diff --git a/bake/remote.go b/bake/remote.go
index 23cb180a..802e9209 100644
--- a/bake/remote.go
+++ b/bake/remote.go
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"strings"
 
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/build"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/driver"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/progress"
 	"github.com/moby/buildkit/client"
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ type Input struct {
 	URL   string
 }
 
-func ReadRemoteFiles(ctx context.Context, dis []build.DriverInfo, url string, names []string, pw progress.Writer) ([]File, *Input, error) {
+func ReadRemoteFiles(ctx context.Context, nodes []builder.Node, url string, names []string, pw progress.Writer) ([]File, *Input, error) {
 	var filename string
 	st, ok := detectGitContext(url)
 	if !ok {
@@ -33,18 +33,18 @@ func ReadRemoteFiles(ctx context.Context, dis []build.DriverInfo, url string, na
 	inp := &Input{State: st, URL: url}
 	var files []File
 
-	var di *build.DriverInfo
-	for _, d := range dis {
-		if d.Err == nil {
-			di = &d
+	var node *builder.Node
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		if n.Err == nil {
+			node = &n
 			continue
 		}
 	}
-	if di == nil {
+	if node == nil {
 		return nil, nil, nil
 	}
 
-	c, err := driver.Boot(ctx, ctx, di.Driver, pw)
+	c, err := driver.Boot(ctx, ctx, node.Driver, pw)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/build/build.go b/build/build.go
index 9cf2bc54..4143bc0d 100644
--- a/build/build.go
+++ b/build/build.go
@@ -22,7 +22,9 @@ import (
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/content/local"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/images"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/platforms"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/driver"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/dockerutil"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/imagetools"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/progress"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/resolver"
@@ -31,7 +33,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/docker/distribution/reference"
 	"github.com/docker/docker/api/types"
 	"github.com/docker/docker/builder/remotecontext/urlutil"
-	dockerclient "github.com/docker/docker/client"
 	"github.com/docker/docker/pkg/jsonmessage"
 	"github.com/moby/buildkit/client"
 	"github.com/moby/buildkit/client/llb"
@@ -109,28 +110,15 @@ type NamedContext struct {
 	State *llb.State
 }
 
-type DriverInfo struct {
-	Driver      driver.Driver
-	Name        string
-	Platform    []specs.Platform
-	Err         error
-	ImageOpt    imagetools.Opt
-	ProxyConfig map[string]string
-}
-
-type DockerAPI interface {
-	DockerAPI(name string) (dockerclient.APIClient, error)
-}
-
-func filterAvailableDrivers(drivers []DriverInfo) ([]DriverInfo, error) {
-	out := make([]DriverInfo, 0, len(drivers))
+func filterAvailableNodes(nodes []builder.Node) ([]builder.Node, error) {
+	out := make([]builder.Node, 0, len(nodes))
 	err := errors.Errorf("no drivers found")
-	for _, di := range drivers {
-		if di.Err == nil && di.Driver != nil {
-			out = append(out, di)
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		if n.Err == nil && n.Driver != nil {
+			out = append(out, n)
 		}
-		if di.Err != nil {
-			err = di.Err
+		if n.Err != nil {
+			err = n.Err
 		}
 	}
 	if len(out) > 0 {
@@ -169,8 +157,8 @@ func allIndexes(l int) []int {
 	return out
 }
 
-func ensureBooted(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, idxs []int, pw progress.Writer) ([]*client.Client, error) {
-	clients := make([]*client.Client, len(drivers))
+func ensureBooted(ctx context.Context, nodes []builder.Node, idxs []int, pw progress.Writer) ([]*client.Client, error) {
+	clients := make([]*client.Client, len(nodes))
 
 	baseCtx := ctx
 	eg, ctx := errgroup.WithContext(ctx)
@@ -178,7 +166,7 @@ func ensureBooted(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, idxs []int, pw prog
 	for _, i := range idxs {
 		func(i int) {
 			eg.Go(func() error {
-				c, err := driver.Boot(ctx, baseCtx, drivers[i].Driver, pw)
+				c, err := driver.Boot(ctx, baseCtx, nodes[i].Driver, pw)
 				if err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
@@ -219,8 +207,8 @@ func splitToDriverPairs(availablePlatforms map[string]int, opt map[string]Option
 	return m
 }
 
-func resolveDrivers(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[string]Options, pw progress.Writer) (map[string][]driverPair, []*client.Client, error) {
-	dps, clients, err := resolveDriversBase(ctx, drivers, opt, pw)
+func resolveDrivers(ctx context.Context, nodes []builder.Node, opt map[string]Options, pw progress.Writer) (map[string][]driverPair, []*client.Client, error) {
+	dps, clients, err := resolveDriversBase(ctx, nodes, opt, pw)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
@@ -260,10 +248,10 @@ func resolveDrivers(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[string]Op
 	return dps, clients, nil
 }
 
-func resolveDriversBase(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[string]Options, pw progress.Writer) (map[string][]driverPair, []*client.Client, error) {
+func resolveDriversBase(ctx context.Context, nodes []builder.Node, opt map[string]Options, pw progress.Writer) (map[string][]driverPair, []*client.Client, error) {
 	availablePlatforms := map[string]int{}
-	for i, d := range drivers {
-		for _, p := range d.Platform {
+	for i, node := range nodes {
+		for _, p := range node.Platforms {
 			availablePlatforms[platforms.Format(p)] = i
 		}
 	}
@@ -281,12 +269,12 @@ func resolveDriversBase(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[strin
 	}
 
 	// fast path
-	if len(drivers) == 1 || len(allPlatforms) == 0 {
+	if len(nodes) == 1 || len(allPlatforms) == 0 {
 		m := map[string][]driverPair{}
 		for k, opt := range opt {
 			m[k] = []driverPair{{driverIndex: 0, platforms: opt.Platforms}}
 		}
-		clients, err := ensureBooted(ctx, drivers, driverIndexes(m), pw)
+		clients, err := ensureBooted(ctx, nodes, driverIndexes(m), pw)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, nil, err
 		}
@@ -296,7 +284,7 @@ func resolveDriversBase(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[strin
 	// map based on existing platforms
 	if !undetectedPlatform {
 		m := splitToDriverPairs(availablePlatforms, opt)
-		clients, err := ensureBooted(ctx, drivers, driverIndexes(m), pw)
+		clients, err := ensureBooted(ctx, nodes, driverIndexes(m), pw)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, nil, err
 		}
@@ -304,7 +292,7 @@ func resolveDriversBase(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[strin
 	}
 
 	// boot all drivers in k
-	clients, err := ensureBooted(ctx, drivers, allIndexes(len(drivers)), pw)
+	clients, err := ensureBooted(ctx, nodes, allIndexes(len(nodes)), pw)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
@@ -366,8 +354,8 @@ func toRepoOnly(in string) (string, error) {
 	return strings.Join(out, ","), nil
 }
 
-func toSolveOpt(ctx context.Context, di DriverInfo, multiDriver bool, opt Options, bopts gateway.BuildOpts, configDir string, pw progress.Writer, dl dockerLoadCallback) (solveOpt *client.SolveOpt, release func(), err error) {
-	d := di.Driver
+func toSolveOpt(ctx context.Context, node builder.Node, multiDriver bool, opt Options, bopts gateway.BuildOpts, configDir string, pw progress.Writer, dl dockerLoadCallback) (solveOpt *client.SolveOpt, release func(), err error) {
+	nodeDriver := node.Driver
 	defers := make([]func(), 0, 2)
 	releaseF := func() {
 		for _, f := range defers {
@@ -399,8 +387,8 @@ func toSolveOpt(ctx context.Context, di DriverInfo, multiDriver bool, opt Option
 	}
 
 	for _, e := range opt.CacheTo {
-		if e.Type != "inline" && !d.Features()[driver.CacheExport] {
-			return nil, nil, notSupported(d, driver.CacheExport)
+		if e.Type != "inline" && !nodeDriver.Features()[driver.CacheExport] {
+			return nil, nil, notSupported(nodeDriver, driver.CacheExport)
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -460,7 +448,7 @@ func toSolveOpt(ctx context.Context, di DriverInfo, multiDriver bool, opt Option
 	case 1:
 		// valid
 	case 0:
-		if d.IsMobyDriver() && !noDefaultLoad() {
+		if nodeDriver.IsMobyDriver() && !noDefaultLoad() {
 			// backwards compat for docker driver only:
 			// this ensures the build results in a docker image.
 			opt.Exports = []client.ExportEntry{{Type: "image", Attrs: map[string]string{}}}
@@ -509,15 +497,15 @@ func toSolveOpt(ctx context.Context, di DriverInfo, multiDriver bool, opt Option
 		if (e.Type == "local" || e.Type == "tar") && opt.ImageIDFile != "" {
 			return nil, nil, errors.Errorf("local and tar exporters are incompatible with image ID file")
 		}
-		if e.Type == "oci" && !d.Features()[driver.OCIExporter] {
-			return nil, nil, notSupported(d, driver.OCIExporter)
+		if e.Type == "oci" && !nodeDriver.Features()[driver.OCIExporter] {
+			return nil, nil, notSupported(nodeDriver, driver.OCIExporter)
 		}
 		if e.Type == "docker" {
 			if len(opt.Platforms) > 1 {
 				return nil, nil, errors.Errorf("docker exporter does not currently support exporting manifest lists")
 			}
 			if e.Output == nil {
-				if d.IsMobyDriver() {
+				if nodeDriver.IsMobyDriver() {
 					e.Type = "image"
 				} else {
 					w, cancel, err := dl(e.Attrs["context"])
@@ -527,11 +515,11 @@ func toSolveOpt(ctx context.Context, di DriverInfo, multiDriver bool, opt Option
 					defers = append(defers, cancel)
 					opt.Exports[i].Output = wrapWriteCloser(w)
 				}
-			} else if !d.Features()[driver.DockerExporter] {
-				return nil, nil, notSupported(d, driver.DockerExporter)
+			} else if !nodeDriver.Features()[driver.DockerExporter] {
+				return nil, nil, notSupported(nodeDriver, driver.DockerExporter)
 			}
 		}
-		if e.Type == "image" && d.IsMobyDriver() {
+		if e.Type == "image" && nodeDriver.IsMobyDriver() {
 			opt.Exports[i].Type = "moby"
 			if e.Attrs["push"] != "" {
 				if ok, _ := strconv.ParseBool(e.Attrs["push"]); ok {
@@ -552,7 +540,7 @@ func toSolveOpt(ctx context.Context, di DriverInfo, multiDriver bool, opt Option
 	so.Exports = opt.Exports
 	so.Session = opt.Session
 
-	releaseLoad, err := LoadInputs(ctx, d, opt.Inputs, pw, &so)
+	releaseLoad, err := LoadInputs(ctx, nodeDriver, opt.Inputs, pw, &so)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
@@ -584,7 +572,7 @@ func toSolveOpt(ctx context.Context, di DriverInfo, multiDriver bool, opt Option
 		so.FrontendAttrs["label:"+k] = v
 	}
 
-	for k, v := range di.ProxyConfig {
+	for k, v := range node.ProxyConfig {
 		if _, ok := opt.BuildArgs[k]; !ok {
 			so.FrontendAttrs["build-arg:"+k] = v
 		}
@@ -596,8 +584,8 @@ func toSolveOpt(ctx context.Context, di DriverInfo, multiDriver bool, opt Option
 		for i, p := range opt.Platforms {
 			pp[i] = platforms.Format(p)
 		}
-		if len(pp) > 1 && !d.Features()[driver.MultiPlatform] {
-			return nil, nil, notSupported(d, driver.MultiPlatform)
+		if len(pp) > 1 && !nodeDriver.Features()[driver.MultiPlatform] {
+			return nil, nil, notSupported(nodeDriver, driver.MultiPlatform)
 		}
 		so.FrontendAttrs["platform"] = strings.Join(pp, ",")
 	}
@@ -615,7 +603,7 @@ func toSolveOpt(ctx context.Context, di DriverInfo, multiDriver bool, opt Option
 	}
 
 	// setup extrahosts
-	extraHosts, err := toBuildkitExtraHosts(opt.ExtraHosts, d.IsMobyDriver())
+	extraHosts, err := toBuildkitExtraHosts(opt.ExtraHosts, nodeDriver.IsMobyDriver())
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
@@ -782,24 +770,24 @@ func Invoke(ctx context.Context, cfg ContainerConfig) error {
 	return err
 }
 
-func Build(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[string]Options, docker DockerAPI, configDir string, w progress.Writer) (resp map[string]*client.SolveResponse, err error) {
-	return BuildWithResultHandler(ctx, drivers, opt, docker, configDir, w, nil, false)
+func Build(ctx context.Context, nodes []builder.Node, opt map[string]Options, docker *dockerutil.Client, configDir string, w progress.Writer) (resp map[string]*client.SolveResponse, err error) {
+	return BuildWithResultHandler(ctx, nodes, opt, docker, configDir, w, nil, false)
 }
 
-func BuildWithResultHandler(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[string]Options, docker DockerAPI, configDir string, w progress.Writer, resultHandleFunc func(driverIndex int, rCtx *ResultContext), allowNoOutput bool) (resp map[string]*client.SolveResponse, err error) {
-	if len(drivers) == 0 {
+func BuildWithResultHandler(ctx context.Context, nodes []builder.Node, opt map[string]Options, docker *dockerutil.Client, configDir string, w progress.Writer, resultHandleFunc func(driverIndex int, rCtx *ResultContext), allowNoOutput bool) (resp map[string]*client.SolveResponse, err error) {
+	if len(nodes) == 0 {
 		return nil, errors.Errorf("driver required for build")
 	}
 
-	drivers, err = filterAvailableDrivers(drivers)
+	nodes, err = filterAvailableNodes(nodes)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "no valid drivers found")
 	}
 
 	var noMobyDriver driver.Driver
-	for _, d := range drivers {
-		if !d.Driver.IsMobyDriver() {
-			noMobyDriver = d.Driver
+	for _, n := range nodes {
+		if !n.Driver.IsMobyDriver() {
+			noMobyDriver = n.Driver
 			break
 		}
 	}
@@ -823,7 +811,7 @@ func BuildWithResultHandler(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[s
 		}
 	}
 
-	m, clients, err := resolveDrivers(ctx, drivers, opt, w)
+	m, clients, err := resolveDrivers(ctx, nodes, opt, w)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -857,14 +845,14 @@ func BuildWithResultHandler(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[s
 	for k, opt := range opt {
 		multiDriver := len(m[k]) > 1
 		hasMobyDriver := false
-		for i, dp := range m[k] {
-			di := drivers[dp.driverIndex]
-			if di.Driver.IsMobyDriver() {
+		for i, np := range m[k] {
+			node := nodes[np.driverIndex]
+			if node.Driver.IsMobyDriver() {
 				hasMobyDriver = true
 			}
-			opt.Platforms = dp.platforms
-			so, release, err := toSolveOpt(ctx, di, multiDriver, opt, dp.bopts, configDir, w, func(name string) (io.WriteCloser, func(), error) {
-				return newDockerLoader(ctx, docker, name, w)
+			opt.Platforms = np.platforms
+			so, release, err := toSolveOpt(ctx, node, multiDriver, opt, np.bopts, configDir, w, func(name string) (io.WriteCloser, func(), error) {
+				return docker.LoadImage(ctx, name, w)
 			})
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
@@ -992,7 +980,7 @@ func BuildWithResultHandler(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[s
 						if len(descs) > 0 {
 							var imageopt imagetools.Opt
 							for _, dp := range dps {
-								imageopt = drivers[dp.driverIndex].ImageOpt
+								imageopt = nodes[dp.driverIndex].ImageOpt
 								break
 							}
 							names := strings.Split(pushNames, ",")
@@ -1191,8 +1179,8 @@ func BuildWithResultHandler(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[s
 							rr.ExporterResponse[k] = string(v)
 						}
 
-						d := drivers[dp.driverIndex].Driver
-						if d.IsMobyDriver() {
+						node := nodes[dp.driverIndex].Driver
+						if node.IsMobyDriver() {
 							for _, e := range so.Exports {
 								if e.Type == "moby" && e.Attrs["push"] != "" {
 									if ok, _ := strconv.ParseBool(e.Attrs["push"]); ok {
@@ -1204,12 +1192,12 @@ func BuildWithResultHandler(ctx context.Context, drivers []DriverInfo, opt map[s
 										pushList := strings.Split(pushNames, ",")
 										for _, name := range pushList {
 											if err := progress.Wrap(fmt.Sprintf("pushing %s with docker", name), pw.Write, func(l progress.SubLogger) error {
-												return pushWithMoby(ctx, d, name, l)
+												return pushWithMoby(ctx, node, name, l)
 											}); err != nil {
 												return err
 											}
 										}
-										remoteDigest, err := remoteDigestWithMoby(ctx, d, pushList[0])
+										remoteDigest, err := remoteDigestWithMoby(ctx, node, pushList[0])
 										if err == nil && remoteDigest != "" {
 											// old daemons might not have containerimage.config.digest set
 											// in response so use containerimage.digest value for it if available
@@ -1631,40 +1619,6 @@ func notSupported(d driver.Driver, f driver.Feature) error {
 
 type dockerLoadCallback func(name string) (io.WriteCloser, func(), error)
 
-func newDockerLoader(ctx context.Context, d DockerAPI, name string, status progress.Writer) (io.WriteCloser, func(), error) {
-	c, err := d.DockerAPI(name)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, err
-	}
-
-	pr, pw := io.Pipe()
-	done := make(chan struct{})
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
-	var w *waitingWriter
-	w = &waitingWriter{
-		PipeWriter: pw,
-		f: func() {
-			resp, err := c.ImageLoad(ctx, pr, false)
-			defer close(done)
-			if err != nil {
-				pr.CloseWithError(err)
-				w.mu.Lock()
-				w.err = err
-				w.mu.Unlock()
-				return
-			}
-			prog := progress.WithPrefix(status, "", false)
-			progress.FromReader(prog, "importing to docker", resp.Body)
-		},
-		done:   done,
-		cancel: cancel,
-	}
-	return w, func() {
-		pr.Close()
-	}, nil
-}
-
 func noDefaultLoad() bool {
 	v, ok := os.LookupEnv("BUILDX_NO_DEFAULT_LOAD")
 	if !ok {
@@ -1677,34 +1631,6 @@ func noDefaultLoad() bool {
 	return b
 }
 
-type waitingWriter struct {
-	*io.PipeWriter
-	f      func()
-	once   sync.Once
-	mu     sync.Mutex
-	err    error
-	done   chan struct{}
-	cancel func()
-}
-
-func (w *waitingWriter) Write(dt []byte) (int, error) {
-	w.once.Do(func() {
-		go w.f()
-	})
-	return w.PipeWriter.Write(dt)
-}
-
-func (w *waitingWriter) Close() error {
-	err := w.PipeWriter.Close()
-	<-w.done
-	if err == nil {
-		w.mu.Lock()
-		defer w.mu.Unlock()
-		return w.err
-	}
-	return err
-}
-
 // handle https://github.com/moby/moby/pull/10858
 func handleLowercaseDockerfile(dir, p string) string {
 	if filepath.Base(p) != "Dockerfile" {
diff --git a/builder/builder.go b/builder/builder.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ba068889
--- /dev/null
+++ b/builder/builder.go
@@ -0,0 +1,295 @@
+package builder
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"os"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/driver"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/store"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/store/storeutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/dockerutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/imagetools"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/progress"
+	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
+	"github.com/pkg/errors"
+	"golang.org/x/sync/errgroup"
+)
+
+// Builder represents an active builder object
+type Builder struct {
+	*store.NodeGroup
+	driverFactory driverFactory
+	nodes         []Node
+	opts          builderOpts
+	err           error
+}
+
+type builderOpts struct {
+	dockerCli       command.Cli
+	name            string
+	txn             *store.Txn
+	contextPathHash string
+	validate        bool
+}
+
+// Option provides a variadic option for configuring the builder.
+type Option func(b *Builder)
+
+// WithName sets builder name.
+func WithName(name string) Option {
+	return func(b *Builder) {
+		b.opts.name = name
+	}
+}
+
+// WithStore sets a store instance used at init.
+func WithStore(txn *store.Txn) Option {
+	return func(b *Builder) {
+		b.opts.txn = txn
+	}
+}
+
+// WithContextPathHash is used for determining pods in k8s driver instance.
+func WithContextPathHash(contextPathHash string) Option {
+	return func(b *Builder) {
+		b.opts.contextPathHash = contextPathHash
+	}
+}
+
+// WithSkippedValidation skips builder context validation.
+func WithSkippedValidation() Option {
+	return func(b *Builder) {
+		b.opts.validate = false
+	}
+}
+
+// New initializes a new builder client
+func New(dockerCli command.Cli, opts ...Option) (_ *Builder, err error) {
+	b := &Builder{
+		opts: builderOpts{
+			dockerCli: dockerCli,
+			validate:  true,
+		},
+	}
+	for _, opt := range opts {
+		opt(b)
+	}
+
+	if b.opts.txn == nil {
+		// if store instance is nil we create a short-lived one using the
+		// default store and ensure we release it on completion
+		var release func()
+		b.opts.txn, release, err = storeutil.GetStore(dockerCli)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		defer release()
+	}
+
+	if b.opts.name != "" {
+		if b.NodeGroup, err = storeutil.GetNodeGroup(b.opts.txn, dockerCli, b.opts.name); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	} else {
+		if b.NodeGroup, err = storeutil.GetCurrentInstance(b.opts.txn, dockerCli); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	if b.NodeGroup.Name == "default" && len(b.NodeGroup.Nodes) == 1 {
+		b.NodeGroup.Name = b.NodeGroup.Nodes[0].Endpoint
+	}
+	if b.opts.validate {
+		if err = b.Validate(); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+
+	return b, nil
+}
+
+// Validate validates builder context
+func (b *Builder) Validate() error {
+	if b.NodeGroup.Name == "default" && b.NodeGroup.Name != b.opts.dockerCli.CurrentContext() {
+		return errors.Errorf("use `docker --context=default buildx` to switch to default context")
+	}
+	list, err := b.opts.dockerCli.ContextStore().List()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	for _, l := range list {
+		if l.Name == b.NodeGroup.Name && b.NodeGroup.Name != "default" {
+			return errors.Errorf("use `docker --context=%s buildx` to switch to context %q", b.NodeGroup.Name, b.NodeGroup.Name)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// ContextName returns builder context name if available.
+func (b *Builder) ContextName() string {
+	ctxbuilders, err := b.opts.dockerCli.ContextStore().List()
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	for _, cb := range ctxbuilders {
+		if b.NodeGroup.Driver == "docker" && len(b.NodeGroup.Nodes) == 1 && b.NodeGroup.Nodes[0].Endpoint == cb.Name {
+			return cb.Name
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// ImageOpt returns registry auth configuration
+func (b *Builder) ImageOpt() (imagetools.Opt, error) {
+	return storeutil.GetImageConfig(b.opts.dockerCli, b.NodeGroup)
+}
+
+// Boot bootstrap a builder
+func (b *Builder) Boot(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
+	toBoot := make([]int, 0, len(b.nodes))
+	for idx, d := range b.nodes {
+		if d.Err != nil || d.Driver == nil || d.DriverInfo == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		if d.DriverInfo.Status != driver.Running {
+			toBoot = append(toBoot, idx)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(toBoot) == 0 {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+
+	printer, err := progress.NewPrinter(context.TODO(), os.Stderr, os.Stderr, progress.PrinterModeAuto)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+
+	baseCtx := ctx
+	eg, _ := errgroup.WithContext(ctx)
+	for _, idx := range toBoot {
+		func(idx int) {
+			eg.Go(func() error {
+				pw := progress.WithPrefix(printer, b.NodeGroup.Nodes[idx].Name, len(toBoot) > 1)
+				_, err := driver.Boot(ctx, baseCtx, b.nodes[idx].Driver, pw)
+				if err != nil {
+					b.nodes[idx].Err = err
+				}
+				return nil
+			})
+		}(idx)
+	}
+
+	err = eg.Wait()
+	err1 := printer.Wait()
+	if err == nil {
+		err = err1
+	}
+
+	return true, err
+}
+
+// Inactive checks if all nodes are inactive for this builder.
+func (b *Builder) Inactive() bool {
+	for _, d := range b.nodes {
+		if d.DriverInfo != nil && d.DriverInfo.Status == driver.Running {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+// Err returns error if any.
+func (b *Builder) Err() error {
+	return b.err
+}
+
+type driverFactory struct {
+	driver.Factory
+	once sync.Once
+}
+
+// Factory returns the driver factory.
+func (b *Builder) Factory(ctx context.Context) (_ driver.Factory, err error) {
+	b.driverFactory.once.Do(func() {
+		if b.Driver != "" {
+			b.driverFactory.Factory, err = driver.GetFactory(b.Driver, true)
+			if err != nil {
+				return
+			}
+		} else {
+			// empty driver means nodegroup was implicitly created as a default
+			// driver for a docker context and allows falling back to a
+			// docker-container driver for older daemon that doesn't support
+			// buildkit (< 18.06).
+			ep := b.nodes[0].Endpoint
+			var dockerapi *dockerutil.ClientAPI
+			dockerapi, err = dockerutil.NewClientAPI(b.opts.dockerCli, b.nodes[0].Endpoint)
+			if err != nil {
+				return
+			}
+			// check if endpoint is healthy is needed to determine the driver type.
+			// if this fails then can't continue with driver selection.
+			if _, err = dockerapi.Ping(ctx); err != nil {
+				return
+			}
+			b.driverFactory.Factory, err = driver.GetDefaultFactory(ctx, ep, dockerapi, false)
+			if err != nil {
+				return
+			}
+			b.Driver = b.driverFactory.Factory.Name()
+		}
+	})
+	return b.driverFactory.Factory, err
+}
+
+// GetBuilders returns all builders
+func GetBuilders(dockerCli command.Cli, txn *store.Txn) ([]*Builder, error) {
+	storeng, err := txn.List()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	builders := make([]*Builder, len(storeng))
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{})
+	for i, ng := range storeng {
+		b, err := New(dockerCli,
+			WithName(ng.Name),
+			WithStore(txn),
+			WithSkippedValidation(),
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		builders[i] = b
+		seen[b.NodeGroup.Name] = struct{}{}
+	}
+
+	contexts, err := dockerCli.ContextStore().List()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	sort.Slice(contexts, func(i, j int) bool {
+		return contexts[i].Name < contexts[j].Name
+	})
+
+	for _, c := range contexts {
+		// if a context has the same name as an instance from the store, do not
+		// add it to the builders list. An instance from the store takes
+		// precedence over context builders.
+		if _, ok := seen[c.Name]; ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		b, err := New(dockerCli,
+			WithName(c.Name),
+			WithStore(txn),
+			WithSkippedValidation(),
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		builders = append(builders, b)
+	}
+
+	return builders, nil
+}
diff --git a/builder/node.go b/builder/node.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f565738d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/builder/node.go
@@ -0,0 +1,201 @@
+package builder
+
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/driver"
+	ctxkube "github.com/docker/buildx/driver/kubernetes/context"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/store"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/store/storeutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/dockerutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/imagetools"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/platformutil"
+	"github.com/moby/buildkit/util/grpcerrors"
+	ocispecs "github.com/opencontainers/image-spec/specs-go/v1"
+	"github.com/pkg/errors"
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"golang.org/x/sync/errgroup"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/codes"
+)
+
+type Node struct {
+	store.Node
+	Driver      driver.Driver
+	DriverInfo  *driver.Info
+	Platforms   []ocispecs.Platform
+	ImageOpt    imagetools.Opt
+	ProxyConfig map[string]string
+	Version     string
+	Err         error
+}
+
+// Nodes returns nodes for this builder.
+func (b *Builder) Nodes() []Node {
+	return b.nodes
+}
+
+// LoadNodes loads and returns nodes for this builder.
+// TODO: this should be a method on a Node object and lazy load data for each driver.
+func (b *Builder) LoadNodes(ctx context.Context, withData bool) (_ []Node, err error) {
+	eg, _ := errgroup.WithContext(ctx)
+	b.nodes = make([]Node, len(b.NodeGroup.Nodes))
+
+	defer func() {
+		if b.err == nil && err != nil {
+			b.err = err
+		}
+	}()
+
+	factory, err := b.Factory(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	imageopt, err := b.ImageOpt()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	for i, n := range b.NodeGroup.Nodes {
+		func(i int, n store.Node) {
+			eg.Go(func() error {
+				node := Node{
+					Node:        n,
+					ProxyConfig: storeutil.GetProxyConfig(b.opts.dockerCli),
+				}
+				defer func() {
+					b.nodes[i] = node
+				}()
+
+				dockerapi, err := dockerutil.NewClientAPI(b.opts.dockerCli, n.Endpoint)
+				if err != nil {
+					node.Err = err
+					return nil
+				}
+
+				contextStore := b.opts.dockerCli.ContextStore()
+
+				var kcc driver.KubeClientConfig
+				kcc, err = ctxkube.ConfigFromContext(n.Endpoint, contextStore)
+				if err != nil {
+					// err is returned if n.Endpoint is non-context name like "unix:///var/run/docker.sock".
+					// try again with name="default".
+					// FIXME(@AkihiroSuda): n should retain real context name.
+					kcc, err = ctxkube.ConfigFromContext("default", contextStore)
+					if err != nil {
+						logrus.Error(err)
+					}
+				}
+
+				tryToUseKubeConfigInCluster := false
+				if kcc == nil {
+					tryToUseKubeConfigInCluster = true
+				} else {
+					if _, err := kcc.ClientConfig(); err != nil {
+						tryToUseKubeConfigInCluster = true
+					}
+				}
+				if tryToUseKubeConfigInCluster {
+					kccInCluster := driver.KubeClientConfigInCluster{}
+					if _, err := kccInCluster.ClientConfig(); err == nil {
+						logrus.Debug("using kube config in cluster")
+						kcc = kccInCluster
+					}
+				}
+
+				d, err := driver.GetDriver(ctx, "buildx_buildkit_"+n.Name, factory, n.Endpoint, dockerapi, imageopt.Auth, kcc, n.Flags, n.Files, n.DriverOpts, n.Platforms, b.opts.contextPathHash)
+				if err != nil {
+					node.Err = err
+					return nil
+				}
+				node.Driver = d
+				node.ImageOpt = imageopt
+
+				if withData {
+					if err := node.loadData(ctx); err != nil {
+						node.Err = err
+					}
+				}
+				return nil
+			})
+		}(i, n)
+	}
+
+	if err := eg.Wait(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	// TODO: This should be done in the routine loading driver data
+	if withData {
+		kubernetesDriverCount := 0
+		for _, d := range b.nodes {
+			if d.DriverInfo != nil && len(d.DriverInfo.DynamicNodes) > 0 {
+				kubernetesDriverCount++
+			}
+		}
+
+		isAllKubernetesDrivers := len(b.nodes) == kubernetesDriverCount
+		if isAllKubernetesDrivers {
+			var nodes []Node
+			var dynamicNodes []store.Node
+			for _, di := range b.nodes {
+				// dynamic nodes are used in Kubernetes driver.
+				// Kubernetes' pods are dynamically mapped to BuildKit Nodes.
+				if di.DriverInfo != nil && len(di.DriverInfo.DynamicNodes) > 0 {
+					for i := 0; i < len(di.DriverInfo.DynamicNodes); i++ {
+						diClone := di
+						if pl := di.DriverInfo.DynamicNodes[i].Platforms; len(pl) > 0 {
+							diClone.Platforms = pl
+						}
+						nodes = append(nodes, di)
+					}
+					dynamicNodes = append(dynamicNodes, di.DriverInfo.DynamicNodes...)
+				}
+			}
+
+			// not append (remove the static nodes in the store)
+			b.NodeGroup.Nodes = dynamicNodes
+			b.nodes = nodes
+			b.NodeGroup.Dynamic = true
+		}
+	}
+
+	return b.nodes, nil
+}
+
+func (n *Node) loadData(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if n.Driver == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	info, err := n.Driver.Info(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	n.DriverInfo = info
+	if n.DriverInfo.Status == driver.Running {
+		driverClient, err := n.Driver.Client(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		workers, err := driverClient.ListWorkers(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return errors.Wrap(err, "listing workers")
+		}
+		for _, w := range workers {
+			n.Platforms = append(n.Platforms, w.Platforms...)
+		}
+		n.Platforms = platformutil.Dedupe(n.Platforms)
+		inf, err := driverClient.Info(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			if st, ok := grpcerrors.AsGRPCStatus(err); ok && st.Code() == codes.Unimplemented {
+				n.Version, err = n.Driver.Version(ctx)
+				if err != nil {
+					return errors.Wrap(err, "getting version")
+				}
+			}
+		} else {
+			n.Version = inf.BuildkitVersion.Version
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/commands/bake.go b/commands/bake.go
index 0629df5b..a55d800e 100644
--- a/commands/bake.go
+++ b/commands/bake.go
@@ -9,7 +9,9 @@ import (
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/platforms"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/bake"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/build"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/confutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/dockerutil"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/progress"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/tracing"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
@@ -89,20 +91,27 @@ func runBake(dockerCli command.Cli, targets []string, in bakeOptions) (err error
 		}
 	}()
 
-	var dis []build.DriverInfo
+	var nodes []builder.Node
 	var files []bake.File
 	var inp *bake.Input
 
 	// instance only needed for reading remote bake files or building
 	if url != "" || !in.printOnly {
-		dis, err = getInstanceOrDefault(ctx, dockerCli, in.builder, contextPathHash)
+		b, err := builder.New(dockerCli,
+			builder.WithName(in.builder),
+			builder.WithContextPathHash(contextPathHash),
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		nodes, err = b.LoadNodes(ctx, false)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
 	if url != "" {
-		files, inp, err = bake.ReadRemoteFiles(ctx, dis, url, in.files, printer)
+		files, inp, err = bake.ReadRemoteFiles(ctx, nodes, url, in.files, printer)
 	} else {
 		files, err = bake.ReadLocalFiles(in.files)
 	}
@@ -146,7 +155,7 @@ func runBake(dockerCli command.Cli, targets []string, in bakeOptions) (err error
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	resp, err := build.Build(ctx, dis, bo, dockerAPI(dockerCli), confutil.ConfigDir(dockerCli), printer)
+	resp, err := build.Build(ctx, nodes, bo, dockerutil.NewClient(dockerCli), confutil.ConfigDir(dockerCli), printer)
 	if err != nil {
 		return wrapBuildError(err, true)
 	}
diff --git a/commands/build.go b/commands/build.go
index ddcdbb09..094224a4 100644
--- a/commands/build.go
+++ b/commands/build.go
@@ -16,9 +16,11 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/containerd/console"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/build"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/monitor"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/buildflags"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/confutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/dockerutil"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/platformutil"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/progress"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/tracing"
@@ -237,7 +239,19 @@ func runBuild(dockerCli command.Cli, in buildOptions) (err error) {
 		contextPathHash = in.contextPath
 	}
 
-	imageID, res, err := buildTargets(ctx, dockerCli, map[string]build.Options{defaultTargetName: opts}, in.progress, contextPathHash, in.builder, in.metadataFile, in.invoke != "")
+	b, err := builder.New(dockerCli,
+		builder.WithName(in.builder),
+		builder.WithContextPathHash(contextPathHash),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	nodes, err := b.LoadNodes(ctx, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	imageID, res, err := buildTargets(ctx, dockerCli, nodes, map[string]build.Options{defaultTargetName: opts}, in.progress, in.metadataFile, in.invoke != "")
 	err = wrapBuildError(err, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -254,7 +268,7 @@ func runBuild(dockerCli command.Cli, in buildOptions) (err error) {
 			return errors.Errorf("failed to configure terminal: %v", err)
 		}
 		err = monitor.RunMonitor(ctx, cfg, func(ctx context.Context) (*build.ResultContext, error) {
-			_, rr, err := buildTargets(ctx, dockerCli, map[string]build.Options{defaultTargetName: opts}, in.progress, contextPathHash, in.builder, in.metadataFile, true)
+			_, rr, err := buildTargets(ctx, dockerCli, nodes, map[string]build.Options{defaultTargetName: opts}, in.progress, in.metadataFile, true)
 			return rr, err
 		}, io.NopCloser(os.Stdin), nopCloser{os.Stdout}, nopCloser{os.Stderr})
 		if err != nil {
@@ -275,12 +289,7 @@ type nopCloser struct {
 
 func (c nopCloser) Close() error { return nil }
 
-func buildTargets(ctx context.Context, dockerCli command.Cli, opts map[string]build.Options, progressMode, contextPathHash, instance string, metadataFile string, allowNoOutput bool) (imageID string, res *build.ResultContext, err error) {
-	dis, err := getInstanceOrDefault(ctx, dockerCli, instance, contextPathHash)
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", nil, err
-	}
-
+func buildTargets(ctx context.Context, dockerCli command.Cli, nodes []builder.Node, opts map[string]build.Options, progressMode string, metadataFile string, allowNoOutput bool) (imageID string, res *build.ResultContext, err error) {
 	ctx2, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.TODO())
 	defer cancel()
 
@@ -291,7 +300,7 @@ func buildTargets(ctx context.Context, dockerCli command.Cli, opts map[string]bu
 
 	var mu sync.Mutex
 	var idx int
-	resp, err := build.BuildWithResultHandler(ctx, dis, opts, dockerAPI(dockerCli), confutil.ConfigDir(dockerCli), printer, func(driverIndex int, gotRes *build.ResultContext) {
+	resp, err := build.BuildWithResultHandler(ctx, nodes, opts, dockerutil.NewClient(dockerCli), confutil.ConfigDir(dockerCli), printer, func(driverIndex int, gotRes *build.ResultContext) {
 		mu.Lock()
 		defer mu.Unlock()
 		if res == nil || driverIndex < idx {
diff --git a/commands/create.go b/commands/create.go
index cc0af47c..35f7ba5d 100644
--- a/commands/create.go
+++ b/commands/create.go
@@ -10,13 +10,17 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/driver"
+	remoteutil "github.com/docker/buildx/driver/remote/util"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/store"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/store/storeutil"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/cobrautil"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/confutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/dockerutil"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
+	dopts "github.com/docker/cli/opts"
 	"github.com/google/shlex"
 	"github.com/moby/buildkit/util/appcontext"
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
@@ -204,7 +208,7 @@ func runCreate(dockerCli command.Cli, in createOptions, args []string) error {
 			if dockerCli.CurrentContext() == "default" && dockerCli.DockerEndpoint().TLSData != nil {
 				return errors.Errorf("could not create a builder instance with TLS data loaded from environment. Please use `docker context create <context-name>` to create a context for current environment and then create a builder instance with `docker buildx create <context-name>`")
 			}
-			ep, err = storeutil.GetCurrentEndpoint(dockerCli)
+			ep, err = dockerutil.GetCurrentEndpoint(dockerCli)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
@@ -234,17 +238,26 @@ func runCreate(dockerCli command.Cli, in createOptions, args []string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	ngi := &nginfo{ng: ng}
+	b, err := builder.New(dockerCli,
+		builder.WithName(ng.Name),
+		builder.WithStore(txn),
+		builder.WithSkippedValidation(),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 
 	timeoutCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 20*time.Second)
 	defer cancel()
 
-	if err = loadNodeGroupData(timeoutCtx, dockerCli, ngi); err != nil {
+	nodes, err := b.LoadNodes(timeoutCtx, true)
+	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	for _, info := range ngi.drivers {
-		if err := info.di.Err; err != nil {
-			err := errors.Errorf("failed to initialize builder %s (%s): %s", ng.Name, info.di.Name, err)
+
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		if err := node.Err; err != nil {
+			err := errors.Errorf("failed to initialize builder %s (%s): %s", ng.Name, node.Name, err)
 			var err2 error
 			if ngOriginal == nil {
 				err2 = txn.Remove(ng.Name)
@@ -259,7 +272,7 @@ func runCreate(dockerCli command.Cli, in createOptions, args []string) error {
 	}
 
 	if in.use && ep != "" {
-		current, err := storeutil.GetCurrentEndpoint(dockerCli)
+		current, err := dockerutil.GetCurrentEndpoint(dockerCli)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -269,7 +282,7 @@ func runCreate(dockerCli command.Cli, in createOptions, args []string) error {
 	}
 
 	if in.bootstrap {
-		if _, err = boot(ctx, ngi); err != nil {
+		if _, err = b.Boot(ctx); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
@@ -340,3 +353,27 @@ func csvToMap(in []string) (map[string]string, error) {
 	}
 	return m, nil
 }
+
+// validateEndpoint validates that endpoint is either a context or a docker host
+func validateEndpoint(dockerCli command.Cli, ep string) (string, error) {
+	dem, err := dockerutil.GetDockerEndpoint(dockerCli, ep)
+	if err == nil && dem != nil {
+		if ep == "default" {
+			return dem.Host, nil
+		}
+		return ep, nil
+	}
+	h, err := dopts.ParseHost(true, ep)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to parse endpoint %s", ep)
+	}
+	return h, nil
+}
+
+// validateBuildkitEndpoint validates that endpoint is a valid buildkit host
+func validateBuildkitEndpoint(ep string) (string, error) {
+	if err := remoteutil.IsValidEndpoint(ep); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return ep, nil
+}
diff --git a/commands/diskusage.go b/commands/diskusage.go
index 6286bb5f..d4bd7dda 100644
--- a/commands/diskusage.go
+++ b/commands/diskusage.go
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"text/tabwriter"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/build"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/opts"
@@ -33,25 +33,29 @@ func runDiskUsage(dockerCli command.Cli, opts duOptions) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	dis, err := getInstanceOrDefault(ctx, dockerCli, opts.builder, "")
+	b, err := builder.New(dockerCli, builder.WithName(opts.builder))
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	for _, di := range dis {
-		if di.Err != nil {
-			return di.Err
+	nodes, err := b.LoadNodes(ctx, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		if node.Err != nil {
+			return node.Err
 		}
 	}
 
-	out := make([][]*client.UsageInfo, len(dis))
+	out := make([][]*client.UsageInfo, len(nodes))
 
 	eg, ctx := errgroup.WithContext(ctx)
-	for i, di := range dis {
-		func(i int, di build.DriverInfo) {
+	for i, node := range nodes {
+		func(i int, node builder.Node) {
 			eg.Go(func() error {
-				if di.Driver != nil {
-					c, err := di.Driver.Client(ctx)
+				if node.Driver != nil {
+					c, err := node.Driver.Client(ctx)
 					if err != nil {
 						return err
 					}
@@ -64,7 +68,7 @@ func runDiskUsage(dockerCli command.Cli, opts duOptions) error {
 				}
 				return nil
 			})
-		}(i, di)
+		}(i, node)
 	}
 
 	if err := eg.Wait(); err != nil {
diff --git a/commands/imagetools/create.go b/commands/imagetools/create.go
index 3a7cf32e..84c07aaf 100644
--- a/commands/imagetools/create.go
+++ b/commands/imagetools/create.go
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"strings"
 
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/store"
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/store/storeutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/imagetools"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/progress"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
@@ -113,27 +112,11 @@ func runCreate(dockerCli command.Cli, in createOptions, args []string) error {
 
 	ctx := appcontext.Context()
 
-	txn, release, err := storeutil.GetStore(dockerCli)
+	b, err := builder.New(dockerCli, builder.WithName(in.builder))
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	defer release()
-
-	var ng *store.NodeGroup
-
-	if in.builder != "" {
-		ng, err = storeutil.GetNodeGroup(txn, dockerCli, in.builder)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	} else {
-		ng, err = storeutil.GetCurrentInstance(txn, dockerCli)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
-	imageopt, err := storeutil.GetImageConfig(dockerCli, ng)
+	imageopt, err := b.ImageOpt()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/commands/imagetools/inspect.go b/commands/imagetools/inspect.go
index 7e859709..68fed667 100644
--- a/commands/imagetools/inspect.go
+++ b/commands/imagetools/inspect.go
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 package commands
 
 import (
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/store"
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/store/storeutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/imagetools"
 	"github.com/docker/cli-docs-tool/annotation"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli"
@@ -25,27 +24,11 @@ func runInspect(dockerCli command.Cli, in inspectOptions, name string) error {
 		return errors.Errorf("format and raw cannot be used together")
 	}
 
-	txn, release, err := storeutil.GetStore(dockerCli)
+	b, err := builder.New(dockerCli, builder.WithName(in.builder))
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	defer release()
-
-	var ng *store.NodeGroup
-
-	if in.builder != "" {
-		ng, err = storeutil.GetNodeGroup(txn, dockerCli, in.builder)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	} else {
-		ng, err = storeutil.GetCurrentInstance(txn, dockerCli)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
-	imageopt, err := storeutil.GetImageConfig(dockerCli, ng)
+	imageopt, err := b.ImageOpt()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/commands/inspect.go b/commands/inspect.go
index 31da0a36..8cf2ce68 100644
--- a/commands/inspect.go
+++ b/commands/inspect.go
@@ -8,8 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"text/tabwriter"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/store"
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/store/storeutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/platformutil"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
@@ -25,71 +24,43 @@ type inspectOptions struct {
 func runInspect(dockerCli command.Cli, in inspectOptions) error {
 	ctx := appcontext.Context()
 
-	txn, release, err := storeutil.GetStore(dockerCli)
+	b, err := builder.New(dockerCli,
+		builder.WithName(in.builder),
+		builder.WithSkippedValidation(),
+	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	defer release()
-
-	var ng *store.NodeGroup
-
-	if in.builder != "" {
-		ng, err = storeutil.GetNodeGroup(txn, dockerCli, in.builder)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	} else {
-		ng, err = storeutil.GetCurrentInstance(txn, dockerCli)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
-	if ng == nil {
-		ng = &store.NodeGroup{
-			Name: "default",
-			Nodes: []store.Node{{
-				Name:     "default",
-				Endpoint: "default",
-			}},
-		}
-	}
-
-	ngi := &nginfo{ng: ng}
 
 	timeoutCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 20*time.Second)
 	defer cancel()
 
-	err = loadNodeGroupData(timeoutCtx, dockerCli, ngi)
-
-	var bootNgi *nginfo
+	nodes, err := b.LoadNodes(timeoutCtx, true)
 	if in.bootstrap {
 		var ok bool
-		ok, err = boot(ctx, ngi)
+		ok, err = b.Boot(ctx)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		bootNgi = ngi
 		if ok {
-			ngi = &nginfo{ng: ng}
-			err = loadNodeGroupData(ctx, dockerCli, ngi)
+			nodes, err = b.LoadNodes(timeoutCtx, true)
 		}
 	}
 
 	w := tabwriter.NewWriter(os.Stdout, 0, 0, 1, ' ', 0)
-	fmt.Fprintf(w, "Name:\t%s\n", ngi.ng.Name)
-	fmt.Fprintf(w, "Driver:\t%s\n", ngi.ng.Driver)
+	fmt.Fprintf(w, "Name:\t%s\n", b.Name)
+	fmt.Fprintf(w, "Driver:\t%s\n", b.Driver)
 
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(w, "Error:\t%s\n", err.Error())
-	} else if ngi.err != nil {
-		fmt.Fprintf(w, "Error:\t%s\n", ngi.err.Error())
+	} else if b.Err() != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, "Error:\t%s\n", b.Err().Error())
 	}
 	if err == nil {
 		fmt.Fprintln(w, "")
 		fmt.Fprintln(w, "Nodes:")
 
-		for i, n := range ngi.ng.Nodes {
+		for i, n := range nodes {
 			if i != 0 {
 				fmt.Fprintln(w, "")
 			}
@@ -104,21 +75,17 @@ func runInspect(dockerCli command.Cli, in inspectOptions) error {
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Driver Options:\t%s\n", strings.Join(driverOpts, " "))
 			}
 
-			if err := ngi.drivers[i].di.Err; err != nil {
+			if err := n.Err; err != nil {
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Error:\t%s\n", err.Error())
-			} else if err := ngi.drivers[i].err; err != nil {
-				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Error:\t%s\n", err.Error())
-			} else if bootNgi != nil && len(bootNgi.drivers) > i && bootNgi.drivers[i].err != nil {
-				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Error:\t%s\n", bootNgi.drivers[i].err.Error())
 			} else {
-				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Status:\t%s\n", ngi.drivers[i].info.Status)
+				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Status:\t%s\n", nodes[i].DriverInfo.Status)
 				if len(n.Flags) > 0 {
 					fmt.Fprintf(w, "Flags:\t%s\n", strings.Join(n.Flags, " "))
 				}
-				if ngi.drivers[i].version != "" {
-					fmt.Fprintf(w, "Buildkit:\t%s\n", ngi.drivers[i].version)
+				if nodes[i].Version != "" {
+					fmt.Fprintf(w, "Buildkit:\t%s\n", nodes[i].Version)
 				}
-				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Platforms:\t%s\n", strings.Join(platformutil.FormatInGroups(n.Platforms, ngi.drivers[i].platforms), ", "))
+				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Platforms:\t%s\n", strings.Join(platformutil.FormatInGroups(n.Node.Platforms, n.Platforms), ", "))
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/commands/ls.go b/commands/ls.go
index cf71c21a..428de1b6 100644
--- a/commands/ls.go
+++ b/commands/ls.go
@@ -4,12 +4,11 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
-	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"text/tabwriter"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/store"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/store/storeutil"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/cobrautil"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/platformutil"
@@ -32,52 +31,24 @@ func runLs(dockerCli command.Cli, in lsOptions) error {
 	}
 	defer release()
 
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 20*time.Second)
+	current, err := storeutil.GetCurrentInstance(txn, dockerCli)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	builders, err := builder.GetBuilders(dockerCli, txn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	timeoutCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 20*time.Second)
 	defer cancel()
 
-	ll, err := txn.List()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	builders := make([]*nginfo, len(ll))
-	for i, ng := range ll {
-		builders[i] = &nginfo{ng: ng}
-	}
-
-	contexts, err := dockerCli.ContextStore().List()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	sort.Slice(contexts, func(i, j int) bool {
-		return contexts[i].Name < contexts[j].Name
-	})
-	for _, c := range contexts {
-		ngi := &nginfo{ng: &store.NodeGroup{
-			Name: c.Name,
-			Nodes: []store.Node{{
-				Name:     c.Name,
-				Endpoint: c.Name,
-			}},
-		}}
-		// if a context has the same name as an instance from the store, do not
-		// add it to the builders list. An instance from the store takes
-		// precedence over context builders.
-		if hasNodeGroup(builders, ngi) {
-			continue
-		}
-		builders = append(builders, ngi)
-	}
-
-	eg, _ := errgroup.WithContext(ctx)
-
+	eg, _ := errgroup.WithContext(timeoutCtx)
 	for _, b := range builders {
-		func(b *nginfo) {
+		func(b *builder.Builder) {
 			eg.Go(func() error {
-				err = loadNodeGroupData(ctx, dockerCli, b)
-				if b.err == nil && err != nil {
-					b.err = err
-				}
+				_, _ = b.LoadNodes(timeoutCtx, true)
 				return nil
 			})
 		}(b)
@@ -87,29 +58,15 @@ func runLs(dockerCli command.Cli, in lsOptions) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	currentName := "default"
-	current, err := storeutil.GetCurrentInstance(txn, dockerCli)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if current != nil {
-		currentName = current.Name
-		if current.Name == "default" {
-			currentName = current.Nodes[0].Endpoint
-		}
-	}
-
 	w := tabwriter.NewWriter(dockerCli.Out(), 0, 0, 1, ' ', 0)
 	fmt.Fprintf(w, "NAME/NODE\tDRIVER/ENDPOINT\tSTATUS\tBUILDKIT\tPLATFORMS\n")
 
-	currentSet := false
 	printErr := false
 	for _, b := range builders {
-		if !currentSet && b.ng.Name == currentName {
-			b.ng.Name += " *"
-			currentSet = true
+		if current.Name == b.Name {
+			b.Name += " *"
 		}
-		if ok := printngi(w, b); !ok {
+		if ok := printBuilder(w, b); !ok {
 			printErr = true
 		}
 	}
@@ -119,19 +76,12 @@ func runLs(dockerCli command.Cli, in lsOptions) error {
 	if printErr {
 		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(dockerCli.Err(), "\n")
 		for _, b := range builders {
-			if b.err != nil {
-				_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(dockerCli.Err(), "Cannot load builder %s: %s\n", b.ng.Name, strings.TrimSpace(b.err.Error()))
+			if b.Err() != nil {
+				_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(dockerCli.Err(), "Cannot load builder %s: %s\n", b.Name, strings.TrimSpace(b.Err().Error()))
 			} else {
-				for idx, n := range b.ng.Nodes {
-					d := b.drivers[idx]
-					var nodeErr string
-					if d.err != nil {
-						nodeErr = d.err.Error()
-					} else if d.di.Err != nil {
-						nodeErr = d.di.Err.Error()
-					}
-					if nodeErr != "" {
-						_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(dockerCli.Err(), "Failed to get status for %s (%s): %s\n", b.ng.Name, n.Name, strings.TrimSpace(nodeErr))
+				for _, d := range b.Nodes() {
+					if d.Err != nil {
+						_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(dockerCli.Err(), "Failed to get status for %s (%s): %s\n", b.Name, d.Name, strings.TrimSpace(d.Err.Error()))
 					}
 				}
 			}
@@ -141,26 +91,25 @@ func runLs(dockerCli command.Cli, in lsOptions) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func printngi(w io.Writer, ngi *nginfo) (ok bool) {
+func printBuilder(w io.Writer, b *builder.Builder) (ok bool) {
 	ok = true
 	var err string
-	if ngi.err != nil {
+	if b.Err() != nil {
 		ok = false
 		err = "error"
 	}
-	fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s\t%s\t%s\t\t\n", ngi.ng.Name, ngi.ng.Driver, err)
-	if ngi.err == nil {
-		for idx, n := range ngi.ng.Nodes {
-			d := ngi.drivers[idx]
+	fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s\t%s\t%s\t\t\n", b.Name, b.Driver, err)
+	if b.Err() == nil {
+		for _, n := range b.Nodes() {
 			var status string
-			if d.info != nil {
-				status = d.info.Status.String()
+			if n.DriverInfo != nil {
+				status = n.DriverInfo.Status.String()
 			}
-			if d.err != nil || d.di.Err != nil {
+			if n.Err != nil {
 				ok = false
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "  %s\t%s\t%s\t\t\n", n.Name, n.Endpoint, "error")
 			} else {
-				fmt.Fprintf(w, "  %s\t%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\n", n.Name, n.Endpoint, status, d.version, strings.Join(platformutil.FormatInGroups(n.Platforms, d.platforms), ", "))
+				fmt.Fprintf(w, "  %s\t%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\n", n.Name, n.Endpoint, status, n.Version, strings.Join(platformutil.FormatInGroups(n.Node.Platforms, n.Platforms), ", "))
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/commands/prune.go b/commands/prune.go
index 730daceb..653ffd84 100644
--- a/commands/prune.go
+++ b/commands/prune.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"text/tabwriter"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/build"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/opts"
@@ -54,14 +54,18 @@ func runPrune(dockerCli command.Cli, opts pruneOptions) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	dis, err := getInstanceOrDefault(ctx, dockerCli, opts.builder, "")
+	b, err := builder.New(dockerCli, builder.WithName(opts.builder))
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	for _, di := range dis {
-		if di.Err != nil {
-			return di.Err
+	nodes, err := b.LoadNodes(ctx, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		if node.Err != nil {
+			return node.Err
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -90,11 +94,11 @@ func runPrune(dockerCli command.Cli, opts pruneOptions) error {
 	}()
 
 	eg, ctx := errgroup.WithContext(ctx)
-	for _, di := range dis {
-		func(di build.DriverInfo) {
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		func(node builder.Node) {
 			eg.Go(func() error {
-				if di.Driver != nil {
-					c, err := di.Driver.Client(ctx)
+				if node.Driver != nil {
+					c, err := node.Driver.Client(ctx)
 					if err != nil {
 						return err
 					}
@@ -109,7 +113,7 @@ func runPrune(dockerCli command.Cli, opts pruneOptions) error {
 				}
 				return nil
 			})
-		}(di)
+		}(node)
 	}
 
 	if err := eg.Wait(); err != nil {
diff --git a/commands/rm.go b/commands/rm.go
index 73144066..caaecc83 100644
--- a/commands/rm.go
+++ b/commands/rm.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/store"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/store/storeutil"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli"
@@ -44,41 +45,33 @@ func runRm(dockerCli command.Cli, in rmOptions) error {
 		return rmAllInactive(ctx, txn, dockerCli, in)
 	}
 
-	var ng *store.NodeGroup
-	if in.builder != "" {
-		ng, err = storeutil.GetNodeGroup(txn, dockerCli, in.builder)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	} else {
-		ng, err = storeutil.GetCurrentInstance(txn, dockerCli)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-	if ng == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-
-	ctxbuilders, err := dockerCli.ContextStore().List()
+	b, err := builder.New(dockerCli,
+		builder.WithName(in.builder),
+		builder.WithStore(txn),
+		builder.WithSkippedValidation(),
+	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	for _, cb := range ctxbuilders {
-		if ng.Driver == "docker" && len(ng.Nodes) == 1 && ng.Nodes[0].Endpoint == cb.Name {
-			return errors.Errorf("context builder cannot be removed, run `docker context rm %s` to remove this context", cb.Name)
-		}
+
+	nodes, err := b.LoadNodes(ctx, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
 
-	err1 := rm(ctx, dockerCli, in, ng)
-	if err := txn.Remove(ng.Name); err != nil {
+	if cb := b.ContextName(); cb != "" {
+		return errors.Errorf("context builder cannot be removed, run `docker context rm %s` to remove this context", cb)
+	}
+
+	err1 := rm(ctx, nodes, in)
+	if err := txn.Remove(b.Name); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	if err1 != nil {
 		return err1
 	}
 
-	_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(dockerCli.Err(), "%s removed\n", ng.Name)
+	_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(dockerCli.Err(), "%s removed\n", b.Name)
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -110,61 +103,56 @@ func rmCmd(dockerCli command.Cli, rootOpts *rootOptions) *cobra.Command {
 	return cmd
 }
 
-func rm(ctx context.Context, dockerCli command.Cli, in rmOptions, ng *store.NodeGroup) error {
-	dis, err := driversForNodeGroup(ctx, dockerCli, ng, "")
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	for _, di := range dis {
-		if di.Driver == nil {
+func rm(ctx context.Context, nodes []builder.Node, in rmOptions) (err error) {
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		if node.Driver == nil {
 			continue
 		}
 		// Do not stop the buildkitd daemon when --keep-daemon is provided
 		if !in.keepDaemon {
-			if err := di.Driver.Stop(ctx, true); err != nil {
+			if err := node.Driver.Stop(ctx, true); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 		}
-		if err := di.Driver.Rm(ctx, true, !in.keepState, !in.keepDaemon); err != nil {
+		if err := node.Driver.Rm(ctx, true, !in.keepState, !in.keepDaemon); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		if di.Err != nil {
-			err = di.Err
+		if node.Err != nil {
+			err = node.Err
 		}
 	}
 	return err
 }
 
 func rmAllInactive(ctx context.Context, txn *store.Txn, dockerCli command.Cli, in rmOptions) error {
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 20*time.Second)
-	defer cancel()
-
-	ll, err := txn.List()
+	builders, err := builder.GetBuilders(dockerCli, txn)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	builders := make([]*nginfo, len(ll))
-	for i, ng := range ll {
-		builders[i] = &nginfo{ng: ng}
-	}
+	timeoutCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 20*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
 
-	eg, _ := errgroup.WithContext(ctx)
+	eg, _ := errgroup.WithContext(timeoutCtx)
 	for _, b := range builders {
-		func(b *nginfo) {
+		func(b *builder.Builder) {
 			eg.Go(func() error {
-				if err := loadNodeGroupData(ctx, dockerCli, b); err != nil {
-					return errors.Wrapf(err, "cannot load %s", b.ng.Name)
+				nodes, err := b.LoadNodes(timeoutCtx, true)
+				if err != nil {
+					return errors.Wrapf(err, "cannot load %s", b.Name)
 				}
-				if b.ng.Dynamic {
+				if cb := b.ContextName(); cb != "" {
+					return errors.Errorf("context builder cannot be removed, run `docker context rm %s` to remove this context", cb)
+				}
+				if b.Dynamic {
 					return nil
 				}
-				if b.inactive() {
-					rmerr := rm(ctx, dockerCli, in, b.ng)
-					if err := txn.Remove(b.ng.Name); err != nil {
+				if b.Inactive() {
+					rmerr := rm(ctx, nodes, in)
+					if err := txn.Remove(b.Name); err != nil {
 						return err
 					}
-					_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(dockerCli.Err(), "%s removed\n", b.ng.Name)
+					_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(dockerCli.Err(), "%s removed\n", b.Name)
 					return rmerr
 				}
 				return nil
diff --git a/commands/stop.go b/commands/stop.go
index a5fe5a45..cebf1c2a 100644
--- a/commands/stop.go
+++ b/commands/stop.go
@@ -3,8 +3,7 @@ package commands
 import (
 	"context"
 
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/store"
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/store/storeutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/builder"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
 	"github.com/moby/buildkit/util/appcontext"
@@ -18,32 +17,19 @@ type stopOptions struct {
 func runStop(dockerCli command.Cli, in stopOptions) error {
 	ctx := appcontext.Context()
 
-	txn, release, err := storeutil.GetStore(dockerCli)
+	b, err := builder.New(dockerCli,
+		builder.WithName(in.builder),
+		builder.WithSkippedValidation(),
+	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	defer release()
-
-	if in.builder != "" {
-		ng, err := storeutil.GetNodeGroup(txn, dockerCli, in.builder)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		if err := stop(ctx, dockerCli, ng); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		return nil
-	}
-
-	ng, err := storeutil.GetCurrentInstance(txn, dockerCli)
+	nodes, err := b.LoadNodes(ctx, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if ng != nil {
-		return stop(ctx, dockerCli, ng)
-	}
 
-	return stopCurrent(ctx, dockerCli)
+	return stop(ctx, nodes)
 }
 
 func stopCmd(dockerCli command.Cli, rootOpts *rootOptions) *cobra.Command {
@@ -65,37 +51,15 @@ func stopCmd(dockerCli command.Cli, rootOpts *rootOptions) *cobra.Command {
 	return cmd
 }
 
-func stop(ctx context.Context, dockerCli command.Cli, ng *store.NodeGroup) error {
-	dis, err := driversForNodeGroup(ctx, dockerCli, ng, "")
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	for _, di := range dis {
-		if di.Driver != nil {
-			if err := di.Driver.Stop(ctx, true); err != nil {
+func stop(ctx context.Context, nodes []builder.Node) (err error) {
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		if node.Driver != nil {
+			if err := node.Driver.Stop(ctx, true); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 		}
-		if di.Err != nil {
-			err = di.Err
-		}
-	}
-	return err
-}
-
-func stopCurrent(ctx context.Context, dockerCli command.Cli) error {
-	dis, err := getDefaultDrivers(ctx, dockerCli, false, "")
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	for _, di := range dis {
-		if di.Driver != nil {
-			if err := di.Driver.Stop(ctx, true); err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-		}
-		if di.Err != nil {
-			err = di.Err
+		if node.Err != nil {
+			err = node.Err
 		}
 	}
 	return err
diff --git a/commands/use.go b/commands/use.go
index 71320135..7e52ce85 100644
--- a/commands/use.go
+++ b/commands/use.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"os"
 
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/store/storeutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/dockerutil"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ func runUse(dockerCli command.Cli, in useOptions) error {
 				return errors.Errorf("run `docker context use default` to switch to default context")
 			}
 			if in.builder == "default" || in.builder == dockerCli.CurrentContext() {
-				ep, err := storeutil.GetCurrentEndpoint(dockerCli)
+				ep, err := dockerutil.GetCurrentEndpoint(dockerCli)
 				if err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ func runUse(dockerCli command.Cli, in useOptions) error {
 		return errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to find instance %q", in.builder)
 	}
 
-	ep, err := storeutil.GetCurrentEndpoint(dockerCli)
+	ep, err := dockerutil.GetCurrentEndpoint(dockerCli)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/commands/util.go b/commands/util.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 571f2731..00000000
--- a/commands/util.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,464 +0,0 @@
-package commands
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"os"
-
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/build"
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/driver"
-	ctxkube "github.com/docker/buildx/driver/kubernetes/context"
-	remoteutil "github.com/docker/buildx/driver/remote/util"
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/store"
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/store/storeutil"
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/platformutil"
-	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/progress"
-	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
-	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/context/docker"
-	dopts "github.com/docker/cli/opts"
-	dockerclient "github.com/docker/docker/client"
-	"github.com/moby/buildkit/util/grpcerrors"
-	specs "github.com/opencontainers/image-spec/specs-go/v1"
-	"github.com/pkg/errors"
-	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
-	"golang.org/x/sync/errgroup"
-	"google.golang.org/grpc/codes"
-)
-
-// validateEndpoint validates that endpoint is either a context or a docker host
-func validateEndpoint(dockerCli command.Cli, ep string) (string, error) {
-	de, err := storeutil.GetDockerEndpoint(dockerCli, ep)
-	if err == nil && de != "" {
-		if ep == "default" {
-			return de, nil
-		}
-		return ep, nil
-	}
-	h, err := dopts.ParseHost(true, ep)
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to parse endpoint %s", ep)
-	}
-	return h, nil
-}
-
-// validateBuildkitEndpoint validates that endpoint is a valid buildkit host
-func validateBuildkitEndpoint(ep string) (string, error) {
-	if err := remoteutil.IsValidEndpoint(ep); err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	}
-	return ep, nil
-}
-
-// driversForNodeGroup returns drivers for a nodegroup instance
-func driversForNodeGroup(ctx context.Context, dockerCli command.Cli, ng *store.NodeGroup, contextPathHash string) ([]build.DriverInfo, error) {
-	eg, _ := errgroup.WithContext(ctx)
-
-	dis := make([]build.DriverInfo, len(ng.Nodes))
-
-	var f driver.Factory
-	if ng.Driver != "" {
-		var err error
-		f, err = driver.GetFactory(ng.Driver, true)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-	} else {
-		// empty driver means nodegroup was implicitly created as a default
-		// driver for a docker context and allows falling back to a
-		// docker-container driver for older daemon that doesn't support
-		// buildkit (< 18.06).
-		ep := ng.Nodes[0].Endpoint
-		dockerapi, err := clientForEndpoint(dockerCli, ep)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		// check if endpoint is healthy is needed to determine the driver type.
-		// if this fails then can't continue with driver selection.
-		if _, err = dockerapi.Ping(ctx); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		f, err = driver.GetDefaultFactory(ctx, ep, dockerapi, false)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		ng.Driver = f.Name()
-	}
-	imageopt, err := storeutil.GetImageConfig(dockerCli, ng)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	for i, n := range ng.Nodes {
-		func(i int, n store.Node) {
-			eg.Go(func() error {
-				di := build.DriverInfo{
-					Name:        n.Name,
-					Platform:    n.Platforms,
-					ProxyConfig: storeutil.GetProxyConfig(dockerCli),
-				}
-				defer func() {
-					dis[i] = di
-				}()
-
-				dockerapi, err := clientForEndpoint(dockerCli, n.Endpoint)
-				if err != nil {
-					di.Err = err
-					return nil
-				}
-
-				contextStore := dockerCli.ContextStore()
-
-				var kcc driver.KubeClientConfig
-				kcc, err = ctxkube.ConfigFromEndpoint(n.Endpoint, contextStore)
-				if err != nil {
-					// err is returned if n.Endpoint is non-context name like "unix:///var/run/docker.sock".
-					// try again with name="default".
-					// FIXME: n should retain real context name.
-					kcc, err = ctxkube.ConfigFromEndpoint("default", contextStore)
-					if err != nil {
-						logrus.Error(err)
-					}
-				}
-
-				tryToUseKubeConfigInCluster := false
-				if kcc == nil {
-					tryToUseKubeConfigInCluster = true
-				} else {
-					if _, err := kcc.ClientConfig(); err != nil {
-						tryToUseKubeConfigInCluster = true
-					}
-				}
-				if tryToUseKubeConfigInCluster {
-					kccInCluster := driver.KubeClientConfigInCluster{}
-					if _, err := kccInCluster.ClientConfig(); err == nil {
-						logrus.Debug("using kube config in cluster")
-						kcc = kccInCluster
-					}
-				}
-
-				d, err := driver.GetDriver(ctx, "buildx_buildkit_"+n.Name, f, n.Endpoint, dockerapi, imageopt.Auth, kcc, n.Flags, n.Files, n.DriverOpts, n.Platforms, contextPathHash)
-				if err != nil {
-					di.Err = err
-					return nil
-				}
-				di.Driver = d
-				di.ImageOpt = imageopt
-				return nil
-			})
-		}(i, n)
-	}
-
-	if err := eg.Wait(); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return dis, nil
-}
-
-// clientForEndpoint returns a docker client for an endpoint
-func clientForEndpoint(dockerCli command.Cli, name string) (dockerclient.APIClient, error) {
-	list, err := dockerCli.ContextStore().List()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	for _, l := range list {
-		if l.Name == name {
-			epm, err := docker.EndpointFromContext(l)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			ep, err := docker.WithTLSData(dockerCli.ContextStore(), name, epm)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			clientOpts, err := ep.ClientOpts()
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			return dockerclient.NewClientWithOpts(clientOpts...)
-		}
-	}
-
-	ep := docker.Endpoint{
-		EndpointMeta: docker.EndpointMeta{
-			Host: name,
-		},
-	}
-
-	clientOpts, err := ep.ClientOpts()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return dockerclient.NewClientWithOpts(clientOpts...)
-}
-
-func getInstanceOrDefault(ctx context.Context, dockerCli command.Cli, instance, contextPathHash string) ([]build.DriverInfo, error) {
-	var defaultOnly bool
-
-	if instance == "default" && instance != dockerCli.CurrentContext() {
-		return nil, errors.Errorf("use `docker --context=default buildx` to switch to default context")
-	}
-	if instance == "default" || instance == dockerCli.CurrentContext() {
-		instance = ""
-		defaultOnly = true
-	}
-	list, err := dockerCli.ContextStore().List()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	for _, l := range list {
-		if l.Name == instance {
-			return nil, errors.Errorf("use `docker --context=%s buildx` to switch to context %s", instance, instance)
-		}
-	}
-
-	if instance != "" {
-		return getInstanceByName(ctx, dockerCli, instance, contextPathHash)
-	}
-	return getDefaultDrivers(ctx, dockerCli, defaultOnly, contextPathHash)
-}
-
-func getInstanceByName(ctx context.Context, dockerCli command.Cli, instance, contextPathHash string) ([]build.DriverInfo, error) {
-	txn, release, err := storeutil.GetStore(dockerCli)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	defer release()
-
-	ng, err := txn.NodeGroupByName(instance)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	return driversForNodeGroup(ctx, dockerCli, ng, contextPathHash)
-}
-
-// getDefaultDrivers returns drivers based on current cli config
-func getDefaultDrivers(ctx context.Context, dockerCli command.Cli, defaultOnly bool, contextPathHash string) ([]build.DriverInfo, error) {
-	txn, release, err := storeutil.GetStore(dockerCli)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	defer release()
-
-	if !defaultOnly {
-		ng, err := storeutil.GetCurrentInstance(txn, dockerCli)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-
-		if ng != nil {
-			return driversForNodeGroup(ctx, dockerCli, ng, contextPathHash)
-		}
-	}
-
-	imageopt, err := storeutil.GetImageConfig(dockerCli, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	d, err := driver.GetDriver(ctx, "buildx_buildkit_default", nil, "", dockerCli.Client(), imageopt.Auth, nil, nil, nil, nil, nil, contextPathHash)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	return []build.DriverInfo{
-		{
-			Name:        "default",
-			Driver:      d,
-			ImageOpt:    imageopt,
-			ProxyConfig: storeutil.GetProxyConfig(dockerCli),
-		},
-	}, nil
-}
-
-func loadInfoData(ctx context.Context, d *dinfo) error {
-	if d.di.Driver == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-	info, err := d.di.Driver.Info(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	d.info = info
-	if info.Status == driver.Running {
-		c, err := d.di.Driver.Client(ctx)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		workers, err := c.ListWorkers(ctx)
-		if err != nil {
-			return errors.Wrap(err, "listing workers")
-		}
-		for _, w := range workers {
-			d.platforms = append(d.platforms, w.Platforms...)
-		}
-		d.platforms = platformutil.Dedupe(d.platforms)
-		inf, err := c.Info(ctx)
-		if err != nil {
-			if st, ok := grpcerrors.AsGRPCStatus(err); ok && st.Code() == codes.Unimplemented {
-				d.version, err = d.di.Driver.Version(ctx)
-				if err != nil {
-					return errors.Wrap(err, "getting version")
-				}
-			}
-		} else {
-			d.version = inf.BuildkitVersion.Version
-		}
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func loadNodeGroupData(ctx context.Context, dockerCli command.Cli, ngi *nginfo) error {
-	eg, _ := errgroup.WithContext(ctx)
-
-	dis, err := driversForNodeGroup(ctx, dockerCli, ngi.ng, "")
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	ngi.drivers = make([]dinfo, len(dis))
-	for i, di := range dis {
-		d := di
-		ngi.drivers[i].di = &d
-		func(d *dinfo) {
-			eg.Go(func() error {
-				if err := loadInfoData(ctx, d); err != nil {
-					d.err = err
-				}
-				return nil
-			})
-		}(&ngi.drivers[i])
-	}
-
-	if eg.Wait(); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	kubernetesDriverCount := 0
-
-	for _, di := range ngi.drivers {
-		if di.info != nil && len(di.info.DynamicNodes) > 0 {
-			kubernetesDriverCount++
-		}
-	}
-
-	isAllKubernetesDrivers := len(ngi.drivers) == kubernetesDriverCount
-
-	if isAllKubernetesDrivers {
-		var drivers []dinfo
-		var dynamicNodes []store.Node
-
-		for _, di := range ngi.drivers {
-			// dynamic nodes are used in Kubernetes driver.
-			// Kubernetes pods are dynamically mapped to BuildKit Nodes.
-			if di.info != nil && len(di.info.DynamicNodes) > 0 {
-				for i := 0; i < len(di.info.DynamicNodes); i++ {
-					// all []dinfo share *build.DriverInfo and *driver.Info
-					diClone := di
-					if pl := di.info.DynamicNodes[i].Platforms; len(pl) > 0 {
-						diClone.platforms = pl
-					}
-					drivers = append(drivers, di)
-				}
-				dynamicNodes = append(dynamicNodes, di.info.DynamicNodes...)
-			}
-		}
-
-		// not append (remove the static nodes in the store)
-		ngi.ng.Nodes = dynamicNodes
-		ngi.drivers = drivers
-		ngi.ng.Dynamic = true
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-func hasNodeGroup(list []*nginfo, ngi *nginfo) bool {
-	for _, l := range list {
-		if ngi.ng.Name == l.ng.Name {
-			return true
-		}
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
-func dockerAPI(dockerCli command.Cli) *api {
-	return &api{dockerCli: dockerCli}
-}
-
-type api struct {
-	dockerCli command.Cli
-}
-
-func (a *api) DockerAPI(name string) (dockerclient.APIClient, error) {
-	if name == "" {
-		name = a.dockerCli.CurrentContext()
-	}
-	return clientForEndpoint(a.dockerCli, name)
-}
-
-type dinfo struct {
-	di        *build.DriverInfo
-	info      *driver.Info
-	platforms []specs.Platform
-	version   string
-	err       error
-}
-
-type nginfo struct {
-	ng      *store.NodeGroup
-	drivers []dinfo
-	err     error
-}
-
-// inactive checks if all nodes are inactive for this builder
-func (n *nginfo) inactive() bool {
-	for idx := range n.ng.Nodes {
-		d := n.drivers[idx]
-		if d.info != nil && d.info.Status == driver.Running {
-			return false
-		}
-	}
-	return true
-}
-
-func boot(ctx context.Context, ngi *nginfo) (bool, error) {
-	toBoot := make([]int, 0, len(ngi.drivers))
-	for i, d := range ngi.drivers {
-		if d.err != nil || d.di.Err != nil || d.di.Driver == nil || d.info == nil {
-			continue
-		}
-		if d.info.Status != driver.Running {
-			toBoot = append(toBoot, i)
-		}
-	}
-	if len(toBoot) == 0 {
-		return false, nil
-	}
-
-	printer, err := progress.NewPrinter(context.TODO(), os.Stderr, os.Stderr, progress.PrinterModeAuto)
-	if err != nil {
-		return false, err
-	}
-
-	baseCtx := ctx
-	eg, _ := errgroup.WithContext(ctx)
-	for _, idx := range toBoot {
-		func(idx int) {
-			eg.Go(func() error {
-				pw := progress.WithPrefix(printer, ngi.ng.Nodes[idx].Name, len(toBoot) > 1)
-				_, err := driver.Boot(ctx, baseCtx, ngi.drivers[idx].di.Driver, pw)
-				if err != nil {
-					ngi.drivers[idx].err = err
-				}
-				return nil
-			})
-		}(idx)
-	}
-
-	err = eg.Wait()
-	err1 := printer.Wait()
-	if err == nil {
-		err = err1
-	}
-
-	return true, err
-}
diff --git a/store/storeutil/storeutil.go b/store/storeutil/storeutil.go
index 494a878f..99e53a3d 100644
--- a/store/storeutil/storeutil.go
+++ b/store/storeutil/storeutil.go
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/store"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/confutil"
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/dockerutil"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/imagetools"
 	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/resolver"
 	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
-	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/context/docker"
 	buildkitdconfig "github.com/moby/buildkit/cmd/buildkitd/config"
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 )
@@ -24,19 +24,6 @@ func GetStore(dockerCli command.Cli) (*store.Txn, func(), error) {
 	return s.Txn()
 }
 
-// GetCurrentEndpoint returns the current default endpoint value
-func GetCurrentEndpoint(dockerCli command.Cli) (string, error) {
-	name := dockerCli.CurrentContext()
-	if name != "default" {
-		return name, nil
-	}
-	de, err := GetDockerEndpoint(dockerCli, name)
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", errors.Errorf("docker endpoint for %q not found", name)
-	}
-	return de, nil
-}
-
 func GetProxyConfig(dockerCli command.Cli) map[string]string {
 	cfg := dockerCli.ConfigFile()
 	host := dockerCli.Client().DaemonHost()
@@ -63,31 +50,9 @@ func GetProxyConfig(dockerCli command.Cli) map[string]string {
 	return m
 }
 
-// GetDockerEndpoint returns docker endpoint string for given context
-func GetDockerEndpoint(dockerCli command.Cli, name string) (string, error) {
-	list, err := dockerCli.ContextStore().List()
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	}
-	for _, l := range list {
-		if l.Name == name {
-			ep, ok := l.Endpoints["docker"]
-			if !ok {
-				return "", errors.Errorf("context %q does not have a Docker endpoint", name)
-			}
-			typed, ok := ep.(docker.EndpointMeta)
-			if !ok {
-				return "", errors.Errorf("endpoint %q is not of type EndpointMeta, %T", ep, ep)
-			}
-			return typed.Host, nil
-		}
-	}
-	return "", nil
-}
-
 // GetCurrentInstance finds the current builder instance
 func GetCurrentInstance(txn *store.Txn, dockerCli command.Cli) (*store.NodeGroup, error) {
-	ep, err := GetCurrentEndpoint(dockerCli)
+	ep, err := dockerutil.GetCurrentEndpoint(dockerCli)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/util/dockerutil/api.go b/util/dockerutil/api.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5fd9b652
--- /dev/null
+++ b/util/dockerutil/api.go
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+package dockerutil
+
+import (
+	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
+	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/context/docker"
+	"github.com/docker/docker/client"
+)
+
+// ClientAPI represents an active docker API object.
+type ClientAPI struct {
+	client.APIClient
+}
+
+func NewClientAPI(cli command.Cli, ep string) (*ClientAPI, error) {
+	ca := &ClientAPI{}
+
+	var dep docker.Endpoint
+	dem, err := GetDockerEndpoint(cli, ep)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	} else if dem != nil {
+		dep, err = docker.WithTLSData(cli.ContextStore(), ep, *dem)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	} else {
+		dep = docker.Endpoint{
+			EndpointMeta: docker.EndpointMeta{
+				Host: ep,
+			},
+		}
+	}
+
+	clientOpts, err := dep.ClientOpts()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	ca.APIClient, err = client.NewClientWithOpts(clientOpts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return ca, nil
+}
diff --git a/util/dockerutil/client.go b/util/dockerutil/client.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..04b09ede
--- /dev/null
+++ b/util/dockerutil/client.go
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+package dockerutil
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"io"
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/docker/buildx/util/progress"
+	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
+	"github.com/docker/docker/client"
+)
+
+// Client represents an active docker object.
+type Client struct {
+	cli command.Cli
+}
+
+// NewClient initializes a new docker client.
+func NewClient(cli command.Cli) *Client {
+	return &Client{cli: cli}
+}
+
+// API returns a new docker API client.
+func (c *Client) API(name string) (client.APIClient, error) {
+	if name == "" {
+		name = c.cli.CurrentContext()
+	}
+	return NewClientAPI(c.cli, name)
+}
+
+// LoadImage imports an image to docker.
+func (c *Client) LoadImage(ctx context.Context, name string, status progress.Writer) (io.WriteCloser, func(), error) {
+	dapi, err := c.API(name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+
+	pr, pw := io.Pipe()
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
+	var w *waitingWriter
+	w = &waitingWriter{
+		PipeWriter: pw,
+		f: func() {
+			resp, err := dapi.ImageLoad(ctx, pr, false)
+			defer close(done)
+			if err != nil {
+				pr.CloseWithError(err)
+				w.mu.Lock()
+				w.err = err
+				w.mu.Unlock()
+				return
+			}
+			prog := progress.WithPrefix(status, "", false)
+			progress.FromReader(prog, "importing to docker", resp.Body)
+		},
+		done:   done,
+		cancel: cancel,
+	}
+	return w, func() {
+		pr.Close()
+	}, nil
+}
+
+type waitingWriter struct {
+	*io.PipeWriter
+	f      func()
+	once   sync.Once
+	mu     sync.Mutex
+	err    error
+	done   chan struct{}
+	cancel func()
+}
+
+func (w *waitingWriter) Write(dt []byte) (int, error) {
+	w.once.Do(func() {
+		go w.f()
+	})
+	return w.PipeWriter.Write(dt)
+}
+
+func (w *waitingWriter) Close() error {
+	err := w.PipeWriter.Close()
+	<-w.done
+	if err == nil {
+		w.mu.Lock()
+		defer w.mu.Unlock()
+		return w.err
+	}
+	return err
+}
diff --git a/util/dockerutil/context.go b/util/dockerutil/context.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e4e0c697
--- /dev/null
+++ b/util/dockerutil/context.go
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+package dockerutil
+
+import (
+	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/command"
+	"github.com/docker/cli/cli/context/docker"
+	"github.com/pkg/errors"
+)
+
+// GetDockerEndpoint returns docker endpoint meta for given context
+func GetDockerEndpoint(dockerCli command.Cli, name string) (*docker.EndpointMeta, error) {
+	list, err := dockerCli.ContextStore().List()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	for _, l := range list {
+		if l.Name == name {
+			epm, err := docker.EndpointFromContext(l)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			return &epm, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, nil
+}
+
+// GetCurrentEndpoint returns the current default endpoint value
+func GetCurrentEndpoint(dockerCli command.Cli) (string, error) {
+	name := dockerCli.CurrentContext()
+	if name != "default" {
+		return name, nil
+	}
+	dem, err := GetDockerEndpoint(dockerCli, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", errors.Errorf("docker endpoint for %q not found", name)
+	} else if dem != nil {
+		return dem.Host, nil
+	}
+	return "", nil
+}