diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index eb951965..c8787c2e 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -141,7 +141,6 @@ rpms-dom0:
 all:
 	$(PYTHON) setup.py build
 	$(MAKE) -C qubes-rpc all
-#	make all -C tests
 	# Currently supported only on xen
 
 install:
@@ -158,7 +157,6 @@ endif
 	ln -s qvm-device.1.gz $(DESTDIR)/usr/share/man/man1/qvm-block.1.gz
 	ln -s qvm-device.1.gz $(DESTDIR)/usr/share/man/man1/qvm-pci.1.gz
 	ln -s qvm-device.1.gz $(DESTDIR)/usr/share/man/man1/qvm-usb.1.gz
-#	$(MAKE) install -C tests
 	$(MAKE) install -C relaxng
 	mkdir -p $(DESTDIR)/etc/qubes
 ifeq ($(BACKEND_VMM),xen)
diff --git a/qubes/app.py b/qubes/app.py
index 5deff36f..7a31e822 100644
--- a/qubes/app.py
+++ b/qubes/app.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #
 
 import collections
+import copy
 import errno
 import functools
 import grp
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@ import qubes
 import qubes.ext
 import qubes.utils
 import qubes.storage
+import qubes.storage.reflink
 import qubes.vm
 import qubes.vm.adminvm
 import qubes.vm.qubesvm
@@ -552,7 +554,7 @@ def _default_pool(app):
 
     1. If there is one named 'default', use it.
     2. Check if root fs is on LVM thin - use that
-    3. Look for file-based pool pointing /var/lib/qubes
+    3. Look for file(-reflink)-based pool pointing to /var/lib/qubes
     4. Fail
     '''
     if 'default' in app.pools:
@@ -1064,15 +1066,29 @@ class Qubes(qubes.PropertyHolder):
         }
         assert max(self.labels.keys()) == qubes.config.max_default_label
 
+        pool_configs = copy.deepcopy(qubes.config.defaults['pool_configs'])
+
         root_volume_group, root_thin_pool = \
             qubes.storage.DirectoryThinPool.thin_pool('/')
-
         if root_thin_pool:
-            self.add_pool(
-                volume_group=root_volume_group, thin_pool=root_thin_pool,
-                name='lvm', driver='lvm_thin')
-        # pool based on /var/lib/qubes will be created here:
-        for name, config in qubes.config.defaults['pool_configs'].items():
+            lvm_config = {
+                'name': 'lvm',
+                'driver': 'lvm_thin',
+                'volume_group': root_volume_group,
+                'thin_pool': root_thin_pool
+            }
+            pool_configs[lvm_config['name']] = lvm_config
+
+        for name, config in pool_configs.items():
+            if 'driver' not in config and 'dir_path' in config:
+                config['driver'] = 'file'
+                try:
+                    os.makedirs(config['dir_path'], exist_ok=True)
+                    if qubes.storage.reflink.is_supported(config['dir_path']):
+                        config['driver'] = 'file-reflink'
+                        config['setup_check'] = 'no'  # don't check twice
+                except PermissionError:  # looks like a testing environment
+                    pass  # stay with 'file'
             self.pools[name] = self._get_pool(**config)
 
         self.default_pool_kernel = 'linux-kernel'
@@ -1170,6 +1186,11 @@ class Qubes(qubes.PropertyHolder):
 
         raise KeyError(label)
 
+    def setup_pools(self):
+        """ Run implementation specific setup for each storage pool. """
+        for pool in self.pools.values():
+            pool.setup()
+
     def add_pool(self, name, **kwargs):
         """ Add a storage pool to config."""
 
diff --git a/qubes/config.py b/qubes/config.py
index dfedfe23..da02dbb6 100644
--- a/qubes/config.py
+++ b/qubes/config.py
@@ -76,9 +76,8 @@ defaults = {
     'root_img_size': 10*1024*1024*1024,
 
     'pool_configs': {
-        # create file pool even when the default one is LVM
+        # create file(-reflink) pool even when the default one is LVM
         'varlibqubes': {'dir_path': qubes_base_dir,
-                    'driver': 'file',
                     'name': 'varlibqubes'},
         'linux-kernel': {
             'dir_path': os.path.join(qubes_base_dir,
diff --git a/qubes/storage/__init__.py b/qubes/storage/__init__.py
index f506c12b..c81832a9 100644
--- a/qubes/storage/__init__.py
+++ b/qubes/storage/__init__.py
@@ -252,6 +252,8 @@ class Volume:
     def revert(self, revision=None):
         ''' Revert volume to previous revision
 
+        This can be implemented as a coroutine.
+
         :param revision: revision to revert volume to, see :py:attr:`revisions`
         '''
         # pylint: disable=unused-argument
@@ -272,6 +274,7 @@ class Volume:
         This include committing data if :py:attr:`save_on_stop` is set.
 
         This can be implemented as a coroutine.'''
+        raise self._not_implemented("stop")
 
     def verify(self):
         ''' Verifies the volume.
@@ -506,8 +509,7 @@ class Storage:
             ret = volume.create()
             if asyncio.iscoroutine(ret):
                 coros.append(ret)
-        if coros:
-            yield from asyncio.wait(coros)
+        yield from _wait_and_reraise(coros)
 
         os.umask(old_umask)
 
@@ -549,7 +551,7 @@ class Storage:
 
         self.vm.volumes = {}
         with VmCreationManager(self.vm):
-            yield from asyncio.wait([self.clone_volume(src_vm, vol_name)
+            yield from _wait_and_reraise([self.clone_volume(src_vm, vol_name)
                 for vol_name in self.vm.volume_config.keys()])
 
     @property
@@ -581,11 +583,7 @@ class Storage:
             ret = volume.verify()
             if asyncio.iscoroutine(ret):
                 futures.append(ret)
-        if futures:
-            done, _ = yield from asyncio.wait(futures)
-            for task in done:
-                # re-raise any exception from async task
-                task.result()
+        yield from _wait_and_reraise(futures)
         self.vm.fire_event('domain-verify-files')
         return True
 
@@ -605,44 +603,32 @@ class Storage:
             except (IOError, OSError) as e:
                 self.vm.log.exception("Failed to remove volume %s", name, e)
 
-        if futures:
-            try:
-                done, _ = yield from asyncio.wait(futures)
-                for task in done:
-                    # re-raise any exception from async task
-                    task.result()
-            except (IOError, OSError) as e:
-                self.vm.log.exception("Failed to remove some volume", e)
+        try:
+            yield from _wait_and_reraise(futures)
+        except (IOError, OSError) as e:
+            self.vm.log.exception("Failed to remove some volume", e)
 
     @asyncio.coroutine
     def start(self):
-        ''' Execute the start method on each pool '''
+        ''' Execute the start method on each volume '''
         futures = []
         for volume in self.vm.volumes.values():
             ret = volume.start()
             if asyncio.iscoroutine(ret):
                 futures.append(ret)
 
-        if futures:
-            done, _ = yield from asyncio.wait(futures)
-            for task in done:
-                # re-raise any exception from async task
-                task.result()
+        yield from _wait_and_reraise(futures)
 
     @asyncio.coroutine
     def stop(self):
-        ''' Execute the start method on each pool '''
+        ''' Execute the stop method on each volume '''
         futures = []
         for volume in self.vm.volumes.values():
             ret = volume.stop()
             if asyncio.iscoroutine(ret):
                 futures.append(ret)
 
-        if futures:
-            done, _ = yield from asyncio.wait(futures)
-            for task in done:
-                # re-raise any exception from async task
-                task.result()
+        yield from _wait_and_reraise(futures)
 
     def unused_frontend(self):
         ''' Find an unused device name '''
@@ -842,6 +828,14 @@ class Pool:
         return NotImplementedError(msg)
 
 
+@asyncio.coroutine
+def _wait_and_reraise(futures):
+    if futures:
+        done, _ = yield from asyncio.wait(futures)
+        for task in done:  # (re-)raise first exception in line
+            task.result()
+
+
 def _sanitize_config(config):
     ''' Helper function to convert types to appropriate strings
     '''  # FIXME: find another solution for serializing basic types
@@ -871,7 +865,7 @@ def driver_parameters(name):
     return [p for p in params if p not in ignored_params]
 
 
-def isodate(seconds=time.time()):
+def isodate(seconds):
     ''' Helper method which returns an iso date '''
     return datetime.utcfromtimestamp(seconds).isoformat("T")
 
@@ -881,17 +875,21 @@ def search_pool_containing_dir(pools, dir_path):
     This is useful for implementing Pool.included_in method
     '''
 
+    real_dir_path = os.path.realpath(dir_path)
+
     # prefer filesystem pools
     for pool in pools:
         if hasattr(pool, 'dir_path'):
-            if dir_path.startswith(pool.dir_path):
+            pool_real_dir_path = os.path.realpath(pool.dir_path)
+            if os.path.commonpath([pool_real_dir_path, real_dir_path]) == \
+               pool_real_dir_path:
                 return pool
 
     # then look for lvm
     for pool in pools:
         if hasattr(pool, 'thin_pool') and hasattr(pool, 'volume_group'):
             if (pool.volume_group, pool.thin_pool) == \
-                    DirectoryThinPool.thin_pool(dir_path):
+                    DirectoryThinPool.thin_pool(real_dir_path):
                 return pool
 
     return None
diff --git a/qubes/storage/reflink.py b/qubes/storage/reflink.py
index 574febb3..b70094cb 100644
--- a/qubes/storage/reflink.py
+++ b/qubes/storage/reflink.py
@@ -22,13 +22,14 @@
     but not required.
 '''
 
+import asyncio
 import collections
 import errno
 import fcntl
+import functools
 import glob
 import logging
 import os
-import re
 import subprocess
 import tempfile
 from contextlib import contextmanager, suppress
@@ -36,7 +37,8 @@ from contextlib import contextmanager, suppress
 import qubes.storage
 
 BLKSIZE = 512
-FICLONE = 1074041865  # see ioctl_ficlone manpage
+FICLONE = 1074041865        # defined in <linux/fs.h>
+LOOP_SET_CAPACITY = 0x4C07  # defined in <linux/loop.h>
 LOGGER = logging.getLogger('qubes.storage.reflink')
 
 
@@ -53,7 +55,7 @@ class ReflinkPool(qubes.storage.Pool):
 
     def setup(self):
         created = _make_dir(self.dir_path)
-        if self.setup_check and not is_reflink_supported(self.dir_path):
+        if self.setup_check and not is_supported(self.dir_path):
             if created:
                 _remove_empty_dir(self.dir_path)
             raise qubes.storage.StoragePoolException(
@@ -115,12 +117,37 @@ class ReflinkPool(qubes.storage.Pool):
             [pool for pool in app.pools.values() if pool is not self],
             self.dir_path)
 
+
+def _unblock(method):
+    ''' Decorator transforming a synchronous volume method into a
+        coroutine that runs the original method in the event loop's
+        thread-based default executor, under a per-volume lock.
+    '''
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    @functools.wraps(method)
+    def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        with (yield from self._lock):  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+            return (yield from asyncio.get_event_loop().run_in_executor(
+                None, functools.partial(method, self, *args, **kwargs)))
+    return wrapper
+
 class ReflinkVolume(qubes.storage.Volume):
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+        self._lock = asyncio.Lock()
+        self._path_vid = os.path.join(self.pool.dir_path, self.vid)
+        self._path_clean = self._path_vid + '.img'
+        self._path_dirty = self._path_vid + '-dirty.img'
+        self._path_import = self._path_vid + '-import.img'
+        self.path = self._path_dirty
+
+    @_unblock
     def create(self):
         if self.save_on_stop and not self.snap_on_start:
             _create_sparse_file(self._path_clean, self.size)
         return self
 
+    @_unblock
     def verify(self):
         if self.snap_on_start:
             img = self.source._path_clean  # pylint: disable=protected-access
@@ -132,19 +159,26 @@ class ReflinkVolume(qubes.storage.Volume):
         if img is None or os.path.exists(img):
             return True
         raise qubes.storage.StoragePoolException(
-            'Missing image file {!r} for volume {!s}'.format(img, self.vid))
+            'Missing image file {!r} for volume {}'.format(img, self.vid))
 
+    @_unblock
     def remove(self):
         ''' Drop volume object from pool; remove volume images from
             oldest to newest; remove empty VM directory.
         '''
         self.pool._volumes.pop(self, None)  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        self._cleanup()
         self._prune_revisions(keep=0)
         _remove_file(self._path_clean)
         _remove_file(self._path_dirty)
         _remove_empty_dir(os.path.dirname(self._path_dirty))
         return self
 
+    def _cleanup(self):
+        for tmp in glob.iglob(glob.escape(self._path_vid) + '*.img*~*'):
+            _remove_file(tmp)
+        _remove_file(self._path_import)
+
     def is_outdated(self):
         if self.snap_on_start:
             with suppress(FileNotFoundError):
@@ -156,7 +190,9 @@ class ReflinkVolume(qubes.storage.Volume):
     def is_dirty(self):
         return self.save_on_stop and os.path.exists(self._path_dirty)
 
+    @_unblock
     def start(self):
+        self._cleanup()
         if self.is_dirty():  # implies self.save_on_stop
             return self
         if self.snap_on_start:
@@ -168,24 +204,23 @@ class ReflinkVolume(qubes.storage.Volume):
             _create_sparse_file(self._path_dirty, self.size)
         return self
 
+    @_unblock
     def stop(self):
         if self.save_on_stop:
-            self._commit()
+            self._commit(self._path_dirty)
         else:
             _remove_file(self._path_dirty)
             _remove_file(self._path_clean)
         return self
 
-    def _commit(self):
+    def _commit(self, path_from):
         self._add_revision()
         self._prune_revisions()
-        _rename_file(self._path_dirty, self._path_clean)
+        _rename_file(path_from, self._path_clean)
 
     def _add_revision(self):
         if self.revisions_to_keep == 0:
             return
-        if _get_file_disk_usage(self._path_clean) == 0:
-            return
         ctime = os.path.getctime(self._path_clean)
         timestamp = qubes.storage.isodate(int(ctime))
         _copy_file(self._path_clean,
@@ -198,7 +233,11 @@ class ReflinkVolume(qubes.storage.Volume):
         for number, timestamp in list(self.revisions.items())[:-keep or None]:
             _remove_file(self._path_revision(number, timestamp))
 
+    @_unblock
     def revert(self, revision=None):
+        if self.is_dirty():
+            raise qubes.storage.StoragePoolException(
+                'Cannot revert: {} is not cleanly stopped'.format(self.vid))
         if revision is None:
             number, timestamp = list(self.revisions.items())[-1]
         else:
@@ -208,61 +247,58 @@ class ReflinkVolume(qubes.storage.Volume):
         _rename_file(path_revision, self._path_clean)
         return self
 
+    @_unblock
     def resize(self, size):
         ''' Expand a read-write volume image; notify any corresponding
             loop devices of the size change.
         '''
         if not self.rw:
             raise qubes.storage.StoragePoolException(
-                'Cannot resize: {!s} is read-only'.format(self.vid))
+                'Cannot resize: {} is read-only'.format(self.vid))
 
         if size < self.size:
             raise qubes.storage.StoragePoolException(
-                'For your own safety, shrinking of {!s} is disabled'
-                ' ({:d} < {:d}). If you really know what you are doing,'
+                'For your own safety, shrinking of {} is disabled'
+                ' ({} < {}). If you really know what you are doing,'
                 ' use "truncate" manually.'.format(self.vid, size, self.size))
 
         try:  # assume volume is not (cleanly) stopped ...
             _resize_file(self._path_dirty, size)
+            self.size = size
         except FileNotFoundError:  # ... but it actually is.
             _resize_file(self._path_clean, size)
+            self.size = size
+            return self
 
-        self.size = size
-
-        # resize any corresponding loop devices
-        out = _cmd('losetup', '--associated', self._path_dirty)
-        for match in re.finditer(br'^(/dev/loop[0-9]+): ', out, re.MULTILINE):
-            loop_dev = match.group(1).decode('ascii')
-            _cmd('losetup', '--set-capacity', loop_dev)
-
+        _update_loopdev_sizes(self._path_dirty)
         return self
 
-    def _require_save_on_stop(self, method_name):
+    def export(self):
         if not self.save_on_stop:
             raise NotImplementedError(
-                'Cannot {!s}: {!s} is not save_on_stop'.format(
-                    method_name, self.vid))
-
-    def export(self):
-        self._require_save_on_stop('export')
+                'Cannot export: {} is not save_on_stop'.format(self.vid))
         return self._path_clean
 
     def import_data(self):
-        self._require_save_on_stop('import_data')
-        _create_sparse_file(self._path_dirty, self.size)
-        return self._path_dirty
+        if not self.save_on_stop:
+            raise NotImplementedError(
+                'Cannot import_data: {} is not save_on_stop'.format(self.vid))
+        _create_sparse_file(self._path_import, self.size)
+        return self._path_import
 
     def import_data_end(self, success):
         if success:
-            self._commit()
+            self._commit(self._path_import)
         else:
-            _remove_file(self._path_dirty)
+            _remove_file(self._path_import)
         return self
 
+    @_unblock
     def import_volume(self, src_volume):
-        self._require_save_on_stop('import_volume')
+        if not self.save_on_stop:
+            return self
         try:
-            _copy_file(src_volume.export(), self._path_dirty)
+            _copy_file(src_volume.export(), self._path_import)
         except:
             self.import_data_end(False)
             raise
@@ -274,18 +310,6 @@ class ReflinkVolume(qubes.storage.Volume):
             timestamp = self.revisions[number]
         return self._path_clean + '.' + number + '@' + timestamp + 'Z'
 
-    @property
-    def _path_clean(self):
-        return os.path.join(self.pool.dir_path, self.vid + '.img')
-
-    @property
-    def _path_dirty(self):
-        return os.path.join(self.pool.dir_path, self.vid + '-dirty.img')
-
-    @property
-    def path(self):
-        return self._path_dirty
-
     @property
     def _next_revision_number(self):
         numbers = self.revisions.keys()
@@ -296,10 +320,10 @@ class ReflinkVolume(qubes.storage.Volume):
     @property
     def revisions(self):
         prefix = self._path_clean + '.'
-        paths = glob.glob(glob.escape(prefix) + '*@*Z')
-        items = sorted((path[len(prefix):-1].split('@') for path in paths),
-                       key=lambda item: int(item[0]))
-        return collections.OrderedDict(items)
+        paths = glob.iglob(glob.escape(prefix) + '*@*Z')
+        items = (path[len(prefix):-1].split('@') for path in paths)
+        return collections.OrderedDict(sorted(items,
+                                              key=lambda item: int(item[0])))
 
     @property
     def usage(self):
@@ -391,27 +415,41 @@ def _create_sparse_file(path, size):
         tmp.truncate(size)
         LOGGER.info('Created sparse file: %s', tmp.name)
 
+def _update_loopdev_sizes(img):
+    ''' Resolve img; update the size of loop devices backed by it. '''
+    needle = os.fsencode(os.path.realpath(img)) + b'\n'
+    for sys_path in glob.iglob('/sys/block/loop[0-9]*/loop/backing_file'):
+        try:
+            with open(sys_path, 'rb') as sys_io:
+                if sys_io.read() != needle:
+                    continue
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            continue
+        with open('/dev/' + sys_path.split('/')[3]) as dev_io:
+            fcntl.ioctl(dev_io.fileno(), LOOP_SET_CAPACITY)
+
+def _attempt_ficlone(src, dst):
+    try:
+        fcntl.ioctl(dst.fileno(), FICLONE, src.fileno())
+        return True
+    except OSError:
+        return False
+
 def _copy_file(src, dst):
     ''' Copy src to dst as a reflink if possible, sparse if not. '''
-    if not os.path.exists(src):
-        raise FileNotFoundError(src)
-    with _replace_file(dst) as tmp:
-        LOGGER.info('Copying file: %s -> %s', src, tmp.name)
-        _cmd('cp', '--sparse=always', '--reflink=auto', src, tmp.name)
+    with _replace_file(dst) as tmp_io:
+        with open(src, 'rb') as src_io:
+            if _attempt_ficlone(src_io, tmp_io):
+                LOGGER.info('Reflinked file: %s -> %s', src, tmp_io.name)
+                return True
+        LOGGER.info('Copying file: %s -> %s', src, tmp_io.name)
+        cmd = 'cp', '--sparse=always', src, tmp_io.name
+        p = subprocess.run(cmd, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+        if p.returncode != 0:
+            raise qubes.storage.StoragePoolException(str(p))
+        return False
 
-def _cmd(*args):
-    ''' Run command until finished; return stdout (as bytes) if it
-        exited 0. Otherwise, raise a detailed StoragePoolException.
-    '''
-    try:
-        return subprocess.run(args, check=True,
-                              stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
-                              stderr=subprocess.PIPE).stdout
-    except subprocess.CalledProcessError as ex:
-        msg = '{!s} err={!r} out={!r}'.format(ex, ex.stderr, ex.stdout)
-        raise qubes.storage.StoragePoolException(msg) from ex
-
-def is_reflink_supported(dst_dir, src_dir=None):
+def is_supported(dst_dir, src_dir=None):
     ''' Return whether destination directory supports reflink copies
         from source directory. (A temporary file is created in each
         directory, using O_TMPFILE if possible.)
@@ -421,9 +459,4 @@ def is_reflink_supported(dst_dir, src_dir=None):
     dst = tempfile.TemporaryFile(dir=dst_dir)
     src = tempfile.TemporaryFile(dir=src_dir)
     src.write(b'foo')  # don't let any filesystem get clever with empty files
-
-    try:
-        fcntl.ioctl(dst.fileno(), FICLONE, src.fileno())
-        return True
-    except OSError:
-        return False
+    return _attempt_ficlone(src, dst)
diff --git a/qubes/tests/__init__.py b/qubes/tests/__init__.py
index 140e7f43..b13f2cc0 100644
--- a/qubes/tests/__init__.py
+++ b/qubes/tests/__init__.py
@@ -1223,6 +1223,7 @@ def load_tests(loader, tests, pattern): # pylint: disable=unused-argument
             'qubes.tests.vm.init',
             'qubes.tests.storage',
             'qubes.tests.storage_file',
+            'qubes.tests.storage_reflink',
             'qubes.tests.storage_lvm',
             'qubes.tests.storage_kernels',
             'qubes.tests.ext',
diff --git a/qubes/tests/api_admin.py b/qubes/tests/api_admin.py
index 4a425d4b..9efdd75e 100644
--- a/qubes/tests/api_admin.py
+++ b/qubes/tests/api_admin.py
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ class AdminAPITestCase(qubes.tests.QubesTestCase):
         app = qubes.Qubes('/tmp/qubes-test.xml', load=False)
         app.vmm = unittest.mock.Mock(spec=qubes.app.VMMConnection)
         app.load_initial_values()
+        app.setup_pools()
         app.default_kernel = '1.0'
         app.default_netvm = None
         self.template = app.add_new_vm('TemplateVM', label='black',
diff --git a/qubes/tests/app.py b/qubes/tests/app.py
index 04ad2171..63b630c9 100644
--- a/qubes/tests/app.py
+++ b/qubes/tests/app.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import qubes.events
 
 import qubes.tests
 import qubes.tests.init
+import qubes.tests.storage_reflink
 
 class TestApp(qubes.tests.TestEmitter):
     pass
@@ -264,6 +265,44 @@ class TC_30_VMCollection(qubes.tests.QubesTestCase):
 #       pass
 
 
+class TC_80_QubesInitialPools(qubes.tests.QubesTestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        super().setUp()
+        self.app = qubes.Qubes('/tmp/qubestest.xml', load=False,
+            offline_mode=True)
+        self.test_dir = '/var/tmp/test-varlibqubes'
+        self.test_patch = mock.patch.dict(
+            qubes.config.defaults['pool_configs']['varlibqubes'],
+            {'dir_path': self.test_dir})
+        self.test_patch.start()
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self.test_patch.stop()
+        self.app.close()
+        del self.app
+
+    def get_driver(self, fs_type, accessible):
+        qubes.tests.storage_reflink.mkdir_fs(self.test_dir, fs_type,
+            accessible=accessible, cleanup_via=self.addCleanup)
+        self.app.load_initial_values()
+
+        varlibqubes = self.app.pools['varlibqubes']
+        self.assertEqual(varlibqubes.dir_path, self.test_dir)
+        return varlibqubes.driver
+
+    def test_100_varlibqubes_btrfs_accessible(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.get_driver('btrfs', True), 'file-reflink')
+
+    def test_101_varlibqubes_btrfs_inaccessible(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.get_driver('btrfs', False), 'file')
+
+    def test_102_varlibqubes_ext4_accessible(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.get_driver('ext4', True), 'file')
+
+    def test_103_varlibqubes_ext4_inaccessible(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.get_driver('ext4', False), 'file')
+
+
 class TC_89_QubesEmpty(qubes.tests.QubesTestCase):
     def tearDown(self):
         try:
diff --git a/qubes/tests/integ/backupcompatibility.py b/qubes/tests/integ/backupcompatibility.py
index c52e0e62..43a2a4e1 100644
--- a/qubes/tests/integ/backupcompatibility.py
+++ b/qubes/tests/integ/backupcompatibility.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 from multiprocessing import Queue
 
+import asyncio
 import os
 import shutil
 import subprocess
@@ -382,7 +383,7 @@ class TC_00_BackupCompatibility(
     def assertRestored(self, name, **kwargs):
         with self.assertNotRaises((KeyError, qubes.exc.QubesException)):
             vm = self.app.domains[name]
-            vm.storage.verify()
+            asyncio.get_event_loop().run_until_complete(vm.storage.verify())
             for prop, value in kwargs.items():
                 if prop == 'klass':
                     self.assertIsInstance(vm, value)
diff --git a/qubes/tests/integ/basic.py b/qubes/tests/integ/basic.py
index 07cea6cd..2b592182 100644
--- a/qubes/tests/integ/basic.py
+++ b/qubes/tests/integ/basic.py
@@ -572,7 +572,7 @@ class TC_03_QvmRevertTemplateChanges(qubes.tests.SystemTestCase):
 
     def get_rootimg_checksum(self):
         return subprocess.check_output(
-            ['sha1sum', self.test_template.volumes['root'].path]).\
+            ['sha1sum', self.test_template.volumes['root'].export()]).\
             decode().split(' ')[0]
 
     def _do_test(self):
diff --git a/qubes/tests/integ/storage.py b/qubes/tests/integ/storage.py
index 4d8f1569..253d8e72 100644
--- a/qubes/tests/integ/storage.py
+++ b/qubes/tests/integ/storage.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import subprocess
 import qubes.storage.lvm
 import qubes.tests
 import qubes.tests.storage_lvm
+import qubes.tests.storage_reflink
 import qubes.vm.appvm
 
 
@@ -318,6 +319,28 @@ class StorageFile(StorageTestMixin, qubes.tests.SystemTestCase):
         super(StorageFile, self).tearDown()
 
 
+class StorageReflinkMixin(StorageTestMixin):
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self.app.remove_pool(self.pool.name)
+        super().tearDown()
+
+    def init_pool(self, fs_type, **kwargs):
+        name = 'test-reflink-integration-on-' + fs_type
+        dir_path = os.path.join('/var/tmp', name)
+        qubes.tests.storage_reflink.mkdir_fs(dir_path, fs_type,
+                                             cleanup_via=self.addCleanup)
+        self.pool = self.app.add_pool(name=name, dir_path=dir_path,
+                                      driver='file-reflink', **kwargs)
+
+class StorageReflinkOnBtrfs(StorageReflinkMixin, qubes.tests.SystemTestCase):
+    def init_pool(self):
+        super().init_pool('btrfs')
+
+class StorageReflinkOnExt4(StorageReflinkMixin, qubes.tests.SystemTestCase):
+    def init_pool(self):
+        super().init_pool('ext4', setup_check='no')
+
+
 @qubes.tests.storage_lvm.skipUnlessLvmPoolExists
 class StorageLVM(StorageTestMixin, qubes.tests.SystemTestCase):
     def init_pool(self):
diff --git a/qubes/tests/storage.py b/qubes/tests/storage.py
index 1af72a08..97d5932f 100644
--- a/qubes/tests/storage.py
+++ b/qubes/tests/storage.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import qubes.storage
 from qubes.exc import QubesException
 from qubes.storage import pool_drivers
 from qubes.storage.file import FilePool
+from qubes.storage.reflink import ReflinkPool
 from qubes.tests import SystemTestCase
 
 # :pylint: disable=invalid-name
@@ -107,10 +108,11 @@ class TC_00_Pool(SystemTestCase):
             pool_drivers())
 
     def test_002_get_pool_klass(self):
-        """ Expect the default pool to be `FilePool` """
+        """ Expect the default pool to be `FilePool` or `ReflinkPool` """
         # :pylint: disable=protected-access
         result = self.app.get_pool('varlibqubes')
-        self.assertIsInstance(result, FilePool)
+        self.assertTrue(isinstance(result, FilePool)
+                        or isinstance(result, ReflinkPool))
 
     def test_003_pool_exists_default(self):
         """ Expect the default pool to exists """
diff --git a/qubes/tests/storage_reflink.py b/qubes/tests/storage_reflink.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fff26144
--- /dev/null
+++ b/qubes/tests/storage_reflink.py
@@ -0,0 +1,154 @@
+#
+# The Qubes OS Project, https://www.qubes-os.org
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2018 Rusty Bird <rustybird@net-c.com>
+#
+# This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+# modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+# License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+# version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+# Lesser General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+# License along with this library; if not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+
+''' Tests for the file-reflink storage driver '''
+
+# pylint: disable=protected-access
+# pylint: disable=invalid-name
+
+import os
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+import sys
+
+import qubes.tests
+from qubes.storage import reflink
+
+
+class ReflinkMixin:
+    def setUp(self, fs_type='btrfs'):  # pylint: disable=arguments-differ
+        super().setUp()
+        self.test_dir = '/var/tmp/test-reflink-units-on-' + fs_type
+        mkdir_fs(self.test_dir, fs_type, cleanup_via=self.addCleanup)
+
+    def test_000_copy_file(self):
+        source = os.path.join(self.test_dir, 'source-file')
+        dest = os.path.join(self.test_dir, 'new-directory', 'dest-file')
+        content = os.urandom(1024**2)
+
+        with open(source, 'wb') as source_io:
+            source_io.write(content)
+
+        ficlone_succeeded = reflink._copy_file(source, dest)
+        self.assertEqual(ficlone_succeeded, self.ficlone_supported)
+
+        self.assertNotEqual(os.stat(source).st_ino, os.stat(dest).st_ino)
+        with open(source, 'rb') as source_io:
+            self.assertEqual(source_io.read(), content)
+        with open(dest, 'rb') as dest_io:
+            self.assertEqual(dest_io.read(), content)
+
+    def test_001_create_and_resize_files_and_update_loopdevs(self):
+        img_real = os.path.join(self.test_dir, 'img-real')
+        img_sym = os.path.join(self.test_dir, 'img-sym')
+        size_initial = 111 * 1024**2
+        size_resized = 222 * 1024**2
+
+        os.symlink(img_real, img_sym)
+        reflink._create_sparse_file(img_real, size_initial)
+        self.assertEqual(reflink._get_file_disk_usage(img_real), 0)
+        self.assertEqual(os.stat(img_real).st_size, size_initial)
+
+        dev_from_real = setup_loopdev(img_real, cleanup_via=self.addCleanup)
+        dev_from_sym = setup_loopdev(img_sym, cleanup_via=self.addCleanup)
+
+        reflink._resize_file(img_real, size_resized)
+        self.assertEqual(reflink._get_file_disk_usage(img_real), 0)
+        self.assertEqual(os.stat(img_real).st_size, size_resized)
+
+        reflink_update_loopdev_sizes(os.path.join(self.test_dir, 'unrelated'))
+
+        for dev in (dev_from_real, dev_from_sym):
+            self.assertEqual(get_blockdev_size(dev), size_initial)
+
+        reflink_update_loopdev_sizes(img_sym)
+
+        for dev in (dev_from_real, dev_from_sym):
+            self.assertEqual(get_blockdev_size(dev), size_resized)
+
+class TC_00_ReflinkOnBtrfs(ReflinkMixin, qubes.tests.QubesTestCase):
+    def setUp(self):  # pylint: disable=arguments-differ
+        super().setUp('btrfs')
+        self.ficlone_supported = True
+
+class TC_01_ReflinkOnExt4(ReflinkMixin, qubes.tests.QubesTestCase):
+    def setUp(self):  # pylint: disable=arguments-differ
+        super().setUp('ext4')
+        self.ficlone_supported = False
+
+
+def setup_loopdev(img, cleanup_via=None):
+    dev = str.strip(cmd('sudo', 'losetup', '-f', '--show', img).decode())
+    if cleanup_via is not None:
+        cleanup_via(detach_loopdev, dev)
+    return dev
+
+def detach_loopdev(dev):
+    cmd('sudo', 'losetup', '-d', dev)
+
+def get_fs_type(directory):
+    # 'stat -f -c %T' would identify ext4 as 'ext2/ext3'
+    return cmd('df', '--output=fstype', directory).decode().splitlines()[1]
+
+def mkdir_fs(directory, fs_type,
+             accessible=True, max_size=100*1024**3, cleanup_via=None):
+    os.mkdir(directory)
+
+    if get_fs_type(directory) != fs_type:
+        img = os.path.join(directory, 'img')
+        with open(img, 'xb') as img_io:
+            img_io.truncate(max_size)
+        cmd('mkfs.' + fs_type, img)
+        dev = setup_loopdev(img)
+        os.remove(img)
+        cmd('sudo', 'mount', dev, directory)
+        detach_loopdev(dev)
+
+    if accessible:
+        cmd('sudo', 'chmod', '777', directory)
+    else:
+        cmd('sudo', 'chmod', '000', directory)
+        cmd('sudo', 'chattr', '+i', directory)  # cause EPERM on write as root
+
+    if cleanup_via is not None:
+        cleanup_via(rmtree_fs, directory)
+
+def rmtree_fs(directory):
+    if os.path.ismount(directory):
+        cmd('sudo', 'umount', '-l', directory)
+        # loop device and backing file are garbage collected automatically
+    cmd('sudo', 'chattr', '-i', directory)
+    cmd('sudo', 'chmod', '777', directory)
+    shutil.rmtree(directory)
+
+def get_blockdev_size(dev):
+    return int(cmd('sudo', 'blockdev', '--getsize64', dev))
+
+def reflink_update_loopdev_sizes(img):
+    env = [k + '=' + v for k, v in os.environ.items()  # 'sudo -E' alone would
+           if k.startswith('PYTHON')]                  # drop some of these
+    code = ('from qubes.storage import reflink\n'
+            'reflink._update_loopdev_sizes(%r)' % img)
+    cmd('sudo', '-E', 'env', *env, sys.executable, '-c', code)
+
+def cmd(*argv):
+    p = subprocess.run(argv, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+    if p.returncode != 0:
+        raise Exception(str(p))  # this will show stdout and stderr
+    return p.stdout
diff --git a/qubes/tools/qubes_create.py b/qubes/tools/qubes_create.py
index 28059a09..56e66c7f 100644
--- a/qubes/tools/qubes_create.py
+++ b/qubes/tools/qubes_create.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 # License along with this library; if not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #
 
-'''qvm-create - Create new Qubes OS store'''
+'''qubes-create - Create new Qubes OS store'''
 
 import sys
 import qubes
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def main(args=None):
 
     args = parser.parse_args(args)
     qubes.Qubes.create_empty_store(args.app,
-        offline_mode=args.offline_mode)
+        offline_mode=args.offline_mode).setup_pools()
     return 0
 
 
diff --git a/rpm_spec/core-dom0.spec.in b/rpm_spec/core-dom0.spec.in
index 283434cb..5dc6ddfc 100644
--- a/rpm_spec/core-dom0.spec.in
+++ b/rpm_spec/core-dom0.spec.in
@@ -305,6 +305,7 @@ fi
 %{python3_sitelib}/qubes/tests/init.py
 %{python3_sitelib}/qubes/tests/storage.py
 %{python3_sitelib}/qubes/tests/storage_file.py
+%{python3_sitelib}/qubes/tests/storage_reflink.py
 %{python3_sitelib}/qubes/tests/storage_kernels.py
 %{python3_sitelib}/qubes/tests/storage_lvm.py
 %{python3_sitelib}/qubes/tests/tarwriter.py
diff --git a/tests/Makefile b/tests/Makefile
deleted file mode 100644
index 8b68f0b2..00000000
--- a/tests/Makefile
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,49 +0,0 @@
-PYTHON_TESTSPATH = $(PYTHON_SITEPATH)/qubes/tests
-
-all:
-	python -m compileall .
-	python -O -m compileall .
-
-install:
-ifndef PYTHON_SITEPATH
-	$(error PYTHON_SITEPATH not defined)
-endif
-	mkdir -p $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp __init__.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp __init__.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp backup.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp backup.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp backupcompatibility.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp backupcompatibility.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp basic.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp basic.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp block.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp block.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp dispvm.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp dispvm.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp dom0_update.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp dom0_update.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp extra.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp extra.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp hardware.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp hardware.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp hvm.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp hvm.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp mime.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp mime.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp network.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp network.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp pvgrub.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp pvgrub.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp regressions.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp regressions.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp run.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp run.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp storage.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp storage.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp storage_file.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp storage_file.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp storage_xen.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp storage_xen.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp vm_qrexec_gui.py $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)
-	cp vm_qrexec_gui.py[co] $(DESTDIR)$(PYTHON_TESTSPATH)