diff --git a/action_ban.go b/action_ban.go
index a5a3343..7fef34d 100644
--- a/action_ban.go
+++ b/action_ban.go
@@ -8,20 +8,29 @@ import (
 )
 
 func init() {
-	registerAction(func(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, ruleDef *rule, r *ruleAction) error {
-		if r.Ban == nil {
-			return nil
-		}
-
-		return errors.Wrap(
-			c.WriteMessage(&irc.Message{
-				Command: "PRIVMSG",
-				Params: []string{
-					m.Params[0],
-					fmt.Sprintf("/ban %s %s", m.User, *r.Ban),
-				},
-			}),
-			"sending timeout",
-		)
-	})
+	registerAction(func() Actor { return &ActorBan{} })
 }
+
+type ActorBan struct {
+	Ban *string `json:"ban" yaml:"ban"`
+}
+
+func (a ActorBan) Execute(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, r *Rule) error {
+	if a.Ban == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return errors.Wrap(
+		c.WriteMessage(&irc.Message{
+			Command: "PRIVMSG",
+			Params: []string{
+				m.Params[0],
+				fmt.Sprintf("/ban %s %s", m.User, *a.Ban),
+			},
+		}),
+		"sending timeout",
+	)
+}
+
+func (a ActorBan) IsAsync() bool { return false }
+func (a ActorBan) Name() string  { return "ban" }
diff --git a/action_counter.go b/action_counter.go
index 18b7cb9..fd0ea5e 100644
--- a/action_counter.go
+++ b/action_counter.go
@@ -8,41 +8,52 @@ import (
 )
 
 func init() {
-	registerAction(func(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, ruleDef *rule, r *ruleAction) error {
-		if r.Counter == nil {
-			return nil
-		}
+	registerAction(func() Actor { return &ActorCounter{} })
+}
 
-		counterName, err := formatMessage(*r.Counter, m, ruleDef, nil)
+type ActorCounter struct {
+	CounterSet  *string `json:"counter_set" yaml:"counter_set"`
+	CounterStep *int64  `json:"counter_step" yaml:"counter_step"`
+	Counter     *string `json:"counter" yaml:"counter"`
+}
+
+func (a ActorCounter) Execute(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, r *Rule) error {
+	if a.Counter == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	counterName, err := formatMessage(*a.Counter, m, r, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return errors.Wrap(err, "preparing response")
+	}
+
+	if a.CounterSet != nil {
+		parseValue, err := formatMessage(*a.CounterSet, m, r, nil)
 		if err != nil {
-			return errors.Wrap(err, "preparing response")
+			return errors.Wrap(err, "execute counter value template")
 		}
 
-		if r.CounterSet != nil {
-			parseValue, err := formatMessage(*r.CounterSet, m, ruleDef, nil)
-			if err != nil {
-				return errors.Wrap(err, "execute counter value template")
-			}
-
-			counterValue, err := strconv.ParseInt(parseValue, 10, 64)
-			if err != nil {
-				return errors.Wrap(err, "parse counter value")
-			}
-
-			return errors.Wrap(
-				store.UpdateCounter(counterName, counterValue, true),
-				"set counter",
-			)
-		}
-
-		var counterStep int64 = 1
-		if r.CounterStep != nil {
-			counterStep = *r.CounterStep
+		counterValue, err := strconv.ParseInt(parseValue, 10, 64)
+		if err != nil {
+			return errors.Wrap(err, "parse counter value")
 		}
 
 		return errors.Wrap(
-			store.UpdateCounter(counterName, counterStep, false),
-			"update counter",
+			store.UpdateCounter(counterName, counterValue, true),
+			"set counter",
 		)
-	})
+	}
+
+	var counterStep int64 = 1
+	if a.CounterStep != nil {
+		counterStep = *a.CounterStep
+	}
+
+	return errors.Wrap(
+		store.UpdateCounter(counterName, counterStep, false),
+		"update counter",
+	)
 }
+
+func (a ActorCounter) IsAsync() bool { return false }
+func (a ActorCounter) Name() string  { return "counter" }
diff --git a/action_delay.go b/action_delay.go
index d9fcb7e..d8fef39 100644
--- a/action_delay.go
+++ b/action_delay.go
@@ -8,17 +8,27 @@ import (
 )
 
 func init() {
-	registerAction(func(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, ruleDef *rule, r *ruleAction) error {
-		if r.Delay == 0 && r.DelayJitter == 0 {
-			return nil
-		}
-
-		totalDelay := r.Delay
-		if r.DelayJitter > 0 {
-			totalDelay += time.Duration(rand.Int63n(int64(r.DelayJitter))) // #nosec: G404 // It's just time, no need for crypto/rand
-		}
-
-		time.Sleep(totalDelay)
-		return nil
-	})
+	registerAction(func() Actor { return &ActorDelay{} })
 }
+
+type ActorDelay struct {
+	Delay       time.Duration `json:"delay" yaml:"delay"`
+	DelayJitter time.Duration `json:"delay_jitter" yaml:"delay_jitter"`
+}
+
+func (a ActorDelay) Execute(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, r *Rule) error {
+	if a.Delay == 0 && a.DelayJitter == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	totalDelay := a.Delay
+	if a.DelayJitter > 0 {
+		totalDelay += time.Duration(rand.Int63n(int64(a.DelayJitter))) // #nosec: G404 // It's just time, no need for crypto/rand
+	}
+
+	time.Sleep(totalDelay)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (a ActorDelay) IsAsync() bool { return false }
+func (a ActorDelay) Name() string  { return "delay" }
diff --git a/action_delete.go b/action_delete.go
index 3cb99f5..2e4eb58 100644
--- a/action_delete.go
+++ b/action_delete.go
@@ -8,25 +8,34 @@ import (
 )
 
 func init() {
-	registerAction(func(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, ruleDef *rule, r *ruleAction) error {
-		if r.DeleteMessage == nil || !*r.DeleteMessage {
-			return nil
-		}
-
-		msgID, ok := m.Tags.GetTag("id")
-		if !ok || msgID == "" {
-			return nil
-		}
-
-		return errors.Wrap(
-			c.WriteMessage(&irc.Message{
-				Command: "PRIVMSG",
-				Params: []string{
-					m.Params[0],
-					fmt.Sprintf("/delete %s", msgID),
-				},
-			}),
-			"sending delete",
-		)
-	})
+	registerAction(func() Actor { return &ActorDelete{} })
 }
+
+type ActorDelete struct {
+	DeleteMessage *bool `json:"delete_message" yaml:"delete_message"`
+}
+
+func (a ActorDelete) Execute(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, r *Rule) error {
+	if a.DeleteMessage == nil || !*a.DeleteMessage {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	msgID, ok := m.Tags.GetTag("id")
+	if !ok || msgID == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return errors.Wrap(
+		c.WriteMessage(&irc.Message{
+			Command: "PRIVMSG",
+			Params: []string{
+				m.Params[0],
+				fmt.Sprintf("/delete %s", msgID),
+			},
+		}),
+		"sending delete",
+	)
+}
+
+func (a ActorDelete) IsAsync() bool { return false }
+func (a ActorDelete) Name() string  { return "delete" }
diff --git a/action_raw.go b/action_raw.go
index 1f21ac6..1d4aff9 100644
--- a/action_raw.go
+++ b/action_raw.go
@@ -6,24 +6,33 @@ import (
 )
 
 func init() {
-	registerAction(func(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, ruleDef *rule, r *ruleAction) error {
-		if r.RawMessage == nil {
-			return nil
-		}
-
-		rawMsg, err := formatMessage(*r.RawMessage, m, ruleDef, nil)
-		if err != nil {
-			return errors.Wrap(err, "preparing raw message")
-		}
-
-		msg, err := irc.ParseMessage(rawMsg)
-		if err != nil {
-			return errors.Wrap(err, "parsing raw message")
-		}
-
-		return errors.Wrap(
-			c.WriteMessage(msg),
-			"sending raw message",
-		)
-	})
+	registerAction(func() Actor { return &ActorRaw{} })
 }
+
+type ActorRaw struct {
+	RawMessage *string `json:"raw_message" yaml:"raw_message"`
+}
+
+func (a ActorRaw) Execute(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, r *Rule) error {
+	if a.RawMessage == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	rawMsg, err := formatMessage(*a.RawMessage, m, r, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return errors.Wrap(err, "preparing raw message")
+	}
+
+	msg, err := irc.ParseMessage(rawMsg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return errors.Wrap(err, "parsing raw message")
+	}
+
+	return errors.Wrap(
+		c.WriteMessage(msg),
+		"sending raw message",
+	)
+}
+
+func (a ActorRaw) IsAsync() bool { return false }
+func (a ActorRaw) Name() string  { return "raw" }
diff --git a/action_respond.go b/action_respond.go
index 0e36b66..f15a965 100644
--- a/action_respond.go
+++ b/action_respond.go
@@ -6,42 +6,53 @@ import (
 )
 
 func init() {
-	registerAction(func(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, ruleDef *rule, r *ruleAction) error {
-		if r.Respond == nil {
-			return nil
-		}
-
-		msg, err := formatMessage(*r.Respond, m, ruleDef, nil)
-		if err != nil {
-			if r.RespondFallback == nil {
-				return errors.Wrap(err, "preparing response")
-			}
-			if msg, err = formatMessage(*r.RespondFallback, m, ruleDef, nil); err != nil {
-				return errors.Wrap(err, "preparing response fallback")
-			}
-		}
-
-		ircMessage := &irc.Message{
-			Command: "PRIVMSG",
-			Params: []string{
-				m.Params[0],
-				msg,
-			},
-		}
-
-		if r.RespondAsReply != nil && *r.RespondAsReply {
-			id, ok := m.GetTag("id")
-			if ok {
-				if ircMessage.Tags == nil {
-					ircMessage.Tags = make(irc.Tags)
-				}
-				ircMessage.Tags["reply-parent-msg-id"] = irc.TagValue(id)
-			}
-		}
-
-		return errors.Wrap(
-			c.WriteMessage(ircMessage),
-			"sending response",
-		)
-	})
+	registerAction(func() Actor { return &ActorRespond{} })
 }
+
+type ActorRespond struct {
+	Respond         *string `json:"respond" yaml:"respond"`
+	RespondAsReply  *bool   `json:"respond_as_reply" yaml:"respond_as_reply"`
+	RespondFallback *string `json:"respond_fallback" yaml:"respond_fallback"`
+}
+
+func (a ActorRespond) Execute(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, r *Rule) error {
+	if a.Respond == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	msg, err := formatMessage(*a.Respond, m, r, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		if a.RespondFallback == nil {
+			return errors.Wrap(err, "preparing response")
+		}
+		if msg, err = formatMessage(*a.RespondFallback, m, r, nil); err != nil {
+			return errors.Wrap(err, "preparing response fallback")
+		}
+	}
+
+	ircMessage := &irc.Message{
+		Command: "PRIVMSG",
+		Params: []string{
+			m.Params[0],
+			msg,
+		},
+	}
+
+	if a.RespondAsReply != nil && *a.RespondAsReply {
+		id, ok := m.GetTag("id")
+		if ok {
+			if ircMessage.Tags == nil {
+				ircMessage.Tags = make(irc.Tags)
+			}
+			ircMessage.Tags["reply-parent-msg-id"] = irc.TagValue(id)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return errors.Wrap(
+		c.WriteMessage(ircMessage),
+		"sending response",
+	)
+}
+
+func (a ActorRespond) IsAsync() bool { return false }
+func (a ActorRespond) Name() string  { return "respond" }
diff --git a/action_script.go b/action_script.go
index 32ba67c..43d4b87 100644
--- a/action_script.go
+++ b/action_script.go
@@ -12,70 +12,79 @@ import (
 )
 
 func init() {
-	registerAction(func(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, ruleDef *rule, r *ruleAction) error {
-		if len(r.Command) == 0 {
-			return nil
-		}
-
-		var command []string
-		for _, arg := range r.Command {
-			tmp, err := formatMessage(arg, m, ruleDef, nil)
-			if err != nil {
-				return errors.Wrap(err, "execute command argument template")
-			}
-
-			command = append(command, tmp)
-		}
-
-		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), cfg.CommandTimeout)
-		defer cancel()
-
-		var (
-			stdin  = new(bytes.Buffer)
-			stdout = new(bytes.Buffer)
-		)
-
-		if err := json.NewEncoder(stdin).Encode(map[string]interface{}{
-			"badges":   ircHandler{}.ParseBadgeLevels(m),
-			"channel":  m.Params[0],
-			"message":  m.Trailing(),
-			"tags":     m.Tags,
-			"username": m.User,
-		}); err != nil {
-			return errors.Wrap(err, "encoding script input")
-		}
-
-		cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, command[0], command[1:]...) // #nosec G204 // This is expected to call a command with parameters
-		cmd.Env = os.Environ()
-		cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
-		cmd.Stdin = stdin
-		cmd.Stdout = stdout
-
-		if err := cmd.Run(); err != nil {
-			return errors.Wrap(err, "running command")
-		}
-
-		if stdout.Len() == 0 {
-			// Script was successful but did not yield actions
-			return nil
-		}
-
-		var (
-			actions []*ruleAction
-			decoder = json.NewDecoder(stdout)
-		)
-
-		decoder.DisallowUnknownFields()
-		if err := decoder.Decode(&actions); err != nil {
-			return errors.Wrap(err, "decoding actions output")
-		}
-
-		for _, action := range actions {
-			if err := triggerActions(c, m, ruleDef, action); err != nil {
-				return errors.Wrap(err, "execute returned action")
-			}
-		}
-
-		return nil
-	})
+	registerAction(func() Actor { return &ActorScript{} })
 }
+
+type ActorScript struct {
+	Command []string `json:"command" yaml:"command"`
+}
+
+func (a ActorScript) Execute(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, r *Rule) error {
+	if len(a.Command) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	var command []string
+	for _, arg := range a.Command {
+		tmp, err := formatMessage(arg, m, r, nil)
+		if err != nil {
+			return errors.Wrap(err, "execute command argument template")
+		}
+
+		command = append(command, tmp)
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), cfg.CommandTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	var (
+		stdin  = new(bytes.Buffer)
+		stdout = new(bytes.Buffer)
+	)
+
+	if err := json.NewEncoder(stdin).Encode(map[string]interface{}{
+		"badges":   ircHandler{}.ParseBadgeLevels(m),
+		"channel":  m.Params[0],
+		"message":  m.Trailing(),
+		"tags":     m.Tags,
+		"username": m.User,
+	}); err != nil {
+		return errors.Wrap(err, "encoding script input")
+	}
+
+	cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, command[0], command[1:]...) // #nosec G204 // This is expected to call a command with parameters
+	cmd.Env = os.Environ()
+	cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
+	cmd.Stdin = stdin
+	cmd.Stdout = stdout
+
+	if err := cmd.Run(); err != nil {
+		return errors.Wrap(err, "running command")
+	}
+
+	if stdout.Len() == 0 {
+		// Script was successful but did not yield actions
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	var (
+		actions []*RuleAction
+		decoder = json.NewDecoder(stdout)
+	)
+
+	decoder.DisallowUnknownFields()
+	if err := decoder.Decode(&actions); err != nil {
+		return errors.Wrap(err, "decoding actions output")
+	}
+
+	for _, action := range actions {
+		if err := triggerActions(c, m, r, action); err != nil {
+			return errors.Wrap(err, "execute returned action")
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (a ActorScript) IsAsync() bool { return false }
+func (a ActorScript) Name() string  { return "script" }
diff --git a/action_timeout.go b/action_timeout.go
index 834473b..6a11cdd 100644
--- a/action_timeout.go
+++ b/action_timeout.go
@@ -9,20 +9,29 @@ import (
 )
 
 func init() {
-	registerAction(func(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, ruleDef *rule, r *ruleAction) error {
-		if r.Timeout == nil {
-			return nil
-		}
-
-		return errors.Wrap(
-			c.WriteMessage(&irc.Message{
-				Command: "PRIVMSG",
-				Params: []string{
-					m.Params[0],
-					fmt.Sprintf("/timeout %s %d", m.User, *r.Timeout/time.Second),
-				},
-			}),
-			"sending timeout",
-		)
-	})
+	registerAction(func() Actor { return &ActorTimeout{} })
 }
+
+type ActorTimeout struct {
+	Timeout *time.Duration `json:"timeout" yaml:"timeout"`
+}
+
+func (a ActorTimeout) Execute(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, r *Rule) error {
+	if a.Timeout == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return errors.Wrap(
+		c.WriteMessage(&irc.Message{
+			Command: "PRIVMSG",
+			Params: []string{
+				m.Params[0],
+				fmt.Sprintf("/timeout %s %d", m.User, *a.Timeout/time.Second),
+			},
+		}),
+		"sending timeout",
+	)
+}
+
+func (a ActorTimeout) IsAsync() bool { return false }
+func (a ActorTimeout) Name() string  { return "timeout" }
diff --git a/action_whisper.go b/action_whisper.go
index 8dc9550..a1ecf77 100644
--- a/action_whisper.go
+++ b/action_whisper.go
@@ -8,35 +8,45 @@ import (
 )
 
 func init() {
-	registerAction(func(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, ruleDef *rule, r *ruleAction) error {
-		if r.WhisperTo == nil || r.WhisperMessage == nil {
-			return nil
-		}
-
-		to, err := formatMessage(*r.WhisperTo, m, ruleDef, nil)
-		if err != nil {
-			return errors.Wrap(err, "preparing whisper receiver")
-		}
-
-		msg, err := formatMessage(*r.WhisperMessage, m, ruleDef, nil)
-		if err != nil {
-			return errors.Wrap(err, "preparing whisper message")
-		}
-
-		channel := "#tmijs" // As a fallback, copied from tmi.js
-		if len(config.Channels) > 0 {
-			channel = fmt.Sprintf("#%s", config.Channels[0])
-		}
-
-		return errors.Wrap(
-			c.WriteMessage(&irc.Message{
-				Command: "PRIVMSG",
-				Params: []string{
-					channel,
-					fmt.Sprintf("/w %s %s", to, msg),
-				},
-			}),
-			"sending whisper",
-		)
-	})
+	registerAction(func() Actor { return &ActorWhisper{} })
 }
+
+type ActorWhisper struct {
+	WhisperMessage *string `json:"whisper_message" yaml:"whisper_message"`
+	WhisperTo      *string `json:"whisper_to" yaml:"whisper_to"`
+}
+
+func (a ActorWhisper) Execute(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, r *Rule) error {
+	if a.WhisperTo == nil || a.WhisperMessage == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	to, err := formatMessage(*a.WhisperTo, m, r, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return errors.Wrap(err, "preparing whisper receiver")
+	}
+
+	msg, err := formatMessage(*a.WhisperMessage, m, r, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return errors.Wrap(err, "preparing whisper message")
+	}
+
+	channel := "#tmijs" // As a fallback, copied from tmi.js
+	if len(config.Channels) > 0 {
+		channel = fmt.Sprintf("#%s", config.Channels[0])
+	}
+
+	return errors.Wrap(
+		c.WriteMessage(&irc.Message{
+			Command: "PRIVMSG",
+			Params: []string{
+				channel,
+				fmt.Sprintf("/w %s %s", to, msg),
+			},
+		}),
+		"sending whisper",
+	)
+}
+
+func (a ActorWhisper) IsAsync() bool { return false }
+func (a ActorWhisper) Name() string  { return "whisper" }
diff --git a/actions.go b/actions.go
index 49dff28..bad6eea 100644
--- a/actions.go
+++ b/actions.go
@@ -8,26 +8,58 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
+type (
+	Actor interface {
+		// Execute will be called after the config was read into the Actor
+		Execute(*irc.Client, *irc.Message, *Rule) error
+		// IsAsync may return true if the Execute function is to be executed
+		// in a Go routine as of long runtime. Normally it should return false
+		// except in very specific cases
+		IsAsync() bool
+		// Name must return an unique name for the actor in order to identify
+		// it in the logs for debugging purposes
+		Name() string
+	}
+	ActorCreationFunc func() Actor
+)
+
 var (
-	availableActions     []actionFunc
+	availableActions     []ActorCreationFunc
 	availableActionsLock = new(sync.RWMutex)
 )
 
-type actionFunc func(*irc.Client, *irc.Message, *rule, *ruleAction) error
-
-func registerAction(af actionFunc) {
+func registerAction(af ActorCreationFunc) {
 	availableActionsLock.Lock()
 	defer availableActionsLock.Unlock()
 
 	availableActions = append(availableActions, af)
 }
 
-func triggerActions(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, rule *rule, ra *ruleAction) error {
+func triggerActions(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, rule *Rule, ra *RuleAction) error {
 	availableActionsLock.RLock()
 	defer availableActionsLock.RUnlock()
 
-	for _, af := range availableActions {
-		if err := af(c, m, rule, ra); err != nil {
+	for _, acf := range availableActions {
+		var (
+			a      = acf()
+			logger = log.WithField("actor", a.Name())
+		)
+
+		if err := ra.Unmarshal(a); err != nil {
+			logger.WithError(err).Trace("Unable to unmarshal config")
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if a.IsAsync() {
+			go func() {
+				if err := a.Execute(c, m, rule); err != nil {
+					logger.WithError(err).Error("Error in async actor")
+				}
+			}()
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if err := a.Execute(c, m, rule); err != nil {
 			return errors.Wrap(err, "execute action")
 		}
 	}
@@ -44,6 +76,6 @@ func handleMessage(c *irc.Client, m *irc.Message, event *string) {
 		}
 
 		// Lock command
-		r.SetCooldown(m)
+		r.setCooldown(m)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/config.go b/config.go
index 55e970e..2bed3bd 100644
--- a/config.go
+++ b/config.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ type configFile struct {
 	PermitAllowModerator bool                   `yaml:"permit_allow_moderator"`
 	PermitTimeout        time.Duration          `yaml:"permit_timeout"`
 	RawLog               string                 `yaml:"raw_log"`
-	Rules                []*rule                `yaml:"rules"`
+	Rules                []*Rule                `yaml:"rules"`
 	Variables            map[string]interface{} `yaml:"variables"`
 
 	rawLogWriter io.WriteCloser
@@ -125,14 +125,14 @@ func (c *configFile) CloseRawMessageWriter() error {
 	return c.rawLogWriter.Close()
 }
 
-func (c configFile) GetMatchingRules(m *irc.Message, event *string) []*rule {
+func (c configFile) GetMatchingRules(m *irc.Message, event *string) []*Rule {
 	configLock.RLock()
 	defer configLock.RUnlock()
 
-	var out []*rule
+	var out []*Rule
 
 	for _, r := range c.Rules {
-		if r.Matches(m, event) {
+		if r.matches(m, event) {
 			out = append(out, r)
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/functions.go b/functions.go
index 9ab6b86..99d990f 100644
--- a/functions.go
+++ b/functions.go
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import (
 var tplFuncs = newTemplateFuncProvider()
 
 type (
-	templateFuncGetter   func(*irc.Message, *rule, map[string]interface{}) interface{}
+	templateFuncGetter   func(*irc.Message, *Rule, map[string]interface{}) interface{}
 	templateFuncProvider struct {
 		funcs map[string]templateFuncGetter
 		lock  *sync.RWMutex
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func newTemplateFuncProvider() *templateFuncProvider {
 	return out
 }
 
-func (t *templateFuncProvider) GetFuncMap(m *irc.Message, r *rule, fields map[string]interface{}) template.FuncMap {
+func (t *templateFuncProvider) GetFuncMap(m *irc.Message, r *Rule, fields map[string]interface{}) template.FuncMap {
 	t.lock.RLock()
 	defer t.lock.RUnlock()
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func (t *templateFuncProvider) Register(name string, fg templateFuncGetter) {
 }
 
 func genericTemplateFunctionGetter(f interface{}) templateFuncGetter {
-	return func(*irc.Message, *rule, map[string]interface{}) interface{} { return f }
+	return func(*irc.Message, *Rule, map[string]interface{}) interface{} { return f }
 }
 
 func init() {
diff --git a/functions_counter.go b/functions_counter.go
index 678ff2c..ddbb694 100644
--- a/functions_counter.go
+++ b/functions_counter.go
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func init() {
-	tplFuncs.Register("channelCounter", func(m *irc.Message, r *rule, fields map[string]interface{}) interface{} {
+	tplFuncs.Register("channelCounter", func(m *irc.Message, r *Rule, fields map[string]interface{}) interface{} {
 		return func(name string) (string, error) {
 			channel, ok := fields["channel"].(string)
 			if !ok {
diff --git a/functions_irc.go b/functions_irc.go
index 798d531..23a0a5a 100644
--- a/functions_irc.go
+++ b/functions_irc.go
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func init() {
-	tplFuncs.Register("arg", func(m *irc.Message, r *rule, fields map[string]interface{}) interface{} {
+	tplFuncs.Register("arg", func(m *irc.Message, r *Rule, fields map[string]interface{}) interface{} {
 		return func(arg int) (string, error) {
 			msgParts := strings.Split(m.Trailing(), " ")
 			if len(msgParts) <= arg {
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ func init() {
 
 	tplFuncs.Register("fixUsername", genericTemplateFunctionGetter(func(username string) string { return strings.TrimLeft(username, "@#") }))
 
-	tplFuncs.Register("group", func(m *irc.Message, r *rule, fields map[string]interface{}) interface{} {
+	tplFuncs.Register("group", func(m *irc.Message, r *Rule, fields map[string]interface{}) interface{} {
 		return func(idx int) (string, error) {
 			fields := r.matchMessage.FindStringSubmatch(m.Trailing())
 			if len(fields) <= idx {
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ func init() {
 		}
 	})
 
-	tplFuncs.Register("tag", func(m *irc.Message, r *rule, fields map[string]interface{}) interface{} {
+	tplFuncs.Register("tag", func(m *irc.Message, r *Rule, fields map[string]interface{}) interface{} {
 		return func(tag string) string {
 			s, _ := m.GetTag(tag)
 			return s
diff --git a/msgformatter.go b/msgformatter.go
index 5059376..7769aab 100644
--- a/msgformatter.go
+++ b/msgformatter.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 )
 
-func formatMessage(tplString string, m *irc.Message, r *rule, fields map[string]interface{}) (string, error) {
+func formatMessage(tplString string, m *irc.Message, r *Rule, fields map[string]interface{}) (string, error) {
 	compiledFields := map[string]interface{}{}
 
 	if config != nil {
diff --git a/rule.go b/rule.go
index a9941e5..592aafa 100644
--- a/rule.go
+++ b/rule.go
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"regexp"
 	"strings"
@@ -9,11 +11,12 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/Luzifer/go_helpers/v2/str"
 	"github.com/go-irc/irc"
+	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
-type rule struct {
-	Actions []*ruleAction `yaml:"actions"`
+type Rule struct {
+	Actions []*RuleAction `yaml:"actions"`
 
 	Cooldown        *time.Duration `yaml:"cooldown"`
 	ChannelCooldown *time.Duration `yaml:"channel_cooldown"`
@@ -38,7 +41,7 @@ type rule struct {
 	disableOnMatchMessages []*regexp.Regexp
 }
 
-func (r rule) MatcherID() string {
+func (r Rule) MatcherID() string {
 	out := sha256.New()
 
 	for _, e := range []*string{
@@ -54,7 +57,7 @@ func (r rule) MatcherID() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("sha256:%x", out.Sum(nil))
 }
 
-func (r *rule) Matches(m *irc.Message, event *string) bool {
+func (r *Rule) matches(m *irc.Message, event *string) bool {
 	var (
 		badges = ircHandler{}.ParseBadgeLevels(m)
 		logger = log.WithFields(log.Fields{
@@ -88,7 +91,7 @@ func (r *rule) Matches(m *irc.Message, event *string) bool {
 	return true
 }
 
-func (r *rule) SetCooldown(m *irc.Message) {
+func (r *Rule) setCooldown(m *irc.Message) {
 	if r.Cooldown != nil {
 		timerStore.AddCooldown(timerTypeCooldown, "", r.MatcherID())
 	}
@@ -102,7 +105,7 @@ func (r *rule) SetCooldown(m *irc.Message) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteBadgeBlacklist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteBadgeBlacklist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	for _, b := range r.DisableOn {
 		if badges.Has(b) {
 			logger.Tracef("Non-Match: Disable-Badge %s", b)
@@ -113,7 +116,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteBadgeBlacklist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, eve
 	return true
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteBadgeWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteBadgeWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if len(r.EnableOn) == 0 {
 		// No match criteria set, does not speak against matching
 		return true
@@ -128,7 +131,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteBadgeWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, eve
 	return false
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteChannelCooldown(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteChannelCooldown(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if r.ChannelCooldown == nil || len(m.Params) < 1 {
 		// No match criteria set, does not speak against matching
 		return true
@@ -147,7 +150,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteChannelCooldown(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, ev
 	return false
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteChannelWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteChannelWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if len(r.MatchChannels) == 0 {
 		// No match criteria set, does not speak against matching
 		return true
@@ -161,7 +164,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteChannelWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, e
 	return true
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteDisable(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteDisable(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if r.Disable == nil {
 		// No match criteria set, does not speak against matching
 		return true
@@ -175,7 +178,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteDisable(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *str
 	return true
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteDisableOnOffline(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteDisableOnOffline(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if r.DisableOnOffline == nil || !*r.DisableOnOffline {
 		// No match criteria set, does not speak against matching
 		return true
@@ -194,7 +197,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteDisableOnOffline(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, e
 	return true
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteDisableOnPermit(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteDisableOnPermit(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if r.DisableOnPermit != nil && *r.DisableOnPermit && timerStore.HasPermit(m.Params[0], m.User) {
 		logger.Trace("Non-Match: Permit")
 		return false
@@ -203,7 +206,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteDisableOnPermit(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, ev
 	return true
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteDisableOnTemplate(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteDisableOnTemplate(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if r.DisableOnTemplate == nil {
 		// No match criteria set, does not speak against matching
 		return true
@@ -224,7 +227,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteDisableOnTemplate(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message,
 	return true
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteEventWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteEventWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if r.MatchEvent == nil {
 		// No match criteria set, does not speak against matching
 		return true
@@ -238,7 +241,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteEventWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, eve
 	return true
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteMessageMatcherBlacklist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteMessageMatcherBlacklist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if len(r.DisableOnMatchMessages) == 0 {
 		// No match criteria set, does not speak against matching
 		return true
@@ -267,7 +270,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteMessageMatcherBlacklist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Mes
 	return true
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteMessageMatcherWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteMessageMatcherWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if r.MatchMessage == nil {
 		// No match criteria set, does not speak against matching
 		return true
@@ -292,7 +295,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteMessageMatcherWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Mes
 	return true
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteRuleCooldown(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteRuleCooldown(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if r.Cooldown == nil {
 		// No match criteria set, does not speak against matching
 		return true
@@ -311,7 +314,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteRuleCooldown(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event
 	return false
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteUserCooldown(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteUserCooldown(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if r.UserCooldown == nil {
 		// No match criteria set, does not speak against matching
 		return true
@@ -330,7 +333,7 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteUserCooldown(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event
 	return false
 }
 
-func (r *rule) allowExecuteUserWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
+func (r *Rule) allowExecuteUserWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, event *string, badges badgeCollection) bool {
 	if len(r.MatchUsers) == 0 {
 		// No match criteria set, does not speak against matching
 		return true
@@ -344,28 +347,32 @@ func (r *rule) allowExecuteUserWhitelist(logger *log.Entry, m *irc.Message, even
 	return true
 }
 
-type ruleAction struct {
-	Ban *string `json:"ban" yaml:"ban"`
-
-	Command []string `json:"command" yaml:"command"`
-
-	CounterSet  *string `json:"counter_set" yaml:"counter_set"`
-	CounterStep *int64  `json:"counter_step" yaml:"counter_step"`
-	Counter     *string `json:"counter" yaml:"counter"`
-
-	Delay       time.Duration `json:"delay" yaml:"delay"`
-	DelayJitter time.Duration `json:"delay_jitter" yaml:"delay_jitter"`
-
-	DeleteMessage *bool `json:"delete_message" yaml:"delete_message"`
-
-	RawMessage *string `json:"raw_message" yaml:"raw_message"`
-
-	Respond         *string `json:"respond" yaml:"respond"`
-	RespondAsReply  *bool   `json:"respond_as_reply" yaml:"respond_as_reply"`
-	RespondFallback *string `json:"respond_fallback" yaml:"respond_fallback"`
-
-	Timeout *time.Duration `json:"timeout" yaml:"timeout"`
-
-	WhisperMessage *string `json:"whisper_message" yaml:"whisper_message"`
-	WhisperTo      *string `json:"whisper_to" yaml:"whisper_to"`
+type RuleAction struct {
+	yamlUnmarshal func(interface{}) error
+	jsonValue     []byte
+}
+
+func (r *RuleAction) UnmarshalJSON(d []byte) error {
+	r.jsonValue = d
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (r *RuleAction) UnmarshalYAML(unmarshal func(interface{}) error) error {
+	r.yamlUnmarshal = unmarshal
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (r *RuleAction) Unmarshal(v interface{}) error {
+	switch {
+	case r.yamlUnmarshal != nil:
+		return r.yamlUnmarshal(v)
+
+	case r.jsonValue != nil:
+		jd := json.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(r.jsonValue))
+		jd.DisallowUnknownFields()
+		return jd.Decode(v)
+
+	default:
+		return errors.New("unmarshal on unprimed object")
+	}
 }
diff --git a/rule_test.go b/rule_test.go
index 16bcb11..854a6af 100644
--- a/rule_test.go
+++ b/rule_test.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ var (
 )
 
 func TestAllowExecuteBadgeBlacklist(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{DisableOn: []string{badgeBroadcaster}}
+	r := &Rule{DisableOn: []string{badgeBroadcaster}}
 
 	if r.allowExecuteBadgeBlacklist(testLogger, nil, nil, badgeCollection{badgeBroadcaster: testBadgeLevel0}) {
 		t.Error("Execution allowed on blacklisted badge")
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteBadgeBlacklist(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteBadgeWhitelist(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{EnableOn: []string{badgeBroadcaster}}
+	r := &Rule{EnableOn: []string{badgeBroadcaster}}
 
 	if r.allowExecuteBadgeWhitelist(testLogger, nil, nil, badgeCollection{badgeModerator: testBadgeLevel0}) {
 		t.Error("Execution allowed without whitelisted badge")
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteBadgeWhitelist(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteChannelWhitelist(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{MatchChannels: []string{"#mychannel", "otherchannel"}}
+	r := &Rule{MatchChannels: []string{"#mychannel", "otherchannel"}}
 
 	for m, exp := range map[string]bool{
 		":amy!amy@foo.example.com PRIVMSG #mychannel :Testing":                                    true,
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteChannelWhitelist(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteDisable(t *testing.T) {
-	for exp, r := range map[bool]*rule{
+	for exp, r := range map[bool]*Rule{
 		true:  {Disable: testPtrBool(false)},
 		false: {Disable: testPtrBool(true)},
 	} {
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteDisable(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteDisableOnOffline(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{DisableOnOffline: testPtrBool(true)}
+	r := &Rule{DisableOnOffline: testPtrBool(true)}
 
 	// Fake cache entries to prevent calling the real Twitch API
 	twitch.apiCache.Set([]string{"hasLiveStream", "channel1"}, time.Minute, true)
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteDisableOnOffline(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteChannelCooldown(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{ChannelCooldown: func(i time.Duration) *time.Duration { return &i }(time.Minute), SkipCooldownFor: []string{badgeBroadcaster}}
+	r := &Rule{ChannelCooldown: func(i time.Duration) *time.Duration { return &i }(time.Minute), SkipCooldownFor: []string{badgeBroadcaster}}
 	c1 := irc.MustParseMessage(":amy!amy@foo.example.com PRIVMSG #mychannel :Testing")
 	c2 := irc.MustParseMessage(":amy!amy@foo.example.com PRIVMSG #otherchannel :Testing")
 
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteChannelCooldown(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteDisableOnPermit(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{DisableOnPermit: testPtrBool(true)}
+	r := &Rule{DisableOnPermit: testPtrBool(true)}
 
 	// Permit is using global configuration, so we must fake that one
 	config = &configFile{PermitTimeout: time.Minute}
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteDisableOnPermit(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteDisableOnTemplate(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{DisableOnTemplate: func(s string) *string { return &s }(`{{ ne .username "amy" }}`)}
+	r := &Rule{DisableOnTemplate: func(s string) *string { return &s }(`{{ ne .username "amy" }}`)}
 
 	for msg, exp := range map[string]bool{
 		":amy!amy@foo.example.com PRIVMSG #mychannel :Testing": true,
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteDisableOnTemplate(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteEventWhitelist(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{MatchEvent: func(s string) *string { return &s }("test")}
+	r := &Rule{MatchEvent: func(s string) *string { return &s }("test")}
 
 	for evt, exp := range map[string]bool{
 		"foobar": false,
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteEventWhitelist(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteMessageMatcherBlacklist(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{DisableOnMatchMessages: []string{`^!disable`}}
+	r := &Rule{DisableOnMatchMessages: []string{`^!disable`}}
 
 	for msg, exp := range map[string]bool{
 		"PRIVMSG #test :Random message":    true,
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteMessageMatcherBlacklist(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteMessageMatcherWhitelist(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{MatchMessage: func(s string) *string { return &s }(`^!test`)}
+	r := &Rule{MatchMessage: func(s string) *string { return &s }(`^!test`)}
 
 	for msg, exp := range map[string]bool{
 		"PRIVMSG #test :Random message": false,
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteMessageMatcherWhitelist(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteRuleCooldown(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{Cooldown: func(i time.Duration) *time.Duration { return &i }(time.Minute), SkipCooldownFor: []string{badgeBroadcaster}}
+	r := &Rule{Cooldown: func(i time.Duration) *time.Duration { return &i }(time.Minute), SkipCooldownFor: []string{badgeBroadcaster}}
 
 	if !r.allowExecuteRuleCooldown(testLogger, nil, nil, badgeCollection{}) {
 		t.Error("Initial call was not allowed")
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteRuleCooldown(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteUserCooldown(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{UserCooldown: func(i time.Duration) *time.Duration { return &i }(time.Minute), SkipCooldownFor: []string{badgeBroadcaster}}
+	r := &Rule{UserCooldown: func(i time.Duration) *time.Duration { return &i }(time.Minute), SkipCooldownFor: []string{badgeBroadcaster}}
 	c1 := irc.MustParseMessage(":ben!ben@foo.example.com PRIVMSG #mychannel :Testing")
 	c2 := irc.MustParseMessage(":amy!amy@foo.example.com PRIVMSG #mychannel :Testing")
 
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ func TestAllowExecuteUserCooldown(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAllowExecuteUserWhitelist(t *testing.T) {
-	r := &rule{MatchUsers: []string{"amy"}}
+	r := &Rule{MatchUsers: []string{"amy"}}
 
 	for msg, exp := range map[string]bool{
 		":amy!amy@foo.example.com PRIVMSG #mychannel :Testing": true,