diff --git a/utils/Makefile b/utils/Makefile
index e0f76142..7f819d40 100644
--- a/utils/Makefile
+++ b/utils/Makefile
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ FMTIOC_H := format.h ioctl.h
 FMTIOC_KMOD := $(addprefix ../kmod/src/,$(FMTIOC_H))
 
 CFLAGS := -Wall -O2 -Werror -D_FILE_OFFSET_BITS=64 -g -msse4.2 \
-	-fno-strict-aliasing \
+	-I src/ -fno-strict-aliasing \
 	-DSCOUTFS_FORMAT_HASH=0x$(SCOUTFS_FORMAT_HASH)LLU
 
 ifneq ($(wildcard $(firstword $(FMTIOC_KMOD))),)
@@ -15,8 +15,9 @@ CFLAGS += -I../kmod/src
 endif
 
 BIN := src/scoutfs
-OBJ := $(patsubst %.c,%.o,$(wildcard src/*.c))
-DEPS := $(wildcard */*.d)
+OBJ_DIRS := src src/check
+OBJ := $(foreach dir,$(OBJ_DIRS),$(patsubst %.c,%.o,$(wildcard $(dir)/*.c)))
+DEPS := $(foreach dir,$(OBJ_DIRS),$(wildcard $(dir)/*.d))
 
 all: $(BIN)
 
diff --git a/utils/src/check/alloc.c b/utils/src/check/alloc.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f67b6660
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/alloc.c
@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <sys/mman.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+
+#include "sparse.h"
+#include "util.h"
+#include "format.h"
+#include "bitmap.h"
+#include "key.h"
+
+#include "alloc.h"
+#include "block.h"
+#include "btree.h"
+#include "extent.h"
+#include "iter.h"
+#include "sns.h"
+
+/*
+ * We check the list blocks serially.
+ *
+ * XXX:
+ *  - compare ref seqs
+ *  - detect cycles?
+ */
+int alloc_list_meta_iter(struct scoutfs_alloc_list_head *lhead, extent_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg)
+{
+	struct scoutfs_alloc_list_block *lblk;
+	struct scoutfs_block_ref ref;
+	struct block *blk = NULL;
+	u64 blkno;
+	int ret;
+
+	ref = lhead->ref;
+
+	while (ref.blkno) {
+		blkno = le64_to_cpu(ref.blkno);
+
+		ret = cb(blkno, 1, cb_arg);
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			ret = xlate_iter_errno(ret);
+			goto out;
+		}
+
+		ret = block_get(&blk, blkno, 0);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			goto out;
+
+		lblk = block_buf(blk);
+		/* XXX verify block */
+		/* XXX sort?   maybe */
+
+		ref = lblk->next;
+
+		block_put(&blk);
+	}
+
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	return ret;
+}
+
+int alloc_root_meta_iter(struct scoutfs_alloc_root *root, extent_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg)
+{
+	return btree_meta_iter(&root->root, cb, cb_arg);
+}
+
+int alloc_list_extent_iter(struct scoutfs_alloc_list_head *lhead, extent_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg)
+{
+	struct scoutfs_alloc_list_block *lblk;
+	struct scoutfs_block_ref ref;
+	struct block *blk = NULL;
+	u64 blkno;
+	int ret;
+	int i;
+
+	ref = lhead->ref;
+
+	while (ref.blkno) {
+		blkno = le64_to_cpu(ref.blkno);
+
+		ret = block_get(&blk, blkno, 0);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			goto out;
+
+		sns_push("alloc_list_block", blkno, 0);
+
+		lblk = block_buf(blk);
+		/* XXX verify block */
+		/* XXX sort?   maybe */
+
+		ret = 0;
+		for (i = 0; i < le32_to_cpu(lblk->nr); i++) {
+			blkno = le64_to_cpu(lblk->blknos[le32_to_cpu(lblk->start) + i]);
+
+			ret = cb(blkno, 1, cb_arg);
+			if (ret < 0)
+				break;
+		}
+
+		ref = lblk->next;
+
+		block_put(&blk);
+		sns_pop();
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			ret = xlate_iter_errno(ret);
+			goto out;
+		}
+	}
+
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	return ret;
+}
+
+static bool valid_free_extent_key(struct scoutfs_key *key)
+{
+	return (key->sk_zone == SCOUTFS_FREE_EXTENT_BLKNO_ZONE ||
+	        key->sk_zone == SCOUTFS_FREE_EXTENT_ORDER_ZONE) &&
+	       (!key->_sk_fourth && !key->sk_type &&
+		(key->sk_zone == SCOUTFS_FREE_EXTENT_ORDER_ZONE || !key->_sk_third));
+}
+
+static int free_item_cb(struct scoutfs_key *key, void *val, u16 val_len, void *cb_arg)
+{
+	struct extent_cb_arg_t *ecba = cb_arg;
+	u64 start;
+	u64 len;
+
+	/* XXX not sure these eios are what we want */
+
+	if (val_len != 0)
+		return -EIO;
+
+	if (!valid_free_extent_key(key))
+		return -EIO;
+
+	if (key->sk_zone == SCOUTFS_FREE_EXTENT_ORDER_ZONE)
+		return -ECHECK_ITER_DONE;
+
+	start = le64_to_cpu(key->skfb_end) - le64_to_cpu(key->skfb_len) + 1;
+	len = le64_to_cpu(key->skfb_len);
+
+	return ecba->cb(start, len, ecba->cb_arg);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Call the callback with each of the primary BLKNO free extents stored
+ * in item in the given alloc root.  It doesn't visit the secondary
+ * ORDER extents.
+ */
+int alloc_root_extent_iter(struct scoutfs_alloc_root *root, extent_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg)
+{
+	struct extent_cb_arg_t ecba = { .cb = cb, .cb_arg = cb_arg };
+
+	return btree_item_iter(&root->root, free_item_cb, &ecba);
+}
diff --git a/utils/src/check/alloc.h b/utils/src/check/alloc.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f0273e4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/alloc.h
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_ALLOC_H
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_ALLOC_H
+
+#include "extent.h"
+
+int alloc_list_meta_iter(struct scoutfs_alloc_list_head *lhead, extent_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg);
+int alloc_root_meta_iter(struct scoutfs_alloc_root *root, extent_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg);
+
+int alloc_list_extent_iter(struct scoutfs_alloc_list_head *lhead, extent_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg);
+int alloc_root_extent_iter(struct scoutfs_alloc_root *root, extent_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/utils/src/check/block.c b/utils/src/check/block.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..53b6eed0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/block.c
@@ -0,0 +1,564 @@
+#define _ISOC11_SOURCE /* aligned_alloc */
+#define _DEFAULT_SOURCE /* syscall() */
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <sys/syscall.h>
+#include <linux/aio_abi.h>
+
+#include "sparse.h"
+#include "util.h"
+#include "format.h"
+#include "list.h"
+#include "cmp.h"
+#include "hash.h"
+
+#include "block.h"
+#include "debug.h"
+#include "eno.h"
+
+static struct block_data {
+	struct list_head *hash_lists;
+	size_t hash_nr;
+
+	struct list_head active_head;
+	struct list_head inactive_head;
+	struct list_head dirty_list;
+	size_t nr_active;
+	size_t nr_inactive;
+	size_t nr_dirty;
+
+	int meta_fd;
+	size_t max_cached;
+	size_t nr_events;
+
+	aio_context_t ctx;
+	struct iocb *iocbs;
+	struct iocb **iocbps;
+	struct io_event *events;
+} global_bdat;
+
+struct block {
+	struct list_head hash_head;
+	struct list_head lru_head;
+	struct list_head dirty_head;
+	struct list_head submit_head;
+	unsigned long refcount;
+	unsigned long uptodate:1,
+		      active:1;
+	u64 blkno;
+	void *buf;
+	size_t size;
+};
+
+#define BLK_FMT \
+	"blkno %llu rc %ld d %u a %u"
+#define BLK_ARG(blk) \
+	(blk)->blkno, (blk)->refcount, !list_empty(&(blk)->dirty_head), blk->active
+#define debug_blk(blk, fmt, args...) \
+	debug(fmt " " BLK_FMT, ##args, BLK_ARG(blk))
+
+/*
+ * This just allocates and initialzies the block.  The caller is
+ * responsible for putting it on the appropriate initial lists and
+ * managing refcounts.
+ */
+static struct block *alloc_block(struct block_data *bdat, u64 blkno, size_t size)
+{
+	struct block *blk;
+
+	blk = calloc(1, sizeof(struct block));
+	if (blk) {
+		blk->buf = aligned_alloc(4096, size); /* XXX static alignment :/ */
+		if (!blk->buf) {
+			free(blk);
+			blk = NULL;
+		} else {
+			INIT_LIST_HEAD(&blk->hash_head);
+			INIT_LIST_HEAD(&blk->lru_head);
+			INIT_LIST_HEAD(&blk->dirty_head);
+			INIT_LIST_HEAD(&blk->submit_head);
+			blk->blkno = blkno;
+			blk->size = size;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return blk;
+}
+
+static void free_block(struct block_data *bdat, struct block *blk)
+{
+	debug_blk(blk, "free");
+
+	if (!list_empty(&blk->lru_head)) {
+		if (blk->active)
+			bdat->nr_active--;
+		else
+			bdat->nr_inactive--;
+		list_del(&blk->lru_head);
+	}
+
+	if (!list_empty(&blk->dirty_head)) {
+		bdat->nr_dirty--;
+		list_del(&blk->dirty_head);
+	}
+
+	if (!list_empty(&blk->hash_head))
+		list_del(&blk->hash_head);
+
+	if (!list_empty(&blk->submit_head))
+		list_del(&blk->submit_head);
+
+	free(blk->buf);
+	free(blk);
+}
+
+static bool blk_is_dirty(struct block *blk)
+{
+	return !list_empty(&blk->dirty_head);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Rebalance the cache.
+ *
+ * First we shrink the cache to limit it to max_cached blocks.
+ * Logically, we walk from oldest to newest in the inactive list and
+ * then in the active list.  Since these lists are physically one
+ * list_head list we achieve this with a reverse walk starting from the
+ * active head.
+ *
+ * Then we rebalnace the size of the two lists.  The constraint is that
+ * we don't let the active list grow larger than the inactive list.  We
+ * move blocks from the oldest tail of the active list to the newest
+ * head of the inactive list.
+ *
+ * <- [active head] <-> [ .. active list .. ] <-> [inactive head] <-> [ .. inactive list .. ] ->
+ */
+static void rebalance_cache(struct block_data *bdat)
+{
+	struct block *blk;
+	struct block *blk_;
+
+	list_for_each_entry_safe_reverse(blk, blk_, &bdat->active_head, lru_head) {
+		if ((bdat->nr_active + bdat->nr_inactive) < bdat->max_cached)
+			break;
+
+		if (&blk->lru_head == &bdat->inactive_head || blk->refcount > 0 ||
+		    blk_is_dirty(blk))
+			continue;
+
+		free_block(bdat, blk);
+	}
+
+	list_for_each_entry_safe_reverse(blk, blk_, &bdat->inactive_head, lru_head) {
+		if (bdat->nr_active <= bdat->nr_inactive || &blk->lru_head == &bdat->active_head)
+			break;
+
+		list_move(&blk->lru_head, &bdat->inactive_head);
+		blk->active = 0;
+		bdat->nr_active--;
+		bdat->nr_inactive++;
+	}
+}
+
+static void make_active(struct block_data *bdat, struct block *blk)
+{
+	if (!blk->active) {
+		if (!list_empty(&blk->lru_head)) {
+			list_move(&blk->lru_head, &bdat->active_head);
+			bdat->nr_inactive--;
+		} else {
+			list_add(&blk->lru_head, &bdat->active_head);
+		}
+
+		blk->active = 1;
+		bdat->nr_active++;
+	}
+}
+
+static int compar_iocbp(const void *A, const void *B)
+{
+	struct iocb *a = *(struct iocb **)A;
+	struct iocb *b = *(struct iocb **)B;
+
+	return scoutfs_cmp(a->aio_offset, b->aio_offset);
+}
+
+static int submit_and_wait(struct block_data *bdat, struct list_head *list)
+{
+	struct io_event *event;
+	struct iocb *iocb;
+	struct block *blk;
+	int ret;
+	int err;
+	int nr;
+	int i;
+
+	err = 0;
+	nr = 0;
+	list_for_each_entry(blk, list, submit_head) {
+		iocb = &bdat->iocbs[nr];
+		bdat->iocbps[nr] = iocb;
+
+		memset(iocb, 0, sizeof(struct iocb));
+
+		iocb->aio_data = (intptr_t)blk;
+		iocb->aio_lio_opcode = blk_is_dirty(blk) ? IOCB_CMD_PWRITE : IOCB_CMD_PREAD;
+		iocb->aio_fildes = bdat->meta_fd;
+		iocb->aio_buf = (intptr_t)blk->buf;
+		iocb->aio_nbytes = blk->size;
+		iocb->aio_offset = blk->blkno * blk->size;
+
+		nr++;
+
+		debug_blk(blk, "submit");
+
+		if ((nr < bdat->nr_events) && blk->submit_head.next != list)
+			continue;
+
+		qsort(bdat->iocbps, nr, sizeof(bdat->iocbps[0]), compar_iocbp);
+
+		ret = syscall(__NR_io_submit, bdat->ctx, nr, bdat->iocbps);
+		if (ret != nr) {
+			if (ret >= 0)
+				errno = EIO;
+			ret = -errno;
+			fprintf(stderr, "fatal system error submitting async IO: "ENO_FMT"\n",
+				ENO_ARG(-ret));
+			goto out;
+		}
+
+		ret = syscall(__NR_io_getevents, bdat->ctx, nr, nr, bdat->events, NULL);
+		if (ret != nr) {
+			if (ret >= 0)
+				errno = EIO;
+			ret = -errno;
+			fprintf(stderr, "fatal system error getting IO events: "ENO_FMT"\n",
+				ENO_ARG(-ret));
+			goto out;
+		}
+
+		ret = 0;
+		for (i = 0; i < nr; i++) {
+			event = &bdat->events[i];
+			iocb = (struct iocb *)(intptr_t)event->obj;
+			blk = (struct block *)(intptr_t)event->data;
+
+			debug_blk(blk, "complete res %lld", (long long)event->res);
+
+			if (event->res >= 0 && event->res != blk->size)
+				event->res = -EIO;
+
+			/* io errors are fatal */
+			if (event->res < 0) {
+				ret = event->res;
+				goto out;
+			}
+
+			if (iocb->aio_lio_opcode == IOCB_CMD_PREAD) {
+				blk->uptodate = 1;
+			} else {
+				list_del_init(&blk->dirty_head);
+				bdat->nr_dirty--;
+			}
+		}
+		nr = 0;
+	}
+
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	return ret ?: err;
+}
+
+static void inc_refcount(struct block *blk)
+{
+	blk->refcount++;
+}
+
+void block_put(struct block **blkp)
+{
+	struct block_data *bdat = &global_bdat;
+	struct block *blk = *blkp;
+
+	if (blk) {
+		blk->refcount--;
+		*blkp = NULL;
+
+		rebalance_cache(bdat);
+	}
+}
+
+static struct list_head *hash_bucket(struct block_data *bdat, u64 blkno)
+{
+	u32 hash = scoutfs_hash32(&blkno, sizeof(blkno));
+
+	return &bdat->hash_lists[hash % bdat->hash_nr];
+}
+
+static struct block *get_or_alloc(struct block_data *bdat, u64 blkno, int bf)
+{
+	struct list_head *bucket = hash_bucket(bdat, blkno);
+	struct block *search;
+	struct block *blk;
+	size_t size;
+
+	size = (bf & BF_SM) ? SCOUTFS_BLOCK_SM_SIZE : SCOUTFS_BLOCK_LG_SIZE;
+
+	blk = NULL;
+	list_for_each_entry(search, bucket, hash_head) {
+		if (search->blkno == blkno && search->size == size) {
+			blk = search;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+
+	if (!blk) {
+		blk = alloc_block(bdat, blkno, size);
+		if (blk) {
+			list_add(&blk->hash_head, bucket);
+			list_add(&blk->lru_head, &bdat->inactive_head);
+			bdat->nr_inactive++;
+		}
+	}
+	if (blk)
+		inc_refcount(blk);
+
+	return blk;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Get a block.
+ *
+ * The caller holds a refcount to the block while it's in use that
+ * prevents it from being removed from the cache.  It must be dropped
+ * with block_put();
+ */
+int block_get(struct block **blk_ret, u64 blkno, int bf)
+{
+	struct block_data *bdat = &global_bdat;
+	struct block *blk;
+	LIST_HEAD(list);
+	int ret;
+
+	blk = get_or_alloc(bdat, blkno, bf);
+	if (!blk) {
+		ret = -ENOMEM;
+		goto out;
+	}
+
+	if ((bf & BF_ZERO)) {
+		memset(blk->buf, 0, blk->size);
+		blk->uptodate = 1;
+	}
+
+	if (bf & BF_OVERWRITE)
+		blk->uptodate = 1;
+
+	if (!blk->uptodate) {
+		list_add(&blk->submit_head, &list);
+		ret = submit_and_wait(bdat, &list);
+		list_del_init(&blk->submit_head);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			goto out;
+	}
+
+	if ((bf & BF_DIRTY) && !blk_is_dirty(blk)) {
+		list_add_tail(&bdat->dirty_list, &blk->dirty_head);
+		bdat->nr_dirty++;
+	}
+
+	make_active(bdat, blk);
+
+	rebalance_cache(bdat);
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	if (ret < 0)
+		block_put(&blk);
+	*blk_ret = blk;
+	return ret;
+}
+
+void *block_buf(struct block *blk)
+{
+	return blk->buf;
+}
+
+size_t block_size(struct block *blk)
+{
+	return blk->size;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Drop the block from the cache, regardless of if it was free or not.
+ * This is used to avoid writing blocks which were dirtied but then
+ * later freed.
+ *
+ * The block is immediately freed and can't be referenced after this
+ * returns.
+ */
+void block_drop(struct block **blkp)
+{
+	struct block_data *bdat = &global_bdat;
+
+	free_block(bdat, *blkp);
+	*blkp = NULL;
+	rebalance_cache(bdat);
+}
+
+/*
+ * This doesn't quite work for mixing large and small blocks, but that's
+ * fine, we never do that.
+ */
+static int compar_u64(const void *A, const void *B)
+{
+	u64 a = *((u64 *)A);
+	u64 b = *((u64 *)B);
+
+	return scoutfs_cmp(a, b);
+}
+
+/*
+ * This read-ahead is synchronous and errors are ignored.  If any of the
+ * blknos aren't present in the cache then we issue concurrent reads for
+ * them and wait.  Any existing cached blocks will be left as is.
+ *
+ * We might be trying to read a lot more than the number of events so we
+ * sort the caller's blknos before iterating over them rather than
+ * relying on submission sorting the blocks in each submitted set.
+ */
+void block_readahead(u64 *blknos, size_t nr)
+{
+	struct block_data *bdat = &global_bdat;
+	struct block *blk;
+	struct block *blk_;
+	LIST_HEAD(list);
+	size_t i;
+
+	if (nr == 0)
+		return;
+
+	qsort(blknos, nr, sizeof(blknos[0]), compar_u64);
+
+	for (i = 0; i < nr; i++) {
+		blk = get_or_alloc(bdat, blknos[i], 0);
+		if (blk) {
+			if (!blk->uptodate)
+				list_add_tail(&blk->submit_head, &list);
+			else
+				block_put(&blk);
+		}
+	}
+
+	(void)submit_and_wait(bdat, &list);
+
+	list_for_each_entry_safe(blk, blk_, &list, submit_head) {
+		list_del_init(&blk->submit_head);
+		block_put(&blk);
+	}
+
+	rebalance_cache(bdat);
+}
+
+/*
+ * The caller's block changes form a consistent transaction.  If the amount of dirty
+ * blocks is large enough we issue a write.
+ */
+int block_try_commit(bool force)
+{
+	struct block_data *bdat = &global_bdat;
+	struct block *blk;
+	struct block *blk_;
+	LIST_HEAD(list);
+	int ret;
+
+	if (!force && bdat->nr_dirty < bdat->nr_events)
+		return 0;
+
+	list_for_each_entry(blk, &bdat->dirty_list, dirty_head) {
+		list_add_tail(&blk->submit_head, &list);
+		inc_refcount(blk);
+	}
+
+	ret = submit_and_wait(bdat, &list);
+
+	list_for_each_entry_safe(blk, blk_, &list, submit_head) {
+		list_del_init(&blk->submit_head);
+		block_put(&blk);
+	}
+
+	if (ret < 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "error writing dirty transaction blocks\n");
+		goto out;
+	}
+
+	ret = block_get(&blk, SCOUTFS_SUPER_BLKNO, BF_SM | BF_OVERWRITE | BF_DIRTY);
+	if (ret == 0) {
+		list_add(&blk->submit_head, &list);
+		ret = submit_and_wait(bdat, &list);
+		list_del_init(&blk->submit_head);
+		block_put(&blk);
+	} else {
+		ret = -ENOMEM;
+	}
+	if (ret < 0)
+		fprintf(stderr, "error writing super block to commit transaction\n");
+
+out:
+	rebalance_cache(bdat);
+	return ret;
+}
+
+int block_setup(int meta_fd, size_t max_cached_bytes, size_t max_dirty_bytes)
+{
+	struct block_data *bdat = &global_bdat;
+	size_t i;
+	int ret;
+
+	bdat->max_cached = DIV_ROUND_UP(max_cached_bytes, SCOUTFS_BLOCK_LG_SIZE);
+	bdat->hash_nr = bdat->max_cached / 4;
+	bdat->nr_events = DIV_ROUND_UP(max_dirty_bytes, SCOUTFS_BLOCK_LG_SIZE);
+
+	bdat->iocbs = calloc(bdat->nr_events, sizeof(bdat->iocbs[0]));
+	bdat->iocbps = calloc(bdat->nr_events, sizeof(bdat->iocbps[0]));
+	bdat->events = calloc(bdat->nr_events, sizeof(bdat->events[0]));
+	bdat->hash_lists = calloc(bdat->hash_nr, sizeof(bdat->hash_lists[0]));
+	if (!bdat->iocbs || !bdat->iocbps || !bdat->events || !bdat->hash_lists) {
+		ret = -ENOMEM;
+		goto out;
+	}
+
+	INIT_LIST_HEAD(&bdat->active_head);
+	INIT_LIST_HEAD(&bdat->inactive_head);
+	INIT_LIST_HEAD(&bdat->dirty_list);
+	bdat->meta_fd = meta_fd;
+	list_add(&bdat->inactive_head, &bdat->active_head);
+
+	for (i = 0; i < bdat->hash_nr; i++)
+		INIT_LIST_HEAD(&bdat->hash_lists[i]);
+
+	ret = syscall(__NR_io_setup, bdat->nr_events, &bdat->ctx);
+
+out:
+	if (ret < 0) {
+		free(bdat->iocbs);
+		free(bdat->iocbps);
+		free(bdat->events);
+		free(bdat->hash_lists);
+	}
+
+	return ret;
+}
+
+void block_shutdown(void)
+{
+	struct block_data *bdat = &global_bdat;
+
+	syscall(SYS_io_destroy, bdat->ctx);
+
+	free(bdat->iocbs);
+	free(bdat->iocbps);
+	free(bdat->events);
+	free(bdat->hash_lists);
+}
diff --git a/utils/src/check/block.h b/utils/src/check/block.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ad7195ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/block.h
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_BLOCK_H_
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_BLOCK_H_
+
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+
+struct block;
+
+#include "sparse.h"
+
+/* block flags passed to block_get() */
+enum {
+	BF_ZERO      = (1 << 0), /* zero contents buf as block is returned */
+	BF_DIRTY     = (1 << 1), /* block will be written with transaction */
+	BF_SM        = (1 << 2), /* small 4k block instead of large 64k block */
+	BF_OVERWRITE = (1 << 3), /* caller will overwrite contents, don't read */
+};
+
+int block_get(struct block **blk_ret, u64 blkno, int bf);
+void block_put(struct block **blkp);
+
+void *block_buf(struct block *blk);
+size_t block_size(struct block *blk);
+void block_drop(struct block **blkp);
+
+void block_readahead(u64 *blknos, size_t nr);
+int block_try_commit(bool force);
+
+int block_setup(int meta_fd, size_t max_cached_bytes, size_t max_dirty_bytes);
+void block_shutdown(void);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/utils/src/check/btree.c b/utils/src/check/btree.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..50bd1fa2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/btree.c
@@ -0,0 +1,209 @@
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+
+#include "sparse.h"
+#include "util.h"
+#include "format.h"
+#include "key.h"
+#include "avl.h"
+
+#include "block.h"
+#include "btree.h"
+#include "extent.h"
+#include "iter.h"
+#include "sns.h"
+#include "meta.h"
+#include "problem.h"
+
+static inline void *item_val(struct scoutfs_btree_block *bt, struct scoutfs_btree_item *item)
+{
+	return (void *)bt + le16_to_cpu(item->val_off);
+}
+
+static void readahead_refs(struct scoutfs_btree_block *bt)
+{
+	struct scoutfs_btree_item *item;
+	struct scoutfs_avl_node *node;
+	struct scoutfs_block_ref *ref;
+	u64 *blknos;
+	u64 blkno;
+	u16 valid = 0;
+	u16 nr = le16_to_cpu(bt->nr_items);
+	int i;
+
+	blknos = calloc(nr, sizeof(blknos[0]));
+	if (!blknos)
+		return;
+
+	node = avl_first(&bt->item_root);
+
+	for (i = 0; i < nr; i++) {
+		item = container_of(node, struct scoutfs_btree_item, node);
+		ref = item_val(bt, item);
+		blkno = le64_to_cpu(ref->blkno);
+
+		if (valid_meta_blkno(blkno))
+			blknos[valid++] = blkno;
+
+		node = avl_next(&bt->item_root, &item->node);
+	}
+
+	if (valid > 0)
+		block_readahead(blknos, valid);
+	free(blknos);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Call the callback on the referenced block.  Then if the block
+ * contains referneces read it and recurse into all its references.
+ */
+static int btree_ref_meta_iter(struct scoutfs_block_ref *ref, unsigned level, extent_cb_t cb,
+			       void *cb_arg)
+{
+	struct scoutfs_btree_item *item;
+	struct scoutfs_btree_block *bt;
+	struct scoutfs_avl_node *node;
+	struct block *blk = NULL;
+	u64 blkno;
+	int ret;
+	int i;
+
+	blkno = le64_to_cpu(ref->blkno);
+	if (!blkno)
+		return 0;
+
+	ret = cb(blkno, 1, cb_arg);
+	if (ret < 0) {
+		ret = xlate_iter_errno(ret);
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	if (level == 0)
+		return 0;
+
+	ret = block_get(&blk, blkno, 0);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		return ret;
+
+	sns_push("btree_parent", blkno, 0);
+
+	bt = block_buf(blk);
+
+	/* XXX integrate verification with block cache */
+	if (bt->level != level) {
+		problem(PB_BTREE_BLOCK_BAD_LEVEL, "expected %u level %u", level, bt->level);
+		ret = -EINVAL;
+		goto out;
+	}
+
+	/* read-ahead last level of parents */
+	if (level == 2)
+		readahead_refs(bt);
+
+	node = avl_first(&bt->item_root);
+
+	for (i = 0; i < le16_to_cpu(bt->nr_items); i++) {
+		item = container_of(node, struct scoutfs_btree_item, node);
+		ref = item_val(bt, item);
+
+		ret = btree_ref_meta_iter(ref, level - 1, cb, cb_arg);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			goto out;
+
+		node = avl_next(&bt->item_root, &item->node);
+	}
+
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	block_put(&blk);
+	sns_pop();
+
+	return ret;
+}
+
+int btree_meta_iter(struct scoutfs_btree_root *root, extent_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg)
+{
+	/* XXX check root */
+	if (root->height == 0)
+		return 0;
+
+	return btree_ref_meta_iter(&root->ref, root->height - 1, cb, cb_arg);
+}
+
+static int btree_ref_item_iter(struct scoutfs_block_ref *ref, unsigned level,
+			       btree_item_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg)
+{
+	struct scoutfs_btree_item *item;
+	struct scoutfs_btree_block *bt;
+	struct scoutfs_avl_node *node;
+	struct block *blk = NULL;
+	u64 blkno;
+	int ret;
+	int i;
+
+	blkno = le64_to_cpu(ref->blkno);
+	if (!blkno)
+		return 0;
+
+	ret = block_get(&blk, blkno, 0);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		return ret;
+
+	if (level)
+		sns_push("btree_parent", blkno, 0);
+	else
+		sns_push("btree_leaf", blkno, 0);
+
+	bt = block_buf(blk);
+
+	/* XXX integrate verification with block cache */
+	if (bt->level != level) {
+		problem(PB_BTREE_BLOCK_BAD_LEVEL, "expected %u level %u", level, bt->level);
+		ret = -EINVAL;
+		goto out;
+	}
+
+	/* read-ahead leaves that contain items */
+	if (level == 1)
+		readahead_refs(bt);
+
+	node = avl_first(&bt->item_root);
+
+	for (i = 0; i < le16_to_cpu(bt->nr_items); i++) {
+		item = container_of(node, struct scoutfs_btree_item, node);
+
+		if (level) {
+			ref = item_val(bt, item);
+			ret = btree_ref_item_iter(ref, level - 1, cb, cb_arg);
+		} else {
+			ret = cb(&item->key, item_val(bt, item),
+				 le16_to_cpu(item->val_len), cb_arg);
+			debug("free item key "SK_FMT" ret %d", SK_ARG(&item->key), ret);
+		}
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			ret = xlate_iter_errno(ret);
+			goto out;
+		}
+
+		node = avl_next(&bt->item_root, &item->node);
+	}
+
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	block_put(&blk);
+	sns_pop();
+
+	return ret;
+}
+
+int btree_item_iter(struct scoutfs_btree_root *root, btree_item_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg)
+{
+	/* XXX check root */
+	if (root->height == 0)
+		return 0;
+
+	return btree_ref_item_iter(&root->ref, root->height - 1, cb, cb_arg);
+}
diff --git a/utils/src/check/btree.h b/utils/src/check/btree.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dc0b3bf9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/btree.h
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_BTREE_H_
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_BTREE_H_
+
+#include "util.h"
+#include "format.h"
+
+#include "extent.h"
+
+typedef int (*btree_item_cb_t)(struct scoutfs_key *key, void *val, u16 val_len, void *cb_arg);
+
+int btree_meta_iter(struct scoutfs_btree_root *root, extent_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg);
+int btree_item_iter(struct scoutfs_btree_root *root, btree_item_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/utils/src/check/check.c b/utils/src/check/check.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b74b5c52
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/check.c
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+#define _GNU_SOURCE /* O_DIRECT */
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <sys/types.h>
+#include <sys/stat.h>
+#include <sys/ioctl.h>
+#include <fcntl.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <assert.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <argp.h>
+
+#include "sparse.h"
+#include "parse.h"
+#include "util.h"
+#include "format.h"
+#include "ioctl.h"
+#include "cmd.h"
+#include "dev.h"
+
+#include "alloc.h"
+#include "block.h"
+#include "debug.h"
+#include "meta.h"
+#include "super.h"
+
+struct check_args {
+	char *meta_device;
+	char *data_device;
+	char *debug_path;
+};
+
+static int do_check(struct check_args *args)
+{
+	int debug_fd = -1;
+	int meta_fd = -1;
+	int data_fd = -1;
+	int ret;
+
+	if (args->debug_path) {
+		if (strcmp(args->debug_path, "-") == 0)
+			debug_fd = dup(STDERR_FILENO);
+		else
+			debug_fd = open(args->debug_path, O_WRONLY | O_CREAT | O_TRUNC, 0644);
+		if (debug_fd < 0) {
+			ret = -errno;
+			fprintf(stderr, "error opening debug output file '%s': %s (%d)\n",
+				args->debug_path, strerror(errno), errno);
+			goto out;
+		}
+
+		debug_enable(debug_fd);
+	}
+
+	meta_fd = open(args->meta_device, O_DIRECT | O_RDWR | O_EXCL);
+	if (meta_fd < 0) {
+		ret = -errno;
+		fprintf(stderr, "failed to open meta device '%s': %s (%d)\n",
+			args->meta_device, strerror(errno), errno);
+		goto out;
+	}
+
+	data_fd = open(args->data_device, O_DIRECT | O_RDWR | O_EXCL);
+	if (data_fd < 0) {
+		ret = -errno;
+		fprintf(stderr, "failed to open data device '%s': %s (%d)\n",
+			args->data_device, strerror(errno), errno);
+		goto out;
+	}
+
+	ret = block_setup(meta_fd, 128 * 1024 * 1024, 32 * 1024 * 1024);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	ret = check_supers() ?:
+	      check_meta_refs();
+out:
+	/* and tear it all down */
+	block_shutdown();
+	super_shutdown();
+	debug_disable();
+
+	if (meta_fd >= 0)
+		close(meta_fd);
+	if (data_fd >= 0)
+		close(data_fd);
+	if (debug_fd >= 0)
+		close(debug_fd);
+
+	return ret;
+}
+
+static int parse_opt(int key, char *arg, struct argp_state *state)
+{
+	struct check_args *args = state->input;
+
+	switch (key) {
+	case 'd':
+		args->debug_path = strdup_or_error(state, arg);
+		break;
+	case 'e':
+	case ARGP_KEY_ARG:
+		if (!args->meta_device)
+			args->meta_device = strdup_or_error(state, arg);
+		else if (!args->data_device)
+			args->data_device = strdup_or_error(state, arg);
+		else
+			argp_error(state, "more than two device arguments given");
+		break;
+	case ARGP_KEY_FINI:
+		if (!args->meta_device)
+			argp_error(state, "no metadata device argument given");
+		if (!args->data_device)
+			argp_error(state, "no data device argument given");
+		break;
+	default:
+		break;
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static struct argp_option options[] = {
+	{ "debug", 'd', "FILE_PATH", 0, "Path to debug output file, will be created or truncated"},
+	{ NULL }
+};
+
+static struct argp argp = {
+	options,
+	parse_opt,
+	"META-DEVICE DATA-DEVICE",
+	"Check filesystem consistency"
+};
+
+static int check_cmd(int argc, char **argv)
+{
+	struct check_args check_args = {NULL};
+	int ret;
+
+	ret = argp_parse(&argp, argc, argv, 0, NULL, &check_args);
+	if (ret)
+		return ret;
+
+	return do_check(&check_args);
+}
+
+static void __attribute__((constructor)) check_ctor(void)
+{
+	cmd_register_argp("check", &argp, GROUP_CORE, check_cmd);
+}
diff --git a/utils/src/check/debug.c b/utils/src/check/debug.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0017c1aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/debug.c
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+#include "debug.h"
+
+int debug_fd = -1;
+
+void debug_enable(int fd)
+{
+	debug_fd = fd;
+}
+
+void debug_disable(void)
+{
+	if (debug_fd >= 0)
+		debug_fd = -1;
+}
diff --git a/utils/src/check/debug.h b/utils/src/check/debug.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a5103494
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/debug.h
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_DEBUG_H_
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_DEBUG_H_
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+
+#define debug(fmt, args...)				\
+do {							\
+	if (debug_fd >= 0)				\
+		dprintf(debug_fd, fmt"\n", ##args);	\
+} while (0)
+
+extern int debug_fd;
+
+void debug_enable(int fd);
+void debug_disable(void);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/utils/src/check/eno.h b/utils/src/check/eno.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..14579fce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/eno.h
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_ENO_H_
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_ENO_H_
+
+#include <errno.h>
+
+#define ENO_FMT		"%d (%s)"
+#define ENO_ARG(eno)	eno, strerror(eno)
+
+#endif
diff --git a/utils/src/check/extent.c b/utils/src/check/extent.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bbbcc887
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/extent.c
@@ -0,0 +1,313 @@
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+
+#include "util.h"
+#include "lk_rbtree_wrapper.h"
+
+#include "debug.h"
+#include "extent.h"
+
+/*
+ * In-memory extent management in rbtree nodes.
+ */
+
+bool extents_overlap(u64 a_start, u64 a_len, u64 b_start, u64 b_len)
+{
+	u64 a_end = a_start + a_len;
+	u64 b_end = b_start + b_len;
+
+	return !((a_end <= b_start) || (b_end <= a_start));
+}
+
+static int ext_contains(struct extent_node *ext, u64 start, u64 len)
+{
+	return ext->start <= start && ext->start + ext->len >= start + len;
+}
+
+/*
+ * True if the given extent is bisected by the given range; there's
+ * leftover containing extents on both the left and right sides of the
+ * range in the extent.
+ */
+static int ext_bisected(struct extent_node *ext, u64 start, u64 len)
+{
+	return ext->start < start && ext->start + ext->len > start + len;
+}
+
+static struct extent_node *ext_from_rbnode(struct rb_node *rbnode)
+{
+	return rbnode ? container_of(rbnode, struct extent_node, rbnode) : NULL;
+}
+
+static struct extent_node *next_ext(struct extent_node *ext)
+{
+	return ext ? ext_from_rbnode(rb_next(&ext->rbnode)) : NULL;
+}
+
+static struct extent_node *prev_ext(struct extent_node *ext)
+{
+	return ext ? ext_from_rbnode(rb_prev(&ext->rbnode)) : NULL;
+}
+
+struct walk_results {
+	unsigned bisect_to_leaf:1;
+	struct extent_node *found;
+	struct extent_node *next;
+	struct rb_node *parent;
+	struct rb_node **node;
+};
+
+static void walk_extents(struct extent_root *root, u64 start, u64 len, struct walk_results *wlk)
+{
+	struct rb_node **node = &root->rbroot.rb_node;
+	struct extent_node *ext;
+	u64 end = start + len;
+	int cmp;
+
+	wlk->found = NULL;
+	wlk->next = NULL;
+	wlk->parent = NULL;
+
+	while (*node) {
+		wlk->parent = *node;
+		ext = ext_from_rbnode(*node);
+		cmp = end <= ext->start ? -1 :
+		      start >= ext->start + ext->len ? 1 : 0;
+
+		if (cmp < 0) {
+			node = &ext->rbnode.rb_left;
+			wlk->next = ext;
+		} else if (cmp > 0) {
+			node = &ext->rbnode.rb_right;
+		} else {
+			wlk->found = ext;
+			if (!(wlk->bisect_to_leaf && ext_bisected(ext, start, len)))
+				break;
+			/* walk right so we can insert greater right from bisection */
+			node = &ext->rbnode.rb_right;
+		}
+	}
+
+	wlk->node = node;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Return an extent that overlaps with the given range.
+ */
+int extent_lookup(struct extent_root *root, u64 start, u64 len, struct extent_node *found)
+{
+	struct walk_results wlk = { 0, };
+	int ret;
+
+	walk_extents(root, start, len, &wlk);
+	if (wlk.found) {
+		memset(found, 0, sizeof(struct extent_node));
+		found->start = wlk.found->start;
+		found->len = wlk.found->len;
+		ret = 0;
+	} else {
+		ret = -ENOENT;
+	}
+
+	return ret;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Callers can iterate through direct node references and are entirely
+ * responsible for consistency when doing so.
+ */
+struct extent_node *extent_first(struct extent_root *root)
+{
+	struct walk_results wlk = { 0, };
+
+	walk_extents(root, 0, 1, &wlk);
+
+	return wlk.found ?: wlk.next;
+}
+
+struct extent_node *extent_next(struct extent_node *ext)
+{
+	return next_ext(ext);
+}
+
+struct extent_node *extent_prev(struct extent_node *ext)
+{
+	return prev_ext(ext);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Insert a new extent into the tree.  We can extend existing nodes,
+ * merge with neighbours, or remove existing extents entirely if we
+ * insert a range that fully spans existing nodes.
+ */
+static int walk_insert(struct extent_root *root, u64 start, u64 len, int found_err)
+{
+	struct walk_results wlk = { 0, };
+	struct extent_node *ext;
+	struct extent_node *nei;
+	int ret;
+
+	walk_extents(root, start, len, &wlk);
+
+	ext = wlk.found;
+	if (ext && found_err) {
+		ret = found_err;
+		goto out;
+	}
+
+	if (!ext) {
+		ext = malloc(sizeof(struct extent_node));
+		if (!ext) {
+			ret = -ENOMEM;
+			goto out;
+		}
+
+		ext->start = start;
+		ext->len = len;
+
+		rb_link_node(&ext->rbnode, wlk.parent, wlk.node);
+		rb_insert_color(&ext->rbnode, &root->rbroot);
+	}
+
+	/* start by expanding an existing extent if our range is larger */
+	if (start < ext->start) {
+		ext->len += ext->start - start;
+		ext->start = start;
+	}
+	if (ext->start + ext->len < start + len)
+		ext->len += (start + len) - (ext->start + ext->len);
+
+	/* drop any fully spanned neighbors, possibly merging with a final adjacent one */
+
+	while ((nei = prev_ext(ext))) {
+		if (nei->start + nei->len < ext->start)
+			break;
+
+		if (nei->start < ext->start) {
+			ext->len += ext->start - nei->start;
+			ext->start = nei->start;
+		}
+
+		rb_erase(&nei->rbnode, &root->rbroot);
+		free(nei);
+	}
+
+	while ((nei = next_ext(ext))) {
+		if (ext->start + ext->len < nei->start)
+			break;
+
+		if (ext->start + ext->len < nei->start + nei->len)
+			ext->len += (nei->start + nei->len) - (ext->start + ext->len);
+
+		rb_erase(&nei->rbnode, &root->rbroot);
+		free(nei);
+	}
+
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	if (ret < 0)
+		debug("start %llu len %llu ret %d", start, len, ret);
+	return ret;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Insert a new extent.  The specified extent must not overlap with any
+ * existing extents or -EEXIST is returned.
+ */
+int extent_insert_new(struct extent_root *root, u64 start, u64 len)
+{
+	return walk_insert(root, start, len, true);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Insert an extent, extending any existing extents that may overlap.
+ */
+int extent_insert_extend(struct extent_root *root, u64 start, u64 len)
+{
+	return walk_insert(root, start, len, false);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Remove the specified extent from an existing node.  The given extent must be fully
+ * contained in a single node or -ENOENT is returned.
+ */
+int extent_remove(struct extent_root *root, u64 start, u64 len)
+{
+	struct extent_node *ext;
+	struct extent_node *ins;
+	struct walk_results wlk = {
+		.bisect_to_leaf = 1,
+	};
+	int ret;
+
+	walk_extents(root, start, len, &wlk);
+
+	if (!(ext = wlk.found) || !ext_contains(ext, start, len)) {
+		ret = -ENOENT;
+		goto out;
+	}
+
+	if (ext_bisected(ext, start, len)) {
+		debug("found bisected start %llu len %llu", ext->start, ext->len);
+		ins = malloc(sizeof(struct extent_node));
+		if (!ins) {
+			ret = -ENOMEM;
+			goto out;
+		}
+
+		ins->start = start + len;
+		ins->len = (ext->start + ext->len) - ins->start;
+
+		rb_link_node(&ins->rbnode, wlk.parent, wlk.node);
+		rb_insert_color(&ins->rbnode, &root->rbroot);
+	}
+
+	if (start > ext->start) {
+		ext->len = start - ext->start;
+	} else if (len < ext->len) {
+		ext->start += len;
+		ext->len -= len;
+	} else {
+		rb_erase(&ext->rbnode, &root->rbroot);
+	}
+
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	debug("start %llu len %llu ret %d", start, len, ret);
+
+	return ret;
+}
+
+void extent_root_init(struct extent_root *root)
+{
+	root->rbroot = RB_ROOT;
+	root->total = 0;
+}
+
+void extent_root_free(struct extent_root *root)
+{
+	struct extent_node *ext;
+	struct rb_node *node;
+	struct rb_node *tmp;
+
+	for (node = rb_first(&root->rbroot); node && ((tmp = rb_next(node)), 1); node = tmp) {
+		ext = rb_entry(node, struct extent_node, rbnode);
+		rb_erase(&ext->rbnode, &root->rbroot);
+		free(ext);
+	}
+}
+
+void extent_root_print(struct extent_root *root)
+{
+	struct extent_node *ext;
+	struct rb_node *node;
+	struct rb_node *tmp;
+
+	for (node = rb_first(&root->rbroot); node && ((tmp = rb_next(node)), 1); node = tmp) {
+		ext = rb_entry(node, struct extent_node, rbnode);
+		debug("  start %llu len %llu", ext->start, ext->len);
+	}
+}
diff --git a/utils/src/check/extent.h b/utils/src/check/extent.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2a38f765
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/extent.h
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_EXTENT_H_
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_EXTENT_H_
+
+#include "lk_rbtree_wrapper.h"
+
+struct extent_root {
+	struct rb_root rbroot;
+	u64 total;
+};
+
+struct extent_node {
+	struct rb_node rbnode;
+	u64 start;
+	u64 len;
+};
+
+typedef int (*extent_cb_t)(u64 start, u64 len, void *arg);
+
+struct extent_cb_arg_t {
+	extent_cb_t cb;
+	void *cb_arg;
+};
+
+bool extents_overlap(u64 a_start, u64 a_len, u64 b_start, u64 b_len);
+
+int extent_lookup(struct extent_root *root, u64 start, u64 len, struct extent_node *found);
+struct extent_node *extent_first(struct extent_root *root);
+struct extent_node *extent_next(struct extent_node *ext);
+struct extent_node *extent_prev(struct extent_node *ext);
+int extent_insert_new(struct extent_root *root, u64 start, u64 len);
+int extent_insert_extend(struct extent_root *root, u64 start, u64 len);
+int extent_remove(struct extent_root *root, u64 start, u64 len);
+
+void extent_root_init(struct extent_root *root);
+void extent_root_free(struct extent_root *root);
+void extent_root_print(struct extent_root *root);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/utils/src/check/iter.h b/utils/src/check/iter.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..54c5d13b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/iter.h
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_ITER_H_
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_ITER_H_
+
+/*
+ * Callbacks can return a weird -errno that we'll never use to indicate
+ * that iteration can stop and return 0 for success.
+ */
+#define ECHECK_ITER_DONE EL2HLT
+
+static inline int xlate_iter_errno(int ret)
+{
+	return ret == -ECHECK_ITER_DONE ? 0 : ret;
+}
+
+#endif
diff --git a/utils/src/check/log_trees.c b/utils/src/check/log_trees.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..627052c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/log_trees.c
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+
+#include "sparse.h"
+#include "util.h"
+#include "format.h"
+#include "key.h"
+
+#include "alloc.h"
+#include "btree.h"
+#include "debug.h"
+#include "extent.h"
+#include "iter.h"
+#include "sns.h"
+#include "log_trees.h"
+#include "super.h"
+
+struct iter_args {
+	extent_cb_t cb;
+	void *cb_arg;
+};
+
+static int lt_meta_iter(struct scoutfs_key *key, void *val, u16 val_len, void *cb_arg)
+{
+	struct iter_args *ia = cb_arg;
+	struct scoutfs_log_trees *lt;
+	int ret;
+
+	if (val_len != sizeof(struct scoutfs_log_trees))
+		; /* XXX */
+
+	lt = val;
+
+	sns_push("log_trees", le64_to_cpu(lt->rid), le64_to_cpu(lt->nr));
+
+	debug("lt rid 0x%16llx nr %llu", le64_to_cpu(lt->rid), le64_to_cpu(lt->nr));
+
+	sns_push("meta_avail", 0, 0);
+	ret = alloc_list_meta_iter(&lt->meta_avail, ia->cb, ia->cb_arg);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("meta_freed", 0, 0);
+	ret = alloc_list_meta_iter(&lt->meta_freed, ia->cb, ia->cb_arg);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("item_root", 0, 0);
+	ret = btree_meta_iter(&lt->item_root, ia->cb, ia->cb_arg);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	if (lt->bloom_ref.blkno) {
+		sns_push("bloom_ref", 0, 0);
+		ret = ia->cb(le64_to_cpu(lt->bloom_ref.blkno), 1, ia->cb_arg);
+		sns_pop();
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			ret = xlate_iter_errno(ret);
+			goto out;
+		}
+	}
+
+	sns_push("data_avail", 0, 0);
+	ret = alloc_root_meta_iter(&lt->data_avail, ia->cb, ia->cb_arg);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("data_freed", 0, 0);
+	ret = alloc_root_meta_iter(&lt->data_freed, ia->cb, ia->cb_arg);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	sns_pop();
+
+	return ret;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Call the callers callback with the extent of all the metadata block references contained
+ * in log btrees.  We walk the logs_root btree items and walk all the metadata structures
+ * they reference.
+ */
+int log_trees_meta_iter(extent_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg)
+{
+	struct scoutfs_super_block *super = global_super;
+	struct iter_args ia = { .cb = cb, .cb_arg = cb_arg };
+
+	return btree_item_iter(&super->logs_root, lt_meta_iter, &ia);
+}
diff --git a/utils/src/check/log_trees.h b/utils/src/check/log_trees.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7a7150b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/log_trees.h
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_LOG_TREES_H_
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_LOG_TREES_H_
+
+#include "extent.h"
+
+int log_trees_meta_iter(extent_cb_t cb, void *cb_arg);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/utils/src/check/meta.c b/utils/src/check/meta.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..40a2e5a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/meta.c
@@ -0,0 +1,367 @@
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <sys/mman.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+
+#include "sparse.h"
+#include "util.h"
+#include "format.h"
+#include "bitmap.h"
+#include "key.h"
+
+#include "alloc.h"
+#include "btree.h"
+#include "debug.h"
+#include "extent.h"
+#include "sns.h"
+#include "log_trees.h"
+#include "meta.h"
+#include "problem.h"
+#include "super.h"
+
+static struct meta_data {
+	struct extent_root meta_refed;
+	struct extent_root meta_free;
+	struct {
+		u64 ref_blocks;
+		u64 free_extents;
+		u64 free_blocks;
+	} stats;
+} global_mdat;
+
+bool valid_meta_blkno(u64 blkno)
+{
+	u64 tot = le64_to_cpu(global_super->total_meta_blocks);
+
+	return blkno >= SCOUTFS_META_DEV_START_BLKNO && blkno < tot;
+}
+
+static bool valid_meta_extent(u64 start, u64 len)
+{
+	u64 tot = le64_to_cpu(global_super->total_meta_blocks);
+	bool valid;
+
+	valid = len > 0 &&
+		start >= SCOUTFS_META_DEV_START_BLKNO &&
+		start < tot &&
+		len <= tot &&
+		((start + len) <= tot) &&
+		((start + len) > start);
+
+	debug("start %llu len %llu valid %u", start, len, !!valid);
+
+	if (!valid)
+		problem(PB_META_EXTENT_INVALID, "start %llu len %llu", start, len);
+
+	return valid;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Track references to individual metadata blocks.  This uses the extent
+ * callback type but is only ever called for single block references.
+ * Any reference to a block that has already been referenced is
+ * considered invalid and is ignored.  Later repair will resolve
+ * duplicate references.
+ */
+static int insert_meta_ref(u64 start, u64 len, void *arg)
+{
+	struct meta_data *mdat = &global_mdat;
+	struct extent_root *root = arg;
+	int ret = 0;
+
+	/* this is tracking single metadata block references */
+	if (len != 1) {
+		ret = -EINVAL;
+		goto out;
+	}
+
+	if (valid_meta_blkno(start)) {
+		ret = extent_insert_new(root, start, len);
+		if (ret == 0)
+			mdat->stats.ref_blocks++;
+		else if (ret == -EEXIST)
+			problem(PB_META_REF_OVERLAPS_EXISTING, "blkno %llu", start);
+	}
+
+out:
+	return ret;
+}
+
+static int insert_meta_free(u64 start, u64 len, void *arg)
+{
+	struct meta_data *mdat = &global_mdat;
+	struct extent_root *root = arg;
+	int ret = 0;
+
+	if (valid_meta_extent(start, len)) {
+		ret = extent_insert_new(root, start, len);
+		if (ret == 0) {
+			mdat->stats.free_extents++;
+			mdat->stats.free_blocks++;
+
+		} else if (ret == -EEXIST) {
+			problem(PB_META_FREE_OVERLAPS_EXISTING,
+				"start %llu llen %llu", start, len);
+		}
+
+	}
+
+	return ret;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Walk all metadata references in the system.  This walk doesn't need
+ * to read metadata that doesn't contain any metadata references so it
+ * can skip the bulk of metadata blocks.  This gives us the set of
+ * referenced metadata blocks which we can then use to repair metadata
+ * allocator structures.
+ */
+static int get_meta_refs(void)
+{
+	struct meta_data *mdat = &global_mdat;
+	struct scoutfs_super_block *super = global_super;
+	int ret;
+
+	extent_root_init(&mdat->meta_refed);
+
+	/* XXX record reserved blocks around super as referenced */
+
+	sns_push("meta_alloc", 0, 0);
+	ret = alloc_root_meta_iter(&super->meta_alloc[0], insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("meta_alloc", 1, 0);
+	ret = alloc_root_meta_iter(&super->meta_alloc[1], insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("data_alloc", 1, 0);
+	ret = alloc_root_meta_iter(&super->data_alloc, insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("server_meta_avail", 0, 0);
+	ret = alloc_list_meta_iter(&super->server_meta_avail[0],
+				   insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("server_meta_avail", 1, 0);
+	ret = alloc_list_meta_iter(&super->server_meta_avail[1],
+				   insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("server_meta_freed", 0, 0);
+	ret = alloc_list_meta_iter(&super->server_meta_freed[0],
+				   insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("server_meta_freed", 1, 0);
+	ret = alloc_list_meta_iter(&super->server_meta_freed[1],
+				   insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("fs_root", 0, 0);
+	ret = btree_meta_iter(&super->fs_root, insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("logs_root", 0, 0);
+	ret = btree_meta_iter(&super->logs_root, insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("log_merge", 0, 0);
+	ret = btree_meta_iter(&super->log_merge, insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("mounted_clients", 0, 0);
+	ret = btree_meta_iter(&super->mounted_clients, insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("srch_root", 0, 0);
+	ret = btree_meta_iter(&super->srch_root, insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	ret = log_trees_meta_iter(insert_meta_ref, &mdat->meta_refed);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	debug("found %llu referenced metadata blocks", mdat->stats.ref_blocks);
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	return ret;
+}
+
+static int get_meta_free(void)
+{
+	struct meta_data *mdat = &global_mdat;
+	struct scoutfs_super_block *super = global_super;
+	int ret;
+
+	extent_root_init(&mdat->meta_free);
+
+	sns_push("meta_alloc", 0, 0);
+	ret = alloc_root_extent_iter(&super->meta_alloc[0], insert_meta_free, &mdat->meta_free);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("meta_alloc", 1, 0);
+	ret = alloc_root_extent_iter(&super->meta_alloc[1], insert_meta_free, &mdat->meta_free);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("server_meta_avail", 0, 0);
+	ret = alloc_list_extent_iter(&super->server_meta_avail[0],
+				     insert_meta_free, &mdat->meta_free);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("server_meta_avail", 1, 0);
+	ret = alloc_list_extent_iter(&super->server_meta_avail[1],
+				     insert_meta_free, &mdat->meta_free);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("server_meta_freed", 0, 0);
+	ret = alloc_list_extent_iter(&super->server_meta_freed[0],
+				     insert_meta_free, &mdat->meta_free);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	sns_push("server_meta_freed", 1, 0);
+	ret = alloc_list_extent_iter(&super->server_meta_freed[1],
+				     insert_meta_free, &mdat->meta_free);
+	sns_pop();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	debug("found %llu free metadata blocks in %llu extents",
+	       mdat->stats.free_blocks, mdat->stats.free_extents);
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	return ret;
+}
+
+/*
+ * All the space between referenced blocks must be recorded in the free
+ * extents.  The free extent walk didn't check that the extents
+ * overlapped with references, we do that here.  Remember that metadata
+ * block references were merged into extents here, the refed extents
+ * aren't necessarily all a single block.
+ */
+static int compare_refs_and_free(void)
+{
+	struct meta_data *mdat = &global_mdat;
+	struct extent_node *ref;
+	struct extent_node *free;
+	struct extent_node *next;
+	struct extent_node *prev;
+	u64 expect;
+	u64 start;
+	u64 end;
+
+	expect = 0;
+	ref = extent_first(&mdat->meta_refed);
+	free = extent_first(&mdat->meta_free);
+	while (ref || free) {
+
+		debug("exp %llu ref %llu.%llu free %llu.%llu",
+			expect, ref ? ref->start : 0, ref ? ref->len : 0,
+			free ? free->start : 0, free ? free->len : 0);
+
+		/* referenced marked free, remove ref from free and continue from same point */
+		if (ref && free && extents_overlap(ref->start, ref->len, free->start, free->len)) {
+			debug("ref extent %llu.%llu overlaps free %llu %llu",
+				ref->start, ref->len, free->start, free->len);
+
+			start = max(ref->start, free->start);
+			end = min(ref->start + ref->len, free->start + free->len);
+
+			prev = extent_prev(free);
+
+			extent_remove(&mdat->meta_free, start, end - start);
+
+			if (prev)
+				free = extent_next(prev);
+			else
+				free = extent_first(&mdat->meta_free);
+			continue;
+		}
+
+		/* see which extent starts earlier */
+		if (!free || (ref && ref->start <= free->start))
+			next = ref;
+		else
+			next = free;
+
+		/* untracked region before next extent */
+		if (expect < next->start) {
+			debug("missing free extent %llu.%llu", expect, next->start - expect);
+			expect = next->start;
+			continue;
+		}
+
+
+		/* didn't overlap, advance past next extent */
+		expect = next->start + next->len;
+		if (next == ref)
+			ref = extent_next(ref);
+		else
+			free = extent_next(free);
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Check the metadata allocators by comparing the set of referenced
+ * blocks with the set of free blocks that are stored in free btree
+ * items and alloc list blocks.
+ */
+int check_meta_alloc(void)
+{
+	int ret;
+
+	ret = get_meta_refs();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	ret = get_meta_free();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	ret = compare_refs_and_free();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	return ret;
+}
diff --git a/utils/src/check/meta.h b/utils/src/check/meta.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..80c97a03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/meta.h
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_META_H_
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_META_H_
+
+bool valid_meta_blkno(u64 blkno);
+
+int check_meta_alloc(void);
+
+#endif
+
diff --git a/utils/src/check/padding.c b/utils/src/check/padding.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..81e12c33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/padding.c
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+#include <string.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+
+#include "util.h"
+#include "padding.h"
+
+bool padding_is_zeros(const void *data, size_t sz)
+{
+	static char zeros[32] = {0,};
+	const size_t batch = array_size(zeros);
+
+	while (sz >= batch) {
+		if (memcmp(data, zeros, batch))
+			return false;
+		data += batch;
+		sz -= batch;
+	}
+
+	if (sz > 0 && memcmp(data, zeros, sz))
+		return false;
+
+	return true;
+}
diff --git a/utils/src/check/padding.h b/utils/src/check/padding.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9bf03a81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/padding.h
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_PADDING_H_
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_PADDING_H_
+
+bool padding_is_zeros(const void *data, size_t sz);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/utils/src/check/problem.c b/utils/src/check/problem.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2191726f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/problem.c
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+#include "problem.h"
+
+#if 0
+#define PROB_STR(pb) [pb] = #pb
+static char *prob_strs[] = {
+	PROB_STR(PB_META_EXTENT_INVALID),
+	PROB_STR(PB_META_EXTENT_OVERLAPS_EXISTING),
+};
+#endif
+
+static struct problem_data {
+	uint64_t counts[PB__NR];
+} global_pdat;
+
+void problem_record(prob_t pb)
+{
+	struct problem_data *pdat = &global_pdat;
+
+	pdat->counts[pb]++;
+}
diff --git a/utils/src/check/problem.h b/utils/src/check/problem.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ce7b7fde
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/problem.h
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_PROBLEM_H_
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_PROBLEM_H_
+
+#include "debug.h"
+#include "sns.h"
+
+typedef enum {
+	PB_META_EXTENT_INVALID,
+	PB_META_REF_OVERLAPS_EXISTING,
+	PB_META_FREE_OVERLAPS_EXISTING,
+	PB_BTREE_BLOCK_BAD_LEVEL,
+	PB__NR,
+} prob_t;
+
+#define problem(pb, fmt, ...)							\
+do {										\
+	debug("problem found: "#pb": %s: "fmt, sns_str(), __VA_ARGS__);	\
+	problem_record(pb);							\
+} while (0)
+
+void problem_record(prob_t pb);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/utils/src/check/sns.c b/utils/src/check/sns.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..45f45453
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/sns.c
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include "sns.h"
+
+/*
+ * This "str num stack" is used to describe our location in metadata at
+ * any given time.
+ *
+ * As we descend into structures we pop a string on decribing them,
+ * perhaps with associated numbers.  Pushing and popping is very cheap
+ * and only rarely do we format the stack into a string, as an arbitrary
+ * example:
+ *   super.fs_root.btree_parent:1231.btree_leaf:3231"
+ */
+
+#define SNS_MAX_DEPTH	1000
+#define SNS_STR_SIZE	(SNS_MAX_DEPTH * (SNS_MAX_STR_LEN + 1 + 16 + 1))
+
+static struct sns_data {
+	unsigned int depth;
+
+	struct sns_entry {
+		char *str;
+		size_t len;
+		u64 a;
+		u64 b;
+	} ents[SNS_MAX_DEPTH];
+
+	char str[SNS_STR_SIZE];
+
+} global_lsdat;
+
+void _sns_push(char *str, size_t len, u64 a, u64 b)
+{
+	struct sns_data *lsdat = &global_lsdat;
+
+	if (lsdat->depth < SNS_MAX_DEPTH) {
+		lsdat->ents[lsdat->depth++] = (struct sns_entry) {
+			.str = str,
+			.len = len,
+			.a = a,
+			.b = b,
+		};
+	}
+}
+
+void sns_pop(void)
+{
+	struct sns_data *lsdat = &global_lsdat;
+
+	if (lsdat->depth > 0)
+		lsdat->depth--;
+}
+
+static char *append_str(char *pos, char *str, size_t len)
+{
+	memcpy(pos, str, len);
+	return pos + len;
+}
+
+/*
+ * This is not called for x = 0 so we don't need to emit an initial 0.
+ * We could by using do {} while instead of while {}.
+ */
+static char *append_u64x(char *pos, u64 x)
+{
+	static char hex[] = "0123456789abcdef";
+
+	while (x) {
+		*pos++ = hex[x & 0xf];
+		x >>= 4;
+	}
+
+	return pos;
+}
+
+static char *append_char(char *pos, char c)
+{
+	*(pos++) = c;
+	return pos;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Return a pointer to a null terminated string that describes the
+ * current location stack.  The string buffer is global.
+ */
+char *sns_str(void)
+{
+	struct sns_data *lsdat = &global_lsdat;
+	struct sns_entry *ent;
+	char *pos;
+	int i;
+
+	pos = lsdat->str;
+	for (i = 0; i < lsdat->depth; i++) {
+		ent = &lsdat->ents[i];
+
+		if (i)
+			pos = append_char(pos, '.');
+
+		pos = append_str(pos, ent->str, ent->len);
+
+		if (ent->a) {
+			pos = append_char(pos, ':');
+			pos = append_u64x(pos, ent->a);
+		}
+
+		if (ent->b) {
+			pos = append_char(pos, ':');
+			pos = append_u64x(pos, ent->b);
+		}
+	}
+
+	*pos = '\0';
+
+	return lsdat->str;
+}
diff --git a/utils/src/check/sns.h b/utils/src/check/sns.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..34c1a2be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/sns.h
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_SNS_H_
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_SNS_H_
+
+#include <assert.h>
+
+#include "sparse.h"
+
+#define SNS_MAX_STR_LEN 20
+
+#define sns_push(str, a, b)					\
+do {								\
+	build_assert(sizeof(str) - 1 <= SNS_MAX_STR_LEN);	\
+	_sns_push((str), sizeof(str) - 1, a, b);		\
+} while (0)
+
+void _sns_push(char *str, size_t len, u64 a, u64 b);
+void sns_pop(void);
+char *sns_str(void);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/utils/src/check/super.c b/utils/src/check/super.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9c2f078d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/super.c
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+
+#include "sparse.h"
+#include "util.h"
+#include "format.h"
+
+#include "block.h"
+#include "super.h"
+
+/*
+ * After we check the super blocks we provide a global buffer to track
+ * the current super block.  It is referenced to get static information
+ * about the system and is also modified and written as part of
+ * transactions.
+ */
+struct scoutfs_super_block *global_super;
+
+/*
+ * After checking the supers we save a copy of it in a global buffer that's used by
+ * other modules to track the current super.  It can be modified and written during commits.
+ */
+int check_supers(void)
+{
+	struct scoutfs_super_block *super = NULL;
+	struct block *blk = NULL;
+	int ret;
+
+	global_super = malloc(sizeof(struct scoutfs_super_block));
+	if (!global_super) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "error allocating super block buffer\n");
+		ret = -ENOMEM;
+		goto out;
+	}
+
+	ret = block_get(&blk, SCOUTFS_SUPER_BLKNO, BF_SM);
+	if (ret < 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "error reading super block\n");
+		goto out;
+	}
+
+	super = block_buf(blk);
+
+	memcpy(global_super, super, sizeof(struct scoutfs_super_block));
+	ret = 0;
+out:
+	block_put(&blk);
+
+	return ret;
+}
+
+void super_shutdown(void)
+{
+	free(global_super);
+}
diff --git a/utils/src/check/super.h b/utils/src/check/super.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7c75ad2d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/src/check/super.h
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#ifndef _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_SUPER_H_
+#define _SCOUTFS_UTILS_CHECK_SUPER_H_
+
+extern struct scoutfs_super_block *global_super;
+
+int check_supers(void);
+void super_shutdown(void);
+
+#endif