warning(`An error occurred during plugin installation for plugin ${pluginName}`);
+      logger.warning(ex);
     }
   }
 
@@ -91,7 +90,7 @@ const plugin_manager = function (config, configPath) {
    * Not implemented yet
    */
   function disablePlugin(pluginName) {
-    console.log('disablePlugin not implemented yet. No change made to state of plugin', pluginName);
+    logger.warning(`disablePlugin() not implemented yet. No change made to state of plugin ${pluginName}`);
   }
 
   /**
@@ -99,7 +98,7 @@ const plugin_manager = function (config, configPath) {
    * Not implemented yet
    */
   function enablePlugin(pluginName) {
-    console.log('enablePlugin not implemented yet. No change made to state of plugin', pluginName);
+    logger.warning(`enablePlugin() not implemented yet. No change made to state of plugin ${pluginName}`);
   }
 
   return {
diff --git a/core/lib/pseudopattern_hunter.js b/core/lib/pseudopattern_hunter.js
index debae2d8c..c5cb25bb8 100644
--- a/core/lib/pseudopattern_hunter.js
+++ b/core/lib/pseudopattern_hunter.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ const _ = require('lodash');
 const lh = require('./lineage_hunter');
 const Pattern = require('./object_factory').Pattern;
 const path = require('path');
+const logger = require('./log');
 const lineage_hunter = new lh();
 const changes_hunter = new ch();
 
@@ -29,17 +30,15 @@ pseudopattern_hunter.prototype.find_pseudopatterns = function (currentPattern, p
 
   if (pseudoPatterns.length > 0) {
     for (let i = 0; i < pseudoPatterns.length; i++) {
-      if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-        console.log('found pseudoPattern variant of ' + currentPattern.patternPartial);
-      }
+      logger.debug(`Found pseudoPattern variant of ${currentPattern.patternPartial}`);
 
       //we want to do everything we normally would here, except instead read the pseudoPattern data
       try {
         var variantFileFullPath = path.resolve(paths.source.patterns, pseudoPatterns[i]);
         var variantFileData = fs.readJSONSync(variantFileFullPath);
       } catch (err) {
-        console.log('There was an error parsing pseudopattern JSON for ' + currentPattern.relPath);
-        console.log(err);
+        logger.warning(`There was an error parsing pseudopattern JSON for ${currentPattern.relPath}`);
+        logger.warning(err);
       }
 
       //extend any existing data with variant data
@@ -84,8 +83,8 @@ pseudopattern_hunter.prototype.find_pseudopatterns = function (currentPattern, p
         var variantFileFullPath = path.resolve(paths.source.patterns, pseudoPatterns[i]);
         var variantFileData = fs.readJSONSync(variantFileFullPath);
       } catch (err) {
-        console.log('There was an error parsing pseudopattern JSON for ' + currentPattern.relPath);
-        console.log(err);
+        logger.warning(`There was an error parsing pseudopattern JSON for ${currentPattern.relPath}`);
+        logger.warning(err);
       }
 
       //extend any existing data with variant data
diff --git a/core/lib/serve.js b/core/lib/serve.js
index a773acde9..3b1b42074 100644
--- a/core/lib/serve.js
+++ b/core/lib/serve.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 "use strict";
 const path = require('path');
-const liveServer = require('live-server');
+const liveServer = require('@pattern-lab/live-server');
+const logger = require('./log');
 
 const serve = (patternlab) => {
 
@@ -11,7 +12,8 @@ const serve = (patternlab) => {
     ignore: path.join(path.resolve(patternlab.config.paths.public.root)),
     file: 'index.html',
     logLevel: 0, // errors only
-    wait: 1000
+    wait: 1000,
+    port: 3000
   };
 
   // allow for overrides should they exist inside patternlab-config.json
@@ -34,6 +36,8 @@ const serve = (patternlab) => {
   //start!
   liveServer.start(liveServerConfig);
 
+  logger.info(`Pattern Lab is being served from http://127.0.0.1:${liveServerConfig.port}`);
+
 };
 
 module.exports = serve;
diff --git a/core/lib/starterkit_manager.js b/core/lib/starterkit_manager.js
index 2498580b9..b6535572d 100644
--- a/core/lib/starterkit_manager.js
+++ b/core/lib/starterkit_manager.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ const starterkit_manager = function (config) {
   const path = require('path');
   const fetch = require('node-fetch');
   const fs = require('fs-extra');
-  const util = require('./utilities');
+  const logger = require('./log');
   const paths = config.paths;
 
   /**
@@ -18,34 +18,35 @@ const starterkit_manager = function (config) {
       const kitPath = path.resolve(
         path.join(process.cwd(), 'node_modules', starterkitName, config.starterkitSubDir)
       );
-      console.log('Attempting to load starterkit from', kitPath);
+      logger.debug('Attempting to load starterkit from', kitPath);
       try {
         var kitDirStats = fs.statSync(kitPath);
       } catch (ex) {
-        util.error(starterkitName + ' not found, please use npm to install it first.');
-        util.error(starterkitName + ' not loaded.');
+        logger.warning(`${starterkitName} not found, use npm to install it first.`);
+        logger.warning(`${starterkitName} not loaded.`);
         return;
       }
       const kitPathDirExists = kitDirStats.isDirectory();
       if (kitPathDirExists) {
 
         if (clean) {
-          console.log('Deleting contents of', paths.source.root, 'prior to starterkit load.');
+          logger.info(`Deleting contents of ${paths.source.root} prior to starterkit load.`);
           fs.emptyDirSync(paths.source.root);
         } else {
-          console.log('Overwriting contents of', paths.source.root, 'during starterkit load.');
+          logger.info(`Overwriting contents of ${paths.source.root} during starterkit load.`);
         }
 
         try {
           fs.copySync(kitPath, paths.source.root);
         } catch (ex) {
-          util.error(ex);
+          logger.error(ex);
           return;
         }
-        util.debug('starterkit ' + starterkitName + ' loaded successfully.');
+        logger.info('Starterkit ' + starterkitName + ' loaded into source/.');
       }
     } catch (ex) {
-      console.log(ex);
+      logger.warning(`An error occurred during starterkit installation for starterkit ${starterkitName}`);
+      logger.warning(ex);
     }
   }
 
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ const starterkit_manager = function (config) {
           return {name: repo.name, url: repo.html_url};
         });
     }).catch(function (err) {
-      console.error(err);
+      logger.error(err);
       return false;
     });
   }
diff --git a/core/lib/style_modifier_hunter.js b/core/lib/style_modifier_hunter.js
index af50fb155..c58f9e37a 100644
--- a/core/lib/style_modifier_hunter.js
+++ b/core/lib/style_modifier_hunter.js
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 "use strict";
 
+const logger = require('./log');
+
 const style_modifier_hunter = function () {
 
   /**
@@ -17,9 +19,7 @@ const style_modifier_hunter = function () {
       //replace the special character pipe | used to separate multiple classes with a space
       styleModifier = styleModifier.replace(/\|/g, ' ');
 
-      if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-        console.log('found partial styleModifier within pattern ' + pattern.patternPartial);
-      }
+      logger.debug(`Found partial styleModifier within pattern ${pattern.patternPartial}`);
 
       //replace the stylemodifier placeholder with the class name
       pattern.extendedTemplate = pattern.extendedTemplate.replace(/{{[ ]?styleModifier[ ]?}}/i, styleModifier);
diff --git a/core/lib/ui_builder.js b/core/lib/ui_builder.js
index 6c2807467..8bb287775 100644
--- a/core/lib/ui_builder.js
+++ b/core/lib/ui_builder.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ const jsonCopy = require('./json_copy');
 const ae = require('./annotation_exporter');
 const of = require('./object_factory');
 const Pattern = of.Pattern;
-const plutils = require('./utilities');
+const logger = require('./log');
 const eol = require('os').EOL;
 const _ = require('lodash');
 
@@ -67,18 +67,14 @@ const ui_builder = function () {
     // skip underscore-prefixed files
     isOmitted = pattern.isPattern && pattern.fileName.charAt(0) === '_';
     if (isOmitted) {
-      if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-        console.log('Omitting ' + pattern.patternPartial + " from styleguide patterns because it has an underscore suffix.");
-      }
+      logger.debug(`Omitting ${pattern.patternPartial} from styleguide patterns because it has an underscore suffix.`);
       return true;
     }
 
     //this is meant to be a homepage that is not present anywhere else
     isOmitted = pattern.patternPartial === patternlab.config.defaultPattern;
     if (isOmitted) {
-      if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-        console.log('Omitting ' + pattern.patternPartial + ' from styleguide patterns because it is defined as a defaultPattern.');
-      }
+      logger.debug(`Omitting ${pattern.patternPartial} from styleguide patterns because it is defined as a defaultPattern.`);
       patternlab.defaultPattern = pattern;
       return true;
     }
@@ -86,18 +82,14 @@ const ui_builder = function () {
     //this pattern is contained with a directory prefixed with an underscore (a handy way to hide whole directories from the nav
     isOmitted = pattern.relPath.charAt(0) === '_' || pattern.relPath.indexOf(path.sep + '_') > -1;
     if (isOmitted) {
-      if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-        console.log('Omitting ' + pattern.patternPartial + ' from styleguide patterns because its contained within an underscored directory.');
-      }
+      logger.debug(`Omitting ${pattern.patternPartial} from styleguide patterns because its contained within an underscored directory.`);
       return true;
     }
 
     //this pattern is a head or foot pattern
     isOmitted = pattern.isMetaPattern;
     if (isOmitted) {
-      if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-        console.log('Omitting ' + pattern.patternPartial + ' from styleguide patterns because its a meta pattern.');
-      }
+      logger.debug(`Omitting ${pattern.patternPartial} from styleguide patterns because its a meta pattern.`);
       return true;
     }
 
@@ -169,9 +161,7 @@ const ui_builder = function () {
     const patternType = _.find(patternlab.patternTypes, ['patternType', pattern.patternType]);
 
     if (!patternType) {
-      plutils.error('Could not find patternType' + pattern.patternType + '. This is a critical error.');
-      console.trace();
-      process.exit(1);
+      logger.error(`Could not find patternType ${pattern.patternType}. This is a critical error.`);
     }
 
     return patternType;
@@ -188,9 +178,7 @@ const ui_builder = function () {
     const patternSubType = _.find(patternType.patternTypeItems, ['patternSubtype', pattern.patternSubType]);
 
     if (!patternSubType) {
-      plutils.error('Could not find patternType ' + pattern.patternType + '-' + pattern.patternType + '. This is a critical error.');
-      console.trace();
-      process.exit(1);
+      logger.error(`Could not find patternType ${pattern.patternType}-${pattern.patternType}. This is a critical error.`);
     }
 
     return patternSubType;
@@ -276,9 +264,7 @@ const ui_builder = function () {
   function addPatternItem(patternlab, pattern, isViewAllVariant) {
     const patternType = getPatternType(patternlab, pattern);
     if (!patternType) {
-      plutils.error('Could not find patternType' + pattern.patternType + '. This is a critical error.');
-      console.trace();
-      process.exit(1);
+      logger.error(`Could not find patternType ${pattern.patternType}. This is a critical error.`);
     }
 
     if (!patternType.patternItems) {
@@ -439,8 +425,8 @@ const ui_builder = function () {
     try {
       allFooterData = jsonCopy(patternlab.data, 'config.paths.source.data plus patterns data');
     } catch (err) {
-      console.log('There was an error parsing JSON for patternlab.data');
-      console.log(err);
+      logger.warning('There was an error parsing JSON for patternlab.data');
+      logger.warning(err);
     }
     allFooterData.patternLabFoot = footerPartial;
 
@@ -517,9 +503,7 @@ const ui_builder = function () {
             return exclude === patternType + '/' + patternSubtype;
           });
         if (omitPatternType) {
-          if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-            console.log('Omitting ' + patternType + '/' + patternSubtype + ' from  building a viewall page because its patternSubGroup is specified in styleguideExcludes.');
-          }
+          logger.debug(`Omitting ${patternType}/${patternSubtype} from  building a viewall page because its patternSubGroup is specified in styleguideExcludes.`);
         } else {
           styleguideTypePatterns = styleguideTypePatterns.concat(subtypePatterns);
         }
@@ -556,9 +540,7 @@ const ui_builder = function () {
           return exclude === patternType;
         });
       if (omitPatternType) {
-        if (patternlab.config.debug) {
-          console.log('Omitting ' + patternType + ' from  building a viewall page because its patternGroup is specified in styleguideExcludes.');
-        }
+        logger.debug(`Omitting ${patternType} from  building a viewall page because its patternGroup is specified in styleguideExcludes.`);
       } else {
         patterns = patterns.concat(styleguideTypePatterns);
       }
@@ -671,10 +653,8 @@ const ui_builder = function () {
     let patternlabSiteHtml;
     try {
       patternlabSiteHtml = fs.readFileSync(path.resolve(paths.source.styleguide, 'index.html'), 'utf8');
-    } catch (error) {
-      console.log(error);
-      console.log("\nERROR: Could not load one or more styleguidekit assets from", paths.source.styleguide, '\n');
-      process.exit(1);
+    } catch (err) {
+      logger.error(`Could not load one or more styleguidekit assets from ${paths.source.styleguide}`);
     }
     fs.outputFileSync(path.resolve(paths.public.root, 'index.html'), patternlabSiteHtml);
 
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 80de22468..345c3c3c3 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -4,6 +4,33 @@
   "lockfileVersion": 1,
   "requires": true,
   "dependencies": {
+    "@pattern-lab/live-server": {
+      "version": "1.3.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@pattern-lab/live-server/-/live-server-1.3.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-Ka1e+1DclAZHGSFLcmj3+ZA7R1rXcHEzBf34kYi+x3Jtf6yaNZASIVfa8nxaru5/82EbjHKVNpYK4J+NmZakHw==",
+      "requires": {
+        "chokidar": "1.7.0",
+        "colors": "1.1.2",
+        "connect": "3.6.5",
+        "cors": "2.8.4",
+        "event-stream": "3.3.4",
+        "faye-websocket": "0.11.1",
+        "http-auth": "3.2.3",
+        "morgan": "1.9.0",
+        "object-assign": "4.1.1",
+        "opn": "5.1.0",
+        "proxy-middleware": "0.15.0",
+        "send": "0.16.1",
+        "serve-index": "1.9.1"
+      },
+      "dependencies": {
+        "object-assign": {
+          "version": "4.1.1",
+          "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/object-assign/-/object-assign-4.1.1.tgz",
+          "integrity": "sha1-IQmtx5ZYh8/AXLvUQsrIv7s2CGM="
+        }
+      }
+    },
     "accepts": {
       "version": "1.3.4",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/accepts/-/accepts-1.3.4.tgz",
@@ -229,14 +256,14 @@
       "integrity": "sha1-2Klr13/Wjfd5OnMDajug1UBdR3s="
     },
     "connect": {
-      "version": "3.5.1",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/connect/-/connect-3.5.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha1-bTDXpjx/FwhXprOqazY9lz3KWI4=",
+      "version": "3.6.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/connect/-/connect-3.6.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha1-+43ee6B2OHfQ7J352sC0tA5yx9o=",
       "requires": {
-        "debug": "2.2.0",
-        "finalhandler": "0.5.1",
+        "debug": "2.6.9",
+        "finalhandler": "1.0.6",
         "parseurl": "1.3.2",
-        "utils-merge": "1.0.0"
+        "utils-merge": "1.0.1"
       }
     },
     "core-util-is": {
@@ -261,11 +288,11 @@
       }
     },
     "debug": {
-      "version": "2.2.0",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/debug/-/debug-2.2.0.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha1-+HBX6ZWxofauaklgZkE3vFbwOdo=",
+      "version": "2.6.9",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/debug/-/debug-2.6.9.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-bC7ElrdJaJnPbAP+1EotYvqZsb3ecl5wi6Bfi6BJTUcNowp6cvspg0jXznRTKDjm/E7AdgFBVeAPVMNcKGsHMA==",
       "requires": {
-        "ms": "0.7.1"
+        "ms": "2.0.0"
       }
     },
     "del": {
@@ -1418,13 +1445,15 @@
       }
     },
     "finalhandler": {
-      "version": "0.5.1",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/finalhandler/-/finalhandler-0.5.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha1-LEANjUUwk1vCMlScX6OF7Afeb80=",
+      "version": "1.0.6",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/finalhandler/-/finalhandler-1.0.6.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha1-AHrqM9Gk0+QgF/YkhIrVjSEvgU8=",
       "requires": {
-        "debug": "2.2.0",
+        "debug": "2.6.9",
+        "encodeurl": "1.0.1",
         "escape-html": "1.0.3",
         "on-finished": "2.3.0",
+        "parseurl": "1.3.2",
         "statuses": "1.3.1",
         "unpipe": "1.0.0"
       }
@@ -1652,9 +1681,9 @@
       }
     },
     "http-auth": {
-      "version": "3.1.3",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/http-auth/-/http-auth-3.1.3.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha1-lFz63WZSHq+PfISRPTd9exXyTjE=",
+      "version": "3.2.3",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/http-auth/-/http-auth-3.2.3.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha1-Y2hCtx1uHyyY26Ca9UQXof74thw=",
       "requires": {
         "apache-crypt": "1.2.1",
         "apache-md5": "1.1.2",
@@ -1898,31 +1927,6 @@
         "graceful-fs": "https://registry.npmjs.org/graceful-fs/-/graceful-fs-4.1.11.tgz"
       }
     },
-    "live-server": {
-      "version": "github:pattern-lab/live-server#5db065902f95266af29b7e80873c3a4dbdd4620d",
-      "requires": {
-        "chokidar": "1.7.0",
-        "colors": "1.1.2",
-        "connect": "3.5.1",
-        "cors": "2.8.4",
-        "event-stream": "3.3.4",
-        "faye-websocket": "0.11.1",
-        "http-auth": "3.1.3",
-        "morgan": "1.9.0",
-        "object-assign": "4.1.1",
-        "opn": "5.1.0",
-        "proxy-middleware": "0.15.0",
-        "send": "0.16.1",
-        "serve-index": "1.9.1"
-      },
-      "dependencies": {
-        "object-assign": {
-          "version": "4.1.1",
-          "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/object-assign/-/object-assign-4.1.1.tgz",
-          "integrity": "sha1-IQmtx5ZYh8/AXLvUQsrIv7s2CGM="
-        }
-      }
-    },
     "lodash": {
       "version": "4.13.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/lodash/-/lodash-4.13.1.tgz",
@@ -2078,27 +2082,12 @@
         "depd": "1.1.1",
         "on-finished": "2.3.0",
         "on-headers": "1.0.1"
-      },
-      "dependencies": {
-        "debug": {
-          "version": "2.6.9",
-          "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/debug/-/debug-2.6.9.tgz",
-          "integrity": "sha512-bC7ElrdJaJnPbAP+1EotYvqZsb3ecl5wi6Bfi6BJTUcNowp6cvspg0jXznRTKDjm/E7AdgFBVeAPVMNcKGsHMA==",
-          "requires": {
-            "ms": "2.0.0"
-          }
-        },
-        "ms": {
-          "version": "2.0.0",
-          "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ms/-/ms-2.0.0.tgz",
-          "integrity": "sha1-VgiurfwAvmwpAd9fmGF4jeDVl8g="
-        }
       }
     },
     "ms": {
-      "version": "0.7.1",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ms/-/ms-0.7.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha1-nNE8A62/8ltl7/3nzoZO6VIBcJg="
+      "version": "2.0.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ms/-/ms-2.0.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha1-VgiurfwAvmwpAd9fmGF4jeDVl8g="
     },
     "mz": {
       "version": "2.7.0",
@@ -2424,21 +2413,6 @@
         "on-finished": "2.3.0",
         "range-parser": "1.2.0",
         "statuses": "1.3.1"
-      },
-      "dependencies": {
-        "debug": {
-          "version": "2.6.9",
-          "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/debug/-/debug-2.6.9.tgz",
-          "integrity": "sha512-bC7ElrdJaJnPbAP+1EotYvqZsb3ecl5wi6Bfi6BJTUcNowp6cvspg0jXznRTKDjm/E7AdgFBVeAPVMNcKGsHMA==",
-          "requires": {
-            "ms": "2.0.0"
-          }
-        },
-        "ms": {
-          "version": "2.0.0",
-          "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ms/-/ms-2.0.0.tgz",
-          "integrity": "sha1-VgiurfwAvmwpAd9fmGF4jeDVl8g="
-        }
       }
     },
     "serve-index": {
@@ -2453,21 +2427,6 @@
         "http-errors": "1.6.2",
         "mime-types": "2.1.17",
         "parseurl": "1.3.2"
-      },
-      "dependencies": {
-        "debug": {
-          "version": "2.6.9",
-          "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/debug/-/debug-2.6.9.tgz",
-          "integrity": "sha512-bC7ElrdJaJnPbAP+1EotYvqZsb3ecl5wi6Bfi6BJTUcNowp6cvspg0jXznRTKDjm/E7AdgFBVeAPVMNcKGsHMA==",
-          "requires": {
-            "ms": "2.0.0"
-          }
-        },
-        "ms": {
-          "version": "2.0.0",
-          "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ms/-/ms-2.0.0.tgz",
-          "integrity": "sha1-VgiurfwAvmwpAd9fmGF4jeDVl8g="
-        }
       }
     },
     "set-immediate-shim": {
@@ -5331,9 +5290,9 @@
       "integrity": "sha1-RQ1Nyfpw3nMnYvvS1KKJgUGaDM8="
     },
     "utils-merge": {
-      "version": "1.0.0",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/utils-merge/-/utils-merge-1.0.0.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha1-ApT7kiu5N1FTVBxPcJYjHyh8ivg="
+      "version": "1.0.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/utils-merge/-/utils-merge-1.0.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha1-n5VxD1CiZ5R7LMwSR0HBAoQn5xM="
     },
     "uuid": {
       "version": "3.1.0",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index fb21acda4..e4e94ac34 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
     "graphlib": "^2.1.1",
     "js-beautify": "^1.6.3",
     "js-yaml": "^3.6.1",
-    "live-server": "github:pattern-lab/live-server#semver:^1.0",
+    "@pattern-lab/live-server": "^1.3.2",
     "lodash": "~4.13.1",
     "markdown-it": "^6.0.1",
     "node-fetch": "^1.6.0",
diff --git a/patternlab-config.json b/patternlab-config.json
index dc3021cc6..e8ee94ee3 100644
--- a/patternlab-config.json
+++ b/patternlab-config.json
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
   "defaultPattern": "all",
   "ignored-extensions" : ["scss", "DS_Store", "less"],
   "ignored-directories" : ["scss"],
-  "debug": false,
+  "logLevel": "info",
   "ishControlsHide": {
     "s": false,
     "m": false,
diff --git a/test/asset_copy_tests.js b/test/asset_copy_tests.js
index 9d2346912..d3865817b 100644
--- a/test/asset_copy_tests.js
+++ b/test/asset_copy_tests.js
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ function createFakePatternLab(customProps) {
         }
       },
       styleGuideExcludes: [ ],
-      debug: false,
+      logLevel: 'quiet',
       outputFileSuffixes: {
         rendered: '.rendered',
         rawTemplate: '',
diff --git a/test/lineage_hunter_tests.js b/test/lineage_hunter_tests.js
index 58d7892c6..cf87a6b04 100644
--- a/test/lineage_hunter_tests.js
+++ b/test/lineage_hunter_tests.js
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ function createBasePatternLabObject() {
   };
   pl.data = {};
   pl.data.link = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
   pl.patterns = [];
   pl.partials = {};
   pl.patternGroups = {};
diff --git a/test/list_item_hunter_tests.js b/test/list_item_hunter_tests.js
index ff7dae374..36eb16a0b 100644
--- a/test/list_item_hunter_tests.js
+++ b/test/list_item_hunter_tests.js
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ function createFakePatternLab(customProps) {
       "partials": []
     },
     "config": {
-      "debug": false,
+      "logLevel": 'quiet',
       "paths": {
         "source": {
           "patterns": "./test/files/_patterns"
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ tap.test('process_list_item_partials - correctly ignores bookended partials with
   pl.config = {};
   pl.data = {};
   pl.data.link = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
   pl.patterns = [];
   pl.partials = {};
   pl.config.patterns = { source: patterns_dir };
diff --git a/test/parameter_hunter_tests.js b/test/parameter_hunter_tests.js
index 05823fd30..40049a4a1 100644
--- a/test/parameter_hunter_tests.js
+++ b/test/parameter_hunter_tests.js
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ function patternlabClosure() {
       }
     ],
     config: {
-      debug: false
+      logLevel: 'quiet'
     },
     data: {
       description: 'Not a quote from a smart man',
diff --git a/test/pattern_assembler_tests.js b/test/pattern_assembler_tests.js
index fe35e6fb6..63a073ba7 100644
--- a/test/pattern_assembler_tests.js
+++ b/test/pattern_assembler_tests.js
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ tap.test('processPatternRecursive - correctly replaces all stylemodifiers when m
   };
   pl.data = {};
   pl.data.link = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
   pl.patterns = [];
   pl.partials = {};
 
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ tap.test('processPatternRecursive - correctly replaces multiple stylemodifier cl
   };
   pl.data = {};
   pl.data.link = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
   pl.patterns = [];
   pl.partials = {};
 
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ tap.test('processPatternRecursive - correctly ignores a partial without a style
   };
   pl.data = {};
   pl.data.link = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
   pl.patterns = [];
   pl.partials = {};
 
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ tap.test('processPatternRecursive - correctly ignores bookended partials without
   };
   pl.data = {};
   pl.data.link = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
   pl.patterns = [];
   pl.partials = {};
 
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ tap.test('processPatternRecursive - correctly ignores a partial without a style
   };
   pl.data = {};
   pl.data.link = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
   pl.patterns = [];
   pl.partials = {};
 
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ tap.test('processPatternRecursive - correctly ignores bookended partials without
   };
   pl.data = {};
   pl.data.link = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
   pl.patterns = [];
   pl.partials = {};
 
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ tap.test('processPatternRecursive - does not pollute previous patterns when a la
   };
   pl.data = {};
   pl.data.link = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
   pl.patterns = [];
   pl.partials = {};
 
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ tap.test('processPatternRecursive - ensure deep-nesting works', function(test) {
   };
   pl.data = {};
   pl.data.link = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
   pl.patterns = [];
   pl.partials = {};
 
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ tap.test('addPattern - adds pattern extended template to patternlab partial obje
   patternlab.patterns = [];
   patternlab.partials = {};
   patternlab.data = {link: {}};
-  patternlab.config = {debug: false};
+  patternlab.config = {logLevel: 'quiet'};
   patternlab.config.outputFileSuffixes = {rendered: ''};
 
   var pattern = new Pattern('00-test/01-bar.mustache');
@@ -635,7 +635,7 @@ tap.test('addPattern - adds pattern template to patternlab partial object if ext
   patternlab.patterns = [];
   patternlab.partials = {};
   patternlab.data = {link: {}};
-  patternlab.config = { debug: false };
+  patternlab.config = { logLevel: 'quiet' };
   patternlab.config.outputFileSuffixes = {rendered : ''};
 
   var pattern = new Pattern('00-test/01-bar.mustache');
@@ -699,7 +699,7 @@ tap.test('markModifiedPatterns - finds patterns when modification date is missin
   var patternlab = emptyPatternLab();
   patternlab.partials = {};
   patternlab.data = {link: {}};
-  patternlab.config = { debug: false };
+  patternlab.config = { logLevel: 'quiet' };
   patternlab.config.outputFileSuffixes = {rendered : ''};
 
   var pattern = new Pattern('00-test/01-bar.mustache');
@@ -720,7 +720,7 @@ tap.test('markModifiedPatterns - finds patterns via compile state', function(tes
   var patternlab = emptyPatternLab();
   patternlab.partials = {};
   patternlab.data = {link: {}};
-  patternlab.config = { debug: false };
+  patternlab.config = { logLevel: 'quiet' };
   patternlab.config.outputFileSuffixes = {rendered : ''};
 
   var pattern = new Pattern('00-test/01-bar.mustache');
diff --git a/test/pseudopattern_hunter_tests.js b/test/pseudopattern_hunter_tests.js
index 57becf357..e3643dada 100644
--- a/test/pseudopattern_hunter_tests.js
+++ b/test/pseudopattern_hunter_tests.js
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ function stubPatternlab() {
   };
   pl.data = {};
   pl.data.link = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
   pl.patterns = [];
   pl.partials = {};
   pl.config.patternStates = {};
diff --git a/test/style_modifier_hunter_tests.js b/test/style_modifier_hunter_tests.js
index e1a999a8b..2d3e25df0 100644
--- a/test/style_modifier_hunter_tests.js
+++ b/test/style_modifier_hunter_tests.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ tap.test('uses the partial stylemodifer to modify the patterns extendedTemplate'
   var pl = {};
   pl.partials = {};
   pl.config = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
 
   var pattern = {
     extendedTemplate: '<div class="foo {{styleModifier}}"></div>'
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ tap.test('replaces style modifiers with spaces in the syntax', function(test){
   var pl = {};
   pl.partials = {};
   pl.config = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
 
   var pattern = {
     extendedTemplate: '<div class="foo {{ styleModifier }}"></div>'
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ tap.test('replaces multiple style modifiers', function(test){
   var pl = {};
   pl.partials = {};
   pl.config = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
 
   var pattern = {
     extendedTemplate: '<div class="foo {{ styleModifier }}"></div>'
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ tap.test('does not alter pattern extendedTemplate if styleModifier not found in
   var pl = {};
   pl.partials = {};
   pl.config = {};
-  pl.config.debug = false;
+  pl.config.logLevel = 'quiet';
 
   var pattern = {
     extendedTemplate: '<div class="foo {{styleModifier}}"></div>'
diff --git a/test/ui_builder_tests.js b/test/ui_builder_tests.js
index 6dc5bf308..8e563d71c 100644
--- a/test/ui_builder_tests.js
+++ b/test/ui_builder_tests.js
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ function createFakePatternLab(customProps) {
         }
       },
       styleGuideExcludes: [ 'templates' ],
-      debug: false,
+      logLevel: 'quiet',
       outputFileSuffixes: {
         rendered: '.rendered',
         rawTemplate: '',
diff --git a/test/util/patternlab-config.json b/test/util/patternlab-config.json
index 720975302..2029bccfe 100644
--- a/test/util/patternlab-config.json
+++ b/test/util/patternlab-config.json
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
   "defaultPattern": "all",
   "ignored-extensions" : ["scss", "DS_Store", "less"],
   "ignored-directories" : ["scss"],
-  "debug": false,
+  "logLevel": "quiet",
   "ishControlsHide": {
     "s": false,
     "m": false,