diff --git a/plugins/CMakeLists.txt b/plugins/CMakeLists.txt
index 3d36b95fc..e92bfaac7 100644
--- a/plugins/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/plugins/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ dfhack_plugin(autofarm autofarm.cpp)
 #dfhack_plugin(autogems autogems.cpp LINK_LIBRARIES jsoncpp_static)
 #add_subdirectory(autolabor)
 #dfhack_plugin(automaterial automaterial.cpp LINK_LIBRARIES lua)
-#dfhack_plugin(automelt automelt.cpp)
+dfhack_plugin(automelt automelt.cpp LINK_LIBRARIES lua)
 #dfhack_plugin(autonestbox autonestbox.cpp LINK_LIBRARIES lua)
 #dfhack_plugin(autotrade autotrade.cpp)
 dfhack_plugin(blueprint blueprint.cpp LINK_LIBRARIES lua)
diff --git a/plugins/automelt.cpp b/plugins/automelt.cpp
index 9ca20e9ea..1808a6a59 100644
--- a/plugins/automelt.cpp
+++ b/plugins/automelt.cpp
@@ -1,294 +1,704 @@
-#include "uicommon.h"
 
-#include "modules/Gui.h"
+#include "Debug.h"
+#include "LuaTools.h"
+#include "PluginManager.h"
+#include "TileTypes.h"
+
+#include "modules/Buildings.h"
+#include "modules/Maps.h"
+#include "modules/Items.h"
+#include "modules/World.h"
+#include "modules/Designations.h"
+#include "modules/Persistence.h"
+#include "modules/Units.h"
+
+// #include "uicommon.h"
 
 #include "df/world.h"
+#include "df/building.h"
 #include "df/world_raws.h"
 #include "df/building_def.h"
 #include "df/viewscreen_dwarfmodest.h"
 #include "df/building_stockpilest.h"
-#include "modules/Buildings.h"
-#include "modules/Items.h"
 #include "df/plotinfost.h"
-#include "modules/Maps.h"
-#include "modules/World.h"
 #include "df/item_quality.h"
 
+#include <map>
+#include <unordered_map>
+
 using df::building_stockpilest;
+using std::map;
+using std::multimap;
+using std::pair;
+using std::string;
+using std::unordered_map;
+using std::vector;
+
+using namespace DFHack;
+using namespace df::enums;
 
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("automelt");
-#define PLUGIN_VERSION 0.3
 REQUIRE_GLOBAL(gps);
 REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
 REQUIRE_GLOBAL(cursor);
 REQUIRE_GLOBAL(plotinfo);
 
-static const string PERSISTENCE_KEY = "automelt/stockpiles";
+namespace DFHack
+{
+    DBG_DECLARE(automelt, status, DebugCategory::LINFO);
+    DBG_DECLARE(automelt, cycle, DebugCategory::LINFO);
+    DBG_DECLARE(automelt, perf, DebugCategory::LTRACE);
+}
+
+static const string CONFIG_KEY = string(plugin_name) + "/config";
+static const string STOCKPILE_CONFIG_KEY_PREFIX = string(plugin_name) + "/stockpile/";
+static PersistentDataItem config;
+
+static vector<PersistentDataItem> watched_stockpiles;
+static unordered_map<int, size_t> watched_stockpiles_indices;
+
 
-static int mark_item(df::item *item, df::item_flags bad_flags, int32_t stockpile_id)
+enum ConfigValues
 {
-    if (item->flags.whole & bad_flags.whole)
-        return 0;
+    CONFIG_IS_ENABLED = 0,
 
-    if (item->isAssignedToThisStockpile(stockpile_id)) {
-        size_t marked_count = 0;
-        std::vector<df::item*> contents;
-        Items::getContainedItems(item, &contents);
-        for (auto child = contents.begin(); child != contents.end(); child++)
-        {
-            marked_count += mark_item(*child, bad_flags, stockpile_id);
-        }
+};
 
-        return marked_count;
-    }
+enum StockpileConfigValues
+{
+    STOCKPILE_CONFIG_ID = 0,
+    STOCKPILE_CONFIG_MONITORED = 1,
+    STOCKPILE_CONFIG_MELT = 2,
 
-    if (!can_melt(item))
-        return 0;
+};
 
-    if (is_set_to_melt(item))
-        return 0;
+static int get_config_val(PersistentDataItem &c, int index)
+{
+    if (!c.isValid())
+        return -1;
+    return c.ival(index);
+}
+static bool get_config_bool(PersistentDataItem &c, int index)
+{
+    return get_config_val(c, index) == 1;
+}
+static void set_config_val(PersistentDataItem &c, int index, int value)
+{
+    if (c.isValid())
+        c.ival(index) = value;
+}
+static void set_config_bool(PersistentDataItem &c, int index, bool value)
+{
+    set_config_val(c, index, value ? 1 : 0);
+}
 
-    insert_into_vector(world->items.other[items_other_id::ANY_MELT_DESIGNATED], &df::item::id, item);
-    item->flags.bits.melt = true;
-    return 1;
+static PersistentDataItem &ensure_stockpile_config(color_ostream &out, int id)
+{
+    if (watched_stockpiles_indices.count(id))
+        return watched_stockpiles[watched_stockpiles_indices[id]];
+    string keyname = STOCKPILE_CONFIG_KEY_PREFIX + int_to_string(id);
+    DEBUG(status, out).print("creating new persistent key for stockpile %d\n", id);
+    watched_stockpiles.emplace_back(World::GetPersistentData(keyname, NULL));
+    size_t idx = watched_stockpiles.size() - 1;
+    watched_stockpiles_indices.emplace(id, idx);
+    return watched_stockpiles[idx];
 }
 
-static void mark_all_in_stockpiles(vector<PersistentStockpileInfo> &stockpiles)
+static void remove_stockpile_config(color_ostream &out, int id)
 {
-    // Precompute a bitmask with the bad flags
-    df::item_flags bad_flags;
-    bad_flags.whole = 0;
+    if (!watched_stockpiles_indices.count(id))
+        return;
+    DEBUG(status, out).print("removing persistent key for stockpile %d\n", id);
+    size_t idx = watched_stockpiles_indices[id];
+    World::DeletePersistentData(watched_stockpiles[idx]);
+    watched_stockpiles.erase(watched_stockpiles.begin() + idx);
+    watched_stockpiles_indices.erase(id);
+}
 
-#define F(x) bad_flags.bits.x = true;
-    F(dump); F(forbid); F(garbage_collect);
-    F(hostile); F(on_fire); F(rotten); F(trader);
-    F(in_building); F(construction); F(artifact);
-    F(spider_web); F(owned); F(in_job);
-#undef F
+static void validate_stockpile_configs(color_ostream &out)
+{
+    for (auto &c : watched_stockpiles) {
+        int id = get_config_val(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_ID);
+        if (!df::building::find(id)){
+            remove_stockpile_config(out, id);
+        }
+    }
+}
 
-    size_t marked_count = 0;
-    for (auto it = stockpiles.begin(); it != stockpiles.end(); it++)
-    {
-        if (!it->isValid())
-            continue;
+static const int32_t CYCLE_TICKS = 1200;
+static int32_t cycle_timestamp = 0; // world->frame_counter at last cycle
 
-        auto spid = it->getId();
-        Buildings::StockpileIterator stored;
-        for (stored.begin(it->getStockpile()); !stored.done(); ++stored)
-        {
-            marked_count += mark_item(*stored, bad_flags, spid);
-        }
+static command_result do_command(color_ostream &out, vector<string> &parameters);
+static int32_t do_cycle(color_ostream &out);
+
+DFHACK_PLUGIN_IS_ENABLED(is_enabled);
+
+DFhackCExport command_result plugin_init(color_ostream &out, std::vector<PluginCommand> &commands)
+{
+    DEBUG(status, out).print("initializing %s\n", plugin_name);
+
+    // provide a configuration interface for the plugin
+    commands.push_back(PluginCommand(
+        plugin_name,
+        "Auto melt items in designated stockpiles.",
+        do_command));
+
+    return CR_OK;
+}
+
+DFhackCExport command_result plugin_enable(color_ostream &out, bool enable)
+{
+    if (!Core::getInstance().isWorldLoaded())
+    {
+        out.printerr("Cannot enable %s without a loaded world.\n", plugin_name);
+        return CR_FAILURE;
     }
 
-    if (marked_count)
-        Gui::showAnnouncement("Marked " + int_to_string(marked_count) + " items to melt", COLOR_GREEN, false);
+    if (enable != is_enabled)
+    {
+        is_enabled = enable;
+        DEBUG(status, out).print("%s from the API; persisting\n", is_enabled ? "enabled" : "disabled");
+        set_config_bool(config, CONFIG_IS_ENABLED, is_enabled);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        DEBUG(status, out).print("%s from the API, but already %s; no action\n", is_enabled ? "enabled" : "disabled", is_enabled ? "enabled" : "disabled");
+    }
+    return CR_OK;
 }
 
-/*
- * Stockpile Monitoring
- */
+DFhackCExport command_result plugin_shutdown(color_ostream &out)
+{
+    DEBUG(status, out).print("shutting down %s\n", plugin_name);
+
+    return CR_OK;
+}
 
-class StockpileMonitor
+DFhackCExport command_result plugin_load_data(color_ostream &out)
 {
-public:
-    bool isMonitored(df::building_stockpilest *sp)
+    config = World::GetPersistentData(CONFIG_KEY);
+
+    if (!config.isValid())
     {
-        for (auto it = monitored_stockpiles.begin(); it != monitored_stockpiles.end(); it++)
-        {
-            if (it->matches(sp))
-                return true;
-        }
+        DEBUG(status, out).print("no config found in this save; initializing\n");
+        config = World::AddPersistentData(CONFIG_KEY);
+        set_config_bool(config, CONFIG_IS_ENABLED, is_enabled);
+    }
 
-        return false;
+    // we have to copy our enabled flag into the global plugin variable, but
+    // all the other state we can directly read/modify from the persistent
+    // data structure.
+    is_enabled = get_config_bool(config, CONFIG_IS_ENABLED);
+    DEBUG(status, out).print("loading persisted enabled state: %s\n", is_enabled ? "true" : "false");
+    World::GetPersistentData(&watched_stockpiles, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_KEY_PREFIX, true);
+    watched_stockpiles_indices.clear();
+    const size_t num_watched_stockpiles = watched_stockpiles.size();
+    for (size_t idx = 0; idx < num_watched_stockpiles; ++idx)
+    {
+        auto &c = watched_stockpiles[idx];
+        watched_stockpiles_indices.emplace(get_config_val(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_ID), idx);
     }
+    validate_stockpile_configs(out);
+
+    return CR_OK;
+}
 
-    void add(df::building_stockpilest *sp)
+DFhackCExport command_result plugin_onstatechange(color_ostream &out, state_change_event event)
+{
+    if (event == DFHack::SC_WORLD_UNLOADED)
     {
-        auto pile = PersistentStockpileInfo(sp, PERSISTENCE_KEY);
-        if (pile.isValid())
+        if (is_enabled)
         {
-            monitored_stockpiles.push_back(PersistentStockpileInfo(pile));
-            monitored_stockpiles.back().save();
+            DEBUG(status, out).print("world unloaded; disabling %s\n", plugin_name);
+            is_enabled = false;
         }
     }
+    
+    return CR_OK;
+}
+
+DFhackCExport command_result plugin_onupdate(color_ostream &out)
+{
+    if (is_enabled && world->frame_counter - cycle_timestamp >= CYCLE_TICKS)
+    {
+        int32_t marked = do_cycle(out);
+        if (0 < marked)
+            out.print("automelt: marked %d item(s) for melting\n", marked);
+    }
+    return CR_OK;
+}
+
+
+static bool call_automelt_lua(color_ostream *out, const char *fn_name,
+        int nargs = 0, int nres = 0,
+        Lua::LuaLambda && args_lambda = Lua::DEFAULT_LUA_LAMBDA,
+        Lua::LuaLambda && res_lambda = Lua::DEFAULT_LUA_LAMBDA) {
+    DEBUG(status).print("calling automelt lua function: '%s'\n", fn_name);
+
+    CoreSuspender guard;
+
+    auto L = Lua::Core::State;
+    Lua::StackUnwinder top(L);
+
+    if (!out)
+        out = &Core::getInstance().getConsole();
+
+    return Lua::CallLuaModuleFunction(*out, L, "plugins.automelt", fn_name,
+            nargs, nres,
+            std::forward<Lua::LuaLambda&&>(args_lambda),
+            std::forward<Lua::LuaLambda&&>(res_lambda));
+}
+
+static command_result do_command(color_ostream &out, vector<string> &parameters) {
+    CoreSuspender suspend;
+
+    if (!Core::getInstance().isWorldLoaded()) {
+        out.printerr("Cannot run %s without a loaded world.\n", plugin_name);
+        return CR_FAILURE;
+    }
+
+    bool show_help = false;
+    if (!call_automelt_lua(&out, "parse_commandline", parameters.size(), 1,
+            [&](lua_State *L) {
+                for (const string &param : parameters)
+                    Lua::Push(L, param);
+            },
+            [&](lua_State *L) {
+                show_help = !lua_toboolean(L, -1);
+            })) {
+        return CR_FAILURE;
+    }
+
+    return show_help ? CR_WRONG_USAGE : CR_OK;
+}
+
+static inline bool is_metal_item(df::item *item)
+{
+    MaterialInfo mat(item);
+    return (mat.getCraftClass() == craft_material_class::Metal);
+}
+
+static bool isStockpile(df::building * building) {
+    return building->getType() == df::building_type::Stockpile;
+}
+
+// Copied from Kelly Martin's code
+static inline bool can_melt(df::item *item)
+{
+
+    df::item_flags bad_flags;
+    bad_flags.whole = 0;
+
+#define F(x) bad_flags.bits.x = true;
+    F(dump);
+    F(forbid);
+    F(garbage_collect);
+    F(in_job);
+    F(hostile);
+    F(on_fire);
+    F(rotten);
+    F(trader);
+    F(in_building);
+    F(construction);
+    F(artifact);
+    F(melt);
+#undef F
+
+    if (item->flags.whole & bad_flags.whole)
+        return false;
+
+    df::item_type t = item->getType();
+
+    if (t == df::enums::item_type::BOX || t == df::enums::item_type::BAR)
+        return false;
+
+    if (!is_metal_item(item))
+        return false;
 
-    void remove(df::building_stockpilest *sp)
+    for (auto g = item->general_refs.begin(); g != item->general_refs.end(); g++)
     {
-        for (auto it = monitored_stockpiles.begin(); it != monitored_stockpiles.end(); it++)
+        switch ((*g)->getType())
+        {
+        case general_ref_type::CONTAINS_ITEM:
+        case general_ref_type::UNIT_HOLDER:
+        case general_ref_type::CONTAINS_UNIT:
+            return false;
+        case general_ref_type::CONTAINED_IN_ITEM:
         {
-            if (it->matches(sp))
+            df::item *c = (*g)->getItem();
+            for (auto gg = c->general_refs.begin(); gg != c->general_refs.end(); gg++)
             {
-                it->remove();
-                monitored_stockpiles.erase(it);
-                break;
+                if ((*gg)->getType() == general_ref_type::UNIT_HOLDER)
+                    return false;
             }
         }
+        break;
+        default:
+            break;
+        }
     }
 
-    void doCycle()
-    {
-        for (auto it = monitored_stockpiles.begin(); it != monitored_stockpiles.end();)
-        {
-            if (!it->isValid())
-                it = monitored_stockpiles.erase(it);
-            else
-                ++it;
-        }
+    if (item->getQuality() >= item_quality::Masterful)
+        return false;
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+static inline bool is_set_to_melt(df::item *item)
+{
+    return item->flags.bits.melt;
+}
 
-        mark_all_in_stockpiles(monitored_stockpiles);
+static int mark_item(color_ostream &out, df::item *item, df::item_flags bad_flags, int32_t stockpile_id, int32_t &premarked_item_count, int32_t &item_count, bool should_melt)
+{
+    TRACE(perf,out).print("%s running mark_item\nshould_melt=%d\n", plugin_name,should_melt);
+    string name = "";
+    item->getItemDescription(&name, 0);
+    TRACE(perf,out).print("item %s %d\n", name, item->id);
+    if (item->flags.whole & bad_flags.whole){
+        TRACE(perf,out).print("rejected flag check\n");
+        item_count++;
+        return 0;
     }
 
-    void reset()
+    if (item->isAssignedToThisStockpile(stockpile_id))
     {
-        monitored_stockpiles.clear();
-        std::vector<PersistentDataItem> items;
-        DFHack::World::GetPersistentData(&items, PERSISTENCE_KEY);
-
-        for (auto i = items.begin(); i != items.end(); i++)
+        TRACE(perf,out).print("assignedToStockpile\n");
+        size_t marked_count = 0;
+        std::vector<df::item *> contents;
+        Items::getContainedItems(item, &contents);
+        for (auto child = contents.begin(); child != contents.end(); child++)
         {
-            auto pile = PersistentStockpileInfo(*i, PERSISTENCE_KEY);
-            if (pile.load())
-                monitored_stockpiles.push_back(PersistentStockpileInfo(pile));
-            else
-                pile.remove();
+            TRACE(perf,out).print("inside child loop\n");
+            marked_count += mark_item(out, *child, bad_flags, stockpile_id, premarked_item_count, item_count, should_melt);
         }
+        return marked_count;
     }
 
+    TRACE(perf,out).print("past recurse loop\n");
 
-private:
-    vector<PersistentStockpileInfo> monitored_stockpiles;
-};
+    if (is_set_to_melt(item)) {
+        TRACE(perf,out).print("already set to melt\n");
+        premarked_item_count++;
+        item_count++;
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    if (!can_melt(item)) {
+        TRACE(perf,out).print("cannot melt\n");
+        item_count++;
+        return 0;
+    }
 
-static StockpileMonitor monitor;
+    TRACE(perf,out).print("increment item count\n");
+    item_count++;
 
-#define DELTA_TICKS 610
+    //Only melt if told to, else count
+    if (should_melt) {
+        TRACE(perf,out).print("should_melt hit\n");
+        insert_into_vector(world->items.other[items_other_id::ANY_MELT_DESIGNATED], &df::item::id, item);
+        item->flags.bits.melt = 1;
+        return 1;
+    } else {
+        return 0;
+    }
 
-DFhackCExport command_result plugin_onupdate ( color_ostream &out )
+}
+
+
+static int32_t mark_all_in_stockpile(color_ostream &out, PersistentDataItem & stockpile, int32_t &premarked_item_count, int32_t &item_count, bool should_melt)
 {
-    if(!Maps::IsValid())
-        return CR_OK;
+    TRACE(perf,out).print("%s running mark_all_in_stockpile\nshould_melt=%d", plugin_name, should_melt);
+    // Precompute a bitmask with the bad flags
+    df::item_flags bad_flags;
+    bad_flags.whole = 0;
+
+#define F(x) bad_flags.bits.x = true;
+    F(dump);
+    F(forbid);
+    F(garbage_collect);
+    F(hostile);
+    F(on_fire);
+    F(rotten);
+    F(trader);
+    F(in_building);
+    F(construction);
+    F(artifact);
+    F(spider_web);
+    F(owned);
+    F(in_job);
+#undef F
 
-    if (DFHack::World::ReadPauseState())
-        return CR_OK;
+    size_t marked_count = 0;
+
+    if(!stockpile.isValid()) {
+        return 0;
+    }
 
-    if (world->frame_counter % DELTA_TICKS != 0)
-        return CR_OK;
+    int spid = get_config_val(stockpile, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_ID);
+    auto found = df::building::find(spid);
+    if (!isStockpile(found)){
+        
+        return 0;
+    }
 
-    monitor.doCycle();
+    df::building_stockpilest * pile_cast = virtual_cast<df::building_stockpilest>(found);
 
-    return CR_OK;
+    if (!pile_cast)
+        return 0;
+
+    Buildings::StockpileIterator stored;
+    for (stored.begin(pile_cast); !stored.done(); ++stored) {
+
+        marked_count += mark_item(out, *stored, bad_flags, spid, premarked_item_count, item_count, should_melt);
+    }
+    TRACE(perf,out).print("marked_count %d\npremarked_count %d\n", marked_count, premarked_item_count);
+    return marked_count;
 }
 
 
-/*
- * Interface
- */
+static int32_t scan_stockpiles(color_ostream &out, bool disable_melt, map<int32_t, int32_t> &item_counts, map<int32_t, int32_t> &marked_item_counts, map<int32_t, int32_t> &premarked_item_counts) {
+    TRACE(perf, out).print("%s running scan_stockpiles\n", plugin_name);
+    int32_t newly_marked = 0;
+    
+    // if (item_counts)
+    item_counts.clear();
+    // if (marked_item_counts)
+    marked_item_counts.clear();
+    // if (premarked_item_counts)
+    premarked_item_counts.clear();
 
-struct melt_hook : public df::viewscreen_dwarfmodest
-{
-    typedef df::viewscreen_dwarfmodest interpose_base;
 
-    bool handleInput(set<df::interface_key> *input)
-    {
-        if (Gui::inRenameBuilding())
-            return false;
+    //Parse all the watched piles
+    for (auto &c : watched_stockpiles) {
+        int id = get_config_val(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_ID);
+        //Check for monitor status
+        bool monitored = get_config_bool(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_MONITORED);
+        //Check melt status
+        bool melt_enabled = get_config_bool(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_MELT);
 
-        building_stockpilest *sp = get_selected_stockpile();
-        if (!sp)
-            return false;
+        melt_enabled = melt_enabled && (!disable_melt);
 
-        if (input->count(interface_key::CUSTOM_SHIFT_M))
-        {
-            if (monitor.isMonitored(sp))
-                monitor.remove(sp);
-            else
-                monitor.add(sp);
-        }
+        if (!monitored) continue;
+
+        TRACE(perf,out).print("%s past monitor check\nmelt_enabled=%d", plugin_name, melt_enabled);
+
+        int32_t item_count = 0;
+
+        int32_t premarked_count = 0;        
+
+        int32_t marked = mark_all_in_stockpile(out, c, premarked_count, item_count, melt_enabled);
+
+        item_counts.emplace(id, item_count);
+
+        marked_item_counts.emplace(id, marked);
+
+        premarked_item_counts.emplace(id, premarked_count);
+
+        newly_marked += marked;
 
-        return false;
     }
 
-    DEFINE_VMETHOD_INTERPOSE(void, feed, (set<df::interface_key> *input))
-    {
-        if (!handleInput(input))
-            INTERPOSE_NEXT(feed)(input);
+    return newly_marked;
+}
+
+
+static int32_t do_cycle(color_ostream &out) {
+    DEBUG(cycle,out).print("running %s cycle\n", plugin_name);
+    cycle_timestamp = world->frame_counter;
+
+    validate_stockpile_configs(out);
+
+    int32_t marked_items_total;
+    map<int32_t, int32_t> item_counts, marked_items_counts, premarked_item_counts;
+
+    marked_items_total = scan_stockpiles(out, false, item_counts, marked_items_counts, premarked_item_counts);
+
+    return marked_items_total;
+}
+
+static void push_stockpile_config(lua_State *L, int id, bool monitored,
+        bool melt) {
+    map<string, int32_t> stockpile_config;
+    stockpile_config.emplace("id", id);
+    stockpile_config.emplace("monitored", monitored);
+    stockpile_config.emplace("melt", melt);
+    
+    Lua::Push(L, stockpile_config);
+}
+
+static void push_stockpile_config(lua_State *L, PersistentDataItem &c) {
+    push_stockpile_config(L, get_config_val(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_ID),
+            get_config_bool(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_MONITORED),
+            get_config_bool(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_MELT));
+}
+
+static void automelt_designate(color_ostream &out) {
+    DEBUG(status, out).print("entering automelt designate\n");
+    out.print("designated %d item(s) for melting\n", do_cycle(out));
+}
+
+static void automelt_printStatus(color_ostream &out) {
+    DEBUG(status,out).print("entering automelt_printStatus\n");
+    validate_stockpile_configs(out);
+    out.print("automelt is %s\n\n", is_enabled ? "enabled" : "disabled");
+
+    map<int32_t, int32_t> item_counts, marked_item_counts, premarked_item_counts;
+    int32_t marked_items = scan_stockpiles(out, true, item_counts, marked_item_counts, premarked_item_counts);
+
+    int32_t total_items_all_piles = 0;
+    int32_t premarked_items_all_piles = 0;
+
+
+    for (auto &i : watched_stockpiles) {
+        int id = get_config_val(i, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_ID);
+        total_items_all_piles+= item_counts[id];
+        premarked_items_all_piles += premarked_item_counts[id];
     }
 
-    DEFINE_VMETHOD_INTERPOSE(void, render, ())
-    {
-        INTERPOSE_NEXT(render)();
-
-        building_stockpilest *sp = get_selected_stockpile();
-        if (!sp)
-            return;
-
-        auto dims = Gui::getDwarfmodeViewDims();
-        int left_margin = dims.menu_x1 + 1;
-        int x = left_margin;
-        int y = dims.y2 - 6;
-
-        int links = 0;
-        links += sp->links.give_to_pile.size();
-        links += sp->links.take_from_pile.size();
-        links += sp->links.give_to_workshop.size();
-        links += sp->links.take_from_workshop.size();
-        bool state = monitor.isMonitored(sp);
-
-        if (links + 12 >= y) {
-            y = dims.y2;
-            OutputString(COLOR_WHITE, x, y, "Auto: ");
-            x += 5;
-            OutputString(COLOR_LIGHTRED, x, y, "M");
-            OutputString(state? COLOR_LIGHTGREEN: COLOR_GREY, x, y, "elt ");
-        } else {
-            OutputToggleString(x, y, "Auto melt", "M", state, true, left_margin, COLOR_WHITE, COLOR_LIGHTRED);
+    out.print("summary:\n");
+    out.print("    total items in monitored piles: %d\n", total_items_all_piles);
+    out.print("   marked items in monitored piles: %d\n", premarked_items_all_piles);
+
+    int name_width = 11;
+    for (auto &stockpile : world->buildings.other.STOCKPILE) {
+        if (!isStockpile(stockpile)) continue;
+        name_width = std::max(name_width, (int)stockpile->name.size());
+    }
+    name_width = -name_width;
+
+    const char *fmt = "%*s  %4s  %4s  %4s\n";
+    out.print(fmt, name_width, "name", " id ", "monitored", "melt");
+    out.print(fmt, name_width, "----", "----", "---------", "----");
+
+    for (auto &stockpile : world->buildings.other.STOCKPILE) {
+        if (!isStockpile(stockpile)) continue;
+        bool melt = false;
+        bool monitored = false;
+        if (watched_stockpiles_indices.count(stockpile->id)) {
+            auto &c = watched_stockpiles[watched_stockpiles_indices[stockpile->id]];
+            melt = get_config_bool(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_MELT);
+            monitored = get_config_bool(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_MONITORED);
         }
+
+        out.print(fmt, name_width, stockpile->name.c_str(), int_to_string(stockpile->id).c_str(), 
+                  monitored ? "[x]" : "[ ]", melt ? "[x]": "[ ]");
     }
-};
 
-IMPLEMENT_VMETHOD_INTERPOSE(melt_hook, feed);
-IMPLEMENT_VMETHOD_INTERPOSE(melt_hook, render);
+}
 
+static void automelt_setStockpileConfig(color_ostream &out, int id, bool monitored, bool melt) {
+    DEBUG(status,out).print("entering automelt_setStockpileConfig\n");
+    validate_stockpile_configs(out);
+    bool isInvalidStockpile = !df::building::find(id);
+    bool hasNoData = !melt && !monitored;
+    if (isInvalidStockpile || hasNoData) {
+        remove_stockpile_config(out, id);
+        return;
+    } 
+
+    PersistentDataItem &c = ensure_stockpile_config(out, id);
+    set_config_val(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_ID, id);
+    set_config_bool(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_MONITORED, monitored);
+    set_config_bool(c, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_MELT, melt);
+}
 
-DFhackCExport command_result plugin_onstatechange(color_ostream &out, state_change_event event)
-{
-    switch (event)
-    {
-    case DFHack::SC_MAP_LOADED:
-        monitor.reset();
-        break;
-    case DFHack::SC_MAP_UNLOADED:
-        break;
-    default:
-        break;
+static int automelt_getStockpileConfig(lua_State *L) {
+    color_ostream *out = Lua::GetOutput(L);
+    if (!out)
+        out = &Core::getInstance().getConsole();
+    DEBUG(status, *out).print("entering automelt_getStockpileConfig\n");
+    validate_stockpile_configs(*out);
+
+    int id;
+    if (lua_isnumber(L, -1)) {
+        id = lua_tointeger(L, -1);
+        if (!df::building::find(id))
+            return 0;
+        
+    } else {
+        const char * name = lua_tostring(L, -1);
+        if (!name)
+            return 0;
+        string nameStr = name;
+        bool found = false;
+        for (auto &stockpile : world->buildings.other.STOCKPILE) {
+            if (!isStockpile(stockpile)) continue;
+            if (nameStr == stockpile->name) {
+                id = stockpile->id;
+                found = true;
+                break;
+            }
+
+        }
+        if (!found)
+            return 0;
     }
-    return CR_OK;
+
+    if (watched_stockpiles_indices.count(id)) {
+        push_stockpile_config(L, watched_stockpiles[watched_stockpiles_indices[id]]);
+    } else {
+        push_stockpile_config(L, id, false, false);
+    }
+    return 1;
 }
 
-DFHACK_PLUGIN_IS_ENABLED(is_enabled);
+//TODO
+static int automelt_getItemCountsAndStockpileConfigs(lua_State *L) {
+    color_ostream *out = Lua::GetOutput(L);
+    if (!out)
+        out = &Core::getInstance().getConsole();
+    DEBUG(status,*out).print("entering automelt_getItemCountsAndStockpileConfigs\n");
+    validate_stockpile_configs(*out);
 
-DFhackCExport command_result plugin_enable(color_ostream &out, bool enable)
-{
-    if (enable != is_enabled)
-    {
-        if (!INTERPOSE_HOOK(melt_hook, feed).apply(enable) ||
-            !INTERPOSE_HOOK(melt_hook, render).apply(enable))
-            return CR_FAILURE;
+    map<int32_t, int32_t> item_counts, marked_item_counts, premarked_item_counts;
+    int32_t marked_items = scan_stockpiles(*out, true, item_counts, marked_item_counts, premarked_item_counts);
 
-        is_enabled = enable;
+    int32_t total_items_all_piles = 0;
+    int32_t premarked_items_all_piles = 0;
+
+
+    for (auto &i : watched_stockpiles) {
+        int id = get_config_val(i, STOCKPILE_CONFIG_ID);
+        total_items_all_piles+= item_counts[id];
+        premarked_items_all_piles += premarked_item_counts[id];
     }
 
-    return CR_OK;
-}
+    map<string, int32_t> summary;
+    summary.emplace("total_items", total_items_all_piles);
+    summary.emplace("marked_items", marked_items);
+    summary.emplace("premarked_items", premarked_items_all_piles);
+    
+    Lua::Push(L, summary);
+    Lua::Push(L, item_counts);
+    Lua::Push(L, marked_item_counts);
+    Lua::Push(L, premarked_item_counts);
+    int32_t bldg_count = 0;
+    
+    for (auto pile : world->buildings.other.STOCKPILE) {
+        if (!isStockpile(pile))
+            continue;
+        bldg_count++;
+            
+        int id = pile->id;
+        if (watched_stockpiles_indices.count(id)) {
+            push_stockpile_config(L, watched_stockpiles[watched_stockpiles_indices[id]]);
+        } else {
+            push_stockpile_config(L, id, false, false);
+        }
+    }
+    return 4+bldg_count;
 
-DFhackCExport command_result plugin_init ( color_ostream &out, std::vector <PluginCommand> &commands)
-{
-    return CR_OK;
-}
 
-DFhackCExport command_result plugin_shutdown ( color_ostream &out )
-{
-    // ensure we disengage our hooks
-    plugin_enable(out, false);
-    return CR_OK;
 }
+
+DFHACK_PLUGIN_LUA_FUNCTIONS{
+    DFHACK_LUA_FUNCTION(automelt_printStatus),
+    DFHACK_LUA_FUNCTION(automelt_designate),
+    DFHACK_LUA_FUNCTION(automelt_setStockpileConfig),
+    DFHACK_LUA_END};
+
+DFHACK_PLUGIN_LUA_COMMANDS{
+    DFHACK_LUA_COMMAND(automelt_getStockpileConfig),
+    DFHACK_LUA_COMMAND(automelt_getItemCountsAndStockpileConfigs),
+    DFHACK_LUA_END};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/plugins/lua/automelt.lua b/plugins/lua/automelt.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bba93b3c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/lua/automelt.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+local _ENV = mkmodule('plugins.automelt')
+
+local argparse = require('argparse')
+
+local function process_args(opts, args)
+    if args[1] == 'help' then
+        opts.help = true
+        return
+    end
+
+    return argparse.processArgsGetopt(args, {
+            {'h', 'help', handler=function() opts.help = true end},
+        })
+end
+
+
+local function do_set_stockpile_config(var_name, val, stockpiles)
+    for _,bspec in ipairs(argparse.stringList(stockpiles)) do
+        local config = automelt_getStockpileConfig(bspec)
+        config[var_name] = val
+        automelt_setStockpileConfig(config.id, config.monitor, config.melt)
+    end
+end
+
+
+function parse_commandline(...)
+    local args, opts = {...}, {}
+    local positionals = process_args(opts, args)
+
+    if opts.help then
+        return false
+    end
+
+    local command = positionals[1]
+    if not command or command == 'status' then
+        automelt_printStatus()
+    elseif command == 'designate' then
+        automelt_designate()
+    elseif command == 'melt' then
+        do_set_stockpile_config('melt', true, args[2])
+    elseif command == 'nomelt' then
+        do_set_stockpile_config('melt', false, args[2])
+    elseif command == 'monitor' then
+        do_set_stockpile_config('monitor', true, args[2])
+    elseif command == 'nomonitor'then
+        do_set_stockpile_config('monitor', false, args[2])
+    else
+        return false
+    end
+
+    return true
+end
+
+-- used by gui/autochop
+function setStockpileConfig(config)
+    automelt_setStockpileConfig(config.id, config.monitored, config.melt)
+end
+
+function getItemCountsAndStockpileConfigs()
+    local data = {automelt_getItemCountsAndStockpileConfigs()}
+    local ret = {}
+    ret.summary = table.remove(data, 1)
+    ret.item_counts = table.remove(data, 1)
+    ret.marked_item_counts = table.remove(data, 1)
+    ret.premarked_item_counts = table.remove(data, 1)
+    ret.stockpile_configs = data
+    for _,c in ipairs(ret.stockpile_configs) do
+        c.name = df.building.find(c.id).name
+        c.monitored = c.monitored ~= 0
+        c.melt = c.melt ~= 0
+    end
+    return ret
+end
+
+return _ENV