diff --git a/pkg/baseboard/baseboard.go b/pkg/baseboard/baseboard.go
index f503194c..93461678 100644
--- a/pkg/baseboard/baseboard.go
+++ b/pkg/baseboard/baseboard.go
@@ -57,7 +57,14 @@ func (i *Info) String() string {
 // New returns a pointer to an Info struct containing information about the
 // host's baseboard
 func New(opts ...*option.Option) (*Info, error) {
-	ctx := context.New(opts...)
+	return NewWithContext(context.New(opts...))
+}
+
+// New returns a pointer to an Info struct containing information about the
+// host's baseboard, reusing a given context.
+// Use this function when you want to consume this package from another,
+// ensuring the two see a coherent set of resources.
+func NewWithContext(ctx *context.Context) (*Info, error) {
 	info := &Info{ctx: ctx}
 	if err := ctx.Do(info.load); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/pkg/bios/bios.go b/pkg/bios/bios.go
index 85a7c64b..b5abfcf3 100644
--- a/pkg/bios/bios.go
+++ b/pkg/bios/bios.go
@@ -50,7 +50,14 @@ func (i *Info) String() string {
 // New returns a pointer to a Info struct containing information
 // about the host's BIOS
 func New(opts ...*option.Option) (*Info, error) {
-	ctx := context.New(opts...)
+	return NewWithContext(context.New(opts...))
+}
+
+// New returns a pointer to a Info struct containing information
+// about the host's BIOS, reusing a given context.
+// Use this function when you want to consume this package from another,
+// ensuring the two see a coherent set of resources.
+func NewWithContext(ctx *context.Context) (*Info, error) {
 	info := &Info{ctx: ctx}
 	if err := ctx.Do(info.load); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/pkg/block/block.go b/pkg/block/block.go
index 7a2e4e38..d8ce2ffe 100644
--- a/pkg/block/block.go
+++ b/pkg/block/block.go
@@ -134,7 +134,14 @@ type Info struct {
 // New returns a pointer to an Info struct that describes the block storage
 // resources of the host system.
 func New(opts ...*option.Option) (*Info, error) {
-	ctx := context.New(opts...)
+	return NewWithContext(context.New(opts...))
+}
+
+// New returns a pointer to an Info struct that describes the block storage
+// resources of the host system, reusing a given context.
+// Use this function when you want to consume this package from another,
+// ensuring the two see a coherent set of resources.
+func NewWithContext(ctx *context.Context) (*Info, error) {
 	info := &Info{ctx: ctx}
 	if err := ctx.Do(info.load); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/pkg/chassis/chassis.go b/pkg/chassis/chassis.go
index e11f0447..e610fbd8 100644
--- a/pkg/chassis/chassis.go
+++ b/pkg/chassis/chassis.go
@@ -94,7 +94,14 @@ func (i *Info) String() string {
 // New returns a pointer to a Info struct containing information
 // about the host's chassis
 func New(opts ...*option.Option) (*Info, error) {
-	ctx := context.New(opts...)
+	return NewWithContext(context.New(opts...))
+}
+
+// New returns a pointer to a Info struct containing information
+// about the host's chassis, reusing a given context.
+// Use this function when you want to consume this package from another,
+// ensuring the two see a coherent set of resources.
+func NewWithContext(ctx *context.Context) (*Info, error) {
 	info := &Info{ctx: ctx}
 	if err := ctx.Do(info.load); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/pkg/context/context.go b/pkg/context/context.go
index e5ac3471..9a44ec4a 100644
--- a/pkg/context/context.go
+++ b/pkg/context/context.go
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 package context
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
+
 	"github.com/jaypipes/ghw/pkg/option"
 	"github.com/jaypipes/ghw/pkg/snapshot"
 )
@@ -22,6 +24,8 @@ type Context struct {
 	PathOverrides        option.PathOverrides
 	snapshotUnpackedPath string
 	alert                option.Alerter
+	refCount             int
+	err                  error
 }
 
 // New returns a Context struct pointer that has had various options set on it
@@ -53,10 +57,17 @@ func New(opts ...*option.Option) *Context {
 		ctx.PathOverrides = merged.PathOverrides
 	}
 
+	// New is not allowed to return error - it would break the established API.
+	// so the only way out is to actually do the checks here and record the error,
+	// and return it later, at the earliest possible occasion, in Setup()
+	if ctx.SnapshotPath != "" && ctx.Chroot != option.DefaultChroot {
+		// The env/client code supplied a value, but we are will overwrite it when unpacking shapshots!
+		ctx.err = fmt.Errorf("Conflicting options: chroot %q and snapshot path %q", ctx.Chroot, ctx.SnapshotPath)
+	}
 	return ctx
 }
 
-// FromEnv returns an Option that has been populated from the environs or
+// FromEnv returns a Context that has been populated from the environs or
 // default options values
 func FromEnv() *Context {
 	chrootVal := option.EnvOrDefaultChroot()
@@ -89,8 +100,17 @@ func (ctx *Context) Do(fn func() error) error {
 // You should call `Setup` just once. It is safe to call `Setup` if you don't make
 // use of optional extra features - `Setup` will do nothing.
 func (ctx *Context) Setup() error {
+	if ctx.err != nil {
+		return ctx.err
+	}
+	if ctx.RefCount() > 1 {
+		// someone else came before and fixed things already!
+		ctx.incRefCount()
+		return nil
+	}
 	if ctx.SnapshotPath == "" {
-		// nothing to do!
+		// nothing to do
+		ctx.incRefCount()
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -108,26 +128,57 @@ func (ctx *Context) Setup() error {
 		}
 		_, err = snapshot.UnpackInto(ctx.SnapshotPath, root, flags)
 	}
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
+	if err == nil {
+		ctx.Chroot = root
+		ctx.incRefCount()
+		return nil
 	}
 
-	ctx.Chroot = root
-	return nil
+	// not ready: must try again
+	return err
 }
 
 // Teardown releases any resource acquired by Setup.
 // You should always call `Teardown` if you called `Setup` to free any resources
 // acquired by `Setup`. Check `Do` for more automated management.
 func (ctx *Context) Teardown() error {
+	if ctx.RefCount() > 1 {
+		// too early, the last one will do the cleaning
+		ctx.decRefCount()
+		return nil
+	}
 	if ctx.snapshotUnpackedPath == "" {
 		// if the client code provided the unpack directory,
 		// then it is also in charge of the cleanup.
+		ctx.decRefCount()
 		return nil
 	}
-	return snapshot.Cleanup(ctx.snapshotUnpackedPath)
+	err := snapshot.Cleanup(ctx.snapshotUnpackedPath)
+	if err == nil {
+		ctx.decRefCount()
+		return nil
+	}
+	// else need to try again later
+	return err
 }
 
 func (ctx *Context) Warn(msg string, args ...interface{}) {
 	ctx.alert.Printf("WARNING: "+msg, args...)
 }
+
+func (ctx *Context) IsReady() bool {
+	return ctx.refCount > 0
+}
+
+// RefCount() must be used only in testing code
+func (ctx *Context) RefCount() int {
+	return ctx.refCount
+}
+
+func (ctx *Context) incRefCount() {
+	ctx.refCount++
+}
+
+func (ctx *Context) decRefCount() {
+	ctx.refCount--
+}
diff --git a/pkg/context/context_test.go b/pkg/context/context_test.go
index e12d3f74..5cb92e1b 100644
--- a/pkg/context/context_test.go
+++ b/pkg/context/context_test.go
@@ -40,3 +40,94 @@ func TestSnapshotContext(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("Expected the uncompressed dir to be deleted: %s", uncompressedDir)
 	}
 }
+
+// nolint: gocyclo
+func TestContextReadiness(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.New()
+	if ctx.IsReady() {
+		t.Fatalf("context ready before Setup()")
+	}
+
+	ctx.Do(func() error {
+		if !ctx.IsReady() {
+			t.Fatalf("context NOT ready inside Do()")
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	if ctx.IsReady() {
+		t.Fatalf("context ready after Teardown()")
+	}
+}
+
+// nolint: gocyclo
+func TestContextReadinessNested(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.New()
+	if ctx.IsReady() {
+		t.Fatalf("context ready before Setup()")
+	}
+
+	ctx.Do(func() error {
+		if !ctx.IsReady() {
+			t.Fatalf("context NOT ready inside outer Do()")
+		}
+		ctx.Do(func() error {
+			if !ctx.IsReady() {
+				t.Fatalf("context NOT ready inside inner Do()")
+			}
+			return nil
+		})
+		if !ctx.IsReady() {
+			t.Fatalf("context NOT ready after inner Do()")
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	if ctx.IsReady() {
+		t.Fatalf("context ready after Teardown() - refcount = %d", ctx.RefCount())
+	}
+}
+
+// nolint: gocyclo
+func TestContextReadinessDeeplyNested(t *testing.T) {
+	// we don't expect more nesting than this atm
+	ctx := context.New()
+	if ctx.IsReady() {
+		t.Fatalf("context ready before Setup()")
+	}
+	if ctx.RefCount() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("context refcount unexpected value %d", ctx.RefCount())
+	}
+
+	ctx.Do(func() error {
+		if !ctx.IsReady() {
+			t.Fatalf("context NOT ready inside outer Do()")
+		}
+		ctx.Do(func() error {
+			if !ctx.IsReady() {
+				t.Fatalf("context NOT ready inside middle Do()")
+			}
+			ctx.Do(func() error {
+				if !ctx.IsReady() {
+					t.Fatalf("context NOT ready inside inner Do()")
+				}
+				return nil
+			})
+			if !ctx.IsReady() {
+				t.Fatalf("context NOT ready after inner Do()")
+			}
+			return nil
+		})
+		if !ctx.IsReady() {
+			t.Fatalf("context NOT ready after middle Do()")
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	if ctx.IsReady() {
+		t.Fatalf("context ready after Teardown() - refcount = %d", ctx.RefCount())
+	}
+	if ctx.RefCount() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("context refcount unexpected value %d", ctx.RefCount())
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/cpu/cpu.go b/pkg/cpu/cpu.go
index 2fa0cd2d..48644b60 100644
--- a/pkg/cpu/cpu.go
+++ b/pkg/cpu/cpu.go
@@ -117,7 +117,14 @@ type Info struct {
 // New returns a pointer to an Info struct that contains information about the
 // CPUs on the host system
 func New(opts ...*option.Option) (*Info, error) {
-	ctx := context.New(opts...)
+	return NewWithContext(context.New(opts...))
+}
+
+// New returns a pointer to an Info struct that contains information about the
+// CPUs on the host system, reusing a given context.
+// Use this function when you want to consume this package from another,
+// ensuring the two see a coherent set of resources.
+func NewWithContext(ctx *context.Context) (*Info, error) {
 	info := &Info{ctx: ctx}
 	if err := ctx.Do(info.load); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/pkg/gpu/gpu.go b/pkg/gpu/gpu.go
index 65864c7e..e14e3efb 100644
--- a/pkg/gpu/gpu.go
+++ b/pkg/gpu/gpu.go
@@ -56,7 +56,14 @@ type Info struct {
 // New returns a pointer to an Info struct that contains information about the
 // graphics cards on the host system
 func New(opts ...*option.Option) (*Info, error) {
-	ctx := context.New(opts...)
+	return NewWithContext(context.New(opts...))
+}
+
+// New returns a pointer to an Info struct that contains information about the
+// graphics cards on the host system, reusing a given context.
+// Use this function when you want to consume this package from another,
+// ensuring the two see a coherent set of resources.
+func NewWithContext(ctx *context.Context) (*Info, error) {
 	info := &Info{ctx: ctx}
 	if err := ctx.Do(info.load); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/pkg/memory/memory.go b/pkg/memory/memory.go
index 93605d2e..54cd19f0 100644
--- a/pkg/memory/memory.go
+++ b/pkg/memory/memory.go
@@ -34,8 +34,17 @@ type Info struct {
 	Modules            []*Module `json:"modules"`
 }
 
+// New returns a pointer to an Info struct containing information about the
+// host's memory.
 func New(opts ...*option.Option) (*Info, error) {
-	ctx := context.New(opts...)
+	return NewWithContext(context.New(opts...))
+}
+
+// New returns a pointer to an Info struct containing information about the
+// host's memory, reusing a given context.
+// Use this function when you want to consume this package from another,
+// ensuring the two see a coherent set of resources.
+func NewWithContext(ctx *context.Context) (*Info, error) {
 	info := &Info{ctx: ctx}
 	if err := ctx.Do(info.load); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/pkg/net/net.go b/pkg/net/net.go
index 8994d112..d225c79d 100644
--- a/pkg/net/net.go
+++ b/pkg/net/net.go
@@ -49,7 +49,14 @@ type Info struct {
 // New returns a pointer to an Info struct that contains information about the
 // network interface controllers (NICs) on the host system
 func New(opts ...*option.Option) (*Info, error) {
-	ctx := context.New(opts...)
+	return NewWithContext(context.New(opts...))
+}
+
+// New returns a pointer to an Info struct that contains information about the
+// network interface controllers (NICs) on the host system, reusing a given context.
+// Use this function when you want to consume this package from another,
+// ensuring the two see a coherent set of resources.
+func NewWithContext(ctx *context.Context) (*Info, error) {
 	info := &Info{ctx: ctx}
 	if err := ctx.Do(info.load); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/pkg/option/option.go b/pkg/option/option.go
index b2db7188..90e57658 100644
--- a/pkg/option/option.go
+++ b/pkg/option/option.go
@@ -14,7 +14,10 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	defaultChroot           = "/"
+	DefaultChroot = "/"
+)
+
+const (
 	envKeyChroot            = "GHW_CHROOT"
 	envKeyDisableWarnings   = "GHW_DISABLE_WARNINGS"
 	envKeyDisableTools      = "GHW_DISABLE_TOOLS"
@@ -57,7 +60,7 @@ func EnvOrDefaultChroot() string {
 	if val, exists := os.LookupEnv(envKeyChroot); exists {
 		return val
 	}
-	return defaultChroot
+	return DefaultChroot
 }
 
 // EnvOrDefaultSnapshotPath returns the value of the GHW_SNAPSHOT_PATH environs variable
diff --git a/pkg/pci/pci.go b/pkg/pci/pci.go
index c8176e68..36f54243 100644
--- a/pkg/pci/pci.go
+++ b/pkg/pci/pci.go
@@ -160,18 +160,22 @@ func New(opts ...*option.Option) (*Info, error) {
 func NewWithContext(ctx *context.Context) (*Info, error) {
 	// by default we don't report NUMA information;
 	// we will only if are sure we are running on NUMA architecture
-	arch := topology.ARCHITECTURE_SMP
-	topo, err := topology.NewWithContext(ctx)
-	if err == nil {
-		arch = topo.Architecture
-	} else {
-		ctx.Warn("error detecting system topology: %v", err)
-	}
 	info := &Info{
-		arch: arch,
+		arch: topology.ARCHITECTURE_SMP,
 		ctx:  ctx,
 	}
-	if err := ctx.Do(info.load); err != nil {
+	// we do this trick because we need to make sure ctx.Setup() gets
+	// a chance to run before any subordinate package is created reusing
+	// our context.
+	if err := ctx.Do(func() error {
+		topo, err := topology.NewWithContext(ctx)
+		if err == nil {
+			info.arch = topo.Architecture
+		} else {
+			ctx.Warn("error detecting system topology: %v", err)
+		}
+		return info.load()
+	}); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return info, nil
diff --git a/pkg/product/product.go b/pkg/product/product.go
index 6a2e1ee0..2daa763b 100644
--- a/pkg/product/product.go
+++ b/pkg/product/product.go
@@ -73,7 +73,14 @@ func (i *Info) String() string {
 // New returns a pointer to a Info struct containing information
 // about the host's product
 func New(opts ...*option.Option) (*Info, error) {
-	ctx := context.New(opts...)
+	return NewWithContext(context.New(opts...))
+}
+
+// New returns a pointer to a Info struct containing information
+// about the host's product, reusing a given context.
+// Use this function when you want to consume this package from another,
+// ensuring the two see a coherent set of resources.
+func NewWithContext(ctx *context.Context) (*Info, error) {
 	info := &Info{ctx: ctx}
 	if err := ctx.Do(info.load); err != nil {
 		return nil, err