diff --git a/src/backend/1globals.go b/src/backend/1globals.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47cc873
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/1globals.go
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"os"
+)
+
+// global variables used across multiple files
+var (
+	home, _ = os.UserHomeDir()
+)
+
+// global constants used across multiple files
+const (
+	AnsiError = "\033[38;5;9m"
+	AnsiReset = "\033[0m"
+)
diff --git a/src/backend/2globalsUNIX.go b/src/backend/2globalsUNIX.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6cf714
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/2globalsUNIX.go
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+//go:build !windows
+
+package backend
+
+// EntryRoot path to libmutton entry directory
+var EntryRoot = home + "/.local/share/libmutton"
+var ConfigDir = home + "/.config/libmutton"
+var ConfigPath = ConfigDir + "/libmutton.ini"
+
+// PathSeparator defines the character used to separate directories in a path (platform-specific)
+const (
+	PathSeparator = "/"
+	Windows       = false // TODO temporary, remove after native sync is implemented
+)
diff --git a/src/backend/2globalsWIN.go b/src/backend/2globalsWIN.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6b8f596
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/2globalsWIN.go
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package backend
+
+// EntryRoot path to libmutton entry directory
+var EntryRoot = home + "\\AppData\\Local\\libmutton\\entries"
+var ConfigDir = home + "\\AppData\\Local\\libmutton"
+var ConfigPath = ConfigDir + "\\libmutton.ini"
+
+// PathSeparator defines the character used to separate directories in a path (platform-specific)
+const (
+	PathSeparator = "\\"
+	Windows       = true // TODO temporary, remove after native sync is implemented
+)
diff --git a/src/backend/add.go b/src/backend/add.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..258c9fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/add.go
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+)
+
+// AddFolder creates a new directory at targetLocation
+func AddFolder(targetLocation string) {
+	// create the directory specified by targetLocation
+	err := os.Mkdir(targetLocation, 0700)
+	if err != nil {
+		if os.IsExist(err) {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Directory already exists" + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		} else {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to create directory: " + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+	}
+	// TODO If in online mode, create the directory on the server
+	os.Exit(0)
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/configParser.go b/src/backend/configParser.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a5d1002
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/configParser.go
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"gopkg.in/ini.v1"
+	"os"
+)
+
+// ReadConfig reads the libmutton.ini file and returns a map of the requested values
+// requires readMap: a map of section names to key names (indicates requested values)
+// returns configMap: a map of key names to values (sections are irrelevant)
+func ReadConfig(readKeys []string) []string {
+	cfg, err := ini.Load(ConfigPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to load libmutton.ini" + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	var config []string
+
+	for _, key := range readKeys {
+		keyConfig := cfg.Section("LIBMUTTON").Key(key).String()
+
+		// ensure specified key has a value
+		if keyConfig == "" {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to find value for key \"" + key + "\" in section \"[LIBMUTTON]\" in libmutton.ini" + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+
+		config = append(config, keyConfig)
+	}
+
+	return config
+}
+
+// libmuttn.ini layout
+// [LIBMUTTON]
+// gpgID = <gpg key id>
+// textEditor = <editor command>
+// onlineMode = <true/false>
+// sshError = <true/false>
+// netPinEnabled = <true/false>
+// remoteUser = <ssh user>
+// remoteIP = <ssh ip>
+// remotePort = <ssh port>
+// identityFile = <path to private key>
diff --git a/src/backend/copy.go b/src/backend/copy.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6794c3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/copy.go
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"bufio"
+	"fmt"
+	steamtotp "github.com/fortis/go-steam-totp"
+	"github.com/pquerna/otp/totp"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// CopyArgument copies a field from an entry to the clipboard
+func CopyArgument(targetLocation string, field int, executableName string) {
+	if isFile, _ := TargetIsFile(targetLocation, true, 2); isFile {
+
+		decryptedEntry := DecryptGPG(targetLocation)
+		var copySubject string // will store data to be copied
+
+		// ensure field exists in entry
+		if len(decryptedEntry) > field {
+
+			// ensure field is not empty
+			if decryptedEntry[field] == "" {
+				fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Field is empty" + AnsiReset)
+				os.Exit(1)
+			}
+
+			if field != 5 { // TODO Update field after removed from notes (breaking sshyp entry compatibility)
+				copySubject = decryptedEntry[field]
+			} else { // TOTP mode
+				var secret string // stores secret for TOTP generation
+				var forSteam bool // indicates whether to generate TOTP in Steam format
+
+				if strings.HasPrefix(decryptedEntry[5], "steam@") {
+					secret = decryptedEntry[5][6:]
+					forSteam = true
+				} else {
+					secret = decryptedEntry[5]
+				}
+
+				for { // keep field copied to clipboard, refresh on 30-second intervals
+					currentTime := time.Now()
+					copyField(GenTOTP(secret, currentTime, forSteam), "")
+					// sleep until next 30-second interval
+					time.Sleep(time.Duration(30-(currentTime.Second()%30)) * time.Second)
+				}
+			}
+		} else {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Field does not exist in entry" + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+
+		// copy field to clipboard, launch clipboard clearing process
+		copyField(copySubject, executableName)
+	}
+}
+
+// ClipClearArgument is called to clear the clipboard after 30 seconds if the contents have not been modified
+func ClipClearArgument() {
+	// read previous clipboard contents from stdin
+	clipScanner := bufio.NewScanner(os.Stdin)
+	if clipScanner.Scan() {
+		oldContents := clipScanner.Text()
+		clipClear(oldContents)
+	} else {
+		os.Exit(0)
+	}
+}
+
+// GenTOTP generates a TOTP token from a secret (supports standard and Steam TOTP)
+func GenTOTP(secret string, time time.Time, forSteam bool) string {
+	var totpToken string
+	var err error
+
+	if forSteam {
+		totpToken, err = steamtotp.GenerateAuthCode(secret, time)
+	} else {
+		totpToken, err = totp.GenerateCode(secret, time)
+	}
+
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Error generating TOTP code" + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	return totpToken
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/copyDARWIN.go b/src/backend/copyDARWIN.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27eac2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/copyDARWIN.go
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+//go:build darwin
+
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// TODO MacOS support is entirely untested - I would appreciate feedback on this implementation
+
+// copyField copies a field from an entry to the clipboard
+func copyField(copySubject string, executableName string) {
+	cmd := exec.Command("pbcopy")
+	writeToStdin(cmd, copySubject)
+	err := cmd.Run()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to copy to clipboard: " + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	// launch clipboard clearing process if executableName is provided
+	if executableName != "" {
+		cmd = exec.Command(executableName, "clipclear")
+		writeToStdin(cmd, copySubject)
+		err = cmd.Start()
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to launch automated clipboard clearing process - does this libmutton implementation support the \"clipclear\" argument?" + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+		os.Exit(0) // only exit if clipboard clearing process is launched, otherwise assume continuous clipboard refresh
+	}
+}
+
+// clipClear is called in a separate process to clear the clipboard after 30 seconds
+func clipClear(oldContents string) {
+	time.Sleep(30 * time.Second)
+
+	cmd := exec.Command("pbpaste")
+	newContents, _ := cmd.Output()
+
+	if oldContents == strings.TrimRight(string(newContents), "\r\n") {
+		cmd = exec.Command("pbcopy")
+		writeToStdin(cmd, "")
+		err := cmd.Run()
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to clear clipboard: " + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+	}
+	os.Exit(0)
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/copyTERMUX.go b/src/backend/copyTERMUX.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d37111
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/copyTERMUX.go
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+//go:build termux
+
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// copyField copies a field from an entry to the clipboard
+func copyField(copySubject string, executableName string) {
+	cmd := exec.Command("termux-clipboard-set")
+	writeToStdin(cmd, copySubject)
+	err := cmd.Run()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to copy to clipboard: " + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	// launch clipboard clearing process if executableName is provided
+	if executableName != "" {
+		cmd = exec.Command(executableName, "clipclear")
+		writeToStdin(cmd, copySubject)
+		err = cmd.Start()
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to launch automated clipboard clearing process - does this libmutton implementation support the \"clipclear\" argument?" + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+		os.Exit(0) // only exit if clipboard clearing process is launched, otherwise assume continuous clipboard refresh
+	}
+}
+
+// clipClear is called in a separate process to clear the clipboard after 30 seconds
+func clipClear(oldContents string) {
+	time.Sleep(30 * time.Second)
+
+	cmd := exec.Command("termux-clipboard-get")
+	newContents, _ := cmd.Output()
+
+	if oldContents == strings.TrimRight(string(newContents), "\r\n") {
+		cmd = exec.Command("termux-clipboard-set")
+		writeToStdin(cmd, "")
+		err := cmd.Run()
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to clear clipboard: " + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+	}
+	os.Exit(0)
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/copyUNIXGeneric.go b/src/backend/copyUNIXGeneric.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..01a0221
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/copyUNIXGeneric.go
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+//go:build !windows && !darwin && !termux
+
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// copyField copies a field from an entry to the clipboard
+func copyField(copySubject string, executableName string) {
+	var envSet bool // track whether environment variables are set
+	var cmd *exec.Cmd
+	// determine whether to use wl-copy (Wayland) or xclip (X11)
+	if _, envSet = os.LookupEnv("WAYLAND_DISPLAY"); envSet {
+		cmd = exec.Command("wl-copy")
+	} else if _, envSet = os.LookupEnv("DISPLAY"); envSet {
+		cmd = exec.Command("xclip", "-sel", "c")
+	} else {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Clipboard platform could not be determined - note that the clipboard does not function in a raw TTY" + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	writeToStdin(cmd, copySubject)
+	err := cmd.Run()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to copy to clipboard: " + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	// launch clipboard clearing process if executableName is provided
+	if executableName != "" {
+		cmd = exec.Command(executableName, "clipclear")
+		writeToStdin(cmd, copySubject)
+		err = cmd.Start()
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to launch automated clipboard clearing process - does this libmutton implementation support the \"clipclear\" argument?" + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+		os.Exit(0) // only exit if clipboard clearing process is launched, otherwise assume continuous clipboard refresh
+	}
+}
+
+// clipClear is called in a separate process to clear the clipboard after 30 seconds
+func clipClear(oldContents string) {
+	time.Sleep(30 * time.Second)
+
+	var envSet bool   // track whether environment variables are set
+	var platform bool // track clipboard platform, false for Wayland, true for X11
+	var cmd *exec.Cmd
+	// determine whether to use wl-copy (Wayland) or xclip (X11)
+	if _, envSet = os.LookupEnv("WAYLAND_DISPLAY"); envSet {
+		cmd = exec.Command("wl-paste")
+	} else if _, envSet = os.LookupEnv("DISPLAY"); envSet {
+		cmd = exec.Command("xclip", "-o", "-sel", "c")
+		platform = true
+	}
+	newContents, _ := cmd.Output()
+
+	if oldContents == strings.TrimRight(string(newContents), "\r\n") {
+		switch platform {
+		case false:
+			cmd = exec.Command("wl-copy", "-c")
+		case true:
+			cmd = exec.Command("xclip", "-i", "/dev/null", "-sel", "c")
+		}
+		err := cmd.Run()
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to clear clipboard: " + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+	}
+	os.Exit(0)
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/copyWIN.go b/src/backend/copyWIN.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..952f32a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/copyWIN.go
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// copyField copies a field from an entry to the clipboard
+func copyField(copySubject string, executableName string) {
+	cmd := exec.Command("powershell.exe", "-c", fmt.Sprintf("echo '%s' | Set-Clipboard", strings.ReplaceAll(copySubject, "'", "''")))
+	err := cmd.Run()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to copy to clipboard: " + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	// launch clipboard clearing process if executableName is provided
+	if executableName != "" {
+		cmd = exec.Command(executableName, "clipclear")
+		writeToStdin(cmd, copySubject)
+		err = cmd.Start()
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to launch automated clipboard clearing process - does this libmutton implementation support the \"clipclear\" argument?" + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+		os.Exit(0) // only exit if clipboard clearing process is launched, otherwise assume continuous clipboard refresh
+	}
+}
+
+// clipClear is called in a separate process to clear the clipboard after 30 seconds
+func clipClear(oldContents string) {
+	time.Sleep(30 * time.Second)
+
+	cmd := exec.Command("powershell.exe", "-c", "Get-Clipboard")
+	newContents, _ := cmd.Output()
+
+	if oldContents == strings.TrimRight(string(newContents), "\r\n") {
+		cmd = exec.Command("powershell.exe", "-c", "Set-Clipboard")
+		err := cmd.Run()
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to clear clipboard: " + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+	}
+	os.Exit(0)
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/edit.go b/src/backend/edit.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e79680
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/edit.go
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+)
+
+// GetOldEntryData decrypts and returns old entry data (with all required lines present)
+func GetOldEntryData(targetLocation string, field int) []string {
+	// ensure targetLocation exists
+	TargetIsFile(targetLocation, true, 2)
+
+	// read old entry data
+	unencryptedEntry := DecryptGPG(targetLocation)
+
+	// return the old entry data with all required lines present
+	if field > 0 {
+		return EnsureSliceLength(unencryptedEntry, field)
+	} else {
+		return unencryptedEntry
+	}
+}
+
+// Rename renames oldLocation to newLocation
+func Rename(oldLocation string, newLocation string) {
+	// ensure newLocation does not exist
+	_, isAccessible := TargetIsFile(newLocation, false, 0)
+	if isAccessible {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "\"" + newLocation + "\" already exists" + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	// rename oldLocation to newLocation
+	err := os.Rename(oldLocation, newLocation)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to rename - does the target containing directory exists?" + AnsiReset)
+	}
+
+	// TODO If in online mode, check if oldLocation is a directory and rename it on the server
+	os.Exit(0)
+}
+
+// EnsureSliceLength ensures slice is long enough to contain the specified index
+func EnsureSliceLength(slice []string, index int) []string {
+	for len(slice) <= index {
+		slice = append(slice, "")
+	}
+	return slice
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/gpg.go b/src/backend/gpg.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b398dd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/gpg.go
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// TODO GPG support is a temporary feature - it will be replaced with a different encryption scheme in the future
+// TODO These functions may continue to exist after that point, but consider them deprecated
+
+// DecryptGPG decrypts a GPG-encrypted file and returns the contents as a slice of (trimmed) strings
+func DecryptGPG(targetLocation string) []string {
+	cmd := exec.Command("gpg", "--pinentry-mode", "loopback", "-q", "-d", targetLocation)
+	output, err := cmd.Output()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to decrypt \"" + targetLocation + "\" - ensure it is a valid GPG-encrypted file and that you entered your passphrase correctly" + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+	outputSlice := strings.Split(string(output), "\n")
+	return outputSlice
+}
+
+// EncryptGPG encrypts a slice of strings using GPG and returns the encrypted data as a byte slice
+func EncryptGPG(input []string) []byte {
+	cmd := exec.Command("gpg", "-q", "-r", ReadConfig([]string{"gpgID"})[0], "-e")
+	writeToStdin(cmd, strings.Join(input, "\n"))
+	encryptedBytes, err := cmd.Output()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to encrypt data - ensure that your GPG key is valid and that you have a valid GPG ID set in libmutton.ini" + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+	return encryptedBytes
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/init.go b/src/backend/init.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bcaf3df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/init.go
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// TempInit ensures libmutton directories exist and writes the libmutton configuration file
+func TempInit(configFileMap map[string]string) {
+	// create EntryRoot and ConfigDir
+	dirInit()
+
+	// remove existing config file
+	removeFile(ConfigPath)
+
+	if configFileMap["textEditor"] == "" {
+		configFileMap["textEditor"] = textEditorFallback()
+	}
+
+	// create and write config file
+	configFile, _ := os.OpenFile(ConfigPath, os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY, 0600)
+	defer configFile.Close()
+	configFile.WriteString("[LIBMUTTON]\n")
+	for key, value := range configFileMap {
+		configFile.WriteString(key + " = " + value + "\n")
+	}
+
+	os.Exit(0)
+}
+
+// GpgUIDListGen generates a list of all GPG key IDs on the system and returns them as a slice of strings
+func GpgUIDListGen() []string {
+	cmd := exec.Command("gpg", "-k", "--with-colons")
+	gpgOutputBytes, _ := cmd.Output()
+	gpgOutputLines := strings.Split(string(gpgOutputBytes), "\n")
+	var uidSlice []string
+	for _, line := range gpgOutputLines {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(line, "uid") {
+			uid := strings.Split(line, ":")[9]
+			uidSlice = append(uidSlice, uid)
+		}
+	}
+	return uidSlice
+}
+
+// GpgKeyGen generates a new GPG key and returns the key ID
+func GpgKeyGen() string {
+	gpgGenTempFile := CreateTempFile()
+	defer os.Remove(gpgGenTempFile.Name())
+
+	// create and write gpg-gen file
+	unixTime := strconv.FormatInt(time.Now().Unix(), 10)
+	gpgGenTempFile.WriteString(strings.Join([]string{"Key-Type: eddsa", "Key-Curve: ed25519", "Key-Usage: sign", "Subkey-Type: ecdh", "Subkey-Curve: cv25519", "Subkey-Usage: encrypt", "Name-Real: libmutton-" + unixTime, "Name-Comment: gpg-libmutton", "Name-Email: github.com/rwinkhart/libmutton", "Expire-Date: 0"}, "\n"))
+
+	// close gpg-gen file
+	gpgGenTempFile.Close()
+
+	// generate GPG key based on gpg-gen file
+	cmd := exec.Command("gpg", "-q", "--batch", "--generate-key", gpgGenTempFile.Name())
+	cmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
+	cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
+	cmd.Stdin = os.Stdin
+	cmd.Run()
+
+	return "libmutton-" + unixTime + " (gpg-libmutton) <github.com/rwinkhart/libmutton>"
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/initUNIX.go b/src/backend/initUNIX.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6cf4de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/initUNIX.go
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+//go:build !windows
+
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+)
+
+const FallbackEditor = "vi" // vi is pre-installed on most UNIX systems
+
+// dirInit creates the libmutton directories
+func dirInit() {
+	// create EntryRoot
+	err := os.MkdirAll(EntryRoot, 0700)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to create \"" + EntryRoot + "\":" + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
+	// create config directory
+	err = os.MkdirAll(ConfigDir, 0700)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to create \"" + ConfigDir + "\":" + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+}
+
+// textEditorFallback returns the value of the $EDITOR environment variable, or FallbackEditor if it is not set
+func textEditorFallback() string {
+	// ensure textEditor is set
+	textEditor := os.Getenv("EDITOR")
+	if textEditor == "" {
+		textEditor = FallbackEditor
+	}
+	return textEditor
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/initWIN.go b/src/backend/initWIN.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c228495
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/initWIN.go
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+)
+
+const FallbackEditor = "nvim" // since there is no pre-installed CLI editor on Windows, default to the most popular one
+
+// dirInit creates the libmutton directories
+func dirInit() {
+	// create EntryRoot (includes config directory on Windows)
+	err := os.MkdirAll(EntryRoot, 0700)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to create \"" + EntryRoot + "\":" + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+}
+
+// textEditorFallback returns FallbackEditor
+func textEditorFallback() string {
+	return FallbackEditor
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/shear.go b/src/backend/shear.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fcd5479
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/shear.go
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+)
+
+func Shear(targetLocation string) {
+	// TODO If in online mode, remove from server and add to shear list
+	TargetIsFile(targetLocation, true, 0) // needed because os.RemoveAll does not return an error if target does not exist
+	err := os.RemoveAll(targetLocation)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to remove target: " + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+	os.Exit(0)
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/targetLocationFormatUNIX.go b/src/backend/targetLocationFormatUNIX.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e6dee7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/targetLocationFormatUNIX.go
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+//go:build !windows
+
+package backend
+
+// TargetLocationFormat returns the target location of an entry formatted for the current platform
+func TargetLocationFormat(entryName string) string {
+	return EntryRoot + PathSeparator + entryName
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/targetLocationFormatWIN.go b/src/backend/targetLocationFormatWIN.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..adbcb84
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/targetLocationFormatWIN.go
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package backend
+
+import "strings"
+
+// TargetLocationFormat returns the target location of an entry formatted for the current platform
+func TargetLocationFormat(entryName string) string {
+	return EntryRoot + PathSeparator + strings.ReplaceAll(entryName, "/", PathSeparator)
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/utilitiesMisc.go b/src/backend/utilitiesMisc.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c10f3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/utilitiesMisc.go
@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"math"
+	"math/big"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+const extendedCharset = "!\"#$%&'()*+,-./:;<=>?@[\\]^_`{|}~"
+
+// TargetIsFile TargetStatusCheck checks if the targetLocation is a file, directory, or is inaccessible
+// failCondition: 0 = fail on inaccessible, 1 = fail on inaccessible/file, 2 = fail on inaccessible/directory
+// returns: isFile, isAccessible
+func TargetIsFile(targetLocation string, errorOnFail bool, failCondition uint8) (bool, bool) {
+	targetInfo, err := os.Stat(targetLocation)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errorOnFail {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to access \"" + targetLocation + "\" - ensure it exists and has the correct permissions" + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		} else {
+			return false, false
+		}
+	}
+	if targetInfo.IsDir() {
+		if errorOnFail && failCondition == 2 {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "\"" + targetLocation + "\" is a directory" + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+		return false, true
+	} else {
+		if errorOnFail && failCondition == 1 {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "\"" + targetLocation + "\" is a file" + AnsiReset)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+		return true, true
+	}
+}
+
+// WriteEntry writes entryData to an encrypted file at targetLocation
+func WriteEntry(targetLocation string, entryData []string) {
+	encryptedBytes := EncryptGPG(entryData)
+	err := os.WriteFile(targetLocation, encryptedBytes, 0600)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to write to file: " + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+}
+
+// writeToStdin writes a string to a command's stdin
+func writeToStdin(cmd *exec.Cmd, input string) {
+	stdin, _ := cmd.StdinPipe()
+	go func() {
+		defer stdin.Close()
+		io.WriteString(stdin, input)
+	}()
+}
+
+// CreateTempFile creates a temporary file and returns a pointer to it
+func CreateTempFile() *os.File {
+	tempFile, err := os.CreateTemp("", "*.markdown")
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to create temporary file: " + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+	return tempFile
+}
+
+// removeFile removes a file at targetLocation and does not error if the file does not exist
+func removeFile(targetLocation string) {
+	// remove existing config file
+	err := os.Remove(targetLocation)
+	if err != nil {
+		// ignore error if file does not exist
+		if !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			fmt.Println(AnsiError + "Failed to remove \"" + targetLocation + "\":" + err.Error() + AnsiReset)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// RemoveTrailingEmptyStrings removes empty strings from the end of a slice
+func RemoveTrailingEmptyStrings(slice []string) []string {
+	for i := len(slice) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+		if slice[i] != "" {
+			return slice[:i+1]
+		}
+	}
+	return []string{}
+}
+
+// StringGen generates a random string of a specified length and complexity
+// complexity: minimum percentage of special characters to be returned in the generated string (only impacts complex strings)
+func StringGen(length int, complex bool, complexity float64) string {
+	var actualSpecialChars int // track the number of special characters in the generated string
+	var minSpecialChars int    // track the minimum number of special characters to accept
+
+	charset := "abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0123456789" // default character set used for all strings
+	if complex {
+		minSpecialChars = int(math.Round(float64(length) * complexity)) // determine minimum number of special characters to accept
+		charset = charset + extendedCharset
+	}
+
+	// loop until a string of the desired complexity is generated
+	for {
+		// generate a random string
+		result := make([]byte, length)
+		for i := range result {
+			val, _ := rand.Int(rand.Reader, big.NewInt(int64(len(charset))))
+			result[i] = charset[val.Int64()]
+		}
+
+		// return early if the string is not complex
+		if !complex {
+			return string(result)
+		}
+
+		// count the number of special characters in the generated string
+		for _, char := range string(result) {
+			if strings.ContainsRune(extendedCharset, char) {
+				actualSpecialChars++
+			}
+		}
+
+		// return the generated string if it contains enough special characters
+		if actualSpecialChars >= minSpecialChars {
+			return string(result)
+		}
+
+		// reset special character counter
+		fmt.Println("Regenerating string until desired complexity is achieved...")
+		actualSpecialChars = 0
+	}
+}
+
+// EntryIsNotEmpty iterates through entryData and returns true if any line is not empty
+func EntryIsNotEmpty(entryData []string) bool {
+	for _, line := range entryData {
+		if line != "" {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}