diff --git a/dvs.yaml b/dvs.yaml
deleted file mode 100644
index d0c8343..0000000
--- a/dvs.yaml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-storage_dir: /cluster-data/user-homes/jenna/Projects/devious/src/test_directory_storage
-permissions: 511
-group: datascience
diff --git a/src/helpers/hash.rs b/src/helpers/hash.rs
index 59e37ef..9a7ef5b 100644
--- a/src/helpers/hash.rs
+++ b/src/helpers/hash.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use std::fs::File;
 use std::io::Result;
 use std::io::{self, Read};
 
-pub fn hash_file_with_blake3(file_path: &PathBuf) -> io::Result<String> {
+pub fn hash_file_with_blake3(file_path: &PathBuf) -> io::Result<Option<String>> {
     let file = File::open(file_path)?;
 
     let mmap = match maybe_memmap_file(&file) {
@@ -17,10 +17,10 @@ pub fn hash_file_with_blake3(file_path: &PathBuf) -> io::Result<String> {
     };
     let mut hasher = Hasher::new();
     hasher.update_rayon(&mmap);
-    Ok(hasher.finalize().to_string())
+    Ok(Some(hasher.finalize().to_string()))
 }
 
-fn hash_file_with_blake3_direct(file_path: &PathBuf) -> io::Result<String> {
+fn hash_file_with_blake3_direct(file_path: &PathBuf) -> io::Result<Option<String>> {
     let mut file = File::open(file_path)?;
 
     let mut hasher = Hasher::new();
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ fn hash_file_with_blake3_direct(file_path: &PathBuf) -> io::Result<String> {
     }
 
     let hash_result = hasher.finalize();
-    Ok(hash_result.to_string())
+    Ok(Some(hash_result.to_string()))
 }
 
 // Mmap a file, if it looks like a good idea. Return None in cases where we
@@ -70,17 +70,17 @@ fn maybe_memmap_file(file: &File) -> Result<Option<memmap2::Mmap>> {
     })
 }
 
-pub fn get_file_hash(path: &PathBuf) -> String {
+pub fn get_file_hash(path: &PathBuf) -> Option<String> {
     // TODO: get cache if possible
     
     let hash =match  hash_file_with_blake3(&path) {
         Ok(hash) => hash,
-        Err(_) => String::from(""), // swallowing error - return empty string if not hashable
+        Err(_) => None, 
     };
     
     // TODO: cache bytes
 
-    return hash.to_string();
+    return hash;
 }
 
 pub fn get_storage_path(storage_dir: &PathBuf, file_hash: &String) -> PathBuf {
diff --git a/src/library/add.rs b/src/library/add.rs
index 27e2443..35981a0 100644
--- a/src/library/add.rs
+++ b/src/library/add.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+use serde::Serialize;
 use file_owner::{Group, PathExt};
 use std::{fs, u32};
-use anyhow::{anyhow, Context, Result};
+use anyhow::{Context, Result};
 use crate::helpers::hash;
 use crate::helpers::copy;
 use crate::helpers::file;
@@ -10,12 +11,28 @@ use crate::helpers::ignore;
 use crate::helpers::config;
 use crate::helpers::repo;
 
-pub fn dvs_add(files: &Vec<String>, message: &String) -> Result<()> {
+#[derive(Clone, PartialEq, Serialize)]
+enum Outcome {
+    Success,
+    AlreadyPresent,
+    Error
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, PartialEq, Serialize)]
+pub struct AddedFile {
+    path: PathBuf,
+    hash: Option<String>,
+    outcome: Outcome,
+    error: Option<String>,
+    size: Option<u64>,
+}
+
+pub fn dvs_add(files: &Vec<String>, message: &String) -> Result<Vec<AddedFile>> {
    // Get git root
    let git_dir = repo::get_nearest_repo_dir(&PathBuf::from(".")).with_context(|| "could not find git repo root - make sure you're in an active git repository")?;
 
     // load the config
-    let conf = config::read(&git_dir)?;
+    let conf = config::read(&git_dir).with_context(|| "could not load configuration file - no dvs.yaml in directory - be sure to initiate devious")?;
 
     let mut queued_paths: Vec<PathBuf> = Vec::new();
 
@@ -48,65 +65,167 @@ pub fn dvs_add(files: &Vec<String>, message: &String) -> Result<()> {
         queued_paths.push(file);
     } // for
     
-    
     // add each file in queued_paths to storage
-    for file in &queued_paths {
-        add(file, &conf, &message)?;
-    }
+    let added_files = queued_paths.into_iter().map(|file| {
+        add(&file, &conf, &message)
+    }).collect::<Vec<AddedFile>>();
 
-    if queued_paths.is_empty() {
-        // json warning: no files were queued
-    }
-   
-    Ok(())
+    return Ok(added_files)
 } // run_add_cmd
 
-fn add(local_path: &PathBuf, conf: &config::Config, message: &String) -> Result<String> {
+fn add(local_path: &PathBuf, conf: &config::Config, message: &String) -> AddedFile {
+    // set error to None by default
+    let mut error: Option<String> = None;
+
     // get file hash
-    let file_hash = hash::hash_file_with_blake3(local_path).with_context(|| format!("could not hash file"))?;
+    let file_hash = hash::get_file_hash(&local_path);
+    if file_hash.is_none() && error.is_none() {
+        error = Some(String::from("could not hash file"));
+    }
+
+    // get file size
+    let file_size = get_file_size(&local_path);
+    if file_size.is_none() && error.is_none() {
+        error = Some(String::from("unable to get size of file"));
+    }
+
+    // get user name
+    let user_name = get_user_name(&local_path);
+    if user_name.is_none() && error.is_none() {
+        error = Some(String::from("could not get name of file owner"));
+    }
+
+    // check group
+    let group: Option<Group> = match Group::from_name(&conf.group) {
+        Ok(group) => Some(group),
+        Err(_) => {
+            if error.is_none() {error = Some(String::from("group not found"));}
+            None
+        }
+    };
+
+    // now see if file can be added
+    let storage_dir_abs: Option<PathBuf> = match conf.storage_dir.canonicalize() {
+        Ok(path) => Some(path),
+        Err(_) => {
+            if error.is_none() {error = Some(String::from("could not find storage directory"))}
+            None
+        }
+    };
 
-    // get storage path
-    let storage_dir_abs = conf.storage_dir.canonicalize().with_context(|| format!("could not find storage directory: {}", conf.storage_dir.display()))?;
-    let dest_path = hash::get_storage_path(&storage_dir_abs, &file_hash);
+    if error.is_some() {
+        return AddedFile{
+            path: local_path.clone(), 
+            hash: file_hash,
+            outcome: Outcome::Error,
+            error: error,
+            size: file_size
+        };
+    }
 
-    // check if group exists again
-    let group = Group::from_name(&conf.group).with_context(|| format!("group not found: {}", conf.group))?;
+    // can safely unwrap storage_dir_abs and file_hash 
+    let file_hash_value = file_hash.clone().unwrap();
+    let dest_path = hash::get_storage_path(&storage_dir_abs.unwrap(), &file_hash_value);
 
     // Copy the file to the storage directory if it's not already there
+    let mut outcome: Outcome = Outcome::Success;
     if !dest_path.exists() {
         // copy
-        copy::copy(&local_path, &dest_path).with_context(|| format!("could not copy {} to storage directory: {}", local_path.display(), dest_path.display()))?;
+        copy_file_to_storage_directory(local_path, &dest_path, &conf.permissions, &group.unwrap());
     }
     else {
-        println!("{} already exists in storage directory", local_path.display())
+        outcome = Outcome::AlreadyPresent;
     }
 
-    // set permissions
-    set_permissions(&conf.permissions, &dest_path)?;
-
-    // set group ownership
-    dest_path.set_group(group).with_context(|| format!("unable to set group: {}", group))?;
-
-    // get file size
-    let file_size = get_file_size(&local_path)?;
-
-    // get user name
-    let user_name = get_user_name(&local_path)?;
-
-    // create + write metadata file
+    // create metadata
     let metadata = file::Metadata{
-        file_hash: file_hash.clone(),
-        file_size,
+        file_hash: file_hash_value,
+        file_size: file_size.unwrap(),
         time_stamp: chrono::offset::Local::now().to_string(),
         message: message.clone(),
-        saved_by: user_name
+        saved_by: user_name.unwrap()
+    };
+
+    // write metadata file
+    match file::save(&metadata, &local_path) {
+        Ok(_) => {},
+        Err(_) => if error.is_none() {error = Some(String::from("could not save metadata file"))}
     };
-    file::save(&metadata, &local_path).with_context(|| format!("could not save metadata into file"))?;
 
     // Add file to gitignore
-    ignore::add_gitignore_entry(local_path).with_context(|| format!("could not add .gitignore entry"))?;
+    match ignore::add_gitignore_entry(local_path) {
+        Ok(_) => {},
+        Err(_) => {
+            if error.is_none() {error = Some(String::from("could not add .gitignore entry"))}
+        }
+    };
     
-    return Ok(file_hash);
+    if error.is_some() {outcome = Outcome::Error}
+
+    return AddedFile {
+        path: local_path.clone(),
+        hash: file_hash.clone(),
+        outcome,
+        error,
+        size: file_size
+    }
+}
+
+
+fn get_file_size(local_path: &PathBuf) -> Option<u64> {
+    match local_path.metadata() {
+        Ok(data) => return Some(data.len()),
+        Err(_) => return None,
+    };
+}
+
+
+fn get_user_name(local_path: &PathBuf) -> Option<String> {
+    let owner = match local_path.owner().with_context(|| format!("")) {
+        Ok(owner) => owner,
+        Err(_) => return None,
+    };
+    match owner.name() {
+        Ok(name) => return Some(name.unwrap()),
+        Err(_) => return None,
+    };
+}
+
+
+fn copy_file_to_storage_directory(local_path: &PathBuf, dest_path: &PathBuf, mode: &u32, group: &Group) -> Option<String> {
+    let mut error = None;
+    match copy::copy(&local_path, &dest_path) {
+        Ok(_) => {
+            // set permissions
+            match set_permissions(&mode, &dest_path) {
+                Ok(_) => {},
+                Err(_) => {
+                    // set error
+                    if error.is_none() {error = Some(String::from("could not set file permissions"))}
+                    // delete copied file
+                    fs::remove_file(&dest_path)
+                    .expect(format!("could not set permissions after copying {} to {}: error deleting copied file. Delete {} manually.", local_path.display(), dest_path.display(), dest_path.display()).as_str());
+                }
+            };
+
+            // set group ownership
+            match dest_path.set_group(group.clone()) {
+                Ok(_) => {},
+                Err(_) => {
+                    // set error
+                    if error.is_none() {error = Some(String::from("could not set file group ownership"))}
+                    // delete copied file
+                    fs::remove_file(&dest_path)
+                    .expect(format!("could not set group ownership after copying {} to {}: error deleting copied file. Delete {} manually.", local_path.display(), dest_path.display(), dest_path.display()).as_str());
+
+                }
+            };
+        } // Ok, could copy
+        Err(_) => {
+            if error.is_none() {error = Some(String::from("could not copy file to storage directory"))}
+        }
+    };
+    return error
 }
 
 fn set_permissions(mode: &u32, dest_path: &PathBuf) -> Result<()> {
@@ -115,17 +234,4 @@ fn set_permissions(mode: &u32, dest_path: &PathBuf) -> Result<()> {
     let new_permissions = fs::Permissions::from_mode(*mode);
     fs::set_permissions(&dest_path, new_permissions).with_context(|| format!("unable to set permissions: {}", mode))?;
     Ok(())
-}
-
-fn get_file_size(local_path: &PathBuf) -> Result<u64> {
-    let local_path_data = local_path.metadata().with_context(|| format!("unable to get size of file: {}", local_path.display()))?;
-    return Ok(local_path_data.len());
-}
-
-fn get_user_name(local_path: &PathBuf) -> Result<String> {
-    let owner = local_path.owner().with_context(|| format!(""))?;
-    match owner.name() {
-        Ok(name) => return Ok(name.unwrap()),
-        Err(e) => return Err(anyhow!("could not get name of file owner: {e}")),
-    };
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/library/get.rs b/src/library/get.rs
index 57f4a50..b20a8cb 100644
--- a/src/library/get.rs
+++ b/src/library/get.rs
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ pub fn get(local_path: &PathBuf, storage_dir: &PathBuf) -> Result<()> {
     let metadata_hash = metadata.file_hash;
 
     // check if up-to-date file is already present locally
-    if !local_path.exists() || local_hash == String::from("") || metadata_hash == String::from("") || local_hash != metadata_hash {
+    if !local_path.exists() || local_hash.is_none() || metadata_hash == String::from("") || local_hash.unwrap() != metadata_hash {
         copy::copy(&storage_path, &local_path).with_context(|| format!("could not copy {} from storage directory: {}", local_path.display(), storage_dir.display()))?;
     }
     else {
diff --git a/src/library/status.rs b/src/library/status.rs
index a8b38f7..74cee23 100644
--- a/src/library/status.rs
+++ b/src/library/status.rs
@@ -56,11 +56,14 @@ pub fn dvs_status(files: &Vec<String>) -> Result<Vec<JsonFileResult>> {
         if !path.exists() {status = String::from("not-present")}
         else {
             // get whether file was hashable and file hash
-            let file_hash = hash::get_file_hash(&path); // will return "" if not hashable, which won't match metadata.file_hash
-            if file_hash == metadata.file_hash {
-                status = String::from("up-to-date")
-            }
-            // else, the file exists, but the hash isn't up to date, so still with default: out-of-date
+            match hash::get_file_hash(&path) {
+                Some(file_hash) => {
+                    if file_hash == metadata.file_hash {
+                        status = String::from("up-to-date")
+                    }
+                }
+                None => (),
+            }; 
         }
        
         // assemble info into JsonFileResult
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index a9b3592..b7067f7 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -30,10 +30,6 @@ fn main() -> Result<()> {
     test2.metadata().unwrap().permissions().set_mode(0o777);
     test3.metadata().unwrap().permissions().set_mode(0o777);
 
-    // let _test1_mode = test1.metadata().unwrap().permissions().mode() & 0o777;
-    // let _test2_mode = test2.metadata().unwrap().permissions().mode() & 0o777;
-    // let _test3_mode = test3.metadata().unwrap().permissions().mode() & 0o777;
-   
     // dvs init src/test_directory_storage --mode=0o764 --group=datascience
     let storage_dir = PathBuf::from(r"src/test_directory_storage");   
     let new_mode = 0o776; 
@@ -43,18 +39,9 @@ fn main() -> Result<()> {
     // dvs add src/test_directory/test1.txt src/test_directory/test2.txt src/test_directory/test3.txt "assembled data"
     let files: Vec<String> = vec![test1_path.clone(), test2_path.clone(), test3_path.clone()];
     let message = String::from("assembled data");
-    add::dvs_add(&files, &message)?;
-
-    // TODO: check permissions and group
-    // let test1_storage = PathBuf::from("src/test_directory_storage/7f/08b8682ee8258389605201d65ed6a9104eed809c000d7975186bc4cd8a3efe");
-    // let test2_storage = PathBuf::from("src/test_directory_storage/d3/9dfa7e18189f9d4cacabdaffc941191508ffac753e9eafa28155c154d76d5d");
-    // let test3_storage = PathBuf::from("src/test_directory_storage/8e/287466df9f3e8b1a2bd177ba15efe111aae572ea8859bb24557cfb4418a5b4");
-    // let test1_mode_new = test1_storage.metadata().unwrap().permissions().mode() & 0o777;
-    // let test2_mode_new = test2_storage.metadata().unwrap().permissions().mode() & 0o777;
-    // let test3_mode_new = test3_storage.metadata().unwrap().permissions().mode() & 0o777;
-    // assert_eq!(0o777, test1_mode_new);
-    // assert_eq!(0o777, test2_mode_new);
-    // assert_eq!(0o777, test3_mode_new);
+    let added_files = add::dvs_add(&files, &message)?;
+    let added_files_string = serde_json::to_string_pretty(&added_files).unwrap();
+    println!("new add:\n{added_files_string}");
 
     // remove one of the files
     fs::remove_file(&test1_path)?;
@@ -77,15 +64,32 @@ fn main() -> Result<()> {
 
     // dvs add rc/test_directory/test2.txt "assembled data again"
     let message = String::from("assembled data again");
-    add::dvs_add(&vec![test2_path.clone()], &message)?;
+    let added_files = add::dvs_add(&files, &message)?;
+    let added_files_string = serde_json::to_string_pretty(&added_files).unwrap();
+    println!("new add:\n{added_files_string}");
 
     // dvs status src/test_directory/test1.txt src/test_directory/test2.txt src/test_directory/test3.txt 
     let status = status::dvs_status(&vec![test1_path.clone(), test2_path.clone(), test3_path.clone()])?;
     let status_string = serde_json::to_string_pretty(&status).unwrap();
     println!("new status:\n{status_string}");
 
+
+
+
+    // delete everything
     fs::remove_file(&test1_path)?;
     fs::remove_file(&test2_path)?;
     fs::remove_file(&test3_path)?;
+    fs::remove_file(PathBuf::from("src/test_directory_storage/7f/08b8682ee8258389605201d65ed6a9104eed809c000d7975186bc4cd8a3efe"))?;
+    fs::remove_file(PathBuf::from("src/test_directory_storage/8e/287466df9f3e8b1a2bd177ba15efe111aae572ea8859bb24557cfb4418a5b4"))?;
+    fs::remove_file(PathBuf::from("src/test_directory_storage/20/fa09e17c49b68fd9606fa736b03b5115059cbbbf3090d89eb50e4da044f028"))?;
+    fs::remove_file(PathBuf::from("src/test_directory_storage/d3/9dfa7e18189f9d4cacabdaffc941191508ffac753e9eafa28155c154d76d5d"))?;
+    fs:: remove_dir(PathBuf::from("src/test_directory_storage/7f"))?;
+    fs:: remove_dir(PathBuf::from("src/test_directory_storage/8e"))?;
+    fs:: remove_dir(PathBuf::from("src/test_directory_storage/20"))?;
+    fs:: remove_dir(PathBuf::from("src/test_directory_storage/d3"))?;
+    fs::remove_file(PathBuf::from("src/test_directory/.gitignore"))?;
+    fs::remove_file(PathBuf::from("dvs.yaml"))?;
+
     Ok(())
  }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/test_directory/.gitignore b/src/test_directory/.gitignore
deleted file mode 100644
index a018ab5..0000000
--- a/src/test_directory/.gitignore
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-
-
-# Devious entry
-/test1.txt
-
-
-# Devious entry
-/test2.txt
-
-
-# Devious entry
-/test3.txt
diff --git a/src/test_directory/test1.txt.dvsmeta b/src/test_directory/test1.txt.dvsmeta
index af7eb83..898e2c3 100644
--- a/src/test_directory/test1.txt.dvsmeta
+++ b/src/test_directory/test1.txt.dvsmeta
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "file_hash": "7f08b8682ee8258389605201d65ed6a9104eed809c000d7975186bc4cd8a3efe",
   "file_size": 13,
-  "time_stamp": "2024-03-29 16:42:17.409693598 -04:00",
-  "message": "assembled data",
+  "time_stamp": "2024-04-01 13:09:35.115181573 -04:00",
+  "message": "assembled data again",
   "saved_by": "jenna"
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/test_directory/test2.txt.dvsmeta b/src/test_directory/test2.txt.dvsmeta
index 178da1a..378608b 100644
--- a/src/test_directory/test2.txt.dvsmeta
+++ b/src/test_directory/test2.txt.dvsmeta
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "file_hash": "20fa09e17c49b68fd9606fa736b03b5115059cbbbf3090d89eb50e4da044f028",
   "file_size": 26,
-  "time_stamp": "2024-03-29 16:42:17.416385039 -04:00",
+  "time_stamp": "2024-04-01 13:09:35.115493138 -04:00",
   "message": "assembled data again",
   "saved_by": "jenna"
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/test_directory/test3.txt.dvsmeta b/src/test_directory/test3.txt.dvsmeta
index f35f412..f54aa1d 100644
--- a/src/test_directory/test3.txt.dvsmeta
+++ b/src/test_directory/test3.txt.dvsmeta
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "file_hash": "8e287466df9f3e8b1a2bd177ba15efe111aae572ea8859bb24557cfb4418a5b4",
   "file_size": 13,
-  "time_stamp": "2024-03-29 16:42:17.410281271 -04:00",
-  "message": "assembled data",
+  "time_stamp": "2024-04-01 13:09:35.115711679 -04:00",
+  "message": "assembled data again",
   "saved_by": "jenna"
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/test_directory_storage/20/fa09e17c49b68fd9606fa736b03b5115059cbbbf3090d89eb50e4da044f028 b/src/test_directory_storage/20/fa09e17c49b68fd9606fa736b03b5115059cbbbf3090d89eb50e4da044f028
deleted file mode 100755
index e426817..0000000
--- a/src/test_directory_storage/20/fa09e17c49b68fd9606fa736b03b5115059cbbbf3090d89eb50e4da044f028
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-Hello, test2!
-added a line
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/test_directory_storage/7f/08b8682ee8258389605201d65ed6a9104eed809c000d7975186bc4cd8a3efe b/src/test_directory_storage/7f/08b8682ee8258389605201d65ed6a9104eed809c000d7975186bc4cd8a3efe
deleted file mode 100755
index 1873396..0000000
--- a/src/test_directory_storage/7f/08b8682ee8258389605201d65ed6a9104eed809c000d7975186bc4cd8a3efe
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Hello, test1!
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/test_directory_storage/8e/287466df9f3e8b1a2bd177ba15efe111aae572ea8859bb24557cfb4418a5b4 b/src/test_directory_storage/8e/287466df9f3e8b1a2bd177ba15efe111aae572ea8859bb24557cfb4418a5b4
deleted file mode 100755
index 59fe671..0000000
--- a/src/test_directory_storage/8e/287466df9f3e8b1a2bd177ba15efe111aae572ea8859bb24557cfb4418a5b4
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Hello, test3!
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/test_directory_storage/d3/9dfa7e18189f9d4cacabdaffc941191508ffac753e9eafa28155c154d76d5d b/src/test_directory_storage/d3/9dfa7e18189f9d4cacabdaffc941191508ffac753e9eafa28155c154d76d5d
deleted file mode 100755
index 0223a44..0000000
--- a/src/test_directory_storage/d3/9dfa7e18189f9d4cacabdaffc941191508ffac753e9eafa28155c154d76d5d
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Hello, test2!
\ No newline at end of file