diff --git a/.eslintrc.json b/.eslintrc.json
index 4fe0891..bb16bed 100644
--- a/.eslintrc.json
+++ b/.eslintrc.json
@@ -2,6 +2,15 @@
   "extends": "@antfu",
   "rules": {
     "jsonc/sort-keys": "off",
-    "eol-last": "off"
+    "eol-last": "off",
+    // "cases" allows for graceful use of that variable
+    // in type testing
+    "@typescript-eslint/no-unused-vars": [
+      "error",
+      {
+        "varsIgnorePattern": "cases|^_",
+        "argsIgnorePattern": "^_"
+      }
+    ]
   }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/example/vite.config.ts b/example/vite.config.ts
index b200df9..75edfa3 100644
--- a/example/vite.config.ts
+++ b/example/vite.config.ts
@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@ import Components from 'unplugin-vue-components/vite'
 import Inspect from 'vite-plugin-inspect'
 import Layouts from 'vite-plugin-vue-layouts'
 import Markdown from 'vite-plugin-md'
-import code from '@yankeeinlondon/code-builder'
-import link from '@yankeeinlondon/link-builder'
-import meta from '@yankeeinlondon/meta-builder'
+// import code from '@yankeeinlondon/code-builder'
+// import link from '@yankeeinlondon/link-builder'
+// import meta from '@yankeeinlondon/meta-builder'
 import Pages from 'vite-plugin-pages'
 import Unocss from 'unocss/vite'
 import Vue from '@vitejs/plugin-vue'
@@ -60,11 +60,11 @@ const config = defineConfig({
         baseStyle: 'github',
       },
       builders: [
-        meta(),
-        link(),
-        code({
-          theme: 'base',
-        }),
+        // meta(),
+        // link(),
+        // code({
+        //   theme: 'base',
+        // }),
       ],
     }),
 
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 2f14ac2..808b1b9 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -55,15 +55,15 @@
     "test:component": "npx cypress open-ct -p 4000"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@yankeeinlondon/builder-api": "^1.2.2",
+    "@yankeeinlondon/builder-api": "^1.3.4",
     "@yankeeinlondon/gray-matter": "^6.1.1",
     "@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper": "^2.10.1",
     "markdown-it": "^13.0.1",
     "source-map-js": "^1.0.2"
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
-    "vite": "^4.0.0 || ^3.0.0",
-    "@vitejs/plugin-vue": ">=2.3.4"
+    "@vitejs/plugin-vue": ">=2.3.4",
+    "vite": "^4.0.0 || ^3.0.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@antfu/eslint-config": "^0.34.0",
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
     "@vitest/coverage-c8": "^0.25.8",
     "@vitest/ui": "^0.25.8",
     "@vue/test-utils": "^2.2.6",
-    "@vueuse/core": "^9.6.0",
+    "@vueuse/core": "^9.7.0",
     "@yankeeinlondon/code-builder": "^1.2.1",
     "@yankeeinlondon/link-builder": "^1.2.1",
     "@yankeeinlondon/meta-builder": "^1.2.1",
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@
     "eslint-config-prettier": "^8.5.0",
     "fp-ts": "^2.13.1",
     "happy-dom": "^8.1.0",
+    "native-dash": "^1.25.0",
     "npm-run-all": "^4.1.5",
     "pathe": "^1.0.0",
     "rollup": "^3.7.4",
@@ -99,4 +100,4 @@
     "vue": "^3.2.45",
     "vue-router": "^4.1.6"
   }
-}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pnpm-lock.yaml b/pnpm-lock.yaml
index 00ea669..81dc35f 100644
--- a/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ importers:
       '@vitest/coverage-c8': ^0.25.8
       '@vitest/ui': ^0.25.8
       '@vue/test-utils': ^2.2.6
-      '@vueuse/core': ^9.6.0
-      '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api': ^1.2.2
+      '@vueuse/core': ^9.7.0
+      '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api': ^1.3.4
       '@yankeeinlondon/code-builder': ^1.2.1
       '@yankeeinlondon/gray-matter': ^6.1.1
       '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper': ^2.10.1
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ importers:
       fp-ts: ^2.13.1
       happy-dom: ^8.1.0
       markdown-it: ^13.0.1
+      native-dash: ^1.25.0
       npm-run-all: ^4.1.5
       pathe: ^1.0.0
       rollup: ^3.7.4
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ importers:
       vue: ^3.2.45
       vue-router: ^4.1.6
     dependencies:
-      '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api': 1.2.2_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
+      '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api': 1.3.4_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
       '@yankeeinlondon/gray-matter': 6.1.1_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
       '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper': 2.10.1_@vitest+ui@0.25.8
       markdown-it: 13.0.1
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ importers:
       '@vitest/coverage-c8': 0.25.8_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
       '@vitest/ui': 0.25.8
       '@vue/test-utils': 2.2.6_vue@3.2.45
-      '@vueuse/core': 9.6.0_vue@3.2.45
+      '@vueuse/core': 9.7.0_vue@3.2.45
       '@yankeeinlondon/code-builder': 1.2.1_tiat3p6jseq43duslkothyjwyu
       '@yankeeinlondon/link-builder': 1.2.1_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
       '@yankeeinlondon/meta-builder': 1.2.1_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
@@ -71,6 +72,7 @@ importers:
       eslint-config-prettier: 8.5.0_eslint@8.29.0
       fp-ts: 2.13.1
       happy-dom: 8.1.0
+      native-dash: 1.25.0_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
       npm-run-all: 4.1.5
       pathe: 1.0.0
       rollup: 3.7.4
@@ -546,8 +548,8 @@ packages:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-+wluvCrRhXrhyOmRDJ3q8mux9JkKy5SJ/v8ol2tu4FVjyYvtEzkc/3pK15ET6RKg4b4w4BmTk1+gsCUhf21Ykg==}
     dev: true
 
-  /@iconify/utils/2.0.3:
-    resolution: {integrity: sha512-kLpJ95/ZeT1+vIstjdeFnyfiEmmTJuekGb5SVykfKjLSJjmftTCzm7sxxzNHsd8i5mpKPl7Rws9sLGR3juKJ+g==}
+  /@iconify/utils/2.0.4:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-/ZYdSK+vao8XPoRPkdQeetGBtuCcPcVTtuXUz2Y+281EpcmM/5G1SCbtgty28r/Y9HkR9ePbKst7eWUOK7/jNQ==}
     dependencies:
       '@antfu/install-pkg': 0.1.1
       '@antfu/utils': 0.5.2
@@ -983,7 +985,7 @@ packages:
   /@unocss/preset-icons/0.47.6:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-YvANR5ueN+r1E4YOfqF1llyUzS6yxROrJ+7MGNdIfyNHFcTwdHRy0f6y8uyiMYWyLc6nGGrUjjdo+DEc30obSA==}
     dependencies:
-      '@iconify/utils': 2.0.3
+      '@iconify/utils': 2.0.4
       '@unocss/core': 0.47.6
       ohmyfetch: 0.4.21
     transitivePeerDependencies:
@@ -1269,6 +1271,18 @@ packages:
       - '@vue/composition-api'
       - vue
 
+  /@vueuse/core/9.7.0_vue@3.2.45:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-/AGY/t7jJPxCyRoVTygNKoroTiCvRaaZIW+yeSlBCnI7QRpQ9cvXNTdNaSl3GvSyFbn83+XwZwEZvI1OpQfeGw==}
+    dependencies:
+      '@types/web-bluetooth': 0.0.16
+      '@vueuse/metadata': 9.7.0
+      '@vueuse/shared': 9.7.0_vue@3.2.45
+      vue-demi: 0.13.11_vue@3.2.45
+    transitivePeerDependencies:
+      - '@vue/composition-api'
+      - vue
+    dev: true
+
   /@vueuse/head/1.0.22_vue@3.2.45:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-YmUdbzNdCnhmrAFxGnJS+Rixj+swE+TQC9OEaYDHIro6gE7W11jugcdwVP00HrA4WRQhg+TOQ4YcY2oL/PP1hw==}
     peerDependencies:
@@ -1283,6 +1297,10 @@ packages:
   /@vueuse/metadata/9.6.0:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-sIC8R+kWkIdpi5X2z2Gk8TRYzmczDwHRhEFfCu2P+XW2JdPoXrziqsGpDDsN7ykBx4ilwieS7JUIweVGhvZ93w==}
 
+  /@vueuse/metadata/9.7.0:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-M7WsAgw28FNtTH0bzsGuHEtJOPJqPpyeHS6PHq+8UesLgNjZ9waMAntiUrgUQlxt09M4i2lH7y9sRi0jkfeXGA==}
+    dev: true
+
   /@vueuse/shared/9.6.0_vue@3.2.45:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-/eDchxYYhkHnFyrb00t90UfjCx94kRHxc7J1GtBCqCG4HyPMX+krV9XJgVtWIsAMaxKVU4fC8NSUviG1JkwhUQ==}
     dependencies:
@@ -1291,6 +1309,15 @@ packages:
       - '@vue/composition-api'
       - vue
 
+  /@vueuse/shared/9.7.0_vue@3.2.45:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-pwmt1y3TJ2s5KqWmkv9ZKEV59GwuZQZk8XLiU+hGswz0jej318ozbea9E4A/A50ksyM26swSFr7sZ9llNPsZHg==}
+    dependencies:
+      vue-demi: 0.13.11_vue@3.2.45
+    transitivePeerDependencies:
+      - '@vue/composition-api'
+      - vue
+    dev: true
+
   /@yankeeinlondon/builder-api/1.2.2:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-EDeZbbHdRjm0rqXJhdqeRrSdeo9qza/iPVA31k2jJrRc3sil4gzd1tiMN3qANLetg04x8M+tlfvH0S51a4z5rA==}
     dependencies:
@@ -1314,8 +1341,8 @@ packages:
       - terser
     dev: true
 
-  /@yankeeinlondon/builder-api/1.2.2_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm:
-    resolution: {integrity: sha512-EDeZbbHdRjm0rqXJhdqeRrSdeo9qza/iPVA31k2jJrRc3sil4gzd1tiMN3qANLetg04x8M+tlfvH0S51a4z5rA==}
+  /@yankeeinlondon/builder-api/1.3.4_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-zzYetYzAIQSgt4j8TDpGZD3OSvzx6Uz7LbOwZG6wgqvquzHrfUG7tLvexAC5MhtzUmxLLyprxHuIuUpZxio2/A==}
     dependencies:
       '@types/markdown-it': 12.2.3
       '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper': 2.10.1_@vitest+ui@0.25.8
@@ -1340,7 +1367,7 @@ packages:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-UazmH2O74OwEhtSTsAJaOLR7tg1/yO41MLLbo31qF1FZdoHYXVTitYt4jjiE41jTnZ4348b8tY8ZL/qQtgm4cg==}
     dependencies:
       '@types/markdown-it': 12.2.3
-      '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api': 1.2.2_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
+      '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api': 1.3.4_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
       '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper': 2.10.1_@vitest+ui@0.25.8
       inferred-types: 0.37.6_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
       markdown-it: 13.0.1
@@ -1480,7 +1507,7 @@ packages:
   /@yankeeinlondon/link-builder/1.2.1_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-ohQQ42CE/LaUpPLoWy6KQ+55wVpPIQYh2fWvcnFSLHPsRsCHBP0Taf7fXbBTEnQvlOrX0ot+GOAKu5J2p7YC6g==}
     dependencies:
-      '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api': 1.2.2_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
+      '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api': 1.3.4_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
       '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper': 2.10.1_@vitest+ui@0.25.8
     transitivePeerDependencies:
       - '@edge-runtime/vm'
@@ -1520,7 +1547,7 @@ packages:
   /@yankeeinlondon/meta-builder/1.2.1_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-RVXCrO6hVPwETq2K345EmHuqyUG4OWo+PCw+he6CXjEJThJJwwaqvccfJbPEmjUAdTGdxtYTzRchI9oiyNnTAw==}
     dependencies:
-      '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api': 1.2.2_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
+      '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api': 1.3.4_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
       inferred-types: 0.37.6_jpq67ecuqssjycqwb362ku3jlm
     transitivePeerDependencies:
       - '@edge-runtime/vm'
diff --git a/src/composeSfcBlocks.ts b/src/composeSfcBlocks.ts
index a458dd6..e6c8554 100644
--- a/src/composeSfcBlocks.ts
+++ b/src/composeSfcBlocks.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 import { flow, pipe } from 'fp-ts/lib/function.js'
 import { isRight } from 'fp-ts/lib/Either.js'
+
 import { resolveOptions } from './options'
-import { PipelineStage } from './types'
 import type {
+  GenericBuilder,
   Options,
   Pipeline,
   ViteConfigPassthrough,
@@ -18,13 +19,11 @@ import {
   finalize,
   frontmatterPreprocess,
   gatherBuilderEvents,
-  injectUtilityFunctions,
   loadMarkdownItPlugins,
   parseHtml,
   repairFrontmatterLinks,
   sourcemap,
   transformsBefore,
-  usesBuilder,
   wrapHtml,
 } from './pipeline'
 import { lift } from './utils'
@@ -35,14 +34,21 @@ import { kebabCaseComponents } from './pipeline/kebabCaseComponents'
  * Composes the `template` and `script` blocks, along with any other `customBlocks` from
  * the raw markdown content along with user options.
  */
-export async function composeSfcBlocks(
+export async function composeSfcBlocks<
+  B extends readonly GenericBuilder[] = [],
+>(
   id: string,
   raw: string,
-  opts: Omit<Options, 'usingBuilder'> = {},
+  opts: Options<B> = {} as Options<B>,
   config: Partial<ViteConfigPassthrough> = {},
 ) {
   const options = resolveOptions(opts)
-  const p0 = {
+
+  /**
+   * The initial pipeline state
+   */
+  const payload: Pipeline<'initialize', B> = {
+    stage: 'initialize',
     fileName: id,
     content: raw.trimStart(),
     head: {},
@@ -58,50 +64,40 @@ export async function composeSfcBlocks(
     options,
   }
 
-  /**
-   * The initial pipeline state
-   */
-  const payload: Pipeline<PipelineStage.initialize> = {
-    ...p0,
-    usesBuilder: usesBuilder(p0 as unknown as Pipeline<PipelineStage.initialize>, []),
-  }
-
   const handlers = gatherBuilderEvents(options)
 
   /** initialize the configuration */
   const initialize = flow(
-    lift('initialize'),
-    transformsBefore,
-    handlers(PipelineStage.initialize),
-    // addBuilderDependencies([]),
+    // lifted,
+    transformsBefore<B>(),
+    handlers('initialize'),
   )
 
   /** extract the meta-data from the MD content */
   const metaExtracted = flow(
-    injectUtilityFunctions,
-    extractFrontmatter,
-    baseStyling,
-    frontmatterPreprocess,
-    handlers(PipelineStage.metaExtracted),
+    extractFrontmatter<B>(),
+    baseStyling<B>(),
+    frontmatterPreprocess<B>(),
+    handlers('metaExtracted'),
   )
 
   /** establish the MarkdownIt parser */
   const parser = flow(
-    createParser,
-    loadMarkdownItPlugins,
-    applyMarkdownItOptions,
-    handlers(PipelineStage.parser),
+    createParser<B>(),
+    loadMarkdownItPlugins<B>(),
+    applyMarkdownItOptions<B>(),
+    handlers('parser'),
   )
 
   /**
    * use MarkdownIt to produce HTML
    */
   const parsed = flow(
-    parseHtml,
-    kebabCaseComponents,
-    repairFrontmatterLinks,
-    wrapHtml,
-    handlers(PipelineStage.parsed),
+    parseHtml<B>(),
+    kebabCaseComponents<B>(),
+    repairFrontmatterLinks<B>(),
+    wrapHtml<B>(),
+    handlers('parsed'),
   )
 
   /**
@@ -109,14 +105,14 @@ export async function composeSfcBlocks(
    * easier to perform.
    */
   const dom = flow(
-    convertToDom,
-    escapeCodeTagInterpolation,
-    handlers(PipelineStage.dom),
+    convertToDom<B>(),
+    escapeCodeTagInterpolation<B>(),
+    handlers('dom'),
   )
 
   // construct the async pipeline
   const result = await pipe(
-    payload,
+    lift(payload),
 
     initialize,
     metaExtracted,
@@ -124,12 +120,12 @@ export async function composeSfcBlocks(
     parsed,
 
     dom,
-    extractBlocks,
-    handlers(PipelineStage.sfcBlocksExtracted),
+    extractBlocks<B>(),
+    handlers('sfcBlocksExtracted'),
 
-    finalize,
-    sourcemap,
-    handlers(PipelineStage.closeout),
+    finalize<B>(),
+    sourcemap<B>(),
+    handlers('closeout'),
   )()
 
   if (isRight(result))
diff --git a/src/createSfcComponent.ts b/src/createSfcComponent.ts
index 7db679c..b346a7c 100644
--- a/src/createSfcComponent.ts
+++ b/src/createSfcComponent.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import type { ViteConfig } from '.'
 /**
  * Produces a _string_ which represents the parsed Markdown as a SFC component.
  */
-export const createSfcComponent = (options: Options = {}) => (config: ViteConfig) => {
+export const createSfcComponent = <O extends Options<any>>(options: Partial<O> = {} as Partial<O>) => (config: ViteConfig) => {
   // callback called for each Markdown file
   return async (id: string, raw: string) => {
     const pipeline = await composeSfcBlocks(id, raw, options, config)
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index d5b95b2..ffd2d89 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ export type ViteConfig = Readonly<Omit<UserConfig, 'plugins' | 'assetsInclude' |
   experimental: any
 }>
 
-function VitePluginMarkdown(userOptions: Options = {}) {
+function VitePluginMarkdown<O extends Options<any>>(userOptions: O = {} as O) {
   const options = resolveOptions(userOptions)
   const markdownToVue = createSfcComponent(options)
   let config: ViteConfig
diff --git a/src/options.ts b/src/options.ts
index e954d83..bc1d3d6 100644
--- a/src/options.ts
+++ b/src/options.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 import { toArray } from '@antfu/utils'
+import type { BuilderOptions, ConfiguredBuilder } from '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api'
 import { preprocessHead } from './head'
-import type { Frontmatter, Options, ResolvedOptions } from './types'
+import type { Frontmatter, PipelineStage, Options, ResolvedOptions } from './types'
 import { getVueVersion } from './utils'
 
-export function resolveOptions(userOptions: Omit<Options, 'usingBuilder'> = {}): ResolvedOptions {
+export function resolveOptions<
+  B extends readonly ConfiguredBuilder<string, BuilderOptions, PipelineStage, string>[],
+>(userOptions: Partial<Options<B>> = {} as Partial<Options<B>>): ResolvedOptions<B> {
   const defaultOptions: Omit<ResolvedOptions, 'frontmatterPreprocess' | 'usingBuilder'> = {
     style: {
       baseStyle: 'none',
@@ -48,7 +51,7 @@ export function resolveOptions(userOptions: Omit<Options, 'usingBuilder'> = {}):
           ...userOptions.style,
         },
         usingBuilder: (name: string) => {
-          return !options.builders.every(b => b.name !== name)
+          return !options.builders.every(b => b.about.name !== name)
         },
         frontmatterPreprocess: (frontmatter: Frontmatter, options: ResolvedOptions) => {
           if (!options.usingBuilder('link')) {
@@ -64,5 +67,5 @@ export function resolveOptions(userOptions: Omit<Options, 'usingBuilder'> = {}):
     .filter((i?: string) => i)
     .join(' ')
 
-  return options as ResolvedOptions
+  return options as ResolvedOptions<B>
 }
diff --git a/src/pipeline/applyMarkdownItOptions.ts b/src/pipeline/applyMarkdownItOptions.ts
index bf24b82..ffd79c5 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/applyMarkdownItOptions.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/applyMarkdownItOptions.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import type { GenericBuilder } from '../types/core'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 
 /**
@@ -5,7 +6,7 @@ import { transformer } from '../utils'
  * the parser will be passed into this callback function so that the
  * parser may be configured.
  */
-export const applyMarkdownItOptions = transformer('applyMarkdownItOptions', 'parser', 'parser', (payload) => {
+export const applyMarkdownItOptions = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()('parser', (payload) => {
   payload.options.markdownItSetup(payload.parser)
   return payload
 })
diff --git a/src/pipeline/baseStyling.ts b/src/pipeline/baseStyling.ts
index 6bd6379..67002d2 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/baseStyling.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/baseStyling.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 import { createInlineStyle } from '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper'
+import type { GenericBuilder } from '../types/core'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 
 /**
  * Call's the transformer function provided in `options.before`
  */
-export const baseStyling = (transformer('baseStyling', 'metaExtracted', 'metaExtracted', (p) => {
+export const baseStyling = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()('metaExtracted', (p) => {
   if (p.options.style.baseStyle === 'github') {
     const style = createInlineStyle()
       .addCssVariable('md-text-color', '#111827')
@@ -50,4 +51,4 @@ export const baseStyling = (transformer('baseStyling', 'metaExtracted', 'metaExt
   }
 
   return p
-}))
+})
diff --git a/src/pipeline/convertHandlerToTask.ts b/src/pipeline/convertHandlerToTask.ts
index 41da2a3..a02c134 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/convertHandlerToTask.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/convertHandlerToTask.ts
@@ -1,23 +1,24 @@
-import type { BuilderOptions, BuilderRegistration } from '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api'
+import type { BuilderOptions, BuilderRegistration, ConfiguredBuilder } from '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api'
 import { pipe } from 'fp-ts/lib/function.js'
 import * as TE from 'fp-ts/lib/TaskEither.js'
 
-import type { IPipelineStage, PipeTask, Pipeline, ResolvedOptions } from '../types'
+import type { PipelineStage, PipeTask, Pipeline, ResolvedOptions } from '../types'
 
 /**
  * Gets all builders associated with a particular pipeline stage
  */
 const getBuilders = <
-  S extends IPipelineStage,
+  S extends PipelineStage,
+  B extends readonly ConfiguredBuilder<string, BuilderOptions, PipelineStage, string>[],
 >(
     stage: S,
-    options: ResolvedOptions,
+    options: ResolvedOptions<B>,
   ) => {
   const builders = options.builders.reduce(
     (acc, b) => {
-      return b.lifecycle === stage ? [...acc, b as BuilderRegistration<BuilderOptions, S>] : acc
+      return b.about.stage === stage ? [...acc, b() as BuilderRegistration<BuilderOptions, S>] : acc
     },
-    [] as readonly BuilderRegistration<BuilderOptions, S>[],
+    [] as BuilderRegistration<BuilderOptions, S>[],
   )
   return builders
 }
@@ -33,26 +34,28 @@ const getBuilders = <
  *  = transformForBuilders(stage)
  * ```
  */
-export const getBuilderTask = <S extends IPipelineStage>(
-  stage: S,
-  options: ResolvedOptions,
-) => (payload: Pipeline<S>): PipeTask<S> => {
+export const getBuilderTask = <
+  S extends PipelineStage,
+  B extends readonly ConfiguredBuilder<string, BuilderOptions, PipelineStage, string>[],
+>(
+    stage: S,
+    options: ResolvedOptions<B>,
+  ) => (payload: Pipeline<S, B>) => {
     const builders = getBuilders(stage, options)
     if (builders.length === 0) {
     // if no builders then just return payload as-is
       return TE.right(payload)
     }
 
-    const asyncApi = async (payload: Pipeline<S>) => {
+    const asyncApi = async (payload: Pipeline<S, B>): Promise<Pipeline<S, B>> => {
       for (const b of builders) {
         try {
-          payload = await b.handler(payload as any, b.options) as Pipeline<S>
+          payload = await b.handler(payload as any, b.options)
         }
         catch (e) {
           throw new Error(`During the "${stage}" stage, the builder API "${b.name}" was unable to transform the payload. It received the following error message: ${e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e)}`)
         }
       }
-
       return payload
     }
 
@@ -70,20 +73,22 @@ export const getBuilderTask = <S extends IPipelineStage>(
  *    - an asynchronous `TaskEither<unknown, Pipeline<S>`
  * - in _both_ cases the return type will be a `TaskEither<string, S>`
  */
-export const gatherBuilderEvents = (options: ResolvedOptions) =>
+export const gatherBuilderEvents = <
+  B extends readonly ConfiguredBuilder<string, BuilderOptions, PipelineStage, string>[],
+>(options: ResolvedOptions<B>) =>
 
   /**
    * Providing the _stage_ allows isolating only those events
    * which should be executed at this point in time and
    */
-  <S extends IPipelineStage>(stage: S) => {
-    const task = (payload: PipeTask<S>): PipeTask<S> => {
+  <S extends PipelineStage>(stage: S) => {
+    const task = (payload: PipeTask<S, B>): PipeTask<S, B> => {
       const bt = getBuilderTask(stage, options)
       return pipe(
         payload,
         TE.map(bt),
         TE.flatten,
-      ) as PipeTask<S>
+      ) as PipeTask<S, B>
     }
     return task
   }
diff --git a/src/pipeline/convertToDom.ts b/src/pipeline/convertToDom.ts
index d5c8858..48c245a 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/convertToDom.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/convertToDom.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 import { createFragment } from '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper'
+import type { GenericBuilder } from '../types/core'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 
-export const convertToDom = transformer('convertToDom', 'parsed', 'dom', (payload) => {
+export const convertToDom = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()('parsed', (payload) => {
   return {
     ...payload,
+    stage: 'dom',
     html: createFragment(payload.html),
     fencedLanguages: new Set<string>(),
   }
diff --git a/src/pipeline/createParser.ts b/src/pipeline/createParser.ts
index b848a17..f126f3d 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/createParser.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/createParser.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 import MarkdownIt from 'markdown-it'
+import type { GenericBuilder } from '../types/core'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 
 /**
  * Creates a **MarkdownIt** parser instance which this plugin will use for all processing.
  */
-export const createParser = transformer('createParser', 'metaExtracted', 'parser', (payload) => {
+export const createParser = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()('metaExtracted', (payload) => {
   const parser = new MarkdownIt({
     html: true,
     linkify: true,
@@ -14,5 +15,5 @@ export const createParser = transformer('createParser', 'metaExtracted', 'parser
 
   parser.linkify.set({ fuzzyLink: false })
 
-  return { ...payload, parser }
+  return { ...payload, parser, stage: 'parser' }
 })
diff --git a/src/pipeline/escapeCodeTagInterpolation.ts b/src/pipeline/escapeCodeTagInterpolation.ts
index 91a8de4..58eeaa0 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/escapeCodeTagInterpolation.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/escapeCodeTagInterpolation.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { getClassList, select, setAttribute } from '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper'
+import type { GenericBuilder } from '../types/core'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 
 /**
@@ -10,9 +11,8 @@ import { transformer } from '../utils'
  * the payload being passed through as this could be valuable for _search_
  * or other meta features.
  */
-export const escapeCodeTagInterpolation = transformer(
-  'escapeCodeTagInterpolation',
-  'dom', 'dom',
+export const escapeCodeTagInterpolation = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()(
+  'dom',
   (payload) => {
     const { options: { escapeCodeTagInterpolation, usingBuilder }, html: dom } = payload
     const addVPre = setAttribute('v-pre')('true')
diff --git a/src/pipeline/extractBlocks.ts b/src/pipeline/extractBlocks.ts
index 210b52a..a5f5ae5 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/extractBlocks.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/extractBlocks.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ import type { IElement } from '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper'
 import { pipe } from 'fp-ts/lib/function.js'
 import { isVue2, transformer, wrap } from '../utils'
 import type {
+  GenericBuilder,
   Pipeline,
-  PipelineStage,
   ResolvedOptions,
 } from '../types'
 
@@ -46,7 +46,9 @@ const createVue2ScriptBlock = (codeBlocks: Record<string, string | [base: string
  * from the html. The pipeline's HTML is updated and the two varieties of scripts
  * are returned.
  */
-function extractScriptBlocks(p: Pipeline<PipelineStage.dom>) {
+function extractScriptBlocks<
+  P extends Pipeline<'dom', any>,
+>(p: P) {
   const scripts: IElement[] = []
   const extractor = extract(scripts)
   const html = select(p.html)
@@ -73,7 +75,10 @@ function extractScriptBlocks(p: Pipeline<PipelineStage.dom>) {
  * for this plugin. This call also mutates the `html` property to extract these custom
  * blocks.
  */
-function extractCustomBlocks(p: Pipeline<PipelineStage.dom>, options: ResolvedOptions) {
+function extractCustomBlocks<
+  B extends readonly GenericBuilder[],
+  P extends Pipeline<'dom', B>,
+>(p: P, options: ResolvedOptions<B>) {
   const styleBlocks = [
     ...select(p.html).findAll('style'),
     ...elementHashToArray(p.vueStyleBlocks),
@@ -94,7 +99,9 @@ function extractCustomBlocks(p: Pipeline<PipelineStage.dom>, options: ResolvedOp
 }
 
 /** produces the defineExpose() call based on config */
-function expose(p: Pipeline<'dom'>) {
+function expose<
+  P extends Pipeline<'dom', any>,
+>(p: P) {
   const fm = p.frontmatter
   delete fm.excerpt
 
@@ -112,104 +119,107 @@ function expose(p: Pipeline<'dom'>) {
 /**
  * Separates the various "blocks" in an SFC component
  */
-export const extractBlocks = transformer('extractBlocks', 'dom', 'sfcBlocksExtracted', (payload) => {
+export const extractBlocks = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()(
+  'dom',
+  (payload) => {
   // eslint-disable-next-line prefer-const
-  let { options, frontmatter, head } = payload
+    let { options, frontmatter, head } = payload
 
-  const { scriptSetups, traditionalScripts } = extractScriptBlocks(payload)
-  const { styleBlocks, customBlocks } = extractCustomBlocks(payload, options)
+    const { scriptSetups, traditionalScripts } = extractScriptBlocks(payload)
+    const { styleBlocks, customBlocks } = extractCustomBlocks(payload, options)
 
-  /** template blocks that will be applied below */
-  const template = {
+    /** template blocks that will be applied below */
+    const template = {
     /** adds the lines needed to include useHead() */
-    useHead: head && options.headEnabled
-      ? `import { useHead } from "@vueuse/head"\n  const head = ${JSON.stringify(head)}\n  useHead(head)`
-      : '',
-    importDefineExpose: options.frontmatter ? 'import { defineExpose } from \'vue\'' : '',
-    /** exports the excerpt in a `<script>` block */
-    excerptExport: `export const excerpt: string | undefined = ${JSON.stringify(payload.excerpt || '')}\n`,
-    /**
+      useHead: head && options.headEnabled
+        ? `import { useHead } from "@vueuse/head"\n  const head = ${JSON.stringify(head)}\n  useHead(head)`
+        : '',
+      importDefineExpose: options.frontmatter ? 'import { defineExpose } from \'vue\'' : '',
+      /** exports the excerpt in a `<script>` block */
+      excerptExport: `export const excerpt: string | undefined = ${JSON.stringify(payload.excerpt || '')}\n`,
+      /**
      * export of frontmatter variable; intended for `<script>` block
      */
-    frontmatter: [
-      '/** frontmatter meta-data for MD page **/',
-      'export interface Frontmatter {',
-      '  title?: string\n  description?: string\n  subject?: string\n  category?: string\n  name?: string\n  excerpt?: string\n  image?: string\n  layout?: string\n  requiredAuth?: boolean\n  meta?: Record<string, any>[]',
-      '  [key: string]: unknown',
-      '}',
+      frontmatter: [
+        '/** frontmatter meta-data for MD page **/',
+        'export interface Frontmatter {',
+        '  title?: string\n  description?: string\n  subject?: string\n  category?: string\n  name?: string\n  excerpt?: string\n  image?: string\n  layout?: string\n  requiredAuth?: boolean\n  meta?: Record<string, any>[]',
+        '  [key: string]: unknown',
+        '}',
       `export const frontmatter: Frontmatter = ${options.exposeFrontmatter ? JSON.stringify(frontmatter) : '{}'}`,
-    ].join('\n'),
-    /** returning the 'frontmatter' property for external actors using Vue3 */
-    vue3CompositionReturn: options.frontmatter ? 'return { frontmatter }' : '',
-    /** return 'frontmatter' on the data property for Vue2 users */
-    vue2DataExport: 'export default { data() { return { frontmatter, excerpt } } }',
-    /** variables usable in page template */
-    localVariables: Object.entries(frontmatter).reduce(
-      (acc, [key, value]) => `${acc}\n${isVue2(options) ? 'export' : ''} const ${key} = ${JSON.stringify(value)}`,
-      '',
-    ).trimStart(),
-  }
+      ].join('\n'),
+      /** returning the 'frontmatter' property for external actors using Vue3 */
+      vue3CompositionReturn: options.frontmatter ? 'return { frontmatter }' : '',
+      /** return 'frontmatter' on the data property for Vue2 users */
+      vue2DataExport: 'export default { data() { return { frontmatter, excerpt } } }',
+      /** variables usable in page template */
+      localVariables: Object.entries(frontmatter).reduce(
+        (acc, [key, value]) => `${acc}\n${isVue2(options) ? 'export' : ''} const ${key} = ${JSON.stringify(value)}`,
+        '',
+      ).trimStart(),
+    }
 
-  const importDirectives: string[] = []
-  const scriptSetupBlocks = scriptSetups.map(el => el.innerHTML)
+    const importDirectives: string[] = []
+    const scriptSetupBlocks = scriptSetups.map(el => el.innerHTML)
 
-  /** all userland non-import lines in `<setup script>` blocks */
-  const nonImportDirectives = scriptSetupBlocks.map((line) => {
-    if (line.startsWith('import')) {
-      importDirectives.push(line)
-      return ''
-    }
-    else { return line }
-  }).filter(i => i).join('\n')
+    /** all userland non-import lines in `<setup script>` blocks */
+    const nonImportDirectives = scriptSetupBlocks.map((line) => {
+      if (line.startsWith('import')) {
+        importDirectives.push(line)
+        return ''
+      }
+      else { return line }
+    }).filter(i => i).join('\n')
 
-  const scriptSetup = isVue2(options)
+    const scriptSetup = isVue2(options)
     // Vue 2
-    ? ''
+      ? ''
     // Vue 3
-    : wrap('script setup lang="ts"', [
-      ...importDirectives,
-      template.useHead,
-      template.localVariables,
-      expose(payload),
-      nonImportDirectives,
-      ...codeBlocksToArray(payload.vueCodeBlocks),
-    ].filter(i => i).join('\n  '))
-
-  const scriptBlocks = isVue2(options)
+      : wrap('script setup lang="ts"', [
+        ...importDirectives,
+        template.useHead,
+        template.localVariables,
+        expose(payload),
+        nonImportDirectives,
+        ...codeBlocksToArray(payload.vueCodeBlocks),
+      ].filter(i => i).join('\n  '))
+
+    const scriptBlocks = isVue2(options)
     // Vue 2
-    ? [
-        wrap('script lang="ts"', [
-          template.localVariables,
-          template.frontmatter,
-          template.vue2DataExport,
-        ].join('\n')),
-        [
-          ...traditionalScripts.map(el => el.outerHTML),
-          ...(Object.keys(payload.vueCodeBlocks).length > 0
-            ? createVue2ScriptBlock(payload.vueCodeBlocks)
-            : []
-          ),
-        ].join('\n'),
-      ].filter(i => i)
+      ? [
+          wrap('script lang="ts"', [
+            template.localVariables,
+            template.frontmatter,
+            template.vue2DataExport,
+          ].join('\n')),
+          [
+            ...traditionalScripts.map(el => el.outerHTML),
+            ...(Object.keys(payload.vueCodeBlocks).length > 0
+              ? createVue2ScriptBlock(payload.vueCodeBlocks)
+              : []
+            ),
+          ].join('\n'),
+        ].filter(i => i)
     // Vue3
-    : [
-        wrap('script lang="ts"', [
-          template.frontmatter,
-          template.excerptExport,
-        ].join('\n')),
-        // userland script blocks
-        traditionalScripts.map(s => s.outerHTML).join('\n'),
-      ].filter(i => i)
-
-  const html = toHtml(payload.html)
-
-  return {
-    ...payload,
-    html,
-    templateBlock: html,
-    scriptSetup,
-    scriptBlocks,
-    styleBlocks: styleBlocks.map(s => s.outerHTML),
-    customBlocks: customBlocks.map(s => s.outerHTML),
-  } as Pipeline<PipelineStage.sfcBlocksExtracted>
-})
+      : [
+          wrap('script lang="ts"', [
+            template.frontmatter,
+            template.excerptExport,
+          ].join('\n')),
+          // userland script blocks
+          traditionalScripts.map(s => s.outerHTML).join('\n'),
+        ].filter(i => i)
+
+    const html = toHtml(payload.html)
+
+    return {
+      ...payload,
+      stage: 'sfcBlocksExtracted',
+      html,
+      templateBlock: html,
+      scriptSetup,
+      scriptBlocks,
+      styleBlocks: styleBlocks.map(s => s.outerHTML),
+      customBlocks: customBlocks.map(s => s.outerHTML),
+    }
+  })
diff --git a/src/pipeline/extractFrontmatter.ts b/src/pipeline/extractFrontmatter.ts
index 0e82806..dc30373 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/extractFrontmatter.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/extractFrontmatter.ts
@@ -2,12 +2,13 @@ import { matter } from '@yankeeinlondon/gray-matter'
 import type {
   ExcerptFunction,
   Frontmatter,
+  GenericBuilder,
   GraymatterOptions,
   Pipeline,
-  PipelineStage,
 } from '../types'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 import { MdError } from '../MdError'
+import { pipelineUtilityFunctions } from './pipelineUtilityFunctions'
 
 /**
  * Given the frontmatter passed in, plus the pipeline data,
@@ -18,9 +19,11 @@ import { MdError } from '../MdError'
  * - overrides
  * - and for `excerpt` property it gives precedent to any value
  */
-function resolveFrontmatter(
+function resolveFrontmatter<
+  P extends Pipeline<any, any>,
+>(
   fm: Frontmatter,
-  p: Pipeline<PipelineStage.initialize>,
+  p: P,
 ) {
   const { frontmatterDefaults, frontmatterOverrides } = p.options
 
@@ -61,82 +64,88 @@ function resolveFrontmatter(
  * A vast majority of this functionality is provided by leveraging the
  * [GrayMatter](https://github.com/jonschlinkert/gray-matter) library.
  */
-export const extractFrontmatter = transformer('extractFrontmatter', 'initialize', 'metaExtracted', (p) => {
-  if (!p.options.frontmatter) {
-    return {
-      ...p,
-      frontmatter: {},
-      md: p.content,
-      meta: [],
-      head: [],
-      routeMeta: {},
-    } as unknown as Pipeline<PipelineStage.metaExtracted>
-  }
+export const extractFrontmatter = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()(
+  'initialize',
+  (p) => {
+    if (!p.options.frontmatter) {
+      return {
+        ...p,
+        stage: 'metaExtracted',
+        frontmatter: {},
+        md: p.content,
+        meta: [],
+        head: {},
+        routeMeta: {},
+        ...pipelineUtilityFunctions(p as any),
+      } as Pipeline<'metaExtracted', B>
+    }
 
-  if (p.options.excerptExtract && typeof p.options.excerpt === 'function')
-    throw new MdError('the vite-plugin-md plugin was configured with "excerptExtract" to true and had a callback function for the "excerpt" property. This is not allowed as there is not a reliable way to extract the excerpt (as it may have been modified from what was on the page).')
+    if (p.options.excerptExtract && typeof p.options.excerpt === 'function')
+      throw new MdError('the vite-plugin-md plugin was configured with "excerptExtract" to true and had a callback function for the "excerpt" property. This is not allowed as there is not a reliable way to extract the excerpt (as it may have been modified from what was on the page).')
 
-  const excerpt_separator = p.options.excerpt === false
-    ? undefined
-    : typeof p.options.excerpt === 'string'
-      ? p.options.excerpt
-      : typeof p.options.excerpt === 'function'
-        ? false
-        : '---'
+    const excerpt_separator = p.options.excerpt === false
+      ? undefined
+      : typeof p.options.excerpt === 'string'
+        ? p.options.excerpt
+        : typeof p.options.excerpt === 'function'
+          ? false
+          : '---'
 
-  // parse using graymatter package
-  let go: GraymatterOptions = {
-    ...p.options.grayMatterOptions,
-    ...(excerpt_separator ? { excerpt_separator } : {}),
-  }
+    // parse using graymatter package
+    let go: GraymatterOptions = {
+      ...p.options.grayMatterOptions,
+      ...(excerpt_separator ? { excerpt_separator } : {}),
+    }
 
-  interface GrayFile {
-    content: string
-    data: Frontmatter
-    excerpt?: string
-    [key: string]: unknown
-  }
+    interface GrayFile {
+      content: string
+      data: Frontmatter
+      excerpt?: string
+      [key: string]: unknown
+    }
 
-  /** the "excerpt" value for the GrayMatter API */
-  const excerpt: boolean | Function = typeof p.options.excerpt === 'function'
-    ? (file: GrayFile) => {
-        const frontmatter = resolveFrontmatter(file.data, p)
-        const ex = (p.options.excerpt as ExcerptFunction)(file.content, {
-          frontmatter,
-          fileName: p.fileName,
-        })
-        file.excerpt = ex
-      }
-    : typeof p.options.excerpt === 'boolean'
-      ? p.options.excerpt
+    /** the "excerpt" value for the GrayMatter API */
+    const excerpt: boolean | Function = typeof p.options.excerpt === 'function'
+      ? (file: GrayFile) => {
+          const frontmatter = resolveFrontmatter(file.data, p)
+          const ex = (p.options.excerpt as ExcerptFunction)(file.content, {
+            frontmatter,
+            fileName: p.fileName,
+          })
+          file.excerpt = ex
+        }
+      : typeof p.options.excerpt === 'boolean'
+        ? p.options.excerpt
       // default value
-      : false
+        : false
 
-  go = { ...go, excerpt }
+    go = { ...go, excerpt }
 
-  const r = matter(p.content || '', go as any)
-  const md = p.options.excerptExtract && r.excerpt
-    ? (r?.content || '').replace(r?.excerpt, '')
-    : r?.content || ''
+    const r = matter(p.content || '', go as any)
+    const md = p.options.excerptExtract && r.excerpt
+      ? (r?.content || '').replace(r?.excerpt, '')
+      : r?.content || ''
 
-  // note: return type explicit as injection of utility functions was already done
-  // but not registered in type system
-  return {
-    ...p,
-    options: {
-      ...p.options,
-      grayMatterOptions: go,
-    },
-    frontmatter: resolveFrontmatter({
-      ...r.data,
-      excerpt: r.excerpt || r.data?.excerpt,
-    }, p),
-    md,
-    excerpt: p.options.excerpt === false
-      ? undefined
-      : r.excerpt || r.data?.excerpt || undefined,
-    meta: [],
-    head: [],
-    routeMeta: {},
-  } as unknown as Pipeline<PipelineStage.metaExtracted>
-})
+    // note: return type explicit as injection of utility functions was already done
+    // but not registered in type system
+    return {
+      ...p,
+      stage: 'metaExtracted',
+      ...pipelineUtilityFunctions(p as any),
+      options: {
+        ...p.options,
+        grayMatterOptions: go,
+      },
+      frontmatter: resolveFrontmatter({
+        ...r.data,
+        excerpt: r.excerpt || r.data?.excerpt,
+      }, p),
+      md,
+      excerpt: p.options.excerpt === false
+        ? undefined
+        : r.excerpt || r.data?.excerpt || undefined,
+      meta: [],
+      head: {},
+      routeMeta: {},
+    } satisfies Pipeline<'metaExtracted', B>
+  })
diff --git a/src/pipeline/finalize.ts b/src/pipeline/finalize.ts
index eb9e02a..0c5843d 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/finalize.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/finalize.ts
@@ -1,19 +1,22 @@
-import type { Pipeline } from '../types'
+import type { GenericBuilder, Pipeline } from '../types'
 import { transformer, wrap } from '../utils'
 
 /**
  * Wraps up all the content section into the final Vue SFC component syntax and then
  * provides this to the `options.transforms.after` callback if provided.
  */
-export const finalize = transformer('finalize', 'sfcBlocksExtracted', 'closeout', (payload) => {
-  const { options: { transforms: { after } } } = payload
+export const finalize = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()(
+  'sfcBlocksExtracted',
+  (payload) => {
+    const { options: { transforms: { after } } } = payload
 
-  const component = `${payload.scriptSetup}${payload.scriptBlocks.join('\n')}${payload.styleBlocks.join('\n')}${payload.customBlocks.join('\n')}${wrap('template', payload.templateBlock)}\n`
+    const component = `${payload.scriptSetup}${payload.scriptBlocks.join('\n')}${payload.styleBlocks.join('\n')}${payload.customBlocks.join('\n')}${wrap('template', payload.templateBlock)}\n`
 
-  return {
-    ...payload,
-    component: after
-      ? after(component, payload.fileName)
-      : component,
-  } as Pipeline<'closeout'>
-})
+    return {
+      ...payload,
+      stage: 'closeout',
+      component: after
+        ? after(component, payload.fileName)
+        : component,
+    }
+  })
diff --git a/src/pipeline/frontmatterPreprocess.ts b/src/pipeline/frontmatterPreprocess.ts
index 12c569f..d56443a 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/frontmatterPreprocess.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/frontmatterPreprocess.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import type { MetaProperty } from '../types'
+import type { GenericBuilder, MetaProperty } from '../types'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 
 /**
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import { transformer } from '../utils'
  *
  * Note: the links() builder will turn this off (setting to undefined)
  */
-export const frontmatterPreprocess = transformer('frontmatterPreprocess', 'metaExtracted', 'metaExtracted', (payload) => {
+export const frontmatterPreprocess = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()('metaExtracted', (payload) => {
   const { frontmatter, options: { frontmatterPreprocess } } = payload
   let { head, meta, routeMeta } = payload
 
diff --git a/src/pipeline/index.ts b/src/pipeline/index.ts
index cfcff5a..25ff6d9 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/index.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/index.ts
@@ -9,11 +9,10 @@ export * from './extractBlocks'
 export * from './extractFrontmatter'
 export * from './sourcemap'
 export * from './finalize'
-export * from './injectUtilityFunctions'
+export * from './pipelineUtilityFunctions'
 export * from './frontmatterPreprocess'
 export * from './loadMarkdownItPlugins'
 export * from './parse'
 export * from './repairFrontmatterLinks'
 export * from './transformsBefore'
-export * from './usesBuilder'
 export * from './wrapHtml'
diff --git a/src/pipeline/injectUtilityFunctions.ts b/src/pipeline/injectUtilityFunctions.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index c151f8a..0000000
--- a/src/pipeline/injectUtilityFunctions.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,66 +0,0 @@
-import type { MaybeRef } from '@vueuse/core'
-import type { IElement } from '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper'
-import { createElement, isElement } from '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper'
-import { isRef, ref } from 'vue'
-import type { LinkProperty, MetaProperty, Pipeline, PipelineStage, PipelineUtilityFunctions, ScriptProperty, StyleProperty } from '../types'
-import { transformer } from '../utils'
-
-const add = (p: MaybeRef<any[]>, v: any) => isRef(p) ? p.value.push(v) : p.push(v)
-
-const convertToDictionary = (link: IElement): Record<string, any> => {
-  const attrs = Object.keys(link.attributes)
-  return attrs.reduce(
-    (acc, prop) => ({ ...acc, [prop]: link.getAttribute(prop) }),
-    {},
-  )
-}
-
-const pipelineUtilityFunctions = (
-  ctx: Pipeline<PipelineStage.initialize>,
-): PipelineUtilityFunctions => ({
-  addLink(link) {
-    if (!ctx.head.link)
-      ctx.head.link = ref([] as LinkProperty[])
-
-    add(ctx.head.link, link)
-  },
-  /** add a <script> block which references a URL as a source */
-  addScriptReference(script) {
-    if (!ctx.head.script)
-      ctx.head.script = ref([] as ScriptProperty[])
-
-    add(ctx.head.script, isElement(script) ? convertToDictionary(script) : script)
-  },
-
-  /** add inline code to a script block on the page */
-  addCodeBlock(name, script, forVue2) {
-    ctx.vueCodeBlocks[name] = forVue2 ? [script, forVue2] : script
-  },
-
-  addMetaProperty(meta) {
-    if (!ctx.head.meta)
-      ctx.head.meta = ref([] as MetaProperty[])
-
-    add(ctx.head.meta, meta)
-  },
-
-  addStyleBlock(name, style) {
-    ctx.vueStyleBlocks[name] = typeof style === 'string'
-      ? createElement(style)
-      : style
-  },
-  addStyleReference(style) {
-    if (!ctx.head.style)
-      ctx.head.style = ref([] as StyleProperty[])
-
-    add(ctx.head.style, style)
-  },
-})
-
-/**
- * Adds some helpful utility functions to the pipeline for Builder authors
- */
-export const injectUtilityFunctions = transformer('injectUtilityFunctions', 'initialize', 'initialize', p => ({
-  ...p,
-  ...pipelineUtilityFunctions(p),
-}))
diff --git a/src/pipeline/kebabCaseComponents.ts b/src/pipeline/kebabCaseComponents.ts
index 20784e2..21af169 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/kebabCaseComponents.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/kebabCaseComponents.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import type { GenericBuilder } from '../types/core'
 import { dasherize, transformer } from '../utils'
 
 /**
@@ -8,25 +9,27 @@ import { dasherize, transformer } from '../utils'
  *
  * While doing this we must avoid doing the same transformation when inside a code block.
  */
-export const kebabCaseComponents = transformer('kebabCaseComponents', 'parsed', 'parsed', (p) => {
-  const possiblePascalCase = /\<[A-Z]/s
-  // we only need to scan and replace if there is suspicious character sequence
-  if (possiblePascalCase.test(p.html)) {
-    const pascalBlocks = /<([A-Z]\w*)/gs
-    const blocks = p.html.matchAll(pascalBlocks)
-    /** the set of PascalCase tag names in the HTML */
-    const tagNames = new Set<string>()
-    for (const b of blocks) {
-      const [, tag] = b
-      tagNames.add(tag)
-    }
+export const kebabCaseComponents = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()(
+  'parsed',
+  (p) => {
+    const possiblePascalCase = /\<[A-Z]/s
+    // we only need to scan and replace if there is suspicious character sequence
+    if (possiblePascalCase.test(p.html)) {
+      const pascalBlocks = /<([A-Z]\w*)/gs
+      const blocks = p.html.matchAll(pascalBlocks)
+      /** the set of PascalCase tag names in the HTML */
+      const tagNames = new Set<string>()
+      for (const b of blocks) {
+        const [, tag] = b
+        tagNames.add(tag)
+      }
 
-    Array.from(tagNames).forEach((tag) => {
-      const open = new RegExp(`<${tag}`, 'gs')
-      const close = new RegExp(`<\/${tag}>`, 'gs')
-      p.html = p.html.replace(open, `<${dasherize(tag)}`).replace(close, `</${dasherize(tag)}>`)
-    })
-  }
+      Array.from(tagNames).forEach((tag) => {
+        const open = new RegExp(`<${tag}`, 'gs')
+        const close = new RegExp(`<\/${tag}>`, 'gs')
+        p.html = p.html.replace(open, `<${dasherize(tag)}`).replace(close, `</${dasherize(tag)}>`)
+      })
+    }
 
-  return { ...p }
-})
+    return { ...p }
+  })
diff --git a/src/pipeline/loadMarkdownItPlugins.ts b/src/pipeline/loadMarkdownItPlugins.ts
index 291feda..73b0f25 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/loadMarkdownItPlugins.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/loadMarkdownItPlugins.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 import { toArray } from '@antfu/utils'
+import type { GenericBuilder } from '../types/core'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 
 /**
  * iterate over each plugin which was supplied in this plugin's
  * `markdownItUses` option and add it to the parser
  */
-export const loadMarkdownItPlugins = transformer('loadMarkdownItPlugins', 'parser', 'parser', (payload) => {
+export const loadMarkdownItPlugins = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()('parser', (payload) => {
   payload.options.markdownItUses.forEach((e) => {
     const [plugin, options] = toArray(e)
     payload.parser.use(plugin, options)
diff --git a/src/pipeline/parse.ts b/src/pipeline/parse.ts
index 56b7da7..8c2e2c5 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/parse.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/parse.ts
@@ -1,15 +1,17 @@
+import type { GenericBuilder } from '../types/core'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 
 /**
  * Using the MarkdownIt parser we are able to extract raw HTML content
  */
-export const parseHtml = transformer('parseHtml', 'parser', 'parsed', (payload) => {
+export const parseHtml = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()('parser', (payload) => {
   try {
     const html = payload.parser.render(payload.md, {})
 
     return {
       ...payload,
       html,
+      stage: 'parsed',
     }
   }
   catch (err) {
diff --git a/src/pipeline/pipelineUtilityFunctions.ts b/src/pipeline/pipelineUtilityFunctions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..603a6c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/pipeline/pipelineUtilityFunctions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+import type { MaybeRef } from '@vueuse/core'
+import type { IElement } from '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper'
+import { createElement, isElement } from '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper'
+import { isRef, ref } from 'vue'
+import type { GenericBuilder, LinkProperty, MetaProperty, Pipeline, PipelineStage, PipelineUtilityFunctions, ScriptProperty, StyleProperty } from '../types'
+
+const add = (p: MaybeRef<any[]>, v: any) => isRef(p) ? p.value.push(v) : p.push(v)
+
+const convertToDictionary = (link: IElement): Record<string, any> => {
+  const attrs = Object.keys(link.attributes)
+  return attrs.reduce(
+    (acc, prop) => ({ ...acc, [prop]: link.getAttribute(prop) }),
+    {},
+  )
+}
+
+export const pipelineUtilityFunctions = <
+  P extends Pipeline<PipelineStage, readonly GenericBuilder[]>,
+>(
+    ctx: P,
+  ): PipelineUtilityFunctions => ({
+    addLink(link) {
+      if (!ctx.head.link)
+        ctx.head.link = ref([] as LinkProperty[])
+
+      add(ctx.head.link, link)
+    },
+    /** add a <script> block which references a URL as a source */
+    addScriptReference(script) {
+      if (!ctx.head.script)
+        ctx.head.script = ref([] as ScriptProperty[])
+
+      add(ctx.head.script, isElement(script) ? convertToDictionary(script) : script)
+    },
+
+    /** add inline code to a script block on the page */
+    addCodeBlock(name, script, forVue2) {
+      ctx.vueCodeBlocks[name] = forVue2 ? [script, forVue2] : script
+    },
+
+    addMetaProperty(meta) {
+      if (!ctx.head.meta)
+        ctx.head.meta = ref([] as MetaProperty[])
+
+      add(ctx.head.meta, meta)
+    },
+
+    addStyleBlock(name, style) {
+      ctx.vueStyleBlocks[name] = typeof style === 'string'
+        ? createElement(style)
+        : style
+    },
+    addStyleReference(style) {
+      if (!ctx.head.style)
+        ctx.head.style = ref([] as StyleProperty[])
+
+      add(ctx.head.style, style)
+    },
+  })
diff --git a/src/pipeline/repairFrontmatterLinks.ts b/src/pipeline/repairFrontmatterLinks.ts
index 81745e9..4b70569 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/repairFrontmatterLinks.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/repairFrontmatterLinks.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import type { IElement } from '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper'
 import { clone, select } from '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper'
+import type { GenericBuilder } from '../types/core'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 
 const wrappedFrontmatter = /%7B%7B(.*)%7D%7D/
@@ -12,26 +13,28 @@ const restoreBrackets = (bare: string) => `{{${bare}}}`
  * in a way that the curly brackets is no longer going to be interpreted by
  * VueJS. This function will re-establish the intent of the author.
  */
-export const repairFrontmatterLinks = transformer('repairFrontmatterLinks', 'parsed', 'parsed', (payload) => {
-  const update = (attr: string) => (el: IElement) => {
-    const prop = el.getAttribute(attr)
-    if (wrappedFrontmatter.test(prop)) {
-      el.setAttribute(attr,
-        restoreBrackets(prop.replace(wrappedFrontmatter, '$1')),
-      )
-    }
+export const repairFrontmatterLinks = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()(
+  'parsed',
+  (payload) => {
+    const update = (attr: string) => (el: IElement) => {
+      const prop = el.getAttribute(attr)
+      if (wrappedFrontmatter.test(prop)) {
+        el.setAttribute(attr,
+          restoreBrackets(prop.replace(wrappedFrontmatter, '$1')),
+        )
+      }
 
-    return clone(el)
-  }
+      return clone(el)
+    }
 
-  payload.html = select(payload.html)
-    .updateAll('img')(update('src'))
-    .updateAll('iframe')(update('src'))
-    .updateAll('srcset')(update('src'))
-    .updateAll('a')(update('href'))
-    .updateAll('link')(update('href'))
-    .updateAll('prefetch')(update('href'))
-    .toContainer()
+    payload.html = select(payload.html)
+      .updateAll('img')(update('src'))
+      .updateAll('iframe')(update('src'))
+      .updateAll('srcset')(update('src'))
+      .updateAll('a')(update('href'))
+      .updateAll('link')(update('href'))
+      .updateAll('prefetch')(update('href'))
+      .toContainer()
 
-  return payload
-})
+    return payload
+  })
diff --git a/src/pipeline/sourcemap.ts b/src/pipeline/sourcemap.ts
index 12648d6..1078bf2 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/sourcemap.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/sourcemap.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import type MarkdownIt from 'markdown-it'
 import type { ExistingRawSourceMap } from 'rollup'
 import { SourceMapGenerator } from 'source-map-js'
+import type { GenericBuilder } from '../types/core'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 
 const splitRE = /\r?\n/g
@@ -92,19 +93,21 @@ function generateSourceMap(
   return JSON.parse(map.toString()) as ExistingRawSourceMap
 }
 
-export const sourcemap = transformer('finalize', 'closeout', 'closeout', (payload) => {
-  const { fileName, parser, content, component } = payload
-  // add a sourcemap assuming the fileName is stated (which
-  // should always be the case for real files but not all tests)
-  return fileName && fileName.trim().length > 0
-    ? {
-        ...payload,
-        map: generateSourceMap(
-          fileName,
-          content,
-          component,
-          parser,
-        ),
-      }
-    : payload
-})
+export const sourcemap = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()(
+  'closeout',
+  (payload) => {
+    const { fileName, parser, content, component } = payload
+    // add a sourcemap assuming the fileName is stated (which
+    // should always be the case for real files but not all tests)
+    return fileName && fileName.trim().length > 0
+      ? {
+          ...payload,
+          map: generateSourceMap(
+            fileName,
+            content,
+            component,
+            parser,
+          ),
+        }
+      : payload
+  })
diff --git a/src/pipeline/transformsBefore.ts b/src/pipeline/transformsBefore.ts
index 696bd29..7f79ec0 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/transformsBefore.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/transformsBefore.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
+import type { GenericBuilder } from '../types'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 
 /**
  * Call's the transformer function provided in `options.before`
  */
-export const transformsBefore = transformer('transformBefore', 'initialize', 'initialize', (p) => {
-  const { content, fileName, options: { transforms: { before } } } = p
-  return before
-    ? ({ ...p, content: before(content, fileName) })
-    : p
-})
+export const transformsBefore = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()(
+  'initialize',
+  (p) => {
+    const { content, fileName, options: { transforms: { before } } } = p
+    return before
+      ? ({ ...p, content: before(content, fileName) })
+      : p
+  })
diff --git a/src/pipeline/usesBuilder.ts b/src/pipeline/usesBuilder.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index e5632db..0000000
--- a/src/pipeline/usesBuilder.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,19 +0,0 @@
-import type { BuilderApi, BuilderDependency, BuilderDependencyApi, OptionsFor } from '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api'
-import type { Pipeline, PipelineStage } from '../types'
-
-export const usesBuilder = (payload: Pipeline<PipelineStage.initialize>, deps: BuilderDependency[]) => <
-  T extends BuilderApi<any, any>,
->(builder: T) => {
-  const idx = deps.push([builder, {}]) - 1
-  const api: <E extends string = never>() => BuilderDependencyApi<T, E> = <E extends string = never>() => ({
-    withConfig: (options: OptionsFor<T>) => {
-      deps[idx] = [builder, options]
-      return api<E | 'withConfig'>()
-    },
-    usingExposedCallback: (_cb: any) => {
-      return api<E>()
-    },
-  }) as BuilderDependencyApi<T, E>
-
-  return api()
-}
diff --git a/src/pipeline/wrapHtml.ts b/src/pipeline/wrapHtml.ts
index 2624765..4a95be3 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/wrapHtml.ts
+++ b/src/pipeline/wrapHtml.ts
@@ -1,27 +1,30 @@
+import type { GenericBuilder } from '../types/core'
 import { transformer } from '../utils'
 
 /**
  * Wraps the HTML with DIV and/or a VueJS component
  */
-export const wrapHtml = transformer('wrapHtml', 'parsed', 'parsed', (payload) => {
-  const { options: { wrapperClasses, wrapperComponent }, html, frontmatter } = payload
-  let updated = html
+export const wrapHtml = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => transformer<B>()(
+  'parsed',
+  (payload) => {
+    const { options: { wrapperClasses, wrapperComponent }, html, frontmatter } = payload
+    let updated = html
 
-  if (wrapperClasses)
-    updated = `<div class="${wrapperClasses}">${html}</div>`
-  else
-    updated = `<div>${html}</div>`
+    if (wrapperClasses)
+      updated = `<div class="${wrapperClasses}">${html}</div>`
+    else
+      updated = `<div>${html}</div>`
 
-  // if we wrap with component, make sure frontmatter props
-  // are passed down
-  if (wrapperComponent)
-    updated = `<${wrapperComponent}${frontmatter ? ' :frontmatter="frontmatter"' : ''}>${updated}</${wrapperComponent}>`
+    // if we wrap with component, make sure frontmatter props
+    // are passed down
+    if (wrapperComponent)
+      updated = `<${wrapperComponent}${frontmatter ? ' :frontmatter="frontmatter"' : ''}>${updated}</${wrapperComponent}>`
 
-  // if (viteConfig.mode === 'production') {
-  //   // console.log('SSG:', process.env.SSG)
+    // if (viteConfig.mode === 'production') {
+    //   // console.log('SSG:', process.env.SSG)
 
-  //   payload.setSsgTitle(frontmatter?.title || ' ')
-  // }
+    //   payload.setSsgTitle(frontmatter?.title || ' ')
+    // }
 
-  return { ...payload, html: updated }
-})
+    return { ...payload, html: updated }
+  })
diff --git a/src/types/core.ts b/src/types/core.ts
index 8bc18be..8b74437 100644
--- a/src/types/core.ts
+++ b/src/types/core.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 import type MarkdownIt from 'markdown-it'
 import type { UserConfig } from 'vite'
-import type { BuilderOptions, BuilderRegistration } from '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api'
+import type { BuilderOptions, ConfiguredBuilder } from '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api'
 import type { FilterPattern } from '../utils/createFilter'
-import type { IPipelineStage } from './pipeline'
+import type { PipelineStage } from './pipeline'
+
+export type GenericBuilder = ConfiguredBuilder<string, BuilderOptions, PipelineStage, string>
 
 /**
  * The key/value definition for Route Properties.
@@ -183,13 +185,15 @@ export interface ProcessedFrontmatter {
   routeMeta: RouteProperties
 }
 
-export interface Options {
+export interface Options<
+  B extends readonly ConfiguredBuilder<string, BuilderOptions, PipelineStage, string>[],
+> {
   style?: {
     baseStyle?: 'none' | 'github'
   }
 
   /** allows adding in Builder's which help to expand functionality of this plugin */
-  builders?: readonly BuilderRegistration<BuilderOptions, IPipelineStage>[]
+  builders?: B
 
   /**
    * Explicitly set the Vue version.
@@ -298,7 +302,7 @@ export interface Options {
    */
   frontmatterPreprocess?: (
     frontmatter: Frontmatter,
-    options: ResolvedOptions
+    options: ResolvedOptions<B>
   ) => ProcessedFrontmatter
 
   /**
@@ -396,7 +400,9 @@ export interface Options {
   exclude?: FilterPattern
 }
 
-export interface ResolvedOptions extends Required<Options> {
+export interface ResolvedOptions<
+  B extends readonly ConfiguredBuilder<string, BuilderOptions, PipelineStage, string>[] = [],
+> extends Required<Options<B>> {
   wrapperClasses: string
   frontmatterDefaults: FmValueCallback | Record<string, FmAllowedValue>
   frontmatterOverrides: FmValueCallback | Record<string, FmAllowedValue>
@@ -412,6 +418,6 @@ export interface ViteConfigPassthrough {
   [key: string]: unknown
 }
 
-export type WithConfig<T extends ResolvedOptions> = ViteConfigPassthrough & T
+export type WithConfig<T extends ResolvedOptions<any>> = ViteConfigPassthrough & T
 
 export type ReturnValues = string | string[] | number | boolean | Object
diff --git a/src/types/pipeline.ts b/src/types/pipeline.ts
index 9ab7575..0576e70 100644
--- a/src/types/pipeline.ts
+++ b/src/types/pipeline.ts
@@ -6,66 +6,43 @@ import type { Either } from 'fp-ts/lib/Either.js'
 import type { Fragment, IElement } from '@yankeeinlondon/happy-wrapper'
 import type { ExistingRawSourceMap } from 'rollup'
 import type {
-  BuilderApi,
-  BuilderDependencyApi,
   BuilderOptions,
+  ConfiguredBuilder,
 } from '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api'
 import type {
-  EnumValues,
   Frontmatter,
+  GenericBuilder,
   MetaProperty,
   ResolvedOptions,
 } from './core'
 
-export enum PipelineStage {
-  /**
-   * Initialized with incoming filename, config, options,
-   * available events (core and provided by builders).
-   */
-  initialize = 'initialize',
-
-  /**
-   * All frontmatter has been extracted from default values and page values
-   * but no mapping has been done yet.
-   *
-   * Note: this is the event hook which the included `meta` builder connects
-   * to and it in turn _provides_ a `metaMapped` hook.
-   */
-  metaExtracted = 'metaExtracted',
-
-  /**
-   * The **MarkdownIt** parser is initialized, all builders
-   * connecting at this point will receive a valid `md` parser
-   * object so that they can participate in MD-to-HTML parsing.
-   */
-  parser = 'parser',
-  /**
-   * The **MarkdownIt** parser is initialized and all builders
-   * have been able to apply their customizations to it.
-   */
-  parsed = 'parsed',
-
-  /**
-   * The HTML has been converted to a HappyDom tree to allow
-   * interested parties to manipulate contents using DOM based
-   * queries.
-   */
-  dom = 'dom',
-
-  /**
-   * SFC blocks (template, script, and an array of customBlocks) are ready for
-   * builders to inspect/mutate/etc.
-   */
-  sfcBlocksExtracted = 'sfcBlocksExtracted',
-
-  /**
-   * All mutations of page are complete; builders can hook into this stage but
-   * will _not_ be able to mutate at this stage.
-   */
-  closeout = 'closeout',
-}
-
-export type IPipelineStage = EnumValues<PipelineStage>
+/**
+ * **PipelineStage**
+ * 
+ * The _stage_ in the transformation pipeline:
+ * 
+ * - `initialize` - meant for configuration settings
+ * - `metaExtracted` - all frontmatter has been separated from the text content
+ * giving you a clear but raw markdown content and frontmatter key/value
+ * - `parser` - a **markdown-it** parser is initialized; providing the `md` prop
+ * on the payload. This is where builders who want to act as a markdown-it-plugin
+ * will want to engage.
+ * - `parsed` - The **MarkdownIt** parser is initialized and all builders
+ * have been able to apply their customizations to it.
+ * - `dom` - The HTML has been converted to a HappyDom tree to allow interested builders
+ * to manipulate contents using DOM based queries 
+ * - `sfcBlocksExtracted` - SFC blocks (template, script, and an array of customBlocks) 
+ * are ready for builders to inspect/mutate/etc.
+ * - `closeout` - All mutations of page are complete; builders can hook into this stage
+ * but will _not_ be able to mutate at this stage
+ */
+export type PipelineStage = 'initialize' 
+  | 'metaExtracted' 
+  | 'parser' 
+  | 'parsed' 
+  | 'dom' 
+  | 'sfcBlocksExtracted'
+  | 'closeout'
 
 export interface RulesUse {
   ruleName: string
@@ -73,9 +50,7 @@ export interface RulesUse {
   description?: string
 }
 
-export type PipelineInitializer = (i?: Pipeline<PipelineStage.initialize>) => Pipeline<PipelineStage.initialize>
-
-export type Parser<S extends IPipelineStage> = S extends 'parser' | 'parsed' | 'dom' | 'sfcBlocksExtracted' | 'closeout'
+export type Parser<S extends PipelineStage> = S extends 'parser' | 'parsed' | 'dom' | 'sfcBlocksExtracted' | 'closeout'
   ? {
       /** the **MarkdownIT** parser instance */
       parser: MarkdownIt
@@ -166,11 +141,8 @@ export interface HeadProps {
 }
 
 /** types available _only_ during initialization */
-export type Initialization<S extends IPipelineStage> = S extends 'initialize'
-  ? {
-      /** allows a Builder API to express a dependency on another Builder API */
-      usesBuilder: <T extends BuilderApi<BuilderOptions, IPipelineStage>>(builder: T) => BuilderDependencyApi<T>
-    }
+export type Initialization<S extends PipelineStage> = S extends 'initialize'
+  ? {}
   : {}
 export interface PipelineUtilityFunctions {
   /**
@@ -206,7 +178,7 @@ export interface PipelineUtilityFunctions {
   addStyleBlock: (name: string, style: IElement | string) => void
 }
 
-export type MetaExtracted<S extends IPipelineStage> = S extends 'initialize'
+export type MetaExtracted<S extends PipelineStage> = S extends 'initialize'
   ? {}
   : {
       /** the frontmatter metadata */
@@ -228,7 +200,7 @@ export type MetaExtracted<S extends IPipelineStage> = S extends 'initialize'
 
     } & PipelineUtilityFunctions
 
-export type HtmlContent<S extends IPipelineStage> = S extends 'parsed' | 'sfcBlocksExtracted' | 'closeout'
+export type HtmlContent<S extends PipelineStage> = S extends 'parsed' | 'sfcBlocksExtracted' | 'closeout'
   ? {
       /**
        * the HTML produced from MD content (and using parser rules passed in)
@@ -250,7 +222,7 @@ export type HtmlContent<S extends IPipelineStage> = S extends 'parsed' | 'sfcBlo
       }
     : {}
 
-export type Blocks<S extends IPipelineStage> = S extends 'sfcBlocksExtracted' | 'closeout'
+export type Blocks<S extends PipelineStage> = S extends 'sfcBlocksExtracted' | 'closeout'
   ? {
 
       /** the SFC's template block (aka, html content) */
@@ -277,7 +249,7 @@ export type Blocks<S extends IPipelineStage> = S extends 'sfcBlocksExtracted' |
     }
   : {}
 
-export type Completed<S extends IPipelineStage> = S extends 'closeout'
+export type Completed<S extends PipelineStage> = S extends 'closeout'
   ? {
       /** the finalized component in string form */
       component: string
@@ -286,13 +258,16 @@ export type Completed<S extends IPipelineStage> = S extends 'closeout'
     }
   : {}
 
-export type Pipeline<S extends IPipelineStage> = {
+export type Pipeline<
+  S extends PipelineStage, B extends readonly ConfiguredBuilder<string, BuilderOptions, PipelineStage, string>[] = readonly ConfiguredBuilder<string, BuilderOptions, PipelineStage, string>[],
+> = {
+  stage: S
   /** the underlying filename of the source */
   fileName: string
   /** the raw content in the file being processed */
   content: string
   /** the `vite-plugin-md` options */
-  options: ResolvedOptions
+  options: ResolvedOptions<B>
   /** the Vite config */
   viteConfig: UserConfig
 
@@ -341,19 +316,28 @@ export type Pipeline<S extends IPipelineStage> = {
  * - a _string_ error condition
  * - a `Pipeline<S>` value
  */
-export type PipeEither<S extends IPipelineStage> = Either<string, Pipeline<S>>
+export type PipeEither<
+  S extends PipelineStage,
+  B extends readonly GenericBuilder[],
+> = Either<string, Pipeline<S, B>>
 
 /**
  * Carries an `TaskEither<T>` condition which is either:
  * - a _string_ error condition
  * - a `() => Promise<Pipeline<S>>` task
  */
-export type PipeTask<S extends IPipelineStage> = TE.TaskEither<string, Pipeline<S>>
+export type PipeTask<
+  S extends PipelineStage,
+  B extends readonly ConfiguredBuilder<string, {}, PipelineStage, string>[],
+> = TE.TaskEither<string, Pipeline<S, B>>
 
 /**
  * A pipeline payload or either an async `PipeTask<S>` or a synchronous `PipeEither<S>`
  */
-export type PipelinePayload<S extends IPipelineStage> = PipeTask<S> | PipeEither<S>
+export type PipelinePayload<
+  S extends PipelineStage,
+  B extends readonly GenericBuilder[],
+> = PipeTask<S, B> | PipeEither<S, B>
 
 /**
  * A _synchronous_ transformer function which:
@@ -362,9 +346,10 @@ export type PipelinePayload<S extends IPipelineStage> = PipeTask<S> | PipeEither
  * - converts it to a type of `PipeEither<T>`
  */
 export type SyncPipelineTransformer<
-  F extends IPipelineStage,
-  T extends IPipelineStage,
-> = (payload: PipeTask<F>) => PipeTask<T>
+  F extends PipelineStage,
+  T extends PipelineStage,
+  B extends readonly GenericBuilder[],
+> = (payload: PipeTask<F, B>) => PipeTask<T, B>
 
 /**
 * An _asynchronous_ transformer function which:
@@ -373,6 +358,7 @@ export type SyncPipelineTransformer<
 * - converts it to a type of `PipeTask<T>`
 */
 export type AsyncPipelineTransformer<
-  F extends IPipelineStage,
-  T extends IPipelineStage,
-> = (payload: PipeTask<F>) => PipeTask<T>
+  F extends PipelineStage,
+  T extends PipelineStage,
+  B extends readonly GenericBuilder[],
+> = (payload: PipeTask<F, B>) => PipeTask<T, B>
diff --git a/src/utils/core.ts b/src/utils/core.ts
index 1256b4f..9fa0971 100644
--- a/src/utils/core.ts
+++ b/src/utils/core.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import type { ResolvedOptions } from '../types'
+import type { GenericBuilder, ResolvedOptions } from '../types'
 
 export function getVueVersion(defaultVersion = '3.2.0') {
   try {
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ export function keys<T extends {}, W extends readonly string[]>(obj: T, ...witho
   return v as unknown as Length<W> extends 0 ? Array<keyof T> : Array<Exclude<keyof T, Keys<W>>>
 }
 
-export function isVue2(options: ResolvedOptions) {
+export function isVue2<B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>(options: ResolvedOptions<B>) {
   return options.vueVersion.startsWith('2')
 }
 
diff --git a/src/utils/fp.ts b/src/utils/fp.ts
index da44069..7f5d7e2 100644
--- a/src/utils/fp.ts
+++ b/src/utils/fp.ts
@@ -2,48 +2,49 @@ import * as E from 'fp-ts/lib/Either.js'
 import { flatten, map, tryCatch } from 'fp-ts/lib/TaskEither.js'
 import { pipe } from 'fp-ts/lib/function.js'
 
-import type { IPipelineStage, PipeEither, PipeTask, Pipeline, PipelineStage } from '../types'
+import type { GenericBuilder, PipeEither, PipeTask, Pipeline, PipelineStage } from '../types'
 
 /**
- * Allows a synchronous function:
- * ```ts
- * declare function fn = (p: Pipeline<F>) => Pipeline<T>
- * ```
- *
- * To be lifted up to becoming a Task:
- * ```ts
- * declare function task = (P: PipeTask<F>) => PipeTask<T>
- * ```
+ * Allows a synchronous function to be lifted up to becoming a task
+ * where the generic `B` is maintained but the "from" and "to" params
+ * allow moving through stages of the pipeline
  */
-export const transformer = <F extends IPipelineStage, T extends IPipelineStage>(
-  name: string,
-  from: F,
-  to: T,
-  fn: (p: Pipeline<F>) => Pipeline<T>,
-) => (payload: PipeTask<F>): PipeTask<T> => pipe(
-    payload,
-    map(
-      p => tryCatch(
-        () => {
-          const result = Promise.resolve(fn(p))
-          return result
-        },
-        (e) => {
-          return `Problem encountered during the "${name}" stage of the vite-plugin-md transform pipeline:\n\n  ${e instanceof Error ? `${e.message}\n\n${e.stack}` : String(e)}`
-        },
-      ),
-    ),
-    flatten,
-  )
+export const transformer = <
+B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>() => <F extends PipelineStage, T extends PipelineStage>(
+    from: F,
+    fn: (p: Pipeline<F, B>) => Pipeline<T, B>,
+  ) =>
+      (payload: PipeTask<F, B>): PipeTask<T, B> => pipe(
+        payload,
+        map(
+          p => tryCatch(
+            () => {
+              const result = Promise.resolve(fn(p))
+              return result
+            },
+            (e) => {
+              return `Problem encountered during the "${p.stage}" stage of the vite-plugin-md transform pipeline:\n\n  ${e instanceof Error ? `${e.message}\n\n${e.stack}` : String(e)}`
+            },
+          ),
+        ),
+        flatten,
+      )
+
+export function isPipeTask<
+  S extends PipelineStage,
+  B extends readonly GenericBuilder[],
 
-export function isPipeTask<S extends IPipelineStage>(payload: PipeTask<S> | PipeEither<S>): payload is PipeTask<S> {
+>(payload: PipeTask<S, B> | PipeEither<S, B>): payload is PipeTask<S, B> {
   return typeof payload === 'function'
 }
 
 /**
  * Given either a `PipeTask<S>` or `PipeEither<S>`, will return a `PipeTask<S>`
  */
-export const liftToAsync = <S extends PipelineStage>(payload: PipeTask<S> | PipeEither<S>): PipeTask<S> => {
+export const liftToAsync = <
+  S extends PipelineStage,
+  B extends readonly GenericBuilder[],
+>(payload: PipeTask<S, B > | PipeEither<S, B>): PipeTask<S, B> => {
   return isPipeTask(payload)
     ? payload
     : () => Promise.resolve(payload)
@@ -52,13 +53,11 @@ export const liftToAsync = <S extends PipelineStage>(payload: PipeTask<S> | Pipe
 /**
  * Lifts a `Pipeline<S>` to a `PipeTask<S>`
  * ```ts
- * const pipeline = pipe(
- *    payload,
- *    lift('initialize'),
- *    // TaskEither transforms
- * )
+ * const task = lift(pipeline);
  * ```
  */
-export const lift = <S extends IPipelineStage>(_: S) =>
-  (payload: Pipeline<S>): PipeTask<S> =>
+export const lift = <
+  S extends PipelineStage,
+  B extends readonly GenericBuilder[],
+>(payload: Pipeline<S, B>): PipeTask<S, B> =>
     () => Promise.resolve(E.right(payload))
diff --git a/test/options-and-builder-config.test.ts b/test/options-and-builder-config.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3703409
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/options-and-builder-config.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+import type { Equal, Expect } from '@type-challenges/utils'
+import { describe, it } from 'vitest'
+import meta from '@yankeeinlondon/meta-builder'
+import type { ConfiguredBuilder } from '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api'
+import { createBuilder } from '@yankeeinlondon/builder-api'
+import type { GenericBuilder, Options, PipeTask, Pipeline, PipelineStage, ResolvedOptions } from '../src'
+import { resolveOptions } from '../src/options'
+import { lift } from '../src/utils'
+
+// Note: while type tests clearly fail visible inspection, they pass from Vitest
+// standpoint so always be sure to run `tsc --noEmit` over your test files to
+// gain validation that no new type vulnerabilities have cropped up.
+
+const createOption = <B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>(o: Options<B>) => o
+const createPayload = <S extends PipelineStage, B extends readonly GenericBuilder[]>(p: Pipeline<S, B>) => p
+
+const testBuilder = createBuilder('test', 'parsed')
+  .options<{ name: string }>()
+  .initializer()
+  .handler((p, o) => p)
+  .meta({ description: 'this is a test' })
+
+describe('option resolution', () => {
+  it('BuilderApi converts to ConfiguredBuilder', () => {
+    const b = testBuilder()
+    const b2 = testBuilder({ name: 'Bob' })
+
+    type cases = [
+      Expect<Equal<
+        typeof b,
+        ConfiguredBuilder<'test', { name: string }, 'parsed', 'this is a test'>
+      >>,
+      Expect<Equal<
+        typeof b2,
+        ConfiguredBuilder<'test', { name: string }, 'parsed', 'this is a test'>
+      >>,
+    ]
+  })
+
+  it('Options resolve builders generic', () => {
+    const empty = createOption({})
+    const noBuilders = createOption({ builders: [] })
+    const withBuilders = createOption({ builders: [testBuilder()] })
+    const withBuildersConfigured = createOption({ builders: [testBuilder({ name: 'Bob' })] })
+
+    type cases = [
+      Expect<Equal<typeof empty, Options<readonly GenericBuilder[]>>>,
+      Expect<Equal<typeof noBuilders, Options<never[]>>>,
+      // TODO: fix builders and then test
+      Expect<Equal<typeof withBuilders, never>>,
+      Expect<Equal<typeof withBuildersConfigured, never>>,
+    ]
+  })
+
+  it('ResolvedOptions', () => {
+    const empty = resolveOptions(createOption({}))
+    const noBuilders = resolveOptions(createOption({ builders: [] }))
+    const withBuilders = resolveOptions(createOption({ builders: [meta()] }))
+    const withBuildersConfigured = resolveOptions(createOption({ builders: [meta({})] }))
+
+    type cases = [
+      Expect<Equal<typeof empty, ResolvedOptions<readonly GenericBuilder[]>>>,
+      Expect<Equal<typeof noBuilders, ResolvedOptions<never[]>>>,
+    ]
+    const cases: cases = [true, true]
+  })
+
+  it('lift() utility converts a pipeline to a PipeTask', () => {
+    const empty = resolveOptions(createOption({}))
+    const payload = createPayload({
+      stage: 'initialize',
+      fileName: 'foobar.md',
+      content: 'I thought I saw a puddy tat',
+      head: {},
+      frontmatter: undefined,
+      routeMeta: undefined,
+      viteConfig: {},
+      vueStyleBlocks: {},
+      vueCodeBlocks: {},
+      codeBlockLanguages: {
+        langsRequested: [],
+        langsUsed: [],
+      },
+      options: empty,
+    })
+    const lifted = lift(payload)
+
+    type B = typeof payload['options']['builders']
+
+    type cases = [
+      Expect<Equal<typeof payload, Pipeline<'initialize', B>>>,
+      Expect<Equal<typeof lifted, PipeTask<'initialize', B>>>,
+    ]
+    const cases: cases = [true, true]
+  })
+})
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/utils/composeFixture.ts b/test/utils/composeFixture.ts
index a882ad1..2f92f10 100644
--- a/test/utils/composeFixture.ts
+++ b/test/utils/composeFixture.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import { getFixture } from './getFixture'
  * Test util to help pickup a Markdown file from fixtures folder and have it parsed
  * using `composeSfcBlocks()`
  */
-export const composeFixture = async (fixture: string, options: Options = {}) => {
+export const composeFixture = async <O extends Options<any>>(fixture: string, options: O = {} as O) => {
   fixture = fixture.endsWith('.md')
     ? `./test/fixtures/${fixture}`
     : `./test/fixtures/${fixture}.md`
diff --git a/test/utils/composeMarkdown.ts b/test/utils/composeMarkdown.ts
index 83345e6..256db15 100644
--- a/test/utils/composeMarkdown.ts
+++ b/test/utils/composeMarkdown.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { composeSfcBlocks } from '../../src/pipeline'
 import type { Options } from '../../src/types'
 
-export const composeMarkdown = async (markdown: string, options: Options = {}) => {
+export const composeMarkdown = async <O extends Options<any>>(markdown: string, options: O = {} as O) => {
   return composeSfcBlocks(
     'test-with-raw-markdown',
     markdown,