diff --git a/api/logic/BaseInstanceProvider.h b/api/logic/BaseInstanceProvider.h
index f6833650..34489c5d 100644
--- a/api/logic/BaseInstanceProvider.h
+++ b/api/logic/BaseInstanceProvider.h
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ public:
 	{
 		return QString();
 	}
-	virtual bool commitStagedInstance(const QString & keyPath, const QString & path, const QString& instanceName, const QString & groupName)
+	virtual bool commitStagedInstance(const QString & path, const QString& instanceName, const QString & groupName)
 	{
 		return false;
 	}
diff --git a/api/logic/FolderInstanceProvider.cpp b/api/logic/FolderInstanceProvider.cpp
index 88b5bdc6..4893efd8 100644
--- a/api/logic/FolderInstanceProvider.cpp
+++ b/api/logic/FolderInstanceProvider.cpp
@@ -310,6 +310,52 @@ void FolderInstanceProvider::on_InstFolderChanged(const Setting &setting, QVaria
 		emit instancesChanged();
 	}
 }
+/*
+class FolderInstanceStaging : public Task
+{
+
+public:
+	FolderInstanceStaging(FolderInstanceProvider * parent, Task * child, const QString& instanceName, const QString& groupName)
+	{
+		m_parent = parent;
+		m_child.reset(child);
+		connect(child, &Task::succeeded, this, &FolderInstanceStaging::childSucceded);
+		connect(child, &Task::failed, this, &FolderInstanceStaging::childFailed);
+		connect(child, &Task::status, this, &FolderInstanceStaging::setStatus);
+		connect(child, &Task::progress, this, &FolderInstanceStaging::setProgress);
+		m_instanceName = instanceName;
+		m_groupName = groupName;
+	}
+
+protected:
+	virtual void executeTask() override
+	{
+		m_stagingPath = m_parent->getStagedInstancePath();
+		m_child->start();
+	}
+
+private slots:
+	void childSucceded()
+	{
+		if(m_parent->commitStagedInstance(m_stagingPath, m_instanceName, m_groupName))
+			emitSucceeded();
+		// TODO: implement exponential backoff retry scheme with limit
+		emitFailed("Failed to commit instance");
+	}
+	void childFailed(const QString & reason)
+	{
+		m_parent->destroyStagingPath(m_stagingPath);
+		emitFailed(reason);
+	}
+
+private:
+	QString m_stagingPath;
+	FolderInstanceProvider * m_parent;
+	unique_qobject_ptr<Task> m_child;
+	QString m_instanceName;
+	QString m_groupName;
+};
+*/
 
 QString FolderInstanceProvider::getStagedInstancePath()
 {
@@ -324,8 +370,7 @@ QString FolderInstanceProvider::getStagedInstancePath()
 	return path;
 }
 
-bool FolderInstanceProvider::commitStagedInstance(const QString& keyPath, const QString& path, const QString& instanceName,
-	const QString& groupName)
+bool FolderInstanceProvider::commitStagedInstance(const QString& path, const QString& instanceName, const QString& groupName)
 {
 	QDir dir;
 	QString instID = FS::DirNameFromString(instanceName, m_instDir);
@@ -335,7 +380,6 @@ bool FolderInstanceProvider::commitStagedInstance(const QString& keyPath, const
 		if(!dir.rename(path, destination))
 		{
 			qWarning() << "Failed to move" << path << "to" << destination;
-			destroyStagingPath(keyPath);
 			return false;
 		}
 		groupMap[instID] = groupName;
diff --git a/api/logic/FolderInstanceProvider.h b/api/logic/FolderInstanceProvider.h
index f350a96d..b3c6d955 100644
--- a/api/logic/FolderInstanceProvider.h
+++ b/api/logic/FolderInstanceProvider.h
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ public:
 	 * Commit the staging area given by @keyPath to the provider - used when creation succeeds.
 	 * Used by instance manipulation tasks.
 	 */
-	bool commitStagedInstance(const QString & keyPath, const QString & path, const QString& instanceName, const QString & groupName) override;
+	bool commitStagedInstance(const QString & keyPath, const QString& instanceName, const QString & groupName) override;
 	/**
 	 * Destroy a previously created staging area given by @keyPath - used when creation fails.
 	 * Used by instance manipulation tasks.
diff --git a/api/logic/InstanceCopyTask.cpp b/api/logic/InstanceCopyTask.cpp
index b1bd39ef..e9ed9a82 100644
--- a/api/logic/InstanceCopyTask.cpp
+++ b/api/logic/InstanceCopyTask.cpp
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ void InstanceCopyTask::copyFinished()
 	InstancePtr inst(new NullInstance(m_globalSettings, instanceSettings, m_stagingPath));
 	inst->setName(m_instName);
 	inst->setIconKey(m_instIcon);
-	m_target->commitStagedInstance(m_stagingPath, m_stagingPath, m_instName, m_instGroup);
+	m_target->commitStagedInstance(m_stagingPath, m_instName, m_instGroup);
 	emitSucceeded();
 }
 
diff --git a/api/logic/InstanceCreationTask.cpp b/api/logic/InstanceCreationTask.cpp
index e7b0de7c..a615d6ff 100644
--- a/api/logic/InstanceCreationTask.cpp
+++ b/api/logic/InstanceCreationTask.cpp
@@ -20,14 +20,6 @@ InstanceCreationTask::InstanceCreationTask(SettingsObjectPtr settings, BaseInsta
 void InstanceCreationTask::executeTask()
 {
 	setStatus(tr("Creating instance from version %1").arg(m_version->name()));
-    /*
-	auto minecraftVersion = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<MinecraftVersion>(m_version);
-	if(!minecraftVersion)
-	{
-		emitFailed(tr("The supplied version is not a Minecraft version."));
-		return ;
-	}
-	*/
 
 	QString stagingPath = m_target->getStagedInstancePath();
 	QDir rootDir(stagingPath);
@@ -41,6 +33,6 @@ void InstanceCreationTask::executeTask()
 	inst->setName(m_instName);
 	inst->setIconKey(m_instIcon);
 	inst->init();
-	m_target->commitStagedInstance(stagingPath, stagingPath, m_instName, m_instGroup);
+	m_target->commitStagedInstance(stagingPath, m_instName, m_instGroup);
 	emitSucceeded();
 }
diff --git a/api/logic/InstanceImportTask.cpp b/api/logic/InstanceImportTask.cpp
index f1b3d5aa..a796815b 100644
--- a/api/logic/InstanceImportTask.cpp
+++ b/api/logic/InstanceImportTask.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ void InstanceImportTask::executeTask()
 	if (m_sourceUrl.isLocalFile())
 	{
 		m_archivePath = m_sourceUrl.toLocalFile();
-		extractAndTweak();
+		processZipPack();
 	}
 	else
 	{
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ void InstanceImportTask::executeTask()
 
 void InstanceImportTask::downloadSucceeded()
 {
-	extractAndTweak();
+	processZipPack();
 	m_filesNetJob.reset();
 }
 
@@ -92,14 +92,47 @@ static QFileInfo findRecursive(const QString &dir, const QString &name)
 	return QFileInfo();
 }
 
-void InstanceImportTask::extractAndTweak()
+void InstanceImportTask::processZipPack()
 {
 	setStatus(tr("Extracting modpack"));
 	m_stagingPath = m_target->getStagedInstancePath();
 	QDir extractDir(m_stagingPath);
 	qDebug() << "Attempting to create instance from" << m_archivePath;
 
-	m_extractFuture = QtConcurrent::run(QThreadPool::globalInstance(), MMCZip::extractDir, m_archivePath, extractDir.absolutePath());
+	// open the zip and find relevant files in it
+	m_packZip.reset(new QuaZip(m_archivePath));
+	if (!m_packZip->open(QuaZip::mdUnzip))
+	{
+		emitFailed(tr("Unable to open supplied modpack zip file."));
+		return;
+	}
+
+	QStringList blacklist = {"instance.cfg", "manifest.json"};
+	QString mmcFound = MMCZip::findFolderOfFileInZip(m_packZip.get(), "instance.cfg");
+	QString flameFound = MMCZip::findFolderOfFileInZip(m_packZip.get(), "manifest.json");
+	QString root;
+	if(!mmcFound.isNull())
+	{
+		// process as MultiMC instance/pack
+		qDebug() << "MultiMC:" << mmcFound;
+		root = mmcFound;
+		m_modpackType = ModpackType::MultiMC;
+	}
+	if(!flameFound.isNull())
+	{
+		// process as Flame pack
+		qDebug() << "Flame:" << flameFound;
+		root = flameFound;
+		m_modpackType = ModpackType::Flame;
+	}
+	if(m_modpackType == ModpackType::Unknown)
+	{
+		emitFailed(tr("Archive does not contain a recognized modpack type."));
+		return;
+	}
+
+	// make sure we extract just the pack
+	m_extractFuture = QtConcurrent::run(QThreadPool::globalInstance(), MMCZip::extractSubDir, m_packZip.get(), root, extractDir.absolutePath());
 	connect(&m_extractFutureWatcher, &QFutureWatcher<QStringList>::finished, this, &InstanceImportTask::extractFinished);
 	connect(&m_extractFutureWatcher, &QFutureWatcher<QStringList>::canceled, this, &InstanceImportTask::extractAborted);
 	m_extractFutureWatcher.setFuture(m_extractFuture);
@@ -107,6 +140,7 @@ void InstanceImportTask::extractAndTweak()
 
 void InstanceImportTask::extractFinished()
 {
+	m_packZip.reset();
 	if (m_extractFuture.result().isEmpty())
 	{
 		m_target->destroyStagingPath(m_stagingPath);
@@ -146,23 +180,18 @@ void InstanceImportTask::extractFinished()
 		}
 	}
 
-	const QFileInfo instanceCfgFile = findRecursive(extractDir.absolutePath(), "instance.cfg");
-	const QFileInfo flameJson = findRecursive(extractDir.absolutePath(), "manifest.json");
-	if (instanceCfgFile.isFile())
+	switch(m_modpackType)
 	{
-		qDebug() << "Pack appears to be exported from MultiMC.";
-		processMultiMC(instanceCfgFile);
-	}
-	else if (flameJson.isFile())
-	{
-		qDebug() << "Pack appears to be from 'Flame'.";
-		processFlame(flameJson);
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		qCritical() << "Archive does not contain a recognized modpack type.";
-		m_target->destroyStagingPath(m_stagingPath);
-		emitFailed(tr("Archive does not contain a recognized modpack type."));
+		case ModpackType::Flame:
+			processFlame();
+			return;
+		case ModpackType::MultiMC:
+			processMultiMC();
+			return;
+		case ModpackType::Unknown:
+			m_target->destroyStagingPath(m_stagingPath);
+			emitFailed(tr("Archive does not contain a recognized modpack type."));
+			return;
 	}
 }
 
@@ -173,7 +202,7 @@ void InstanceImportTask::extractAborted()
 	return;
 }
 
-void InstanceImportTask::processFlame(const QFileInfo & manifest)
+void InstanceImportTask::processFlame()
 {
 	const static QMap<QString,QString> forgemap = {
 		{"1.2.5", "3.4.9.171"},
@@ -184,7 +213,8 @@ void InstanceImportTask::processFlame(const QFileInfo & manifest)
 	Flame::Manifest pack;
 	try
 	{
-		Flame::loadManifest(pack, manifest.absoluteFilePath());
+		QString configPath = FS::PathCombine(m_stagingPath, "manifest.json");
+		Flame::loadManifest(pack, configPath);
 	}
 	catch (JSONValidationError & e)
 	{
@@ -192,11 +222,10 @@ void InstanceImportTask::processFlame(const QFileInfo & manifest)
 		emitFailed(tr("Could not understand pack manifest:\n") + e.cause());
 		return;
 	}
-	m_packRoot = manifest.absolutePath();
 	if(!pack.overrides.isEmpty())
 	{
-		QString overridePath = FS::PathCombine(m_packRoot, pack.overrides);
-		QString mcPath = FS::PathCombine(m_packRoot, "minecraft");
+		QString overridePath = FS::PathCombine(m_stagingPath, pack.overrides);
+		QString mcPath = FS::PathCombine(m_stagingPath, "minecraft");
 		if (!QFile::rename(overridePath, mcPath))
 		{
 			m_target->destroyStagingPath(m_stagingPath);
@@ -218,11 +247,11 @@ void InstanceImportTask::processFlame(const QFileInfo & manifest)
 		qWarning() << "Unknown mod loader in manifest:" << id;
 	}
 
-	QString configPath = FS::PathCombine(m_packRoot, "instance.cfg");
+	QString configPath = FS::PathCombine(m_stagingPath, "instance.cfg");
 	auto instanceSettings = std::make_shared<INISettingsObject>(configPath);
 	instanceSettings->registerSetting("InstanceType", "Legacy");
 	instanceSettings->set("InstanceType", "OneSix");
-	OneSixInstance instance(m_globalSettings, instanceSettings, m_packRoot);
+	OneSixInstance instance(m_globalSettings, instanceSettings, m_stagingPath);
 	auto mcVersion = pack.minecraft.version;
 	// Hack to correct some 'special sauce'...
 	if(mcVersion.endsWith('.'))
@@ -268,7 +297,7 @@ void InstanceImportTask::processFlame(const QFileInfo & manifest)
 		}
 	}
 	instance.init();
-	QString jarmodsPath = FS::PathCombine(m_packRoot, "minecraft", "jarmods");
+	QString jarmodsPath = FS::PathCombine(m_stagingPath, "minecraft", "jarmods");
 	QFileInfo jarmodsInfo(jarmodsPath);
 	if(jarmodsInfo.isDir())
 	{
@@ -294,7 +323,7 @@ void InstanceImportTask::processFlame(const QFileInfo & manifest)
 		m_filesNetJob.reset(new NetJob(tr("Mod download")));
 		for(auto result: results.files)
 		{
-			auto path = FS::PathCombine(m_packRoot, "minecraft/mods", result.fileName);
+			auto path = FS::PathCombine(m_stagingPath, "minecraft/mods", result.fileName);
 			auto dl = Net::Download::makeFile(result.url,path);
 			m_filesNetJob->addNetAction(dl);
 		}
@@ -302,7 +331,7 @@ void InstanceImportTask::processFlame(const QFileInfo & manifest)
 		connect(m_filesNetJob.get(), &NetJob::succeeded, this, [&]()
 		{
 			m_filesNetJob.reset();
-			if (!m_target->commitStagedInstance(m_stagingPath, m_packRoot, m_instName, m_instGroup))
+			if (!m_target->commitStagedInstance(m_stagingPath, m_instName, m_instGroup))
 			{
 				m_target->destroyStagingPath(m_stagingPath);
 				emitFailed(tr("Unable to commit instance"));
@@ -342,14 +371,14 @@ void InstanceImportTask::processFlame(const QFileInfo & manifest)
 	m_modIdResolver->start();
 }
 
-void InstanceImportTask::processMultiMC(const QFileInfo & config)
+void InstanceImportTask::processMultiMC()
 {
 	// FIXME: copy from FolderInstanceProvider!!! FIX IT!!!
-	auto instanceSettings = std::make_shared<INISettingsObject>(config.absoluteFilePath());
+	QString configPath = FS::PathCombine(m_stagingPath, "instance.cfg");
+	auto instanceSettings = std::make_shared<INISettingsObject>(configPath);
 	instanceSettings->registerSetting("InstanceType", "Legacy");
 
-	QString actualDir = config.absolutePath();
-	NullInstance instance(m_globalSettings, instanceSettings, actualDir);
+	NullInstance instance(m_globalSettings, instanceSettings, m_stagingPath);
 
 	// reset time played on import... because packs.
 	instance.resetTimePlayed();
@@ -377,7 +406,7 @@ void InstanceImportTask::processMultiMC(const QFileInfo & config)
 			iconList->installIcons({importIconPath});
 		}
 	}
-	if (!m_target->commitStagedInstance(m_stagingPath, actualDir, m_instName, m_instGroup))
+	if (!m_target->commitStagedInstance(m_stagingPath, m_instName, m_instGroup))
 	{
 		m_target->destroyStagingPath(m_stagingPath);
 		emitFailed(tr("Unable to commit instance"));
diff --git a/api/logic/InstanceImportTask.h b/api/logic/InstanceImportTask.h
index d5192299..e5f35b3a 100644
--- a/api/logic/InstanceImportTask.h
+++ b/api/logic/InstanceImportTask.h
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include "settings/SettingsObject.h"
 #include "QObjectPtr.h"
 
+class QuaZip;
 class BaseInstanceProvider;
 namespace Flame
 {
@@ -27,9 +28,9 @@ protected:
 	virtual void executeTask() override;
 
 private:
-	void extractAndTweak();
-	void processMultiMC(const QFileInfo &config);
-	void processFlame(const QFileInfo &manifest);
+	void processZipPack();
+	void processMultiMC();
+	void processFlame();
 
 private slots:
 	void downloadSucceeded();
@@ -46,11 +47,16 @@ private: /* data */
 	BaseInstanceProvider * m_target;
 	QString m_archivePath;
 	bool m_downloadRequired = false;
-	QString m_packRoot;
 	QString m_instName;
 	QString m_instIcon;
 	QString m_instGroup;
 	QString m_stagingPath;
+	std::unique_ptr<QuaZip> m_packZip;
 	QFuture<QStringList> m_extractFuture;
 	QFutureWatcher<QStringList> m_extractFutureWatcher;
+	enum class ModpackType{
+		Unknown,
+		MultiMC,
+		Flame
+	} m_modpackType = ModpackType::Unknown;
 };
diff --git a/api/logic/MMCZip.cpp b/api/logic/MMCZip.cpp
index 3badbbd1..fa42436f 100644
--- a/api/logic/MMCZip.cpp
+++ b/api/logic/MMCZip.cpp
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ bool MMCZip::createModdedJar(QString sourceJarPath, QString targetJarPath, const
 }
 
 // ours
-QString MMCZip::findFileInZip(QuaZip * zip, const QString & what, const QString &root)
+QString MMCZip::findFolderOfFileInZip(QuaZip * zip, const QString & what, const QString &root)
 {
 	QuaZipDir rootDir(zip, root);
 	for(auto fileName: rootDir.entryList(QDir::Files))
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ QString MMCZip::findFileInZip(QuaZip * zip, const QString & what, const QString
 	}
 	for(auto fileName: rootDir.entryList(QDir::Dirs))
 	{
-		QString result = findFileInZip(zip, what, root + fileName);
+		QString result = findFolderOfFileInZip(zip, what, root + fileName);
 		if(!result.isEmpty())
 		{
 			return result;
diff --git a/api/logic/MMCZip.h b/api/logic/MMCZip.h
index eac8d741..9e7dc4ac 100644
--- a/api/logic/MMCZip.h
+++ b/api/logic/MMCZip.h
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ namespace MMCZip
 	 *
 	 * \return the path prefix where the file is
 	 */
-	QString MULTIMC_LOGIC_EXPORT findFileInZip(QuaZip * zip, const QString & what, const QString &root = QString());
+	QString MULTIMC_LOGIC_EXPORT findFolderOfFileInZip(QuaZip * zip, const QString & what, const QString &root = QString(""));
 
 	/**
 	 * Find a multiple files of the same name in archive by file name
diff --git a/api/logic/minecraft/World.cpp b/api/logic/minecraft/World.cpp
index 81f52ff5..8d9d4d83 100644
--- a/api/logic/minecraft/World.cpp
+++ b/api/logic/minecraft/World.cpp
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ void World::readFromZip(const QFileInfo &file)
 	{
 		return;
 	}
-	auto location = MMCZip::findFileInZip(&zip, "level.dat");
+	auto location = MMCZip::findFolderOfFileInZip(&zip, "level.dat");
 	is_valid = !location.isEmpty();
 	if (!is_valid)
 	{