diff --git a/src/app/command/bootstrap.go b/src/app/command/bootstrap.go
index 57f1e95..9c459d6 100644
--- a/src/app/command/bootstrap.go
+++ b/src/app/command/bootstrap.go
@@ -91,7 +91,6 @@ type Bootstrap struct {
 
 type ConfigureOptionsInfo struct {
 	Detector LocaleDetector
-	Program  proxy.Executor
 	Config   ConfigInfo
 }
 
@@ -105,9 +104,6 @@ func (b *Bootstrap) Root(options ...ConfigureOptionFn) *cobra.Command {
 
 	b.OptionsInfo = ConfigureOptionsInfo{
 		Detector: &Jabber{},
-		Program: &ProgramExecutor{ // 💥 TEMPORARILY OVERRIDDEN WITH DUMMY
-			Name: "magick",
-		},
 		Config: ConfigInfo{
 			Name:       ApplicationName,
 			ConfigType: "yaml",
@@ -123,26 +119,12 @@ func (b *Bootstrap) Root(options ...ConfigureOptionFn) *cobra.Command {
 		},
 	}
 
-	if _, err := b.OptionsInfo.Program.Look(); err != nil {
-		b.OptionsInfo.Program = &DummyExecutor{
-			Name: b.OptionsInfo.Program.ProgName(),
-		}
-	}
-
 	for _, fo := range options {
 		fo(&b.OptionsInfo)
 	}
 
 	b.configure()
 
-	// JUST TEMPORARY: make the executor the dummy for safety
-	//
-	b.OptionsInfo.Program = &DummyExecutor{
-		Name: "magick",
-	}
-
-	fmt.Printf("===> 💥💥💥 USING DUMMY EXECUTOR !!!!\n")
-
 	b.Container = assistant.NewCobraContainer(
 		&cobra.Command{
 			Use:     "main",
@@ -175,7 +157,11 @@ func (b *Bootstrap) Root(options ...ConfigureOptionFn) *cobra.Command {
 
 				// ---> execute root core
 				//
-				return proxy.EnterRoot(inputs, b.OptionsInfo.Program, b.OptionsInfo.Config.Viper)
+
+				return proxy.EnterRoot(
+					inputs,
+					b.OptionsInfo.Config.Viper,
+				)
 			},
 		},
 	)
diff --git a/src/app/command/bootstrap_test.go b/src/app/command/bootstrap_test.go
index 3a93f63..7e111b4 100644
--- a/src/app/command/bootstrap_test.go
+++ b/src/app/command/bootstrap_test.go
@@ -93,9 +93,6 @@ var _ = Describe("Bootstrap", Ordered, func() {
 			}
 			rootCmd := bootstrap.Root(func(co *command.ConfigureOptionsInfo) {
 				co.Detector = &DetectorStub{}
-				co.Program = &ExecutorStub{
-					Name: "magick",
-				}
 				co.Config.Name = helpers.PixaConfigTestFilename
 				co.Config.ConfigPath = configPath
 				co.Config.Viper = &configuration.GlobalViperConfig{}
diff --git a/src/app/command/magick-cmd_test.go b/src/app/command/magick-cmd_test.go
index 3a545f0..1d126bf 100644
--- a/src/app/command/magick-cmd_test.go
+++ b/src/app/command/magick-cmd_test.go
@@ -70,9 +70,6 @@ var _ = Describe("MagickCmd", Ordered, func() {
 				Args: []string{"mag"},
 				Root: bootstrap.Root(func(co *command.ConfigureOptionsInfo) {
 					co.Detector = &DetectorStub{}
-					co.Program = &helpers.ExecutorStub{
-						Name: helpers.ProgName,
-					}
 					co.Config.Name = helpers.PixaConfigTestFilename
 					co.Config.ConfigPath = configPath
 					co.Config.Viper = &configuration.GlobalViperConfig{}
diff --git a/src/app/command/root-cmd_test.go b/src/app/command/root-cmd_test.go
index d0b3edc..44bad8f 100644
--- a/src/app/command/root-cmd_test.go
+++ b/src/app/command/root-cmd_test.go
@@ -43,9 +43,6 @@ var _ = Describe("RootCmd", Ordered, func() {
 		tester = helpers.CommandTester{
 			Root: bootstrap.Root(func(co *command.ConfigureOptionsInfo) {
 				co.Detector = &DetectorStub{}
-				co.Program = &ExecutorStub{
-					Name: "magick",
-				}
 				co.Config.Name = helpers.PixaConfigTestFilename
 				co.Config.ConfigPath = configPath
 			}),
diff --git a/src/app/command/shrink-cmd.go b/src/app/command/shrink-cmd.go
index 0d46230..1bfbb07 100644
--- a/src/app/command/shrink-cmd.go
+++ b/src/app/command/shrink-cmd.go
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@ var shrinkShortFlags = cobrass.KnownByCollection{
 	"files":      "F", // family: filter
 	"files-gb":   "G", // family: filter
 	"files-rx":   "X", // family: filter
-	"folders":    "F", // family: filter
 	"folders-gb": "Z", // family: filter
 	"folders-rx": "Y", // family: filter
 	"profile":    "P", // family: profile
@@ -136,7 +135,6 @@ func (b *Bootstrap) buildShrinkCommand(container *assistant.CobraContainer) *cob
 					appErr = proxy.EnterShrink(
 						&proxy.ShrinkParams{
 							Inputs:      inputs,
-							Program:     b.OptionsInfo.Program,
 							Config:      b.OptionsInfo.Config.Viper,
 							ProfilesCFG: b.ProfilesCFG,
 							SchemesCFG:  b.SchemesCFG,
diff --git a/src/app/command/shrink-cmd_test.go b/src/app/command/shrink-cmd_test.go
index cd5b71e..b3d6303 100644
--- a/src/app/command/shrink-cmd_test.go
+++ b/src/app/command/shrink-cmd_test.go
@@ -89,9 +89,6 @@ func expectValidShrinkCmdInvocation(vfs storage.VirtualFS, entry *shrinkTE, root
 		Args: append(args, entry.args...),
 		Root: bootstrap.Root(func(co *command.ConfigureOptionsInfo) {
 			co.Detector = &DetectorStub{}
-			co.Program = &ExecutorStub{
-				Name: helpers.ProgName,
-			}
 			co.Config.Name = helpers.PixaConfigTestFilename
 			co.Config.ConfigPath = entry.configPath
 
diff --git a/src/app/mocks/mocks-config.go b/src/app/mocks/mocks-config.go
index d175312..7ec53a5 100644
--- a/src/app/mocks/mocks-config.go
+++ b/src/app/mocks/mocks-config.go
@@ -375,6 +375,72 @@ func (mr *MockExtensionsConfigMockRecorder) Transforms() *gomock.Call {
 	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "Transforms", reflect.TypeOf((*MockExtensionsConfig)(nil).Transforms))
 }
 
+// MockExecutableConfig is a mock of ExecutableConfig interface.
+type MockExecutableConfig struct {
+	ctrl     *gomock.Controller
+	recorder *MockExecutableConfigMockRecorder
+}
+
+// MockExecutableConfigMockRecorder is the mock recorder for MockExecutableConfig.
+type MockExecutableConfigMockRecorder struct {
+	mock *MockExecutableConfig
+}
+
+// NewMockExecutableConfig creates a new mock instance.
+func NewMockExecutableConfig(ctrl *gomock.Controller) *MockExecutableConfig {
+	mock := &MockExecutableConfig{ctrl: ctrl}
+	mock.recorder = &MockExecutableConfigMockRecorder{mock}
+	return mock
+}
+
+// EXPECT returns an object that allows the caller to indicate expected use.
+func (m *MockExecutableConfig) EXPECT() *MockExecutableConfigMockRecorder {
+	return m.recorder
+}
+
+// NoRetries mocks base method.
+func (m *MockExecutableConfig) NoRetries() uint {
+	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
+	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "NoRetries")
+	ret0, _ := ret[0].(uint)
+	return ret0
+}
+
+// NoRetries indicates an expected call of NoRetries.
+func (mr *MockExecutableConfigMockRecorder) NoRetries() *gomock.Call {
+	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
+	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "NoRetries", reflect.TypeOf((*MockExecutableConfig)(nil).NoRetries))
+}
+
+// ProgramTimeout mocks base method.
+func (m *MockExecutableConfig) ProgramTimeout() (time.Duration, error) {
+	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
+	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "ProgramTimeout")
+	ret0, _ := ret[0].(time.Duration)
+	ret1, _ := ret[1].(error)
+	return ret0, ret1
+}
+
+// ProgramTimeout indicates an expected call of ProgramTimeout.
+func (mr *MockExecutableConfigMockRecorder) ProgramTimeout() *gomock.Call {
+	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
+	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "ProgramTimeout", reflect.TypeOf((*MockExecutableConfig)(nil).ProgramTimeout))
+}
+
+// Symbol mocks base method.
+func (m *MockExecutableConfig) Symbol() string {
+	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
+	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "Symbol")
+	ret0, _ := ret[0].(string)
+	return ret0
+}
+
+// Symbol indicates an expected call of Symbol.
+func (mr *MockExecutableConfigMockRecorder) Symbol() *gomock.Call {
+	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
+	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "Symbol", reflect.TypeOf((*MockExecutableConfig)(nil).Symbol))
+}
+
 // MockAdvancedConfig is a mock of AdvancedConfig interface.
 type MockAdvancedConfig struct {
 	ctrl     *gomock.Controller
@@ -426,6 +492,20 @@ func (mr *MockAdvancedConfigMockRecorder) AdhocLabel() *gomock.Call {
 	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "AdhocLabel", reflect.TypeOf((*MockAdvancedConfig)(nil).AdhocLabel))
 }
 
+// Executable mocks base method.
+func (m *MockAdvancedConfig) Executable() cfg.ExecutableConfig {
+	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
+	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "Executable")
+	ret0, _ := ret[0].(cfg.ExecutableConfig)
+	return ret0
+}
+
+// Executable indicates an expected call of Executable.
+func (mr *MockAdvancedConfigMockRecorder) Executable() *gomock.Call {
+	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
+	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "Executable", reflect.TypeOf((*MockAdvancedConfig)(nil).Executable))
+}
+
 // Extensions mocks base method.
 func (m *MockAdvancedConfig) Extensions() cfg.ExtensionsConfig {
 	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
@@ -468,35 +548,6 @@ func (mr *MockAdvancedConfigMockRecorder) LegacyLabel() *gomock.Call {
 	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "LegacyLabel", reflect.TypeOf((*MockAdvancedConfig)(nil).LegacyLabel))
 }
 
-// NoRetries mocks base method.
-func (m *MockAdvancedConfig) NoRetries() uint {
-	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "NoRetries")
-	ret0, _ := ret[0].(uint)
-	return ret0
-}
-
-// NoRetries indicates an expected call of NoRetries.
-func (mr *MockAdvancedConfigMockRecorder) NoRetries() *gomock.Call {
-	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "NoRetries", reflect.TypeOf((*MockAdvancedConfig)(nil).NoRetries))
-}
-
-// ProgramTimeout mocks base method.
-func (m *MockAdvancedConfig) ProgramTimeout() (time.Duration, error) {
-	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "ProgramTimeout")
-	ret0, _ := ret[0].(time.Duration)
-	ret1, _ := ret[1].(error)
-	return ret0, ret1
-}
-
-// ProgramTimeout indicates an expected call of ProgramTimeout.
-func (mr *MockAdvancedConfigMockRecorder) ProgramTimeout() *gomock.Call {
-	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "ProgramTimeout", reflect.TypeOf((*MockAdvancedConfig)(nil).ProgramTimeout))
-}
-
 // TrashLabel mocks base method.
 func (m *MockAdvancedConfig) TrashLabel() string {
 	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
diff --git a/src/app/proxy/config_test.go b/src/app/proxy/config_test.go
index ec8fa41..9738036 100644
--- a/src/app/proxy/config_test.go
+++ b/src/app/proxy/config_test.go
@@ -55,9 +55,6 @@ func expectValidShrinkCmdInvocation(vfs storage.VirtualFS, entry *configTE,
 		Args: append(options, entry.args...),
 		Root: bootstrap.Root(func(co *command.ConfigureOptionsInfo) {
 			co.Detector = &helpers.DetectorStub{}
-			co.Program = &helpers.ExecutorStub{
-				Name: helpers.ProgName,
-			}
 			co.Config.Name = helpers.PixaConfigTestFilename
 			co.Config.ConfigPath = configPath
 			co.Config.Viper = &configuration.GlobalViperConfig{}
diff --git a/src/app/proxy/execution-step.go b/src/app/proxy/controller-step.go
similarity index 65%
rename from src/app/proxy/execution-step.go
rename to src/app/proxy/controller-step.go
index ba034d6..17b0238 100644
--- a/src/app/proxy/execution-step.go
+++ b/src/app/proxy/controller-step.go
@@ -20,11 +20,11 @@ type (
 	Sequence []Step
 )
 
-// executionStep knows how to combine parameters together so that the program
-// can be invoked correctly; but it does not know how to compose the input
-// and output file names; this is the responsibility of the controller, which uses
+// controllerStep uses the agent to combine parameters together so that the program
+// can be invoked correctly; but it does not know how to compose the input and
+// output file names; this is the responsibility of the controller, which uses
 // the path-finder to accomplish that task.
-type executionStep struct {
+type controllerStep struct {
 	shared       *SharedControllerInfo
 	thirdPartyCL clif.ThirdPartyCommandLine
 	profile      string
@@ -34,17 +34,16 @@ type executionStep struct {
 }
 
 // Run
-func (s *executionStep) Run(pi *pathInfo) error {
+func (s *controllerStep) Run(pi *pathInfo) error {
 	folder, file := s.shared.finder.Result(pi)
-	result := filepath.Join(folder, file)
-	input := []string{pi.runStep.Source}
+	destination := filepath.Join(folder, file)
 
 	// if transparent, then we need to ask the fm to move the
 	// existing file out of the way. But shouldn't that already have happened
 	// during setup? See, which mean setup in not working properly in
 	// this scenario.
 
-	return s.shared.program.Execute(
-		clif.Expand(input, s.thirdPartyCL, result)...,
+	return s.shared.agent.Invoke(
+		s.thirdPartyCL, pi.runStep.Source, destination,
 	)
 }
diff --git a/src/app/proxy/controller.go b/src/app/proxy/controller.go
index 6ed5159..068d6e4 100644
--- a/src/app/proxy/controller.go
+++ b/src/app/proxy/controller.go
@@ -49,10 +49,10 @@ func (c *controller) profileSequence(
 	pi *pathInfo,
 ) Sequence {
 	changed := c.shared.Inputs.ParamSet.Native.ThirdPartySet.LongChangedCL
-	cl := c.composeProfileCL(pi.profile, changed)
-	step := &executionStep{
+	combined := c.composeProfileCL(pi.profile, changed)
+	step := &controllerStep{
 		shared:       c.shared,
-		thirdPartyCL: cl,
+		thirdPartyCL: combined,
 		sourcePath:   pi.item.Path,
 		profile:      pi.profile,
 		outputPath:   c.shared.Inputs.ParamSet.Native.OutputPath,
@@ -69,10 +69,10 @@ func (c *controller) schemeSequence(
 	sequence := make(Sequence, 0, len(schemeCfg.Profiles()))
 
 	for _, current := range schemeCfg.Profiles() {
-		cl := c.composeProfileCL(current, changed)
-		step := &executionStep{
+		combined := c.composeProfileCL(current, changed)
+		step := &controllerStep{
 			shared:       c.shared,
-			thirdPartyCL: cl,
+			thirdPartyCL: combined,
 			sourcePath:   pi.item.Path,
 			profile:      current,
 			outputPath:   c.shared.Inputs.ParamSet.Native.OutputPath,
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func (c *controller) adhocSequence(
 	pi *pathInfo,
 ) Sequence {
 	changed := c.shared.Inputs.ParamSet.Native.ThirdPartySet.LongChangedCL
-	step := &executionStep{
+	step := &controllerStep{
 		shared:       c.shared,
 		thirdPartyCL: changed,
 		sourcePath:   pi.item.Path,
diff --git a/src/app/proxy/controller_test.go b/src/app/proxy/controller_test.go
index 2d802c6..365f923 100644
--- a/src/app/proxy/controller_test.go
+++ b/src/app/proxy/controller_test.go
@@ -129,9 +129,6 @@ var _ = Describe("SamplerController", Ordered, func() {
 				Args: args,
 				Root: bootstrap.Root(func(co *command.ConfigureOptionsInfo) {
 					co.Detector = &helpers.DetectorStub{}
-					co.Program = &helpers.ExecutorStub{
-						Name: helpers.ProgName,
-					}
 					co.Config.Name = helpers.PixaConfigTestFilename
 					co.Config.ConfigPath = configPath
 					co.Config.Viper = &configuration.GlobalViperConfig{}
@@ -613,9 +610,6 @@ var _ = Describe("end to end", Ordered, func() {
 				Args: args,
 				Root: bootstrap.Root(func(co *command.ConfigureOptionsInfo) {
 					co.Detector = &helpers.DetectorStub{}
-					co.Program = &helpers.ExecutorStub{
-						Name: helpers.ProgName,
-					}
 					co.Config.Name = "pixa"
 					co.Config.ConfigPath = configPath
 				}),
diff --git a/src/app/proxy/enter-root.go b/src/app/proxy/enter-root.go
index 501d840..8da8779 100644
--- a/src/app/proxy/enter-root.go
+++ b/src/app/proxy/enter-root.go
@@ -14,12 +14,6 @@ type configProfile struct {
 	args []string
 }
 
-type Executor interface {
-	ProgName() string
-	Look() (string, error)
-	Execute(args ...string) error
-}
-
 const (
 	DefaultJobsChSize = 10
 )
@@ -50,7 +44,7 @@ func (e *RootEntry) principalFn(item *nav.TraverseItem) error {
 		item.Path,
 	)
 
-	return e.Program.Execute("--version")
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (e *RootEntry) ConfigureOptions(o *nav.TraverseOptions) {
@@ -112,16 +106,14 @@ func composeWith(inputs *RootCommandInputs) nav.CreateNewRunnerWith {
 
 func EnterRoot(
 	inputs *RootCommandInputs,
-	program Executor,
 	config configuration.ViperConfig,
 ) error {
 	fmt.Printf("---> 📁📁📁 Directory: '%v'\n", inputs.ParamSet.Native.Directory)
 
 	entry := &RootEntry{
 		EntryBase: EntryBase{
-			Inputs:  inputs,
-			Program: program,
-			Config:  config,
+			Inputs: inputs,
+			Config: config,
 		},
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/app/proxy/enter-shrink.go b/src/app/proxy/enter-shrink.go
index 4df2541..79068df 100644
--- a/src/app/proxy/enter-shrink.go
+++ b/src/app/proxy/enter-shrink.go
@@ -156,7 +156,6 @@ func (e *ShrinkEntry) run(_ configuration.ViperConfig) error {
 
 type ShrinkParams struct {
 	Inputs      *ShrinkCommandInputs
-	Program     Executor
 	Config      configuration.ViperConfig
 	ProfilesCFG cfg.ProfilesConfig
 	SchemesCFG  cfg.SchemesConfig
@@ -169,6 +168,10 @@ type ShrinkParams struct {
 func EnterShrink(
 	params *ShrinkParams,
 ) error {
+	agent := newAgent(
+		params.AdvancedCFG,
+		params.Inputs.ParamSet.Native.KnownBy,
+	)
 	finder := newPathFinder(params.Inputs, params.AdvancedCFG, params.SchemesCFG)
 	fileManager := &FileManager{
 		vfs:    params.Vfs,
@@ -177,7 +180,7 @@ func EnterShrink(
 	entry := &ShrinkEntry{
 		EntryBase: EntryBase{
 			Inputs:      params.Inputs.Root,
-			Program:     params.Program,
+			Agent:       agent,
 			Config:      params.Config,
 			ProfilesCFG: params.ProfilesCFG,
 			SchemesCFG:  params.SchemesCFG,
@@ -191,7 +194,7 @@ func EnterShrink(
 				config: params.AdvancedCFG,
 			},
 			Registry: NewControllerRegistry(&SharedControllerInfo{
-				program:     params.Program,
+				agent:       agent,
 				profiles:    params.ProfilesCFG,
 				schemes:     params.SchemesCFG,
 				sampler:     params.SamplerCFG,
diff --git a/src/app/proxy/entry-base.go b/src/app/proxy/entry-base.go
index a06d1a3..03f59d7 100644
--- a/src/app/proxy/entry-base.go
+++ b/src/app/proxy/entry-base.go
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ type EntryBase struct {
 	// with the rest going into cobrass.clif
 	//
 	Inputs      *RootCommandInputs
-	Program     Executor
+	Agent       ExecutionAgent
 	Config      configuration.ViperConfig
 	Options     *nav.TraverseOptions
 	Registry    *ControllerRegistry
@@ -146,7 +146,6 @@ func (e *EntryBase) ConfigureOptions(o *nav.TraverseOptions) {
 	//
 	if e.Registry == nil {
 		e.Registry = NewControllerRegistry(&SharedControllerInfo{
-			program:  e.Program,
 			profiles: e.ProfilesCFG,
 			sampler:  e.SamplerCFG,
 		})
diff --git a/src/app/proxy/execution-agent-magick.go b/src/app/proxy/execution-agent-magick.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..51abd84
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/proxy/execution-agent-magick.go
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+package proxy
+
+import "github.com/snivilised/cobrass/src/clif"
+
+type magickAgent struct {
+	baseAgent
+}
+
+func (a *magickAgent) IsInstalled() bool {
+	_, err := a.program.Look()
+
+	return err == nil
+}
+
+func (a *magickAgent) Invoke(thirdPartyCL clif.ThirdPartyCommandLine, source, destination string) error {
+	before := []string{source}
+
+	return a.program.Execute(
+		clif.Expand(before, thirdPartyCL, destination)...,
+	)
+}
diff --git a/src/app/proxy/execution-agent.go b/src/app/proxy/execution-agent.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..687cbd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/proxy/execution-agent.go
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+package proxy
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	"github.com/snivilised/cobrass/src/clif"
+	"github.com/snivilised/pixa/src/cfg"
+)
+
+type baseAgent struct {
+	knownBy clif.KnownByCollection
+	program Executor
+}
+
+func newAgent(
+	advanced cfg.AdvancedConfig,
+	knownBy clif.KnownByCollection,
+) ExecutionAgent {
+	var (
+		agent ExecutionAgent
+		// dummy uses the same agent as magick
+		//
+		dummy = &magickAgent{
+			baseAgent{
+				knownBy: knownBy,
+				program: &DummyExecutor{
+					Name: advanced.Executable().Symbol(),
+				},
+			},
+		}
+	)
+
+	switch advanced.Executable().Symbol() {
+	case "magick":
+		agent = &magickAgent{
+			baseAgent{
+				knownBy: knownBy,
+				program: &ProgramExecutor{
+					Name: advanced.Executable().Symbol(),
+				},
+			},
+		}
+
+		if !agent.IsInstalled() {
+			fmt.Printf("===> 💥💥💥 REVERTING TO DUMMY EXECUTOR !!!!\n")
+
+			agent = dummy
+		}
+
+	case "dummy":
+		fmt.Printf("===> 🚫 USING DUMMY EXECUTOR !!!!\n")
+
+		agent = dummy
+	}
+
+	return agent
+}
diff --git a/src/app/command/executor.go b/src/app/proxy/executor.go
similarity index 93%
rename from src/app/command/executor.go
rename to src/app/proxy/executor.go
index 4c59994..b61689b 100644
--- a/src/app/command/executor.go
+++ b/src/app/proxy/executor.go
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-// #nosec G204
-package command
+package proxy
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
@@ -25,6 +24,7 @@ func (e *ProgramExecutor) Execute(args ...string) error {
 		strings.Join(args, " "),
 	)
 
+	// #nosec G204 // prog(e.Name) is pre-vetted
 	cmd := exec.Command(e.Name, args...)
 	err := cmd.Start()
 
diff --git a/src/app/proxy/image-defs.go b/src/app/proxy/image-defs.go
index daaf6e7..be46fd8 100644
--- a/src/app/proxy/image-defs.go
+++ b/src/app/proxy/image-defs.go
@@ -137,3 +137,23 @@ type ShrinkCommandInputs struct {
 	ParamSet *assistant.ParamSet[ShrinkParameterSet]
 	PolyFam  *assistant.ParamSet[store.PolyFilterParameterSet]
 }
+
+type ExecutionAgent interface {
+	// IsInstalled determines whether the underlying program is installed
+	IsInstalled() bool
+
+	// Invoke returns the command line args required for the executor to
+	// run correctly. Only the source and destination are required because
+	// they are the dynamic args that change for each invocation. All the
+	// other flags that come directly from the command line/config possibly
+	// via a profile are static, which means the concrete agent will already
+	// have those and merely has to formulate the complete command line in
+	// the correct order required by the third party program.
+	Invoke(thirdPartyCL clif.ThirdPartyCommandLine, source, destination string) error
+}
+
+type Executor interface {
+	ProgName() string
+	Look() (string, error)
+	Execute(args ...string) error
+}
diff --git a/src/app/proxy/proxy-defs.go b/src/app/proxy/proxy-defs.go
index f82bc0a..a142462 100644
--- a/src/app/proxy/proxy-defs.go
+++ b/src/app/proxy/proxy-defs.go
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 type SharedControllerInfo struct {
-	program     Executor
+	agent       ExecutionAgent
 	profiles    cfg.ProfilesConfig
 	schemes     cfg.SchemesConfig
 	sampler     cfg.SamplerConfig
diff --git a/src/cfg/config-defaults.go b/src/cfg/config-defaults.go
index 3f92c71..0ae92a5 100644
--- a/src/cfg/config-defaults.go
+++ b/src/cfg/config-defaults.go
@@ -86,9 +86,7 @@ func init() {
 	}
 
 	DefaultAdvancedConfig = &MsAdvancedConfig{
-		Abort:            false,
-		Timeout:          "10s",
-		NoProgramRetries: defaultNoProgramRetries,
+		Abort: false,
 		LabelsCFG: MsLabelsConfig{
 			Adhoc:   "ADHOC",
 			Journal: "journal",
@@ -99,6 +97,11 @@ func init() {
 			FileSuffixes:  "jpg,jpeg,png",
 			TransformsCSV: "lower",
 		},
+		ExecutableCFG: MsExecutableConfig{
+			ProgramName:      "magick",
+			Timeout:          "10s",
+			NoProgramRetries: defaultNoProgramRetries,
+		},
 	}
 
 	userHomeDir, err := os.UserHomeDir()
diff --git a/src/cfg/config-readers.go b/src/cfg/config-readers.go
index b23d151..cbada7a 100644
--- a/src/cfg/config-readers.go
+++ b/src/cfg/config-readers.go
@@ -89,6 +89,11 @@ var (
 		"xcf", "xpm", "xwd",
 		"yuv",
 	}
+
+	permittedPrograms = []string{
+		"dummy",
+		"magick",
+	}
 )
 
 type MsAdvancedConfigReader struct{}
@@ -113,6 +118,18 @@ func (r *MsAdvancedConfigReader) validateSuffixes(suffixes []string, from string
 	return err
 }
 
+func (r *MsAdvancedConfigReader) validateProgramName(name string) error {
+	var (
+		err error
+	)
+
+	if !slices.Contains(permittedPrograms, name) {
+		err = fmt.Errorf("invalid program name found: '%v'", name)
+	}
+
+	return err
+}
+
 func (r *MsAdvancedConfigReader) Read(viper configuration.ViperConfig) (AdvancedConfig, error) {
 	var (
 		advancedCFG MsAdvancedConfig
@@ -139,6 +156,10 @@ func (r *MsAdvancedConfigReader) Read(viper configuration.ViperConfig) (Advanced
 		err = r.validateSuffixes(suffixes, "extensions.suffixes")
 	}
 
+	if err == nil {
+		err = r.validateProgramName(advancedCFG.ExecutableCFG.ProgramName)
+	}
+
 	return &advancedCFG, err
 }
 
diff --git a/src/cfg/config.go b/src/cfg/config.go
index f926b5d..6e5a910 100644
--- a/src/cfg/config.go
+++ b/src/cfg/config.go
@@ -46,15 +46,20 @@ type (
 		Map() map[string]string
 	}
 
-	AdvancedConfig interface {
-		AbortOnError() bool
+	ExecutableConfig interface {
+		Symbol() string
 		ProgramTimeout() (duration time.Duration, err error)
 		NoRetries() uint
+	}
+
+	AdvancedConfig interface {
+		AbortOnError() bool
 		AdhocLabel() string
 		JournalLabel() string
 		LegacyLabel() string
 		TrashLabel() string
 		Extensions() ExtensionsConfig
+		Executable() ExecutableConfig
 	}
 
 	AdvancedConfigReader interface {
diff --git a/src/cfg/ms-config.go b/src/cfg/ms-config.go
index 7f34c56..4ff9728 100644
--- a/src/cfg/ms-config.go
+++ b/src/cfg/ms-config.go
@@ -101,26 +101,35 @@ func (c *MsExtensionsConfig) Map() map[string]string {
 	return c.Remap
 }
 
-type MsAdvancedConfig struct {
-	Abort            bool               `mapstructure:"abort-on-error"`
-	Timeout          string             `mapstructure:"program-timeout"`
-	NoProgramRetries uint               `mapstructure:"no-program-retries"`
-	LabelsCFG        MsLabelsConfig     `mapstructure:"labels"`
-	ExtensionsCFG    MsExtensionsConfig `mapstructure:"extensions"`
+type MsExecutableConfig struct {
+	ProgramName      string `mapstructure:"program-name"`
+	Timeout          string `mapstructure:"timeout"`
+	NoProgramRetries uint   `mapstructure:"no-retries"`
 }
 
-func (c *MsAdvancedConfig) AbortOnError() bool {
-	return c.Abort
+func (c *MsExecutableConfig) Symbol() string {
+	return c.ProgramName
 }
 
-func (c *MsAdvancedConfig) ProgramTimeout() (duration time.Duration, err error) {
+func (c *MsExecutableConfig) ProgramTimeout() (duration time.Duration, err error) {
 	return time.ParseDuration(c.Timeout)
 }
 
-func (c *MsAdvancedConfig) NoRetries() uint {
+func (c *MsExecutableConfig) NoRetries() uint {
 	return c.NoProgramRetries
 }
 
+type MsAdvancedConfig struct {
+	Abort         bool               `mapstructure:"abort-on-error"`
+	LabelsCFG     MsLabelsConfig     `mapstructure:"labels"`
+	ExtensionsCFG MsExtensionsConfig `mapstructure:"extensions"`
+	ExecutableCFG MsExecutableConfig `mapstructure:"executable"`
+}
+
+func (c *MsAdvancedConfig) AbortOnError() bool {
+	return c.Abort
+}
+
 func (c *MsAdvancedConfig) AdhocLabel() string {
 	return c.LabelsCFG.Adhoc
 }
@@ -141,6 +150,10 @@ func (c *MsAdvancedConfig) Extensions() ExtensionsConfig {
 	return &c.ExtensionsCFG
 }
 
+func (c *MsAdvancedConfig) Executable() ExecutableConfig {
+	return &c.ExecutableCFG
+}
+
 type MsLoggingConfig struct {
 	LogPath    string `mapstructure:"log-path"`
 	MaxSize    uint   `mapstructure:"max-size-in-mb"`
diff --git a/src/internal/helpers/mock-config-data.go b/src/internal/helpers/mock-config-data.go
index 52d4157..64f90eb 100644
--- a/src/internal/helpers/mock-config-data.go
+++ b/src/internal/helpers/mock-config-data.go
@@ -5,9 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/snivilised/pixa/src/cfg"
 )
 
-// need to re-think this mock data as this is currently sub-optimal
-// because of the unintended duplication of functionality
-
 const (
 	noSampleFiles   = 2
 	noSampleFolders = 1
@@ -113,12 +110,10 @@ func init() {
 	}
 
 	AdvancedConfigData = &cfg.MsAdvancedConfig{
-		Abort:            false,
-		Timeout:          "10s",
-		NoProgramRetries: noRetries,
+		Abort: false,
 		LabelsCFG: cfg.MsLabelsConfig{
 			Adhoc:   "ADHOC",
-			Journal: ".$journal.txt",
+			Journal: "journal",
 			Legacy:  ".LEGACY",
 			Trash:   "TRASH",
 		},
@@ -129,6 +124,11 @@ func init() {
 				"jpeg": "jpg",
 			},
 		},
+		ExecutableCFG: cfg.MsExecutableConfig{
+			ProgramName:      "dummy",
+			Timeout:          "10s",
+			NoProgramRetries: noRetries,
+		},
 	}
 
 	LoggingConfigData = &cfg.MsLoggingConfig{
diff --git a/test/data/configuration/pixa-test.yml b/test/data/configuration/pixa-test.yml
index 76fe639..edf0f43 100644
--- a/test/data/configuration/pixa-test.yml
+++ b/test/data/configuration/pixa-test.yml
@@ -26,8 +26,6 @@ sampler:
   folders: 1
 advanced:
   abort-on-error: false
-  program-timeout: "20s"
-  no-program-retries: 0
   labels:
     adhoc: ADHOC
     legacy: .LEGACY
@@ -38,6 +36,10 @@ advanced:
     transforms-csv: lower
     map:
       jpeg: jpg
+  executable:
+    program-name: dummy
+    timeout: "20s"
+    no-retries: 0
 logging:
   log-path: "~/snivilised/pixa/pixa.log"
   max-size-in-mb: 10