diff --git a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_api.nim b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_api.nim
index bd7704ee4..f6a41fbd7 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_api.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_api.nim
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ import
 export
   AristoDbProfListRef
 
+const
+  AutoValidateApiHooks = defined(release).not
+    ## No validatinon needed for production suite.
+
 # Annotation helper(s)
 {.pragma: noRaise, gcsafe, raises: [].}
 
@@ -158,6 +162,14 @@ type
       ##
       ## Use `aristo_desc.forget()` to clean up this descriptor.
 
+  AristoApiGetKeyFn* =
+    proc(db: AristoDbRef;
+         vid: VertexID;
+        ): HashKey
+        {.noRaise.}
+      ## Simplified version of `getKey(0` (see below) returns `VOID_HASH_KEY`
+      ## also on fetch errors.
+
   AristoApiGetKeyRcFn* =
     proc(db: AristoDbRef;
          vid: VertexID;
@@ -346,6 +358,7 @@ type
     forget*: AristoApiForgetFn
     fork*: AristoApiForkFn
     forkTop*: AristoApiForkTopFn
+    getKey*: AristoApiGetKeyFn
     getKeyRc*: AristoApiGetKeyRcFn
     hashify*: AristoApiHashifyFn
     hasPath*: AristoApiHasPathFn
@@ -377,6 +390,7 @@ type
     AristoApiProfForgetFn       = "forget"
     AristoApiProfForkFn         = "fork"
     AristoApiProfForkTopFn      = "forkTop"
+    AristoApiProfGetKeyFn       = "getKey"
     AristoApiProfGetKeyRcFn     = "getKeyRc"
     AristoApiProfHashifyFn      = "hashify"
     AristoApiProfHasPathFn      = "hasPath"
@@ -404,6 +418,45 @@ type
     data*: AristoDbProfListRef
     be*: BackendRef
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Private helpers
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+when AutoValidateApiHooks:
+  proc validate(api: AristoApiObj|AristoApiRef) =
+    doAssert not api.commit.isNil
+    doAssert not api.delete.isNil
+    doAssert not api.delTree.isNil
+    doAssert not api.fetchPayload.isNil
+    doAssert not api.finish.isNil
+    doAssert not api.forget.isNil
+    doAssert not api.fork.isNil
+    doAssert not api.forkTop.isNil
+    doAssert not api.getKey.isNil
+    doAssert not api.getKeyRc.isNil
+    doAssert not api.hashify.isNil
+    doAssert not api.hasPath.isNil
+    doAssert not api.hikeUp.isNil
+    doAssert not api.isTop.isNil
+    doAssert not api.level.isNil
+    doAssert not api.nForked.isNil
+    doAssert not api.merge.isNil
+    doAssert not api.mergePayload.isNil
+    doAssert not api.pathAsBlob.isNil
+    doAssert not api.rollback.isNil
+    doAssert not api.serialise.isNil
+    doAssert not api.stow.isNil
+    doAssert not api.txBegin.isNil
+    doAssert not api.txTop.isNil
+    doAssert not api.vidFetch.isNil
+    doAssert not api.vidDispose.isNil
+
+  proc validate(prf: AristoApiProfRef; be: BackendRef) =
+    prf.AristoApiRef.validate
+    doAssert not prf.data.isNil
+    if not be.isNil:
+      doAssert not prf.be.isNil
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public API constuctors
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -411,6 +464,8 @@ type
 func init*(api: var AristoApiObj) =
   ## Initialise an `api` argument descriptor
   ##
+  when AutoValidateApiHooks:
+    api.reset
   api.commit = commit
   api.delete = delete
   api.delTree = delTree
@@ -419,6 +474,7 @@ func init*(api: var AristoApiObj) =
   api.forget = forget
   api.fork = fork
   api.forkTop = forkTop
+  api.getKey = getKey
   api.getKeyRc = getKeyRc
   api.hashify = hashify
   api.hasPath = hasPath
@@ -436,14 +492,43 @@ func init*(api: var AristoApiObj) =
   api.txTop = txTop
   api.vidFetch = vidFetch
   api.vidDispose = vidDispose
+  when AutoValidateApiHooks:
+    api.validate
 
 func init*(T: type AristoApiRef): T =
   new result
   result[].init()
 
 func dup*(api: AristoApiRef): AristoApiRef =
-  new result
-  result[] = api[]
+  result = AristoApiRef(
+    commit:       api.commit,
+    delete:       api.delete,
+    delTree:      api.delTree,
+    fetchPayload: api.fetchPayload,
+    finish:       api.finish,
+    forget:       api.forget,
+    fork:         api.fork,
+    forkTop:      api.forkTop,
+    getKey:       api.getKey,
+    getKeyRc:     api.getKeyRc,
+    hashify:      api.hashify,
+    hasPath:      api.hasPath,
+    hikeUp:       api.hikeUp,
+    isTop:        api.isTop,
+    level:        api.level,
+    nForked:      api.nForked,
+    merge:        api.merge,
+    mergePayload: api.mergePayload,
+    pathAsBlob:   api.pathAsBlob,
+    rollback:     api.rollback,
+    serialise:    api.serialise,
+    stow:         api.stow,
+    txBegin:      api.txBegin,
+    txTop:        api.txTop,
+    vidFetch:     api.vidFetch,
+    vidDispose:   api.vidDispose)
+  when AutoValidateApiHooks:
+    api.validate
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public profile API constuctor
@@ -512,6 +597,11 @@ func init*(
       AristoApiProfForkTopFn.profileRunner:
         result = api.forkTop(a, b)
 
+  profApi.getKey =
+    proc(a: AristoDbRef; b: VertexID): auto =
+      AristoApiProfGetKeyFn.profileRunner:
+        result = api.getKey(a, b)
+
   profApi.getKeyRc =
     proc(a: AristoDbRef; b: VertexID): auto =
       AristoApiProfGetKeyRcFn.profileRunner:
@@ -616,6 +706,9 @@ func init*(
         AristoApiProfBePutEndFn.profileRunner:
           result = be.putEndFn(a)
 
+  when AutoValidateApiHooks:
+    profApi.validate be
+
   profApi
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_delete.nim b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_delete.nim
index 54a15f5a1..75cb9cd3a 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_delete.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_delete.nim
@@ -216,14 +216,6 @@ proc collapseLeaf(
       par.vtx.bVid[hike.legs[^3].nibble] = lf.vid
       db.layersPutVtx(hike.root, par.vid, par.vtx)
       db.layersPutVtx(hike.root, lf.vid, lf.vtx)
-      # Make sure that there is a cache enty in case the leaf was pulled from
-      # the backend.
-      let
-        lfPath = hike.legsTo(hike.legs.len - 2, NibblesSeq) & lf.vtx.lPfx
-
-      lfPath.pathToTag.isOkOr:
-        return err((lf.vid,error))
-
       return ok()
 
     of Extension:                                        # (2) or (3)
@@ -240,14 +232,6 @@ proc collapseLeaf(
         gpr.vtx.bVid[hike.legs[^4].nibble] = lf.vid
         db.layersPutVtx(hike.root, gpr.vid, gpr.vtx)
         db.layersPutVtx(hike.root, lf.vid, lf.vtx)
-        # Make sure that there is a cache enty in case the leaf was pulled from
-        # the backend.
-        let
-          lfPath = hike.legsTo(hike.legs.len - 3, NibblesSeq) & lf.vtx.lPfx
-
-        lfPath.pathToTag.isOKOr:
-            return err((lf.vid,error))
-
         return ok()
 
       # No grandparent, so ^3 is root vertex             # (3)
diff --git a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_profile.nim b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_profile.nim
index 0baf4a741..41f1c10ec 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_profile.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_profile.nim
@@ -26,6 +26,12 @@ type
   AristoDbProfEla* = seq[(Duration,seq[uint])]
   AristoDbProfMean* = seq[(Duration,seq[uint])]
   AristoDbProfCount* = seq[(int,seq[uint])]
+  AristoDbProfStats* = tuple
+    count:    int
+    total:    Duration
+    mean:     Duration
+    stdDev:   Duration
+    devRatio: float
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Private helpers
@@ -176,14 +182,14 @@ proc byVisits*(t: AristoDbProfListRef): AristoDbProfCount =
 func stats*(
     t: AristoDbProfListRef;
     inx: uint;
-      ): tuple[n: int, mean: Duration, stdDev: Duration, devRatio: float] =
+      ): AristoDbProfStats =
   ## Print mean and strandard deviation of timing
   let data = t.list[inx]
-  result.n = data.count
-  if 0 < result.n:
+  result.count = data.count
+  if 0 < result.count:
     let
-      mean = data.sum / result.n.float
-      sqMean = data.sqSum / result.n.float
+      mean = data.sum / result.count.float
+      sqMean = data.sqSum / result.count.float
       meanSq = mean * mean
 
       # Mathematically, `meanSq <= sqMean` but there might be rounding errors
@@ -191,6 +197,7 @@ func stats*(
       sigma = sqMean - min(meanSq,sqMean)
       stdDev = sigma.sqrt
 
+    result.total = data.sum.toDuration
     result.mean = mean.toDuration
     result.stdDev = stdDev.sqrt.toDuration
 
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db.nim
index 073444b7d..cf36ccb02 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db.nim
@@ -13,20 +13,17 @@
 import
   eth/common,
   results,
-  ../../aristo,
-  ../../aristo/[
-    aristo_desc, aristo_nearby, aristo_path, aristo_tx, aristo_serialise,
-    aristo_walk],
-  ../../kvt,
-  ../../kvt/[kvt_desc, kvt_init, kvt_tx, kvt_walk],
+  "../.."/[aristo, aristo/aristo_walk],
+  "../.."/[kvt, kvt/kvt_init/memory_only, kvt/kvt_walk],
   ".."/[base, base/base_desc],
   ./aristo_db/[common_desc, handlers_aristo, handlers_kvt]
 
 import
   ../../aristo/aristo_init/memory_only as aristo_memory_only
 
-include
-  ./aristo_db/aristo_replicate
+# Caveat:
+#  additional direct include(s) -- not import(s) -- is placed near
+#  the end of this source file
 
 # Annotation helper(s)
 {.pragma:  noRaise, gcsafe, raises: [].}
@@ -44,6 +41,8 @@ type
 
   AristoCoreDbBE = ref object of CoreDbBackendRef
 
+proc newAristoVoidCoreDbRef*(): CoreDbRef {.noRaise.}
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Private helpers
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -72,28 +71,33 @@ proc txMethods(
 
     commitFn: proc(ignore: bool): CoreDbRc[void] =
       const info = "commitFn()"
-      ? aTx.commit.toVoidRc(db, info)
-      ? kTx.commit.toVoidRc(db, info)
+      ? db.adbBase.api.commit(aTx).toVoidRc(db, info)
+      ? db.kdbBase.api.commit(kTx).toVoidRc(db, info)
       ok(),
 
     rollbackFn: proc(): CoreDbRc[void] =
       const info = "rollbackFn()"
-      ? aTx.rollback.toVoidRc(db, info)
-      ? kTx.rollback.toVoidRc(db, info)
+      ? db.adbBase.api.rollback(aTx).toVoidRc(db, info)
+      ? db.kdbBase.api.rollback(kTx).toVoidRc(db, info)
       ok(),
 
     disposeFn: proc(): CoreDbRc[void] =
       const info =  "disposeFn()"
-      if aTx.isTop: ? aTx.rollback.toVoidRc(db, info)
-      if kTx.isTop: ? kTx.rollback.toVoidRc(db, info)
+      if db.adbBase.api.isTop(aTx):
+        ? db.adbBase.api.rollback(aTx).toVoidRc(db, info)
+      if db.kdbBase.api.isTop(kTx):
+        ? db.kdbBase.api.rollback(kTx).toVoidRc(db, info)
       ok(),
 
     safeDisposeFn: proc(): CoreDbRc[void] =
       const info =  "safeDisposeFn()"
-      if aTx.isTop: ? aTx.rollback.toVoidRc(db, info)
-      if kTx.isTop: ? kTx.rollback.toVoidRc(db, info)
+      if db.adbBase.api.isTop(aTx):
+        ? db.adbBase.api.rollback(aTx).toVoidRc(db, info)
+      if db.kdbBase.api.isTop(kTx):
+        ? db.kdbBase.api.rollback(kTx).toVoidRc(db, info)
       ok())
 
+
 proc baseMethods(
     db: AristoCoreDbRef;
     A:  typedesc;
@@ -165,7 +169,7 @@ proc baseMethods(
     getIdFn: proc(): CoreDbRc[CoreDxTxID] =
       CoreDxTxID.notImplemented(db, "getIdFn()"),
 
-    captureFn: proc(flags: set[CoreDbCaptFlags]): CoreDbRc[CoreDxCaptRef] =
+    newCaptureFn: proc(flags: set[CoreDbCaptFlags]): CoreDbRc[CoreDxCaptRef] =
       CoreDxCaptRef.notImplemented(db, "capture()"))
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -245,7 +249,7 @@ proc newAristoVoidCoreDbRef*(): CoreDbRef =
   AristoDbVoid.init(kvt.VoidBackendRef, aristo.VoidBackendRef)
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Public helpers for direct backend access
+# Public helpers, e.g. for direct backend access
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 func toAristoProfData*(
@@ -256,6 +260,18 @@ func toAristoProfData*(
       result.aristo = db.AristoCoreDbRef.adbBase.api.AristoApiProfRef.data
       result.kvt = db.AristoCoreDbRef.kdbBase.api.KvtApiProfRef.data
 
+func toAristoApi*(dsc: CoreDxKvtRef): KvtApiRef =
+  doAssert not dsc.parent.isNil
+  doAssert dsc.parent.isAristo
+  if dsc.parent.isAristo:
+    return AristoCoreDbRef(dsc.parent).kdbBase.api
+
+func toAristoApi*(dsc: CoreDxMptRef): AristoApiRef =
+  doAssert not dsc.parent.isNil
+  doAssert dsc.parent.isAristo
+  if dsc.parent.isAristo:
+    return AristoCoreDbRef(dsc.parent).adbBase.api
+
 func toAristo*(be: CoreDbKvtBackendRef): KvtDbRef =
   if be.parent.isAristo:
     return be.AristoCoreDbKvtBE.kdb
@@ -272,16 +288,33 @@ func toAristo*(be: CoreDbAccBackendRef): AristoDbRef =
 # Public aristo iterators
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-iterator aristoKvtPairs*(dsc: CoreDxKvtRef): (Blob,Blob) {.rlpRaise.} =
-  let p = dsc.to(KvtDbRef).forkTop.valueOrApiError "aristoKvtPairs()"
-  defer: discard p.forget()
+include
+  ./aristo_db/aristo_replicate
+
+# ------------------------
+
+iterator aristoKvtPairsVoid*(dsc: CoreDxKvtRef): (Blob,Blob) {.rlpRaise.} =
+  let
+    api = dsc.toAristoApi()
+    p = api.forkTop(dsc.to(KvtDbRef)).valueOrApiError "aristoKvtPairs()"
+  defer: discard api.forget(p)
+  for (k,v) in kvt.VoidBackendRef.walkPairs p:
+    yield (k,v)
+
+iterator aristoKvtPairsMem*(dsc: CoreDxKvtRef): (Blob,Blob) {.rlpRaise.} =
+  let
+    api = dsc.toAristoApi()
+    p = api.forkTop(dsc.to(KvtDbRef)).valueOrApiError "aristoKvtPairs()"
+  defer: discard api.forget(p)
   for (k,v) in kvt.MemBackendRef.walkPairs p:
     yield (k,v)
 
 iterator aristoMptPairs*(dsc: CoreDxMptRef): (Blob,Blob) {.noRaise.} =
-  let mpt = dsc.to(AristoDbRef)
+  let
+    api = dsc.toAristoApi()
+    mpt = dsc.to(AristoDbRef)
   for (k,v) in mpt.rightPairs LeafTie(root: dsc.rootID):
-    yield (k.path.pathAsBlob, mpt.serialise(v).valueOr(EmptyBlob))
+    yield (api.pathAsBlob(k.path), api.serialise(mpt, v).valueOr(EmptyBlob))
 
 iterator aristoReplicateMem*(dsc: CoreDxMptRef): (Blob,Blob) {.rlpRaise.} =
   ## Instantiation for `MemBackendRef`
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/aristo_replicate.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/aristo_replicate.nim
index 27198c81a..a7ca3aa2d 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/aristo_replicate.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/aristo_replicate.nim
@@ -27,9 +27,10 @@ iterator aristoReplicate[T](
   ##
   let
     root = dsc.rootID
-    mpt =  dsc.to(AristoDbRef)
-    p = mpt.forkTop.valueOrApiError "aristoReplicate()"
-  defer: discard p.forget()
+    mpt = dsc.to(AristoDbRef)
+    api = dsc.toAristoApi()
+    p = api.forkTop(mpt).valueOrApiError "aristoReplicate()"
+  defer: discard api.forget(p)
   for (vid,key,vtx,node) in T.replicate(p):
     if key.len == 32:
       yield (@key, node.encode)
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/common_desc.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/common_desc.nim
index c71dccc86..8e5bbd025 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/common_desc.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/common_desc.nim
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ type
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 func isAristo*(be: CoreDbRef): bool =
-  be.dbType in {AristoDbMemory, AristoDbRocks}
+  be.dbType in {AristoDbMemory, AristoDbRocks, AristoDbVoid}
 
 func toStr*(n: VertexID): string =
   result = "$"
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/handlers_aristo.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/handlers_aristo.nim
index a9a86c5a8..8fd1ce9ff 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/handlers_aristo.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/handlers_aristo.nim
@@ -471,7 +471,6 @@ proc mptMethods(cMpt: AristoChildDbRef): CoreDbMptFns =
     if rc.value:
       # Trie has become empty
       cMpt.root = VoidTrieID
-
     ok()
 
   proc mptHasPath(
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/handlers_kvt.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/handlers_kvt.nim
index bf8d760df..1322d74c1 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/handlers_kvt.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db/handlers_kvt.nim
@@ -87,13 +87,14 @@ proc `=destroy`(cKvt: var KvtChildDbObj) =
   ## Auto destructor
   let
     base = cKvt.base
+    api = base.api
     kvt = cKvt.kvt
   if not kvt.isNil:
     block body:
       # Do some heuristics to avoid duplicates:
       block addToBatchQueue:
         if kvt != base.kdb:              # not base descriptor?
-          if base.api.level(kvt) == 0:   # no transaction pending?
+          if api.level(kvt) == 0:        # no transaction pending?
             break addToBatchQueue        # add to destructor queue
           else:
             break body                   # ignore `kvt`
@@ -132,7 +133,6 @@ proc persistent(
     api = base.api
     db = base.parent
     rc = api.stow(kvt)
-
   # Note that `gc()` may call `persistent()` so there is no `base.gc()` here
   if rc.isOk:
     ok()
@@ -155,7 +155,8 @@ proc forget(
   if kvt != base.kdb:
     let
       db = base.parent
-      rc = base.api.forget(kvt)
+      api = base.api
+      rc = api.forget(kvt)
     if rc.isErr:
       result = err(rc.error.toError(db, info))
 
@@ -206,7 +207,7 @@ proc kvtMethods(cKvt: KvtChildDbRef): CoreDbKvtFns =
         ): CoreDbRc[void] =
     let
       base = cKvt.base
-      rc = base.api.put(cKvt.kvt, k,v)
+      rc = base.api.put(cKvt.kvt, k, v)
     if rc.isErr:
       return err(rc.error.toError(base.parent, info))
     ok()
@@ -348,12 +349,13 @@ proc newKvtHandler*(
 
   let
     db = base.parent
+    api = base.api
 
     (mode, kvt) = case saveMode:
       of TopShot:
-        (saveMode, ? base.kdb.forkTop.toRc(db, info))
+        (saveMode, ? api.forkTop(base.kdb).toRc(db, info))
       of Companion:
-        (saveMode, ? base.kdb.fork.toRc(db, info))
+        (saveMode, ? api.fork(base.kdb).toRc(db, info))
       of Shared, AutoSave:
         if base.kdb.backend.isNil:
           (Shared, base.kdb)
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/legacy_db.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/legacy_db.nim
index dd314cf2a..b8511002c 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/legacy_db.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/legacy_db.nim
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 {.push raises: [].}
 
 import
+  std/tables,
   eth/[common, rlp, trie/db, trie/hexary],
   stew/byteutils,
   results,
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ type
     kvt: CoreDxKvtRef       ## Cache, no need to rebuild methods descriptor
     tdb: TrieDatabaseRef    ## Descriptor reference copy captured with closures
     top: LegacyCoreDxTxRef  ## Top transaction (if any)
+    level: int              ## Debugging
 
   LegacyDbClose* = proc() {.gcsafe, raises: [].}
     ## Custom destructor
@@ -46,7 +48,7 @@ type
   RecorderRef = ref object of RootRef
     flags: set[CoreDbCaptFlags]
     parent: TrieDatabaseRef
-    logger: LegacyDbRef
+    logger: TableRef[Blob,Blob]
     appDb: LegacyDbRef
 
   LegacyCoreDbTrie* = ref object of CoreDbTrieRef
@@ -184,40 +186,50 @@ proc toAccount(
 
 proc get(db: RecorderRef, key: openArray[byte]): Blob =
   ## Mixin for `trieDB()`
-  result = db.logger.tdb.get(key)
+  result = db.logger.getOrDefault @key
   if result.len == 0:
     result = db.parent.get(key)
     if result.len != 0:
-      db.logger.tdb.put(key, result)
+      db.logger[@key] = result
 
 proc put(db: RecorderRef, key, value: openArray[byte]) =
   ## Mixin for `trieDB()`
-  db.logger.tdb.put(key, value)
+  db.logger[@key] = @value
   if PersistPut in db.flags:
     db.parent.put(key, value)
 
 proc contains(db: RecorderRef, key: openArray[byte]): bool =
   ## Mixin for `trieDB()`
-  result = db.parent.contains(key)
-  doAssert(db.logger.tdb.contains(key) == result)
+  if db.logger.hasKey @key:
+    return true
+  if db.parent.contains key:
+    return true
 
 proc del(db: RecorderRef, key: openArray[byte]) =
   ## Mixin for `trieDB()`
-  db.logger.tdb.del(key)
+  db.logger.del @key
   if PersistDel in db.flags:
-    db.parent.del(key)
+    db.parent.del key
 
 proc newRecorderRef(
-    tdb: TrieDatabaseRef;
-    dbType: CoreDbType,
+    db: LegacyDbRef;
     flags: set[CoreDbCaptFlags];
       ): RecorderRef =
   ## Capture constuctor, uses `mixin` values from above
   result = RecorderRef(
-    flags:    flags,
-    parent:   tdb,
-    logger: LegacyDbRef().init(LegacyDbMemory, newMemoryDB()).LegacyDbRef)
-  result.appDb = LegacyDbRef().init(dbType, trieDB result).LegacyDbRef
+    flags:  flags,
+    parent: db.tdb,
+    logger: newTable[Blob,Blob]())
+  let newDb = LegacyDbRef(
+    level:          db.level+1,
+    trackLegaApi:   db.trackLegaApi,
+    trackNewApi:    db.trackNewApi,
+    trackLedgerApi: db.trackLedgerApi,
+    localDbOnly:    db.localDbOnly,
+    profTab:        db.profTab,
+    ledgerHook:     db.ledgerHook)
+  # Note: the **mixin** magic happens in `trieDB()`
+  result.appDb = newDb.init(db.dbType, trieDB result).LegacyDbRef
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Private database method function tables
@@ -399,16 +411,19 @@ proc tidMethods(tid: TransactionID; tdb: TrieDatabaseRef): CoreDbTxIdFns =
       tdb.shortTimeReadOnly(tid, action())
       ok())
 
-proc cptMethods(cpt: RecorderRef): CoreDbCaptFns =
+proc cptMethods(cpt: RecorderRef; db: LegacyDbRef): CoreDbCaptFns =
   CoreDbCaptFns(
-    recorderFn: proc(): CoreDbRc[CoreDbRef] =
-      ok(cpt.appDb),
+    recorderFn: proc(): CoreDbRef =
+      cpt.appDb,
 
-    logDbFn: proc(): CoreDbRc[CoreDbRef] =
-      ok(cpt.logger),
+    logDbFn: proc(): TableRef[Blob,Blob] =
+      cpt.logger,
 
     getFlagsFn: proc(): set[CoreDbCaptFlags] =
-      cpt.flags)
+      cpt.flags,
+
+    forgetFn: proc(): CoreDbRc[void] =
+      err(db.bless(NotImplemented, LegacyCoreDbError(ctx: "disposeFn()"))))
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Private base methods (including constructors)
@@ -513,8 +528,8 @@ proc baseMethods(
       db.top.methods = db.top.txMethods()
       ok(db.bless db.top),
 
-    captureFn: proc(flgs: set[CoreDbCaptFlags]): CoreDbRc[CoreDxCaptRef] =
-      let fns = newRecorderRef(tdb, dbType, flgs).cptMethods
+    newCaptureFn: proc(flgs: set[CoreDbCaptFlags]): CoreDbRc[CoreDxCaptRef] =
+      let fns = db.newRecorderRef(flgs).cptMethods(db)
       ok(db.bless CoreDxCaptRef(methods: fns)))
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/base.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/base.nim
index 128afb7b6..3dbbc73e2 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/base.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/base.nim
@@ -990,28 +990,65 @@ proc newCapture*(
     db: CoreDbRef;
     flags: set[CoreDbCaptFlags] = {};
       ): CoreDbRc[CoreDxCaptRef] =
-  ## Constructor
-  db.setTrackNewApi BaseCaptureFn
-  result = db.methods.captureFn flags
+  ## Trace constructor providing an overlay on top of the argument database
+  ## `db`. This overlay provides a replacement database handle that can be
+  ## retrieved via `db.recorder()` (which can in turn be ovelayed.) While
+  ## running the overlay stores data in a log-table which can be retrieved
+  ## via `db.logDb()`.
+  ##
+  ## Caveat:
+  ##   The original database argument `db` should not be used while the tracer
+  ##   is active (i.e. exists as overlay). The behaviour for this situation
+  ##   is undefined and depends on the backend implementation of the tracer.
+  ##
+  db.setTrackNewApi BaseNewCaptureFn
+  result = db.methods.newCaptureFn flags
   db.ifTrackNewApi: debug newApiTxt, ctx, elapsed, result
 
-proc recorder*(cp: CoreDxCaptRef): CoreDbRc[CoreDbRef] =
-  ## Getter
-  cp.setTrackNewApi CptRecorderFn
-  result = cp.methods.recorderFn()
-  cp.ifTrackNewApi: debug newApiTxt, ctx, elapsed, result
+proc recorder*(cpt: CoreDxCaptRef): CoreDbRef =
+  ## Getter, returns a tracer replacement handle to be used as new database.
+  ## It records every action like fetch, store, hasKey, hasPath and delete.
+  ## This descriptor can be superseded by a new overlay tracer (using
+  ## `newCapture()`, again.)
+  ##
+  ## Caveat:
+  ##   Unless the desriptor `cpt` referes to the top level overlay tracer, the
+  ##   result is undefined and depends on the backend implementation of the
+  ##   tracer.
+  ##
+  cpt.setTrackNewApi CptRecorderFn
+  result = cpt.methods.recorderFn()
+  cpt.ifTrackNewApi: debug newApiTxt, ctx, elapsed
 
-proc logDb*(cp: CoreDxCaptRef): CoreDbRc[CoreDbRef] =
+proc logDb*(cp: CoreDxCaptRef): TableRef[Blob,Blob] =
+  ## Getter, returns the logger table for the overlay tracer database.
+  ##
+  ## Caveat:
+  ##   Unless the desriptor `cpt` referes to the top level overlay tracer, the
+  ##   result is undefined and depends on the backend implementation of the
+  ##   tracer.
+  ##
   cp.setTrackNewApi CptLogDbFn
   result = cp.methods.logDbFn()
-  cp.ifTrackNewApi: debug newApiTxt, ctx, elapsed, result
+  cp.ifTrackNewApi: debug newApiTxt, ctx, elapsed
 
-proc flags*(cp: CoreDxCaptRef): set[CoreDbCaptFlags] =
+proc flags*(cp: CoreDxCaptRef):set[CoreDbCaptFlags] =
   ## Getter
   cp.setTrackNewApi CptFlagsFn
   result = cp.methods.getFlagsFn()
   cp.ifTrackNewApi: debug newApiTxt, ctx, elapsed, result
 
+proc forget*(cp: CoreDxCaptRef): CoreDbRc[void] =
+  ## Explicitely stop recording the current tracer instance. If this call was
+  ## successful, the the database argument `db` used when starting the trace
+  ## with `newCapture()` will be fully operational, again. This will also
+  ## implicitely take place when the`NIM` garbage collector recycles an
+  ## abondoned capture descriptor.
+  ##
+  cp.setTrackNewApi CptForgetFn
+  result = cp.methods.forgetFn()
+  cp.ifTrackNewApi: debug newApiTxt, ctx, elapsed, result
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public methods, legacy API
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1241,12 +1278,12 @@ when ProvideLegacyAPI:
 
   proc recorder*(cp: CoreDbCaptRef): CoreDbRef =
     cp.setTrackLegaApi LegaCptRecorderFn
-    result = cp.distinctBase.recorder().expect $ctx
+    result = cp.distinctBase.recorder()
     cp.ifTrackLegaApi: debug legaApiTxt, ctx, elapsed
 
-  proc logDb*(cp: CoreDbCaptRef): CoreDbRef =
+  proc logDb*(cp: CoreDbCaptRef): TableRef[Blob,Blob] =
     cp.setTrackLegaApi LegaCptLogDbFn
-    result = cp.distinctBase.logDb().expect $ctx
+    result = cp.distinctBase.logDb()
     cp.ifTrackLegaApi: debug legaApiTxt, ctx, elapsed
 
   proc flags*(cp: CoreDbCaptRef): set[CoreDbCaptFlags] =
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/api_tracking.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/api_tracking.nim
index 9dc2e7fb3..058d654d6 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/api_tracking.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/api_tracking.nim
@@ -40,13 +40,13 @@ type
     AnyBackendFn        = "any/backend"
     AnyIsPruningFn      = "any/isPruning"
 
-    BaseCaptureFn       = "newCapture"
     BaseDbTypeFn        = "dbType"
     BaseFinishFn        = "finish"
     BaseGetTrieFn       = "getTrie"
     BaseLegacySetupFn   = "compensateLegacySetup"
     BaseLevelFn         = "level"
     BaseNewAccFn        = "newAccMpt"
+    BaseNewCaptureFn    = "newCapture"
     BaseNewKvtFn        = "newKvt"
     BaseNewMptFn        = "newMpt"
     BaseNewTxFn         = "newTransaction"
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ type
     CptFlagsFn          = "cpt/flags"
     CptLogDbFn          = "cpt/logDb"
     CptRecorderFn       = "cpt/recorder"
+    CptForgetFn         = "cpt/forget"
 
     ErrorPrintFn        = "$$"
     EthAccRecastFn      = "recast"
@@ -197,6 +198,9 @@ proc toStr*(rc: CoreDbRc[Hash256]): string =
 proc toStr*(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDbTrieRef]): string =
   if rc.isOk: "ok(" & rc.value.toStr & ")" else: "err(" & rc.error.toStr & ")"
 
+proc toStr*(rc: CoreDbRc[set[CoreDbCaptFlags]]): string =
+  if rc.isOk: "ok(" & rc.value.toStr & ")" else: "err(" & rc.error.toStr & ")"
+
 proc toStr*(rc: CoreDbRc[Account]): string =
   if rc.isOk: "ok(Account)" else: "err(" & rc.error.toStr & ")"
 
@@ -205,6 +209,7 @@ proc toStr[T](rc: CoreDbRc[T]; ifOk: static[string]): string =
 
 proc toStr*(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDbRef]): string = rc.toStr "db"
 proc toStr*(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDbAccount]): string = rc.toStr "acc"
+proc toStr*(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDxKvtRef]): string = rc.toStr "kvt"
 proc toStr*(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDxTxID]): string = rc.toStr "txId"
 proc toStr*(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDxTxRef]): string = rc.toStr "tx"
 proc toStr*(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDxCaptRef]): string = rc.toStr "capt"
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim
index 192b1a6e9..7d6f11bc7 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 {.push raises: [].}
 
 import
+  std/tables,
   eth/common,
   results,
   ../../aristo/aristo_profile
@@ -65,6 +66,7 @@ type
     HashNotAvailable
     TrieLocked
     StorageFailed
+    NotImplemented
 
   CoreDbSubTrie* = enum
     StorageTrie = 0
@@ -110,8 +112,9 @@ type
     ): CoreDbRc[CoreDxAccRef] {.noRaise.}
   CoreDbBaseTxGetIdFn* = proc(): CoreDbRc[CoreDxTxID] {.noRaise.}
   CoreDbBaseTxBeginFn* = proc(): CoreDbRc[CoreDxTxRef] {.noRaise.}
-  CoreDbBaseCaptFn* =
+  CoreDbBaseNewCaptFn* =
     proc(flgs: set[CoreDbCaptFlags]): CoreDbRc[CoreDxCaptRef] {.noRaise.}
+  CoreDbBaseGetCaptFn* = proc(): CoreDbRc[CoreDxCaptRef] {.noRaise.}
 
   CoreDbBaseFns* = object
     verifyFn*:      CoreDbBaseVerifyFn
@@ -137,7 +140,7 @@ type
     beginFn*:       CoreDbBaseTxBeginFn
 
     # capture/tracer constructors
-    captureFn*:     CoreDbBaseCaptFn
+    newCaptureFn*:  CoreDbBaseNewCaptFn
 
 
   # --------------------------------------------------
@@ -254,14 +257,16 @@ type
   # --------------------------------------------------
   # Sub-descriptor: capture recorder methods
   # --------------------------------------------------
-  CoreDbCaptRecorderFn* = proc(): CoreDbRc[CoreDbRef] {.noRaise.}
-  CoreDbCaptLogDbFn* = proc(): CoreDbRc[CoreDbRef] {.noRaise.}
+  CoreDbCaptRecorderFn* = proc(): CoreDbRef {.noRaise.}
+  CoreDbCaptLogDbFn* = proc(): TableRef[Blob,Blob] {.noRaise.}
   CoreDbCaptFlagsFn* = proc(): set[CoreDbCaptFlags] {.noRaise.}
+  CoreDbCaptForgetFn* = proc(): CoreDbRc[void] {.noRaise.}
 
   CoreDbCaptFns* = object
     recorderFn*: CoreDbCaptRecorderFn
     logDbFn*: CoreDbCaptLogDbFn
     getFlagsFn*: CoreDbCaptFlagsFn
+    forgetFn*: CoreDbCaptForgetFn
 
   # --------------------------------------------------
   # Production descriptors
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/validate.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/validate.nim
index 3f222e7c5..099a6cba0 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/validate.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/validate.nim
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ proc validateMethodsDesc(base: CoreDbBaseFns) =
   doAssert not base.newAccFn.isNil
   doAssert not base.getIdFn.isNil
   doAssert not base.beginFn.isNil
-  doAssert not base.captureFn.isNil
+  doAssert not base.newCaptureFn.isNil
 
 proc validateMethodsDesc(kvt: CoreDbKvtFns) =
   doAssert not kvt.backendFn.isNil
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ proc validateMethodsDesc(cpt: CoreDxCaptRef) =
   doAssert not cpt.parent.isNil
   doAssert not cpt.methods.recorderFn.isNil
   doAssert not cpt.methods.getFlagsFn.isNil
+  doAssert not cpt.methods.forgetFn.isNil
 
 proc validateMethodsDesc(tx: CoreDxTxRef) =
   doAssert not tx.isNil
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/base_iterators.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/base_iterators.nim
index 3fdf11256..195f8a8cd 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/base_iterators.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/base_iterators.nim
@@ -45,7 +45,10 @@ iterator pairs*(kvt: CoreDxKvtRef): (Blob, Blob) {.apiRaise.} =
     for k,v in kvt.legaKvtPairs():
       yield (k,v)
   of AristoDbMemory:
-    for k,v in kvt.aristoKvtPairs():
+    for k,v in kvt.aristoKvtPairsMem():
+      yield (k,v)
+  of AristoDbVoid:
+    for k,v in kvt.aristoKvtPairsVoid():
       yield (k,v)
   else:
     raiseAssert: "Unsupported database type: " & $kvt.parent.dbType
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/memory_only.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/memory_only.nim
index 7694d2291..e646aae8c 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/memory_only.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/memory_only.nim
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ import
   ./backend/[aristo_db, legacy_db]
 
 import
-  #./core_apps_legacy as core_apps
+  #./core_apps_legacy as core_apps -- avoid
   ./core_apps_newapi as core_apps
 import
   ./base except bless
diff --git a/nimbus/db/kvt/kvt_api.nim b/nimbus/db/kvt/kvt_api.nim
index 45b2b355a..80ee2443b 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/kvt/kvt_api.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/kvt/kvt_api.nim
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ import
   ../aristo/aristo_profile,
   "."/[kvt_desc, kvt_desc/desc_backend, kvt_init, kvt_tx, kvt_utils]
 
+const
+  AutoValidateApiHooks = defined(release).not
+    ## No validatinon needed for production suite.
+
 # Annotation helper(s)
 {.pragma: noRaise, gcsafe, raises: [].}
 
@@ -101,35 +105,85 @@ type
     data*: KvtDbProfListRef
     be*: BackendRef
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Private helpers
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+when AutoValidateApiHooks:
+  proc validate(api: KvtApiObj|KvtApiRef) =
+    doAssert not api.commit.isNil
+    doAssert not api.del.isNil
+    doAssert not api.finish.isNil
+    doAssert not api.forget.isNil
+    doAssert not api.fork.isNil
+    doAssert not api.forkTop.isNil
+    doAssert not api.get.isNil
+    doAssert not api.hasKey.isNil
+    doAssert not api.isTop.isNil
+    doAssert not api.level.isNil
+    doAssert not api.nForked.isNil
+    doAssert not api.put.isNil
+    doAssert not api.rollback.isNil
+    doAssert not api.stow.isNil
+    doAssert not api.txBegin.isNil
+    doAssert not api.txTop.isNil
+
+  proc validate(prf: KvtApiProfRef; be: BackendRef) =
+    prf.KvtApiRef.validate
+    doAssert not prf.data.isNil
+    if not be.isNil:
+      doAssert not prf.be.isNil
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public API constuctors
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 func init*(api: var KvtApiObj) =
-    api.commit = commit
-    api.del = del
-    api.finish = finish
-    api.forget = forget
-    api.fork = fork
-    api.forkTop = forkTop
-    api.get = get
-    api.hasKey = hasKey
-    api.isTop = isTop
-    api.level = level
-    api.nForked = nForked
-    api.put = put
-    api.rollback = rollback
-    api.stow = stow
-    api.txBegin = txBegin
-    api.txTop = txTop
+  when AutoValidateApiHooks:
+    api.reset
+  api.commit = commit
+  api.del = del
+  api.finish = finish
+  api.forget = forget
+  api.fork = fork
+  api.forkTop = forkTop
+  api.get = get
+  api.hasKey = hasKey
+  api.isTop = isTop
+  api.level = level
+  api.nForked = nForked
+  api.put = put
+  api.rollback = rollback
+  api.stow = stow
+  api.txBegin = txBegin
+  api.txTop = txTop
+  when AutoValidateApiHooks:
+    api.validate
 
 func init*(T: type KvtApiRef): T =
   result = new T
   result[].init()
 
 func dup*(api: KvtApiRef): KvtApiRef =
-  new result
-  result[] = api[]
+  result = KvtApiRef(
+    commit:   api.commit,
+    del:      api.del,
+    finish:   api.finish,
+    forget:   api.forget,
+    fork:     api.fork,
+    forkTop:  api.forkTop,
+    get:      api.get,
+    hasKey:   api.hasKey,
+    isTop:    api.isTop,
+    level:    api.level,
+    nForked:  api.nForked,
+    put:      api.put,
+    rollback: api.rollback,
+    stow:     api.stow,
+    txBegin:  api.txBegin,
+    txTop:    api.txTop)
+  when AutoValidateApiHooks:
+    api.validate
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public profile API constuctor
@@ -251,6 +305,9 @@ func init*(
         KvtApiProfBePutEndFn.profileRunner:
           result = be.putEndFn(a)
 
+  when AutoValidateApiHooks:
+    profApi.validate be
+
   profApi
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/nimbus/evm/tracer/legacy_tracer.nim b/nimbus/evm/tracer/legacy_tracer.nim
index 47d7922f4..f48adf6dc 100644
--- a/nimbus/evm/tracer/legacy_tracer.nim
+++ b/nimbus/evm/tracer/legacy_tracer.nim
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Nimbus
-# Copyright (c) 2023 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Copyright (c) 2023-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
 # Licensed under either of
 #  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
 #    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
@@ -8,6 +8,13 @@
 # at your option. This file may not be copied, modified, or distributed except
 # according to those terms.
 
+## Populates the tracer API methods
+## ================================
+##
+## The module name `legacy_tracer` is probably a misonmer as it also works
+## with the new APIs for `CoreDb` and `Ledger`.
+##
+
 import
   std/[json, sets, strutils, hashes],
   eth/common/eth_types,
diff --git a/nimbus/tracer.nim b/nimbus/tracer.nim
index c222c0d44..d36c1e49c 100644
--- a/nimbus/tracer.nim
+++ b/nimbus/tracer.nim
@@ -86,6 +86,12 @@ proc dumpMemoryDB*(node: JsonNode, db: CoreDbRef) =
     n[k.toHex(false)] = %v
   node["state"] = n
 
+proc dumpMemoryDB*(node: JsonNode, kvt: TableRef[Blob,Blob]) =
+  var n = newJObject()
+  for k, v in kvt:
+    n[k.toHex(false)] = %v
+  node["state"] = n
+
 proc dumpMemoryDB*(node: JsonNode, capture: CoreDbCaptRef) =
   node.dumpMemoryDB capture.logDb
 
@@ -149,7 +155,7 @@ proc traceTransaction*(com: CommonRef, header: BlockHeader,
       break
 
   # internal transactions:
-  var stateBefore = AccountsCache.init(capture.recorder, beforeRoot, com.pruneTrie)
+  var stateBefore = AccountsLedgerRef.init(capture.recorder, beforeRoot, com.pruneTrie)
   for idx, acc in tracedAccountsPairs(tracerInst):
     before.captureAccount(stateBefore, acc, internalTxName & $idx)
 
@@ -180,7 +186,7 @@ proc dumpBlockState*(com: CommonRef, header: BlockHeader, body: BlockBody, dumpS
   var
     before = newJArray()
     after = newJArray()
-    stateBefore = AccountsCache.init(capture.recorder, parent.stateRoot, com.pruneTrie)
+    stateBefore = AccountsLedgerRef.init(capture.recorder, parent.stateRoot, com.pruneTrie)
 
   for idx, tx in body.transactions:
     let sender = tx.getSender
diff --git a/tests/test_accounts_cache.nim b/tests/test_accounts_cache.nim
index 4cb3c5422..afd8069e5 100644
--- a/tests/test_accounts_cache.nim
+++ b/tests/test_accounts_cache.nim
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Nimbus
-# Copyright (c) 2018-2023 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Copyright (c) 2018-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
 # Licensed under either of
 #  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
 #    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
@@ -9,8 +9,9 @@
 # according to those terms.
 
 import
-  std/[os, sequtils, strformat, strutils, tables],
+  std/[os, strformat, strutils, tables],
   chronicles,
+  stew/byteutils,
   ../nimbus/db/ledger,
   ../nimbus/common/common,
   ../nimbus/core/chain,
@@ -62,14 +63,14 @@ proc findFilePath(file: string): string =
         return path
 
 proc pp*(a: EthAddress): string =
-  a.mapIt(it.toHex(2)).join[32 .. 39].toLowerAscii
+  a.toHex[32 .. 39].toLowerAscii
 
 proc pp*(tx: Transaction): string =
   # "(" & tx.ecRecover.value.pp & "," & $tx.nonce & ")"
   "(" & tx.getSender.pp & "," & $tx.nonce & ")"
 
 proc pp*(h: KeccakHash): string =
-  h.data.mapIt(it.toHex(2)).join[52 .. 63].toLowerAscii
+  h.data.toHex[52 .. 63].toLowerAscii
 
 proc pp*(tx: Transaction; vmState: BaseVMState): string =
   let address = tx.getSender
diff --git a/tests/test_coredb/test_chainsync.nim b/tests/test_coredb/test_chainsync.nim
index 152081bab..57ce2f251 100644
--- a/tests/test_coredb/test_chainsync.nim
+++ b/tests/test_coredb/test_chainsync.nim
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ type
 
 when CoreDbEnableApiProfiling:
   import
-    std/[algorithm, sequtils, strutils],
+    std/sequtils,
     ../../nimbus/db/aristo/[aristo_api, aristo_profile],
     ../../nimbus/db/kvt/kvt_api
   var
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ when CoreDbEnableApiProfiling:
 when LedgerEnableApiProfiling:
   when not CoreDbEnableApiProfiling:
     import
-      std/[algorithm, sequtils, strutils]
+      std/sequtils
   var
     ldgProfData: LedgerProfListRef
 
@@ -112,32 +112,6 @@ template stopLoggingAfter(noisy: bool; code: untyped) =
     defer: noisy.stopLogging()
     code
 
-# --------------
-
-when CoreDbEnableApiProfiling or
-     LedgerEnableApiProfiling:
-  proc profilingPrinter(
-      data: AristoDbProfListRef;
-      names: openArray[string];
-      header: string;
-      indent = 4;
-        ): string =
-    if not data.isNil:
-      let
-        pfx = indent.toPfx
-        pfx2 = pfx & "  "
-      result = header & ":"
-
-      result &= "\n" & pfx & "by accumulated duration per procedure"
-      for (ela,fns) in data.byElapsed:
-        result &= pfx2 & ela.pp & ": " & fns.mapIt(
-          names[it] & data.stats(it).pp(true)).sorted.join(", ")
-
-      result &=  "\n" & pfx & "by number of visits"
-      for (count,fns) in data.byVisits:
-        result &= pfx2 & $count & ": " & fns.mapIt(
-          names[it] & data.stats(it).pp).sorted.join(", ")
-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public test function
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/tests/test_coredb/test_helpers.nim b/tests/test_coredb/test_helpers.nim
index 6974fce25..d6b0ebddf 100644
--- a/tests/test_coredb/test_helpers.nim
+++ b/tests/test_coredb/test_helpers.nim
@@ -9,16 +9,37 @@
 # distributed except according to those terms.
 
 import
-  std/[os, sequtils, times],
+  std/[algorithm, os, sequtils],
   eth/common,
   results,
   ../../nimbus/utils/prettify,
+  ../../nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_profile,
   ../replay/pp
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Private helpers
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+func pp(
+    w: AristoDbProfStats,
+    spaced = false;
+    count = true;
+      ): string =
+  result = "("
+  if w.count < 2:
+    result &= w.mean.pp
+  else:
+    let space = if spaced: " " else: ""
+    if count:
+      result &= $w.count
+    else:
+      result &= w.total.pp
+    result &= "," & space & w.mean.pp
+    if w.devRatio != 0.0: # when all items are the same
+      let dr = if 0.2 < w.devRatio: w.devRatio.toPC(0) else: w.devRatio.toPC(1)
+      result &= space & "±" & space & dr
+  result &= ")"
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public pretty printing
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -35,21 +56,6 @@ proc say*(noisy = false; pfx = "***"; args: varargs[string, `$`]) =
 proc toPfx*(indent: int): string =
   "\n" & " ".repeat(indent)
 
-func pp*(
-    w: tuple[n: int, mean: Duration, stdDev: Duration, devRatio: float];
-    spaced = false;
-      ): string =
-  result = "("
-  if w.n < 2:
-    result &= w.mean.pp
-  else:
-    let space = if spaced: " " else: ""
-    result &= $w.n & "," & space & w.mean.pp
-    if w.devRatio != 0.0: # when all items are the same
-      let dr = if 0.2 < w.devRatio: w.devRatio.toPC(0) else: w.devRatio.toPC(1)
-      result &= space & "±" & space & dr
-  result &= ")"
-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public helpers
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -72,6 +78,29 @@ proc findFilePathHelper*(
   echo "*** File not found \"", file, "\"."
   err()
 
+
+proc profilingPrinter*(
+    data: AristoDbProfListRef;
+    names: openArray[string];
+    header: string;
+    indent = 4;
+      ): string =
+  if not data.isNil:
+    let
+      pfx = indent.toPfx
+      pfx2 = pfx & "  "
+    result = header & ":"
+
+    result &= "\n" & pfx & "by accumulated duration per procedure"
+    for (ela,fns) in data.byElapsed:
+      result &= pfx2 & ela.pp & ": " & fns.mapIt(
+        names[it] & data.stats(it).pp(spaced=true)).sorted.join(", ")
+
+    result &=  "\n" & pfx & "by number of visits"
+    for (count,fns) in data.byVisits:
+      result &= pfx2 & $count & ": " & fns.mapIt(
+        names[it] & data.stats(it).pp(count=false)).sorted.join(", ")
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # End
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------