diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f281c18..f764f48 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,5 +1,13 @@
 # bolt
 
+look into using retries and context's
+
+also add mentioned users to struct so the ban functions can use them
+
+also do we move towards message handler or focus on command handling, this will dictate the structure going forward with the bans, etc.
+started on msg handler but it doesn't make sense, the Adding of the handlers won't work with messages since the trigger is always blank. Might need a catch all one, but then
+that blacklists a command trigger, hmmmm
+
 The nuts-and-bolts of Discord bots. Bolt is a wrapper for [discordgo](https://github.com/bwmarrin/discordgo) that provides quick and easy bootstrapping for simple Discord bots.
 
 ## Usage
diff --git a/bolt.go b/bolt.go
index b4ef3fe..4a9afdc 100644
--- a/bolt.go
+++ b/bolt.go
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 package bolt
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"log"
 	"os"
 	"os/signal"
 	"slices"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 	"syscall"
 	"time"
 
@@ -14,14 +16,12 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	TOKEN_ENV_VAR = "DISCORD_TOKEN" //label for token environment variable
+	//Environment variable name for discord token, this is the only required variable
+	TOKEN_ENV_VAR = "DISCORD_TOKEN"
 
-	BOT_INTENTS = dg.IntentGuilds |
-		dg.IntentGuildMembers |
-		dg.IntentGuildPresences |
-		dg.IntentMessageContent |
-		dg.IntentsGuildMessages |
-		dg.IntentGuildMessageReactions
+	//bot defaults
+	DEFAULT_INDICATOR      = "."
+	DEFAULT_MAX_GOROUTINES = 50
 )
 
 // basic bot structure containing discordgo connection as well as the command map
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ type bolt struct {
 	commands    map[string]Command //maps trigger phrase to command struct for fast lookup
 	indicator   string             //the indicator used to detect whether a message is a command
 	logLvl      LogLevel           //determines how much the bot logs
+	wg          sync.WaitGroup
+	pool        chan struct{}
+	maxRoutines int
+	msgHandlerf Payload
 }
 
 type Bolt interface {
@@ -37,15 +41,15 @@ type Bolt interface {
 	AddCommands(cmd ...Command)
 	//filtered methods
 	stop() error
-	messageHandler(s *dg.Session, msg *dg.MessageCreate)
-	handleCommand(msgEvent *MessageCreateEvent, s *dg.Session, lg int) error
+	msgEventHandler(s *dg.Session, msg *dg.MessageCreate)
+	handleCommand(msgEvent *Message, lg int) error
+	handleMessage(event *Message) error
 	createReply(content, message, channel, guild string) *dg.MessageSend
-	getRemainingTimeout(timeout time.Time) string
+	remainingTimeout(timeout time.Time) string
 	roleCheck(guild string, roles []string, s *dg.Session, run Command) (bool, error)
 	timeoutCheck(msgID, channelID, guildID string, s *dg.Session, run Command) (bool, error)
 }
 
-// create a new bolt interface
 func New(opts ...Option) (Bolt, error) {
 	_, check := os.LookupEnv(TOKEN_ENV_VAR)
 	if !check {
@@ -56,48 +60,65 @@ func New(opts ...Option) (Bolt, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create Discord session: %e", err)
 	}
-	bot.Identify.Intents = BOT_INTENTS
 
 	b := &bolt{
-		Session:  bot,
-		commands: make(map[string]Command, 0),
-		logLvl:   LogLevelAll,
+		Session:     bot,
+		commands:    make(map[string]Command, 0),
+		logLvl:      LogLevelAll,
+		indicator:   DEFAULT_INDICATOR,
+		wg:          sync.WaitGroup{},
+		maxRoutines: DEFAULT_MAX_GOROUTINES,
 	}
-	//set default command indicator
-	b.indicator = "."
 
 	//apply options
 	for _, opt := range opts {
 		opt(b)
 	}
 
+	//options can change pool size, create post-options
+	b.pool = make(chan struct{}, b.maxRoutines)
+
 	return b, nil
 }
 
-// starts the bot, commands are added and the connection to Discord is opened, this is a BLOCKING call
-// that handles safe shutdown of the bot
 func (b *bolt) Start() error {
-	//register commands and open connection
-	b.AddHandler(b.messageHandler)
-
+	b.AddHandler(b.msgEventHandler)
 	err := b.Open()
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to open websocket connection with Discord: %e", err)
 	}
 
-	//safe shutdown handler
+	log.Println("bot started")
+
 	sigChannel := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
 	signal.Notify(sigChannel, syscall.SIGINT)
 	<-sigChannel
 
+	//move this to an option, maybe?
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), time.Second*5)
+	defer cancel()
+	closeChan := make(chan struct{}, 0)
+	go func() {
+		b.wg.Wait()
+		close(closeChan)
+	}()
+
+	select {
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		log.Println("shutdown timed out waiting for commands to finish, some may have been incomplete")
+	case <-closeChan:
+		log.Println("command routines cleaned up, exiting")
+	}
+
 	if err := b.stop(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	log.Println("bot stopped")
+
 	return nil
 }
 
-// stops the bot
 func (b *bolt) stop() error {
 	return b.Close()
 }
@@ -109,9 +130,7 @@ func (b *bolt) AddCommands(cmd ...Command) {
 	}
 }
 
-// handler function that parses message data, handles logging the message based on logLevel, and executes
-// the payload function in a goroutine
-func (b *bolt) messageHandler(s *dg.Session, msg *dg.MessageCreate) {
+func (b *bolt) msgEventHandler(s *dg.Session, msg *dg.MessageCreate) {
 	//get server information
 	server, err := s.Guild(msg.GuildID)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -124,15 +143,9 @@ func (b *bolt) messageHandler(s *dg.Session, msg *dg.MessageCreate) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	//if there is no content it is likely an image, gif, or sticker, updating message content for
-	//better logging and to avoid confusion
-	if len(msg.Content) == 0 {
-		msg.Content = "[Embedded Content]"
-	}
-
 	//the bot will ignore it's own messages to prevent command loops
 	if msg.Author.ID == s.State.User.ID {
-		if b.logLvl == LogLevelCmd || b.logLvl == LogLevelAll {
+		if b.logLvl != LogLevelErr && b.logLvl != LogLevelNone {
 			//log command responses
 			log.Printf("< %s | %s | %s > %s\n", server.Name, channel.Name, msg.Author.Username, msg.Content)
 		}
@@ -144,86 +157,31 @@ func (b *bolt) messageHandler(s *dg.Session, msg *dg.MessageCreate) {
 		log.Printf("< %s | %s | %s > %s\n", server.Name, channel.Name, msg.Author.Username, msg.Content)
 	}
 
-	//does the message have the command indicator
-	lg := len(b.indicator)
-	if msg.Content[:lg] == b.indicator {
-		mCreate := &MessageCreateEvent{
-			AuthorUsername: msg.Author.Username,
-			AuthorID:       msg.Author.ID,
-			AuthorRoles:    msg.Member.Roles,
-			MsgID:          msg.ID,
-			Msg:            msg.Content,
-			MsgChanID:      msg.ChannelID,
-			MsgGuildID:     msg.GuildID,
-			MsgAttachments: msg.Attachments,
-		}
-
-		if b.logLvl == LogLevelCmd {
-			//log commands
-			log.Printf("< %s | %s | %s > %s\n", mCreate.MsgGuildName, mCreate.MsgChanName, mCreate.AuthorUsername, mCreate.Msg)
-		}
-
-		//handled in its own goroutine to allow for async commands
-		go func() {
-			err := b.handleCommand(mCreate, s, lg)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Println(err)
-			}
-		}()
-	}
-}
-
-// parses command from message and handles timeout checks, role checks, and command execution. All command responses are sent back to Discord
-func (b *bolt) handleCommand(msgEvent *MessageCreateEvent, s *dg.Session, lg int) error {
-	words := strings.Split(msgEvent.Msg, " ")
-	run, ok := b.commands[words[0][lg:]]
-	if !ok {
-		return nil //command doesn't exist, maybe log or respond to author
+	m := Message{
+		Author:      msg.Author.Username,
+		authorID:    msg.Author.ID,
+		authorRoles: msg.Member.Roles,
+		ID:          msg.ID,
+		Content:     msg.Content,
+		Channel:     channel.Name,
+		channelID:   channel.ID,
+		Server:      server.Name,
+		serverID:    server.ID,
+		sesh:        b,
 	}
 
-	//has command met its timeout requirements
-	tc, err := b.timeoutCheck(msgEvent.MsgID, msgEvent.MsgChanID, msgEvent.MsgGuildID, s, run)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to calculate timeout for %s\n%e", run.Trigger, err)
-	}
-	if !tc {
-		return nil
+	w := strings.Fields(msg.Content)
+	if len(w) > 0 {
+		m.Words = w
 	}
 
-	//does user have correct permissions
-	if run.Roles != nil {
-		check, err := b.roleCheck(msgEvent.MsgGuildID, msgEvent.AuthorRoles, s, run)
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("failed to perform permission checks for %s\n%e", run.Trigger, err)
-		}
-		if !check {
-			reply := b.createReply("you do not have permissions to run that command", msgEvent.MsgID, msgEvent.MsgChanID, msgEvent.MsgGuildID)
-			_, err := s.ChannelMessageSendComplex(msgEvent.MsgChanID, reply)
-			if err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-			return nil
-		}
+	if len(msg.Mentions) > 0 {
+		m.Mentions = msg.Mentions
 	}
 
-	//populate message struct exposed to client
-	plMsg := Message{
-		Author:    msgEvent.AuthorUsername,
-		ID:        msgEvent.AuthorID,
-		msgID:     msgEvent.MsgID,
-		Words:     words,
-		Content:   msgEvent.Msg,
-		Channel:   msgEvent.MsgChanName,
-		channelID: msgEvent.MsgChanID,
-		Server:    msgEvent.MsgGuildName,
-		serverID:  msgEvent.MsgGuildID,
-		sesh:      b,
-	}
-
-	//check for file attachments
-	if len(msgEvent.MsgAttachments) > 0 {
+	if len(msg.Attachments) > 0 {
 		var att []MessageAttachment
-		for _, a := range msgEvent.MsgAttachments {
+		for _, a := range msg.Attachments {
 			att = append(att, MessageAttachment{
 				ID:           a.ID,
 				URL:          a.URL,
@@ -237,13 +195,85 @@ func (b *bolt) handleCommand(msgEvent *MessageCreateEvent, s *dg.Session, lg int
 			})
 		}
 
-		plMsg.Attachments = att
+		m.Attachments = att
 	}
 
-	//run command payload
-	err = run.Payload(plMsg)
+	//using a patter based on a stackoverflow comment I saw that mentioned the use of a buffered channel as a lock (semaphore)
+	//to limit the amount of goroutines used at once
+
+	//could be an issue if the bot is used like a long-term calendar, not sure that is my concern we now have a timeout so it will only wait so long
+
+	lg := len(b.indicator)
+	if msg.Content[:lg] == b.indicator {
+		if b.logLvl == LogLevelCmd {
+			//log commands
+			log.Printf("< %s | %s | %s > %s\n", m.Server, m.Channel, m.authorID, m.Content)
+		}
+
+		b.pool <- struct{}{} //'aquire' a routine
+
+		//handled in its own goroutine to allow for async commands
+		b.wg.Go(func() {
+			err := b.handleCommand(&m, lg)
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Println(err)
+			}
+			<-b.pool //release routine
+		})
+	} else {
+		b.pool <- struct{}{} //'aquire' a routine
+		b.wg.Go(func() {
+			err := b.handleMessage(&m)
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Println(err)
+			}
+			<-b.pool //release routine
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func (b *bolt) handleMessage(event *Message) error {
+	if b.msgHandlerf != nil {
+		return b.msgHandlerf(event)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (b *bolt) handleCommand(msg *Message, lg int) error {
+	run, ok := b.commands[msg.Words[0][lg:]]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil //command doesn't exist, maybe log or respond to author
+	}
+
+	//has command met its timeout requirements
+	tc, err := b.timeoutCheck(msg.ID, msg.channelID, msg.serverID, b.Session, run)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to execute payload function: %e", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to calculate timeout for %s\n%e", run.Trigger, err)
+	}
+	if !tc {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	//does user have correct permissions
+	if run.Roles != nil {
+		check, err := b.roleCheck(msg.serverID, msg.authorRoles, b.Session, run)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to perform permission checks for %s\n%e", run.Trigger, err)
+		}
+		if !check {
+			reply := b.createReply("you do not have permissions to run that command", msg.ID, msg.channelID, msg.serverID)
+			_, err := b.Session.ChannelMessageSendComplex(msg.channelID, reply)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	err = run.Payload(msg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("encountered an error while handling command (%s): %e", msg.Words[0], err)
 	}
 
 	//update run time
@@ -267,7 +297,7 @@ func (b *bolt) createReply(content, message, channel, guild string) *dg.MessageS
 }
 
 // used to calculate the remaining time left in a timeout and returning it in a human-readable format
-func (b *bolt) getRemainingTimeout(timeout time.Time) string {
+func (b *bolt) remainingTimeout(timeout time.Time) string {
 	r := time.Until(timeout)
 	var (
 		timeLeft int
@@ -314,11 +344,10 @@ func (b *bolt) roleCheck(guild string, roles []string, s *dg.Session, run Comman
 	return true, nil
 }
 
-// check if the command timeout has been met, responding with remaining time if timeout has not been met yet.
 func (b *bolt) timeoutCheck(msgID, channelID, guildID string, s *dg.Session, run Command) (bool, error) {
 	wait := run.lastRun.Add(run.Timeout)
 	if !time.Now().After(wait) {
-		reply := b.createReply(fmt.Sprintf("that command cannot be run for another %s", b.getRemainingTimeout(wait)), msgID, channelID, guildID)
+		reply := b.createReply(fmt.Sprintf("that command cannot be run for another %s", b.remainingTimeout(wait)), msgID, channelID, guildID)
 		_, err := s.ChannelMessageSendComplex(channelID, reply)
 		if err != nil {
 			return false, fmt.Errorf("failed to send timeout response: %e", err)
diff --git a/command.go b/command.go
index a14a70d..0dbe9c9 100644
--- a/command.go
+++ b/command.go
@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@ type Command struct {
 }
 
 // command payload functions, any strings returned are sent as a response to the command
-type Payload func(msg Message) error
+type Payload func(msg *Message) error
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 1d9a5fa..9f95850 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 module code.jakeyoungdev.com/jake/bolt
 
-go 1.24.0
+go 1.25.0
 
 require github.com/bwmarrin/discordgo v0.29.0
 
diff --git a/message.go b/message.go
index 59599a0..3e72902 100644
--- a/message.go
+++ b/message.go
@@ -2,44 +2,48 @@ package bolt
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"time"
 
 	dg "github.com/bwmarrin/discordgo"
 )
 
 const (
-	// the max discord allows for basic messages
+	// the max length allowed for basic messages
 	MSG_MAX_LENGTH = 2000
 )
 
-// the message struct is passed to the command payload providing basic
-// message information and needed methods
+// Message contains basic information about the messages received and provides a few methods
+// for handling replies, bans, timeouts, reaction, and deletion. All Discord utilities will use
+// a timeout to prevent hanging for too long, this timeout can be customized with the WithTimeout
+// option.
 type Message struct {
-	Author      string   //username of message author
-	ID          string   //discord ID of message author
-	msgID       string   //id string of message
-	Words       []string //words from message split on whitespace
-	Content     string   //entire message content
-	Channel     string   //message channel
-	channelID   string   //id of channel message was sent in
-	Server      string   //message guild
-	serverID    string   //id of guild message was sent in
-	Attachments []MessageAttachment
+	Author      string //current username of the message author
+	authorID    string //discord ID of message author
+	authorRoles []string
+	ID          string              //message ID
+	Words       []string            //message data split on whitespaces
+	Content     string              //entire message data string
+	Channel     string              //name of channel message was sent in
+	channelID   string              //ID of channel message was sent in
+	Server      string              //name of guild message was sent in
+	serverID    string              //ID of guild message was sent in
+	Attachments []MessageAttachment //any attachments bound to the message
+	Mentions    []*dg.User
 	sesh        *bolt
 }
 
-// applies reaction to message
+// React applies reaction to the message
 func (m *Message) React(emoji Reaction) error {
-	return m.sesh.MessageReactionAdd(m.channelID, m.msgID, fmt.Sprint(emoji))
+	return m.sesh.MessageReactionAdd(m.channelID, m.ID, fmt.Sprint(emoji))
 }
 
-// sends response to message, if the response length is greater than 2000 characters the
-// messages are split and sent seperatly
+// Respond sends a response to the message, handling chunking if the message exceeds max length
 func (m *Message) Respond(res string) error {
 	if len(res) > MSG_MAX_LENGTH {
 		for len(res) > 0 {
 			//send full chunk size allowed by discord
 			sc := res[:MSG_MAX_LENGTH]
-			rep := m.sesh.createReply(sc, m.msgID, m.channelID, m.serverID)
+			rep := m.sesh.createReply(sc, m.ID, m.channelID, m.serverID)
 			_, err := m.sesh.ChannelMessageSendComplex(m.channelID, rep)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
@@ -48,7 +52,7 @@ func (m *Message) Respond(res string) error {
 
 			//if we have left than a full chunk send the rest and break the loop
 			if len(res) < MSG_MAX_LENGTH {
-				final := m.sesh.createReply(res, m.msgID, m.channelID, m.serverID)
+				final := m.sesh.createReply(res, m.ID, m.channelID, m.serverID)
 				_, err := m.sesh.ChannelMessageSendComplex(m.channelID, final)
 				if err != nil {
 					return err
@@ -61,30 +65,44 @@ func (m *Message) Respond(res string) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	//short enough message to send in one message
-	rep := m.sesh.createReply(res, m.msgID, m.channelID, m.serverID)
+	//short enough message to send in one go
+	rep := m.sesh.createReply(res, m.ID, m.channelID, m.serverID)
 	_, err := m.sesh.ChannelMessageSendComplex(m.channelID, rep)
 	return err
 }
 
-// deletes the message from the channel
+// Delete removes the message from the current channel
 func (m *Message) Delete() error {
-	return m.sesh.ChannelMessageDelete(m.channelID, m.msgID, nil)
+	return m.sesh.ChannelMessageDelete(m.channelID, m.ID, nil)
 }
 
-// this struct has all of the needed information from the messageCreate event so that
-// commands can be run asynchronously. Passing the messageCreate to payloads can block routines
-type MessageCreateEvent struct {
-	AuthorUsername string
-	AuthorID       string
-	AuthorRoles    []string
-	MsgID          string
-	Msg            string
-	MsgChanID      string
-	MsgChanName    string
-	MsgGuildID     string
-	MsgGuildName   string
-	MsgAttachments []*dg.MessageAttachment
+// Timeout sets a timeout for the message author
+func (m *Message) Timeout(duration time.Time) error {
+	return m.sesh.GuildMemberTimeout(m.serverID, m.authorID, &duration)
+}
+
+// ClearTimeout removes all timeouts for the message author
+func (m *Message) ClearTimeout() error {
+	return m.sesh.GuildMemberTimeout(m.serverID, m.authorID, nil)
+}
+
+// Ban removes a user from the server, banning them and removing all messages within the range of
+// the days parameter
+func (m *Message) Ban(reason string, days int) error {
+	return m.sesh.GuildBanCreateWithReason(m.serverID, m.authorID, reason, days)
+}
+
+// unban user
+
+// ClearBan deletes the ban on message Authors
+
+// lol this won't work, they're banned, same with all clear*
+func (m *Message) ClearBan() error {
+	return m.sesh.GuildBanDelete(m.serverID, m.authorID)
+}
+
+func (m *Message) Mute(username string) error {
+	return m.sesh.GuildMemberMute(m.serverID, m.authorID, true)
 }
 
 // message attachment details
diff --git a/option.go b/option.go
index 9cac768..b629baa 100644
--- a/option.go
+++ b/option.go
@@ -1,15 +1,52 @@
 package bolt
 
+import (
+	dg "github.com/bwmarrin/discordgo"
+)
+
 type Option func(b *bolt)
 
 type LogLevel int
 
+type Permission dg.Intent
+
+type HandlerLevel int
+
 const (
-	LogLevelAll LogLevel = iota //logs all messages, and errors
-	LogLevelCmd LogLevel = iota //log only commands and responses, and errors
-	LogLevelErr LogLevel = iota //logs only errors
+	LogLevelAll  LogLevel = iota //log all messages, and errors
+	LogLevelCmd  LogLevel = iota //log only commands and responses, and errors
+	LogLevelErr  LogLevel = iota //log only errors
+	LogLevelNone LogLevel = iota //log nothing, let the handlers sort it out
+
+	msgPerms dg.Intent = dg.IntentGuilds |
+		dg.IntentGuildMembers |
+		dg.IntentGuildPresences |
+		dg.IntentMessageContent |
+		dg.IntentsGuildMessages
+
+	MessagePermissions  Permission = Permission(msgPerms)
+	ReactionPermissions Permission = Permission(dg.IntentGuildMessageReactions)
+	//we also need a ModeratorPermissions for banning, kicking, etc.
 )
 
+func WithPermissions(perms ...Permission) Option {
+	return func(b *bolt) {
+		var fullPerms dg.Intent
+		for _, p := range perms {
+			fullPerms |= dg.Intent(p)
+		}
+
+		//set intents
+		b.Identify.Intents = fullPerms
+	}
+}
+
+func WithMaxGoroutines(max int) Option {
+	return func(b *bolt) {
+		b.maxRoutines = max
+	}
+}
+
 // sets the substring that must be present at the beginning of the message to indicate a command
 func WithIndicator(i string) Option {
 	return func(b *bolt) {