diff --git a/pkg/api/helper.go b/pkg/api/helper.go
index d4bd0425db0..cd882110a5e 100644
--- a/pkg/api/helper.go
+++ b/pkg/api/helper.go
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ func init() {
 		MinionList{},
 		Minion{},
 		Status{},
+		ServerOpList{},
+		ServerOp{},
 	)
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/api/types.go b/pkg/api/types.go
index e9f480385ff..ed18f287678 100644
--- a/pkg/api/types.go
+++ b/pkg/api/types.go
@@ -207,3 +207,14 @@ const (
 	StatusFailure = "failure"
 	StatusWorking = "working"
 )
+
+// Operation information, as delivered to API clients.
+type ServerOp struct {
+	JSONBase `yaml:",inline" json:",inline"`
+}
+
+// Operation list, as delivered to API clients.
+type ServerOpList struct {
+	JSONBase `yaml:",inline" json:",inline"`
+	Items    []ServerOp `yaml:"items,omitempty" json:"items,omitempty"`
+}
diff --git a/pkg/apiserver/apiserver.go b/pkg/apiserver/apiserver.go
index 5507d6f0fe7..cabe6541b07 100644
--- a/pkg/apiserver/apiserver.go
+++ b/pkg/apiserver/apiserver.go
@@ -41,11 +41,30 @@ type RESTStorage interface {
 	Update(interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error)
 }
 
-func MakeAsync(fn func() interface{}) <-chan interface{} {
-	channel := make(chan interface{}, 1)
+// WorkFunc is used to perform any time consuming work for an api call, after
+// the input has been validated. Pass one of these to MakeAsync to create an
+// appropriate return value for the Update, Delete, and Create methods.
+type WorkFunc func() (result interface{}, err error)
+
+// MakeAsync takes a function and executes it, delivering the result in the way required
+// by RESTStorage's Update, Delete, and Create methods.
+func MakeAsync(fn WorkFunc) <-chan interface{} {
+	channel := make(chan interface{})
 	go func() {
 		defer util.HandleCrash()
-		channel <- fn()
+		obj, err := fn()
+		if err != nil {
+			channel <- &api.Status{
+				Status:  api.StatusFailure,
+				Details: err.Error(),
+			}
+		} else {
+			channel <- obj
+		}
+		// 'close' is used to signal that no further values will
+		// be written to the channel. Not strictly necessary, but
+		// also won't hurt.
+		close(channel)
 	}()
 	return channel
 }
@@ -59,6 +78,7 @@ func MakeAsync(fn func() interface{}) <-chan interface{} {
 type ApiServer struct {
 	prefix  string
 	storage map[string]RESTStorage
+	ops     *Operations
 }
 
 // New creates a new ApiServer object.
@@ -68,6 +88,7 @@ func New(storage map[string]RESTStorage, prefix string) *ApiServer {
 	return &ApiServer{
 		storage: storage,
 		prefix:  prefix,
+		ops:     NewOperations(),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -108,6 +129,10 @@ func (server *ApiServer) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
 		server.notFound(req, w)
 		return
 	}
+	if requestParts[0] == "operations" {
+		server.handleOperationRequest(requestParts[1:], w, req)
+		return
+	}
 	storage := server.storage[requestParts[0]]
 	if storage == nil {
 		logger.Addf("'%v' has no storage object", requestParts[0])
@@ -144,15 +169,30 @@ func (server *ApiServer) readBody(req *http.Request) ([]byte, error) {
 	return body, err
 }
 
-func (server *ApiServer) waitForObject(out <-chan interface{}, timeout time.Duration) (interface{}, error) {
-	tick := time.After(timeout)
-	var obj interface{}
-	select {
-	case obj = <-out:
-		return obj, nil
-	case <-tick:
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Timed out waiting for synchronization.")
+// finishReq finishes up a request, waiting until the operation finishes or, after a timeout, creating an
+// Operation to recieve the result and returning its ID down the writer.
+func (server *ApiServer) finishReq(out <-chan interface{}, sync bool, timeout time.Duration, w http.ResponseWriter) {
+	op := server.ops.NewOperation(out)
+	if sync {
+		op.WaitFor(timeout)
 	}
+	obj, complete := op.StatusOrResult()
+	if complete {
+		server.write(http.StatusOK, obj, w)
+	} else {
+		server.write(http.StatusAccepted, obj, w)
+	}
+}
+
+func parseTimeout(str string) time.Duration {
+	if str != "" {
+		timeout, err := time.ParseDuration(str)
+		if err == nil {
+			return timeout
+		}
+		glog.Errorf("Failed to parse: %#v '%s'", err, str)
+	}
+	return 30 * time.Second
 }
 
 // handleREST is the main dispatcher for the server.  It switches on the HTTP method, and then
@@ -170,11 +210,7 @@ func (server *ApiServer) waitForObject(out <-chan interface{}, timeout time.Dura
 //    labels=<label-selector> Used for filtering list operations
 func (server *ApiServer) handleREST(parts []string, requestUrl *url.URL, req *http.Request, w http.ResponseWriter, storage RESTStorage) {
 	sync := requestUrl.Query().Get("sync") == "true"
-	timeout, err := time.ParseDuration(requestUrl.Query().Get("timeout"))
-	if err != nil && len(requestUrl.Query().Get("timeout")) > 0 {
-		glog.Errorf("Failed to parse: %#v '%s'", err, requestUrl.Query().Get("timeout"))
-		timeout = time.Second * 30
-	}
+	timeout := parseTimeout(requestUrl.Query().Get("timeout"))
 	switch req.Method {
 	case "GET":
 		switch len(parts) {
@@ -184,12 +220,12 @@ func (server *ApiServer) handleREST(parts []string, requestUrl *url.URL, req *ht
 				server.error(err, w)
 				return
 			}
-			controllers, err := storage.List(selector)
+			list, err := storage.List(selector)
 			if err != nil {
 				server.error(err, w)
 				return
 			}
-			server.write(http.StatusOK, controllers, w)
+			server.write(http.StatusOK, list, w)
 		case 2:
 			item, err := storage.Get(parts[1])
 			if err != nil {
@@ -204,7 +240,6 @@ func (server *ApiServer) handleREST(parts []string, requestUrl *url.URL, req *ht
 		default:
 			server.notFound(req, w)
 		}
-		return
 	case "POST":
 		if len(parts) != 1 {
 			server.notFound(req, w)
@@ -221,44 +256,22 @@ func (server *ApiServer) handleREST(parts []string, requestUrl *url.URL, req *ht
 			return
 		}
 		out, err := storage.Create(obj)
-		if err == nil && sync {
-			obj, err = server.waitForObject(out, timeout)
-		}
 		if err != nil {
 			server.error(err, w)
 			return
 		}
-		var statusCode int
-		if sync {
-			statusCode = http.StatusOK
-		} else {
-			statusCode = http.StatusAccepted
-		}
-		server.write(statusCode, obj, w)
-		return
+		server.finishReq(out, sync, timeout, w)
 	case "DELETE":
 		if len(parts) != 2 {
 			server.notFound(req, w)
 			return
 		}
 		out, err := storage.Delete(parts[1])
-		var obj interface{}
-		obj = api.Status{Status: api.StatusSuccess}
-		if err == nil && sync {
-			obj, err = server.waitForObject(out, timeout)
-		}
 		if err != nil {
 			server.error(err, w)
 			return
 		}
-		var statusCode int
-		if sync {
-			statusCode = http.StatusOK
-		} else {
-			statusCode = http.StatusAccepted
-		}
-		server.write(statusCode, obj, w)
-		return
+		server.finishReq(out, sync, timeout, w)
 	case "PUT":
 		if len(parts) != 2 {
 			server.notFound(req, w)
@@ -274,22 +287,36 @@ func (server *ApiServer) handleREST(parts []string, requestUrl *url.URL, req *ht
 			return
 		}
 		out, err := storage.Update(obj)
-		if err == nil && sync {
-			obj, err = server.waitForObject(out, timeout)
-		}
 		if err != nil {
 			server.error(err, w)
 			return
 		}
-		var statusCode int
-		if sync {
-			statusCode = http.StatusOK
-		} else {
-			statusCode = http.StatusAccepted
-		}
-		server.write(statusCode, obj, w)
-		return
+		server.finishReq(out, sync, timeout, w)
 	default:
 		server.notFound(req, w)
 	}
 }
+
+func (server *ApiServer) handleOperationRequest(parts []string, w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
+	if req.Method != "GET" {
+		server.notFound(req, w)
+	}
+	if len(parts) == 0 {
+		// List outstanding operations.
+		list := server.ops.List()
+		server.write(http.StatusOK, list, w)
+		return
+	}
+
+	op := server.ops.Get(parts[0])
+	if op == nil {
+		server.notFound(req, w)
+	}
+
+	obj, complete := op.StatusOrResult()
+	if complete {
+		server.write(http.StatusOK, obj, w)
+	} else {
+		server.write(http.StatusAccepted, obj, w)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/apiserver/apiserver_test.go b/pkg/apiserver/apiserver_test.go
index 8b0e535feeb..f3371300c3a 100644
--- a/pkg/apiserver/apiserver_test.go
+++ b/pkg/apiserver/apiserver_test.go
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ package apiserver
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
-	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"io/ioutil"
 	"net/http"
@@ -26,6 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"reflect"
 	"sync"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/kubernetes/pkg/api"
 	"github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/kubernetes/pkg/labels"
@@ -58,7 +58,11 @@ type SimpleRESTStorage struct {
 	item    Simple
 	deleted string
 	updated Simple
-	channel <-chan interface{}
+	created Simple
+
+	// If non-nil, called inside the WorkFunc when answering update, delete, create.
+	// obj recieves the original input to the update, delete, or create call.
+	injectedFunction func(obj interface{}) (returnObj interface{}, err error)
 }
 
 func (storage *SimpleRESTStorage) List(labels.Selector) (interface{}, error) {
@@ -74,7 +78,15 @@ func (storage *SimpleRESTStorage) Get(id string) (interface{}, error) {
 
 func (storage *SimpleRESTStorage) Delete(id string) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
 	storage.deleted = id
-	return storage.channel, storage.err
+	if storage.err != nil {
+		return nil, storage.err
+	}
+	return MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		if storage.injectedFunction != nil {
+			return storage.injectedFunction(id)
+		}
+		return api.Status{Status: api.StatusSuccess}, nil
+	}), nil
 }
 
 func (storage *SimpleRESTStorage) Extract(body []byte) (interface{}, error) {
@@ -83,13 +95,30 @@ func (storage *SimpleRESTStorage) Extract(body []byte) (interface{}, error) {
 	return item, storage.err
 }
 
-func (storage *SimpleRESTStorage) Create(interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
-	return storage.channel, storage.err
+func (storage *SimpleRESTStorage) Create(obj interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
+	storage.created = obj.(Simple)
+	if storage.err != nil {
+		return nil, storage.err
+	}
+	return MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		if storage.injectedFunction != nil {
+			return storage.injectedFunction(obj)
+		}
+		return obj, nil
+	}), nil
 }
 
-func (storage *SimpleRESTStorage) Update(object interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
-	storage.updated = object.(Simple)
-	return storage.channel, storage.err
+func (storage *SimpleRESTStorage) Update(obj interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
+	storage.updated = obj.(Simple)
+	if storage.err != nil {
+		return nil, storage.err
+	}
+	return MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		if storage.injectedFunction != nil {
+			return storage.injectedFunction(obj)
+		}
+		return obj, nil
+	}), nil
 }
 
 func extractBody(response *http.Response, object interface{}) (string, error) {
@@ -214,7 +243,7 @@ func TestUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 	item := Simple{
 		Name: "bar",
 	}
-	body, err := json.Marshal(item)
+	body, err := api.Encode(item)
 	expectNoError(t, err)
 	client := http.Client{}
 	request, err := http.NewRequest("PUT", server.URL+"/prefix/version/simple/"+ID, bytes.NewReader(body))
@@ -270,14 +299,15 @@ func TestMissingStorage(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCreate(t *testing.T) {
+	simpleStorage := &SimpleRESTStorage{}
 	handler := New(map[string]RESTStorage{
-		"foo": &SimpleRESTStorage{},
+		"foo": simpleStorage,
 	}, "/prefix/version")
 	server := httptest.NewServer(handler)
 	client := http.Client{}
 
 	simple := Simple{Name: "foo"}
-	data, _ := json.Marshal(simple)
+	data, _ := api.Encode(simple)
 	request, err := http.NewRequest("POST", server.URL+"/prefix/version/foo", bytes.NewBuffer(data))
 	expectNoError(t, err)
 	response, err := client.Do(request)
@@ -286,18 +316,32 @@ func TestCreate(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("Unexpected response %#v", response)
 	}
 
-	var itemOut Simple
+	var itemOut api.Status
 	body, err := extractBody(response, &itemOut)
 	expectNoError(t, err)
-	if !reflect.DeepEqual(itemOut, simple) {
-		t.Errorf("Unexpected data: %#v, expected %#v (%s)", itemOut, simple, string(body))
+	if itemOut.Status != api.StatusWorking || itemOut.Details == "" {
+		t.Errorf("Unexpected status: %#v (%s)", itemOut, string(body))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseTimeout(t *testing.T) {
+	if d := parseTimeout(""); d != 30*time.Second {
+		t.Errorf("blank timeout produces %v", d)
+	}
+	if d := parseTimeout("not a timeout"); d != 30*time.Second {
+		t.Errorf("bad timeout produces %v", d)
+	}
+	if d := parseTimeout("10s"); d != 10*time.Second {
+		t.Errorf("10s timeout produced: %v", d)
 	}
 }
 
 func TestSyncCreate(t *testing.T) {
-	channel := make(chan interface{}, 1)
 	storage := SimpleRESTStorage{
-		channel: channel,
+		injectedFunction: func(obj interface{}) (interface{}, error) {
+			time.Sleep(200 * time.Millisecond)
+			return obj, nil
+		},
 	}
 	handler := New(map[string]RESTStorage{
 		"foo": &storage,
@@ -306,7 +350,7 @@ func TestSyncCreate(t *testing.T) {
 	client := http.Client{}
 
 	simple := Simple{Name: "foo"}
-	data, _ := json.Marshal(simple)
+	data, _ := api.Encode(simple)
 	request, err := http.NewRequest("POST", server.URL+"/prefix/version/foo?sync=true", bytes.NewBuffer(data))
 	expectNoError(t, err)
 	wg := sync.WaitGroup{}
@@ -314,37 +358,54 @@ func TestSyncCreate(t *testing.T) {
 	var response *http.Response
 	go func() {
 		response, err = client.Do(request)
-		expectNoError(t, err)
-		if response.StatusCode != 200 {
-			t.Errorf("Unexpected response %#v", response)
-		}
 		wg.Done()
 	}()
-	output := Simple{Name: "bar"}
-	channel <- output
 	wg.Wait()
+	expectNoError(t, err)
 	var itemOut Simple
 	body, err := extractBody(response, &itemOut)
 	expectNoError(t, err)
-	if !reflect.DeepEqual(itemOut, output) {
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(itemOut, simple) {
 		t.Errorf("Unexpected data: %#v, expected %#v (%s)", itemOut, simple, string(body))
 	}
+	if response.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Errorf("Unexpected status: %d, Expected: %d, %#v", response.StatusCode, http.StatusOK, response)
+	}
 }
 
 func TestSyncCreateTimeout(t *testing.T) {
+	storage := SimpleRESTStorage{
+		injectedFunction: func(obj interface{}) (interface{}, error) {
+			time.Sleep(400 * time.Millisecond)
+			return obj, nil
+		},
+	}
 	handler := New(map[string]RESTStorage{
-		"foo": &SimpleRESTStorage{},
+		"foo": &storage,
 	}, "/prefix/version")
 	server := httptest.NewServer(handler)
 	client := http.Client{}
 
 	simple := Simple{Name: "foo"}
-	data, _ := json.Marshal(simple)
-	request, err := http.NewRequest("POST", server.URL+"/prefix/version/foo?sync=true&timeout=1us", bytes.NewBuffer(data))
+	data, _ := api.Encode(simple)
+	request, err := http.NewRequest("POST", server.URL+"/prefix/version/foo?sync=true&timeout=200ms", bytes.NewBuffer(data))
 	expectNoError(t, err)
-	response, err := client.Do(request)
+	wg := sync.WaitGroup{}
+	wg.Add(1)
+	var response *http.Response
+	go func() {
+		response, err = client.Do(request)
+		wg.Done()
+	}()
+	wg.Wait()
 	expectNoError(t, err)
-	if response.StatusCode != 500 {
-		t.Errorf("Unexpected response %#v", response)
+	var itemOut api.Status
+	_, err = extractBody(response, &itemOut)
+	expectNoError(t, err)
+	if itemOut.Status != api.StatusWorking || itemOut.Details == "" {
+		t.Errorf("Unexpected status %#v", itemOut)
+	}
+	if response.StatusCode != http.StatusAccepted {
+		t.Errorf("Unexpected status: %d, Expected: %d, %#v", response.StatusCode, 202, response)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/pkg/apiserver/operation.go b/pkg/apiserver/operation.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..09b25e2c34f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/apiserver/operation.go
@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2014 Google Inc. All rights reserved.
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package apiserver
+
+import (
+	"sort"
+	"strconv"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/kubernetes/pkg/api"
+	"github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/kubernetes/pkg/util"
+)
+
+// Operation represents an ongoing action which the server is performing.
+type Operation struct {
+	ID       string
+	result   interface{}
+	awaiting <-chan interface{}
+	finished *time.Time
+	lock     sync.Mutex
+	notify   chan bool
+}
+
+// Operations tracks all the ongoing operations.
+type Operations struct {
+	// Access only using functions from atomic.
+	lastID int64
+
+	// 'lock' guards the ops map.
+	lock sync.Mutex
+	ops  map[string]*Operation
+}
+
+// Returns a new Operations repository.
+func NewOperations() *Operations {
+	ops := &Operations{
+		ops: map[string]*Operation{},
+	}
+	go util.Forever(func() { ops.expire(10 * time.Minute) }, 5*time.Minute)
+	return ops
+}
+
+// Add a new operation. Lock-free.
+func (ops *Operations) NewOperation(from <-chan interface{}) *Operation {
+	id := atomic.AddInt64(&ops.lastID, 1)
+	op := &Operation{
+		ID:       strconv.FormatInt(id, 10),
+		awaiting: from,
+		notify:   make(chan bool, 1),
+	}
+	go op.wait()
+	go ops.insert(op)
+	return op
+}
+
+// Inserts op into the ops map.
+func (ops *Operations) insert(op *Operation) {
+	ops.lock.Lock()
+	defer ops.lock.Unlock()
+	ops.ops[op.ID] = op
+}
+
+// List operations for an API client.
+func (ops *Operations) List() api.ServerOpList {
+	ops.lock.Lock()
+	defer ops.lock.Unlock()
+
+	ids := []string{}
+	for id := range ops.ops {
+		ids = append(ids, id)
+	}
+	sort.StringSlice(ids).Sort()
+	ol := api.ServerOpList{}
+	for _, id := range ids {
+		ol.Items = append(ol.Items, api.ServerOp{JSONBase: api.JSONBase{ID: id}})
+	}
+	return ol
+}
+
+// Returns the operation with the given ID, or nil
+func (ops *Operations) Get(id string) *Operation {
+	ops.lock.Lock()
+	defer ops.lock.Unlock()
+	return ops.ops[id]
+}
+
+// Garbage collect operations that have finished longer than maxAge ago.
+func (ops *Operations) expire(maxAge time.Duration) {
+	ops.lock.Lock()
+	defer ops.lock.Unlock()
+	keep := map[string]*Operation{}
+	limitTime := time.Now().Add(-maxAge)
+	for id, op := range ops.ops {
+		if !op.expired(limitTime) {
+			keep[id] = op
+		}
+	}
+	ops.ops = keep
+}
+
+// Waits forever for the operation to complete; call via go when
+// the operation is created. Sets op.finished when the operation
+// does complete, and sends on the notify channel, in case there
+// are any WaitFor() calls in progress.
+// Does not keep op locked while waiting.
+func (op *Operation) wait() {
+	defer util.HandleCrash()
+	result := <-op.awaiting
+
+	op.lock.Lock()
+	defer op.lock.Unlock()
+	op.result = result
+	finished := time.Now()
+	op.finished = &finished
+	op.notify <- true
+}
+
+// Wait for the specified duration, or until the operation finishes,
+// whichever happens first.
+func (op *Operation) WaitFor(timeout time.Duration) {
+	select {
+	case <-time.After(timeout):
+	case <-op.notify:
+		// Re-send on this channel in case there are others
+		// waiting for notification.
+		op.notify <- true
+	}
+}
+
+// Returns true if this operation finished before limitTime.
+func (op *Operation) expired(limitTime time.Time) bool {
+	op.lock.Lock()
+	defer op.lock.Unlock()
+	if op.finished == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	return op.finished.Before(limitTime)
+}
+
+// Return status information or the result of the operation if it is complete,
+// with a bool indicating true in the latter case.
+func (op *Operation) StatusOrResult() (description interface{}, finished bool) {
+	op.lock.Lock()
+	defer op.lock.Unlock()
+
+	if op.finished == nil {
+		return api.Status{
+			Status:  api.StatusWorking,
+			Details: op.ID,
+		}, false
+	}
+	return op.result, true
+}
diff --git a/pkg/apiserver/operation_test.go b/pkg/apiserver/operation_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..35b06ab1547
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/apiserver/operation_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2014 Google Inc. All rights reserved.
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package apiserver
+
+import (
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+func TestOperation(t *testing.T) {
+	ops := NewOperations()
+
+	c := make(chan interface{})
+	op := ops.NewOperation(c)
+	// Allow context switch, so that op's ID can get added to the map and Get will work.
+	// This is just so we can test Get. Ordinary users have no need to call Get immediately
+	// after calling NewOperation, because it returns the operation directly.
+	time.Sleep(time.Millisecond)
+	go func() {
+		time.Sleep(500 * time.Millisecond)
+		c <- "All done"
+	}()
+
+	if op.expired(time.Now().Add(-time.Minute)) {
+		t.Errorf("Expired before finished: %#v", op)
+	}
+	ops.expire(time.Minute)
+	if tmp := ops.Get(op.ID); tmp == nil {
+		t.Errorf("expire incorrectly removed the operation %#v", ops)
+	}
+
+	op.WaitFor(10 * time.Millisecond)
+	if _, completed := op.StatusOrResult(); completed {
+		t.Errorf("Unexpectedly fast completion")
+	}
+
+	const waiters = 10
+	var waited int32
+	for i := 0; i < waiters; i++ {
+		go func() {
+			op.WaitFor(time.Hour)
+			atomic.AddInt32(&waited, 1)
+		}()
+	}
+
+	op.WaitFor(time.Minute)
+	if _, completed := op.StatusOrResult(); !completed {
+		t.Errorf("Unexpectedly slow completion")
+	}
+
+	time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	if waited != waiters {
+		t.Errorf("Multiple waiters doesn't work, only %v finished", waited)
+	}
+
+	if op.expired(time.Now().Add(-time.Second)) {
+		t.Errorf("Should not be expired: %#v", op)
+	}
+	if !op.expired(time.Now().Add(-80 * time.Millisecond)) {
+		t.Errorf("Should be expired: %#v", op)
+	}
+
+	ops.expire(80 * time.Millisecond)
+	if tmp := ops.Get(op.ID); tmp != nil {
+		t.Errorf("expire failed to remove the operation %#v", ops)
+	}
+
+	if op.result.(string) != "All done" {
+		t.Errorf("Got unexpected result: %#v", op.result)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/client/request.go b/pkg/client/request.go
index fde4d914e08..ea643421433 100644
--- a/pkg/client/request.go
+++ b/pkg/client/request.go
@@ -43,9 +43,11 @@ import (
 // Begin a request with a verb (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
 func (c *Client) Verb(verb string) *Request {
 	return &Request{
-		verb: verb,
-		c:    c,
-		path: "/api/v1beta1",
+		verb:    verb,
+		c:       c,
+		path:    "/api/v1beta1",
+		sync:    true,
+		timeout: 10 * time.Second,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -80,6 +82,7 @@ type Request struct {
 	body     io.Reader
 	selector labels.Selector
 	timeout  time.Duration
+	sync     bool
 }
 
 // Append an item to the request path. You must call Path at least once.
@@ -91,6 +94,15 @@ func (r *Request) Path(item string) *Request {
 	return r
 }
 
+// Set sync/async call status.
+func (r *Request) Sync(sync bool) *Request {
+	if r.err != nil {
+		return r
+	}
+	r.sync = sync
+	return r
+}
+
 // Overwrite an existing path with the path parameter.
 func (r *Request) AbsPath(path string) *Request {
 	if r.err != nil {
@@ -168,8 +180,11 @@ func (r *Request) Do() Result {
 	if r.selector != nil {
 		query.Add("labels", r.selector.String())
 	}
-	if r.timeout != 0 {
-		query.Add("timeout", r.timeout.String())
+	if r.sync {
+		query.Add("sync", "true")
+		if r.timeout != 0 {
+			query.Add("timeout", r.timeout.String())
+		}
 	}
 	finalUrl += "?" + query.Encode()
 	req, err := http.NewRequest(r.verb, finalUrl, r.body)
diff --git a/pkg/client/request_test.go b/pkg/client/request_test.go
index 41c8ae62e32..c6ec542c240 100644
--- a/pkg/client/request_test.go
+++ b/pkg/client/request_test.go
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func TestDoRequestNewWay(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("Expected: %#v, got %#v", expectedObj, obj)
 	}
 	fakeHandler.ValidateRequest(t, "/api/v1beta1/foo/bar/baz", "POST", &reqBody)
-	if fakeHandler.RequestReceived.URL.RawQuery != "labels=name%3Dfoo&timeout=1s" {
+	if fakeHandler.RequestReceived.URL.RawQuery != "labels=name%3Dfoo&sync=true&timeout=1s" {
 		t.Errorf("Unexpected query: %v", fakeHandler.RequestReceived.URL.RawQuery)
 	}
 	if fakeHandler.RequestReceived.Header["Authorization"] == nil {
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ func TestDoRequestNewWayReader(t *testing.T) {
 		Path("foo/bar").
 		Path("baz").
 		Selector(labels.Set{"name": "foo"}.AsSelector()).
+		Sync(false).
 		Timeout(time.Second).
 		Body(bytes.NewBuffer(reqBodyExpected)).
 		Do().Get()
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ func TestDoRequestNewWayReader(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	tmpStr := string(reqBodyExpected)
 	fakeHandler.ValidateRequest(t, "/api/v1beta1/foo/bar/baz", "POST", &tmpStr)
-	if fakeHandler.RequestReceived.URL.RawQuery != "labels=name%3Dfoo&timeout=1s" {
+	if fakeHandler.RequestReceived.URL.RawQuery != "labels=name%3Dfoo" {
 		t.Errorf("Unexpected query: %v", fakeHandler.RequestReceived.URL.RawQuery)
 	}
 	if fakeHandler.RequestReceived.Header["Authorization"] == nil {
@@ -136,7 +137,7 @@ func TestDoRequestNewWayObj(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	tmpStr := string(reqBodyExpected)
 	fakeHandler.ValidateRequest(t, "/api/v1beta1/foo/bar/baz", "POST", &tmpStr)
-	if fakeHandler.RequestReceived.URL.RawQuery != "labels=name%3Dfoo&timeout=1s" {
+	if fakeHandler.RequestReceived.URL.RawQuery != "labels=name%3Dfoo&sync=true&timeout=1s" {
 		t.Errorf("Unexpected query: %v", fakeHandler.RequestReceived.URL.RawQuery)
 	}
 	if fakeHandler.RequestReceived.Header["Authorization"] == nil {
@@ -181,7 +182,7 @@ func TestDoRequestNewWayFile(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	tmpStr := string(reqBodyExpected)
 	fakeHandler.ValidateRequest(t, "/api/v1beta1/foo/bar/baz", "POST", &tmpStr)
-	if fakeHandler.RequestReceived.URL.RawQuery != "labels=name%3Dfoo&timeout=1s" {
+	if fakeHandler.RequestReceived.URL.RawQuery != "labels=name%3Dfoo&sync=true&timeout=1s" {
 		t.Errorf("Unexpected query: %v", fakeHandler.RequestReceived.URL.RawQuery)
 	}
 	if fakeHandler.RequestReceived.Header["Authorization"] == nil {
@@ -213,3 +214,19 @@ func TestAbsPath(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("unexpected path: %s, expected %s", r.path, expectedPath)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestSync(t *testing.T) {
+	c := New("", nil)
+	r := c.Get()
+	if !r.sync {
+		t.Errorf("sync has wrong default")
+	}
+	r.Sync(false)
+	if r.sync {
+		t.Errorf("'Sync' doesn't work")
+	}
+	r.Sync(true)
+	if !r.sync {
+		t.Errorf("'Sync' doesn't work")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/registry/controller_registry.go b/pkg/registry/controller_registry.go
index bf7722e83b3..64fac8258d1 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/controller_registry.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/controller_registry.go
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ limitations under the License.
 package registry
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
+
 	"github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/kubernetes/pkg/api"
 	"github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/kubernetes/pkg/apiserver"
 	"github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/kubernetes/pkg/labels"
@@ -55,7 +57,9 @@ func (storage *ControllerRegistryStorage) Get(id string) (interface{}, error) {
 }
 
 func (storage *ControllerRegistryStorage) Delete(id string) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
-	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() interface{} { return api.Status{Status: api.StatusSuccess} }), storage.registry.DeleteController(id)
+	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		return api.Status{Status: api.StatusSuccess}, storage.registry.DeleteController(id)
+	}), nil
 }
 
 func (storage *ControllerRegistryStorage) Extract(body []byte) (interface{}, error) {
@@ -64,10 +68,36 @@ func (storage *ControllerRegistryStorage) Extract(body []byte) (interface{}, err
 	return result, err
 }
 
-func (storage *ControllerRegistryStorage) Create(controller interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
-	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() interface{} { return controller }), storage.registry.CreateController(controller.(api.ReplicationController))
+func (storage *ControllerRegistryStorage) Create(obj interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
+	controller, ok := obj.(api.ReplicationController)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("not a replication controller: %#v", obj)
+	}
+	if controller.ID == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ID should not be empty: %#v", controller)
+	}
+	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		err := storage.registry.CreateController(controller)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return storage.registry.GetController(controller.ID)
+	}), nil
 }
 
-func (storage *ControllerRegistryStorage) Update(controller interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
-	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() interface{} { return controller }), storage.registry.UpdateController(controller.(api.ReplicationController))
+func (storage *ControllerRegistryStorage) Update(obj interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
+	controller, ok := obj.(api.ReplicationController)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("not a replication controller: %#v", obj)
+	}
+	if controller.ID == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ID should not be empty: %#v", controller)
+	}
+	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		err := storage.registry.UpdateController(controller)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return storage.registry.GetController(controller.ID)
+	}), nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/registry/minion_registry.go b/pkg/registry/minion_registry.go
index e5b6c0c131b..dbe7fc5c994 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/minion_registry.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/minion_registry.go
@@ -140,8 +140,28 @@ func (storage *MinionRegistryStorage) Extract(body []byte) (interface{}, error)
 	return minion, err
 }
 
-func (storage *MinionRegistryStorage) Create(minion interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
-	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() interface{} { return minion }), storage.registry.Insert(minion.(api.Minion).ID)
+func (storage *MinionRegistryStorage) Create(obj interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
+	minion, ok := obj.(api.Minion)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("not a minion: %#v", obj)
+	}
+	if minion.ID == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ID should not be empty: %#v", minion)
+	}
+	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		err := storage.registry.Insert(minion.ID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		contains, err := storage.registry.Contains(minion.ID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if contains {
+			return storage.toApiMinion(minion.ID), nil
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to add minion %#v", minion)
+	}), nil
 }
 
 func (storage *MinionRegistryStorage) Update(minion interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
@@ -156,5 +176,7 @@ func (storage *MinionRegistryStorage) Delete(id string) (<-chan interface{}, err
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() interface{} { return api.Status{Status: api.StatusSuccess} }), storage.registry.Delete(id)
+	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		return api.Status{Status: api.StatusSuccess}, storage.registry.Delete(id)
+	}), nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/registry/minion_registry_test.go b/pkg/registry/minion_registry_test.go
index ca12a0be66b..6c6db1b30f7 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/minion_registry_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/minion_registry_test.go
@@ -73,20 +73,32 @@ func TestMinionRegistryStorage(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("has unexpected object")
 	}
 
-	if _, err := ms.Create(api.Minion{JSONBase: api.JSONBase{ID: "baz"}}); err != nil {
+	c, err := ms.Create(api.Minion{JSONBase: api.JSONBase{ID: "baz"}})
+	if err != nil {
 		t.Errorf("insert failed")
 	}
+	obj := <-c
+	if m, ok := obj.(api.Minion); !ok || m.ID != "baz" {
+		t.Errorf("insert return value was weird: %#v", obj)
+	}
 	if obj, err := ms.Get("baz"); err != nil || obj.(api.Minion).ID != "baz" {
 		t.Errorf("insert didn't actually insert")
 	}
 
-	if _, err := ms.Delete("bar"); err != nil {
+	c, err = ms.Delete("bar")
+	if err != nil {
 		t.Errorf("delete failed")
 	}
+	obj = <-c
+	if s, ok := obj.(api.Status); !ok || s.Status != api.StatusSuccess {
+		t.Errorf("delete return value was weird: %#v", obj)
+	}
 	if _, err := ms.Get("bar"); err != ErrDoesNotExist {
 		t.Errorf("delete didn't actually delete")
 	}
-	if _, err := ms.Delete("bar"); err != ErrDoesNotExist {
+
+	_, err = ms.Delete("bar")
+	if err != ErrDoesNotExist {
 		t.Errorf("delete returned wrong error")
 	}
 
diff --git a/pkg/registry/pod_registry.go b/pkg/registry/pod_registry.go
index 06b0c4ae79e..708dfb24ac7 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/pod_registry.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/pod_registry.go
@@ -131,7 +131,9 @@ func (storage *PodRegistryStorage) Get(id string) (interface{}, error) {
 }
 
 func (storage *PodRegistryStorage) Delete(id string) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
-	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() interface{} { return api.Status{Status: api.StatusSuccess} }), storage.registry.DeletePod(id)
+	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		return api.Status{Status: api.StatusSuccess}, storage.registry.DeletePod(id)
+	}), nil
 }
 
 func (storage *PodRegistryStorage) Extract(body []byte) (interface{}, error) {
@@ -140,19 +142,37 @@ func (storage *PodRegistryStorage) Extract(body []byte) (interface{}, error) {
 	return pod, err
 }
 
-func (storage *PodRegistryStorage) Create(pod interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
-	podObj := pod.(api.Pod)
-	if len(podObj.ID) == 0 {
+func (storage *PodRegistryStorage) Create(obj interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
+	pod := obj.(api.Pod)
+	if len(pod.ID) == 0 {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("id is unspecified: %#v", pod)
 	}
-	machine, err := storage.scheduler.Schedule(podObj)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+
+	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		// TODO(lavalamp): Separate scheduler more cleanly.
+		machine, err := storage.scheduler.Schedule(pod)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		err = storage.registry.CreatePod(machine, pod)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return storage.registry.GetPod(pod.ID)
+	}), nil
+}
+
+func (storage *PodRegistryStorage) Update(obj interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
+	pod := obj.(api.Pod)
+	if len(pod.ID) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("id is unspecified: %#v", pod)
 	}
 
-	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() interface{} { return pod }), storage.registry.CreatePod(machine, podObj)
-}
-
-func (storage *PodRegistryStorage) Update(pod interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
-	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() interface{} { return pod }), storage.registry.UpdatePod(pod.(api.Pod))
+	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		err := storage.registry.UpdatePod(pod)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return storage.registry.GetPod(pod.ID)
+	}), nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/registry/service_registry.go b/pkg/registry/service_registry.go
index 419719869d7..89455a85c50 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/service_registry.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/service_registry.go
@@ -82,24 +82,26 @@ func (sr *ServiceRegistryStorage) Get(id string) (interface{}, error) {
 }
 
 func (sr *ServiceRegistryStorage) Delete(id string) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
-	svc, err := sr.Get(id)
+	service, err := sr.registry.GetService(id)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if svc.(*api.Service).CreateExternalLoadBalancer {
-		var balancer cloudprovider.TCPLoadBalancer
-		var ok bool
-		if sr.cloud != nil {
-			balancer, ok = sr.cloud.TCPLoadBalancer()
-		}
-		if ok && balancer != nil {
-			err = balancer.DeleteTCPLoadBalancer(id, "us-central1")
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
+	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		if service.CreateExternalLoadBalancer {
+			var balancer cloudprovider.TCPLoadBalancer
+			var ok bool
+			if sr.cloud != nil {
+				balancer, ok = sr.cloud.TCPLoadBalancer()
+			}
+			if ok && balancer != nil {
+				err = balancer.DeleteTCPLoadBalancer(id, "us-central1")
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
 			}
 		}
-	}
-	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() interface{} { return api.Status{Status: api.StatusSuccess} }), sr.registry.DeleteService(id)
+		return api.Status{Status: api.StatusSuccess}, sr.registry.DeleteService(id)
+	}), nil
 }
 
 func (sr *ServiceRegistryStorage) Extract(body []byte) (interface{}, error) {
@@ -110,29 +112,51 @@ func (sr *ServiceRegistryStorage) Extract(body []byte) (interface{}, error) {
 
 func (sr *ServiceRegistryStorage) Create(obj interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
 	srv := obj.(api.Service)
-	if srv.CreateExternalLoadBalancer {
-		var balancer cloudprovider.TCPLoadBalancer
-		var ok bool
-		if sr.cloud != nil {
-			balancer, ok = sr.cloud.TCPLoadBalancer()
-		}
-		if ok && balancer != nil {
-			hosts, err := sr.machines.List()
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			err = balancer.CreateTCPLoadBalancer(srv.ID, "us-central1", srv.Port, hosts)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
-		} else {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("requested an external service, but no cloud provider supplied.")
-		}
+	if srv.ID == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ID should not be empty: %#v", srv)
 	}
-	// TODO actually wait for the object to be fully created here.
-	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() interface{} { return obj }), sr.registry.CreateService(srv)
+	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		// TODO: Consider moving this to a rectification loop, so that we make/remove external load balancers
+		// correctly no matter what http operations happen.
+		if srv.CreateExternalLoadBalancer {
+			var balancer cloudprovider.TCPLoadBalancer
+			var ok bool
+			if sr.cloud != nil {
+				balancer, ok = sr.cloud.TCPLoadBalancer()
+			}
+			if ok && balancer != nil {
+				hosts, err := sr.machines.List()
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+				err = balancer.CreateTCPLoadBalancer(srv.ID, "us-central1", srv.Port, hosts)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+			} else {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("requested an external service, but no cloud provider supplied.")
+			}
+		}
+		// TODO actually wait for the object to be fully created here.
+		err := sr.registry.CreateService(srv)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return sr.registry.GetService(srv.ID)
+	}), nil
 }
 
 func (sr *ServiceRegistryStorage) Update(obj interface{}) (<-chan interface{}, error) {
-	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() interface{} { return obj }), sr.registry.UpdateService(obj.(api.Service))
+	srv := obj.(api.Service)
+	if srv.ID == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ID should not be empty: %#v", srv)
+	}
+	return apiserver.MakeAsync(func() (interface{}, error) {
+		// TODO: check to see if external load balancer status changed
+		err := sr.registry.UpdateService(srv)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return sr.registry.GetService(srv.ID)
+	}), nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/registry/service_registry_test.go b/pkg/registry/service_registry_test.go
index 109a9b7f7c6..023101aae2f 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/service_registry_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/service_registry_test.go
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ func TestServiceRegistry(t *testing.T) {
 	svc := api.Service{
 		JSONBase: api.JSONBase{ID: "foo"},
 	}
-	storage.Create(svc)
+	c, _ := storage.Create(svc)
+	<-c
 
 	if len(fakeCloud.Calls) != 0 {
 		t.Errorf("Unexpected call(s): %#v", fakeCloud.Calls)
@@ -57,7 +58,8 @@ func TestServiceRegistryExternalService(t *testing.T) {
 		JSONBase:                   api.JSONBase{ID: "foo"},
 		CreateExternalLoadBalancer: true,
 	}
-	storage.Create(svc)
+	c, _ := storage.Create(svc)
+	<-c
 
 	if len(fakeCloud.Calls) != 1 || fakeCloud.Calls[0] != "create" {
 		t.Errorf("Unexpected call(s): %#v", fakeCloud.Calls)
@@ -82,7 +84,8 @@ func TestServiceRegistryExternalServiceError(t *testing.T) {
 		JSONBase:                   api.JSONBase{ID: "foo"},
 		CreateExternalLoadBalancer: true,
 	}
-	storage.Create(svc)
+	c, _ := storage.Create(svc)
+	<-c
 
 	if len(fakeCloud.Calls) != 1 || fakeCloud.Calls[0] != "create" {
 		t.Errorf("Unexpected call(s): %#v", fakeCloud.Calls)
@@ -106,7 +109,8 @@ func TestServiceRegistryDelete(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	memory.CreateService(svc)
 
-	storage.Delete(svc.ID)
+	c, _ := storage.Delete(svc.ID)
+	<-c
 
 	if len(fakeCloud.Calls) != 0 {
 		t.Errorf("Unexpected call(s): %#v", fakeCloud.Calls)
@@ -131,7 +135,8 @@ func TestServiceRegistryDeleteExternal(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	memory.CreateService(svc)
 
-	storage.Delete(svc.ID)
+	c, _ := storage.Delete(svc.ID)
+	<-c
 
 	if len(fakeCloud.Calls) != 1 || fakeCloud.Calls[0] != "delete" {
 		t.Errorf("Unexpected call(s): %#v", fakeCloud.Calls)