diff --git a/hyperglass/api/models/cert_import.py b/hyperglass/api/models/cert_import.py
index 6107556..d82ea42 100644
--- a/hyperglass/api/models/cert_import.py
+++ b/hyperglass/api/models/cert_import.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from typing import Union
 from pydantic import BaseModel, StrictStr
 
 # Project
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import StrictBytes
+from hyperglass.models import StrictBytes
 
 
 class EncodedRequest(BaseModel):
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/__init__.py b/hyperglass/configuration/__init__.py
index de2553e..e7e92fb 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/__init__.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/__init__.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ from hyperglass.configuration.models import routers as _routers
 from hyperglass.configuration.models import commands as _commands
 from hyperglass.configuration.markdown import get_markdown
 
-set_app_path()
+set_app_path(required=True)
 
 CONFIG_PATH = Path(os.environ["hyperglass_directory"])
 log.info("Configuration directory: {d}", d=str(CONFIG_PATH))
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/_utils.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/_utils.py
index 5a80684..ccd6505 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/_utils.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/_utils.py
@@ -2,140 +2,10 @@
 
 # Standard Library
 import os
-import re
-from typing import TypeVar
 from pathlib import Path
 
-# Third Party
-from pydantic import HttpUrl, BaseModel, StrictInt, StrictFloat
-
 # Project
-from hyperglass.util import log, clean_name
-
-IntFloat = TypeVar("IntFloat", StrictInt, StrictFloat)
-
-
-class HyperglassModel(BaseModel):
-    """Base model for all hyperglass configuration models."""
-
-    class Config:
-        """Default Pydantic configuration.
-
-        See https://pydantic-docs.helpmanual.io/usage/model_config
-        """
-
-        validate_all = True
-        extra = "forbid"
-        validate_assignment = True
-        alias_generator = clean_name
-        json_encoders = {HttpUrl: lambda v: str(v)}
-
-    def export_json(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        """Return instance as JSON.
-
-        Returns:
-            {str} -- Stringified JSON.
-        """
-        return self.json(by_alias=True, exclude_unset=False, *args, **kwargs)
-
-    def export_dict(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        """Return instance as dictionary.
-
-        Returns:
-            {dict} -- Python dictionary.
-        """
-        return self.dict(by_alias=True, exclude_unset=False, *args, **kwargs)
-
-    def export_yaml(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        """Return instance as YAML.
-
-        Returns:
-            {str} -- Stringified YAML.
-        """
-        import json
-        import yaml
-
-        return yaml.safe_dump(json.loads(self.export_json()), *args, **kwargs)
-
-
-class HyperglassModelExtra(HyperglassModel):
-    """Model for hyperglass configuration models with dynamic fields."""
-
-    pass
-
-    class Config:
-        """Default pydantic configuration."""
-
-        extra = "allow"
-
-
-class AnyUri(str):
-    """Custom field type for HTTP URI, e.g. /example."""
-
-    @classmethod
-    def __get_validators__(cls):
-        """Pydantic custim field method."""
-        yield cls.validate
-
-    @classmethod
-    def validate(cls, value):
-        """Ensure URI string contains a leading forward-slash."""
-        uri_regex = re.compile(r"^(\/.*)$")
-        if not isinstance(value, str):
-            raise TypeError("AnyUri type must be a string")
-        match = uri_regex.fullmatch(value)
-        if not match:
-            raise ValueError(
-                "Invalid format. A URI must begin with a forward slash, e.g. '/example'"
-            )
-        return cls(match.group())
-
-    def __repr__(self):
-        """Stringify custom field representation."""
-        return f"AnyUri({super().__repr__()})"
-
-
-class StrictBytes(bytes):
-    """Custom data type for a strict byte string.
-
-    Used for validating the encoded JWT request payload.
-    """
-
-    @classmethod
-    def __get_validators__(cls):
-        """Yield Pydantic validator function.
-
-        See: https://pydantic-docs.helpmanual.io/usage/types/#custom-data-types
-
-        Yields:
-            {function} -- Validator
-        """
-        yield cls.validate
-
-    @classmethod
-    def validate(cls, value):
-        """Validate type.
-
-        Arguments:
-            value {Any} -- Pre-validated input
-
-        Raises:
-            TypeError: Raised if value is not bytes
-
-        Returns:
-            {object} -- Instantiated class
-        """
-        if not isinstance(value, bytes):
-            raise TypeError("bytes required")
-        return cls()
-
-    def __repr__(self):
-        """Return representation of object.
-
-        Returns:
-            {str} -- Representation
-        """
-        return f"StrictBytes({super().__repr__()})"
+from hyperglass.log import log
 
 
 def validate_image(value):
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/cache.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/cache.py
index 429823f..7f372a8 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/cache.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/cache.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from typing import Union
 from pydantic import Field, StrictInt, StrictStr, StrictBool, IPvAnyAddress
 
 # Project
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel
 
 
 class Cache(HyperglassModel):
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/commands.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/commands.py
index 1b798fa..2b5c1cd 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/commands.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/commands.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from pydantic import StrictStr
 
 # Project
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel
 
 
 class Command(HyperglassModel):
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/credentials.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/credentials.py
index 1ca7269..1c1ad2d 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/credentials.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/credentials.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from pydantic import SecretStr, StrictStr
 
 # Project
 from hyperglass.util import clean_name
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel
 
 
 class Credential(HyperglassModel):
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/docs.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/docs.py
index 379e428..45bedd2 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/docs.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/docs.py
@@ -3,19 +3,10 @@
 from pydantic import Field, HttpUrl, StrictStr, StrictBool, constr
 
 # Project
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import AnyUri, HyperglassModel
+from hyperglass.models import AnyUri, HyperglassModel
 
 
-class HyperglassLevel3(HyperglassModel):
-    """Automatic docs sorting subclass."""
-
-    class Config:
-        """Pydantic model configuration."""
-
-        schema_extra = {"level": 3}
-
-
-class EndpointConfig(HyperglassLevel3):
+class EndpointConfig(HyperglassModel):
     """Validation model for per API endpoint documentation."""
 
     title: StrictStr = Field(
@@ -106,4 +97,3 @@ class Docs(HyperglassModel):
                 "description": "`/api/devices` API documentation options.",
             },
         }
-        schema_extra = {"level": 2}
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/logging.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/logging.py
index 2be6d92..2b842a9 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/logging.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/logging.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from pydantic import (
 
 # Project
 from hyperglass.constants import __version__
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel, HyperglassModelExtra
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel, HyperglassModelExtra
 
 
 class Syslog(HyperglassModel):
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/messages.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/messages.py
index f4a1b02..716693b 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/messages.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/messages.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from pydantic import Field, StrictStr
 
 # Project
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel
 
 
 class Messages(HyperglassModel):
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/networks.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/networks.py
index b1368f5..592d492 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/networks.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/networks.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from pydantic import Field, StrictStr
 
 # Project
 from hyperglass.util import clean_name
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel
 
 
 class Network(HyperglassModel):
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/opengraph.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/opengraph.py
index f420d50..0555f2f 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/opengraph.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/opengraph.py
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ import PIL.Image as PilImage
 from pydantic import StrictInt, StrictStr, root_validator
 
 # Project
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel, validate_image
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel
+from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import validate_image
 
 CONFIG_PATH = Path(os.environ["hyperglass_directory"])
 
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/params.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/params.py
index f92a6ba..96687a6 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/params.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/params.py
@@ -16,10 +16,10 @@ from pydantic import (
 )
 
 # Project
+from hyperglass.models import IntFloat, HyperglassModel
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.web import Web
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.docs import Docs
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.cache import Cache
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import IntFloat, HyperglassModel
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.logging import Logging
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.queries import Queries
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.messages import Messages
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/proxies.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/proxies.py
index 9f93dc3..1569785 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/proxies.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/proxies.py
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ from pydantic import StrictInt, StrictStr, validator
 
 # Project
 from hyperglass.util import clean_name
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel
 from hyperglass.exceptions import UnsupportedDevice
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.credentials import Credential
 
 
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/queries.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/queries.py
index 922a5ab..ea11b8b 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/queries.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/queries.py
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
 from pydantic import Field, StrictStr, StrictBool, constr
 
 # Project
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel
 from hyperglass.constants import SUPPORTED_QUERY_TYPES
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel
 
 
 class HyperglassLevel3(HyperglassModel):
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/routers.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/routers.py
index e68bff6..e99334e 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/routers.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/routers.py
@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ from pydantic import StrictInt, StrictStr, validator
 # Project
 from hyperglass.log import log
 from hyperglass.util import clean_name
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel, HyperglassModelExtra
 from hyperglass.constants import SCRAPE_HELPERS, TRANSPORT_REST, TRANSPORT_SCRAPE
 from hyperglass.exceptions import ConfigError, UnsupportedDevice
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.ssl import Ssl
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.vrfs import Vrf, Info
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel, HyperglassModelExtra
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.proxies import Proxy
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.commands import Command
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.networks import Network
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/ssl.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/ssl.py
index 75ba8b4..c9cfaf2 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/ssl.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/ssl.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from typing import Optional
 from pydantic import Field, FilePath, StrictBool
 
 # Project
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel
 
 
 class Ssl(HyperglassModel):
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/vrfs.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/vrfs.py
index 46a50af..b2efe44 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/vrfs.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/vrfs.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ from pydantic import (
 )
 
 # Project
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel, HyperglassModelExtra
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel, HyperglassModelExtra
 
 
 class AccessList4(HyperglassModel):
diff --git a/hyperglass/configuration/models/web.py b/hyperglass/configuration/models/web.py
index d81ae79..1d1f08b 100644
--- a/hyperglass/configuration/models/web.py
+++ b/hyperglass/configuration/models/web.py
@@ -17,8 +17,9 @@ from pydantic import (
 from pydantic.color import Color
 
 # Project
+from hyperglass.models import HyperglassModel
 from hyperglass.constants import DNS_OVER_HTTPS, FUNC_COLOR_MAP
-from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import HyperglassModel, validate_image
+from hyperglass.configuration.models._utils import validate_image
 from hyperglass.configuration.models.opengraph import OpenGraph
 
 
diff --git a/hyperglass/models.py b/hyperglass/models.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bfdaa54
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hyperglass/models.py
@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+# Standard Library
+import re
+from typing import TypeVar
+
+# Third Party
+from pydantic import HttpUrl, BaseModel, StrictInt, StrictFloat
+
+# Project
+from hyperglass.util import clean_name
+
+IntFloat = TypeVar("IntFloat", StrictInt, StrictFloat)
+
+
+class HyperglassModel(BaseModel):
+    """Base model for all hyperglass configuration models."""
+
+    class Config:
+        """Default Pydantic configuration.
+
+        See https://pydantic-docs.helpmanual.io/usage/model_config
+        """
+
+        validate_all = True
+        extra = "forbid"
+        validate_assignment = True
+        alias_generator = clean_name
+        json_encoders = {HttpUrl: lambda v: str(v)}
+
+    def export_json(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        """Return instance as JSON.
+
+        Returns:
+            {str} -- Stringified JSON.
+        """
+        return self.json(by_alias=True, exclude_unset=False, *args, **kwargs)
+
+    def export_dict(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        """Return instance as dictionary.
+
+        Returns:
+            {dict} -- Python dictionary.
+        """
+        return self.dict(by_alias=True, exclude_unset=False, *args, **kwargs)
+
+    def export_yaml(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        """Return instance as YAML.
+
+        Returns:
+            {str} -- Stringified YAML.
+        """
+        import json
+        import yaml
+
+        return yaml.safe_dump(json.loads(self.export_json()), *args, **kwargs)
+
+
+class HyperglassModelExtra(HyperglassModel):
+    """Model for hyperglass configuration models with dynamic fields."""
+
+    pass
+
+    class Config:
+        """Default pydantic configuration."""
+
+        extra = "allow"
+
+
+class AnyUri(str):
+    """Custom field type for HTTP URI, e.g. /example."""
+
+    @classmethod
+    def __get_validators__(cls):
+        """Pydantic custim field method."""
+        yield cls.validate
+
+    @classmethod
+    def validate(cls, value):
+        """Ensure URI string contains a leading forward-slash."""
+        uri_regex = re.compile(r"^(\/.*)$")
+        if not isinstance(value, str):
+            raise TypeError("AnyUri type must be a string")
+        match = uri_regex.fullmatch(value)
+        if not match:
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Invalid format. A URI must begin with a forward slash, e.g. '/example'"
+            )
+        return cls(match.group())
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        """Stringify custom field representation."""
+        return f"AnyUri({super().__repr__()})"
+
+
+class StrictBytes(bytes):
+    """Custom data type for a strict byte string.
+
+    Used for validating the encoded JWT request payload.
+    """
+
+    @classmethod
+    def __get_validators__(cls):
+        """Yield Pydantic validator function.
+
+        See: https://pydantic-docs.helpmanual.io/usage/types/#custom-data-types
+
+        Yields:
+            {function} -- Validator
+        """
+        yield cls.validate
+
+    @classmethod
+    def validate(cls, value):
+        """Validate type.
+
+        Arguments:
+            value {Any} -- Pre-validated input
+
+        Raises:
+            TypeError: Raised if value is not bytes
+
+        Returns:
+            {object} -- Instantiated class
+        """
+        if not isinstance(value, bytes):
+            raise TypeError("bytes required")
+        return cls()
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        """Return representation of object.
+
+        Returns:
+            {str} -- Representation
+        """
+        return f"StrictBytes({super().__repr__()})"
diff --git a/validate_examples.py b/validate_examples.py
index 37cb575..a0001ed 100644
--- a/validate_examples.py
+++ b/validate_examples.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 """Validate example files."""
+
 # Standard Library
 import re
 import sys
@@ -9,9 +10,6 @@ import yaml
 
 # Project
 from hyperglass.util import set_app_path
-from hyperglass.configuration.models.params import Params
-from hyperglass.configuration.models.routers import Routers
-from hyperglass.configuration.models.commands import Commands
 
 EXAMPLES = Path(__file__).parent.parent / "hyperglass" / "examples"
 
@@ -52,6 +50,8 @@ def _comment_optional_files():
 
 
 def _validate_devices():
+    from hyperglass.configuration.models.routers import Routers
+
     with DEVICES.open() as raw:
         devices_dict = yaml.safe_load(raw.read()) or {}
     try:
@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ def _validate_devices():
 
 
 def _validate_commands():
+    from hyperglass.configuration.models.commands import Commands
+
     with COMMANDS.open() as raw:
         commands_dict = yaml.safe_load(raw.read()) or {}
     try:
@@ -72,6 +74,8 @@ def _validate_commands():
 
 
 def _validate_main():
+    from hyperglass.configuration.models.params import Params
+
     with MAIN.open() as raw:
         main_dict = yaml.safe_load(raw.read()) or {}
     try: