diff --git a/add-interactive.c b/add-interactive.c
index f071b2a1b4f..ecc5ae1b249 100644
--- a/add-interactive.c
+++ b/add-interactive.c
@@ -997,18 +997,17 @@ static int run_diff(struct add_i_state *s, const struct pathspec *ps,
 	count = list_and_choose(s, files, opts);
 	opts->flags = 0;
 	if (count > 0) {
-		struct strvec args = STRVEC_INIT;
+		struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-		strvec_pushl(&args, "git", "diff", "-p", "--cached",
+		strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "git", "diff", "-p", "--cached",
 			     oid_to_hex(!is_initial ? &oid :
 					s->r->hash_algo->empty_tree),
 			     "--", NULL);
 		for (i = 0; i < files->items.nr; i++)
 			if (files->selected[i])
-				strvec_push(&args,
+				strvec_push(&cmd.args,
 					    files->items.items[i].string);
-		res = run_command_v_opt(args.v, 0);
-		strvec_clear(&args);
+		res = run_command(&cmd);
 	}
 
 	putchar('\n');
diff --git a/bisect.c b/bisect.c
index fd581b85a72..ec7487e6836 100644
--- a/bisect.c
+++ b/bisect.c
@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@ static struct oid_array skipped_revs;
 
 static struct object_id *current_bad_oid;
 
-static const char *argv_checkout[] = {"checkout", "-q", NULL, "--", NULL};
-
 static const char *term_bad;
 static const char *term_good;
 
@@ -729,20 +727,22 @@ static int is_expected_rev(const struct object_id *oid)
 enum bisect_error bisect_checkout(const struct object_id *bisect_rev,
 				  int no_checkout)
 {
-	char bisect_rev_hex[GIT_MAX_HEXSZ + 1];
 	struct commit *commit;
 	struct pretty_print_context pp = {0};
 	struct strbuf commit_msg = STRBUF_INIT;
 
-	oid_to_hex_r(bisect_rev_hex, bisect_rev);
 	update_ref(NULL, "BISECT_EXPECTED_REV", bisect_rev, NULL, 0, UPDATE_REFS_DIE_ON_ERR);
 
-	argv_checkout[2] = bisect_rev_hex;
 	if (no_checkout) {
 		update_ref(NULL, "BISECT_HEAD", bisect_rev, NULL, 0,
 			   UPDATE_REFS_DIE_ON_ERR);
 	} else {
-		if (run_command_v_opt(argv_checkout, RUN_GIT_CMD))
+		struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+
+		cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+		strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "checkout", "-q",
+			     oid_to_hex(bisect_rev), "--", NULL);
+		if (run_command(&cmd))
 			/*
 			 * Errors in `run_command()` itself, signaled by res < 0,
 			 * and errors in the child process, signaled by res > 0
diff --git a/builtin/add.c b/builtin/add.c
index f84372964c8..626c71ec6aa 100644
--- a/builtin/add.c
+++ b/builtin/add.c
@@ -240,8 +240,8 @@ static int refresh(int verbose, const struct pathspec *pathspec)
 int run_add_interactive(const char *revision, const char *patch_mode,
 			const struct pathspec *pathspec)
 {
-	int status, i;
-	struct strvec argv = STRVEC_INIT;
+	int i;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	int use_builtin_add_i =
 		git_env_bool("GIT_TEST_ADD_I_USE_BUILTIN", -1);
 
@@ -272,19 +272,18 @@ int run_add_interactive(const char *revision, const char *patch_mode,
 		return !!run_add_p(the_repository, mode, revision, pathspec);
 	}
 
-	strvec_push(&argv, "add--interactive");
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, "add--interactive");
 	if (patch_mode)
-		strvec_push(&argv, patch_mode);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, patch_mode);
 	if (revision)
-		strvec_push(&argv, revision);
-	strvec_push(&argv, "--");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, revision);
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--");
 	for (i = 0; i < pathspec->nr; i++)
 		/* pass original pathspec, to be re-parsed */
-		strvec_push(&argv, pathspec->items[i].original);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, pathspec->items[i].original);
 
-	status = run_command_v_opt(argv.v, RUN_GIT_CMD);
-	strvec_clear(&argv);
-	return status;
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
 
 int interactive_add(const char **argv, const char *prefix, int patch)
diff --git a/builtin/am.c b/builtin/am.c
index 39fea248330..20aea0d2487 100644
--- a/builtin/am.c
+++ b/builtin/am.c
@@ -2187,14 +2187,12 @@ static int show_patch(struct am_state *state, enum show_patch_type sub_mode)
 	int len;
 
 	if (!is_null_oid(&state->orig_commit)) {
-		const char *av[4] = { "show", NULL, "--", NULL };
-		char *new_oid_str;
-		int ret;
+		struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-		av[1] = new_oid_str = xstrdup(oid_to_hex(&state->orig_commit));
-		ret = run_command_v_opt(av, RUN_GIT_CMD);
-		free(new_oid_str);
-		return ret;
+		strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "show", oid_to_hex(&state->orig_commit),
+			     "--", NULL);
+		cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+		return run_command(&cmd);
 	}
 
 	switch (sub_mode) {
diff --git a/builtin/bisect--helper.c b/builtin/bisect--helper.c
index 28ef7ec2a48..1d2ce8a0e12 100644
--- a/builtin/bisect--helper.c
+++ b/builtin/bisect--helper.c
@@ -220,18 +220,17 @@ static int bisect_reset(const char *commit)
 	}
 
 	if (!ref_exists("BISECT_HEAD")) {
-		struct strvec argv = STRVEC_INIT;
+		struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-		strvec_pushl(&argv, "checkout", branch.buf, "--", NULL);
-		if (run_command_v_opt(argv.v, RUN_GIT_CMD)) {
+		cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+		strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "checkout", branch.buf, "--", NULL);
+		if (run_command(&cmd)) {
 			error(_("could not check out original"
 				" HEAD '%s'. Try 'git bisect"
 				" reset <commit>'."), branch.buf);
 			strbuf_release(&branch);
-			strvec_clear(&argv);
 			return -1;
 		}
-		strvec_clear(&argv);
 	}
 
 	strbuf_release(&branch);
@@ -765,10 +764,12 @@ static enum bisect_error bisect_start(struct bisect_terms *terms, const char **a
 		strbuf_read_file(&start_head, git_path_bisect_start(), 0);
 		strbuf_trim(&start_head);
 		if (!no_checkout) {
-			const char *argv[] = { "checkout", start_head.buf,
-					       "--", NULL };
+			struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-			if (run_command_v_opt(argv, RUN_GIT_CMD)) {
+			cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+			strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "checkout", start_head.buf,
+				     "--", NULL);
+			if (run_command(&cmd)) {
 				res = error(_("checking out '%s' failed."
 						 " Try 'git bisect start "
 						 "<valid-branch>'."),
@@ -1098,40 +1099,38 @@ static enum bisect_error bisect_skip(struct bisect_terms *terms, const char **ar
 
 static int bisect_visualize(struct bisect_terms *terms, const char **argv, int argc)
 {
-	struct strvec args = STRVEC_INIT;
-	int flags = RUN_COMMAND_NO_STDIN, res = 0;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	struct strbuf sb = STRBUF_INIT;
 
 	if (bisect_next_check(terms, NULL) != 0)
 		return BISECT_FAILED;
 
+	cmd.no_stdin = 1;
 	if (!argc) {
 		if ((getenv("DISPLAY") || getenv("SESSIONNAME") || getenv("MSYSTEM") ||
 		     getenv("SECURITYSESSIONID")) && exists_in_PATH("gitk")) {
-			strvec_push(&args, "gitk");
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "gitk");
 		} else {
-			strvec_push(&args, "log");
-			flags |= RUN_GIT_CMD;
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "log");
+			cmd.git_cmd = 1;
 		}
 	} else {
 		if (argv[0][0] == '-') {
-			strvec_push(&args, "log");
-			flags |= RUN_GIT_CMD;
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "log");
+			cmd.git_cmd = 1;
 		} else if (strcmp(argv[0], "tig") && !starts_with(argv[0], "git"))
-			flags |= RUN_GIT_CMD;
+			cmd.git_cmd = 1;
 
-		strvec_pushv(&args, argv);
+		strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, argv);
 	}
 
-	strvec_pushl(&args, "--bisect", "--", NULL);
+	strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "--bisect", "--", NULL);
 
 	strbuf_read_file(&sb, git_path_bisect_names(), 0);
-	sq_dequote_to_strvec(sb.buf, &args);
+	sq_dequote_to_strvec(sb.buf, &cmd.args);
 	strbuf_release(&sb);
 
-	res = run_command_v_opt(args.v, flags);
-	strvec_clear(&args);
-	return res;
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
 
 static int get_first_good(const char *refname UNUSED,
@@ -1142,8 +1141,17 @@ static int get_first_good(const char *refname UNUSED,
 	return 1;
 }
 
-static int verify_good(const struct bisect_terms *terms,
-		       const char **quoted_argv)
+static int do_bisect_run(const char *command)
+{
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+
+	printf(_("running %s\n"), command);
+	cmd.use_shell = 1;
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, command);
+	return run_command(&cmd);
+}
+
+static int verify_good(const struct bisect_terms *terms, const char *command)
 {
 	int rc;
 	enum bisect_error res;
@@ -1163,8 +1171,7 @@ static int verify_good(const struct bisect_terms *terms,
 	if (res != BISECT_OK)
 		return -1;
 
-	printf(_("running %s\n"), quoted_argv[0]);
-	rc = run_command_v_opt(quoted_argv, RUN_USING_SHELL);
+	rc = do_bisect_run(command);
 
 	res = bisect_checkout(&current_rev, no_checkout);
 	if (res != BISECT_OK)
@@ -1177,7 +1184,6 @@ static int bisect_run(struct bisect_terms *terms, const char **argv, int argc)
 {
 	int res = BISECT_OK;
 	struct strbuf command = STRBUF_INIT;
-	struct strvec run_args = STRVEC_INIT;
 	const char *new_state;
 	int temporary_stdout_fd, saved_stdout;
 	int is_first_run = 1;
@@ -1192,11 +1198,8 @@ static int bisect_run(struct bisect_terms *terms, const char **argv, int argc)
 		return BISECT_FAILED;
 	}
 
-	strvec_push(&run_args, command.buf);
-
 	while (1) {
-		printf(_("running %s\n"), command.buf);
-		res = run_command_v_opt(run_args.v, RUN_USING_SHELL);
+		res = do_bisect_run(command.buf);
 
 		/*
 		 * Exit code 126 and 127 can either come from the shell
@@ -1206,7 +1209,7 @@ static int bisect_run(struct bisect_terms *terms, const char **argv, int argc)
 		 * missing or non-executable script.
 		 */
 		if (is_first_run && (res == 126 || res == 127)) {
-			int rc = verify_good(terms, run_args.v);
+			int rc = verify_good(terms, command.buf);
 			is_first_run = 0;
 			if (rc < 0) {
 				error(_("unable to verify '%s' on good"
@@ -1273,7 +1276,6 @@ static int bisect_run(struct bisect_terms *terms, const char **argv, int argc)
 	}
 
 	strbuf_release(&command);
-	strvec_clear(&run_args);
 	return res;
 }
 
diff --git a/builtin/clone.c b/builtin/clone.c
index 547d6464b3c..0e4348686b6 100644
--- a/builtin/clone.c
+++ b/builtin/clone.c
@@ -653,9 +653,9 @@ static void update_head(const struct ref *our, const struct ref *remote,
 
 static int git_sparse_checkout_init(const char *repo)
 {
-	struct strvec argv = STRVEC_INIT;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	int result = 0;
-	strvec_pushl(&argv, "-C", repo, "sparse-checkout", "set", NULL);
+	strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "-C", repo, "sparse-checkout", "set", NULL);
 
 	/*
 	 * We must apply the setting in the current process
@@ -663,12 +663,12 @@ static int git_sparse_checkout_init(const char *repo)
 	 */
 	core_apply_sparse_checkout = 1;
 
-	if (run_command_v_opt(argv.v, RUN_GIT_CMD)) {
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	if (run_command(&cmd)) {
 		error(_("failed to initialize sparse-checkout"));
 		result = 1;
 	}
 
-	strvec_clear(&argv);
 	return result;
 }
 
@@ -733,37 +733,38 @@ static int checkout(int submodule_progress, int filter_submodules)
 			   oid_to_hex(&oid), "1", NULL);
 
 	if (!err && (option_recurse_submodules.nr > 0)) {
-		struct strvec args = STRVEC_INIT;
-		strvec_pushl(&args, "submodule", "update", "--require-init", "--recursive", NULL);
+		struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+		strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "submodule", "update", "--require-init",
+			     "--recursive", NULL);
 
 		if (option_shallow_submodules == 1)
-			strvec_push(&args, "--depth=1");
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--depth=1");
 
 		if (max_jobs != -1)
-			strvec_pushf(&args, "--jobs=%d", max_jobs);
+			strvec_pushf(&cmd.args, "--jobs=%d", max_jobs);
 
 		if (submodule_progress)
-			strvec_push(&args, "--progress");
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--progress");
 
 		if (option_verbosity < 0)
-			strvec_push(&args, "--quiet");
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--quiet");
 
 		if (option_remote_submodules) {
-			strvec_push(&args, "--remote");
-			strvec_push(&args, "--no-fetch");
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--remote");
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--no-fetch");
 		}
 
 		if (filter_submodules && filter_options.choice)
-			strvec_pushf(&args, "--filter=%s",
+			strvec_pushf(&cmd.args, "--filter=%s",
 				     expand_list_objects_filter_spec(&filter_options));
 
 		if (option_single_branch >= 0)
-			strvec_push(&args, option_single_branch ?
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, option_single_branch ?
 					       "--single-branch" :
 					       "--no-single-branch");
 
-		err = run_command_v_opt(args.v, RUN_GIT_CMD);
-		strvec_clear(&args);
+		cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+		err = run_command(&cmd);
 	}
 
 	return err;
@@ -864,11 +865,15 @@ static void write_refspec_config(const char *src_ref_prefix,
 
 static void dissociate_from_references(void)
 {
-	static const char* argv[] = { "repack", "-a", "-d", NULL };
 	char *alternates = git_pathdup("objects/info/alternates");
 
 	if (!access(alternates, F_OK)) {
-		if (run_command_v_opt(argv, RUN_GIT_CMD|RUN_COMMAND_NO_STDIN))
+		struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+
+		cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+		cmd.no_stdin = 1;
+		strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "repack", "-a", "-d", NULL);
+		if (run_command(&cmd))
 			die(_("cannot repack to clean up"));
 		if (unlink(alternates) && errno != ENOENT)
 			die_errno(_("cannot unlink temporary alternates file"));
diff --git a/builtin/difftool.c b/builtin/difftool.c
index 4b10ad1a369..d7f08c8a7fa 100644
--- a/builtin/difftool.c
+++ b/builtin/difftool.c
@@ -44,8 +44,11 @@ static int difftool_config(const char *var, const char *value, void *cb)
 
 static int print_tool_help(void)
 {
-	const char *argv[] = { "mergetool", "--tool-help=diff", NULL };
-	return run_command_v_opt(argv, RUN_GIT_CMD);
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "mergetool", "--tool-help=diff", NULL);
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
 
 static int parse_index_info(char *p, int *mode1, int *mode2,
@@ -360,8 +363,8 @@ static int run_dir_diff(const char *extcmd, int symlinks, const char *prefix,
 	struct pair_entry *entry;
 	struct index_state wtindex;
 	struct checkout lstate, rstate;
-	int flags = RUN_GIT_CMD, err = 0;
-	const char *helper_argv[] = { "difftool--helper", NULL, NULL, NULL };
+	int err = 0;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	struct hashmap wt_modified, tmp_modified;
 	int indices_loaded = 0;
 
@@ -563,16 +566,17 @@ static int run_dir_diff(const char *extcmd, int symlinks, const char *prefix,
 	}
 
 	strbuf_setlen(&ldir, ldir_len);
-	helper_argv[1] = ldir.buf;
 	strbuf_setlen(&rdir, rdir_len);
-	helper_argv[2] = rdir.buf;
 
 	if (extcmd) {
-		helper_argv[0] = extcmd;
-		flags = 0;
-	} else
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, extcmd);
+	} else {
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "difftool--helper");
+		cmd.git_cmd = 1;
 		setenv("GIT_DIFFTOOL_DIRDIFF", "true", 1);
-	ret = run_command_v_opt(helper_argv, flags);
+	}
+	strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, ldir.buf, rdir.buf, NULL);
+	ret = run_command(&cmd);
 
 	/* TODO: audit for interaction with sparse-index. */
 	ensure_full_index(&wtindex);
diff --git a/builtin/fetch.c b/builtin/fetch.c
index b06e454cbdd..7378cafeec9 100644
--- a/builtin/fetch.c
+++ b/builtin/fetch.c
@@ -1972,14 +1972,17 @@ static int fetch_multiple(struct string_list *list, int max_children)
 	} else
 		for (i = 0; i < list->nr; i++) {
 			const char *name = list->items[i].string;
-			strvec_push(&argv, name);
+			struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+
+			strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, argv.v);
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, name);
 			if (verbosity >= 0)
 				printf(_("Fetching %s\n"), name);
-			if (run_command_v_opt(argv.v, RUN_GIT_CMD)) {
+			cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+			if (run_command(&cmd)) {
 				error(_("could not fetch %s"), name);
 				result = 1;
 			}
-			strvec_pop(&argv);
 		}
 
 	strvec_clear(&argv);
diff --git a/builtin/gc.c b/builtin/gc.c
index 59fc785d1f8..6b08dcf3c56 100644
--- a/builtin/gc.c
+++ b/builtin/gc.c
@@ -167,9 +167,11 @@ static void gc_config(void)
 struct maintenance_run_opts;
 static int maintenance_task_pack_refs(MAYBE_UNUSED struct maintenance_run_opts *opts)
 {
-	const char *argv[] = { "pack-refs", "--all", "--prune", NULL };
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-	return run_command_v_opt(argv, RUN_GIT_CMD);
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "pack-refs", "--all", "--prune", NULL);
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
 
 static int too_many_loose_objects(void)
@@ -535,8 +537,14 @@ static void gc_before_repack(void)
 	if (pack_refs && maintenance_task_pack_refs(NULL))
 		die(FAILED_RUN, "pack-refs");
 
-	if (prune_reflogs && run_command_v_opt(reflog.v, RUN_GIT_CMD))
-		die(FAILED_RUN, reflog.v[0]);
+	if (prune_reflogs) {
+		struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+
+		cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+		strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, reflog.v);
+		if (run_command(&cmd))
+			die(FAILED_RUN, reflog.v[0]);
+	}
 }
 
 int cmd_gc(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
@@ -550,6 +558,7 @@ int cmd_gc(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	int daemonized = 0;
 	int keep_largest_pack = -1;
 	timestamp_t dummy;
+	struct child_process rerere_cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
 	struct option builtin_gc_options[] = {
 		OPT__QUIET(&quiet, N_("suppress progress reporting")),
@@ -675,11 +684,17 @@ int cmd_gc(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	gc_before_repack();
 
 	if (!repository_format_precious_objects) {
-		if (run_command_v_opt(repack.v,
-				      RUN_GIT_CMD | RUN_CLOSE_OBJECT_STORE))
+		struct child_process repack_cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+
+		repack_cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+		repack_cmd.close_object_store = 1;
+		strvec_pushv(&repack_cmd.args, repack.v);
+		if (run_command(&repack_cmd))
 			die(FAILED_RUN, repack.v[0]);
 
 		if (prune_expire) {
+			struct child_process prune_cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+
 			/* run `git prune` even if using cruft packs */
 			strvec_push(&prune, prune_expire);
 			if (quiet)
@@ -687,18 +702,26 @@ int cmd_gc(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			if (has_promisor_remote())
 				strvec_push(&prune,
 					    "--exclude-promisor-objects");
-			if (run_command_v_opt(prune.v, RUN_GIT_CMD))
+			prune_cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+			strvec_pushv(&prune_cmd.args, prune.v);
+			if (run_command(&prune_cmd))
 				die(FAILED_RUN, prune.v[0]);
 		}
 	}
 
 	if (prune_worktrees_expire) {
+		struct child_process prune_worktrees_cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+
 		strvec_push(&prune_worktrees, prune_worktrees_expire);
-		if (run_command_v_opt(prune_worktrees.v, RUN_GIT_CMD))
+		prune_worktrees_cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+		strvec_pushv(&prune_worktrees_cmd.args, prune_worktrees.v);
+		if (run_command(&prune_worktrees_cmd))
 			die(FAILED_RUN, prune_worktrees.v[0]);
 	}
 
-	if (run_command_v_opt(rerere.v, RUN_GIT_CMD))
+	rerere_cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	strvec_pushv(&rerere_cmd.args, rerere.v);
+	if (run_command(&rerere_cmd))
 		die(FAILED_RUN, rerere.v[0]);
 
 	report_garbage = report_pack_garbage;
@@ -1913,20 +1936,16 @@ static char *schtasks_task_name(const char *frequency)
 static int schtasks_remove_task(enum schedule_priority schedule)
 {
 	const char *cmd = "schtasks";
-	int result;
-	struct strvec args = STRVEC_INIT;
+	struct child_process child = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	const char *frequency = get_frequency(schedule);
 	char *name = schtasks_task_name(frequency);
 
 	get_schedule_cmd(&cmd, NULL);
-	strvec_split(&args, cmd);
-	strvec_pushl(&args, "/delete", "/tn", name, "/f", NULL);
-
-	result = run_command_v_opt(args.v, 0);
-
-	strvec_clear(&args);
+	strvec_split(&child.args, cmd);
+	strvec_pushl(&child.args, "/delete", "/tn", name, "/f", NULL);
 	free(name);
-	return result;
+
+	return run_command(&child);
 }
 
 static int schtasks_remove_tasks(void)
diff --git a/builtin/merge-index.c b/builtin/merge-index.c
index c0383fe9df9..012f52bd007 100644
--- a/builtin/merge-index.c
+++ b/builtin/merge-index.c
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ static int merge_entry(int pos, const char *path)
 	const char *arguments[] = { pgm, "", "", "", path, "", "", "", NULL };
 	char hexbuf[4][GIT_MAX_HEXSZ + 1];
 	char ownbuf[4][60];
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
 	if (pos >= active_nr)
 		die("git merge-index: %s not in the cache", path);
@@ -31,7 +32,8 @@ static int merge_entry(int pos, const char *path)
 	if (!found)
 		die("git merge-index: %s not in the cache", path);
 
-	if (run_command_v_opt(arguments, 0)) {
+	strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, arguments);
+	if (run_command(&cmd)) {
 		if (one_shot)
 			err++;
 		else {
diff --git a/builtin/merge.c b/builtin/merge.c
index 5900b81729d..b3f75f55c8a 100644
--- a/builtin/merge.c
+++ b/builtin/merge.c
@@ -345,60 +345,49 @@ static int save_state(struct object_id *stash)
 	return rc;
 }
 
-static void read_empty(const struct object_id *oid, int verbose)
+static void read_empty(const struct object_id *oid)
 {
-	int i = 0;
-	const char *args[7];
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-	args[i++] = "read-tree";
-	if (verbose)
-		args[i++] = "-v";
-	args[i++] = "-m";
-	args[i++] = "-u";
-	args[i++] = empty_tree_oid_hex();
-	args[i++] = oid_to_hex(oid);
-	args[i] = NULL;
+	strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "read-tree", "-m", "-u", empty_tree_oid_hex(),
+		     oid_to_hex(oid), NULL);
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
 
-	if (run_command_v_opt(args, RUN_GIT_CMD))
+	if (run_command(&cmd))
 		die(_("read-tree failed"));
 }
 
-static void reset_hard(const struct object_id *oid, int verbose)
+static void reset_hard(const struct object_id *oid)
 {
-	int i = 0;
-	const char *args[6];
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-	args[i++] = "read-tree";
-	if (verbose)
-		args[i++] = "-v";
-	args[i++] = "--reset";
-	args[i++] = "-u";
-	args[i++] = oid_to_hex(oid);
-	args[i] = NULL;
+	strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "read-tree", "-v", "--reset", "-u",
+		     oid_to_hex(oid), NULL);
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
 
-	if (run_command_v_opt(args, RUN_GIT_CMD))
+	if (run_command(&cmd))
 		die(_("read-tree failed"));
 }
 
 static void restore_state(const struct object_id *head,
 			  const struct object_id *stash)
 {
-	struct strvec args = STRVEC_INIT;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-	reset_hard(head, 1);
+	reset_hard(head);
 
 	if (is_null_oid(stash))
 		goto refresh_cache;
 
-	strvec_pushl(&args, "stash", "apply", "--index", "--quiet", NULL);
-	strvec_push(&args, oid_to_hex(stash));
+	strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "stash", "apply", "--index", "--quiet", NULL);
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, oid_to_hex(stash));
 
 	/*
 	 * It is OK to ignore error here, for example when there was
 	 * nothing to restore.
 	 */
-	run_command_v_opt(args.v, RUN_GIT_CMD);
-	strvec_clear(&args);
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	run_command(&cmd);
 
 refresh_cache:
 	if (discard_cache() < 0 || read_cache() < 0)
@@ -1470,7 +1459,7 @@ int cmd_merge(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 					       check_trust_level);
 
 		remote_head_oid = &remoteheads->item->object.oid;
-		read_empty(remote_head_oid, 0);
+		read_empty(remote_head_oid);
 		update_ref("initial pull", "HEAD", remote_head_oid, NULL, 0,
 			   UPDATE_REFS_DIE_ON_ERR);
 		goto done;
diff --git a/builtin/pull.c b/builtin/pull.c
index 403a24d7ca6..b21edd767aa 100644
--- a/builtin/pull.c
+++ b/builtin/pull.c
@@ -515,76 +515,75 @@ static void parse_repo_refspecs(int argc, const char **argv, const char **repo,
  */
 static int run_fetch(const char *repo, const char **refspecs)
 {
-	struct strvec args = STRVEC_INIT;
-	int ret;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-	strvec_pushl(&args, "fetch", "--update-head-ok", NULL);
+	strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "fetch", "--update-head-ok", NULL);
 
 	/* Shared options */
-	argv_push_verbosity(&args);
+	argv_push_verbosity(&cmd.args);
 	if (opt_progress)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_progress);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_progress);
 
 	/* Options passed to git-fetch */
 	if (opt_all)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_all);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_all);
 	if (opt_append)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_append);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_append);
 	if (opt_upload_pack)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_upload_pack);
-	argv_push_force(&args);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_upload_pack);
+	argv_push_force(&cmd.args);
 	if (opt_tags)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_tags);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_tags);
 	if (opt_prune)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_prune);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_prune);
 	if (recurse_submodules_cli != RECURSE_SUBMODULES_DEFAULT)
 		switch (recurse_submodules_cli) {
 		case RECURSE_SUBMODULES_ON:
-			strvec_push(&args, "--recurse-submodules=on");
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--recurse-submodules=on");
 			break;
 		case RECURSE_SUBMODULES_OFF:
-			strvec_push(&args, "--recurse-submodules=no");
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--recurse-submodules=no");
 			break;
 		case RECURSE_SUBMODULES_ON_DEMAND:
-			strvec_push(&args, "--recurse-submodules=on-demand");
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--recurse-submodules=on-demand");
 			break;
 		default:
 			BUG("submodule recursion option not understood");
 		}
 	if (max_children)
-		strvec_push(&args, max_children);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, max_children);
 	if (opt_dry_run)
-		strvec_push(&args, "--dry-run");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--dry-run");
 	if (opt_keep)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_keep);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_keep);
 	if (opt_depth)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_depth);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_depth);
 	if (opt_unshallow)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_unshallow);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_unshallow);
 	if (opt_update_shallow)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_update_shallow);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_update_shallow);
 	if (opt_refmap)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_refmap);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_refmap);
 	if (opt_ipv4)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_ipv4);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_ipv4);
 	if (opt_ipv6)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_ipv6);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_ipv6);
 	if (opt_show_forced_updates > 0)
-		strvec_push(&args, "--show-forced-updates");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--show-forced-updates");
 	else if (opt_show_forced_updates == 0)
-		strvec_push(&args, "--no-show-forced-updates");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--no-show-forced-updates");
 	if (set_upstream)
-		strvec_push(&args, set_upstream);
-	strvec_pushv(&args, opt_fetch.v);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, set_upstream);
+	strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, opt_fetch.v);
 
 	if (repo) {
-		strvec_push(&args, repo);
-		strvec_pushv(&args, refspecs);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, repo);
+		strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, refspecs);
 	} else if (*refspecs)
 		BUG("refspecs without repo?");
-	ret = run_command_v_opt(args.v, RUN_GIT_CMD | RUN_CLOSE_OBJECT_STORE);
-	strvec_clear(&args);
-	return ret;
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	cmd.close_object_store = 1;
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -653,52 +652,50 @@ static int update_submodules(void)
  */
 static int run_merge(void)
 {
-	int ret;
-	struct strvec args = STRVEC_INIT;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-	strvec_pushl(&args, "merge", NULL);
+	strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "merge", NULL);
 
 	/* Shared options */
-	argv_push_verbosity(&args);
+	argv_push_verbosity(&cmd.args);
 	if (opt_progress)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_progress);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_progress);
 
 	/* Options passed to git-merge */
 	if (opt_diffstat)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_diffstat);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_diffstat);
 	if (opt_log)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_log);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_log);
 	if (opt_signoff)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_signoff);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_signoff);
 	if (opt_squash)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_squash);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_squash);
 	if (opt_commit)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_commit);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_commit);
 	if (opt_edit)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_edit);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_edit);
 	if (cleanup_arg)
-		strvec_pushf(&args, "--cleanup=%s", cleanup_arg);
+		strvec_pushf(&cmd.args, "--cleanup=%s", cleanup_arg);
 	if (opt_ff)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_ff);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_ff);
 	if (opt_verify)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_verify);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_verify);
 	if (opt_verify_signatures)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_verify_signatures);
-	strvec_pushv(&args, opt_strategies.v);
-	strvec_pushv(&args, opt_strategy_opts.v);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_verify_signatures);
+	strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, opt_strategies.v);
+	strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, opt_strategy_opts.v);
 	if (opt_gpg_sign)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_gpg_sign);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_gpg_sign);
 	if (opt_autostash == 0)
-		strvec_push(&args, "--no-autostash");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--no-autostash");
 	else if (opt_autostash == 1)
-		strvec_push(&args, "--autostash");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--autostash");
 	if (opt_allow_unrelated_histories > 0)
-		strvec_push(&args, "--allow-unrelated-histories");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--allow-unrelated-histories");
 
-	strvec_push(&args, "FETCH_HEAD");
-	ret = run_command_v_opt(args.v, RUN_GIT_CMD);
-	strvec_clear(&args);
-	return ret;
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, "FETCH_HEAD");
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -879,43 +876,41 @@ static int get_rebase_newbase_and_upstream(struct object_id *newbase,
 static int run_rebase(const struct object_id *newbase,
 		const struct object_id *upstream)
 {
-	int ret;
-	struct strvec args = STRVEC_INIT;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-	strvec_push(&args, "rebase");
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, "rebase");
 
 	/* Shared options */
-	argv_push_verbosity(&args);
+	argv_push_verbosity(&cmd.args);
 
 	/* Options passed to git-rebase */
 	if (opt_rebase == REBASE_MERGES)
-		strvec_push(&args, "--rebase-merges");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--rebase-merges");
 	else if (opt_rebase == REBASE_INTERACTIVE)
-		strvec_push(&args, "--interactive");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--interactive");
 	if (opt_diffstat)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_diffstat);
-	strvec_pushv(&args, opt_strategies.v);
-	strvec_pushv(&args, opt_strategy_opts.v);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_diffstat);
+	strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, opt_strategies.v);
+	strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, opt_strategy_opts.v);
 	if (opt_gpg_sign)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_gpg_sign);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_gpg_sign);
 	if (opt_signoff)
-		strvec_push(&args, opt_signoff);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, opt_signoff);
 	if (opt_autostash == 0)
-		strvec_push(&args, "--no-autostash");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--no-autostash");
 	else if (opt_autostash == 1)
-		strvec_push(&args, "--autostash");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--autostash");
 	if (opt_verify_signatures &&
 	    !strcmp(opt_verify_signatures, "--verify-signatures"))
 		warning(_("ignoring --verify-signatures for rebase"));
 
-	strvec_push(&args, "--onto");
-	strvec_push(&args, oid_to_hex(newbase));
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--onto");
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, oid_to_hex(newbase));
 
-	strvec_push(&args, oid_to_hex(upstream));
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, oid_to_hex(upstream));
 
-	ret = run_command_v_opt(args.v, RUN_GIT_CMD);
-	strvec_clear(&args);
-	return ret;
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
 
 static int get_can_ff(struct object_id *orig_head,
diff --git a/builtin/remote.c b/builtin/remote.c
index 93285fc06e6..729f6f3643a 100644
--- a/builtin/remote.c
+++ b/builtin/remote.c
@@ -92,13 +92,15 @@ static int verbose;
 
 static int fetch_remote(const char *name)
 {
-	const char *argv[] = { "fetch", name, NULL, NULL };
-	if (verbose) {
-		argv[1] = "-v";
-		argv[2] = name;
-	}
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, "fetch");
+	if (verbose)
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "-v");
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, name);
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
 	printf_ln(_("Updating %s"), name);
-	if (run_command_v_opt(argv, RUN_GIT_CMD))
+	if (run_command(&cmd))
 		return error(_("Could not fetch %s"), name);
 	return 0;
 }
@@ -1508,37 +1510,35 @@ static int update(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			 N_("prune remotes after fetching")),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
-	struct strvec fetch_argv = STRVEC_INIT;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	int default_defined = 0;
-	int retval;
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options,
 			     builtin_remote_update_usage,
 			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0);
 
-	strvec_push(&fetch_argv, "fetch");
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, "fetch");
 
 	if (prune != -1)
-		strvec_push(&fetch_argv, prune ? "--prune" : "--no-prune");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, prune ? "--prune" : "--no-prune");
 	if (verbose)
-		strvec_push(&fetch_argv, "-v");
-	strvec_push(&fetch_argv, "--multiple");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "-v");
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--multiple");
 	if (argc < 2)
-		strvec_push(&fetch_argv, "default");
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, "default");
 	for (i = 1; i < argc; i++)
-		strvec_push(&fetch_argv, argv[i]);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, argv[i]);
 
-	if (strcmp(fetch_argv.v[fetch_argv.nr-1], "default") == 0) {
+	if (strcmp(cmd.args.v[cmd.args.nr-1], "default") == 0) {
 		git_config(get_remote_default, &default_defined);
 		if (!default_defined) {
-			strvec_pop(&fetch_argv);
-			strvec_push(&fetch_argv, "--all");
+			strvec_pop(&cmd.args);
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--all");
 		}
 	}
 
-	retval = run_command_v_opt(fetch_argv.v, RUN_GIT_CMD);
-	strvec_clear(&fetch_argv);
-	return retval;
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
 
 static int remove_all_fetch_refspecs(const char *key)
diff --git a/compat/mingw.c b/compat/mingw.c
index 901375d5841..d614f156df1 100644
--- a/compat/mingw.c
+++ b/compat/mingw.c
@@ -196,16 +196,19 @@ static int read_yes_no_answer(void)
 static int ask_yes_no_if_possible(const char *format, ...)
 {
 	char question[4096];
-	const char *retry_hook[] = { NULL, NULL, NULL };
+	const char *retry_hook;
 	va_list args;
 
 	va_start(args, format);
 	vsnprintf(question, sizeof(question), format, args);
 	va_end(args);
 
-	if ((retry_hook[0] = mingw_getenv("GIT_ASK_YESNO"))) {
-		retry_hook[1] = question;
-		return !run_command_v_opt(retry_hook, 0);
+	retry_hook = mingw_getenv("GIT_ASK_YESNO");
+	if (retry_hook) {
+		struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+
+		strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, retry_hook, question, NULL);
+		return !run_command(&cmd);
 	}
 
 	if (!isatty(_fileno(stdin)) || !isatty(_fileno(stderr)))
diff --git a/diff.c b/diff.c
index 35e46dd9684..9f9a92ec9d2 100644
--- a/diff.c
+++ b/diff.c
@@ -4301,35 +4301,34 @@ static void run_external_diff(const char *pgm,
 			      const char *xfrm_msg,
 			      struct diff_options *o)
 {
-	struct strvec argv = STRVEC_INIT;
-	struct strvec env = STRVEC_INIT;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	struct diff_queue_struct *q = &diff_queued_diff;
 
-	strvec_push(&argv, pgm);
-	strvec_push(&argv, name);
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, pgm);
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, name);
 
 	if (one && two) {
-		add_external_diff_name(o->repo, &argv, name, one);
+		add_external_diff_name(o->repo, &cmd.args, name, one);
 		if (!other)
-			add_external_diff_name(o->repo, &argv, name, two);
+			add_external_diff_name(o->repo, &cmd.args, name, two);
 		else {
-			add_external_diff_name(o->repo, &argv, other, two);
-			strvec_push(&argv, other);
-			strvec_push(&argv, xfrm_msg);
+			add_external_diff_name(o->repo, &cmd.args, other, two);
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, other);
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, xfrm_msg);
 		}
 	}
 
-	strvec_pushf(&env, "GIT_DIFF_PATH_COUNTER=%d", ++o->diff_path_counter);
-	strvec_pushf(&env, "GIT_DIFF_PATH_TOTAL=%d", q->nr);
+	strvec_pushf(&cmd.env, "GIT_DIFF_PATH_COUNTER=%d",
+		     ++o->diff_path_counter);
+	strvec_pushf(&cmd.env, "GIT_DIFF_PATH_TOTAL=%d", q->nr);
 
 	diff_free_filespec_data(one);
 	diff_free_filespec_data(two);
-	if (run_command_v_opt_cd_env(argv.v, RUN_USING_SHELL, NULL, env.v))
+	cmd.use_shell = 1;
+	if (run_command(&cmd))
 		die(_("external diff died, stopping at %s"), name);
 
 	remove_tempfile();
-	strvec_clear(&argv);
-	strvec_clear(&env);
 }
 
 static int similarity_index(struct diff_filepair *p)
diff --git a/fsmonitor-ipc.c b/fsmonitor-ipc.c
index c0f42301c84..19d772f0f3a 100644
--- a/fsmonitor-ipc.c
+++ b/fsmonitor-ipc.c
@@ -54,10 +54,14 @@ enum ipc_active_state fsmonitor_ipc__get_state(void)
 
 static int spawn_daemon(void)
 {
-	const char *args[] = { "fsmonitor--daemon", "start", NULL };
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-	return run_command_v_opt_tr2(args, RUN_COMMAND_NO_STDIN | RUN_GIT_CMD,
-				    "fsmonitor");
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	cmd.no_stdin = 1;
+	cmd.trace2_child_class = "fsmonitor";
+	strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "fsmonitor--daemon", "start", NULL);
+
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
 
 int fsmonitor_ipc__send_query(const char *since_token,
diff --git a/git.c b/git.c
index ee7758dcb0e..6662548986f 100644
--- a/git.c
+++ b/git.c
@@ -787,7 +787,7 @@ static int run_argv(int *argcp, const char ***argv)
 		if (!done_alias)
 			handle_builtin(*argcp, *argv);
 		else if (get_builtin(**argv)) {
-			struct strvec args = STRVEC_INIT;
+			struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 			int i;
 
 			/*
@@ -804,18 +804,21 @@ static int run_argv(int *argcp, const char ***argv)
 
 			commit_pager_choice();
 
-			strvec_push(&args, "git");
+			strvec_push(&cmd.args, "git");
 			for (i = 0; i < *argcp; i++)
-				strvec_push(&args, (*argv)[i]);
+				strvec_push(&cmd.args, (*argv)[i]);
 
-			trace_argv_printf(args.v, "trace: exec:");
+			trace_argv_printf(cmd.args.v, "trace: exec:");
 
 			/*
 			 * if we fail because the command is not found, it is
 			 * OK to return. Otherwise, we just pass along the status code.
 			 */
-			i = run_command_v_opt_tr2(args.v, RUN_SILENT_EXEC_FAILURE |
-						  RUN_CLEAN_ON_EXIT | RUN_WAIT_AFTER_CLEAN, "git_alias");
+			cmd.silent_exec_failure = 1;
+			cmd.clean_on_exit = 1;
+			cmd.wait_after_clean = 1;
+			cmd.trace2_child_class = "git_alias";
+			i = run_command(&cmd);
 			if (i >= 0 || errno != ENOENT)
 				exit(i);
 			die("could not execute builtin %s", **argv);
diff --git a/ll-merge.c b/ll-merge.c
index a8e2db93361..22a603e8af4 100644
--- a/ll-merge.c
+++ b/ll-merge.c
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ static enum ll_merge_result ll_ext_merge(const struct ll_merge_driver *fn,
 	struct strbuf cmd = STRBUF_INIT;
 	struct strbuf_expand_dict_entry dict[6];
 	struct strbuf path_sq = STRBUF_INIT;
-	const char *args[] = { NULL, NULL };
+	struct child_process child = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	int status, fd, i;
 	struct stat st;
 	enum ll_merge_result ret;
@@ -219,8 +219,9 @@ static enum ll_merge_result ll_ext_merge(const struct ll_merge_driver *fn,
 
 	strbuf_expand(&cmd, fn->cmdline, strbuf_expand_dict_cb, &dict);
 
-	args[0] = cmd.buf;
-	status = run_command_v_opt(args, RUN_USING_SHELL);
+	child.use_shell = 1;
+	strvec_push(&child.args, cmd.buf);
+	status = run_command(&child);
 	fd = open(temp[1], O_RDONLY);
 	if (fd < 0)
 		goto bad;
diff --git a/merge.c b/merge.c
index 2382ff66d35..445b4f19aa8 100644
--- a/merge.c
+++ b/merge.c
@@ -19,22 +19,22 @@ int try_merge_command(struct repository *r,
 		      const char **xopts, struct commit_list *common,
 		      const char *head_arg, struct commit_list *remotes)
 {
-	struct strvec args = STRVEC_INIT;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	int i, ret;
 	struct commit_list *j;
 
-	strvec_pushf(&args, "merge-%s", strategy);
+	strvec_pushf(&cmd.args, "merge-%s", strategy);
 	for (i = 0; i < xopts_nr; i++)
-		strvec_pushf(&args, "--%s", xopts[i]);
+		strvec_pushf(&cmd.args, "--%s", xopts[i]);
 	for (j = common; j; j = j->next)
-		strvec_push(&args, merge_argument(j->item));
-	strvec_push(&args, "--");
-	strvec_push(&args, head_arg);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, merge_argument(j->item));
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, "--");
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, head_arg);
 	for (j = remotes; j; j = j->next)
-		strvec_push(&args, merge_argument(j->item));
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, merge_argument(j->item));
 
-	ret = run_command_v_opt(args.v, RUN_GIT_CMD);
-	strvec_clear(&args);
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	ret = run_command(&cmd);
 
 	discard_index(r->index);
 	if (repo_read_index(r) < 0)
diff --git a/run-command.c b/run-command.c
index c772acd7431..48b9ba6d6f0 100644
--- a/run-command.c
+++ b/run-command.c
@@ -1004,41 +1004,6 @@ int run_command(struct child_process *cmd)
 	return finish_command(cmd);
 }
 
-int run_command_v_opt(const char **argv, int opt)
-{
-	return run_command_v_opt_cd_env(argv, opt, NULL, NULL);
-}
-
-int run_command_v_opt_tr2(const char **argv, int opt, const char *tr2_class)
-{
-	return run_command_v_opt_cd_env_tr2(argv, opt, NULL, NULL, tr2_class);
-}
-
-int run_command_v_opt_cd_env(const char **argv, int opt, const char *dir, const char *const *env)
-{
-	return run_command_v_opt_cd_env_tr2(argv, opt, dir, env, NULL);
-}
-
-int run_command_v_opt_cd_env_tr2(const char **argv, int opt, const char *dir,
-				 const char *const *env, const char *tr2_class)
-{
-	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
-	strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, argv);
-	cmd.no_stdin = opt & RUN_COMMAND_NO_STDIN ? 1 : 0;
-	cmd.git_cmd = opt & RUN_GIT_CMD ? 1 : 0;
-	cmd.stdout_to_stderr = opt & RUN_COMMAND_STDOUT_TO_STDERR ? 1 : 0;
-	cmd.silent_exec_failure = opt & RUN_SILENT_EXEC_FAILURE ? 1 : 0;
-	cmd.use_shell = opt & RUN_USING_SHELL ? 1 : 0;
-	cmd.clean_on_exit = opt & RUN_CLEAN_ON_EXIT ? 1 : 0;
-	cmd.wait_after_clean = opt & RUN_WAIT_AFTER_CLEAN ? 1 : 0;
-	cmd.close_object_store = opt & RUN_CLOSE_OBJECT_STORE ? 1 : 0;
-	cmd.dir = dir;
-	if (env)
-		strvec_pushv(&cmd.env, (const char **)env);
-	cmd.trace2_child_class = tr2_class;
-	return run_command(&cmd);
-}
-
 #ifndef NO_PTHREADS
 static pthread_t main_thread;
 static int main_thread_set;
diff --git a/run-command.h b/run-command.h
index e3e1ea01ad9..072db56a4df 100644
--- a/run-command.h
+++ b/run-command.h
@@ -150,9 +150,7 @@ struct child_process {
 }
 
 /**
- * The functions: child_process_init, start_command, finish_command,
- * run_command, run_command_v_opt, run_command_v_opt_cd_env, child_process_clear
- * do the following:
+ * The functions: start_command, finish_command, run_command do the following:
  *
  * - If a system call failed, errno is set and -1 is returned. A diagnostic
  *   is printed.
@@ -224,36 +222,6 @@ int run_command(struct child_process *);
  */
 int run_auto_maintenance(int quiet);
 
-#define RUN_COMMAND_NO_STDIN		(1<<0)
-#define RUN_GIT_CMD			(1<<1)
-#define RUN_COMMAND_STDOUT_TO_STDERR	(1<<2)
-#define RUN_SILENT_EXEC_FAILURE		(1<<3)
-#define RUN_USING_SHELL			(1<<4)
-#define RUN_CLEAN_ON_EXIT		(1<<5)
-#define RUN_WAIT_AFTER_CLEAN		(1<<6)
-#define RUN_CLOSE_OBJECT_STORE		(1<<7)
-
-/**
- * Convenience functions that encapsulate a sequence of
- * start_command() followed by finish_command(). The argument argv
- * specifies the program and its arguments. The argument opt is zero
- * or more of the flags `RUN_COMMAND_NO_STDIN`, `RUN_GIT_CMD`,
- * `RUN_COMMAND_STDOUT_TO_STDERR`, or `RUN_SILENT_EXEC_FAILURE`
- * that correspond to the members .no_stdin, .git_cmd,
- * .stdout_to_stderr, .silent_exec_failure of `struct child_process`.
- * The argument dir corresponds the member .dir. The argument env
- * corresponds to the member .env.
- */
-int run_command_v_opt(const char **argv, int opt);
-int run_command_v_opt_tr2(const char **argv, int opt, const char *tr2_class);
-/*
- * env (the environment) is to be formatted like environ: "VAR=VALUE".
- * To unset an environment variable use just "VAR".
- */
-int run_command_v_opt_cd_env(const char **argv, int opt, const char *dir, const char *const *env);
-int run_command_v_opt_cd_env_tr2(const char **argv, int opt, const char *dir,
-				 const char *const *env, const char *tr2_class);
-
 /**
  * Execute the given command, sending "in" to its stdin, and capturing its
  * stdout and stderr in the "out" and "err" strbufs. Any of the three may
diff --git a/scalar.c b/scalar.c
index 6de9c0ee523..03f9e480dd6 100644
--- a/scalar.c
+++ b/scalar.c
@@ -69,21 +69,18 @@ static void setup_enlistment_directory(int argc, const char **argv,
 
 static int run_git(const char *arg, ...)
 {
-	struct strvec argv = STRVEC_INIT;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	va_list args;
 	const char *p;
-	int res;
 
 	va_start(args, arg);
-	strvec_push(&argv, arg);
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, arg);
 	while ((p = va_arg(args, const char *)))
-		strvec_push(&argv, p);
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, p);
 	va_end(args);
 
-	res = run_command_v_opt(argv.v, RUN_GIT_CMD);
-
-	strvec_clear(&argv);
-	return res;
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
 
 struct scalar_config {
diff --git a/sequencer.c b/sequencer.c
index e658df7e8ff..f0f1af4d478 100644
--- a/sequencer.c
+++ b/sequencer.c
@@ -3183,18 +3183,15 @@ static int rollback_is_safe(void)
 
 static int reset_merge(const struct object_id *oid)
 {
-	int ret;
-	struct strvec argv = STRVEC_INIT;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
-	strvec_pushl(&argv, "reset", "--merge", NULL);
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "reset", "--merge", NULL);
 
 	if (!is_null_oid(oid))
-		strvec_push(&argv, oid_to_hex(oid));
+		strvec_push(&cmd.args, oid_to_hex(oid));
 
-	ret = run_command_v_opt(argv.v, RUN_GIT_CMD);
-	strvec_clear(&argv);
-
-	return ret;
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
 
 static int rollback_single_pick(struct repository *r)
@@ -3558,12 +3555,13 @@ static int error_failed_squash(struct repository *r,
 
 static int do_exec(struct repository *r, const char *command_line)
 {
-	const char *child_argv[] = { NULL, NULL };
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	int dirty, status;
 
 	fprintf(stderr, _("Executing: %s\n"), command_line);
-	child_argv[0] = command_line;
-	status = run_command_v_opt(child_argv, RUN_USING_SHELL);
+	cmd.use_shell = 1;
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, command_line);
+	status = run_command(&cmd);
 
 	/* force re-reading of the cache */
 	if (discard_index(r->index) < 0 || repo_read_index(r) < 0)
@@ -4867,14 +4865,14 @@ static int pick_commits(struct repository *r,
 
 static int continue_single_pick(struct repository *r, struct replay_opts *opts)
 {
-	struct strvec argv = STRVEC_INIT;
-	int ret;
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
 	if (!refs_ref_exists(get_main_ref_store(r), "CHERRY_PICK_HEAD") &&
 	    !refs_ref_exists(get_main_ref_store(r), "REVERT_HEAD"))
 		return error(_("no cherry-pick or revert in progress"));
 
-	strvec_push(&argv, "commit");
+	cmd.git_cmd = 1;
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, "commit");
 
 	/*
 	 * continue_single_pick() handles the case of recovering from a
@@ -4887,11 +4885,9 @@ static int continue_single_pick(struct repository *r, struct replay_opts *opts)
 		 * Include --cleanup=strip as well because we don't want the
 		 * "# Conflicts:" messages.
 		 */
-		strvec_pushl(&argv, "--no-edit", "--cleanup=strip", NULL);
+		strvec_pushl(&cmd.args, "--no-edit", "--cleanup=strip", NULL);
 
-	ret = run_command_v_opt(argv.v, RUN_GIT_CMD);
-	strvec_clear(&argv);
-	return ret;
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
 
 static int commit_staged_changes(struct repository *r,
diff --git a/shell.c b/shell.c
index 7ff4109db70..af0d7c734f8 100644
--- a/shell.c
+++ b/shell.c
@@ -52,21 +52,24 @@ static void cd_to_homedir(void)
 static void run_shell(void)
 {
 	int done = 0;
-	static const char *help_argv[] = { HELP_COMMAND, NULL };
+	struct child_process help_cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
 	if (!access(NOLOGIN_COMMAND, F_OK)) {
 		/* Interactive login disabled. */
-		const char *argv[] = { NOLOGIN_COMMAND, NULL };
+		struct child_process nologin_cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 		int status;
 
-		status = run_command_v_opt(argv, 0);
+		strvec_push(&nologin_cmd.args, NOLOGIN_COMMAND);
+		status = run_command(&nologin_cmd);
 		if (status < 0)
 			exit(127);
 		exit(status);
 	}
 
 	/* Print help if enabled */
-	run_command_v_opt(help_argv, RUN_SILENT_EXEC_FAILURE);
+	help_cmd.silent_exec_failure = 1;
+	strvec_push(&help_cmd.args, HELP_COMMAND);
+	run_command(&help_cmd);
 
 	do {
 		const char *prog;
@@ -125,9 +128,13 @@ static void run_shell(void)
 			   !strcmp(prog, "exit") || !strcmp(prog, "bye")) {
 			done = 1;
 		} else if (is_valid_cmd_name(prog)) {
+			struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
+
 			full_cmd = make_cmd(prog);
 			argv[0] = full_cmd;
-			code = run_command_v_opt(argv, RUN_SILENT_EXEC_FAILURE);
+			cmd.silent_exec_failure = 1;
+			strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, argv);
+			code = run_command(&cmd);
 			if (code == -1 && errno == ENOENT) {
 				fprintf(stderr, "unrecognized command '%s'\n", prog);
 			}
diff --git a/t/helper/test-fake-ssh.c b/t/helper/test-fake-ssh.c
index 12beee99ad2..2e576bcc11e 100644
--- a/t/helper/test-fake-ssh.c
+++ b/t/helper/test-fake-ssh.c
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ int cmd_main(int argc, const char **argv)
 	struct strbuf buf = STRBUF_INIT;
 	FILE *f;
 	int i;
-	const char *child_argv[] = { NULL, NULL };
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
 	/* First, print all parameters into $TRASH_DIRECTORY/ssh-output */
 	if (!trash_directory)
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ int cmd_main(int argc, const char **argv)
 	/* Now, evaluate the *last* parameter */
 	if (argc < 2)
 		return 0;
-	child_argv[0] = argv[argc - 1];
-	return run_command_v_opt(child_argv, RUN_USING_SHELL);
+	cmd.use_shell = 1;
+	strvec_push(&cmd.args, argv[argc - 1]);
+	return run_command(&cmd);
 }
diff --git a/t/helper/test-trace2.c b/t/helper/test-trace2.c
index 1b092c60714..f374c21ec32 100644
--- a/t/helper/test-trace2.c
+++ b/t/helper/test-trace2.c
@@ -132,6 +132,7 @@ static int ut_003error(int argc, const char **argv)
  */
 static int ut_004child(int argc, const char **argv)
 {
+	struct child_process cmd = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 	int result;
 
 	/*
@@ -141,7 +142,8 @@ static int ut_004child(int argc, const char **argv)
 	if (!argc)
 		return 0;
 
-	result = run_command_v_opt(argv, 0);
+	strvec_pushv(&cmd.args, argv);
+	result = run_command(&cmd);
 	exit(result);
 }
 
diff --git a/tmp-objdir.h b/tmp-objdir.h
index 76efc7edee5..237d96b6605 100644
--- a/tmp-objdir.h
+++ b/tmp-objdir.h
@@ -10,9 +10,11 @@
  *
  * Example:
  *
+ *	struct child_process child = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
  *	struct tmp_objdir *t = tmp_objdir_create("incoming");
- *	if (!run_command_v_opt_cd_env(cmd, 0, NULL, tmp_objdir_env(t)) &&
- *	    !tmp_objdir_migrate(t))
+ *	strvec_push(&child.args, cmd);
+ *	strvec_pushv(&child.env, tmp_objdir_env(t));
+ *	if (!run_command(&child)) && !tmp_objdir_migrate(t))
  *		printf("success!\n");
  *	else
  *		die("failed...tmp_objdir will clean up for us");