diff --git a/include/sway/extensions.h b/include/sway/extensions.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 5212eb3a2..000000000
--- a/include/sway/extensions.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,56 +0,0 @@
-#ifndef _SWAY_EXTENSIONS_H
-#define _SWAY_EXTENSIONS_H
-
-#include <wayland-server.h>
-#include <wlc/wlc-wayland.h>
-#include "wayland-desktop-shell-server-protocol.h"
-#include "list.h"
-
-struct background_config {
-	wlc_handle output;
-	wlc_resource surface;
-	// we need the wl_resource of the surface in the destructor
-	struct wl_resource *wl_surface_res;
-	struct wl_client *client;
-    wlc_handle handle;
-};
-
-struct panel_config {
-	// wayland resource used in callbacks, is used to track this panel
-	struct wl_resource *wl_resource;
-	wlc_handle output;
-	wlc_resource surface;
-	// we need the wl_resource of the surface in the destructor
-	struct wl_resource *wl_surface_res;
-	enum desktop_shell_panel_position panel_position;
-	// used to determine if client is a panel
-	struct wl_client *client;
-	// wlc handle for this panel's surface, not set until panel is created
-	wlc_handle handle;
-};
-
-struct desktop_shell_state {
-	list_t *backgrounds;
-	list_t *panels;
-	list_t *lock_surfaces;
-	bool is_locked;
-};
-
-struct swaylock_state {
-	bool active;
-	wlc_handle output;
-	wlc_resource surface;
-};
-
-struct decoration_state {
-	list_t *csd_resources;
-};
-
-extern struct desktop_shell_state desktop_shell;
-extern struct decoration_state decoration_state;
-
-void register_extensions(void);
-
-void server_decoration_enable_csd(wlc_handle handle);
-
-#endif
diff --git a/include/sway/server.h b/include/sway/server.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..471a0270b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/sway/server.h
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+#ifndef _SWAY_SERVER_H
+#define _SWAY_SERVER_H
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <wayland-server.h>
+#include <wlr/backend.h>
+#include <wlr/backend/session.h>
+#include <wlr/types/wlr_data_device_manager.h>
+#include <wlr/render.h>
+// TODO WLR: make Xwayland optional
+#include <wlr/xwayland.h>
+
+struct sway_server {
+	// TODO WLR
+	//struct roots_desktop *desktop;
+	//struct roots_input *input;
+
+	struct wl_display *wl_display;
+	struct wl_event_loop *wl_event_loop;
+
+	struct wlr_backend *backend;
+	struct wlr_renderer *renderer;
+
+	struct wlr_data_device_manager *data_device_manager;
+};
+
+bool server_init(struct sway_server *server);
+void server_fini(struct sway_server *server);
+
+struct sway_server server;
+
+#endif
diff --git a/sway/CMakeLists.txt b/sway/CMakeLists.txt
index 67af0f70f..ac0530e5d 100644
--- a/sway/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/sway/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -25,9 +25,7 @@ add_executable(sway
 	container.c
 	criteria.c
 	debug_log.c
-	extensions.c
 	focus.c
-	handlers.c
 	input.c
 	input_state.c
 	ipc-json.c
@@ -38,6 +36,7 @@ add_executable(sway
 	workspace.c
 	border.c
 	security.c
+    server.c
 )
 
 add_definitions(
diff --git a/sway/commands.c b/sway/commands.c
index c7dbf7315..e11818934 100644
--- a/sway/commands.c
+++ b/sway/commands.c
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ void input_cmd_apply(struct input_config *input) {
 		// Try to find the input device and apply configuration now. If
 		// this is during startup then there will be no container and config
 		// will be applied during normal "new input" event from wlc.
+		/* TODO WLR
 		struct libinput_device *device = NULL;
 		for (int i = 0; i < input_devices->length; ++i) {
 			device = input_devices->items[i];
@@ -134,6 +135,7 @@ void input_cmd_apply(struct input_config *input) {
 				break;
 			}
 		}
+		*/
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/sway/extensions.c b/sway/extensions.c
deleted file mode 100644
index 917465610..000000000
--- a/sway/extensions.c
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,407 +0,0 @@
-#include <stdlib.h>
-#include <wlc/wlc.h>
-#include <wlc/wlc-wayland.h>
-#include <wlc/wlc-render.h>
-#include "wayland-desktop-shell-server-protocol.h"
-#include "wayland-swaylock-server-protocol.h"
-#include "wayland-gamma-control-server-protocol.h"
-#include "wayland-server-decoration-server-protocol.h"
-#include "sway/layout.h"
-#include "sway/input_state.h"
-#include "sway/extensions.h"
-#include "sway/security.h"
-#include "sway/ipc-server.h"
-#include "log.h"
-
-struct desktop_shell_state desktop_shell;
-struct decoration_state decoration_state;
-
-static struct panel_config *find_or_create_panel_config(struct wl_resource *resource) {
-	for (int i = 0; i < desktop_shell.panels->length; i++) {
-		struct panel_config *conf = desktop_shell.panels->items[i];
-		if (conf->wl_resource == resource) {
-			sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Found existing panel config for resource %p", resource);
-			return conf;
-		}
-	}
-	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Creating panel config for resource %p", resource);
-	struct panel_config *config = calloc(1, sizeof(struct panel_config));
-	if (!config) {
-		sway_log(L_ERROR, "Unable to create panel config");
-		return NULL;
-	}
-	list_add(desktop_shell.panels, config);
-	config->wl_resource = resource;
-	return config;
-}
-
-void background_surface_destructor(struct wl_resource *resource) {
-	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Background surface killed");
-	int i;
-	for (i = 0; i < desktop_shell.backgrounds->length; ++i) {
-		struct background_config *config = desktop_shell.backgrounds->items[i];
-		if (config->wl_surface_res == resource) {
-			list_del(desktop_shell.backgrounds, i);
-			break;
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-void panel_surface_destructor(struct wl_resource *resource) {
-	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Panel surface killed");
-	int i;
-	for (i = 0; i < desktop_shell.panels->length; ++i) {
-		struct panel_config *config = desktop_shell.panels->items[i];
-		if (config->wl_surface_res == resource) {
-			list_del(desktop_shell.panels, i);
-			arrange_windows(&root_container, -1, -1);
-			break;
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-void lock_surface_destructor(struct wl_resource *resource) {
-	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Lock surface killed");
-	int i;
-	for (i = 0; i < desktop_shell.lock_surfaces->length; ++i) {
-		struct wl_resource *surface = desktop_shell.lock_surfaces->items[i];
-		if (surface == resource) {
-			list_del(desktop_shell.lock_surfaces, i);
-			arrange_windows(&root_container, -1, -1);
-			break;
-		}
-	}
-	if (desktop_shell.lock_surfaces->length == 0) {
-		sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Desktop shell unlocked");
-		desktop_shell.is_locked = false;
-
-		// We need to now give focus back to the focus which we internally
-		// track, since when we lock sway we don't actually change our internal
-		// focus tracking.
-		swayc_t *focus = get_focused_container(swayc_active_workspace());
-		set_focused_container(focus);
-		wlc_view_focus(focus->handle);
-	}
-}
-
-static void set_background(struct wl_client *client, struct wl_resource *resource,
-		struct wl_resource *_output, struct wl_resource *surface) {
-	pid_t pid;
-	wl_client_get_credentials(client, &pid, NULL, NULL);
-	if (!(get_feature_policy_mask(pid) & FEATURE_BACKGROUND)) {
-		sway_log(L_INFO, "Denying background feature to %d", pid);
-		return;
-	}
-	wlc_handle output = wlc_handle_from_wl_output_resource(_output);
-	if (!output) {
-		return;
-	}
-	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Setting surface %p as background for output %d", surface, (int)output);
-	struct background_config *config = malloc(sizeof(struct background_config));
-	if (!config) {
-		sway_log(L_ERROR, "Unable to allocate background config");
-		return;
-	}
-	config->client = client;
-	config->output = output;
-	config->surface = wlc_resource_from_wl_surface_resource(surface);
-	config->wl_surface_res = surface;
-	list_add(desktop_shell.backgrounds, config);
-	wl_resource_set_destructor(surface, background_surface_destructor);
-	arrange_windows(swayc_by_handle(output), -1, -1);
-	wlc_output_schedule_render(config->output);
-}
-
-static void set_panel(struct wl_client *client, struct wl_resource *resource,
-		struct wl_resource *_output, struct wl_resource *surface) {
-	pid_t pid;
-	wl_client_get_credentials(client, &pid, NULL, NULL);
-	if (!(get_feature_policy_mask(pid) & FEATURE_PANEL)) {
-		sway_log(L_INFO, "Denying panel feature to %d", pid);
-		return;
-	}
-	wlc_handle output = wlc_handle_from_wl_output_resource(_output);
-	if (!output) {
-		return;
-	}
-	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Setting surface %p as panel for output %d (wl_resource: %p)", surface, (int)output, resource);
-	struct panel_config *config = find_or_create_panel_config(resource);
-	config->output = output;
-	config->client = client;
-	config->surface = wlc_resource_from_wl_surface_resource(surface);
-	config->wl_surface_res = surface;
-	wl_resource_set_destructor(surface, panel_surface_destructor);
-	arrange_windows(&root_container, -1, -1);
-	wlc_output_schedule_render(config->output);
-}
-
-static void desktop_set_lock_surface(struct wl_client *client, struct wl_resource *resource, struct wl_resource *surface) {
-	sway_log(L_ERROR, "desktop_set_lock_surface is not currently supported");
-}
-
-static void desktop_unlock(struct wl_client *client, struct wl_resource *resource) {
-	sway_log(L_ERROR, "desktop_unlock is not currently supported");
-}
-
-static void set_grab_surface(struct wl_client *client, struct wl_resource *resource, struct wl_resource *surface) {
-	sway_log(L_ERROR, "desktop_set_grab_surface is not currently supported");
-}
-
-static void desktop_ready(struct wl_client *client, struct wl_resource *resource) {
-	// nop
-}
-
-static void set_panel_position(struct wl_client *client, struct wl_resource *resource, uint32_t position) {
-	pid_t pid;
-	wl_client_get_credentials(client, &pid, NULL, NULL);
-	if (!(get_feature_policy_mask(pid) & FEATURE_PANEL)) {
-		sway_log(L_INFO, "Denying panel feature to %d", pid);
-		return;
-	}
-	struct panel_config *config = find_or_create_panel_config(resource);
-	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Panel position for wl_resource %p changed %d => %d", resource, config->panel_position, position);
-	config->panel_position = position;
-	arrange_windows(&root_container, -1, -1);
-}
-
-static struct desktop_shell_interface desktop_shell_implementation = {
-	.set_background = set_background,
-	.set_panel = set_panel,
-	.set_lock_surface = desktop_set_lock_surface,
-	.unlock = desktop_unlock,
-	.set_grab_surface = set_grab_surface,
-	.desktop_ready = desktop_ready,
-	.set_panel_position = set_panel_position
-};
-
-static void desktop_shell_bind(struct wl_client *client, void *data,
-		uint32_t version, uint32_t id) {
-	if (version > 3) {
-		// Unsupported version
-		return;
-	}
-
-	struct wl_resource *resource = wl_resource_create(client, &desktop_shell_interface, version, id);
-	if (!resource) {
-		wl_client_post_no_memory(client);
-	}
-
-	wl_resource_set_implementation(resource, &desktop_shell_implementation, NULL, NULL);
-}
-
-static void set_lock_surface(struct wl_client *client, struct wl_resource *resource,
-		struct wl_resource *_output, struct wl_resource *surface) {
-	pid_t pid;
-	wl_client_get_credentials(client, &pid, NULL, NULL);
-	if (!(get_feature_policy_mask(pid) & FEATURE_LOCK)) {
-		sway_log(L_INFO, "Denying lock feature to %d", pid);
-		return;
-	}
-	swayc_t *output = swayc_by_handle(wlc_handle_from_wl_output_resource(_output));
-	swayc_t *view = swayc_by_handle(wlc_handle_from_wl_surface_resource(surface));
-	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Setting lock surface to %p", view);
-	if (view && output) {
-		swayc_t *workspace = output->focused;
-		if (!swayc_is_child_of(view, workspace)) {
-			move_container_to(view, workspace);
-		}
-		// make the view floating so it doesn't rearrange other siblings.
-		if (!view->is_floating) {
-			destroy_container(remove_child(view));
-			add_floating(workspace, view);
-		}
-		wlc_view_set_state(view->handle, WLC_BIT_FULLSCREEN, true);
-		wlc_view_bring_to_front(view->handle);
-		wlc_view_focus(view->handle);
-		desktop_shell.is_locked = true;
-		input_init();
-		arrange_windows(workspace, -1, -1);
-		list_add(desktop_shell.lock_surfaces, surface);
-		wl_resource_set_destructor(surface, lock_surface_destructor);
-	} else {
-		sway_log(L_ERROR, "Attempted to set lock surface to non-view");
-	}
-}
-
-static void unlock(struct wl_client *client, struct wl_resource *resource) {
-	sway_log(L_ERROR, "unlock is not currently supported");
-	// This isn't really necessary, we just unlock when the client exits.
-}
-
-static struct lock_interface swaylock_implementation = {
-	.set_lock_surface = set_lock_surface,
-	.unlock = unlock
-};
-
-static void swaylock_bind(struct wl_client *client, void *data,
-		uint32_t version, uint32_t id) {
-	if (version > 1) {
-		// Unsupported version
-		return;
-	}
-
-	struct wl_resource *resource = wl_resource_create(client, &lock_interface, version, id);
-	if (!resource) {
-		wl_client_post_no_memory(client);
-	}
-
-	wl_resource_set_implementation(resource, &swaylock_implementation, NULL, NULL);
-}
-
-static void gamma_control_destroy(struct wl_client *client, struct wl_resource *res) {
-	wl_resource_destroy(res);
-}
-
-static void gamma_control_set_gamma(struct wl_client *client,
-		struct wl_resource *res, struct wl_array *red,
-		struct wl_array *green, struct wl_array *blue) {
-	if (red->size != green->size || red->size != blue->size) {
-		wl_resource_post_error(res, GAMMA_CONTROL_ERROR_INVALID_GAMMA,
-				"The gamma ramps don't have the same size");
-		return;
-	}
-	uint16_t *r = (uint16_t *)red->data;
-	uint16_t *g = (uint16_t *)green->data;
-	uint16_t *b = (uint16_t *)blue->data;
-	wlc_handle output = wlc_handle_from_wl_output_resource(
-			wl_resource_get_user_data(res));
-	if (!output) {
-		return;
-	}
-	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Setting gamma for output");
-	wlc_output_set_gamma(output, red->size / sizeof(uint16_t), r, g, b);
-}
-
-static void gamma_control_reset_gamma(struct wl_client *client,
-		struct wl_resource *resource) {
-	// This space intentionally left blank
-}
-
-static struct gamma_control_interface gamma_control_implementation = {
-	.destroy = gamma_control_destroy,
-	.set_gamma = gamma_control_set_gamma,
-	.reset_gamma = gamma_control_reset_gamma
-};
-
-static void gamma_control_manager_destroy(struct wl_client *client,
-		struct wl_resource *res) {
-	wl_resource_destroy(res);
-}
-
-static void gamma_control_manager_get(struct wl_client *client,
-		struct wl_resource *res, uint32_t id, struct wl_resource *_output) {
-	struct wl_resource *manager_res = wl_resource_create(client,
-			&gamma_control_interface, wl_resource_get_version(res), id);
-	wlc_handle output = wlc_handle_from_wl_output_resource(_output);
-	if (!output) {
-		return;
-	}
-	wl_resource_set_implementation(manager_res, &gamma_control_implementation,
-			_output, NULL);
-	gamma_control_send_gamma_size(manager_res, wlc_output_get_gamma_size(output));
-}
-
-static struct gamma_control_manager_interface gamma_manager_implementation = {
-	.destroy = gamma_control_manager_destroy,
-	.get_gamma_control = gamma_control_manager_get
-};
-
-static void gamma_control_manager_bind(struct wl_client *client, void *data,
-		uint32_t version, uint32_t id) {
-	if (version > 1) {
-		// Unsupported version
-		return;
-	}
-	struct wl_resource *resource = wl_resource_create(client,
-			&gamma_control_manager_interface, version, id);
-	if (!resource) {
-		wl_client_post_no_memory(client);
-	}
-	wl_resource_set_implementation(resource, &gamma_manager_implementation, NULL, NULL);
-}
-
-static void server_decoration_release(struct wl_client *client,
-		struct wl_resource *resource) {
-	wl_resource_destroy(resource);
-}
-
-void server_decoration_enable_csd(wlc_handle handle) {
-	swayc_t *view = swayc_by_handle(handle);
-	if (!view) {
-		sway_log(L_DEBUG, "view invalid");
-		return;
-	}
-	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "%s requested client side decorations", view->name);
-	view->border_type = B_NONE;
-	update_geometry(view);
-}
-
-static void server_decoration_request_mode(struct wl_client *client,
-		struct wl_resource *resource, uint32_t mode) {
-	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Client requested server decoration mode %d", mode);
-	if (mode == ORG_KDE_KWIN_SERVER_DECORATION_MODE_SERVER) {
-		return;
-	}
-	struct wl_resource *surface = wl_resource_get_user_data(resource);
-	if (!surface) {
-		sway_log(L_DEBUG, "surface invalid");
-		return;
-	}
-	wlc_handle handle = wlc_handle_from_wl_surface_resource(surface);
-	if (!handle) {
-		list_add(decoration_state.csd_resources, surface);
-		return;
-	}
-	server_decoration_enable_csd(handle);
-}
-
-static struct org_kde_kwin_server_decoration_interface server_decoration_implementation = {
-	.release = server_decoration_release,
-	.request_mode = server_decoration_request_mode,
-};
-
-static void server_decoration_manager_create(struct wl_client *client,
-		struct wl_resource *resource, uint32_t id, struct wl_resource *surface) {
-	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Client requested server decoration manager");
-	struct wl_resource *manager = wl_resource_create(client,
-			&org_kde_kwin_server_decoration_interface, 1, id);
-	if (!manager) {
-		wl_client_post_no_memory(client);
-	}
-	wl_resource_set_implementation(manager, &server_decoration_implementation, surface, NULL);
-}
-
-// Jesus christ KDE, these names are whack as hell
-static struct org_kde_kwin_server_decoration_manager_interface server_decoration_manager_implementation = {
-	.create = server_decoration_manager_create,
-};
-
-static void server_decoration_manager_bind(struct wl_client *client, void *data,
-		uint32_t version, uint32_t id) {
-	if (version > 1) {
-		// Unsupported version
-		return;
-	}
-	struct wl_resource *resource = wl_resource_create(client,
-			&org_kde_kwin_server_decoration_manager_interface, version, id);
-	if (!resource) {
-		wl_client_post_no_memory(client);
-	}
-	wl_resource_set_implementation(resource, &server_decoration_manager_implementation, NULL, NULL);
-	org_kde_kwin_server_decoration_manager_send_default_mode(resource,
-			ORG_KDE_KWIN_SERVER_DECORATION_MODE_SERVER);
-}
-
-void register_extensions(void) {
-	wl_global_create(wlc_get_wl_display(), &desktop_shell_interface, 3, NULL, desktop_shell_bind);
-	desktop_shell.backgrounds = create_list();
-	desktop_shell.panels = create_list();
-	desktop_shell.lock_surfaces = create_list();
-	desktop_shell.is_locked = false;
-	decoration_state.csd_resources = create_list();
-	wl_global_create(wlc_get_wl_display(), &lock_interface, 1, NULL, swaylock_bind);
-	wl_global_create(wlc_get_wl_display(), &gamma_control_manager_interface, 1,
-			NULL, gamma_control_manager_bind);
-	wl_global_create(wlc_get_wl_display(), &org_kde_kwin_server_decoration_manager_interface ,
-			1, NULL, server_decoration_manager_bind);
-}
diff --git a/sway/focus.c b/sway/focus.c
index e9b032f83..66f7ee17f 100644
--- a/sway/focus.c
+++ b/sway/focus.c
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 #include "sway/workspace.h"
 #include "sway/layout.h"
 #include "sway/config.h"
-#include "sway/extensions.h"
 #include "sway/input_state.h"
 #include "sway/ipc-server.h"
 #include "sway/border.h"
@@ -163,12 +162,14 @@ bool set_focused_container(swayc_t *c) {
 		if (c->type == C_VIEW) {
 			wlc_view_set_state(c->handle, WLC_BIT_ACTIVATED, true);
 		}
+		/* TODO WLR
 		if (!desktop_shell.is_locked) {
 			// If the system is locked, we do everything _but_ actually setting
 			// focus. This includes making our internals think that this view is
 			// focused.
 			wlc_view_focus(c->handle);
 		}
+		*/
 		if (c->parent->layout != L_TABBED && c->parent->layout != L_STACKED) {
 			update_container_border(c);
 		}
diff --git a/sway/ipc-server.c b/sway/ipc-server.c
index b560b9306..9ba736d89 100644
--- a/sway/ipc-server.c
+++ b/sway/ipc-server.c
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@
 #include <sys/socket.h>
 #include <sys/un.h>
 #include <stdbool.h>
-#include <wlc/wlc-render.h>
 #include <unistd.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <sys/ioctl.h>
@@ -31,21 +30,22 @@ struct ucred {
 #include "sway/config.h"
 #include "sway/commands.h"
 #include "sway/input.h"
+#include "sway/server.h"
 #include "stringop.h"
 #include "log.h"
 #include "list.h"
 #include "util.h"
 
 static int ipc_socket = -1;
-static struct wlc_event_source *ipc_event_source =  NULL;
+static struct wl_event_source *ipc_event_source =  NULL;
 static struct sockaddr_un *ipc_sockaddr = NULL;
 static list_t *ipc_client_list = NULL;
 
 static const char ipc_magic[] = {'i', '3', '-', 'i', 'p', 'c'};
 
 struct ipc_client {
-	struct wlc_event_source *event_source;
-	struct wlc_event_source *writable_event_source;
+	struct wl_event_source *event_source;
+	struct wl_event_source *writable_event_source;
 	int fd;
 	uint32_t payload_length;
 	uint32_t security_policy;
@@ -58,25 +58,6 @@ struct ipc_client {
 
 static list_t *ipc_get_pixel_requests = NULL;
 
-struct get_pixels_request {
-	struct ipc_client *client;
-	wlc_handle output;
-	struct wlc_geometry geo;
-};
-
-struct get_clipboard_request {
-	struct ipc_client *client;
-	json_object *json;
-	int fd;
-	struct wlc_event_source *fd_event_source;
-	struct wlc_event_source *timer_event_source;
-	char *type;
-	unsigned int *pending;
-	char *buf;
-	size_t buf_size;
-	size_t buf_position;
-};
-
 struct sockaddr_un *ipc_user_sockaddr(void);
 int ipc_handle_connection(int fd, uint32_t mask, void *data);
 int ipc_client_handle_readable(int client_fd, uint32_t mask, void *data);
@@ -118,12 +99,13 @@ void ipc_init(void) {
 	ipc_client_list = create_list();
 	ipc_get_pixel_requests = create_list();
 
-	ipc_event_source = wlc_event_loop_add_fd(ipc_socket, WLC_EVENT_READABLE, ipc_handle_connection, NULL);
+	ipc_event_source = wl_event_loop_add_fd(server.wl_event_loop, ipc_socket,
+			WL_EVENT_READABLE, ipc_handle_connection, NULL);
 }
 
 void ipc_terminate(void) {
 	if (ipc_event_source) {
-		wlc_event_source_remove(ipc_event_source);
+		wl_event_source_remove(ipc_event_source);
 	}
 	close(ipc_socket);
 	unlink(ipc_sockaddr->sun_path);
@@ -176,7 +158,7 @@ static pid_t get_client_pid(int client_fd) {
 int ipc_handle_connection(int fd, uint32_t mask, void *data) {
 	(void) fd; (void) data;
 	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Event on IPC listening socket");
-	assert(mask == WLC_EVENT_READABLE);
+	assert(mask == WL_EVENT_READABLE);
 
 	int client_fd = accept(ipc_socket, NULL, NULL);
 	if (client_fd == -1) {
@@ -207,7 +189,8 @@ int ipc_handle_connection(int fd, uint32_t mask, void *data) {
 	client->payload_length = 0;
 	client->fd = client_fd;
 	client->subscribed_events = 0;
-	client->event_source = wlc_event_loop_add_fd(client_fd, WLC_EVENT_READABLE, ipc_client_handle_readable, client);
+	client->event_source = wl_event_loop_add_fd(server.wl_event_loop, client_fd,
+			WL_EVENT_READABLE, ipc_client_handle_readable, client);
 	client->writable_event_source = NULL;
 
 	client->write_buffer_size = 128;
@@ -234,13 +217,13 @@ static const int ipc_header_size = sizeof(ipc_magic)+8;
 int ipc_client_handle_readable(int client_fd, uint32_t mask, void *data) {
 	struct ipc_client *client = data;
 
-	if (mask & WLC_EVENT_ERROR) {
+	if (mask & WL_EVENT_ERROR) {
 		sway_log(L_ERROR, "IPC Client socket error, removing client");
 		ipc_client_disconnect(client);
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	if (mask & WLC_EVENT_HANGUP) {
+	if (mask & WL_EVENT_HANGUP) {
 		sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Client %d hung up", client->fd);
 		ipc_client_disconnect(client);
 		return 0;
@@ -296,13 +279,13 @@ int ipc_client_handle_readable(int client_fd, uint32_t mask, void *data) {
 int ipc_client_handle_writable(int client_fd, uint32_t mask, void *data) {
 	struct ipc_client *client = data;
 
-	if (mask & WLC_EVENT_ERROR) {
+	if (mask & WL_EVENT_ERROR) {
 		sway_log(L_ERROR, "IPC Client socket error, removing client");
 		ipc_client_disconnect(client);
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	if (mask & WLC_EVENT_HANGUP) {
+	if (mask & WL_EVENT_HANGUP) {
 		sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Client %d hung up", client->fd);
 		ipc_client_disconnect(client);
 		return 0;
@@ -328,7 +311,7 @@ int ipc_client_handle_writable(int client_fd, uint32_t mask, void *data) {
 	client->write_buffer_len -= written;
 
 	if (client->write_buffer_len == 0 && client->writable_event_source) {
-		wlc_event_source_remove(client->writable_event_source);
+		wl_event_source_remove(client->writable_event_source);
 		client->writable_event_source = NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -345,9 +328,9 @@ void ipc_client_disconnect(struct ipc_client *client) {
 	}
 
 	sway_log(L_INFO, "IPC Client %d disconnected", client->fd);
-	wlc_event_source_remove(client->event_source);
+	wl_event_source_remove(client->event_source);
 	if (client->writable_event_source) {
-		wlc_event_source_remove(client->writable_event_source);
+		wl_event_source_remove(client->writable_event_source);
 	}
 	int i = 0;
 	while (i < ipc_client_list->length && ipc_client_list->items[i] != client) i++;
@@ -365,165 +348,6 @@ bool output_by_name_test(swayc_t *view, void *data) {
 	return !strcmp(name, view->name);
 }
 
-void ipc_get_pixels(wlc_handle output) {
-	if (ipc_get_pixel_requests->length == 0) {
-		return;
-	}
-
-	list_t *unhandled = create_list();
-
-	struct get_pixels_request *req;
-	int i;
-	for (i = 0; i < ipc_get_pixel_requests->length; ++i) {
-		req = ipc_get_pixel_requests->items[i];
-		if (req->output != output) {
-			list_add(unhandled, req);
-			continue;
-		}
-
-		const struct wlc_size *size = &req->geo.size;
-		struct wlc_geometry g_out;
-		char response_header[9];
-		memset(response_header, 0, sizeof(response_header));
-		char *data = malloc(sizeof(response_header) + size->w * size->h * 4);
-		if (!data) {
-			sway_log(L_ERROR, "Unable to allocate pixels for get_pixels");
-			ipc_client_disconnect(req->client);
-			free(req);
-			continue;
-		}
-		wlc_pixels_read(WLC_RGBA8888, &req->geo, &g_out, data + sizeof(response_header));
-
-		response_header[0] = 1;
-		uint32_t *_size = (uint32_t *)(response_header + 1);
-		_size[0] = g_out.size.w;
-		_size[1] = g_out.size.h;
-		size_t len = sizeof(response_header) + (g_out.size.w * g_out.size.h * 4);
-		memcpy(data, response_header, sizeof(response_header));
-		ipc_send_reply(req->client, data, len);
-		free(data);
-		// free the request since it has been handled
-		free(req);
-	}
-
-	// free old list of pixel requests and set new list to all unhandled
-	// requests (request for another output).
-	list_free(ipc_get_pixel_requests);
-	ipc_get_pixel_requests = unhandled;
-}
-
-static bool is_text_target(const char *target) {
-	return (strncmp(target, "text/", 5) == 0
-		|| strcmp(target, "UTF8_STRING") == 0
-		|| strcmp(target, "STRING") == 0
-		|| strcmp(target, "TEXT") == 0
-		|| strcmp(target, "COMPOUND_TEXT") == 0);
-}
-
-static void release_clipboard_request(struct get_clipboard_request *req) {
-	if (--(*req->pending) == 0) {
-		const char *str = json_object_to_json_string(req->json);
-		ipc_send_reply(req->client, str, (uint32_t)strlen(str));
-		json_object_put(req->json);
-	}
-
-	free(req->type);
-	free(req->buf);
-	wlc_event_source_remove(req->fd_event_source);
-	wlc_event_source_remove(req->timer_event_source);
-	close(req->fd);
-	free(req);
-}
-
-static int ipc_selection_data_cb(int fd, uint32_t mask, void *data) {
-	assert(data);
-	struct get_clipboard_request *req = (struct get_clipboard_request *)data;
-
-	if (mask & WLC_EVENT_ERROR) {
-		sway_log(L_ERROR, "Selection data fd error");
-		goto error;
-	}
-
-	if (mask & WLC_EVENT_READABLE) {
-		static const unsigned int max_size = 8192 * 1024;
-		int amt = 0;
-
-		do {
-			int size = req->buf_size - req->buf_position;
-			int amt = read(fd, req->buf + req->buf_position, size - 1);
-			if (amt < 0) {
-				if (errno == EAGAIN) {
-					return 0;
-				}
-
-				sway_log_errno(L_INFO, "Failed to read from clipboard data fd");
-				goto release;
-			}
-
-			req->buf_position += amt;
-			if (req->buf_position >= req->buf_size - 1) {
-				if (req->buf_size >= max_size) {
-					sway_log(L_ERROR, "get_clipbard: selection data too large");
-					goto error;
-				}
-				char *next = realloc(req->buf, req->buf_size *= 2);
-				if (!next) {
-					sway_log_errno(L_ERROR, "get_clipboard: realloc data buffer failed");
-					goto error;
-				}
-
-				req->buf = next;
-			}
-		} while(amt != 0);
-
-		req->buf[req->buf_position] = '\0';
-
-		json_object *obj = json_object_new_object();
-		json_object_object_add(obj, "success", json_object_new_boolean(true));
-		if (is_text_target(req->type)) {
-			json_object_object_add(obj, "content", json_object_new_string(req->buf));
-			json_object_object_add(req->json, req->type, obj);
-		} else {
-			size_t outlen;
-			char *b64 = b64_encode(req->buf, req->buf_position, &outlen);
-			json_object_object_add(obj, "content", json_object_new_string(b64));
-			free(b64);
-
-			char *type = malloc(strlen(req->type) + 8);
-			strcat(type, ";base64");
-			json_object_object_add(req->json, type, obj);
-			free(type);
-		}
-	}
-
-	goto release;
-
-error:;
-	json_object *obj = json_object_new_object();
-	json_object_object_add(obj, "success", json_object_new_boolean(false));
-	json_object_object_add(obj, "error",
-		json_object_new_string("Failed to retrieve data"));
-	json_object_object_add(req->json, req->type, obj);
-
-release:
-	release_clipboard_request(req);
-	return 0;
-}
-
-static int ipc_selection_timer_cb(void *data) {
-	assert(data);
-	struct get_clipboard_request *req = (struct get_clipboard_request *)data;
-
-	sway_log(L_INFO, "get_clipbard: timeout for type %s", req->type);
-	json_object *obj = json_object_new_object();
-	json_object_object_add(obj, "success", json_object_new_boolean(false));
-	json_object_object_add(obj, "error", json_object_new_string("Timeout"));
-	json_object_object_add(req->json, req->type, obj);
-
-	release_clipboard_request(req);
-	return 0;
-}
-
 // greedy wildcard (only "*") matching
 bool mime_type_matches(const char *mime_type, const char *pattern) {
 	const char *wildcard = NULL;
@@ -553,125 +377,6 @@ bool mime_type_matches(const char *mime_type, const char *pattern) {
 	return (*mime_type == *pattern);
 }
 
-void ipc_get_clipboard(struct ipc_client *client, char *buf) {
-	size_t size;
-	const char **types = wlc_get_selection_types(&size);
-	if (client->payload_length == 0) {
-		json_object *obj = json_object_new_array();
-		for (size_t i = 0; i < size; ++i) {
-			json_object_array_add(obj, json_object_new_string(types[i]));
-		}
-
-		const char *str = json_object_to_json_string(obj);
-		ipc_send_reply(client, str, strlen(str));
-		json_object_put(obj);
-		return;
-	}
-
-	unescape_string(buf);
-	strip_quotes(buf);
-	list_t *requested = split_string(buf, " ");
-	json_object *json = json_object_new_object();
-	unsigned int *pending = malloc(sizeof(unsigned int));
-	*pending = 0;
-
-	for (size_t l = 0; l < (size_t) requested->length; ++l) {
-		const char *pattern = requested->items[l];
-		bool found = false;
-		for (size_t i = 0; i < size; ++i) {
-			if (!mime_type_matches(types[i], pattern)) {
-				continue;
-			}
-
-			found = true;
-
-			struct get_clipboard_request *req = malloc(sizeof(*req));
-			if (!req) {
-				sway_log(L_ERROR, "get_clipboard: request malloc failed");
-				goto data_error;
-			}
-
-			int pipes[2];
-			if (pipe(pipes) == -1) {
-				sway_log_errno(L_ERROR, "get_clipboard: pipe call failed");
-				free(req);
-				goto data_error;
-			}
-
-			fcntl(pipes[0], F_SETFD, FD_CLOEXEC | O_NONBLOCK);
-			fcntl(pipes[1], F_SETFD, FD_CLOEXEC | O_NONBLOCK);
-
-			if (!wlc_get_selection_data(types[i], pipes[1])) {
-				close(pipes[0]);
-				close(pipes[1]);
-				free(req);
-				sway_log(L_ERROR, "get_clipboard: failed to retrieve "
-					"selection data");
-				goto data_error;
-			}
-
-			if (!(req->buf = malloc(512))) {
-				close(pipes[0]);
-				close(pipes[1]);
-				free(req);
-				sway_log_errno(L_ERROR, "get_clipboard: buf malloc failed");
-				goto data_error;
-			}
-
-			(*pending)++;
-
-			req->client = client;
-			req->type = strdup(types[i]);
-			req->json = json;
-			req->pending = pending;
-			req->buf_position = 0;
-			req->buf_size = 512;
-			req->fd = pipes[0];
-			req->timer_event_source = wlc_event_loop_add_timer(ipc_selection_timer_cb, req);
-			req->fd_event_source = wlc_event_loop_add_fd(pipes[0],
-				WLC_EVENT_READABLE | WLC_EVENT_ERROR | WLC_EVENT_HANGUP,
-				&ipc_selection_data_cb, req);
-
-			wlc_event_source_timer_update(req->timer_event_source, 30000);
-
-			// NOTE: remove this goto to enable retrieving multiple
-			// targets at once. The whole implementation is already
-			// made for it. The only reason it was disabled
-			// at the time of writing is that neither wlc's xselection
-			// implementation nor (apparently) gtk on wayland supports
-			// multiple send requests at the same time which makes
-			// every request except the last one fail (and therefore
-			// return empty data)
-			goto cleanup;
-		}
-
-		if (!found) {
-			sway_log(L_INFO, "Invalid clipboard type %s requested", pattern);
-		}
-	}
-
-	if (*pending == 0) {
-		static const char *error_empty = "{ \"success\": false, \"error\": "
-			"\"No matching types found\" }";
-		ipc_send_reply(client, error_empty, (uint32_t)strlen(error_empty));
-		free(json);
-		free(pending);
-	}
-
-	goto cleanup;
-
-data_error:;
-	static const char *error_json = "{ \"success\": false, \"error\": "
-		"\"Failed to create clipboard data request\" }";
-	ipc_send_reply(client, error_json, (uint32_t)strlen(error_json));
-	free(json);
-	free(pending);
-
-cleanup:
-	list_free(requested);
-	free(types);
-}
-
 void ipc_client_handle_command(struct ipc_client *client) {
 	if (!sway_assert(client != NULL, "client != NULL")) {
 		return;
@@ -830,52 +535,6 @@ void ipc_client_handle_command(struct ipc_client *client) {
 		goto exit_cleanup;
 	}
 
-	case IPC_SWAY_GET_PIXELS:
-	{
-		char response_header[9];
-		memset(response_header, 0, sizeof(response_header));
-
-		json_object *obj = json_tokener_parse(buf);
-		json_object *o, *x, *y, *w, *h;
-
-		json_object_object_get_ex(obj, "output", &o);
-		json_object_object_get_ex(obj, "x", &x);
-		json_object_object_get_ex(obj, "y", &y);
-		json_object_object_get_ex(obj, "w", &w);
-		json_object_object_get_ex(obj, "h", &h);
-
-		struct wlc_geometry g = {
-			.origin = {
-				.x = json_object_get_int(x),
-				.y = json_object_get_int(y)
-			},
-			.size = {
-				.w = json_object_get_int(w),
-				.h = json_object_get_int(h)
-			}
-		};
-
-		swayc_t *output = swayc_by_test(&root_container, output_by_name_test, (void *)json_object_get_string(o));
-		json_object_put(obj);
-
-		if (!output) {
-			sway_log(L_ERROR, "IPC GET_PIXELS request with unknown output name");
-			ipc_send_reply(client, response_header, sizeof(response_header));
-			goto exit_cleanup;
-		}
-		struct get_pixels_request *req = malloc(sizeof(struct get_pixels_request));
-		if (!req) {
-			sway_log(L_ERROR, "Unable to allocate get_pixels request");
-			goto exit_cleanup;
-		}
-		req->client = client;
-		req->output = output->handle;
-		req->geo = g;
-		list_add(ipc_get_pixel_requests, req);
-		wlc_output_schedule_render(output->handle);
-		goto exit_cleanup;
-	}
-
 	case IPC_GET_BAR_CONFIG:
 	{
 		if (!(client->security_policy & IPC_FEATURE_GET_BAR_CONFIG)) {
@@ -917,14 +576,8 @@ void ipc_client_handle_command(struct ipc_client *client) {
 	}
 
 	case IPC_GET_CLIPBOARD:
-	{
-		if (!(client->security_policy & IPC_FEATURE_GET_CLIPBOARD)) {
-			goto exit_denied;
-		}
-
-		ipc_get_clipboard(client, buf);
-		goto exit_cleanup;
-	}
+		// TODO WLR
+		break;
 
 	default:
 		sway_log(L_INFO, "Unknown IPC command type %i", client->current_command);
@@ -977,7 +630,9 @@ bool ipc_send_reply(struct ipc_client *client, const char *payload, uint32_t pay
 	client->write_buffer_len += payload_length;
 
 	if (!client->writable_event_source) {
-		client->writable_event_source = wlc_event_loop_add_fd(client->fd, WLC_EVENT_WRITABLE, ipc_client_handle_writable, client);
+		client->writable_event_source = wl_event_loop_add_fd(
+				server.wl_event_loop, client->fd, WL_EVENT_WRITABLE,
+				ipc_client_handle_writable, client);
 	}
 
 	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Added IPC reply to client %d queue: %s", client->fd, payload);
diff --git a/sway/layout.c b/sway/layout.c
index 69291dafd..22f81688a 100644
--- a/sway/layout.c
+++ b/sway/layout.c
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include <math.h>
 #include <wlc/wlc.h>
-#include "sway/extensions.h"
 #include "sway/config.h"
 #include "sway/container.h"
 #include "sway/workspace.h"
@@ -1001,6 +1000,7 @@ static void arrange_windows_r(swayc_t *container, double width, double height) {
 		{
 			swayc_t *output = swayc_parent_by_type(container, C_OUTPUT);
 			width = output->width, height = output->height;
+			/* TODO WLR
 			for (i = 0; i < desktop_shell.panels->length; ++i) {
 				struct panel_config *config = desktop_shell.panels->items[i];
 				if (config->output == output->handle) {
@@ -1022,6 +1022,7 @@ static void arrange_windows_r(swayc_t *container, double width, double height) {
 					}
 				}
 			}
+			*/
 			int gap = swayc_gap(container);
 			x = container->x = x + gap;
 			y = container->y = y + gap;
@@ -1380,11 +1381,13 @@ void arrange_windows(swayc_t *container, double width, double height) {
 }
 
 void arrange_backgrounds(void) {
+	/* TODO WLR
 	struct background_config *bg;
 	for (int i = 0; i < desktop_shell.backgrounds->length; ++i) {
 		bg = desktop_shell.backgrounds->items[i];
 		wlc_view_send_to_back(bg->handle);
 	}
+	*/
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/sway/main.c b/sway/main.c
index cc9147b8a..efca96d5a 100644
--- a/sway/main.c
+++ b/sway/main.c
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <stdbool.h>
-#include <wlc/wlc.h>
 #include <sys/wait.h>
 #include <sys/types.h>
 #include <sys/stat.h>
@@ -15,13 +14,13 @@
 #include <sys/capability.h>
 #include <sys/prctl.h>
 #endif
-#include "sway/extensions.h"
 #include "sway/layout.h"
 #include "sway/config.h"
 #include "sway/security.h"
 #include "sway/handlers.h"
 #include "sway/input.h"
 #include "sway/ipc-server.h"
+#include "sway/server.h"
 #include "ipc-client.h"
 #include "readline.h"
 #include "stringop.h"
@@ -31,11 +30,12 @@
 
 static bool terminate_request = false;
 static int exit_value = 0;
+struct sway_server server;
 
 void sway_terminate(int exit_code) {
 	terminate_request = true;
 	exit_value = exit_code;
-	wlc_terminate();
+	wl_display_terminate(server.wl_display);
 }
 
 void sig_handler(int signal) {
@@ -43,16 +43,6 @@ void sig_handler(int signal) {
 	sway_terminate(EXIT_SUCCESS);
 }
 
-static void wlc_log_handler(enum wlc_log_type type, const char *str) {
-	if (type == WLC_LOG_ERROR) {
-		sway_log(L_ERROR, "[wlc] %s", str);
-	} else if (type == WLC_LOG_WARN) {
-		sway_log(L_INFO, "[wlc] %s", str);
-	} else {
-		sway_log(L_DEBUG, "[wlc] %s", str);
-	}
-}
-
 void detect_raspi() {
 	bool raspi = false;
 	FILE *f = fopen("/sys/firmware/devicetree/base/model", "r");
@@ -189,19 +179,7 @@ static void log_env() {
 		"LD_LIBRARY_PATH",
 		"SWAY_CURSOR_THEME",
 		"SWAY_CURSOR_SIZE",
-		"SWAYSOCK",
-		"WLC_DRM_DEVICE",
-		"WLC_SHM",
-		"WLC_OUTPUTS",
-		"WLC_XWAYLAND",
-		"WLC_LIBINPUT",
-		"WLC_REPEAT_DELAY",
-		"WLC_REPEAT_RATE",
-		"XKB_DEFAULT_RULES",
-		"XKB_DEFAULT_MODEL",
-		"XKB_DEFAULT_LAYOUT",
-		"XKB_DEFAULT_VARIANT",
-		"XKB_DEFAULT_OPTIONS",
+		"SWAYSOCK"
 	};
 	for (size_t i = 0; i < sizeof(log_vars) / sizeof(char *); ++i) {
 		sway_log(L_INFO, "%s=%s", log_vars[i], getenv(log_vars[i]));
@@ -295,6 +273,37 @@ static void executable_sanity_check() {
 #endif
 }
 
+static void drop_permissions(bool keep_caps) {
+	if (getuid() != geteuid() || getgid() != getegid()) {
+		if (setgid(getgid()) != 0) {
+			sway_log(L_ERROR, "Unable to drop root");
+			exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
+		}
+		if (setuid(getuid()) != 0) {
+			sway_log(L_ERROR, "Unable to drop root");
+			exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
+		}
+	}
+	if (setuid(0) != -1) {
+		sway_log(L_ERROR, "Root privileges can be restored.");
+		exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
+	}
+#ifdef __linux__
+	if (keep_caps) {
+		// Drop every cap except CAP_SYS_PTRACE
+		cap_t caps = cap_init();
+		cap_value_t keep = CAP_SYS_PTRACE;
+		sway_log(L_INFO, "Dropping extra capabilities");
+		if (cap_set_flag(caps, CAP_PERMITTED, 1, &keep, CAP_SET) ||
+			cap_set_flag(caps, CAP_EFFECTIVE, 1, &keep, CAP_SET) ||
+			cap_set_proc(caps)) {
+			sway_log(L_ERROR, "Failed to drop extra capabilities");
+			exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
+		}
+	}
+#endif
+}
+
 int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 	static int verbose = 0, debug = 0, validate = 0;
 
@@ -374,7 +383,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// we need to setup logging before wlc_init in case it fails.
+	// TODO: switch logging over to wlroots?
 	if (debug) {
 		init_log(L_DEBUG);
 	} else if (verbose || validate) {
@@ -388,20 +397,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 			sway_log(L_ERROR, "Don't use options with the IPC client");
 			exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 		}
-		if (getuid() != geteuid() || getgid() != getegid()) {
-			if (setgid(getgid()) != 0) {
-				sway_log(L_ERROR, "Unable to drop root");
-				exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
-			}
-			if (setuid(getuid()) != 0) {
-				sway_log(L_ERROR, "Unable to drop root");
-				exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
-			}
-		}
-		if (setuid(0) != -1) {
-			sway_log(L_ERROR, "Root privileges can be restored.");
-			exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
-		}
+		drop_permissions(false);
 		char *socket_path = getenv("SWAYSOCK");
 		if (!socket_path) {
 			sway_log(L_ERROR, "Unable to retrieve socket path");
@@ -413,8 +409,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 	}
 
 	executable_sanity_check();
-#ifdef __linux__
 	bool suid = false;
+#ifdef __linux__
 	if (getuid() != geteuid() || getgid() != getegid()) {
 		// Retain capabilities after setuid()
 		if (prctl(PR_SET_KEEPCAPS, 1, 0, 0, 0)) {
@@ -425,37 +421,14 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 	}
 #endif
 
-	wlc_log_set_handler(wlc_log_handler);
 	log_kernel();
 	log_distro();
 	log_env();
 	detect_proprietary();
 	detect_raspi();
 
-	input_devices = create_list();
-
-	/* Changing code earlier than this point requires detailed review */
-	/* (That code runs as root on systems without logind, and wlc_init drops to
-	 * another user.) */
-	register_wlc_handlers();
-	if (!wlc_init()) {
-		return 1;
-	}
-	register_extensions();
-
 #ifdef __linux__
-	if (suid) {
-		// Drop every cap except CAP_SYS_PTRACE
-		cap_t caps = cap_init();
-		cap_value_t keep = CAP_SYS_PTRACE;
-		sway_log(L_INFO, "Dropping extra capabilities");
-		if (cap_set_flag(caps, CAP_PERMITTED, 1, &keep, CAP_SET) ||
-			cap_set_flag(caps, CAP_EFFECTIVE, 1, &keep, CAP_SET) ||
-			cap_set_proc(caps)) {
-			sway_log(L_ERROR, "Failed to drop extra capabilities");
-			exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
-		}
-	}
+	drop_permissions(suid);
 #endif
 	// handle SIGTERM signals
 	signal(SIGTERM, sig_handler);
@@ -465,8 +438,10 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 
 	sway_log(L_INFO, "Starting sway version " SWAY_VERSION "\n");
 
+	if (!server_init(&server)) {
+		return 1;
+	}
 	init_layout();
-
 	ipc_init();
 
 	if (validate) {
@@ -485,10 +460,10 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 	security_sanity_check();
 
 	if (!terminate_request) {
-		wlc_run();
+		wl_display_run(server.wl_display);
 	}
 
-	list_free(input_devices);
+	server_fini(&server);
 
 	ipc_terminate();
 
diff --git a/sway/server.c b/sway/server.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..39fa5d28f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sway/server.c
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+#define _POSIX_C_SOURCE 200112L
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <wayland-server.h>
+#include <wlr/backend.h>
+#include <wlr/backend/session.h>
+#include <wlr/types/wlr_data_device_manager.h>
+#include <wlr/render.h>
+#include <wlr/render/gles2.h>
+// TODO WLR: make Xwayland optional
+#include <wlr/xwayland.h>
+#include "sway/server.h"
+#include "log.h"
+
+bool server_init(struct sway_server *server) {
+	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Initializing Wayland server");
+
+	server->wl_display = wl_display_create();
+	server->wl_event_loop = wl_display_get_event_loop(server->wl_display);
+	server->backend = wlr_backend_autocreate(server->wl_display);
+
+	server->renderer = wlr_gles2_renderer_create(server->backend);
+	wl_display_init_shm(server->wl_display);
+
+	// TODO WLR
+	//server->desktop = desktop_create(server, server.config);
+	//server->input = input_create(&server, server.config);
+	server->data_device_manager =
+		wlr_data_device_manager_create(server->wl_display);
+
+	const char *socket = wl_display_add_socket_auto(server->wl_display);
+	if (!socket) {
+		sway_log_errno(L_ERROR, "Unable to open wayland socket");
+		wlr_backend_destroy(server->backend);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	sway_log(L_INFO, "Running compositor on wayland display '%s'", socket);
+	setenv("_WAYLAND_DISPLAY", socket, true);
+
+	if (!wlr_backend_start(server->backend)) {
+		sway_log(L_ERROR, "Failed to start backend");
+		wlr_backend_destroy(server->backend);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	setenv("WAYLAND_DISPLAY", socket, true);
+	return true;
+}
+
+void server_fini(struct sway_server *server) {
+	// TODO WLR: tear down more stuff
+	wlr_backend_destroy(server->backend);
+}
diff --git a/sway/workspace.c b/sway/workspace.c
index e0367190c..14cde1465 100644
--- a/sway/workspace.c
+++ b/sway/workspace.c
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 #include <strings.h>
 #include <sys/types.h>
 #include "sway/ipc-server.h"
-#include "sway/extensions.h"
 #include "sway/workspace.h"
 #include "sway/layout.h"
 #include "sway/container.h"