diff --git a/cmake/add_log_tag.cmake b/cmake/add_log_tag.cmake
index 1bde3029d..b86ab5717 100644
--- a/cmake/add_log_tag.cmake
+++ b/cmake/add_log_tag.cmake
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ function(add_log_tag target)
   get_target_property(TARGET_SRCS ${target} SOURCES)
   foreach(F ${TARGET_SRCS})
     get_filename_component(fpath "${F}" ABSOLUTE)
-    string(REPLACE "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/" "" logtag "${fpath}")
-    set_property(SOURCE ${F} APPEND PROPERTY COMPILE_DEFINITIONS LOG_TAG=\"${logtag}\")
+    set_property(SOURCE ${F} APPEND PROPERTY COMPILE_DEFINITIONS SOURCE_ROOT=\"${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}\")
   endforeach()
 endfunction()
diff --git a/daemon/lokinet.cpp b/daemon/lokinet.cpp
index 4acff0272..a4e552dc0 100644
--- a/daemon/lokinet.cpp
+++ b/daemon/lokinet.cpp
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ lokinet_main(int argc, char* argv[])
       }
       catch (std::exception& ex)
       {
-        LogError("cannot generate config at ", *configFile, ": ", ex.what());
+        llarp::LogError("cannot generate config at ", *configFile, ": ", ex.what());
         return 1;
       }
     }
@@ -512,7 +512,7 @@ lokinet_main(int argc, char* argv[])
       }
       catch (std::exception& ex)
       {
-        LogError("cannot check if ", *configFile, " exists: ", ex.what());
+        llarp::LogError("cannot check if ", *configFile, " exists: ", ex.what());
         return 1;
       }
     }
@@ -574,7 +574,7 @@ lokinet_main(int argc, char* argv[])
             "file a bug report now or be cursed with this "
             "annoying image in your syslog for all time."})
       {
-        LogError(wtf);
+        llarp::LogError{wtf};
         llarp::LogContext::Instance().ImmediateFlush();
       }
 #ifdef _WIN32
diff --git a/llarp/CMakeLists.txt b/llarp/CMakeLists.txt
index b35b8497e..05a60bbc3 100644
--- a/llarp/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/llarp/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ add_library(lokinet-util
   util/logging/android_logger.cpp
   util/logging/buffer.cpp
   util/logging/file_logger.cpp
-  util/logging/json_logger.cpp
   util/logging/logger.cpp
   util/logging/logger_internal.cpp
   util/logging/loglevel.cpp
diff --git a/llarp/config/config.cpp b/llarp/config/config.cpp
index 4e1b4c80e..66dabf4f8 100644
--- a/llarp/config/config.cpp
+++ b/llarp/config/config.cpp
@@ -1048,7 +1048,6 @@ namespace llarp
         Comment{
             "Log type (format). Valid options are:",
             "  file - plaintext formatting",
-            "  json - json-formatted log statements",
             "  syslog - logs directed to syslog",
         });
 
diff --git a/llarp/dns/message.cpp b/llarp/dns/message.cpp
index f10e9b9c6..0d78d1fdb 100644
--- a/llarp/dns/message.cpp
+++ b/llarp/dns/message.cpp
@@ -117,16 +117,16 @@ namespace llarp
       {
         if (!qd.Decode(buf))
         {
-          llarp::LogError("failed to decode question");
+          LogError("failed to decode question");
           return false;
         }
-        llarp::LogDebug(qd);
+        LogDebug("dns question: ", qd);
       }
       for (auto& an : answers)
       {
         if (not an.Decode(buf))
         {
-          llarp::LogDebug("failed to decode answer");
+          LogDebug("failed to decode answer");
           return false;
         }
       }
diff --git a/llarp/router/router.cpp b/llarp/router/router.cpp
index 4fa608afc..5655a3092 100644
--- a/llarp/router/router.cpp
+++ b/llarp/router/router.cpp
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
 #include <stdexcept>
 #include <llarp/util/buffer.hpp>
 #include <llarp/util/logging/file_logger.hpp>
-#include <llarp/util/logging/json_logger.hpp>
 #include <llarp/util/logging/logger_syslog.hpp>
 #include <llarp/util/logging/logger.hpp>
 #include <llarp/util/meta/memfn.hpp>
diff --git a/llarp/util/bencode.hpp b/llarp/util/bencode.hpp
index cfb49c849..7ccabdcab 100644
--- a/llarp/util/bencode.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/bencode.hpp
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       if (!item.BDecode(buf))
       {
-        llarp::LogWarnTag("llarp/bencode.hpp", "failed to decode key ", k, " for entry in dict");
+        llarp::LogWarn("failed to decode key ", k, " for entry in dict");
 
         return false;
       }
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ namespace llarp
       uint64_t read_i;
       if (!bencode_read_integer(buf, &read_i))
       {
-        llarp::LogWarnTag("llarp/BEncode.hpp", "failed to decode key ", k, " for integer in dict");
+        llarp::LogWarn("failed to decode key ", k, " for integer in dict");
         return false;
       }
 
@@ -210,8 +210,7 @@ namespace llarp
             return true;
           if (sink.DecodeKey(*key, buffer))
             return true;
-          llarp::LogWarnTag(
-              "llarp/bencode.hpp", "undefined key '", *key->cur, "' for entry in dict");
+          llarp::LogWarn("undefined key '", *key->cur, "' for entry in dict");
 
           return false;
         },
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/android_logger.cpp b/llarp/util/logging/android_logger.cpp
index c9d9de01f..3cf9343cb 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/android_logger.cpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/android_logger.cpp
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ namespace llarp
 {
   void
   AndroidLogStream::PreLog(
-      std::stringstream& ss, LogLevel lvl, const char* fname, int lineno, const std::string&) const
+      std::stringstream& ss, LogLevel lvl, std::string_view fname, int lineno, const std::string&)
+      const
   {
     switch (lvl)
     {
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ namespace llarp
   {}
 
   void
-  AndroidLogStream::Print(LogLevel lvl, const char* tag, const std::string& msg)
+  AndroidLogStream::Print(LogLevel lvl, std::string_view tag, const std::string& msg)
   {
     std::string str("lokinet|");
     str += tag;
@@ -62,6 +63,8 @@ namespace llarp
       case eLogError:
         __android_log_write(ANDROID_LOG_ERROR, str.c_str(), msg.c_str());
         return;
+      default:
+        return;
     }
 
   }  // namespace llarp
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/android_logger.hpp b/llarp/util/logging/android_logger.hpp
index 15345776e..e42989910 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/android_logger.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/android_logger.hpp
@@ -12,12 +12,12 @@ namespace llarp
     PreLog(
         std::stringstream& s,
         LogLevel lvl,
-        const char* fname,
+        std::string_view filename,
         int lineno,
         const std::string& nodename) const override;
 
     void
-    Print(LogLevel lvl, const char* filename, const std::string& msg) override;
+    Print(LogLevel lvl, std::string_view filename, const std::string& msg) override;
 
     void
     PostLog(std::stringstream&) const override;
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/file_logger.cpp b/llarp/util/logging/file_logger.cpp
index 229b9c148..c41d092e8 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/file_logger.cpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/file_logger.cpp
@@ -65,18 +65,18 @@ namespace llarp
   FileLogStream::PreLog(
       std::stringstream& ss,
       LogLevel lvl,
-      const char* fname,
+      std::string_view filename,
       int lineno,
       const std::string& nodename) const
   {
     ss << "[" << LogLevelToString(lvl) << "] ";
     ss << "[" << nodename << "]"
-       << "(" << thread_id_string() << ") " << log_timestamp() << " " << fname << ":" << lineno
+       << "(" << thread_id_string() << ") " << log_timestamp() << " " << filename << ":" << lineno
        << "\t";
   }
 
   void
-  FileLogStream::Print(LogLevel, const char*, const std::string& msg)
+  FileLogStream::Print(LogLevel, std::string_view, const std::string& msg)
   {
     m_Lines.pushBack(msg);
   }
@@ -84,12 +84,12 @@ namespace llarp
   void
   FileLogStream::AppendLog(
       LogLevel lvl,
-      const char* fname,
+      std::string_view filename,
       int lineno,
       const std::string& nodename,
       const std::string msg)
   {
-    ILogStream::AppendLog(lvl, fname, lineno, nodename, msg);
+    ILogStream::AppendLog(lvl, filename, lineno, nodename, msg);
     Tick(llarp::time_now_ms());
   }
 
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/file_logger.hpp b/llarp/util/logging/file_logger.hpp
index 7b6bfbd49..07af96102 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/file_logger.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/file_logger.hpp
@@ -23,12 +23,12 @@ namespace llarp
     PreLog(
         std::stringstream& out,
         LogLevel lvl,
-        const char* fname,
+        std::string_view filename,
         int lineno,
         const std::string& nodename) const override;
 
     void
-    Print(LogLevel, const char*, const std::string& msg) override;
+    Print(LogLevel, std::string_view filename, const std::string& msg) override;
 
     void
     Tick(llarp_time_t now) override;
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ namespace llarp
     void
     AppendLog(
         LogLevel lvl,
-        const char* fname,
+        std::string_view filename,
         int lineno,
         const std::string& nodename,
         const std::string msg) override;
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/json_logger.cpp b/llarp/util/logging/json_logger.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 119e910f3..000000000
--- a/llarp/util/logging/json_logger.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,24 +0,0 @@
-#include "json_logger.hpp"
-#include <llarp/util/json.hpp>
-
-namespace llarp
-{
-  void
-  JSONLogStream::AppendLog(
-      LogLevel lvl,
-      const char* fname,
-      int lineno,
-      const std::string& nodename,
-      const std::string msg)
-  {
-    json::Object obj;
-    obj["time"] = to_json(llarp::time_now_ms());
-    obj["nickname"] = nodename;
-    obj["file"] = std::string(fname);
-    obj["line"] = lineno;
-    obj["level"] = LogLevelToString(lvl);
-    obj["message"] = msg;
-    m_Lines.pushBack(obj.dump());
-  }
-
-}  // namespace llarp
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/json_logger.hpp b/llarp/util/logging/json_logger.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index af0476b6f..000000000
--- a/llarp/util/logging/json_logger.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,28 +0,0 @@
-#ifndef LLARP_UTIL_JSON_LOGGER
-#define LLARP_UTIL_JSON_LOGGER
-
-#include "file_logger.hpp"
-
-namespace llarp
-{
-  struct JSONLogStream : public FileLogStream
-  {
-    JSONLogStream(
-        std::function<void(FileLogStream::Work_t)> disk,
-        FILE* f,
-        llarp_time_t flushInterval,
-        bool closeFile)
-        : FileLogStream(std::move(disk), f, flushInterval, closeFile)
-    {}
-
-    void
-    AppendLog(
-        LogLevel lvl,
-        const char* fname,
-        int lineno,
-        const std::string& nodename,
-        const std::string msg) override;
-  };
-}  // namespace llarp
-
-#endif
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/logger.cpp b/llarp/util/logging/logger.cpp
index 4730e32b3..3357ab291 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/logger.cpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/logger.cpp
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 #include "ostream_logger.hpp"
 #include "logger_syslog.hpp"
 #include "file_logger.hpp"
-#include "json_logger.hpp"
 #if defined(_WIN32)
 #include "win32_logger.hpp"
 #endif
@@ -36,8 +35,6 @@ namespace llarp
       return LogType::Unknown;
     else if (str == "file")
       return LogType::File;
-    else if (str == "json")
-      return LogType::Json;
     else if (str == "syslog")
       return LogType::Syslog;
 
@@ -111,7 +108,7 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       logfile = stdout;
     }
-    else
+    else if (type != LogType::Syslog)
     {
       logfile = ::fopen(file.c_str(), "a");
       if (not logfile)
@@ -141,26 +138,10 @@ namespace llarp
         }
 
         break;
-      case LogType::Json:
-        LogInfo("Switching logger to JSON with file: ", file);
-        std::cout << std::flush;
-
-        LogContext::Instance().logStream =
-            std::make_unique<JSONLogStream>(io, logfile, 100ms, logfile != stdout);
-        break;
       case LogType::Syslog:
-        if (logfile)
-        {
-          // TODO: this logic should be handled in Config
-          // TODO: this won't even work because of default value for 'file' (== "stdout")
-          ::fclose(logfile);
-          throw std::invalid_argument("Cannot mix log type=syslog and file=*");
-        }
 #if defined(_WIN32)
         throw std::runtime_error("syslog not supported on win32");
 #else
-        LogInfo("Switching logger to syslog");
-        std::cout << std::flush;
         LogContext::Instance().logStream = std::make_unique<SysLogStream>();
 #endif
         break;
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/logger.hpp b/llarp/util/logging/logger.hpp
index 599242147..0c20ac38a 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/logger.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/logger.hpp
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include <memory>
+#include <llarp/util/str.hpp>
 #include <llarp/util/time.hpp>
 #include "logstream.hpp"
 #include "logger_internal.hpp"
+#include "source_location.hpp"
 
 namespace llarp
 {
@@ -11,7 +13,6 @@ namespace llarp
   {
     Unknown = 0,
     File,
-    Json,
     Syslog,
   };
   LogType
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ namespace llarp
   /** internal */
   template <typename... TArgs>
   inline static void
-  _log(LogLevel lvl, const char* fname, int lineno, TArgs&&... args) noexcept
+  _log(LogLevel lvl, const slns::source_location& location, TArgs&&... args) noexcept
   {
     auto& log = LogContext::Instance();
     if (log.curLevel > lvl || log.logStream == nullptr)
@@ -88,41 +89,80 @@ namespace llarp
     std::ostringstream ss;
     if constexpr (sizeof...(args) > 0)
       LogAppend(ss, std::forward<TArgs>(args)...);
-    log.logStream->AppendLog(lvl, fname, lineno, log.nodeName, ss.str());
+    log.logStream->AppendLog(
+        lvl,
+        strip_prefix(location.file_name(), SOURCE_ROOT),
+        location.line(),
+        log.nodeName,
+        ss.str());
   }
 
-  inline void
-  _log_noop() noexcept
-  {}
+  template <typename... T>
+  struct LogTrace
+  {
+    LogTrace(
+        [[maybe_unused]] T... args,
+        [[maybe_unused]] const slns::source_location& location = slns::source_location::current())
+    {
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+      _log(eLogTrace, location, std::forward<T>(args)...);
+#endif
+    }
+  };
 
-}  // namespace llarp
+  template <typename... T>
+  LogTrace(T&&...) -> LogTrace<T...>;
 
-#define LogDebug(...) _log(llarp::eLogDebug, LOG_TAG, __LINE__, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define LogInfo(...) _log(llarp::eLogInfo, LOG_TAG, __LINE__, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define LogWarn(...) _log(llarp::eLogWarn, LOG_TAG, __LINE__, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define LogError(...) _log(llarp::eLogError, LOG_TAG, __LINE__, __VA_ARGS__)
-
-#define LogDebugTag(tag, ...) _log(llarp::eLogDebug, tag, __LINE__, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define LogInfoTag(tag, ...) _log(llarp::eLogInfo, tag, __LINE__, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define LogWarnTag(tag, ...) _log(llarp::eLogWarn, tag, __LINE__, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define LogErrorTag(tag, ...) _log(llarp::eLogError, tag, __LINE__, __VA_ARGS__)
-
-#define LogDebugExplicit(tag, line, ...) _log(llarp::eLogDebug, tag, line, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define LogInfoExplicit(tag, line, ...) _log(llarp::eLogInfo, tag, line __VA_ARGS__)
-#define LogWarnExplicit(tag, line, ...) _log(llarp::eLogWarn, tag, line, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define LogErrorExplicit(tag, line, ...) _log(llarp::eLogError, tag, line, __VA_ARGS__)
-
-// null-op Trace logging if this is a release build
-#ifdef NDEBUG
-#define LogTrace(...) _log_noop()
-#define LogTraceTag(tag, ...) _log_noop()
-#define LogTraceExplicit(tag, line, ...) _log_noop()
-#else
-#define LogTrace(...) _log(llarp::eLogTrace, LOG_TAG, __LINE__, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define LogTraceTag(tag, ...) _log(llarp::eLogTrace, tag, __LINE__, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define LogTraceExplicit(tag, line, ...) _log(llarp::eLogTrace, tag, line, __VA_ARGS__)
+  template <typename... T>
+  struct LogDebug
+  {
+    LogDebug(
+        [[maybe_unused]] T... args,
+        [[maybe_unused]] const slns::source_location& location = slns::source_location::current())
+    {
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+      _log(eLogDebug, location, std::forward<T>(args)...);
 #endif
+    }
+  };
 
-#ifndef LOG_TAG
-#define LOG_TAG "default"
-#endif
+  template <typename... T>
+  LogDebug(T&&...) -> LogDebug<T...>;
+
+  template <typename... T>
+  struct LogInfo
+  {
+    LogInfo(T... args, const slns::source_location& location = slns::source_location::current())
+    {
+      _log(eLogInfo, location, std::forward<T>(args)...);
+    }
+  };
+
+  template <typename... T>
+  LogInfo(T&&...) -> LogInfo<T...>;
+
+  template <typename... T>
+  struct LogWarn
+  {
+    LogWarn(T... args, const slns::source_location& location = slns::source_location::current())
+    {
+      _log(eLogWarn, location, std::forward<T>(args)...);
+    }
+  };
+
+  template <typename... T>
+  LogWarn(T&&...) -> LogWarn<T...>;
+
+  template <typename... T>
+  struct LogError
+  {
+    LogError(T... args, const slns::source_location& location = slns::source_location::current())
+    {
+      _log(eLogError, location, std::forward<T>(args)...);
+    }
+  };
+
+  template <typename... T>
+  LogError(T&&...) -> LogError<T...>;
+
+}  // namespace llarp
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/logger_syslog.hpp b/llarp/util/logging/logger_syslog.hpp
index 71d436451..dee7523de 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/logger_syslog.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/logger_syslog.hpp
@@ -11,12 +11,12 @@ namespace llarp
     PreLog(
         std::stringstream& s,
         LogLevel lvl,
-        const char* fname,
+        std::string_view filename,
         int lineno,
         const std::string& nodename) const override;
 
     void
-    Print(LogLevel lvl, const char* tag, const std::string& msg) override;
+    Print(LogLevel lvl, std::string_view tag, const std::string& msg) override;
 
     void
     PostLog(std::stringstream& ss) const override;
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/logstream.hpp b/llarp/util/logging/logstream.hpp
index e7b0767a4..d5e00d90d 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/logstream.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/logstream.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <memory>
 #include <string>
 #include <sstream>
+#include <string_view>
 
 namespace llarp
 {
@@ -18,12 +19,12 @@ namespace llarp
     PreLog(
         std::stringstream& out,
         LogLevel lvl,
-        const char* fname,
+        std::string_view filename,
         int lineno,
         const std::string& nodename) const = 0;
 
     virtual void
-    Print(LogLevel lvl, const char* filename, const std::string& msg) = 0;
+    Print(LogLevel lvl, std::string_view filename, const std::string& msg) = 0;
 
     virtual void
     PostLog(std::stringstream& out) const = 0;
@@ -31,16 +32,16 @@ namespace llarp
     virtual void
     AppendLog(
         LogLevel lvl,
-        const char* fname,
+        std::string_view filename,
         int lineno,
         const std::string& nodename,
         const std::string msg)
     {
       std::stringstream ss;
-      PreLog(ss, lvl, fname, lineno, nodename);
+      PreLog(ss, lvl, filename, lineno, nodename);
       ss << msg;
       PostLog(ss);
-      Print(lvl, fname, ss.str());
+      Print(lvl, filename, ss.str());
     }
 
     /// A blocking call to flush to disk. Should only be called in rare circumstances.
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/ostream_logger.cpp b/llarp/util/logging/ostream_logger.cpp
index 2b81fbc7f..15078e870 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/ostream_logger.cpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/ostream_logger.cpp
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ namespace llarp
   OStreamLogStream::PreLog(
       std::stringstream& ss,
       LogLevel lvl,
-      const char* fname,
+      std::string_view filename,
       int lineno,
       const std::string& nodename) const
   {
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ namespace llarp
     }
     ss << "[" << LogLevelToString(lvl) << "] ";
     ss << "[" << nodename << "]"
-       << "(" << thread_id_string() << ") " << log_timestamp() << " " << fname << ":" << lineno
+       << "(" << thread_id_string() << ") " << log_timestamp() << " " << filename << ":" << lineno
        << "\t";
   }
 
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ namespace llarp
   }
 
   void
-  OStreamLogStream::Print(LogLevel, const char*, const std::string& msg)
+  OStreamLogStream::Print(LogLevel, std::string_view, const std::string& msg)
   {
     m_Out << msg << std::flush;
   }
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/ostream_logger.hpp b/llarp/util/logging/ostream_logger.hpp
index fa92ab988..5961447e4 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/ostream_logger.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/ostream_logger.hpp
@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@ namespace llarp
     PreLog(
         std::stringstream& s,
         LogLevel lvl,
-        const char* fname,
+        std::string_view filename,
         int lineno,
         const std::string& nodename) const override;
 
     virtual void
-    Print(LogLevel lvl, const char* tag, const std::string& msg) override;
+    Print(LogLevel lvl, std::string_view tag, const std::string& msg) override;
 
     void
     PostLog(std::stringstream& ss) const override;
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/source_location.hpp b/llarp/util/logging/source_location.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f4699b61b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/source_location.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#ifdef __cpp_lib_source_location
+#include <source_location>
+namespace slns = std;
+#else
+#include <experimental/source_location>
+namespace slns = std::experimental;
+#endif
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/syslog_logger.cpp b/llarp/util/logging/syslog_logger.cpp
index 4c98fe0d9..feb124806 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/syslog_logger.cpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/syslog_logger.cpp
@@ -10,18 +10,18 @@ namespace llarp
   SysLogStream::PreLog(
       std::stringstream& ss,
       LogLevel lvl,
-      const char* fname,
+      std::string_view filename,
       int lineno,
       const std::string& nodename) const
   {
     ss << "[" << LogLevelToString(lvl) << "] ";
     ss << "[" << nodename << "]"
-       << "(" << thread_id_string() << ") " << log_timestamp() << " " << fname << ":" << lineno
+       << "(" << thread_id_string() << ") " << log_timestamp() << " " << filename << ":" << lineno
        << "\t";
   }
 
   void
-  SysLogStream::Print(LogLevel lvl, const char*, const std::string& msg)
+  SysLogStream::Print(LogLevel lvl, std::string_view, const std::string& msg)
   {
     switch (lvl)
     {
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/win32_logger.cpp b/llarp/util/logging/win32_logger.cpp
index ee155bb30..2e0448c63 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/win32_logger.cpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/win32_logger.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ namespace llarp
   Win32LogStream::PreLog(
       std::stringstream& ss,
       LogLevel lvl,
-      const char* fname,
+      std::string_view filename,
       int lineno,
       const std::string& nodename) const
   {
@@ -54,11 +54,11 @@ namespace llarp
           break;
       }
       ss << "[" << nodename << "]"
-         << "(" << thread_id_string() << ") " << log_timestamp() << " " << fname << ":" << lineno
+         << "(" << thread_id_string() << ") " << log_timestamp() << " " << filename << ":" << lineno
          << "\t";
     }
     else
-      OStreamLogStream::PreLog(ss, lvl, fname, lineno, nodename);
+      OStreamLogStream::PreLog(ss, lvl, filename, lineno, nodename);
   }
 
   void
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ namespace llarp
   }
 
   void
-  Win32LogStream::Print(LogLevel lvl, const char*, const std::string& msg)
+  Win32LogStream::Print(LogLevel lvl, std::string_view, const std::string& msg)
   {
     if (!isConsoleModern)
     {
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/win32_logger.hpp b/llarp/util/logging/win32_logger.hpp
index df9e99427..2be5e5609 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/win32_logger.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/win32_logger.hpp
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ namespace llarp
     PreLog(
         std::stringstream& s,
         LogLevel lvl,
-        const char* fname,
+        std::string_view filename,
         int lineno,
         const std::string& nodename) const override;
 
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ namespace llarp
     void Tick(llarp_time_t) override{};
 
     void
-    Print(LogLevel lvl, const char*, const std::string& msg) override;
+    Print(LogLevel lvl, std::string_view, const std::string& msg) override;
 
    private:
     std::ostream& m_Out;
diff --git a/llarp/util/str.hpp b/llarp/util/str.hpp
index 2fdebe838..c90781c9f 100644
--- a/llarp/util/str.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/str.hpp
@@ -70,6 +70,15 @@ namespace llarp
     return str.size() >= suffix.size() && str.substr(str.size() - suffix.size()) == suffix;
   }
 
+  /// removes a prefix from a string if it exists
+  inline std::string_view
+  strip_prefix(std::string_view str, std::string_view prefix)
+  {
+    if (starts_with(str, prefix))
+      return str.substr(prefix.size());
+    return str;
+  }
+
   /// Splits a string on some delimiter string and returns a vector of string_view's pointing into
   /// the pieces of the original string.  The pieces are valid only as long as the original string
   /// remains valid.  Leading and trailing empty substrings are not removed.  If delim is empty you
diff --git a/llarp/vpn/win32.hpp b/llarp/vpn/win32.hpp
index 06e2c8297..e52c73e53 100644
--- a/llarp/vpn/win32.hpp
+++ b/llarp/vpn/win32.hpp
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ namespace llarp::vpn
     NetSH(std::string commands)
     {
       commands = NetSHCommand() + " interface IPv6 " + commands;
-      LogInfo(commands);
+      LogInfo("exec: ", commands);
       ::system(commands.c_str());
     }
 
diff --git a/pybind/CMakeLists.txt b/pybind/CMakeLists.txt
index a8706ff50..c2b46ce6e 100644
--- a/pybind/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/pybind/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -18,4 +18,4 @@ pybind11_add_module(pyllarp MODULE
 )
 target_link_libraries(pyllarp PUBLIC liblokinet)
 target_include_directories(pyllarp PRIVATE ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR})
-
+add_log_tag(pyllarp)
diff --git a/test/CMakeLists.txt b/test/CMakeLists.txt
index 11c05aa5d..0c6c43870 100644
--- a/test/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/test/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ add_executable(testAll
 
 target_link_libraries(testAll PUBLIC liblokinet Catch2::Catch2)
 target_include_directories(testAll PRIVATE ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR})
-
+add_log_tag(testAll)
 if(WIN32)
     target_sources(testAll PUBLIC "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/win32/test.rc")
     target_link_libraries(testAll PUBLIC ws2_32 iphlpapi shlwapi)
diff --git a/test/router/test_llarp_router_version.cpp b/test/router/test_llarp_router_version.cpp
index 01adc3cdf..6230b2161 100644
--- a/test/router/test_llarp_router_version.cpp
+++ b/test/router/test_llarp_router_version.cpp
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ TEST_CASE("BEncode", "[RouterVersion]")
   CHECK(v1235.BEncode(&buf));
 
   std::string s((const char*)buf.begin(), (buf.end() - buf.begin()));
-  LogInfo("bencoded: ", buf.begin());
+  llarp::LogInfo("bencoded: ", buf.begin());
 
   CHECK_THAT((const char*)buf.begin(), Equals("li5ei1ei2ei3ee"));
 }