_yaml: Split Node-related parts into 'node.pyx'

This makes the 'Node' API public, and available for use directly for
plugins.

23 files changed, 1118 insertions, 1041 deletions

diff --git a/.pylintrc b/.pylintrc
index c6f52b889..63ff1b756 100644
--- a/.pylintrc
+++ b/.pylintrc
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 # be loaded. Extensions are loading into the active Python interpreter and may
 # run arbitrary code
 extension-pkg-whitelist=
+    buildstream.node,
     buildstream._loader._loader,
     buildstream._loader.types,
     buildstream._variables,
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 330b1d411..1ea423e1a 100755
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -402,10 +402,11 @@ def register_cython_module(module_name, dependencies=None):
 
 BUILD_EXTENSIONS = []
 
+register_cython_module("buildstream.node")
 register_cython_module("buildstream._loader._loader")
-register_cython_module("buildstream._loader.types", dependencies=["buildstream._yaml"])
-register_cython_module("buildstream._yaml")
-register_cython_module("buildstream._variables", dependencies=["buildstream._yaml"])
+register_cython_module("buildstream._loader.types", dependencies=["buildstream.node"])
+register_cython_module("buildstream._yaml", dependencies=["buildstream.node"])
+register_cython_module("buildstream._variables", dependencies=["buildstream.node"])
 
 #####################################################
 #             Main setup() Invocation               #
diff --git a/src/buildstream/__init__.py b/src/buildstream/__init__.py
index 62890a62f..cd8d0f1cf 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/__init__.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/__init__.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ if "_BST_COMPLETION" not in os.environ:
     from .utils import UtilError, ProgramNotFoundError
     from .sandbox import Sandbox, SandboxFlags, SandboxCommandError
     from .types import Scope, Consistency, CoreWarnings
+    from .node import MappingNode, Node, ProvenanceInformation, ScalarNode, SequenceNode
     from .plugin import Plugin
     from .source import Source, SourceError, SourceFetcher
     from .element import Element, ElementError
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_context.py b/src/buildstream/_context.py
index 37af45ca9..c29910418 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_context.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/_context.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from ._artifactcache import ArtifactCache
 from ._sourcecache import SourceCache
 from ._cas import CASCache, CASQuota, CASCacheUsage
 from ._workspaces import Workspaces, WorkspaceProjectCache
+from .node import Node
 from .sandbox import SandboxRemote
 
 
@@ -154,7 +155,7 @@ class Context():
         self._artifactcache = None
         self._sourcecache = None
         self._projects = []
-        self._project_overrides = _yaml.Node.from_dict({})
+        self._project_overrides = Node.from_dict({})
         self._workspaces = None
         self._workspace_project_cache = WorkspaceProjectCache()
         self._cascache = None
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_frontend/app.py b/src/buildstream/_frontend/app.py
index 53275d251..2c0dcb1e7 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_frontend/app.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/_frontend/app.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ from .._exceptions import BstError, StreamError, LoadError, LoadErrorReason, App
 from .._message import Message, MessageType, unconditional_messages
 from .._stream import Stream
 from .._versions import BST_FORMAT_VERSION
-from .. import _yaml
+from .. import node
 
 # Import frontend assets
 from .profile import Profile
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ class App():
             if project_name:
                 # If project name was specified, user interaction is not desired, just
                 # perform some validation and write the project.conf
-                _yaml.assert_symbol_name(project_name, 'project name')
+                node.assert_symbol_name(project_name, 'project name')
                 self._assert_format_version(format_version)
                 self._assert_element_path(element_path)
 
@@ -801,7 +801,7 @@ class App():
 
         def project_name_proc(user_input):
             try:
-                _yaml.assert_symbol_name(None, user_input, 'project name')
+                node.assert_symbol_name(None, user_input, 'project name')
             except LoadError as e:
                 message = "{}\n\n{}\n".format(e, e.detail)
                 raise UsageError(message) from e
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_includes.py b/src/buildstream/_includes.py
index 90dd8d929..c3bef1ce6 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_includes.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/_includes.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import os
 from . import _yaml
+from .node import MappingNode, ScalarNode, SequenceNode
 from ._exceptions import LoadError, LoadErrorReason
 
 
@@ -35,10 +36,10 @@ class Includes:
         if current_loader is None:
             current_loader = self._loader
 
-        includes_node = node.get_node('(@)', allowed_types=[_yaml.ScalarNode, _yaml.SequenceNode], allow_none=True)
+        includes_node = node.get_node('(@)', allowed_types=[ScalarNode, SequenceNode], allow_none=True)
 
         if includes_node:
-            if type(includes_node) is _yaml.ScalarNode:  # pylint: disable=unidiomatic-typecheck
+            if type(includes_node) is ScalarNode:  # pylint: disable=unidiomatic-typecheck
                 includes = [includes_node.as_str()]
             else:
                 includes = includes_node.as_str_list()
@@ -132,12 +133,12 @@ class Includes:
                        only_local=False):
         value_type = type(value)
 
-        if value_type is _yaml.MappingNode:
+        if value_type is MappingNode:
             self.process(value,
                          included=included,
                          current_loader=current_loader,
                          only_local=only_local)
-        elif value_type is _yaml.SequenceNode:
+        elif value_type is SequenceNode:
             for v in value:
                 self._process_value(v,
                                     included=included,
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_loader/loader.py b/src/buildstream/_loader/loader.py
index 27975dc34..5a2624c6a 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_loader/loader.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/_loader/loader.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ from .._exceptions import LoadError, LoadErrorReason
 from .. import Consistency
 from .. import _yaml
 from ..element import Element
+from ..node import Node
 from .._profile import Topics, PROFILER
 from .._includes import Includes
 
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ class Loader():
 
         # Set up a dummy element that depends on all top-level targets
         # to resolve potential circular dependencies between them
-        dummy_target = LoadElement(_yaml.Node.from_dict({}), "", self)
+        dummy_target = LoadElement(Node.from_dict({}), "", self)
         dummy_target.dependencies.extend(
             LoadElement.Dependency(element, Symbol.RUNTIME)
             for element in target_elements
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_loader/metaelement.py b/src/buildstream/_loader/metaelement.py
index 8214e303d..67d2ec771 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_loader/metaelement.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/_loader/metaelement.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 #  Authors:
 #        Tristan Van Berkom <tristan.vanberkom@codethink.co.uk>
 
-from .. import _yaml
+from ..node import Node
 
 
 class MetaElement():
@@ -48,12 +48,12 @@ class MetaElement():
         self.kind = kind
         self.provenance = provenance
         self.sources = sources
-        self.config = config or _yaml.Node.from_dict({})
-        self.variables = variables or _yaml.Node.from_dict({})
-        self.environment = environment or _yaml.Node.from_dict({})
+        self.config = config or Node.from_dict({})
+        self.variables = variables or Node.from_dict({})
+        self.environment = environment or Node.from_dict({})
         self.env_nocache = env_nocache or []
-        self.public = public or _yaml.Node.from_dict({})
-        self.sandbox = sandbox or _yaml.Node.from_dict({})
+        self.public = public or Node.from_dict({})
+        self.sandbox = sandbox or Node.from_dict({})
         self.build_dependencies = []
         self.dependencies = []
         self.first_pass = first_pass
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_loader/types.pyx b/src/buildstream/_loader/types.pyx
index fe1cea789..e8c16b36e 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_loader/types.pyx
+++ b/src/buildstream/_loader/types.pyx
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 #        Tristan Van Berkom <tristan.vanberkom@codethink.co.uk>
 
 from .._exceptions import LoadError, LoadErrorReason
-from .. cimport _yaml
+from ..node cimport MappingNode, Node, ProvenanceInformation, ScalarNode, SequenceNode
 
 
 # Symbol():
@@ -59,32 +59,32 @@ class Symbol():
 #                                        dependency was declared
 #
 cdef class Dependency:
-    cdef public _yaml.ProvenanceInformation provenance
+    cdef public ProvenanceInformation provenance
     cdef public str name
     cdef public str dep_type
     cdef public str junction
 
     def __init__(self,
-                 _yaml.Node dep,
+                 Node dep,
                  str default_dep_type=None):
         cdef str dep_type
 
         self.provenance = dep.get_provenance()
 
-        if type(dep) is _yaml.ScalarNode:
+        if type(dep) is ScalarNode:
             self.name = dep.as_str()
             self.dep_type = default_dep_type
             self.junction = None
 
-        elif type(dep) is _yaml.MappingNode:
+        elif type(dep) is MappingNode:
             if default_dep_type:
-                (<_yaml.MappingNode> dep).validate_keys(['filename', 'junction'])
+                (<MappingNode> dep).validate_keys(['filename', 'junction'])
                 dep_type = default_dep_type
             else:
-                (<_yaml.MappingNode> dep).validate_keys(['filename', 'type', 'junction'])
+                (<MappingNode> dep).validate_keys(['filename', 'type', 'junction'])
 
                 # Make type optional, for this we set it to None
-                dep_type = (<_yaml.MappingNode> dep).get_str(<str> Symbol.TYPE, None)
+                dep_type = (<MappingNode> dep).get_str(<str> Symbol.TYPE, None)
                 if dep_type is None or dep_type == <str> Symbol.ALL:
                     dep_type = None
                 elif dep_type not in [Symbol.BUILD, Symbol.RUNTIME]:
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ cdef class Dependency:
                                     "{}: Dependency type '{}' is not 'build', 'runtime' or 'all'"
                                     .format(provenance, dep_type))
 
-            self.name = (<_yaml.MappingNode> dep).get_str(<str> Symbol.FILENAME)
+            self.name = (<MappingNode> dep).get_str(<str> Symbol.FILENAME)
             self.dep_type = dep_type
-            self.junction = (<_yaml.MappingNode> dep).get_str(<str> Symbol.JUNCTION, None)
+            self.junction = (<MappingNode> dep).get_str(<str> Symbol.JUNCTION, None)
 
         else:
             raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
@@ -136,9 +136,9 @@ cdef class Dependency:
 #    default_dep_type (str): type to give to the dependency
 #    acc (list): a list in which to add the loaded dependencies
 #
-cdef void _extract_depends_from_node(_yaml.Node node, str key, str default_dep_type, list acc) except *:
-    cdef _yaml.SequenceNode depends = node.get_sequence(key, [])
-    cdef _yaml.Node dep_node
+cdef void _extract_depends_from_node(Node node, str key, str default_dep_type, list acc) except *:
+    cdef SequenceNode depends = node.get_sequence(key, [])
+    cdef Node dep_node
 
     for dep_node in depends:
         dependency = Dependency(dep_node, default_dep_type=default_dep_type)
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ cdef void _extract_depends_from_node(_yaml.Node node, str key, str default_dep_t
 # Returns:
 #    (list): a list of Dependency objects
 #
-def extract_depends_from_node(_yaml.Node node):
+def extract_depends_from_node(Node node):
     cdef list acc = []
     _extract_depends_from_node(node, <str> Symbol.BUILD_DEPENDS, <str> Symbol.BUILD, acc)
     _extract_depends_from_node(node, <str> Symbol.RUNTIME_DEPENDS, <str> Symbol.RUNTIME, acc)
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_options/option.py b/src/buildstream/_options/option.py
index ae5d56beb..98090e1b5 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_options/option.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/_options/option.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 #  Authors:
 #        Tristan Van Berkom <tristan.vanberkom@codethink.co.uk>
 
-from .. import _yaml
+from ..node import assert_symbol_name
 
 
 # Shared symbols for validation purposes
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class Option():
 
         # Assert valid symbol name for variable name
         if self.variable is not None:
-            _yaml.assert_symbol_name(self.variable, 'variable name', ref_node=node.get_node('variable'))
+            assert_symbol_name(self.variable, 'variable name', ref_node=node.get_node('variable'))
 
     # load_value()
     #
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_options/optionpool.py b/src/buildstream/_options/optionpool.py
index 38e9e6769..56adf68f2 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_options/optionpool.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/_options/optionpool.py
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@
 
 import jinja2
 
-from .. import _yaml
 from .._exceptions import LoadError, LoadErrorReason
+from ..node import MappingNode, SequenceNode, assert_symbol_name
 from .optionbool import OptionBool
 from .optionenum import OptionEnum
 from .optionflags import OptionFlags
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ class OptionPool():
         for option_name, option_definition in options.items():
 
             # Assert that the option name is a valid symbol
-            _yaml.assert_symbol_name(option_name, "option name", ref_node=option_definition, allow_dashes=False)
+            assert_symbol_name(option_name, "option name", ref_node=option_definition, allow_dashes=False)
 
             opt_type_name = option_definition.get_str('type')
             try:
@@ -186,9 +186,9 @@ class OptionPool():
         #
         for value in node.values():
             value_type = type(value)
-            if value_type is _yaml.MappingNode:
+            if value_type is MappingNode:
                 self.process_node(value)
-            elif value_type is _yaml.SequenceNode:
+            elif value_type is SequenceNode:
                 self._process_list(value)
 
     #######################################################
@@ -238,9 +238,9 @@ class OptionPool():
     def _process_list(self, values):
         for value in values:
             value_type = type(value)
-            if value_type is _yaml.MappingNode:
+            if value_type is MappingNode:
                 self.process_node(value)
-            elif value_type is _yaml.SequenceNode:
+            elif value_type is SequenceNode:
                 self._process_list(value)
 
     # Process a single conditional, resulting in composition
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ class OptionPool():
                     provenance = condition.get_provenance()
                     raise LoadError(e.reason, "{}: {}".format(provenance, e)) from e
 
-                if type(value) is not _yaml.MappingNode:  # pylint: disable=unidiomatic-typecheck
+                if type(value) is not MappingNode:  # pylint: disable=unidiomatic-typecheck
                     provenance = condition.get_provenance()
                     raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.ILLEGAL_COMPOSITE,
                                     "{}: Only values of type 'dict' can be composed.".format(provenance))
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_project.py b/src/buildstream/_project.py
index 85ce11e62..a9956421a 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_project.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/_project.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ from ._exceptions import LoadError, LoadErrorReason
 from ._options import OptionPool
 from ._artifactcache import ArtifactCache
 from ._sourcecache import SourceCache
+from .node import ScalarNode, SequenceNode, assert_symbol_name
 from .sandbox import SandboxRemote
 from ._elementfactory import ElementFactory
 from ._sourcefactory import SourceFactory
@@ -594,8 +595,8 @@ class Project():
         self.name = self._project_conf.get_str('name')
 
         # Validate that project name is a valid symbol name
-        _yaml.assert_symbol_name(self.name, "project name",
-                                 ref_node=pre_config_node.get_node('name'))
+        assert_symbol_name(self.name, "project name",
+                           ref_node=pre_config_node.get_node('name'))
 
         self.element_path = os.path.join(
             self.directory,
@@ -728,7 +729,7 @@ class Project():
         # Host files is parsed as a list for convenience
         host_files = shell_options.get_sequence('host-files', default=[])
         for host_file in host_files:
-            if isinstance(host_file, _yaml.ScalarNode):
+            if isinstance(host_file, ScalarNode):
                 mount = HostMount(host_file)
             else:
                 # Some validation
@@ -823,7 +824,7 @@ class Project():
             mirror_name = mirror.get_str('name')
             alias_mappings = {}
             for alias_mapping, uris in mirror.get_mapping('aliases').items():
-                assert type(uris) is _yaml.SequenceNode  # pylint: disable=unidiomatic-typecheck
+                assert type(uris) is SequenceNode  # pylint: disable=unidiomatic-typecheck
                 alias_mappings[alias_mapping] = uris.as_str_list()
             output.mirrors[mirror_name] = alias_mappings
             if not output.default_mirror:
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_projectrefs.py b/src/buildstream/_projectrefs.py
index d9faca212..0555488c8 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_projectrefs.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/_projectrefs.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 import os
 
 from . import _yaml
+from .node import _new_synthetic_file
 from ._exceptions import LoadError, LoadErrorReason
 
 
@@ -79,7 +80,7 @@ class ProjectRefs():
 
             # Ignore failure if the file doesnt exist, it'll be created and
             # for now just assumed to be empty
-            self._toplevel_node = _yaml._new_synthetic_file(self._fullpath)
+            self._toplevel_node = _new_synthetic_file(self._fullpath)
             self._toplevel_save = self._toplevel_node
 
         self._toplevel_node.validate_keys(['projects'])
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_variables.pyx b/src/buildstream/_variables.pyx
index eb2deb553..470feddc9 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_variables.pyx
+++ b/src/buildstream/_variables.pyx
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ import re
 import sys
 
 from ._exceptions import LoadError, LoadErrorReason
-from . cimport _yaml
+from .node cimport MappingNode
 
 # Variables are allowed to have dashes here
 #
@@ -65,11 +65,11 @@ PARSE_EXPANSION = re.compile(r"\%\{([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9_-]*)\}")
 #
 cdef class Variables:
 
-    cdef _yaml.Node original
+    cdef MappingNode original
     cdef dict _expstr_map
     cdef public dict flat
 
-    def __init__(self, _yaml.Node node):
+    def __init__(self, MappingNode node):
         self.original = node
         self._expstr_map = self._resolve(node)
         self.flat = self._flatten()
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ cdef class Variables:
     #
     # Here we resolve all of our inputs into a dictionary, ready for use
     # in subst()
-    cdef dict _resolve(self, _yaml.Node node):
+    cdef dict _resolve(self, MappingNode node):
         # Special case, if notparallel is specified in the variables for this
         # element, then override max-jobs to be 1.
         # Initialize it as a string as all variables are processed as strings.
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_workspaces.py b/src/buildstream/_workspaces.py
index 2d693c566..2cda5a215 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_workspaces.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/_workspaces.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import os
 from . import utils
 from . import _yaml
 
+from .node import MappingNode, ScalarNode
 from ._exceptions import LoadError, LoadErrorReason
 
 
@@ -581,10 +582,10 @@ class Workspaces():
             for element, config in workspaces.items():
                 config_type = type(config)
 
-                if config_type is _yaml.ScalarNode:
+                if config_type is ScalarNode:
                     pass
 
-                elif config_type is _yaml.MappingNode:
+                elif config_type is MappingNode:
                     sources = list(config.values())
                     if len(sources) > 1:
                         detail = "There are multiple workspaces open for '{}'.\n" + \
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_yaml.pyx b/src/buildstream/_yaml.pyx
index bf4de7a0e..66f71d97a 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_yaml.pyx
+++ b/src/buildstream/_yaml.pyx
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 
 import datetime
 import sys
-import string
 from contextlib import ExitStack
 from collections import OrderedDict
 from collections.abc import Mapping
@@ -31,834 +30,13 @@ from collections.abc import Mapping
 from ruamel import yaml
 
 from ._exceptions import LoadError, LoadErrorReason
-
-
-# Without this, pylint complains about all the `type(foo) is blah` checks
-# because it feels isinstance() is more idiomatic.  Sadly, it is much slower to
-# do `isinstance(foo, blah)` for reasons I am unable to fathom.  As such, we
-# blanket disable the check for this module.
-#
-# pylint: disable=unidiomatic-typecheck
-
-
-# A sentinel to be used as a default argument for functions that need
-# to distinguish between a kwarg set to None and an unset kwarg.
-_sentinel = object()
-
-
-# Node()
-#
-# Container for YAML loaded data and its provenance
-#
-# All nodes returned (and all internal lists/strings) have this type (rather
-# than a plain tuple, to distinguish them in things like node_sanitize)
-#
-# Members:
-#   file_index (int): Index within _FILE_LIST (a list of loaded file paths).
-#                     Negative indices indicate synthetic nodes so that
-#                     they can be referenced.
-#   line (int): The line number within the file where the value appears.
-#   col (int): The column number within the file where the value appears.
-#
-cdef class Node:
-
-    def __init__(self):
-        raise NotImplementedError("Please do not construct nodes like this. Use Node.__new__(Node, *args) instead.")
-
-    def __cinit__(self, int file_index, int line, int column, *args):
-        self.file_index = file_index
-        self.line = line
-        self.column = column
-
-    def __json__(self):
-        raise ValueError("Nodes should not be allowed when jsonify-ing data", self)
-
-    #############################################################
-    #                       Public Methods                      #
-    #############################################################
-
-    cpdef Node copy(self):
-        raise NotImplementedError()
-
-    @classmethod
-    def from_dict(cls, dict value):
-        if value:
-            return _new_node_from_dict(value, MappingNode.__new__(
-                MappingNode, _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX, 0, next_synthetic_counter(), {}))
-        else:
-            # We got an empty dict, we can shortcut
-            return MappingNode.__new__(MappingNode, _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX, 0, next_synthetic_counter(), {})
-
-    cpdef ProvenanceInformation get_provenance(self):
-        return ProvenanceInformation(self)
-
-    #############################################################
-    #            Private Methods used in BuildStream            #
-    #############################################################
-
-    # _assert_fully_composited()
-    #
-    # This must be called on a fully loaded and composited node,
-    # after all composition has completed.
-    #
-    # This checks that no more composition directives are present
-    # in the data.
-    #
-    # Raises:
-    #    (LoadError): If any assertions fail
-    #
-    cpdef void _assert_fully_composited(self) except *:
-        raise NotImplementedError()
-
-    cpdef object _strip_node_info(self):
-        raise NotImplementedError()
-
-    #############################################################
-    #                     Protected Methods                     #
-    #############################################################
-
-    cdef void _compose_on(self, str key, MappingNode target, list path) except *:
-        raise NotImplementedError()
-
-    # _is_composite_list
-    #
-    # Checks if the node is a Mapping with array composition
-    # directives.
-    #
-    # Returns:
-    #    (bool): True if node was a Mapping containing only
-    #            list composition directives
-    #
-    # Raises:
-    #    (LoadError): If node was a mapping and contained a mix of
-    #                 list composition directives and other keys
-    #
-    cdef bint _is_composite_list(self) except *:
-        raise NotImplementedError()
-
-    cdef bint _shares_position_with(self, Node target):
-        return self.file_index == target.file_index and self.line == target.line and self.column == target.column
-
-    cdef bint _walk_find(self, Node target, list path) except *:
-        raise NotImplementedError()
-
-
-cdef class ScalarNode(Node):
-
-    def __cinit__(self, int file_index, int line, int column, object value):
-        cdef value_type = type(value)
-
-        if value_type is str:
-            value = value.strip()
-        elif value_type is bool:
-            if value:
-                value = "True"
-            else:
-                value = "False"
-        elif value_type is int:
-            value = str(value)
-        elif value is None:
-            pass
-        else:
-            raise ValueError("ScalarNode can only hold str, int, bool or None objects")
-
-        self.value = value
-
-    #############################################################
-    #                       Public Methods                      #
-    #############################################################
-
-    cpdef bint as_bool(self) except *:
-        if type(self.value) is bool:
-            return self.value
-
-        # Don't coerce booleans to string, this makes "False" strings evaluate to True
-        if self.value in ('True', 'true'):
-            return True
-        elif self.value in ('False', 'false'):
-            return False
-        else:
-            provenance = self.get_provenance()
-            path = provenance._toplevel._find(self)[-1]
-            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type '{}'"
-                .format(provenance, path, bool.__name__, self.value))
-
-    cpdef int as_int(self) except *:
-        try:
-            return int(self.value)
-        except ValueError:
-            provenance = self.get_provenance()
-            path = provenance._toplevel._find(self)[-1]
-            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type '{}'"
-                .format(provenance, path, int.__name__))
-
-    cpdef str as_str(self):
-        # We keep 'None' as 'None' to simplify the API's usage and allow chaining for users
-        if self.value is None:
-            return None
-        return str(self.value)
-
-    cpdef ScalarNode copy(self):
-        return self
-
-    cpdef bint is_none(self):
-        return self.value is None
-
-    #############################################################
-    #            Private Methods used in BuildStream            #
-    #############################################################
-
-    cpdef void _assert_fully_composited(self) except *:
-        pass
-
-    cpdef object _strip_node_info(self):
-        return self.value
-
-    #############################################################
-    #                     Protected Methods                     #
-    #############################################################
-
-    cdef void _compose_on(self, str key, MappingNode target, list path) except *:
-        cdef Node target_value = target.value.get(key)
-
-        if target_value is not None and type(target_value) is not ScalarNode:
-            raise CompositeError(path,
-                                 "{}: Cannot compose scalar on non-scalar at {}".format(
-                                    self.get_provenance(),
-                                    target_value.get_provenance()))
-
-        target.value[key] = self
-
-    cdef bint _is_composite_list(self) except *:
-        return False
-
-    cdef bint _walk_find(self, Node target, list path) except *:
-        return self._shares_position_with(target)
-
-
-cdef class MappingNode(Node):
-
-    def __cinit__(self, int file_index, int line, int column, dict value):
-        self.value = value
-
-    def __contains__(self, what):
-        return what in self.value
-
-    def __delitem__(self, str key):
-        del self.value[key]
-
-    def __setitem__(self, str key, object value):
-        cdef Node old_value
-
-        if type(value) in [MappingNode, ScalarNode, SequenceNode]:
-            self.value[key] = value
-        else:
-            node = _create_node_recursive(value, self)
-
-            # FIXME: Do we really want to override provenance?
-            #
-            # Related to https://gitlab.com/BuildStream/buildstream/issues/1058
-            #
-            # There are only two cases were nodes are set in the code (hence without provenance):
-            #   - When automatic variables are set by the core (e-g: max-jobs)
-            #   - when plugins call Element.set_public_data
-            #
-            # The first case should never throw errors, so it is of limited interests.
-            #
-            # The second is more important. What should probably be done here is to have 'set_public_data'
-            # able of creating a fake provenance with the name of the plugin, the project and probably the
-            # element name.
-            #
-            # We would therefore have much better error messages, and would be able to get rid of most synthetic
-            # nodes.
-            old_value = self.value.get(key)
-            if old_value:
-                node.file_index = old_value.file_index
-                node.line = old_value.line
-                node.column = old_value.column
-
-            self.value[key] = node
-
-    #############################################################
-    #                       Public Methods                      #
-    #############################################################
-
-    cpdef MappingNode copy(self):
-        cdef dict copy = {}
-        cdef str key
-        cdef Node value
-
-        for key, value in self.value.items():
-            copy[key] = value.copy()
-
-        return MappingNode.__new__(MappingNode, self.file_index, self.line, self.column, copy)
-
-    cpdef bint get_bool(self, str key, object default=_sentinel) except *:
-        cdef ScalarNode scalar = self.get_scalar(key, default)
-        return scalar.as_bool()
-
-    cpdef int get_int(self, str key, object default=_sentinel) except *:
-        cdef ScalarNode scalar = self.get_scalar(key, default)
-        return scalar.as_int()
-
-    cpdef MappingNode get_mapping(self, str key, object default=_sentinel):
-        value = self._get(key, default, MappingNode)
-
-        if type(value) is not MappingNode and value is not None:
-            provenance = value.get_provenance()
-            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type 'Mapping'"
-                            .format(provenance, key))
-
-        return value
-
-    cpdef Node get_node(self, str key, list allowed_types = None, bint allow_none = False):
-        cdef value = self.value.get(key, _sentinel)
-
-        if value is _sentinel:
-            if allow_none:
-                return None
-
-            provenance = self.get_provenance()
-            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                            "{}: Dictionary did not contain expected key '{}'".format(provenance, key))
-
-        if allowed_types and type(value) not in allowed_types:
-            provenance = self.get_provenance()
-            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not one of the following: {}.".format(
-                                provenance, key, ", ".join(allowed_types)))
-
-        return value
-
-    cpdef ScalarNode get_scalar(self, str key, object default=_sentinel):
-        value = self._get(key, default, ScalarNode)
-
-        if type(value) is not ScalarNode:
-            if value is None:
-                value = ScalarNode.__new__(ScalarNode, self.file_index, 0, next_synthetic_counter(), None)
-            else:
-                provenance = value.get_provenance()
-                raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                                "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type 'Scalar'"
-                                .format(provenance, key))
-
-        return value
-
-    cpdef SequenceNode get_sequence(self, str key, object default=_sentinel):
-        value = self._get(key, default, SequenceNode)
-
-        if type(value) is not SequenceNode and value is not None:
-            provenance = value.get_provenance()
-            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type 'Sequence'"
-                            .format(provenance, key))
-
-        return value
-
-    cpdef str get_str(self, str key, object default=_sentinel):
-        cdef ScalarNode scalar = self.get_scalar(key, default)
-        return scalar.as_str()
-
-    cpdef object items(self):
-        return self.value.items()
-
-    cpdef list keys(self):
-        return list(self.value.keys())
-
-    cpdef void safe_del(self, str key):
-        try:
-            del self.value[key]
-        except KeyError:
-            pass
-
-    # validate_keys()
-    #
-    # Validate the node so as to ensure the user has not specified
-    # any keys which are unrecognized by buildstream (usually this
-    # means a typo which would otherwise not trigger an error).
-    #
-    # Args:
-    #    valid_keys (list): A list of valid keys for the specified node
-    #
-    # Raises:
-    #    LoadError: In the case that the specified node contained
-    #               one or more invalid keys
-    #
-    cpdef void validate_keys(self, list valid_keys) except *:
-        # Probably the fastest way to do this: https://stackoverflow.com/a/23062482
-        cdef set valid_keys_set = set(valid_keys)
-        cdef str key
-
-        for key in self.value:
-            if key not in valid_keys_set:
-                provenance = self.get_node(key).get_provenance()
-                raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                                "{}: Unexpected key: {}".format(provenance, key))
-
-    cpdef object values(self):
-        return self.value.values()
-
-    #############################################################
-    #            Private Methods used in BuildStream            #
-    #############################################################
-
-    cpdef void _assert_fully_composited(self) except *:
-        cdef str key
-        cdef Node value
-
-        for key, value in self.value.items():
-            # Assert that list composition directives dont remain, this
-            # indicates that the user intended to override a list which
-            # never existed in the underlying data
-            #
-            if key in ('(>)', '(<)', '(=)'):
-                provenance = value.get_provenance()
-                raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.TRAILING_LIST_DIRECTIVE,
-                                "{}: Attempt to override non-existing list".format(provenance))
-
-            value._assert_fully_composited()
-
-    # _composite()
-    #
-    # Compose one mapping node onto another
-    #
-    # Args:
-    #    target (Node): The target to compose into
-    #
-    # Raises: LoadError
-    #
-    cpdef void _composite(self, MappingNode target) except *:
-        try:
-            self.__composite(target, [])
-        except CompositeError as e:
-            source_provenance = self.get_provenance()
-            error_prefix = ""
-            if source_provenance:
-                error_prefix = "{}: ".format(source_provenance)
-            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.ILLEGAL_COMPOSITE,
-                            "{}Failure composing {}: {}"
-                            .format(error_prefix,
-                                    e.path,
-                                    e.message)) from e
-
-    # Like _composite(target, source), but where target overrides source instead.
-    #
-    cpdef void _composite_under(self, MappingNode target) except *:
-        target._composite(self)
-
-        cdef str key
-        cdef Node value
-        cdef list to_delete = [key for key in target.value.keys() if key not in self.value]
-
-        for key, value in self.value.items():
-            target.value[key] = value
-        for key in to_delete:
-            del target.value[key]
-
-    # _find()
-    #
-    # Searches the given node tree for the given target node.
-    #
-    # This is typically used when trying to walk a path to a given node
-    # for the purpose of then modifying a similar tree of objects elsewhere
-    #
-    # Args:
-    #    target (Node): The node you are looking for in that tree
-    #
-    # Returns:
-    #    (list): A path from `node` to `target` or None if `target` is not in the subtree
-    cpdef list _find(self, Node target):
-        cdef list path = []
-        if self._walk_find(target, path):
-            return path
-        return None
-
-    cpdef object _strip_node_info(self):
-        cdef str key
-        cdef Node value
-
-        return {key: value._strip_node_info() for key, value in self.value.items()}
-
-    #############################################################
-    #                     Protected Methods                     #
-    #############################################################
-
-    cdef void _compose_on(self, str key, MappingNode target, list path) except *:
-        cdef Node target_value
-
-        if self._is_composite_list():
-            if key not in target.value:
-                # Composite list clobbers empty space
-                target.value[key] = self
-            else:
-                target_value = target.value[key]
-
-                if type(target_value) is SequenceNode:
-                    # Composite list composes into a list
-                    self._compose_on_list(target_value)
-                elif target_value._is_composite_list():
-                    # Composite list merges into composite list
-                    self._compose_on_composite_dict(target_value)
-                else:
-                    # Else composing on top of normal dict or a scalar, so raise...
-                    raise CompositeError(path,
-                                         "{}: Cannot compose lists onto {}".format(
-                                             self.get_provenance(),
-                                             target_value.get_provenance()))
-        else:
-            # We're composing a dict into target now
-            if key not in target.value:
-                # Target lacks a dict at that point, make a fresh one with
-                # the same provenance as the incoming dict
-                target.value[key] = MappingNode.__new__(MappingNode, self.file_index, self.line, self.column, {})
-
-            self.__composite(target.value[key], path)
-
-    cdef void _compose_on_list(self, SequenceNode target):
-        cdef SequenceNode clobber = self.value.get("(=)")
-        cdef SequenceNode prefix = self.value.get("(<)")
-        cdef SequenceNode suffix = self.value.get("(>)")
-
-        if clobber is not None:
-            target.value.clear()
-            target.value.extend(clobber.value)
-        if prefix is not None:
-            for v in reversed(prefix.value):
-                target.value.insert(0, v)
-        if suffix is not None:
-            target.value.extend(suffix.value)
-
-    cdef void _compose_on_composite_dict(self, MappingNode target):
-        cdef SequenceNode clobber = self.value.get("(=)")
-        cdef SequenceNode prefix = self.value.get("(<)")
-        cdef SequenceNode suffix = self.value.get("(>)")
-
-        if clobber is not None:
-            # We want to clobber the target list
-            # which basically means replacing the target list
-            # with ourselves
-            target.value["(=)"] = clobber
-            if prefix is not None:
-                target.value["(<)"] = prefix
-            elif "(<)" in target.value:
-                (<SequenceNode> target.value["(<)"]).value.clear()
-            if suffix is not None:
-                target.value["(>)"] = suffix
-            elif "(>)" in target.value:
-                (<SequenceNode> target.value["(>)"]).value.clear()
-        else:
-            # Not clobbering, so prefix the prefix and suffix the suffix
-            if prefix is not None:
-                if "(<)" in target.value:
-                    for v in reversed(prefix.value):
-                        (<SequenceNode> target.value["(<)"]).value.insert(0, v)
-                else:
-                    target.value["(<)"] = prefix
-            if suffix is not None:
-                if "(>)" in target.value:
-                    (<SequenceNode> target.value["(>)"]).value.extend(suffix.value)
-                else:
-                    target.value["(>)"] = suffix
-
-    cdef Node _get(self, str key, object default, object default_constructor):
-        value = self.value.get(key, _sentinel)
-
-        if value is _sentinel:
-            if default is _sentinel:
-                provenance = self.get_provenance()
-                raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                                "{}: Dictionary did not contain expected key '{}'".format(provenance, key))
-
-            if default is None:
-                value = None
-            else:
-                value = default_constructor.__new__(
-                    default_constructor, _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX, 0, next_synthetic_counter(), default)
-
-        return value
-
-    cdef bint _is_composite_list(self) except *:
-        cdef bint has_directives = False
-        cdef bint has_keys = False
-        cdef str key
-
-        for key in self.value.keys():
-            if key in ['(>)', '(<)', '(=)']:
-                has_directives = True
-            else:
-                has_keys = True
-
-        if has_keys and has_directives:
-            provenance = self.get_provenance()
-            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                            "{}: Dictionary contains array composition directives and arbitrary keys"
-                            .format(provenance))
-
-        return has_directives
-
-    cdef bint _walk_find(self, Node target, list path) except *:
-        cdef str k
-        cdef Node v
-
-        if self._shares_position_with(target):
-            return True
-
-        for k, v in self.value.items():
-            path.append(k)
-            if v._walk_find(target, path):
-                return True
-            del path[-1]
-
-        return False
-
-    #############################################################
-    #                      Private Methods                      #
-    #############################################################
-
-    cdef void __composite(self, MappingNode target, list path=None) except *:
-        cdef str key
-        cdef Node value
-
-        for key, value in self.value.items():
-            path.append(key)
-            value._compose_on(key, target, path)
-            path.pop()
-
-
-cdef class SequenceNode(Node):
-    def __cinit__(self, int file_index, int line, int column, list value):
-        self.value = value
-
-    def __iter__(self):
-        return iter(self.value)
-
-    def __len__(self):
-        return len(self.value)
-
-    def __reversed__(self):
-        return reversed(self.value)
-
-    def __setitem__(self, int key, object value):
-        cdef Node old_value
-
-        if type(value) in [MappingNode, ScalarNode, SequenceNode]:
-            self.value[key] = value
-        else:
-            node = _create_node_recursive(value, self)
-
-            # FIXME: Do we really want to override provenance?
-            # See __setitem__ on 'MappingNode' for more context
-            old_value = self.value[key]
-            if old_value:
-                node.file_index = old_value.file_index
-                node.line = old_value.line
-                node.column = old_value.column
-
-            self.value[key] = node
-
-    #############################################################
-    #                       Public Methods                      #
-    #############################################################
-
-    cpdef void append(self, object value):
-        if type(value) in [MappingNode, ScalarNode, SequenceNode]:
-            self.value.append(value)
-        else:
-            node = _create_node_recursive(value, self)
-            self.value.append(node)
-
-    cpdef list as_str_list(self):
-        return [node.as_str() for node in self.value]
-
-    cpdef SequenceNode copy(self):
-        cdef list copy = []
-        cdef Node entry
-
-        for entry in self.value:
-            copy.append(entry.copy())
-
-        return SequenceNode.__new__(SequenceNode, self.file_index, self.line, self.column, copy)
-
-    cpdef MappingNode mapping_at(self, int index):
-        value = self.value[index]
-
-        if type(value) is not MappingNode:
-            provenance = self.get_provenance()
-            path = ["[{}]".format(p) for p in provenance.toplevel._find(self)] + ["[{}]".format(index)]
-            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type '{}'"
-                            .format(provenance, path, MappingNode.__name__))
-        return value
-
-    cpdef Node node_at(self, int index, list allowed_types = None):
-        cdef value = self.value[index]
-
-        if allowed_types and type(value) not in allowed_types:
-            provenance = self.get_provenance()
-            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not one of the following: {}.".format(
-                                provenance, index, ", ".join(allowed_types)))
-
-        return value
-
-    cpdef ScalarNode scalar_at(self, int index):
-        value = self.value[index]
-
-        if type(value) is not ScalarNode:
-            provenance = self.get_provenance()
-            path = ["[{}]".format(p) for p in provenance.toplevel._find(self)] + ["[{}]".format(index)]
-            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type '{}'"
-                            .format(provenance, path, ScalarNode.__name__))
-        return value
-
-    cpdef SequenceNode sequence_at(self, int index):
-        value = self.value[index]
-
-        if type(value) is not SequenceNode:
-            provenance = self.get_provenance()
-            path = ["[{}]".format(p) for p in provenance.toplevel._find(self)] + ["[{}]".format(index)]
-            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
-                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type '{}'"
-                            .format(provenance, path, SequenceNode.__name__))
-
-        return value
-
-    #############################################################
-    #            Private Methods used in BuildStream            #
-    #############################################################
-
-    cpdef void _assert_fully_composited(self) except *:
-        cdef Node value
-        for value in self.value:
-            value._assert_fully_composited()
-
-    cpdef object _strip_node_info(self):
-        cdef Node value
-        return [value._strip_node_info() for value in self.value]
-
-    #############################################################
-    #                     Protected Methods                     #
-    #############################################################
-
-    cdef void _compose_on(self, str key, MappingNode target, list path) except *:
-        # List clobbers anything list-like
-        cdef Node target_value = target.value.get(key)
-
-        if not (target_value is None or
-                type(target_value) is SequenceNode or
-                target_value._is_composite_list()):
-            raise CompositeError(path,
-                                 "{}: List cannot overwrite {} at: {}"
-                                 .format(self.get_provenance(),
-                                         key,
-                                         target_value.get_provenance()))
-        # Looks good, clobber it
-        target.value[key] = self
-
-    cdef bint _is_composite_list(self) except *:
-        return False
-
-    cdef bint _walk_find(self, Node target, list path) except *:
-        cdef int i
-        cdef Node v
-
-        if self._shares_position_with(target):
-            return True
-
-        for i, v in enumerate(self.value):
-            path.append(i)
-            if v._walk_find(target, path):
-                return True
-            del path[-1]
-
-        return False
-
-
-# Metadata container for a yaml toplevel node.
-#
-# This class contains metadata around a yaml node in order to be able
-# to trace back the provenance of a node to the file.
-#
-cdef class FileInfo:
-
-    cdef str filename, shortname, displayname
-    cdef Node toplevel,
-    cdef object project
-
-    def __init__(self, str filename, str shortname, str displayname, Node toplevel, object project):
-        self.filename = filename
-        self.shortname = shortname
-        self.displayname = displayname
-        self.toplevel = toplevel
-        self.project = project
-
-
-# File name handling
-cdef _FILE_LIST = []
-
-
-# Purely synthetic node will have _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX for the file number, have line number
-# zero, and a negative column number which comes from inverting the next value
-# out of this counter.  Synthetic nodes created with a reference node will
-# have a file number from the reference node, some unknown line number, and
-# a negative column number from this counter.
-cdef int _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX = -1
-cdef int __counter = 0
-
-cdef int next_synthetic_counter():
-    global __counter
-    __counter -= 1
-    return __counter
-
-
-# Returned from Node.get_provenance
-cdef class ProvenanceInformation:
-
-    def __init__(self, Node nodeish):
-        cdef FileInfo fileinfo
-
-        self._node = nodeish
-        if (nodeish is None) or (nodeish.file_index == _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX):
-            self._filename = ""
-            self._shortname = ""
-            self._displayname = ""
-            self._line = 1
-            self._col = 0
-            self._toplevel = None
-            self._project = None
-        else:
-            fileinfo = <FileInfo> _FILE_LIST[nodeish.file_index]
-            self._filename = fileinfo.filename
-            self._shortname = fileinfo.shortname
-            self._displayname = fileinfo.displayname
-            # We add 1 here to convert from computerish to humanish
-            self._line = nodeish.line + 1
-            self._col = nodeish.column
-            self._toplevel = fileinfo.toplevel
-            self._project = fileinfo.project
-        self._is_synthetic = (self._filename == '') or (self._col < 0)
-
-    # Convert a Provenance to a string for error reporting
-    def __str__(self):
-        if self._is_synthetic:
-            return "{} [synthetic node]".format(self._displayname)
-        else:
-            return "{} [line {:d} column {:d}]".format(self._displayname, self._line, self._col)
+from . cimport node
+from .node cimport MappingNode, ScalarNode, SequenceNode
 
 
 # These exceptions are intended to be caught entirely within
 # the BuildStream framework, hence they do not reside in the
 # public exceptions.py
-class CompositeError(Exception):
-    def __init__(self, path, message):
-        super().__init__(message)
-        self.path = path
-        self.message = message
-
 
 class YAMLLoadError(Exception):
     pass
@@ -940,7 +118,7 @@ cdef class Representer:
     # Returns:
     #   (Node or None): Return the Node instance of the top level mapping or
     #                   None if there wasn't one.
-    cdef Node get_output(self):
+    cdef MappingNode get_output(self):
         if len(self.output):
             return self.output[0]
         return None
@@ -1063,22 +241,6 @@ cdef class Representer:
         return RepresenterState.init
 
 
-cdef Node _create_node_recursive(object value, Node ref_node):
-    cdef value_type = type(value)
-
-    if value_type is list:
-        node = _new_node_from_list(value, ref_node)
-    elif value_type in [int, str, bool]:
-        node = ScalarNode.__new__(ScalarNode, ref_node.file_index, ref_node.line, next_synthetic_counter(), value)
-    elif value_type is dict:
-        node = _new_node_from_dict(value, ref_node)
-    else:
-        raise ValueError(
-            "Unable to assign a value of type {} to a Node.".format(value_type))
-
-    return node
-
-
 # Loads a dictionary from some YAML
 #
 # Args:
@@ -1092,7 +254,9 @@ cdef Node _create_node_recursive(object value, Node ref_node):
 #
 # Raises: LoadError
 #
-cpdef Node load(str filename, str shortname=None, bint copy_tree=False, object project=None):
+cpdef MappingNode load(str filename, str shortname=None, bint copy_tree=False, object project=None):
+    cdef MappingNode data
+
     if not shortname:
         shortname = filename
 
@@ -1102,10 +266,7 @@ cpdef Node load(str filename, str shortname=None, bint copy_tree=False, object p
     else:
         displayname = shortname
 
-    cdef Py_ssize_t file_number = len(_FILE_LIST)
-    _FILE_LIST.append(FileInfo(filename, shortname, displayname, None, project))
-
-    cdef Node data
+    cdef Py_ssize_t file_number = node._create_new_file(filename, shortname, displayname, None, project)
 
     try:
         with open(filename) as f:
@@ -1130,9 +291,8 @@ cpdef Node load(str filename, str shortname=None, bint copy_tree=False, object p
 
 # Like load(), but doesnt require the data to be in a file
 #
-cpdef Node load_data(str data, int file_index=_SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX, str file_name=None, bint copy_tree=False):
+cpdef MappingNode load_data(str data, int file_index=node._SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX, str file_name=None, bint copy_tree=False):
     cdef Representer rep
-    cdef FileInfo f_info
 
     try:
         rep = Representer(file_index)
@@ -1162,125 +322,13 @@ cpdef Node load_data(str data, int file_index=_SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX, str file_na
                             .format(type(contents[0]).__name__, file_name))
 
     # Store this away because we'll use it later for "top level" provenance
-    if file_index != _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX:
-        f_info = <FileInfo> _FILE_LIST[file_index]
-
-        _FILE_LIST[file_index] = FileInfo(
-            f_info.filename,
-            f_info.shortname,
-            f_info.displayname,
-            contents,
-            f_info.project,
-        )
+    node._set_root_node_for_file(file_index, contents)
 
     if copy_tree:
         contents = contents.copy()
     return contents
 
 
-# new_synthetic_file()
-#
-# Create a new synthetic mapping node, with an associated file entry
-# (in _FILE_LIST) such that later tracking can correctly determine which
-# file needs writing to in order to persist the changes.
-#
-# Args:
-#    filename (str): The name of the synthetic file to create
-#    project (Project): The optional project to associate this synthetic file with
-#
-# Returns:
-#    (Node): An empty YAML mapping node, whose provenance is to this new
-#            synthetic file
-#
-def _new_synthetic_file(str filename, object project=None):
-    cdef Py_ssize_t file_index = len(_FILE_LIST)
-    cdef Node node = MappingNode.__new__(MappingNode, file_index, 0, 0, {})
-
-    _FILE_LIST.append(FileInfo(filename,
-                       filename,
-                       "<synthetic {}>".format(filename),
-                       node,
-                       project))
-    return node
-
-
-# new_node_from_dict()
-#
-# Args:
-#   indict (dict): The input dictionary
-#
-# Returns:
-#   (Node): A new synthetic YAML tree which represents this dictionary
-#
-cdef Node _new_node_from_dict(dict indict, Node ref_node):
-    cdef MappingNode ret = MappingNode.__new__(
-        MappingNode, ref_node.file_index, ref_node.line, next_synthetic_counter(), {})
-    cdef str k
-
-    for k, v in indict.items():
-        ret.value[k] = _create_node_recursive(v, ref_node)
-
-    return ret
-
-
-# Internal function to help new_node_from_dict() to handle lists
-cdef Node _new_node_from_list(list inlist, Node ref_node):
-    cdef SequenceNode ret = SequenceNode.__new__(
-        SequenceNode, ref_node.file_index, ref_node.line, next_synthetic_counter(), [])
-
-    for v in inlist:
-        ret.value.append(_create_node_recursive(v, ref_node))
-
-    return ret
-
-
-# assert_symbol_name()
-#
-# A helper function to check if a loaded string is a valid symbol
-# name and to raise a consistent LoadError if not. For strings which
-# are required to be symbols.
-#
-# Args:
-#    symbol_name (str): The loaded symbol name
-#    purpose (str): The purpose of the string, for an error message
-#    ref_node (Node): The node of the loaded symbol, or None
-#    allow_dashes (bool): Whether dashes are allowed for this symbol
-#
-# Raises:
-#    LoadError: If the symbol_name is invalid
-#
-# Note that dashes are generally preferred for variable names and
-# usage in YAML, but things such as option names which will be
-# evaluated with jinja2 cannot use dashes.
-def assert_symbol_name(str symbol_name, str purpose, *, Node ref_node=None, bint allow_dashes=True):
-    cdef str valid_chars = string.digits + string.ascii_letters + '_'
-    if allow_dashes:
-        valid_chars += '-'
-
-    cdef bint valid = True
-    if not symbol_name:
-        valid = False
-    elif any(x not in valid_chars for x in symbol_name):
-        valid = False
-    elif symbol_name[0] in string.digits:
-        valid = False
-
-    if not valid:
-        detail = "Symbol names must contain only alphanumeric characters, " + \
-                 "may not start with a digit, and may contain underscores"
-        if allow_dashes:
-            detail += " or dashes"
-
-        message = "Invalid symbol name for {}: '{}'".format(purpose, symbol_name)
-        if ref_node:
-            provenance = ref_node.get_provenance()
-            if provenance is not None:
-                message = "{}: {}".format(provenance, message)
-
-        raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_SYMBOL_NAME,
-                        message, detail=detail)
-
-
 ###############################################################################
 
 # Roundtrip code
diff --git a/src/buildstream/element.py b/src/buildstream/element.py
index f54e3bb22..4c6160c0f 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/element.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/element.py
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ from . import _cachekey
 from . import _signals
 from . import _site
 from ._platform import Platform
+from .node import Node, _sentinel as _node_sentinel
 from .plugin import Plugin
 from .sandbox import SandboxFlags, SandboxCommandError
 from .sandbox._config import SandboxConfig
@@ -487,7 +488,7 @@ class Element(Plugin):
     def substitute_variables(self, value):
         return self.__variables.subst(value)
 
-    def node_subst_member(self, node, member_name, default=_yaml._sentinel):
+    def node_subst_member(self, node, member_name, default=_node_sentinel):
         """Fetch the value of a string node member, substituting any variables
         in the loaded value with the element contextual variables.
 
@@ -2510,7 +2511,7 @@ class Element(Plugin):
         # Defaults are loaded once per class and then reused
         #
         if cls.__defaults is None:
-            defaults = _yaml.Node.from_dict({})
+            defaults = Node.from_dict({})
 
             if plugin_conf is not None:
                 # Load the plugin's accompanying .yaml file if one was provided
@@ -2545,7 +2546,7 @@ class Element(Plugin):
         default_env = cls.__defaults.get_mapping("environment", default={})
 
         if meta.is_junction:
-            environment = _yaml.Node.from_dict({})
+            environment = Node.from_dict({})
         else:
             environment = project.base_environment.copy()
 
@@ -2633,7 +2634,7 @@ class Element(Plugin):
     @classmethod
     def __extract_sandbox_config(cls, project, meta):
         if meta.is_junction:
-            sandbox_config = _yaml.Node.from_dict({
+            sandbox_config = Node.from_dict({
                 'build-uid': 0,
                 'build-gid': 0
             })
diff --git a/src/buildstream/_yaml.pxd b/src/buildstream/node.pxd
index 2e423caed..3069b2fc9 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/_yaml.pxd
+++ b/src/buildstream/node.pxd
@@ -105,3 +105,8 @@ cdef class ProvenanceInformation:
     cdef readonly str _shortname
     cdef readonly int _col
     cdef readonly int _line
+
+
+cdef int _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX
+cdef Py_ssize_t _create_new_file(str filename, str shortname, str displayname, Node toplevel, object project)
+cdef void _set_root_node_for_file(Py_ssize_t file_index, MappingNode contents) except *
diff --git a/src/buildstream/node.pyx b/src/buildstream/node.pyx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..30814b782
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/buildstream/node.pyx
@@ -0,0 +1,1013 @@
+#
+#  Copyright (C) 2018 Codethink Limited
+#  Copyright (C) 2019 Bloomberg LLP
+#
+#  This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+#  modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+#  License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+#  version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+#
+#  This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+#  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+#  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.	 See the GNU
+#  Lesser General Public License for more details.
+#
+#  You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+#  License along with this library. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+#  Authors:
+#        Tristan Van Berkom <tristan.vanberkom@codethink.co.uk>
+#        Daniel Silverstone <daniel.silverstone@codethink.co.uk>
+#        James Ennis <james.ennis@codethink.co.uk>
+#        Benjamin Schubert <bschubert@bloomberg.net>
+
+import string
+
+from ._exceptions import LoadError, LoadErrorReason
+
+
+# A sentinel to be used as a default argument for functions that need
+# to distinguish between a kwarg set to None and an unset kwarg.
+_sentinel = object()
+
+
+# Node()
+#
+# Container for YAML loaded data and its provenance
+#
+# All nodes returned (and all internal lists/strings) have this type (rather
+# than a plain tuple, to distinguish them in things like node_sanitize)
+#
+# Members:
+#   file_index (int): Index within _FILE_LIST (a list of loaded file paths).
+#                     Negative indices indicate synthetic nodes so that
+#                     they can be referenced.
+#   line (int): The line number within the file where the value appears.
+#   col (int): The column number within the file where the value appears.
+#
+cdef class Node:
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        raise NotImplementedError("Please do not construct nodes like this. Use Node.from_dict(dict) instead.")
+
+    def __cinit__(self, int file_index, int line, int column, *args):
+        self.file_index = file_index
+        self.line = line
+        self.column = column
+
+    def __json__(self):
+        raise ValueError("Nodes should not be allowed when jsonify-ing data", self)
+
+    #############################################################
+    #                  Abstract Public Methods                  #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cpdef Node copy(self):
+        raise NotImplementedError()
+
+    #############################################################
+    #                       Public Methods                      #
+    #############################################################
+
+    @classmethod
+    def from_dict(cls, dict value):
+        if value:
+            return _new_node_from_dict(value, MappingNode.__new__(
+                MappingNode, _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX, 0, next_synthetic_counter(), {}))
+        else:
+            # We got an empty dict, we can shortcut
+            return MappingNode.__new__(MappingNode, _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX, 0, next_synthetic_counter(), {})
+
+    cpdef ProvenanceInformation get_provenance(self):
+        return ProvenanceInformation(self)
+
+    #############################################################
+    #        Abstract Private Methods used in BuildStream       #
+    #############################################################
+
+    # _assert_fully_composited()
+    #
+    # This must be called on a fully loaded and composited node,
+    # after all composition has completed.
+    #
+    # This checks that no more composition directives are present
+    # in the data.
+    #
+    # Raises:
+    #    (LoadError): If any assertions fail
+    #
+    cpdef void _assert_fully_composited(self) except *:
+        raise NotImplementedError()
+
+    cpdef object _strip_node_info(self):
+        raise NotImplementedError()
+
+    #############################################################
+    #                Abstract Protected Methods                 #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cdef void _compose_on(self, str key, MappingNode target, list path) except *:
+        raise NotImplementedError()
+
+    # _is_composite_list
+    #
+    # Checks if the node is a Mapping with array composition
+    # directives.
+    #
+    # Returns:
+    #    (bool): True if node was a Mapping containing only
+    #            list composition directives
+    #
+    # Raises:
+    #    (LoadError): If node was a mapping and contained a mix of
+    #                 list composition directives and other keys
+    #
+    cdef bint _is_composite_list(self) except *:
+        raise NotImplementedError()
+
+    cdef bint _walk_find(self, Node target, list path) except *:
+        raise NotImplementedError()
+
+    #############################################################
+    #                     Protected Methods                     #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cdef bint _shares_position_with(self, Node target):
+        return (self.file_index == target.file_index and
+                self.line == target.line and
+                self.column == target.column)
+
+
+cdef class ScalarNode(Node):
+
+    def __cinit__(self, int file_index, int line, int column, object value):
+        cdef value_type = type(value)
+
+        if value_type is str:
+            value = value.strip()
+        elif value_type is bool:
+            if value:
+                value = "True"
+            else:
+                value = "False"
+        elif value_type is int:
+            value = str(value)
+        elif value is None:
+            pass
+        else:
+            raise ValueError("ScalarNode can only hold str, int, bool or None objects")
+
+        self.value = value
+
+    #############################################################
+    #                       Public Methods                      #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cpdef bint as_bool(self) except *:
+        if type(self.value) is bool:
+            return self.value
+
+        # Don't coerce strings to booleans, this makes "False" strings evaluate to True
+        if self.value in ('True', 'true'):
+            return True
+        elif self.value in ('False', 'false'):
+            return False
+        else:
+            provenance = self.get_provenance()
+            path = provenance._toplevel._find(self)[-1]
+            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type '{}'"
+                .format(provenance, path, bool.__name__, self.value))
+
+    cpdef int as_int(self) except *:
+        try:
+            return int(self.value)
+        except ValueError:
+            provenance = self.get_provenance()
+            path = provenance._toplevel._find(self)[-1]
+            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type '{}'"
+                .format(provenance, path, int.__name__))
+
+    cpdef str as_str(self):
+        # We keep 'None' as 'None' to simplify the API's usage and allow chaining for users
+        if self.value is None:
+            return None
+        return str(self.value)
+
+    cpdef bint is_none(self):
+        return self.value is None
+
+    #############################################################
+    #               Public Methods implementations              #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cpdef ScalarNode copy(self):
+        return self
+
+    #############################################################
+    #              Private Methods implementations              #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cpdef void _assert_fully_composited(self) except *:
+        pass
+
+    cpdef object _strip_node_info(self):
+        return self.value
+
+    #############################################################
+    #                     Protected Methods                     #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cdef void _compose_on(self, str key, MappingNode target, list path) except *:
+        cdef Node target_value = target.value.get(key)
+
+        if target_value is not None and type(target_value) is not ScalarNode:
+            raise _CompositeError(path,
+                                  "{}: Cannot compose scalar on non-scalar at {}".format(
+                                    self.get_provenance(),
+                                    target_value.get_provenance()))
+
+        target.value[key] = self
+
+    cdef bint _is_composite_list(self) except *:
+        return False
+
+    cdef bint _walk_find(self, Node target, list path) except *:
+        return self._shares_position_with(target)
+
+
+cdef class MappingNode(Node):
+
+    def __cinit__(self, int file_index, int line, int column, dict value):
+        self.value = value
+
+    def __contains__(self, what):
+        return what in self.value
+
+    def __delitem__(self, str key):
+        del self.value[key]
+
+    def __setitem__(self, str key, object value):
+        cdef Node old_value
+
+        if type(value) in [MappingNode, ScalarNode, SequenceNode]:
+            self.value[key] = value
+        else:
+            node = _create_node_recursive(value, self)
+
+            # FIXME: Do we really want to override provenance?
+            #
+            # Related to https://gitlab.com/BuildStream/buildstream/issues/1058
+            #
+            # There are only two cases were nodes are set in the code (hence without provenance):
+            #   - When automatic variables are set by the core (e-g: max-jobs)
+            #   - when plugins call Element.set_public_data
+            #
+            # The first case should never throw errors, so it is of limited interests.
+            #
+            # The second is more important. What should probably be done here is to have 'set_public_data'
+            # able of creating a fake provenance with the name of the plugin, the project and probably the
+            # element name.
+            #
+            # We would therefore have much better error messages, and would be able to get rid of most synthetic
+            # nodes.
+            old_value = self.value.get(key)
+            if old_value:
+                node.file_index = old_value.file_index
+                node.line = old_value.line
+                node.column = old_value.column
+
+            self.value[key] = node
+
+    #############################################################
+    #                       Public Methods                      #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cpdef bint get_bool(self, str key, object default=_sentinel) except *:
+        cdef ScalarNode scalar = self.get_scalar(key, default)
+        return scalar.as_bool()
+
+    cpdef int get_int(self, str key, object default=_sentinel) except *:
+        cdef ScalarNode scalar = self.get_scalar(key, default)
+        return scalar.as_int()
+
+    cpdef MappingNode get_mapping(self, str key, object default=_sentinel):
+        value = self._get(key, default, MappingNode)
+
+        if type(value) is not MappingNode and value is not None:
+            provenance = value.get_provenance()
+            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type 'Mapping'"
+                            .format(provenance, key))
+
+        return value
+
+    cpdef Node get_node(self, str key, list allowed_types = None, bint allow_none = False):
+        cdef value = self.value.get(key, _sentinel)
+
+        if value is _sentinel:
+            if allow_none:
+                return None
+
+            provenance = self.get_provenance()
+            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                            "{}: Dictionary did not contain expected key '{}'".format(provenance, key))
+
+        if allowed_types and type(value) not in allowed_types:
+            provenance = self.get_provenance()
+            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not one of the following: {}.".format(
+                                provenance, key, ", ".join(allowed_types)))
+
+        return value
+
+    cpdef ScalarNode get_scalar(self, str key, object default=_sentinel):
+        value = self._get(key, default, ScalarNode)
+
+        if type(value) is not ScalarNode:
+            if value is None:
+                value = ScalarNode.__new__(ScalarNode, self.file_index, 0, next_synthetic_counter(), None)
+            else:
+                provenance = value.get_provenance()
+                raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                                "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type 'Scalar'"
+                                .format(provenance, key))
+
+        return value
+
+    cpdef SequenceNode get_sequence(self, str key, object default=_sentinel):
+        value = self._get(key, default, SequenceNode)
+
+        if type(value) is not SequenceNode and value is not None:
+            provenance = value.get_provenance()
+            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type 'Sequence'"
+                            .format(provenance, key))
+
+        return value
+
+    cpdef str get_str(self, str key, object default=_sentinel):
+        cdef ScalarNode scalar = self.get_scalar(key, default)
+        return scalar.as_str()
+
+    cpdef object items(self):
+        return self.value.items()
+
+    cpdef list keys(self):
+        return list(self.value.keys())
+
+    cpdef void safe_del(self, str key):
+        try:
+            del self.value[key]
+        except KeyError:
+            pass
+
+    # validate_keys()
+    #
+    # Validate the node so as to ensure the user has not specified
+    # any keys which are unrecognized by buildstream (usually this
+    # means a typo which would otherwise not trigger an error).
+    #
+    # Args:
+    #    valid_keys (list): A list of valid keys for the specified node
+    #
+    # Raises:
+    #    LoadError: In the case that the specified node contained
+    #               one or more invalid keys
+    #
+    cpdef void validate_keys(self, list valid_keys) except *:
+        # Probably the fastest way to do this: https://stackoverflow.com/a/23062482
+        cdef set valid_keys_set = set(valid_keys)
+        cdef str key
+
+        for key in self.value:
+            if key not in valid_keys_set:
+                provenance = self.get_node(key).get_provenance()
+                raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                                "{}: Unexpected key: {}".format(provenance, key))
+
+    cpdef object values(self):
+        return self.value.values()
+
+    #############################################################
+    #               Public Methods implementations              #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cpdef MappingNode copy(self):
+        cdef dict copy = {}
+        cdef str key
+        cdef Node value
+
+        for key, value in self.value.items():
+            copy[key] = value.copy()
+
+        return MappingNode.__new__(MappingNode, self.file_index, self.line, self.column, copy)
+
+    #############################################################
+    #            Private Methods used in BuildStream            #
+    #############################################################
+
+    # _composite()
+    #
+    # Compose one mapping node onto another
+    #
+    # Args:
+    #    target (Node): The target to compose into
+    #
+    # Raises: LoadError
+    #
+    cpdef void _composite(self, MappingNode target) except *:
+        try:
+            self.__composite(target, [])
+        except _CompositeError as e:
+            source_provenance = self.get_provenance()
+            error_prefix = ""
+            if source_provenance:
+                error_prefix = "{}: ".format(source_provenance)
+            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.ILLEGAL_COMPOSITE,
+                            "{}Failure composing {}: {}"
+                            .format(error_prefix,
+                                    e.path,
+                                    e.message)) from e
+
+    # Like _composite(target, source), but where target overrides source instead.
+    #
+    cpdef void _composite_under(self, MappingNode target) except *:
+        target._composite(self)
+
+        cdef str key
+        cdef Node value
+        cdef list to_delete = [key for key in target.value.keys() if key not in self.value]
+
+        for key, value in self.value.items():
+            target.value[key] = value
+        for key in to_delete:
+            del target.value[key]
+
+    # _find()
+    #
+    # Searches the given node tree for the given target node.
+    #
+    # This is typically used when trying to walk a path to a given node
+    # for the purpose of then modifying a similar tree of objects elsewhere
+    #
+    # Args:
+    #    target (Node): The node you are looking for in that tree
+    #
+    # Returns:
+    #    (list): A path from `node` to `target` or None if `target` is not in the subtree
+    cpdef list _find(self, Node target):
+        cdef list path = []
+        if self._walk_find(target, path):
+            return path
+        return None
+
+    #############################################################
+    #              Private Methods implementations              #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cpdef void _assert_fully_composited(self) except *:
+        cdef str key
+        cdef Node value
+
+        for key, value in self.value.items():
+            # Assert that list composition directives dont remain, this
+            # indicates that the user intended to override a list which
+            # never existed in the underlying data
+            #
+            if key in ('(>)', '(<)', '(=)'):
+                provenance = value.get_provenance()
+                raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.TRAILING_LIST_DIRECTIVE,
+                                "{}: Attempt to override non-existing list".format(provenance))
+
+            value._assert_fully_composited()
+
+    cpdef object _strip_node_info(self):
+        cdef str key
+        cdef Node value
+
+        return {key: value._strip_node_info() for key, value in self.value.items()}
+
+    #############################################################
+    #                     Protected Methods                     #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cdef void _compose_on(self, str key, MappingNode target, list path) except *:
+        cdef Node target_value
+
+        if self._is_composite_list():
+            if key not in target.value:
+                # Composite list clobbers empty space
+                target.value[key] = self
+            else:
+                target_value = target.value[key]
+
+                if type(target_value) is SequenceNode:
+                    # Composite list composes into a list
+                    self._compose_on_list(target_value)
+                elif target_value._is_composite_list():
+                    # Composite list merges into composite list
+                    self._compose_on_composite_dict(target_value)
+                else:
+                    # Else composing on top of normal dict or a scalar, so raise...
+                    raise _CompositeError(path,
+                                          "{}: Cannot compose lists onto {}".format(
+                                             self.get_provenance(),
+                                             target_value.get_provenance()))
+        else:
+            # We're composing a dict into target now
+            if key not in target.value:
+                # Target lacks a dict at that point, make a fresh one with
+                # the same provenance as the incoming dict
+                target.value[key] = MappingNode.__new__(MappingNode, self.file_index, self.line, self.column, {})
+
+            self.__composite(target.value[key], path)
+
+    cdef void _compose_on_list(self, SequenceNode target):
+        cdef SequenceNode clobber = self.value.get("(=)")
+        cdef SequenceNode prefix = self.value.get("(<)")
+        cdef SequenceNode suffix = self.value.get("(>)")
+
+        if clobber is not None:
+            target.value.clear()
+            target.value.extend(clobber.value)
+        if prefix is not None:
+            for v in reversed(prefix.value):
+                target.value.insert(0, v)
+        if suffix is not None:
+            target.value.extend(suffix.value)
+
+    cdef void _compose_on_composite_dict(self, MappingNode target):
+        cdef SequenceNode clobber = self.value.get("(=)")
+        cdef SequenceNode prefix = self.value.get("(<)")
+        cdef SequenceNode suffix = self.value.get("(>)")
+
+        if clobber is not None:
+            # We want to clobber the target list
+            # which basically means replacing the target list
+            # with ourselves
+            target.value["(=)"] = clobber
+            if prefix is not None:
+                target.value["(<)"] = prefix
+            elif "(<)" in target.value:
+                (<SequenceNode> target.value["(<)"]).value.clear()
+            if suffix is not None:
+                target.value["(>)"] = suffix
+            elif "(>)" in target.value:
+                (<SequenceNode> target.value["(>)"]).value.clear()
+        else:
+            # Not clobbering, so prefix the prefix and suffix the suffix
+            if prefix is not None:
+                if "(<)" in target.value:
+                    for v in reversed(prefix.value):
+                        (<SequenceNode> target.value["(<)"]).value.insert(0, v)
+                else:
+                    target.value["(<)"] = prefix
+            if suffix is not None:
+                if "(>)" in target.value:
+                    (<SequenceNode> target.value["(>)"]).value.extend(suffix.value)
+                else:
+                    target.value["(>)"] = suffix
+
+    cdef Node _get(self, str key, object default, object default_constructor):
+        value = self.value.get(key, _sentinel)
+
+        if value is _sentinel:
+            if default is _sentinel:
+                provenance = self.get_provenance()
+                raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                                "{}: Dictionary did not contain expected key '{}'".format(provenance, key))
+
+            if default is None:
+                value = None
+            else:
+                value = default_constructor.__new__(
+                    default_constructor, _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX, 0, next_synthetic_counter(), default)
+
+        return value
+
+    cdef bint _is_composite_list(self) except *:
+        cdef bint has_directives = False
+        cdef bint has_keys = False
+        cdef str key
+
+        for key in self.value.keys():
+            if key in ['(>)', '(<)', '(=)']:
+                has_directives = True
+            else:
+                has_keys = True
+
+        if has_keys and has_directives:
+            provenance = self.get_provenance()
+            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                            "{}: Dictionary contains array composition directives and arbitrary keys"
+                            .format(provenance))
+
+        return has_directives
+
+    cdef bint _walk_find(self, Node target, list path) except *:
+        cdef str k
+        cdef Node v
+
+        if self._shares_position_with(target):
+            return True
+
+        for k, v in self.value.items():
+            path.append(k)
+            if v._walk_find(target, path):
+                return True
+            del path[-1]
+
+        return False
+
+    #############################################################
+    #                      Private Methods                      #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cdef void __composite(self, MappingNode target, list path=None) except *:
+        cdef str key
+        cdef Node value
+
+        for key, value in self.value.items():
+            path.append(key)
+            value._compose_on(key, target, path)
+            path.pop()
+
+
+cdef class SequenceNode(Node):
+    def __cinit__(self, int file_index, int line, int column, list value):
+        self.value = value
+
+    def __iter__(self):
+        return iter(self.value)
+
+    def __len__(self):
+        return len(self.value)
+
+    def __reversed__(self):
+        return reversed(self.value)
+
+    def __setitem__(self, int key, object value):
+        cdef Node old_value
+
+        if type(value) in [MappingNode, ScalarNode, SequenceNode]:
+            self.value[key] = value
+        else:
+            node = _create_node_recursive(value, self)
+
+            # FIXME: Do we really want to override provenance?
+            # See __setitem__ on 'MappingNode' for more context
+            old_value = self.value[key]
+            if old_value:
+                node.file_index = old_value.file_index
+                node.line = old_value.line
+                node.column = old_value.column
+
+            self.value[key] = node
+
+    #############################################################
+    #                       Public Methods                      #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cpdef void append(self, object value):
+        if type(value) in [MappingNode, ScalarNode, SequenceNode]:
+            self.value.append(value)
+        else:
+            node = _create_node_recursive(value, self)
+            self.value.append(node)
+
+    cpdef list as_str_list(self):
+        return [node.as_str() for node in self.value]
+
+    cpdef MappingNode mapping_at(self, int index):
+        value = self.value[index]
+
+        if type(value) is not MappingNode:
+            provenance = self.get_provenance()
+            path = ["[{}]".format(p) for p in provenance.toplevel._find(self)] + ["[{}]".format(index)]
+            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type '{}'"
+                            .format(provenance, path, MappingNode.__name__))
+        return value
+
+    cpdef Node node_at(self, int index, list allowed_types = None):
+        cdef value = self.value[index]
+
+        if allowed_types and type(value) not in allowed_types:
+            provenance = self.get_provenance()
+            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not one of the following: {}.".format(
+                                provenance, index, ", ".join(allowed_types)))
+
+        return value
+
+    cpdef ScalarNode scalar_at(self, int index):
+        value = self.value[index]
+
+        if type(value) is not ScalarNode:
+            provenance = self.get_provenance()
+            path = ["[{}]".format(p) for p in provenance.toplevel._find(self)] + ["[{}]".format(index)]
+            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type '{}'"
+                            .format(provenance, path, ScalarNode.__name__))
+        return value
+
+    cpdef SequenceNode sequence_at(self, int index):
+        value = self.value[index]
+
+        if type(value) is not SequenceNode:
+            provenance = self.get_provenance()
+            path = ["[{}]".format(p) for p in provenance.toplevel._find(self)] + ["[{}]".format(index)]
+            raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
+                            "{}: Value of '{}' is not of the expected type '{}'"
+                            .format(provenance, path, SequenceNode.__name__))
+
+        return value
+
+    #############################################################
+    #               Public Methods implementations              #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cpdef SequenceNode copy(self):
+        cdef list copy = []
+        cdef Node entry
+
+        for entry in self.value:
+            copy.append(entry.copy())
+
+        return SequenceNode.__new__(SequenceNode, self.file_index, self.line, self.column, copy)
+
+    #############################################################
+    #              Private Methods implementations              #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cpdef void _assert_fully_composited(self) except *:
+        cdef Node value
+        for value in self.value:
+            value._assert_fully_composited()
+
+    cpdef object _strip_node_info(self):
+        cdef Node value
+        return [value._strip_node_info() for value in self.value]
+
+    #############################################################
+    #                     Protected Methods                     #
+    #############################################################
+
+    cdef void _compose_on(self, str key, MappingNode target, list path) except *:
+        # List clobbers anything list-like
+        cdef Node target_value = target.value.get(key)
+
+        if not (target_value is None or
+                type(target_value) is SequenceNode or
+                target_value._is_composite_list()):
+            raise _CompositeError(path,
+                                  "{}: List cannot overwrite {} at: {}"
+                                  .format(self.get_provenance(),
+                                          key,
+                                          target_value.get_provenance()))
+        # Looks good, clobber it
+        target.value[key] = self
+
+    cdef bint _is_composite_list(self) except *:
+        return False
+
+    cdef bint _walk_find(self, Node target, list path) except *:
+        cdef int i
+        cdef Node v
+
+        if self._shares_position_with(target):
+            return True
+
+        for i, v in enumerate(self.value):
+            path.append(i)
+            if v._walk_find(target, path):
+                return True
+            del path[-1]
+
+        return False
+
+
+# Returned from Node.get_provenance
+cdef class ProvenanceInformation:
+
+    def __init__(self, Node nodeish):
+        cdef _FileInfo fileinfo
+
+        self._node = nodeish
+        if (nodeish is None) or (nodeish.file_index == _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX):
+            self._filename = ""
+            self._shortname = ""
+            self._displayname = ""
+            self._line = 1
+            self._col = 0
+            self._toplevel = None
+            self._project = None
+        else:
+            fileinfo = <_FileInfo> _FILE_LIST[nodeish.file_index]
+            self._filename = fileinfo.filename
+            self._shortname = fileinfo.shortname
+            self._displayname = fileinfo.displayname
+            # We add 1 here to convert from computerish to humanish
+            self._line = nodeish.line + 1
+            self._col = nodeish.column
+            self._toplevel = fileinfo.toplevel
+            self._project = fileinfo.project
+        self._is_synthetic = (self._filename == '') or (self._col < 0)
+
+    # Convert a Provenance to a string for error reporting
+    def __str__(self):
+        if self._is_synthetic:
+            return "{} [synthetic node]".format(self._displayname)
+        else:
+            return "{} [line {:d} column {:d}]".format(self._displayname, self._line, self._col)
+
+
+# assert_symbol_name()
+#
+# A helper function to check if a loaded string is a valid symbol
+# name and to raise a consistent LoadError if not. For strings which
+# are required to be symbols.
+#
+# Args:
+#    symbol_name (str): The loaded symbol name
+#    purpose (str): The purpose of the string, for an error message
+#    ref_node (Node): The node of the loaded symbol, or None
+#    allow_dashes (bool): Whether dashes are allowed for this symbol
+#
+# Raises:
+#    LoadError: If the symbol_name is invalid
+#
+# Note that dashes are generally preferred for variable names and
+# usage in YAML, but things such as option names which will be
+# evaluated with jinja2 cannot use dashes.
+def assert_symbol_name(str symbol_name, str purpose, *, Node ref_node=None, bint allow_dashes=True):
+    cdef str valid_chars = string.digits + string.ascii_letters + '_'
+    if allow_dashes:
+        valid_chars += '-'
+
+    cdef bint valid = True
+    if not symbol_name:
+        valid = False
+    elif any(x not in valid_chars for x in symbol_name):
+        valid = False
+    elif symbol_name[0] in string.digits:
+        valid = False
+
+    if not valid:
+        detail = "Symbol names must contain only alphanumeric characters, " + \
+                 "may not start with a digit, and may contain underscores"
+        if allow_dashes:
+            detail += " or dashes"
+
+        message = "Invalid symbol name for {}: '{}'".format(purpose, symbol_name)
+        if ref_node:
+            provenance = ref_node.get_provenance()
+            if provenance is not None:
+                message = "{}: {}".format(provenance, message)
+
+        raise LoadError(LoadErrorReason.INVALID_SYMBOL_NAME,
+                        message, detail=detail)
+
+
+#############################################################
+#                BuildStream Private methods                #
+#############################################################
+# Purely synthetic nodes will have _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX for the file number, have line number
+# zero, and a negative column number which comes from inverting the next value
+# out of this counter.  Synthetic nodes created with a reference node will
+# have a file number from the reference node, some unknown line number, and
+# a negative column number from this counter.
+cdef int _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX = -1
+
+# File name handling
+cdef list _FILE_LIST = []
+
+
+cdef Py_ssize_t _create_new_file(str filename, str shortname, str displayname, Node toplevel, object project):
+    cdef Py_ssize_t file_number = len(_FILE_LIST)
+    _FILE_LIST.append(_FileInfo(filename, shortname, displayname, None, project))
+
+    return file_number
+
+
+cdef void _set_root_node_for_file(Py_ssize_t file_index, MappingNode contents) except *:
+    cdef _FileInfo f_info
+
+    if file_index != _SYNTHETIC_FILE_INDEX:
+        f_info = <_FileInfo> _FILE_LIST[file_index]
+        f_info.toplevel = contents
+
+
+# _new_synthetic_file()
+#
+# Create a new synthetic mapping node, with an associated file entry
+# (in _FILE_LIST) such that later tracking can correctly determine which
+# file needs writing to in order to persist the changes.
+#
+# Args:
+#    filename (str): The name of the synthetic file to create
+#    project (Project): The optional project to associate this synthetic file with
+#
+# Returns:
+#    (Node): An empty YAML mapping node, whose provenance is to this new
+#            synthetic file
+#
+def _new_synthetic_file(str filename, object project=None):
+    cdef Py_ssize_t file_index = len(_FILE_LIST)
+    cdef Node node = MappingNode.__new__(MappingNode, file_index, 0, 0, {})
+
+    _FILE_LIST.append(_FileInfo(filename,
+                       filename,
+                       "<synthetic {}>".format(filename),
+                       node,
+                       project))
+    return node
+
+
+#############################################################
+#                 Module local helper Methods               #
+#############################################################
+
+# synthetic counter for synthetic nodes
+cdef int __counter = 0
+
+
+class _CompositeError(Exception):
+    def __init__(self, path, message):
+        super().__init__(message)
+        self.path = path
+        self.message = message
+
+
+# Metadata container for a yaml toplevel node.
+#
+# This class contains metadata around a yaml node in order to be able
+# to trace back the provenance of a node to the file.
+#
+cdef class _FileInfo:
+
+    cdef str filename, shortname, displayname
+    cdef MappingNode toplevel,
+    cdef object project
+
+    def __init__(self, str filename, str shortname, str displayname, MappingNode toplevel, object project):
+        self.filename = filename
+        self.shortname = shortname
+        self.displayname = displayname
+        self.toplevel = toplevel
+        self.project = project
+
+
+cdef int next_synthetic_counter():
+    global __counter
+    __counter -= 1
+    return __counter
+
+
+cdef Node _create_node_recursive(object value, Node ref_node):
+    cdef value_type = type(value)
+
+    if value_type is list:
+        node = _new_node_from_list(value, ref_node)
+    elif value_type in [int, str, bool]:
+        node = ScalarNode.__new__(ScalarNode, ref_node.file_index, ref_node.line, next_synthetic_counter(), value)
+    elif value_type is dict:
+        node = _new_node_from_dict(value, ref_node)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(
+            "Unable to assign a value of type {} to a Node.".format(value_type))
+
+    return node
+
+
+# _new_node_from_dict()
+#
+# Args:
+#   indict (dict): The input dictionary
+#   ref_node (Node): The dictionary to take as reference for position
+#
+# Returns:
+#   (Node): A new synthetic YAML tree which represents this dictionary
+#
+cdef Node _new_node_from_dict(dict indict, Node ref_node):
+    cdef MappingNode ret = MappingNode.__new__(
+        MappingNode, ref_node.file_index, ref_node.line, next_synthetic_counter(), {})
+    cdef str k
+
+    for k, v in indict.items():
+        ret.value[k] = _create_node_recursive(v, ref_node)
+
+    return ret
+
+
+# Internal function to help new_node_from_dict() to handle lists
+cdef Node _new_node_from_list(list inlist, Node ref_node):
+    cdef SequenceNode ret = SequenceNode.__new__(
+        SequenceNode, ref_node.file_index, ref_node.line, next_synthetic_counter(), [])
+
+    for v in inlist:
+        ret.value.append(_create_node_recursive(v, ref_node))
+
+    return ret
diff --git a/src/buildstream/sandbox/_sandboxremote.py b/src/buildstream/sandbox/_sandboxremote.py
index fb45c72ef..20298c1ce 100644
--- a/src/buildstream/sandbox/_sandboxremote.py
+++ b/src/buildstream/sandbox/_sandboxremote.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ from functools import partial
 import grpc
 
 from .. import utils
+from ..node import Node
 from .._message import Message, MessageType
 from .sandbox import Sandbox, SandboxCommandError, _SandboxBatch
 from ..storage.directory import VirtualDirectoryError
@@ -144,7 +145,7 @@ class SandboxRemote(Sandbox):
         # 'url' was the only valid key for remote-execution:
         if 'url' in remote_config:
             if 'execution-service' not in remote_config:
-                exec_config = _yaml.Node.from_dict({'url': remote_config['url']})
+                exec_config = Node.from_dict({'url': remote_config['url']})
             else:
                 provenance = remote_config.get_node('url').get_provenance()
                 raise _yaml.LoadError(_yaml.LoadErrorReason.INVALID_DATA,
diff --git a/tests/internals/pluginfactory.py b/tests/internals/pluginfactory.py
index 4f907151d..b3f77c8b1 100644
--- a/tests/internals/pluginfactory.py
+++ b/tests/internals/pluginfactory.py
@@ -5,10 +5,10 @@ import os
 import pytest
 
 from pluginbase import PluginBase
+from buildstream import Node
 from buildstream._elementfactory import ElementFactory
 from buildstream._sourcefactory import SourceFactory
 from buildstream._exceptions import PluginError
-from buildstream import _yaml
 
 DATA_DIR = os.path.join(
     os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__)),
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def test_element_factory(plugin_fixture):
 ##############################################################
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'customsource'))
 def test_custom_source(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins = [_yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins = [Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename),
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def test_custom_source(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
 
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'customelement'))
 def test_custom_element(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins = [_yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins = [Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename),
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ def test_missing_element(plugin_fixture):
 # Load a factory with a plugin that returns a value instead of Source subclass
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'notatype'))
 def test_source_notatype(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins = [_yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins = [Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename),
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ def test_source_notatype(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
 # Load a factory with a plugin that returns a value instead of Element subclass
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'notatype'))
 def test_element_notatype(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins = [_yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins = [Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename),
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ def test_element_notatype(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
 # which is not a Source subclass
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'wrongtype'))
 def test_source_wrongtype(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins = [_yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins = [Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename),
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ def test_source_wrongtype(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
 # which is not a Element subclass
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'wrongtype'))
 def test_element_wrongtype(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins = [_yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins = [Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename),
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ def test_element_wrongtype(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
 # Load a factory with a plugin which fails to provide a setup() function
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'nosetup'))
 def test_source_missing_setup(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins = [_yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins = [Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename),
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ def test_source_missing_setup(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
 # Load a factory with a plugin which fails to provide a setup() function
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'nosetup'))
 def test_element_missing_setup(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins = [_yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins = [Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename),
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ def test_element_missing_setup(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
 # that is not a function
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'badsetup'))
 def test_source_bad_setup(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins = [_yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins = [Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename),
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ def test_source_bad_setup(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
 # that is not a function
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'badsetup'))
 def test_element_bad_setup(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins = [_yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins = [Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename),
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ def test_element_bad_setup(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
 # high version of buildstream
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'badversionsource'))
 def test_source_badversion(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins = [_yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins = [Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename),
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ def test_source_badversion(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
 # high version of buildstream
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'badversionelement'))
 def test_element_badversion(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins = [_yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins = [Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename),
@@ -249,14 +249,14 @@ def test_element_badversion(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
 # Load two factories, both of which define a different 'foo' plugin
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(DATA_DIR)
 def test_source_multicontext(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins1 = _yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins1 = Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename,
                              'customsource'),
         'plugins': ['foo']
     })
-    plugins2 = _yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins2 = Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename,
@@ -278,14 +278,14 @@ def test_source_multicontext(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
 # Load two factories, both of which define a different 'foo' plugin
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(DATA_DIR)
 def test_element_multicontext(plugin_fixture, datafiles):
-    plugins1 = _yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins1 = Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename,
                              'customelement'),
         'plugins': ['foo']
     })
-    plugins2 = _yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    plugins2 = Node.from_dict({
         'origin': 'local',
         'path': os.path.join(datafiles.dirname,
                              datafiles.basename,
diff --git a/tests/internals/yaml.py b/tests/internals/yaml.py
index f2e1c70ef..bf7ccf98d 100644
--- a/tests/internals/yaml.py
+++ b/tests/internals/yaml.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from io import StringIO
 
 import pytest
 
-from buildstream import _yaml
+from buildstream import _yaml, Node, ProvenanceInformation, SequenceNode
 from buildstream._exceptions import LoadError, LoadErrorReason
 
 
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def test_load_yaml(datafiles):
 def assert_provenance(filename, line, col, node):
     provenance = node.get_provenance()
 
-    assert isinstance(provenance, _yaml.ProvenanceInformation)
+    assert isinstance(provenance, ProvenanceInformation)
 
     assert provenance._shortname == filename
     assert provenance._line == line
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ def test_node_get(datafiles):
     assert base.get_str('kind') == 'pony'
 
     children = base.get_sequence('children')
-    assert isinstance(children, _yaml.SequenceNode)
+    assert isinstance(children, SequenceNode)
     assert len(children) == 7
 
     child = base.get_sequence('children').mapping_at(6)
@@ -528,6 +528,6 @@ def test_node_find_target_fails(datafiles):
                             "traversal.yaml")
     loaded = _yaml.load(filename, copy_tree=True)
 
-    brand_new = _yaml.Node.from_dict({})
+    brand_new = Node.from_dict({})
 
     assert loaded._find(brand_new) is None
diff --git a/tests/sources/git.py b/tests/sources/git.py
index 9cbf98d26..245f90131 100644
--- a/tests/sources/git.py
+++ b/tests/sources/git.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ import shutil
 import pytest
 
 from buildstream._exceptions import ErrorDomain
-from buildstream import _yaml
+from buildstream import _yaml, Node
 from buildstream.plugin import CoreWarnings
 from buildstream.testing import cli  # pylint: disable=unused-import
 from buildstream.testing import create_repo
@@ -1151,7 +1151,7 @@ def test_overwrite_rogue_tag_multiple_remotes(cli, tmpdir, datafiles):
 
     repodir, reponame = os.path.split(repo.repo)
     project_config = _yaml.load(os.path.join(project, 'project.conf'))
-    project_config['aliases'] = _yaml.Node.from_dict({
+    project_config['aliases'] = Node.from_dict({
         'repo': 'http://example.com/'
     })
     project_config['mirrors'] = [