diff --git a/cmd/aicra/compile.go b/cmd/aicra/compile.go
index 0310a68..addb757 100644
--- a/cmd/aicra/compile.go
+++ b/cmd/aicra/compile.go
@@ -6,65 +6,38 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
-	"strings"
 )
 
-// Builds types as plugins (.so)
-// from the sources in the @in folder
-// recursively and generate .so files
-// into the @out folder with the same structure
-func compile(in string, out string) error {
+// compile compiles the 'source' file into the 'build' path
+func compile(source, build string) {
 
-	/* (1) Create build folder */
-	clifmt.Align("    . create output folder")
-	err := os.MkdirAll(out, os.ModePerm)
+	// 2. Create folder
+	clifmt.Align("    + create output folder")
+	err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(build), os.ModePerm)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		fmt.Printf("fail\n")
+		return
 	}
 	fmt.Printf("ok\n")
 
-	/* (2) List recursively */
-	types := []string{}
-	err = filepath.Walk(in, func(path string, f os.FileInfo, err error) error {
-		if strings.HasSuffix(path, "/main.go") {
-			types = append(types, filepath.Base(filepath.Dir(path)))
-		}
-		return nil
-	})
+	// 3. Compile
+	clifmt.Align("    + compile")
+	stdout, err := exec.Command("go",
+		"build", "-buildmode=plugin",
+		"-o", build,
+		source,
+	).Output()
 
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
+	// 4. success
+	if err == nil {
+		fmt.Printf("ok\n")
+		return
 	}
 
-	/* (3) Print files */
-	for _, name := range types {
-
-		// 1. process output file name
-		infile := filepath.Join(in, name, "main.go")
-		outfile := filepath.Join(out, fmt.Sprintf("%s.so", name))
-
-		clifmt.Align(fmt.Sprintf("    . compile %s", clifmt.Color(33, name)))
-
-		// 2. compile
-		stdout, err := exec.Command("go",
-			"build", "-buildmode=plugin",
-			"-o", outfile,
-			infile,
-		).Output()
-
-		// 3. success
-		if err == nil {
-			fmt.Printf("ok\n")
-			continue
-		}
-
-		// 4. debug error
-		fmt.Printf("error\n")
-		if len(stdout) > 0 {
-			fmt.Printf("%s\n%s\n%s\n", clifmt.Color(31, "-=-"), stdout, clifmt.Color(31, "-=-"))
-		}
-
+	// 5. debug error
+	fmt.Printf("error\n")
+	if len(stdout) > 0 {
+		fmt.Printf("%s\n%s\n%s\n", clifmt.Color(31, "-=-"), stdout, clifmt.Color(31, "-=-"))
 	}
 
-	return nil
 }
diff --git a/cmd/aicra/files.go b/cmd/aicra/files.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 68d6f57..0000000
--- a/cmd/aicra/files.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-package main
-
-import (
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-)
-
-// Returns an absolute path from the @path variable if already absolute
-// if @path is relative, it is processed relative to the @base directory
-func getAbsPath(base string, path string) (string, error) {
-
-	// already absolute
-	if filepath.IsAbs(path) {
-		return path, nil
-	}
-
-	// relative: join from @base dir
-	return filepath.Abs(filepath.Join(base, path))
-}
-
-// Returns whether a directory exists for the path @path
-func dirExists(path string) bool {
-	stat, err := os.Stat(path)
-	return err == nil && stat.IsDir()
-}
diff --git a/cmd/aicra/main.go b/cmd/aicra/main.go
index b80e9ce..033f400 100644
--- a/cmd/aicra/main.go
+++ b/cmd/aicra/main.go
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 package main
 
 import (
-	"flag"
 	"fmt"
 	"git.xdrm.io/go/aicra/internal/clifmt"
+	"git.xdrm.io/go/aicra/internal/meta"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"time"
@@ -11,170 +11,84 @@ import (
 
 func main() {
 
-	starttime := time.Now().UnixNano()
+	starttime := time.Now()
 
-	/* (1) Flags
-	---------------------------------------------------------*/
-	/* (1) controller path */
-	ctlPathFlag := flag.String("c", "controller", "Path to controllers' directory")
-
-	/* (2) types path */
-	typPathFlag := flag.String("t", "type", "Path to custom types' directory")
-
-	/* (3) middleware path */
-	midPathFlag := flag.String("m", "middleware", "Path to middlewares' directory")
-
-	flag.Parse()
-
-	/* (3) Get last arg: project path */
-	if len(flag.Args()) < 1 {
-		fmt.Printf("%s\n\n", clifmt.Warn("missing argument"))
-		fmt.Printf("You must provide the project folder as the last argument\n")
-		return
-	}
-	var projectPathFlag = flag.Arg(0)
-	compileTypes := true
-	compileControllers := true
-	compileMiddlewares := true
-
-	/* (2) Get absolute paths
-	---------------------------------------------------------*/
-	/* (1) Get absolute project path */
-	projectPath, err := filepath.Abs(projectPathFlag)
+	/* 1. Load config */
+	schema, err := meta.Parse("./aicra.json")
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("invalid argument: project path\n")
-		return
-	}
-	/* (2) Get absolute controllers' path */
-	cPath, err := getAbsPath(projectPath, *ctlPathFlag)
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("invalid argument: controllers' path\n")
+		fmt.Printf("aicra.json: %s\n", err)
 		return
 	}
 
-	/* (3) Get absolute types' path */
-	tPath, err := getAbsPath(projectPath, *typPathFlag)
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("invalid argument: types' path\n")
+	/* 2. End if nothing to compile */
+	if !schema.Driver.Compiled() {
+		fmt.Printf("\n[ %s | %s ] nothing to compile\n",
+			clifmt.Color(32, "finished"),
+			time.Now().Sub(starttime),
+		)
 		return
 	}
 
-	/* (4) Get absolute middlewares' path */
-	mPath, err := getAbsPath(projectPath, *midPathFlag)
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("invalid argument: middlwares' path\n")
-		return
-	}
-
-	// default types folder
-	dtPath := filepath.Join(os.Getenv("GOPATH"), "src/git.xdrm.io/go/aicra/internal/checker/default")
-
-	/* (3) Check path are existing dirs
-	---------------------------------------------------------*/
-	clifmt.Title("file check")
-
-	/* (1) Project path */
-	clifmt.Align("    . project root")
-	if !dirExists(projectPath) {
-		fmt.Printf("invalid\n\n")
-		fmt.Printf("%s  invalid project folder - %s\n\n", clifmt.Warn(), clifmt.Color(36, projectPath))
-		fmt.Printf("You must specify an existing directory path\n")
-		return
-	}
-	fmt.Printf("ok\n")
-
-	/* (2) Controllers path */
-	clifmt.Align("    . controllers")
-	if !dirExists(cPath) {
-		compileControllers = false
-		fmt.Printf("missing\n")
-	} else {
-		fmt.Printf("ok\n")
-	}
-
-	/* (3) Middlewares path */
-	clifmt.Align("    . middlewares")
-	if !dirExists(mPath) {
-		compileMiddlewares = false
-		fmt.Printf("missing\n")
-	} else {
-		fmt.Printf("ok\n")
-	}
-
-	/* (4) Default types path */
-	clifmt.Align("    . default types")
-	if !dirExists(dtPath) {
-		fmt.Printf("missing\n")
-		compileTypes = false
-
-	} else {
-		fmt.Printf("ok\n")
-	}
-
-	/* (5) Types path */
-	clifmt.Align("    . custom types")
-	if !dirExists(tPath) {
-		fmt.Printf("missing\n")
-		compileTypes = false
-	} else {
-		fmt.Printf("ok\n")
-	}
-
-	if !compileControllers && !compileTypes && !compileMiddlewares {
-		fmt.Printf("\n%s\n", clifmt.Info("Nothing to compile"))
-		return
-	}
-
-	/* (4) Compile
+	/* Compile
 	---------------------------------------------------------*/
 	/* (1) Create build output dir */
-	buildPath := filepath.Join(projectPath, ".build")
-	clifmt.Align("    . create build folder")
+	buildPath := filepath.Join(schema.Root, ".build")
 	err = os.MkdirAll(buildPath, os.ModePerm)
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("error\n\n")
 		fmt.Printf("%s the directory %s cannot be created, check permissions.", clifmt.Warn(), clifmt.Color(33, buildPath))
 		return
 	}
-	fmt.Printf("ok\n")
 
-	/* (2) Compile controllers */
-	if compileControllers {
-		clifmt.Title("compile controllers")
-		err = compile(cPath, filepath.Join(projectPath, ".build/controller"))
-		if err != nil {
-			fmt.Printf("%s compilation error: %s\n", clifmt.Warn(), err)
-		}
-	}
-
-	/* (3) Compile middlewares */
-	if compileMiddlewares {
-		clifmt.Title("compile middlewares")
-		err = compile(mPath, filepath.Join(projectPath, ".build/middleware"))
-		if err != nil {
-			fmt.Printf("%s compilation error: %s\n", clifmt.Warn(), err)
-		}
-	}
-
-	/* (4) Compile DEFAULT types */
-	clifmt.Title("compile default types")
-	err = compile(dtPath, filepath.Join(projectPath, ".build/type"))
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("%s compilation error: %s\n", clifmt.Warn(), err)
-	}
-	/* (5) Compile types */
-	if compileTypes {
+	/* (2) Compile Types */
+	if len(schema.Types.Map) > 0 {
 		clifmt.Title("compile types")
-		err = compile(tPath, filepath.Join(projectPath, ".build/type"))
-		if err != nil {
-			fmt.Printf("%s compilation error: %s\n", clifmt.Warn(), err)
+		for name, upath := range schema.Types.Map {
+
+			fmt.Printf("  '%s'\n", clifmt.Color(33, name))
+
+			// Get useful paths
+			source := schema.Driver.Source(schema.Root, schema.Types.Folder, upath)
+			build := schema.Driver.Build(schema.Root, schema.Types.Folder, upath)
+
+			compile(source, build)
+		}
+	}
+
+	/* (3) Compile controllers */
+	if len(schema.Controllers.Map) > 0 {
+		clifmt.Title("compile controllers")
+		for name, upath := range schema.Controllers.Map {
+
+			fmt.Printf("  '%s'\n", clifmt.Color(33, name))
+
+			// Get useful paths
+			source := schema.Driver.Source(schema.Root, schema.Controllers.Folder, upath)
+			build := schema.Driver.Build(schema.Root, schema.Controllers.Folder, upath)
+
+			compile(source, build)
+			fmt.Printf("\n")
+		}
+	}
+
+	/* (4) Compile middlewares */
+	if len(schema.Middlewares.Map) > 0 {
+		clifmt.Title("compile middlewares")
+		for name, upath := range schema.Middlewares.Map {
+
+			fmt.Printf("  '%s'\n", clifmt.Color(33, name))
+
+			// Get useful paths
+			source := schema.Driver.Source(schema.Root, schema.Middlewares.Folder, upath)
+			build := schema.Driver.Build(schema.Root, schema.Middlewares.Folder, upath)
+
+			compile(source, build)
 		}
 	}
 
 	/* (6) finished */
-	fmt.Printf("\n[ %s | %.0f ms ] files are located inside the %s directory inside the project folder\n",
+	fmt.Printf("\n[ %s | %s ] files are located inside the %s directory inside the project folder\n",
 		clifmt.Color(32, "finished"),
-		float64(time.Now().UnixNano()-starttime)/1e6,
+		time.Now().Sub(starttime),
 		clifmt.Color(33, ".build"),
 	)
 
diff --git a/driver/generic.go b/driver/generic.go
index 2b86ebd..b124461 100644
--- a/driver/generic.go
+++ b/driver/generic.go
@@ -7,12 +7,32 @@ import (
 	"git.xdrm.io/go/aicra/response"
 	"net/http"
 	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 )
 
 // Name returns the driver name
 func (d *Generic) Name() string { return "generic" }
 
+// Path returns the universal path from the source path
+func (d Generic) Path(_root, _folder, _src string) string {
+	return _src
+}
+
+// Source returns the source path from the universal path
+func (d Generic) Source(_root, _folder, _path string) string {
+	return filepath.Join(_root, _folder, _path)
+
+}
+
+// Build returns the build path from the universal path
+func (d Generic) Build(_root, _folder, _path string) string {
+	return filepath.Join(_root, _folder, _path)
+}
+
+// Compiled returns whether the driver has to be build
+func (d Generic) Compiled() bool { return false }
+
 // RunController implements the Driver interface
 func (d *Generic) RunController(_path []string, _method string) (func(response.Arguments) response.Response, e.Error) {
 
diff --git a/driver/import.go b/driver/import.go
index f8b715c..52d0417 100644
--- a/driver/import.go
+++ b/driver/import.go
@@ -6,13 +6,32 @@ import (
 	e "git.xdrm.io/go/aicra/err"
 	"git.xdrm.io/go/aicra/response"
 	"net/http"
-	"plugin"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 )
 
 // Name returns the driver name
 func (d *Import) Name() string { return "import" }
 
+// Path returns the universal path from the source path
+func (d Import) Path(_root, _folder, _src string) string {
+	return strings.TrimSuffix(_src, ".go")
+}
+
+// Source returns the source path from the universal path
+func (d Import) Source(_root, _folder, _path string) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s.go", filepath.Join(_root, _folder, _path))
+
+}
+
+// Build returns the build path from the universal path
+func (d Import) Build(_root, _folder, _path string) string {
+	return filepath.Join(_root, _folder, _path)
+}
+
+// Compiled returns whether the driver has to be build
+func (d Import) Compiled() bool { return false }
+
 // RegisterController registers a new controller
 func (d *Import) RegisterController(_path string, _controller Controller) error {
 
@@ -62,7 +81,7 @@ func (d *Import) RegisterMiddlware(_path string, _middleware Middleware) error {
 }
 
 // RunController implements the Driver interface
-func (d *Import) RunController(_path []string, _method string) (func(response.Arguments) response.Response, err.Error) {
+func (d *Import) RunController(_path []string, _method string) (func(response.Arguments) response.Response, e.Error) {
 
 	/* (1) Build controller path */
 	path := strings.Join(_path, "-")
@@ -109,5 +128,5 @@ func (d *Import) LoadMiddleware(_path string) (func(http.Request, *[]string), er
 	}
 
 	/* (3) Return middleware */
-	return mware, nil
+	return middleware.Inspect, nil
 }
diff --git a/driver/plugin.go b/driver/plugin.go
index 3a343aa..272497e 100644
--- a/driver/plugin.go
+++ b/driver/plugin.go
@@ -5,12 +5,32 @@ import (
 	"git.xdrm.io/go/aicra/err"
 	"git.xdrm.io/go/aicra/response"
 	"net/http"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"plugin"
 	"strings"
 )
 
 // Name returns the driver name
-func (d *Plugin) Name() string { return "plugin" }
+func (d Plugin) Name() string { return "plugin" }
+
+// Path returns the universal path from the source path
+func (d Plugin) Path(_root, _folder, _src string) string {
+	return filepath.Dir(_src)
+}
+
+// Source returns the source path from the universal path
+func (d Plugin) Source(_root, _folder, _path string) string {
+	return filepath.Join(_root, _folder, _path, "main.go")
+
+}
+
+// Build returns the build path from the universal path
+func (d Plugin) Build(_root, _folder, _path string) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s.so", filepath.Join(_root, ".build", _folder, _path))
+}
+
+// Compiled returns whether the driver has to be build
+func (d Plugin) Compiled() bool { return true }
 
 // RunController implements the Driver interface
 func (d *Plugin) RunController(_path []string, _method string) (func(response.Arguments) response.Response, err.Error) {
diff --git a/driver/types.go b/driver/types.go
index 61aeb0a..7062e25 100644
--- a/driver/types.go
+++ b/driver/types.go
@@ -9,6 +9,11 @@ import (
 // Driver defines the driver interface to load controller/middleware implementation or executables
 type Driver interface {
 	Name() string
+	Path(string, string, string) string
+	Source(string, string, string) string
+	Build(string, string, string) string
+	Compiled() bool
+
 	RunController(_path []string, _method string) (func(response.Arguments) response.Response, err.Error)
 	LoadMiddleware(_path string) (func(http.Request, *[]string), error)
 }
diff --git a/internal/meta/builder.go b/internal/meta/builder.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..28d791a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/meta/builder.go
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+package meta
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"git.xdrm.io/go/aicra/driver"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+)
+
+// format inits the map if not set
+func (b *builder) format() {
+
+	if b.Map == nil {
+		b.Map = make(map[string]string)
+	}
+
+}
+
+// InferFromFolder fills the 'Map' by browsing recursively the
+// 'Folder' field
+func (b *builder) InferFromFolder(_root string, _driver driver.Driver) {
+
+	// 1. ignore if no Folder
+	if len(b.Folder) < 1 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	// 2. If relative Folder, join to root
+	rootpath := filepath.Join(_root, b.Folder)
+
+	// 3. Walk
+	filepath.Walk(rootpath, func(path string, info os.FileInfo, err error) error {
+
+		// ignore dir
+		if err != nil || info.IsDir() {
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		// format path
+		path, err = filepath.Rel(rootpath, path)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil
+		}
+		// extract universal path from the driver
+		upath := _driver.Path(_root, b.Folder, path)
+
+		// format name
+		name := upath
+		if name == "ROOT" {
+			name = ""
+		}
+		name = fmt.Sprintf("/%s", name)
+
+		// add to map
+		b.Map[name] = upath
+
+		return nil
+	})
+
+}
diff --git a/internal/meta/defaults.go b/internal/meta/defaults.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d820aa5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/meta/defaults.go
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+package meta
+
+// Default contains the default values when ommited in json
+var Default = Schema{
+	Host:       "0.0.0.0",
+	Port:       80,
+	DriverName: "",
+	Types: &builder{
+		IgnoreBuiltIn: false,
+		Folder:        "",
+		Map:           nil,
+	},
+	Controllers: &builder{
+		IgnoreBuiltIn: true,
+		Folder:        "",
+		Map:           nil,
+	},
+	Middlewares: &builder{
+		IgnoreBuiltIn: true,
+		Folder:        "",
+		Map:           nil,
+	},
+}
diff --git a/internal/meta/parser.go b/internal/meta/parser.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..14c054d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/meta/parser.go
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+package meta
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"git.xdrm.io/go/aicra/driver"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// Parse extracts a Meta from a json config file (aicra.json)
+func Parse(_path string) (*Schema, error) {
+
+	/* 1. ppen file */
+	file, err := os.Open(_path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("cannot open file")
+	}
+	defer file.Close()
+
+	/* 2. Init receiver dataset */
+	receiver := &Schema{}
+
+	/* 3. Decode json */
+	decoder := json.NewDecoder(file)
+	err = decoder.Decode(receiver)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	/* 4. Error on invalid driver */
+	receiver.DriverName = strings.ToLower(receiver.DriverName)
+	switch receiver.DriverName {
+	case "generic":
+		receiver.Driver = &driver.Generic{}
+	case "plugin":
+		receiver.Driver = &driver.Plugin{}
+	case "import":
+		receiver.Driver = &driver.Import{}
+
+	default:
+		return nil, errors.New("invalid driver; choose from 'generic', 'plugin', and 'import'")
+	}
+
+	/* 5. Fail if type map is set */
+	if receiver.Types.Map != nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("types must not feature the 'map'")
+	}
+
+	/* 6. Fail on absolute folders */
+	if len(receiver.Types.Folder) > 0 && filepath.IsAbs(receiver.Types.Folder) {
+		return nil, errors.New("types folder must be relative to root")
+	}
+	if len(receiver.Controllers.Folder) > 0 && filepath.IsAbs(receiver.Controllers.Folder) {
+		return nil, errors.New("controllers folder must be relative to root")
+	}
+	if len(receiver.Middlewares.Folder) > 0 && filepath.IsAbs(receiver.Middlewares.Folder) {
+		return nil, errors.New("middlewares folder must be relative to root")
+	}
+
+	/* 7. Format result (default values, etc) */
+	receiver.setDefaults()
+
+	return receiver, nil
+
+}
+
+// setDefaults sets defaults values and checks for missing data
+func (m *Schema) setDefaults() {
+
+	// 1. extract absolute root folder
+	absroot, err := filepath.Abs(m.Root)
+	if err == nil {
+		m.Root = absroot
+	}
+
+	// 2. host
+	if len(m.Host) < 1 {
+		m.Host = Default.Host
+	}
+
+	// 3. port
+	if m.Port == 0 {
+		m.Port = Default.Port
+	}
+
+	// 4. Empty builders
+	if m.Types == nil {
+		m.Types = Default.Types
+	}
+	if m.Controllers == nil {
+		m.Controllers = Default.Controllers
+	}
+	if m.Middlewares == nil {
+		m.Middlewares = Default.Middlewares
+	}
+
+	// 5. Init map if not set
+	m.Types.format()
+	m.Controllers.format()
+	m.Middlewares.format()
+
+	// 6. Infer Maps from Folders
+	m.Types.InferFromFolder(m.Root, m.Driver)
+	m.Controllers.InferFromFolder(m.Root, m.Driver)
+	m.Middlewares.InferFromFolder(m.Root, m.Driver)
+
+}
diff --git a/internal/meta/types.go b/internal/meta/types.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e4c72a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/meta/types.go
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+package meta
+
+import (
+	"git.xdrm.io/go/aicra/driver"
+)
+
+type builder struct {
+	// IgnoreBuiltIn tells whether or not to ignore the built-in components
+	IgnoreBuiltIn bool `json:"default,ommitempty"`
+
+	// Folder is used to infer the 'Map' object
+	Folder string `json:"folder,ommitempty"`
+
+	// Map defines the association path=>file
+	Map map[string]string `json:"map,ommitempty"`
+}
+
+// Schema represents an AICRA configuration (not the API, the server, drivers, etc)
+type Schema struct {
+	// Root is root of the project structure
+	Root string `json:"root"`
+
+	// Host is the hostname to listen to (default is 0.0.0.0)
+	Host string `json:"host,ommitempty"`
+	// Port is the port to listen to (default is 80)
+	Port uint16 `json:"port,ommitempty"`
+
+	// DriverName is the driver used to load the controllers and middlewares
+	// (default is 'plugin')
+	DriverName string `json:"driver"`
+	Driver     driver.Driver
+
+	// Types defines :
+	// - the type folder
+	// - each type by 'name => path'
+	// - whether to load the built-in types
+	//
+	// types are ommited if not set (no default)
+	Types *builder `json:"types,ommitempty"`
+
+	// Controllers defines :
+	// - the controller folder (as a single string)
+	// - each controller by 'name => path' (as a map)
+	//
+	// (default is .build/controller)
+	Controllers *builder `json:"controllers,ommitempty"`
+
+	// Middlewares defines :
+	// - the middleware folder (as a single string)
+	// - each middleware by 'name => path' (as a map)
+	//
+	// (default is .build/middleware)
+	Middlewares *builder `json:"middlewares,ommitempty"`
+}