diff --git a/src/bits/compose.rs b/src/bits/compose.rs
index e80a620e..d453a8c5 100644
--- a/src/bits/compose.rs
+++ b/src/bits/compose.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
 use std::ops;
 use std::collections::HashMap;
-use bytes::{BigEndian, BufMut, BytesMut};
+use bytes::{BigEndian, BufMut, Bytes, BytesMut};
 use super::error::ShortBuf;
 use super::name::{Dname, Label, ToDname};
 
@@ -108,6 +108,16 @@ impl Composable for u32 {
     }
 }
 
+impl Composable for [u8] {
+    fn compose_len(&self) -> usize {
+        self.len()
+    }
+
+    fn compose<B: BufMut>(&self, buf: &mut B) {
+        buf.put_slice(self)
+    }
+}
+
 
 //------------ Compressable --------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -123,19 +133,104 @@ pub trait Compressable {
 /// This type is used for name compression through the
 /// `Composable::compose_compressed` method.
 ///
-/// Note: The implementation is rather naive right now and could do with a
-///       smarter approach.
+/// Note: Name compression is currently implemented in a rather naive way
+///       and could do with a smarter approach.
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, )]
 pub struct Compressor {
+    /// The bytes buffer we work on.
     buf: BytesMut,
+
+    /// Index of where in `buf` the message starts.
     start: usize,
-    map: HashMap<Dname, u16>,
+
+    /// The maximum size of `buf` in bytes.
+    limit: usize,
+
+    /// The number of bytes to grow each time we run out of space.
+    ///
+    /// If this is 0, we grow exactly once to the size given by `limit`.
+    page_size: usize,
+
+    /// The optional compression map.
+    ///
+    /// This keeps the position relative to the start of the message for each
+    /// name we’ve ever written.
+    map: Option<HashMap<Dname, u16>>,
 }
 
 impl Compressor {
-    /// Creates a new empty compressor.
-    pub fn new(buf: BytesMut) -> Self {
-        Compressor { start: buf.remaining_mut(), buf, map: HashMap::new() }
+    /// Creates a compressor from the given bytes buffer.
+    ///
+    /// The compressor will have a default limit equal to the buffer’s current
+    /// capacity and a page size of 0.
+    pub fn from_buf(buf: BytesMut) -> Self {
+        Compressor {
+            start: buf.remaining_mut(),
+            limit: buf.capacity(),
+            page_size: 0,
+            buf,
+            map: None }
+    }
+
+    /// Creates a new compressor with the given capacity.
+    ///
+    /// The compressor will have a default limit equal to the given capacity
+    /// and a page size of 0.
+    pub fn with_capacity(capacity: usize) -> Self {
+        Self::from_buf(BytesMut::with_capacity(capacity))
+    }
+
+    pub fn enable_compression(&mut self) {
+        if self.map.is_none() {
+            self.map = Some(HashMap::new())
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the size limit for the compressor.
+    ///
+    /// This limit only regards the part of the underlying buffer that is
+    /// being built by the compressor. That is, if the compressor was created
+    /// on top of a buffer that already contained data, the buffer will never
+    /// exceed that amount of data plus `limit`.
+    ///
+    /// If you try to set the limit to a value smaller than what’s already
+    /// there, it will silently be increased to the current size.
+    ///
+    /// A new compressor starts out with a size limit equal to the capacity
+    /// of the buffer it is being created with.
+    pub fn set_limit(&mut self, limit: usize) {
+        let limit = limit + self.start;
+        self.limit = ::std::cmp::max(limit, self.buf.len())
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the number of bytes by which the buffer should be grown.
+    ///
+    /// Each time the buffer runs out of capacity and is still below its
+    /// size limit, it will be grown by `page_size` bytes. This may result in
+    /// a buffer with more capacity than the limit.
+    ///
+    /// If `page_size` is set to 0, the buffer will be expanded only once to
+    /// match the size limit.
+    ///
+    /// A new compressor starts out with a page size of 0.
+    pub fn set_page_size(&mut self, page_size: usize) {
+        self.page_size = page_size
+    }
+
+    pub fn unwrap(self) -> BytesMut {
+        self.buf
+    }
+
+    pub fn freeze(self) -> Bytes {
+        self.buf.freeze()
+    }
+
+    pub fn slice(&self) -> &[u8] {
+        &self.buf.as_ref()[self.start..]
+    }
+
+    pub fn slice_mut(&mut self) -> &mut [u8] {
+        &mut self.buf.as_mut()[self.start..]
     }
 
     /// Composes a the given name compressed into the buffer.
@@ -148,7 +243,7 @@ impl Compressor {
             }
             let pos = {
                 let first = name.first();
-                let pos = self.start - self.buf.remaining_mut();
+                let pos = self.buf.len() - self.start;
                 self.compose(first)?;
                 pos
             };
@@ -169,24 +264,29 @@ impl Compressor {
 
     pub fn compose<C>(&mut self, what: &C) -> Result<(), ShortBuf>
                    where C: Composable + ?Sized {
-        if self.buf.remaining_mut() < what.compose_len() {
+        if self.remaining_mut() < what.compose_len() {
             return Err(ShortBuf)
         }
-        what.compose(&mut self.buf);
+        what.compose(self);
         Ok(())
     }
 
     fn add_name(&mut self, name: &Dname, pos: usize) {
-        if pos > 0x3FFF {
-            // Position exceeds encodable position. Don’t add the name, then.
-            return
+        if let Some(ref mut map) = self.map {
+            if pos > 0x3FFF {
+                // Position exceeds encodable position. Don’t add.
+                return
+            }
+            map.insert(name.clone(), pos as u16);
         }
-        self.map.insert(name.clone(), pos as u16);
     }
 
     /// Returns the index of a name if it is known.
     fn get_pos(&self, name: &Dname) -> Option<u16> {
-        self.map.get(name).map(|v| *v)
+        match self.map {
+            Some(ref map) => map.get(name).map(|v| *v),
+            None => None
+        }
     }
 
     pub fn as_slice(&self) -> &[u8] {
@@ -196,6 +296,16 @@ impl Compressor {
     pub fn as_slice_mut(&mut self) -> &mut [u8] {
         self.buf.as_mut()
     }
+
+    fn grow(&mut self) {
+        if self.page_size == 0 {
+            let additional = self.limit - self.buf.capacity();
+            self.buf.reserve(additional)
+        }
+        else {
+            self.buf.reserve(self.page_size)
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 
@@ -247,14 +357,21 @@ impl ops::DerefMut for Compressor {
 
 impl BufMut for Compressor {
     fn remaining_mut(&self) -> usize {
-        self.buf.remaining_mut()
+        self.limit - self.buf.len()
     }
 
     unsafe fn advance_mut(&mut self, cnt: usize) {
+        assert!(cnt <= self.remaining_mut());
+        while cnt > self.buf.remaining_mut() {
+            self.grow();
+        }
         self.buf.advance_mut(cnt)
     }
 
     unsafe fn bytes_mut(&mut self) -> &mut [u8] {
+        if self.buf.remaining_mut() == 0 && self.remaining_mut() > 0 {
+            self.grow()
+        }
         self.buf.bytes_mut()
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/bits/header.rs b/src/bits/header.rs
index 9e3ec9f5..05f72fb1 100644
--- a/src/bits/header.rs
+++ b/src/bits/header.rs
@@ -19,8 +19,11 @@
 //! [RFC 1035]: https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1035
 
 use std::mem;
-use bytes::{BigEndian, ByteOrder};
+use bytes::{BigEndian, BufMut, ByteOrder};
 use ::iana::{Opcode, Rcode};
+use super::compose::Composable;
+use super::error::ShortBuf;
+use super::parse::{Parseable, Parser};
 
 
 //------------ Header --------------------------------------------------
@@ -51,7 +54,7 @@ use ::iana::{Opcode, Rcode};
 /// [Field Access]: #field-access 
 /// [RFC 1035]: https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1035
 /// [RFC 4035]: https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc4035
-#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, PartialEq)]
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default, Eq, PartialEq)]
 pub struct Header {
     /// The actual header in its wire format representation.
     ///
@@ -278,7 +281,7 @@ impl Header {
 ///
 /// [RFC 1035]: https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1035
 /// [RFC 2136]: https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2136
-#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, PartialEq)]
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default, Eq, PartialEq)]
 pub struct HeaderCounts {
     /// The actual headers in their wire-format representation.
     ///
@@ -324,6 +327,16 @@ impl HeaderCounts {
     pub fn as_slice(&self) -> &[u8] {
         &self.inner
     }
+
+    /// Returns a mutable reference to the underlying byte slice.
+    pub fn as_slice_mut(&mut self) -> &mut [u8] {
+        &mut self.inner
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the counts to those from `counts`.
+    pub fn set(&mut self, counts: &HeaderCounts) {
+        self.as_slice_mut().copy_from_slice(counts.as_slice())
+    }
 }
 
 
@@ -345,6 +358,17 @@ impl HeaderCounts {
         self.set_u16(0, value)
     }
 
+    /// Increases the value of the QDCOUNT field by own.
+    ///
+    /// # Panics
+    ///
+    /// This method panics if the count is already at its maximum.
+    pub fn inc_qdcount(&mut self) {
+        let count = self.qdcount();
+        assert!(count < ::std::u16::MAX);
+        self.set_qdcount(count + 1);
+    }
+
     /// Returns the value of the ANCOUNT field.
     ///
     /// This field contains the number of resource records in the second
@@ -358,6 +382,17 @@ impl HeaderCounts {
         self.set_u16(2, value)
     }
 
+    /// Increases the value of the ANCOUNT field by own.
+    ///
+    /// # Panics
+    ///
+    /// This method panics if the count is already at its maximum.
+    pub fn inc_ancount(&mut self) {
+        let count = self.ancount();
+        assert!(count < ::std::u16::MAX);
+        self.set_ancount(count + 1);
+    }
+
     /// Returns the value of the NSCOUNT field.
     ///
     /// This field contains the number of resource records in the third
@@ -371,6 +406,17 @@ impl HeaderCounts {
         self.set_u16(4, value)
     }
 
+    /// Increases the value of the NSCOUNT field by own.
+    ///
+    /// # Panics
+    ///
+    /// This method panics if the count is already at its maximum.
+    pub fn inc_nscount(&mut self) {
+        let count = self.nscount();
+        assert!(count < ::std::u16::MAX);
+        self.set_nscount(count + 1);
+    }
+
     /// Returns the value of the ARCOUNT field.
     ///
     /// This field contains the number of resource records in the fourth
@@ -384,6 +430,17 @@ impl HeaderCounts {
         self.set_u16(6, value)
     }
 
+    /// Increases the value of the ARCOUNT field by own.
+    ///
+    /// # Panics
+    ///
+    /// This method panics if the count is already at its maximum.
+    pub fn inc_arcount(&mut self) {
+        let count = self.arcount();
+        assert!(count < ::std::u16::MAX);
+        self.set_arcount(count + 1);
+    }
+
 
     //--- Count fields in UPDATE messages
 
@@ -459,7 +516,7 @@ impl HeaderCounts {
 /// The complete header section of a DNS message.
 ///
 /// Consists of a `Header` and a `HeaderCounts`.
-#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, PartialEq)]
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default, Eq, PartialEq)]
 pub struct HeaderSection {
     inner: [u8; 12]
 }
@@ -526,6 +583,30 @@ impl HeaderSection {
 }
 
 
+//--- Parseable and Composable
+
+impl Parseable for HeaderSection {
+    type Err = ShortBuf;
+
+    fn parse(parser: &mut Parser) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        let slice = parser.peek(12)?;
+        let mut res = Self::default();
+        res.inner.copy_from_slice(slice);
+        Ok(res)
+    }
+}
+
+impl Composable for HeaderSection {
+    fn compose_len(&self) -> usize {
+        12
+    }
+
+    fn compose<B: BufMut>(&self, buf: &mut B) {
+        buf.put_slice(&self.inner)
+    }
+}
+
+
 //============ Testing ======================================================
 
 #[cfg(test)]
diff --git a/src/bits/message_builder.rs b/src/bits/message_builder.rs
index 8479c9dc..32151e45 100644
--- a/src/bits/message_builder.rs
+++ b/src/bits/message_builder.rs
@@ -83,13 +83,18 @@
 //! [`new()`]: struct.MessageBuilder.html#method.new
 //! [`from_vec()`]: struct.MessageBuilder.html#method.from_vec
 
-use std::mem;
-use ::iana::{Class, OptRcode, Rtype};
-use super::{Composer, ComposeError, ComposeMode, ComposeResult,
-            ComposeSnapshot, DName, DNameSlice, HeaderSection, Header,
-            HeaderCounts, Message, Question, Record, RecordData};
-use super::record::RecordBuilder;
-use super::opt::OptData;
+use std::{mem, ops};
+use std::marker::PhantomData;
+use bytes::{BigEndian, BufMut, ByteOrder, Bytes, BytesMut};
+use iana::opt::OptionCode;
+use super::compose::{Composable, Compressable, Compressor};
+use super::error::ShortBuf;
+use super::header::{Header, HeaderCounts, HeaderSection};
+use super::name::ToDname;
+use super::opt::{OptData, OptHeader};
+use super::question::Question;
+use super::rdata::RecordData;
+use super::record::Record;
 
 
 //------------ MessageBuilder -----------------------------------------------
@@ -106,44 +111,35 @@ pub struct MessageBuilder {
 }
 
 
-/// # Creation
+/// # Creation and Preparation
 ///
 impl MessageBuilder {
-    /// Creates a new empty DNS message.
-    ///
-    /// The `mode` argument decides whether the message will have a size
-    /// limit and whether it should include the length prefix for use with
-    /// stream transports. If `compress` is `true`, name compression will
-    /// be enabled for the message.
-    ///
-    /// This function may fail if the size limit in `mode` is too small to
-    /// even add the header section.
-    pub fn new(mode: ComposeMode, compress: bool) -> ComposeResult<Self> {
-        Self::from_composer(Composer::new(mode, compress))
+    pub fn from_buf(buf: BytesMut) -> Self {
+        MessageBuilder { target: MessageTarget::from_buf(buf) }
     }
 
-    /// Creates a new DNS message appended to the content of a bytes vector.
-    ///
-    /// The `mode` argument decides whether the message will have a size
-    /// limit and whether it should include the length prefix for use with
-    /// stream transports. If `compress` is `true`, name compression will
-    /// be enabled for the message.
-    ///
-    /// This function may fail if the size limit in `mode` is too small to
-    /// even add the header section.
-    pub fn from_vec(vec: Vec<u8>, mode: ComposeMode, compress: bool)
-                    -> ComposeResult<Self> {
-        Self::from_composer(Composer::from_vec(vec, mode, compress))
+    pub fn with_capacity(capacity: usize) -> Self {
+        Self::from_buf(BytesMut::with_capacity(capacity))
     }
 
-    /// Creates a new DNS message atop an existing composer.
-    ///
-    /// This doesn’t reset the composer but starts off after whatever is in
-    /// there already. As this may result in invalid message, user discretion
-    /// is advised.
-    pub fn from_composer(mut composer: Composer) -> ComposeResult<Self> {
-        try!(composer.compose_empty(mem::size_of::<HeaderSection>()));
-        Ok(MessageBuilder{target: MessageTarget::new(composer)})
+    pub fn with_params(initial: usize, limit: usize, page_size: usize)
+                       -> Self {
+        let mut res = Self::with_capacity(initial);
+        res.set_limit(limit);
+        res.set_page_size(page_size);
+        res
+    }
+
+    pub fn enable_compression(&mut self) {
+        self.target.buf.enable_compression()
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_limit(&mut self, limit: usize) {
+        self.target.buf.set_limit(limit)
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_page_size(&mut self, page_size: usize) {
+        self.target.buf.set_page_size(page_size)
     }
 }
 
@@ -161,6 +157,14 @@ impl MessageBuilder {
         self.target.header_mut()
     }
 
+    pub fn snapshot(&self) -> Snapshot<Self> {
+        self.target.snapshot()
+    }
+
+    pub fn rewind(&mut self, snapshot: Snapshot<Self>) {
+        self.target.rewind(snapshot)
+    }
+
     /// Appends a new question to the message.
     ///
     /// This function is generic over anything that can be converted into a
@@ -170,22 +174,15 @@ impl MessageBuilder {
     /// the latter case.
     ///
     /// [`Question`]: ../question/struct.Question.html
-    pub fn push<N: DName, Q: Into<Question<N>>>(&mut self, question: Q)
-                          -> ComposeResult<()> {
-        self.target.push(|target| question.into().compose(target),
-                         |counts| counts.inc_qdcount(1))
-    }
-
-    /// Rewinds to the beginning of the question section.
-    ///
-    /// This drops all previously assembled questions.
-    pub fn rewind(&mut self) {
-        self.target.rewind(|counts| counts.set_qdcount(0));
+    pub fn push<N: ToDname>(&mut self, question: &Question<N>)
+                            -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+        self.target.push(|target| question.compress(target),
+                         |counts| counts.inc_qdcount())
     }
 
     /// Proceeds to building the answer section.
     pub fn answer(self) -> AnswerBuilder {
-        AnswerBuilder::new(self.target.commit())
+        AnswerBuilder::new(self.target)
     }
 
     /// Proceeds to building the authority section, skipping the answer.
@@ -200,6 +197,11 @@ impl MessageBuilder {
         self.answer().authority().additional()
     }
 
+    /// Proceeds to building the OPT record.
+    pub fn opt(self) -> Result<OptBuilder, ShortBuf> {
+        self.additional().opt()
+    }
+
     /// Returns a reference to the message assembled so far.
     ///
     /// This method requires a `&mut self` since it may need to update some
@@ -211,11 +213,15 @@ impl MessageBuilder {
         self.target.preview()
     }
 
-    /// Finishes the message and returns the underlying target.
+    /// Finishes the message and returns the underlying bytes buffer.
     ///
     /// This will result in a message with all three record sections empty.
-    pub fn finish(self) -> Vec<u8> {
-        self.target.finish()
+    pub fn finish(self) -> BytesMut {
+        self.target.unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn freeze(self) -> Bytes {
+        self.target.freeze()
     }
 }
 
@@ -238,10 +244,12 @@ pub struct AnswerBuilder {
 
 impl AnswerBuilder {
     /// Creates a new answer builder from a compser.
-    fn new(composer: Composer) -> Self {
-        AnswerBuilder { 
-            target: MessageTarget::new(composer)
-        }
+    fn new(target: MessageTarget) -> Self {
+        AnswerBuilder { target }
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_limit(&mut self, limit: usize) {
+        self.target.buf.set_limit(limit)
     }
 
     /// Returns a reference to the messages header.
@@ -254,6 +262,14 @@ impl AnswerBuilder {
         self.target.header_mut()
     }
 
+    pub fn snapshot(&self) -> Snapshot<Self> {
+        self.target.snapshot()
+    }
+
+    pub fn rewind(&mut self, snapshot: Snapshot<Self>) {
+        self.target.rewind(snapshot)
+    }
+
     /// Appends a new resource record to the answer section.
     ///
     /// This method is generic over anything that can be converted into a
@@ -262,24 +278,17 @@ impl AnswerBuilder {
     /// the class which will then be assumed to be `Class::In`.
     ///
     /// [`Record`]: ../record/struct.Record.html
-    pub fn push<N, D, R>(&mut self, record: R) -> ComposeResult<()>
-                where N: DName,
-                      D: RecordData,
-                      R: Into<Record<N, D>> {
-        self.target.push(|target| record.into().compose(target),
-                         |counts| counts.inc_ancount(1))
-    }
-
-    /// Rewinds to the beginning of the answer section.
-    ///
-    /// This drops all previously assembled answer records.
-    pub fn rewind(&mut self) {
-        self.target.rewind(|counts| counts.set_ancount(0))
+    pub fn push<N, D>(&mut self, record: &Record<N, D>)
+                      -> Result<(), ShortBuf>
+                where N: ToDname,
+                      D: RecordData {
+        self.target.push(|target| record.compress(target),
+                         |counts| counts.inc_ancount())
     }
 
     /// Proceeds to building the authority section.
     pub fn authority(self) -> AuthorityBuilder {
-        AuthorityBuilder::new(self.target.commit())
+        AuthorityBuilder::new(self.target)
     }
 
     /// Proceeds to building the additional section, skipping authority.
@@ -287,6 +296,11 @@ impl AnswerBuilder {
         self.authority().additional()
     }
 
+    /// Proceeds to building the OPT record.
+    pub fn opt(self) -> Result<OptBuilder, ShortBuf> {
+        self.additional().opt()
+    }
+
     /// Returns a reference to the message assembled so far.
     ///
     /// This method requires a `&mut self` since it may need to update some
@@ -298,12 +312,15 @@ impl AnswerBuilder {
         self.target.preview()
     }
 
-    /// Finishes the message.
+    /// Finishes the message and returns the underlying bytes buffer.
     ///
-    /// The resulting message will have empty authority and additional
-    /// sections.
-    pub fn finish(self) -> Vec<u8> {
-        self.target.finish()
+    /// This will result in a message with all three record sections empty.
+    pub fn finish(self) -> BytesMut {
+        self.target.unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn freeze(self) -> Bytes {
+        self.target.freeze()
     }
 }
 
@@ -327,10 +344,12 @@ pub struct AuthorityBuilder {
 
 impl AuthorityBuilder {
     /// Creates a new authority builder from a compser.
-    fn new(composer: Composer) -> Self {
-        AuthorityBuilder { 
-            target: MessageTarget::new(composer)
-        }
+    fn new(target: MessageTarget) -> Self {
+        AuthorityBuilder { target }
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_limit(&mut self, limit: usize) {
+        self.target.buf.set_limit(limit)
     }
 
     /// Returns a reference to the messages header.
@@ -343,6 +362,14 @@ impl AuthorityBuilder {
         self.target.header_mut()
     }
 
+    pub fn snapshot(&self) -> Snapshot<Self> {
+        self.target.snapshot()
+    }
+
+    pub fn rewind(&mut self, snapshot: Snapshot<Self>) {
+        self.target.rewind(snapshot)
+    }
+
     /// Appends a new resource record to the authority section.
     ///
     /// This method is generic over anything that can be converted into a
@@ -351,24 +378,22 @@ impl AuthorityBuilder {
     /// the class which will then be assumed to be `Class::In`.
     ///
     /// [`Record`]: ../record/struct.Record.html
-    pub fn push<N, D, R>(&mut self, record: R) -> ComposeResult<()>
-                where N: DName,
-                      D: RecordData,
-                      R: Into<Record<N, D>> {
-        self.target.push(|target| record.into().compose(target),
-                         |counts| counts.inc_nscount(1))
-    }
-
-    /// Rewinds to the beginning of the authority section.
-    ///
-    /// This drops all previously assembled authority records.
-    pub fn rewind(&mut self) {
-        self.target.rewind(|counts| counts.set_nscount(0))
+    pub fn push<N, D>(&mut self, record: &Record<N, D>)
+                      -> Result<(), ShortBuf>
+                where N: ToDname,
+                      D: RecordData {
+        self.target.push(|target| record.compress(target),
+                         |counts| counts.inc_nscount())
     }
 
     /// Proceeds to building the additional section.
     pub fn additional(self) -> AdditionalBuilder {
-        AdditionalBuilder::new(self.target.commit())
+        AdditionalBuilder::new(self.target)
+    }
+
+    /// Proceeds to building the OPT record.
+    pub fn opt(self) -> Result<OptBuilder, ShortBuf> {
+        self.additional().opt()
     }
 
     /// Returns a reference to the message assembled so far.
@@ -382,11 +407,15 @@ impl AuthorityBuilder {
         self.target.preview()
     }
 
-    /// Finishes the message.
+    /// Finishes the message and returns the underlying bytes buffer.
     ///
-    /// The resulting message will have an empty additional section.
-    pub fn finish(self) -> Vec<u8> {
-        self.target.finish()
+    /// This will result in a message with all three record sections empty.
+    pub fn finish(self) -> BytesMut {
+        self.target.unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn freeze(self) -> Bytes {
+        self.target.freeze()
     }
 }
 
@@ -411,10 +440,8 @@ pub struct AdditionalBuilder {
 
 impl AdditionalBuilder {
     /// Creates a new additional builder from a compser.
-    fn new(composer: Composer) -> Self {
-        AdditionalBuilder { 
-            target: MessageTarget::new(composer)
-        }
+    fn new(target: MessageTarget) -> Self {
+        AdditionalBuilder { target }
     }
 
     /// Returns a reference to the messages header.
@@ -422,11 +449,23 @@ impl AdditionalBuilder {
         self.target.header()
     }
 
+    pub fn set_limit(&mut self, limit: usize) {
+        self.target.buf.set_limit(limit)
+    }
+
     /// Returns a mutable reference to the messages header.
     pub fn header_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Header {
         self.target.header_mut()
     }
 
+    pub fn snapshot(&self) -> Snapshot<Self> {
+        self.target.snapshot()
+    }
+
+    pub fn rewind(&mut self, snapshot: Snapshot<Self>) {
+        self.target.rewind(snapshot)
+    }
+
     /// Appends a new resource record to the additional section.
     ///
     /// This method is generic over anything that can be converted into a
@@ -435,44 +474,17 @@ impl AdditionalBuilder {
     /// the class which will then be assumed to be `Class::In`.
     ///
     /// [`Record`]: ../record/struct.Record.html
-    pub fn push<N, D, R>(&mut self, record: R) -> ComposeResult<()>
-                where N: DName,
-                      D: RecordData,
-                      R: Into<Record<N, D>> {
-        self.target.push(|target| record.into().compose(target),
-                         |counts| counts.inc_arcount(1))
+    pub fn push<N, D>(&mut self, record: &Record<N, D>)
+                      -> Result<(), ShortBuf>
+                where N: ToDname,
+                      D: RecordData {
+        self.target.push(|target| record.compress(target),
+                         |counts| counts.inc_arcount())
     }
 
-    /// Starts appending an OPT record to the section.
-    ///
-    /// The method expects the values of the OPT record that are encoded in
-    /// various fields of the record header.
-    ///
-    /// The *payload_size* field contains
-    /// the maximum size of UDP payload a requestor can assemble and process.
-    /// 
-    /// The `rcode` argument should contain the Rcode used for a response
-    /// or `OptRcode::NoError` for a message. Only the upper eight bits are
-    /// used here, the lower for bits go into the message header’s rcode
-    /// field.
-    ///
-    /// The `dnssec_ok` flag indicates whether a sender is prepared to
-    /// receive and process DNSSEC-related resource records in a response.
-    /// In a response it must be equal to its value in a request.
-    /// 
-    /// This method trades in the additional section builder for an OPT
-    /// record builder. Once the record is finished, it can be traded back
-    /// to continue building the additional section.
-    pub fn build_opt(self, payload_size: u16, rcode: OptRcode,
-                     dnssec_ok: bool) -> ComposeResult<OptBuilder> {
-        OptBuilder::new(self, payload_size, rcode, dnssec_ok)
-    }
-
-    /// Rewinds to the beginning of the additional section.
-    ///
-    /// This drops all previously assembled additonal records.
-    pub fn rewind(&mut self) {
-        self.target.rewind(|counts| counts.set_arcount(0))
+    /// Proceeds to building the OPT record.
+    pub fn opt(self) -> Result<OptBuilder, ShortBuf> {
+        OptBuilder::new(self.target)
     }
 
     /// Returns a reference to the message assembled so far.
@@ -486,63 +498,94 @@ impl AdditionalBuilder {
         self.target.preview()
     }
 
-    /// Finishes the message.
-    pub fn finish(self) -> Vec<u8> {
-        self.target.finish()
+    /// Finishes the message and returns the underlying bytes buffer.
+    ///
+    /// This will result in a message with all three record sections empty.
+    pub fn finish(self) -> BytesMut {
+        self.target.unwrap()
     }
-}
 
-impl AsRef<Message> for AdditionalBuilder {
-    fn as_ref(&self) -> &Message {
-        self.target.as_ref()
+    pub fn freeze(self) -> Bytes {
+        self.target.freeze()
     }
 }
 
 
 //------------ OptBuilder ----------------------------------------------------
 
-/// A type for building an OPT record on the fly.
-///
-/// The OPT record is part of the additional section. You can therefore get
-/// hold of a value of this type through the `AdditionalBuilder::build_opt()`
-/// method.
-///
-/// You use this value to add options to the record via the `push()` method.
-/// Once you are done, call `complete()` to finish up the record and get the
-/// additional builder back.
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
 pub struct OptBuilder {
-    builder: RecordBuilder<ComposeSnapshot>,
+    target: MessageTarget,
+    pos: usize,
 }
 
 impl OptBuilder {
-    /// Creates a new OPT builder from an additional builder
-    fn new(builder: AdditionalBuilder, payload_size: u16, rcode: OptRcode,
-           dnssec_ok: bool) -> ComposeResult<Self> {
-        let mut ttl = (rcode.ext() as u32) << 24;
-        if dnssec_ok {
-            ttl |= 0x8000
-        }
-        let builder = RecordBuilder::new(builder.target.composer,
-                                         &DNameSlice::root(),
-                                         Class::Int(payload_size),
-                                         Rtype::Opt, ttl)?;
-        Ok(OptBuilder { builder })
+    fn new(mut target: MessageTarget) -> Result<Self, ShortBuf> {
+        let pos = target.len();
+        target.compose(&OptHeader::default())?;
+        target.compose(&0u16)?;
+        Ok(OptBuilder { pos, target })
     }
 
     /// Pushes an option to the OPT record.
-    pub fn push<O: OptData>(&mut self, option: O) -> ComposeResult<()> {
-        option.compose(&mut self.builder)
+    pub fn push<O: OptData>(&mut self, option: &O) -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+        self.target.compose(&option.code())?;
+        let len = option.compose_len();
+        assert!(len <= ::std::u16::MAX as usize);
+        self.target.compose(&(len as u16))?;
+        self.target.compose(option)
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn build<F>(&mut self, code: OptionCode, len: u16, op: F)
+                           -> Result<(), ShortBuf>
+                        where F: FnOnce(&mut Compressor)
+                                        -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+        self.target.compose(&code)?;
+        self.target.compose(&len)?;
+        op(&mut self.target.buf)
     }
 
     /// Completes the OPT record and returns the additional section builder.
-    pub fn complete(self) -> ComposeResult<AdditionalBuilder> {
-        let mut target = MessageTarget { composer: self.builder.finish()? };
-        target.counts_mut().inc_arcount(1)?;
-        Ok(AdditionalBuilder { target })
+    pub fn additional(self) -> AdditionalBuilder {
+        AdditionalBuilder::new(self.complete())
+    }
+
+    /// Finishes the message and returns the underlying bytes buffer.
+    ///
+    /// This will result in a message with all three record sections empty.
+    pub fn finish(self) -> BytesMut {
+        self.complete().unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn freeze(self) -> Bytes {
+        self.complete().freeze()
+    }
+
+    fn complete(mut self) -> MessageTarget {
+        let len = self.target.len()
+                - (self.pos + mem::size_of::<OptHeader>() + 2);
+        assert!(len <= ::std::u16::MAX as usize);
+        BigEndian::write_u16(&mut self.target.as_slice_mut()[self.pos..],
+                             len as u16);
+        self.target.counts_mut().inc_arcount();
+        self.target
     }
 }
 
+impl ops::Deref for OptBuilder {
+    type Target = OptHeader;
+
+    fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
+        OptHeader::for_record_slice(&self.target.as_slice()[self.pos..])
+    }
+}
+
+impl ops::DerefMut for OptBuilder {
+    fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Self::Target {
+        OptHeader::for_record_slice_mut(&mut self.target.as_slice_mut()
+                                                                 [self.pos..])
+    }
+}
 
 //------------ MessageTarget -------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -551,81 +594,114 @@ impl OptBuilder {
 /// This private type does all the heavy lifting for constructing messages.
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
 struct MessageTarget {
-    composer: ComposeSnapshot,
+    buf: Compressor,
+    start: usize,
 }
 
 
 impl MessageTarget {
-    /// Creates a new message target atop a given composer.
-    fn new(composer: Composer) -> Self {
-        MessageTarget{composer: composer.snapshot()}
+    /// Creates a new message target atop a given buffer.
+    fn from_buf(mut buf: BytesMut) -> Self {
+        let start = buf.len();
+        if buf.remaining_mut() < 2 + mem::size_of::<HeaderSection>() {
+            let additional = 2 + mem::size_of::<HeaderSection>()
+                           - buf.remaining_mut();
+            buf.reserve(additional)
+        }
+        0u16.compose(&mut buf);
+        let mut buf = Compressor::from_buf(buf);
+        HeaderSection::default().compose(&mut buf);
+        MessageTarget { buf, start }
     }
 
     /// Returns a reference to the message’s header.
     fn header(&self) -> &Header {
-        Header::from_message(self.composer.so_far())
+        Header::for_message_slice(self.buf.slice())
     }
 
     /// Returns a mutable reference to the message’s header.
     fn header_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Header {
-        Header::from_message_mut(self.composer.so_far_mut())
+        Header::for_message_slice_mut(self.buf.slice_mut())
+    }
+
+    fn counts(&self) -> &HeaderCounts {
+        HeaderCounts::for_message_slice(self.buf.slice())
     }
 
     /// Returns a mutable reference to the message’s header counts.
     fn counts_mut(&mut self) -> &mut HeaderCounts {
-        HeaderCounts::from_message_mut(self.composer.so_far_mut())
+        HeaderCounts::for_message_slice_mut(self.buf.slice_mut())
     }
 
     /// Pushes something to the end of the message.
     ///
     /// There’s two closures here. The first one, `composeop` actually
     /// writes the data. The second, `incop` increments the counter in the
-    /// messages header to reflect the new element.
-    fn push<O, I>(&mut self, composeop: O, incop: I) -> ComposeResult<()>
-            where O: FnOnce(&mut Composer) -> ComposeResult<()>,
-                  I: FnOnce(&mut HeaderCounts) -> ComposeResult<()> {
-        if !self.composer.is_truncated() {
-            self.composer.mark_checkpoint();
-            match composeop(&mut self.composer) {
-                Ok(()) => {
-                    try!(incop(self.counts_mut()));
-                    Ok(())
-                }
-                Err(ComposeError::SizeExceeded) => Ok(()),
-                Err(error) => Err(error)
-            }
+    /// messages header to reflect the new element. The latter is assumed to
+    /// never fail. This means you need to check before you push whether
+    /// there is still space in whatever counter you plan to increase.
+    /// `HeaderCount`’s `inc_*` methods, which are supposed to be used here,
+    /// have assertions for your own safety.
+    fn push<O, I, E>(&mut self, composeop: O, incop: I) -> Result<(), E>
+            where O: FnOnce(&mut Compressor) -> Result<(), E>,
+                  I: FnOnce(&mut HeaderCounts) {
+        composeop(&mut self.buf).map(|()| incop(self.counts_mut()))
+    }
+
+    fn snapshot<T>(&self) -> Snapshot<T> {
+        Snapshot {
+            pos: self.buf.len(),
+            counts: self.counts().clone(),
+            marker: PhantomData,
         }
-        else { Ok(()) }
     }
 
-    /// Returns a reference to the message assembled so far.
+    fn rewind<T>(&mut self, snapshot: Snapshot<T>) {
+        self.buf.truncate(snapshot.pos);
+        self.counts_mut().set(&snapshot.counts);
+    }
+
+    fn update_shim(&mut self) {
+        let len = (self.buf.len() - self.start) as u16;
+        BigEndian::write_u16(&mut self.buf.as_slice_mut()[self.start..], len);
+    }
+
     fn preview(&mut self) -> &[u8] {
-        self.composer.preview()
+        self.update_shim();
+        self.buf.as_slice()
     }
 
-    /// Finishes the message building and extracts the underlying vector.
-    fn finish(mut self) -> Vec<u8> {
-        let tc = self.composer.is_truncated();
-        self.header_mut().set_tc(tc);
-        self.composer.commit().finish()
+    fn unwrap(mut self) -> BytesMut {
+        self.update_shim();
+        self.buf.unwrap()
     }
 
-    /// Rewinds the compose snapshots and allows updating the header counts.
-    fn rewind<F>(&mut self, op: F)
-              where F: FnOnce(&mut HeaderCounts) {
-        op(self.counts_mut());
-        self.composer.rewind()
+    fn freeze(mut self) -> Bytes {
+        self.update_shim();
+        self.unwrap().freeze()
     }
+}
 
-    /// Commit the compose snapshot.
-    fn commit(self) -> Composer {
-        self.composer.commit()
+impl ops::Deref for MessageTarget {
+    type Target = Compressor;
+
+    fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
+        &self.buf
+    }
+}
+
+impl ops::DerefMut for MessageTarget {
+    fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Self::Target {
+        &mut self.buf
     }
 }
 
 
-impl AsRef<Message> for MessageTarget {
-    fn as_ref(&self) -> &Message {
-        unsafe { Message::from_bytes_unsafe(self.composer.so_far()) }
-    }
+//------------ Snapshot ------------------------------------------------------
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Eq, PartialEq)]
+pub struct Snapshot<T> {
+    pos: usize,
+    counts: HeaderCounts,
+    marker: PhantomData<T>,
 }
diff --git a/src/bits/mod.rs b/src/bits/mod.rs
index 4c893455..0a922977 100644
--- a/src/bits/mod.rs
+++ b/src/bits/mod.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,3 @@
-// TODO:
-//
-//    o  Rename ShortParser into something more generic.
-//
 //! DNS data.
 //!
 //! This module provides types and traits for working with DNS data as well
@@ -103,6 +99,7 @@ pub mod compose;
 pub mod error;
 pub mod header;
 pub mod message;
+pub mod message_builder;
 pub mod name;
 pub mod opt;
 pub mod parse;
@@ -110,6 +107,3 @@ pub mod question;
 pub mod rdata;
 pub mod record;
 
-/*
-pub mod message_builder;
-*/
diff --git a/src/bits/name/traits.rs b/src/bits/name/traits.rs
index fc52f06d..de86aa0b 100644
--- a/src/bits/name/traits.rs
+++ b/src/bits/name/traits.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 //! Domain name-related traits.
 
-use ::bits::compose::Composable;
+use ::bits::compose::{Composable, Compressable};
 use bytes::BytesMut;
 use super::dname::Dname;
 use super::label::Label;
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ pub trait ToRelativeDname: Composable + for<'a> ToLabelIter<'a> {
 /// [`Chain<L, R>`]: struct.Chain.html
 /// [`Dname`]: struct.Dname.html
 /// [`ParsedDname`]: struct.ParsedDname.html
-pub trait ToDname: Composable + for<'a> ToLabelIter<'a> {
+pub trait ToDname: Composable + Compressable + for<'a> ToLabelIter<'a> {
     /// Creates an uncompressed value of the domain name.
     ///
     /// The method has a default implementation that composes the name into
diff --git a/src/bits/opt/mod.rs b/src/bits/opt/mod.rs
index 3c2ef5af..69617222 100644
--- a/src/bits/opt/mod.rs
+++ b/src/bits/opt/mod.rs
@@ -6,11 +6,13 @@
 //! `rdata` module and the types defined for operating on them differ from
 //! how other record types are handled.
 
-use bytes::{BufMut, Bytes};
+use std::mem;
 use std::marker::PhantomData;
-use ::iana::{OptionCode, Rtype};
+use bytes::{BigEndian, BufMut, ByteOrder, Bytes};
+use ::iana::{OptionCode, OptRcode, Rtype};
 use super::compose::{Composable, Compressable, Compressor};
 use super::error::ShortBuf;
+use super::header::Header;
 use super::parse::Parser;
 use super::rdata::RecordData;
 
@@ -82,6 +84,94 @@ impl Compressable for Opt {
 }
 
 
+//------------ OptHeader -----------------------------------------------------
+
+/// The header of an OPT record.
+///
+/// The OPT record reappropriates the record header for encoding some
+/// basic information. This type provides access to this information. It
+/// consists of the record header accept for its `rdlen` field.
+///
+/// This is so that `OptBuilder` can safely deref to this type.
+///
+//    +------------+--------------+------------------------------+
+//    | Field Name | Field Type   | Description                  |
+//    +------------+--------------+------------------------------+
+//    | NAME       | domain name  | MUST be 0 (root domain)      |
+//    | TYPE       | u_int16_t    | OPT (41)                     |
+//    | CLASS      | u_int16_t    | requestor's UDP payload size |
+//    | TTL        | u_int32_t    | extended RCODE and flags     |
+//    | RDLEN      | u_int16_t    | length of all RDATA          |
+//    | RDATA      | octet stream | {attribute,value} pairs      |
+//    +------------+--------------+------------------------------+
+#[derive(Copy, Clone, Debug, Eq, PartialEq)]
+pub struct OptHeader {
+    /// The bytes of the header.
+    inner: [u8; 9],
+}
+
+impl OptHeader {
+    pub fn for_record_slice(slice: &[u8]) -> &OptHeader {
+        assert!(slice.len() >= mem::size_of::<Self>());
+        unsafe { &*(slice.as_ptr() as *const OptHeader) }
+    }
+
+    pub fn for_record_slice_mut(slice: &mut [u8]) -> &mut OptHeader {
+        assert!(slice.len() >= mem::size_of::<Self>());
+        unsafe { &mut *(slice.as_ptr() as *mut OptHeader) }
+    }
+
+    pub fn udp_payload_size(&self) -> u16 {
+        BigEndian::read_u16(&self.inner[3..])
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_udp_payload_size(&mut self, value: u16) {
+        BigEndian::write_u16(&mut self.inner[3..], value)
+    }
+
+    pub fn rcode(&self, header: &Header) -> OptRcode {
+        OptRcode::from_parts(header.rcode(), self.inner[5])
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_rcode(&mut self, rcode: OptRcode) {
+        self.inner[5] = rcode.ext()
+    }
+
+    pub fn version(&self) -> u8 {
+        self.inner[6]
+    }
+
+    pub fn dnssec_ok(&self) -> bool {
+        self.inner[7] & 0x80 != 0
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_dnssec_ok(&mut self, value: bool) {
+        if value {
+            self.inner[7] |= 0x80
+        }
+        else {
+            self.inner[7] &= 0x7F
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Default for OptHeader {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        OptHeader { inner: [0, 41, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Composable for OptHeader {
+    fn compose_len(&self) -> usize {
+        9
+    }
+
+    fn compose<B: BufMut>(&self, buf: &mut B) {
+        buf.put_slice(&self.inner)
+    }
+}
+
+
 //------------ OptIter -------------------------------------------------------
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
diff --git a/src/bits/opt/rfc5001.rs b/src/bits/opt/rfc5001.rs
index 9c134a51..e525d759 100644
--- a/src/bits/opt/rfc5001.rs
+++ b/src/bits/opt/rfc5001.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ use std::fmt;
 use bytes::{BufMut, Bytes};
 use ::bits::compose::Composable;
 use ::bits::error::ShortBuf;
+use ::bits::message_builder::OptBuilder;
 use ::bits::parse::Parser;
 use ::iana::OptionCode;
 use super::OptData;
@@ -23,6 +24,15 @@ impl Nsid {
     pub fn new(bytes: Bytes) -> Self {
         Nsid { bytes }
     }
+
+    pub fn push<T: AsRef<[u8]>>(builder: &mut OptBuilder, data: &T)
+                                -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+        let data = data.as_ref();
+        assert!(data.len() <= ::std::u16::MAX as usize);
+        builder.build(OptionCode::Nsid, data.len() as u16, |buf| {
+            buf.compose(data)
+        })
+    }
 }
 
 impl OptData for Nsid {
diff --git a/src/bits/opt/rfc6975.rs b/src/bits/opt/rfc6975.rs
index 2afd82a8..220b7dbb 100644
--- a/src/bits/opt/rfc6975.rs
+++ b/src/bits/opt/rfc6975.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ use std::slice;
 use bytes::{BufMut, Bytes};
 use ::bits::compose::Composable;
 use ::bits::error::ShortBuf;
+use ::bits::message_builder::OptBuilder;
 use ::bits::parse::Parser;
 use ::iana::{OptionCode, SecAlg};
 use super::OptData;
@@ -26,6 +27,17 @@ macro_rules! option_type {
             pub fn iter(&self) -> SecAlgsIter {
                 SecAlgsIter::new(self.bytes.as_ref())
             }
+
+            pub fn push(builder: &mut OptBuilder, algs: &[SecAlg])
+                        -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+                assert!(algs.len() <= ::std::u16::MAX as usize);
+                builder.build(OptionCode::$name, algs.len() as u16, |buf| {
+                    for alg in algs {
+                        buf.compose(&alg.to_int())?
+                    }
+                    Ok(())
+                })
+            }
         }
 
         //--- Composable and OptData
diff --git a/src/bits/opt/rfc7314.rs b/src/bits/opt/rfc7314.rs
index b73bc711..d47b9137 100644
--- a/src/bits/opt/rfc7314.rs
+++ b/src/bits/opt/rfc7314.rs
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 use bytes::BufMut;
 use ::bits::compose::Composable;
+use ::bits::error::ShortBuf;
+use ::bits::message_builder::OptBuilder;
 use ::bits::parse::Parser;
 use ::iana::OptionCode;
 use super::{OptData, OptionParseError};
@@ -17,6 +19,11 @@ impl Expire {
         Expire(expire)
     }
 
+    pub fn push(builder: &mut OptBuilder, expire: Option<u32>)
+                -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+        builder.push(&Self::new(expire))
+    }
+
     pub fn expire(&self) -> Option<u32> {
         self.0
     }
diff --git a/src/bits/opt/rfc7828.rs b/src/bits/opt/rfc7828.rs
index a307a25d..4927d8f4 100644
--- a/src/bits/opt/rfc7828.rs
+++ b/src/bits/opt/rfc7828.rs
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 use bytes::BufMut;
 use ::bits::compose::Composable;
+use ::bits::error::ShortBuf;
+use ::bits::message_builder::OptBuilder;
 use ::bits::parse::Parser;
 use ::iana::OptionCode;
 use super::{OptData, OptionParseError};
@@ -17,6 +19,11 @@ impl TcpKeepalive {
         TcpKeepalive(timeout)
     }
 
+    pub fn push(builder: &mut OptBuilder, timeout: u16)
+                -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+        builder.push(&Self::new(timeout))
+    }
+
     pub fn timeout(&self) -> u16 {
         self.0
     }
diff --git a/src/bits/opt/rfc7830.rs b/src/bits/opt/rfc7830.rs
index 1f34a2f1..a8272051 100644
--- a/src/bits/opt/rfc7830.rs
+++ b/src/bits/opt/rfc7830.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ use bytes::BufMut;
 use rand::random;
 use ::bits::compose::Composable;
 use ::bits::error::ShortBuf;
+use ::bits::message_builder::OptBuilder;
 use ::bits::parse::Parser;
 use ::iana::OptionCode;
 use super::OptData;
@@ -31,6 +32,11 @@ impl Padding {
     pub fn new(len: u16, mode: PaddingMode) -> Self {
         Padding { len, mode }
     }
+    
+    pub fn push(builder: &mut OptBuilder, len: u16, mode: PaddingMode)
+                -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+        builder.push(&Self::new(len, mode))
+    }
 
     pub fn len(&self) -> u16 {
         self.len
diff --git a/src/bits/opt/rfc7871.rs b/src/bits/opt/rfc7871.rs
index 98d222b4..09e05a2f 100644
--- a/src/bits/opt/rfc7871.rs
+++ b/src/bits/opt/rfc7871.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use std::net::IpAddr;
 use bytes::BufMut;
 use ::bits::compose::Composable;
 use ::bits::error::ShortBuf;
+use ::bits::message_builder::OptBuilder;
 use ::bits::parse::Parser;
 use ::iana::OptionCode;
 use super::OptData;
@@ -26,6 +27,11 @@ impl ClientSubnet {
         ClientSubnet { source_prefix_len, scope_prefix_len, addr }
     }
 
+    pub fn push(builder: &mut OptBuilder, source_prefix_len: u8,
+                scope_prefix_len: u8, addr: IpAddr) -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+        builder.push(&Self::new(source_prefix_len, scope_prefix_len, addr))
+    }
+
     pub fn source_prefix_len(&self) -> u8 { self.source_prefix_len }
     pub fn scope_prefix_len(&self) -> u8 { self.scope_prefix_len }
     pub fn addr(&self) -> IpAddr { self.addr }
diff --git a/src/bits/opt/rfc7873.rs b/src/bits/opt/rfc7873.rs
index 46d50a8a..1c97377c 100644
--- a/src/bits/opt/rfc7873.rs
+++ b/src/bits/opt/rfc7873.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 use std::mem;
 use bytes::BufMut;
 use ::bits::compose::Composable;
+use ::bits::error::ShortBuf;
+use ::bits::message_builder::OptBuilder;
 use ::bits::parse::Parser;
 use ::iana::OptionCode;
 use super::{OptData, OptionParseError};
@@ -18,6 +20,11 @@ impl Cookie {
         Cookie(cookie)
     }
 
+    pub fn push(builder: &mut OptBuilder, cookie: [u8; 8])
+                -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+        builder.push(&Self::new(cookie))
+    }
+
     pub fn cookie(&self) -> &[u8; 8] {
         &self.0
     }
diff --git a/src/bits/opt/rfc7901.rs b/src/bits/opt/rfc7901.rs
index fccd0500..08eeeec4 100644
--- a/src/bits/opt/rfc7901.rs
+++ b/src/bits/opt/rfc7901.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
 use bytes::BufMut;
 use ::bits::compose::Composable;
 use ::bits::error::ShortBuf;
-use ::bits::name::{Dname, DnameError};
+use ::bits::message_builder::OptBuilder;
+use ::bits::name::{Dname, DnameError, ToDname};
 use ::bits::parse::Parser;
 use ::iana::OptionCode;
 use super::OptData;
@@ -21,6 +22,15 @@ impl Chain {
         Chain { start }
     }
 
+    pub fn push<N: ToDname>(builder: &mut OptBuilder, start: &N)
+                            -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+        let len = start.compose_len();
+        assert!(len <= ::std::u16::MAX as usize);
+        builder.build(OptionCode::Chain, len as u16, |buf| {
+            buf.compose(start)
+        })
+    }
+
     pub fn start(&self) -> &Dname {
         &self.start
     }
diff --git a/src/bits/opt/rfc8145.rs b/src/bits/opt/rfc8145.rs
index 67660c0b..1fe3d7f4 100644
--- a/src/bits/opt/rfc8145.rs
+++ b/src/bits/opt/rfc8145.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 //! EDNS Options from RFC 8145.
 
-use bytes::{BufMut, Bytes};
+use bytes::{BigEndian, BufMut, ByteOrder, Bytes};
 use ::bits::compose::Composable;
+use ::bits::error::ShortBuf;
+use ::bits::message_builder::OptBuilder;
 use ::bits::parse::Parser;
 use ::iana::OptionCode;
 use super::{OptData, OptionParseError};
@@ -18,6 +20,22 @@ impl KeyTag {
     pub fn new(bytes: Bytes) -> Self {
         KeyTag { bytes }
     }
+
+    pub fn push(builder: &mut OptBuilder, tags: &[u16])
+                -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+        let len = tags.len() * 2;
+        assert!(len <= ::std::u16::MAX as usize);
+        builder.build(OptionCode::EdnsKeyTag, len as u16, |buf| {
+            for tag in tags {
+                buf.compose(&tag)?
+            }
+            Ok(())
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn iter(&self) -> KeyTagIter {
+        KeyTagIter(self.bytes.as_ref())
+    }
 }
 
 impl Composable for KeyTag {
@@ -48,3 +66,34 @@ impl OptData for KeyTag {
         Ok(Some(Self::new(parser.parse_bytes(len)?)))
     }
 }
+
+impl<'a> IntoIterator for &'a KeyTag {
+    type Item = u16;
+    type IntoIter = KeyTagIter<'a>;
+
+    fn into_iter(self) -> Self::IntoIter {
+        self.iter()
+    }
+}
+
+
+//------------ KeyTagIter ----------------------------------------------------
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug)]
+pub struct KeyTagIter<'a>(&'a [u8]);
+
+impl<'a> Iterator for KeyTagIter<'a> {
+    type Item = u16;
+
+    fn next(&mut self) -> Option<Self::Item> {
+        if self.0.len() < 2 {
+            None
+        }
+        else {
+            let (item, tail) = self.0.split_at(2);
+            self.0 = tail;
+            Some(BigEndian::read_u16(item))
+        }
+    }
+}
+
diff --git a/src/bits/question.rs b/src/bits/question.rs
index aec1d33c..7dd98c96 100644
--- a/src/bits/question.rs
+++ b/src/bits/question.rs
@@ -45,6 +45,21 @@ impl<N> Question<N> {
 }
 
 
+//--- From
+
+impl<N> From<(N, Rtype, Class)> for Question<N> {
+    fn from((name, rtype, class): (N, Rtype, Class)) -> Self {
+        Question::new(name, rtype, class)
+    }
+}
+
+impl<N> From<(N, Rtype)> for Question<N> {
+    fn from((name, rtype): (N, Rtype)) -> Self {
+        Question::new(name, rtype, Class::In)
+    }
+}
+
+
 //--- Parseable, Composable, and Compressable
 
 impl<N: Parseable> Parseable for Question<N> {
diff --git a/src/bits/rdata.rs b/src/bits/rdata.rs
index bb78be00..fc681d8d 100644
--- a/src/bits/rdata.rs
+++ b/src/bits/rdata.rs
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 use std::fmt;
 use bytes::{BufMut, Bytes};
 use ::iana::Rtype;
-use super::compose::Composable;
+use super::compose::{Composable, Compressable, Compressor};
 use super::error::ShortBuf;
 use super::parse::Parser;
 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ use super::parse::Parser;
 //----------- RecordData -----------------------------------------------------
 
 /// A trait for types representing record data.
-pub trait RecordData: Composable + Sized {
+pub trait RecordData: Composable + Compressable + Sized {
     /// The type of an error returned when parsing fails.
     type ParseErr: Clone;
 
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ impl UnknownRecordData {
 }
 
 
-//--- Composable and RecordData
+//--- Composable, Compressable, and RecordData
 
 impl Composable for UnknownRecordData {
     fn compose_len(&self) -> usize {
@@ -112,6 +112,12 @@ impl Composable for UnknownRecordData {
     }
 }
 
+impl Compressable for UnknownRecordData {
+    fn compress(&self, buf: &mut Compressor) -> Result<(), ShortBuf> {
+        buf.compose(self)
+    }
+}
+
 impl RecordData for UnknownRecordData {
     type ParseErr = ShortBuf;
 
diff --git a/src/iana/opt.rs b/src/iana/opt.rs
index c36cd749..7cff2363 100644
--- a/src/iana/opt.rs
+++ b/src/iana/opt.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@
 use std::cmp;
 use std::fmt;
 use std::hash;
+use bytes::BufMut;
+use ::bits::compose::Composable;
+use ::bits::error::ShortBuf;
+use ::bits::parse::{Parseable, Parser};
 
 
 //------------ OptionCode ---------------------------------------------------
@@ -81,6 +85,27 @@ impl OptionCode {
 }
 
 
+//--- Parseable and Composable
+
+impl Parseable for OptionCode {
+    type Err = ShortBuf;
+
+    fn parse(parser: &mut Parser) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        u16::parse(parser).map(OptionCode::from_int)
+    }
+}
+
+impl Composable for OptionCode {
+    fn compose_len(&self) -> usize {
+        2
+    }
+
+    fn compose<B: BufMut>(&self, buf: &mut B) {
+        self.to_int().compose(buf)
+    }
+}
+
+
 //--- From
 
 impl From<u16> for OptionCode {