diff --git a/aerc.go b/aerc.go
index d43ed93..909d8e9 100644
--- a/aerc.go
+++ b/aerc.go
@@ -3,9 +3,6 @@ package main
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
-	"io"
-	"io/ioutil"
-	"log"
 	"os"
 	"sort"
 	"time"
@@ -91,8 +88,10 @@ func getCompletions(aerc *widgets.Aerc, cmd string) []string {
 // set at build time
 var Version string
 
-func usage() {
-	log.Fatal("Usage: aerc [-v] [mailto:...]")
+func usage(msg string) {
+	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, msg)
+	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "usage: aerc [-v] [mailto:...]")
+	os.Exit(1)
 }
 
 func setWindowTitle() {
@@ -116,8 +115,7 @@ func main() {
 	defer logging.PanicHandler()
 	opts, optind, err := getopt.Getopts(os.Args, "v")
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Print(err)
-		usage()
+		usage("error: " + err.Error())
 		return
 	}
 	for _, opt := range opts {
@@ -130,7 +128,7 @@ func main() {
 	retryExec := false
 	args := os.Args[optind:]
 	if len(args) > 1 {
-		usage()
+		usage("error: invalid arguments")
 		return
 	} else if len(args) == 1 {
 		arg := args[0]
@@ -143,20 +141,12 @@ func main() {
 		retryExec = true
 	}
 
-	var (
-		logOut io.Writer
-		logger *log.Logger
-	)
 	if !isatty.IsTerminal(os.Stdout.Fd()) {
-		logOut = os.Stdout
-	} else {
-		logOut = ioutil.Discard
-		os.Stdout, _ = os.Open(os.DevNull)
+		logging.Init()
 	}
-	logger = log.New(logOut, "", log.LstdFlags)
-	logger.Println("Starting up aerc")
+	logging.Infof("Starting up")
 
-	conf, err := config.LoadConfigFromFile(nil, logger)
+	conf, err := config.LoadConfigFromFile(nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Failed to load config: %v\n", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
@@ -170,10 +160,10 @@ func main() {
 	deferLoop := make(chan struct{})
 
 	c := crypto.New(conf.General.PgpProvider)
-	c.Init(logger)
+	c.Init()
 	defer c.Close()
 
-	aerc = widgets.NewAerc(conf, logger, c, func(cmd []string) error {
+	aerc = widgets.NewAerc(conf, c, func(cmd []string) error {
 		return execCommand(aerc, ui, cmd)
 	}, func(cmd string) []string {
 		return getCompletions(aerc, cmd)
@@ -193,10 +183,9 @@ func main() {
 		ui.EnableMouse()
 	}
 
-	logger.Println("Starting Unix server")
-	as, err := lib.StartServer(logger)
+	as, err := lib.StartServer()
 	if err != nil {
-		logger.Printf("Failed to start Unix server: %v (non-fatal)", err)
+		logging.Warnf("Failed to start Unix server: %v", err)
 	} else {
 		defer as.Close()
 		as.OnMailto = aerc.Mailto
diff --git a/commands/account/export-mbox.go b/commands/account/export-mbox.go
index 528934e..3e86fc1 100644
--- a/commands/account/export-mbox.go
+++ b/commands/account/export-mbox.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/widgets"
 	mboxer "git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/mbox"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/types"
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ func (ExportMbox) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 	go func() {
 		file, err := os.Create(filename)
 		if err != nil {
-			acct.Logger().Println(args[0], err.Error())
+			logging.Errorf("failed to create file: %v", err)
 			aerc.PushError(err.Error())
 			return
 		}
@@ -72,28 +73,26 @@ func (ExportMbox) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 		for len(uids) > 0 {
 			if retries > 0 {
 				if retries > 10 {
-					errorMsg := fmt.Sprintln(args[0], "too many retries:", retries, "; stopping export")
-					acct.Logger().Println(errorMsg)
-					aerc.PushError(errorMsg)
+					errorMsg := fmt.Sprintf("too many retries: %d; stopping export", retries)
+					logging.Errorf(errorMsg)
+					aerc.PushError(args[0] + " " + errorMsg)
 					break
 				}
 				sleeping := time.Duration(retries * 1e9 * 2)
-				acct.Logger().Println(args[0], "sleeping for", sleeping, "before retrying; retries:", retries)
+				logging.Debugf("sleeping for %s before retrying; retries: %d", sleeping, retries)
 				time.Sleep(sleeping)
 			}
 
-			acct.Logger().Println(args[0], "fetching", len(uids), "for export")
+			logging.Debugf("fetching %d for export", len(uids))
 			acct.Worker().PostAction(&types.FetchFullMessages{
 				Uids: uids,
 			}, func(msg types.WorkerMessage) {
 				switch msg := msg.(type) {
 				case *types.Done:
-					acct.Logger().Println(args[0], "done")
 					done <- true
 				case *types.Error:
-					errMsg := fmt.Sprintln(args[0], "error encountered:", msg.Error.Error())
-					acct.Logger().Println(errMsg)
-					aerc.PushError(errMsg)
+					logging.Errorf("failed to fetch message: %v", msg.Error)
+					aerc.PushError(args[0] + " error encountered: " + msg.Error.Error())
 					done <- false
 				case *types.FullMessage:
 					mu.Lock()
@@ -115,7 +114,7 @@ func (ExportMbox) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 		}
 		statusInfo := fmt.Sprintf("Exported %d of %d messages to %s.", ctr, len(store.Uids()), filename)
 		aerc.PushStatus(statusInfo, 10*time.Second)
-		acct.Logger().Println(args[0], statusInfo)
+		logging.Infof(statusInfo)
 	}()
 
 	return nil
diff --git a/commands/account/import-mbox.go b/commands/account/import-mbox.go
index 1430deb..b497787 100644
--- a/commands/account/import-mbox.go
+++ b/commands/account/import-mbox.go
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/commands"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/widgets"
 	mboxer "git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/mbox"
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ func (ImportMbox) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 	importFolder := func() {
 		statusInfo := fmt.Sprintln("Importing", filename, "to folder", folder)
 		aerc.PushStatus(statusInfo, 10*time.Second)
-		acct.Logger().Println(args[0], statusInfo)
+		logging.Infof(statusInfo)
 		f, err := os.Open(filename)
 		if err != nil {
 			aerc.PushError(err.Error())
@@ -77,7 +78,7 @@ func (ImportMbox) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 				var buf bytes.Buffer
 				r, err := m.NewReader()
 				if err != nil {
-					acct.Logger().Println(fmt.Sprintf("%s: could not get reader for uid %d", args[0], m.UID()))
+					logging.Errorf("could not get reader for uid %d", m.UID())
 					break
 				}
 				nbytes, _ := io.Copy(&buf, r)
@@ -91,11 +92,11 @@ func (ImportMbox) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 					switch msg := msg.(type) {
 					case *types.Unsupported:
 						errMsg := fmt.Sprintf("%s: AppendMessage is unsupported", args[0])
-						acct.Logger().Println(errMsg)
+						logging.Errorf(errMsg)
 						aerc.PushError(errMsg)
 						return
 					case *types.Error:
-						acct.Logger().Println(args[0], msg.Error.Error())
+						logging.Errorf("AppendMessage failed: %v", msg.Error)
 						done <- false
 					case *types.Done:
 						atomic.AddUint32(&appended, 1)
@@ -111,17 +112,18 @@ func (ImportMbox) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 						// error encountered; try to append again after a quick nap
 						retries -= 1
 						sleeping := time.Duration((5 - retries) * 1e9)
-						acct.Logger().Println(args[0], "sleeping for", sleeping, "before append message", i, "again")
+
+						logging.Debugf("sleeping for %s before append message %d again", sleeping, i)
 						time.Sleep(sleeping)
 					}
 				case <-time.After(30 * time.Second):
-					acct.Logger().Println(args[0], "timed-out; appended", appended, "of", len(messages))
+					logging.Warnf("timed-out; appended %d of %d", appended, len(messages))
 					return
 				}
 			}
 		}
 		infoStr := fmt.Sprintf("%s: imported %d of %d sucessfully.", args[0], appended, len(messages))
-		acct.Logger().Println(infoStr)
+		logging.Infof(infoStr)
 		aerc.SetStatus(infoStr)
 	}
 
diff --git a/commands/account/search.go b/commands/account/search.go
index 7cae227..290aafc 100644
--- a/commands/account/search.go
+++ b/commands/account/search.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/statusline"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/widgets"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/types"
 )
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ func (SearchFilter) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 		cb := func(msg types.WorkerMessage) {
 			if _, ok := msg.(*types.Done); ok {
 				acct.SetStatus(statusline.FilterResult(strings.Join(args, " ")))
-				acct.Logger().Printf("Filter results: %v", store.Uids())
+				logging.Infof("Filter results: %v", store.Uids())
 			}
 		}
 		store.Sort(nil, cb)
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ func (SearchFilter) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 		acct.SetStatus(statusline.Search("Searching..."))
 		cb := func(uids []uint32) {
 			acct.SetStatus(statusline.Search(strings.Join(args, " ")))
-			acct.Logger().Printf("Search results: %v", uids)
+			logging.Infof("Search results: %v", uids)
 			store.ApplySearch(uids)
 			// TODO: Remove when stores have multiple OnUpdate handlers
 			acct.Messages().Invalidate()
diff --git a/commands/compose/postpone.go b/commands/compose/postpone.go
index 4b1e441..7469b23 100644
--- a/commands/compose/postpone.go
+++ b/commands/compose/postpone.go
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ func (Postpone) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 		return errors.New("No Postpone location configured")
 	}
 
-	aerc.Logger().Println("Postponing mail")
+	logging.Infof("Postponing mail")
 
 	header, err := composer.PrepareHeader()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func (Postpone) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 
 		handleErr := func(err error) {
 			aerc.PushError(err.Error())
-			aerc.Logger().Println("Postponing failed:", err)
+			logging.Errorf("Postponing failed: %v", err)
 			aerc.NewTab(composer, tabName)
 		}
 
diff --git a/commands/msg/forward.go b/commands/msg/forward.go
index ad80fea..cd62417 100644
--- a/commands/msg/forward.go
+++ b/commands/msg/forward.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/format"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/widgets"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/types"
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ func (forward) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	acct.Logger().Println("Forwarding email " + msg.Envelope.MessageId)
+	logging.Infof("Forwarding email %s", msg.Envelope.MessageId)
 
 	h := &mail.Header{}
 	subject := "Fwd: " + msg.Envelope.Subject
@@ -187,7 +188,7 @@ func (forward) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 					}
 					bs, err := msg.BodyStructure.PartAtIndex(p)
 					if err != nil {
-						acct.Logger().Println("forward: PartAtIndex:", err)
+						logging.Errorf("cannot get PartAtIndex %v: %v", p, err)
 						continue
 					}
 					store.FetchBodyPart(msg.Uid, p, func(reader io.Reader) {
diff --git a/commands/msg/recall.go b/commands/msg/recall.go
index 3c9f0f2..477a363 100644
--- a/commands/msg/recall.go
+++ b/commands/msg/recall.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/widgets"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/types"
@@ -69,7 +70,7 @@ func (Recall) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.Wrap(err, "Recall failed")
 	}
-	acct.Logger().Println("Recalling message " + msgInfo.Envelope.MessageId)
+	logging.Infof("Recalling message %s", msgInfo.Envelope.MessageId)
 
 	composer, err := widgets.NewComposer(aerc, acct, aerc.Config(),
 		acct.AccountConfig(), acct.Worker(), "", msgInfo.RFC822Headers,
@@ -197,7 +198,7 @@ func (Recall) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 					}
 					bs, err := msg.BodyStructure().PartAtIndex(p)
 					if err != nil {
-						acct.Logger().Println("recall: PartAtIndex:", err)
+						logging.Infof("cannot get PartAtIndex %v: %v", p, err)
 						continue
 					}
 					msg.FetchBodyPart(p, func(reader io.Reader) {
diff --git a/commands/msg/unsubscribe.go b/commands/msg/unsubscribe.go
index 126a23d..bec0f5c 100644
--- a/commands/msg/unsubscribe.go
+++ b/commands/msg/unsubscribe.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/widgets"
 	"github.com/emersion/go-message/mail"
@@ -54,10 +55,10 @@ func (Unsubscribe) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 	if len(methods) == 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("no methods found to unsubscribe")
 	}
-	aerc.Logger().Printf("unsubscribe: found %d methods", len(methods))
+	logging.Infof("unsubscribe: found %d methods", len(methods))
 
 	unsubscribe := func(method *url.URL) {
-		aerc.Logger().Printf("unsubscribe: trying to unsubscribe using %v", method.Scheme)
+		logging.Infof("unsubscribe: trying to unsubscribe using %s", method.Scheme)
 		var err error
 		switch strings.ToLower(method.Scheme) {
 		case "mailto":
diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index ebdee5e..22bbe2b 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/mitchellh/go-homedir"
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/templates"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 )
 
 type GeneralConfig struct {
@@ -649,7 +650,7 @@ func validatePgpProvider(section *ini.Section) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func LoadConfigFromFile(root *string, logger *log.Logger) (*AercConfig, error) {
+func LoadConfigFromFile(root *string) (*AercConfig, error) {
 	if root == nil {
 		_root := path.Join(xdg.ConfigHome(), "aerc")
 		root = &_root
@@ -837,7 +838,7 @@ func LoadConfigFromFile(root *string, logger *log.Logger) (*AercConfig, error) {
 		}
 
 		if baseOnly {
-			err = config.LoadBinds(binds, baseSectionName, group, logger)
+			err = config.LoadBinds(binds, baseSectionName, group)
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
@@ -887,7 +888,7 @@ func LoadBindingSection(sec *ini.Section) (*KeyBindings, error) {
 	return bindings, nil
 }
 
-func (config *AercConfig) LoadBinds(binds *ini.File, baseName string, baseGroup **KeyBindings, logger *log.Logger) error {
+func (config *AercConfig) LoadBinds(binds *ini.File, baseName string, baseGroup **KeyBindings) error {
 
 	if sec, err := binds.GetSection(baseName); err == nil {
 		binds, err := LoadBindingSection(sec)
@@ -942,7 +943,7 @@ func (config *AercConfig) LoadBinds(binds *ini.File, baseName string, baseGroup
 				}
 			}
 			if !valid {
-				logger.Printf("Tried to define binds for unexistent account: %v\n", acctName)
+				logging.Warnf("binds.conf: unexistent account: %s", acctName)
 				continue
 			}
 			contextualBind.ContextType = BIND_CONTEXT_ACCOUNT
diff --git a/config/triggers.go b/config/triggers.go
index 3005d59..daf4373 100644
--- a/config/triggers.go
+++ b/config/triggers.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/google/shlex"
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/format"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 )
 
@@ -52,6 +53,6 @@ func (trig *TriggersConfig) ExecNewEmail(account *AccountConfig,
 			return fmt.Sprintf(formatstr, args...), nil
 		})
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("Error from the new-email trigger: %s\n", err)
+		logging.Errorf("failed to run new-email trigger: %v", err)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/lib/crypto/crypto.go b/lib/crypto/crypto.go
index 3c961ad..8f895b4 100644
--- a/lib/crypto/crypto.go
+++ b/lib/crypto/crypto.go
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package crypto
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"io"
-	"log"
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/crypto/gpg"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/crypto/pgp"
@@ -17,7 +16,7 @@ type Provider interface {
 	Encrypt(*bytes.Buffer, []string, string, openpgp.PromptFunction, *mail.Header) (io.WriteCloser, error)
 	Sign(*bytes.Buffer, string, openpgp.PromptFunction, *mail.Header) (io.WriteCloser, error)
 	ImportKeys(io.Reader) error
-	Init(*log.Logger) error
+	Init() error
 	Close()
 	GetSignerKeyId(string) (string, error)
 	GetKeyId(string) (string, error)
diff --git a/lib/crypto/gpg/gpg.go b/lib/crypto/gpg/gpg.go
index 00125ba..e545e1c 100644
--- a/lib/crypto/gpg/gpg.go
+++ b/lib/crypto/gpg/gpg.go
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package gpg
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"io"
-	"log"
 	"os/exec"
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/crypto/gpg/gpgbin"
@@ -13,12 +12,9 @@ import (
 )
 
 // Mail satisfies the PGPProvider interface in aerc
-type Mail struct {
-	logger *log.Logger
-}
+type Mail struct{}
 
-func (m *Mail) Init(l *log.Logger) error {
-	m.logger = l
+func (m *Mail) Init() error {
 	_, err := exec.LookPath("gpg")
 	return err
 }
diff --git a/lib/crypto/gpg/gpgbin/gpgbin.go b/lib/crypto/gpg/gpgbin/gpgbin.go
index 9f79e97..2eb83dc 100644
--- a/lib/crypto/gpg/gpgbin/gpgbin.go
+++ b/lib/crypto/gpg/gpgbin/gpgbin.go
@@ -6,15 +6,12 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
-	"io/ioutil"
-	"log"
-	"os"
 	"os/exec"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
-	"github.com/mattn/go-isatty"
 )
 
 // gpg represents a gpg command with buffers attached to stdout and stderr
@@ -112,17 +109,6 @@ func longKeyToUint64(key string) (uint64, error) {
 
 // parse parses the output of gpg --status-fd
 func parse(r io.Reader, md *models.MessageDetails) error {
-	var (
-		logOut io.Writer
-		logger *log.Logger
-	)
-	if !isatty.IsTerminal(os.Stdout.Fd()) {
-		logOut = os.Stdout
-	} else {
-		logOut = ioutil.Discard
-		os.Stdout, _ = os.Open(os.DevNull)
-	}
-	logger = log.New(logOut, "", log.LstdFlags)
 	var err error
 	var msgContent []byte
 	var msgCollecting bool
@@ -135,7 +121,7 @@ func parse(r io.Reader, md *models.MessageDetails) error {
 		}
 		if strings.HasPrefix(line, "[GNUPG:]") {
 			msgCollecting = false
-			logger.Println(line)
+			logging.Debugf(line)
 		}
 		if msgCollecting {
 			msgContent = append(msgContent, scanner.Bytes()...)
@@ -270,18 +256,3 @@ var micalgs = map[int]string{
 	10: "pgp-sha512",
 	11: "pgp-sha224",
 }
-
-func logger(s string) {
-	var (
-		logOut io.Writer
-		logger *log.Logger
-	)
-	if !isatty.IsTerminal(os.Stdout.Fd()) {
-		logOut = os.Stdout
-	} else {
-		logOut = ioutil.Discard
-		os.Stdout, _ = os.Open(os.DevNull)
-	}
-	logger = log.New(logOut, "", log.LstdFlags)
-	logger.Println(s)
-}
diff --git a/lib/crypto/pgp/pgp.go b/lib/crypto/pgp/pgp.go
index 4dbe37c..647b091 100644
--- a/lib/crypto/pgp/pgp.go
+++ b/lib/crypto/pgp/pgp.go
@@ -5,12 +5,12 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"io/ioutil"
-	"log"
 	"os"
 	"path"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 	"github.com/ProtonMail/go-crypto/openpgp"
 	"github.com/ProtonMail/go-crypto/openpgp/armor"
@@ -21,9 +21,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 )
 
-type Mail struct {
-	logger *log.Logger
-}
+type Mail struct{}
 
 var (
 	Keyring openpgp.EntityList
@@ -31,9 +29,8 @@ var (
 	locked bool
 )
 
-func (m *Mail) Init(l *log.Logger) error {
-	m.logger = l
-	m.logger.Println("Initializing PGP keyring")
+func (m *Mail) Init() error {
+	logging.Infof("Initializing PGP keyring")
 	os.MkdirAll(path.Join(xdg.DataHome(), "aerc"), 0700)
 
 	lockpath := path.Join(xdg.DataHome(), "aerc", "keyring.lock")
diff --git a/lib/msgstore.go b/lib/msgstore.go
index 240d4b7..52cd739 100644
--- a/lib/msgstore.go
+++ b/lib/msgstore.go
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ func (store *MessageStore) BuildThreads() bool {
 
 func (store *MessageStore) runThreadBuilder() {
 	if store.builder == nil {
-		store.builder = NewThreadBuilder(store.worker.Logger)
+		store.builder = NewThreadBuilder()
 		for _, msg := range store.Messages {
 			store.builder.Update(msg)
 		}
diff --git a/lib/socket.go b/lib/socket.go
index 902a7be..fa36172 100644
--- a/lib/socket.go
+++ b/lib/socket.go
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"bufio"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"log"
 	"net"
 	"net/url"
 	"os"
@@ -18,24 +17,21 @@ import (
 )
 
 type AercServer struct {
-	logger   *log.Logger
 	listener net.Listener
 	OnMailto func(addr *url.URL) error
 	OnMbox   func(source string) error
 }
 
-func StartServer(logger *log.Logger) (*AercServer, error) {
+func StartServer() (*AercServer, error) {
 	sockpath := path.Join(xdg.RuntimeDir(), "aerc.sock")
 	// remove the socket if it already exists
 	os.Remove(sockpath)
+	logging.Infof("Starting Unix server: %s", sockpath)
 	l, err := net.Listen("unix", sockpath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	as := &AercServer{
-		logger:   logger,
-		listener: l,
-	}
+	as := &AercServer{listener: l}
 	// TODO: stash clients and close them on exit... bleh racey
 	go func() {
 		defer logging.PanicHandler()
@@ -45,7 +41,7 @@ func StartServer(logger *log.Logger) (*AercServer, error) {
 			if err != nil {
 				// TODO: Something more useful, in some cases, on wednesdays,
 				// after 2 PM, I guess?
-				as.logger.Printf("Closing Unix server: %v", err)
+				logging.Errorf("Closing Unix server: %v", err)
 				return
 			}
 			go func() {
@@ -66,13 +62,13 @@ var lastId int64 = 0 // access via atomic
 
 func (as *AercServer) handleClient(conn net.Conn) {
 	clientId := atomic.AddInt64(&lastId, 1)
-	as.logger.Printf("Accepted Unix connection %d", clientId)
+	logging.Debugf("unix:%d accepted connection", clientId)
 	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(conn)
 	conn.SetDeadline(time.Now().Add(1 * time.Minute))
 	for scanner.Scan() {
 		conn.SetDeadline(time.Now().Add(1 * time.Minute))
 		msg := scanner.Text()
-		as.logger.Printf("unix:%d: got message %s", clientId, msg)
+		logging.Debugf("unix:%d got message %s", clientId, msg)
 		if !strings.ContainsRune(msg, ':') {
 			conn.Write([]byte("error: invalid command\n"))
 			continue
@@ -105,7 +101,7 @@ func (as *AercServer) handleClient(conn net.Conn) {
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	as.logger.Printf("Closed Unix connection %d", clientId)
+	logging.Debugf("unix:%d closed connection", clientId)
 }
 
 func ConnectAndExec(msg string) error {
diff --git a/lib/threadbuilder.go b/lib/threadbuilder.go
index 334a846..59abd2f 100644
--- a/lib/threadbuilder.go
+++ b/lib/threadbuilder.go
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 package lib
 
 import (
-	"log"
 	"time"
 
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/types"
 	"github.com/gatherstars-com/jwz"
@@ -14,15 +14,13 @@ type ThreadBuilder struct {
 	messageidToUid map[string]uint32
 	seen           map[uint32]bool
 	threadedUids   []uint32
-	logger         *log.Logger
 }
 
-func NewThreadBuilder(logger *log.Logger) *ThreadBuilder {
+func NewThreadBuilder() *ThreadBuilder {
 	tb := &ThreadBuilder{
 		threadBlocks:   make(map[uint32]jwz.Threadable),
 		messageidToUid: make(map[string]uint32),
 		seen:           make(map[uint32]bool),
-		logger:         logger,
 	}
 	return tb
 }
@@ -58,7 +56,7 @@ func (builder *ThreadBuilder) Threads(uids []uint32) []*types.Thread {
 	builder.RebuildUids(threads)
 
 	elapsed := time.Since(start)
-	builder.logger.Println("ThreadBuilder:", len(threads), "threads created in", elapsed)
+	logging.Infof("%d threads created in %s", len(threads), elapsed)
 
 	return threads
 }
@@ -74,7 +72,7 @@ func (builder *ThreadBuilder) generateStructure(uids []uint32) jwz.Threadable {
 	threader := jwz.NewThreader()
 	threadStructure, err := threader.ThreadSlice(jwzThreads)
 	if err != nil {
-		builder.logger.Printf("ThreadBuilder: threading operation return error: %#v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("failed slicing threads: %v", err)
 	}
 	return threadStructure
 }
diff --git a/widgets/account-wizard.go b/widgets/account-wizard.go
index b352af6..ab69139 100644
--- a/widgets/account-wizard.go
+++ b/widgets/account-wizard.go
@@ -534,8 +534,7 @@ func (wizard *AccountWizard) finish(tutorial bool) {
 	}
 	wizard.conf.Accounts = append(wizard.conf.Accounts, account)
 
-	view, err := NewAccountView(wizard.aerc, wizard.conf, &account,
-		wizard.aerc.logger, wizard.aerc, nil)
+	view, err := NewAccountView(wizard.aerc, wizard.conf, &account, wizard.aerc, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		wizard.aerc.NewTab(errorScreen(err.Error(), wizard.conf.Ui),
 			account.Name)
diff --git a/widgets/account.go b/widgets/account.go
index c76b6fc..93a277d 100644
--- a/widgets/account.go
+++ b/widgets/account.go
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package widgets
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"log"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/gdamore/tcell/v2"
@@ -29,7 +28,6 @@ type AccountView struct {
 	labels  []string
 	grid    *ui.Grid
 	host    TabHost
-	logger  *log.Logger
 	msglist *MessageList
 	worker  *types.Worker
 	state   *statusline.State
@@ -45,7 +43,7 @@ func (acct *AccountView) UiConfig() *config.UIConfig {
 }
 
 func NewAccountView(aerc *Aerc, conf *config.AercConfig, acct *config.AccountConfig,
-	logger *log.Logger, host TabHost, deferLoop chan struct{},
+	host TabHost, deferLoop chan struct{},
 ) (*AccountView, error) {
 	acctUiConf := conf.GetUiConfig(map[config.ContextType]string{
 		config.UI_CONTEXT_ACCOUNT: acct.Name,
@@ -56,7 +54,6 @@ func NewAccountView(aerc *Aerc, conf *config.AercConfig, acct *config.AccountCon
 		aerc:   aerc,
 		conf:   conf,
 		host:   host,
-		logger: logger,
 		state:  statusline.NewState(acct.Name, len(conf.Accounts) > 1, conf.Statusline),
 		uiConf: acctUiConf,
 	}
@@ -70,20 +67,20 @@ func NewAccountView(aerc *Aerc, conf *config.AercConfig, acct *config.AccountCon
 		{Strategy: ui.SIZE_WEIGHT, Size: ui.Const(1)},
 	})
 
-	worker, err := worker.NewWorker(acct.Source, logger)
+	worker, err := worker.NewWorker(acct.Source)
 	if err != nil {
 		host.SetError(fmt.Sprintf("%s: %s", acct.Name, err))
-		logger.Printf("%s: %s\n", acct.Name, err)
+		logging.Errorf("%s: %v", acct.Name, err)
 		return view, err
 	}
 	view.worker = worker
 
-	view.dirlist = NewDirectoryList(conf, acct, logger, worker)
+	view.dirlist = NewDirectoryList(conf, acct, worker)
 	if acctUiConf.SidebarWidth > 0 {
 		view.grid.AddChild(ui.NewBordered(view.dirlist, ui.BORDER_RIGHT, acctUiConf))
 	}
 
-	view.msglist = NewMessageList(conf, logger, aerc)
+	view.msglist = NewMessageList(conf, aerc)
 	view.grid.AddChild(view.msglist).At(0, 1)
 
 	go func() {
@@ -134,7 +131,7 @@ func (acct *AccountView) UpdateStatus() {
 }
 
 func (acct *AccountView) PushStatus(status string, expiry time.Duration) {
-	acct.aerc.PushStatus(fmt.Sprintf("%s: %v", acct.acct.Name, status), expiry)
+	acct.aerc.PushStatus(fmt.Sprintf("%s: %s", acct.acct.Name, status), expiry)
 }
 
 func (acct *AccountView) PushError(err error) {
@@ -149,10 +146,6 @@ func (acct *AccountView) Worker() *types.Worker {
 	return acct.worker
 }
 
-func (acct *AccountView) Logger() *log.Logger {
-	return acct.logger
-}
-
 func (acct *AccountView) Name() string {
 	return acct.acct.Name
 }
@@ -243,7 +236,7 @@ func (acct *AccountView) onMessage(msg types.WorkerMessage) {
 		switch msg.InResponseTo().(type) {
 		case *types.Connect, *types.Reconnect:
 			acct.SetStatus(statusline.ConnectionActivity("Listing mailboxes..."))
-			acct.logger.Println("Listing mailboxes...")
+			logging.Debugf("Listing mailboxes...")
 			acct.dirlist.UpdateList(func(dirs []string) {
 				var dir string
 				for _, _dir := range dirs {
@@ -259,14 +252,14 @@ func (acct *AccountView) onMessage(msg types.WorkerMessage) {
 					acct.dirlist.Select(dir)
 				}
 				acct.msglist.SetInitDone()
-				acct.logger.Println("Connected.")
+				logging.Infof("%s connected.", acct.acct.Name)
 				acct.SetStatus(statusline.SetConnected(true))
 				acct.newConn = true
 			})
 		case *types.Disconnect:
 			acct.dirlist.ClearList()
 			acct.msglist.SetStore(nil)
-			acct.logger.Println("Disconnected.")
+			logging.Infof("%s disconnected.", acct.acct.Name)
 			acct.SetStatus(statusline.SetConnected(false))
 		case *types.OpenDirectory:
 			if store, ok := acct.dirlist.SelectedMsgStore(); ok {
@@ -371,13 +364,13 @@ func (acct *AccountView) onMessage(msg types.WorkerMessage) {
 	case *types.LabelList:
 		acct.labels = msg.Labels
 	case *types.ConnError:
-		acct.logger.Printf("connection error: [%s] %v", acct.acct.Name, msg.Error)
+		logging.Errorf("%s connection error: %v", acct.acct.Name, msg.Error)
 		acct.SetStatus(statusline.SetConnected(false))
 		acct.PushError(msg.Error)
 		acct.msglist.SetStore(nil)
 		acct.worker.PostAction(&types.Reconnect{}, nil)
 	case *types.Error:
-		acct.logger.Printf("%v", msg.Error)
+		logging.Errorf("%s unexpected error: %v", acct.acct.Name, msg.Error)
 		acct.PushError(msg.Error)
 	}
 	acct.UpdateStatus()
@@ -401,7 +394,7 @@ func (acct *AccountView) CheckMail() {
 	dirs := acct.dirlist.List()
 	dirs = acct.dirlist.FilterDirs(dirs, acct.AccountConfig().CheckMailInclude, false)
 	dirs = acct.dirlist.FilterDirs(dirs, exclude, true)
-	acct.logger.Printf("Checking for new mail on account %s", acct.Name())
+	logging.Infof("Checking for new mail on account %s", acct.Name())
 	acct.SetStatus(statusline.ConnectionActivity("Checking for new mail..."))
 	msg := &types.CheckMail{
 		Directories: dirs,
diff --git a/widgets/aerc.go b/widgets/aerc.go
index c56c4df..68144aa 100644
--- a/widgets/aerc.go
+++ b/widgets/aerc.go
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
-	"log"
 	"net/url"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
@@ -18,6 +17,7 @@ import (
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/crypto"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/ui"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 )
 
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ type Aerc struct {
 	conf        *config.AercConfig
 	focused     ui.Interactive
 	grid        *ui.Grid
-	logger      *log.Logger
 	simulating  int
 	statusbar   *ui.Stack
 	statusline  *StatusLine
@@ -49,7 +48,7 @@ type Choice struct {
 	Command []string
 }
 
-func NewAerc(conf *config.AercConfig, logger *log.Logger,
+func NewAerc(conf *config.AercConfig,
 	crypto crypto.Provider, cmd func(cmd []string) error,
 	complete func(cmd string) []string, cmdHistory lib.History,
 	deferLoop chan struct{}) *Aerc {
@@ -77,7 +76,6 @@ func NewAerc(conf *config.AercConfig, logger *log.Logger,
 		cmdHistory: cmdHistory,
 		complete:   complete,
 		grid:       grid,
-		logger:     logger,
 		statusbar:  statusbar,
 		statusline: statusline,
 		prompts:    ui.NewStack(conf.Ui),
@@ -89,7 +87,7 @@ func NewAerc(conf *config.AercConfig, logger *log.Logger,
 	conf.Triggers.ExecuteCommand = cmd
 
 	for i, acct := range conf.Accounts {
-		view, err := NewAccountView(aerc, conf, &conf.Accounts[i], logger, aerc, deferLoop)
+		view, err := NewAccountView(aerc, conf, &conf.Accounts[i], aerc, deferLoop)
 		if err != nil {
 			tabs.Add(errorScreen(err.Error(), conf.Ui), acct.Name, nil)
 		} else {
@@ -136,11 +134,11 @@ func (aerc *Aerc) OnBeep(f func() error) {
 
 func (aerc *Aerc) Beep() {
 	if aerc.beep == nil {
-		aerc.logger.Printf("should beep, but no beeper")
+		logging.Warnf("should beep, but no beeper")
 		return
 	}
 	if err := aerc.beep(); err != nil {
-		aerc.logger.Printf("tried to beep, but could not: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("tried to beep, but could not: %v", err)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -311,10 +309,6 @@ func (aerc *Aerc) Config() *config.AercConfig {
 	return aerc.conf
 }
 
-func (aerc *Aerc) Logger() *log.Logger {
-	return aerc.logger
-}
-
 func (aerc *Aerc) SelectedAccount() *AccountView {
 	return aerc.account(aerc.SelectedTabContent())
 }
@@ -616,7 +610,7 @@ func (aerc *Aerc) Mbox(source string) error {
 		acctConf = *selectedAcct.acct
 		info := fmt.Sprintf("Loading outgoing mbox mail settings from account [%s]", selectedAcct.Name())
 		aerc.PushStatus(info, 10*time.Second)
-		aerc.Logger().Println(info)
+		logging.Infof(info)
 	} else {
 		acctConf.From = "<user@localhost>"
 	}
@@ -627,7 +621,7 @@ func (aerc *Aerc) Mbox(source string) error {
 	acctConf.Postpone = "Drafts"
 	acctConf.CopyTo = "Sent"
 
-	mboxView, err := NewAccountView(aerc, aerc.conf, &acctConf, aerc.logger, aerc, nil)
+	mboxView, err := NewAccountView(aerc, aerc.conf, &acctConf, aerc, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		aerc.NewTab(errorScreen(err.Error(), aerc.conf.Ui), acctConf.Name)
 	} else {
@@ -648,8 +642,7 @@ func (aerc *Aerc) CloseBackends() error {
 		err := c.Close()
 		if err != nil {
 			returnErr = err
-			aerc.logger.Printf("Closing backend failed for %v: %v\n",
-				acct.Name(), err)
+			logging.Errorf("Closing backend failed for %s: %v", acct.Name(), err)
 		}
 	}
 	return returnErr
diff --git a/widgets/compose.go b/widgets/compose.go
index 87331bd..a4ed27c 100644
--- a/widgets/compose.go
+++ b/widgets/compose.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import (
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/format"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/templates"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/ui"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/types"
 )
@@ -89,7 +90,7 @@ func NewComposer(aerc *Aerc, acct *AccountView, conf *config.AercConfig,
 	cmpl := completer.New(cmd, func(err error) {
 		aerc.PushError(
 			fmt.Sprintf("could not complete header: %v", err))
-		worker.Logger.Printf("could not complete header: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("could not complete header: %v", err)
 	})
 
 	email, err := ioutil.TempFile("", "aerc-compose-*.eml")
diff --git a/widgets/dirlist.go b/widgets/dirlist.go
index 5c3416c..2047c30 100644
--- a/widgets/dirlist.go
+++ b/widgets/dirlist.go
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package widgets
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
-	"log"
 	"math"
 	"os"
 	"regexp"
@@ -55,7 +54,6 @@ type DirectoryList struct {
 	acctConf         *config.AccountConfig
 	store            *lib.DirStore
 	dirs             []string
-	logger           *log.Logger
 	selecting        string
 	selected         string
 	spinner          *Spinner
@@ -67,7 +65,7 @@ type DirectoryList struct {
 }
 
 func NewDirectoryList(conf *config.AercConfig, acctConf *config.AccountConfig,
-	logger *log.Logger, worker *types.Worker,
+	worker *types.Worker,
 ) DirectoryLister {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 
@@ -76,7 +74,6 @@ func NewDirectoryList(conf *config.AercConfig, acctConf *config.AccountConfig,
 	dirlist := &DirectoryList{
 		aercConf:         conf,
 		acctConf:         acctConf,
-		logger:           logger,
 		store:            lib.NewDirStore(),
 		worker:           worker,
 		skipSelect:       ctx,
@@ -202,7 +199,7 @@ func (dirlist *DirectoryList) Select(name string) {
 				})
 			dirlist.Invalidate()
 		case <-ctx.Done():
-			dirlist.logger.Println("dirlist: skip", name)
+			logging.Debugf("dirlist: skip %s", name)
 			return
 		}
 	}(ctx)
@@ -531,7 +528,7 @@ func (dirlist *DirectoryList) getSortCriteria() []*types.SortCriterion {
 	}
 	criteria, err := libsort.GetSortCriteria(dirlist.UiConfig().Sort)
 	if err != nil {
-		dirlist.logger.Printf("getSortCriteria failed: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("getSortCriteria failed: %v", err)
 		return nil
 	}
 	return criteria
diff --git a/widgets/msglist.go b/widgets/msglist.go
index e9603ca..a190c18 100644
--- a/widgets/msglist.go
+++ b/widgets/msglist.go
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ package widgets
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"log"
 	"math"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -22,7 +21,6 @@ type MessageList struct {
 	ui.Invalidatable
 	Scrollable
 	conf          *config.AercConfig
-	logger        *log.Logger
 	height        int
 	nmsgs         int
 	spinner       *Spinner
@@ -31,10 +29,9 @@ type MessageList struct {
 	aerc          *Aerc
 }
 
-func NewMessageList(conf *config.AercConfig, logger *log.Logger, aerc *Aerc) *MessageList {
+func NewMessageList(conf *config.AercConfig, aerc *Aerc) *MessageList {
 	ml := &MessageList{
 		conf:          conf,
-		logger:        logger,
 		spinner:       NewSpinner(&conf.Ui),
 		isInitalizing: true,
 		aerc:          aerc,
diff --git a/widgets/msgviewer.go b/widgets/msgviewer.go
index 59384d4..eec786c 100644
--- a/widgets/msgviewer.go
+++ b/widgets/msgviewer.go
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ func createSwitcher(acct *AccountView, switcher *PartSwitcher,
 			return err
 		}
 		selectedPriority := -1
-		fmt.Printf("Selecting best message from %v\n", conf.Viewer.Alternatives)
+		logging.Infof("Selecting best message from %v", conf.Viewer.Alternatives)
 		for i, pv := range switcher.parts {
 			pv.OnInvalidate(func(_ ui.Drawable) {
 				switcher.Invalidate()
@@ -312,8 +312,7 @@ func (mv *MessageViewer) ToggleHeaders() {
 	mv.conf.Viewer.ShowHeaders = !mv.conf.Viewer.ShowHeaders
 	err := createSwitcher(mv.acct, switcher, mv.conf, mv.msg)
 	if err != nil {
-		mv.acct.Logger().Printf(
-			"warning: error during create switcher - %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("cannot create switcher: %v", err)
 	}
 	switcher.Invalidate()
 }
diff --git a/worker/imap/cache.go b/worker/imap/cache.go
index ecbedd8..863b071 100644
--- a/worker/imap/cache.go
+++ b/worker/imap/cache.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"path"
 	"time"
 
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/types"
 	"github.com/emersion/go-message"
@@ -33,18 +34,18 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) initCacheDb(acct string) {
 	cd, err := cacheDir()
 	if err != nil {
 		w.cache = nil
-		w.worker.Logger.Panicf("cache: unable to find cache directory: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("unable to find cache directory: %v", err)
 		return
 	}
 	p := path.Join(cd, acct)
 	db, err := leveldb.OpenFile(p, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		w.cache = nil
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("cache: error opening cache db: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("failed opening cache db: %v", err)
 		return
 	}
 	w.cache = db
-	w.worker.Logger.Printf("cache: cache db opened: %s", p)
+	logging.Infof("cache db opened: %s", p)
 	if w.config.cacheMaxAge.Hours() > 0 {
 		go w.cleanCache()
 	}
@@ -53,11 +54,11 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) initCacheDb(acct string) {
 func (w *IMAPWorker) cacheHeader(mi *models.MessageInfo) {
 	uv := fmt.Sprintf("%d", w.selected.UidValidity)
 	uid := fmt.Sprintf("%d", mi.Uid)
-	w.worker.Logger.Printf("cache: caching header for message %s.%s", uv, uid)
+	logging.Debugf("caching header for message %s.%s", uv, uid)
 	hdr := bytes.NewBuffer(nil)
 	err := textproto.WriteHeader(hdr, mi.RFC822Headers.Header.Header)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("cache: error writing header %s.%s: %v", uv, uid, err)
+		logging.Errorf("cannot write header %s.%s: %v", uv, uid, err)
 		return
 	}
 	h := &CachedHeader{
@@ -72,18 +73,18 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) cacheHeader(mi *models.MessageInfo) {
 	enc := gob.NewEncoder(data)
 	err = enc.Encode(h)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("cache: error encoding message %s.%s: %v", uv, uid, err)
+		logging.Errorf("cannot encode message %s.%s: %v", uv, uid, err)
 		return
 	}
 	err = w.cache.Put([]byte("header."+uv+"."+uid), data.Bytes(), nil)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("cache: error writing header to database for message %s.%s: %v", uv, uid, err)
+		logging.Errorf("cannot write header for message %s.%s: %v", uv, uid, err)
 		return
 	}
 }
 
 func (w *IMAPWorker) getCachedHeaders(msg *types.FetchMessageHeaders) []uint32 {
-	w.worker.Logger.Println("Retrieving headers from cache")
+	logging.Debugf("Retrieving headers from cache: %v", msg.Uids)
 	var need, found []uint32
 	uv := fmt.Sprintf("%d", w.selected.UidValidity)
 	for _, uid := range msg.Uids {
@@ -97,14 +98,14 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) getCachedHeaders(msg *types.FetchMessageHeaders) []uint32 {
 		dec := gob.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(data))
 		err = dec.Decode(ch)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("cache: error decoding cached header %s.%s: %v", uv, u, err)
+			logging.Errorf("cannot decode cached header %s.%s: %v", uv, u, err)
 			need = append(need, uid)
 			continue
 		}
 		hr := bytes.NewReader(ch.Header)
 		textprotoHeader, err := textproto.ReadHeader(bufio.NewReader(hr))
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("cache: error reading cached header %s.%s: %v", uv, u, err)
+			logging.Errorf("cannot read cached header %s.%s: %v", uv, u, err)
 			need = append(need, uid)
 			continue
 		}
@@ -118,7 +119,7 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) getCachedHeaders(msg *types.FetchMessageHeaders) []uint32 {
 			RFC822Headers: hdr,
 		}
 		found = append(found, uid)
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("cache: located cached header %s.%s", uv, u)
+		logging.Debugf("located cached header %s.%s", uv, u)
 		w.worker.PostMessage(&types.MessageInfo{
 			Message: types.RespondTo(msg),
 			Info:    mi,
@@ -154,14 +155,14 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) cleanCache() {
 		dec := gob.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(data))
 		err := dec.Decode(ch)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("cache: error cleaning database %d: %v", w.selected.UidValidity, err)
+			logging.Errorf("cannot clean database %d: %v", w.selected.UidValidity, err)
 			continue
 		}
 		exp := ch.Created.Add(w.config.cacheMaxAge)
 		if exp.Before(time.Now()) {
 			err = w.cache.Delete(iter.Key(), nil)
 			if err != nil {
-				w.worker.Logger.Printf("cache: error cleaning database %d: %v", w.selected.UidValidity, err)
+				logging.Errorf("cannot clean database %d: %v", w.selected.UidValidity, err)
 				continue
 			}
 			removed = removed + 1
@@ -170,5 +171,5 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) cleanCache() {
 	}
 	iter.Release()
 	elapsed := time.Since(start)
-	w.worker.Logger.Printf("cache: cleaned cache, removed %d of %d entries in %f seconds", removed, scanned, elapsed.Seconds())
+	logging.Infof("cleaned cache, removed %d of %d entries in %s", removed, scanned, elapsed)
 }
diff --git a/worker/imap/checkmail.go b/worker/imap/checkmail.go
index 57af3af..21f2e4b 100644
--- a/worker/imap/checkmail.go
+++ b/worker/imap/checkmail.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package imap
 
 import (
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/types"
 	"github.com/emersion/go-imap"
@@ -13,7 +14,7 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) handleCheckMailMessage(msg *types.CheckMail) {
 		imap.StatusUnseen,
 	}
 	for _, dir := range msg.Directories {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("Getting status of directory %s", dir)
+		logging.Debugf("Getting status of directory %s", dir)
 		status, err := w.client.Status(dir, items)
 		if err != nil {
 			w.worker.PostMessage(&types.Error{
diff --git a/worker/imap/connect.go b/worker/imap/connect.go
index 2581c6d..5f8cd1c 100644
--- a/worker/imap/connect.go
+++ b/worker/imap/connect.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"github.com/emersion/go-imap"
 	"github.com/emersion/go-imap/client"
 )
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) connect() (*client.Client, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Unknown IMAP scheme %s", w.config.scheme)
 	}
 
-	c.ErrorLog = w.worker.Logger
+	c.ErrorLog = logging.ErrorLogger()
 
 	if w.config.user != nil {
 		username := w.config.user.Username()
@@ -162,14 +163,12 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) setKeepaliveParameters(conn *net.TCPConn) error {
 		// Max number of probes before failure
 		err := lib.SetTcpKeepaliveProbes(fd, w.config.keepalive_probes)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf(
-				"cannot set tcp keepalive probes: %v\n", err)
+			logging.Errorf("cannot set tcp keepalive probes: %v", err)
 		}
 		// Wait time after an unsuccessful probe
 		err = lib.SetTcpKeepaliveInterval(fd, w.config.keepalive_interval)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf(
-				"cannot set tcp keepalive interval: %v\n", err)
+			logging.Errorf("cannot set tcp keepalive interval: %v", err)
 		}
 	})
 	return err
diff --git a/worker/imap/fetch.go b/worker/imap/fetch.go
index cf27e38..6ef0bac 100644
--- a/worker/imap/fetch.go
+++ b/worker/imap/fetch.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleFetchMessageHeaders(
 			nil)
 		return
 	}
-	imapw.worker.Logger.Printf("Fetching message headers")
+	logging.Infof("Fetching message headers: %v", toFetch)
 	section := &imap.BodySectionName{
 		BodyPartName: imap.BodyPartName{
 			Specifier: imap.HeaderSpecifier,
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleFetchMessageHeaders(
 			reader := _msg.GetBody(section)
 			textprotoHeader, err := textproto.ReadHeader(bufio.NewReader(reader))
 			if err != nil {
-				imapw.worker.Logger.Printf(
-					"message %v: could not read header: %v", _msg.Uid, err)
+				logging.Errorf(
+					"message %d: could not read header: %v", _msg.Uid, err)
 				imapw.worker.PostMessage(&types.Error{
 					Message: types.RespondTo(msg),
 					Error:   err,
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleFetchMessageHeaders(
 func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleFetchMessageBodyPart(
 	msg *types.FetchMessageBodyPart) {
 
-	imapw.worker.Logger.Printf("Fetching message part")
+	logging.Infof("Fetching message %d part: %v", msg.Uid, msg.Part)
 
 	var partHeaderSection imap.BodySectionName
 	partHeaderSection.Peek = true
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleFetchMessageBodyPart(
 func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleFetchFullMessages(
 	msg *types.FetchFullMessages) {
 
-	imapw.worker.Logger.Printf("Fetching full messages")
+	logging.Infof("Fetching full messages: %v", msg.Uids)
 	section := &imap.BodySectionName{}
 	items := []imap.FetchItem{
 		imap.FetchEnvelope,
diff --git a/worker/imap/flags.go b/worker/imap/flags.go
index 2bded2a..5b2ac41 100644
--- a/worker/imap/flags.go
+++ b/worker/imap/flags.go
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleDeleteMessages(msg *types.DeleteMessages) {
 
 		for seqNum := range ch {
 			if uid, found := imapw.seqMap.Pop(seqNum); !found {
-				imapw.worker.Logger.Printf("handleDeleteMessages unknown seqnum: %v", seqNum)
+				logging.Errorf("handleDeleteMessages unknown seqnum: %d", seqNum)
 			} else {
 				deleted = append(deleted, uid)
 			}
@@ -73,8 +73,8 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleAnsweredMessages(msg *types.AnsweredMessages) {
 	}, func(_msg types.WorkerMessage) {
 		switch m := _msg.(type) {
 		case *types.Error:
-			err := fmt.Errorf("handleAnsweredMessages: %v", m.Error)
-			imapw.worker.Logger.Printf("could not fetch headers: %s", err)
+			err := fmt.Errorf("handleAnsweredMessages: %w", m.Error)
+			logging.Errorf("could not fetch headers: %v", err)
 			emitErr(err)
 		case *types.Done:
 			imapw.worker.PostMessage(&types.Done{Message: types.RespondTo(msg)}, nil)
@@ -104,8 +104,8 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleFlagMessages(msg *types.FlagMessages) {
 	}, func(_msg types.WorkerMessage) {
 		switch m := _msg.(type) {
 		case *types.Error:
-			err := fmt.Errorf("handleFlagMessages: %v", m.Error)
-			imapw.worker.Logger.Printf("could not fetch headers: %s", err)
+			err := fmt.Errorf("handleFlagMessages: %w", m.Error)
+			logging.Errorf("could not fetch headers: %v", err)
 			emitErr(err)
 		case *types.Done:
 			imapw.worker.PostMessage(&types.Done{Message: types.RespondTo(msg)}, nil)
diff --git a/worker/imap/idler.go b/worker/imap/idler.go
index bac690f..055bab8 100644
--- a/worker/imap/idler.go
+++ b/worker/imap/idler.go
@@ -84,8 +84,7 @@ func (i *idler) Start() {
 					})
 				i.idleing = false
 				i.done <- err
-				i.log("elapsed idle time:",
-					time.Since(now))
+				i.log("elapsed idle time: %v", time.Since(now))
 			}
 		}()
 
@@ -105,7 +104,7 @@ func (i *idler) Stop() error {
 			if err == nil {
 				i.log("<=(idle)")
 			} else {
-				i.log("<=(idle) with err:", err)
+				i.log("<=(idle) with err: %v", err)
 			}
 			reterr = nil
 		case <-time.After(i.config.idle_timeout):
@@ -144,7 +143,7 @@ func (i *idler) waitOnIdle() {
 					Message: types.RespondTo(&types.Connect{}),
 				}, nil)
 			} else {
-				i.log("<=(idle) waited; with err:", err)
+				i.log("<=(idle) waited; with err: %v", err)
 			}
 			i.setWaiting(false)
 			i.stop = make(chan struct{})
@@ -155,7 +154,7 @@ func (i *idler) waitOnIdle() {
 	}()
 }
 
-func (i *idler) log(args ...interface{}) {
-	header := fmt.Sprintf("idler (%p) [idle:%t,wait:%t]", i, i.idleing, i.waiting)
-	i.worker.Logger.Println(append([]interface{}{header}, args...)...)
+func (i *idler) log(format string, v ...interface{}) {
+	msg := fmt.Sprintf(format, v...)
+	logging.Debugf("idler (%p) [idle:%t,wait:%t] %s", i, i.idleing, i.waiting, msg)
 }
diff --git a/worker/imap/list.go b/worker/imap/list.go
index 026aa9a..51f4d3e 100644
--- a/worker/imap/list.go
+++ b/worker/imap/list.go
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import (
 
 func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleListDirectories(msg *types.ListDirectories) {
 	mailboxes := make(chan *imap.MailboxInfo)
-	imapw.worker.Logger.Println("Listing mailboxes")
+	logging.Infof("Listing mailboxes")
 	done := make(chan interface{})
 
 	go func() {
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleSearchDirectory(msg *types.SearchDirectory) {
 		}, nil)
 	}
 
-	imapw.worker.Logger.Println("Executing search")
+	logging.Infof("Executing search")
 	criteria, err := parseSearch(msg.Argv)
 	if err != nil {
 		emitError(err)
diff --git a/worker/imap/observer.go b/worker/imap/observer.go
index e49744c..448128c 100644
--- a/worker/imap/observer.go
+++ b/worker/imap/observer.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/types"
 	"github.com/emersion/go-imap"
 )
@@ -146,7 +147,7 @@ func (o *observer) emit(errMsg string) {
 	}, nil)
 }
 
-func (o *observer) log(args ...interface{}) {
-	header := fmt.Sprintf("observer (%p) [running:%t]", o, o.running)
-	o.worker.Logger.Println(append([]interface{}{header}, args...)...)
+func (o *observer) log(format string, args ...interface{}) {
+	msg := fmt.Sprintf(format, args...)
+	logging.Debugf("observer (%p) [running:%t] %s", o, o.running, msg)
 }
diff --git a/worker/imap/open.go b/worker/imap/open.go
index b52a3c6..636b936 100644
--- a/worker/imap/open.go
+++ b/worker/imap/open.go
@@ -5,11 +5,12 @@ import (
 
 	sortthread "github.com/emersion/go-imap-sortthread"
 
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/types"
 )
 
 func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleOpenDirectory(msg *types.OpenDirectory) {
-	imapw.worker.Logger.Printf("Opening %s", msg.Directory)
+	logging.Infof("Opening %s", msg.Directory)
 
 	sel, err := imapw.client.Select(msg.Directory, false)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -26,7 +27,7 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleOpenDirectory(msg *types.OpenDirectory) {
 func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleFetchDirectoryContents(
 	msg *types.FetchDirectoryContents) {
 
-	imapw.worker.Logger.Printf("Fetching UID list")
+	logging.Infof("Fetching UID list")
 
 	searchCriteria, err := parseSearch(msg.FilterCriteria)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleFetchDirectoryContents(
 	} else {
 		if err != nil {
 			// Non fatal, but we do want to print to get some debug info
-			imapw.worker.Logger.Printf("can't check for SORT support: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("can't check for SORT support: %v", err)
 		}
 		uids, err = imapw.client.UidSearch(searchCriteria)
 	}
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleFetchDirectoryContents(
 			Error:   err,
 		}, nil)
 	} else {
-		imapw.worker.Logger.Printf("Found %d UIDs", len(uids))
+		logging.Infof("Found %d UIDs", len(uids))
 		imapw.seqMap.Clear()
 		imapw.worker.PostMessage(&types.DirectoryContents{
 			Message: types.RespondTo(msg),
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ func translateSortCriterions(
 
 func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleDirectoryThreaded(
 	msg *types.FetchDirectoryThreaded) {
-	imapw.worker.Logger.Printf("Fetching threaded UID list")
+	logging.Infof("Fetching threaded UID list")
 
 	searchCriteria, err := parseSearch(msg.FilterCriteria)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -117,7 +118,7 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleDirectoryThreaded(
 	} else {
 		aercThreads, count := convertThreads(threads, nil)
 		sort.Sort(types.ByUID(aercThreads))
-		imapw.worker.Logger.Printf("Found %d threaded messages", count)
+		logging.Infof("Found %d threaded messages", count)
 		imapw.seqMap.Clear()
 		imapw.worker.PostMessage(&types.DirectoryThreaded{
 			Message: types.RespondTo(msg),
diff --git a/worker/imap/worker.go b/worker/imap/worker.go
index 3ed646d..dee089e 100644
--- a/worker/imap/worker.go
+++ b/worker/imap/worker.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/syndtr/goleveldb/leveldb"
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/handlers"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/types"
@@ -89,12 +90,12 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) newClient(c *client.Client) {
 	sort, err := w.client.sort.SupportSort()
 	if err == nil && sort {
 		w.caps.Sort = true
-		w.worker.Logger.Println("Server Capability found: Sort")
+		logging.Infof("Server Capability found: Sort")
 	}
 	thread, err := w.client.thread.SupportThread()
 	if err == nil && thread {
 		w.caps.Thread = true
-		w.worker.Logger.Println("Server Capability found: Thread")
+		logging.Infof("Server Capability found: Thread")
 	}
 }
 
@@ -223,7 +224,7 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) handleMessage(msg types.WorkerMessage) error {
 }
 
 func (w *IMAPWorker) handleImapUpdate(update client.Update) {
-	w.worker.Logger.Printf("(= %T", update)
+	logging.Debugf("(= %T", update)
 	switch update := update.(type) {
 	case *client.MailboxUpdate:
 		status := update.Mailbox
@@ -246,7 +247,7 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) handleImapUpdate(update client.Update) {
 		msg := update.Message
 		if msg.Uid == 0 {
 			if uid, found := w.seqMap.Get(msg.SeqNum); !found {
-				w.worker.Logger.Printf("MessageUpdate unknown seqnum: %v", msg.SeqNum)
+				logging.Errorf("MessageUpdate unknown seqnum: %d", msg.SeqNum)
 				return
 			} else {
 				msg.Uid = uid
@@ -263,7 +264,7 @@ func (w *IMAPWorker) handleImapUpdate(update client.Update) {
 		}, nil)
 	case *client.ExpungeUpdate:
 		if uid, found := w.seqMap.Pop(update.SeqNum); !found {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("ExpungeUpdate unknown seqnum: %v", update.SeqNum)
+			logging.Errorf("ExpungeUpdate unknown seqnum: %d", update.SeqNum)
 		} else {
 			w.worker.PostMessage(&types.MessagesDeleted{
 				Uids: []uint32{uid},
diff --git a/worker/maildir/container.go b/worker/maildir/container.go
index fb0b190..83f850a 100644
--- a/worker/maildir/container.go
+++ b/worker/maildir/container.go
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ package maildir
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"log"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"sort"
@@ -17,14 +16,13 @@ import (
 // the Maildir spec
 type Container struct {
 	dir        string
-	log        *log.Logger
 	uids       *uidstore.Store
 	recentUIDS map[uint32]struct{} // used to set the recent flag
 	maildirpp  bool                // whether to use Maildir++ directory layout
 }
 
 // NewContainer creates a new container at the specified directory
-func NewContainer(dir string, l *log.Logger, maildirpp bool) (*Container, error) {
+func NewContainer(dir string, maildirpp bool) (*Container, error) {
 	f, err := os.Open(dir)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -37,7 +35,7 @@ func NewContainer(dir string, l *log.Logger, maildirpp bool) (*Container, error)
 	if !s.IsDir() {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Given maildir '%s' not a directory", dir)
 	}
-	return &Container{dir: dir, uids: uidstore.NewStore(), log: l,
+	return &Container{dir: dir, uids: uidstore.NewStore(),
 		recentUIDS: make(map[uint32]struct{}), maildirpp: maildirpp}, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/worker/maildir/search.go b/worker/maildir/search.go
index 7f97fb1..b8e91df 100644
--- a/worker/maildir/search.go
+++ b/worker/maildir/search.go
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"git.sr.ht/~sircmpwn/getopt"
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 )
 
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@ func getParsedFlag(name string) maildir.Flag {
 
 func (w *Worker) search(criteria *searchCriteria) ([]uint32, error) {
 	requiredParts := getRequiredParts(criteria)
-	w.worker.Logger.Printf("Required parts bitmask for search: %b", requiredParts)
+	logging.Infof("Required parts bitmask for search: %b", requiredParts)
 
 	keys, err := w.c.UIDs(*w.selected)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@ func (w *Worker) search(criteria *searchCriteria) ([]uint32, error) {
 		success, err := w.searchKey(key, criteria, requiredParts)
 		if err != nil {
 			// don't return early so that we can still get some results
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("Failed to search key %v: %v", key, err)
+			logging.Errorf("Failed to search key %d: %v", key, err)
 		} else if success {
 			matchedUids = append(matchedUids, key)
 		}
diff --git a/worker/maildir/worker.go b/worker/maildir/worker.go
index 222b672..ec34455 100644
--- a/worker/maildir/worker.go
+++ b/worker/maildir/worker.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/emersion/go-maildir"
 	"github.com/fsnotify/fsnotify"
 
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/handlers"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/lib"
@@ -109,18 +110,18 @@ func (w *Worker) handleFSEvent(ev fsnotify.Event) {
 	}
 	err := w.c.SyncNewMail(*w.selected)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not move new to cur : %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("could not move new to cur : %v", err)
 		return
 	}
 
 	uids, err := w.c.UIDs(*w.selected)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not scan UIDs: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("could not scan UIDs: %v", err)
 		return
 	}
 	sortedUids, err := w.sort(uids, w.currentSortCriteria)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("error sorting directory: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("error sorting directory: %v", err)
 		return
 	}
 	w.worker.PostMessage(&types.DirectoryContents{
@@ -201,18 +202,18 @@ func (w *Worker) getDirectoryInfo(name string) *models.DirectoryInfo {
 		for _, v := range files {
 			key, flags, err := splitMaildirFile(v)
 			if err != nil {
-				w.worker.Logger.Printf("%q: error parsing flags (%q): %v", v, key, err)
+				logging.Errorf("%q: error parsing flags (%q): %v", v, key, err)
 				continue
 			}
 			keyFlags[key] = flags
 		}
 	} else {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("disabled flags cache: %q: %v", dir, err)
+		logging.Infof("disabled flags cache: %q: %v", dir, err)
 	}
 
 	uids, err := w.c.UIDs(dir)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get uids: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("could not get uids: %v", err)
 		return dirInfo
 	}
 
@@ -220,7 +221,7 @@ func (w *Worker) getDirectoryInfo(name string) *models.DirectoryInfo {
 	for _, uid := range uids {
 		message, err := w.c.Message(dir, uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message: %v", err)
 			continue
 		}
 		var flags []maildir.Flag
@@ -228,17 +229,17 @@ func (w *Worker) getDirectoryInfo(name string) *models.DirectoryInfo {
 			ok := false
 			flags, ok = keyFlags[message.key]
 			if !ok {
-				w.worker.Logger.Printf("message (key=%q uid=%d) not found in map cache", message.key, message.uid)
+				logging.Debugf("message (key=%q uid=%d) not found in map cache", message.key, message.uid)
 				flags, err = message.Flags()
 				if err != nil {
-					w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get flags: %v", err)
+					logging.Errorf("could not get flags: %v", err)
 					continue
 				}
 			}
 		} else {
 			flags, err = message.Flags()
 			if err != nil {
-				w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get flags: %v", err)
+				logging.Errorf("could not get flags: %v", err)
 				continue
 			}
 		}
@@ -303,7 +304,7 @@ func (w *Worker) handleMessage(msg types.WorkerMessage) error {
 func (w *Worker) handleConfigure(msg *types.Configure) error {
 	u, err := url.Parse(msg.Config.Source)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("error configuring maildir worker: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("error configuring maildir worker: %v", err)
 		return err
 	}
 	dir := u.Path
@@ -317,13 +318,13 @@ func (w *Worker) handleConfigure(msg *types.Configure) error {
 	if len(dir) == 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("could not resolve maildir from URL '%s'", msg.Config.Source)
 	}
-	c, err := NewContainer(dir, w.worker.Logger, w.maildirpp)
+	c, err := NewContainer(dir, w.maildirpp)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not configure maildir: %s", dir)
+		logging.Errorf("could not configure maildir: %s", dir)
 		return err
 	}
 	w.c = c
-	w.worker.Logger.Printf("configured base maildir: %s", dir)
+	logging.Infof("configured base maildir: %s", dir)
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -340,7 +341,7 @@ func (w *Worker) handleListDirectories(msg *types.ListDirectories) error {
 	}
 	dirs, err := w.c.ListFolders()
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("error listing directories: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("failed listing directories: %v", err)
 		return err
 	}
 	for _, name := range dirs {
@@ -360,7 +361,7 @@ func (w *Worker) handleListDirectories(msg *types.ListDirectories) error {
 }
 
 func (w *Worker) handleOpenDirectory(msg *types.OpenDirectory) error {
-	w.worker.Logger.Printf("opening %s", msg.Directory)
+	logging.Infof("opening %s", msg.Directory)
 
 	// open the directory
 	dir, err := w.c.OpenDirectory(msg.Directory)
@@ -422,13 +423,13 @@ func (w *Worker) handleFetchDirectoryContents(
 	} else {
 		uids, err = w.c.UIDs(*w.selected)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("error scanning uids: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("failed scanning uids: %v", err)
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 	sortedUids, err := w.sort(uids, msg.SortCriteria)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("error sorting directory: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("failed sorting directory: %v", err)
 		return err
 	}
 	w.currentSortCriteria = msg.SortCriteria
@@ -447,14 +448,14 @@ func (w *Worker) sort(uids []uint32, criteria []*types.SortCriterion) ([]uint32,
 	for _, uid := range uids {
 		info, err := w.msgInfoFromUid(uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message info: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message info: %v", err)
 			continue
 		}
 		msgInfos = append(msgInfos, info)
 	}
 	sortedUids, err := lib.Sort(msgInfos, criteria)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not sort the messages: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("could not sort the messages: %v", err)
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return sortedUids, nil
@@ -463,7 +464,7 @@ func (w *Worker) sort(uids []uint32, criteria []*types.SortCriterion) ([]uint32,
 func (w *Worker) handleCreateDirectory(msg *types.CreateDirectory) error {
 	dir := w.c.Dir(msg.Directory)
 	if err := dir.Init(); err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not create directory %s: %v",
+		logging.Errorf("could not create directory %s: %v",
 			msg.Directory, err)
 		return err
 	}
@@ -473,7 +474,7 @@ func (w *Worker) handleCreateDirectory(msg *types.CreateDirectory) error {
 func (w *Worker) handleRemoveDirectory(msg *types.RemoveDirectory) error {
 	dir := w.c.Dir(msg.Directory)
 	if err := os.RemoveAll(string(dir)); err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not remove directory %s: %v",
+		logging.Errorf("could not remove directory %s: %v",
 			msg.Directory, err)
 		return err
 	}
@@ -485,7 +486,7 @@ func (w *Worker) handleFetchMessageHeaders(
 	for _, uid := range msg.Uids {
 		info, err := w.msgInfoFromUid(uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message info: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message info: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
@@ -504,12 +505,12 @@ func (w *Worker) handleFetchMessageBodyPart(
 	// get reader
 	m, err := w.c.Message(*w.selected, msg.Uid)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message %d: %v", msg.Uid, err)
+		logging.Errorf("could not get message %d: %v", msg.Uid, err)
 		return err
 	}
 	r, err := m.NewBodyPartReader(msg.Part)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf(
+		logging.Errorf(
 			"could not get body part reader for message=%d, parts=%#v: %v",
 			msg.Uid, msg.Part, err)
 		return err
@@ -529,12 +530,12 @@ func (w *Worker) handleFetchFullMessages(msg *types.FetchFullMessages) error {
 	for _, uid := range msg.Uids {
 		m, err := w.c.Message(*w.selected, uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message %d: %v", uid, err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message %d: %v", uid, err)
 			return err
 		}
 		r, err := m.NewReader()
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message reader: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message reader: %v", err)
 			return err
 		}
 		defer r.Close()
@@ -565,7 +566,7 @@ func (w *Worker) handleDeleteMessages(msg *types.DeleteMessages) error {
 		}, nil)
 	}
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("error removing some messages: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("failed removing messages: %v", err)
 		return err
 	}
 	return nil
@@ -575,19 +576,18 @@ func (w *Worker) handleAnsweredMessages(msg *types.AnsweredMessages) error {
 	for _, uid := range msg.Uids {
 		m, err := w.c.Message(*w.selected, uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
 		if err := m.MarkReplied(msg.Answered); err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf(
-				"could not mark message as answered: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not mark message as answered: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
 		info, err := m.MessageInfo()
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message info: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message info: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
@@ -608,19 +608,19 @@ func (w *Worker) handleFlagMessages(msg *types.FlagMessages) error {
 	for _, uid := range msg.Uids {
 		m, err := w.c.Message(*w.selected, uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
 		flag := flagToMaildir[msg.Flag]
 		if err := m.SetOneFlag(flag, msg.Enable); err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("could change flag %v to %v on message: %v", flag, msg.Enable, err)
+			logging.Errorf("could change flag %v to %v on message: %v", flag, msg.Enable, err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
 		info, err := m.MessageInfo()
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message info: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message info: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
@@ -657,13 +657,12 @@ func (w *Worker) handleAppendMessage(msg *types.AppendMessage) error {
 	dest := w.c.Dir(msg.Destination)
 	_, writer, err := dest.Create(translateFlags(msg.Flags))
 	if err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not create message at %s: %v",
-			msg.Destination, err)
+		logging.Errorf("could not create message at %s: %v", msg.Destination, err)
 		return err
 	}
 	defer writer.Close()
 	if _, err := io.Copy(writer, msg.Reader); err != nil {
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not write message to destination: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("could not write message to destination: %v", err)
 		return err
 	}
 	w.worker.PostMessage(&types.Done{
@@ -676,12 +675,12 @@ func (w *Worker) handleAppendMessage(msg *types.AppendMessage) error {
 }
 
 func (w *Worker) handleSearchDirectory(msg *types.SearchDirectory) error {
-	w.worker.Logger.Printf("Searching directory %v with args: %v", *w.selected, msg.Argv)
+	logging.Infof("Searching directory %v with args: %v", *w.selected, msg.Argv)
 	criteria, err := parseSearch(msg.Argv)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	w.worker.Logger.Printf("Searching with parsed criteria: %#v", criteria)
+	logging.Infof("Searching with parsed criteria: %#v", criteria)
 	uids, err := w.search(criteria)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
diff --git a/worker/mbox/worker.go b/worker/mbox/worker.go
index c7f105b..4c0a127 100644
--- a/worker/mbox/worker.go
+++ b/worker/mbox/worker.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"sort"
 
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/models"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/handlers"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/lib"
@@ -68,7 +69,7 @@ func (w *mboxWorker) handleMessage(msg types.WorkerMessage) error {
 			reterr = err
 			break
 		} else {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("mbox: configured with mbox file %s", dir)
+			logging.Infof("configured with mbox file %s", dir)
 		}
 
 	case *types.Connect, *types.Reconnect, *types.Disconnect:
@@ -104,19 +105,19 @@ func (w *mboxWorker) handleMessage(msg types.WorkerMessage) error {
 			Info: w.data.DirectoryInfo(msg.Directory),
 		}, nil)
 		w.worker.PostMessage(&types.Done{Message: types.RespondTo(msg)}, nil)
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("mbox: %s opened\n", msg.Directory)
+		logging.Infof("%s opened", msg.Directory)
 
 	case *types.FetchDirectoryContents:
 		var infos []*models.MessageInfo
 		for _, uid := range w.folder.Uids() {
 			m, err := w.folder.Message(uid)
 			if err != nil {
-				w.worker.Logger.Println("mbox: could not get message", err)
+				logging.Errorf("could not get message %v", err)
 				continue
 			}
 			info, err := lib.MessageInfo(m)
 			if err != nil {
-				w.worker.Logger.Println("mbox: could not get message info", err)
+				logging.Errorf("could not get message info %v", err)
 				continue
 			}
 			infos = append(infos, info)
@@ -174,7 +175,7 @@ func (w *mboxWorker) handleMessage(msg types.WorkerMessage) error {
 	case *types.FetchMessageBodyPart:
 		m, err := w.folder.Message(msg.Uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message %d: %v", msg.Uid, err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message %d: %v", msg.Uid, err)
 			reterr = err
 			break
 		}
@@ -193,7 +194,7 @@ func (w *mboxWorker) handleMessage(msg types.WorkerMessage) error {
 
 		r, err := lib.FetchEntityPartReader(fullMsg, msg.Part)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.worker.Logger.Printf(
+			logging.Errorf(
 				"could not get body part reader for message=%d, parts=%#v: %v",
 				msg.Uid, msg.Part, err)
 			reterr = err
@@ -212,18 +213,18 @@ func (w *mboxWorker) handleMessage(msg types.WorkerMessage) error {
 		for _, uid := range msg.Uids {
 			m, err := w.folder.Message(uid)
 			if err != nil {
-				w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message for uid %d: %v", uid, err)
+				logging.Errorf("could not get message for uid %d: %v", uid, err)
 				continue
 			}
 			r, err := m.NewReader()
 			if err != nil {
-				w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message reader: %v", err)
+				logging.Errorf("could not get message reader: %v", err)
 				continue
 			}
 			defer r.Close()
 			b, err := ioutil.ReadAll(r)
 			if err != nil {
-				w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message reader: %v", err)
+				logging.Errorf("could not get message reader: %v", err)
 				continue
 			}
 			w.worker.PostMessage(&types.FullMessage{
@@ -258,16 +259,16 @@ func (w *mboxWorker) handleMessage(msg types.WorkerMessage) error {
 		for _, uid := range msg.Uids {
 			m, err := w.folder.Message(uid)
 			if err != nil {
-				w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message: %v", err)
+				logging.Errorf("could not get message: %v", err)
 				continue
 			}
 			if err := m.(*message).SetFlag(msg.Flag, msg.Enable); err != nil {
-				w.worker.Logger.Printf("could change flag %v to %v on message: %v", msg.Flag, msg.Enable, err)
+				logging.Errorf("could change flag %v to %t on message: %v", msg.Flag, msg.Enable, err)
 				continue
 			}
 			info, err := lib.MessageInfo(m)
 			if err != nil {
-				w.worker.Logger.Printf("could not get message info: %v", err)
+				logging.Errorf("could not get message info: %v", err)
 				continue
 			}
 
@@ -308,12 +309,12 @@ func (w *mboxWorker) handleMessage(msg types.WorkerMessage) error {
 			reterr = err
 			break
 		}
-		w.worker.Logger.Printf("Searching with parsed criteria: %#v", criteria)
+		logging.Infof("Searching with parsed criteria: %#v", criteria)
 		m := make([]lib.RawMessage, 0, len(w.folder.Uids()))
 		for _, uid := range w.folder.Uids() {
 			msg, err := w.folder.Message(uid)
 			if err != nil {
-				w.worker.Logger.Println("faild to get message for uid:", uid)
+				logging.Errorf("failed to get message for uid: %d", uid)
 				continue
 			}
 			m = append(m, msg)
diff --git a/worker/notmuch/eventhandlers.go b/worker/notmuch/eventhandlers.go
index 3daabda..4eec1f6 100644
--- a/worker/notmuch/eventhandlers.go
+++ b/worker/notmuch/eventhandlers.go
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 
 package notmuch
 
+import "git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
+
 func (w *worker) handleNotmuchEvent(et eventType) error {
 	switch ev := et.(type) {
 	case *updateDirCounts:
@@ -16,7 +18,7 @@ func (w *worker) handleUpdateDirCounts(ev eventType) error {
 	for name, query := range w.nameQueryMap {
 		info, err := w.gatherDirectoryInfo(name, query)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf("could not gather DirectoryInfo: %v\n", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not gather DirectoryInfo: %v", err)
 			continue
 		}
 		w.w.PostMessage(info, nil)
diff --git a/worker/notmuch/lib/database.go b/worker/notmuch/lib/database.go
index 670130f..801f122 100644
--- a/worker/notmuch/lib/database.go
+++ b/worker/notmuch/lib/database.go
@@ -5,10 +5,10 @@ package lib
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"log"
 	"time"
 
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/lib/uidstore"
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/worker/types"
 	notmuch "github.com/zenhack/go.notmuch"
 )
@@ -18,18 +18,15 @@ const MAX_DB_AGE time.Duration = 10 * time.Second
 type DB struct {
 	path         string
 	excludedTags []string
-	logger       *log.Logger
 	lastOpenTime time.Time
 	db           *notmuch.DB
 	uidStore     *uidstore.Store
 }
 
-func NewDB(path string, excludedTags []string,
-	logger *log.Logger) *DB {
+func NewDB(path string, excludedTags []string) *DB {
 	db := &DB{
 		path:         path,
 		excludedTags: excludedTags,
-		logger:       logger,
 		uidStore:     uidstore.NewStore(),
 	}
 	return db
@@ -71,11 +68,11 @@ func (db *DB) withConnection(writable bool, cb func(*notmuch.DB) error) error {
 	too_old := time.Now().After(db.lastOpenTime.Add(MAX_DB_AGE))
 	if db.db == nil || writable || too_old {
 		if cerr := db.close(); cerr != nil {
-			db.logger.Printf("failed to close the notmuch db: %v", cerr)
+			logging.Errorf("failed to close the notmuch db: %v", cerr)
 		}
 		err := db.connect(writable)
 		if err != nil {
-			db.logger.Printf("failed to open the notmuch db: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("failed to open the notmuch db: %v", err)
 			return err
 		}
 	}
@@ -83,7 +80,7 @@ func (db *DB) withConnection(writable bool, cb func(*notmuch.DB) error) error {
 	if writable {
 		// we need to close to commit the changes, else we block others
 		if cerr := db.close(); cerr != nil {
-			db.logger.Printf("failed to close the notmuch db: %v", cerr)
+			logging.Errorf("failed to close the notmuch db: %v", cerr)
 		}
 	}
 	return err
@@ -239,7 +236,7 @@ func (db *DB) msgModify(key string,
 		cb(msg)
 		err = msg.TagsToMaildirFlags()
 		if err != nil {
-			db.logger.Printf("could not sync maildir flags: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not sync maildir flags: %v", err)
 		}
 		return nil
 	})
diff --git a/worker/notmuch/worker.go b/worker/notmuch/worker.go
index 27be73d..6941809 100644
--- a/worker/notmuch/worker.go
+++ b/worker/notmuch/worker.go
@@ -65,18 +65,18 @@ func (w *worker) Run() {
 				w.w.PostMessage(&types.Unsupported{
 					Message: types.RespondTo(msg),
 				}, nil)
-				w.w.Logger.Printf("ProcessAction(%T) unsupported: %v", msg, err)
+				logging.Errorf("ProcessAction(%T) unsupported: %v", msg, err)
 			} else if err != nil {
 				w.w.PostMessage(&types.Error{
 					Message: types.RespondTo(msg),
 					Error:   err,
 				}, nil)
-				w.w.Logger.Printf("ProcessAction(%T) failure: %v", msg, err)
+				logging.Errorf("ProcessAction(%T) failure: %v", msg, err)
 			}
 		case nmEvent := <-w.nmEvents:
 			err := w.handleNotmuchEvent(nmEvent)
 			if err != nil {
-				w.w.Logger.Printf("notmuch event failure: %v", err)
+				logging.Errorf("notmuch event failure: %v", err)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ func (w *worker) handleConfigure(msg *types.Configure) error {
 
 	u, err := url.Parse(msg.Config.Source)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.w.Logger.Printf("error configuring notmuch worker: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("error configuring notmuch worker: %v", err)
 		return err
 	}
 	home, err := homedir.Expand(u.Hostname())
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ func (w *worker) handleConfigure(msg *types.Configure) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("could not load query map configuration: %v", err)
 	}
 	excludedTags := w.loadExcludeTags(msg.Config)
-	w.db = notmuch.NewDB(pathToDB, excludedTags, w.w.Logger)
+	w.db = notmuch.NewDB(pathToDB, excludedTags)
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ func (w *worker) queryFromName(name string) string {
 }
 
 func (w *worker) handleOpenDirectory(msg *types.OpenDirectory) error {
-	w.w.Logger.Printf("opening %s", msg.Directory)
+	logging.Infof("opening %s", msg.Directory)
 	// try the friendly name first, if that fails assume it's a query
 	w.query = w.queryFromName(msg.Directory)
 	w.currentQueryName = msg.Directory
@@ -301,13 +301,13 @@ func (w *worker) handleFetchMessageHeaders(
 	for _, uid := range msg.Uids {
 		m, err := w.msgFromUid(uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf("could not get message: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
 		err = w.emitMessageInfo(m, msg)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf(err.Error())
+			logging.Errorf("could not emit message info: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
@@ -348,12 +348,12 @@ func (w *worker) handleFetchMessageBodyPart(
 
 	m, err := w.msgFromUid(msg.Uid)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.w.Logger.Printf("could not get message %d: %v", msg.Uid, err)
+		logging.Errorf("could not get message %d: %v", msg.Uid, err)
 		return err
 	}
 	r, err := m.NewBodyPartReader(msg.Part)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.w.Logger.Printf(
+		logging.Errorf(
 			"could not get body part reader for message=%d, parts=%#v: %v",
 			msg.Uid, msg.Part, err)
 		return err
@@ -374,12 +374,12 @@ func (w *worker) handleFetchFullMessages(msg *types.FetchFullMessages) error {
 	for _, uid := range msg.Uids {
 		m, err := w.msgFromUid(uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf("could not get message %d: %v", uid, err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message %d: %v", uid, err)
 			return err
 		}
 		r, err := m.NewReader()
 		if err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf("could not get message reader: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message reader: %v", err)
 			return err
 		}
 		defer r.Close()
@@ -403,24 +403,24 @@ func (w *worker) handleAnsweredMessages(msg *types.AnsweredMessages) error {
 	for _, uid := range msg.Uids {
 		m, err := w.msgFromUid(uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf("could not get message: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
 		if err := m.MarkAnswered(msg.Answered); err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf("could not mark message as answered: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not mark message as answered: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
 		err = w.emitMessageInfo(m, msg)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf(err.Error())
+			logging.Errorf("could not emit message info: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
 	}
 	if err := w.emitDirectoryInfo(w.currentQueryName); err != nil {
-		w.w.Logger.Printf(err.Error())
+		logging.Errorf("could not emit directory info: %v", err)
 	}
 	w.done(msg)
 	return nil
@@ -430,24 +430,24 @@ func (w *worker) handleFlagMessages(msg *types.FlagMessages) error {
 	for _, uid := range msg.Uids {
 		m, err := w.msgFromUid(uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf("could not get message: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
 		if err := m.SetFlag(msg.Flag, msg.Enable); err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf("could not set flag %v as %v for message: %v", msg.Flag, msg.Enable, err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not set flag %v as %t for message: %v", msg.Flag, msg.Enable, err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
 		err = w.emitMessageInfo(m, msg)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf(err.Error())
+			logging.Errorf("could not emit message info: %v", err)
 			w.err(msg, err)
 			continue
 		}
 	}
 	if err := w.emitDirectoryInfo(w.currentQueryName); err != nil {
-		w.w.Logger.Printf(err.Error())
+		logging.Errorf("could not emit directory info: %v", err)
 	}
 	w.done(msg)
 	return nil
@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ func (w *worker) handleModifyLabels(msg *types.ModifyLabels) error {
 	for _, uid := range msg.Uids {
 		m, err := w.msgFromUid(uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("could not get message from uid %v: %v", uid, err)
+			return fmt.Errorf("could not get message from uid %d: %v", uid, err)
 		}
 		err = m.ModifyTags(msg.Add, msg.Remove)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ func (w *worker) handleModifyLabels(msg *types.ModifyLabels) error {
 	// and update the list of possible tags
 	w.emitLabelList()
 	if err = w.emitDirectoryInfo(w.currentQueryName); err != nil {
-		w.w.Logger.Printf(err.Error())
+		logging.Errorf("could not emit directory info: %v", err)
 	}
 	w.done(msg)
 	return nil
@@ -563,7 +563,7 @@ func (w *worker) emitDirectoryContents(parent types.WorkerMessage) error {
 	}
 	sortedUids, err := w.sort(uids, w.currentSortCriteria)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.w.Logger.Printf("error sorting directory: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("error sorting directory: %v", err)
 		return err
 	}
 	w.w.PostMessage(&types.DirectoryContents{
@@ -607,7 +607,7 @@ func (w *worker) emitMessageInfo(m *Message,
 func (w *worker) emitLabelList() {
 	tags, err := w.db.ListTags()
 	if err != nil {
-		w.w.Logger.Printf("could not load tags: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("could not load tags: %v", err)
 		return
 	}
 	w.w.PostMessage(&types.LabelList{Labels: tags}, nil)
@@ -622,19 +622,19 @@ func (w *worker) sort(uids []uint32,
 	for _, uid := range uids {
 		m, err := w.msgFromUid(uid)
 		if err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf("could not get message: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message: %v", err)
 			continue
 		}
 		info, err := m.MessageInfo()
 		if err != nil {
-			w.w.Logger.Printf("could not get message info: %v", err)
+			logging.Errorf("could not get message info: %v", err)
 			continue
 		}
 		msgInfos = append(msgInfos, info)
 	}
 	sortedUids, err := lib.Sort(msgInfos, criteria)
 	if err != nil {
-		w.w.Logger.Printf("could not sort the messages: %v", err)
+		logging.Errorf("could not sort the messages: %v", err)
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return sortedUids, nil
diff --git a/worker/types/worker.go b/worker/types/worker.go
index 85c19f1..8f179df 100644
--- a/worker/types/worker.go
+++ b/worker/types/worker.go
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 package types
 
 import (
-	"log"
 	"sync/atomic"
+
+	"git.sr.ht/~rjarry/aerc/logging"
 )
 
 var lastId int64 = 1 // access via atomic
@@ -15,17 +16,15 @@ type Worker struct {
 	Backend  Backend
 	Actions  chan WorkerMessage
 	Messages chan WorkerMessage
-	Logger   *log.Logger
 
 	actionCallbacks  map[int64]func(msg WorkerMessage)
 	messageCallbacks map[int64]func(msg WorkerMessage)
 }
 
-func NewWorker(logger *log.Logger) *Worker {
+func NewWorker() *Worker {
 	return &Worker{
 		Actions:          make(chan WorkerMessage, 50),
 		Messages:         make(chan WorkerMessage, 50),
-		Logger:           logger,
 		actionCallbacks:  make(map[int64]func(msg WorkerMessage)),
 		messageCallbacks: make(map[int64]func(msg WorkerMessage)),
 	}
@@ -36,15 +35,14 @@ func (worker *Worker) setId(msg WorkerMessage) {
 	msg.setId(id)
 }
 
-func (worker *Worker) PostAction(msg WorkerMessage,
-	cb func(msg WorkerMessage)) {
+func (worker *Worker) PostAction(msg WorkerMessage, cb func(msg WorkerMessage)) {
 
 	worker.setId(msg)
 
 	if resp := msg.InResponseTo(); resp != nil {
-		worker.Logger.Printf("(ui)=> %T:%T\n", msg, resp)
+		logging.Debugf("PostAction %T:%T", msg, resp)
 	} else {
-		worker.Logger.Printf("(ui)=> %T\n", msg)
+		logging.Debugf("PostAction %T", msg)
 	}
 	worker.Actions <- msg
 
@@ -59,9 +57,9 @@ func (worker *Worker) PostMessage(msg WorkerMessage,
 	worker.setId(msg)
 
 	if resp := msg.InResponseTo(); resp != nil {
-		worker.Logger.Printf("->(ui) %T:%T\n", msg, resp)
+		logging.Debugf("PostMessage %T:%T", msg, resp)
 	} else {
-		worker.Logger.Printf("->(ui) %T\n", msg)
+		logging.Debugf("PostMessage %T", msg)
 	}
 	worker.Messages <- msg
 
@@ -72,10 +70,9 @@ func (worker *Worker) PostMessage(msg WorkerMessage,
 
 func (worker *Worker) ProcessMessage(msg WorkerMessage) WorkerMessage {
 	if resp := msg.InResponseTo(); resp != nil {
-		worker.Logger.Printf("(ui)<= %T(%d):%T(%d)\n",
-			msg, msg.getId(), resp, resp.getId())
+		logging.Debugf("ProcessMessage %T(%d):%T(%d)", msg, msg.getId(), resp, resp.getId())
 	} else {
-		worker.Logger.Printf("(ui)<= %T(%d)\n", msg, msg.getId())
+		logging.Debugf("ProcessMessage %T(%d)", msg, msg.getId())
 	}
 	if inResponseTo := msg.InResponseTo(); inResponseTo != nil {
 		if f, ok := worker.actionCallbacks[inResponseTo.getId()]; ok {
@@ -90,10 +87,9 @@ func (worker *Worker) ProcessMessage(msg WorkerMessage) WorkerMessage {
 
 func (worker *Worker) ProcessAction(msg WorkerMessage) WorkerMessage {
 	if resp := msg.InResponseTo(); resp != nil {
-		worker.Logger.Printf("<-(ui) %T(%d):%T(%d)\n",
-			msg, msg.getId(), resp, resp.getId())
+		logging.Debugf("ProcessAction %T(%d):%T(%d)", msg, msg.getId(), resp, resp.getId())
 	} else {
-		worker.Logger.Printf("<-(ui) %T(%d)\n", msg, msg.getId())
+		logging.Debugf("ProcessAction %T(%d)", msg, msg.getId())
 	}
 	if inResponseTo := msg.InResponseTo(); inResponseTo != nil {
 		if f, ok := worker.messageCallbacks[inResponseTo.getId()]; ok {
diff --git a/worker/worker.go b/worker/worker.go
index f65f0e3..2af892c 100644
--- a/worker/worker.go
+++ b/worker/worker.go
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 package worker
 
 import (
-	"fmt"
-	"log"
 	"net/url"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -11,16 +9,15 @@ import (
 )
 
 // Guesses the appropriate worker type based on the given source string
-func NewWorker(source string, logger *log.Logger) (*types.Worker, error) {
+func NewWorker(source string) (*types.Worker, error) {
 	u, err := url.Parse(source)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	worker := types.NewWorker(logger)
+	worker := types.NewWorker()
 	scheme := u.Scheme
 	if strings.ContainsRune(scheme, '+') {
 		scheme = scheme[:strings.IndexRune(scheme, '+')]
-		fmt.Println(scheme)
 	}
 	backend, err := handlers.GetHandlerForScheme(scheme, worker)
 	if err != nil {