diff --git a/library/include/PluginManager.h b/library/include/PluginManager.h
index ba5b76b62..663dde90a 100644
--- a/library/include/PluginManager.h
+++ b/library/include/PluginManager.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ distribution.
 #include "Export.h"
 #include "Hooks.h"
 #include "ColorText.h"
+#include "MiscUtils.h"
 #include <map>
 #include <string>
 #include <vector>
diff --git a/plugins/add-spatter.cpp b/plugins/add-spatter.cpp
index 52e95e88b..cb2858d06 100644
--- a/plugins/add-spatter.cpp
+++ b/plugins/add-spatter.cpp
@@ -41,14 +41,13 @@ using std::stack;
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
 
-using df::global::gps;
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::ui;
-
-typedef df::reaction_product_item_improvementst improvement_product;
-
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("add-spatter");
 DFHACK_PLUGIN_IS_ENABLED(is_enabled);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(gps);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui);
+
+typedef df::reaction_product_item_improvementst improvement_product;
 
 struct ReagentSource {
     int idx;
diff --git a/plugins/advtools.cpp b/plugins/advtools.cpp
index ad50dbe5d..8f613d1cc 100644
--- a/plugins/advtools.cpp
+++ b/plugins/advtools.cpp
@@ -37,14 +37,15 @@
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
 
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::ui_advmode;
-
 using df::nemesis_record;
 using df::historical_figure;
 
 using namespace DFHack::Translation;
 
+DFHACK_PLUGIN("advtools");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui_advmode);
+
 /*********************
  *  PLUGIN INTERFACE *
  *********************/
@@ -54,8 +55,6 @@ static bool bodyswap_hotkey(df::viewscreen *top);
 command_result adv_bodyswap (color_ostream &out, std::vector <std::string> & parameters);
 command_result adv_tools (color_ostream &out, std::vector <std::string> & parameters);
 
-DFHACK_PLUGIN("advtools");
-
 DFhackCExport command_result plugin_init (color_ostream &out, std::vector <PluginCommand> &commands)
 {
     if (!ui_advmode)
diff --git a/plugins/autochop.cpp b/plugins/autochop.cpp
index 5dab8f69b..ee5f6c492 100644
--- a/plugins/autochop.cpp
+++ b/plugins/autochop.cpp
@@ -36,12 +36,10 @@ using std::set;
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
 
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::ui;
-
 #define PLUGIN_VERSION 0.3
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("autochop");
-
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui);
 
 static bool autochop_enabled = false;
 static int min_logs, max_logs;
diff --git a/plugins/autodump.cpp b/plugins/autodump.cpp
index dcbc7c083..efb58a10c 100644
--- a/plugins/autodump.cpp
+++ b/plugins/autodump.cpp
@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@ using namespace df::enums;
 using MapExtras::Block;
 using MapExtras::MapCache;
 
-using df::global::world;
 using df::building_stockpilest;
 
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("autodump");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
 
 // Stockpile interface START
 static const string PERSISTENCE_KEY = "autodump/stockpiles";
diff --git a/plugins/autolabor.cpp b/plugins/autolabor.cpp
index ad7992038..c1dfc5d2e 100644
--- a/plugins/autolabor.cpp
+++ b/plugins/autolabor.cpp
@@ -44,8 +44,10 @@ using std::endl;
 using std::vector;
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
-using df::global::ui;
-using df::global::world;
+
+DFHACK_PLUGIN("autolabor");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
 
 #define ARRAY_COUNT(array) (sizeof(array)/sizeof((array)[0]))
 
@@ -91,10 +93,6 @@ enum ConfigFlags {
 // mostly to allow having the mandatory stuff on top of the file and commands on the bottom
 command_result autolabor (color_ostream &out, std::vector <std::string> & parameters);
 
-// A plugin must be able to return its name and version.
-// The name string provided must correspond to the filename - autolabor.plug.so or autolabor.plug.dll in this case
-DFHACK_PLUGIN("autolabor");
-
 static void generate_labor_to_skill_map();
 
 enum labor_mode {
diff --git a/plugins/automaterial.cpp b/plugins/automaterial.cpp
index b795622d9..b49b04ee8 100644
--- a/plugins/automaterial.cpp
+++ b/plugins/automaterial.cpp
@@ -43,11 +43,11 @@ using std::vector;
 
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
-using df::global::gps;
-using df::global::ui;
-using df::global::ui_build_selector;
 
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("automaterial");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(gps);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui_build_selector);
 
 struct MaterialDescriptor
 {
diff --git a/plugins/automelt.cpp b/plugins/automelt.cpp
index 042d8e082..ccbf3489c 100644
--- a/plugins/automelt.cpp
+++ b/plugins/automelt.cpp
@@ -14,13 +14,13 @@
 #include "modules/World.h"
 #include "df/item_quality.h"
 
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::cursor;
-using df::global::ui;
 using df::building_stockpilest;
 
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("automelt");
 #define PLUGIN_VERSION 0.3
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(cursor);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui);
 
 static const string PERSISTENCE_KEY = "automelt/stockpiles";
 
diff --git a/plugins/autotrade.cpp b/plugins/autotrade.cpp
index e6156b0c3..e238cc514 100644
--- a/plugins/autotrade.cpp
+++ b/plugins/autotrade.cpp
@@ -19,12 +19,12 @@
 #include "df/mandate.h"
 #include "modules/Maps.h"
 
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::cursor;
-using df::global::ui;
 using df::building_stockpilest;
 
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("autotrade");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(cursor);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui);
 
 static const string PERSISTENCE_KEY = "autotrade/stockpiles";
 
diff --git a/plugins/building-hacks.cpp b/plugins/building-hacks.cpp
index d56215fda..152e4568b 100644
--- a/plugins/building-hacks.cpp
+++ b/plugins/building-hacks.cpp
@@ -24,9 +24,10 @@
 
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
-using df::global::world;
 
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("building-hacks");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+
 struct graphic_tile //could do just 31x31 and be done, but it's nicer to have flexible imho.
 {
     int16_t tile; //originally uint8_t but we need to indicate non-animated tiles
diff --git a/plugins/buildingplan.cpp b/plugins/buildingplan.cpp
index d916ba2e3..e9bb6eda4 100644
--- a/plugins/buildingplan.cpp
+++ b/plugins/buildingplan.cpp
@@ -35,12 +35,11 @@
 #include "df/building.h"
 #include "df/building_doorst.h"
 
-using df::global::ui;
-using df::global::ui_build_selector;
-using df::global::world;
-
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("buildingplan");
 #define PLUGIN_VERSION 0.14
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui_build_selector);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
 
 struct MaterialDescriptor
 {
diff --git a/plugins/burrows.cpp b/plugins/burrows.cpp
index 214fb0582..87adbe734 100644
--- a/plugins/burrows.cpp
+++ b/plugins/burrows.cpp
@@ -37,9 +37,10 @@ using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
 using namespace dfproto;
 
-using df::global::ui;
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::gamemode;
+DFHACK_PLUGIN("burrows");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(gamemode);
 
 /*
  * Initialization.
@@ -47,8 +48,6 @@ using df::global::gamemode;
 
 static command_result burrow(color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters);
 
-DFHACK_PLUGIN("burrows");
-
 static void init_map(color_ostream &out);
 static void deinit_map(color_ostream &out);
 
diff --git a/plugins/catsplosion.cpp b/plugins/catsplosion.cpp
index 1c323de22..725aaf492 100644
--- a/plugins/catsplosion.cpp
+++ b/plugins/catsplosion.cpp
@@ -25,11 +25,11 @@ using namespace std;
 #include <df/unit_genes.h>
 
 using namespace DFHack;
-using df::global::world;
-
-command_result catsplosion (color_ostream &out, std::vector <std::string> & parameters);
 
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("catsplosion");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+
+command_result catsplosion (color_ostream &out, std::vector <std::string> & parameters);
 
 // Mandatory init function. If you have some global state, create it here.
 DFhackCExport command_result plugin_init ( color_ostream &out, std::vector <PluginCommand> &commands)
diff --git a/plugins/changeitem.cpp b/plugins/changeitem.cpp
index 9c0a55ad9..b73f24097 100644
--- a/plugins/changeitem.cpp
+++ b/plugins/changeitem.cpp
@@ -31,9 +31,9 @@ using namespace df::enums;
 
 using MapExtras::Block;
 using MapExtras::MapCache;
-using df::global::world;
 
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("changeitem");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
 
 command_result df_changeitem(color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters);
 
diff --git a/plugins/changelayer.cpp b/plugins/changelayer.cpp
index 3ab1899af..727fae56c 100644
--- a/plugins/changelayer.cpp
+++ b/plugins/changelayer.cpp
@@ -28,8 +28,9 @@ using namespace std;
 using std::vector;
 using std::string;
 
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::cursor;
+DFHACK_PLUGIN("changelayer");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(cursor);
 
 const string changelayer_help = 
     "  Allows to change the material of whole geology layers.\n" 
@@ -83,8 +84,6 @@ const string changelayer_trouble =
 
 command_result changelayer (color_ostream &out, std::vector <std::string> & parameters);
 
-DFHACK_PLUGIN("changelayer");
-
 DFhackCExport command_result plugin_init ( color_ostream &out, std::vector <PluginCommand> &commands)
 {
     commands.push_back(PluginCommand(
diff --git a/plugins/changevein.cpp b/plugins/changevein.cpp
index 1d08cfeaf..9c17af292 100644
--- a/plugins/changevein.cpp
+++ b/plugins/changevein.cpp
@@ -15,8 +15,9 @@ using std::string;
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
 
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::cursor;
+DFHACK_PLUGIN("changevein");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(cursor);
 
 command_result df_changevein (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters)
 {
@@ -77,8 +78,6 @@ command_result df_changevein (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters)
     return CR_OK;
 }
 
-DFHACK_PLUGIN("changevein");
-
 DFhackCExport command_result plugin_init ( color_ostream &out, std::vector <PluginCommand> &commands)
 {
     commands.push_back(PluginCommand("changevein",
diff --git a/plugins/cleanconst.cpp b/plugins/cleanconst.cpp
index 3efdadecb..2d5bf77f6 100644
--- a/plugins/cleanconst.cpp
+++ b/plugins/cleanconst.cpp
@@ -16,9 +16,8 @@
 using namespace std;
 using namespace DFHack;
 
-using df::global::world;
-
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("cleanconst");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
 
 command_result df_cleanconst(color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters)
 {
diff --git a/plugins/cleaners.cpp b/plugins/cleaners.cpp
index ab1ccda2b..953ff5305 100644
--- a/plugins/cleaners.cpp
+++ b/plugins/cleaners.cpp
@@ -18,10 +18,9 @@ using std::string;
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
 
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::cursor;
-
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("cleaners");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(cursor);
 
 command_result cleanmap (color_ostream &out, bool snow, bool mud, bool item_spatter)
 {
diff --git a/plugins/cleanowned.cpp b/plugins/cleanowned.cpp
index 28314d3f0..4dd3fd212 100644
--- a/plugins/cleanowned.cpp
+++ b/plugins/cleanowned.cpp
@@ -23,12 +23,11 @@ using namespace std;
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
 
-using df::global::world;
+DFHACK_PLUGIN("cleanowned");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
 
 command_result df_cleanowned (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters);
 
-DFHACK_PLUGIN("cleanowned");
-
 DFhackCExport command_result plugin_init ( color_ostream &out, std::vector <PluginCommand> &commands)
 {
     commands.push_back(PluginCommand(
diff --git a/plugins/colonies.cpp b/plugins/colonies.cpp
index 3ebfc324c..bea595bf9 100644
--- a/plugins/colonies.cpp
+++ b/plugins/colonies.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ using namespace DFHack;
 command_result colonies (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters);
 
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("colonies");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);  // used by Materials
 
 DFhackCExport command_result plugin_init ( color_ostream &out, std::vector <PluginCommand> &commands)
 {
diff --git a/plugins/command-prompt.cpp b/plugins/command-prompt.cpp
index cf1e78763..bc3b89610 100644
--- a/plugins/command-prompt.cpp
+++ b/plugins/command-prompt.cpp
@@ -22,9 +22,10 @@
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
 
-using df::global::ui;
-using df::global::gps;
-using df::global::enabler;
+DFHACK_PLUGIN("command-prompt");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(gps);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(enabler);
 
 std::vector<std::string> command_history;
 
@@ -303,7 +304,7 @@ void viewscreen_commandpromptst::feed(std::set<df::interface_key> *events)
         frame = 0;
 
 }
-DFHACK_PLUGIN("command-prompt");
+
 command_result show_prompt(color_ostream &out, std::vector <std::string> & parameters)
 {
     if (Gui::getCurFocus() == "dfhack/commandprompt")
diff --git a/plugins/createitem.cpp b/plugins/createitem.cpp
index 89c2ade36..c4c0c6ebb 100644
--- a/plugins/createitem.cpp
+++ b/plugins/createitem.cpp
@@ -31,11 +31,10 @@ using std::vector;
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
 
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::ui;
-using df::global::gametype;
-
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("createitem");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(gametype);
 
 int dest_container = -1, dest_building = -1;
 
diff --git a/plugins/cursecheck.cpp b/plugins/cursecheck.cpp
index f7c6d2fd9..dc7fd2f3c 100644
--- a/plugins/cursecheck.cpp
+++ b/plugins/cursecheck.cpp
@@ -48,12 +48,12 @@ using std::vector;
 using std::string;
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::cursor;
-
-command_result cursecheck (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters);
 
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("cursecheck");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(cursor);
+
+command_result cursecheck (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters);
 
 DFhackCExport command_result plugin_init ( color_ostream &out, std::vector <PluginCommand> &commands)
 {
diff --git a/plugins/deramp.cpp b/plugins/deramp.cpp
index e5d0331d9..dc2651db7 100644
--- a/plugins/deramp.cpp
+++ b/plugins/deramp.cpp
@@ -14,9 +14,8 @@ using std::string;
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
 
-using df::global::world;
-
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("deramp");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
 
 command_result df_deramp (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters)
 {
diff --git a/plugins/dfstream.cpp b/plugins/dfstream.cpp
index 19334abae..c8e99d678 100644
--- a/plugins/dfstream.cpp
+++ b/plugins/dfstream.cpp
@@ -18,8 +18,10 @@ using namespace df::enums;
 
 using std::string;
 using std::vector;
-using df::global::gps;
-using df::global::enabler;
+
+DFHACK_PLUGIN("dfstream");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(gps);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(enabler);
 
 // The error messages are taken from the clsocket source code
 const char * translate_socket_error(CSimpleSocket::CSocketError err) {
@@ -283,8 +285,6 @@ public:
     }
 };
 
-DFHACK_PLUGIN("dfstream");
-
 inline df::renderer *& active_renderer() {
     return enabler->renderer;
 }
diff --git a/plugins/dig.cpp b/plugins/dig.cpp
index 082e6a04a..922a47477 100644
--- a/plugins/dig.cpp
+++ b/plugins/dig.cpp
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ command_result digcircle (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters);
 command_result digtype (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters);
 
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("dig");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
 
 DFhackCExport command_result plugin_init ( color_ostream &out, std::vector <PluginCommand> &commands)
 {
diff --git a/plugins/digFlood.cpp b/plugins/digFlood.cpp
index 1646f4deb..170427bf6 100644
--- a/plugins/digFlood.cpp
+++ b/plugins/digFlood.cpp
@@ -21,14 +21,11 @@
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace std;
 
-using df::global::world;
-// using df::global::process_jobs;
-// using df::global::process_dig;
+DFHACK_PLUGIN("digFlood");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
 
 command_result digFlood (color_ostream &out, std::vector <std::string> & parameters);
 
-DFHACK_PLUGIN("digFlood");
-
 void onDig(color_ostream& out, void* ptr);
 void maybeExplore(color_ostream& out, MapExtras::MapCache& cache, df::coord pt, set<df::coord>& jobLocations);
 EventManager::EventHandler digHandler(onDig, 0);
diff --git a/plugins/diggingInvaders/diggingInvaders.cpp b/plugins/diggingInvaders/diggingInvaders.cpp
index 48c34d5d4..cd171f527 100644
--- a/plugins/diggingInvaders/diggingInvaders.cpp
+++ b/plugins/diggingInvaders/diggingInvaders.cpp
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ void findAndAssignInvasionJob(color_ostream& out, void*);
 
 DFHACK_PLUGIN_IS_ENABLED(enabled);
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("diggingInvaders");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
 
 //TODO: when world unloads
 static int32_t lastInvasionJob=-1;
@@ -386,8 +387,8 @@ void findAndAssignInvasionJob(color_ostream& out, void* tickTime) {
         unordered_set<uint16_t> localConnectivity;
 
         //find all locals and invaders
-        for ( size_t a = 0; a < df::global::world->units.all.size(); a++ ) {
-            df::unit* unit = df::global::world->units.all[a];
+        for ( size_t a = 0; a < world->units.all.size(); a++ ) {
+            df::unit* unit = world->units.all[a];
             if ( unit->flags1.bits.dead )
                 continue;
             if ( Units::isCitizen(unit) ) {
@@ -597,7 +598,7 @@ void findAndAssignInvasionJob(color_ostream& out, void* tickTime) {
     lastInvasionDigger = firstInvader->id;
     lastInvasionJob = firstInvader->job.current_job ? firstInvader->job.current_job->id : -1;
     invaderJobs.erase(lastInvasionJob);
-    for ( df::job_list_link* link = &df::global::world->job_list; link != NULL; link = link->next ) {
+    for ( df::job_list_link* link = &world->job_list; link != NULL; link = link->next ) {
         if ( link->item == NULL )
             continue;
         df::job* job = link->item;
diff --git a/plugins/drybuckets.cpp b/plugins/drybuckets.cpp
index e54d2b90c..711a05928 100644
--- a/plugins/drybuckets.cpp
+++ b/plugins/drybuckets.cpp
@@ -15,9 +15,8 @@ using std::vector;
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
 
-using df::global::world;
-
 DFHACK_PLUGIN("drybuckets");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
 
 command_result df_drybuckets (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters)
 {
diff --git a/plugins/dwarfmonitor.cpp b/plugins/dwarfmonitor.cpp
index cda764f54..8a90b3378 100644
--- a/plugins/dwarfmonitor.cpp
+++ b/plugins/dwarfmonitor.cpp
@@ -43,9 +43,11 @@
 
 using std::deque;
 
-using df::global::current_weather;
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::ui;
+DFHACK_PLUGIN("dwarfmonitor");
+DFHACK_PLUGIN_IS_ENABLED(is_enabled);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(current_weather);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui);
 
 typedef int16_t activity_type;
 
@@ -1775,9 +1777,6 @@ struct dwarf_monitor_hook : public df::viewscreen_dwarfmodest
 IMPLEMENT_VMETHOD_INTERPOSE(dwarf_monitor_hook, feed);
 IMPLEMENT_VMETHOD_INTERPOSE(dwarf_monitor_hook, render);
 
-DFHACK_PLUGIN("dwarfmonitor");
-DFHACK_PLUGIN_IS_ENABLED(is_enabled);
-
 static bool set_monitoring_mode(const string &mode, const bool &state)
 {
     bool mode_recognized = false;
diff --git a/plugins/eventful.cpp b/plugins/eventful.cpp
index 6a264ab95..8cf1d7832 100644
--- a/plugins/eventful.cpp
+++ b/plugins/eventful.cpp
@@ -34,14 +34,13 @@ using std::stack;
 using namespace DFHack;
 using namespace df::enums;
 
-using df::global::gps;
-using df::global::world;
-using df::global::ui;
+DFHACK_PLUGIN("eventful");
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(gps);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(world);
+REQUIRE_GLOBAL(ui);
 
 typedef df::reaction_product_itemst item_product;
 
-DFHACK_PLUGIN("eventful");
-
 struct ReagentSource {
     int idx;
     df::reaction_reagent *reagent;