diff --git a/bin/xbps-dgraph/main.c b/bin/xbps-dgraph/main.c
index 493c9f95..9b2b74e7 100644
--- a/bin/xbps-dgraph/main.c
+++ b/bin/xbps-dgraph/main.c
@@ -510,7 +510,7 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 	/*
 	 * Internalize the plist file of the target installed package.
 	 */
-	plistd = xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(&xh, argv[0]);
+	plistd = xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(&xh, argv[0]);
 	if (plistd == NULL)
 		die("cannot internalize %s metadata file", argv[0]);
 
@@ -525,7 +525,6 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 	 */
 	create_dot_graph(&xh, f, plistd, confd, revdeps);
 
-	prop_object_release(plistd);
 	prop_object_release(confd);
 	xbps_end(&xh);
 
diff --git a/bin/xbps-pkgdb/check.c b/bin/xbps-pkgdb/check.c
index 10aff9d8..696970e0 100644
--- a/bin/xbps-pkgdb/check.c
+++ b/bin/xbps-pkgdb/check.c
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ check_pkg_integrity(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 	/*
 	 * Check for props.plist metadata file.
 	 */
-	propsd = xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(xhp, pkgname);
+	propsd = xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(xhp, pkgname);
 	if (propsd == NULL) {
 		printf("%s: unexistent metafile, converting to 0.18 "
 		    "format...\n", pkgname);
@@ -183,8 +183,6 @@ out1:
 #undef RUN_PKG_CHECK
 
 out:
-	if (prop_object_type(propsd) == PROP_TYPE_DICTIONARY)
-		prop_object_release(propsd);
 	if (broken)
 		return 1;
 
diff --git a/bin/xbps-pkgdb/check_pkg_requiredby.c b/bin/xbps-pkgdb/check_pkg_requiredby.c
index 39294cda..0a5970a1 100644
--- a/bin/xbps-pkgdb/check_pkg_requiredby.c
+++ b/bin/xbps-pkgdb/check_pkg_requiredby.c
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <unistd.h>
-#include <sys/param.h>
+#include <assert.h>
 
 #include <xbps_api.h>
 #include "defs.h"
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ check_reqby_pkg_cb(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 	 * Internalize current pkg props dictionary from its
 	 * installed metadata directory.
 	 */
-	curpkg_propsd = xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(xhp, curpkgn);
+	curpkg_propsd = xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(xhp, curpkgn);
 	if (curpkg_propsd == NULL) {
 		xbps_error_printf("%s: missing %s metadata file!\n",
 		    curpkgn, XBPS_PKGPROPS);
@@ -75,7 +75,6 @@ check_reqby_pkg_cb(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 	    prop_dictionary_get(curpkg_propsd, "run_depends");
 	if (curpkg_rdeps == NULL) {
 		/* package has no rundeps, skip */
-		prop_object_release(curpkg_propsd);
 		return 0;
 	}
 	/*
@@ -90,13 +89,11 @@ check_reqby_pkg_cb(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 		provides = prop_dictionary_get(obj, "provides");
 		if (provides == NULL) {
 			/* doesn't provide any virtual pkg */
-			prop_object_release(curpkg_propsd);
 			return 0;
 		}
 		if (!xbps_match_any_virtualpkg_in_rundeps(curpkg_rdeps,
 		    provides)) {
 			/* doesn't match any virtual pkg */
-			prop_object_release(curpkg_propsd);
 			return 0;
 		}
 	}
@@ -113,7 +110,6 @@ check_reqby_pkg_cb(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 			 * Current package already requires our package,
 			 * this is good so skip it.
 			 */
-			prop_object_release(curpkg_propsd);
 			return 0;
 		}
 	} else {
@@ -121,22 +117,18 @@ check_reqby_pkg_cb(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 		 * Missing requiredby array object, create it.
 		 */
 		crd->pkgd_reqby = prop_array_create();
-		if (crd->pkgd_reqby == NULL) {
-			prop_object_release(curpkg_propsd);
-			return -1;
-		}
+		assert(crd->pkgd_reqby);
 		crd->pkgd_reqby_alloc = true;
 	}
 	/*
 	 * Added pkgdep into pkg's requiredby array.
 	 */
-	if (!prop_array_add(crd->pkgd_reqby, curpkgver)) {
-		prop_object_release(curpkg_propsd);
+	if (!prop_array_add(crd->pkgd_reqby, curpkgver))
 		return -1;
-	}
+
 	printf("%s: added missing requiredby entry for %s.\n\n",
 	    crd->pkgver, prop_string_cstring_nocopy(curpkgver));
-	prop_object_release(curpkg_propsd);
+
 	return 1;
 }
 
@@ -170,7 +162,6 @@ remove_stale_entries_in_reqby(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 	}
 	if (needs_update) {
 		prop_dictionary_set(crd->pkgd, "requiredby", crd->pkgd_reqby);
-		printf("%s: requiredby fix done!\n\n", crd->pkgver);
 		return true;
 	}
 	return false;
diff --git a/bin/xbps-query/ownedby.c b/bin/xbps-query/ownedby.c
index 768cadd2..b241cccc 100644
--- a/bin/xbps-query/ownedby.c
+++ b/bin/xbps-query/ownedby.c
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ ownedby_pkgdb_cb(struct xbps_handle *xhp, prop_object_t obj, void *arg, bool *do
 	(void)done;
 
 	prop_dictionary_get_cstring_nocopy(obj, "pkgname", &pkgname);
-	pkgmetad = xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(xhp, pkgname);
+	pkgmetad = xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(xhp, pkgname);
 
 	files_keys = prop_dictionary_all_keys(pkgmetad);
 	for (i = 0; i < prop_array_count(files_keys); i++) {
@@ -106,7 +106,6 @@ ownedby_pkgdb_cb(struct xbps_handle *xhp, prop_object_t obj, void *arg, bool *do
 			break;
 	}
 	prop_object_release(files_keys);
-	prop_object_release(pkgmetad);
 
 	return rv;
 }
diff --git a/bin/xbps-query/show-deps.c b/bin/xbps-query/show-deps.c
index 117f8cb0..2786a1b4 100644
--- a/bin/xbps-query/show-deps.c
+++ b/bin/xbps-query/show-deps.c
@@ -44,13 +44,12 @@ show_pkg_deps(struct xbps_handle *xhp, const char *pkgname)
 	/*
 	 * Check for props.plist metadata file.
 	 */
-	propsd = xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(xhp, pkgname);
+	propsd = xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(xhp, pkgname);
 	if (propsd == NULL)
 		return ENOENT;
 
 	rv = xbps_callback_array_iter_in_dict(xhp, propsd, "run_depends",
 	     list_strings_sep_in_array, NULL);
-	prop_object_release(propsd);
 
 	return rv;
 }
diff --git a/bin/xbps-query/show-info-files.c b/bin/xbps-query/show-info-files.c
index 3883865d..7873e5f3 100644
--- a/bin/xbps-query/show-info-files.c
+++ b/bin/xbps-query/show-info-files.c
@@ -220,16 +220,15 @@ show_pkg_info_from_metadir(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 	const char *instdate, *pname;
 	bool autoinst;
 
-	d = xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(xhp, pkgname);
+	d = xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(xhp, pkgname);
 	if (d == NULL)
 		return ENOENT;
 
 	prop_dictionary_get_cstring_nocopy(d, "pkgname", &pname);
 	pkgdb_d = xbps_pkgdb_get_pkgd(xhp, pname, false);
-	if (pkgdb_d == NULL) {
-		prop_object_release(d);
+	if (pkgdb_d == NULL)
 		return EINVAL;
-	}
+
 	if (prop_dictionary_get_cstring_nocopy(pkgdb_d,
 	    "install-date", &instdate))
 		prop_dictionary_set_cstring_nocopy(d, "install-date",
@@ -243,7 +242,6 @@ show_pkg_info_from_metadir(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 	else
 		show_pkg_info_one(d, option);
 
-	prop_object_release(d);
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -253,12 +251,11 @@ show_pkg_files_from_metadir(struct xbps_handle *xhp, const char *pkgname)
 	prop_dictionary_t d;
 	int rv = 0;
 
-	d = xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(xhp, pkgname);
+	d = xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(xhp, pkgname);
 	if (d == NULL)
 		return ENOENT;
 
 	rv = show_pkg_files(d);
-	prop_object_release(d);
 
 	return rv;
 }
diff --git a/bin/xbps-uhelper/main.c b/bin/xbps-uhelper/main.c
index b4b9d565..6b98e01d 100644
--- a/bin/xbps-uhelper/main.c
+++ b/bin/xbps-uhelper/main.c
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ write_plist_file(prop_dictionary_t dict, const char *file)
 
 	if (!prop_dictionary_externalize_to_zfile(dict, file)) {
 		prop_object_release(dict);
-		xbps_error_printf("xbps-uhelper: couldn't write to %s: %s",
+		xbps_error_printf("xbps-uhelper: couldn't write to %s: %s\n",
 		    file, strerror(errno));
 		exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 	}
diff --git a/include/xbps_api.h.in b/include/xbps_api.h.in
index 70f6af67..ffc82fc0 100644
--- a/include/xbps_api.h.in
+++ b/include/xbps_api.h.in
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
  */
 #define XBPS_PKGINDEX_VERSION	"1.5"
 
-#define XBPS_API_VERSION	"20121116"
+#define XBPS_API_VERSION	"20121116-1"
 
 #ifndef XBPS_VERSION
  #define XBPS_VERSION		"UNSET"
@@ -455,6 +455,12 @@ struct xbps_handle {
 	 * Array of dictionaries with all registered repositories.
 	 */
 	prop_array_t repo_pool;
+	/**
+	 * @private
+	 *
+	 * Array of pkg dictionaries from metadir.
+	 */
+	prop_array_t metadir_pool;
 	/**
 	 * @private pkgdb.
 	 *
@@ -1213,8 +1219,8 @@ prop_object_iterator_t xbps_array_iter_from_dict(prop_dictionary_t dict,
  * @return The proplib dictionary on success, NULL otherwise and
  * errno is set appropiately.
  */
-prop_dictionary_t xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
-					 const char *name);
+prop_dictionary_t xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
+					const char *name);
 
 /**
  * Creates a temporary file and executes it in rootdir.
diff --git a/include/xbps_api_impl.h b/include/xbps_api_impl.h
index c36a3181..fdd7f7b9 100644
--- a/include/xbps_api_impl.h
+++ b/include/xbps_api_impl.h
@@ -182,6 +182,9 @@ int HIDDEN xbps_unpack_binary_pkg(struct xbps_handle *, prop_dictionary_t);
  */
 void HIDDEN xbps_pkg_find_conflicts(struct xbps_handle *, prop_dictionary_t);
 
+void HIDDEN xbps_metadir_init(struct xbps_handle *);
+void HIDDEN xbps_metadir_release(struct xbps_handle *);
+
 __END_DECLS
 
 #endif /* !_XBPS_API_IMPL_H_ */
diff --git a/lib/Makefile b/lib/Makefile
index 933ae6bf..59778013 100644
--- a/lib/Makefile
+++ b/lib/Makefile
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ EXTOBJS += external/mkpath.o
 OBJS = package_configure.o package_config_files.o package_orphans.o
 OBJS += package_remove.o package_remove_obsoletes.o package_state.o
 OBJS += package_unpack.o package_requiredby.o package_register.o
-OBJS += package_script.o
+OBJS += package_script.o package_metadir.o
 OBJS += transaction_commit.o transaction_package_replace.o
 OBJS += transaction_dictionary.o transaction_sortdeps.o transaction_ops.o
 OBJS += download.o initend.o pkgdb.o package_conflicts.o
diff --git a/lib/initend.c b/lib/initend.c
index 6214d0e0..934ea8b2 100644
--- a/lib/initend.c
+++ b/lib/initend.c
@@ -232,6 +232,7 @@ xbps_end(struct xbps_handle *xhp)
 
 	xbps_pkgdb_release(xhp);
 	xbps_rpool_release(xhp);
+	xbps_metadir_release(xhp);
 	xbps_fetch_unset_cache_connection();
 
 	cfg_free(xhp->cfg);
diff --git a/lib/package_config_files.c b/lib/package_config_files.c
index 9c590cbb..1f37f676 100644
--- a/lib/package_config_files.c
+++ b/lib/package_config_files.c
@@ -91,12 +91,11 @@ xbps_entry_install_conf_file(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 	xbps_dbg_printf(xhp, "%s-%s: processing conf_file %s\n",
 	    pkgname, version, entry_pname);
 
-	forigd = xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(xhp, pkgname);
+	forigd = xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(xhp, pkgname);
 	if (forigd == NULL) {
 		xbps_dbg_printf(xhp, "%s-%s: conf_file %s not currently "
 		    "installed\n", pkgname, version, entry_pname);
 		rv = 1;
-		prop_object_release(forigd);
 		goto out;
 	}
 
@@ -117,7 +116,6 @@ xbps_entry_install_conf_file(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 		}
 		prop_object_iterator_release(iter2);
 	}
-	prop_object_release(forigd);
 	/*
 	 * First case: original hash not found, install new file.
 	 */
diff --git a/lib/package_configure.c b/lib/package_configure.c
index d8868cef..7294f74e 100644
--- a/lib/package_configure.c
+++ b/lib/package_configure.c
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ xbps_configure_pkg(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 
 	xbps_set_cb_state(xhp, XBPS_STATE_CONFIGURE, 0, pkgname, version, NULL);
 
-	pkgmetad = xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(xhp, pkgname);
+	pkgmetad = xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(xhp, pkgname);
 	assert(pkgmetad);
 
 	rv = xbps_pkg_exec_script(xhp, pkgmetad, "install-script", "post", update);
@@ -119,11 +119,8 @@ xbps_configure_pkg(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 		    errno, pkgname, version,
 		    "%s: [configure] INSTALL script failed to execute "
 		    "the post ACTION: %s", pkgver, strerror(rv));
-		prop_object_release(pkgmetad);
 		return rv;
 	}
-	prop_object_release(pkgmetad);
-
 	if (state == XBPS_PKG_STATE_INSTALLED)
 		return rv;
 
diff --git a/lib/package_metadir.c b/lib/package_metadir.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c6864a22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/package_metadir.c
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+/*-
+ * Copyright (c) 2012 Juan Romero Pardines.
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ * 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *    documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+ * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.
+ * IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+ * INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT
+ * NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
+ * THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+
+#include "xbps_api_impl.h"
+
+void HIDDEN
+xbps_metadir_init(struct xbps_handle *xhp)
+{
+	assert(xhp != NULL);
+
+	if (xhp->metadir_pool != NULL)
+		return;
+
+	xhp->metadir_pool = prop_array_create();
+	assert(xhp->metadir_pool);
+}
+
+void HIDDEN
+xbps_metadir_release(struct xbps_handle *xhp)
+{
+	prop_object_t obj;
+	unsigned int i;
+
+	if (xhp->metadir_pool == NULL)
+		return;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < prop_array_count(xhp->metadir_pool); i++) {
+		obj = prop_array_get(xhp->metadir_pool, i);
+		prop_object_release(obj);
+	}
+	prop_object_release(xhp->metadir_pool);
+	xhp->metadir_pool = NULL;
+}
+
+prop_dictionary_t
+xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(struct xbps_handle *xhp, const char *name)
+{
+	prop_dictionary_t pkgd, opkgd;
+	const char *savedpkgname;
+	char *plistf;
+
+	assert(xhp);
+	assert(name);
+
+	xbps_metadir_init(xhp);
+	pkgd = xbps_find_pkg_in_array_by_name(xhp, xhp->metadir_pool,
+			name, NULL);
+	if (pkgd != NULL)
+		return pkgd;
+
+	savedpkgname = name;
+	plistf = xbps_xasprintf("%s/.%s.plist", xhp->metadir, name);
+
+	if (access(plistf, R_OK) == -1) {
+		pkgd = xbps_find_virtualpkg_dict_installed(xhp, name, false);
+		if (pkgd == NULL)
+			pkgd = xbps_find_pkg_dict_installed(xhp, name, false);
+
+		if (pkgd != NULL) {
+			free(plistf);
+			prop_dictionary_get_cstring_nocopy(pkgd,
+			    "pkgname", &savedpkgname);
+			plistf = xbps_xasprintf("%s/.%s.plist",
+			    xhp->metadir, savedpkgname);
+		}
+	}
+
+	opkgd = prop_dictionary_internalize_from_zfile(plistf);
+	free(plistf);
+	if (opkgd == NULL) {
+		xbps_dbg_printf(xhp, "cannot read %s metadata: %s\n",
+		    savedpkgname, strerror(errno));
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	prop_array_add(xhp->metadir_pool, opkgd);
+	return opkgd;
+}
diff --git a/lib/package_remove.c b/lib/package_remove.c
index a4ab3d7d..d5216fa3 100644
--- a/lib/package_remove.c
+++ b/lib/package_remove.c
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ xbps_remove_pkg(struct xbps_handle *xhp,
 		    pkgver, xhp->rootdir, strerror(rv));
 		goto out;
 	}
-	pkgd = xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(xhp, pkgname);
+	pkgd = xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(xhp, pkgname);
 	assert(pkgd);
 
 	/* If package was "half-removed", remove it fully. */
@@ -341,9 +341,6 @@ purge:
 	/*
 	 * Remove package metadata plist.
 	 */
-	prop_object_release(pkgd);
-	pkgd = NULL;
-
 	buf = xbps_xasprintf("%s/.%s.plist", xhp->metadir, pkgname);
 	if (remove(buf) == -1) {
 		xbps_set_cb_state(xhp, XBPS_STATE_REMOVE_FAIL,
@@ -373,8 +370,6 @@ out:
 		free(buf);
 	if (pkgver != NULL)
 		free(pkgver);
-	if (pkgd != NULL)
-		prop_object_release(pkgd);
 
 	return rv;
 }
diff --git a/lib/plist.c b/lib/plist.c
index d273b69c..f2288a99 100644
--- a/lib/plist.c
+++ b/lib/plist.c
@@ -264,40 +264,3 @@ xbps_array_replace_dict_by_pattern(prop_array_t array,
 {
 	return array_replace_dict(array, dict, pattern, true);
 }
-
-prop_dictionary_t
-xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(struct xbps_handle *xhp, const char *name)
-{
-	prop_dictionary_t pkgd, plistd = NULL;
-	const char *savedpkgname;
-	char *plistf;
-
-	assert(name != NULL);
-
-	savedpkgname = name;
-	plistf = xbps_xasprintf("%s/.%s.plist", xhp->metadir, name);
-
-	if (access(plistf, R_OK) == -1) {
-		pkgd = xbps_find_virtualpkg_dict_installed(xhp, name, false);
-		if (pkgd == NULL)
-			pkgd = xbps_find_pkg_dict_installed(xhp, name, false);
-
-		if (pkgd != NULL) {
-			free(plistf);
-			prop_dictionary_get_cstring_nocopy(pkgd,
-			    "pkgname", &savedpkgname);
-			plistf = xbps_xasprintf("%s/.%s.plist",
-			    xhp->metadir, savedpkgname);
-		}
-	}
-
-	plistd = prop_dictionary_internalize_from_zfile(plistf);
-	free(plistf);
-	if (plistd == NULL) {
-		xbps_dbg_printf(xhp, "cannot read from metadata %s for %s: %s\n",
-		    plistf, savedpkgname, strerror(errno));
-		return NULL;
-	}
-
-	return plistd;
-}
diff --git a/lib/transaction_dictionary.c b/lib/transaction_dictionary.c
index 46beaa11..7788dcb5 100644
--- a/lib/transaction_dictionary.c
+++ b/lib/transaction_dictionary.c
@@ -97,12 +97,11 @@ compute_transaction_stats(struct xbps_handle *xhp)
 		 */
 		if ((strcmp(tract, "remove") == 0) ||
 		    (strcmp(tract, "update") == 0)) {
-			pkg_metad = xbps_pkgd_from_metadir(xhp, pkgname);
+			pkg_metad = xbps_metadir_get_pkgd(xhp, pkgname);
 			if (pkg_metad == NULL)
 				continue;
 			prop_dictionary_get_uint64(pkg_metad,
 			    "installed_size", &tsize);
-			prop_object_release(pkg_metad);
 			rmsize += tsize;
 		}
 		if ((strcmp(tract, "install") == 0) ||