diff --git a/ansible_mitogen/connection.py b/ansible_mitogen/connection.py
index 65664b31..b1724186 100644
--- a/ansible_mitogen/connection.py
+++ b/ansible_mitogen/connection.py
@@ -137,11 +137,12 @@ class Connection(ansible.plugins.connection.ConnectionBase):
     def connected(self):
         return self.broker is not None
 
-    def _wrap_connect(self, args):
+    def _wrap_connect(self, kwargs):
         dct = mitogen.service.call(
             context=self.parent,
             handle=ContextService.handle,
-            obj=mitogen.utils.cast(args),
+            method='connect',
+            kwargs=mitogen.utils.cast(kwargs),
         )
 
         if dct['msg']:
@@ -155,7 +156,7 @@ class Connection(ansible.plugins.connection.ConnectionBase):
         master process.
         """
         return self._wrap_connect({
-            'method': 'local',
+            'method_name': 'local',
             'python_path': self.python_path,
         })
 
@@ -165,7 +166,7 @@ class Connection(ansible.plugins.connection.ConnectionBase):
         ContextService in the master process.
         """
         return self._wrap_connect({
-            'method': 'ssh',
+            'method_name': 'ssh',
             'check_host_keys': False,  # TODO
             'hostname': self._play_context.remote_addr,
             'discriminator': self.mitogen_ssh_discriminator,
@@ -189,7 +190,7 @@ class Connection(ansible.plugins.connection.ConnectionBase):
 
     def _connect_docker(self):
         return self._wrap_connect({
-            'method': 'docker',
+            'method_name': 'docker',
             'container': self._play_context.remote_addr,
             'python_path': self.python_path,
             'connect_timeout': self._play_context.timeout,
@@ -205,7 +206,7 @@ class Connection(ansible.plugins.connection.ConnectionBase):
             be a Context returned by _connect_ssh().
         """
         return self._wrap_connect({
-            'method': 'sudo',
+            'method_name': 'sudo',
             'username': self._play_context.become_user,
             'password': self._play_context.become_pass,
             'python_path': python_path or self.python_path,
diff --git a/ansible_mitogen/planner.py b/ansible_mitogen/planner.py
index cd477fb0..282c41eb 100644
--- a/ansible_mitogen/planner.py
+++ b/ansible_mitogen/planner.py
@@ -35,8 +35,10 @@ files/modules known missing.
 """
 
 from __future__ import absolute_import
+import json
 import logging
 import os
+import random
 
 from ansible.executor import module_common
 import ansible.errors
@@ -115,6 +117,8 @@ class Invocation(object):
         self.env = env
         #: Boolean, if :py:data:`True`, launch the module asynchronously.
         self.wrap_async = wrap_async
+        #: String Job ID.
+        self.job_id = self._make_job_id()
 
         #: Initially ``None``, but set by :func:`invoke`. The path on the
         #: master to the module's implementation file.
@@ -123,6 +127,9 @@ class Invocation(object):
         #: binary contents of the module.
         self.module_source = None
 
+    def _make_job_id(self):
+        return '%016x' % random.randint(0, 2**64)
+
     def __repr__(self):
         return 'Invocation(module_name=%s)' % (self.module_name,)
 
@@ -140,7 +147,10 @@ class Planner(object):
         """
         raise NotImplementedError()
 
-    def plan(self, invocation):
+    def get_should_fork(self, invocation):
+        return invocation.wrap_async
+
+    def plan(self, invocation, **kwargs):
         """
         If :meth:`detect` returned :data:`True`, plan for the module's
         execution, including granting access to or delivering any files to it
@@ -155,7 +165,10 @@ class Planner(object):
                 # named by `runner_name`.
             }
         """
-        raise NotImplementedError()
+        kwargs.setdefault('job_id', invocation.job_id)
+        kwargs.setdefault('service_context', invocation.connection.parent)
+        kwargs.setdefault('should_fork', self.get_should_fork(invocation))
+        return kwargs
 
 
 class BinaryPlanner(Planner):
@@ -168,22 +181,26 @@ class BinaryPlanner(Planner):
     def detect(self, invocation):
         return module_common._is_binary(invocation.module_source)
 
-    def plan(self, invocation):
+    def plan(self, invocation, **kwargs):
         invocation.connection._connect()
         mitogen.service.call(
-            invocation.connection.parent,
-            ansible_mitogen.services.FileService.handle,
-            ('register', invocation.module_path)
+            context=invocation.connection.parent,
+            handle=ansible_mitogen.services.FileService.handle,
+            method='register',
+            kwargs={
+                'path': invocation.module_path
+            }
+        )
+        return super(BinaryPlanner, self).plan(
+            invocation=invocation,
+            runner_name=self.runner_name,
+            module=invocation.module_name,
+            path=invocation.module_path,
+            args=invocation.module_args,
+            env=invocation.env,
+            remote_tmp=invocation.remote_tmp,
+            **kwargs
         )
-        return {
-            'runner_name': self.runner_name,
-            'module': invocation.module_name,
-            'service_context': invocation.connection.parent,
-            'path': invocation.module_path,
-            'args': invocation.module_args,
-            'env': invocation.env,
-            'remote_tmp': invocation.remote_tmp,
-        }
 
 
 class ScriptPlanner(BinaryPlanner):
@@ -199,20 +216,21 @@ class ScriptPlanner(BinaryPlanner):
         except KeyError:
             return interpreter
 
-    def plan(self, invocation):
-        kwargs = super(ScriptPlanner, self).plan(invocation)
+    def plan(self, invocation, **kwargs):
         interpreter, arg = parse_script_interpreter(invocation.module_source)
         if interpreter is None:
             raise ansible.errors.AnsibleError(NO_INTERPRETER_MSG % (
                 invocation.module_name,
             ))
 
-        return dict(kwargs,
+        return super(ScriptPlanner, self).plan(
+            invocation=invocation,
             interpreter_arg=arg,
             interpreter=self._rewrite_interpreter(
                 interpreter=interpreter,
                 invocation=invocation
-            )
+            ),
+            **kwargs
         )
 
 
@@ -283,6 +301,12 @@ class NewStylePlanner(ScriptPlanner):
     """
     runner_name = 'NewStyleRunner'
 
+    def get_should_fork(self, invocation):
+        return (
+            super(NewStylePlanner, self).get_should_fork(invocation) or
+            (invocation.task_vars.get('mitogen_task_isolation') == 'fork')
+        )
+
     def detect(self, invocation):
         return 'from ansible.module_utils.' in invocation.module_source
 
@@ -319,10 +343,7 @@ def get_module_data(name):
     return path, source
 
 
-def invoke(invocation):
-    """
-    Find a suitable Planner that knows how to run `invocation`.
-    """
+def _do_invoke(invocation):
     (invocation.module_path,
      invocation.module_source) = get_module_data(invocation.module_name)
 
@@ -333,17 +354,50 @@ def invoke(invocation):
     else:
         raise ansible.errors.AnsibleError(NO_METHOD_MSG + repr(invocation))
 
-    kwargs = planner.plan(invocation)
-    if invocation.wrap_async:
-        helper = ansible_mitogen.target.run_module_async
-    else:
-        helper = ansible_mitogen.target.run_module
-
     try:
-        js = invocation.connection.call(helper, kwargs)
+        kwargs = planner.plan(invocation)
+        invocation.connection.call(ansible_mitogen.target.run_module, kwargs)
     except mitogen.core.CallError as e:
         LOG.exception('invocation crashed: %r', invocation)
         summary = str(e).splitlines()[0]
         raise ansible.errors.AnsibleInternalError(CRASHED_MSG + summary)
 
+
+def _invoke_async(invocation):
+    _do_invoke(invocation)
+    return {
+        'stdout': json.dumps({
+            # modules/utilities/logic/async_wrapper.py::_run_module().
+            'changed': True,
+            'started': 1,
+            'finished': 0,
+            'ansible_job_id': invocation.job_id,
+        })
+    }
+
+
+def _invoke_sync(invocation):
+    recv = mitogen.core.Receiver(invocation.connection.router)
+    mitogen.service.call_async(
+        context=invocation.connection.parent,
+        handle=ansible_mitogen.services.JobResultService.handle,
+        method='listen',
+        kwargs={
+            'job_id': invocation.job_id,
+            'sender': recv.to_sender(),
+        }
+    )
+    _do_invoke(invocation)
+    return recv.get().unpickle()
+
+
+def invoke(invocation):
+    """
+    Find a suitable Planner that knows how to run `invocation`.
+    """
+    if invocation.wrap_async:
+        js = _invoke_async(invocation)
+    else:
+        js = _invoke_sync(invocation)
+
     return invocation.action._postprocess_response(js)
diff --git a/ansible_mitogen/plugins/actions/mitogen_async_status.py b/ansible_mitogen/plugins/actions/mitogen_async_status.py
index d57a393a..611718b2 100644
--- a/ansible_mitogen/plugins/actions/mitogen_async_status.py
+++ b/ansible_mitogen/plugins/actions/mitogen_async_status.py
@@ -28,38 +28,51 @@
 
 import ansible.plugins.action
 import mitogen.core
+import mitogen.utils
+import ansible_mitogen.services
 import ansible_mitogen.target
-from mitogen.utils import cast
 
 
 class ActionModule(ansible.plugins.action.ActionBase):
-    def run(self, tmp=None, task_vars=None):
-        job_id = self._task.args['jid']
-        try:
-            result = self._connection.call(
-                ansible_mitogen.target.get_async_result,
-                cast(job_id),
-            )
-        except mitogen.core.CallError, e:
-            return {
-                'ansible_job_id': job_id,
-                'started': 1,
-                'failed': 1,
-                'finished': 1,
-                'msg': str(e),
+    def _get_async_result(self, job_id):
+        self._connection._connect()
+        return mitogen.service.call(
+            context=self._connection.parent,
+            handle=ansible_mitogen.services.JobResultService.handle,
+            method='get',
+            kwargs={
+                'job_id': job_id,
             }
+        )
 
-        if result is None:
-            return {
-                'ansible_job_id': job_id,
-                'started': 1,
-                'failed': 0,
-                'finished': 0,
-                'msg': '',
-            }
+    def _on_result_pending(self, job_id):
+        return {
+            '_ansible_parsed': True,
+            'ansible_job_id': job_id,
+            'started': 1,
+            'failed': 0,
+            'finished': 0,
+            'msg': '',
+        }
 
-        dct = self._parse_returned_data({'stdout': result})
+    def _on_result_available(self, job_id, result):
+        dct = self._parse_returned_data(result)
         dct['ansible_job_id'] = job_id
         dct['started'] = 1
         dct['finished'] = 1
+
+        # Cutpasted from the action.py.
+        if 'stdout' in dct and 'stdout_lines' not in dct:
+            dct['stdout_lines'] = (dct['stdout'] or u'').splitlines()
+        if 'stderr' in dct and 'stderr_lines' not in dct:
+            dct['stderr_lines'] = (dct['stderr'] or u'').splitlines()
         return dct
+
+    def run(self, tmp=None, task_vars=None):
+        job_id = mitogen.utils.cast(self._task.args['jid'])
+
+        result = self._get_async_result(job_id)
+        if result is None:
+            return self._on_result_pending(job_id)
+        else:
+            return self._on_result_available(job_id, result)
diff --git a/ansible_mitogen/process.py b/ansible_mitogen/process.py
index 8febea90..0cb0b987 100644
--- a/ansible_mitogen/process.py
+++ b/ansible_mitogen/process.py
@@ -155,6 +155,7 @@ class MuxProcess(object):
             services=[
                 ansible_mitogen.services.ContextService(self.router),
                 ansible_mitogen.services.FileService(self.router),
+                ansible_mitogen.services.JobResultService(self.router),
             ],
             size=int(os.environ.get('MITOGEN_POOL_SIZE', '16')),
         )
diff --git a/ansible_mitogen/runner.py b/ansible_mitogen/runner.py
index 43a33489..430d0a87 100644
--- a/ansible_mitogen/runner.py
+++ b/ansible_mitogen/runner.py
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ import sys
 import tempfile
 import types
 
+import mitogen.service
 import ansible_mitogen.target  # TODO: circular import
 
 try:
@@ -82,14 +83,17 @@ class Runner(object):
 
     Subclasses may override `_run`()` and extend `setup()` and `revert()`.
     """
-    def __init__(self, module, remote_tmp, raw_params=None, args=None, env=None):
+    def __init__(self, module, job_id, remote_tmp, service_context,
+                 raw_params=None, args=None, env=None):
         if args is None:
             args = {}
         if raw_params is not None:
             args['_raw_params'] = raw_params
 
         self.module = module
+        self.job_id = job_id
         self.remote_tmp = os.path.expanduser(remote_tmp)
+        self.service_context = service_context
         self.raw_params = raw_params
         self.args = args
         self.env = env
@@ -131,6 +135,17 @@ class Runner(object):
         """
         raise NotImplementedError()
 
+    def _send_result(self, dct):
+        mitogen.service.call(
+            context=self.service_context,
+            handle=502,
+            method='push',
+            kwargs={
+                'job_id': self.job_id,
+                'result': dct
+            }
+        )
+
     def run(self):
         """
         Set up the process environment in preparation for running an Ansible
@@ -143,7 +158,7 @@ class Runner(object):
         """
         self.setup()
         try:
-            return self._run()
+            self._send_result(self._run())
         finally:
             self.revert()
 
@@ -193,10 +208,9 @@ class NewStyleStdio(object):
 
 
 class ProgramRunner(Runner):
-    def __init__(self, path, service_context, **kwargs):
+    def __init__(self, path, **kwargs):
         super(ProgramRunner, self).__init__(**kwargs)
         self.path = path
-        self.service_context = service_context
 
     def setup(self):
         super(ProgramRunner, self).setup()
diff --git a/ansible_mitogen/services.py b/ansible_mitogen/services.py
index 18782f20..b5715d4e 100644
--- a/ansible_mitogen/services.py
+++ b/ansible_mitogen/services.py
@@ -29,15 +29,21 @@
 from __future__ import absolute_import
 import logging
 import os.path
+import threading
 import zlib
 
 import mitogen
 import mitogen.service
+import ansible_mitogen.target
 
 
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+class Error(Exception):
+    pass
+
+
 class ContextService(mitogen.service.DeduplicatingService):
     """
     Used by worker processes connecting back into the top-level process to
@@ -74,15 +80,17 @@ class ContextService(mitogen.service.DeduplicatingService):
     """
     handle = 500
     max_message_size = 1000
-    required_args = {
-        'method': str
-    }
 
-    def get_response(self, args):
-        args.pop('discriminator', None)
-        method = getattr(self.router, args.pop('method'))
+    @mitogen.service.expose(mitogen.service.AllowParents())
+    @mitogen.service.arg_spec({
+        'method_name': str
+    })
+    def connect(self, method_name, discriminator=None, **kwargs):
+        method = getattr(self.router, method_name, None)
+        if method is None:
+            raise Error('no such Router method: %s' % (method_name,))
         try:
-            context = method(**args)
+            context = method(**kwargs)
         except mitogen.core.StreamError as e:
             return {
                 'context': None,
@@ -91,6 +99,10 @@ class ContextService(mitogen.service.DeduplicatingService):
             }
 
         home_dir = context.call(os.path.expanduser, '~')
+
+        # We don't need to wait for the result of this. Ideally we'd check its
+        # return value somewhere, but logs will catch any failures anyway.
+        context.call_async(ansible_mitogen.target.start_fork_parent)
         return {
             'context': context,
             'home_dir': home_dir,
@@ -135,32 +147,77 @@ class FileService(mitogen.service.Service):
         super(FileService, self).__init__(router)
         self._paths = {}
 
-    def validate_args(self, args):
-        return (
-            isinstance(args, tuple) and
-            len(args) == 2 and
-            args[0] in ('register', 'fetch') and
-            isinstance(args[1], basestring)
-        )
-
-    def dispatch(self, args, msg):
-        cmd, path = args
-        return getattr(self, cmd)(path, msg)
+    @mitogen.service.expose(policy=mitogen.service.AllowParents())
+    @mitogen.service.arg_spec({
+        'path': basestring
+    })
+    def register(self, path):
+        if path not in self._paths:
+            LOG.info('%r: registering %r', self, path)
+            with open(path, 'rb') as fp:
+                self._paths[path] = zlib.compress(fp.read())
+
+    @mitogen.service.expose(policy=mitogen.service.AllowAny())
+    @mitogen.service.arg_spec({
+        'path': basestring
+    })
+    def fetch(self, path):
+        if path not in self._paths:
+            raise mitogen.core.CallError(self.unregistered_msg)
 
-    def register(self, path, msg):
-        if not mitogen.core.has_parent_authority(msg):
-            raise mitogen.core.CallError(self.unprivileged_msg)
+        LOG.debug('Serving %r', path)
+        return self._paths[path]
 
-        if path in self._paths:
-            return
 
-        LOG.info('%r: registering %r', self, path)
-        with open(path, 'rb') as fp:
-            self._paths[path] = zlib.compress(fp.read())
+class JobResultService(mitogen.service.Service):
+    """
+    Receive the result of a task from a child and forward it to interested
+    listeners. If no listener exists, store the result until it is requested.
 
-    def fetch(self, path, msg):
-        if path not in self._paths:
-            raise mitogen.core.CallError(self.unregistered_msg)
+    Results are keyed by job ID.
+    """
+    handle = 502
+    max_message_size = 1048576 * 64
 
-        LOG.debug('Serving %r to context %r', path, msg.src_id)
-        return self._paths[path]
+    def __init__(self, router):
+        super(JobResultService, self).__init__(router)
+        self._lock = threading.Lock()
+        self._result_by_job_id = {}
+        self._sender_by_job_id = {}
+
+    @mitogen.service.expose(mitogen.service.AllowParents())
+    @mitogen.service.arg_spec({
+        'job_id': str,
+        'sender': mitogen.core.Sender,
+    })
+    def listen(self, job_id, sender):
+        LOG.debug('%r.listen(job_id=%r, sender=%r)', self, job_id, sender)
+        with self._lock:
+            if job_id in self._sender_by_job_id:
+                raise Error('Listener already exists for job: %s' % (job_id,))
+            self._sender_by_job_id[job_id] = sender
+
+    @mitogen.service.expose(mitogen.service.AllowParents())
+    @mitogen.service.arg_spec({
+        'job_id': basestring,
+    })
+    def get(self, job_id):
+        LOG.debug('%r.get(job_id=%r)', self, job_id)
+        with self._lock:
+            return self._result_by_job_id.pop(job_id, None)
+
+    @mitogen.service.expose(mitogen.service.AllowAny())
+    @mitogen.service.arg_spec({
+        'job_id': basestring,
+        'result': dict
+    })
+    def push(self, job_id, result):
+        LOG.debug('%r.push(job_id=%r, result=%r)', self, job_id, result)
+        with self._lock:
+            if job_id in self._result_by_job_id:
+                raise Error('Result already exists for job: %s' % (job_id,))
+            sender = self._sender_by_job_id.pop(job_id, None)
+            if sender:
+                sender.send(result)
+            else:
+                self._result_by_job_id[job_id] = result
diff --git a/ansible_mitogen/strategy.py b/ansible_mitogen/strategy.py
index c70f245b..bc329842 100644
--- a/ansible_mitogen/strategy.py
+++ b/ansible_mitogen/strategy.py
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ def wrap_action_loader__get(name, *args, **kwargs):
     This is used instead of static subclassing as it generalizes to third party
     action modules outside the Ansible tree.
     """
+    # Necessary since async_status execution strategy is hard-wired in
+    # executor/task_executor.py::_poll_async_result().
     if ( name == 'normal' and 'task' in kwargs and
          kwargs['task'].action == 'async_status'):
         name = 'mitogen_async_status'
diff --git a/ansible_mitogen/target.py b/ansible_mitogen/target.py
index 167afbb5..268bdd51 100644
--- a/ansible_mitogen/target.py
+++ b/ansible_mitogen/target.py
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@
 # ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
 # POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
+"""
+Helper functions intended to be executed on the target. These are entrypoints
+for file transfer, module execution and sundry bits like changing file modes.
+"""
+
 from __future__ import absolute_import
 import json
 import logging
@@ -40,10 +45,12 @@ import tempfile
 import threading
 import zlib
 
-import mitogen.core
-import mitogen.service
 import ansible_mitogen.runner
 import ansible_mitogen.services
+import mitogen.core
+import mitogen.fork
+import mitogen.parent
+import mitogen.service
 
 
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -51,17 +58,15 @@ LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 #: Caching of fetched file data.
 _file_cache = {}
 
-#: Mapping of job_id<->result dict
-_result_by_job_id = {}
-
-#: Mapping of job_id<->threading.Thread
-_thread_by_job_id = {}
+#: Initialized to an econtext.parent.Context pointing at a pristine fork of
+#: the target Python interpreter before it executes any code or imports.
+_fork_parent = None
 
 
 def get_file(context, path):
     """
     Basic in-memory caching module fetcher. This generates an one roundtrip for
-    every previously unseen module, so it is only temporary.
+    every previously unseen file, so it is only a temporary solution.
 
     :param context:
         Context we should direct FileService requests to. For now (and probably
@@ -75,39 +80,64 @@ def get_file(context, path):
     if path not in _file_cache:
         _file_cache[path] = zlib.decompress(
             mitogen.service.call(
-                context,
-                ansible_mitogen.services.FileService.handle,
-                ('fetch', path)
+                context=context,
+                handle=ansible_mitogen.services.FileService.handle,
+                method='fetch',
+                kwargs={
+                    'path': path
+                }
             )
         )
 
     return _file_cache[path]
 
 
-def run_module(kwargs):
+@mitogen.core.takes_econtext
+def start_fork_parent(econtext):
+    """
+    Called by ContextService immediately after connection; arranges for the
+    (presently) spotless Python interpreter to be forked, where the newly
+    forked interpreter becomes the parent of any newly forked future
+    interpreters.
+
+    This is necessary to prevent modules that are executed in-process from
+    polluting the global interpreter state in a way that effects explicitly
+    isolated modules.
+    """
+    mitogen.parent.upgrade_router(econtext)
+
+    global _fork_parent
+    _fork_parent = econtext.router.fork()
+
+
+@mitogen.core.takes_econtext
+def start_fork_child(kwargs, econtext):
+    mitogen.parent.upgrade_router(econtext)
+    context = econtext.router.fork()
+    kwargs['shutdown_on_exit'] = True
+    context.call_async(run_module, kwargs)
+
+
+@mitogen.core.takes_econtext
+def run_module(kwargs, econtext):
     """
     Set up the process environment in preparation for running an Ansible
     module. This monkey-patches the Ansible libraries in various places to
     prevent it from trying to kill the process on completion, and to prevent it
     from reading sys.stdin.
     """
+    should_fork = kwargs.pop('should_fork', False)
+    shutdown_on_exit = kwargs.pop('shutdown_on_exit', False)
+    if should_fork:
+        _fork_parent.call(start_fork_child, kwargs)
+        return
+
     runner_name = kwargs.pop('runner_name')
     klass = getattr(ansible_mitogen.runner, runner_name)
     impl = klass(**kwargs)
-    return impl.run()
-
-
-def _async_main(job_id, runner_name, kwargs):
-    """
-    Implementation for the thread that implements asynchronous module
-    execution.
-    """
-    try:
-        rc = run_module(runner_name, kwargs)
-    except Exception, e:
-        rc = mitogen.core.CallError(e)
-
-    _result_by_job_id[job_id] = rc
+    impl.run()
+    if shutdown_on_exit:
+        econtext.broker.shutdown()
 
 
 def make_temp_directory(base_dir):
@@ -125,42 +155,6 @@ def make_temp_directory(base_dir):
         prefix='ansible-mitogen-tmp-',
     )
 
-def run_module_async(runner_name, kwargs):
-    """
-    Arrange for an Ansible module to be executed in a thread of the current
-    process, with results available via :py:func:`get_async_result`.
-    """
-    job_id = '%08x' % random.randint(0, 2**32-1)
-    _result_by_job_id[job_id] = None
-    _thread_by_job_id[job_id] = threading.Thread(
-        target=_async_main,
-        kwargs={
-            'job_id': job_id,
-            'runner_name': runner_name,
-            'kwargs': kwargs,
-        }
-    )
-    _thread_by_job_id[job_id].start()
-    return json.dumps({
-        'ansible_job_id': job_id,
-        'changed': True
-    })
-
-
-def get_async_result(job_id):
-    """
-    Poll for the result of an asynchronous task.
-
-    :param str job_id:
-        Job ID to poll for.
-    :returns:
-        ``None`` if job is still running, JSON-encoded result dictionary if
-        execution completed normally, or :py:class:`mitogen.core.CallError` if
-        an exception was thrown.
-    """
-    if not _thread_by_job_id[job_id].isAlive():
-        return _result_by_job_id[job_id]
-
 
 def get_user_shell():
     """
diff --git a/docs/ansible.rst b/docs/ansible.rst
index 15ccc07a..825fb66b 100644
--- a/docs/ansible.rst
+++ b/docs/ansible.rst
@@ -128,25 +128,20 @@ This is a proof of concept: issues below are exclusively due to code immaturity.
 High Risk
 ~~~~~~~~~
 
-* Transfer of large (i.e. GB-sized) files using certain Ansible-internal APIs,
-  such as triggered via the ``copy`` module, will cause corresponding temporary
-  memory and CPU spikes on both host and target machine, due to delivering the
-  file as a single large message. If many machines are targetted with a large
-  file, the host machine could easily exhaust available RAM. This will be fixed
-  soon as it's likely to be tickled by common playbooks.
-
-* Local actions are single threaded. Any that execute for every target will
-  experience artificial serialization, causing slowdown equivalent to
-  `task_duration * num_targets`. This will be fixed soon.
+* Transfer of large files using certain Ansible-internal APIs, such as
+  triggered via the ``copy`` module, will cause corresponding memory and CPU
+  spikes on both host and target machine, due to delivering the file as a
+  single message. If many machines are targetted, the controller could easily
+  exhaust available RAM. This will be fixed soon as it's likely to be tickled
+  by common playbooks.
 
 * `Asynchronous Actions And Polling
   <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/playbooks_async.html>`_ has received
-  minimal testing. Jobs execute in a thread of the target Python interpreter.
-  This will fixed shortly.
+  minimal testing.
 
-* No mechanism exists yet to bound the number of interpreters created during a
-  run. For some playbooks that parameterize ``become_user`` over a large number
-  of user accounts, resource exhaustion may be triggered on the target machine.
+* No mechanism exists to bound the number of interpreters created during a run.
+  For some playbooks that parameterize ``become_user`` over many accounts,
+  resource exhaustion may be triggered on the target machine.
 
 * Only Ansible 2.4 is being used for development, with occasional tests under
   2.5, 2.3 and 2.2. It should be more than possible to fully support at least
@@ -189,18 +184,20 @@ Behavioural Differences
   following its parent SSH account, and try to emulate Ansible's existing
   timeout semantics.
 
-* Normally with Ansible, diagnostics and use of the :py:mod:`logging` package
-  output on the target machine are discarded. With Mitogen, all of this is
-  captured and returned to the host machine, where it can be viewed as desired
-  with ``-vvv``.
-
 * Local commands are executed in a reuseable Python interpreter created
   identically to interpreters used on remote hosts. At present only one such
-  interpreter per ``become_user`` exists, and so only one action may be
-  executed in each context simultaneously. Ansible usually permits up to
-  ``ansible.cfg:forks`` simultaneous local actions, which may trigger a
-  performance regression in some playbooks. This will be fixed in a future
-  release.
+  interpreter per ``become_user`` exists, and so only one local action may be
+  executed simultaneously per local user account.
+
+  Ansible usually permits up to ``ansible.cfg:forks`` simultaneous local
+  actions. Any long-running local actions that execute for every target will
+  experience artificial serialization, causing slowdown equivalent to
+  `task_duration * num_targets`. This will be fixed soon.
+
+* Asynchronous job IDs exist only for the duration of a run, and cannot be
+  queried by subsequent ansible-playbook invocations. Since the ability to
+  query job IDs across runs relied on an implementation detail, it is not
+  expected this will break any real-world playbooks.
 
 
 How Modules Execute
@@ -340,16 +337,18 @@ FreeNode IRC network.
 Debugging
 ---------
 
-Mitogen's logs are integrated into Ansible's display framework. Basic high
-level debug logs are produced with ``-vvv``, with logging of all IO activity on
-the controller machine when ``-vvvv`` or higher is specified.
-
-Although any use of standard IO and the logging package on remote machines is
-forwarded to the controller machine, it is not possible to receive logs of all
-IO activity, as the processs of receiving those logs would would in turn
-generate more IO activity. To receive a complete trace of every process on
-every machine, file-based logging is required. File-based logging can be
-enabled by setting ``MITOGEN_ROUTER_DEBUG=1`` in your environment.
+Normally with Ansible, diagnostics and use of the :py:mod:`logging` package
+output on the target machine are discarded. With Mitogen, all of this is
+captured and returned to the host machine, where it can be viewed as desired
+with ``-vvv``. Basic high level logs are produced with ``-vvv``, with logging
+of all IO on the controller with ``-vvvv`` or higher.
+
+Although use of standard IO and the logging package on the target is forwarded
+to the controller, it is not possible to receive IO activity logs, as the
+processs of receiving those logs would would itself generate IO activity. To
+receive a complete trace of every process on every machine, file-based logging
+is necessary. File-based logging can be enabled by setting
+``MITOGEN_ROUTER_DEBUG=1`` in your environment.
 
 When file-based logging is enabled, one file per context will be created on the
 local machine and every target machine, as ``/tmp/mitogen.<pid>.log``.
diff --git a/docs/services.rst b/docs/services.rst
index c121734a..0c12cee9 100644
--- a/docs/services.rst
+++ b/docs/services.rst
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ Service Framework
 
 Mitogen includes a simple framework for implementing services exposed to other
 contexts, with built-in subclasses that capture some common service models.
-This is a work in progress, and new functionality will be added as a common use
-for it is is found.
+This is a work in progress, and new functionality will be added as common usage
+patterns emerge.
 
 
 Overview
@@ -72,6 +72,13 @@ Example
 Reference
 ---------
 
+.. autoclass:: mitogen.service.Policy
+.. autoclass:: mitogen.service.AllowParents
+.. autoclass:: mitogen.service.AllowAny
+
+.. autofunction:: mitogen.service.arg_spec
+.. autofunction:: mitogen.service.expose
+
 .. autofunction:: mitogen.service.Service
 
 .. autoclass:: mitogen.service.Service
diff --git a/mitogen/service.py b/mitogen/service.py
index 018fa17d..abbc6bb1 100644
--- a/mitogen/service.py
+++ b/mitogen/service.py
@@ -54,6 +54,72 @@ class AllowParents(Policy):
                 msg.auth_id == mitogen.context_id)
 
 
+def validate_arg_spec(spec, args):
+    for name in spec:
+        try:
+            obj = args[name]
+        except KeyError:
+            raise mitogen.core.CallError(
+                'Required argument %r missing.' % (name,)
+            )
+
+        if not isinstance(obj, spec[name]):
+            raise mitogen.core.CallError(
+                'Argument %r type incorrect, got %r, expected %r' % (
+                    name,
+                    type(obj),
+                    spec[name]
+                )
+            )
+
+
+def arg_spec(spec):
+    """
+    Annotate a method as requiring arguments with a specific type. This only
+    validates required arguments. For optional arguments, write a manual check
+    within the function.
+
+    ::
+
+        @mitogen.service.arg_spec({
+            'path': str
+        })
+        def fetch_path(self, path, optional=None):
+            ...
+
+    :param dict spec:
+        Mapping from argument name to expected type.
+    """
+    def wrapper(func):
+        func.mitogen_service__arg_spec = spec
+        return func
+    return wrapper
+
+
+def expose(policy):
+    """
+    Annotate a method to permit access to contexts matching an authorization
+    policy. The annotation may be specified multiple times. Methods lacking any
+    authorization policy are not accessible.
+
+    ::
+
+        @mitogen.service.expose(policy=mitogen.service.AllowParents())
+        def unsafe_operation(self):
+            ...
+
+    :param mitogen.service.Policy policy:
+        The policy to require.
+    """
+    def wrapper(func):
+        func.mitogen_service__policies = (
+            [policy] +
+            getattr(func, 'mitogen_service__policies', [])
+        )
+        return func
+    return wrapper
+
+
 class Service(object):
     #: Sentinel object to suppress reply generation, since returning ``None``
     #: will trigger a response message containing the pickled ``None``.
@@ -64,17 +130,6 @@ class Service(object):
     handle = None
     max_message_size = 0
 
-    #: Mapping from required key names to their required corresponding types,
-    #: used by the default :py:meth:`validate_args` implementation to validate
-    #: requests.
-    required_args = {}
-
-    #: Policies that must authorize each message. By default only parents are
-    #: authorized.
-    policies = (
-        AllowParents(),
-    )
-
     def __init__(self, router):
         self.router = router
         self.recv = mitogen.core.Receiver(router, self.handle)
@@ -88,58 +143,51 @@ class Service(object):
             self.__class__.__name__,
         )
 
-    def validate_args(self, args):
-        return (
-            isinstance(args, dict) and
-            all(isinstance(args.get(k), t)
-                for k, t in self.required_args.iteritems())
-        )
-
     def dispatch(self, args, msg):
         raise NotImplementedError()
 
-    def dispatch_one(self, msg):
-        if not all(p.is_authorized(self, msg) for p in self.policies):
-            LOG.error('%r: unauthorized message %r', self, msg)
-            msg.reply(mitogen.core.CallError('Unauthorized'))
-            return
-
+    def _validate_message(self, msg):
         if len(msg.data) > self.max_message_size:
-            LOG.error('%r: larger than permitted size: %r', self, msg)
-            msg.reply(mitogen.core.CallError('Message size exceeded'))
-            return
-
-        args = msg.unpickle(throw=False)
-        if  (args == mitogen.core._DEAD or
-             isinstance(args, mitogen.core.CallError) or
-             not self.validate_args(args)):
-            LOG.warning('Received junk message: %r', args)
-            msg.reply(mitogen.core.CallError('Received junk message'))
-            return
+            raise mitogen.core.CallError('Message size exceeded.')
+
+        pair = msg.unpickle(throw=False)
+        if not (isinstance(pair, tuple) and
+                len(pair) == 2 and
+                isinstance(pair[0], basestring)):
+            raise mitogen.core.CallError('Invalid message format.')
+
+        method_name, kwargs = pair
+        method = getattr(self, method_name, None)
+        if method is None:
+            raise mitogen.core.CallError('No such method exists.')
+
+        policies = getattr(method, 'mitogen_service__policies', None)
+        if not policies:
+            raise mitogen.core.CallError('Method has no policies set.')
+
+        if not all(p.is_authorized(self, msg) for p in policies):
+            raise mitogen.core.CallError('Unauthorized')
 
+        required = getattr(method, 'mitogen_service__arg_spec', {})
+        validate_arg_spec(required, kwargs)
+        return method_name, kwargs
+
+    def _on_receive_message(self, msg):
+        method_name, kwargs = self._validate_message(msg)
+        return getattr(self, method_name)(**kwargs)
+
+    def on_receive_message(self, msg):
         try:
-            response = self.dispatch(args, msg)
+            response = self._on_receive_message(msg)
             if response is not self.NO_REPLY:
                 msg.reply(response)
+        except mitogen.core.CallError, e:
+            LOG.warning('%r: %s', self, msg)
+            msg.reply(e)
         except Exception, e:
             LOG.exception('While invoking %r.dispatch()', self)
             msg.reply(mitogen.core.CallError(e))
 
-    def run_once(self):
-        try:
-            msg = self.recv.get()
-        except mitogen.core.ChannelError, e:
-            # Channel closed due to broker shutdown, exit gracefully.
-            LOG.debug('%r: channel closed: %s', self, e)
-            self.running = False
-            return
-
-        self.dispatch_one(msg)
-
-    def run(self):
-        while self.running:
-            self.run_once()
-
 
 class DeduplicatingService(Service):
     """
@@ -159,13 +207,13 @@ class DeduplicatingService(Service):
         self._waiters = {}
         self._lock = threading.Lock()
 
-    def key_from_request(self, args):
+    def key_from_request(self, method_name, kwargs):
         """
         Generate a deduplication key from the request. The default
         implementation returns a string based on a stable representation of the
         input dictionary generated by :py:func:`pprint.pformat`.
         """
-        return pprint.pformat(args)
+        return pprint.pformat((method_name, kwargs))
 
     def get_response(self, args):
         raise NotImplementedError()
@@ -181,8 +229,9 @@ class DeduplicatingService(Service):
         finally:
             self._lock.release()
 
-    def dispatch(self, args, msg):
-        key = self.key_from_request(args)
+    def _on_receive_message(self, msg):
+        method_name, kwargs = self._validate_message(msg)
+        key = self.key_from_request(method_name, kwargs)
 
         self._lock.acquire()
         try:
@@ -199,7 +248,10 @@ class DeduplicatingService(Service):
 
         # I'm the unlucky thread that must generate the response.
         try:
-            self._produce_response(key, self.get_response(args))
+            response = getattr(self, method_name)(**kwargs)
+            self._produce_response(key, response)
+        except mitogen.core.CallError, e:
+            self._produce_response(key, e)
         except Exception, e:
             self._produce_response(key, mitogen.core.CallError(e))
 
@@ -260,7 +312,7 @@ class Pool(object):
 
             service = msg.receiver.service
             try:
-                service.dispatch_one(msg)
+                service.on_receive_message(msg)
             except Exception:
                 LOG.exception('While handling %r using %r', msg, service)
 
@@ -281,7 +333,12 @@ class Pool(object):
         )
 
 
-def call(context, handle, obj):
-    msg = mitogen.core.Message.pickled(obj, handle=handle)
-    recv = context.send_async(msg)
+def call_async(context, handle, method, kwargs):
+    pair = (method, kwargs)
+    msg = mitogen.core.Message.pickled(pair, handle=handle)
+    return context.send_async(msg)
+
+
+def call(context, handle, method, kwargs):
+    recv = call_async(context, handle, method, kwargs)
     return recv.get().unpickle()
diff --git a/tests/ansible/integration/async_polling.yml b/tests/ansible/integration/async_polling.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index b08394a7..00000000
--- a/tests/ansible/integration/async_polling.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,14 +0,0 @@
-- hosts: all
-  any_errors_fatal: true
-  tasks:
-  - name: simulate long running op (3 sec), wait for up to 5 sec, poll every 1 sec
-    command: /bin/sleep 2
-    async: 4
-    register: derp
-
-  - debug: msg={{derp}}
-
-  - async_status: jid={{derp.ansible_job_id}}
-    register: derp2
-
-  - debug: msg={{derp2}}
diff --git a/tests/ansible/integration/runner/all.yml b/tests/ansible/integration/runner/all.yml
index b2424b6b..9d815518 100644
--- a/tests/ansible/integration/runner/all.yml
+++ b/tests/ansible/integration/runner/all.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+- import_playbook: async_job_timeout.yml
+- import_playbook: async_one_job.yml
+- import_playbook: async_two_simultaneous_jobs.yml
 - import_playbook: builtin_command_module.yml
 - import_playbook: custom_bash_old_style_module.yml
 - import_playbook: custom_bash_want_json_module.yml
@@ -9,4 +12,5 @@
 - import_playbook: custom_python_json_args_module.yml
 - import_playbook: custom_python_new_style_module.yml
 - import_playbook: custom_python_want_json_module.yml
+- import_playbook: forking_behaviour.yml
 - import_playbook: remote_tmp.yml
diff --git a/tests/ansible/integration/runner/async_job_timeout.yml b/tests/ansible/integration/runner/async_job_timeout.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..47857733
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/ansible/integration/runner/async_job_timeout.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+# Verify 'async: <timeout>' functions as desired.
+
+
+- hosts: all
+  any_errors_fatal: true
+  tasks:
+
+  # Verify async-with-polling-and-timeout behaviour.
+
+  - name: sleep for 7 seconds, but timeout after 1 second.
+    ignore_errors: true
+    shell: sleep 7
+    async: 1
+    poll: 1
+    register: job1
+
+  - assert:
+      that:
+        - job1.changed == False
+        - job1.failed == True
+        - job1.msg == "async task did not complete within the requested time"
+        - job1.keys()|sort == ['changed', 'failed', 'msg']
+
+  # Verify async-with-timeout-then-poll behaviour.
+  # This is broken in upstream Ansible, so disable the tests there.
+  #
+  # TODO: the tests below are totally broken, not clear what Ansible is
+  # supposed to do here, so can't emulate it in Mitogen.
+
+  - name: sleep for 7 seconds, but timeout after 1 second.
+    ignore_errors: true
+    shell: sleep 7
+    async: 1
+    poll: 0
+    register: job2
+    when: false  # is_mitogen
+
+  - name: poll up to 10 times.
+    async_status:
+      jid: "{{job2.ansible_job_id}}"
+    register: result2
+    until: result2.finished
+    retries: 10
+    delay: 1
+    when: false  # is_mitogen
+
+  - assert:
+      that:
+        - result1.rc == 0
+        - result2.rc == 0
+        - result2.stdout == 'im_alive'
+    when: false  # is_mitogen
diff --git a/tests/ansible/integration/runner/async_one_job.yml b/tests/ansible/integration/runner/async_one_job.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b6156cca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/ansible/integration/runner/async_one_job.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+# Verify behaviour of a single asynchronous task, and presence of all output
+# fields.
+
+- hosts: all
+  any_errors_fatal: true
+  tasks:
+
+  # Verify async jobs run in a new process.
+
+  - name: get process ID.
+    custom_python_detect_environment:
+    register: sync_proc1
+
+  - name: get process ID again.
+    custom_python_detect_environment:
+    register: sync_proc2
+
+  - assert:
+      that:
+      - sync_proc1.pid == sync_proc2.pid
+    when: is_mitogen
+
+  - name: get async process ID.
+    custom_python_detect_environment:
+    register: async_proc1
+    async: 1000
+    poll: 0
+
+  - name: busy-poll up to 100000 times
+    async_status:
+      jid: "{{async_proc1.ansible_job_id}}"
+    register: async_result1
+    until: async_result1.finished
+    retries: 100000
+    delay: 0
+
+  - name: get async process ID again.
+    custom_python_detect_environment:
+    register: async_proc2
+    async: 1000
+    poll: 0
+
+  - name: busy-poll up to 100000 times
+    async_status:
+      jid: "{{async_proc2.ansible_job_id}}"
+    register: async_result2
+    until: async_result2.finished
+    retries: 100000
+    delay: 0
+
+  - assert:
+      that:
+      - sync_proc1.pid == sync_proc2.pid
+      - async_result1.pid != sync_proc1.pid
+      - async_result1.pid != async_result2.pid
+    when: is_mitogen
+
+  # Verify output of a single async job.
+
+  - name: start 2 second op
+    shell: |
+      sleep 1;
+      echo alldone
+    async: 1000
+    poll: 0
+    register: job1
+
+  - assert:
+      that: |
+        job1.ansible_job_id and
+        (job1.changed == True) and
+        (job1.started == 1) and
+        (job1.changed == True) and
+        (job1.finished == 0)
+
+  - name: busy-poll up to 100000 times
+    async_status:
+      jid: "{{job1.ansible_job_id}}"
+    register: result1
+    until: result1.finished
+    retries: 100000
+    delay: 0
+
+  - assert:
+      that:
+      - result1.ansible_job_id == job1.ansible_job_id
+      - result1.attempts <= 100000
+      - result1.changed == True
+      - result1.cmd == "sleep 1;\n echo alldone"
+      - result1.delta|length == 14
+      - result1.start|length == 26
+      - result1.failed == False
+      - result1.finished == 1
+      - result1.rc == 0
+      - result1.start|length == 26
+      - result1.stderr == ""
+      - result1.stderr_lines == []
+      - result1.stdout == "alldone"
+      - result1.stdout_lines == ["alldone"]
diff --git a/tests/ansible/integration/runner/async_two_simulataneous_jobs.yml b/tests/ansible/integration/runner/async_two_simulataneous_jobs.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4bf244d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/ansible/integration/runner/async_two_simulataneous_jobs.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+- hosts: all
+  any_errors_fatal: true
+  tasks:
+
+  # Start 2 duplicate jobs, verify they run concurrently.
+
+  - name: create semaphore file and sleep for 5 seconds.
+    shell: |
+      exec 2>/dev/null;
+      bash -c '
+        echo im_alive $$ > /tmp/flurp
+        sleep 60;
+      ';
+      rm -f /tmp/flurp;
+      echo alldone
+    async: 1000
+    poll: 0
+    register: job1
+
+  # This guy prints the first field from the semaphore file and kills the PID
+  # from the second field, cancelling the slow sleep above, so the busy-poll
+  # below compltes quickly.
+  - name: verify semaphore file exists while this job exists.
+    shell: |
+      [ -f /tmp/flurp ] && {
+        read im_alive pid < /tmp/flurp
+        echo $im_alive
+        kill $pid &>/dev/null
+      }
+    async: 1000
+    poll: 0
+    register: job2
+
+  - name: (job1) busy-poll up to 100000 times
+    async_status:
+      jid: "{{job1.ansible_job_id}}"
+    register: result1
+    until: result1.finished
+    retries: 100000
+    delay: 0
+
+  - name: (job2) busy-poll up to 100000 times
+    async_status:
+      jid: "{{job2.ansible_job_id}}"
+    register: result2
+    until: result2.finished
+    retries: 100000
+    delay: 0
+
+  - assert:
+      that:
+        - result1.rc == 0
+        - result2.rc == 0
+        - result2.stdout == 'im_alive'
diff --git a/tests/ansible/integration/runner/forking_behaviour.yml b/tests/ansible/integration/runner/forking_behaviour.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..51318ff4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/ansible/integration/runner/forking_behaviour.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+
+- hosts: all
+  any_errors_fatal: true
+  tasks:
+
+  # Verify non-async jobs run in-process.
+
+  - debug: msg={{is_mitogen}}
+
+  - name: get process ID.
+    custom_python_detect_environment:
+    register: sync_proc1
+    when: is_mitogen
+
+  - name: get process ID again.
+    custom_python_detect_environment:
+    register: sync_proc2
+    when: is_mitogen
+
+  - assert:
+      that:
+      - sync_proc1.pid == sync_proc2.pid
+    when: is_mitogen
+
+  # Verify mitogen_task_isolation=fork triggers forking.
+
+  - name: get force-forked process ID.
+    custom_python_detect_environment:
+    register: fork_proc1
+    vars:
+      mitogen_task_isolation: fork
+    when: is_mitogen
+
+  - name: get force-forked process ID again.
+    custom_python_detect_environment:
+    register: fork_proc2
+    vars:
+      mitogen_task_isolation: fork
+    when: is_mitogen
+
+  - assert:
+      that:
+      - fork_proc1.pid != sync_proc1.pid
+      - fork_proc1.pid != fork_proc2.pid
+    when: is_mitogen
diff --git a/tests/ansible/lib/modules/custom_python_detect_environment.py b/tests/ansible/lib/modules/custom_python_detect_environment.py
index 8e29249a..5493fdc1 100644
--- a/tests/ansible/lib/modules/custom_python_detect_environment.py
+++ b/tests/ansible/lib/modules/custom_python_detect_environment.py
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ import sys
 def main():
     module = AnsibleModule(argument_spec={})
     module.exit_json(
+        pid=os.getpid(),
+        ppid=os.getppid(),
+        uid=os.getuid(),
+        euid=os.geteuid(),
         sys_executable=sys.executable,
         mitogen_loaded='mitogen.core' in sys.modules,
         hostname=socket.gethostname(),
diff --git a/tests/ansible/run_ansible_playbook.sh b/tests/ansible/run_ansible_playbook.sh
index 1df82047..36af1755 100755
--- a/tests/ansible/run_ansible_playbook.sh
+++ b/tests/ansible/run_ansible_playbook.sh
@@ -4,4 +4,11 @@
 # Used by delegate_to.yml to ensure "sudo -E" preserves environment.
 export I_WAS_PRESERVED=1
 
-exec ansible-playbook "$@"
+if [ "${ANSIBLE_STRATEGY:0:7}" = "mitogen" ]
+then
+    extra="-e is_mitogen=1"
+else
+    extra="-e is_mitogen=0"
+fi
+
+exec ansible-playbook $extra "$@"