diff --git a/elm_code/bin/elm_code_test_main.c b/elm_code/bin/elm_code_test_main.c
index 38c5ab0..698e411 100644
--- a/elm_code/bin/elm_code_test_main.c
+++ b/elm_code/bin/elm_code_test_main.c
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ _elm_code_test_welcome_setup(Evas_Object *parent)
    Evas_Object *widget;
 
    code = elm_code_create();
-   elm_code_file_new(code);
    widget = elm_code_widget_add(parent, code);
    elm_code_widget_font_size_set(widget, 14);
    _append_line(code->file, "Hello World, Elm Code!");
diff --git a/elm_code/lib/Elm_Code.h b/elm_code/lib/Elm_Code.h
index 30f323a..866ccc7 100644
--- a/elm_code/lib/Elm_Code.h
+++ b/elm_code/lib/Elm_Code.h
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ EAPI int elm_code_init(void);
  *
  * @return Elm Code's init counter value.
  *
- * @see elm_code_init().
+ * @see elm_code_init()
  *
  * @ingroup Init
  */
@@ -95,11 +95,12 @@ EAPI int elm_code_shutdown(void);
 /**
  * Create a new Elm Code instance
  *
- * This method creates a new Elm Code instance which will need a
- * backing file set for storage.
+ * This method creates a new Elm Code instance using an in-memory file for backing changes.
+ * A regular file can be set after creation if required.
  * Once an Elm Code has been created you can create widgets that render the content.
  *
- * "return an allocated Elm_Code that references the given file
+ * @return an allocated Elm_Code that references the given file
+ * @see elm_code_file_open()
  */
 EAPI Elm_Code *elm_code_create();
 
diff --git a/elm_code/lib/elm_code.c b/elm_code/lib/elm_code.c
index 1c04f53..9b895f5 100644
--- a/elm_code/lib/elm_code.c
+++ b/elm_code/lib/elm_code.c
@@ -72,6 +72,8 @@ elm_code_create()
 
    ret = calloc(1, sizeof(Elm_Code));
 
+   // create an in-memory backing for this elm_code by default
+   elm_code_file_new(ret);
    return ret;
 }
 
diff --git a/elm_code/lib/elm_code_diff_widget.c b/elm_code/lib/elm_code_diff_widget.c
index e833f85..7e577ed 100644
--- a/elm_code/lib/elm_code_diff_widget.c
+++ b/elm_code/lib/elm_code_diff_widget.c
@@ -94,7 +94,6 @@ EAPI Evas_Object *elm_code_diff_widget_add(Evas_Object *parent, Elm_Code *code)
 
    // left side of diff
    wcode1 = elm_code_create();
-   elm_code_file_new(wcode1);
    widget_left = elm_code_widget_add(parent, wcode1);
 
    evas_object_size_hint_weight_set(widget_left, EVAS_HINT_EXPAND, EVAS_HINT_EXPAND);
@@ -105,7 +104,6 @@ EAPI Evas_Object *elm_code_diff_widget_add(Evas_Object *parent, Elm_Code *code)
 
    // right side of diff
    wcode2 = elm_code_create();
-   elm_code_file_new(wcode2);
    widget_right = elm_code_widget_add(parent, wcode2);
 
    evas_object_size_hint_weight_set(widget_right, EVAS_HINT_EXPAND, EVAS_HINT_EXPAND);
diff --git a/elm_code/lib/elm_code_file.c b/elm_code/lib/elm_code_file.c
index 9a431d0..6c1944e 100644
--- a/elm_code/lib/elm_code_file.c
+++ b/elm_code/lib/elm_code_file.c
@@ -53,6 +53,9 @@ EAPI Elm_Code_File *elm_code_file_new(Elm_Code *code)
 {
    Elm_Code_File *ret;
 
+   if (code->file)
+     elm_code_file_free(code->file);
+
    ret = calloc(1, sizeof(Elm_Code_File));
    code->file = ret;
    ret->parent = code;
diff --git a/elm_code/tests/elm_code_file_test_memory.c b/elm_code/tests/elm_code_file_test_memory.c
index ab7c063..cf4de29 100644
--- a/elm_code/tests/elm_code_file_test_memory.c
+++ b/elm_code/tests/elm_code_file_test_memory.c
@@ -6,16 +6,14 @@
 
 START_TEST (elm_code_file_memory_lines)
 {
-   Elm_Code_File *file;
    Elm_Code *code;
 
    code = elm_code_create();
-   file = elm_code_file_new(code);
-   ck_assert_uint_eq(0, elm_code_file_lines_get(file));
+   ck_assert_uint_eq(0, elm_code_file_lines_get(code->file));
 
-   elm_code_file_line_append(file, "a line", 6);
+   elm_code_file_line_append(code->file, "a line", 6);
 
-   ck_assert_uint_eq(1, elm_code_file_lines_get(file));
+   ck_assert_uint_eq(1, elm_code_file_lines_get(code->file));
    elm_code_free(code);
 }
 END_TEST
@@ -27,8 +25,7 @@ START_TEST (elm_code_file_memory_tokens)
    Elm_Code *code;
 
    code = elm_code_create();
-   file = elm_code_file_new(code);
-
+   file = code->file;
    elm_code_file_line_append(file, "a line", 6);
    elm_code_file_line_token_add(file, 1, 2, 5, ELM_CODE_TOKEN_TYPE_COMMENT);
 
diff --git a/elm_code/tests/elm_code_test_widget.c b/elm_code/tests/elm_code_test_widget.c
index c79c66a..f6b0a46 100644
--- a/elm_code/tests/elm_code_test_widget.c
+++ b/elm_code/tests/elm_code_test_widget.c
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ START_TEST (elm_code_widget_token_render_simple_test)
    Evas_Textgrid_Cell cells[25];
 
    code = elm_code_create();
-   file = elm_code_file_new(code);
+   file = code->file;
    elm_code_file_line_append(file, "some \"test content\", 45", 23);
    line = elm_code_file_line_get(file, 1);
    length = line->length;
diff --git a/src/bin/Makefile.am b/src/bin/Makefile.am
index 35bc17f..043e645 100644
--- a/src/bin/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/bin/Makefile.am
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ AM_CPPFLAGS = -DPACKAGE_DATA_DIR=\"$(datadir)/$(PACKAGE)\" \
 edi_SOURCES = \
 editor/edi_editor_search.c \
 editor/edi_editor.c \
+edi_content_provider.c \
 welcome/edi_welcome.c \
 edi_filepanel.c \
 edi_logpanel.c \
diff --git a/src/bin/edi_consolepanel.c b/src/bin/edi_consolepanel.c
index 919fb79..ffaf4ce 100644
--- a/src/bin/edi_consolepanel.c
+++ b/src/bin/edi_consolepanel.c
@@ -337,7 +337,6 @@ void edi_testpanel_add(Evas_Object *parent)
 
    code = elm_code_create();
    _edi_test_code = code;
-   elm_code_file_new(code);
 
    widget = elm_code_widget_add(parent, code);
    elm_code_widget_font_size_set(widget, 12);
diff --git a/src/bin/edi_content_provider.c b/src/bin/edi_content_provider.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..80025ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/bin/edi_content_provider.c
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
+# include "config.h"
+#endif
+
+#include <Evas.h>
+#include <Elm_Code.h>
+
+#include "edi_content_provider.h"
+#include "editor/edi_editor.h"
+
+#include "edi_private.h"
+
+// TODO move out to edi_content.c ot similar just like the editor type
+// (and the Evas include)
+
+static Evas_Object *
+_edi_content_provider_image_add(Evas_Object *parent, Edi_Mainview_Item *item)
+{
+   Evas_Object *img, *scroll;
+
+   scroll = elm_scroller_add(parent);
+   evas_object_size_hint_weight_set(scroll, EVAS_HINT_EXPAND, EVAS_HINT_EXPAND);
+   evas_object_size_hint_align_set(scroll, EVAS_HINT_FILL, EVAS_HINT_FILL);
+   evas_object_show(scroll);
+   img = elm_image_add(scroll);
+   elm_image_file_set(img, item->path, NULL);
+   elm_image_no_scale_set(img, EINA_TRUE);
+   elm_object_content_set(scroll, img);
+   evas_object_show(img);
+
+   return scroll;
+}
+
+static Evas_Object *
+_edi_content_provider_diff_add(Evas_Object *parent, Edi_Mainview_Item *item)
+{
+   Elm_Code *code;
+   Evas_Object *diff;
+
+   code = elm_code_create();
+   elm_code_file_open(code, item->path);
+   diff = elm_code_diff_widget_add(parent, code);
+   elm_code_diff_widget_font_size_set(diff, 12);
+
+   return diff;
+}
+
+static Edi_Content_Provider _edi_content_provider_registry[] =
+{
+   {"text", EINA_TRUE, EINA_TRUE, edi_editor_add},
+   {"image", EINA_FALSE, EINA_FALSE, _edi_content_provider_image_add},
+   {"diff", EINA_TRUE, EINA_FALSE, _edi_content_provider_diff_add},
+
+   {NULL, EINA_FALSE, EINA_FALSE, NULL}
+};
+
+EAPI Edi_Content_Provider *edi_content_provider_for_mime_get(const char *mime)
+{
+   char *id;
+
+   if (!strcasecmp(mime, "text/plain") || !strcasecmp(mime, "application/x-shellscript"))
+     id = "text";
+   else if (!strcasecmp(mime, "text/x-chdr") || !strcasecmp(mime, "text/x-csrc"))
+     id = "text"; // TODO make a code view
+   else if (!strncasecmp(mime, "image/", 6))
+     id = "image";
+   else if (!strcasecmp(mime, "text/x-diff") || !strcasecmp(mime, "text/x-patch"))
+     id = "diff";
+   else
+     return NULL;
+
+   return edi_content_provider_for_id_get(id);
+}
+
+EAPI Edi_Content_Provider *edi_content_provider_for_id_get(const char *id)
+{
+   Edi_Content_Provider *provider;
+
+   provider = _edi_content_provider_registry;
+   while (provider != NULL && provider->id != NULL)
+     {
+        if (!strncmp(id, provider->id, strlen(provider->id)))
+          return provider;
+
+        provider++;
+     }
+
+   return NULL;
+}
diff --git a/src/bin/edi_content_provider.h b/src/bin/edi_content_provider.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4dbba7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/bin/edi_content_provider.h
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+#ifndef EDI_CONTENT_PROVIDER_H_
+# define EDI_CONTENT_PROVIDER_H_
+
+#include <Evas.h>
+
+#include "mainview/edi_mainview_item.h"
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
+/**
+ * @file
+ * @brief These routines are used for managing information about supported content.
+ */
+
+typedef struct _Edi_Content_Provider
+{
+   const char *id;
+
+   Eina_Bool is_text;
+   Eina_Bool is_editable;
+
+   Evas_Object *(*content_ui_add)(Evas_Object *parent, Edi_Mainview_Item *item);
+} Edi_Content_Provider;
+
+/**
+ * @brief Lookup information in content provider registry.
+ * @defgroup Lookup
+ *
+ * @{
+ *
+ * Looking up content providers based on mime or id etc.
+ *
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Look up a content provider based on a mime type.
+ *
+ * @param mime the mime type of a file you wish to get a content provider for
+ *
+ * @return an Edi_Content_Provider if one is registered or NULL otherwise
+ *
+ * @ingroup Lookup
+ */
+EAPI Edi_Content_Provider *edi_content_provider_for_mime_get(const char *mime);
+
+/**
+ * Look up a content provider based on a provider id.
+ * This is useful for overriding mime-type based lookup.
+ *
+ * @param mime the id of a provider you wish to get a handle for.
+ *
+ * @return an Edi_Content_Provider if one is registered or NULL otherwise
+ *
+ * @ingroup Lookup
+ */
+EAPI Edi_Content_Provider *edi_content_provider_for_id_get(const char *id);
+
+/**
+ * @}
+ */
+
+
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif
+
+#endif /* EDI_CONTENT_PROVIDER_H_ */
diff --git a/src/bin/edi_logpanel.c b/src/bin/edi_logpanel.c
index 0068159..f87d9d8 100644
--- a/src/bin/edi_logpanel.c
+++ b/src/bin/edi_logpanel.c
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ void edi_logpanel_add(Evas_Object *parent)
    Elm_Code *code;
 
    code = elm_code_create();
-   elm_code_file_new(code);
    widget = elm_code_widget_add(parent, code);
    elm_code_widget_font_size_set(widget, 12);
    evas_object_size_hint_weight_set(widget, EVAS_HINT_EXPAND, EVAS_HINT_EXPAND);
diff --git a/src/bin/mainview/edi_mainview.c b/src/bin/mainview/edi_mainview.c
index 133d5be..789e33f 100644
--- a/src/bin/mainview/edi_mainview.c
+++ b/src/bin/mainview/edi_mainview.c
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #include "mainview/edi_mainview.h"
 
 #include "editor/edi_editor.h"
+#include "edi_content_provider.h"
 
 #include "edi_private.h"
 
@@ -142,55 +143,16 @@ _edi_mainview_item_add(Edi_Path_Options *path, const char *mime, Elm_Object_Item
    return item;
 }
 
-static Evas_Object *
-_edi_mainview_content_image_create(Edi_Mainview_Item *item, Evas_Object *parent)
-{
-   Evas_Object *img, *scroll;
-
-   scroll = elm_scroller_add(parent);
-   evas_object_size_hint_weight_set(scroll, EVAS_HINT_EXPAND, EVAS_HINT_EXPAND);
-   evas_object_size_hint_align_set(scroll, EVAS_HINT_FILL, EVAS_HINT_FILL);
-   evas_object_show(scroll);
-   img = elm_image_add(scroll);
-   elm_image_file_set(img, item->path, NULL);
-   elm_image_no_scale_set(img, EINA_TRUE);
-   elm_object_content_set(scroll, img);
-   evas_object_show(img);
-
-   return scroll;
-}
-
-static Evas_Object *
-_edi_mainview_content_diff_create(Edi_Mainview_Item *item, Evas_Object *parent)
-{
-   Elm_Code *code;
-   Evas_Object *diff;
-
-   code = elm_code_create();
-   elm_code_file_open(code, item->path);
-   diff = elm_code_diff_widget_add(parent, code);
-   elm_code_diff_widget_font_size_set(diff, 12);
-
-   return diff;
-}
-
 static Evas_Object *
 _edi_mainview_content_create(Edi_Mainview_Item *item, Evas_Object *parent)
 {
-   if (!strcmp(item->editortype, "text"))
-     {
-        return edi_editor_add(parent, item);
-     }
-   else if (!strcmp(item->editortype, "image"))
-     {
-        return _edi_mainview_content_image_create(item, parent);
-     }
-   else if (!strcmp(item->editortype, "diff"))
-     {
-        return _edi_mainview_content_diff_create(item, parent);
-     }
+   Edi_Content_Provider *provider;
 
-   return NULL;
+   provider = edi_content_provider_for_id_get(item->editortype);
+   if (!provider)
+     return NULL;
+
+   return provider->content_ui_add(parent, item);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -326,6 +288,7 @@ static void
 _edi_mainview_tab_stat_done(void *data, Eio_File *handler EINA_UNUSED, const Eina_Stat *stat)
 {
    Edi_Path_Options *options;
+   Edi_Content_Provider *provider;
    const char *mime;
 
    options = data;
@@ -333,20 +296,14 @@ _edi_mainview_tab_stat_done(void *data, Eio_File *handler EINA_UNUSED, const Ein
      return;
 
    mime = efreet_mime_type_get(options->path);
-   if (!strcasecmp(mime, "text/plain") || !strcasecmp(mime, "application/x-shellscript"))
-     options->type = "text";
-   else if (!strcasecmp(mime, "text/x-chdr") || !strcasecmp(mime, "text/x-csrc"))
-     options->type = "text"; // TODO make a code view
-   else if (!strncasecmp(mime, "image/", 6))
-     options->type = "image";
-   else if (!strcasecmp(mime, "text/x-diff") || !strcasecmp(mime, "text/x-patch"))
-     options->type = "diff";
-   else
+   provider = edi_content_provider_for_mime_get(mime);
+   if (!provider)
      {
         _edi_mainview_choose_type(nf, options, _edi_mainview_choose_type_tab_cb);
         return;
      }
 
+   options->type = provider->id;
    _edi_mainview_item_tab_add(options, mime);
 }
 
@@ -354,6 +311,7 @@ static void
 _edi_mainview_win_stat_done(void *data, Eio_File *handler EINA_UNUSED, const Eina_Stat *stat)
 {
    Edi_Path_Options *options;
+   Edi_Content_Provider *provider;
    const char *mime;
 
    options = data;
@@ -361,20 +319,14 @@ _edi_mainview_win_stat_done(void *data, Eio_File *handler EINA_UNUSED, const Ein
      return;
 
    mime = efreet_mime_type_get(options->path);
-   if (!strcasecmp(mime, "text/plain") || !strcasecmp(mime, "application/x-shellscript"))
-     options->type = "text";
-   else if (!strcasecmp(mime, "text/x-chdr") || !strcasecmp(mime, "text/x-csrc"))
-     options->type = "text"; // TODO make a code view
-   else if (!strncasecmp(mime, "image/", 6))
-     options->type = "image";
-   else if (!strcasecmp(mime, "text/x-diff") || !strcasecmp(mime, "text/x-patch"))
-     options->type = "diff";
-   else
+   provider = edi_content_provider_for_mime_get(mime);
+   if (!provider)
      {
         _edi_mainview_choose_type(nf, options, _edi_mainview_choose_type_win_cb);
         return;
      }
 
+   options->type = provider->id;
    _edi_mainview_item_win_add(options, mime);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/tests/Makefile.am b/src/tests/Makefile.am
index 2b2a7f2..9743a94 100644
--- a/src/tests/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/tests/Makefile.am
@@ -5,16 +5,19 @@ check_PROGRAMS = edi_suite
 
 edi_suite_SOURCES = \
 edi_test_path.c \
+edi_test_content_provider.c \
 edi_suite.c
 
 edi_suite_CPPFLAGS = -I$(top_builddir)/src/lib/ -I$(top_builddir)/src/bin/ \
+-I$(top_srcdir)/elm_code/lib \
 -DPACKAGE_TESTS_DIR=\"$(top_srcdir)/src/tests/\" \
 -DPACKAGE_BUILD_DIR=\"`pwd`/$(top_builddir)/src/tests/\" \
+-DEFL_BETA_API_SUPPORT \
 @EFL_CFLAGS@ \
 @CHECK_CFLAGS@
 
-edi_suite_LDADD = @CHECK_LIBS@ $(top_builddir)/src/lib/libedi.la
-edi_suite_DEPENDENCIES = $(top_builddir)/src/lib/libedi.la
+edi_suite_LDADD = @CHECK_LIBS@ $(top_builddir)/src/lib/libedi.la $(top_builddir)/elm_code/lib/libelm_code.la
+edi_suite_DEPENDENCIES = $(top_builddir)/src/lib/libedi.la $(top_builddir)/elm_code/lib/libelm_code.la
 
 endif
 
diff --git a/src/tests/edi_suite.c b/src/tests/edi_suite.c
index f57bf16..038cad7 100644
--- a/src/tests/edi_suite.c
+++ b/src/tests/edi_suite.c
@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@ static const struct {
    void (*build)(TCase *tc);
 } tests[] = {
   { "basic", edi_test_basic },
-  { "path", edi_test_path }
+  { "path", edi_test_path },
+  { "content_provider", edi_test_content_provider }
 };
 
 START_TEST(edi_initialization)
diff --git a/src/tests/edi_suite.h b/src/tests/edi_suite.h
index bdc17f2..e5c6169 100644
--- a/src/tests/edi_suite.h
+++ b/src/tests/edi_suite.h
@@ -8,5 +8,6 @@
 void edi_test_basic(TCase *tc);
 void edi_test_console(TCase *tc);
 void edi_test_path(TCase *tc);
+void edi_test_content_provider(TCase *tc);
 
 #endif /* _EDI_SUITE_H */
diff --git a/src/tests/edi_test_content_provider.c b/src/tests/edi_test_content_provider.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c912b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/tests/edi_test_content_provider.c
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
+# include "config.h"
+#endif
+
+#include "edi_content_provider.c"
+
+#include "edi_suite.h"
+
+START_TEST (edi_test_content_provider_id_lookup)
+{
+   Edi_Content_Provider *provider;
+
+   provider = edi_content_provider_for_id_get("text");
+
+   ck_assert(provider);
+   ck_assert_str_eq(provider->id, "text");
+}
+END_TEST
+
+START_TEST (edi_test_content_provider_mime_lookup)
+{
+   Edi_Content_Provider *provider;
+
+   provider = edi_content_provider_for_mime_get("text/plain");
+
+   ck_assert(provider);
+   ck_assert_str_eq(provider->id, "text");
+}
+END_TEST
+
+void edi_test_content_provider(TCase *tc)
+{
+   tcase_add_test(tc, edi_test_content_provider_id_lookup);
+   tcase_add_test(tc, edi_test_content_provider_mime_lookup);
+}
+